The Lost Soul (3 page)

With Chris up ahead, followed by Jo and Carmelo then Oliver at the rear, the group walked at a regular speed in order not to lose him.

"Look, this is stupid. You guys are capable of covering huge distances at speed. You go on ahead without me. I'm just slowing you down. I shouldn't have insisted on coming along. Sorry, guys," said Oliver, realising how much weaker and slower he was than his vampire counterparts.

"I guess you're right. Here, head back to the car," said Jo, tossing him the keys. "Actually, why don't you take the car back home. We'll catch up with you later on foot."

"Good luck!" he yelled as the three of them disappeared right in front of his eyes.

"Have a nice drive home..." he said to himself as he turned back. The ground beneath his feet was slippery and slimy and he struggled to remain on two feet as he grabbed the nearest tree trunk to prevent himself from falling.

As he stood looking around, it suddenly dawned on him how eerie it was now he was alone. He shivered, thinking back to when Duran and his evil vampire crones were still alive. Had they found him alone now, they would have torn him apart, feasting on his blood.

Leaping away from the tree he was practically hugging, Oliver soon forgot about the slipperiness of the ground beneath him and ran as fast as he could back towards the car. Horrible haunting thoughts filled his mind.

As the thick trees began to open up, revealing cloud covered sunlight and the green-tinged blue ocean far off in the distance, he slowed, chuckling to himself at his erratic behaviour. But just as he thought all was clear, he heard movement behind him.

His heartbeat thumped in his chest as he slowly turned to see what was so threatening. Laughter blurted from his lips as he took stock of the two innocent beavers gnawing at a tree just metres away. Looking up at him, almost in disgust at the rude interruption, they turned their backs on him and continued their gnawing as if he wasn't there.

Oliver chuckled before walking out into the open, blustery air. Rubbing his hands together energetically, he headed to the warmth of the hotel, where he sat and ordered a hot cup of coffee to warm up before he headed back home, alone.

#

Stretching his arms out to his sides, with huge black wings strutting out from his shoulder blades, Sammy leaned back and accepted the glass of milk Tiffani handed to him before she sat down and sipped at her own warm drink.

"Tell me about your homeland," he said after he downed it and returned the glass to the coffee table by his feet.

Sensing her tension and seeing a tear develop in her eye, he quickly added, "but you don't have to if you don't want to. I wouldn't want you to get upset again."

But it was too late. Tiffani's shoulders shuddered, her paper-like wings fluttered and tears sprung from her eyes as she recalled the home she missed so much.

It wasn't just memories of home that led to Tiffani bawling her eyes out, it was the mention of anything remotely sad. She simply could not stop the tears from falling whenever she heard tales of woe.

As he gently placed his hand over hers, Tiffani turned towards him and smiled, the tears receding.

"Forgive me, Sammy. I wish I could stop this from happening but I cannot."

"It's okay, it's a part of you. I think it's rather sweet actually."

Blushing, Tiffani carefully wiped away the dampness from her rosy cheeks before taking another sip of her milk.

"Argentumalea," she sighed. "That's my home. It is the kingdom of the Malean faeries, of which I am the chief's daughter. I have an older sister, Sheharazalea. How I miss them," she sobbed for a moment before continuing, "Argentumalea is within the silver forests of Moharth. Our kind is not permitted to venture far out of Moharth."

"Why not?" he asked.

A vague memory flashed within her mind, leading to a frown creasing her forehead, but she shook her head trying to rid the negative thoughts from her mind. The childhood myth was surely that... a myth? She shivered. But she knew there had to be some truth to it; she was no longer in Moharth, after all. She was trapped in a land far from home with no idea how to return.

Sammy watched the pretty faery as all kinds of emotions etched across her face, but he didn't push for more details. She was obviously hurting and he didn't want to be the one who brought even more pain.

Sensing his eyes on her, Tiffani smiled, "I'm sorry, I've been pushing these thoughts from my mind ever since I became lost."

"No, I am the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have asked you. It's clearly still very painful for you. Let's talk about something else."

