Chapter 25
“This is gonna be the best summer ever!” Crix smiled at Holidee’s enthusiasm. He was packing the car with suitcases. They were spending the summer at the beach house.
“And why do you say that?”
“Because we get to spend the whole summer at the beach! Rip and Rebekah are coming and staying for the whole summer! And Tom and Zeke are staying at Zeke’s mom’s house near us…for the whole summer!”
“It’s gonna be like a little party, isn’t it?”
“Yeah!” Holidee sighed. “I never thought I could be so happy.” Crix closed the trunk and looked at her, but he didn’t say anything. Mer walked out of the house then.
“We ready?”
“Yeah!” Holidee jumped into the car. Crix smiled. Then him and Mer got into the car. They started toward the house.
“So Rip and Rebekah are coming tomorrow, right? Their dad’s dropping them off?”
“Yeah. They can’t wait. They’re excited to work on their skills.”
“I bet.” Crix was driving and he had his hand up to his mouth, thinking. “Rip is getting really strong.”
“Really? But I thought he was only a fourth Oceain.”
“He is, but he’s strong. I think he could become stronger than me in a few years.”
“Really?” Holidee thought for a moment. “How?”
“He can do things I’ve never seen done. For example, he can move water with his mind. Moving water is an Oceain skill, but not with your mind. I think his mind is somehow very powerful and he is teaching himself to do Oceain skills with it. It’s quite remarkable.”
“Wow. I wonder what other things he can do.”
“Me too. I also wonder what things he is capable of doing. I was hoping this summer to explore his talents and limits.”
“I can help too.” Crix looked in the rearview mirror. “I can. I know all of the skills, right? I just have to learn a little control here and there and get a little stronger over there.” Crix smiled.
“You are quite strong enough. I doubt you will be able to become much stronger.” Holidee narrowed her eyebrows. “You don’t see, but I do. You’re powerful, Holidee. Very powerful. It’s showing. You just haven’t been tested to your limits yet.”
“Are you gonna test me?” Crix laughed.
“No. The ancestors may or may not test you. Or maybe something will happen where you will have to act fast.”
“Like what?”
“It could be anything. But your limit will be big. No doubt.”
“Crix?”
“Hm?”
“Am I strong enough to heal a non-Oceain without hurting myself?”
“Yes.”
“Am I strong enough to bring an Oceain back to life without hurting myself?” Crix hesitated.
“Yes, but you may be a little tired or weak.”
“Am I strong enough to bring a non-Oceain back to-”
“No. It would kill you. Holidee, you’d have to give most of your soul, if not all of it, if you brought a non-Oceain back to life. And I see no purpose in doing that, so don’t think about it. Just promise me you won’t ever do that.”
“Crix-”
“Promise me.” Holidee sighed.
“I promise.”
“Good. Now, no more questions. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of them this summer.” The car fell silent except for the steady hum from the engine. The entered the fishing village not far from the house. Holidee watched out the window and thought maybe she could go visit some of the people in that village. Then they left it and arrived at the house.
Crix had his shirt off as he worked in the yard. Sweat poured down his back as the sun beat upon him. He was digging up some dirt. Actually, he was digging a hole in the ground. He shoved the shovel back into the ground after wiping his forehead and slammed his foot on it, making it go deeper. Then he heard a car engine. He looked up and saw a car driving down the driveway. He stuck the shovel in the ground and walked to the porch to get a drink. The car pulled up to the house and stopped. Rip and Rebekah jumped out of the car. Rodger Hakeber followed. He looked at Crix and saw that his muscles had grown and strengthened. Crix wiped off his hands on a towel and walked up to Rodger.
“Thanks for doing this. It means a lot to Holidee.” Rodger nodded. “I bet it means a lot to Rip and Rebekah too.” Rodger watched as his kids ran into the house with their things.
“Yeah. They couldn’t wait.” He looked at Crix. “Thanks for teaching them whatever it is you teach them.” Crix smiled and held out his hand. Rodger took it.
