Confusion- Book One- Chapt Three

I woke the next day and felt very confused. It wasn’t until I sat up that I realized where I was.

Last night was upsetting for me. Kieran had shown me to the room that I was to have while here. I then took a leisurely shower and dressed in fresh night clothes left out for me on the bed. Ten minutes later, Mrs. Weston knocked on the door with a hot drink in hand. It was a thoughtful gesture, and I didn’t want to be rude, so I took the mug and thanked her.

“Had you figured out a plan to get my mom back?” I took a sip of the hot liquid and realized it was something I never had before.

It was quite delicious. I drank it all down as I waited for an answer.

“I am sorry, I’m not at liberty to say anything. I can tell you this. We will bring your mother back safe.” She patted my hand. “For now, you need to get some rest. After all, you been through you need it.”

She smiled a sweet smile when I began feeling quite strange and a little sleepy. What was this drink?

“What…” I tried to speak.

“Shush, for now, Rayana. You need rest.”

Suddenly Mrs. Weston named Luziann was helping me over to the bed. That was the last thing I remembered last night before sleep overcame me.

Here I am sitting up in a strange bed and trying to clear my brain. Did I see Galen jump off the roof and catch me last night? No one on Earth can do anything like that, of course, he is not from Earth, or for that matter neither am I. Am I able to do the same things? I wonder what else Galen was able to do?

With growing up on Earth, I always thought nothing of other worlds. Much like the people of earth, wow what a thought! I am not one of them… Many believe there could be life out there and some did not. I was one that did not. Oh, boy was I surprised to learn I was wrong.

Now there are bad guys after me, and as of right now they have my mom. The Weston’s keep assuring me a plan to rescue my mom is being thought out.

They also are assuring me that the enemy is not planning to hurt my mom but only to use her as leverage to get me. That is nice to know.

“Why me?” I asked. “Why do these people want me?”

Bryden, the father, looked towards Galen, and as Galen nodded, he answered. “Princess, you are special and was born unique, and you are the key to bringing peace to our worlds.”

“What? Me? How can I bring peace? I didn’t even know I was royalty until today.”

“I really cannot speak more about it, but Your Highness, please try to understand you are vital to our survival. We cannot risk losing you.”

I continued to try and offered myself as a sacrifice for my mother, and they keep shooting me down, stating I am more important than my mom and if the enemy did capture me it would be the end of Valaisha and Cainya as they knew it.

I find it hard to believe that one person, princess or not can be that important. So, for now, I gave up and planned to try again later.

Now it was late morning, and as I was waking up, a knock sounded on the door, “Come in.” I said sitting more up in the bed.

It was the daughter, now what was her name? Oh yeah, Kieran. I smiled as she entered the room with a tray balanced in one hand.

“Your Highness…”

“Please call me Rayna.” I interrupted her.

She smiled and continued, “I brought you breakfast, and in the closet, you will find clothes your size.”

As she spoke, she placed the tray on a table in the room. She continued talking,

“The family feels we should continue looking as normal as we can. That means school and friends…” I heard her take a breath and wondered what else she is to tell me.

“I am pretty much ordered to stay by you. You know as your bodyguard, without looking like one.” She looked up at me before continuing.

“I know we have not been together, and you don’t know me, but it is suggested that we are to appear as if we become friends.”

The poor girl I can tell she was a little shy despite the welcome she gave me last night and this friend thing may just work out. I smiled at her. “I will love to hang out with you Kieran.”

I can’t help but wonder what my other friends are going to say with my suddenly becoming friends with Kieran, one of them as people call them… Then realization hit me; I am one of them.

My smile began to turn into a frown, and she noticed it. Before she could question it, I quickly added, “I am confused though. You are no bigger than I am, so how are you going to be able to protect me?”

She smiled for a second time. “You’re… I mean Rayna, I am more than capable of protecting you. As you will discover, we have unique gifts and skills unlike the people of Earth. I am also specially trained for this.” She walked over towards me and laid her small hand on my arm. “It’s okay; I can protect you.”

I stared at her trying to measure her out. After all, she is about the same weight as me if not a little smaller and closer to the same height. How can one so small and petite be as skilled and strong as she claims to be?

I looked back at her face to see her smile had broadened. “I know what you must be thinking but let me assure you I am much stronger than I look.”

It was as if she read my mind, of course, I was staring at her! I began to giggle at how that must have looked to her.

“I hadn’t meant to be rude.” I stopped the giggling and became serious to reassure her, “You know I can’t help but feel you and I will become real friends. We won’t have to pretend.”

With that said she gave me a big hug and left me to eat my breakfast and change clothes. I did like her. She is shy but underneath, she is a lot like me.

