NaNoWriMo Chapter Two Excerpt

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This was the second excerpt posted from my novel, Found in Time.

“Alma, dear.” Clara called to her and Alma came inside, “Why don’t you and Ella go play outside till dinner is ready?”

“Yes mama.” Alma agreed.

Ella was able to pick up the subtle reluctance in her voice. Just as Ella did not desire Alma as a playmate, the same was true the other way. Neither sister was going to argue with their mother with the condition she was in though. Ella and Alma left the room, and did not say a single word to each other as they went to their rooms to change. In fact, it wasn’t until they had changed and met each other outside that Ella finally spoke.

“So, well, what do you want to do?” Ell asked.

“I don’t really want to play with you because you can’t play any of the good games.” Alma said. She rarely let her words run through a filter before speaking. Used to those types of statements, Ella trudged forward.

“Why don’t we go skate on the lake? You won’t have to worry about me then.” Ella proposed. About half a mile away from the house was a small lake that was a common site for family activities.

“Sure.” Alma agreed.

She disappeared into nothing, clearly not wanting to walk the way with Ella. It was fine by her. She knew they wouldn’t have had much of a conversation anyway. By the time Ella reached the lake, Alma was skating away. She was using small wind currents to stop herself from falling. It was to make up for her terrible balance.

Ella, on the other hand, felt right at home as soon as she stepped onto the ice. The surface was clear and smooth, perfect for fast gliding. Ella started out slow though. She wanted to make sure the ice was thick enough around the entire lake. Once she was confident there were no trouble spots, Ella moved without restraint.

Ella knew there was a lot she couldn’t do. There was nothing she could ever do to help her family; even doing the simplest of chores created an inconvenience for the others. Rarely did anyone try to meet her at her pace, or try to understand her feelings as she watched everyone around her use their powers. Ella wondered if the constant hollow feeling she had meant she had accepted this reality bitterly, or if she had created such a strong barrier around her heart that the worst of her feelings would remain trapped.

Whatever the truth was, Ella took as much joy as possible out of the things she could do. She could play the violin and entertain her family. She could help her team win a snowball fight, and she could fly so fast across the ice that all her worries disappeared. For just a moment, it was if she had something to contribute.

Ella forgot about Alma as she moved back and forth across the lake. If she had, she would have seen her sister’s face slowly grow more and more jealous. Alma could barely gain any speed even with the help of her powers, but Ella could do so much more without any assistance. As Ella lapped around, she ended up skating parallel to Alma. Feeling incredibly unburdened, she was about to give her sister a smile and wave. That was when she saw Alma’s angry face and a red glow around her hand.

Ella looked forward just in time to see a large hole in the ice appear out of nowhere. Having no chance to stop, Ella flew towards the ground as the ice under her feet ran out. Her mind panicked and ran blank as she prepared to be thrown into the deep, icy water. Just before she was about to hit the surface, the water turned back into ice. Jimmy had acted fast enough to stop the worst from happening.

It didn’t make Ella’s fall any less pleasant. She cried out in pain as her body collided forcefully against the ice. Her vision flashed black as her head was smacked, and her right arm bent uncomfortably as her full weight fell on top of it. When her body stopped sliding, Ella couldn’t move from the shock. She felt warm blood trickling down her face, her arm was throbbing, and tears were burning in her eyes. She lay there quietly as she couldn’t comprehend what just happened.

“ALMA!” Jimmy roared to the young girl, but before he could say anything else, Alma transported away.

“What on earth was that girl thinking!?” Jimmy said angrily, moving back to Ella.

Ella managed to push her shaking body up so she could sit. Blood mixed with free falling tears coated the side of her face. She tried to use her coat arm to put pressure on the cut, but it stung too much. Without a word, Jimmy hopped onto the top of her head. Ella sniffled, blinking back tears as a hot sensation ran down her face.

“I’ll be able to stop the bleeding, but you’ll still need this to be looked at properly.” Jimmy told her quietly.

Some of the pain subsided, and Ella calmed down enough to remember her handkerchief in her pocket. With it, she cleaned her face up as best she could.

“Anything else I should see?” Jimmy asked.

“My arm.” Ella mumbled weakly.

Pulling back her sleeve, they now saw the dark black and blue bruise that covered the length of Ella’s forearm.

“I’m afraid I can’t do much about that. Thankfully, it seems it did not break.” Jimmy spoke quietly, “Wait here. Let me got get someone to help you get back.”

“No, I can walk back just fine.” Ella protested.

“Don’t be ridiculous. With those inju―”

“My legs are working perfectly well. Besides, everyone is still in the forest. Mother would be too tired to help transport me, Hattie is busy, and Peter has the barrier around his room. There’s no one to help.” Ella interrupted.

She carefully stood herself up. Her arm throbbed with every slight movement, and a headache was beginning to pound. Ella wondered if it was possible for the fall to have injured something inside her head. Jimmy kept protesting, yet Ella ignored him and made her way off the lake. With great reluctance, Jimmy jumped onto Ella’s shoulder and stayed silent as she slowly lumbered back towards the house in the deep snow.

By the time Ella reached the house she was out of breath. The inside was quiet, and Alma was nowhere to be seen. The pounding of her headache had gotten worse. Needing to sit down, Ella fell into the closest couch. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine the pain away. The crackling fire nearby warmed her up and lifted her spirit. However, the chill voice that suddenly spoke to her caused her to stiffen.

“What are you lazing about here for? I see you’ve made such a mess as you’ve traipsed in here. Don’t you at least have the sense to clean up after yourself? Or were you simply expecting someone to do your work for you?” Henry criticized sharply from behind her.

Ella turned to look at him, her vision blurred as she opened her eyes. Her great-grandfather stared disgustingly at her with his arms folded.

“But then it seems as if you can’t even walk properly. What foolish activity have you done this time?” he continued in the same manner.

“Ella’s condition is Alma’s fault. That blasted girl melted the ice out from under her. She could have drowned in the cold water had I not managed to recreate the ice in time.” Jimmy explained. Ella could hear his voice shaking as he kept back his rage.

“Absolute nonsense. That child would never do such a thing. Even if she really did melt the ice, I know it would only be because she is young and can’t fully control her powers yet. However, I can tell that you’re trying to push the blame on her since you are ashamed of your own clumsy feet.” Henry rejected the idea, shaking his head.

“It’s the truth!” Ella attempted to say convincingly, but her voice was quiet and shaking. She wondered if it was because of the pain from her injuries, or if her great-grandfather had that much sway over her.

“I will not tolerate you arguing back with me. Now clean up the mess you have made before I forbid you from dinner.” he said, even harsher than before.

“Ella’s hurt. I’ll clean it up.” Jimmy spoke up.

“Silence yourself toad. I told her to do it, so do it she will.” Henry’s tone allowed no argument.

Ella took Jimmy off her shoulder, and patted his head when she placed him on the couch. It was her way of telling him to be quiet. Ella moved nervously past her great-grandfather as she went to the nearby closet for a towel. Her vision had at least cleared up, but she felt unsteady on her feet. She felt Henry’s eyes drilling into her back as she bent down to mop up the snow she had tracked in.

“I don’t see how that was so difficult. Now go take care of that disaster on your face before anyone else sees you.” Henry said when she finished.

“Yes sir.” Ella mumbled.

She picked Jimmy up quickly, and got out of Henry’s sight as quickly as she could.