“You’re welcome.” Rip and Rebekah ran back outside.
“Where’s Holidee?”
“Oh, she went into the village with Tom and Zeke. They wanted to get acquainted with the locals, I guess. They shouldn’t be too long.” They said good-bye to their dad and he drove away. Crix walked back to his shovel and started digging again.
“So…what’re we gonna do until they get back?” Crix threw dirt over his shoulder.
“We are going to practice your skills.” He pushed his shovel into the ground again. “First, Rebekah, I need you to go get a plant. Go and get a seed from it.” She obeyed and returned with a seed. “Good. Now drop it into this hole.” It fell from her hands. Crix threw some dirt over it. “Now bend down and make it grow into its full size.” Rebekah looked at him with scared eyes. “You can do it. Just believe in yourself. I’ve seen your work. Just try.” She slowly knelt down and placed her hands in the soil above the little seedling. She closed her eyes and in minutes the ground was covered in tall grass. Crix smiled as Rebekah opened her eyes.
“Wow. I did that?”
“Yep. And you can do again. You can do the same thing with animals. We’ll work on that this summer. By the end of the summer, you two will know all that is to be taught to you.” They smiled at Crix. Rebekah walked into the house to help Mer with supper, while Crix held Rip back to talk. “Rip? Do you know what skills you can do?” Rip looked at Crix and then he sat on the porch step, watching an ant struggle over a leaf.
“Yes.”
“What skills can you do?”
“I can talk with my mind, move water, heal, grow, predict weather, change my appearance, and sometimes control the weather.” Crix stared at him in amazement.
“Wow. Rip, that’s amazing! You’re only one fourth Oceain and you are performing skills like a full blood! You have done the impossible! And you do it all with your mind! Remarkable! Simply remarkable.” Rip smiled.
“Really? You think so? Some of it is so easy that I don’t feel like I have accomplished much.”
“You’ve accomplished more than every Oceain but myself and Holidee! That’s amazing!” Rip smiled again.
“I’ve been working on teleporting ever since Holidee accidentally appeared in my room. Do you think I could do that?”
“You’ve begun teleporting?” Wow. “How?”
“Just concentrate, I guess, and think of the places I want to go. I have to picture the place I want to go, though. I can’t go to a place that’s not familiar. The picture has to be in my mind. I’ve been able to teleport around my house, but that’s it.” Away from the ocean. He’s stronger than I thought.
“Sounds like you just need to practice some more. I can help you with that this summer along with completing and conquering other Oceain skills with your mind.”
“Like what?”
“Like talking to sea creatures, disguising yourself as an animal or creature of the sea, and cleaning and purifying the ocean.”
“Cool. I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.” They walked into the house to join the girls, while waiting for Holidee, Tom, and Zeke to return.
“This is a neat little town.”
“Yeah. It’s so peaceful and everyone is friendly and knows everyone else.”
“I like it.”
“So do I.” Holidee, Tom, and Zeke were walking along the little streets of the fishing v
illage. Most of the buildings were falling down and worn. There weren’t a lot of buildings, either. The people were dressed plain and comfortably. They all wore smiles on their faces as they passed. The three of them had struck up a conversation with a few of them. They seemed like simple, but hard-working people. They were heading back to her house, when Holidee stopped in front of a rundown building. A sign hung above the door. One hinge was broken and the sign was worn. The only word readable was ‘inn’.
“Wow.” Holidee stepped closer to the empty inn and tried to peer inside.
“That, Miss, be an old inn that use to house people of all kinds some years ago.” Holidee turned around and smiled at a man with a black and gray beard and a beggar’s hat. His clothes were worn and ragged, but he had a cheery face.
“Why is it not used anymore?”
“Well, now. That be a story of many hours.”
“We’ve got time.”
