“Should I go with him?” asked Rose. She preferred not to see her brother walking helplessly toward the gigantic bird. As she gazed upon the winged-creature, she struggled to describe the kite as beautiful or terrifying. In fact, she thought, the feathered-creature is simultaneously the most exquisite and most intimidating thing I have ever seen. How could something possess both attributes in such great abundance?
“Let him go,” whispered Willow in response. “Talon needs to go alone. With a name like that, I think his future waits. We would only be in his way.”
“Yea,” said Rose, “somehow, I know that you are right.”
Talon strode confidently toward the creature. As he approached, he intentionally walked toward the red kite rather than toward his mortally wounded friend. Daks gurgled in the distance, and blood oozed from his mouth. The slice that went from his neck to his groin continued to bleed profusely. The razor-sharp nature of the cut, however, kept the separated skin closer together, which allowed the body natural clotting process to provide some assistance in limiting blood loss. A jagged wound would never begin clotting, at least not so quickly. Daks tried helplessly to call for his friend, but only inaudible gasps exited his mouth.
The kite spoke for the first time. Its commanding, but surprising friendly voice, echoed across the island, “Why do approach me rather than your dying companion?”
Despite never hearing an animal speak, Talon calmly answered, “Because I cannot help my friend, but I believe you can.”
“Come no further,” answered the gigantic bird. Talon stopped. “You want me to help your companion?” asked the turquoise-beaker. “Did your friend not just try to end my life? Did your friend, not just minutes ago, leap from the cliff above my lair with the full intention to kill me? Why should I help him? Is he worthy of my assistance?”
“You would help him,” answered Talon, “not because of who is, but because of who you are. Any act of kindness on your part speaks only of your goodness – not of his. By his action, I agree, he does not merit your kindness.”
“Well spoken,” boomed the kite. “I now have a question for you. Answer my question correction correctly, and I will heal your friend. Answer incorrectly, and I will do nothing. Without my assistance, as you know, the boy will not survive. He will suffer the fate of his own decisions. Whether you answer correctly, incorrectly, or not at all, you, Talon, are at liberty to leave this island. Do you understand?”
“I do understand,” Talon shouted to the towering bird. “What is your question?”
The red kite answered, “Talon, I offer you only one chance to answer my question. Use your opportunity wisely. Here is the question: What is my name? Tell me my name, and your friend will live. Tell me not, and our paths separate. Ask me no questions and seek no further explanation. All that you need to answer this question, I have provided.”
“But …” countered Talon.
“Enough from you,” growled the feathery being as he leaned toward the curly-haired boy’s face. Talon, noting the finality in the gigantic bird’s voice, said nothing more.
The towering creature continued, “I give you one hour to provide me your answer. If you tarry past that time, your friend will not survive. The time limitation is not my choice; your friend created this time constraint when he foolishly leapt toward me.”
Talon instinctually bowed before the gigantic, turquoise-beaked bird and retreated from its presence. He returned to his comrades, where two anxious girls greeted his arrival.
“We heard the exchange,” said Rose. “How can you know the bird’s name? That is an impossible question.”
“Perhaps,” offered Willow, “it is a trick question. You know, one those questions that contains the answer. How exactly did the red kite ask the question? Does anyone remember?”
“Here is the question: What is my name?” answered Talon.
“It does not sound very tricky,” offered Rose in a defeated tone.
“Yea,” agreed Willow. “I guess that would be too easy, but the qualities of the creature should tell us something about its name. A thing’s name always tells something about it. For example, my name is Willow, and I am named after the willow tree – a tree of great medicinal use. For a flesh-weaver, they are many substitutes for most substances. The more accomplished practitioners understand these many deviations. Quite honestly, the whole process is much like cooking. While a person can follow cooking directions and make a decent meal, the most delightful food comes from someone who follows the recipe as a guide rather than as a step-by-step process. When it comes to healing powers, however, there is no substitute for a willow leaf. If you need a willow branch, then that is what you must have. My mother, then, identified me as someone for whom there is no substitute.”
