Spiritual R-Evolution

By F. Carod

Would you be willing to sacrifice everything for a promise?

After the disappearance of her cousins, the only clue that Mia has of their whereabouts is a vagabond that lives between madness and cynicism, who claims to be able to take her to where her cousins are: The Sacred Island.

Mia and Leo, her skeptical friend, embark on a trip to an island that defies the boundaries between the real and the imaginary, where Mia is forced to face the secrets of her past.

Nothing could have prepared them for what they find on the island: the chaos of mankind has endangered the Kingdom of the Elementals, so Mia has to make decisions that will take her to people, beings, and places never seen before, in an attempt to save the planet from its own destruction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781645366300

F. Carod

F. Carod is an enthusiast and a free soul. She’s passionate about learning, writing, and creating. She loves nature, animals, and people. She developed her leading and following skills in an extreme adventure park in Cancun, where she started as a receptionist at the age of 18 and years later became the park manager. She’s now a full-time writer with works written in Spanish and English, and a business and life coach. She graduated from the World Coach Institute as a Spiritual Coach, and she believes in the goodness of humanity.

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About the Author

F. Carod is an enthusiast and a free soul. She’s passionate about learning, writing, and creating. She loves nature, animals, and people. She developed her leading and following skills in an extreme adventure park in Cancun, where she started as a receptionist at the age of 18 and years later became the park manager. She’s now a full-time writer with works written in Spanish and English, and a business and life coach. She graduated from the World Coach Institute as a Spiritual Coach, and she believes in the goodness of humanity.

Dedication

For everyone who fantasizes about a better world. It’s possible.

Copyright Information ©

F. Carod 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Ordering Information:

Quantity sales: special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Carod, F.

Spiritual R-Evolution

ISBN 9781641828840 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781641828857 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781645366300 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024900376

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 28th Floor

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

I want to thank my golden circle. Each one of you has been a unique piece of this puzzle of life and a great inspiration to move forward.

Part I

Chapter 1

The Sacred Island

The garden was rich with the sweet scent of blooming roses and damp earth, left by the rain from the night before.

What do you have there, Mia? Marilyn smiled with curiosity at her six-year-old daughter.

It’s a sword, Mia grinned, fighting her invisible enemy. The pink ribbon that had been tying her golden-brown hair back was in the dirt now, leaving her disheveled.

Mia glanced up at her mother. Marilyn was walking barefoot on the wet grass, wearing a short white dress with yellow daisies scattered across it, and holding a bowl of candies.

Where did you get that? Marilyn’s tone switched from curious to tense.

I found it, Mia shrugged.

Where did you find it?

It was in the store. I liked it. Mia looked down to her feet; she knew she had done something wrong.

Honey, you can’t do that. Marilyn kneeled in front of her and opened her hands to retrieve the sword. Mia gave it to her.

I thought you or Dad could pay for it?

Marilyn nodded. You pay first; you take second. And Mia, we’ve talked about this. You can’t just help yourself to things that belong to someone else.

I can. Mia closed her eyes and thought of the sword again. The sword disappeared from her mother’s hands and reappeared in hers. She grinned at her mother.

It’s not funny, Marilyn said in a serious voice, but she couldn’t help smiling back at her daughter. Promise me you won’t do it again.

Mia sighed with frustration. Fine, I promise.

C’mon. Marilyn took Mia’s hand. Dad will be here any minute so let’s leave this here for the fairies.

Marilyn left the bowl of candies at the corner of the garden and steered Mia inside the house.

When Joseph arrived, Marilyn and Mia were collecting tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots from the garden.

Need a hand, ladies? he offered.

Hi. Marilyn hugged him, but not too tightly so as to keep his shirt from getting dirt on it.

Joseph gave his wife a warm kiss, as if he had been gone for a long time, and stepped back when Mia coughed, trying to distract them. Marilyn smiled at her little girl.

Let’s go have dinner. I bought lasagna and sweet potatoes. Joseph picked Mia up and walked into the house.

Is that a sword? Joseph asked suddenly in the middle of dinner. What’s it doing in our living room?

It’s the coolest sword, but Mom won’t let me keep it, pouted Mia.

Ok, and who gave it to you?

She saw it at the store. We’re taking it back tomorrow, explained Marilyn.

Sweetheart, we’ve talked about this. Joseph took Mia’s hand gently. And after what happened with those kids—

She promised not to do it again, Marilyn interrupted Joseph.

What happened with those kids wasn’t something any of them wanted to remember.

Joseph nodded. I love you. He planted a kiss on Mia’s hand.

I love you too, Dad.

Tomorrow we’ll go grocery shopping for our trip. Marilyn winked at Mia.

Mia stared at her plate. She didn’t want to upset her parents by telling them she didn’t want to go on the trip with them. She was thinking about faking illness to make them cancel.

Guess what the fairies did today? asked Marilyn as she tucked Mia into bed.

Mom, you always talk about fairies, complained Mia, can’t you tell me a story instead?

Marilyn hesitated. What kind of story do you want to hear?

A story about dragons. Mia clapped her hands, excited.

Dragons? Hmm.