“Then close your mouths and open your ears as I tell you about a tale of a man with ambition, courage, and passion.” Holidee, Tom, and Zeke sat on the front steps of the abandoned inn and listened to the old man’s story of a man who sailed over here and built this inn for any travelers like himself. The man was mysterious, but kind. He would give all the little boys and girls in the town a penny if they would smile at him. He made the town a cheery place. Then, one night, he mysteriously disappeared and never returned. The inn was closed and no one reopened it. No one wanted to disturb what was proudly owned by one of the kindest men. So it rot and wore down until it was near finished. No one in the village has had enough money to buy or fix the inn, so it just sits there, like a memory that cannot be forgotten. They were all fascinated with the story as the old man told them. Once he was finished, Holidee stood up and looked the man in the eyes.
“What if someone was to buy the inn and fix it up?”
“That’d be a mighty fine thing, but who would have the money and the heart?”
“I would.” She turned around and looked up at the three-story inn. “I want to buy this inn and fix it up. Then I want to open it.” She turned back around and smiled at the old man. “Who do I need to talk to?” The old man smiled.
“It’s yours.”
“You own it now? How much do you want for it?”
“Nothing, Miss. You already gave it to me. Your kindness and listening ears, along with those mighty pretty eyes you have.”
“Oh, no. I’d have to give you something in return.”
“Aye. Then give me a promise. After you fix it up and open it, protect this here little village from any harm that that mighty sea out there could do. ‘Tis a mighty strong village, but one can only stand so much. Keep all harm away from this here village and this inn is yours to keep for whatever purpose that pleases you.” Holidee opened her mouth, but then closed it, looking into the old man’s eyes. How did he know? Then she smiled.
“Deal. Nothing will hurt this village as long as I live.” The old man smiled and tilted his hat as he walked away. Holidee turned and looked at Tom and Zeke.
“And just what are you going to do with the inn?”
“Why, fix it up and open it, of course.”
“We know that part already, but why?” Holidee smiled mischievously.
“You’ll find out.” Then they started walking again. They passed a fisherman and Holidee stopped him.
“Sir, could you be so kind and tell me a name of a man who wore a beggar’s hat and a gray beard and worn clothes?”
“No, Miss, I’m sorry, but I don’t know of anyone here by that description.” Holidee wrinkled her forehead and then continued walking. They walked until they reached the house, smelling the food that was cooking.
“Rip! Bekah! I’m so glad you guys made it!” Holidee hugged each twin and then looked around the kitchen, smiling. “This is gonna be a great summer!” They all agreed. Zeke clasped hands with Rip and Tom hugged Rebakah. Holidee grinned at Tom and he winked at her.
“So, did you guys meet some locals?”
“Yeah. They’re really nice.”
“Guess what? I own an inn in that village now.” Crix and Mer both looked at Holidee.
“How?”
“Why?”
“This guy just gave it to me. He said it’s mine if I promise to protect his small village from any and all harm like storms and stuff. So I said I would and he handed it over to me. I’m gonna fix it up and open it.”
“For what?”
“I have plans of my own. You’ll see.” Crix smirked and shook his head.
“Always planning things.” Holidee smiled. “C’mon. Let’s all eat.” All seven of them sat down at a long table in the dining room and ate dinner. They talked about the coming year, Oceains, school, friends, and more.
They were all on the beach, except for Mer, who was relaxing in the tub. Holidee and Zeke were by themselves, splashing each other in the water. Tom and Rebekah were sitting together on the beach, talking. Rip was sitting with Crix in the sand.
“You got a girl, Rip?”
“Nah. I prefer being single. I was a born bachelor.” Rip looked out over the ocean. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“The ocean. How it draws its power and strength and warmth to you.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Do you ever…” Crix looked at Rip, who had closed his eyes. “Crix? Do you ever feel alone, yet overcrowded? Rushed but standing still? Afraid but brave enough to take on the world?” Rip opened his eyes. “I’m just babbling. Never mind.”
