Flares - Book 1

0.0 - The Sea of Lost Souls

    There stood a concrete building placed delicately at the base of three mountains. It was four floors high held together by cracked foundation, crumbling clay, and shattered glass. At first look you'd think it was haunted, and by all the dead that roamed in there you'd think it was. But here they didn't call it a haunted house, they called it home. A forest wrapped behind the building like a sheet, protecting it from the elements that could demolish it at any time. Anywhere else people would complain to authorities to remove it for safety, to ensure no one died. But here that didn't matter. The mountains were tall, casting shadows around the grey building so that even if there was sun, it would go unnoticed to those inside, casting them in a permanent darkness. To the front of the building was a beach cascaded in red sand and rock. 6 foot tall sticks stood around the beach at a 5 meter distance from each other, all topped with decorative head pieces. The only way on to the beach was from the ocean that directly connected it.

    Washing up on the sea looks scary to anyone who does, greeted with dismembered heads sitting atop wooden staffs that guarded the creaky old building that was surrounded by dark brush, and jagged rocks that rose higher than the permanent clouds that covered what would be a blue sky. It wasn't very often that someone washed up, but when they did the facts of how they got there scared them into a panic that caused watery eyes and a dry throat.

    Yet, after they'd finish, and they'd calmed down a man would approach them. Depending on their height he would tower over them with his 6'7 frame, he was a slim man with a fair muscle mass, his shoulder length chestnut hair - that would look dirty blond depending on the thickness of the clouds - would flow softly with small waves. He was tan, which was shocking given the lack of sunlight received, he had light green eyes that darkened near the pupils, and he walked over to every person he'd see, offered them a toothy grin that exposed his dimples and white teeth, and extended his hand to them.

    "I am, Ajax, I understand you're scared but it's okay, I'm here to help." He'd say, as if it were scripted. His voice was always warm and soft, his way of easing the minds of those who would reluctantly take his hand before leading them up to the building. The walk would be silent as he guided them through the empty spaces that once held the doors. Inside the building looked new, red carpet covered the hardwood floor, oil paintings framed professionally along the tan walls. Walking in you were greeted instantly to a hallway, on each side of the aisle were 7 different rooms with the stairwell at the end. The doors were painted black, if they were open they were vacant, open for those to walk in, and if they were shut the only way in was with a key specially designed for each lock.

    "Your room is up here." He'd speak softly, leading his guest upstairs as they shivered, body still wet from the freezing swell they'd been caught in. His latest guest, a thirteen year old boy, nodded his head. He had dark brown hair that was shaved on the side and longer in the top. He had light brown eyes that had golden specks in them. He was dressed in plain pyjama bottoms and a black tee shirt that was ripped and no shoes. That's how he left. The boy was quiet, he didn't cry, or whimper, he merely kept his head low as he followed the man.

    With the wave of his hand a clipboard fell into Ajax's calloused hand as he read over it. The boy gasped softly as he'd seen the action performed. He looked up to Ajax as he read the single sheet in front of him, his jaw clenched and unclenched as his eyes skimmed the page, anger evident on his face, yet, when he looked back at the boy his expression was soft.

    "So, your name's Raymond?" He asked, his usual calm voice easing the smaller boys nerves. He nodded. "And you're gay?" Raymond's gasped softly, his eyes widening as the words sunk in. His body shook slightly as fear washed over him, his eyes bulged slightly and he flinched, waiting for a hard slap to his face but it didn't come.