Found in Time Chapter Four

So I've finally decided to release the full first seven chapters of my NaNoWriMo novel, Found in Time. I've written more than these chapters and will eventually finish, but since I do intend to have this novel published someday I don't think it would be a good idea to release the thing in its entirety.

Also, please keep in mind when you're reading that I wrote these chapters very fast. There is guaranteed to be a lot of mistakes or areas in desperate need of revision. There are many parts I don't like. It's kind of difficult to go ahead and put these chapters with them having so much wrong with them, but I still really want to do it. Please leave comments telling me what you like, or if there's anything confusing. Please also keep in mind that the first seven chapters are Part One of the story. Part Two will explain a good portion of background not comprehensively explained in Part One. This may be why it feels as if some things are not properly described. Still, speak up if something seems as if it's completely out there. You might be the one to catch something I've overlooked.

So, without further ado, here's the fourth chapter of Found in Time!

Ella sat alone in the parlor working once again. However, this time it was mid-afternoon and she wasn’t working on her song. Her mother had finished her and her siblings’ lessons an hour or so ago. After she had done the schoolwork Clara assigned, Ella had taken out her crayons and coloring paper. She wasn’t the kind to color often. While she was talented musically, her skills in the visual art weren’t nearly as refined. Still, she was Picasso when compared to Hazel.

She only colored when she had something that she wanted to remember. Ella’s blue crayons were being worn down as she tried her best to recreate the blue light figure. It was hard enough to see its shape when it had been before her eyes, so putting it down on paper was even harder. Ella thought she was doing a fair job though. Over a month had passed since the whole incident out the in the woods. She had accepted that the figure would never show itself again. However, Ella didn’t want to forget it.

George was placing more powers into Jimmy, which worked out perfectly for her. Ella had tried to talk to Jimmy about the figure a couple times. Every time she mentioned it, Jimmy struck down the conversation instantly. He clearly believed she would run into the woods again, drawn in by the mystery of the figure. His wishes were the complete opposite of hers. He wanted her to forget. It didn’t matter that Ella promised each time going into the woods was not her intention. Jimmy wouldn’t stand for anything regarding the subject.

It was why she was taking the chance to draw the figure now while he was preoccupied. When she was done she would hide it somewhere Jimmy, or anyone else or that matter, would never find. The belief of the existence of the blue figure belonged to only her, and Ella actually preferred it like that. The figure had appeared and called to her. Not Henry. Not George or her father. Not even to the power-sensing Charlie. It had appeared to her, the no-powers, extraordinarily normal Ella. Having such a mysterious force want something from her made her feel special, even if it might have lured her into a dangerous situation.

“What are you drawing?” Peter’s voice suddenly asked, his hand on her shoulder.

Ella flinched greatly from shock. She hadn’t heard anyone around, yet he came from nowhere. Peter was startled himself from her surprise, and then he laughed.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I should have made more noise walking in I suppose.” he apologized good-heartedly.

“It’s alright. You know me. I don’t pay attention to things around me when I get into something.” Ella said.

“True. So, what are you working on?” Peter repeated his question.

He sat down next to her on the couch. Ella instinctively grabbed the paper and hid her drawing against her chest. Peter looked curious at her sudden need for secrecy. Ella stared at the floor. Just like with everyone else, she hadn’t told Peter about the blue figure. She had been sure he wouldn’t believe her, or that he would tell her to forget about it like Jimmy.

Then again, the blue figure was the sort of thing she normally would have run to him first about. Ella wondered when her trust in him had faded. He had told her himself a little over a week ago that he did what he could to not be like the others. Even if he didn’t end up believing her, he would do what he could to believe her first instead of brushing the matter away as sheer rubbish. Ella wanted to have faith in him.

But then why did quiet thoughts in the back of her head constantly tell her that their relationship couldn’t be the same anymore? Maybe it was because she had unconsciously known that, and now she was actively recognizing it. Even in the week since Peter returned from the trip, a shift had taken place. He was spending more time working, more time reading Brooke’s old letters, and more time focusing on her. Peter had surprised her just now, but had been just as spacey recently. His conversations continued to be as Brooke centered as that first conversation had been. They were pushing Ella away, and she let the pushing happen.

“Ella?” Peter asked curiously, “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. What this picture is of…..I just think you’ll find me a bit odd if I explain it to you…” Ella answered softly.

She kicked herself mentally. She was overthinking everything. Peter was right here before her, as concerned as he ever was. He definitely was….

“I wouldn’t worry about being a bit odd.” Peter laughed, “You’d be more like the rest of us then.”

“Well, alright.” Ella gave in.

She lowered her picture. Peter took the paper and studied her drawing. Ella watched his face. He was naturally confused about the subject of the drawing, and Ella began to explain just as he opened his mouth to ask what it was.

“It’s not a very good picture of it, but this was something I saw the day after my birthday. It was late at night, and I was sitting right here working on writing my music. I looked outside the window, and I saw a figure made of blue light standing at the edge of the forest. I thought I was just imagining it, but even as I went to the window to see it closer the figure didn’t go away. It only disappeared after I turned around to try and get Jimmy to look.” Ella explained. She smartly ended off where she did. There was no reason for Peter to know the figure had beckoned to her, she had followed, and ended up being hurt.

She watched carefully as she had when she had told her the story about the cakes. At one point Ella was prepared for him to say she must have been mistaken, but then Peter changed his mind. Eventually he saw he was taking too long, and answered.

