Shaynen was floating between worlds. Little images would occasionally appear but they would disappear as quickly. There were voices all around him, speaking but too muffled for Shaynen to understand.

What are you saying?

The voice cut through the void of empty space. Shaynen turned to try and face it but it was coming from everywhere all at once.

“There are voices, I hear them, but I can’t understand them.” Even his own voice sounded faraway.

Ignore them. They are not important. What do you see?

“Nothing,”

That’s good. You’re finally letting go. You’re doing very well.

Shaynen frowned, there was something in his hand. He cupped his hands together and could barely see a silver shape that he could hardly make out.

“I have something,” Shaynen held the shape and turned it around. “I think it was my mother’s?”

What is it?

“Her necklace,”

What necklace?

Shaynen paused. The silvery piece shifted in shape, unable to decide on what it was supposed to be.

Think back, remember her.

Shaynen suddenly had weight. He hit wooden floorboards surrounded by trees and sunlight. The silver melted through his fingers, turning to dust and vanishing. A far away sound of ropes swinging. A slight breeze that gently made the ground move. He held onto one of the ropes attached to the swinging platforms, following the edge of it up to where a woman in white stared off into the forest canopy. Playing with something silver around her neck.

“She plays with it when she’s thinking.”

Does she? Is it a necklace or her hair?

Reality shifted around and the silver melted. The wind changed direction and blew his mother’s hair over her shoulder. The silver chain blinked out of existence, replaced by a lock of golden hair.

“It’s…” Shaynen squinted. His eyes were straining and head started to hurt as the image moved minimally, and yet shifted between the version with the silver and the one with the gold.

It’s her hair, isn’t it? She plays with her hair when she’s thinking.

The version with the gold settled fully, she turned and smiled at Shaynen and the remnants of the silver vanished entirely.

“Yeah. She plays with her hair when she thinks.”

What you have of your mother’s, is her golden hair. Just like her.

“Yeah. I have my mother’s golden hair.”

Do you still hear the voices?

“What voices?”

Good. Awake.

Shaynen’s eyes opened and the light blinded him. He hissed and threw an arm over his eyes, dropping water everywhere. He sat up and smoothed his hair back. In the few short years he'd been in the monastery it had grown slow, barely covering his shoulders when it was down.

The white room was empty, now that he was acquainted with the deafening practice he was able to do so unaccompanied. Not that he was ever really alone. Master Ayre was nearby everywhere he went. Keeping an eye on him in every corner of the stone walls. Shaynen stood up in the water, his clothes were soaked with an even line separating what was and wasn't in the water. Shaynen sat on the edge of the tub and shook out his hair. Using his reflection in the water to separate his hair so that a long curl fell over half his face.

He barely spared a thought to the strange color of his left eye. He had a funny idea that it was meant to tie him to something but hell if he could remember what. Mostly he was assured that it was most likely attributed to a nasty fall. Probably the one that was causing the seemingly random memory loss.

Shaynen tied his hair back, it barely fit into a small ponytail, using the reflection to make sure his strange looking eye was covered. He took in a deep breath before pulling the plug, the deafening always left him feeling a little hollow inside. Like something inside him was starving for something and never satiated. He shrugged on impulse and rolled out his shoulders to settle the emptiness.

He took the towel and quickly patted the damp away from his clothes. Shaynen stared off in the distance as he folded the towel and placed it under the table in the little basket. Snapping back to the quiet room as his ears started burning. Irritated as if someone were trying to whisper into them. He carefully rubbed at his ears, wary of the fresh piercings that were still healing. Gently shaking the burning feeling away and heading for the door. Before leaving, Shaynen took a last look around the room. To his eyes it looked exactly the way he entered it, and that was good enough for him.

Shaynen opened the door and shut it swiftly behind him, looking up to see Master Ayre sitting on the bench in his own trance.

“You’ve made a lot of progress,” The elder said. Coming out from his own meditation session. “Most don’t learn as much as you have in only three years.”

