Blue at Midnight Read online

  Blue at Midnight

  S. D. Wile

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright © 2013 by S. D. Wile

  Cover illustration © 2013 D. R. Kaulder

  The right of S. D. Wile to be identified as the author of this book has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act, 1988.

  Chapter 1

  “I won’t do it!” In extreme rage Christian slammed his fists into the already shattered face of an old timeless clock. “I’ve had enough! No more,” he said as he fell to his knees, crushing the sea-bed beneath him, creating a small cloud of dirt and bubbles. “I can hear them, their screams, yearns and prayers, begging to be released from this eternal, underwater prison.”

  “How can you say that? This is Orsa! And we are its children; we hold the key to the balance between earth and water,” Cale reminded his brother. “If we are true sons, we will devote our lives to training, which is our duty as soldiers of Orsa. We fight, leap and succeed as the elders expect us to! And don’t you forget that Christian!”

  “Look around. We’re surrounded by betrayed and dammed human souls. All we do is train and follow orders like good soldiers.” Christian couldn’t believe how blind his brother had become. “We are the only ones that deserve to live with pride. No other race holds the knowledge of Orsa. We are superior.”

  If all Children of Orsa believed this then clearly something was wrong with Christian, which was why he was having such rebellious ideas. At this point Christian realised that his brother was right.

  Sacrificing what they wanted for what’s needed to uphold their world made them stronger and focused so that they could gain approval from the elders, to go to the lands. Only then could they redeem what’s rightfully theirs… freedom.

  Number 1: Your soul was given to Morbidma, the mother of the ocean.

  This was the first teaching from the sacred book of Orsa. It was believed that the numbers were the foundations of this world and were never questioned, only upheld by the Children of Orsa.

  “Don’t you want to redeem your soul?” questioned Cale.

  “Of course, I just wish there was another way.”

  Cale took a deep breath as he addressed his brother’s disrespectful questioning of their ways.

  “We are not having this conversation any longer. It is forbidden to question the numbers; it’s the same as questioning Morbidma herself! Take a break! Go and sort out the array of lost instruments.”

  “Are you joking? Have you forgotten what the strings in those instruments are?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I know each string is made up of the hairs of the sacrificed but according to those idiots above, we ‘mer people’ create sweet music from them,” grinned Cale.

  “So you want me to take a rest in the graveyard?”

  “Silence! Christian, you know how to tame their pointless cries. If you don’t like what you hear, rip them out and let them float into the abyss!”

  Before Christian had the chance to respond a sudden change occurred in the dark waters around him. An ice cold sensation started to prick the skin of the brothers and debris was stirring from the ocean floor. This was unusual considering there was no cause in sight. A deep sense of dread washed over them as they watched ripples form in the waters like waves.

  “Jellyfish,” whispered Cale as he became aware of who was approaching. Christian noticed that the jellyfish had dispersed before his brother did. Seconds later, he saw one of the elders approaching. Unfortunately, he was also the most arrogant, darkest and hard-hearted of them, Sebastian.

  For the first time the guilt was welling up inside him for having questioned the numbers and their sacred ways. Paranoia was toying with his mind. He only hoped that Sebastian wouldn’t notice.

  “We have given you many gifts. The gifts of family, identity and belonging are the greatest. Even though you are a part of a powerful, superior and if need be, brutal race, I hope these blessings have taught you that you are also a part of an honourable kind,” hissed the elder. Cale hung on to his every word while Christian was more intrigued by the way he stepped onto the ocean floor, with the grace of a feather. He found it was quite fascinating how Sebastian’s presence could disturb the sea-bed without having touched it. This was one of their gifts, given by Morbidma (mother of the sea), which gave them their godly presence in the waters.

  “Christian, are you okay?” Sebastian’s touch startled him. Control yourself stressed the voice inside his head.

  As Christian met Sebastian’s gaze, through his misty, grey eyes he could see that the elder was now beginning to suspect that something was bothering him. Carefully, the elder placed his heavily-veined hand on Christian’s shoulder, like a concerned father.

  “I am fine. I was just thinking that the task will be completed. Very soon… I will not disappoint you.” He spoke as if the words had been programmed into him.

  “I’m sure you won’t.” Within seconds Sebastian had dispersed into the waters like smoke into air. Elegantly, the jellyfish started to make a return to the area. As always a visit from an elder felt like a distant memory. They had the power to restore the atmosphere of the waters as it was before they came.

  “No use standing around, Christian. Task 1: re-build the Room of Rituals, remember?” It seemed that so far Cale had been doing all the heavy lifting while Christian let his thoughts consume him. The two of them worked together silently, building the foundations. However, to Christian it seemed more like they were building a personal room for Sebastian as he seemed quite obsessed with every detail being perfect. Christian dug his fingers into the sea-bed, stirring up a cloud to cover his eyes, causing the plankton to race away angrily.

  “You must have scared them with your face. Maybe you shouldn’t smile so much,” mocked his brother.

