Dark Tide Rising (Book 1 of The Bright Eyes Trilogy)

By J. M. Rojas

Seasons change, and so does the world. The rage of summer shows no reprieve as the sun scorches the earth and heralds the start of a bitter war. From out of the shadows of the old world, rebel Atlanteans, undead shape-shifters and desert djinn rally their might against the last bastion that stands in their way of conquering the modern world: The Library of Alexandria. Meanwhile, Kaelan's spies have picked up the trail of their prey: Jack, James and Alora Grey. The children of Thomas are in grave peril. The Dark Tide wants them, and their memories of where lies the Crown of Dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. M. Rojas
• Release date: Sep 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311963079

J. M. Rojas

I have been writing and creating stories ever since primary school. The two series that you will find on this account are "The Brighteyes Chronicles" (modern fantasy/sci-fi) and the "Akalorn Saga" (epic fantasy).

Book preview

PROLOGUE

And from the long line of Athesphar descended great emperors and empresses of Lemuria, the Axis of Kingdoms, who were both wise and strong by the tutelage of the Mir and by their own account. All paid homage to this great house, even their enemies in Osiria to the west and Rama to the east; for in those days no wrath was feared more than that of the High Seat of Atlantis and the armies of the Four Orders who upheld her laws. Gaianar, Orgonar, Auralar and Kratoth.

––A passage in the Book of Scrolls: Lemurian History by Aztalan Irus'Daetarim, the Emperor's Scribe.

Hark! Hark O sons and daughters of Atlantis! The king has fallen! Weep for him and for his family. Weep, for the sea of darkness has gathered, and a great light has gone out!

—Unnamed seer, heralding the death of King Amnaeus Athesphar of Atlantis on the streets of Kallius.

I saw it! From the fields of Athiqa! Carrion and black smoke rising from the White Isle! And across the Silver Song were tall masts flying the red and gold flags of Rama! Atlantis has fallen!

—Avalonian peasant to another.

Before Lemuria was united by the Atlantean kings, before the Age of Wisdom and the Azlazarani had made the Crown of Dreams, there was a great war that covered the face of the world, and all nations fell under its shadow.

It was fought bitterly between the empires of Osiria and Rama, whose memory are now forgotten, but whose great expanses, then, crossed mountain ranges and oceans, absorbing most of the lands of earth under their thrall. During this time, there were also cities in the sky, for both empires wanted to spread their territories to the stars, which lay forever out of their reach, beyond the dome of heaven; and the Mir—who are not of the race of mankind—seeing this as part of their prophecy called the Change, took the last of their ancient knowledge back into the depth of the far oceans, to their hidden kingdoms.

Through the countless lives of men and women, across a thousand years, the war that raged was seemingly without end. Its toll was great; yet the armies of the Sun-King and his enemy, the Ajnaram-Rana, never relented. They devoured nation after nation, like locus; pushing deep into the heartlands of the First Continent, with their mighty war machines that blackened the skies.

In the wake of the Osirian-Ramaean War, disease and famine also ran rife in the thralldoms, where the conflict hit hardest. A festering decay called the Pale Blight, which took lives far from the contested battlefields, in the cities and towns; driving people into the wildernesses of the north as refugees. Trade and prosperity halted in this chaotic time; and civil unrest saw rebellions sparked by lawless men and martyrs, who usurped land from the lords they had once served. And it was said, by some who were still faithful to the peace of the Age of Awakening, that the Mir, who had taught mankind in his infancy, had abandoned them because of their deeds; and that the primordial gods, the Daeva, had set in motion the End of All Things. That there would be no peace until the Earth was swallowed into the oblivion that would surely come.

In the minds of both emperors, however, there was hope against the turmoil and despair; for between the mighty girths of Osiria and Rama lay the last free nations that had not yet fallen to either of their armies. They were called the Ten Kingdoms, and the Isle of Atlantis was the strongest and wisest of these lands. A shining light in a sea of darkness.

