Chai

Chapter 13

"Is something missing?

You look confused.

A linear timeline

You wished to pursue

A chapter is missing,

And I stand accused."

I slam on the door, fighting against the lock. The voices of my brothers are nails on a chalk board as it echoes down the hall. I kick the door, but it stands firm. I scream in frustration and grab the door handle. I rip it off the door. The door dissolves like ash. I bolt down the hall, but the hall never ends. My twin, Cruor, a bastard of a man, talks to Kate as if he were me. I see red as I finally escape the hallway. I lurk in the shadow in shock as Caligo, my older brother, walks in. His long slender "tail" scraping the floor and gleaming in the moonlight. I draw my sword.

Caligo croons, tail slashing back and forth like his tongue over his jagged jaws, "Are we done here, little brother?" He pats Cruor on the head.

I growl and lunge, throwing my body against Caligo. He collapses and Cruor flees like a coward into the fireplace. I reach for Kate, but something connects with the back of my head.

*

I woke up on the floor of the kitchen. I sat up, blood running off me. Cruror's scent burnt my nose. I coughed and sputtered; eyes wide. My clothes were soaked with grease and... I ripped my shirt off, disgusted. I gagged on the floor. That was my favorite shirt, you dick! I staggered to my feet, in search of my glasses in the sea of foam. I searched the house, but don't find them. I clenched my teeth and cursed their names as I stomped around the house in a rush. I pushed my glasses up my face as I stood in the mess of the kitchen and wondered where my glasses could've gone to. I yelled as I fixed my hair, "KATE! KATE!"

A loud scream and a thud echoed through the house. My heart dropped and I ran to the balcony. I threw open the doors and wrapped my hands around the bastards' supple, yielding throat. He screamed as I dragged him into the house. I threw him to the floor, and he bounced against it. I kicked his ribs and pinned him to the floor. I snarled, hands fisted around his collar, "BASTARD! WHERE IS..." My neighbor, a dwarfish man with a pig-ish demeanor and a violent temper, lay laughing under my fists.

He chortled, eyes merry with beer, "Ye still a WEEEEE bugger, I'm still awake, you WEAK LITTLE LAMB in comparison to Ol' Crazdruld-Dwarigan!" He smiled and punched me in the nose. I cursed and landed on my ass.

I snarled, not convinced of the old perverts' innocence, "Why were you on my balcony?"

He chirped, beer belly shaking violently as he bounced onto his feet, "Yah see, laddy, I was out waterin' mah flowers, then this big emo lookin' fucker came about. I tried to take 'im, he was like blade of grass. But he hit me with a bat and next thing I know, we're wrAStling, like when yous was a WEEEEE pup fresh off..."

"OKAY OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH." I held my hands up in defeat, not wanting to know anything else the old man was about to spew. I grimaced, knowing what the old man tends to be like when he was well-drank. I grab a can of E-Soda, a carbonized electrolyte drink, and hand it to the man for his troubles. He hammered it back as he walked out the front door, his back soaked in fire extinguisher foam. I shrugged, knowing that it's not the first time he'll have woken up covered in the solution.

*

I sat on the only clean chair and stared out my window. The police promised to do all they could but made no promises. I hung my head, knowing I should fetch the dry cleaning but preferring to wallow for a few moments more. I took my glasses into my hand and rubbed my face with the other. The hairs starting to form facial hair are rough against my hand. I sighed, knowing that Kate would've found them hilarious. Tears began to trickle down my face as I imagined how afraid and alone she must be. My heart ached as I imagined all they must've been doing to her. I sobbed into my hands as the pain spread across my lungs. I gasped and cried, the pain like a heart attack in my chest as I remembered everything once more...

*

The darkness creeps over every surface as I pound on the sides of the crate. I screamed for them, but they only laughed. They kicked the box as they left, heads high as the Golden Children of the family. The police, their big black boots gleaming, hoisted my crate into the back of the truck. I screamed and begged, but it fell to deaf ears.

The foster family sneered, barely audible over the tailgate closing, "See, children, they don't belong with us." The engine roared to life and cut off the cruel bastards' words. I screamed for help, for my brothers, for my parents. I could hide my "curse," just like my brothers! I could learn! Please! I called for Caligo, my betrayer, but his ears remained tuned to the ways of the Old-Worlders.

I arrived after hours of dirty travel at a home for "ones like me" or "late bloomers" who are born "Old-World," but develop Radiated traits over time. I was kept for years there until they appeared...

*

I held the old photo in my hands, trying to keep it from being soiled by my tears. The bottom of the Polar Bear photo read, "Gizmos' First Forever Family Photo <3." I had to find her, but how? I had scoured every map of the dimensions, but none of them seemed likely to be where Caligo would take her. Every dimension has become restricted since the Virus outbreaks and will not accept new immigrants of any kind right now.

I screamed in frustration as I pounded my fists on the table. I hoped dearly that the police would find her, for I knew I was not my fathers' son.

*

A few agonizing weeks later, long after the schools had closed due to outbreak, the phone rang. I picked it up, voice creaky and strained from screaming, "What?"

The woman chirped, sassy and irritated at my tone, "We are formally request you, Gizmo Todd O'Donner, appear at your nearest police station. Failure to appear within forty-eight hours will result in a warrant." Click. Okay then, bitch, hang up the phone then. I grabbed my backpack and stomped out the damn door.

I grabbed the horn by the door and blew it loud and clear. Prichard appeared, honking happily. I poured him his grains and got on my motorcycle. I stared at my helmet, the words, "Little Star" painted on in feminine cursive. I glanced up at the blue, cloudless sky, and wondered for the millionth time if she would be proud of me.