The Orb of "Unlimited" Power Ch. 7-8

July 20, 2010 ~ End of the First Showers 510 C.

“Wakey, wakey, your majesty!”

“Ugh, Charlie, go away!” I moaned as pulled the covers over my head.

“It’s eleven o’clock and just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you get to sleep in all day. Although, that probably would be the best present you ever had. Anyway, as you already know Mom has the whole day planned out and the party official begins at noon. And she says if you don’t get up now, she’ll send Hunter to wake you up.”

“Fine, I’ll get up!” I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. “Ugh, it’s too early.”

Charlie pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “No, early is six o’clock in the morning. Seriously, one of your parents must’ve been a sloth!” He shut the door behind him just as I was about to throw my pillow at him.

I glanced over at the only window in my room. Dark drapes hung on a black rod, blocking out the sun. Another dreary summer day. Yeah, even my birthday can be dreary. I went to my closet and pulled out a yellow sundress Mom bought me last night; an early birthday present. You would think by now she would know that I wasn’t a big fan of dresses. But she was my mom and who am I to disobey her, especially when she gives me that deathly glare? I just wouldn’t shower. I put the dress on and went into the bathroom to brush my tangled hair. Eh, good enough. I sluggishly walked downstairs, still trying to wake up.

Mom was busy packing three large, wooden baskets with paper plates, plastic utensils, cups, and of course food on the kitchen table. She smiled when she saw me, but the smile vanished in less than a second.

“No. Go upstairs and take a shower.”

“Why?” I whined. “It’s my birthday.”

“Yes. It’s your birthday. And years from now when you look back at all the photos that were taken of you, you’ll be embarrassed by how sloppy you were dressed.”

I spread my arms out. “I’m wearing a dress. How am I sloppy?”

She sighed and not the good kind. “Alaine, you are fifteen. I shouldn’t have to tell a fifteen-year-old to take a shower, but it appears I have to. And don’t argue with me. We’re leaving for the park in fifteen minutes. Go shower and clean yourself up better, put on those new shoes I got you and meet us at the park at eleven thirty.”

“And what happens if I’m not ready by then?”

And there it was; the deathly glare: squinted eyes, jaw set, fists clenched, her brow slightly wrinkled.

“Fine! I’ll hurry!” I pivoted and headed back up to the bathroom. Charlie was snickering in the living room. I shot him my attempt at a deathly glare, but it just made him laugh louder.

I showered in five minutes and attempted to make myself look presentable for all my friends and family. I even put on a black headband to pull back the hair that always fell across my face; Mom would be happy. When I got downstairs, the house was deserted. I glanced at the microwave digital clock: 11:24. Eh, I got time. I went to the fridge and dug out a carton of leftover Mongolian noodles from last week. If it didn’t stink, it was still good. I savored each bite in silence and just wished the rest of the day could be this peaceful; I could go out to the backyard, set up a lawn chair, and read for the rest of the day. What if I didn’t attend the party? It wasn’t like I was getting married or anything. Although, Mom would feel like I was leaving her at the altar.

The front door opened and shut with a bang. Dad came around the corner, panting. “You’re late.”

Again, I looked at the microwave digital clock: 11:28. “I still got two minutes!”

“Lainy.”

“Oh, fine!” I put the carton back in the fridge and followed Dad outside. “Why can’t I ever plan my own party?”

Dad quickly walked ahead of me. “Did you forget the last time you planned your own party?”

“I was eight, Dad. And come on, you guys had fun at that haunted house.”

He sighed. “Your mom didn’t.”

“But isn’t my birthday supposed to be what I want? Why does it have to be what she wants? She wasn’t born on this day, I was.”

“Lainy, please. Could the two of you just call a truce for twenty-four hours?”

“I suppose. But if she expects me to give a speech again, I’m running!”

I tried to keep up with Dad, but my left leg was a bit stiffer than the right. Dad noticed me limping a little and slowed down. “Does your leg hurt?”

