Down End Road

We all convened for breakfast in the dining room, gorging ourselves with as many pastries as we could, revelling in the first official day of summer break.

Marrianne and Kaylee were talkative and energised, brain storming ideas on what we should have done for the summer. I contributed useless conversation fillers and little bits of comedy to the conversation, but my mind was too far in the clouds to be focused on what they were saying.

I ran my fingers along my necklace chain and absentmindedly stroked my hair, the familiarity of my necklace was reassuring and I enjoyed having it back around my neck.

My mother and father sat across the table from us and glanced at us every once in a while, usually between sips of their Columbian brew coffee. “What do you think would be fun to do this summer Myra”? Asked Marianne, silently pleading for me to interject.

“Actually Myra, I think that you should tell them about the letter you got yesterday.” My mother improvised winking at me. “You know the one about the advanced program.” She continued. I

stared at her blankly, then remembered the conversation I had overheard last night, between her and dad. She brushed her buttery locks off her shoulder revealing her amber earrings. I could barely believe they were letting me go.

My father sat in his chair with his strong arms folded over his chest. I quickly looked over to him with a desperate plea for him to give me some sort of sign that he was moderately okay with this.

His tight-lipped nod had filled me with a million fluttering butterflies and that was all I needed to start explaining to my friends an improvised lie. “Oh um... guys I have something to tell you, so basically I got into an advanced English summer camp type thing.

My teacher encouraged me to enter and so I did and well yesterday I got the acceptance letter. Which would be great, only it starts in a week and spans out across the entire summer and well it’s in England.” I lied, my nose wrinkled unnoticeably, and my cheeks flushed red.

Kaylee’s eyes were dilated and wider, Marrianne was frowning. “Why didn’t you tell us this”? She questioned, I started to stroke my warmed metal medallion, its amber jewels rough against my fingertips.

“We would have packed our bags like a year ago,” squealed Kaylee, I sighed, and my eyes welled with salty tears, I chewed my lip biting back the tears and tried to explain it.

“Guys I love you, but I need to do this on my own, I mean ever since we met we have done everything together, and well I think a little independence would be good for us,” I stammered, Kaylee’s mouth dropped open and I felt my heart begin to pound, I did not like lying to my friends.

My stomach twisted and I had suddenly regretted eating all those decadent pastries. “You guys, do not take this the wrong way, but Marrianne what happens when you go off to England and join the women’s soccer team, or Kaylee what’s gonna happen when you go to LA and become a famous actor, or when I go to England this summer?” I quizzed.

Kaylee and Marrianne bowed their heads, their faces fell and twisted into dismal expressions. I couldn’t bear to leave it like this, so I gave them hope.

“I know, we are going to stay friends, you know why, because in third grade I met Marrianne and in the fourth grade we met Kaylee, and you know what the odds of us still being friends are, they are terrible and yet here we are.” I comforted. “If our friendship can survive the chaos and drama of high school what can one country really do?” I joked.

Marrianne lifted her head first and gave me an acknowledging smile that was full of pride. Kaylee looked at me with a weak smile and her eyes looked like they were on the brink of tears.

“I mean, if it’s just for the summer, we’re happy for you Myra, truly proud. Well done.” She smiled wider and her looked toward Marrianewhonudged her playfully in the ribs.

“Oh, I know we will be fine, I’m just sad that we won’t be able to spend our grad summer together.” she sighed, rolling her chocolate eyes.

She pouted in mock grumpiness and we all burst out laughing. I sneaked a glance over at my parents who were sitting across the table silently watching proudly as their daughter grew into a young responsible woman.

Kaylee and Marrianne left together at one o’clock and took the longest amount of time possible saying goodbye. I told yet another lie and said that I was flying to England in three days, so that I could have time to myself to try and figure out the complicated mess of the society and its relativity to my life.

Never in my life had I ever imagined myself lying to my friends, so that I could get some distance from them. As soon as the door slammed shut, I slid down the ceiling height front door, falling to the cold tile floor.

The bang of the closed doors echoed throughout the house. My mother and father walked into the foyer and an unexpected, rogue teardrop rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away instantly and breathed heavily, focusing on inhaling and exhaling.

A loud rap on the door made me spring to my feet. My mother and father’s faces were a mix of alarm and intrigue. I cracked open the monstrous door timidly and was extremely surprised to see a middle aged man, in a black suit with a tail coat, white gloves and a silver tray balanced perfectly on his palm, while his other arm was tucked neatly behind him.

