Pure Blood

  Chapter 15

  “Ah!” Crix’ eyes darted open at the sound of a scream. He didn’t move, however. He listened for a few minutes. Nothing. Must’ve imagined it. He relaxed and closed his eyes again. Then a second scream came. It was louder than the first. Crix bolted upright and, while struggling with the sheets, fell out of the bed and onto the hard floor. Ow! He rolled his neck, and slowly stood up. He rubbed his lower back. I’m gonna feel that tomorrow. Then he heard another scream. It was softer. He forgot about the pain he was feeling, and ran out of the bedroom and into the hallway. Holidee. He opened her door and walked inside. She was tossing and turning in her bed. Sweat was pouring down her face. He turned on the light.

  “Holidee?” She was having a nightmare. Crix knelt down next to her. “Holidee?” She was still dreaming. “Holidee, wake up.” He touched her shoulder gently. Holidee shot up and pressed her hand to his neck, as if she was holding a knife. When she realized it was Crix, she lowered her hand. She was still breathing hard. “Holidee?” Tears started to roll down her cheeks. Crix stood up and sat on the edge of her bed. He wrapped his arms around her and cradled her in his arms. His hand slowly stroked her hair. “It’s okay. It was just a dream. Everything’s alright. I’m here.”

  “It was so real.”

  “Shh. I know. It’s over now. Everything’s alright.” He rocked her for what seemed like an hour. Then he stopped and looked down at her. “Are you okay?” She nodded. He wanted to ask about the dream, but decided against it. “Good. Do you want me to stay up with you for awhile?” She shook her head.

  “No. I’m alright.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. Sorry for waking you.”

  “It’s okay. Try and get some rest.”

  “Okay.” Holidee laid back down. Crix covered her up and walked out of her room. He quietly shut the door. He couldn’t sleep, however. He walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water. He sat down on a stool and sipped the water. Nightmare. She put her hand to my neck like she was holding a knife. He took another sip of water. Tom did that. In the hospital. He was having a nightmare, and when I woke him up, he pressed his knife to my neck. Crix took another sip of water. Why? Why would they have similar nightmares? Crix set down his glass. What’s the connection? Crix sat in the silence for an hour, thinking. What’s the connection? Slowly, the sun rose, and another day begun.

  Holidee woke up before anyone else in the house. She walked out of her room and into the kitchen, where she saw Crix sitting on a stool, asleep. Holidee smiled. His head was on his arm, and his hand was holding a glass. She shook her head, amused. Holidee walked over to him and shook him gently.

  “Wake up, sleepy head.” Crix stirred and opened his eyes.

  “Holidee?” He looked around at the kitchen. “I fell asleep in the kitchen?” He shook his head and stood up to get a cup of coffee. After he got his coffee, he sat back down on the stool. Holidee joined him with a bagel and cream cheese. “What time is it?”

  “Almost nine.” Crix yawned.

  “Why’re you up so early?” Holidee shrugged.

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “Huh.” Holidee crossed her arms and looked at Crix with a smile.

  “And what is that supposed to mean?”

  “What?”

  “What you just did.”

  “What’d I do?” Crix smiled. He was teasing her.

  “Huh. That’s what you did.” Crix laughed.

  “What did you want me to do?”

  “You…I don’t know.” Holidee became frustrated and realized Crix was messing with her. “You’re a dirtball, you know that?”

  “Yeah. I know.” They laughed. “And so are you.”

  “Yeah. I guess it takes one to know one.” Holidee smiled. “I’m gonna go take a shower.” Then she left the kitchen. Crix got up and walked to the front door. He opened it, still holding his cup of coffee. Then he walked outside and picked up the newspaper. He went back inside and sat on the couch. He was reading the news and sipping his coffee when Mer came up behind him and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Morning.”

  “Hey. Morning.” Mer walked into the kitchen to get herself a cup of hot chocolate. “So what was last night all about?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I heard you get out of bed and then you never returned.”

  “Oh. Holidee had a nightmare, and then I accidentally fell asleep in the kitchen. I must’ve been tired.” Mer laughed.

  “Yeah. Must’ve been.” She walked over to the couch with her hot chocolate and sat down next to Crix. “A nightmare, huh? Was it about her parents?” Crix put down the paper.

  “No. I don’t think so.” He turned to face Mer. “Remember when Holidee was in the hospital and Tom and Zeke came to visit her?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Remember when Tom had that nightmare? That awful nightmare where he ended up putting his knife to my throat?”

  “Yeah. That was a little creepy.”

  “Well, Holidee’s nightmare last night was kind of similar, except she didn’t have a knife in her hand. She acted like she did, though.”

  “Could just be a coincidence.”

  “Yeah. Maybe. But I have the feeling it’s not.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

  “Or maybe you didn’t get enough sleep.” Mer set her hot chocolate on the table and snuggled against Crix’ chest. Crix smiled, set his coffee down, and wrapped his arms around her. “You know, Crix, you can’t be there for her 24/7. What’re you going to do when she goes on a date?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll worry about that when it happens.”

  “It might happen sooner than you think. When I get off work early, I see Zeke walking Holidee home. He walks her home everyday. And he lives at the other end of town.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Yep. Now, I haven’t seen them kiss or hold hands, so it’s not serious…yet.”

  “Yeah. I know. She’s gonna find a boy, settle down with him, and start a family. I want her to, too. It’s just the heartbreaks in between that I don’t look forward to.” Mer smiled.

  “Maybe you’ll be lucky and she’ll stick with Zeke.”

