Victoria had calmed down considerably, a bite of food could truly work wonders. Still, she stared at me unblinkingly, her eyes twitching form left to right while she scrutinised my face. After a few moments she sighed deeply, and began:
“I do have plenty of questions but I assume you don’t have the answers. This all started when you woke up, am I right?’
“Pretty much,” I nodded. “I guess it all began when I…” I paused but then decided to continue, the words rushing form my mouth in a continuous stream, otherwise I might have chickened out halfway through. “When I died, because that’s what happened, Vic, don’t ask me how I know and I can’t tell you what comes after either, but as surely as I’m sitting in front of you now, I was dead. And then, I woke up again, changed. From the looks of it, I got a set of pretty gems and a form of telepathy out of the deal and maybe some major hallucinations, since Central Park is looking like a place in Narnia to me. Narnia for adults, that is,” I concluded, shuddering, those ash trees hadn’t looked overly friendly and judging from the size of its scales, the creature in the Reservoir should have a maw, large enough to swallow me whole.
My sister massaged her temples. It showed the strength of our bond that she took my words at face value and truly thought about it. Most people would have laughed at me or called the closest asylum outright. But then again, most people didn’t wake up with jewels for eyes, either, and I didn’t have a history of being overly dramatic. That was her schtick.
After a few moments, which seemed much longer to me than they actually were, she sought my gaze and smiled wryly. “You sure were born under a lucky star. I don’t know whether I should scream, laugh or… Fuck, Evee, are you honestly telling me that you are some kind of psychic?”
I shrugged helplessly. “Beats me, but it definitely seems that way. I… back at the hospital… did you never wonder why I so easily forgave Katie?”
“No, not really. You never managed to stay mad at anybody for more than a day. But judging from your question, I assume you heard more than she was telling?” I nodded and haltingly replied.
“Quite a bit more.” When I saw a spark of curiosity ignite in her eyes, I quickly added: “but I’m not telling, that’s between her and me. Maybe you’ll find out, maybe you won’t, we’ll see. But… she wasn’t the first. I also think I heard my doctor’s thoughts. And then there’s the whole I’ve kicked the curb part. Vic… honestly, do you think I’m going insane?” She slowly shook her head.
“I might have… but then you went ahead and plucked random numbers from my mind. That’s hardly something I can ignore. Not to mention the whole,” she gestured towards my face, “amethysts for eyes part. So, let me ask one question. What do you think? And please, be honest.” I took my time to sort through my feelings before I answered:
“If you had asked me that an hour or two ago, I would’ve said I’m shaken, lost… scared. I don’t think it’s an hallucination. But now… somewhere down the line I realised that you’re right. I’m just unbelievably lucky. If all of this is real and I’m not stuck in some coma induced dream, I’ll maybe have to start praying every night and thank whoever is listening.” She grinned at me and said:
“There’s an easy way to find out if you’re sleeping.” Before I could do more than cock an eyebrow, she threw the plushie away and slammed into me with the force of a truck. An instant later, I was lying on my back, gasping for air through bouts of painful laughter, while she tickled my sides like there was no tomorrow. I tried to fight back, but unfortunately, she was still older and a bit taller, and easily pushed my hands away without ever stopping her assault. Somewhere in between, her giggles joined my own until we were both flushed and sweaty.
She collapsed at my side and pulled my head into her lap, caressing my hair, the same way she always had when she had wanted to reassure me.
“Thank you,” I mumble between deep breaths. “Thanks for… everything.” She lightly pinched my ear in response.
“Save it. Evee… you’re my family and I am yours. Sure, there’s still mum and dad but you know as well as I that they’re…”
“Easily distracted,” I finished her sentence. “Yeah, I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m taking your support for granted. And this time, I might really need it. As much as Im glad, that I’m not… you know… dead and even got something out of it, I’m still… I think… uff, this would be so much easier if I could show you what I’ve seen.”
“What do you mean? The adult version of Narnia you were talking about?”
“Yeah… Vicky, I don’t think I’m the only one. I’ve seen… creatures, or rather one creature. And if there’s one, there are bound to be more, are there not? I just don’t know…” She paused and studied my expression carefully.
“Probably, but I can’t… why don’t you tell me exactly what you’ve seen and then we can try to figure out what we’re going to do from there. Maybe a morning run isn’t the best idea, after all.”
