In a small town in Darwin, called Homeshaul, Autumn was sitting in her favorite spot, a wooden park bench underneath a blossom tree, looking at the scene in front of her. A group of six kids no older than four, her sister included, were chasing each other playing a game of tag. After a few minutes of feeding a bird that landed in front if her Autumn looked back to the kids. She noticed her sister, May, was on the ground in tears. Autumn hopped off the bench and started to head over to her sister, but before she could get there a younger girl, one of which Autumn didn't recognize, was at May's side. You could tell by the look in the girls eyes that she was a healer.
"Hi I'm Bell." The younger girl whispered to May while looking over her leg.
"May, and whatever you're doing tickles!" May tried to say in a fit of laughter. Bell smiled. After a few seconds May's cuts closed and soon, disappeared completely. Autumn headed back to her spot and played with a blossom leaf that landed on her head.
"AUTUMN!!!" May screamed while running over to where her older sister sat. Autumn lifted May and placed her on her lap.
"Did you see how that girl helped me?" May asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
"I did."
"Well her name is Bell and we are going to be best friends. Of course she's also the best healer ever." May spoke with a matter of fact tone.
"And..."
"And she invited both of us to go to her house, she has a sister around your age and you guys will be best friends too."
"Alright then, let's blow this Popsicle stand." Autumn wishes she was May's age again, it just seemed so easy. I would hate to be the one to teach her about reality. After introducing herself Autumn knew that Bell would be good for May, calm.
Bell's house was only a few minutes away from the bench and while the girls ran ahead jumping over the cracks, Autumn couldn't help but wonder what a healers house looked like.
When they got there she was not surprised. It was a nice, small wooden hut. Autumn noticed she was standing in what seemed like the lounge room. It contained a sheep's rug, a few chairs and a television. Separated by a bench, was the kitchen and to the right was a small table with four chairs. In between the kitchen and table was a small hallway with four doors each with a wooden sign signifying what it is.
The two girls ran out behind Autumn, she turned to follow but noticed another sign on the door. It read 'Welcome to our Humble Home.' But that's not what fascinated her. On the sign were three pictures, one of a bell, the second was a four leaf clover and the last was a frangipani.
"It's nice isn't it?" Autumn turned to see a short girl, around her own age, with short brown curls and wide, brown eyes. "Woah, what are you? Eight?" Autumn got that a lot, ever since she was twelve, she kinda never, developed.
"I'm Autumn, your next best friend."
"Ah, so your with the girl with my sister. Well I'm Clove."
"As in the spice?"
"No, as in four leaf clover. You know Irish and lucky."
"Oh, that makes more sense." Autumn declared, thinking of the sign.
"I take it you're Autumn, as in the season."
"Spot on."
"That's clever, with weather powers and all." There was a moment of awkward silence before Clove continued. "How come I haven't seen you around?"
"Probably something to do with the division."
"Right, us healers, outcasts, makes sense."
"I didn't mean it that way..."
"Oh, I know. You seem too nice. Why don't you come with me." She started for the hallway then stopped and looked back at Autumn. "If you dare. Mwahaha!" Clove lead Autumn down the hallway, while laughing in that fake evil laugh, until they reached the door labelled 'Clove's room!' Clove opened the door. Behind it was a surprisingly large room with a double bed and a corner desk. The room was the dark green of a clover with whiteboards, pictures and posters covering them. Clove jumped onto her bed and motioned for Autumn to follow.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course!"
"I think that whatever form of peace this town has will end and there will be a lot of destruction." She looked at Autumn with the same hopeful gleam Autumn always got from her sister when May wanted someone to listen.
"Well then, let's stay alert."
"It's crazy..."
"Not at all. The system has always been fragile, what do you think will happen?" Clove looked at Autumn with a shy smile and shrugged.
"I don't know, but it will revolve around one person. A boy I think!"
"I'm not sure about that, kinda random."
"I know, exactly what I thought."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah, a group of friends will get caught in the middle. I feel bad for those kids!"
"I don't know, but I have school tomorrow and I should go, will I see you there?"
"I'll meet you at the front." At that Clove led Autumn out and waved goodbye with a huge grin. Even though she didn't believe Clove's ridiculous story she had a feeling that this was just the beginning of what was to become an everlasting friendship.
