Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Sneak Peek: The Ordinary

Introducing The Ordinary. Enjoy!


Chapter 1


I took the stairs two at a time. My legs began to burn, but I pushed through the pain. I had to keep going, although the specific reason seemed to hang just out of reach at the back of my mind. Adrenalin fueled my flight, but fear kept me moving. That fear was quickly giving way to panic; I couldn’t let that happen. I somehow knew if I let the panic overtake me death would envelop me.
The stairs went on and on making safety feel elusive.  It was cold and damp, yet my sweat drenched pajamas clung to my body. If I hadn’t have been so scared, I would have noticed how cold the stone staircase felt on my feet and how after a short time they were numb despite my physical excursion.  But all I could focus on was the desperation I felt with each curved stair of the turret.
Then I saw it. A light at what I assumed was the top of the stairs. With that light came a sudden sense of relief. I was going to make it! Right? I didn’t have any idea why, but somehow I knew if I reached the light everything would be ok.  I had to reach that light. But I didn’t. The brief sense of relief I felt was gone and replaced with an intense, overwhelming grief.
The light I had been chasing was gone before I reached the landing. At the edge of the landing was a large, arched window. It must have been beautifully grand at one point. It had probably once housed intricate stained glass that filled the space with colored light as the sun set each day. The glass was no longer there and the cold wind coming through the arch took my already short breath away. I ran to the edge and peered down at the fading light. I was too late.
I slowly turned away from the window, knowing I had to face whatever was coming for me up the twisting staircase.  If I was going to die, I was going to look it in the eye first…assuming it had an eye.  I may be a lot of things, but my parents would tell you stubborn was at the top of the list. I stood there with my back to the open window, squinting into the darkness, waiting. A few seconds later, I heard something I’d never heard before. A horrific shriek of sorts, resonated up the stairs in such a way that I more than heard it. I felt it down to my very core. It was almost here. If the sound getting closer didn’t tell me this the sudden chill straight down my spine certainly did. The hair stood at the nape of my neck. I could feel it now even though I still couldn’t see anything in the dark stairwell. I knew it was close. Scary close.
Just as I was going to come face to face with whatever this was, it felt as though the wind formed an arm, wrapped itself around my waist and suddenly yanked me out of the broken, arched window. I was falling. I don’t remember screaming, but I can’t imagine I wasn’t.  When one is pulled from a turret and falling to certain death, one screams, right?
As I fell I saw something through the darkness out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see what it was, but before I could it collided with me. The jolt was hard and I was sure there would be bruises. But, as violent as the collision, the fear that had gripped me moments before dissipated. Relief washed over me. Just as I had felt whatever it was that was chasing me up the stairs, I felt his presence. This feeling was familiar. Safe. This feeling was “home.” I turned to see who was holding me; who saved me, but just as I turned I jolted awake gasping for air. It took me a minute to take inventory of my surroundings and remember where I was. I concentrated on my breathing and tried to calm my racing heart all while going through the details of this dream. This time I knew it was a dream because it’s the sixth time I’d had it. It felt so real each time and it was always the same. Except this time, right before I woke up, I heard him say, “Hey Nat.”