  “Maybe. I think if I can handle talking about her parents to her, I can handle a few heartbreaks.” Crix sighed. He leaned his head against the couch. “Don’t you ever wonder what it would be like if things turned out differently?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like…if I was allowed to be with Holidee when she was younger. Would that change our relationship now? Or would it be the same no matter what? And if I had married you earlier. What would that have done? Or…if I would have saved Gregoric…if he would’ve let me save him…”

  “You wouldn’t know Holidee like you do now. Crix, he wanted you to finish raising her. Fate played her cards, and for some reason, you were to live. It’s not your fault they died. You couldn’t’ve prevented it.”

  “I know. And if I had saved Gregoric, he wouldn’t’ve been the same. He would’ve been depressed and sad and…he wouldn’t’ve been the same.” Mer stroked Crix’ face with her hand. Crix put his hand on hers and closed his eyes. “I miss him, Mer. I miss them both.”

  “I know. So do I. But we have to remember…they’re always here with us.” Crix took her hand and kissed the back of it.

  “How did I ever survive without you?” Crix gently kissed Mer on the lips. “I love you.” Mer smiled.

  “I love you, too.” Crix smiled as they touched foreheads. Mer laughed and soon Crix joined in. Crix swept a piece of hair away from Mer’s face.

  “You’re so beautiful.” Mer smiled.

  Holidee had been out of the shower for a few minutes now, but her godparents hadn’t noticed. They were in their own little world. Holidee smiled as she witnessed the whole scene. They were in love. It showed all over their faces. They were in love like her parents were. She didn’t wa
nt to interrupt them, so she headed back to her bedroom. On her way to her bedroom, however, she stepped on a squeaky board. Crix and Mer both looked over at the hallway. They smiled.

  “Holidee?” Holidee’s eyes were closed, hoping they hadn’t heard the loose board, but they did.

  “Yes?”

  “You don’t have to hide, y’know.”

  “Yeah, I know.” She walked into the living room. “I was trying not to disturb you.”

  “Sit down.” Crix patted the couch cushion beside him. Holidee sat. “What’s up?”

  “Oh. Nothing.” She thought for a moment. “Hey, we’re going to the beach house next weekend, right?”

  “Yeah. Excited?”

  “Yeah!” A pause. “Uh…do you think maybe I could take some friends?”

  “Holidee, we’ll be doing stuff. You know, like healing, growing, etc. Zeke and Tom can’t-“

  “No, not them.” Crix looked at her funny. “I was thinking more of these two other friends I have.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Well, I met ‘em at school. They’re twins. They’re a fourth Oceain.”

  “How well do you know them?”

  “I think pretty well. They’re really nice. His name’s Rip and her name’s Rebekah.”

  “Rip and Rebekah?”

  “Uh-huh. So what do you think?”

  “Why do you want to take them?”

  “Cuz I really like them and…well, I want to open a school for Oceains to learn their skills after I graduate. I want the school to be year-round except for summer, and I want them to come right after their eighth grade year. I want the Oceains to live and thrive again. I want to stop hearing, ‘We’re a dying race’. I want to live.” Crix smiled.

  “You’re really serious about this school thing, aren’t you?”

  “Yes! I want classes specifically for Oceain skills. We’ll also have normal classes like Algebra and History, but we’ll have Oceain History.”

  “I’m all for the school, but how does teaching Rip and Rebekah, who aren’t my kids, help you build a school?”

  “Schools need teachers. I need them to teach whatever skill is their best. How many Oceains am I going to find that are good and nice and live around here? I also want you to teach. Then I plan on asking Tom and Zeke to teach regular subjects like geometry and English. Since they’re not Oceains. What do you think?” Crix thought about it for a few minutes.

  “Sounds like you’re gonna be a busy girl these next two years.” Holidee jumped up and hugged Crix.

  “Thank you SO much! Oh! This is going to be great! I can’t wait!”

  “Okay, okay. Sit down. Now what is Rip and Rebekah’s last name? I need to talk with their parents and explain your little plan.”

  “They’re in your biology class with me. Remember the twins? They always sit with me.”

  “Oh! Them. Okay. Yeah. But I don’t remember their last name.”

  “It’s Hakeber.”

  “Hakeber?” Holidee nodded. Crix was silent for a few minutes. “Okay. I’ll talk with their parents this week. Don’t ask them until we get their parents’ permission first.”

  “Okay.” Holidee got up and headed to her bedroom. She stopped and turned around halfway there. “Thanks, Crix.” Crix smiled, and she left. Mer looked over at Crix.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I know that name from somewhere.”

  “You mean Hakeber?”

  “Yeah. I know it. I just don’t know how.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

  “Yeah.” Crix’ voice was distant. He was thinking. Mer got up and went into the other room. Then she walked back into the living room and sat back down on the couch next to Crix.

  “This might help.” Mer pulled out Crix’ high school Reveille. She brushed some of the dust off and set it on her and Crix’ lap. She opened it to the first page. Crix touched the pages.

  “It’s been so long.” Mer flipped through the pages until she got to the H’s. She scrolled her finger down the page until she found Hakeber. Then she scrolled across and stopped on a picture of a boy. She turned the reveille toward Crix. He studied the picture thoroughly. “Could it be…?” He touched the picture.

  “Do you remember him now?”

  “This kid…he made my life hell after Gregoric left Ohio.” Mer was quiet. “He always made sure I knew my place: behind his fist. I always got a weekly beating, and if I was lucky, I got one daily. He made me feel helpless and weak.” Crix balled his hands into fists. “And I hated him for it. I hated his disgusting face, his putrid cologne, and his menacing eyes. He made my life hell, and I never forgave him for it. Him and his posse. Only when Gregoric came back to Ohio, did he stop.” Mer set her hand on Crix’. His hands slowly unclenched. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. He put you through a lot of misery. But the past has passed. Holidee really likes his kids. Maybe he has changed. He was, after all, only a boy then.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I should just let it go.”

  “Plus,” Mer continued trying to cheer Crix up. “You aren’t a scrawny little boy anymore.” Crix smiled.

  “Yeah. That’s because I got tired of his beatings so I started working out.”

