One of the Stars

Chapter Six

What? My brain is racing, trying to keep up in this race to comprehend the impossible. I think I'm losing. Soli starts muttering to herself..

"Because she's half star, will it work? I hope so."

I hope so?

"Okay, Xandra dear? Please close your eyes. This might feel...odd"

Yippee. Odd. Then suddenly I gasp. It feels like I'm being covered in a shroud.

Visible.

Oh. It's you.

No.

Visible, no...what are you trying to say?

LONGER.

I look down and...I still see myself. I thought I was supposed to be invisible! So much for Soli's magic. I look over to see her hovering over me.

"Soli. What is this? I can still see myself! I'm not exactly invisible."

She smirks.

"Oh, but you are. You may be able to see yourself, but most can't. And by most, I mean anyone who isn't you. Or me. Let's go."

I follow the star through the passageways. Up the jail stairs, past the guards stationed at every corner, past the statues, and into...the hallway of landscapes. Ha! So they do exist. I cast a glance at Soli, wondering if she knows.

"Soli."

I whisper.

"Yes."

She whispers back.

"These paintings...are they...special somehow? This is the way I came to find you, and when I asked Benard about them, he claimed this hallway didn't even exist."

She grinned.

"This is a secret passageway. I added a hallway of stars when I first came here. They're hallways that can only be activated by stars. I put a trigger on Wilhelmina's painting. She was part star, like you."

I ponder this in silence.

"What's a hallway of stars?"
I ask.

Soli answers,

"They're...hmm...they're like pockets of space, where there should be none. Only stars can create them. Think of it like stretching the earth. Pulling it and creating places that only we, the stars, can see. I like to make mine look good. Others are just practical. It all depends on the star."

We walk on, through the rest of the hallway. Then we sneak out and peak into the main entryway, only to quickly draw back. A legion of soldiers are walking out, stomping their cold booted feet into the ground in a march of precision. The sound echoes through the halls, resonating into the tall, arched ceiling.

I put my hand to my mouth, hardly able to contain the cry from escaping. All this. Just because I wandered into a basement. I need to pass them, overtake them, warn my mother. And not just my mother. The entire town of Bruin shall not be conquered. Not like this. This is senseless brutality. There is no reasoning. I have to resist.

After the last soldier passes through the large gates, they slam closed. I curse inwardly. I should have known. I look at Soli questionally. The response is the smirk that I've come to know and love. She flits up to the doors, and turns into sparks once more. She zooms all across them, searching for a way out. When she comes to the hinges, I know she's smiling. She sprinkles some sparks on either side, and as soon as she's back to me, they explode in a quiet fashion. The gates slam down on the ground with a thunk.

"Let's go"

I growl.

We take off into the night, ready to stop the impending invasion of my home.

Let me tell you something though, trekking through the night, trying to overtake an army...that's not exactly the best idea. I've fallen numerous times, and my arms and legs are covered in scratches.

The legion moves fast for a force of a hundred men, and Soli and I are trying to run through the forest without being seen. Before we've gotten far, I collapse.

"Soli, wait...up"

I gasp.

There's no way that we'll reach the village in time, and I know it. The men are too far ahead.

"Oh dear."

She says, rushing over to me.

"Soli, you're going to have to go on by yourself. You can go much faster than me, plus, I'm far too big and noticeable. Go. Warn my mother."

Soli takes one look at me, then zooms off into the night. I sit there in the dark, shivering. I wish I could make a fire. But that would be way too obvious, and give me away instantly. I sit there and wait. And wait.

Breath held seconds turn into minutes. Those minutes turn into an hour. And I'm still waiting for Soli to return. I get up. I'm much more well rested now, and am actually capable of walking. I get up and walk towards the direction that Soli went. Toward the smoke rising in the distance.

Toward my village.

A few minutes into my journey I run into Soli. She looks at me with her eyes full of sadness. I know that she's gone. My mother.

"What. Happened?"

I growl. In response, Soli twists a golden-blue braid around her slim finger.

"Xandra. Sweetheart. I went...but she refused to follow me. She told me to get out...and never bother her family again. I-I-when the...I couldn't stop them. She's gone."

I sigh. I had dared to hope again. So much for that.

"And the town?"
I asked.

"Demolished."

"Any survivors?"

"Yes."

The answer shocked me. I didn't think there would be anyone left.

"Who?"
"A few children hiding in the forest. They were sent out for more firewood, and had the good sense not to come near when the conflict started."

"They're still there?"

Soli nodded.

"Yes."

I had to find them.

"Take me to them. Quickly."