“Good morning Not-So-Sunshine. Rough night again?” Julia, my roommate, has this annoying knack of seeing right through me. She used to be a little more tactful when calling me out, but through the years I suppose she’s become weary and prefers to skip all the pleasantries.
“I had that dream again and then couldn’t get back to sleep.” Julia was already eating breakfast, so I grabbed a bowl and joined her at our small table in the corner of our bright, tiny kitchen.
“Anything different this time?” Julia asked.
“Nope. Same terrifying details,” I replied with a twinge of guilt. It wasn’t my plan to lie to Julia, but in that moment I honestly didn’t know what to think of all of this myself. How could I possibly begin to help her understand it?
“Natalie, are you sure you don’t want to talk to your parents?” Julia had been pushing me to talk to my parents about this as soon as it became a recurring dream. She was certain this was some kind of premonition that shouldn’t be ignored. If the dream had been hers, I would have been right there with her. Julia is an Essential. When Essentials sleep, his or her energy is near and uninhibited.  I’m not saying that it’s not always accessible (for most anyway) but when an Essential channels their energy, they have this bad habit of getting in their own way. Their specific personalities, preferences, and experiences all go into that energy and affect the outcome. When Essentials dream, well that’s a different story. Their personalities, preferences, and experiences sink to the bottom of their consciousness and opens an uninhibited gateway. When Essentials dream, it’s very powerful and its meaning is very significant. The Essential community does more than just pay attention. Wars have been waged over dreams. Relationships forged and relationships ended. Life altering events have been put in motion all because of a single, Essential dream.
I, however, am not an Essential. I am what the Essential community refers to as an “Ordinary.” “O” for short, because pronouncing the entire word, “Ordinary” is, well, beneath them. The relationship between Essentials and O’s is complicated. We know we need Essentials, but sometimes they forget they need us, too.
There are definitely exceptions to this rule. Julia is one. She has always been my friend and it’s always been easy with her. We’ve been friends since the Third Grade and I can’t imagine life without her. Especially today. Today I start my new job and my nerves are high. She has a way of calming me. Always has.
“No. I definitely don’t want to talk to my parents about this. I don’t want them to worry.”
“Ok, but for an O your dad sure knows a lot about the Essential world. There may be a simple explanation that you are too stubborn to ask for!” Julia took one last bite of her cereal, walked to the sink and began rinsing her dish.
“I know he knows a lot. Believe me. He never misses an opportunity to educate me,” I groaned.
My dad is a history professor whose research led him smack dab in the middle of an Essential war.  He was a grad student at Texas Tech University when he came across some unexplained documents while doing research for his dissertation.  A very long story short, his research led him to Kaleb Everill, the Essential King of a nearby Kingdom.  Somehow, my dad convinced the Essential powers that be, that his education and skills as a Historian would be very beneficial to the Essential world; their own personal documenter who would make sure their greatness would be recorded for all time…at least that was his pitch. It worked.
My phone rang and interrupted Julia’s next attempt to persuade me. “His ears must have been burning. It’s my dad.”
As I swiped the phone screen to answer, Julie mouthed, “Tell him!”
“Natalie! Are you excited?” my dad asked.
“Yes…when I’m not focused on being nervous.”
“You’ll be amazing. No worries.”
“You always make everything sound so easy.”
“Well, that’s because it is. Sometimes. Ok every once in a while, but usually things aren’t catastrophic so you most likely…probably…will be ok.”
“Dad! You’re not helping.” I giggled and as I did some of my nerves eased a bit.
“What? I am always helpful. I can’t believe that just came out of your mouth. And you were always my favorite…”
“Good gravy, Dad, I’m your only unless you have something to tell me?”
His boisterous laugh flooded through the phone. “Oh goodness no. You are and have always been enough!”
“Very funny pops.”
“Seriously, though, you’ll do great. You’re going to love this. We just wanted you to know we were thinking about you today.”
“Thanks, dad. I really appreciate you both...” A sudden lump in my throat cut my sentence short.
“Call us tonight and let us know how things go, will you?”
I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me. “Of course. Love you both.”
“Love you too, Nat-a-tat.” I loved that nickname. It was usually accompanied by that contagious laugh of his and a certain smile that seemed all mine. It calmed my fears and anxiety and somehow seemed to align the stars. It grounded me. Today, it felt like I could bottle it up, tuck it in my bag and take it with me.
I sighed and set my phone on the table. Julia studied her phone intently as she finished her breakfast.
“Oh no,” she groaned turning her phone so I could see the screen. “There’s been another girl reported missing.”
I sat up and leaned in to get a better view. The girl in the picture of the news feed looked familiar. “I think I know her.” I scrolled down a little, attempting to find a name. “Rebekah Marles. I went to high school with her.”
Julia turned her phone back around. “Did you know her well?” she asked concern etched on her face.
“Not really. We had a couple of classes together. Her poor family…” I let my voice trail.
“Maybe it’s not a terrible thing you’re leaving here since there is a nut job on the loose,” Julia said.
“Maybe. I wish I could help somehow, though.” Julia nodded in agreement.
