The Awakening (61 page)

Faru shook his head. “No he wasn’t Alexander. Some time ago, Hades demanded for Chosen to be kidnapped and brought through the Veil, so that they could be placed into Colosseums - large battle arenas - where they would fight all manner of opponents to the death in front of audiences. Rogues working in the bases helped organise it. You father was one of those taken. They rarely lasted long. I myself believed him to be dead...we thought they all were. However, recently I received news that a large number of Chosen escaped the Colosseums and joined the resistance, which means that many still live. Whether or not he was among the escapees I simply do not know. Chosen are very resilient and your father more so than most. I do not wish to raise your hopes unnecessarily, but there is a slight possibility that he is still alive over there somewhere.”

I stared at Faru, unbelieving. I couldn’t speak. I Didn’t know what to say.
Dad could be alive!

“After he disappeared, it broke your mother’s heart. We tried our hardest to find him, but it was turmoil over there. Our search came back fruitless. Your mother was so hurt; the not knowing was killing her. She said it would be better if she knew he was dead, at least that way she could try and move on, for your sake. One day Elaine came to me and begged for me to make her forget. To let her think that he had died so that she could move on with her life and focus on raising you.”

I could see deep pain in Faru’s shimmering eyes. It hurt him to talk about it. “Your father was a dear friend of mine. I cared for both him and Elaine deeply. I honoured her request.”

I thought back to all the times when I’d asked about Dad and Mum’s face had clouded over. I’d always assumed she was avoiding the question. But she wasn’t.
She’d been charmed into forgetting.
That was how she was able to move on so quickly. Her emotions had been paved over. I suddenly remembered what John had said during our argument.
All I hear when she sleeps is the sound of her sobbing her heart out and repeating his name over and over.

“She can’t forget Dad,” I said in a matter of fact voice.

Faru nodded. “It would seem that over the years, her continuing love for him is breaking down the charm. It may be that one day everything comes back to her.”

The Seelian placed a hand on my back. “It is a relief to finally be able to Alexander. However, I must ask, now that you know, what will you do?”

Alex and Gabriella’s journey will continue in The Veil.

About the author

Stuart Meczes was born in South London, but now spends his time between Worcester and Birmingham. Obsessed with writing stories from a very young age, everyday life made him slowly forget about his dream and enter the rat race.

He rediscovered his passion during the economic decline of 2008, when he began work on The Awakening in his spare time. There was no going back.

He is currently taking a degree in English and Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.

In addition to the on-going HASEA Chronicles series, he has written a fantasy children’s series; Tommy and the Simbots, which will be released this year.

The Awakening is his first novel.