“Dad, my leg hasn’t been hurting for eleven years. It’s just not a fan of fast walking.”

We slowed down as we crossed the street at the end of the sidewalk and made our way to a large white tent that had probably been set up earlier this morning. There were three large tables connected, almost creating a U shape, underneath. Apparently no one would be sitting down this afternoon. Mom was busy going to each table and setting everything up the way she wanted it. “Okay, food looks good. People will start here and make their way around. Presents will go on this table.”

“So are we supposed to just stand around the whole time?” I asked, with my arms crossed.

She looked at me from head to toe. “Much better. And no. Grandpa and Stephan are bringing the chairs.” She glanced at her wrist watch. “They should be here already.”

I stared out at the street. A black truck pulled up and Stephan jumped out. He ran to the back and started unloading the chairs. Grandpa came right after him. I might as well go help.

“Ah, there’s my lovely sister!” Stephan greeted. His red hair flashed in the sunlight. “You alright?”

“Oh, I’m fantastic! I can’t wait to see what else Mom has planned for today.” He handed me a couple of metal chairs from his hand. “You’ve never been a good liar, Lainy.”

“It’s called sarcasm, Stephan.” We walked back to the tent, and Mom ordered us to start positioning the chairs in a large circle.

“Well, it’s all be over soon. Just try to have fun.”

“I’ll try.”

We continued to unload the truck and once we were done, the first guest arrived, one of my best friends, Matthew Hart.

“Happy Birthday, Lainy,” he beamed. Matthew gave me a side hug, and then shoved a small present in my hands. “You’ll never guess what it is.”

I shook the box near my ear, but there was no sound. “It is made of glass?”

He seemed disappointed. “Well, yeah, but you don’t know what it is specifically.”

“Animal or human?”

“This isn’t 20 Questions.”

“It’s an animal! Okay, let me think, which one don’t I have?” I thought back to the top of the dresser in my room. I had a collection of glass figures I started when I was seven. Let’s just say I was fascinated on how someone was able to melt glass and form it into something so cute and detailed. “I don’t have a dragon yet. Does it have wings?”

Matthew crossed his arms. “I’m not telling you. You’ll find out later.”

“Does is have four legs?” “Lainy, stop it.

“Alright. Come on, Mom will be happy to see you.”

If Matthew and I switched homes and families for a week, Mom would probably not want to give him up by the end of it. He was so charming, polite, helpful, the perfect son! And yes, even more perfect than Hunter and Charlie, and even Stephan which was a shocker! No, they would probably tie.

A car honked from the street. A white Honda civic pulled up and my boyfriend Bryan and his mom got out. I left Matthew to charm Mom and hugged Bryan.

“Happy birthday,” he whispered in my ear.

We pulled apart. “Thanks. Glad you could come.”

Bryan handed me an even smaller box than the one Matthew gave me. “You don’t have to open it now.”

“No I want to open it. Hi, Mrs. Piers!”

Mrs. Piers gave me a side hug, wished me happy birthday, and went to find Mom. I undid the bow around the box and opened the lid. Inside was silver chain with a star pendant the size of my pinky.

“Wow.” I hated jewelry. He should know that. “It’s beautiful! Thanks!” I hugged him again. What was I going to do with this? Do I have to wear all the time now? Maybe when I’m only around him. I guess I could live with that.

“Here, let me put it on you.” Bryan took the chain out of the box and I pulled my hair up as he fastened the clasps. Man, it felt like my neck was in a noose. “It looks really nice on you. My mom thought it would be a nice gift.” Oh, so his mom got it for him. That explained a lot. He must’ve forgotten. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

“It’s a nice gift, thanks!” I tried to give him a genuine smile. Hopefully he bought it.

“You’re welcome. Is it time to eat, yet? I didn’t have time for breakfast.” Bryan left me and went to the food tables.

Not two seconds later, Matthew was standing in front of me, drinking from a cup. He nearly spitted out the water from his mouth. “Are you wearing jewelry?”

“Shush!” I glanced over my shoulder. Thankfully Bryan wasn’t in earshot.