They were green, wooded lands that buffered the borders of both empires, and through them ran beautiful, sparkling rivers like trails of diamonds from out of the mist shrouded mountain ranges of Nysa, ending in great lakes upon the grass fields of Hy-Bresail, where the best cattle and crops in all the world could be found. Endless blue skies stretched above beaches as clear as glass along the shores of Avalon and around the Isle of Atlantis. And the air of these lands were refreshing and sweet to breathe—the scent of the transparent blue ashur flower heavy on the winds like a seductive dream.

Osiria looked at all of this with envy and hatred, for her lakes were almost dry and her people starving. So it was that they plotted war openly, expanding their fortifications along the shores of Avalon and flying their war-ships closer to the free cities each day, sending no emissaries of their purpose. Rama, however, were more open to negotiation and trade and sort friendship with the Ten Kingdoms, finding that it was better to have allies in times of strife than a new enemy. It was disease that infested their teaming jungles, and this forced the people of Rama to live mostly in the sky-cities that shadowed their heartland in the mountains of Araj'Thayamal, abandoning most of their ancient fortresses that their forefathers had built.

Atlantis had made loose alliances in those days, always favouring Avalon and Hy-Bresail who they shared kinship with through long bloodlines. Yet, when Osiria moved its might against the White Isle, the other kingdoms—through bitter oaths—merged as one and fought back the invaders with a fury unknown to the Osirians. Strengthened by reinforcements from Rama, the united lands who now called themselves Lemuria, defeated Osiria and took back some of their territories that had fallen to the Sun-King in times past. Lands such as Argadnel and Hyperborea in the uttermost north, which were ruled by Osirian princes.

A Council of Kings was formed on the day of victory, and the High Seat of Atlantis became the thrown of the first Lemurian emperor: Thae'il Amraethar who was the oldest son of the last king of Atlantis and who renamed his House to Athesphar to build a new line. The royal families of the Ten Kingdoms all submitted their first-borns to the new bloodline, and Hy-Bresail gave Princess Aeleah Khaa'telion as Thae'il's wife. From this House would descend rulers who shared blood with every Lemurian nation and who would lead with loyalty to all but allegiance to none.

The Third Law, the emperors of Rama called Lemuria, or the Axis of Kingdoms, and for a long time they were friends, prospering from each other in wealth and knowledge. Atlantis allowed trade along the Silver Song river, which ran deep into Rama to the east, and the secrets of the Aether—the earth's life-force—was eventually shared in return by Ramaean seers. The power to speak over great distances with the mind, and to channel power out of the earth for tools and weapons saw the Ten Kingdoms expand their cities to a splendour and glory they had only dreamt of. This time was called the Age of Wisdom and it saw formation of the Sorrarani, a mixed people of Lemurian and Ramaean blood who lived in the high mountains on the borderlands and were great philosophers, inventors and peace-makers.

The Sorrarani leaders—the Aer—were men and women who were wise beyond years and who engineered the Shadow Weirs: pillars that could channel and amplify the power of the Aether as well as transport people in great numbers from one place to another. These they gave to the Athesphar emperors willingly. The Sorrarani also perfected sky-ships, using the Aether engines instead of Osirian aural technology, and worked tirelessly on the Tower of the Clouds, which they planned would one day reach the stars; but was later abandoned due to insufficient building materials and the constant Osirian attacks that crippled its foundations.

At the height of their influence, the Sorrarani sent many of their young men and women to serve the Lemurian and Ramaean emperors as a symbol of peace. They were physically and mentally strong and carried weapons called glaives, which could change shape to the abstract projections of its wielder's thoughts. These weapons were soon carried by all Atlantean soldiers, whom the Sorrarani trained vigorously. From their ranks came the Four Orders of the Trident and the Crown: Gaianar, Orgonar, Auralar, and Kratoth who praised the Sorrarani as highly as they did their own emperor.