  “Well, see. He probably won’t even recognize you.” Crix shut the book and hugged Mer.

  “Thanks.”

  The next day, during biology class, Crix looked at everyone in his class. He could unmistakably tell who the Hakeber twins were. The boy, Rip, had kind of long hair. It didn’t cover his eyes, though. It was considered ‘shaggy’. The odd thing about his hair, however, was that he had scarlet highlights in his dark brown locks. Crix had never seen a boy with red highlights. He had seen it on plenty of girls, but not boys. The highlights were a blood red and scattered throughout his shaggy brown hair. If he weren’t an Oceain, he would have had hazel eyes, but the light gray irises pierced through his red-brown strands of hair. He was in good shape. Obviously, his father played football and was a machine. His sister, Rebekah, also had dark brown hair with blood red highlights. Her hair touched below her shoulders. It was straight and beautiful. Her eyes were also light gray. Both of the twins had certain features from their father, but more from their mother, who undoubtedly was an Oceain.

  “Rip. Rebekah.” They looked at Crix and then walked over to him. “I would like a word with the two of you.” They nodded. “I would like to meet with your parents this week. Would that be possible?” The twins looked at each other. Their parents had never met with a teacher, because of all of the good marks they got in school.

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “They’re both off Wednesday.”

  “Perfect. Tell them to meet me in my room at five.”

  “Okay.”

  “You can continue with your work.” They joined Holidee again. Crix watched them leave. Wednesday then.

  Crix sat at his desk, waiting for the clock to strike five. When it finally did, his nerves started to fail him. He got up, walked around, got a drink of water, walked around some more, and then sat back down. When his back hit the chair, the doorknob to his classroom turned. Memories and emotions flooded back into him. He took a deep breath and put his game face on. The door opened and in walked a man and a woman in their forties. The man was no longer muscular. His dark brown hair was graying and wrinkles set into his face. The woman was lovely, but aged. She, too, had wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. She looked tired, but she put on a pleasant smile for Crix. They both sat down across from Crix. They had worried looks on their faces. Crix smiled to himself.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Hakeber?”

  “Please.” It was the man. “Call me Rodger and my wife, here, Alison.” His wife spoke up next.

  “I prefer Ali.”

  “Well, Mr. and Mrs…Rodger and Ali, I called you here to talk about Rip and Rebekah. I-“

  “They get perfect scores in your class.”

  “And they haven’t told us anyt
hing about misbehaving in your class either.”

  “Or any class for that matter.”

  “I’m well aware of that-“

  “So why would you want to talk to us?”

  “I am getting to that if you would please,” Crix lowered his voice. “Let me continue.” They got quiet. “As I was saying, I wanted to talk about Rip and Rebekah-“

  “Wait. Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Crix sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I could swear you look-“

  “Yes! Yes, you know me! I was the scrawny boy in high school you used to always use as a punching bag! You made my life hell! So hi! It’s nice seeing you!”

  “Wait! So are you trying to get back at me by getting my kids in trouble? Because that was back in high-“

  “No.” Crix was rubbing his head. “I am not playing ‘revenge’ on some guy’s kids. Now, please, let me finish.” They were quiet. “Good. Now as I was saying…” Crix looked them in the eyes. Rodger had never noticed that Crix had gray eyes like his wife’s. “Look,” Crix was done playing teacher. “Do you know who Holidee Galygin is?” He looked specifically at Ali.

  “Yeah. What Oceain doesn’t?”

  “Well, I’m her…godfather…and we own a beach house on the coast. We’re going there this weekend, and Holidee wanted Rip and Rebekah to join us. All we do there is strengthen our skills. Holidee wanted to help strengthen Rip and Rebekah’s skills because after she graduates, she wants to open up a school only for Oceains, so that they can learn about their heritage and skills. She wants Rip and Rebekah to be teachers there. She hasn’t asked them yet. I told her to wait until I talked with you guys. I think it’s a wonderful idea, but I’ll need your permission, of course, to teach your children.” Rodger looked at his wife and then at Crix. Then he stood up.

  “I don’t like it. Honey, we don’t even know the guy-“ Crix dropped his head and shook it.

  “Rodger sit down.”

  “Don’t tell me what to d-“

  “Rodger! Sit down!” He sat. “I am not doing this as an act of revenge!” He lowered his voice. “I just simply want to support Holidee’s wishes.” Crix looked at Ali. “Surely you know how important it is to restore our race. Imagine what this school could do.” All was quiet. Then Rodger whispered to his wife.

  “Honey, we don’t have to answer right away. Let’s go home and think about it. Talk it over.”

  “Rodger!” Crix was standing. “Could you, for once, think about someone other than yourself? Your kids could help save a race of people. A whole race. You may not realize our importance, but your wife does! Your kids are bright. They go beyond my expectations. They’re great kids. And they’ve become really good friends with Holidee. If it’s me you don’t trust, then…well, I’m sorry. I can’t change how you feel. But I can help advance your kids in their Oceain skills. The decision is completely up to you both, but I must urge you that this may and can change the future. Our kids’ future.” Crix scribbled something on a piece of paper. “Here, give me an answer by tomorrow. No later. I can’t stay here any longer.” Crix grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

  “Wait!” Crix stopped and looked at Ali. “Yeah.”

  “What?”

  “Yes. They can go.”

  “Ali, we should-“

  “I want them to learn who they are. Maybe they won’t want to be teachers in an Oceain school or maybe they will. It’s their choice. But I do want them to learn about their heritage. I want them to strengthen their skills. Rodger, if they stray from the ocean, it could, in the end, harm them. They need the ocean. It gives them life. I know this is a hard concept for you, but trust me. They need this.” Rodger looked into his wife’s eyes and nodded.

  “Okay.” Crix let out a breath of air and turned back toward the door. “So you’re married?” He stopped again. This time he looked at Rodger.