The silver tray had a cream coloured envelope placed evenly on its gleaming surface. I cast a sympathetic glance toward the butler, he must have been sweltering in his black four-piece suit with the Floridian sun, bathing him in its scorching rays.

His eyes remained transfixed on the door and I hesitantly took the thick, textured envelope from the tray and thanked the stranger. I ran my fingertips along the paper.

My name was written in cursive and there was a wax seal at the back that displayed the symbol for the order of Hamilton. My small full lips lifted into a bashful smirk. I knew exactly who the letter was from without even seeing the signature.

This was the childish doing of Maverick Landon. I cracked the seal and some of the orange wax crumbled and fell to the floor. It said that I had been formally invited, to attend a formal meeting with Cassandra Landon and Ben Tallier.

In a smaller print it said that I was required to meet them at End Road’s gates and that I was to bring my legal guardians. My parents slowly walked over and my mother began to read over my shoulder, I relayed the message to them and they reluctantly agreed to the meeting.

We all piled into the black saloon car that my parents had bought to be inconspicuous when traveling to the supermarket or garden Centre. I had changed out of my fluffy pink robe, faded pink pyjama bottoms and old vest, into a more appropriate outfit.

I had worn light flare jeans that had been embroidered with depictions of muted flowers, with a white ribbed halter top that had a blue butterfly stamped just below my collarbone.

I put my unruly hair into two low down ponytails and donned a blue bandanna. I don’t know why but I had always loved trying to dress nice or at the very least fashion forward, however most days I would just put on what ever felt comfortable or was clean.

We drove out of the garage and onto the street where I noticed a shadowy black figure staring at our car, my parents did not notice but I kept my eyes trained on it, I blinked and it was gone.

I ignored the knotted feeling in the pit of my stomach and kept my worried mouth shut. I laced up my converse high top sneakers as we rounded the corner to End Road manner.

I realised that this was the first time I had seen the entrance to the manner, I had only ever gone in twice before and both times I had used the forest entry.

Our car came to a halting stop and my parents told me to get out of the car. I did so willingly. They pressed a button on a silver box that was attached to a brick pillar holding the wall together and a melodious voice replied, that I instantly recognised as Cassandra.

She instructed them to go through the gate and wait in the gazebo. We walked over to a large white tent that was just noticeable in the distance. It was facing the right side of the house, that I had been informed had two hundred rooms.

The sun beams warmed the red brick and gave it a soft glow that made the house seem less daunting and more inviting. We sat down at the large table that had been placed in the centre of the gazebo, my parents sitting on either side of me protectively.

Cassandra sailed over to us with Ben and Maverick walking at a less elegant pace behind her. They seemed to be in an intense conversation. Their heads bowed together, both their faces animated and deep in concentration.

My chair scratched at the plastic floor as me and my family stood to greet the Landon's and Tallier. Cassandra gushed over us and told us to sit down, she beckoned Ben and Maverick to come and sit with us.

My shoulders were slightly slouched and my chin was pointed down toward my phone, which had five new messages all from my friends. However, one stern yet polite glance from my mother had me sitting up straight and my eyes trained on the family before us.

I looked over to Cassandra who had her hair in a twisted low down bun that was one step away from looking bridal. She was wearing a blush pink V-neck satin vest with a deeper shaded pink pencil skirt.

Her green eyes and golden hair sparkled and caught the sunlight in interesting and beautiful ways. She smiled her trustworthy and kind smile. “It is good to see you, Rebecca, Charlie.” She chirped, “we've missed you.” She said her voice light and breezy.

There was a strange tinge of sadness in her voice. My father nodded and smiled courteously whilst my mother did most of the talking. My father picked at his jeans angrily, letting none of the rage show on his face.

Ben cleared his throat effectively ending the women’s small chat. He reached for his wife’s hand and smiled sweetly. She bit back her excited squeal and got down to business. “As you two know we are still hosting the order of Hamilton school for children in the summers.” She said her voice soothing and canorous. “And we would like to enroll your daughter, who may I say is a very talented young lady.” I cringed and shifted at the word lady.

I looked over at Maverick who was staring at me with a faint smile playing on his lips. His emerald eyes glittered in the sunlight and his hair was a shaggy and handsome mess.

He was wearing a grey concert t-shirt that showed the toned and defined muscles in his arms. I looked over to Ben who was gruffly glaring at my father who was glowering back at him.