The Sorrarani also built their own cities in the mountains, and they began to delve deeper into the earth, seeking the mysteries of Gaia, and the Aether, its spirit. After the city of Suruun was built on the highest peak of the Araj'Thayamal mountains, by permission of the Ramaean emperors, the Sorrarani had finally discovered the secret of khi'naya, which means astral travel in their tongue. A man could separate his khi or spirit from his body and travel through the Aether, where his mind was connected to all living things. It was a dangerous sleep that was also called the deep sleep and many Sorrarani monks could inhabit the Aether for days on end without food or normal sleep, later returning to their bodies where they were ravenously hungry and exhausted. Some who were much weaker, lost their way in the Aether and their bodies died of starvation. But all who came back were much wiser in the lores of the world and all living things, knowing the intricacies of the Aether. Soon a great order of them formed and called themselves the Azlazarani, and they built in the forges of Suruun the Crown of Dreams, much to the mistrust of the Aer.

The Crown of Dreams was a marvel to behold. The circlet was three entwined bands of silver and gold, representing the three empires, with a clear white stone in the centre. The stone looked as if stars of spiralling galaxies moved below its surface, confined within its prism. The Azlazarani told the Aer, their leaders, that its power was immense: allowing its wearer to be one with the Aether, to be able to feel as the earth does through all its living things and to be able to control all its elements, from the tallest mountains to the deepest oceans. All the winds of the world would move in accord to the wearer's whim. All volcanoes and hidden fires below the ground would rise and consume anything the wearer commanded. It was a symbol of power to keep the balance between the three empires. It was to be honoured by all emperors, but worn only by the Aer'Ashan: the leader of the council. They refused at first, and said in fear that the circlet should be unmade for it could one day destroy the entire world; but the Azlazarani convinced their leaders that under their custodian it would be safe. In the walls of Suruun it would never leave. So the Aer'Ashan agreed to be its warder; yet his fear was still strong and he refused to wear it, instead keeping it locked above the headrest of his throne, where it would be bowed to by a long line of emperors throughout the ages. Where it would stir the desires and cloaked aspiration for power of all who looked upon it. Even by the Sorrarani themselves.

"There is no desire left for us to live in this realm of the flesh," was the last words the head of the Azlazarani spoke some two hundred years after the Crown of Dreams was made, and he and his people used the last of their secret wisdom to transcend into the Aether, leaving behind their bodies. Their spirits then dwelt forever in the unseen world, where they did, from time to time, occasionally return to inhabit trees, animals and people again, to communicate with the world at the need of their own machinations. Although they were not gods, they were worshiped by some as such, and their shrines were upheld in all lands, even after the Fall.

For six hundred years the Sorrarani helped maintain the peace. However, through the passing of time, oaths were eroded, and new rulers ascended with new visions and ambitions. The cordial and gradually distant relationship between Lemuria and Rama soon turned to distrust, and after a few petty confrontations, finally open conflict. Under a scornful tyrant-emperor Ka'ash Arakesh, old wounds were opened, and Rama moved against Lemuria, claiming its leaders were using the Sorrarani—for their friendship was strong with Atlantis—and the fear of the Crown of Dreams to manipulate their people. The Silver Song was attacked and many of the coastal cities around the Isle of Atlantis were ransacked and destroyed. In retaliation, the Sorrarani in Rama attempted to slay the mad emperor at the behest of the Aer, but were completely wiped out before they could act. Only those who served under the Lemurian emperor remained. So, with the help of the Sorrarani and a gloating Osirian emperor who sided with Lemuria for revenge against Rama, the Third Law declared war against its old friend. The eastern empire was almost crushed; its jungles set on fire by the warmongering Osirians who went beyond the reins of their Lemurian allies. It was a terrible war that saw many families divided and forced to fight each other. The cities of the Sorrarani were all destroyed but Suruun and some coastal towns closer to Hy-Bresail. The Crown of Dreams remained safe however, above the head of the Aer'Ashan.

The war ended when emperor Ka'ash was slain by his own son, Ka'ash II, who loved Lemuria and saw the dangerous repercussions of his father's madness. Through letters to one of the Atlantean princesses he had also won favour with the High Seat, confessing his love and desire for unity between both empires. His family was spared after the war and he was sworn to marry Izsulaen.