“That wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I am in the forest almost every day, and I’ve never seen anything like a figure made of blue light. It doesn’t mean what you saw was wrong or something you were imagining, but it certainly is strange.”

“I know it is. Sometimes I really do feel as if I made the whole thing up, but then I remember how clearly I saw it. Actually, I’ve always wanted to go search around to see if I could find it again, but obviously that’s something I can’t do.” Ella shrugged as she finished speaking.

“If you are alone, then obviously not. If I’m with you though, then I don’t see why we can’t do some looking around.” Peter said.

“You’re….actually serious?” she asked in astonishment.

“Of course. You don’t get to go in the forest enough anyway. I think getting to go and there and explore can do you some good, even if this light figure doesn’t make an appearance.”

“Can we go now?!” Ella begged with glee.

“We can leave this very second.” Peter smiled.

Ella smiled too. She was too eager to put her things away properly, so she stashed her drawing and crayons under the couch. The early April weather was warm, so Ella and Peter didn’t have to be slowed down by grabbing coats. As soon as they were outside, Ella showed Peter the area the figure had been standing by. They were off, and reached the forest before too long.

To Ella’s surprise and delight, the pinpricks of light she had seen last time were still there. In fact, they were not only larger now, but there were many more of them. Each time the sunlight struck them, a glittering rainbow danced in their core. Peter held Ella’s hand as they walked into the woods, and the little orbs bounced around them. One danced close to her. Ella reached out to touch it, but Peter instantly pushed her arm down and pinned it tight against her side.

“Don’t touch any of them.” he warned, “These are extensions of Light. I know in fairy tales and famous stories that white symbolizes good and black is evil, but Light and Shadow are not that simple to define. Our symbolic stereotypes mean nothing when it comes to them. They are both equally ill-willed towards our family, and equally as dangerous.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that.” Ella quickly apologized, “What would happen if I touched one?”

“These orbs won’t be able to touch me by themselves because my power repels them. Since you’re by me, the same protection is extended to you. However, they can be touched if we willingly allow it. Contact in even the slightest way would burn you badly. Your skin would melt all the way to the bone.” Peter finished, his voice dark.

Ella didn’t have any response to that. She really was of the naïve mindset that white and light meant good. There was a lot she had a lot to learn. Ella held tighter onto Peter, and avoided looking right at the orbs.

“Like I said, you don’t need to worry as long as you stay with me. I wouldn’t bring you in here if you weren’t safe.” Peter told her encouragingly.

Ella was sure he mostly wanted her to let the blood flow through his hand again.  She got a grip on herself, and walked normally next to him again. Turning her head around to see everything, Ella realized how different the forest looked. Green buds were everywhere. There was a fresh, crisp air wafting through the new leaves. It was as if she was in an entirely different place than the forest she had entered a month ago.

“What’s this?” Peter’s question interrupted her gazing.

Ella followed Peter’s sight. It only now occurred to her that they had taken the same path she had followed on that night. Before them, dug into the ground, were black circles from the Shadow barrier. They hadn’t been noticeable in the night. Even though so much time had passed, the marks looked as if they were newly made.

“We’ll have to be careful around this area.” Peter said as he led Ella around the circles and further into the forest.

“Why is that?” Ella asked, pretending to play innocent.

“That’s a warning ring from Shadow.”

“Warning ring?”

“It means that Shadow attacked something there, and its prey got away. It leaves the mark as a warning to everyone that it will be restless until it manages to catch what got away.” Peter explained.

It was hard for Ella to swallow, and her heart beat faster. She really knew nothing about the forest and the workings of Light and Shadow. Ella was paranoid now. The attack kept playing over and over in her head. Her fear of the darkness had gone away, and she had only used Jimmy’s light orb that first night. However, the dread was rushing back to her. Peter was unaware that she was the prey that had escaped. He had no idea that it was her that Shadow wanted.

“Again, there’s no need for worry. It’s day and the sun is shining brightly. Shadow won’t have any power to stir until nighttime. We’ll be out of here long before then. There’s more to fear from Light at the moment, but we won’t go too far in. It would be crazy for it to attack us.” Peter continued to comfort her.

“Do you think the blue figure could have been made by Light?” Ella changed the subject.

“It’s possible, but I highly doubt it. I can’t see why Light would do something like that, and neither Light nor Shadow does anything without purpose. They have to have a goal in order to influence their strength. Also, you said you saw this figure at night. Light wouldn’t have enough strength then to form such a figure. At night, these orbs are reduced to mere dots.” Peter answered.

“I see. I suppose figuring it out wouldn’t be so easy.” Ella said with a little disappointment.

“We’re far enough in though. I don’t know how exactly we’ll find this blue light, but let’s just stay around in this area for a while. Maybe it will choose to appear.” Peter suggested.

“So you do believe what I saw was real?” Ella asked to confirm.

“Mmm….” was Peter’s response. He let go of Ella’s hand and stuck his hands in his pockets.

“It’s alright if you don’t.” Ella told him honestly.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you. I guess I just want to see something of this figure before I decide.” Peter said.

“Understandable.”  Ella agreed.

She sat down on a large mossy stone. Peter leaned against the tree next to it. The orbs of Light bounced around them, almost dancing as if to convince Ella to reach out her hand again. She heeded them not. She slowly looked left, then right, and then left again. With all her heart, she called out to the blue figure. Maybe it was able to sense her thoughts and feelings, and would appear if it felt her calling for it.

