The mindscape ran on past and present events not good and bad events. It was a white expanse as far as the eye could see and something was always playing in the mind’s eye. For him, the battle of Anshrank and the way Asphodel had tricked him into killing his mother figure, was usually his usual set of memories playing. Today two new sets were playing. One with him and Marco when he was younger and the day he met Zen. He had never been more enchanted by anyone else in his life, except for when he first dealt with Maldorians. His mind’s eye, what he pictured as an old video camera, brought up the day he met Zen.
He was in that stupid girl’s house rifling through her palm book.
“You shouldn’t be looking through that,” she said startling him.
She had the darkest eyes he’d ever seen that weren’t black, framed by curly lashes. She was dressed in the prerequisite brown of the Lows and yet he’d never seen someone more radiant at that moment. He’d blushed.
“She said I could look through it all I wanted,” he said, smiling that devilish smile of his for once because he wanted the attention on him.
She’d sighed. “She’s not exactly in her right mind right now. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even know who you are. I’ve never seen you in her group of friends before.”
He smirked. “I knocked on the wrong door but was so graciously received, that I couldn’t disappoint,” he said.
Zen had smirked. “I knew it was something like that! Well, what’s your name at least?”
“Stephan,” he replied instantly and winced internally. He had people looking for him. Was looking for the same people. Bad people, what was he doing getting a Low involved?
Zen rolled her eyes. “Is there a family name that goes along with Stephan?”
He retreated in his advances. “Not for you. Well, I must be leaving. Give my regards to…”
“Suzanna Constantine,” she provided smiling.
“Yeah, her. Maybe I’ll drop in again…”
Zen shook her head. “Nuh-uh. You are a literal stranger. You don’t get my name besides I’m just a Brownie.”
He ran his fingers through tussled copper locks and then nodded. She showed him to the door and he stepped out. She held out her hand.
“Huh,” he asked acting confused.
“Don’t try to be slick. I know you still have the palm book. Give it.”
He shouldn’t have but he fingered the rose-colored book in his pocket before handing it over.
“Sorry I must have forgotten about it,” he muttered
“Sure you did,” muttered Zen as she grabbed the palm book away and shut the door in his face.
“Oww!” he muttered rubbing his nose but smirking he really liked that girl.
Stephan sighed. How was he going to face Marco with his mind set on tormenting him about Zen? He was losing her he knew that. All because of one mistake. He had been deep in his nightmares and too close to her. He let the monster free too early. “I really scared her away,” he sighed glancing at his hands. They glowed slightly but he knew better than to take his anger out on his mindscape. He traveled farther in, ignoring the memory of Zen screaming at him, and hurried to a door that surprised him. Last time he saw it it was a bright white with pictograms of his and Marco’s memories on it. Now it was a blank door that glowed red.
He chuckled amused. Is that what Marco really thinks about me? I’m not as hurt as I should be. Hmm. Whatever.
He opened the door and passed onto the astral plane where many Travelers were doing business. Many wisps flew by in a hurry entering the other doors. It was easy to get lost in here, if you’d never been here before. The sky was dark, lit with millions of lights that burned and moved. Each one is a wisp. In order not to get lost he followed Marco’s soul string, a silver cord tied to another door where he knocked gently. From the door, Marco appeared looking weary but safe.
He grinned.”I see you can’t keep your hands off Zen.”
Stephan blushed. “Damn! I really tried hiding that!”
“It would have worked on anyone else, Stephan, but not me. What’s wrong?”
“Zen wants to contact Isaias for a few minutes since he has the directions to the property.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“You’re at the rainforest already?”
“Yeah, big ocean beside the rainforest, Marco. Where are you?”
“Halfway there already, although with this connection, I’ll have to rest a bit more. You can expect us somewhere after sunset.”
“Okay then let’s get those two hooked up.”
“Marco nodded and opened his door so that Stephan could pass by.
Marco’s mindscape was distorted and dark. His Mind’s eye was a crystal ball that swirled with images of his past and present and the air in the mindscape felt frantic, panicked. An image floated by of Marco being held by Isaias making him grin.
“I see I’m not the only one who can’t stop touching an Amargarita.”
Marco flushed slightly and led him to a corner of the room that was protected by several trap wires.
