Their Light

Special Chapter - Caspian, age 13

Caspian, age 13

I hated the way they looked at me.

They all had that same look. Disgust. Pity. I absolutely loathed it.

I didn't know where the car was heading. I didn't have a choice in coming. Three large men had barged into my home and grabbed me. My box wasn't much, but it was all I had.

I glared at them, but knew it was pointless to fight. I would need to wait for my chance and run like the wind when it came. Nerves made my hands fidget. My harsh look fell up on the shiny interior of the vehicle. This car could feed so many people. Rich people loved to show off.

I was confident that I hadn't been spotted on my last run. I stuck to the outer slums of the city. There was practically zero security. It was a free for all. You had to be strong to survive. I couldn't help my physical strength, but nothing would ever break me. Nothing.

We drove for a while, exiting the city I had always lived in. An hour passed and in a flash, we were in another city. It was like I had blinked and the world had changed. We crossed over a river and went further into the city.

This city was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Bright colors decorated the buildings, and everything looked clean. I spotted people in weird uniforms with capes. It was like I had stepped into another universe.

The houses grew larger, as did the ego and arrogance, I was sure. A large wrought-iron gate stopped the car. The driver rolled his window and said something to the speaker. The gate opened, and we continued on.

The car pulled up in front of a large stone mansion. I hated it on sight. Like I said, rich people loved to show off.

The men got out of the car. One of them opened up my door and motioned for me to get out. I glared at them for a moment before relenting. I thought about hijacking the car, but the driver took the keys.

"Please, go on in," one of them told me. He motioned to the front doors.

I had little choice, so I shoved my hands into my pockets and trudged up to the doors. A small, wrinkled man opened the door. His suit was perfect. He looked like the stereotypical butler. Meeting his eyes, his gaze confused me. He didn't look at me with disgust or pity. It was an emotion I couldn't pinpoint.

"Welcome, Caspian," he said. I tried to keep the shock off my face when he said my name. "It's so nice to meet you."

He ushered me into the mansion. The Kustos didn't follow. I glanced back, meeting the eyes of the driver as the doors closed. I felt like a prisoner on the way to my execution. It was bullshit if I didn't even get to pick a last meal.

The old guy brought me into a sitting room off of the main foyer. There was a man there waiting for us. Dressed in an expensive navy suit, his eyes were warm as they watched me. His silver hair accented his multicolored eyes. My eyes. He had my eyes.

I froze in the doorway, not wanting to take another step. The butler who greeted me nodded at the older gentleman before leaving the room. It was just the two of us.

"I know you must have questions," he started. "Why don't we sit and I can explain."

He motioned to one of the two couches in the room. A wooden rectangular table separated them. There was a silver platter resting on it. The sight of the perfectly cut sandwiches made my empty stomach ache.

He sat down on one, and I plopped down on the others. I hoped the dirt on my clothes stained the pristine white couch. We sat in silence. My glare never faltered.

"My name is Maxwell Fell. My son was Gregory Fell. He passed away years ago," he said. He clasped his hands together. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like they were shaking. "He met your mother when they were young. I don't know if he knew about you, but he never told me. That's the only reason it took me so long to find you."

I tried to process what he was saying. He was my grandfather. It felt impossible. Unbelievable.

"How did you find me, then?" I asked, breaking my silence.

"Apparently, when your mom got sick, she started looking for my son or any family he had," he explained. I bristled at the mention of my mom. I hated thinking of what took her from me. "She wanted you to have family, and she didn't have any left."

I glanced from him to the sandwiches as my stomach growled. His eyes widened. He motioned to the plate immediately.

"Please, eat all you want," he said. "I'll have Charles bring us out some water."

I grabbed a sandwich before he could change his mind. In a second, it was gone, and I had a replacement in my hands. Sure enough, the butler came back with a tray carrying a glass pitcher of water and two glasses. He left again as soon as he came.

"Slow down. I don't want you to be sick," he said with genuine concern. Knowing he was right, I tried to chew slower. I didn't want to end the best meal of my life by being sick. "I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner. I can't believe you have been living on the streets all these months."

I cleared my throat. "So I'm supposed to live here now?"

"Yes, I have a room upstairs being made up as we speak. Anything you need just let me or Charles know," he told me. He cleared his throat. "There are some things we need to discuss first though."

"I won't steal anything," I promised, already knowing where this was going. I had been given this same speech at the group home they had stuck me in. He looked startled.

"No, that wasn't what I was going to say. Though, I am glad you will refrain from thievery," he said. "I need to talk to you about your father's people. Our people."

From there he wove a fantastical tale of powerful Probus and righteous Kustos. Apparently, my father was a Probus like him. Because of this, I could develop powers. I did the only thing I could do.

I laughed.

I laughed harder than I ever had before. Clutching my stomach, I wiped the tears that had collected in my eyes. When I looked back up, all I saw was resignation.

The air around me moved. It whipped at my hair and clothes. He moved his hands, and the air obeyed. It felt like I was in the eye of a tornado. Slowly, it calmed back down. I was speechless. His eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Do you believe me now?" I nodded instantly. He chuckled and took a drink of his water. "You are entering a much different world than what you've ever known. Part of me hopes that you never develop abilities, but then what place will you have in our society."

"I'll survive. I always do," I told him honestly. He sent me a small smile.

"Of course," he declared. "You are a Fell. Now let's find you some clothes that don't look like you slept in an alley."

I looked down at my shabby rags. "But I did sleep in an alley."

"Don't remind me," he muttered, rolling his eyes. He stood up and walked around the table. He bent down in front of me, meeting my eyes. "You will never sleep on the streets again."

I nodded, unable to speak. It was like every dream, every fantasy I had on the cold, lonely nights had come true. I had family again. He seemed nice. It could just be an act, but I really hoped it wasn't.

"Now let's see about those clothes and maybe a nice warm bath," he said, standing. He motioned for me to follow him.

I stood and took a deep breath. Each step we took echoed, the ramifications reaching farther than the present. My entire world had changed. I wouldn't die on the streets.

I had a future. I had a chance, and I was going to take it.