“No… maybe it isn’t. Alright. Here it goes. You… I… When I fell, I hit my head and I heard my skull crack. I… there was… I can’t even describe it, but I know I had… I shouldn’t have woken up, but I did and it wasn’t in the hospital, it was much earlier. When they put me on the stretcher, I think. It hurt, Vic, everything just hurt. As if I wasn’t supposed to be there anymore. I finally fell asleep and when I woke up… well, that part you have lived through yourself, except…
When I came down the stairs… maybe I am crazy… there was…” I began describing what I had seen in excruciating detail. I left nothing out, from the intimidating shadow of a giant creature to the towering oak and the foreboding ash trees. I even explained how the enormous tree had moved out of the way to accommodated the strolling people in the park. Victoria listened with rapt attention, not even once did she interrupt, but the longer I talked, the more anxious she became, the muscles in her thighs tensing with every word.
After a few minutes I finished and rolled off of her, trying to give her some space. Lost in thought I headed to the glass door that’d lead to the balcony but before I opened the shutters, I hesitated. I wasn’t keen on another glimpse of the park and with a sigh, I turned away again, and dropped down on the couch, closing my eyes.
“So,” I began when my sister hadn’t said anything for a while, “still think I’m sane?”
“I…I,” she stammered, which was a first. She might be impulsive and brash but I had never seen her at a loss for words.
“Go on,” I said. “Tell me how incredible it all sounds. Believe me, I know. Which begs the question… what now? Maybe I should get medication,” I added under my breath, but she still caught my whisper. I heard the rustling of satin and a moment later, I smelled her perfume and felt her slump down at my side, just before she flicked my ear, hard.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Don’t even joke about that,” she hissed. “Evee… maybe I’m just as much of a lunatic, but I believe you. Every word. Have you… you know…” she hesitated. “Do you want my honest opinion?”
“Please, no need to sugarcoat your words,” I replied and rubbed the spot she had hit. “I don’t think you can say anything I haven’t already thought myself.”
“Fine. Relax, that was just a warning. Nobody gets to call my little sister crazy, not even you.” She paused and exhaled deeply. “I’ve been thinking… it almost seems like you made your way into one of those novels you were so obsessed with two years ago. If it was one of those, I’d expect you to meet an eccentric old man, either as a homeless beggar or the owner of a rundown magic shop. Who knows, maybe he’d even look like Nicholas Cage… or a young Sean Connery, if you’re lucky. But honestly… I don’t see that happening. Assuming you’re not delusional, there’s a choice you got to make. Either you can ignore all of it, or you have to learn, probably by yourself. I highly doubt there’s a wise old wizard suddenly appearing in your closet. So… what’s it gonna be?”
“Hopefully I’m spared the appearance of a toothless old man in my room,” I chuckled. “He might ask for more than I’m willing to give in exchange for his service. But seriously… you know me. No matter what I say right now, there’s no way I’m going to just let it be. Maybe for a few days but sooner or later… god, I’m already brimming with curiosity. Magic, Vic! There’s no other word for it. There’s magic in our world and you think I could just let that go? You’d have to tie me up, first.”
“Yeah… I figured as much. So here’s what we’re going to do. First, you’re going to increase your practice at the dojo, you’ll be going at least five times a week. I’m going to talk to mum and dad. Maybe we can get you into some of the more advance physics classes. Who knows, there’s a chance you might learn something useful. And then… well, I guess, once you’re up to it, we’ll resume our morning runs. Let’s have a closer look at Narnia, shall we? But before, I’m going to get you a really good binocular and you’re going to study everything you can see from the safety of your room. Is that clear? I’m not joking. You’re not going to leave this flat before you have some sort of idea what might be waiting for you.”
“Yes, ma’am. Whatever you say, ma’am.” My smile took the edge off my words. Usually I became quite angry when she tried bossing me around, but this time, I was simply grateful. “Thank you, Vicky. I know I must sound like a broken record, but thank you.” She rolled her eyes.
“Stop that. I’m not only doing this because it’s you. Oh well, I probably am, but still…” she hesitated and then her face lit up with a gleeful smile. “Maybe there’s a chance I can learn, too. Do you have any idea how jealous I’m starting to feel? The longer we talk and the more it sinks in, the more I want to join you. Magic, Evee! There’s really something beyond the grey veil of normality! And it’s not the self righteous crap about love and the worth of good deeds. If there’s even the slightest chance, I want in. I don’t care how long it takes or what it’s going to cost me…”
She didn’t get to finish. I interrupted her with a squeal and threw myself back into her arms.
“Oh Vic, you’ve no idea how glad I am to hear you say that. I… I was afraid I’d be alone in all of this. Not that you’d leave me hanging, but still…” I kissed her cheek. “Together?”
