Across Worlds - Chapter 28 Part 1

Falyn

Something was bothering Akia, Falyn could tell. Akia had been hiding from something, or someone, in the lobby. The fact that she hadn’t said anything about it only made Falyn more curious. Akia had kept secrets from her before; what was to stop her from doing it now?

No one spoke as they made their way out of the building. Falyn was still thinking about what it was Akia was hiding now and she was sure Mina was doing the same. She’d have to talk to Mina, her sister – it was still weird to think of her like that – about it later. They’d be able to come up with a plan to get the secrets together.

The second Falyn stepped out into the open, her jaw dropped. She had spent many nights dreaming about what Pollume – Lightport would be like, but none of her dreams gave the place justice.

The building was set in the middle of the world it seemed, on a tiny hill, not quite high enough to see everything. All around her were trees and farms. There seemed to be more farms than actual neighborhoods that she was used to back in Agathi. From what could be seen from the hill, there was only two neighborhoods.

“My house is this way,” Akia said, motioning to the right. “Maybe a ten minute walk. Not sure, really. It’s become second nature.”

Mina looked at her curiously. “Wait, you don’t live in that building?”

Akia shook her head. “Nope. Only Phillip and the trainees. Trust me, the less time I spend in that building the better. I can only spend so much time around those kids.”

Neither Falyn nor Mina responded. Falyn was too preoccupied with the surroundings to hold a conversation. Soon they’d be walking through the world, getting to see all of what she had missed out on growing up.

The thought was getting easier to harbor as time went on. The more time she spent in Lightport, the more she felt at home. Agathi had become a distant memory. She had spent so many years there, but they had been fake, a false life. None of it had made sense to her until now.

Akia led them down the hill and towards a road that goes through a neighborhood. Could that be where Akia’s house is? Falyn didn’t know why, but she always assumed that Akia lived in an apartment building. A house just seemed too settled in for Akia.

Unlike in Agathi, the houses here were each different. Falyn could see something different in each of the houses. One had potted flowers lining the steps. Another had pink shutters. It would’ve bothered her, but the siding was white so it matched well enough. Yet another had a swing on the porch, swaying in the slight wind.

Would she have grown up in a neighborhood like this if she hadn’t gotten shipped off to Agathi? Maybe this was where she had grown up. It only felt more right as they made their way down the street.

“Why do you think she’s taking us to her house?” Mina whispered after a while. Falyn only shrugged.

“She said it was something important. Must be a tool of some sort that’ll help us fight off Rhys.”

“Well, that’s the thing—" Mina hesitated before continuing. “Why is it important that we fight Rhys? Isn’t this just Phillip’s fight? I mean, I understand that you have some important powers, but you don’t need me around for that.”

Falyn studied her. “But I couldn’t do it without you. You do know that, right?”

“It sure doesn’t seem like it.” Mina muttered. Falyn looked at her flabbergasted, but she only sighed. “You’ve spent all of your time with either Akia or Zeke. Hell, you don’t even hang out with Sam anymore. And I know how much you were into him.”

“People change,” Falyn responded quietly. It was true, she had been into Sam at one point. But since they escaped Agathi, they’d drifted apart. Sam seemed to rekindle his friendship with Akia and Falyn had found Zeke. The situation had changed.

Come to think of it, Sam hadn’t really been making an effort with her lately. She could remember times back in Agathi when they would have conversations over coffee or dinner. That’s when she had believed that he wanted to be around her. But once Akia came along, he seemed to forget about her. Was he only pretending to like her to stay close to her and keep her safe? She was starting to believe that that was the reason.

They’d made it through the neighborhood before she knew it and they started walking by a rice farm. It was July so the rice would be almost ready for harvest. Falyn remembered reading about growing rice in some book a while ago. It was planted in April and harvested four or five months later. Water had to be flushed into the rows of plants so that they would get enough nutrients and sunlight. It fought off the weeds.

There were three other rice farms surrounding that farm, each of the plants growing at the same rate and same efficiency. They’d turn out some good rice.

Just beyond the rice farms were farm plots with towering green stalks. Falyn couldn’t tell what kind of plants they were. Maybe wheat or corn. But how could it be that rice and wheat were growing in the same area? Wheat was planted in the fall and grew until the winter. It was halfway through summer.

Must be magic. Falyn decided. It seemed that everyone in Lightport used magic like it was no big deal. In Agathi they didn’t throw their magic around that easily. It was saved for special occasions and specific reasons.

“We’re almost there,” Akia said. She hadn’t spoken up until that point. “Just a short walk down the hill.” Falyn hadn’t been looking ahead of them; she was too busy taking in the scenery.

It wasn’t until then that she noticed how unstable the land was there. Hills were common place and most of the flatlands were dedicated to farms. Life had to be interesting in Lightport. If you weren’t a farmer, where did you work?

They reached the crest of the hill and started trekking down. There seemed to be a whole new world down there. Buildings were stuffed together, mixed in with houses. Just like the houses in the neighborhood they passed through earlier, these houses were each unique in their own way.

As they got closer, Falyn was reminded of the market back in Agathi. It had almost the same feel, but was definitely not reserved for commerce. People popped in and out of buildings, laughing and smiling like there wasn’t a care in the world.

They must not know. Falyn thought. Of course they didn’t know. If Phillip wasn’t all too keen about telling her about what was going on, why would he want the rest of the world knowing?

But they should know. Rhys had attacked almost all of the worlds: Vertfay, Sedula, even Mersch, a small, little known world across the river from Sedula. It was home of the shapeshifters. It made sense that he would set his sights on Lightport next.

Akia stopped suddenly and Falyn almost ran into her. Turning to look at them, Akia demanded, “No making eye contact. I want to get through there without any questions. Got it?”

“Well you really care about others don’t you?” Mina mumbled. Akia narrowed her eyes, but didn’t respond. Instead, she turned and stalked father down the road.

Mina sighed. “She’s a piece of work.” Falyn didn’t know how to respond, so she laughed slightly and wrapped her arm in Mina’s. Together they took off after Akia.

It took all of Falyn’s willpower to not make eye contact with anyone. Not that she really wanted anyone to recognize her, but she couldn’t escape them. There were side looks, whispers, pointing. The crowds stopped moving so quickly and almost seemed to be transfixed by the two of them. What they were thinking, Falyn could only imagine. Despite Phillip and Akia having their secrets, she was sure that the public knew about her.

Soon enough they had made their way out of the crowded area and were trekking past more houses. It had been almost ten minutes and Falyn was sure that they’d reach their destination soon. Akia was still out in front, walking with purpose.

“Just a few more,” she called back to them. Before Falyn could even look ahead to guess which house it was, Akia stopped in front of a house with green siding. It was a light green, a color that seemed to match the grass surrounding the building. The porch was made of dark wood that complimented the green all too well. It was a beautiful house.

Akia led them up the steps, but stopped and turned to face them when she reached the door. “This is my house, but the people you’re going to find inside are only here for you.”

Falyn tried to make sense of what she had just been told, but couldn’t figure it out. Akia smiled before turning back and knocking on the door four times. Shortly after, the door creaked open to reveal a man and a woman holding hands. Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes when she looked at Falyn.

“Falyn, Mina,” she breathed. “It’s been so long!” She rushed forward and wrapped the two of them in a tight hug. Falyn felt strange in the woman’s arms, but then realization flooded over her.

“Mom?”

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For the LMS contest. Word count: 1,611