  “Yeah. Her name’s Mer. We got married last month.”

  “Just last month? Why?” Crix sighed.

  “Because I made a promise to a friend and I kept it. You done?”

  “Yeah.” Crix put his hand on the door handle. “Hey, Crix.” Crix stopped, but didn’t take his hand off of the doorknob. “Sorry.” Crix’ grip loosened on the handle and he opened the door. He left the room and the building and headed to the house. Once he was home, he sat heavily on the couch.

  “How’d it go?” Mer walked up behind him.

  “It could have gone better, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

  “That’s good. What did they say?”

  “They said yes.”

  “Good. This’ll be good for you.”

  “What? Being surrounded by teenagers?” Mer laughed.

  “Yes, maybe. And getting out of the house and being on the beach, where you belong.” Crix smiled.

  “When we’re older, we’re gonna live on the beach.”

  “What do you mean, ‘when we’re older’? We are older.” Crix laughed.

  “I mean when we are no longer working.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “It sure does.”

  “C’mon Crix! Let’s go!” Crix ran out of the back door.

  “Okay. Okay. I’m coming.” He reached the car. “A little anxious, aren’t we? So, do we have everything?” Holidee nodded. “What about you two?” The twins nodded. “Okay, then we’re off!” Crix jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. They were on their way to the ocean. Holidee was sitting in the passenger’s seat, and Rip and Rebekah were sitting in the back. Their bags were in the trunk.

  “Uh, thanks for taking us with you, Mr. Juble-“

  “Please. Call me Crix. I feel old if you call me Mr. Jublemaker.”

  “Okay. Well, thanks.”

  “No problem. The more the merrier.” Holidee smiled and turned around to look at the twins.

  “You’re gonna love it! Just wait ‘til ya see the view!” The twins smiled. The rest of the car ride was pretty quiet. A few hours later, they arrived at the beach house. Rip and Rebekah got out of the car and marveled at the house while Crix and Holidee unloaded the luggage.

  “Wow. This is a big house.”

  “This is yours?”

  “Uh-huh.” Holidee set a suitcase on the ground. “My mom gave it to me in her will. It’s been in the family for generations.”

  “Cool.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come see the ocean! It’s beautiful!” Rip and Rebekah followed Holidee over to the wooden stairs. The ocean was calm that day. The waves were little. The birds were resting. The water was a deep blue-green. Foam reached up into the sandy beach, and then slowly sank away. The breeze was awesome, with its salty smell. Rip and Rebekah couldn’t believe how beautiful and peaceful it was there.

  “Wow.”

  “Hey you three! Am I gonna have to carry all of this into the house by myself?” The three of them smiled and ran back to where the car was parked. They each grabbed their bag and followed Crix into the house. Holidee showed them the bedrooms they would be staying in.

  Crix walked across the yard and to the long sea grass, waving in the wind. He stepped onto the wooden stairs, leading to the beach, and saw Holidee, Rip, and Rebekah sitting on the water’s edge. He walked down the stairs and joined them.

  “Hey.” They turned around.

  “Hey.” Rip continued talking.

  “Holidee was telling us about Oceains and their skills. Do we really only have one skill?”

  “Yeah.” Rip looked at the sand. Crix walked into the water until it hit his knees. “You see, when our ancestors lived on one island, every chore for taking care of the ocean was divided into skills. Back then everyone had ocean blue eyes. Everyone was a Pureblood. So they only needed one skill. They worked together to help the ocean. But after they separated, things got harder and our race got smaller. That is why Holidee has every skill of an Oceain. She is a Pureblood. The last Pureblood.”

  “But how do we know what skill we have
?”

  “Well, you don’t know…yet. But you will. Soon. That’s why we’re here.”

  “How come you can do all of the skills?”

  “I was taught by a Pureblood, Holidee’s father. He taught me everything he knew. I am also Holidee’s Guardian, which means I have to know all of them, because she’s a Pureblood and I have to teach her.” Crix saw the twins were a little disappointed. He thought for a moment, and then he dove underneath the waves.

  Rip.

  “Huh?”

  “What?”

  “Did you say something?”

  “No.”

  Rip, it’s not them. It’s me, Crix.

  “What?”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re acting awfully weird.”

  “Shh.”

  Rip. Clear your mind. Close your eyes. Now, think. Concentrate. Clear your mind. Now say hello.

  Hey.

  Good. Very good. Now say something else.

  What is this called?

  Telepathy.

  Telepathy?

  Yeah. You are a Thinker. You can talk to people with your mind. They may not be able to with their mind, but you can talk with yours.

  Really?

  Yeah. Not too hard, huh?

  No. Not really.

  Now I’m gonna surface and break the connection.

  Okay. Crix surfaced and looked at Rip, who opened his eyes and smiled. “That was cool.” Crix smiled back at him.

  “Yeah, I know. Gregoric and I used to talk to each other in detention all the time when we were bored. Gregoric was Holidee’s dad.”

  “What just happened?” Holidee and Rebekah were confused. Crix smiled.

  “Rip and I just had a little conversation through brain waves. You can do that too, Holidee. It’s just like talking with animals, but on a different brain wave.”

  “So, I’m a Thinker?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “What am I?” Crix looked at Rebekah.

  “You’re a Mother.”

  “What?”

  “You can nourish and grow plants. You can take care of animals and show them love. You can strengthen the ocean. A Mother is a very important skill.” Crix walked toward the beach. When he was right in front of Rebekah, he set a sea anemone before her. “Touch it.”

  “Won’t it sting me?”

