The Other Side Of Me [Sequel to Faen's Child]

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

I woke up with an ache in my head, the pain like needles poking at my tender head. There were surprising bandages around my wrists and ankles, and when I touched them, a stinging pain shot up them. I bit my lip and felt over the sore areas, finding tender skin no matter where I nudged. It had to be burns, I concluded, for cuts were more of centrialised pain.

I sat up on the unfamiliar bed, looking at unfamiliar surround. The bedroom had simple designs, but overall, it was still larger than Leander and my shared room. I guessed it couldn’t be one of the students’ dorm, for I saw out of the window that it as in another sector of the school entirely.

At least, I was relieved to know that I was still in the school. God knew what I would do if I found myself somewhere far away. From what I remember of Brother Zane’s anger, what I remember of his threat, I had every right to be expelled. But I hadn’t been kicked out, right? I hoped so.

What would I do without my life here? Was I destined to go back to my old life –with the knowledge of all things Faen and my family all gone?

I looked around me for signs to give away the mystery of my surrounding. The first thing that caught my eye was a line of photo frames standing neatly on the shelf. I squinted, a little surprised to see a familiar face beaming back at me. it was the face of a seventeen-year old Ashe, smiling brightly at the camera, pouting her lips and placing her ‘peace-signs’ by her face, acting totally cute. For one fact, she didn’t seem to have to act it –she was perfectly cute on her own with that smile.

I smiled faintly at the memory of Ashe eleven years ago. Whoever who took this was close to her during this time. It had to be one of her friends, or one of her Guardians.

My eyes shifted to the next photo, and the answers came.

Brother Noel stood in a deadlock cuff with his elder brother, his father standing behind them with a slight frown as they grinned at the camera, as if they wouldn’t ever let up on each other. This seemed to have been taken when Brother Noel was younger –perhaps in his teenaged years. Still, it showed how much brotherly love was shared between him and Jacob –a stark contrast between the relationship between Ashe and me. Would it have been better if Ashe was a male? It had been proven that relationships between same-gendered siblings were usually tighter.

I got out of bed, finding little pain except in my head. I did my best to not force my mind to think too much, trying to ease the headache as quickly as possible. At the same time, I realized that my connection to my element of water seemed a little murky and made a mental note to reconnect with it soon, so as to prevent myself from getting murdered –figuratively –by Brother Noel.

If I was ever allowed to wield my power again, I mean. Did the Council have ways to remove elemental powers from a Faen? I prayed and hoped not silently.

Brother Zane was waiting outside, arms crossed, resting on his chest as he stared at his feet which was propped up on the low coffee table. Head and eyes turned emotionlessly to greet me once the click of the door sounded, and I tried not to look too guilty. I had no idea what had happened after I touched Ashe’s hand, but all I knew was that my head was close to splitting into two. It felt much like the many instances that I blacked out for no reason, but this was timed too uncannily. My sister must know something.

“You’re awake.” His voice was flat, almost hostile. I was instantly reminded of his explosive anger back at Headmaster Arliden’s office. Was he still pissed off with me? I needed to find an explanation for him, to answer for the video footage, but right now, I had no answers to appease him. What could I do? I guess the only way out for me right now was to beg for his trust.