The Earth Shifter

My mouth felt dry and Pain was all that I could feel. My whole body was burning and sore. I opened my eyes to find two men looking at me. Both of them had violet eyes.

I remember the Garda attacking me but I don’t actually recall hitting my head. I let my head fall back on the pillow and closed my eyes telling myself that it’s just a dream then opened them again. The two men were still there and their eyes were still violet.

What’s wrong with my eyes?

The two men, who were dressed in white, looked so real. How do they have violet eyes? One of the men was preparing something on a far table and the other was sitting on a chair beside my bed.

He held my arm and moved it. I winced because of the sharp pain and burning that I felt.

“I’m sorry.” The man who seems to be the doctor told me.

He unwrapped the medical lawn off my arms and threw it in a basket. Then went to get bandages.

I looked down at the cuts covering my body nearly all of them were starting to heal and doesn’t hurt that much but both of my arms were an utter mess. After the doctor has bandaged my arms he took his partner and got out of the tent.

I remember drowning Eossoda then where am I?

Amber entered the tent with a smile on her face.

“How are you feeling?” She asked me sitting on the same chair the doctor was sitting on earlier.

“Great.” I told her.

“We did it and it’s not snowing outside anymore.” She told me and I stayed quiet trying to ignore my burning arms.

“Thanks, Aaron. I couldn’t have done it without you. And I know I was a pain myself. I have no idea how did you put up with me.” She looked at the ground.

“Yeah, you were so annoying and god! You didn’t stop talking and screaming the whole time.” I teased her trying to make her smile. It worked.

I was so happy that Amber wasn’t sad or afraid anymore. Sure she still don’t like to get into the water and she surly does miss her brother but at least it didn’t hold her back anymore.

“Where are we?” I asked remembering the men with the violet eyes.

“Radssoda.” She answered me and I looked at her confused.

“According to Tristan, it’s the home of the Radharcs that’s why it’s called Radssoda and you can say that it’s the twin island of Eossoda.”

“And it needs to be drowned too?” I asked quickly. I will never do anything like that again but If Amber was up for it I won’t go back on my promise.

“No.” Amber answered me laughing. She put a strand that was falling on her face behind her ear.

“Good.” I said relieved.

“Uh, did you see the eyes of the two doctors?” I asked her to make sure I wasn’t imagining things. She stopped laughing.

“Yeah, about that...” She started.

“What?” I asked her and she bit her lips thinking.

“Can you come with me somewhere?” She asked.

“Yes.” She helped me get out of bed and my whole body suddenly started throbbing with pain and burned me fiercely. I didn’t move I just stood in my place till I became a little better. I found my sweater on a near chair and I snatched it in order to wear it and hide my white torn shirt. I just made sure that I put it on slowly so it wouldn’t brush against any wound. But of course couldn’t do that.

I walked with Amber outside the tent. The weather was nice, I liked it. But the streets were crowded with people, that I didn’t like. I kept my eyes glued to the ground as Amber lead me through a very busy street.

I snatched Amber’s cap from above her head and put it on. I don’t remember where I had left my contacts. The only thing that brought me to look up is Amber when she took her cap back wearing it.

“You won’t be needing that anymore.” She told me. I didn’t get what she wanted to prove but I got it right away when I saw a woman looking at me standing behind Amber, she had a brilliant violet eyes that I think it would glow in the dark, not like mine. I gaped at the woman, so I wasn’t hallucinating back at the tent.

I turned around looking at the people at the street. Most of them had violet eyes like mine. All shades of violet. Each one of them had his own color. also not exactly like mine as I had basically black eyes and the freckles were violet.

For the first time in my life I didn’t feel that strange anymore. It was such a good comfortable feeling.

“They’re called the Radharcs,” Amber informed me keeping her voice low, so she wouldn’t draw attention, as we were walking through the street.

“The scientists?” I asked her remembering what Tristan has told us before.

“Eeh, you can say that but they’re like you.” She told me excitedly. “Not all of them, of course, but still. Some are able to control one element and few can control more than one element.” I was barely keeping track on what she was saying as a man brushed against my sweater and it was like someone has put my whole arm on fire. It was just starting to calm a bit.

“How do you know so much?” I asked her.

“Well, that’s what happens when you sleep for two days, I get ahead of you with the information.”

“Two days?”

“Yes,” She then looked at the ground guilt plastered on her face. “I’m sorry, Aaron. I shouldn’t have let you do that.”

“Can you please stop apologizing. I’m fine and I was the one who wanted to help you. You didn’t make me do anything.” I told Amber smiling and she looked silently at the ground.

“What did you wanted to tell me about the Radharcs?” I asked her.

“Nothing, that’s it and that they were the ones who built Eossoda and Radssoda, made the invisible Barrier and invented the device that’s hiding Eossoda and Radssoda.” I was nodding the whole time taking in the information excitedly.

“Radssoda is hidden too?”

“Yes, what can I say? These people like the isolation.” She answered me. I looked around me Radssoda was really the twin island of Eossoda everything was identical. I was still feeling like I’m still back at Eossoda.