Fifteen years of peace passed when suddenly a secret force of Ramaean assassins called the Night's Hand infiltrated Suruun and attempted to steal the Crown of Dreams. The Sorrarani, some Gaianar emissaries who were visiting the Aer, and Ka'ash II, with an entourage of soldiers, repelled the attack; and the assassins were executed. Under secret command of the Aer—even from Ka'ash II himself—the Gaianar took the Crown of Dreams back to Atlantis, leaving behind a fake circlet above the Aer'Ashan throne. In Lemuria, Emperor Amnaeus Athesphar hid the Crown in the Chamber of Sleep, where no thought could penetrate. He was a close friend of the Aer'Ashan, and they both feared that soon the Crown would fall into the hands of their hidden enemy. This fear was born of a prophecy called the Change, which saw the end of the world, and its rebirth; and it had been delivered to them by a Mir messenger who had come from the Sea of Light, beyond the domain of men.

The young emperor ordered his armies to search out any more of the insurgents who claimed to be loyal to his dead father and sent word to Atlantis that he wished to wed Izsulaen on the Night of the Falling Flame. This night, as it was every century, saw a great celestial body streak across the night sky, far above the ceiling of stars, its bright light challenging that of the moon itself. It was called the Falling Flame. But to the Sorrarani it was called a darker name: the Destroyer.

"A sign of our mighty union! Ka'ash II said in his last letter to Atlantis. Finally, two empires merging as one. Osiria will weep in fear at our new bloodline."

Amnaeus did not like this thought, but said, In title only, it will see our children's children as heirs to the Twin Empires. But we will keep our sovereignty, for my people will never bow to the east, as your people will not forsake your government to the middle kingdoms, to a foreign crown.

The young Ramaean emperor agreed to the terms of in title only, but in his heart he had already made his plans for war. For the Night's Hand were his men in truth, and the attack at Suruun was by his command. He had wanted the Crown of Dreams as far back as he could remember; when he was a little boy, accompanying his father on his homage to the Aer throne. A bitter homage that was false. Now his trick at winning the heart of Izsulaen was complete and he would claim the Crown as well, for he knew that it had been taken there, he knew Amnaeus harboured it in secret to all but the Gaianar. Ka'ash II had won one of their number over, had bought their trust, and they had told him everything.

On the Night of the Falling Flame, the Ramaean emperor came to Atlantis to marry Izsulaen in the tradition of the Sea Kings—a name given to Atlanteans by his people. On the eve of their union of both Houses, he uncloaked his hidden army in the streets of the city and attacked, catching his host off guard. In the high tower he battled with Amnaeus and slew all his children with the help of his Gaianar betrayer. Under the blindness of night, thousands of Atlantean soldiers swelled the streets of the city; their glaives locked against the marika spears of the Rama empire who had stepped off many merchant vessel ships, disguised as refugees. Fires burned from every tower and the sky was a-light with the battle of countless sky-ships. Atlantis, the Jewel of Lemuria, almost fell.

It was in the blaze of dawn when Amnaeus took his fight with Ka'ash II to the Chamber of Sleep and revealed the Crown of Dreams. In desperation, and against warnings of the Gaianar general Aramathaeus, the emperor donned the Crown and used its power to lift up the seas around the city of Atlantis. He threw them down upon his enemies and crushed them, washing their broken bodies into the sea. His winds smashed the sky-ships and he opened a crack beneath the ocean, spewing lava and fire at the war vessels and armies that were amassing on the coastlines. The destruction he wrought was great, and many people died, including those who were close to him.

In his madness and despair at the fires that ate his city and the waters that drank his people, Amnaeus fell to the ground, where he was slain by Ka'ash II with his own discarded trident. Then the last emperor of Rama took the Crown and rose above the tower into the sky in a aura of bright light. His lust for power quickly enslaved Ka'ash II to the Crown, and its visions ensnared him. A lucid dream showed him a not to distant future where he would be the King of the World and nothing would stand in his way. All would tremble in fear and adoration at the utterance of his name, and his commands would be absolute. They would sing him praises unto the end of time.

Coming out of that dream, like passing through smoke into the clear air, the last threads of his sanity broke like Amnaeus' had. The power that Ka'ash II now wielded went further than the roots of the mountains and further than the waves crashing beyond the distant horizon. All the thoughts of all the men and women below Ka'ash II were little memories of his own, and nothing was hidden from his gaze. The wind itself was his to mould and shape, and he used it to stay suspended above the sea in a swirling column that pierced the clouds. Used it to sweep up broken shards of the city and hurl them like mighty spears at the Atlanteans and their allies.