I reached for a small pot of tiramisu and a tall cool glass of iced tea. Beads of condensation were trundling down the crystal glass. I shifted my attention back to the conversation, having lost all interest after Cassandra called me a lady.

“As you probably can tell your daughter is incredibly gifted and we would like to test her so that we may be able to put her in the correct class that would suit her best.” she explained, my father testily interjected uttering his first words since we came here.

“Without the proper training I do not think so.” He bellowed, his brow was creased with anger and his hair was a hirsute mess and its usual sheen had all but disappeared. My mother placed gentle hand on mine and gave me an encouraging squeeze.

“Charlie, honey, it would only be for a few minutes, besides we know Ben and Cass and I’m sure Myra would be in capable hands.” She reasoned, her blue eyes were trained on my father, it was as if she was commanding him with her stare but appearing normal and gentle to the rest of the world.

I had always found my mother’s social skills nothing short of miraculous and inspiring. How she could command a room full of pigheaded men, all the while not breaking her lady like demure.

My father gave an acknowledging grunt and blew a disorderly strand of hair out of his eyes. I looked over to Maverick Landon who was still staring at me, his lips looked like they were on the verge of perking up into a smile but remained composed and collected.

My eyes wandered over to Ben who seemed to be reining in his anger with obvious dismay. His usually fair and bright face was leaning towards a more pinkish hue. “So, when will the test take place.” My mother chimed.

I felt a sudden jab to my chest. I always studied for exams. What if I failed? What if I didn’t get in? What if I didn’t wipe the smug face off Maverick Landon? I banished the last thought and labeled it as an unneeded distraction. Cassandra gazed at me with an amiable and compassionate expression.

It was as if she had read my mind, “Don’t worry dear the results are only to determine your abilities and strengths it does not determine your future at this school,” she comforted. I felt the knot that had formed in my chest slowly ease and the lump in my throat dissolve.

I could see my mother and Cassandra getting along well, they were so alike, then the thought hit me that she and Cassandra had probably grown up together. The daunting thought of failure, that usually loomed in the back of my mind, had become more prominent.

Cassandra’s green empathetic eyes smiled at me maternally, enfolding me into their kindness. Maverick, to my shock, was the first one to get up with an ear-splitting shriek of his chair. All eyes fell on him, judgmental and irritated.

His cheeks flooded with a pink blush and he pursed his lips in remorse and humiliation. “Well, I am going to go back to the house and prep the door.” He says, trying his absolute hardest not to break into a sprint.

His sudden departure was erratic and embarrassing. “Right well, Myra you will take the test inside the house while your parents wait here with Cass,” Ben says, his voice gruff and firm.

My father eyed him angrily, as if he could set him on fire with his stare. Ben in turn stared daggers at him.“No, we will go with her, after all a representative of her born order is supposed to be present.” My father growled, his brows knitting together in frustration.

Ben just brushes his accusation off with a simple dismissal “Harris will be there, and he will act as representative,” Ben countered. His eyes fell on me which only irritated my father further.

“Myra is born of two orders not just Hamilton,” my father sneered. As the seconds passed by the tension grew thicker. My mother gasped and Cassandra eyebrows were almost in her hairline.

“Charlie, this is not the time nor the place,” my mother said. Her deadly glare could make even the bravest of men shake in their boots. My father opened his mouth to say something else but thought better of it and pursed his lips together.

Ben looks over to me with the kind facial expression of a stern but pleasant teacher, after all he was going to be my teacher from there on out. “Myra, this way please.” He directed.

I gently stood up, glancing at my parents for any indication that I was doing the wrong thing. My mother nodded sullenly, my father just sat there glaring into the distance as if he could blow the world up with his stare.

I walked the long way to the manner alongside Ben silently. When we reached the door, Ben drew out a very ornate key the size of my palm and thickness of my earbud. The handle had the symbol for the order of Hamilton branded into its bronze head which was circled by seven amber jewels. He inserted the massive key into the lock of the door and turned it counterclockwise.

With a sudden click the door unlocked and we stepped inside. Our footsteps echoed throughout the foyer as we turned left. My heart quickened as I realised that we were going to the room with the door. “The salon is where we conduct the tests and host most official meetings for the order or society.” Ben explained.

I swallowed the large lump forming in my throat and ignored the sudden urge to run back into my parents arm. “You are very brave you know, most children born into the society have their parents or a relative to fully explain everything.” Ben encouraged, his voice seemed detached and almost apologetic. “And they always have a relative in the room when they take the test.” He mumbled.