“So,” continued Rose, “the red kite’ name must mean something. Like my name, sun-sculptors look at a child’s hands to pick a name. No one ever said why they do, but they do. I just assumed it was because the sun-sculptor’s hands are vital to their craft. Anyway, when I was born, my fingers were interlaced in – what my father told me – was a stunning circular shape. The interweaving fingers reminded my parents of a beautiful rose. Thus, my parents gave me my name: Rose.”
“And what about you,” Willow asked as she turned her gaze to Talon.
“Do we really have time for this?” muttered Talon.
“Of course we do,” said Rose. “If there is one thing a sun-sculptor learns, it is patience. So, big brother, explain to Willow why you are called Talon.”
“Well,” droned a frustrated Talon, “when I was born, I had a long finger nail on both of my index fingers, which is, apparently, quite unusual. So my parents called me ‘Talon’ because it looked like I had a talon on both of my hands.”
“And here you are now,” answered Willow, the girl for whom there is no substitute, “trying to ascertain the name of the most intimidating, but gentle, bird a person could imagine. This moment, Talon, speaks to your calling, does it not?”
“Perhaps,” said Talon, “but, perhaps not. Even so, I am not alone, am I? Think about this: the mighty red kite is a bird for which there is no substitute. Never has a bird looked or acted like that kite, and I face this challenge with a girl named ‘Willow.’ And, the red kite is the pinnacle of beauty. Sure, the thing is the most frightening thing in all of Centage. He makes Laghorn seem like a fluffy bunny, but there is an ineffable elegance to the creature. So while, I try to guess the name of this most beautiful creature, I stand here with Rose – the girl whose name derives from the most elegant of flowers.”
“Peculiar,” agreed Rose. “But now, we must turn our attention to determining the bird’s name.”
“From our previous comments,” mentioned Willow, “I think it is most likely that the name reflects the bird. Now we just need to make a list of what we know of the kite.”
“And from there,” continued Talon, “we can make a guess concerning the bird’s name. And in doing so, hopefully save Daks from the consequences of his foolish decision.” After a sigh, Talon continued, “And then we can finally try to get the one we came to retrieve – blood from the red kite’ heart.”
“I almost forgot about that,” said Rose. “One thing at a time, I guess, is the best advice for now.”
Willow thrust her thought forward, “What qualities do we know of the kite? While patience is a wonderful quality, now is the time for haste. Our friend’s life is ebbing away.” The other two nodded in agreement. For a moment, Rose wondered about the younger, blond-hair girl. At times, she seemed like a typical eleven-year old, and at other times, she talked like someone eight times her age. Many secrets, thought Rose, swirled around the girl with a too frequent stoic visage.
As thoughts came to their mind, the three remaining members of the JRB offered their insight:
“We know the bird is big, far bigger than any normal size bird. His size is unnatural.”
“The kite is frightening.”
“He is in control. The power resid
es with the kite, not with us.”
“The turquoise-beaker can heal Daks, when not even a flesh-weaver can fix him.”
“The bird knew Daks leapt from the precipice, despite never looking at him. I suppose, the creature can see things without looking.”
“That kite saved Daks’ life. At some level, he must possess incredible kindness. How else could you explain his willingness to save the life of a person who was trying to kill him?”
“The red kite is amazing, just amazing.”
“He wants to be recognized for who he is. How else could you explain his desire for us to know his name? Because to know his name, is to know him.”
The three youths added many other observations. Some were obvious, and others were less noticeable.
After a brief pause, when the JRB could think of nothing else to add, Talon interrupted the silent interlude. “These are all great observation, but we are missing something. What does it mean to give something a name?”
The two girls appeared flummoxed. They, obviously, did not understand his rhetorical questions. He repeated his statement, assuming the repletion of the phrase would foster enlightenment, “What does it mean to give something a name?”