  “Just touch it.” Rebekah reached her hand out to it, but hesitated. Then she stroked it. No sting. She felt a warm sensation. She also felt pain. She looked at Crix confused. “You can feel when it’s hurting. You can drive warmth from its body into yours or vice versa. You can love it, and heal it emotionally, unlike Healers, who heal physically. You nourish life.” Rebekah picked up the small creature and carried it to the ocean. She set it down in the water and felt its pain go away. Crix smiled. Crix went over and picked up the sea anemone. Then he dove back into the water and disappeared. He appeared a few minutes later.

  “Where’d you get it from?”

  “The sea anemone?”

  “Yeah.”

  “About a hundred miles out or so.”

  “What?” Crix smiled.

  “I told you. I have all the skills. So does Holidee, but she hasn’t expanded upon all of them yet. I can teleport in the water. I can also swim very, very fast.” All of them were silent for a minute. “So, Rip, you are a Thinker, and Rebekah, you are a Mother. Great skills to have.”

  “My head hurts.”

  “It will. You aren’t strong enough to talk for a long time or for a long distance. Give it time. You will get stronger.”

  “What about me?”

  “You, Rebekah, will need to be taught how to love every creature and thing and how to nourish each one. You will also learn how to grow marine plants. A lot of learning.”

  “What has Holidee learned so far?” Holidee looked at Crix also for the answer.

  “Well, Holidee has learned how to be a Healer, a Mother, a Babbler, a Fogger, and a Speeder.”

  “What’s a Babbler?” Holidee answered Rip’s question.

  “Someone who can talk to marine animals.”

  “Really? Wow.”

  “What’s a Speeder?”

  “Someone who can swim super fast. About as fast as any whale or dolphin.”

  “Wow.”

  “What’s a Fogger?” They all asked.

  “A fogger is someone who can predict the weather.”

  “Oh.”

  “Can they interfere with the weather?”

  “Well, it depends. You can’t actually change the weather, but a Fogger can change its course, or warn animals and stuff to move.”

  “Wow.”

  “So what other kinds of skills are there?”

  “Well, there are Trans’, Porters, Purifiers, Mop-Ops, Cogs-”

  “Cogs?”

  “Trans’?”

  “Mop-Ops?” Crix smiled.

  “Look, we’ll learn more in a little bit. But, for right now, let’s go eat lunch.” They all got up and followed Crix into the house. Holidee noticed that by the time they walked from the beach to the house, Crix was completely dry. Even his clothes.

  After lunch, the twins went to their rooms to finish unpacking, while Holidee and Crix cleaned up the kitchen.

  “Crix, what are Cogs?”

  “What about Trans’ or Mop-Ops?”

  “Well, I kind of figured that Trans change something, since trans means change, and Mop-Ops I figured clean up something.”

  “Very good. You’re using your head. Thinking. That’s good.” Holidee smiled. “A Trans is someone who can change their own appearance. Little things like hair, nose, fingers, clothes, voice, and mouth. Stuff like that.”

  “You did that, didn’t you? You were completely dry when we came back to the house for lunch.”

  “Yeah. It comes in handy every now and then.”

  “And I can do that?”

  “Eventually.” Crix paused and then continued. “A Mop-Op does clean. They clean the ocean floors. It may sound boring, but they can do some pretty cool things. Now, a Cog, well, that’s a little difficult. Probably one of the most difficult skills to learn. A Cog is someone who can change their whole being into any marine animal. A Cog can change anything into something else. For example, they can change a lamp into a marine plant or a marine plant into a lamp. They disguise things and themselves. They are incognito.”

  “Wow. That’s cool. When do I get to learn that?”

  “Whoa. I said it was one of the most difficult skills. That’ll be one of the last things you learn.”

  “Oh.” Pause. “Can you do it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Can you show me sometime?”

  “Sure. When I teach you.”

  “Aw, you’re no fun.” Crix laughed.

  “I know.”

  Marco.

  Polo. Rip moved a little to his left.

  Marco.

  Polo. Rip took three steps straight ahead of him.

  Marco.

  Polo. Two more steps ahead.

  Marco.

  Polo. Five steps to the left.

  Marco.

  Polo.

  You’re two feet to my diagonal.

  Good. Very good. You’re getting stronger by the minute. Rip opened his eyes.

  “Really?” Crix looked at him.

  “Yeah. I’m impressed. You can hear distance and placement. That’s important.” Crix picked up a few stones and started skipping them across the ocean.

  “Yeah, but Holidee caught on a lot quicker than me. She got to go back to the house three hours ago.” Rip picked up a few stones and joined Crix.

  “Holidee’s different. She’s stronger than all of us combined.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s just kinda frustrating sometimes.”

  “I know. Trust me. I was best friends with a Pureblood.”

  “Yeah. I forgot. So, wh
at was Holidee’s dad like?” Crix stopped throwing the stones. His hands fell to his sides.

  “He was…a good man.” Rip looked over at Crix.

  “I’m sorry. He meant a lot to you, didn’t he?”

  “You try having only one friend in the whole world.” Rip was going to say something, but Crix interrupted him. “Try having one person in the world who laughed with you. One person in the world who cried with you. One person who would fight with you. Or fight for you. Try having only one person who would pat you on the back and say ‘good job’. One person who was always there for you. One person who would die for you. One person who wouldn’t let you die.” Pause. “Try having…try having one person who you saw everyday, and then one day, that one person was no longer beside you. That one person was no longer laughing with you. That one person was no longer crying with you. There was no one there to fight with. No more pat-on-the-backs. No more jokes. No more…” Crix was silent for a few minutes. “Just no more.” Crix threw the rest of the rocks into the ocean and started to walk down the beach, away from Rip. Rip looked at the rocks in his hand and then at Crix’ back. Then he ran after Crix.