I did not understand why he was being so apologetic to me now after he encouraged and pushed for me to be here without my parents. “So, I am just going to warn you about a few things considering the test.” He said, his hand reaches for the doorknob to the salon and we walked into the room to the site of maverick Landon in swimming trunks and a goggles.

My breath caught in my throat due to Ben's mention of warning and Maverick Landon in swimming gear. What the heck was that test going to be about. “For you,” Maverick said. He threw me a swimming costume. It was a black racer back, that reeked of chlorine. Ben pointed to a door on the far side of the wall. I opened the door and found a small closet inside. I closed the door behind me and wrestled out of my clothes.

I grabbed a pair of goggles as well and opened the door again. Maverick had an impish grin on his face. He talked to Ben who looked weary to the bone. He shook his head and laughed mildly.

He turned to face me and started explaining things. “Right, so what’s going to happen is you are going to go into the portal and swim through midnight lake. When you step through you are going to drop beneath the grass and straight into Midnight Lake.” He explained.

My mouth dropped open. I felt my chest begin to rise and fall quicker and my blood rush through my veins. “Okay, what am I supposed to do exactly.” I questioned; my brows had begun to knit together in anxiety and fear.

I felt a cold shiver shoot down my spine when Ben flung the portal door open wide. “All you have to do is swim and bring me back three objects of your choosing then we will analyse what it means and from there we will begin the process of your enrolment.” He explained.

I felt my muscles loosen a bit and I let out a slow breath I had not realised I was holding. “Right, so I assume Maverick is going to be coming with me.” I paused slightly arching my brows toward Maverick who had seemed to turn amused and shy in the same breath. “Basically, now remember; you step, fall, swim and find three objects you are drawn to.” He had begun to gently push us to the portal and with one last encouraging nod from Ben we stepped through.

First, I felt grass between my toes, but then it turned gooey and sticky before I dropped straight through the weeds. Maverick was right beside me and grabbed my hand giving it an encouraging squeeze. The falling sensation slowly withdrew as I began to drift around in what looked like a coral reef combined with the galaxy.

Flurries of purple and blue and pink all clustered in whirls in empty black space, whilst caves and rock formations stood still covered in patches of green gelatinous goo. I cringed at the site and shivered at the touch. It felt hot and cold and had a brilliant bright green colour so bright that it was luminescent.

Little white dots surrounded us and floated through the coral reef galaxy. I had tucked my necklace in the chest of my swim suit and it burned in recognition of this strange and spectacular place. I noticed Maverick Landon rubbing a slightly pink mark on his chest where his necklace usually hung.

My medallion suddenly became unbearably hot and I frantically pulled out my necklace. Maverick swam closer to me and took the necklace in his hands shrinking back immediately after he touched the hot chain.

He pointed to the green goo and gestured for me to slather it on the burn. I did as he directed and awkwardly stuck my hand down the neck of my suit, rubbing it in to the burnt flesh on my sternum. He then gestured for me to start swimming around and looking for whatever I was drawn to.

I levelled my body and did an easy breath stroke through the galactic lake. I turned my head in three directions before I swam to what looked like a twisted cluster of gnarled tree roots and deduced that it must have been the roots of the tree I saw on top of the hill.

I swam closer and closer, until my breath hitched. In the base of the tree were obsidian black rocks all of which had colourful jewels engrained in the tiny crevices. Maverick tilted his head to the side then swam closer.

He looked down to the rocks and his brows furrowed in confusion. I made a mental note to ask him about that later but decided to take one of the rocks. I gently began to swim away and look around again.

I looked around again and caught sight of another flurry of pink and blue and decided to take one of the white dots from that as well. Maverick pointed to his wrist indicating I had a limited amount of time and needed to rap up my expedition.

My head frantically turned left and right before I caught sight of a shimmery bright guitar pick-shaped scale. I quickly swam towards it and put it in the crook of my elbow along with the two other foreign items I had found.

Maverick looked at me questionably and cocked his head to the side. With a dramatic shrug we had begun to wade our way through the galactic lake once again.

We swam higher and higher, until we finally broke through the surface of the lake. We were a couple meters away from the door. A swirling image of the furnished red room. I paused moving my legs underwater, until I felt a slimy tissue around my ankle. Then a pull...

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Sorry I had a slight issue with the chapters. The previous chapter 7 was not correct so again sorry.