Willow and Rose looked sheepishly at each other. Neither understood the point that Talon was trying to convey. “Oh, whatever,” said Talon, “Let me explain it to you. When you name something, you show power over that thing. For example, when my parents named me, they displayed their parental authority over me. They looked upon me and deemed I should forever be known as ‘Talon,’ because I was born with hooked, claw-like fingernails. Even if I were to change my name, I will always be ‘Talon.’ And my parents are the ones who gave me that future.”
“And how does this help us?” asked Rose.
“Because, little sister, now we realize that to give something a name requires authority over that thing. This relationship is inherent in the name-giving process. That which is named is, at least initially, subservient to the one who does this naming.”
“Great. And how does this help us?” asked Rose again.
Talon shrugged, befuddled by his own insight.
“Well, who could name the red kite?” asked Willow. “I mean, who has that authority? Is there something more powerful than that bird? And if so, what is it?”
“Who, or what, could be more power than the kite? It has the power to restore life to Daks, who injuries leave him so close to death than not even the flesh-weaver can restore him?”
“Flesh-weaver!” bellow Talon. “I am starting to understand. Why, Willow, are you called a flesh-weaver?”
“Because,” she said, “I have access to natural healing powers in this world. Just as, I guess, you make full use of the power of light, we can use the full power of living things in this world to restore bodies.”
“And yet,” continued Talon, “you cannot heal Daks because his wounds are too severe. Am I right in assuming that his wounds would then require something beyond the confines of this world to heal him?”
“Absolutely,” said the girl. “Even the greatest weaver could make no difference for Daks. The gaping hole in his mid-section requires the re-growth of intestines and skin. A flesh-weaver in essence, stitches the human body together, but we cannot regrow a person’s innards. We can only restore in a person that which is already present. We cannot make new. This is our limitation. This reality exists at the very essence of all healing. We have no power over death – only the ability to maximize a person’s natural life potential.”
“So if you cannot heal Daks,” said Rose, “but the kite can, what does that say about the feathered creature?”
Rose and Willow looked at each other. Neither could answer the question, which danced elusively before them. Talon waited shortly, giving the girls a chance to coalesce the elusive ideas into a cohesive thought. After a few thought-filled moments, he interrupted the silence, “The answer is obvious, but yet seemingly absurd. The red kite possesses the power that eludes the flesh-weaver; the kite can create. The bird can re-create the destroyed portion of Daks’ body, and thereby, restore our friend’s life.”
Rose’s mouth gaped open. “Only one thing can create,” she said “and that is the Creator. Surely, Talon, you are not saying the red kite is the Creator. That is absurd. While I do not know much of the Creator – and who does – I am confident the Creator does not have feathers and live on this isolated island.”
“I am not sure what I am saying,” said Talon, “but how else do you explain how the red kite can restore Daks’ body? How else is that possible? If you have any other explanation, I am ready to hear them.”
“I just don’t know,” said Rose. “Maybe you are right.”
“I have of no other explanations,” said Willow, “and prior to this very moment, I never believed in the possibility of a Creator. As a reminder, we do not have much time left. The kite gave us one hour, and the end of our time approaches quickly. I am not sure we are going to find a better answer to his question.”
Rose and Talon nodded their heads in agreement. With their allotted time slipping away, it seemed unlikely that the group could muster a better explanation. Willow continued, “Talon, does that mean you will guess ‘Creator’ as the red kite’ name?”
“I see no other option,” said Rose. “But Talon, the decision is yours to make.”
“I just have one question,” replied Talon, “Who named the Creator? I mean, who decided to call him ‘Creator’?”
A baffled countenance swept across the face of the two girls. Neither understood Talon’s question.