I was nibbling on a piece of toast and picked up a glass of juice, when the glass suddenly slipped out of my hand, just as a sharp image crossed my mind.

I saw my mom in a cold dark place, and she was cold. I saw that image very clearly as if I had been standing before her. And I felt the cold air so much I shivered. I even could smell the mustiness of the room. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Suddenly the vision was gone. I wrapped my arms around myself to stop shivering from the cold I had just experienced. I closed my eyes and tried to get the picture out of my head.

I turned from the partially eaten breakfast and went into the bathroom to get a wash towel to clean the mess I made with the glass and juice. When I had cleaned the best, I could and threw the broken glass away, I went to take a hot shower to warm me. Is my mother really in a dark, cold place? Could I actually have seen her? If so how?

After my shower, I went to the closet to see what kind of clothes awaited me. I was pleasantly surprised. I chose black jeans and a burgundy sweater with black hiking boots of my size. It was as if they had this room ready for me with my style clothes. Even the room was large and nicely decorated like for royalty.

I took the tray and walked out down the hall and turned into the kitchen. Luziann, Galen’s mom, was there doing the dishes.

“Rayana dear, how are you this morning?”

I smiled at her as I took the tray over to her and began to help her with the dishes. I also apologized for breaking the drinking glass. She kindly blew it off and told me don’t worry about it.

“Don’t worry about the glass and you don’t have to help me out, dear. I have it. You just go and enjoy your Sunday with the others.”

She then turned as she saw the expression on my face. “Oh, please don’t worry about your mother. I know we will get her back safe and sound.” She then gave me a quick hug.

I debated with myself to tell her about the vision, only seeing the look on her face made me keep it to myself, so I smiled instead.

Out in the living room, Galen and Kieran were ready to leave. Kieran handed me a jacket and smiled as I took it and put it on. I couldn’t help but smile back even though my heart wasn’t into it.

“What is the agenda for the day?” I asked as I followed the two up the stairs to outside.

“Galen has a fun plan for the day,” Kieran informed me with a smile.

After assuring me the horses were safe and fed, Galen showed me the sights around the place. The house was well hidden in a thicket of tall pines and built up into the hill side.

“This way,” Galen said after walking awhile for what seemed like few miles.

He turned a corner around a bend where we walked down into a small canyon, and Galen stepped closer to me and motioned to a group of trees and large rocks in the canyon against the wall across the way. We walked up to that spot, and I noticed now as we got closer an opening to a cave with a strange design with a crown carving on top above the opening?

“That’s the royal crest of Valaisha,” Galen explained as he ushered the three of us in through the opening. I was surprised to see it was well lit up for a cave. Galen walked us further into the cave and turned another corner. I stopped short when I saw in front of us, stone steps alongside a wall and a small waterfall and for some reason, there is a lot of light from an unknown source and green plants growing everywhere.

Galen leaned towards me, “That is the stairway to the gateway.” He said with a smile.

I looked at the archway at the top of the steps atop was the royal crest again, I then looked at Galen.

“This is the gateway to my Parent’s home?”

He nodded, “And your home Rayna. That is where you were born.”

I couldn’t stop looking at the gateway. “And there are others?” I asked.

“Yes, three more to be exact that leads to Valaisha.”

The gateway to my homeworld, a world I never laid eyes on. This was still very strange to me. When will it finally sink in? I am not of this world but another. I looked at Kieran, and she was watching me. I guess to see what my thoughts would be on seeing this wondrous gateway to where she herself was born.

I glanced back at Galen and at that very moment, he turned and looked at me and our eyes locked. A strange feeling shot through me, Galen then smiled as if he felt it too.

“We best be getting back,” Galen said as he took my hand to lead me out.

As we began to walk back, I asked one question I needed to know.

“What is the other world like? Does it look anything like here?” I turned to look at Galen; only it was Kieran that answered,

“It looks nothing like this world. I mean we have air much like this only the appearance is different. The sky, for instance, is lavender instead of blue like here. We have two suns instead of one, both much smaller than the one this world has. There are a lot of varieties of tall colorful trees It is something to see.”

She turned towards me walking backward and took hold of my arm. “Oh Rayna, I can’t wait for the day when you see it for yourself.”

She smiled and got a smile from me. Lavender skies, I hope there will come a day when I will finally see this for myself.

The next day Galen dropped us off at school and took off in his car. Kieran and I stood there looking after him when Sara came running up to us followed by Amanda. Taking my arm gently she exclaimed,

“Raynie, why didn’t you drive yourself this morning?” Then she looked over at Kieran standing next to me, and I took hold of her hand and introduced her to my friends.