“No, Rip, continue. You, of all of the young adults here, are the most complicated, I believe. There are barriers that even I have trouble knocking down. I want to know what goes on in the brilliant mind of yours.” Rip looked at Crix.
“Barriers? What kind of barriers?”
“Well, there was the one with your dad. We didn’t exactly like each other back when we were kids. Then there’s the whole mind thing you have going on, which is amazing. It’s just…when I see you, Rip, I see more than one person. Sometimes I see this happy, carefree boy who loves to try new things and is good at everything. Then other times I see this troubled young man, who blocks everyone out and…I don’t know. It’s like you’re struggling with yourself. Like you don’t know who you really are.” Rip looked at Crix.
“I don’t know who I am.” Crix stared into his light gray eyes, seeing a fight behind them. He was debating on whether to tell Crix or not.
“Rip, you can talk to me.” Rip looked back at the ocean.
“All my life I was this boy who played mr. popular and went out for every sport and everything came easy to me. I was cool, calm, and collected. I was the guy everyone wanted to be. I was the one everyone pointed at and said, ‘Hey! There goes Rip! He’s going places!’ but now, now I don’t know who I am. I feel lost. Like everything I was taught was worthless and a waste of time. I no longer know my path. So many people were telling me different things. I was confused and still am.” Rip looked at Crix with tears in his eyes. “I feel so alone.” Crix reached out and grabbed Rip around the shoulders and hugged him tightly.
“You aren’t alone, Rip. I’m here and so are Holidee and Zeke and Tom and your sister, Rebekah. You are far from alone. You can’t shut yourself out. And as for your future, don’t worry what path to take. Take whatever one you want. It’s your life. You’re not trying to impress other people. Do what feels right in your heart. Be Rip Hakeber. And if you don’t know what feels right anymore, then look to the ocean. It will always help you, Rip. Always. Call upon your ancestors for guidance and they will answer you.” Crix pulled away from Rip, but held his shoulders. “You are an amazing young man. No doubt the ancestors run strong in you.” Rip wiped his eyes.
“Thanks.” Crix let go of his shoulders and smiled. Rip smiled back at him. “So why do you think I have such a strong mind?”
“It could be that, or you could just have a strong will, or a strong heart that is det
ermined to be the Oceain that your ancestors would have expected. You’re always trying to impress someone, Rip. Don’t. Be who you want to be. Then we’ll go from there.” Rip nodded. Crix stood up. “I’ll let you have some alone time. I’ll be up at the house if you need me.” Crix walked up to the house, leaving Rip alone with his thoughts. Rip stood up and walked into the warm ocean. He closed his eyes and in seconds the sea before him parted and he could see the ocean floor. He walked out further, the ocean still held back by his powers.
“Ancestors. Why have you given me this power? What am I to do with it? How am I supposed to use it?” The wind died down and everything became still. Then Rip saw a silvery orb fly toward him. It flew around his body.
You, Young Hakeber. You are special indeed.
Another orb joined it. This one was a brilliant blue.
Your task is nothing but the tasks that are set before all Oceains.
Another orb joined them.
Yet you can do more than most.
Much more.
Use your powers for good.
Or else they will be taken away from you.
Beware, Young Hakeber.
Your task may be the same as all.
But it is also different.
Keep your eyes open.
And your ears open.
And your mouth closed.
Go beyond the normal.
Succeed where most will fail.
And your powers will strengthen.
And your tasks will increase.
Be wary, Young Hakeber.
Your life will not be a simple one.
Nor easy.
But you will thrive where others will fall.
You will lead where others will follow.
And you will help bring our race up again.
You will help strengthen our race.
You will lead all but one.
The Pureblood.
Listen with your mind.
Talk with your heart.
Hear with your ears.
Succeed.
Thrive.
Lead.
They repeated those last three words as they slowly faded away and disappeared. Rip was left standing there, confused and comforted. He walked back onto the beach and let the water fall together again. The wind came back and the waves rolled in. Rip walked back up to the house, unaware of the powers he truly possessed.