Alysin continued to pet me as we enjoyed the warmth of the summer light filling her room. It was easy to feel how excited she was for it to be her birthday. It was as though yesterday never happened though I could see her damaged hand being carefully protected against her chest.
It was easy to drift back to sleep. During this moment of sleep I had a dream. It was brief, but some of the things stood out to me. A cat was walking around and somehow I knew it to be my mother. I followed her hearing ‘Jiji’ being called over and over again. It was as though the voice saying Jiji was trying to lure me away.
My mother looked back at me but as she did the river got hold of her. I ran after her, listening to Jiji being yelled louder. I tried to keep my focus on my mother, but the more I tried, the farther she got. Amidst her thrashing in the current, I realized I wasn’t calling out for my mother anymore. Instead I found myself running after Alysin, determined to save her from her watery state. Once I made it to her, I find Alysin is sitting calmly on the grass next to the water, unphased by what just transpired.
I woke from my nap to Alysin still petting me. I was feeling disoriented with the vividness of the dream, still trying to discern whether it was real or had any meaning to it. Then Alysin suddenly sat straight up. A big smile was on her face as she looked at me. Something big was on her mind though I couldn’t think what could possibly be so exciting since nothing has happened since waking up. But the round eyes all aglow seemed to suggest it was important.
“Tokbiyus!” she whispered. For a moment I was confused who she was talking to. That’s when it clicked. The dream, for reasons unknown, reminded me of my name... well the one I had as an ownerless kitten. I suddenly missed that name. A pang of loneliness whelmed me at the faded memories of those whom my name was known by. Yet how odd it was that I was suddenly remembering all of this.
Alysin seemingly about to burst continued, “I... I have this idea that just came to me! I can’t explain it... But I’ll show you.”
There was a second click. Moments after Alysin picked me up and placed her forehead on mine, it was as though I was listening to a key in the door turn. It was slow. But the distinct click at the end of turning a lock to unlock a door rang in my ears. I didn’t know what to think. In fact, I didn’t have to think. It was as though a floodgate was opened upon my mind. Alysin’s voice came flooding in, in some sort of nonsensical language I couldn’t understand.
Then silence fell over my mind. Her hand gently let go of me and I looked at my person who seemed in a daze of wonder as she stared at me. I pawed my head, trying to make it look like I was cleaning myself, but with my eyes closed I could see myself! Clear as day. Like I was looking at one of those mirrors! It was me. As soon as I saw this I felt myself open my eyes and there was Alysin before me once more.
Amazing isn’t it Tokbiyus? Alysin said. Only her mouth was closed... and Tokbiyus still had a weird ring about it. Alysin seemed to catch my thoughts.
Why does Tokbiyus bother you? Alysin asked.
It was a dream I had that reminded me of my name, I began. I then relayed the dream to her. It was vulnerable feeling having this sudden connection to her. What all was she able to hear? Every minuet thought or just was was directly being thought... I suppose I don’t have anything to hide, but I felt as though I was to have no privacy now, she being in my head now.
Well, Jiji, sorry to have caused such confusion for the past few years... but does it seem right to start calling you Jiji since I’ve called you Tokbiyus for so long. I mean, I feel kinda weird suddenly calling you that, Alysin said.
At least you have no one else to explain the name change to, right?
Just Aly. I’m sure she’ll adjust.
Amidst our mental chit chat, there was a knock on her bedroom door. We both jumped, I hearing distinctly a panicked thought of ‘Dad?’ and a side thought to turn me invisible. Luckily it was just Othello. Though he couldn’t see me now, I watched him come in with a jar of something in his hand.
“Hey,” he said cautiously, not quite sure how to address her, “Probably should have done this last night, but... you seemed content to be alone.” He sat down next to Alysin. His face hardened as he saw the damage done to his sister’s hand. It was obvious he was conflicted. Here he was 13 years of age, adolescence setting in, and debating the options to estrange himself from his father for his cruelty or to keep the peace with him as the cost of his sister.
Whatever those young, yet aged eyes, hid from our understanding, Othello began to place the contents of the jar onto Alysin’s burnt hand. She only reacted once, the screams in her head louder than what she actually let out, but it was apparent that whatever he was applying to her burns was extremely effective. Her pain eased, if not completely gone. Othello then wrapped her hand in a white, porous fabric.
“Here’s hoping that’ll heal up real fast.”
“Yeah...” Alysin responded. I knew now she was embarrassed by what had happened last night. Not between her and Othello, but between her and Davin. I was about to respond with a thought of repulsion, but something else crept in and beat me to it.
Don’t you dare feel bad about that! someone said. I looked around then back to Alysin to see if she heard what I heard. Her eyes were glazed over, in deep thought and it became apparent as the voice continued that it was coming from within Alysin’s head, If that’s what 8 years of life with this man brings, what will another 8 lead to? You know you have the power to kill him-
No! I could hear Alysin yell back at this new presence, He is still my father... she defended, He’s just lost. He’ll come around someday. Apologize for all his wrongs... we just need to be patient...