“You never wear jewelry!” Matthew whispered.

“Well, I am today. And stop freaking out. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is for you.”

Yeah, it was. “Look, it was a gift from Bryan. I can’t exactly reject it, can I? Oh, look! More people are arriving!”

The rest of the guests trickled in and the party officially began.

•••

The orb was retrieved and not a moment too soon. Since Arkhill’s brother knew where he lived, Fileus had to relocate, but not to another city. His spies were everywhere, even in the villages. Fileus had to dig himself a new hideout in the middle of the Hallowing Woods. When the First Bloom of 507 C. arrived, Fileus fled Caledonia and traveled around before deciding to make his new home. He did everything possible to avoid Arkhill’s brother. Any mage he saw made him uncomfortable. But Arkhill knew which ones could be trusted and which ones couldn’t. Fileus often visited Rose’s grave, not only to talk to her, but to just make sure that the orb still remained in the ground. Now he held it once more in his hands. No, the orb was definitely the one emitting the warmth.

Fileus traveled to Earth and arrived in the quiet neighborhood where Alaine’s two story house stood. The family’s large dark blue car was parked in their driveway. From across the street, the house seemed quiet. Fileus quickly crossed the concrete road and casually walked past the house. He looked out of the corner of his eye, but didn’t see any movement from within. Today was her birthday, wasn’t it? He hadn’t missed a single one, excepted for her first and second. And he didn’t exactly attend the celebration, but he was able to catch a glimpse of her.

He quickly walked over and peered into the large window. Where were they? “I’m sorry, can I help you?”

Fileus whipped around. An elderly woman with her small dog stood on the thin concrete strip for people. “Uh. Yes, you can. I’m looking for the party.”

“Oh, you mean Alaine Turner’s birthday party? I was heading there myself. Did Evelyn forget to tell you she changed the location?”

“Yes,” Fileus lied. He smiled at the woman. “If this isn’t too direct, may I escort you?”

The woman slightly flushed. “Oh, of course, young man.” She held out her arm and Fileus linking his arm with hers.

“Now, where is the party?”

The woman gestured straight down the road. “At the park. It’s such a hot day, a little too hot, but lovely. Poor Chester hasn’t stopped panting since we left home.”

Her small dog stuffed at Fileus’s boots. “Lovely dog. Shall we go?”

“Yes. Now, I don’t think I got your name, dear?”

“Hartkins, ma’am. And what is your name?”

“Marge. I live next door to the Turner’s. By the way, how do you know the Turner’s? Are you a relative?”

“Uh, an acquaintance more or less.”

“Are you a work colleague of James?”

Fileus shook his head. “No.”

“Oh. Friend of Evelyn’s?”

“No. I know their daughter.”

“Oh, how do you know her?”

The park was so close. They just had to cross another concrete road. “Um, we bumped into each other this one day,” he lied.

“My, my, look at all those people,” Marge noted. “It might make it a bit difficult to find the birthday girl. Oh, I see Evelyn! Excuse me, Hartkins, and thank you for escorting me.” She pecked him on the cheek and disappeared into the swarm of adults and children with her dog.

It didn’t take Fileus long to locate Alaine. She wore a yellow dress that came down past her knees. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Alaine and some other children her own age were running around and kicking a red ball back and forth. A tall red-headed young man, her eldest brother, ran up and kicked the ball directly through a couple of chairs. He cheered while running over to Alaine and picked her up and swung her around. They were both screaming “YEAH!!!!!!!!”

The man set her down and Alaine a pointed at three other boys in front of them. “You don’t mess with the Turner’s! We are undefeatable!”

A boy with dark skin, one of the twin brothers, hit his hand against the man’s and Alaine’s hands. “Yeah! That’s five to zero! What else you got?!”

“Okay guys! We’re going to cut the cake!” a woman appeared from the crowed. Her mother. Fileus fell back and hid behind a tree nearby.

“Just one more, Mom!” he heard Alaine shout. “It’ll be really quick! See!”

