Genevieve
Nine years ago
“Can you believe that you’re finally twelve?” He laughs. “You have been waiting a whole year for this.” He continued.
“I know, I’m almost an adult now.” My young pitchy voice answered him.
“I have a very special gift for you, Genevieve.” Caspian said and handed me a box wrapped in old, dusty paper.
“What is it?” I asked him as we sat alone in his library.
“You see, little one, there’s secrets that you don’t know about.” He paused. “Secrets that... not many know about.”
I looked at him, his eyes and crooked glasses staring back at me. What was he trying to tell me?
He handed me the box, and as a newly turned twelve year old, I ripped the paper off of the box faster than the two of us could blink.
“What is it?”
“Little one, these are old, well kept books about another realm.” He spoke in words that were hard for me to understand, words that I had yet to learn.
“Another realm?”
“You see, when someone has passed, they do not simply disappear. There are other realms for them to live in. And the realm is all around us.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Some of them stay, and show themselves through animals, for example. They guide us, they let us know that they are still here, right by our side.”
“What?”
“Oh, little one, you will understand once you get older.” He said, petting my head gently. “Some mysteries are to explore once the age is right.”
I remember the words Caspian told me the day I turned twelve. And with his words in mind, I look over at the deer that is still lying by my side.
Another realm.Could it be true? Could it be possible?
“We truly need to keep moving, little one.” I say, suddenly remembering where that name even came from. Caspian.
I can’t wait to see his face once Esme and I return.
What about Ector?The thought echoes in the back of my head, consuming every single cell in my body and leaves my heart breaking once again. It haunts me with every breath, having to choose one of them but longing so deeply for both.
“Keep it together.” I tell myself out loud.
We continue following the stream by foot. It feels wrong using my wings. Ector and I made a promise to do it together by foot, and for some reason, I feel like that promise still applies to me.
It’s ridiculous, really. But I’ve already experienced so much more than I usually do by flying everywhere. I’ve met people, talked to them, I’ve let myself experience things outside of my comfortable little box.
Yes, walking will most definitely take longer, but how beautiful isn’t it to let myself bloom as a person? I need to findmyself and find out who I am. A flower doesn't decide when to bloom based on who passes by. A flower blooms and lets the whole world see it no matter who enjoys it or not.
Maybe I’m not as alone as I imagined myself to be. I’ve always had animals surrounding me, following my side wherever I go. I may not have a lot of fairy friends, but I am a friend of nature.
“I’m not even sure I was going the right way.” I tell the deer as my fingers run through my hair.
“Do you think I’m insane for speaking this much with you?” The deer abruptly stops walking, looking at me with judgement in her eyes, as if I’m more insane for even asking that question.
“Okay, noted.” I smile.