“Until death do us part,” she replied mockingly. “But we’ve already been there, haven’t we? Now, until tomorrow, you’re going to cool your heels. You’re still supposed to be sick and I want you to have a good night’s sleep. No late night strolls and your balcony door remains closed. I’ll get the binoculars ordered overnight and then we can have a look. Which reminds…” she cocked an eyebrow and looked at me from the side. “Should I invite Katie as well?” I felt heat rising in my cheeks.
“What… why… why would you say that,” I mumbled, about as convincing as a child, caught with its hand in the cookie jar, protesting it hadn’t been trying to steal. She laughed at me.
“No reason, but your blush says I’m onto something. Don’t worry, I won’t tell. But you’re not going to keep that a secret, you know how sharp mum can be, when she’s not buried to her neck in work. And the Donovans are coming over tonight, aren’t they? I’d fess up, if I were you, before then. Otherwise you’re in for one hell of an evening, as soon as she finds out.” I had been getting redder with every word she’d said.
“It’s not like that,” I quickly cut in, but she only smiled. “No, really. True, I like her, but… we’ve known each other for a few days and most of the time I’ve been unconscious!”
“And? I think you’re chances are much better, if you’re not talking, anyways. You’ve become a real beauty, little sis, but you’ve no idea how to…” I growled and attacked her, using my position on top of her to hold her hands down and mercilessly tickle her sides. She didn’t take the punishment stoically, though. After a moment of surprise, she fought back and we were soon laughing freely again, until tears streamed from my eyes.
“I give,” Victoria finally croaked. This time I had outlasted her by stubbornness alone. “I recant! You’re eloquence incarnate, the pinnacle of verbal seduction, the greatest minstrels would be honoured to have you teach them! Please, no more, your Highness! Forgive this lowly servant.”
I assumed a dignified poise, as well as I could while I was panting heavily, my hair all over the place, and stated gravely: “you’re forgiven, this time. But to make amends, you shall journey downstairs and brew a fresh pot of tea. You are to return within the hour and not to forget the honey. Do you accept your sentence?” She bowed with a twinkle in her eye.
“Your mercy is without bounds! This unworthy knight shall undertake your quest and return to your side. Even the mighty, spiteful dragoness Clara won’t stop me! Adieu, your Highness!”
With a deep bow, she walked form the room and closed the door, only to open it again: “and when I’m back, we’re going to talk some more about your girlfriend.” I threw a pillow after her, but she was already halfway down the stairs before it even left my hand.
Huffing, I went to the bathroom and combed out my hair, mulling over what she had said. Not the improvised knight and princess comedy, mind you. It wasn’t the first time I had had butterflies in my stomach when I had looked at someone. I had already arrived at the tail end of puberty and I wasn’t going to miss much about it, but consequentially, I had already had more than one crush in my life. Not that I had ever acted on it, the looming idea of being forced to leave the next day had always made it seem so… pointless. But I was slowly running out of excuses and… she really was pretty. It might sound shallow, but I had listened in biology and attraction was based on looks, smells… superficial impressions of the first few minutes.
And then… well, ultimately I had been through quite a lot with her already and that she had come to me and had apologised, not to mention opening up afterwards, hadn’t been a waste, either. Which ever way you looked at it, I liked Katie and… crap, I was even smiling now. Thank god Victoria wasn’t here. I wouldn’t have heard the end of it. I just didn’t know…
Neither my sister nor my parents had any qualms with same sex couples, which had been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt when Vic had brought home her first girlfriend. Cecile had been great and fun to be around and mum and dad had made her feel at home every time they had met. Which hadn’t been that often, to tell the truth. They had been busy in Japan and had only been around every other weekend. Anyways, I wasn’t really worried, I was… nervous. And I felt slightly guilty for having eavesdropped on her thoughts. On the other hand, there was probably no other way for me to muster the courage to say or do anything. Without that reassurance… Damn it, I didn’t even know if I had the nerves, despite the knowledge I had gained.
Groaning, I turned on the tap and splashed cold water over my face. “You don’t have to say anything, tonight”, I reassured myself. “It’d be highly inappropriate. Just… take your time and once you’ve slept in your own bed, had the chance to figure out what’s going on with your life and… right, Evee. Why not procrastinate until you’re of age? Or better yet, why not wait until the both of you have gotten over it? That would be the easiest choice, wouldn’t it? Coward.” I raised my head and looked at my reflection, a derisive smirk on my face. “If you want to change, do it now. Invite her again for tomorrow. Victoria would even be proud. And probably convinced that her teasing had taught you an important lesson. Come to think of it… it might have.”