The Order [Under Editing]

Chapter 6

I awoke with a start, and when I did, I was seeing in gray scale. Everything, was easily visible, but not in color. And even stranger, I could see in amazing detail. Seriously. I could see every bump in the paint on the wall giving the wall the appearance of scores pebbles set in random order. I could see every groove off the hardwood flooring that created a stormy monochrome ocean beneath me. I could see everything and it was amazing.

I looked at my clock that was slightly taller on the right side which read 5:45 a.m. then hugged the little black and white toy cat Nik had gotten me close to my chest. It felt... different from before. Like I wasn't feeling as much earlier. It was more in detail. To this day, I still can't describe how it felt. The closest I can come to is like holding solidified yet unbelievably soft gains of sand in your hands.

As I lied there petting the toy, I heard a noise come from my window. It sounded like scratching. I turned towards the window, my heart beating fast, and listened closer. I was definitely sure it was scratching. Still clutching the KaliKitten to my chest, I tiptoed over to window. I pressed my back against the wall beside it and moved my head so I could make out the world outside.

What I saw was a member of the Order, an Eagle. Well, actually, it was what we call an eaglette. It wasn't a chick but still not quite an adult yet.  That wasn't unusual. We often saw Eagles in the town I lived in. The ones there were quite docile and kept out of the way.

The only strange thing was, it was across the street. It was scratching at a tree, I guessed in order to sharpen its talons. As it was, the bluish-gray downy feathers it had left fell softly to the ground. I turned away from my window, slid down the wall into a sitting position, and began to think.

How did I hear that? The eaglette was all the way across the street, nowhere near my window and yet I heard it as if it had been right next to me.

I put a tighter grip on the toy and sat on the floor petting it, revelling at how amazing it felt. How soft and detailed it was. As light slowly started to peak through the window, l began to see to see the world in color. They were vibrant colors, some I'd never even heard of before. Tints and shades of impossible colors: reddish-green, orangish-purple. I bet my eyes were wide open as I stood up and swiveled my head to see around my room.

Suddenly, there was an extremely bright light that made me stumble backwards.

"Good morning Miss Anridge," a scarily familiar voice said. I opened my eyes and looked at the person in front of me. He had dark blonde hair and brown eyes that radiated power and fear. "My name is Aizik. Nice to meet you officially."

I didn't move. I said nothing. I wanted to scream but I was afraid it'd come out as a cry. I can only imagine the fearful look I had on my face. The blonde one, Aizik, smiled, though it wasn't as sweet and friendly as in the gym. "And this is Mateyo," he said pointing to the Latino boy next him. He waved shyly.

I was brought back to my senses and opened my mouth to scream, but just as the sound was about to escape, there was a quick flash of light and a hand covered my mouth. It was Aizik. He placed a hand around my waist as I try to fight him off.  "Don't worry Miss Anridge. I won't hurt you, unless you choose to make this difficult. Then I'll have no choice." He slowly took his hand from my mouth and tilted my head towards him. "Now, Miss Anridge-"

"Stop calling me that." My voice was weaker than I would've liked.

He tilted his head. "Oh, my apologies. I just thought it was rude of me to call you by your first name a few days ago. I mean, we hardly know each other. Well, you hardly know me." He paused. "Is there something else you would prefer to be called?"

"R-Rylee would be fine." My voice shook.

"Okay Rylee," Aizik said turning me to face him. He had a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Now, just close your eyes and-"

I exploded out of his grasp but was quickly apprehended by Mateyo. He gripped my waist tightly and placed his hand roughly over my mouth.

"Wow Mateyo. You might not be completely useless," Aizik muttered. "Now, Rylee, darling, you're making this more difficult than it needs to be." I bit Mateyo's hand which made him yelp and remove it. He still kept his grip on my waist, though.

"I wouldn't yell if I were you," Aizik said frowning, "You wouldn't want the rest of your family to get hurt now, would you?"

I thought back to how in the gym when Nik had shot his arrow. It had bounced back harmlessly. He'd told me later he'd 'set' his curatrix to 'hurt.' How did they do that, I thought, Who's to say they wouldn't do it again.

"Then can I ask a question?" They both responded saying sure.

"What are you trying to do to me, and why did you have a Wolf?"

A smile spread across Aizik 's face. I could hear Mateyo giggling behind me.

"Just answer the question," I snapped after a few minutes of smiles and giggles.

"Someone's in a bad mood," Mateyo muttered.

"Oh, well let's see. Two completely random dudes just broke into my house, are holding me hostage, and are planning to do heaven knows what to me, though I have a pretty good idea. Tell me who wouldn't be pissed?"

"Well you do have a point," Mateyo said.

"Exactly, now answer my question."

"Ooh, someone's feisty," Aizik said. "But first off, it's not a Wolf, it's a dog. A golden retriever to be exact."

"A dog? What's that?"

"You're in ninth grade. You should've learned about them."

I thought hard. "Do you mean those Wolf descendants that went extinct during the Evolution?"

"Actually it was during the middle of The Order War but yes, you are correct.."

"You have one," I asked suddenly interested.

"Everyone at the Light House has one," Mateyo answered.

Aizik must have seen the confused look on my face. "Mateyo, this is why you're still in training. You confuse yourself and everyone around you." He looked at me. "Why don't you take a seat?"

I frowned as Mateyo released his grip but still stood behind me. Aizik motioned for me to sit. Slowly I did.

"Okay," Aizik began, "You know how you don't have a curatrix?" Instead of asking how he knew, I nodded. He resumed. "Well, neither do I. And neither does Mateyo and neither do a whole bunch of other people. Most others see it as a handicap, but in actuality it's an advantage. You see, people born without a curatrix can manipulate light energy and use it as a weapon. Let me demonstrate."

He held out his hand. The sunlight that came through the window seemed to be pulled towards it and began to assemble into a shape. A few seconds later, a glowing white knife materialized in his hand. I stared at it in awe.

"Pretty impressive, huh," Mateyo grinned.

"So you're telling me I can do that?"

"Well," Aizik began, "see there's the problem."

I frowned and looked at him. "Wait, so I can't even do that!"

"Nope," he smiled. "So all you need to do is come with us and-"

"Hold up, wait a minute," I exclaimed standing up. "I don't even know you! For all I know you could be serial killers!"

"Fair enough," Aizik said nodding, "But you must understand, the faith of the world depends on you coming with us."

Mateyo said what I was thinking. "How are you all of a sudden gonna start talking about the faith of the world?"

Aizik shook his head. "Look, I know...actually, I don't have time for this. Mateyo, grab the girl, shut up, and let's go."

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