So Marilyn told her a story and kissed Mia’s forehead when she had fallen asleep.

You seem troubled, Joseph remarked as he took his shirt off, getting ready for bed.

Mia’s been acting strange lately. It worries me.

Because of the sword?

Not just that. She doesn’t like me talking about fairies anymore, and tonight she asked me to tell her a story about dragons. Marilyn shook her head.

She’s a kid, it’s normal, her husband comforted her.

She used her talents to steal today, Joseph. Marilyn turned to her husband.

Joseph nodded. I’ll talk to her.

Joseph…what if it’s time?

Joseph’s face saddened. It can’t be, it’s too soon.

Even so, I think you should make that call.

Despondently, Joseph dialed a number, and a young man answered the phone.

You are calling the Crystal House, how may I help you?

Zack, it’s me, Joseph.

Oh, hey there!

It’s time to open it.

The line went silent, so Joseph insisted, Zack?

Yes, yes, he answered nervously, I’ll have it ready for tonight. His voice was serious, almost resigned.

Thank you, Joseph answered and hung up. They’ll be ready.

Marilyn nodded and undressed for bed.

Early in the morning, Marilyn and Mia returned the sword to the store round the corner while Joseph finished packing for their trip.

Joseph hefted the heavy suitcases into the trunk and closed it. Time to go!

I don’t want to go, Mia scowled, sitting on the bottom step of the staircase.

But Mia, you love that place. Marilyn threw a small hippie bag over her shoulder and offered Mia a hand.

I don’t anymore, Mia complained stubbornly in response.

What’s the matter? Joseph inquired from the doorway.

I don’t want to go on the trip.

Why not, sweetie? It was then Joseph noticed the sword. Mia was trying to hide it behind her back. I thought you were going to return that?

He frowned at Marilyn.

Mia! Marilyn admonished.

You took it again? Joseph asked, disapprovingly.

The cashier let me keep it, said Mia.

He said you could have it, but I said no, her mother corrected her. And don’t think that I didn’t notice what you did to that man’s thoughts.

You made him give it to you? Joseph raised his voice incredulously. Why do you want a sword so bad? Do you know what those things do? Joseph took the weapon.

Yes! They cut heads off! Mia stood up.

Why would you want to cut someone’s head? Joseph challenged, seriously.

Marilyn crossed her arms, expecting an answer too. Their faces were dissatisfied, but they weren’t angry. Marilyn and Joseph didn’t get mad. They lived in a state of awareness so they never lost control of their emotions, but Mia was too young to do the same.

C’mon, let’s go, urged Joseph.

I don’t want to go! Mia yelled, crossing her arms.

Darling, you can’t stay here by yourself, and Mom and I are going.

Then leave me at Tina’s, Mia suggested, feeling hopeful.

Joseph turned to Marilyn. I guess we can stay; I’ll reschedule, he decided.

Honey, Marilyn took her husband aside. You made the call yesterday. We don’t have a choice anymore, we have to do this.

But if she’s—

It’s the right thing to do, Joseph. Isn’t it?

He looked away. Yes…you’re right. He grabbed Marilyn’s hands. I guess I was trying to put off the inevitable. His smile was wistful.

Marilyn hadn’t seen her twin sister in years. Tina had a strong opinion about Marilyn and Joseph’s way of living. She called them ‘hippie saints’ because they grew their food, didn’t party and theirs differed from the stressful lifestyle everyone else seemed to share. Tina was also jealous of her sister since everything appeared to be easy for her: she was always happy, she didn’t struggle financially, and had a beautiful family. Tina was single and always broke.

What if Tina sees her…well, you know…

Mia will be fine, Marilyn assured him.

Joseph sighed and nodded.

We’ll go see her, Marilyn announced, but if she says no, you’ll come with us.

Okay. Mia was counting on her aunt. After all, it was only for a weekend.

They parked the Toyota and Marilyn knocked on the door. Joseph waited with Mia by the car.

Marilyn. Tina’s smile didn’t make it to her eyes. Her hair was short and dyed red, while her sister, Marilyn, kept her natural brown color.

Hi, Tina. Is this a bad time?

I guess not, come in. Tina pushed the door open, scanning Joseph and her sister suspiciously, but then her eyes stopped on Mia. Mia, you’re huge! What are you? Twenty?

Mia laughed, running toward her aunt. There were empty bottles of liquor scattered across the dining table. Tina lifted Mia in the air.

I’m six, Tina.

Wow, you’re old.

Mia got serious. Can I stay with you for three days? I’ll be quiet, I promise.

Tina smiled and turned to Marilyn and Joseph with a confused expression.

We’re going to a retreat. Mia was supposed to come with us, but she doesn’t want to.

Of course she doesn’t, Tina interrupted, she’s still sane, this girl. She rolled her eyes when Marilyn didn’t react to her icy comment.

It’s crucial for us. We wouldn’t be here if—

Yeah, yeah, Tina lifted her palm, silencing her sister, go save your souls. Mia can stay with me.

Whatever problem she had with her sister, she didn’t share the same sentiments toward her niece.

Mia, come here. Joseph signaled her. You remember what happened with the kids, right?

Mia nodded.