“As Tristan has told me, the old Radharcs were able to invent most of the devices they’re using now because they were able to control all the elements and make chemical and nuclear reactions in a matter of seconds but now the Radharcs living here are weaker.” Amber explained talking fast like she wanted to tell me before she forgets.

“And they all have Irish descents like you.”

“Wow, you actually was able to keep all of this info.”

“Hmm, I wanted to tell you myself when you wake up.” She told me like a five year old.

“Thanks.” I told her while laughing then we stayed quite.

“Crazy, huh?” She told me stopping at the black shore.

“Very.” I told her laughing. I wanted to sit and talk with the Radharcs. But maybe not now.

“What did you want to show me?” I asked her.

“Uhm, you know the Radharcs and of course the people of Radssoda wanted to celebrate and honor us with our accomplishment and they didn’t know how because none of the last Earth Shifters lived after drowning the island.” She was babbling nervously playing with her fingers.

“So, they told me to tell you that they’ve decided to celebrate us the same way they were celebrating their marriages which is the only celebration they know and I don’t know if you want to do it because I know you don’t like the attention and...” She kept talking but I already have got the point so I cut her off.

“Okay.”

“So yeah, I told them... What?” She looked at me surprised and smiling innocently like I’ve just made her day or something.

“Okay, let’s celebrate!” I told her. She was right. I didn’t like that much attention but it made her happy and I can tell that she wanted to do it so I couldn’t say no.

We rode our Deltars. I was surprised when I found out that Amber learned how to ride them. Mine was following hers helplessly. She didn’t even look afraid.

We stopped when we saw all of the people and the Radharcs making a big circle singing and laughing. It was morning and the sun was standing right on top of our heads. The sea was glowing beautifully and the upside down water fall was also there.

I found myself in the middle of the circle with Amber.

“We missed you Aaron.” Lilly yelled making me laugh. Then a string of welcoming words followed hers. I was extremely happy that I finally met the people who were really caring about me not just for the sake of friendship.

Then Tristan told me on which team I was and we started playing.

Strangely, it was fun and completely different from the one we went the last time. It had a different taste. We started with throwing the shiny Rock into the water together. Then we kept giggling till it came out flying in the air.

Riding the Deltar didn’t seem so hard after Amber told me how. The only problem is that it was too delicate. One touch with my leg on the right side it turns 180 degree to the right. I had to be too gentle as well.

I rode it towards the rock trying to catch it before it sinks in the water. I succeeded and placed it in front of me then turned the Deltar towards Tristan. I can score it. Suddenly the speed of my Deltar decreased I don’t know what’s wrong.

“Come on.” I looked behind me. “Why did it slow down?” I asked then looked in front of me making sure that the rock was there. It wasn’t. I glanced at Amber. She was sticking her tongue out at me holding the rock up then turned around to give the rock to Lilly and I was still here struggling with my Deltar.

“Just lean on.” I heard Tristan yelling, giving me a hint. I did as he said. It stopped swimming. What was I supposed to do.

“It’s not working.” I yelled back.

“Lean on more.” I did and it swam so fast, I nearly fell off. Too much. So I leaned back a little till it became the right speed for me. Then I rode the Deltar after Amber. I was nearly there when she tossed the rock to Lilly. She caught it and I lost.

No way, I can’t lose in such an easy game like this.

“That’s not fair. You knew how to ride the Deltar.” I told Amber.

“You didn’t ask how to control it’s speed.” She crossed her arms over her chest smiling victoriously.

“Whatever, but it’s not over Amber Barritt.” I threatened her.

“Bring it on, Aaron Campbell.”

“Not now I’m tired.” I mumbled walking along the shore. My whole body was aching from the continuous friction of the clothes. Not all the cuts were covered with bandage only my arms. I think they shouldn’t be covered when they’re not too bad and get air or something of that sort.

“Okay, there is a nice café in this street we can sit with the guys and drink something if you want.” She offered playing with her white cap.

“I don’t think two days can make you memorize a whole island but sure,” I shrugged. Amber laughed not looking up she was so busy with the cap.

“Wait,” I stopped the cap made me remember something then I turned around searching for a fuzzy bear following us or a parrot flying. Nothing was there.

“Where’s Periwinkle?” I asked looking at Amber. Her smile fell and she looked into my eyes.

“Uhm, he took the shape of a sting ray and protected you from the Garda that day.” Then she looked at the ground.

“What sting ray?” I asked her then remembered that the Garda weren’t able to get to me before I blacked out.

“He was there. I wasn’t sure at first but I remember seeing the Periwinkle mark and Lilly told me that he flew away right after he gave her the cap.” She told me with glazed eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Amber. I didn’t know...” she cut me off.

“It’s okay. There has to be a sacrifice, right?” She smiled sadly.

I know that but I never thought that it’ll be Periwinkle. She loved him so much and I did too. I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better so I stayed quiet.

We arrived at the café it was typical. Nothing different from the normal except for the animal shifters walking around our table, constantly reminding me of Periwinkle and making me feel guilty.