“This is Kieran, Kieran this is Sara and Amanda.” I looked at my two friends and added, “I got to know Kieran and her brother over the weekend. I thought Kieran could hang out with us.” I smiled at Kieran, “I know you guys will like her as I do.”

Sara and Amanda looked at each other quizzically and gave up; shrugging their shoulders they gave Kieran a warm welcome. I knew they would include her in our circle of friends.

In first hour math, Kieran sat next to me. I looked over at her as she was doing her work. I couldn’t help but notice she was getting every question right. I smiled as I looked at her profile then back to my work.

I just answered the last question and placed my pencil down when the bell rang ending that hour. Kieran and I turned our papers in and walked out the door together. Strange I had never noticed that we had all the same classes together. I looked at her as we walked.

“How is it we have the same classes?”

“I’m surprised you never noticed before. My parents made sure I had all the same classes with you to keep a protective eye on you,” She leaned in and whispered. “You know, for safety reasons.”

I nodded, and we walked together towards English class.

“I still find it hard to believe as small as you are that you can protect me.” I looked over at her, and she only grinned.

“One day I will just have to show you my gifts. Maybe then you will be assured.”

“Maybe,” I answered. “I would love to see your gifts. Does the rest of your family have these gifts and skills?”

“Actually?! We all have the same skills on this world, yet different gifts.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s hard to explain. In time, you will see for yourself then you will understand.” Just then we got to the classroom door and walked in silently and sat down again next to each other.

It is perplexing what Kieran said. How can one have the same skills yet be different? With my being from their world does that mean I possess these unique gifts and skills? If so will they teach me to use them? I hope they do. I feel I may need to defend myself one day. I do not want them to keep playing guardians for me.

During lunch in the cafeteria, we sat with my friends. It was there I introduced Kieran to Jason. Jason didn’t give her the warm greeting I expected him to. He only sat and stared at Kieran.

I could tell the poor girl was uncomfortable sitting there under his glare. She just sat there fidgeting. I just can’t understand as to why he is acting this way. This is so not like the Jason we grew up with.

To be honest, as I looked around the room many were glancing our way. Had this been going on all morning? Poor Kieran, is this what she has endured all this time for being different? I just about had enough and confronted Jason once and for all.

“Jay… what is your problem?” I began, “I mean ever since Saturday you have been acting so unlike yourself. What gives?”

He turned his stare to me, and it shook me to the core. I took a deep breath and recovered the bravado I no longer felt and stood my ground.

“Well… are you going to answer?” I added showing his glare didn’t bother me. There was something in his eyes I have never seen before. Just what is it?

“I’m sorry Rayna, I can’t sit here.” He said glancing towards Kieran. Before I could say anything else, he stood with his tray and left out the door. I sat there with my mouth gaped open.

“I had never seen him act this way before.” Sara was saying my attention now back to the ones around the table. I looked over at Kieran and noticed her gaze looking down cast. I laid my hand upon hers and said softly,

“I’m sorry Kieran; believe me he is a nice guy. I guess he is having an off day.” It didn’t sound very believable even as I said it. She nodded her head without looking up. I could tell she only agreed to be polite.

Looking at how Jason had hurt her made me angry. I will find out the cause of his mood change, and when I do… What? What will I do? I took a deep breath and tried not to think of it… Or him. Instead, I just finished my lunch.

As school was ending, with one more class to go, Kieran informed me I am to go back to their place. That it still was not safe for me to go home. I reluctantly agreed, and just as we got almost to the door of Chemistry, it happened again…

This time I was suddenly standing in a dark, cold place and heard a female whimpering in pain. I soon realized it was my mother. This time the smell around me just about turned my stomach. It smelled of mold and something so foul I couldn’t determine the source. It was so dark I couldn’t see my mother I could only hear her. Just then I was back, and Kieran was looking at me funny.

“What happened to you?” She whispered.

“What do you mean?” I tried to smile only to fail. She began to bend down and pick up books. It was then I realized they were my books she was picking up. I bent down to help pick them up.

“Rayna, you were here, yet not here at the same time. You phased out.” She said still in a whisper.

“What?” I asked again in total confusion.

“I mean one minute you were standing here then your books just fell to the ground. It was as if I could see you but at the same time couldn’t see you. I was speaking your name, but you couldn’t hear me. It was like as if you were in another place.” I caught her eye as we both looked up just as I picked up the last book. “I have to say Rayna; it was a good thing no one was close enough to notice. But can you tell me what happened?”

I shook my head and whispered, “I was where my mom is…Or I think I was.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was in a dark cold and very smelly place. I heard my mother; she sounded like she was in pain.” Kieran took my hand and whispered,

“I believe you just found your special gift.”

I just looked at her and almost didn’t hear the second bell ring until she pulled me up and said, “Come on we are going to be late.”