At The Edge Of This World

8 - Don't Trust Anyone Or Do

I walked to where the mystery boy from Esmond wrote to meet him. At first, no one was there.

About 5 minutes after our meeting hour, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind me.

"Violet?"

"Chris?"

°

My brain stopped working.

What is he doing here? Maybe he went out for a walk. Behind the school? No one with a sane mind comes here for a walk. Is there a chance he-

No. Can't be.

"Why are you here?" I asked him.

"I was going to ask you the same question."

We stood there in silence, watching one another, waiting for the other to say something. Not baring the awkwardness of the moment, my hand found its way on my neck and brushed the surface of the necklace I was wearing. I recently caught myself doing this... new habit every time I'm nervous or don't have anything to do with my hands.

Chris must have seen the movement and his eyes fell directly on the stone that started glowing after I touched it. Shit.

He sighed, being the first to break the silence. "To tell you the truth I wasn't expecting you to show up, but I was expecting not to expect something, so it doesn't count." What surprised me wasn't the sudden confidence in his voice, but the non-existent reaction to the unusual change on my necklace. He didn't even say anything on the matter. "Violet Evans, we need to talk."

"That's an understatement," I whispered, not sure if he heard me.

"So... Where do I begin? Ehm... Do you know anything? About Esmond?" He asked me. So he is the mysterious boy.

"M-Maze told me a story. About a somewhat magic tree a-and a curse that knocked out the kids of Edmond. Sorry, Esmond." I scoffed. "I just said that. And I was not joking.."

"Okay. So you know about the curse. Cool. That's a start. Quite literally." I looked at him, confused by what he said, and raised one eyebrow. "Yeah, right, sorry. This story the so-called Maze told you happened years ago. 38 to be exact and was the beginning of a new era. The creation of a new world. Call it whatever you want.

"The generation that 'changed' and their descendants, all had powers that... Let's say benefitted the kingdom."

"And let me guess there was a crazy dude or lady that didn't agree with the rules, took advantage of their powers and started destroying things?"

"Yes. That's one way to say it. And because details sell a story, a crazy lady started the fight. Which brings us to today. She managed to take control of the kingdom, which makes her queen of my land. Our land." At the word 'our', he extended his hand and waved between us. I could see something in his eyes, an uncommon shining under the light of the setting sun. A feeling found its way in my stomach. Something telling me to trust that boy. My friend. Was he my friend? I'm not sure anymore.

"And where do I fit in all of this?" I finally asked.

"11 years ago, I left without saying anything. I mean we were 8, I wouldn't say anything anyway" He paused. I remember that year.

After the school year ended, me, Scarlett and Marcus were every day outside in the park playing. We were happy, like everyone at that age was. But Chris had left out of the blue. We didn't know where or why, but one day my mother came to me and told me he left town with his parents and we wouldn't play together this summer, or any summer after that. I was a little sad, but I got over it. Me and the other two.

"What happened?" I encouraged him to tell me more.

"I still don't know to tell you the truth. I only remember my mother calling out on me and went to see what she wanted. The next thing I know I'm not in my house anymore. I'm in a forest all alone without anything but this bracelet my mother gave me years ago" he said pointing at the black stripes on his wrist. His eyes were watering, tears ready to fall on his cheeks. "I walked in the woods, which I learned later was a part of Esmond, until I found a small cabin. The couple that lived there took good care of me. They also had a daughter two years smaller than me. As the days passed I missed my home, my parents, my friends, but I knew I couldn't see them again."

"Well, you are here now. I'm here." He smiled at my comment.

"Yeah, I guess I am! But not for long." His smile faded. "Two months ago I learned the truth about my family. My real family. I was born on Esmond but my parents send me here, on earth to be safe. There was a war and many kids were sent away for protection. Some of them went back after years, like me. Other don't even know the truth..."

"Like me." I interrupted.

"Yes. Not to babble, I learned that my parents were the king and queen of Esmond before the crazy lady I mentioned took over."

Oh. Of all the plot-twists I was expecting, I did not see that one coming.

"To answer your question now; A few nights after I learned all that, I had a vision of a man that told me to come here to Millstone and find you. Well, then I didn't know it was you in particular, but he gave me instructions. I woke up with a wooden box with your necklace in it and a spell. The spell sent the jewellery to you, and me in the woods about a mile that way." He pointed behind me in the trees.

"Any idea why me specifically?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I already knew you. That's the only thing that makes sense. Oh, another thing! The man in my vision along with the instructions of how to find you, he gave me a somewhat quest." He paused and looked at me choosing his next words carefully.

"And told me that I need your assistance."

⧋

I'm tired...
I don't know what I'm still doing up editing. But at least I'm doing sth other than procrastinating.

I think this chapter is a little blunt. Too much information too quickly said. I don't know.

As always be free to ask anything either on the comments or with a message, I'm happy to clear everything up.

Oh and sth else before I go, the town's / village's name that Violet lives right now is called Millstone. (I didn't mention it before because I didn't think it was important for the story but here you go)

Ciao¡