  “Crix!” No reply. “Crix!” Rip caught up with Crix. “Hey.” Crix kept walking. Tears burned in his eyes. “Hey. Stop.” Still walking. “Will you stop already?!” Rip had stopped about ten feet before Crix. Then he walked up to Crix and grabbed his hands. Rip held up the first stone that was in his hand. “This is death.” He set the stone in one of Crix’ hands and held up the other stone. “This is life.” He set it in Crix’ other hand. The two stones were equal in size. Then Rip bent down and picked up a heavier rock that was the size of his fist. He set it in the hand with the ‘death’ rock. “Which one is harder to carry?” Crix lifted the hand with the two stones. Rip removed the heavy rock from Crix’ hand, so that the two small stones he started out with were left. “Now which one is harder to carry?”

  “Neither. They’re the same.”

  “You can’t carry it out by yourself. You have to let others help you. If you carry all of it, then eventually you will fall from its weight. But if you let others help you with the burden, then the load will be much easier to carry. Life will be easier to live.” Crix looked at Rip.

  “Where’d you learn that?”

  “My mom. She told me that when my dog died. I was five.”

  “Smart woman.”

  “Yeah.” They stood there for a few seconds. Then Crix handed one of the stones to Rip, and they both threw them into the ocean together. Crix smiled. “Last one in has to cook dinner!” They raced into the warm water. Crix dove underneath the waves, and Rip followed.

  Try to keep up!

  Where’re we going?

  Just keep up!

  Rip was having trouble keeping Crix within eyesight. Crix was a very fast swimmer. He moved like a porpoise through the water. Then something caught Rip’s eye, and he stopped. He paused, looked in the direction Crix was swimming, and then looked back at the glow that had caught his eye. He swam toward the glow.

  Crix!

  Rip was hoping Crix wasn’t too far away for him to reach him.

  Crix! I stopped. I found something.

  Rip swam closer to the glow. As he got closer, the glow got bigger. When he finally was within twenty feet of the glow, he saw what was producing the glow. Hundreds of jellyfish were bobbing up and down. Wow.

  Amazing, huh?

  Rip turned around and saw Crix floating behind him.

  Where did you come from?

  I followed you. I knew you’d stumble across this. Every year these jellyfish, in a way, migrate. They do this in a group for protection. When they’re all together, they create this massive glow that is utterly beautiful, when you really look at it. I thought you might like to see it. Plus, we’re practicing your skill in the water, which is different than on land.

  Crix turned around and swam away. He disappeared into the dark abyss of the ocean in seconds.

  Now, come find me!

  Rip looked around in confusion.

  Use your mind. Feel for my presence. Listen to the distance between us. Judge to water’s current and flow. Now come find me!

  Rip closed his eyes and concentrated. His mind raced. It traveled through the water, searching for Crix. Fish and specks of dirt flew by. It raced deeper into the ocean until it was close. Then it stopped. Rip opened his eyes. He knew where Crix was. He swam through the ocean, searching with his mind, not with his eyes. Then he stopped.

  I can feel you. I know you’re close.

  Rip slowly searched through the dark waters. Then he got still. He listened. And smiled. He slowly turned around and came face to face with Crix. Crix smiled.

  That was excellent! You have done better than I would have expected. You will have no problem. Give it a little time, you’ll be flawless. I am very impressed, Rip. You should be proud of yourself.

  Rip smiled. He didn’t get complimented a lot. He was expected to do well in everything. He liked the feeling, though. The feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of actually feeling like he had achieved something.

  C’mon! Let’s head back to the house.

  They both swam together back. When they surfaced, the sun was setting, and the sky was slowly growing darker. They stepped out of the ocean and onto the beach and continued up to the house. Rip glanced at Crix and saw that he was dry.

  “How’d you…?” Crix looked over at Rip and smiled mischievously. Rip’s hair was dripping with water. The dark brown and blood red strands fell across his forehead and eyes. The droplets on the red strands looked like blood. He was a different type of Oceain. He was a Thinker.

  “I told you. I possess every skill an Oceain could have. Like a Trans. They can change their appearance. Just little things, though. Like their clothes or hair color or hair length and so on. I just made myself dry.”

  “Cool. Can I do that?”

  “No. But I can do it for you.” Rip and Crix stopped walking, and Crix set his hands over Rip’s head. Crix’ hands glowed bright blue for a couple seconds. Then Rip was dry.

  “Awesome. I want to learn that. That could help. Like if I didn’t want to style my hair in the morning. I could just ‘poof’ and it’s done.” Crix laughed.

  “Well, it’s not exactly a ‘poof’, but I know whattcha mean.” The two of them continued walking.

  “Hey, Crix?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m a Thinker, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And Thinkers use their minds, right?”

  “Yeah. Where’re you getting at?”

  “Well, I was just wondering if maybe Thinkers could…well…use their minds for other things besides talking. Like maybe they can move things with their minds…or something.” Crix looked at Rip.

  “What would an Oceain do with levitation? Or ‘moving things’?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought it’d be cool, y’know? So I take that as a no.”

  “No, you can’t move things with your mind. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve always just wanted to do things that…well, are unique. I like being different. One of a kind. I hate following the crowd. Bek’s like that too. We just like being…us.”

  “I understand. Is that why you guys have red highlights?”

  “That and…well…you have to admit, we look pretty sweet with ‘em.” Crix laughed.

  “Yeah. You do.” Rip laughed. They reached the house a few minutes later. Rebekah and Holidee were sitting in the kitchen, drinking water.

  “It’s about time you two got back. What were you doing all this time?” Crix looked at Rip.

  “Oh. Just playing Marco Polo.” They all laughed.

  “Just try again.”

  “It’s no use! It’s just too hard.” Rebekah stood up and threw the seaweed into the ocean. Crix watched as she started walking away.

  “You’ve already mastered the nourishing part! You just need some help with
growing things. That’s all.” Rebekah kept walking. Crix looked at Holidee, who shrugged her shoulders. Rip was sitting by the water, keeping to himself. Then he got up and ran after Rebekah.