You can’t let anybody see the things you do—no making stuff appear, no manipulating people’s thoughts…promise me you won’t do any of that.

Dad!

Promise me that, Mia. Not in front of your aunt, not in front of anybody.

I promise.

Mia, Marilyn kissed Mia’s forehead. Daddy and I love you, very, very much.

I love you too.

Marilyn glanced toward her sister, who was standing in the doorway, out of earshot. For Tina, things are black or white, everything else is… she looked around, trying to come up with the best word, ‘absurd’. She tightened her eyes, not sure if her daughter could understand. Just don’t do anything strange.

I already promised Dad I wouldn’t do any of that stuff. Mia rolled her eyes.

Okay, Mia smiled and kissed her daughter’s forehead again.

Mia watched the car leaving. Tina took her hand and guided her inside the house.

They’ll be back in three days. Tina wasn’t sure if she was soothing Mia or herself. I was going to make pancakes, you want some?

Yes! Mia shouted, excited.

The rusty smell in the guest room made Mia’s nose wrinkle. She opened the thick red curtains, and a cloud of dust made her cough.

Nobody uses this room. Tina left Mia’s suitcase on top of the bed. Maybe you want to wait downstairs while I clean it up?

I can do it.

I bet your lazy parents let you do that, Tina muttered.

Mia smiled shyly. It’s okay, Tina, I don’t mind.

She touched Tina’s hand and looked into her eyes, transmitting the message.

Tina blinked twice. Yeah, okay. She walked out of the room feeling slightly dizzy.

I’m sorry, Dad, I wanted to be alone. Mia apologized out loud for manipulating her aunt’s mind when Tina was gone. I promise I won’t get caught.

Mia pulled a wingless fairy out of her bag, and sat on the bed. She caressed the porcelain, touching the broken spot where the wings had been broken off.

Pancakes are ready! Tina shouted from downstairs.

Coming! Mia yelled, jumping off the bed. She looked around realizing the room was still a mess. She closed her eyes and imagined the room becoming clean with dust disappearing from the curtains, the bed, the nightstand tables, and the floor. With her eyes still closed, she lifted her palms up, projecting the image into reality, and when she opened her eyes, the room was immaculate.

As she sat at the dining table, Mia noticed that the empty liquor bottles had been replaced with pancakes and orange juice.

So, how’s school? asked Tina.

I don’t go anymore.

What!

I study at home, Mia told her aunt.

Really? Tina’s tone was reproachful, but she busied herself eating.

Mia shifted awkwardly in her seat. She couldn’t tell her aunt the real reason why she left school. Her parents had said it was a family secret.

So, what are you in the mood to do today? Do you want to watch a movie?

Sure, anything you like, shrugged Mia.

You’re an easy kid. Tina smiled and took the dishes to the sink.

Tina made popcorn and, three movies later, the day was over. Mia watched all the movies, but Tina was constantly on the phone. First, she spent nearly an hour talking about last night’s party, and then, for another hour, she complained about her boss. Mia wondered who the person was on the other end of the line was who didn’t mind listening to her for two hours nonstop.

When Mia woke up the next day, Tina was still sleeping, so she decided to surprise her with breakfast.

Wow! Mia you didn’t have to do that! Tina sampled the scrambled eggs with toast and orange juice.

I wanted to.

I didn’t know you could cook, Tina said, impressed.

I cook with Mom sometimes.

Tina muttered something Mia couldn’t understand, but Mia knew her aunt would criticize her parents all weekend, so she paid no attention. She left the tray next to Tina’s bed, and went back to the guest room.

I’m out of coffee. Tina opened Mia’s bedroom door an hour later, still wearing her pajamas. Wow! How did you do this?

Mia’s face went white, thinking perhaps the room was too clean and that she had been caught out, but Tina merely whistled appreciatively and changed the subject.

What are you doing?

Mia was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed. Nothing.

Are you meditating or something like that? Tina frowned as if she had seen a cockroach on the bed.

No, just being quiet. Mia shrugged. That was something normal back home. Her mom called it ‘a creative moment’. They sat in silence for half an hour, and came up with all kinds of ideas.

Right, Tina said sarcastically. She couldn’t comprehend that family.

You told me you are out of coffee? Mia reminded her.

Yeah! Let’s go to the store.

Okay.

They walked to the grocery store down the street. Mia started smiling politely at other people on the street, but Tina shot her a look. She seemed embarrassed by Mia’s courtesy, so Mia stopped.

You want some candies? she asked her niece.

No, thank you.

Tina was astonished. Why not?

I don’t eat them, Mia responded casually.

Tina rolled her eyes. My sister can be such a dumb head. You’re a kid, have some.

Okay, I’ll take this. She grabbed the first thing she found, a lollipop. Mia didn’t want to fight with her aunt. She was only going to be with her two more days, and after that she didn’t know when she would see her again.

That’s my girl. Tina complimented her and paid.

You know, all these weird things that you do…not eating candies, cooking, smiling to strangers, sitting in silence? Those aren’t things that normal kids do, but it’s not your fault. I know my sister and Joseph have some crazy ideas, and they’re so stubborn, but maybe you should talk to someone about it.

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