Ella was patient as she and Peter waited. Every couple minutes, the two of them would move to a new spot. They didn’t talk much. A half hour passed. Nothing happened except the Light orbs grew bored with them and went past without giving any notice. Ella hadn’t really expected the figure to show up, but another fifteen minutes passed and her disappointment grew.

“I wonder if it will only show itself if I’m alone. It didn’t go away last time until I tried to show it to Jimmy.” Ella theorized.

“I’m not leaving you alone out here.” Peter said quickly as soon as she finished her last syllable.

“I know. I was just trying to think why it appeared before, and never since then.” Ella shrugged.

“The idea that this thing will only appear to you if you’re alone concerns me. I mean, I don’t want to offend, but what would it want from you? It seems like this figure is more dangerous than it wants to appear.” Peter said suspiciously.

“That’s most likely true.” Ella agreed with him again.

“Well, in any case, it’s not showing up. Let’s head back to the hou―” Peter’s sentence was cut short.

Multiple things happened at once. Ella had been looking at the ground at Peter talked, but when she looked up her whole body froze. For the briefest second, Ella thought she saw the figure. It was standing in front of her between two trees not even twenty feet away. However, Charlie transported in front of them at the exact time. When Ella peeked around him to see if the figure really was there, there was nothing to be seen. Peter hadn’t noticed it, so Ella accepted that it had been her desiring mind which created the image.

“Ella!” Charlie said in surprise when he saw her, “I sensed Peter nearby so I came to see what he was doing. What are you two doing out here?”

We’re here to see if we can find some blue light figure Ella spotted a while back.” Peter answered.

“No, shhhh!” Ella tried to quiet him, but it was far too late.

“I see.” Charlie said slowly.

The look he gave Ella wasn’t a happy one. She recoiled.

“I think you are forgetting our promise, Ella.” he said disappointedly.

“I haven’t! It’s the middle of the day, and I’m with Peter. Nothing had been broken.” Ella explained quickly.

She couldn’t imagine the trouble she would be in if Charlie decided to reveal the incident. The three of them were quiet. Then Charlie made up his mind.

“No, you haven’t broken the promise I suppose.” he agreed, although it was reluctant.

“What promise is this?” Peter asked.

“I can’t tell you. It’s part of the conditions. As long as Ella holds up her end, I will never tell a soul anything.” Charlie said.

Peter was clearly not satisfied. He glanced back and forth between the two of them with suspicious eyes. He wanted one of them to break. It was not going to happen with Ella. No matter how many times he asked, Ella would never tell him what happened.

“We were just about to head back to the house anyway.” Ella changed the topic again.

“I’ll walk back with you.” Charlie said.

Ella walked between her two older brothers as they started on their way. Charlie became his cheerful self, but Peter kept watching them silently. Ella did her best to ignore him. Unfortunately, the worst happened when the trio walked around the Shadow marks. Peter slowed, and studied the mark. Then he suddenly let out a loud cry of shock and disbelief.

“Peter?” Charlie asked curiously.

“Ella!” Peter said her name slowly but loudly.

“What?” Ella said as she tried to play innocent again, but she could see Peter’s mind making the connections.

“Ella!” Peter repeated again in absolute astonishment.

“Say what you want to say already.” Charlie prompted.

“Ella, I can’t―! It, it was, you? You? You were the, the thing that Shadow attacked?!” Peter stammered out. Charlie and Ella looked at each other in dismay.

“How could you even figure that out just by walking past here?” Ella asked is disbelief. Her free days were over. She was sure she would be punished to her room for the rest of her life.

“It’s obvious if you think about it!” Peter exclaimed, “You followed the blue figure out here, got yourself attacked, and Charlie had to come save you! That’s what the secret is, am I wrong?”

Charlie and Ella didn’t have to answer. Their faces said it all. Peter let out another cry of astonishment and frustration. He ran both his hands through his hair. The younger two waited him out. They were both in trouble if Peter decided to rat them out.

“You could have been killed!” Peter eventually said.

“I know! I know!” Ella pleaded, “But I’ve learned my lesson a thousand times over! There’s no need for you to worry, or to say anything to anyone else. Please Peter! Don’t tell anyone about this!”

“You know what great-grandfather is like. If he finds this out, Ella and I will never the light of day again.” Charlie added.

Peter sighed again before looking at them seriously.

“Fine. I won’t say anything about this. However, I don’t want you to fixate on this figure anymore, Ella. Its intentions definitely aren’t good. Let’s all just forget about it.” Peter instructed.

Ella reluctantly nodded along with Charlie. No matter how much logic and common sense told her that Peter was right, Ella desperately wanted to see the figure again. Peter might be willing to talk about it with her in the future when he calmed down. For the moment, Ella would let the matter drop. She would let the others forget, but she never would.

“Alright. Let’s keep heading on our way then.” Peter said.

He took her hand and pulled her forward. Charlie gave her a sympathetic smile. They walked quietly until they exited the forest a minute or so later. They were about half-way to the house when they spotted Hazel and Alma. The two were making jewelry out of the flowers they had used their magic to help grow.

“I’m going to go join them.” Ella said.

Peter nodded, and let go of her hand. He and Charlie transported to the house as Ella reached her sisters. She sat down next to Hazel.

“Welcome.” Hazel said brightly. She placed the crown of flowers she had just made on top of Ella’s head.