  “Bek! Bek wait up!” Rebekah stopped and Rip caught up to her. “You can’t give up. That’s not the Hakeber way.” She shook her head.

  “It’s too hard, Rip. You got your skill in one day. Why can’t I?”

  “Yours is harder and more complicated. Your skill deals with living things. Mine just deals with the mind.” Rebekah wasn’t convinced. Rip smiled and started singing. “Hush, little sister, don’t say a word. Brother’s gonna buy you a” Rip waited for Rebekah to sing back. “C’mon Bek.” She gave in.

  “A baby bird.”

  “And if that baby bird won’t grow, brother’s gonna get you a,”

  “Robin and a crow.”

  “And if that robin and a crow won’t fly, brother’s gonna wither up in hole and die. And if your brother dies before you,”

  “Then I would wither up and die too.”

  “C’mon Bek. Don’t give up yet. Try again. For me.” Rebekah looked at Rip and then walked back over to Crix.

  “Okay. I’ll try again.” Crix looked at Rebekah and then over at Rip, who was walking back over to the water.

  While Crix was showing Rebekah how to make a short piece of seaweed grow long, Holidee sneaked up behind Rip to see what he was doing. Rip didn’t hear Holidee come up behind him. His eyes were closed. He was concentrating. Holidee noticed his hands were hovering above the water’s surface. Holidee watched him for a few minutes, but nothing happened. Then, all of a sudden, about a foot of water in front of Rip, parted. It split in half and showed the wet sand beneath it.

  “Whoa!” Rip jumped, the water crashed back together, and Rip turned around to face Holidee. “How’d you do that?” Rip stood up and looked at Holidee.

  “I’m not sure exactly.”

  “You gotta show Crix.” Rip looked over at Crix and Rebekah.

  “Not right now.” He looked back at Holidee. “Hey, I’m hungry. Do you want to go back to the house and grab something to eat?”

  “Sure. Crix! Rebekah! We’re gonna go get something to eat!” The two of them walked off together.

  An hour later, Rebekah had finally conquered the growing of seaweed.

  “Next time, we’ll see how you do with more complicated plants, and maybe a small animal.”

  “An animal?”

  “Yeah. It becomes quite helpful. Like, you can make a baby…let’s say seal, grow into an adult faster. Speed up their life cycle. The bigger the animal, the more complicated and difficult it is to perform.”

  “Why would I want to speed up an animal’s life cycle?”

  “Well, to help its species. For example, the manatee was becoming extinct because of motorboats, trash, etc. So an Oceain sped up all of the baby manatees’ life cycles, so that there would be more adult manatees to reproduce, and if there are more manatees to reproduce, then there is a better chance that they will survive. Understand?”

  “Yeah. That’s pretty cool. And I’ll be able to do that?”

  “Eventually.” Rebekah looked out into the horizon.

  “Hey, Crix?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You lived in Ohio most of your life, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So, did you know my dad?” Crix hesitated.

  “Yes.”

  “What was he like when he was in high school?” Crix’ mind spun. He was a jerk. He was a show-off. He was a bully, an attention craver, and an ass. He was anything but nice. He was a blood bearer and a pain. He haunted me even when I was dreaming. He was my nightmare, my fear. I loathe him for it, too. He was a nightmare, a blood bearer, and a bully. He was…

  “Quiet. Your father was quiet.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah,” Crix lied. He didn’t want to tell Rebekah that her father was a heartless jerk in high school. He thought it better to lie.

  “Oh.” Rebekah continued to look at the horizon. “I wish he was quiet now.” Crix looked over at her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well…it’s just that sometimes he gets on our cases a little too much.”

  “How?”

  “By just telling us to do better or…” Rebekah made her voice a little deeper. “ ‘Bekah you need to study more. You got a B+ on your test. Rip, lift more weights. You don’t want to end up scrawny. Both of you, eat healthier. You don’t want to become fat. What’s with your hair? Trying to be a gangster or something? Take it out!’ I just get so sick of it sometimes. Why can’t he accept us? Why isn’t our best the best?”

  “Sounds like he hasn’t changed,” Crix mumbled.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I’m sure your father is just hard on you guys because maybe he doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes as him.”

  “Yeah. I guess.” Rebekah wasn’t convinced.

  “Or maybe he feels outnumbered and left out.”

  “Huh?”

  “Well, you, Rip, and your mom are all Oceains. Your dad’s not an Oceain, so he can’t advise you with that stuff. Maybe he feels like he has to tell you what you can do with your normal life, because that’s all he can relate to.”

  “Hmm…”

  “How did you know I knew your father, anyway?”

  “Well, Rip and I overheard our parents fighting one night.”

  “Oh.” Curiosity got the best of Crix. “What were they fighting about?”

  “Letting us come here with you. We didn’t see the big deal, but apparently dad didn’t want us to come here. I think it had something to do with you, because…well…he mentioned your name a few times.”

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For causing a problem in your household.”

  “Don’t be. Dad just overreacted. That’s all.” Pause. “I don’t see why it was such a big deal anyway.”

  “I do.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” Crix sighed. “Your dad wasn’t quiet in high school. He was anything but quiet. He was kind of a…a bully.” Rebekah looked at Crix.

  “How would you know?”

  “Because I was his favorite victim.” Rebekah was silent.

  “He didn’t hurt you too much, did he?” Only about once a day.

  “No.” Memories flooded into Crix’ head. Memories of his daily beatings. Memories of feeling abandoned. Memories of sadness. Crix closed his eyes but Rebekah hadn’t noticed because she was facing the ocean again.

  “Good.” Crix’ mind raced past memories of his beatings and stopped at a specific one. The sounds of the ocean slowly faded away as the sound of breathing replaced it. His surroundings slowly twirled from a collage of blues and greens to a junkyard. Pain engulfed Crix’ body. Slowly, he looked up and saw four boys standing around. One of them was Rodger. Crix realized he was on the hard ground. He wiped his mouth and felt blood on his hand. He twisted over and tried to get up. The boys noticed his movement and casually walked over to him. Crix was back in his nightmares.

