Mystery of the Boundaries

Chapter Two

I trudge through the heavy winter snow out of the lonely orphanage home and down the street, to where Evelina's red brick house stands. I knock on the door three times, before standing back and waiting patiently. The door opens, and Evelina's mom answers the door.

"Hello Alaska, are you looking for Evelina?" she asks.

"Yes, Mrs. Adams, I am." I reply politely, trying to hide my confusion. Why didn't Evelina immediately open the door? That's what she usually does. Concern kicks in instantly. "Is Evelina alright, Mrs. Adams? "

"Yes, yes. Quite well," she replied, "although, she's been acting weird lately, I want to go take her to the doctors just to see if they know what's wrong. Do you mind if you tell her teachers?"

"No problem," I assure her, "well I'll see you, Mrs. Adams!"

"Good-bye dear, and take care!" she waves as I leave for school, my mind still reeling from the strange and unknown vibe I am receiving. Shrugging it off, I start to walk.

* * *

School went by as a blur. After telling our home room teacher about Evelina's doctors appointment, I settled down on my seat and got ready for the boring lessons that made me yearn for a long and dreamless nap.

I'm walking down the street, carrying my backpack that is filled with boatloads of useless homework, whistling tunelessly. I shiver as I feel a cold gust of wind and wrap my scarf tighter around my chilled neck. Abruptly, I stop, hearing the sound of a siren. A police siren. Then as I round a corner, I go still. There in the driveway of Evelina's house, was a police car, flashing the distrubing but alarming blue and red lights.

After a few seconds of pure shock, I rush towards the red brick house, heart in my throat, hoping for the best. The hope quickly melts away when I see a hysterical Mrs. Adams yelling something to the police officer. Listening intently, I hear what she's saying.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO SIGN OF STRUGGLE?!" she shrieks, tears falling down her face. "YOU LISTEN HERE SONNY, MY DAUGHTER HAS JUST BEEN KIDNAPPED. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH SHE WOULD JUST WALK OUT OF THE CAR AND LEAVE UNLESS SHE SLEEPWALKS AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT SHE DOESN'T!"

Fear is what I'm feeling right now. Fear for what might be happening to Evelina right this second, while I'm just just skipping back to the orphanage, completely and utterly useless.

"Um, calm down ma'am, we know that your daughter probably didn't just walk away. We were just stating a simple fact," one officer says nervously, probably because he was afraid Mrs. Adams would pull some amazing jujitsu move and chop in half or something. That's what she looked like she was going to do anyways.

"And did you just say that she was sleeping?" the other officer asks.

"Yes." Mrs. Adams says stiffly.

"Hmmm . . . ." the officer strokes his beard thoughtfully, "That just might change things. And is your daughter a light sleeper?"

"Sometimes. It depends. When she's stressed or sick, she's a very heavy sleeper. But normally, she's not." she answers.

Suddenly, I feel it. The same strange vibe that the house was giving off this morning. It was so familiar, how could I not recognize it? It was the Master.

You see, I, Alaska Flayre, am one of the Chosen. I can sense energies around me. It's like a buzz, kind of like an electrical feeling you get when you rub a balloon over your hair. Static is the best word to describe it. Anyways, the job of the Chosen is to guard and protect the city of New Taren from the evil of the place we call, Beyond the Boundaries. We exist because of a particular legend. They say that every year on the day of the winter solstice, one girl or boy is taken by the leader of it all. The Master. This child must be one of a pure heart and a kind, generous soul. They say that he or she will be brought to the Master to be turned into one of his students, until they can wield the power of evil by themselves.