“Look at what I’ve already made!” Alma said merrily, showing Ella the ring and necklace she was wearing.

“Those are really pretty.” Ella complimented.

“Thanks! Go ahead and make your own.” Alma offered the flowers next to her.

“I will.” Ella said with a smile.

Alma was in a good mood, and it was one of the times where she and Ella didn’t mind being sisters. Ella picked a couple flowers and began working on a necklace.

“This will be even more fun when Sadie joins us.” Alma predicted.

“Indeed. Then those boys won’t be able to stand a chance against the four of us.” Hazel added.

“They’ll have to do whatever we say.” Ella agreed.

The three of them began to plan all the little tricks they could play on their brothers as they continued making flower jewelry. Ella was sure most of their ideas would never work or get them in trouble, but it was fun just to talk about them. They lost track of time. Before she knew it, Ella had two necklaces, a ring on each finger, and another crown.

Alma had stood up and began to model her jewelry. She had even more than Ella did. Hazel and Ella clapped while Alma walked about. However, Ella’s attention was drawn to the forest. There had been a gleam of light that caught her eye. As Alma twirled, Ella leaned to look around her. Ella hoped she would see the blue figure. She saw a figure, but not the one she wanted. The orbs of Light were bouncing around at the edge of the woods. They started to smack into each other and stick together to form a human-like figure, but the light from it shone so brightly it was hard to see. Ella’s mouth went dry.

Light was pulling its power together to attack.

“Hazel!” Ella said with panic as she tugged on her sister’s arm and pointed towards the danger.

Hazel looked towards the forest, and shouted with alarm. Alma stopped her spinning to see what was going on. Light noticed them, and didn’t wait any longer. There was a tremendous flash of white light. From the little Ella could see, she spotted a massive wave of Light heading towards them fast. It was upon them before Ella could blink.

Hazel managed to jump up and extend her arms. She raised a shield of Shadow- a thick wall of swirling darkness radiating deep purple fog. Just its presence chilled Ella to the core. Light bounced off the shield in every direction, and crackled brilliantly like the trail of a firework before fading into nothing. However, the figure of Light in the forest wasn’t wasteful in its attacks. The first wave had been so powerful that Hazel’s shield vanished after it had been deflected. She didn’t have time to think as another attack was upon them.

A flurry of spears screeched through the air. Large sparks of flame leaped off them and scorched the ground where they landed. Hazel wasn’t fast enough now. She only partially recreated the wall. It keep most of Light back, but some broke through and struck Alma. A spear pierced through her arm, which caused Ella to cringe as her little sister cried out in horrible pain.

Alma had been trying to support the shield with her own powers, but put herself in harm’s way instead. Now she was writhing on the grass, clutching at her arm dripping with blood. Hazel hurriedly stepped in front of her and gave all her energy to keep the shield up as a third burst reached them.

Ella crouched low to help avoid being hit. Through sheer will-power alone, Hazel kept the wall up. However, the might at which the wave hit forced her down to her knees. Ella quickly crawled to Alma to see if she could help her in any way. Alma’s right arm had been awfully burned. Ella had a terrible flashback to Peter telling her direct contact with Light would burn them all the way to the bone.

Luckily, Hazel’s shield had stopped enough raw energy from getting through. Alma had been spared the worst fate, but the damage was still great. Ella couldn’t do anything other than hold her sister, and cover her as much as she could with her own body. The attacks came faster now. Ella had never seen either power be so determined to hurt them before. They were known to cause trouble, yet the sheer intent to kill was terrifying.

Hazel cried each time an attack hit. Her arms were shaking violently, and the palms of her hands were bright red. Small, snapping embers of Light slipped through the shield. They danced around Ella like the orbs in the forest had. Light was taunting her. Ella swatted desperately at them, but instead they tossed themselves at her. Wherever they struck, her shoulder, her hand, her leg, she twitched as if a shock of electricity had stung her. A tingling pain remained. As the embers of Light kept passing through the barrier, more and more dove for Ella.

She could barely turn her head when Hazel suddenly collapsed onto the ground next to her. Her older sister’s body lay still on the grass, her eyes firmly shut. Hazel’s strength had given out. Ella knew it was the end. Light’s attack was already upon them, and there was no way she could stop it.

And yet, a second miracle occurred.

Right at the moment when help was needed the most, Henry, Edwin, and Kenneth appeared in front of the girls. They raised a shield so strong that the power of Light’s attack was reflected back at itself. Shadow leaped from the shield onto the rebounded attack, and consumed it before colliding powerfully with the Light source in the forest.

The shape began to break back apart into orbs. The attacks stopped with its concentration unfocused. Before Ella could blink, Henry transported right next to the Light figure. He challenged it directly by swinging at it with a wispy sword of Shadow he created. As the figure broke apart further, Ella swore she heard screaming coming from it.

Without a word, Kenneth picked up Alma and transported her away to the house. Edwin gathered Hazel in his arms, and quickly spoke to Ella.

“Get back to the house as fast as you can.” he said before transporting Hazel with him.

The world was eerily silent after he left. Ella’s head snapped towards Henry. She caught him just as he transported as well. Neither the figure nor Light orbs were anywhere to be seen. Her great-grandfather had defeated the strong power within seconds. However, he had not spared a second for her. Henry hadn’t even glanced in her direction before leaving.