We cleared the table in silence rinsing our bowls and putting them in the dishwasher. Julia wiped off the table while I put our cereal and milk away.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to Kambrasia today? I really don’t mind.”
“No,” I shook my head. “You are sweet, but I feel like I need to do this myself. Besides, you have a job of your own to get to.”
“True, but that job wouldn’t mind if I helped a friend out.” She leaned against the counter. “It can be a little tricky to find—being enchanted and all.”
“So I’ve heard. But, a really smart, capable Essential wrote down directions for me,” I smiled. “I’ll be fine and call if I’m not.”
“I can live with that. Speaking of jobs, I better get to mine. Let me know how things go.”
“For sure.” She gave me a hug, grabbed her bag and keys and headed for the door.
“Good luck,” she hollered over her shoulder. The old, rickety screen door slammed behind her as she headed for her car. I watched her until she was safely in her car—as if she needed my protection. It made me feel better with everything happening regardless of its futility. As she pulled out onto the street I shut and locked the door then hurried to get ready.
Just inside the door sat two packed suitcases and a small bag. I quickly hopped over the bag that lay directly in my way and headed for the closet where I had hung the outfit I’d taken 45 minutes last night to decide on wearing.  I grabbed it and held it up wondering if I’d really made the right choice. With a loud sigh, I draped the outfit over my arm. I really needed to work on my indecisiveness. As I walked toward the bathroom I slammed my foot into the side of my dresser.
“Ouch!” I groaned and sat down on my bed looking at my toe. It looked completely fine which absolutely did not match the throbbing pain that radiated in my pinkie toe. The jolt to the dresser had caused a minor avalanche to fall from the top. I reached down and scooped up the items piling them back on the top. A fairy tale children’s book, The Fairy Princess, caught my eye. I smiled and sat back down on the bed. I gingerly rubbed the cover and opened it.
Natalie, Remember to always look past the obvious. There you will find the magic. Love, Dad. He had given me this book a few years ago for my birthday.
The memory of the first time I’d seen this book flooded back and I smiled at the thought. It was the first time my dad told me about Essentials. We were at the public library and I had brought him this book and asked him to read it to me. He found a quiet corner and pulled me on his lap. He opened the book and began to read.
“Once upon a time there lived a young girl with golden locks. She loved to play outside in the forest after her chores were done.”
“Daddy, what’s that?” I asked pointing to a tiny winged girl partially hidden behind a tulip.
“Well, most people call that little girl a fairy. But, she is an Essential.” He scrunched his nose and added, “Essentials don’t like to be called Fairies. They think it’s silly. And, they aren’t tiny like that at all! They are just as big as mommy and daddy.”
I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the beginning of my education. As time went on and I became older, he told me more. In bits and pieces, I learned the differences between Fairy Folklore and the enchanting and complex world of Essentials.
For the longest time, I just thought my dad had a great imagination. One day I corrected a friend at school who used the term fairy and she looked at me like my head was on fire and was adamant I was wrong.  After that, I kept my father’s Essential ideas to myself.
Then I met Julia. I’ll never forget that day. My parents had taken me to her parents’ cabin. They explained that her family and ours were old friends and they wanted to catch up and have their daughter and me meet.
“I’m certain you two will become great friends,” my mom had said.
As we drove down the bumpy dirt road and the cabin came into view, a small girl who looked about my size, sat in the dirt just outside the door lining up rocks. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail and her bangs were plastered to her forehead. She stood and wiped her dirty hand across her sweaty face leaving a dirt trail behind. She had the brightest, sweetest smile I’d ever seen. She waved at us and ran into the house.
“Natalie,” my dad put the car in park and turned to face me. He looked at me with a cross between concern and excitement. “You are getting older every day and we are so proud of the young lady you are becoming. You have shown us over and over how responsible and honest you are.” He looked at my mom and she gave a slight nod, smiling. “Honey, we have something we want to tell you. We feel like you are ready now.”
“Ok,” I said not knowing whether I should be excited or scared to death.
“We’ve talked a lot about Essentials and fairies right?” I nodded noticing the little girl was back outside with a tall handsome man and a woman with long brown hair. “Well, fairies are a thing of folklore…something that people have taken from truth and the story has changed and changed over time until it’s not true.” I nodded again. “Well, Essentials are the truth. They are real. Essentials were the beginning.” He looked at me and seemed to be holding his breath.
“Okay,” was all I had said. I still think back on it and wonder how I could have accepted it all just on his word, but I did without hesitation.
That weekend was a magical one. I was as much of a novelty to Julia as she was to me. She showed me how she wielded the energy around us and used it to make her bed and I showed her how I made my bed with my hands. Julia was as shocked and awed with that as I was with her wielding. 
And, mom was right. We did become fast friends. Lifetime friends. Best friends.
That day put me on the path that led me to right now. Right now. I glanced at the clock. Oh crap. I tucked the children’s book in the front pocket of one of the suitcases and raced to the bathroom to shower. I was going to be late.


Copyright © 2017 Karen Richardson
All rights reserved.

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