Across Worlds - Chapter 29 Part 1

Akia

Akia had intended to stay to watch the family reunion. She was just as interested in learning more about Falyn’s parents as Falyn was. Even though Akia was the one to find them, they hadn’t exactly given her their life story. Or any of it, really. But Phillip had called her away. Of course he did; who else even held half a conversation with her now a days? It was always Phillip.

It wouldn’t take her long to make it back to Headquarters. There was a shortcut she took where she didn’t have to pass through the city. She didn’t mind going through the main part of the city, but she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. She wouldn’t be able to relax until Rhys was no longer a threat.

When had all of this happened? It didn’t seem so long ago that she was sneaking Rhys into her house. They had been the best of friends. She hadn’t met someone else who cared about magic as much as she did. They had made plans, talked of ways they could enhance their magic. Together, they were going to become the most powerful of their time.

Then Rhys decided to use his powers for other reasons that she didn’t like. It wasn’t hard to overlook it in the beginning, but after his spell gone wrong that vaporized half of Agathi, she was done. There was no forgiving that.

The path she took ran between rice farms and through small patches of trees, some of which had apples sprouting from the branches. Akia reached up and plucked one off. All too late, she thought about looking around to see if anyone was watching. No one was. She let out a sigh of relief. She wasn’t exactly stealing, but she was sure that whoever these apple trees belonged to wouldn’t be all too happy if they caught her.

She took her sleeve and wiped off the fruit before taking a bite. It was tangy and sweet all at once, just how she liked them. She could see Headquarters from where she had stopped. It wouldn’t be long before she made it back there. So she ate and walked.

The footsteps were a figment of her imagination at first, but then she realized that the sound really was coming from behind her. She slowed, testing to see if she was being followed or if it was just a coincidence. The footsteps kept up with her pace.

Her heart pounded. Who would be following her? She couldn’t think of anyone in Lightport who wanted something from her. There was a feeling in her gut that she wouldn’t like who she saw when she turned around.

Taking a deep breath, she stopped and whirled around. The sight made her take a step back. Standing there behind her was an older looking lady, walking along with a hunch in her back, a cane in her hand and a bag of apples by her side.

She stopped and smiled sweetly. “You know, I saw you take that apple. Someone’s always watching you know.” The smile on her face was genuine and there was a certain glint in her eye that let Akia know that she was joking. But Akia still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The woman wasn’t someone she had seen before. The curly gray hair on top her head didn’t spark memories and she had most definitely never seen those soft blue eyes before. She would’ve remembered if she had. They were so warm and welcoming. This lady was no one to be afraid of.

Akia’s lips turned up in a small smile. “I was hungry. Didn’t think the farmer would mind.”

“Ah, but he would,” the lady responded. “You see, these trees are sacred; they’re how the farmer makes his living. It’s his lifeline. It only takes a few of you teens to take the apples and his harvest is ruined. Two little apples and the tree is destroyed. Two little people and the world is destroyed.”

Akia rolled her eyes; she couldn’t help it. The lady was speaking in fables. All she had to say was that Akia shouldn’t steal apples from farmers. It had nothing to do with the world.

Before Akia could react, the lady picked up her cane and whacked her shins. Akia jumped back in surprise, the pain being more than she had imagined.

“What was that for?”

“You should be more respectful,” the lady said, calmly replacing her cane on the ground. “You never know who you might meet on this road. I am not accustomed to being disrespected.” Akia stared. She knew that people got cranky in their old age, but this was taking it to a whole different level.

The lady took a step forward so she was just a foot away from Akia. “I hear that you’re pretty important around here. I don’t understand why they would put such a disrespectful young lady in charge.”

“Okay, that’s it,” Akia snapped, her hands shaking by her side. “You don’t have the right to berate me. I don’t even know you! What do you know about me?”

The lady chuckle – actually chuckled. “We know more about each other than you’ll admit young girl. It’s about time you accepted the idea.”

Akia let out an aggravated sigh. “You can stop talking in secrets now. Who are you? How do we know each other?”