“Let’s look at what we know,” responded Talon. “To begin, we know naming something is sign of power. Agreed?” The girls nodded affirmatively. He continued, “If, as we agree, naming something reflects authority, who has the authority over the Creator to name him ‘Creator’? Who has that kind of power?” The girls flashed looks of confusion. Talon, they knew, spoke correctly. If the Creator truly created all things, then nothing existed prior to the Creator to give him a name. Talon continued, “When you think about it, this is a simple dilemma. Since nothing existed to name the Creator, then the Creator must be nameless. I think that is the answer: nameless.
“I knew it was somehow a trick question,” blurted Willow. “I just knew it.”
“I don’t know,” offered Rose. “Are you really willing to trust Daks’ life with that answer?”
“Do you have any better ideas?” asked Talon. “I do not, and as Willow just reminded us, our time is running out.” Rose shook her head.
“One last question before you go,” said Rose. “Are you really sure that the bird is the Creator. I mean, is the Creator really a turquoise-beaked, red kite just plopped down on this island? I have my doubts.”
“Yea,” offered Willow, “me too. I am just not sure that the red kite and the Creator are the same thing. While I am starting to think there really is a Creator, can it really be an oversized turquoise-beaked bird?”
“We all have our doubts,” said Talon. “At this point, we just need to make our best guess. I cannot think of any more feasible explanation. Given what we know, I think our best choice is to believe the red kite is, indeed, the Creator. As absurd as it sounds, I can think of no other explanation. Further, let’s look at our options. If the kite is not the Creator, then it lacks the power to heal Daks. Under that scenario, it matters not if we guess its name, because the being lacks the power to make any difference. We might know its name, but it would not help Daks. If, however, the red kite is the Creator, then it can help Daks. The only thing that can help Daks, at this point, is the creator. Is the red kite really the Creator? I am not sure, but given the current circumstances, I think assuming the bird is, in fact, the Creator is our best option.”
“We cannot argue with that reason, can we?” agreed Willow. Rose nodded in affirmation.
“I must go. There is not much time left.” Talon quickly exited from the others and returned to red kite’
lair.
As Talon walked toward the gigantic winged being, he looked toward his fallen friend. Daks’ grey-colored skin showed a human in the final moments of life. With every one of Daks’ heavy breathes, Talon wondered if that breath would his friends’ last. Death hovered over the youth like a vulture over the carrion. “Why did he act so stupidly,” wondered Talon. Courtesy of his friend’s fantastically foolish decision, Talon strolled toward the intimidating bird hoping that magnificent creature was, in fact, nameless. What a strange turned of events, thought Talon. One day, I am making a glowing plow for a local farmer. A few months later, I am guessing the name of the most unbelievable of creatures in an effort to save my friend’s life.
The red kite’s voice boomed in the small gorge, “You have returned, and not a moment too soon. Death stands ready to divorce your friends’ life and body. What is your answer to my question? What, Talon, is my name? Answer me correctly, and I can restore your companion. Answer me incorrectly, and I am unable to help him.”
The red kite looked intently upon Talon as the youth cleared his throat. He then projected his voice in a confident tone, “The answer to your question is ‘nameless.’ You are ‘nameless.’”
“Do you mean to say,” responded the red kite, “that I named ‘Nameless’ or that I am, in fact, without a name?”
“Is there a difference?” answered Talon.
“Well said,” said the red kite. The gigantic feathered-creature let out a soft laugh. “Well said, indeed, young man. Your answer is correct. I am nameless, because as you rightly ascertained, always, I am.
Talon ran to his fallen friend, who looked more dead than alive. He feebly began to tend to his wound, but his fruitless efforts netted no improvement. Talon’s emotions spilled to the surface; the composure he showed through the ordeal with Nameless melted away. Talon sobbed for his friend’s imminent death. He cried for the entire ill-fated quest. He screamed at the constant pressure of his companions looking to him for answers. The thought of his father left him breathless. Talon, simply, reached had reached his emotional boundary; he lacked control as his every thought, concern, and his anguish splayed before everyone.