Ella sat in the ground, breathing heavily as if she had run for miles. The pain subsided, but her body continued to twitch. The house was so far away from where she was. Ella tried to stand, but she stumbled and fell down. She didn’t have control enough of her body yet to move. Ella tried to call for someone, but her breathing was too hitched to let her speak properly. She rubbed her legs furiously.

Ella understood why Hazel and Alma were taken away, and yet, was no one going to come for her? Although she had been hurt a little, she wasn’t injured like Alma nor was her energy drained like Hazel….

But she was terrified, and needed help all the same.

Ella had been through the same ordeal as her sisters had. Her vision was almost completely white from the blinding presence of Light. She tried and failed to stand again. It was impossible for her to move in her condition. Surely someone had to come and see if she was alright? Her mother, Peter, Charlie, or even Leo? The minutes passed as Ella sat on the ground frozen. No one came, and no one was going to come. Even with the attack that just happened, no one was going to remember her.

Ella lost track of how much time she had been sitting when the twitching stopped and she managed to stand up. It probably hadn’t been any more than fifteen minutes, but it felt like hours. Ella walked trance-like towards the house. She tripped over nothing every couple feet. Her mind was so blank with shock that she couldn’t even be mad that no one had come for her. The whiteness in her vision had faded, but it persisted around the corners. It made her whip her head around from fear that she was seeing the coming of another attack.

The danger was truly gone though. Nothing went after Ella, and she successfully stumbled into the house. She wearily entered the back door. She spotted George and Jane in the parlor as she passed the archway leading there. Ella entered the room. It was only when she was right at them that they noticed her.

“Oh Ella, child. Go head up to your room, and wait there please. I’ve left Jimmy’s box in there for you.” George told her.

Ella stood there, not moving and not speaking. Now that she saw them, the anger was building.

She wanted to yell at her grandfather. She wanted to yell at everyone, in fact.  Ella only nodded though and did as she was told. When she reached the second floor she heard Alma crying from Kenneth and Hattie’s room. The door to George and Jane’s room was also open. Hazel had to be in there getting treatment at as well. Her body was still shaking, and Ella was sure there was no color left in her face.

Still, she didn’t try to go to her parents or anyone else. They would push her to the side anyway. Ella went slowly to her room on the third floor. As soon as her door was closed, she slid down to the ground with her back against the wood.

Whether it was terror or Light’s power affecting her, it took all her will to keep her eyes open. The distance to her bed seemed miles away. Ella wondered how she had made it to the house. Maybe it was because she thought once she arrived someone would want to see how she was doing.

Ella stared at nothing for a little bit until her eyes fell upon Jimmy’s box. George had left it on her nightstand. That’s when Ella remembered that Jimmy was always there. She couldn’t stand again, so Ella crawled to her bed and pulled herself into it. After managing to take her shoes off, she tightly bound herself in her sheets. It was only then when Ella reached out to open Jimmy’s box. He awoke and was about to make some sarcastic comment. That is, until he saw Ella’s face.

“Ella? What happened? Are you alright? You’re not sick, are you?” he asked full of concern.

Ella’s eyes burned with tears, but because she was happy. Are you alright? It was all she had wanted to hear.

“Ella?” Jimmy asked.

Ella shook her head. She couldn’t get herself to speak. Instead she patted the space on her pillow next to her. Jimmy took the signal and cuddled against her. He would hear the details later. Right now, Ella just needed a comforting presence. She wiped her tears, and concentrated on steading her breathing.

Ella watched the door quietly as she calmed down. Someone had to come eventually. However, hours passed and the sky grew dark.

Ella was amazed by how her feelings had shifted between Light and Shadow. A month ago, nightfall was terrifying and she needed a light to sleep. Now Ella welcomed the night, and was all too glad to see her room slowly become darker. Light and Shadow had both been her attacker and savior. It was exactly as Peter had told her earlier.

A knock finally came on the door. Ella flipped towards it, and waited for the sound to come again. She thought she had heard knocking a couple times before. It had only been her imagination. This time there really was someone there. Jimmy looked at her, but Ella didn’t say anything. It was still hard to find her voice.

“Ella?” Edwin asked as he cracked the door open and peeked inside. He was surprised to find the room dark.

“Oh, you’re sleep―, um, are you awake Ella?” he stumbled over his words as he clumsily asked the question.

“Yes.” Ella answered. Her voice was quiet, but at least she managed to speak.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No.”

“Oh, alright. Well, I just wanted to check and make sure you are alright.” Edwin said as he walked further inside.

Ella hoped the dark room hid the anger on her face. Although she was still shaken up, Ella had calmed down enough to properly feel anger now. Her father’s concern was a little late coming. Where had he been hours ago, and why had it taken him so long to think to come check on her? Hazel and Alma needed his attention first of course, but surely their initial need for care hadn’t lasted all this long. There was no way for anyone to avoid the truth. They forgot about her.

“I’m fine.” Ella responded quite sharply.

Ella could tell from the little noise Edwin made that her tone caught him off guard.

“That’s not the voice of someone who is fine.” he said as he walked over to her.

“I’m fine.” Ella repeated in the same way.

She turned away from her father, and pulled the covers over her head. Ella really didn’t want to talk to him. Most importantly, she didn’t want his concern anymore. He had lost his chance, so Ella would deal with the situation by herself.

“What’s upsetting you?” Edwin asked gently. Ella could sense him reaching his hand towards her shoulder.

“Go away.” Ella demanded.

“Ella, I―” Edwin started as his hand contacted with her.