When his rampage slowed, Ka'ash II saw his people dying in great numbers. Heard their cries for deliverance echoing off of the white stones of the falling towers and bridges. Felt their last breaths expire under the weight of the black waves and crushing stones. Yet in his madness wrought by the Crown he remained blind to truth of their deaths and blamed Lemuria and Osiria, not his own unravelling rage.

Then it seemed that the Azlazarani were in the wind he commanded, screaming insults and mockery at his piousness, calling for the fall of Rama.

"You will never be King of the World, they jeered. Your fate is that of your father's!"

Guilt filled his heart for that brief moment, and then in one last act of desperation, Ka'ash II drew upon the Aether and its invisible web that connects all life and memory on this earth, finally tearing his spirit from his body. Reaching beyond the dome of heaven, he grabbed the Falling Flame with his will empowered, and pulled it into the heart of the world to destroy his enemies...

The wind tore at her clothes and hair like violent claws. Cold and sharp.

Layla ran into the forest as if her very life depended on it. She had left the house to the intruders, not risking a confrontation without backup. If they found her, if they managed to know what she knew then Layla and her companions' mission would have been for nothing.

Her companions. They were out there somewhere in the night, running for the Gate. She had lost them when the intruders broke into Thomas' house. They had to run. There was no time to regroup.

Soft, bare feet––she had discarded her shoes––carried Layla across the damp ground with little to no sound. Even when the forest-floor was strewn with rocks and branches she glided across them effortlessly without a scratch. The night time noises of the wild had returned now she was deeper in the forest, but all she could hear was her own heavy breathing and the pounding of her heart. Her soft-glowing white eyes aided her in the darkness and she did not stumble as much as she would have if she had been a normal human being––however her legs were slowly giving way to fatigue. Growling in anger at her slowing pace, Layla forced her legs to keep her up and running. She did not know where she was now or how far away from the house she was. She didn't even know if the intruders had picked up her scent and were following. All she knew was she had to run until she could run no more. And then run again.

The crashing of branches and the shouting of voices behind her finally confirmed her fears.

Layla reached up her hands to brush away some low hanging branches when she noticed the ring on her finger was glowing a fierce blue. The light curled and dissipated off of the band like fire but the girl could not feel any heat. It was a beacon, guiding her towards the Gate. The light would grow bright if she neared it and faint if she steered away from it. But where was it?

The young woman felt she was almost at the end of her endurance when she threw a glance over her shoulder to see if she could see her pursuers...

Her foot suddenly hooked under an exposed tree root and her world came crashing down. Her outstretched hands hit the ground heavily, which prevented a face-plant, but her momentum kept her moving and she tumbled and rolled down an unseen slope. When she reached the bottom of the empty ravine, everything went black.

The sound of rustling in the underbrush brought her out of her unconsciousness. Layla sat straight up, and then quickly climbed to her feet in one motion. Her head was thumping from the fall but she shrugged it off and looked about to find a place to hide. The pursuers were close now, she could hear them. Somewhere out in the dark searching for her. Not wasting any time to rest, Layla's glowing white eyes scanned her environment for shelter. Nothing but a narrow strip of grassland for hundreds of feet.

Then Layla saw it. On the opposite bank of the ravine was the sparkling white domes of mushrooms. She looked down at her shaking hand and saw the ring's blue light glowing extremely bright now, almost blinding. She had found what she was looking for. Frantic footprints in the soft soil nearby were telltale signs that her friends had beat her there.

The young woman climbed out of the shallow side of the ravine and stumbled into the large ring of mushrooms that lay upon a grassy clearing under the bright gaze of a full moon. The fog seemed to have receded in this part of the woods, leaving the clearing exposed to the star-studded night sky. Not hesitating, Layla dropped to her hands and knees and began to dig into the soft earth near the edge of the ring where others had done just the same only moments before. Her fingers searching for something.

