Flamel's Legacy (Teaser)

Teaser: The Stranger

Activate it! Now!

Dad!!

I'm sorry...son...

Let them go!!

Edward!! Don't--!!

. . .

Hello...young alchemist.

He flew upright upon hearing a scream. His golden eyes quickly scanned the dark room for the source of the sound but then realized it came from him. A sigh of relief escaped his lips.

"So you're awake."

He whirled around to find a man standing in the doorway, rubbing his tired eyes. It was, after all, still night. How late into the night, he didn't know. "Who're you?"

The man smiled as he put on a pair of round glasses. "Harry," he replied. The boy noted a slight accent that he can't quite place. "Are you alright?"

His eyes wandered to the floor. "I dunno. Where am I?"

"My house," came the reply, as if it were obvious.

Golden eyes glared at the snarky response. "And how did I get here?"

The man named Harry shrugged. "I was hoping you could tell me that."

"Um...I don't get it."

Harry smiled and walked over to the bed the boy lay in. As he sat by the boy's side, golden eyes scoured over the man, taking in as many details as possible. He felt comfort in the man's kind green eyes, knowing without a doubt this was a person to be trusted. He noted a thin scar through the man's bangs in the shape of a lightning bolt. Another thin scar was found on his right cheek, probably from a fight or something. Then there was the easy manner in which the man held himself. Overall, not a threat. Yet. Besides, if the man wanted to hurt the boy, he would have done so by now . . .

"You don't remember?" Harry asked.

The boy shrugged. "I dunno," he said again.

The man smiled kindly. "Then tell me what you do remember," he urged softly.

The boy swallowed, compelled to obey. There was just something about this man that exuded command. "Well...I-I remember a green hill...I think I was playing with a couple of kids my age...and then..." He fell silent for several long minutes. "I think...I saw a shadow...but..." Why could he not remember?

He felt a firm hand on his shoulder. His eyes looked up to meet the man's. "It's all right," Harry whispered. "You're not hurt and that's what's important."

The boy shook his head. "But...how did I get here? Where am I? Who--"

He stopped, eyes wide. Was he really about to ask what he thought he was about to ask? But that would mean . . .

. . .

"Wh-Who . . . Who am I . . . ?"