We sat on a table in the open air with Lilly, Tristan, Erik and professor Cyril and we chatted, laughed, argued for some time. But our argument about how to get home didn’t get us anywhere because of these two stupid rules that were like a safety lock on a loaded gun.

Even the Deltars can’t get us there. We were all devastated and wanted desperately to go home. At night, all of them left me and Amber sitting together. I was drinking my green tea when Amber started talking.

“What are you going to do with your father?” I nearly choked on my tea when she asked me that.

“I don’t know.” I mumbled rotating the mug in my hands. I didn’t want to talk about it specially after what Nate has told me.

“When are you going to know? He’s your father.” Amber stressed on the word ‘father’ and I cringed remembering all the times I called him a killer instead of dad and the countless times I slammed the door in his face refusing to meet him.

“I don’t know but at least I know I wasn’t right but that doesn’t mean that he was right too,” She stayed quiet wanting to hear what I had to say. I wasn’t even thinking about what I was saying. I felt like I’m obligated to tell her what I was thinking directly.

“But In my defense, I was only trying to make him feel the same way I felt when he didn’t think about me before taking that life changing decision, which was killing that boy because I didn’t know that he chose to be imprisoned. It just made it worse, you know.” I rubbed my face tiredly and I didn’t know what was hurting me but I’m sure it wasn’t the cuts.

“He chose to give Nate a second chance and he also made sure that he’ll get help and become better.” Amber told me.

“But he didn’t even stop to think about his son. He left me to struggle through my life alone, he chose that too.” I didn’t even want to drink the tea anymore the bitterness was filling my mouth. She didn’t answer.

“And I’m pretty sure that Nate could’ve got away with it if he’s told the court that he’s got EDS, right?” I asked.

“There is a law for that yes, but it’s not that old.” She made another excuse for him.

“Would you please stop making excuses for him? He’s left his only son and there are no excuses for this.” I was trying to keep myself calm but I was so angry at him from the inside.

“I’m not. I’m just trying to make you see the truth and help you. I don’t even know what are you arguing about. He is your father.” She repeated the same sentence again. “You could at least have given the man a chance to explain himself. Nate has told you that he was regretting his decision and was feeling sorry about it and you still refuse to listen.” Amber didn’t seem to go easy with anything that had to with family and I understand that.

I looked down at my cup trying to decide if I should tell her...

“To be honest with you, I don’t want to meet him.” She gasped and looked at me accusingly.

“Not because I don’t like him. I already forgave him and need him really but I don’t want to meet him because I’m embarrassed from him. I don’t think I can look at him and act like nothing has happened. A normal life isn’t something I can achieve with him anymore.” Her eyes softened a little with a hint of a smile on her snowy pale face.

“You’re right, it won’t be easy at first but It’s not impossible and if you really like him you should give him a second chance. Sure he didn’t have the right to do that to you. But after all, he’s still human and can make mistakes.” She finished and I nodded. She was lifting up a huge weight, I wasn’t even aware of, away from my chest.

Amber had her own unique mark in my life. I nodded feeling relieved after pouring everything to her. I used to ignore the topic of my father even with mom, thinking that the talking wouldn’t change anything. But I was wrong. If nothing different happened afterwards at least I was feeling relieved and calm inside.

“You’re right.” I drank my tea before it gets cold. It brushed the bitterness taste away leaving a sweet one.

“So you’ll try meeting him?” She asked and I nodded. Amber smiled her eyes shining with happiness.

“But I’m feeling like we’re getting ahead of ourselves a little here. We still don’t know how to get off this island.” I told her.

We were all sitting in my room at midnight. Everyone was given one from the leader of Radssoda, who, luckily, wasn’t Tristan’s father. This man didn’t know how to treat humans or Radharcs to be honest.

“We should put a plan.” I started.

“Yeah,” Lilly exclaimed.

“I agree.” Amber raised her hand.

Tristan, Erik and professor Cyril agreed as well.

“We can build a ship.” Erik suggested.

“No, it’s slow and getting the wood will grab a lot of attention.” Lilly disagreed with her brother.

“What about a plane?” Amber suggested.

We all agreed on her then got to work.

Six hours into it and there’s still no progress at all. Amber threw the pen and paper on the floor tiredly.

“How are we supposed to build a plane when all we know about it is that it’s got two wings and a big engine.” She whined.

“I know that it runs on diesel fuel,” Erik mumbled drawing on his paper. He was sitting on the floor. Lilly hit the back of his head.

“It’s called Jet Fuel you idiot.” She corrected him. He rubbed the back of his head pouting and shooting Lilly a death glare.

“Professor, you should know how to build a plane, right?” Amber asked with a hint of hope. He’s made his paper into an origami swan.

“I can fly a plane not build one.” He shrugged carelessly and I rolled my eyes. How come the oldest one among us is the most helpless member? Professor Cyril is a kind man but he was really useless when it comes to these stuff.

How are we going to get out of here? There’s got to be a way.