Angry, incoherent voices in the distance suddenly broke her concentration. They echoed down off of the higher wall of the ravine from where she had fell; somewhere amongst the tall trees, like supernatural creatures of the night hunting their prey.

She swallowed fearfully. Surely in this clearing and with this glowing ring they will see me! The girl thought as she continued to frantically dig. How did they get here so fast? After a few more shovels of soil her fingers struck a metallic surface, which cracked one of her nails. She held back a cry of pain then exhaled slowly.

Layla smiled wearily, pushed her ring into a small crevice in the metallic surface like a key in a lock and then dropped onto her back with her arms stretched out, running her fingers through the dew-moist grass. She closed her eyes.

The mushrooms began to glow even brighter––their white domes glistening like pearls in the moonlight. The large metallic ring beneath the ground was coming to life. Gradually the white domes changed to an eerie blue light––much like her ring––and a low humming sound rose up from the ground. It shook the woman's little body like a bean-shaker. Then the Gate's light rushed in from the mushroom ring's edge and consumed Layla in a pool of blue light.

In the blink of an eye she was gone.

CHAPTER 1: THE GREY FAMILY

The Grey family lived in the small town of Willow. Twenty-eight Hopeʼs Hill Terrace, Hopeʼs Hill, in an old house sandwiched between two large, extravagant town houses. Unfortunately their home––much like the Greys' family name––was quite drab and dull; the walls were cracked and paint-peeled, the curtains were dusty and faded and the plumbing was noisy and leaky. Although the place was in obvious need of repair and refurbishment, it was cheap for its location and the Greys were a low-income family who didn't have the luxury to choose wherever they wanted to live. Yet regardless of their lack of wealth, the Greys were goodhearted people who lived passionately and compassionately for each day. Some of their neighbours would even say they were blessed to have survived the trials and tribulations that they had faced throughout their years in Willow.

Jack Sebastian Grey was very responsible at the age of eighteen. He was the oldest of three children and the son of a widow—so in a family without a father he had to be. The teenager was unconventionally handsome with his mop of dark brown hair and his face lightly scattered with freckles. He was slim; but muscular—a gym regular at the Willow University of Arts and Technology where he studied history and literature—and was also quite tall for his age. Most of his friends usually stood up to his shoulder. Jack wasn't overly fussed about this for his height didn't win him better grades, nor did it win him the hearts of the girls he liked. The only thing it did do was make him slouch.

Stand up straight dear, his mother Eleanor would say to him on more than one occasion, be proud of your height. Jack would smile and do his best, but walking straight was ingrained in most people and Jack had to actively think about it. With his daydreaming mind he could never keep it up.

He was a conundrum, really. Slightly athletic, a bit of a bookworm, but most undoubtedly shy. A silent giant, some called him.

Eleanor Grey––or Elly as many called her––was a kind woman who was always overly concerned with the well being of her children. Sadly however she was burdened by a wheelchair, which was the result of a car accident she had survived three years ago. Jack loved his mother very much, and because she was limited to what she could do around the house he helped her in anyway he could. Whether that was doing a weeks worth of dirty dishes—that kept piling up without reprieve—or packing school lunches for his younger brother James and sister Alora, Jack would labor on without complaint.

James Albert Grey was fourteen and Alora Fate Grey was twelve. Unlike Jack however, both siblings were far from the responsible types. James liked playing heavy metal music and computer games in his bedroom with the volume turned up really loud; and Alora enjoyed pranks, teasing, and being a downright nuisance to her family. The young girl especially enjoyed taunting James with silly rhymes. Her favourite being: James, James! You're a pain! How about you grow a brain! She would sing this quite loudly at the dinner table, over and over again, until she was finally scolded by Elly. Despite a dark scowl on his face and gritted teeth, James was usually good at not lashing out at his annoying sister

Usually.

Then one Sunday evening before dinner, Alora followed her teasing with a peashooter shot to the back of James neck and an explosion of hysterical giggles.

That was the last straw.

Ouch! You little gnat! James shouted in surprise, holding his neck. He then leaped from his chair at the dinner table and chased his already running sister down the hallway to her bedroom. I'll get you 'lora! he threatened.

Its A-lor-ra stupid-head! the girl corrected James as she raced for her open bedroom door.