"No Sammy, you were right to ask. How will I ever return home if I don't start remembering all of these things? The Elders tried to encourage me to talk about it before but I wasn't ready then. Although it is incredibly hard, I must remember. I want to go home. More than anything else in this world, I want to go home."

CHAPTER FIVE

It had been several days since the faeries of Argentumalea had rescued him from near death. His recovery was going well and he was becoming increasingly stronger each day, yet he was still unable to recall what had happened prior to his rescue, or anything else for that matter. He didn't even know his own name.

The only memory etched in his mind was of the decomposing corpse which lay in the ditch where he had been found.

Had he been dumped? Presumed dead?

Keen to discover what had happened, he asked Zalea (she had thought his continued failed attempts at pronouncing her name quite amusing, but in the end had suggested he settle on calling her Zalea instead) to try and help him reconnect with his missing memories.

"I'm afraid I cannot help you with this matter, my dear, but I do know of someone who should be able to," she had answered, "but only when you are strong enough to walk."

That time had arrived. He was now able to support his own body weight, thanks to the help of the faeries and the nourishing food and drink they had continued to ply him with. He was truly thankful, but he was now ready to get back to investigating who he was and where he had come from.

Making sure he was warm enough, Zalea and her close friend, Ameleana, stood at his side helping him into a long white robe which they tied snuggly around his thin frame.

"You are still a little weak and the cold air will only make you weaker unless you stay warm," smiled Ameleana. She was a tall, dark blue-haired faery with intense, yet cheeky, light blue eyes that matched the little wings that continuously fluttered behind her.

"Thank you, but I do feel stronger. I think I can manage."

"Very well," she answered, taking a little step backwards and watching as he leaned on a post temporarily, "Just a little dizzy. I haven't been on my feet for quite a while. Don't worry, I'm fine," he added as he adjusted the weight on his feet.

Noticing the looks on the two faeries faces, he smirked, "honestly, I'm okay. I just needed to get my balance, that's all."

"As long as you're sure?"

After nodding, Zalea led them out of the simple room in which he had spent the last few days. They followed closely behind, walking away from their homes and deeper into the silver forests of Moharth.

After just ten minutes of slow ambling, he stopped for a moment, leaning on the nearest tree as the two faeries turned and smiled at him.

"Yes, you should rest for a moment. Do not worry though, we have almost reached our destination," said Zalea, pointing to an unusual silvery blue willow in the distance. "We are nearly there."

Keen to get there, the man without a name gently pushed himself away from the soft silver fern covered tree and smiled at his companions with a nod before they continued on their way.

Although the view of the sky was mostly blocked out by the huge array of trees in wildly different shades of silver and grey, it wasn't dark. The colours around them offered an almost consistent source of light, as if the trees were covered in a million beautiful faery lights. The effect was nothing less than dazzling.

As they approached the weeping willow, a small figure slowly stepped out from beneath it.

Dressed from head to toe in black and leaning on a crooked old stick, she stood waiting for their approach.

"Sheharazalea and Ameleana... what a welcome surprise. And you bring a guest, how lovely, how lovely. How is your father, my dear?"

Zalea approached the old lady and gently hugged her before offering her prettiest smile, "He is very well... very well."

"You were never very good at hiding the truth, my dear. He may well be in good health, but your sister's disappearance sits dreadfully on his heart. As it does yours, my dear, as it does yours. But I have some news. I can tell you she is alive and well... and, I do believe her heart is somewhat lighter. She has friends. So please, worry not about her. Just know she is well."

Zalea quickly wiped away a tear from her eye as the old lady turned to hug Ameleana gently, before focussing her attention to the man standing before her.

"So you must be the one with no name. The one with no memories?"

Nodding, the old lady took his hand and squeezed it, her eyes closing as she did so. He watched as her eyeballs moved at high speed beneath her closed lids before suddenly opening her eyes wide.

"You must come in and sit down. Come, have some willow juice."