Nameless leaned toward Daks and spread his wing around both boys. The gentle crush of the feather blanket encapsulated them. With the same elegance as his previous movement, Nameless lifted his wing to reveal a completely restored Daks. The gaping wounds from the bird’s talon no longer existed. Instead, his body was perfectly restored to its condition prior the ill-fated leap. Daks’ shredded clothes lay across his body while a deep red blood color stained everything within two steps of the previously injured boy. As Daks rose to his feet, Talon chided the older teenager, “Can you stop acting like an idiot?”
“Yea,” said Daks, in a dazed stupor. After a few groggy blinks of eyes, the spoke again, “Wow, what was that? The last thing I remember is jumping off the cliff toward the red kite. Then, my mind is filled with absolute emptiness. Time seemed not to exist, and an expanse of nothingness surrounded me. There was darkness, but it was infinite emptiness more than the just the absence of light. It felt like I was there for ten years, but at the same time, it passed in just a second. But, I will tell you this Talon, I am glad to be back.”
“You nearly died,” said Talon.
“Actually,” countered Daks, “I think I did.”
Rose and Willow, who watched the entire sequence of events from above, scrambled down the last set of rocks and rushed towards their rejuvenated companion. Rose threw her arms around him, and Willow, who was trailing close behind, mimicked her actions. Rose screamed, “I thought you were gone. I didn’t think I would see you again.”
Daks smiled broadly. He delighted in the positive affection from his two companions. In a typical Daks’ demeanor, he playfully taunted the others, “If this is the reward, maybe I should try this again.”
Rose jumped away from her embrace and chided him, “If you do that, I might end you myself.” Everyone knew both youths only jested. Another impromptu hug formed, this time the complete JRB embraced. “Enough,” interrupted Rose. “We still have much to do.”
“Now, young friends – save one,” bellowed Nameless. His echoing voice reminded the youths of their current journey. The apparent loss, and then restoration, of their companion momentarily interrupted their singular focus, but the red kite’ voice redirected their thoughts from the jubilation of a life restored to the, now, very awkward reality that their mission required the lifeblood of this great beast. They know looked upon Nameless from a much different perspective. When they arrived, they viewed him as “just a bird,” but now, they looked upon a mighty being – a creature so power that he lacked a name.
Nameless continued speaking, “Why have you disturbed my lair? What brings you to this island?” All member of the JRB looked to the ground, unable to look into the great creature’s gigantic ice-like eyes. In a bold, but gently voice, the winged being continued, “Now is the time for answers.”
Talon stepped forward and stopped a few steps from Nameless. Rose followed his lead and moved beside her older brother, and then Willow strolled toward Talon’s other side. Daks, upon seeing the other move away from him, followed them, but he took a place behind Talon. He, understandably, felt great shame for his previous attempt to sever the bird’s head.
Talon looked into the Nameless’ eyes and spoke boldly, “We are travelers from a distant village, and I have much to tell you. It begins with …” He relayed their story from the beginning. Talon told of his father, Commander Lupier, the glowing arsenal, Blazing Mountains, the vista, Laghorn, the Disinherited, and, finally, Sporadic Island. He weaved their tale perfectly together, not omitting any important details while skipping over the superfluous facts. Through it all, however, he never mentioned the Book of Epiphany. Despite this glaring omission, Talon’s story fit together exquisitely. Somehow, he completely managed to shield the existence of the double-bound book. Further, he never explained their reason for being on this island. Nothing was said of their pursuit for blood from the bird’s heart.
Nameless looked compassionately at the group. “Trust me,” he said the group. “Tell me all, and leave nothing out.”
Rose remembered her father’s advice, “Trust others.” She reached into Talon’s backpack and pulled the book from his bag. As she lifted into the air, Talon retold his story, this time adding in the aspects relating to the Book of Epiphany. All waited quietly as he, once again, detailed their journey.
Willow whispered to Rose as Talon neared completion, “That is the first time I heard the complete story. It helps me understand the passion displayed on this journey. Plus, telling Nameless about the book is the right thing to do. If we cannot trust him, who can we trust?”
