The Anomalies

Chapter 7

I closed my eyes and braced for the impact. Except there wasn't one. No glass shattering and the wind blowing through your hair as you fall from several stories up. All I feel is two strong arms catching me before I lose my balance. I open to my eyes to find myself in Elijah's arms on the ground. However, we aren't outside the building where the ball is being held. We are somewhere I've never been to before. How did we even get here? We are in a dark room with limited lighting. I can barely make out the door only a few feet away. Something was not right.

I quickly pulled myself from his arms to put some distance between us, " Stay away from me. Who are you? What did you do, how did we get here?"

Elijah takes a step closer and opens his mouth to speak.

"Don't you dare come any closer until you tell me what's going on, Elijah. Is that even your real name?"

He runs a hand through his dark locks and lets out a sigh,

"My full given name is Elijah James Dambry, the sixth. After King Elijah James Dambry, my grandfather of many greats, the last King of the Americanas. The title of Prince isn't that far off as I am the rightful heir to the throne of the no longer existing country. However, the more accurate title would be Captain."

"Cap-Captain of what exactly?" I'm too stunned over what I had just heard I can't speak, let alone think clearly.

"The Defiance, of course. "

"The Defiance?" I cross my arms in front of my chest, giving him a quizzical look.

"After the War of the Borders and the fall of the Americanas, those that opposed the order of the new government that was formed came together. It was created to protect those with abnormalities in hopes that one day we could overthrow Aequalis. The people of The Defiance chose my grandfather, after the fall of his Kingdom, to lead them in the rebellion. The position has been passed down in my family for the last several generations. We want to make the world right again, Iris. Humans weren't meant to be identical; we weren't meant to lose our individuality. You see, we aren't alone; there are others like us. "

"What do you mean just like us? I don't understand."

Elijah smiles and reaches for my hand, "Perhaps it will be easier if I just show you."

This time I let him take me by the hand and lead me to the door on the other side of the room. His calloused hand feels rough yet warm in my hand, and it makes me wonder what all he has done for it to be that way. I know next to nothing about this man, and I'm trusting Him with my life. I let him take me to a strange place and have no idea where I am. What am I doing? No matter how many times I tell myself I shouldn't be doing this, I can't seem to pull my hand from his and demand him to take me back. I blame it on the tug of my heartstrings from this soul mate connection.

He reaches for the door handle with his free hand and pulls it open slowly. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust as the light washes over me, but when I can see clearly I can't believe what I see. In front of me are hundreds of people gathered in what appears to be a large dining hall. However, these people don't look the same as everyone around them. Their hair is in varying shades of black, brunette, blonde and even red. Some just like me with eyes of blue but also green, hazel and brown. Others varying in skin tones, much lighter and darker than my very own. The list of differences in these individuals goes on and in, its the most beautiful sight I've ever seen.

Elijah places his hand on the small of my back and guides me towards the crowd,

"Just like I said, you aren't alone Iris. You don't have to hide here. Out there to the Aequalis government we are considered Anomalies, but in here we embrace our differences. You're special Iris and we can use that against them. Theres so much you don't know about yourself."

It feels as though each pair of eyes are on me as we make our way through the long rows of tables until we reach the front of the room. I tug on my necklace, trying to find comfort in my old nervous habit. His fingers graze my waist and stay there as he clears his throat,

"As you all know, I have been absent from the base for the last several days on a mission. I am happy to report that the mission was successful and to introduce you to the reason for my absence. Please welcome Iris, my soulmate."