Entering through the long dainty branches of the large tree, the man was surprised to find a warm and welcoming home filled with knick knacks and items from the forest that had been sculpted into pieces of art.

As the four of them sat around a gently burning fire in the centre, the old lady handed them all wooden cups filled with a clear liquid that tasted fruity and sweet.

"I'm sorry. I completely neglected to introduce myself, didn't I? Well, I am Gwynethea, the old wise woman around here," she chuckled. "I also have a few tricks up my sleeve," she added with a twinkle in her eye.

"So you're not a faery?" asked the man while she shook her head, removing her cape to prove it.

"No... just a very, very old lady who can help you recall who you are... Jackson."

The man nearly spilled his drink at the mention of that name. A name that stirred something in his very soul, making him positive she was right. Jackson
was
his
name.

"Jackson," he whispered. "That's me. That's my name. Jackson.... yes, Jack for short! How did you know? he asked as she merely smiled and stood to pour him some more juice.

"Your soul spoke to me when I touched your hand. You told me your name... now we just need to see if we can find out a bit more."
"How? How do we do that?"

"Well, it's not going to happen immediately. It's going to take some time. Ladies, are you okay staying here this evening?"

Zalea nodded but Ameleana shook her head, "I must go back to Xander. He said he would wait for my return."

Gwynethea smiled, "Xander is a good partner for you, my dear. I wish you the brightest future together. You should go... he is waiting by the cherry tree," she chuckled.

Zalea stood up with her friend, "I'll walk you out. I'll be back soon... Jack."

After the faeries had left, Gwynethea knelt by Jack's side and took both of his hands in hers.

"There is much for you to learn about this world, Jack, before you can understand how to return to yours. All is not what it seems... there is much to fear, but I believe you have already encountered that part of our world."

"I... I don't understand."

"You may not understand what I am saying now, but it will soon make sense, my child. Did Sheharazalea explain about her dear sister?"

"Her sister? No, what happened?"

As Gwynethea let go of his hands, she plopped herself down onto the ground and sighed.

"Some time ago, her sister disappeared from Argentumalea and hasn't been found since."

"What do you mean, disappeared?"

"I mean just that... one day she was here, the next she was gone. But she is alive. I can still sense her and I do believe she is being cared for. She is safe, for now anyway."

"Have you searched for her?" he asked, intrigued.

"Of course. But there are certain parts of our world we are not to wander anywhere near. But I don't believe she is trapped there."

"Do you have any idea where she is trapped then?"

"Before I answer any-more questions, I think we need to discover your truths, don't you think? I just wanted you to know about Tiffanimelicomelea, Sheharazalea's sister, before she comes back. She feels your sorrow because she is experiencing it herself. Now, take my hands and close your eyes. I want you to clear your mind."

Doing as he was told, Jack focussed on the old lady's voice, thinking of nothing but the soft gentle sounds coming from her mouth.

With no memories to think of, his mind soon became blank while he felt Gwynethea enter deep into his subconscious.

"I can see... I can see into your mind's eye... you have been through hell these past few years, my dear Jack. Oh my...." She suddenly dropped his hands and opened her eyes wide in shock, just as Zalea walked back into the room.

"Gwynethea! Are you all right?" she said, rushing to her side as Jack opened his eyes in confusion.

"I...I...I saw the...the..."

"What? What did you see?" asked a totally blank looking Jack.

"Oh my... I'm sorry, my dear. I just need to take a moment. Just a moment."

As the three of them sat down and stared into the softly flickering flames of the fire, Zalea held the old lady's hand tightly and waited for her to calm herself down.

After a couple of minutes of silence, Gwynethea turned to look at Jack, her face hiding whatever feelings she had experienced. With her other hand, she took his and squeezed tightly.

"Jack, I don't think you're going to want to remember.... but I understand you must. Your most immediate recent memories should appear first. You must let them re-appear slowly before we start going further back in time. But..." she said, turning to face the flames, "some of them might not want to return. Some might stay locked away forever..."
Jack nodded, still completely unaware of what she had been witness to.