Slipping Secrets (Rhya Riddle- Book 2)

I Take an Unexpected Swim

Pansy got her way in the end.

I spent most of the walk grumbling about having to change into swimmers, and how a breeze was picking up, but nobody listened. I had always hated the water because I couldn’t swim. Marcal had always tried to teach me, or at least get me in the water, but I just can’t see the point in learning. How is it going to benefit my life in any way? I don’t plan on spending much of my time in lakes to be honest.

Our creek runs through the Malfoy property and along a bank covered in willows, with a large clearing on the other side, perfect for streaming in light on a summers day. We set out the picnic rug under the large willow that you can jump into the river in, and unloaded our lunch.

I pulled out a frozen juice box, and dug my spoon into it, lying back contentedly to try and tan while the others enjoyed their swim. I closed my eyes against the warm glare of the sun and stretched out comfortably, hearing my brother’s laughs as he and Blaisé pushed each other around in the water.

And I made a wish. I wished it could stay like that forever, the warmth, ease and comfort of the afternoon. That I wouldn’t have to sit awkwardly at a dinner table with my family, remarking over gifts I thought were useless. Then with a jolt, I realised it would, at least for me anyway.

I could live my life and never change, never grow old again, because I was and immortal eleven year old. Last year I cut my finger upon the Philosophers Stone, and by doing so, my blood absorbed its power, both for healing and for riches.

I traced the small nails that held the wicker picnic basket together, and tried something I’d been practicing for most of the holidays. I imagined my blood to be molten gold, warm and sparkling, then thought of it rushing from my finger tips and into the small metal nail. When I opened my eyes, the nail was just as golden and gleaming as I had imagined.

It was a curse, I’d always thought of it. Albeit an incredibly cool curse, it separated my twin from myself forever. I’d be forced to watch him grow old and die, have children and marry, while I lived on. Nicholas Flamel, inventor of the stone, himself had lived seven hundred years. I tried to imagine what it would be like, living for that long without any friends or family, simply because you were too afraid to watch them die.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I found myself suddenly wanting to hug my brother, to live a normal life like him. Maybe even date Blaisé. For once in my life I wanted to be normal.

“What’s wrong?”

I looked up sniffling to see Blaisé standing over me, soaked head to toe, a string of river weed stuck in his hair.

“Nothing,” I mumbled, wiping my eyes frantically.

“Nothing? Obviously SOMETHING is wrong. You know what? I have just the thing to make you feel better!”

Before I could protest, he swung me up over his shoulder and raced down the hill towards the creek, despite my efforts to hit him.

“Marcal! Kill him,” I yelled, but it was too late, as Blaisé jumped in, still carrying me.

My first thought as I entered the water was peace. Down in the murky depths, with the glistening sun rays shining through the water, it was easy to feel alone and cut off, all senses dulled but hearing.

Then the panic set in as the cold water froze my limbs, and I could feel the creeks weight crushing me, pulling me under. My lungs were pulling me towards the surface, but I was thrashing unwittingly, air streaming out my nose. Blaisé was gone from beside me and I felt the sudden dread that I would be lost down here, unfound forever.

Pain pierced my chest as I started to crave for air, and I opened my mouth to gasp but only water splashed in. I yelled in fear, but the water muted it and then I knew that I was going to drown. The water claimed me, and I jolted when I sunk to the bottom.