..You’re being idiotic! I don’t want to be a martyr to your ridiculous belief that your father will see the error of his choices! You know he’ll never change!
It was haunting to listen to. It was a dark entity. Something evil that I never knew was there until now...
Don’t mind her Jiji. She’s always wanting to do bad things. I won’t let her. Alysin tells me, trying to assure me that she was the one in control.
I wish we had more time to ourselves. There was so much I wanted to ask. Does she know of Sin? Is that evil voice just another imaginary friend like Aly? Does Alysin already know the questions I have? If she does, she gives them no notice mentally or verbally since Othello now is talking about taking her out today. Davin is already in the midst of celebrating the anniversary of him being a widower, at the tavern in town.
“I think getting out would be good for you,” Othello continued. Alysin snorted.
“Have you noticed the bruises and my hand as of late?” she questioned. Othello rolls his eye though they are panged knowing the state his sister is in.
“Okay. How about instead of going to town here, lets go to Lomisc?” Alysin’s jaw dropped in disbelief, “The day is still young. Dad won’t be home until Mayrid goes and drags him off of some poor woman... sorry,” Othello tagged on seeing Alysin’s eyes hurt at the thought of their father being unfaithful. Let alone he sometimes forgets that his sister is just 8. Only 8 years of life and it’s as though she’s lived 3 different lives already.
“How is it you care about father so much still?” Othello asked.
“Suppose the same way you still do,” Alysin responded. Othello pondered long and hard on how to respond. It was true though. Alysin did care for her father still. Like a true saint. Just waiting to be accepted and apologized to and then everything would be cured. Cured... as though all of this was just some bad illness.
Othello though, like I mentioned earlier, was torn. He loved his sister. Yet the idea of being on the receiving side of his father’s hate was almost as unbearable as his sister being abused.
I figured with the time he put into thinking about a response he would have said something. Instead he stood up and got his sister to her feet.
“Common little sister. You have a birthday to celebrate.”
“Should I go invisible?”
“And make me look like a crazy person talking to myself, no thank you.”
Alysin couldn’t help but smile. The whole hour trip from the little town of Taibujlon to the majestic city of Lomisc was a fanfare of jokes and giggles along the way.
Lomisc was a bustling city. People were out and about going who knows where, chatting as they walked and taking in the sights and sounds that performers and merchants were making. The building were clean and magnificent compared to the dusty village we had just come from. It was no wonder Alysin was so excited to go when Othello mentioned Lomisc for her birthday.
Othello kept his sister close to him, holding her good hand and leading the way to various street performers. I held tight to the nap of her neck, being as cautious as I could be with my claws while occasionally being jostled by a passing person.
Alysin’s head was a whirl of amazement. We kept a mental conversation going as we took in the sights. Alysin would point out all true magicians and mention how funny it was that they had to use a ‘magic’ word to cast their spells. To her magic was just part of her being. Never once had she uttered a 'magic' word to do what she does.
One of the street performers called out for Alysin to join him front and center. Othello encouraged her to have fun and kept with in eye shot as his sister approached the magician. He was different from the others. He was more charismatic and with in a few seconds already had Alysin confessing it was her birthday. I felt uneasy with him. I believe it was due to how convincingly he looked me in the eyes though I could swear I was invisible.
"Ladies and gentlemen! As we've heard it's Alysin's birthday! Lets say we surprise her with a gift from home?" the magician chimed. The uneasiness increased for nothing from home could be considered a gift. "Now tell me Alysin, would you believe me if I said you have a cat on your shoulders?"
"Yes," Alysin said though in her head I could see how curious she was about him knowing I was there. The audience gave a soft chuckle. The magician asked the crowd asked if they would believe it. Of course they laughed a 'No!' at him. Unfazed by their response and knowing they are now anticipating him to reveal this cat he's hinting at., the magician just said,
"How about now?" I felt 20 eyes suddenly look to me in shock as I became visible.
Alysin, wanting to be a crowd pleaser, acted surprised by the revelation of a cat on her shoulders and as though her faith in the magician proved to have made that possible. The audience applauded and the magician announced he was taking an hour break and that he'd be back with more astounding tricks for them to witness. But before he disappeared he mentioned to Alysin, "How rare to find a young sorceress with a familiar in my presence. Thanks for helping put on a good show," he reached down, purposely taking Alysin's wrapped hand, clasping it between both of his (giving it a gentle shake) and with that winked and walked away.
Sorceress? I asked Alysin. She was gone in a sea of aw. She knew she could do things that most folk couldn't, but wasn't sure what class of mage she'd be. For what she knew, a sorceress was top of the mage ranks. The evil part of her was right saying she has power. But other than creating fire and turning things invisible, what else could her mind tap into to create? However her mind wasn't able to linger long on the subject for Othello was by our side moments after the magician had left.
Before we knew it, the time had come for us to go home if we were to have our absence go unnoticed. It had been an eventful birthday and Alysin would miss that day until the next time she was able to return to the splendid city of Lomisc.
