CALEB
Mom was sending me off to my death and she was doing it in style.
I cradled the box containing my birthday cake on my lap, peered at the new Patek Philippe she had gotten me for my birthday and curled my toes in my new timbers. I was fresh and ripe for the taking.
"Do you have everything you need?" Mom asked me for the umpteenth time that morning, not taking her eyes off the road as she drove.
I dragged my eyes off the box and looked at her. The hair on her temples were graying and there were lines on her cheeks. She had worked overtime again.
When I didn't respond, she gave me a quick glance before returning her gaze to the road. "You okay, Cubby?"
Cubby was the nickname my father had given me before he passed. Apparently, I said that when I tried pronouncing my name for the first time.
"Yeah." I sighed wistfully and looked out the window. Everything was slowly fading as we moved — the forest-green trees, bright blue sky, chirpy morning birds. I would miss them all.
We drove past a sign that read "KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED AND EARS PLUGGED"
"We're here, Cubby." With her free hand, she reached into the inner pocket of her lab coat and whipped out an eye mask.
I plug my ears with the ear muffs she got me and wore the eye mask. She did the same and we waited patiently for the great Aethorian light to wash over us. It sounds cliche, right?
Aethoria is going to be my new prison.
Sorry, mind my language. It's not a prison. It's a magical realm on the other side of the world.
I read in a book that the world of Aethoria was divided into four kingdoms with unique magic and their magical creatures - The Mermaid Island, The Fae Kingdom, The Vampire Dominion and Dragon Realm. Students from each kingdom attend the Silvermist Academy, a magic school in Aethoria. Humans who possessed magical abilities were also sent to this school.
At first, I thought it was absurd, that magic wasn't real, but I was convinced this morning when I used it. I levitated in the living room when mom clasped the Patek around my wrist. She was lucky I didn't take her through the roof with me.
A strange light wrapped around our car and warmth sank in. I could feel my mom's hand clamoring for mine but I found hers first.
With my free hand, I tightened my hold on the cake, squeezing my eye shut beneath the mask.
The government agents who had arrived at our house after mom made the call, informed us not to open our eyes and ears while passing The Veil - the divide between magic and reality. They said anyone who did otherwise wound up dead or dead.
After what felt like minutes, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. It felt like I was taking a sunbath a human — like dough in the oven.
My fingers itched to peel off my mask and take a peek but my heart said "no". My brain screamed in protest and I kicked caution to the wind. I removed the eye mask and my jaws dropped.
Bright yellow light surrounded our car as we floated in midair. I squinted my eyes only to make out tiny yellow wings flapping around our car. Those were fairies.
"Hi, there." I said in my mind.
I also read in books that miniature Fairies communicate via telepathy so this was a trial test for me.
"You can see me?" it responded with a gasp.
"I have eyes. So yeah, I can see you." I reached out a finger to poke at the little thing when the lights faded and we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere.
Okay. What on earth just happened?
"We're here." Mom announced, peeling off her eye mask and taking out the ear muffs.
I did the same, wondering what happened a few seconds ago. Mom mistook it for anxiety and smiled at me.
"Hey, you're going to do great." Her smile was warm but her eyes were tired.
Ever since dad died, she'd worked extra shifts at the clinic, treating any pet brought to her table with help from two other vets and Jerry, her assistant. She deserved a break even if it's a break from me.
"I'll be fine, mom." I pushed my glasses to the bridge of my nose.
Her eyes filled when two gentlemen approached our car. "I'll miss you, Cubby."
My voice cracked. "I'll miss you too, mom."
I wish I could hug her.
I wish the government didn't place that stupid law that those who had magic had to leave.
I wish I had siblings who would take care of mom while I was away.
I wish I wasn't the one with powers.
"Caleb Ferrars?" A leather gloved hand knocked on the window and I rolled it down.
"That's me." I nodded shyly at the gentleman clad in black.
"Excellent. We've been waiting for you." I didn't realize how deep his voice was until he replied the second time.
"Okay." Mom and I step out of the car.
I also didn't realize the dark gentleman had a partner. This one was clad in white from head to toe. When they stood together they reminded me of heaven and hell, not that I've ever seen them before.
My luggage was pulled out of the trunk and mom and I said our last goodbye.
"If anything goes wrong, call me." Mom called behind me as I followed Mr. Black and White.
"I assure you, Mrs Ferrars, that no harm will come near your son." Mr Black called back.
Mom ignored him and yelled. "If anything goes wrong, call me… Cubby!"
I turned around to look at her and my feet almost moved on their own.
"I love you. Mommy loves you, okay? Don't you forget that." She kissed her index finger and put it in midair. I did the same. It was our symbol for "I'll always be with you."
"Shall we?" Mr white, who had been quiet this whole time, spoke for the first time.
I nodded slowly and turned around to where a portal swirling with blue energy had emerged out of thin air.
With a slow exhale, I walked through the portal, leaving behind my world — Mom, the blue skies, and even the chirpy birds. All for a power I never wanted.