  Chapter 2

  Deeper and deeper I fell, giving in to whatever it was that was pulling me into this dream-like state. Exactly here was the point at which my eyelids dropped, my body started to feel heavy, consumed by exhaustion from replaying my list of worries. Like every other eighteen-year-old I was waiting for the routine of college, work and home to change into something more exciting. Even though I had a reasonable social life, I always felt like the odd one out because I never felt content.

  Hopefully, I’m not the only person wanting more from life than running around in circles, meeting the same people, going to the same places, having the same old conversations and never expecting more.

  Anxiety filled my mind, my heart started racing unexpectedly as I felt something dark speed towards me, SLAM! Violently my heart leapt with fright, making me fall off the couch. This was what it must have felt like to be struck by lightning, I thought. Running up the stairs without a care in the world was my dad. Clearly, he had arrived home whilst I was kind of sleeping, thrown his bag onto the table in front of me and rushed upstairs. Being considerate of others was never his strong point but as I got older I was starting to lose patience with him. In the ideal world, I would have moved out but with what money?

  Relief filled me as I arrived at the beach, a ten-minute walk from where I lived. It looked as empty as me. The sky was dark, filled with clouds ready to bring on the storm everyone had been talking about lately. Surprisingly, the old shack on the beach was still standing. I wondered if the croaky old man that lived there was even aware of what was to come. That place didn’t even look like it had electricity. It was a slight struggle pushing through the aggressive winds as they continuously slapped tiny droplets of rain against my cool cheeks. The waters looked unhappy and everything seemed quite unsettled. Just like me.

  Gushing winds created a wheezing sound, which became louder every time
I stepped closer to the shore. Strangely, my toes were starting to feel damp but I wasn’t concerned. I wasn’t that close to the sea. Dark blue, like the colour of midnight, it mesmerised me, especially its unsteady state, reminding me of how I’d been feeling over the past year. I could now feel the cool water running through my fingertips and then through my hair.

  Little did I know that my next few steps were going to lead to my end… The water engulfed me… Within seconds it reached inside my mouth. Its bitter taste choked me as I impulsively stepped forward, only to suddenly lose my footing and get thrashed constantly as I travelled at the speed of a fast-moving train. Alarmed by the force, my mind kept screaming the same words ‘the storm’. I started kicking and waving my arms violently, hoping it would slow the water down from pushing me further out into the sea. Adrenalin raced through my body like electricity; it gave me the determination to survive. No matter how colourless my life had been I realised I did not want to die!

  Carefully, I opened my eyes and all I could see was murky and obscured. With all my might I pushed my body forward when suddenly I was sucked in deeper by this vacuum. A heaviness caused by fatigue spread through my limbs like a disease. The surface seemed too far out of reach now. I was losing my fight. My life was slipping away and I couldn’t do anything to save it.

  Chapter 3

  It was late afternoon and the two brothers seemed to have achieved some success in building the Room of Rituals.

  “I’m taking a break.” Before Cale even had a chance to respond, Christian was off. Cale furrowed his brow as he should have been the one taking a break. All he could think about was how disappointed Sebastian would be if he came to check and saw no one working. Cale had already prepared an excuse for his brother in case Sebastian arrived.

  Christian effortlessly moved his fingers over the strings of a 16th century golden harp. This was one of millions of entries that Orsa opened its channels to (for those that were lost, unwanted or felt that they did not belong anymore). One of the magical qualities of this world was that it was worshipped by the waters. The waters allowed the lost to fall into this mystical, underwater creation as humble gifts. Magically the entries would glide gently until they found their resting place upon the ocean floor, sealed in place, never moving unless they were summoned by a Child of Orsa.

  Whilst enjoying a few moments of peace, Christian found himself interrupted by an unexpected strange murmur coming from above. He could not be bothered to explore it until a purse landed in front of his foot, opening up like a book to reveal a college I.D. card. Just as Christian was about to pick it up he was interrupted again by the same strange murmur, except this time it made him feel a bit unsettled. It sounded unfamiliar. His powder-blue eyes focused on the direction of the sound. From a distance he could see another entry but it wasn’t close enough to find Orsa. However the sound he could hear was coming from that direction.

  Springing into action, he pushed his feet against the ground, leaving an array of cracks as he propelled his body towards the entry. Aggressively he forced the ocean to shift out of his way. The closer he got, the more tense he felt. There was something unusual about this entry. It was falling quicker than it should. Surprisingly, it was the largest entry he’d ever seen and it seemed to be wrapped in some sort of navy cloth. No, it was wearing a cloth, no, IT WAS WEARING CLOTHES! The thought struck him like a blade, as he rushed towards it. Meters away he saw that it was a young woman, human! Her skin looked delicate; her pale face was frozen as the waters spun her like an elegant doll in a musical jewellery box. The murmur was not from her still lips but from her struggling heart.

  Christian recalled one of the elders teaching them about human life and how reliant it was on the heart. This fact broke the soldier out of the trance which had been brought on by this unknown beauty. Unaware of his actions, he found himself racing to the surface with the human in his arms, paying close attention to the murmuring heart that he knew must continue. Intrigued yet concerned, he couldn’t help take glimpses of her almost colourless face, noticing the subtle golden streaks in her chestnut brown hair and the fiery glow that was fading from her barely open hazel eyes. Before he reached the surface he could hear humans in conversation. They were looking for her. Cautiously he tied a sash around her waist (a silvery magical string gifted by Morbidma, to obey and aid her children). Christian swiftly tied a knot in the sash, holding the human in place before gently letting it take her to the surface.