By the time they were walking back into the house from the barn (Othello had a pony we used for travel... not a source of transportation I would recommend), Alysin's stomach gave a good growl. All the excitement of the day had blinded us both from the pangs of hunger, let alone neglecting the need to eat. Unsure whether it was due to the stomach growl or that fact it was almost dinner time, Othello quickly maneuvered in front of Alysin with his hands behind his back.
"Now what would a birthday be with out a sweet?" he asked and brought out before him a frosted pastry with a giant pink flower on top. Alysin beamed at such a rare treat. Every year Othello had some kind of treat for Alysin's birthday, but I suppose going to Lomisc was assumed to be the gift this year. How excited Alysin was.
She inhaled the sweet smell of the pastry and took a very controlled lick of the frosting, knowing how her head was reeling in the simple pleasure of the sugary food.
"I love you Othello! Thanks for a great birthday," Alysin said giving her brother a hug.
As luck would have it, a breeze kicked up, and the foul smell of alcohol filled my nose. Registering my thoughts, Alysin's hand was to me, turning me back invisible. Her body got ridged and Othello knew that frozen posture his sister would take when in the presence of her father. He whipped around, trying to shield Alysin, seeing if all was well with their father.
"Wasting your hard earned money on her I see," Davin said bitterly. Othello looked down not wanting to look at his father in his current condition.
"I thought a man can do what he wants with the hard earned money he makes," Othello responded. Davin scoffed at him.
"I didn't mean on someone who killed you mother."
"Father, you know she's not responsible for that."
"Is that what she's told you? Put some kind of spell on you? I know she's a witch! The damn child got your mother's talents! Stole them from her in her final gasps of life I bet!"
"Father! You're drunk! Get inside and lay down," Othello ordered, attempting to go help his father in. Davin waved his arms out of his son's grasp and threw a bottle I hadn't realized he was holding onto at the door. Alysin's heart skipped a beat when that happened, her being only a couple of feet away. In her head I could hear a familiar voice saying, "what aw we going to do? Tuwn invisible? No, not wight now..." yet Alysin's face kept calm despite her 5 year old self panicking. It was the first time I realized how much of a child she still was. Still scared. Still insecure. Still longing for her father's affection.
"Othello! Othello," Davin sounded almost as though he was pleading, "my boy, don't blind yourself. Remember who killed your mother." Othello bit his lip. His eyes were deep in thought as he now daringly stared his father down. He walked back to Alysin, trying to shield her once more.
"The only thing I see right now is a drunk man loathing an 8 year old girl who had the misfortune of being born to you! You're the one blinded from what is your own flesh and blood!"
Davin, though staggering drunk, suddenly struck out with great accuracy, knocking Othello across his face with his fist. The force sent Othello backward into Alysin. I lept off Alysin knowing she was going down. I felt something shift in Alysin's head as I landed on my feet, my broken toe reminding me of it's existence (I had been riding on Alysin's shoulder all day and hence why I forgot about my injury).
You've got to be kidding me! Two days in a row I get injured!? I heard Sin say. I listened for Alysin, seeing if like that evil entity and the child still inside her if it was just Sin talking and not in control. But there was no response.
Sin? I asked cautiously.
Who else can take the pain Jiji? My heart sank. I did not like Sin... yet it was my person. Quite possibly Alysin would come back like she did this morning. Until then, I was able to find out she fell on a glass shard that seemed to embed itself deep into Sin's elbow. Talk about rotten luck. For the first time Othello is the one receiving the abuse (Davin has now given a few choice kicks as he continued to try and talk sense into his boy) yet here Sin is, getting hurt in the cross fire. Why did we have to leave Lomisc?
Davin feeling like he made his point to his son glared back at his daughter. Seeing her bleeding was very enjoyable to him, the smile on his face suggesting that. Sin glared back as she pulled the shard out of her elbow. No one but me could hear the scream of pain, she didn't want to give Davin the satisfaction of tears.
"Well, since you're finally a big girl and aren't crying or blubbering away, clean this mess up before I or your mother get hurt," he ordered.
Come one Sin, the evil entity spoke, kill him. He's drunk, makes him an easy fight, she mused. Sin definitely found that thought to be very tempting.
No Delia, death would be so easy for him. 8 years of pain I have. He ought to suffer like myself, Sin responded.
Then do something!
How about this, Sin stood up and looked Davin in the eyes."No," Sin said defiantly before turning invisible. Davin's eyes widened with fear. He stumbled backward, tripping over Othello who was just beginning to pull himself up. Unfortunately for him the got him another kick for being in the way.
Sin was still standing next to me and I could hear her laughing at the sight of her father for once, being frightened by her.
Very clever, Delia said sarcastically, just wait until he sees your pretty face again.
Nope, by morning, all this will be a hazy dream. I might suffer a few days without food, but that's nothing new. I bet he'll apologize to Othello too. You watch and see.
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