The lady didn’t respond this time; she only stood and stared. Akia didn’t break eye contact. She wasn’t about to let this lady win. The lady was the one who jumped her after all. She was just walking along minding her own business and then the lady decided to start something.

There was a flicker in her eyes, something that made Akia start. She narrowed her eyes, trying to figure it out. It was the first time that she had recognized something in that woman. Now she knew; she had seen her before. But where?

“I know you,” Akia said slowly. “Who are you?”

The woman didn’t answer for a while. Then she smiled. “You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you know that there are secrets being held from you. Starting with that brother of yours.”

Akia couldn’t take it anymore. She launched at the lady, forcing her back against the nearest tree. At the moment, she hadn’t cared that she was harming an old woman. There was a familiarity about her that just set her off. And she wasn’t going to be bested by this stranger.

The lady didn’t scream or cry out. In fact, she seemed completely unfazed by the action. “You’re tough, daughter of Kit. No wonder they put you in charge here.”

Akia froze. “What did you call me?” The question came out in much of a squeak. She knew exactly what she heard, but she was in such shock that it hadn’t completely registered yet.

The lady’s lips snaked into a smile. “You heard me. It’s not going to be that easy to get away.”

Akia stared for a moment longer before breaking out of the trance. Her hands shot up to the lady’s throat and held tight. She didn’t feel bad about it this time. It wasn’t an old lady she was choking, it was Rhys. If she could get rid of him, putting the worlds back together would seem like child’s play.

Rhys reached up, desperately grasping at her hands. It only made her squeeze harder. Never before had she had Rhys on the defensive like he was now. He was losing strength, she could see it in his eyes. Her heart pounded in anticipation. Had she finally got him? All these years of running from him and plotting to stop his attacks and he gave himself in. How ironic.

Suddenly, his gaze hardened. He raised his hand, snapped his fingers and disappeared in a cloud of yellow smoke. When it cleared, Akia found herself gripping the tree with the same intensity she had been holding Rhys. Roaring in frustration, she whirled around to see him standing not far away from her, a cocky grin on his face. And he was standing there as himself, his green eyes crazed and that perfect black hair in a mess atop his head. He was still holding the cane and bag of apples, which now looked extremely odd in his hands, but he threw them to the ground quickly.

Neither of them moved. Akia didn’t know what to do and she was sure that Rhys was going to make the first move. But he didn’t. He only stood there, glaring.

“There was once a time when we were friends,” he started. “A time when you’d do anything for me. I told you things I’d never trust with my friends back home. And now they still don’t know even though they work for me. You’re the only one who knows me.”

Akia narrowed her eyes, not sure where he was going with this. But she kept listening. It was better to keep him talking than to fight.

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked. “Are you surrendering?” Rhys let out a laugh that lasted way too long; it made her uncomfortable. So much so that she forgot that she was supposed to be acting tough. She lost her composure and took a step back.

“Never,” Rhys growled when he stopped laughing. “You know nothing about me if you think that I’d give in that easily. Or that you’d be the one I told.”

Akia crossed her arms. “Well you said it yourself, I know more about you than anyone. We used to be close. Why wouldn’t I be the first one you told when you surrendered?”

“I’m only here to warn you.”

That got Akia’s attention. She noticed how serious Rhys had become, how much sincerity was in his voice. He wasn’t making jokes, he wasn’t trying to mess with her mind; he was telling the truth.

“Warn me? I don’t understand—"

“Listen,” Rhys said, gripping her shoulders. She jumped when he grabbed her, but he held her tight. “Things are only going to get worse. You know why I’m doing this and why I must succeed. Just… stay out of my way and I won’t be forced to hurt you. Okay?”

He gave her a sad smile before a cloud of yellow swallowed him up again. Akia coughed and sputtered, waving a hand to clear away the smoke. When it had all disappeared, she looked out and realized that Rhys was gone.

Of course. Pop in, act like you care, then leave. Perfect. Akia thought as she bent to pick up the stick and apples Rhys left behind. Without a look behind her, she started back on her way to Headquarters. She had to tell Phillip. Rhys was in Lightport and obviously had the powers of a shapeshifter. They were in more trouble than they thought.

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For the LMS contest. Word count: 1,823