The Garden of Eden

Chapter Two

Brother. That word has never been a foreign concept to Elisabeth, but suddenly it leaves a sour taste in her mouth. Why would someone she's never met claim to be her brother? Elisabeth knows for a fact that Warren is her only sibling. Her mother and father would never lie to her about something like that.

Finally, Elisabeth lets go of the sink and plasters a small smile to her face. "I guess Mr. Mysterious is a bit crazy, then. Too bad." It's as if someone pulled a heavy blanket off of the room. Angel laughs and Elisabeth soon joins her, and all of that uneasiness that hung heavily in the air is gone.

Together, they walk out of the washroom, Angel going on and on about something that Elisabeth really doesn't care about, but for the first time, she's thankful for having a big mouth as her best friend. Elisabeth would much rather listen to how Angel ruined her favorite dress than think about Joshua.

Elisabeth has never really pointedly ignored someone before. Unlike Angel, Elisabeth's a generally agreeable person. She doesn't have any enemies or people she dislikes. But today is different. To say she avoided Joshua would be an understatement. Every time she saw him coming down the hallway, she would quickly turn and walk the other direction. At lunch, instead of flocking him like the other students (Angel included), she sat with a few of the shyer girls in the corner of the lunchroom.

When the final bell rings Elisabeth stands and darts out of the building, her muscles slowly relaxing as the stress of not being noticed is lifted from her shoulders. She's almost out of the school yard when a firm hand grabs her shoulder, making her jump. She whirls around and when she sees who's behind her, her hand flies to her mouth.

"Oh, Mr. Turner. Hello."

The middle-aged teacher's face remains stony. "Sorry to frighten you, Elisabeth; but we have an important matter to discuss."

Mr. Turner has it wrong. Elisabeth isn't frightened. She's relieved. For a second she thought that all of her hard work had been put to waste. She thought that Joshua had caught up to her.

"Of course, sir."

"Let's come back inside." He touches her shoulder again, this time more gently, and leads her back into the school. Elisabeth glances around nervously, but to her relief, there's not a single student that's still in the building.

When they get to his office, Elisabeth sits in one of the stiff wooden chairs opposite from Mr. Turner. There's a dark brown desk that separates them, and it's almost like he is trying to make as much space between the two of them as possible; which made Elisabeth wonder for the first time what he needed her for.

"Miss Foster." He takes a short pause and Elisabeth leans forward slightly, urging him to continue. "Miss Foster, I know that you are aware of the new Garden member, Mr. Joshua Gold."

It's like someone suddenly pulled the carpet out from under Elisabeth's feet. She just stares blankly at Mr. Turner, unsure of what to say. Whatever this is, it can't be good. After an awkward silence, Elisabeth murmurs, "Yes, I know of him."

Mr. Turner leans back in his seat. "Good. Because Master Jonothan has assigned me to tell you the news."

"What news?" Elisabeth's voice is small, her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles have turned white.

Mr. Turner sighs. He obviously doesn't feel comfortable with this either, which is completely unlike him. He's the teacher that everyone thinks can lift a house. He's all brawn, no fear. Another awkward silence settles in the room and Elisabeth shifts in her seat.

"Mr. Gold is staying with your family."

"What?!" Elisabeth shoots out of the chair. "I don't even know him!"