INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

The pit-pat patter of rain and the cold wind lulled her to sleep. Exhaustion from the earlier fight also added to the weight that closes her eyes. Her half-closed eyes lazily stared at the hazy sight of falling waters and the small puddles outside the short but wide cavern they rushed into when the storm started. She was surprised that her body had endured the days of walking. Little by little, she learnt not to complain about every little thing. She learnt to keep it to herself even if she knew that her uncomfortableness is visible on her face every time. She promised her brother that she would try to look at the bright side of this trip. She knew, however, that that wasn’t the only reason she endured it. But she was upset that there’s no reception in the forest and her phone died just after she bathe in the small lake, terribly regretting that she wasn’t able to message their mom the second time.

Her eyes finally closed. Her consciousness slowly drifted to sleep. Her tired body shifted toward her brother until her arm touched his and her head rested on his shoulder. She released a sigh of relief. Her dream was an early memory, something her mind kept reminding her of.

She couldn’t forget Nate’s terrified look after he shouted her name. But she knew that she mirrored his expression when she saw the black arrows behind him. It felt like her heart stopped and everything was in slow motion. That feeling remain even when she and Nate safely landed on thick bushes. She was only able to cry when she realized that her brother was unconscious.

“Oh my God. What should I do?” she cried. When she realized that the black shadows could chase them, she was beyond terrified. She couldn’t carry and protect Nate on her own.

She was shaking Nate to wake him up when someone dropped from the sky. She shouted and shielded Nate’s body with her own. She dropped her hands when she saw a pair of dark blue eyes staring at her. Her sight became blurrier because of her tears.

“He’ll be fine,” Storm said as he squatted and examined Nate’s body.

“Wha- what’s going to happen? Are they still here?” she asked him. She instantly forgotten any negative feeling towards him because he was the only one who can help her brother. She looked around but her senses couldn’t pick up the Mortemians’ energy. They disappeared...?

“No. Vanished after attacking.” After checking Nate’s pulse, Storm dropped his backpack on the ground.

“But the Concordian guards are still here. There’s a small cave nearby. Help me get him on by back.” She nodded and removed Nate’s bag. Slowly, they were able to place Nate on Storm’s back. She pitied him when she saw him winced when he stood up. Storm was thinner than her brother but his endurance and strength were something else.

“The bags-“

“I’ll get them later,” Storm interrupted. Hanne kept her hand on Nate’s back as they walk slowly. What if they come back? What if the guards find them while Nate is out? She didn’t want to imagine the scenario. She glanced at Storm who was squinting. By now, she had recovered from shock and dried her tears.

“Wha- what if they came back and Nate-” she whispered. She couldn’t continue what she was about to say. Heat rose on her cheeks. Today was the longest conversation they had after Nate and Hanne met him. Talking to him earlier was spontaneous because of Nate’s condition but now, it felt awkward and embarrassing for her.

“I’ll fight them and you protect Nate in the cave,” he instantly replied. That’s the best path to take but Hanne was a bit disappointed.

“I can help you, you know.”

“Yeah, by staying beside Nate.” She frowned as she turned to look at him. He, however, was staring at the path in front of them.

“You can’t possible fight them alone. They seemed stronger than Rudy and the others.” He glanced at her but his face was still void of emotion.

“I agree, but I can’t look after you while fighting.” Her frown deepened. She didn’t want to read between the lines because she wanted to give him the benefit of doubt.

“What? I’m not asking you to.”

“You’re not but it will eventually happen.” She had enough. Her mouth hanged open after his statement.

“So you’re telling me that I’m useless?” He glanced at her but didn’t say anything, as if confirming her assumption.

“I know I’m not skilled but I’m not useless,” she said a little louder.

“I’m not saying you are-“

“You’re implying-“

“But you will get in my wa-“

“See!” They were now eye to eye. She was glaring while he acted like nothing is wrong. Storm was the first one to look away.

“There it is,” he said. She looked in front and saw thick bushes of more than 10 feet tall. Storm, with still unconscious Nate on his back, hurried towards it.

“Here. Put your arm inside and hold it so we can go inside,” he instructed when she caught up. She was hesitant at first. What if there are insects in there? But the frown Storm was giving her irritated her so she did what she had to do. Light seeped in the path she opened. Storm ducked and slowly walked inside. She did the same and found a short and narrow cave. It was clean and dry inside. Storm slowly and carefully sat to place Nate on the ground. Hanne immediately rushed to help him.