“What do those do?
“They’ll erase my mind of fragile information if I’m ever caught by the enemy. Mom’s design. I twisted it to fit my own needs. Marco crossed the wires and got to the small bottle at the edge of the counter.
“Remember how to do this?”
“I drink the essence and get some of your abilities for half an hour I think? I can then bring Zen into the mindscape while you bring Isaias. They’ll have five minutes at most.”
“You forgot the part about getting a few of my memories along with my abilities.”
“Oh yeah, that too.”
Marco handed over the tiny silver bottle and Stephan uncorked it, bringing it to his lips.
“Bottoms up,” he muttered while drinking the potion.
The crystal distorted and sent two beams at him then he was floating hearing familiar cries of torture and pain. The first thing his eyes saw was a male being decapitated and the painters dipping their brushes eager to keep their heads and paint the living hall blood red straight from a source.
That meant it was late at night. A young Marco with long hair and looking far more like a girl than a boy stood in front of a woman with long auburn hair and crystal blue eyes. She was decked in a bejeweled tanktop and a short skirt showing off knee-high Elder-skinned boots. They were like deer except far wilder.
“No mother, I cannot do it! You are putting Stephan and Edline at risk!”
“Do this one thing Marco and I promise not to harm them.”
Marco’s frame shook slightly but his eyes beamed with determination. “You promise to never touch them?”
“On my honor.”
Stephan scoffed, she has no honor
“Where are they?”
“In my room waiting for you. Do this and I won’t touch a hair on either of your sibling’s heads. Spend the night with my Captains and shall you wish it, you can go free with the assurance that your siblings will remain pure-hearted.”
Marco gulped and nodded, “I shall spend the night with your captains then.”
Stephan’s eyes widened. Was Marco being treated like a…? He watched as his brother was marched up the stairs and to his mom’s bedroom and then locked with animals. He couldn’t watch but he heard the cries of pleasure and his brother’s sobs. Not once but many times.
The memory finally left and instead, another familiar sight faded in. Marco now sixteen was dashing through the halls as if his life depended on it. He entered their room slowly and began to pack. He was going away where males couldn’t harm him unless he let them. He threw his clothes and survival gear in the bag muttering. “I am not a whore! I will not be Leonard’s plaything anymore! I can't, I have to run. I have to..”
“Marco?”
He turned to meet crystal blue orbs.
“Where are you going? Is it another mission?” little Stephan asked.
“Yes, Stephan, a very long one. Promise me you’ll protect Edline...please.”
“You know I will. When are you coming back?”
Stephan sighed. He never came back. Never.
“In a few days' time really. I’ll bring back some of that candy you and Edline like so much.”
That’s when Stephan caught sight of the duffle bag he had been hiding in the shadows.
“You don’t need a duffle bag for a mission.”
“I do with this one.”
Stephan glared. You’re not going on a mission are you Marco? You’re leaving!”
“SHH Stephan!”
Then Stephan looked up teary-eyed. It was rare for him to cry but he knew what his mom would do and who would be on her radar. “Take us with you...please brother! Don’t leave us here alone with her!”
“I can’t take you with me Stephan I wish…”
“Marco, are you ready dear?”
“Shit I have to leave now!”
“Marco! Please!” begged Stephan as his brother inched towards the window. One leap and Marco was already out the large window of the room and scaling the castle turrets. He had to get far away. He’d come back for his siblings. One day.
Stephan gasped in the air and began coughing.
“Easy there. You took it too fast! What have I said about drinking the serum too fast, Stephan?
Stephan croaked. “Not to.” He stood swaying slightly trying to regain his balance.
Marco helped him up. He looked at his brother. There was no indication of his childhood now but he knew those types of wounds ran deep. At least now I know why he was in such a hurry. He was running from abuse the same as I did.
A calloused palm hit his forehead.
“Hey!”
“Did you listen to what I just said or were you dreaming of Zen again?”
“What did you say?”
Marco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I said you can now bring in Zen while I get Isaias. They have five minutes starting from when they meet. Let’s do it.”
Stephan nodded and walked out from his brother’s door and followed the thread back to his mind. He opened his eyes to find mahogany eyes staring down at him. Fingers were running through his hair and his head was in her lap. He sat up blushing.