Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 11

Axel kept to himself mainly in his room in the next few days. He would sleep during the day while at night, he would keep himself awake – because he was afraid to sleep.

He would have nightmares.

Sometimes he would see his parents burning in their coffins. Sometimes, they would be at home, and they would suddenly burst into flames. Sometimes, he would jump into the fire. Sometimes, he would just stand by the side and shouted at them, an invisible barrier stopping him from reaching them.

He would then shout in his dreams and Axel was sure that he had shouted out loud. The last thing he wanted was to wake Elliot or worse, the whole household. At least during the day, or when Elliot was at school, he would be alone in the room and not be afraid if he did shout or act embarrassedly in his sleep.

After breakfast, he would go back to the room and set an alarm on his phone. But before that, he would scroll at some photos and messages from his Mom and Dad. He used to cry his eyes out, but he could control his emotions better now. He would then sleep until the alarm would ring, just before Elliot and Margaret would come home from school. Sometimes, he would wake up just after lunch. He would find a tray of food on his desk. Either Jane or Stanley or Johnson must had placed it there for him.

Every day, Stanley or Johnson would have a chat with him just after breakfast, to ask if he had anywhere that he wanted to go or anything he wanted to get. They could make arrangements for him. He was not a prisoner, he was just under protection. He could go anywhere and do anything he liked.

Axel did ask to go back to his home, once. But when Stanley said that they would need to get more MaxPol to help and need to plan a safe route for him – it sounded so complicated and troublesome that Axel had asked him to call it off. He did not want to trouble anyone, anymore.

He had been a burden to everyone in his life, including his Mom and Dad.

Axel did not see Linden since the funeral, but he came one day, just as he was getting ready to sleep – after breakfast. Linden had knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for Axel to answer the door. He then walked in and sat on Elliot's chair.

'Stanley said that you sleep all the time,' said Linden, pointing at the bed.

'I have nothing else to do,' said Axel curtly from his bed.

He had sat up on his bed when Linden barged in. Linden looked at Axel, impassive.

'Lieutenant Mintridge will begin the Magical lessons with you tomorrow,' said Linden.

Axel's eyes went wide. He was told that they would delay the training until his mood had improved. His mood had not improved, but it seemed like they thought that he could start the lessons.

Finally, thought Axel eagerly.

'So, you should sleep at night, not during the day,' smirked Linden, 'You don't want to be yawning when you cast your spells, it can go totally wrong if you do.'

Axel glared at him warningly, he disliked it a lot when Linden would act as if he knew everything about him. He did, in fact, seemed to know everything about Axel.

However, he had a hard time keeping his eyes opened. He was sleepy; he was supposed to be sleeping.

Linden gave him a smile and he stood up from Elliot's chair.

'So, we shall keep you awake today, so that you can sleep tonight. Take your wand. We are going out,' said Linden.

'Where are we going?' asked Axel hurriedly as he stood up hastily from his bed, 'Is it the training ground?'