Wraith

Simple Beginnings Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Olive woke up relatively early for once and she lay in bed for some time enjoying the solitude. It felt like she had finally adjusted to her new sleeping pattern. At last she made her way downstairs, feeling a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. Somewhere in Megalopolis was Snake, and he could be anyone at all. She wondered if she should tell her family about him now but all three seemed preoccupied by other matters and she couldn't seem to find a good time. They were just finishing lunch when the doorbell rang.

Standing outside was a young man with light brown hair, warm brown eyes and a friendly expression dressed in light grey. Olive's eyes however were drawn to the badges, a bright red 'M' on a light blue background, that he wore emblazoned across his shoulders. "Messenger," she breathed. This was the one man in Megalopolis who either knew personally, or knew how to get in touch with, every User in the city. Except for me, she thought suddenly, guiltily remembering the Captain's advice from months ago. I have no idea how he would hope to get in touch with Wraith.

He smiled at her as she stood there gaping and spoke with an air of quiet authority. "May I come in, Olive? I need to speak with your father on a matter of some urgency."

His voice startled her, for he sounded exactly the same as the Captain had the first time he spoke to her, before he changed his voice to speak to Sergeant Harris. He had so consistently used the higher, lighter tone in all his conversations since that she had almost forgotten how he had originally sounded. The Captain is the Messenger? The thought astonished Olive for it was the first time she had knowingly seen any User other than her family in daylight. Users were only asked to be on call during the darker hours since it was understood that most of them had to work other jobs for a living. Trying to hide her surprise, she quickly let him in and called her father.

As soon as he saw the visitor he broke into a wide smile. "Messenger! It's good to see you again."

"You too, John." The younger man agreed. He turned as the door to the sitting room opened again and Olive's Mom entered. "Melissa, you look radiant as always." He glanced around. "What I have to say concerns Andrew as well."

Olive understood at once. "I'll go get him." She passed the message on to her brother, and then headed up to her own room. She didn't need to know what the Captain intended to say about Snake; and her family expected her not to listen to things that might concern Users. Besides, she had a lot to think about.

The Captain looked so different in daylight. It makes him look a lot younger and a bit more official. It's strange; he knows Mom and Dad's names, but they didn't seem to know who he was. Yet, he doesn't sound that different. Maybe it's because I have heard him speak that way before. I was so surprised to see him. I hope he didn't notice or think I was rude. At least he didn't recognize me. That thought confused Olive. Why don't I want him to recognize me?

The answer came back at once from the murky depths of her psyche. No one except me knows who Wraith is, and when I tell my family I want them to be the first to know. Besides, Wraith is exciting and mysterious and Olive is plain and ordinary. Even when he looks like a Normal, the Captain doesn't look ordinary. And I bet Flayme is stunning. I don't want him or anyone else to look at Wraith and think that behind the mask is just an ordinary dull face. Understanding brought one more truth home to Olive. I don't want anyone to know that Wraith is me. I'm never going to find the right way to tell my family, am I?

Abruptly feeling as if she was unable to stay in one place anymore, Olive rushed down the stairs. "I'm going out to Karis's. Don't wait up for me." She called as she passed the closed door to the sitting room. She heard her Mom say something that might have been an acknowledgement, and hurried outside. She was not gone for long however. A few minutes later she stealthily climbed up the outside of the house to her room; finding hand and foot holds with surprising ease. Soon, dressed once more as Wraith, she left again to explore the city's rooftops.