There was a thump and the ball whizzed by his tree and bounced a few feet away.

“Don’t worry, I got it!” Alaine shouted.

Fileus went over and picked up the ball.

“Uh, hi.”

He slowly turned around. This was it. Breathe. “Is this yours?” he asked holding the ball out to her. Of course it was hers; stupid question. Alaine nodded and took the ball from him. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Strands of her hair clung to the side of her face, but she didn’t seem to notice or care. “Thanks!”

As she turned to leave, Fileus called out, “Wait, uh, can I ask you a question?”

Alaine stopped and pivoted. “Um, sure I guess.”

He didn’t even have a plan. How was he supposed to even begin to tell her about everything? How was he going to give her the orb? He then held out his hand. The adults made this gesture a lot, a sign of greeting he believed. On Coran, a hand shake was used in deals or agreements, but never for greeting people. “My name is Fileus Hartkins. What’s yours?”

“Alaine Turner.” They shook.

“Pleasure to meet you. Now, my question is: what is the celebration?” He glanced at the large gathering. The mother was busy on the ground, picking up something, maybe food.

“It’s my birthday party,” she half smiled.

“It’s your birthday? Well, happy birthday! How old are you?” he asked, even though he knew her age.

“Fifteen,” she answered.

“Congratulations!” There was a beat of silence. “Are you having a good day?”

“Um, yeah, sure. It’s all right.” Another beat of silence. “Look, I should head back. We’re about to cut the cake. It was nice meeting, Mr. Hartkins.” “But,” Fileus put his hand in his coat pocket. He clutched the orb. It felt soothing in his hand and in a way it kind of relaxed him. “Alaine, may I give you a present?”

She frowned. “But I don’t even know you.”

Fileus smiled to himself. She would know soon enough. “That’s alright. You see,” he withdrew the orb and held it up between his fingers. What could he say? “I made this and it’s supposed to be for someone special.” Fileus held the orb out to her. “And I believe you are that someone. Happy birthday.” Made the orb? What was he thinking? Why did he say that?

Alaine took the orb and dropped the other one. She rolled it in the palms of her hands. “It tickles,” she remarked. The orb’s light swirled in the palms of her hands. Then quite suddenly, the orb flew up in the air and hovered in front of Alaine. She gasped, “How’s it doing that?” The orb circled around Alaine’s head, and then it dove right into her open mouth and down her throat. Alaine coughed and gagged. Fileus saw the light shine through her skin and clothes as it flew straight for her heart. Alaine gasped. The orb’s light settled on her heart and then the light went out. She stopped coughing. “What…what was that?” Alaine panted. She touched her throat.

Fileus stood gaping. At least he didn’t have to worry about how he was going to get the orb in her. He quickly tried to think of something to say. “It…it has chosen you.”

“What?”

“The orb has chosen you.”

“Are you being serious? What was that?”

Fileus pondered. Oh, this was such a mess! “I believe that orb wants to protect you, and so it has established itself in your heart, so that it can protect you from all harm.”

“But who would want to harm me?!”

Fileus started to panic, and then he noticed that some of the adults were glancing over at them. He looked back at Alaine. “I know we just met, but can I ask you to trust me? I promise you the orb will not harm you, it wants to help you.”

Tears suddenly streamed down Alaine’s cheeks. “You’re my dad?” she whispered.

Fileus took a step back. “How…how do you know that?”

Alaine wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s…the ball is speaking to me, and it says that you’re my dad.”

The mother and father pulled away from the crowd and began walking toward them. Fileus tried to ignore them. “Yes, I’m your father.” How could the orb be speaking to her? Can all the orbs speak to their hosts? How would that even be possible?

“Excuse me!” Alaine’s father called.

Fileus took Alaine’s face in his hands so that she looked directly at him. “I am so sorry I gave you away, but it was for the best. This gift I have given you is meant only for you.” He gently kissed her forehead. “I love you so much, Alaine. And I am so glad you turned out to look more like your mother than me.” He ran and hid behind a large tree. The stone was out and swinging over his head in a second and then he was gone.