“So when do I go through the Ceremony?” Shaynen asked with a broad grin. There wasn’t a single twitch in Master Ayre’s faraway face.

“We’ll see,” he said finally. His tone devoid of confidence. “Why don’t you run along? I believe it’s about time for class.” Shaynen nodded and took off down the halls to make it to the first class of the day. He slid between the others coming and going from the deafening chambers. Many of them were much older than he was and preparing for their Ceremonies. Cramming and anxiously meditating for some kind of sign. Shaynen’s heart leapt up and turned to a flurry of butterflies as he wished to be among them. If it wasn’t for the educational aspect, Shaynen wouldn’t bother with anything but the Ceremony. But there were years of learning that had to come first.

“Hey! Bout time! We missed you during passing.” Barrett waved as he saw Shaynen running to catch up with the group.

“Yeah? Anything exciting happen?” Shaynen slid to a stop beside the older boy. Barrett had gotten a few piercings of his own. Now sporting a single silver loop in his ear and two rings on his bottom lip. Barrett had also grown his hair out a bit and had it smoothed back by a thin headband.

“Evgeni ran into a door.” Barrett laughed, staring at the blushing girl. The freckles over her pale skin vanished under the flush.

“It wasn’t a door.” Evgeni scowled. “Jay pushed me into a wall while going through the door.” Jay shrugged adjusting their glasses.

“I was trying to get to class.” Jay said coldly.

“Then why are you at the back with us?” Evgeni sneered.

“Oh hey Shaynen!” Barrett grabbed Shaynen and shoved between the two arguing teens. “You slept through the night last night!”

“Yeah, you did.” Jay nodded.

“Oh congrats!” Evgeni’s face cracked into a large grin. “That’s amazing!”

“Thanks guys,” Shaynen felt his cheeks get hot and he lowered his head. Raising a hand to play with his hair.

“I mean, it’s not that big of an achievement.” Jay sighed. “Sleeping through the night is a milestone for a toddler.”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Shut up J-J.” Barrett snapped. Jay scowled at the nickname.

“Yeah, bet you had nightmares when you came here too.” Evgeni said. She threw her head back and sighed dramatically. “I had nightmares forever! I didn’t even sleep for the first year, I had to sit up with the acolytes until I could sleep at night at all. Let alone through the night.”

“I had the nightmares,” Barrett raised his hand. Then the three turned to look at Jay. They glared at all three of them but didn’t say anything. “Either way, we wanted to do something commemorative for the occasion!” Shaynen was stopped as Barrett and Evgeni (pulling Jay) rounded in front of him.

“Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” Evgeni giggled.

“Eye.” Jay muttered.

“Shut up, Jay.” Barrett scolded. Shaynen ignored the cold flash that struck through his chest. He closed his eyes and held out his hands. He felt a small object press into his palms. He opened his eyes and looked at the present, it was a little handmade dreamcatcher. With painted wooden beads and found feathers that didn’t match.

“We all pitched in,” Barrett said.

“I found the feathers.” Evgeni said proudly.

“Wow! Thank you all so much!” Shaynen stared at it. Something itched at the back of his mind, a memory that wasn’t quite right but also didn’t know what to do with itself. He took the twine loop and slipped it over his head, proudly grinning at his friends.

The toll of a bell settled down the halls from the courtyard.

“Oh shoot, we have to get to class.” Barrett huffed. “See you next passing, the usual place.” Barrett hurried off up the corner stairs, Evgeni gave a little wave before she ran down the hall towards her classroom. Jay didn’t wait before he started towards the classroom he and Shaynen shared. That suited Shaynen just fine. He looked at the dreamcatcher around his neck and squirmed. It felt out of place.

The halls cleared and Shaynen started to run. The bell tolled twice as a warning to all who weren’t where they were supposed to be. Shaynen caught up and passed Jay, making it to class before him.