Whatever gnat! James said, trying to grab onto the flapping hood of Alora's pink jumper. However the girl was much faster than the bigger boy and she managed to quickly slip into her room and poke her tongue out at him before slamming the door and locking it.

No door-banging! Jack called from the sink as he vigorously scrubbed a greasy dish with a soapy sponge and grimaced at its companions who leaned in an unsteady pile like the Tower of Pisa. The house's old pipes groaned in protest as he turned on the cold tap to rinse off the soap suds. Remember how crook Mr Whitley can get.

He'll have us kicked out with no convictions! Elly added to Jack's warning. She sat at the dinner table sewing a patch on one of Jame's school pants and was keeping half an eye on the chicken and vegetable stew cooking on the stove. Mr Whitley is not as forgiving as your mother.

I won't! James replied red-faced, although hardly frightened of their fat, old landlord. Jack's younger brother was a smart kid and knew how to get the upper hand over his troublesome sister without hitting the door in the traditional style. If you don't open the door you will soon run out of oxygen, gnat! James shouted at the door in pretend anger, smiling smugly whilst he held onto the door handle and leaned back to make it difficult for the girl to open the door from the other side. There is only so many breaths you can make before you suffocate!

I'm twelve, James, I'm not stupid! Alora shouted back at her brother.

James mumbled in frustration. Then after a brief brainstorm his smile quickly returned. Stupid enough to stay in a room with the Boogie Man under your bed? He asked, not giving up on the scare tactics.

Guys, please–– Jack began.

James, what part of twelve don't you understand! That only worked on me when I was eight!

If you say so, James said in a calm voice. But I saw him last night before you went to bed. He was creeping around the hallways like a big, shadowy spider.

I'm sure! She rolled her eyes. Oh God, what part of twelve doesn't that lummox get?

There was silence for a moment and Alora heard James whisper from the other side of the door, "Oh, I am sure."

James turned his head and faced away from the kitchen. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and when he reopened them they were glowing white! The boy grinned deviously as he held tightly on the door handle.

The bedroom light switch flicked off and the room went black.

Alora gasped softly, then frowned. She closed her eyes––like James had done––and reopened them. Two glowing white lights glared at the switch and it flicked back on.

James huffed, and flicked the light off again with just a single thought.

The light flicked back on.

Off.

On.

This tug-of-war continued back and forth for about a minute, until finally the light bulb made a popping sound followed by a fizzle and then the room went pitch black... permanently. After a moment of silence, Alora heard a low hurrrm sound and scuttling across the floor behind her, which made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on ends. She slowly turned her head around to look at her bed, and––as if on call––saw a shadow move quickly across the floor from the foot of the bed into the open wardrobe.

Alora jumped and said, Is anyone there? She was instantly answered by the familiar meow of the family cat. Her back still pressed up against the door, Alora breathed a sigh of relief. Oh its just you, Jinx. Come here you naughty kitty––

Iiits... Aaa... Lorrr... Raaa... Stuuuped heeead, said a low, moaning voice from under her bed.

Alora's heart jumped into her mouth and she frantically attempted to turn the handle and pull the door open––but it wouldn't budge. When she realized she couldn't get out she squealed, Mummy!

James! Elly shouted from the kitchen, Let her out of her room now! Stop scaring your sister, you should know better than that.

But she started it! James answered back, not turning around to face his mother for fear of her seeing his strange, glowing eyes.

James!

Slumping his shoulders in defeat and blinking the strange white light out of his eyes, the young boy opened the door.

Alora bolted from the doorway and down the hallway crying. She was half-way to the dinning room when she stopped, ran back to James and heeled him in the foot, before rushing back into the kitchen where she threw her arms around her mother's neck and began sobbing.

Ow! James shouted out in pain, then bit his bottom lip. He felt a great injustice had been dealt and angrily limped back to his bedroom. I'll get you later gnat!

No you won't James, Elly replied with a stern voice as she stroked her blonde daughter's hair. The old woman turned her gaze down at her whimpering daughter and lifted the child's chin up with a finger to gaze into her blue eyes. Even though I scolded your torturer, you know you were in the wrong Alora, don't you?