  ‘You trying to get up?’ One of the boys kicked him.

  ‘Go ahead! Try and get up!’ Crix got onto his hands and knees. Then Rodger came up to him. He was holding a wooden plank in his hands. It was the size of him.

  ‘Nigh’, Nigh’, Crixy poo.’ Rodger swung the wooden plank and hit Crix in the stomach, making him fly up and onto his back. Pain surged through his body. Then Rodger hit him again with the plank. This time in the leg, and this time, Crix fell unconscious from the unbearable pain. Crix woke up a couple days later in a hospital bed. He turned his head and winced at the pain it caused. He saw his dad sleeping in a chair in the corner and Gregoric sleeping in a chair next to his bed. Gregoric’s head was on the bed. Crix couldn’t move that much because of the pain. Gregoric felt his friend’s struggle and woke up.

  ‘Crix? Hey, buddy. You alright?’

  ??
?I’m in a hospital bed, what do you…’ Crix sucked in air and closed his eyes as another surge of pain raced through his bones. ‘…ow.’

  ‘Try not to move. The doctor said for you not to move a lot when you woke up.’

  ‘You talked to the doctor already? What’d he say? I’m gonna be outta here in a few days, right?’ Gregoric didn’t answer. ‘Gregoric, I’m gettin’ outta here, right?’

  ‘I wanted to be the one to tell you. Crix, your kneecap is busted. It won’t heal straight, they said. You’re gonna have to have a cane…if you ever walk on that leg again.’ Crix couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘I’m really sorry, buddy.’ The room went silent for seconds, and then minutes, and then an hour. Slowly, the hospital room faded and the collage of blues and greens came into view. Seagulls could be heard instead of the heart monitor. The pain was gone, but the memory was still there, in his head. Crix looked around and saw that he was back on the beach with Rebekah. He took a deep breath.

  “Let’s head inside. I bet you’re hungry.” They both got up and walked toward the house. Both were silent, lost in their own thoughts.

  The next day Holidee and Rebekah were sitting on the beach, soaking in its wonders. Rip decided to join them. He walked across the green grass with his hands in his pockets. He reached the wooden steps leading to the beach and walked down them. As he walked across the sand, he could see Holidee and his sister’s silhouettes. The sun was rising and casting a beautiful shadow on the ground. Rip joined them and sat down next to Holidee.

  “Where’s Crix?”

  “What do you mean? Isn’t he still in bed?”

  “No. I checked.”

  “Huh.”

  “How long have you been up?”

  “I wake up with the sun.”

  “Wow.” Pause. “Do we have to go back?” They looked at Rip. “I really like it here. It’s peaceful. I enjoy learning about my skills. And I want to learn more. I want to know about our ancestors, our way of life, and other skills. I want to meet other Oceains. I just feel like…I feel whole here.” Rebekah spoke first.

  “We have to go back, Rip. We have to finish school. We have to graduate and go to college and grow up, even if we don’t want to.” They were silent for a few minutes and then Holidee cleared her throat.

  “Well,” she paused. “I did want to ask you two something, but I wanted to wait until we were older, like in a year. I have this idea. I want to build a school. Here. On this land. A school where Oceains from all over the world can come and learn. They will learn about their own special skills and strengthen them. They will learn about Oceain culture and history. They will learn about their ancestors. They will learn about other skills and their purposes. They will learn about the ocean and its love. They will learn about every creature, animal, and plant in and around the ocean. They will learn about the currents and waves and rocks and sand. They will have their regular classes too, like math and reading and writing. I want it to be a four-year school, where they can come for their high school years and make friends with other Oceains. This will not only strengthen our race, but it will strengthen the ocean. And I want you guys to help me teach some of the classes.” Rip and Rebekah looked at Holidee in disbelief.

  “You think we could teach other Oceain kids things that we’re not even sure aren’t a dream yet?

  “Yeah. Mainly your particular skill that you excel in. Look, I’m a Pureblood. I can teach you guys things too. You’ll be great Oceains. I can tell.”

  “And how’re you gonna set up this school?”

  “Well, I’m not sure yet, but I’ll make it happen. I will. I have to or…”

  “Or what?”

  “Or I’m afraid our race, our culture, our lives might die. You don’t feel it, but I do. I feel the ocean’s pain; it’s anguish. I feel every Oceain’s pain. I feel them suffer. I feel them rejoice. I am their leader, and if I do not stand up, no one will. I’ll die if the ocean dies, and if I die, our race dies. This has to happen. It has to.” They were quiet. The only sounds heard were the sounds of the waves. No birds were chirping. No crabs were walking. No whales sang and no dolphins splashed. All was quiet. All was still. All listened and felt Holidee’s words.

  Slowly the car was packed with suitcases. One by one they left the ocean’s side and sat in the vehicle. Rip was the last one standing on the water’s edge. He closed his eyes and breathed in the sea breeze. Crix walked down the stairs and stopped behind Rip. Rip opened his eyes and turned around to face Crix. Then he looked back at the ocean.

  “When can we come back?”

  “Well, I could bring you here once a month…if your parents are okay with it.”

  “That’s not enough,” Rip sighed. “But my parents wouldn’t agree to more.” Crix walked up next to him and clasped Rip’s shoulder in a fatherly manner.

  “You can always come to me before or after school and we can practice anything you want or discuss anything. I’ll always be there to help you.”

  “Holidee’s lucky to have you.” Crix looked over at Rip, but he had started to walk back up to the car. Crix took in one more breath of ocean air and then headed back to the car also. The four of them drove back to the city, back to the chaos, back to their individual lives, back to reality.