  As it was a sacred tool originating from a single lock of Morbidma’s hair, learning to use a sash was one of the first lessons Children of Orsa were taught. They must keep it with them at all times as its energy came from its owner.

  Like a silent predator Christian remained below the surface of the water, concealed from the humans as they rescued her. He had never been so close to the surface before because it was forbidden.

  Number 9: You may leave Orsa once granted the permission to redeem your soul.

  A shudder of fear went through Christian once he realised what he had done.

  Chapter 4

  Blip... blip... blip, what’s that noise? Am I lying down? Where am I? A sudden rush of panic ran through me. My vision was blurred and my body lay lifeless on a hard bed, in an unfamiliar room.

  “Izzie, can you hear me? You’re going to be fine. You’re in a hospital.” That was my sister’s voice, filled with concern. I could tell by the way she spoke each word, as if it was an instruction. This was exactly how my mum used to sound after she’d had an argument with my dad. This was the ‘everything is fine’ voice, which I hated.

  Staring at me with her jet black hair tied back, large silver hoop earrings and my mother’s green eyes was Naomi. Realising how uncomfortable the hospital bed was I impatiently started to shuffle so that I could sit upright.

  “Don’t try to get up,” Naomi instructed.

  “Calm down, I’m fine. Why am I even here?” I groaned, surprised by the weariness in my voice. I didn’t understand why and how I’d got here. The last thing I could remember was walking along the beach. At that moment the dark blue jacket Naomi was wearing caught my eye. Suddenly, the colour triggered a surge of flashbacks through my mind. I remembered how my skin tingled from the cold, before my limbs became almost impossible to move.

  Suddenly, reality struck me like a viper, and I remembered what had happened. I had drowned. Was I dead? If I’m dead then why is Naomi here? Pressing my hands into the white cotton bed sheets made me realise they were real. I’m in a hospital I told myself. Through a window I could see nurses hurrying up and down the corridor.

  “What’s the date?” I asked.

  “The date?” Naomi questioned.

  “Yes, the date!” I yelled. I needed to make sense of this somehow.

  “It’s Friday 17th.”

  “September?” I interrupted.

  “Yes. Why what’s wrong?” snapped back an annoyed Naomi.

  Ignoring her question I heaved a sigh of relief and slowly lay back in the hospital bed.

  “Do you need me to get the nurse? Is something wrong?”

  “No, it’s not that, I’m just a bit tired. Could you get me a cup of tea? I think I just need some caffeine.” I needed a moment to think without my sister staring at me. Naomi seemed to have fallen for the excuse and made her way to the hospital café.

  If today is Friday that means I was rescued last night. It was six p.m. when I left home. It wasn’t long before the images of the unsettled shore came to the forefront of my mind. When and how was I rescued? There was a moment while I was drowning when I realised I wasn’t going to reach the surface, as my limbs had become numb.

  “Here, have some tea.”

  “Thanks,” I smiled, even though I realised I needed something a lot stronger now. Naomi had even brought me a biscuit to have with it, just like my mother used to. No matter how stressed and hot-headed she was, deep down I always knew her heart was in the right place.

  “Izzie, can you remember
what happened?”

  “I drowned, didn’t I?” Taken back by my abruptness she paused to think about her response.

  “Yeah, but you were lucky. There was a rescue team on standby because of the storm. Jenny’s dad said he saw you.”

  “Saw me do what?” At that moment I felt a lump in my throat as I realised what it must have looked like to anyone who was watching me.

  “Well you weren’t pushed and you didn’t fall.”

  “What did he say I did?” I looked her straight in the eyes hoping it would diminish the thought she had in her mind.

  “Maybe it’s best you speak to Dr Bennet.”

  “Dr Bennet! Why on Earth would I want to speak to her?”

  “Don’t make this difficult for yourself. I’m only trying to help you.”

  “Help me with what? I don’t need help? You think I’d actually commit suicide?” That was the moment I knew that she’d already chosen her side and it wasn’t mine. This was the beginning of a nightmare. Once my dad found out he would be exactly the same, probably even worse, as he’d keep throwing it in my face. All it took was a daydream with a never-ending trail of thoughts to leave me like this.

  I needed to get out. This place was for the frail and sick, not me. After my mother died in this hospital, I made sure I stayed well away from this place. Being here was like waiting in a forgotten room that oozed pain and misery. Plus it wouldn’t be long before my dad came bursting through those doors. With that pulsing vein on his forehead desperate to burst, he would be struggling to hold back the urge to tell me how foolish I had been.

  Once he’d heard what had happened from Naomi he would take the opportunity to add more house rules, allowing him to take full control of my life. He just couldn’t understand that his children had grown up and were independent. Instead he saw it as a threat that was constantly challenging his ways. We were raised by our mother. Our dad spent all his time working and when he decided to get to know us it was too late. We didn’t share much of a bond.