The girl sobbed––though more out of hurt pride now than fear––and buried her head in her mother's neck again. It smelt sweet like fresh spring flowers.

Elly turned and looked up from her wheelchair at Jack, who returned the silent stare with a helpless smile.

That night, James and Alora returned to their rooms, escaping any sort of allocated house duties their mother might bestow on them. James had almost defeated an end level boss on the online game he was playing when Jack called down the hallway, just managing to get over his loud music, Hey guys! Dinner is almost ready!

Jack had begun setting out his mother's old, second hand cutlery around the table, when Alora yelled from her room, Coming! Moments later she raced into the dinning room with bright, wide eyes as if looking for someone. Is he here yet?

No not yet, Jack laughed, ruffling his little sister's hair as she passed him.

Aw! Alora said with a huff, crossing her arms and pouting.

Rowan must be stuck in traffic again, Elly said from the stove. She was now leaning on a walking stick as she stirred the contents of a steaming pot. I told him to leave earlier to avoid traffic.

Rowan was Elly's eldest son from her first marriage and therefore half-brother to Jack, James and Alora. Although he lived in the much bigger city of Paradise, which was an hour and half drive away from Willow, he was always over for dinner on Sunday nights.

Don't worry, he'll be here soon, Jack said reassuringly.

Oh I hope so. I'm just concerned about that dangerous motorbike of his.

Rowan's motorbike is cooool! Alora said excitedly. She lifted her head up to catch Jack's eyes and grinned mischievously.

Yeah it is cool isn't it, he replied with a smile and then ruffled his sister's hair. But you're too young to be wanting to ride motorbikes.

Alora laughed and pulled away, but Jack pulled her into a playful headlock and ruffled her hair again.

Let go of me, Jack!

There was a sudden knock at the door and Elly said in between blowing on a ladle of hot stew and tasting it, Can someone get the door please. It will be your brother.

Alora instantly escaped Jack's grasp and ran to the door and opened it. Leaning in the doorway was a tall, rugged looking man with long, black hair in a ponytail and wearing a leather jacket. A motorbike helmet was tucked under one arm. When he saw Alora his eyes lit up. Hey there pint-size! he said affectionately as she tightly embraced his waist. Are you going to let me in? When she didn't disengage the hug he reached down and picked her up effortlessly and carried her into the dinning room towards Elly and Jack.

Hey Rowan, Jack said cheerfully, as he placed the last plate on the table. Glad you could make it.

Hey man, his half-brother greeted him. He placed his helmet on a nearby chair and patted Jack on the shoulder with his free hand. I see you're helping mum out as usual. Good work.

Thanks.

So where's James? Rowan turned and asked Elly whilst still holding onto Alora. I've got a new CD for him.

Oh no, not another heavy metal album please, dear, Elly said with dismay on her face. We'll never hear the end of it. The neighbours never hear the end of it.

Rowan and Jack both laughed.

James is being a pain, Alora whispered in Rowan's ear.

Her half-brother turned and nuzzled his forehead into hers. You guys had better not have been fighting again. Otherwise there will be no more motorbike rides for you.

Alora gasped in shock at the thought and shook her head.

Rowan! Elly said disapprovingly, You haven't been taking them for rides have you?

Only down the street for milk, the young man replied with a wink at Jack who laughed under his breath. Rowan lowered Alora to the ground and walked over to plant a kiss on his mother's cheek. And only at a snail's pace.

It better have been at a snail's pace. Elly kissed Rowan on the cheek.

Uh-ah! Alora said running over to cling onto Rowan's arm. We went faster than a bullet train!

Elly tilted her head and looked at Rowan.

A snail's pace, he repeated, picking up his little sister again and blowing on her tummy. Her giggles were much higher pitched this time.

James suddenly ran from the hallway into the kitchen. Rowan! he shouted, almost bowling his half-brother over.

Hey little buddy, Rowan said with a lop-sided grin, I was wondering where you were. I've got something for you.

Alora looked down at James with a furrowed brow. Humph! she said with a frown.

The young man looked from Alora to James who was also looking displeased at the sight of