“I said go away!” Ella growled.

She pushed his hand away with her shoulder, and Edwin instantly withdrew. There was a suffocating silence that followed. Ella wondered what her father was going to do. Strangely, she wished he would reprimand her. It was what a normal parent would do in this situation, and normally was how she wanted her parents to treat her. Just like they should have acted normally and gave some worry her way after she was involved in an attack that could have killed her.

“Alright, I’ll leave. I just wanted to let you know that Hazel is already better, and Alma will fully recover in no time thanks to Kenneth.” Edwin told her, still with his gentle voice. Ella rolled her eyes under the covers. She was too upset to care.

“Also, we’ll be having dinner soon. Ella, please come join us if you feel up to it.” Edwin offered.

He stood still for a moment after finishing, probably hoping she would say something. When Ella refused, he left the room quietly. Ella surfaced from under the covers. Jimmy, having kept quiet next to her the whole time, was giving her a look.

“What?” she asked curtly.

“I’ll tell you when you’re ready to listen.” Jimmy said.

“I’m more than ready to listen to whatever you’re going to say about my rude behavior.”

“Well, I’ll go ahead then. There was no reason for you to treat your father like that. He only wanted to make sure you were alright.” Jimmy said chidingly.

“That’s what I thought. You don’t understand at all.” Ella spoke as she shook her head.

“Then help me to understand. You haven’t spoken to me since you opened the box. The only reason I even know about the attack is because I’ve silently been listening to the others thoughts about it.” Jimmy explained.

Ella didn’t respond. She turned to her other side once more and stared out the window. The sun still lit up the horizon, but from Ella’s position she could see little light.

“Ella, what is it?” Jimmy prodded softly now, hopping onto the side of her head. Ella took a deep breath.

“I wish that I had been hurt like Alma had.” Ella revealed.

“That’s a terrible thing to want. Why on earth would you want to be hurt?” Jimmy asked in alarm.

“Because then someone would have cared. Jimmy, after great-grandfather fought off Light and father and Uncle Kenneth brought Alma and Hazel to the house, they left me alone in the field to walk back by myself. No one came for me. No one wanted to help. I couldn’t stand for the longest time, but still no one bothered. I finally got back to the house alone. Do you want to know what grandfather and nana said to me when they saw me? They didn’t ask me if I was alright or if I needed help. They told me to go to my room and wait quietly.” Ella told him.

“I’m―” Jimmy started, but Ella kept going.

“And this is where I’ve been since then. It took all these hours to pass for someone to come check on me. This is how little everyone cares about me. However, I’m sure if I had gotten hurt they would’ve had to care. They would’ve had no choice but to show concern for me. But I wasn’t, so I was forgotten.” Ella finished.

She took Jimmy off her head and pulled the covers back. Ella stood up and went to the window to look outside. Jimmy stayed at the bed.

“I’m sure they didn’t mean to treat you like that. It was a scary situation for everyone, so I’m sure your father and everyone else wasn’t thinking like they should have. You weren’t overlooked because they didn’t care.” Jimmy tried to reason.

Instead of responding, Ella gasped in surprise. She hadn’t been paying attention to much outside, until she spotted the blue figure clearly standing in a small patch of trees in the field. It beckoned to her again, much vigorously than it had before.

“What?” Jimmy asked.

Ella kept staring at the figure. It motioned again for her to come and meet it. Ella sighed and shook her head.

“It’s nothing.” she said quietly, turning away from the window to sit down by Jimmy.

Ella held out the last note of her song. It ended on a beautiful vibrato. Ella smiled as she lowered her violin and bow. It had taken her longer than she planned to learn her second song, but now she had it memorized and had played it three times in a row without a mistake. It made it happy to hear the notes for real instead of in her head.

“Feel confident now?” Jimmy asked.

“I do. Now I just have to find someone to listen.” Ella said with a smile, “So let’s go.”

Jimmy hopped onto her shoulder. Ella took her violin and bow, and left her room to find one of her family members. She had no idea who was in the house and who was in the forest. Since the attack three days ago, her family had been on high alert. What Jimmy had told her on her birthday was true. Light and Shadow certainly were becoming more bold and violent.  Both had been fighting the other in the previous days. Although their attacks weren’t nearly as powerful as before, it was still a nasty problem.

The day had been calm so far though, and Ella felt good. Better than she had in days anyway. She was still somewhat angry at her family. When she had seen her father the next day, they did not talk about her attitude. In fact, Ella had barely spoken to anyone after that night. Mostly she worked on her music and kept to herself.

Realizing it was time to move past her anger, Ella was ready to interact again. Unfortunately, the house was rather empty at the moment. Ella only found Alma so far. Her sister was taking a nap. Thanks to his powers, Kenneth had been able to fully heal Alma’s burns within a day. He declared that she was in good health once again, but Alma was milking everyone’s concern for all that she could. She constantly asked everyone to do favors for her, and requested all kinds of candies and sweets. All of her demands were fulfilled, except the ones Alma gave to her.

Ella knew Alma was being unfair and dramatic. She had no right to boss everyone around like she was. If she wanted a snack from the kitchen, then she was perfectly capable of getting it herself. This was why Ella and Alma were on bad terms again. Alma claimed that Ella was cold, heartless, and selfish. Ella ignored her. She knew she wasn’t any of those things. If anyone was selfish, it was Alma herself. Even though Sadie was the youngest, Alma was still considered the baby of the family for the time being. Everyone was all too willing to dote on her.