Rose smiled and nodded in agreement.
As Talon neared the end of retelling, Nameless interrupted him once Talon mentioned crossing to Sporadic Island. Talon felt relief. Perhaps the great being heard enough of their story. How could he tell this newfound friend that they traveled to this place because they needed blood from his heart? Perhaps this interruption would prevent him from vocalizing this information. Nameless then poised the question that burdened the JRB, “So Talon Sunsculptor, why have come to Sporadic Island and why did your friend bring weapons against me?”
“Ugh,” muttered Talon under his breath. There is no escape, he realized, from telling the complete truth. Talon stammered for a few moments trying to find the words. He lack the right words the deliver the agonizing truth.
“Just tell him,” bellowed the effervescent Rose. “He already knows we came for the blood from his heart. Nameless just needs to hear the words from your mouth.”
The bird snickered in a way that a bird snickers. Nameless nodded gently in affirmation to Rose’s proclamation.
Talon cleared his throat and continued, “We came for the blood from your heart. Daks leapt from precipice to kill you; he wanted to severe yo
ur head and the fill a vial with your blood.”
“And why do you need my blood?”
“Our reason is based upon the Book of Epiphany,” answered Talon.
“Ah, yes, the Book of Epiphany. I know something about its creation,” responded Nameless.
“Then you know the reason for our arrival?” questioned Rose.
“I do,” answered the creature. “Your arrival accompanies both great sadness and great joy. Sadness in that I must acquiesce to your needs. A path set long ago makes this decision necessary. Joy in that the current age finally moves toward its culmination.”
“Does that mean you will die?” asked Rose.
“Is there any other way?” asked the great creature. “If I knew another path, I would choose it, but sometimes, there are paths that I, the nameless one, cannot alter. So it was in the beginning. So it will be in the end. So it will continue after the completion.”
A great wind swept across the island. The rustling of trees in the distance revealed a gust moving towards Nameless’ lair. Tree creaked and cracked in the distance as the wind gust snapped branches and small trees.
A frightened look streaked across Willow’s face. “Fear not,” said Nameless, “you will not be harmed. My lair provides amazing protection. The wind will simply blow over us; I doubt you feel more than a gentle breeze.”
“That is not the reason for my fear,” answered Willow.
“My time is now. I must depart,” said Nameless.
“Wait!” screamed Willow. Nameless halted his motion and looked down upon the girl. She then proceeded, “I have two questions before you leave us.”
The sound of the wind – or perhaps, the sound of the wind’s effects – moved closer and closer. The JRB huddled together. The sudden appearance of an unnaturally strong wind seemed odd, even for this trip.
“Ask,” responded the nameless one.
“First, how old are you?”
The howling wind moved closer.
“I am the age before the ages.”
Daks leaned over and whispered in Talon’s ear, “Does that make any sense to you?” Talon politely ignored the rhetorical question.
“Second,” continued Willow, “Why did you require Talon to answer the question, ‘What is my name?’ before healing Daks? Why did you not just heal him?”
The howling wind mover even closer.
“This question,” answered Nameless, “is more complicated than the first. To begin, I did not heal him; I restored him. As you know, there is a difference. In regards to your question, if I simply restored your companion, then such actions reflect the merit of the recipient rather than the merit of healer. As was evident, your companion did not merit his restoration; rather, he deserved the consequence of his actions. If Talon answered incorrectly, and I still healed your companion, then such actions would indicate a merit in the answer that initiated the restoration process. While in either case, your friend would indeed be restored, but in both cases, my actions would reward the self-assurance that led to his foolish leap. Thus, by restoring your companion, I would only propagate the very thing I seek to eliminate – human self-reliance. In contrast, Talon’s answer declared an acknowledgement in his companion’s culpability and recognized that if I healed his friend, it bespoke about my power and nothing of the wounded person’s goodness.”
