Zelfan

Aurabeth (Chapter One)

      Oh sweet golden haired Carissabel. Why does it feel as if I'm the elder sister here? Elegant and wise, you may be, but adventurous and free, you are not. Perhaps it is wiser to break the chains holding one hostage, than embrace them and follow all instructions. What creativity comes of that? Even Isaac messes with your long silk strands just to see if the girl we once knew is still there. It's almost as if your eyes have turned from their soft blue hue, to a grey more harsh than the night sky without stars. Although you don't remember, your scattered mind seems to show that your heart still knows something is missing. Your lips seal shut as if there is a secret you know can't escape. The harsh tone in your voice is cautious and never lets approval and trust roll off your tongue. It's only been three years. Maybe it was hours. I can't remember. Either way, it's in the past and we must move forward.

      "Carissa, wake up! We have time to see Isaac."

      Life has never been easy for the three of us. With Carissabel lost in a strict academic life, my mind, a wandering doe, and Issac being a magnet for trouble, finding time to understand our true selves is nearly impossible. School is honestly a waste of precious time, when acing each class is possible with the literal snap of our fingers. Of course, Carissa forbids this and seals all dimensional magic while on Earth. According to her, it is just as important to learn the human studies as it is to learn the Zelfan studies. I much rather sit through a class of Astronomy than a class of human Science. If we end up staying here, as planned, all of us must secure a stable job as a cover. The less we use Zelfanium, the less risk we have being found. Although these are Carissa's rules and orders, she doesn't understand and know why. Isaac and I intend to keep it that way. Although, it feels as though I am controlling my own sister. Elder sister too! What a crime that would be back in Zelfan. 

      Zelfan is a small island really. It sits directly between the Mantle and Partial Melt of Luna, the moon. Many may think that Luna is quite different from Earth, when really it has many similar characteristics. For example, in Zelfan we have spears that are similar to those called trees on Earth. They grown about 15 feet and turn a light lilac purple. Of course, this is before they crumble and rise upward on the thirteenth day. These purple crumbles explode into the sky causing cloud like figures to appear. These are known as ashters. They build up before releasing an ash like substance that falls from the Mantle. These ashes attach on to all Zelfans to create a new layer of skin. Those with more layers are older and will soon turn into spears. It's all a cycle. It's the theory of evolution that humans study. It seems that, on Earth, evolution takes millions of years, while on Zelfan, evolution happens in one lifetime. It's quite silly that some humans refuse to believe a piece of evidence. They question evolution, but don't question if someone in the grave is dead. Of course, it's easy to see where Earth and Zelfan are different. However, there are many similarities that others may fail to notice. Not that any humans are actually aware of Zelfan. 

      Our house is quite unique, for we need to be in both Earth and Luna. We don't particularly lie on one planet. Instead, our small home is cast under a spell that causes it to transfer from Singapore, Malaysia, Earth to Zelfan, Partial Melt, Luna. Carissa home schools both me and her, but Isaac attends a prestigious boarding school due to an event that occurred last year. He was not approved for homeschooling because of this cloud of trouble that seems to follow him everywhere. With Isaac attending an Earth school, we must stay on Earth. Since Zelfanium doesn't work here, we have to have access to Zelfan. The spell cast on our home was the brilliant work of Carissa. So is the barrier around our house. She may not remember what happened in her past, but it seems she knows that we are in danger and has quite the protective side because of this. It's too much to handle at times. I must admit. Though, that does come in handy at times.

      As I mentioned before, trouble haunts Isaac. Luckily, for him, he has found a friend who's straight black hair and mischievous dark blue eyes has been mistaken as his brother. However, Isaac's welcoming grin and humorous demeanor gives away the fact that he is indeed a much different person from Hawk. It's a wonder that those two get along. One is just as his name describes him; Hawk, and the other is easily compared to a Pomeranian; Isaac. He may be an innocent little puppy with big floppy ears, but his curiosity and compassion for others gets the best of him. Hence, the most likely reason why he ended up not qualifying for homeschooling. However, the headmistress, at his academy, claims that Isaac engaged in a fight with another student due to a simple insult. It doesn't sound like Isaac and I'm beginning to wonder what kind of influence Hawk is to him.

      Carissa is always so focused on her studies that she seems to believe any absurd excuse anyone comes up with. She prefers to stay away from the questions causing the lack of information she receives to bring out one of her weaker characteristics; gullibility. I, on the other hand, question all and am never quite sure what to believe until evidence is served and feasted upon. Due to the fact that no evidence about the fight is present, I don't know what to believe, yet. However, if Isaac really did engage in a fight, there had to be a better reason than insult. Based on what I know about Isaac, this "fight" should have never occurred.

      Ever since the fight, I feel like a stone has been dropped in our peaceful pong creating disruptive ripples in the water. Carissa always avoids the visits we have with Isaac and the last visit was one I wish I could forget. After the fight, an argument broke out between the two. Being the elder sister, she keeps me out of the arguments and all I have to do is sit there questioning. Carissa lashed out at Isaac, who is not the type to yell to get his point across. I hardly heard a word from him. Carissa being 18, seems to forget that only I am younger than her, 15 year old, in the family. Due to Zelfan policy, Isaac could easily remind her that he is a year older and she would be forced to listen and agree with him. In other words, the argument would cease.

      "I'm not going."

      The usual response from Carissa. I'm sure she will give the usual excuse as well.

      "You need to see him. I don't think he could have possibly---"

      "Aurabeth! You must learn to believe it and not let your mind wander off into different worlds. The simplest of conclusions is usually the correct one. What happened, happened. And I---"

      "You don't know that! What evidence have you collected? You and I were not there, but I know that is not my brother."

      Silence. I can tell she is slightly bothered. Her eyes are filled with worry as to know this is true. There is no evidence. Her dark gaze shifts to the nearest clock on the wall directly above the door.

      "You only have thirty minutes now. You should get going. I baked croissants for you to give him. I'm going to stat school early. There is a spell I need to ind and practice."

      She gives me a weary smile. It's the kind that serves as a warning to someone like me. I should be happy that I'm forced to stay out of the arguments, but, somehow, her smile aggravates me even more. We've been through this conversation every morning for almost seven days now. I should've guessed. Why do I even bother anymore? I guess I will try again tomorrow.

      How long is this going to last?