So that’s why Ella walked past her sister’s room without a second glance back. Unluckily, no one was to be found on the second floor. She did find Henry, Peter, and Hazel on the first floor in the parlor though. They were standing and talking quietly. Ella stood hesitantly at the archway. She didn’t want to bother them if they were talking about something important. Henry spotted her though.

“Is there something you need?” he asked, the slightest hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Uh, well, I, I just finished learning the song I composed, and was wondering if anyone wanted to hear it.” Ella said nervously. Henry hated her music.

“These two were just about to head out to the forest, but I’d love to listen.” Peter said cheerfully.

“We’ll have to hear it when we come back.” Hazel said.

Ella nodded, and the two of them were gone. Peter sat down in a chair, and Ella stood a couple feet in front of him. Jimmy moved off her shoulder next to Peter. For some reason, Ella felt a little nervous. Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since she had performed for anyone other than Mr. Cunningham or Jimmy. Maybe it was because she was about to play her own work, and not someone else’s. Either way, her palms sweated a little.

“I’ve actually got two songs that I’ve made if you’re willing to listen. The second one is supposed to have the piano as accompaniment, but I haven’t asked Hazel to practice with me yet.” Ella explained.

“That’s fine. If this second one can be played without the piano, feel free to play it as well. It will be good to see the violin we bought you in action.” Peter assured her with a smile.

Ella nodded. She raised her violin, and let her nervousness out through a quiet exhale. As the notes began to be released from her fingers, the butterflies in her stomach vanished. Ella closed her eyes and swayed slightly as she played. The song echoed much more beautifully in the parlor than it did in her room. The notes felt new and wonderful, and Ella got goose bumps from her own song that she had heard dozens of times before. She hoped Peter could connect as deeply with the music as she could.

The song was on the longer side, but for Ella it finished before it really began. As always, Ella remained still with her eyes closed for a second after the last note faded. When she brought her arms down, Peter clapped. Ella took a small bow. Peter quieted, and sat back against the chair to wait for her to begin playing again.

Ella raised her violin again, and started the second song. The piano was following along in her mind. Ella would have to finally ask Hazel to practice with her once her sister returned. That way, when Mr. Cunningham came for the next lesson she could finally play the song for him. He had been asking to hear it for weeks, but she wanted him to hear it in its entirety.  The powerful feeling from the first song carried over into Ella’s playing now. The sounds became new again as Ella was able to imagine hearing the song for the first time like Peter was doing.

Again, the song faded away before Ella wanted it to. Peter stood up and clapped this time, and Ella took another bow. When he sat back down, Ella became nervous once more and held her violin tightly. Now it was time to hear what he thought.

“So, do they sound good?” Ella asked.

“They sound amazing.” Peter agreed, “If I didn’t know you had written those songs I would have thought some famous composer had. Granted, I know nothing about music so that might not mean anything coming from me. What you’ve accomplished is incredible.”

“Thank you.” Ella said, her confidence swelling. Even though Peter really had no clue about music, it still meant a lot to hear praise coming from him.

“You know what? Brooke and I have been talking and trying to plan a time where she can come out here to meet all of you. She is a big fan of music, especially of violins. I’m sure she would listen to your music for hours if she could.” Peter then said.

Ella hoped he couldn’t see how her smile faded and her jaw tightened. Ella knew he meant what he said as a compliment, but he had brought Brooke into the conversation. She was so sick of hearing that woman’s name. Couldn’t Peter talk to her anymore without bringing Brooke up? The fact that she might have to meet her soon didn’t help any either. There was already too much of her in Ella’s world. If Brooke came to the house, Ella was sure to lose Peter completely.

“I’ll have to write many more songs then.” Ella joked to hide her distain.

“That would be nice.” Peter said.

His smile had faded as well now, and there was a look on his face that there was something strong running through his mind.

“What are you thinking?” Ella asked.

“It’s nothing really.” Peter attempted to shrug it off.

“I can see there is something more you want to say. Feel free to share.” Ella nudged. Peter laced his fingers and held his hands together tightly.

“It’s just that I don’t think you’re going to like what I want to say.” Peter warned.

“What are you going to talk about?” Ella questioned. As long as it wasn’t about Brooke, Ella felt like she could handle whatever he had on his mind.

“It’s about your songs.” Peter told her.

“What about them? You said they sounded good.” Ella said curiously.

“They are good. They’re really good. However, listening to them made me very concerned for you.”

“What do you mean?” Ella was very confused now.

“They sounded so….so sad. Absolutely depressed, actually. It’s said that composer’s songs are unconsciously influenced by their life and emotions, right? Their music is effectively an auditory extension of their state of mind. With your songs sounding so sad, I can’t help but to think that’s what you feel all the time.” Peter explained.

Ella’s mouth opened in surprise. That definitely wasn’t anything like what she was expecting.

“See, I told you that you wouldn’t like it.” Peter reminded her.

“I’m not ‘absolutely depressed’! I’m fine.” Ella pointed out forcefully.

“Or you’re just saying that, and possibly you’ve gotten used to feeling down all the time that you can’t even see how you really feel.”

“Excuse me?! I think I know my own feelings better than you do.” Ella said angrily.