•••

“Hey!” James called. Both parents ran up to their daughter.

“Sweetie, are you all right?” Evelyn asked as she inspected her daughter.

“Did that man hurt you?”

Alaine blankly stared off into the distance with her mouth open. Her body froze and her breathing slowed down.

James ran off after Fileus, but he came back to his wife and daughter a few minutes later shaking his head. “He just disappeared. Honey, who was that?” he asked Alaine.

“She hasn’t said a word, James. She hasn’t even moved,” Evelyn said. Alaine stood perfectly still, and then she fainted. Evelyn screamed and caught her in her arms. James grabbed his phone and dialed for an ambulance. The rest of the party ran to them and created a circle around the trio, asking what had happened. Alaine’s brothers knelt down by their sister. Hunter waved a paper plate in her face. Stephan held her wrist, checking for a pulse, and Charlie was on his phone, looking up any reason as to why his sister passed out. Matthew made his way over to Alaine and casually put his finger under her necklace to see if it was too tight and if it had choked her, but the necklace was fine. Bryan stood behind her with a very worried and confused expression.

An ambulance arrived. The paramedics jumped out of the van and one of them began examining Alaine. A police car pulled up and James told the cop about the mysterious man. After the examination, the paramedics decided to take Alaine to the hospital and run some tests to see if the man had given her anything. After the tests, they found nothing. Alaine was perfectly healthy.

There wasn’t a single thing wrong with her and yet they didn’t know why she still slept.

The cause of Alaine being unconscious was the orb. It had put her to sleep so as to explore Alaine’s body and establish itself within her. The orb wanted to know its hosts strengths, weaknesses, and to cure anything that seemed out of place. It took three days, though the orb had no concept of time. Once it was done, it let its host wake up.

End of the First Showers, 510 C.

“I made the orb? What was I thinking?!” Fileus threw a fireball at the truck of a tree. “Ah, this is such a mess!” With a flick of his wrist he extinguished the fire before it had time to eat away at the wood. “Oh, Arkhill should’ve done it.”

“Done what?” a voice called from behind him.

Fileus whipped around. “Arkhill. Hi. I was just thinking maybe you should’ve given Alaine the orb instead of me.”

“And why is that?” He began to walk circles around Fileus with his arms behind his back.

“I . . . I didn’t have time to explain what the orb was or anything else. All I said was that I was her father. Well, actually the orb told her I was her father.” Arkhill stopped in his tracks. “The orb told her? I’m sorry, but are you implying that the orb talks?”

“Alaine said it told her that I was her father. I didn’t even know the orbs could talk.”

“They can’t. They’re not alive except for the power they wield. You didn’t mess with the orb, did you?”

“No,” Fileus shook his head. “After I retrieved it I brought it home and didn’t do anything with it, then I decided to hide it somewhere else because I was too afraid someone would find it or steal it.”

“Where did you hide it?”

“Rose’s grave.”

“Huh,” Arkhill began walking again.

“Uh, something might’ve happened at the graveyard.” Arkhill stopped and waited for Fileus to finish.

“After I buried the orb, the orb sort of shot out a light on its own.” Fileus waited for Arkhill to respond, but he didn’t. He seemed lost in his thoughts. What could he be thinking about?

“Alright, this is what you should do. Wait a few days and then return to Alaine and try to explain everything to her, but leave out my brother for the moment. I’m finding it a little hard to believe that the orb spoke. Perhaps Alaine knew in her heart you were her true father. Ask her if the orb has done anything and then after you’ve returned come to me. I will be in Kineallen for a while.”

“Okay. Hopefully our second meeting will be better than the first.”

Arkhill nodded and then disappeared.

Fileus decided to travel to Caledonia and spend some time in his old hideout which still contained most of his property. Michael had returned the day before from Frostlight. Hopefully whatever Arkhill’s brother was planning for Michael ceased. Fileus couldn’t bear it if anything happened to the poor boy.