The Narrator and the Story With No End [Under Editing]

Questions, questions, and more questions

Day One, Entry Two

There is something incredibly nerve-wracking about returning to a group of people after causing a stir big enough for one of them to want to leave the room as quickly as possible. I didn't blame her for reacting that way, though. It's never easy for everyday people when they are introduced to the not-so-everyday aspects of their world.

Everyone was seated back in the spots around the kitchen island when I had first walked in on their discussion. Now, I was expected to explain who I was and not sound crazy.

And not trigger a world collapse.

"Have a seat," Simon said, snapping me away from my thoughts and back to the scene. He gestured to a stool between him and Jennelle, at the head of the island. I did as I was instructed. Jake sat down on the other side of Simon.

For a moment, nobody said a word. Maybe no one knew where to start. I certainly didn't, at least.

Annette's sigh is what broke the silence. "I'm sorry for freaking out earlier," she said, softer than I had ever heard her speak up until this point." And Jake, I'm especially sorry about what I said. My frustration doesn't justify that."

"It's okay," Jake replied, giving her a half-smile. "You did have a bit of a point." He caught my gaze, shifting the weight of the book in his hand. I nodded. Now was as good of a time as any.

Jake placed the book down on the island for everyone to see. "Zey and I were looking at some of the books in the basement when we found this one. I don't know a lot about it, but there's a note on the front cover that explains that it's a collection of stories about people with the ability to wield the powers of light and darkness."

Jennelle leaned in to get a better view of the book's cover. "Like what Zey did?"

"Yeah, exactly," Jake replied. "I know it's a stretch, but if the stories are true, then that would explain how Zey is able to do what she did?"

"That's all fair and good, but who exactly can wield powers like that? And why have we never heard of something like that before?" Annette interjected, brow furrowed.

"I'm not sure," Jake explained. "But I'd be perfectly happy to read the book and see if I can't make more sense of it."

"I can help if you like," Jennelle piped up. "I took several literary analysis classes, they may help us."

I heard Annette mutter "Of course you did" to herself in response to this, but either I'm the only one who heard that or the others decided to ignore that.

"That sounds like a good place to start," Simon said. "Especially since, Zey, you said you don't know anything about this?"

"Yeah, sorry." I guess that wasn't entirely true, but I have to pick my words carefully.

"Ok, so you don't know anything about that... do you know anything about... any of this?" Simon asked in response.

"Um... I..."

I wish I still had the ability to disappear when being looked at by people of importance.

What can I say that will both explain something while also not giving away who I am? What I am?

"...I know bits and pieces?"

Simon's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, wow, I was expecting you to say you were completely clueless."

"No, no, that's completely fair," I said through a nervous laugh.

Maybe I would come to regret this later, but I felt like I owed these people a bit of an explanation. They did help me, after all.