Carrier

Going to See the Witches

Twins 2 years 4 months

Elisa 1 year 1 month

Pregnancy 7 months

Louis' POV

"Is it bad that I am scared?" Zayn asks me his voice hushed even though it is only him and I in the car.

"No, after being betrayed and hurt by so many I'm also hesitant about this, but Liam does need these people. They know more about what is happening to Liam than what we do, they are the only ones that seem to have any answers at all so we have no choice. We're doing this and if all goes well we will be bring our family here," I reply as I drive the car down the isolate dirt trail. I do not dare call it a road for there is only one lane yet the road is worn.

Trees tower over us some of their branches low enough to dance across the roof of the car. The road seems to go on forever as we make many random turns and go down many hills as well as up a few. The forest that surrounds us is like a forest that was born in a storybook. I half expect a wicked witch or Hansel and Greta to come dashing out onto the road.

I start to slow as over a hill the brick gate appears. There is nothing to see beyond it for the fence is far too tall. The white gate immediately opens for us, two men dressed in in khaki's and red polos nodding us through with smiles on their faces.

"Already warmer than Donum, the security actually smiles," I joke as we move past buildings labeled as police, fire department, secretary, grocery stores, department stores, a school, clothing stores and so many more. The thing that makes my breath catch in shock is the people. There are happy couples walking everywhere, many of them gay. Several males are visibly pregnant as they hold hands with their husband or occasionally even husbands. There are babies being pushed in strollers, children running about and teenagers are also strolling about. However, like usual there is never a Carrier strolling about alone. They are always being escorted by a husband, an assistant, nurse or even a teenage child. Yet they are smiling and are relaxed. They feel safe here.

"Do you think we could have that?" Zayn asks noticing the happiness and sense of security in the community.

"I hope so," I reply as we pull up to the building we are looking for the town meeting area and the hospital.

The parking lot is rather bare, but it seems not many use cars here so it is no bother to me.

"Ready?" Zayn asks turning to glance at me his hand on the door handle.

"Yeah, hopefully we'll have good news here," I sigh trying to remain hopeful as we get out of our car.

Walking up to the hospital itself is not a grim walk. There are flowers all about, drawings on the pavement in chalk done by children, there are murals along the brick of a heavily pregnant men, a traditional Carrier wedding, and children of all different races and religions playing in a park.

"Well you wouldn't see that pained on a building in New York," Zayn comments admiring the art work with an eye of an artist.

"Come on we can gawk at the mural later," I laugh grabbing his arm and pulling him inside the building.

Sitting at the desk is a young woman with long black hair, dark skin, a cloak draped over her shoulders and a warm smile on her lips.

"You must be Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. Isabella and Aileen, our leader, are waiting for you. I can take you right back. How are Liam and the babies?" she asks getting up from her desk her dark purple cloak falling around her and moving along with her as she moves elegantly. Her clothing beneath is a beautiful dress that is a beautiful Native American or India style dress, an unusual thing to see in rural Ireland, but it brings comfort to me. For it is more proof that this community is  not judgmental of race, religion, sexuality, and any other thing. It feels like walking into an alternate reality and it all feels way too good to be true.