The classroom was lined with glass balcony windows that let in the light. The stone floor had a large woven rug with stripes on it that were perfectly spaced for each small single use lapboard. There was a lapboard for every student, their names painted onto the boards. At the front of the room was a large table and chalkboard. Different parchment diagrams and illustrations lined the walls. At the back was a shelf where different supplies were kept.

Shaynen’s classmates were already mingling around the room, avoiding the rug where the boards were waiting from yesterday. A few had gathered their day’s supplies and were sitting at their seats on the floor with their board in their laps. The room hummed with quiet conversation but it was very quiet conversation. Shaynen resisted the urge to hum as he looked through the shelves for the day’s supplies. You needed exactly five sheets of parchment for each of the five course lessons that would be covered throughout the day.

"Hey, uh Shaynen." Jay said at he came up beside him. "I didn't mean to upset you with that comment about your face." Shaynen turned with his parchment and looked at Jay. Jay grabbed at the parchment to count out his five, avoiding eye contact with Shaynen.

"That's okay," Shaynen said. Accepting it was as close to an apology that he was going to get.

"What's the deal anyway? Your eye's a little screwed up. It's not like it's your whole face." Jay huffed as he put back the excess parchment. Shaynen frowned and glared at his classmate.

"Just drop it." Shaynen turned to find his seat.

"Don't be so touchy. It's a compliment. I can't say your face isn't messed up?" Jay scoffed, following behind Shaynen.

"Didn't I say to drop it?" Shaynen turned abruptly, putting his face close enough to Jay's, it fogged his glasses. Jay quickly recoiled. Three bell tolls and the class started filling their seats. Last minute gathering supplies and waiting for their lecturer.

"Whatever." Jay huffed and sat in his seat beside Shaynen's. "Hey, how do you think you did on the exam?"

"Probably well. Haven't failed at anything yet." Shaynen said, avoiding Jay's eyes but also grateful for the change in topic.

"Yeah, I know." Jay grumbled, further mumbling under his breath; "show off." The lecturer entered and the class settled. Shaynen glared at Jay but turned back to the lecturer as they addressed the class.

"Quiet down now, quiet down." The lecturer said, hurting to the little chest beside the lecturer table. "Before we jump into our lessons, Shaynen and Jay. Will you step outside for a minute?" Shaynen sat up and glared harder at Jay who looked just as surprised.

Shaynen rose first, putting his board down. Jay followed after. The two filed out of the classroom with their heads hung. As soon as the door was shut the boys turned.

"See what you did?" Jay accused.

"What I did!" Shaynen scoffed, "This is all your fault!"

"Is not!" Jay snapped. Crossing his arms and making a point of turning away.

"Let's think about this, what did we do that we could be in trouble for?" Shaynen mumbled mostly to himself.

"What you could be in trouble for." Jay answered. The door cracked open and the boys straightened up. The lecturer left the classroom, shutting the door behind them, holding two pieces of parchment. Shaynen and Jay stood together, holding their breaths, hearts in their throats.

"You boys aren't in trouble." The lecturer said right away, triggering a sigh of relief from the pair. "I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with these exam scores! Shaynen, another perfect score, even the advanced questions were correct!

And Jay! You've shown amazing improvement these last few months! You also have a perfect score! I've never had such dedicated pupils in my class before. You might skip a level this year! I know that's not impressive for you, Shaynen, given your quick rise, but Jay! It must be so exciting for you!"

"Thank you!" The boys said in unison. Smiling brightly as the lecturer handed their exams back, then going back into the classroom. Once that door shut the boys turned again.

"Since when were you into academics?" Shaynen sneered.

"You jealous?" Jay smirked.

"Jealous? Of what?" Shaynen scoffed. "I've skipped three levels, you've never even skipped rope."

"Tch. Whatever. Unlike you, I can't afford to miss a lesson." Jay opened the door and slipped through it, trying to close it in Shaynen's face. Shaynen yanked the door out of Jay's hands but both shaped up when the lecturer started them down.

