I was playing in the sand by the edge of the Pacific Ocean, my loose kelp-like dress swaying in the faint breeze. I stayed behind some rocks so I wouldn’t be seen as Cain called to me in Cancer, the crabs’ language.
:Anna, come here.:
:Coming!: I ran barefoot to him, splashing and laughing in the cold water, making little waterspouts without meaning to.
That night, he told me everything about Shifters and the Enchantress and Academy of the Stars. He claimed he wanted to make me a Shifter.
I remember shaking my head, saying :No, I don’t want to be one. What if it doesn’t work?:
Cain didn’t answer, only took my left wrist in his small claw and pinched me – hard.
I screamed and thrashed, bue he held me tight and we watched the clearish blue water around my left wrist turn a rusty red. :Cain, please stop!: I tried, but it was useless. Not even the ‘please’ would stop him. :Cain!!:
Although that was my first memory of pain, I eventually realized what he was trying to do.
“He was Marking me,” I tell Tom.
Tom looks confused.
“Guardians can be on the Enchantress’ side, and they can cut the symbol of a Child’s sign into them and leave them to die. When they do, the Child becomes a goon for Her.”
“That’s awful.”
“Yeah, it is.”
I eventually pulled my wrist free from the crab, messing up his Mark.
He looked at me with his beady black eyes and said, :You’ll regret that, Gillian. She is building up her army, claiming Children as her own. Her power is unstoppable. I’d switch sides now if I were you. Perhaps She’ll spare you from loyalty, perhaps you too can be a lowly vagabond in the darkness when She finally gets the sky to fall. One last chance, Anna.:
:NO,: I said weakly but loudly, my eyes stinging with tears, saltwater, and sweat.
He pushed me aside with strength a crab shouldn’t be able to have. :Then you’ll suffer forever. I will end the ones you love most when the time comes.:
I didn’t hesitate. I got up and ran.
Back in Anna’s bakery, I take off my turquoise watch which I wear all the time and hold my left wrist out for Tom. Three shapes, red, darkened with time: the symbol of Cancer resting in the crook of a rough crescent moon. “That’s why I wear the watch,” I say, putting it around my wrist again as I smile fondly at the word NOW written on the woven turquoise watchband, conveniently placed so I can flash the word at someone who asks the time. “I was never supposed to tell anyone. It puts them in danger.”
He shakes his head, his blue eyes wide. “It’s been nearly ten years since you saw him last. You really think he’s still alive?”
I nod.
He doesn’t say anything.
“Cancers consider that opening up to someone means you love them.” I laugh.
Tom blushes.
After what seems like hours, I come to my senses and realize I’m staring at him like a stalker and say, “That’s why I hide who I am. I tell anyone, they could get killed. Every time someone mentions Her, I see that day on the beach and fell Cain’s pincers digging into my wrist, branding me like I was his suitcase or something.” I look down at my hands. “I don’t want to tell anyone. I don’t want anyone to die for me.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Starts help you if you’re ever in a war.”
I stand up from the table abruptly. “That’s it! Tom, you’re a genius!”
“Yeah, well,” he scoffs, “tell me something I don’t know.”
“We just need help to decode it!” I whisper to myself. “If we got one of…” I grab a napkin and take a pen from the pocket of my jeans.
“You’re kidding me. Please don’t wage war on the Enchantress. I like my life. I need my life. And since when do you keep pens in your pocket?”
“Since I was like six. Don’t you?”
He blinks, looking quite lost. “I’m gonna say no.”
I gape at him. “You’re so weird.”
“Yup, for sure.”