“I’ll get the bags,” Storm announced when they had placed Nate on the ground. She watched Storm ruffle his wet hair due to sweat. Even though he didn’t want to show it, she knew he was tired from carrying her brother.

“Rest for a while. You don’t look good,” she muttered while wiping her handkerchief on Nate’s forehead. He didn’t reply but stood for a while near the entrance before heading out. He returned after five minutes carrying a backpack on each shoulder. She wanted to open their previous conversation because she wasn’t satisfied with how it ended. But when he sat down with an exhausted sigh and closed his eyes, she decided against it. She was thankful for his help but she couldn’t find the courage to say anything.

She didn’t mind the silence because she was busy being worried about Nate’s condition. When he woke up, she cried again. She thought that she left that cry baby years ago but she couldn’t control her emotion. She didn’t want to lose him too.

The memory was vivid as if it happened again. When she woke up, she didn’t immediately open her eyes. She was still sleepy but the cold wind had her shivering. She snaked her arm around Nate’s arm and hugged it. She wished she was somewhere warm.

“Wake up.” She knew that it was Storm who said this so she didn’t move.

“Wake up.” Why is he whispering? If he wanted to wake up Nate, he better do more than that.

“Wake up.” It was getting on her nerves. Her brow furrowed as she waited for him to say it again. Someone lightly tapped her arm, the one which cages her brother’s arm. She slowly opened her eyes and waited for them to adjust to the bright light. It was no longer raining. She slowly looked up, expecting her brother to be up.

“Wake up,” he stated, without looking at her. He looked uncomfortable. Hanne, on the other hand, froze. Her eyes widened like saucers. When she snapped out of her reverie, she quickly let go of his arm and scooted away. All trace of sleep washed away as she looked everywhere except Storm. She felt warm as the atmosphere felt heavy. Heat slowly rose to her cheeks. She groaned when she realized that Nate was sitting on her left, sleeping soundly with his face planted on his large backpack.

“Nate, wake up, wake up.” She shook his arm. He turned his head and pouted, eyes still closed. Wake up or I’m not gonna survive the embarrassment!

“What…” he muttered then slowly opened his eyes.

“It’s not raining anymore. We can move,” Storm announced. Nate blinked the sleep away, stood up, and stretched. Hanne did the same but after she made sure that Storm wasn’t looking.

“It’s three in the afternoon,” Nate said after looking at his wristwatch. The walking continued with Nate and Storm talking about powers and other things related to their journey. She wasn’t interested and silently followed behind them until Storm said something about an academy.

“Is that our final destination?” she blurted. The two men glanced behind them but kept walking.

“We’re not sure, Hanne. We’re only guessing but that place…” Nate’s voice trailed.

“Is the center of Concordians,” Storm added.

“Did you know all these stuffs from him?” Hanne directed the question to Nate who didn’t look back at her.

“Uh yeah.” Ever since she was young, she had been asking their real parents about their abilities and how they acquired them. The only thing they told Hanne was because she and Nate were special. But Hanne wasn’t particularly comfortable with using her ability so they didn’t press her. When their real parents’ died, she grew uninterested in manipulating metals. Her mind was full of questions but she never tried to ask their mom. That’s how much I hate it, huh. So why am I here?

She watched Nate smile while talking to Storm. Her uneasiness decreased. Then she turned to Storm who never smiles or laughs. The two were a complete opposite. But why am I glad that he’s near? Do I see him like a brother? She grimaced at the thought.

They set up camp when it was totally dark and the moon was overhead. They waited until 10 in the evening to rest because fighting the Concordians and waiting for the rain to stop ate up their travelling time. Hanne groaned when her bottom hit the ground. She immediately took off her shoes and socks then massage her heels. The throbbing pain diminished but she was still flinching when she moves her feet.

“Do you want me to massage them?” Nate asked when he sat beside her. She glanced at the dancing fire he had finished setting up. She shook her head.

“Massage yours.”

Storm emerged from behind a tree then sat on his sleeping bag. He always disappear at night. Her eyebrow rose when he produced five apples from his coat pockets. He caught her stare and she couldn’t look away from his dark eyes. Do you also have secrets, Caspar Storm?

“I’m going to change,” she whispered to Nate when she looked away. She grab a shirt in her backpack, stood up, and moved behind a tree a few feet from their camp. She didn’t want to risk being seen. She had finished changing when she stepped on a twig. She heard it snap.

Then a click. A beam of light shone directly on her face. Her squinted eyes tried to make out the origin of light. Nate? Storm?

“Who are you?” Hanne held her breath when she heard a different voice.