The Gliders

Chapter 1

Elena stepped off the ship, leaving its peace and quiet only to enter the bustle of the city. She had her bags by her side and she looked at her surroundings, surprised.

There were people everywhere, yelling, talking, hugging their friends, and kissing their husbands who had just come from overseas. She saw a scrawny boy, who could not have been much older than she was, pick pocketing an unsuspecting gentleman in a suit and 2 young girls crying on the sidewalk without anybody noticing or caring.

Elena was surprised. This was the first time that she had come to Edinburgh and it was much different than what she was used to or expected. Moonfield was a quiet and serene place, surrounded by water and where everybody knew each other. By comparison, Edinburgh was humongous and there was smog everywhere – it seemed as if everybody had somewhere to go and people to see. Nobody gave each other the time of day.  

Suddenly, she felt somebody touch her shoulder. Instantly, she picked up her bag and turned around, ready to hit the thief when she realized who it was.

“Woah!” said her cousin, putting his hands up in mock surrender. “Don’t kill me yet.” She saw the smile on his face and put down her bag. She smiled.

“Hey Will,” she said.       

“Hey?!” he asked. “That’s all you got to say to me after practically killing me?” he joked.

“Yea, well i thought you were going to steal my stuff,” she pouted, crossing her arms.

He chuckled. “With all the stuff you’re carrying, it’s a surprise that no one did.”

She looked down. She had 3 duffle bags and 4 suitcases lying on the sidewalk. Occasionally, someone would bump into one and sneer at her before walking off again.

She made a face and looked back up at him.

“At least you’re here to do the heavy lifting?” she asked, a hopeful look on her face.

Will was 17, with a comfortable smile and an easygoing attitude. The last time she had seen him, he was a skinny boy, no taller than her, but now, he had muscles bulging under his thin shirt and broad shoulders. His blue eyes sparkled when he looked at her and his blond hair looked golden under the sun.

Will grinned and slung 2 bags on his shoulder before picking up 2 suitcases.

“i would, cous,” he said. “But you’ve got much more than I can handle.”

She made a face before bending down and shouldering her bag and picking up the last 2 suitcases. Instantly, she groaned, making Will laugh.

“Don’t worry, cous,” he said. “The auto’s not far from here.”

                By the time they reached the auto, Elena’s back hurt.

                “I hate you, Will,” she moaned before setting the bags downs and letting the chauffeur put them in the trunk.

                “What?!” he joked. “I did what i could. I may be stronger now but i don’t have 4 hands, you know.”

                “Whatever, Will. You should have done it anyways” she teased, swinging open the door and taking a seat. He did the same himself and put his hand over hers.

                It’s going to fun with you, cous,” he said and smiled at her.

                She gave him a half-hearted smile. “Yea,” she said. “It will.”

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Will lived alone, in a small cottage at the edge of the town. There were people roaming around everywhere and they didn’t even glance up at her as she took out her stuff. She walked in. It was a homely cottage with a hallway opening up into the living room in which was a fireplace. Above the mantel, there was a picture of her, Will, and their parents, all smiling happily. Will’s parents had died shortly after the picture was taken and he continued to live here alone.