“I don’t understand what you saying,” answered Willow.
“And nor should you, at least not yet. Someday, it will make more sense to you, but for today, please understand I acted only for the goodness of your companion.”
“Farewell, my friend,” said Willow as single tear dripped down her face.
The wind roared above their head. The trees surrounding the cliff swayed violently. Small rocks along the precipice loosed and freefell toward the four humans and one bird.
“Until we meet again,” answered Nameless.
“This is strange,” said Rose. “Something is about to happen. Something terrible.”
Snap! Crack! Pop!
The wind’s violent power pushed the stumpy tree damaged by Daks’ glowing ice axe to its side. The wobbly, wounded tree broke from the base of its trunk. The trunk snapped easily from it firmly grounded root system. It fell into the lair, tumbling end over end. The tumbling tree danced in the air, as the wind twisted it here and there. Its leaves fluttered everywhere, as the wind yanked the tree’s adornments. Spinning, tumbling, twisting, and falling. Just above the nameless one, the falling tree settled into its flight, the severed trunk – cut razor sharp by the Daks’ glowing ice axe – fell like an arrow towards the prey. It swooshed toward the lair’s oversized resident and fell directly on Nameless.
This time, however, the turquoise-beaked bird never moved.
Thud!
The tree trunk stuck deep within the bird, and as the great creature slumped to its side, the tree’s trunk slipped out of the lethal wound. Blood gushed from its pierced chest, and his innards splayed upon the ground. Life rushed from the red kite. The great ice-like eyes flashed twice, and with that, its eyes melted into nothingness. The nameless creature succumbed to his wound. The gushing blood slowed to a trickle. The warmth surrounding the magnificent creature gave way the coolness of the day. Nameless died. The bloodstained body of the bird lay frozen on its side. The slice across its chest revealed its inert heart. Blood trickled from the organ; the very blood the JRB came to retrieve.
The four youths stated motionless at the fallen creature. The said nothing. Just moments before, Nameless lived, breathed, and talked. Now, just an instant later, the great bird lay dead before them – just an empty shell of its former self
Rose tossed her pack to the ground and retrieved a small vial. She trudged toward the bird, slipping on the bloody mess. Her companions followed close behind – not wanting her to face this moment alone. Blood and intestinal matter dripped from the carcass. Crimson stains splotched their bodies and clothes and she stepped through the splayed innards. Rose stood at the breach in the feathered body and reached into its chest cavity. She patted the static blue heart, making sure it no longer thumped its rhythmic beat. After examining the heart for a few minutes, Rose notice a slight tear in one its chambers. Holding the vial tightly in her right hand, the girl with long blood stained curly dark hair reached into the chamber. She held the vial in the blue heart and lost awareness of time.
“I think that is enough,” said Talon. “You can pull it out.”
Rose re-engaged with her surroundings. Her body yanked in response, like being suddenly awakened. She pulled the vial from the heart and held it close to her chest. The viscous crimson liquid filled the small vial. Rose tightened its cap and returned to her discarded bag. The members of the JRB said nothing.
Quietly, the walked away from the bird and toward the Glass Sea, which surrounded Sporadic Island. Each stepped into clear water and plucked intestinal goo from their bodies. The crystal water turned an ominous shade of maroon as the group dunked their fully clothed bodies in the refreshing water. Surprisingly, their clothes washed clean in the warm salt water. After scrubbing their bodies and clothes clean, Willow noticed a few crimson freckle-like marks on her legs. After much scouring, she still could not remove the stains. She said nothing at the time. In due time, the Sunsculptor siblings discovered similar marks upon themselves. Talon discovered them on his arms while Rose found them on the top of her left foot. These marks never left the member of the JRB. Throughout the days of their lives, the bright crimson freckles adorned their body. The marks shimmered in the sun and glowed in the dark. Frequently, each person received queries about these unusual marks. As to their response, those accounts are found elsewhere.
20 The Road