“It’s what it seems like though. You haven’t come to talk to me as much recently, but I want you to know you can. You’re getting older now and leaving your childhood years behind. Maybe you feel as if I won’t be able to understand you anymore. I mean, I’m not a girl, so I won’t know all the changes you go through. Brooke and I talk about a lot of things though, and she’s taught me much about how girls think so―”

“Argh!” Ella cried out in frustration, “You want to know why I don’t talk to you so much anymore?! That’s why! It’s because every single time I try to have a conversation with you, no matter what it is, you have this horrible need to bring Brooke into it! I’m tired of hearing how perfect, and beautiful, and smart she is! It’s infuriating and annoying! Why can’t we talk with it just being the two of us?! I don’t want to hear about Brooke anymore!”

Peter was shocked by her outburst and sudden reveal. Ella had been trying to find a nicer way to tell him, but the words had come out before she could stop herself. Peter looked a little hurt, but as he spoke it was still in that way that made Ella twitch with anger. It was if he really did think he understood more about her feelings than she did. He was talking to her the way one might try to rationalize with a fussy toddler.

“I talked about Brooke to you because you were the only one who listened without trying to tease me. I didn’t realize I was overdoing it. I’m sorry. This situation is showing me though that we do really need to talk more. It’s not good to keep so many negative feelings buried inside.”

“There are more reasons why I haven’t talked to you besides Brooke, Peter!”

“Well, what are they?”

“Ask me, ‘Are you alright?’” Ella demanded.

“Pardon?” Peter said, confused.

“Just say it!”

“Fine. Are you alright?”

“It’s about time you said that.”

“Ella, I don’t understand.”

“You only just told me Brooke taught you so much about girls, but I’ll explain it simply for you. First though, where were you when Light attacked us?” Ella questioned, folding her arms.

“I was inside. When father brought Hazel inside, I helped Henry and Hattie tend to her while most of the others looked after Alma.”

“What happened after that?”

“I was with her for about half an hour. She had recovered a lot by then, but we left her to rest some more. I went to my room to write a letter….to Brooke, telling her that we needed to push her visit back because of all the trouble going on. Then I spent a little time with Alma before jumping back and forth between checking on the forest and helping the others.” Peter explained.

“And what about me? If you had time to write a letter to Brooke, why didn’t you come and see how I was doing?”

“You weren’t hurt though, were you?”

“No. I wasn’t. But does that really make it so that you feel there was no need to come and comfort me when you gave some so quickly to Hazel and Alma? Did I even cross your mind at all?!”

The following silence and the guilty look on Peter’s face answered Ella’s question without words being necessary. Ella gripped onto her violin tighter. When he had given it to her, Peter told her that he would never push her to the side like the others did. The passing time and this situation showed that instead he was only doing it more.

“I didn’t mean to forget you. It was just a chaotic experience. My mind slipped and I made a mistake.” Peter said to break the silence.

“You’re wrong, you know that Peter? I’ve turned ten, but I haven’t changed. It’s you! The past you wouldn’t have left me alone outside terrified after everyone else pushed me to the back of their thoughts! You would have come to see me right away, and let me know that things were alright! But no, you don’t bother with me because I didn’t have any physical injuries! Instead you care more about writing a letter to some stupid woman about some stupid, trivial matter!” Ella told him crossly.

Peter’s eyes narrowed and his face grew dark. Ella knew she was seeing his real face now. He wasn’t holding back his own frustration anymore.

“I said I was the one who made a mistake. There’s no reason for you to insult Brooke because of it, or perhaps you’ve just been waiting for the chance to slur her because of some petty jealousy you have towards her.” Peter accused.

Jealousy?! Ella couldn’t believe he had the audacity to say she was jealous. Peter truly had changed. If he was the brother she knew, he would have been able to see that Ella was scared instead of jealous. Peter forgot how much he meant to her, that he was the only one who could support her when the rest of the family stood against her. Jimmy could comfort her, but he wasn’t able to help her fight.

Now she was losing that support. Peter was too concerned with Brooke and their relationship to see that his relationship with Ella was slipping faster and faster away. He was becoming like the rest of the family now. While he said he would understand, he clearly didn’t. Just because there were no physical scars, she wasn’t worth his time. So no, Ella wasn’t jealous of Brooke. She was terrified because she was taking her beloved brother away from her.

“You’re wrong again. You honestly don’t understand anything about me anymore. It’s fine though. I’m used to people not caring me about me.” Ella looked away from him, her gaze towards the floor stiff.

“I’ve been so supportive of you over the years, Ella. I can’t believe this is what it’s coming to. I’ve worked hard so you never saw how much effort I was forced to use in order to help you. You haven’t known of the countless arguments I’ve had with the others when I stood up for you when I had nothing to support you with. Honestly, you’ve frustrated and annoyed me many times, but I kept quiet. No longer though. I’m tired of watching you play as the victim. You need to stop acting as if everyone in this family is out to get you, and try to actually help yourself for once.”

There was venom in every word he spoke. Ella’s eyes grew wide, and she lifted her head to glare at him. She was playing the victim? That’s what he thought about her all these years? It wasn’t surprising, but of course it stung. It stung so badly. Ella’s muscles ached as she fought back the desire to start hitting him. She had never been this angry and upset before, even after all the terrible things she had gone through. Instead, she half-shoved, half-threw the violin into Peter’s arms.

“You can take this back. I don’t need some stupid making up present.”

Peter didn’t get the chance to respond. Ella quickly snatched Jimmy, who had been too horrified by the conversation to jump in and try to help. She ran towards the stairs, leaving her brother sitting alone in the silence.