"Now, let us continue." The lecturer said when the boys were seated. Classes were divided into five hour and a half long classes with a few minutes between the classes for creative work or socializing. As the day drew to a close the class put their class notes into their leather folders and waited for the bell that signaled classes were over and the next passing would begin.

"You know, with my rapid improvement, I might become the youngest acolyte to go through the ceremony." Jay said idly, leaning up against the wall beside Shaynen, adjusting his glasses with a smirk.

"Don't count on it." Shaynen slammed his folder closed. "You'll always be behind me,"

"Well right now it looks like I'm surpassing you." Jay said. "What's the matter? Can't handle the competition?"

"What competition? Where?" Shaynen looked around three classroom, playing dumb. Jay stood up straight and shoved Shaynen's shoulder.

"What's your problem?" Shaynen snapped.

"Knock it off you two!" The lecturer snapped and the boys stepped away from each other. The bell rang and Shaynen was the first out the door, with Jay following right behind him. They raced down the halls filled with other residents moving about the halls to where they needed to be. Shaynen leapt off the second story balcony and rolled. Neatly reaching the usual meeting place before anyone else. The north facing courtyard stairs. The little gap under them had Shaynen's little wings carved into the wall. Marking the spot forever as his.

"No fair! Jumping off the stairs is illegal!" Jay yelled breathlessly as he appeared on the stairs.

"Even if I used them I'd still have beat you!" Shaynen sang back. "You may think you can out think me, but you can't outrun me!"

"You two racing again?" Evgeni shook her head as she left the building. "Why bother? You lose racing me, what makes you think you can beat Shaynen? Barrett can't even do that,(*) and he’s older than both of us.” Jay scowled and collapsed into a heap on the bench under the stairs. Shaynen spied the books in Evgeni’s arms.

“Takeaway?” He asked and pointed at them.

“Yeah, the takeaway work really depends on the lecturer. You’re so lucky you have a lecturer that doesn’t assign takeaway.” Evgeni sighed jealously. Shaynen grinned.

“Our lecturer doesn’t give me takeaway cause I have the highest scores in the class.” Shaynen said proudly.

“Not for long, don’t forget, I aced the exam too.” Jay sat up straight. Evgeni looked at Jay in surprise.

“You aced an exam?” Evgeni’s mouth dropped open. “That’s amazing! Wait, did Shaynen let you cheat?” Jay started to yell a disapproval when Barrett ran up.

“Sorry I’m late, the halls are so packed.” He huffed. Collapsing down on the bench with a long sigh. “Ugh, I don’t want to go to athletics. I’m still sore from yesterday.”

“Skip then,” Jay said. Eying Barrett irritably but his face changed as if he got an idea. Barrett had a similar look as he stared at the stairs.

“What do you mean, skip?” Shaynen asked naively. His older classmates looked at each other with barely contained giggles.

“You’ve never skipped a period before?” Barrett asked with a giant smile.

“We’ll all skip.” Jay said. “For Shaynen.”

“I am always ready to skip athletic practice.” Evgeni agreed. Shaynen stared at his friends in utter confusion.

“So, what are we doing?” Shaynen asked a little quieter. A weight building in his chest.

“We’re not going to athletics.” Barrett stood up and spoke quietly so only the four of them could hear. The implication made Shaynen audibly gasp.

“We can do that?” He whispered.

“Depends on if we get caught or not.” Barrett whispered, Shaynen felt the weight drop into the pit of his stomach, releasing a flurry of butterflies that overshadowed the weight. From the center of the courtyard, the giant bell tolled once. Passing was coming to an end. Barrett started toward the building, Evgeni jumped to his side and Jay slid off the bench. Barrett turned to look at Shaynen.

“You coming?” He asked. Shaynen swallowed, the ringing of the bell in his head that screamed for him to go to the next period but his friends were heading off in a different direction.

“Wait for me!”