The Academy - Book One (Published)

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five

"Welcome!"

Kaelen turned to stare at an older looking man with gray hair and eyes that looked remarkably similar to his own.  He scowled darkly as he looked around the all-white room, wondering where he was.

"Don't look so fierce," said the old man laughing as he swept his hand toward two white chairs that hadn't been there before.  "Let's have a seat and talk."

Kae hesitated before walking to a white cushioned chair and sat down.  Cocking an eyebrow he stared at the stranger questioningly.

"You have questions and I am here to answer them," began the old man in an  overly chipper tone.  Plopping down in the other white chair he added jovially, "All you have to do is ask."

Kae sighed as he glanced around in frustration, "Where is Mia?"

"Hmm," said the old man as he stared at Kae with knowing eyes.  "I knew you would ask that question."  Flicking his wrist a large screen appeared on the wall.  "Watch and learn," his voice trailed off as the screen lit up and Kayla sat on a wrought iron stool with a pale pink cushion. She stared unseeing out the window of her suites at the palace.  Acadia ran a brush through her curls while she talked gently to her.

"You miss your brother but I'm sure he wouldn't want you to be like this."  Acadia stopped talking to look at Kayla's reflection in the mirror.  She sighed because the girl's gaze was fixed out the window not listening.  "If you don't get better soon Lucas will tire of you."  She watched hoping for a response.  "Do you want your brother to be sad, you are his Mia?"  She smiled slightly when Kayla blinked.  The brush never paused as she continued to speak to her about her brother.

"I remember when Jacob brought him to visit our home...." the screen faded as Acadia started to tell the story of meeting Kaelen for the first time.

"What is this?" Kaelen had watched the screen completely confused as to what he was seeing.

"That is where your sister is.  She is waiting for you?"  With a laugh he continued.  "Not knowing it is you who waits for her."

He abruptly stood up and pointed to the man, "What does that mean?" Looking around the white room suspiciously he continued, "Where am I then?"

The man remained seated as he stared at him amused, "You'll soon find out."  In his old and calm voice he pointed back to the empty chair, "Sit back down."

Kaelen didn't want to sit down. He wanted to know where he was and what was going on.  Glaring at the old man, he ran to one of the four walls then pushed against it then looked down at his hands in disbelief.  He knew he'd pushed against the wall but it felt like he'd touched an impenetrable nothingness.

The old man cackled  and walked to a different wall. In a voice full of reprimand, he said "Did I not tell you everything would be explained to you?"

Kaelen stared at him angrily, "I want out of here!”  he yelled loudly.

The old man walked through the wall and before he disappeared he said, "I'll come back once you've calmed down."

Kaelen stared with his mouth open and ran toward the other wall. "Wait!"  The old man was gone leaving him in the white room with two chairs.  Sliding down the wall, he just sat there knowing he wouldn't be able to leave this place any time soon.

Kaelen sat sullenly on the floor as time slowly passed.  He was lonely, hungry, worried and tired.  The chairs had disappeared hours after the old man left but the display on the wall had remained.  Every once and a while it would flicker and show Kayla.  Every time she came on screen she had the same far and distant look. He knew she was trying to reach him.