Through the Ashes

Chapter 2

"No problem. Better say be to Aisling before you leave."

I give Ryan a thumbs up while stuffing turkey bacon and toast into my mouth. I silently push open the door to my little sister's room, finding her fast asleep. I place a kiss on her forehead and pull the covers higher up around her. If they haven't changed the way training works, she must have had a long day, and I don't blame her for sleeping this late. I turn back one more time before leaving. She looks like me, cinnamon skin, deep green-brown eyes, and dark hair that puffs up around the head. She wears the look much better than me, though she denies it every time I tell her.

After waving goodbye to Ryan, I leave the house and walk down the path outside our home to Kasie's. I pound on the door and not even a second later, Kasie opens the door, her hair already pulled up into a pony tail and dagger securely on her waist.

"How's my girl?" she says, flinging an arm around my shoulder.

"Fine." I chuckle, shoving her lightly. "So... what do you want to do today?" Kasie puts a finger to her lips and closes her eyes, feigning deep thought. I scoff and grab her hand, pulling her down the pathway.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" she scolds.

"I thought you would have guessed by now."

After a few seconds, Kasie gasps. "Not to the old man's!" She pulls on my arm, willing me to turn back. I groan and swivel around and it happens again. I look right into Kasie's eyes, the blue seeming to glow and spark in the dimly lit passage way, the color becoming much more intense. Her golden hair shimmers under the lanterns' light. The dust that floats through the air, usually barley visible, now stands out against the rust color corridor. Kasie gives me a questioning look and I rub my eyes, trying to push the vibrant color out of my vision. I pull my hands away to find her complexion has returned to normal.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing," I mutter. I place my hands on my temples, trying to ease the sudden pain that seizes my head. Kasie gives me a skeptical look but doesn't question me further. She knows trying to discuss these types of things with me is a pointless.

"Do you really plan on seeing Buffer?" she questions.

"Yeah, there are a couple things I need to ask him." My voice begins to get it's strength back from my little insanity episode. Last night, before I had fallen asleep, I realized that there was something familiar about the area I was in; the luminous color and beautiful flowers. And then there was the creature that reached out to me. With injuries like that, I know he should have been dead, even if it was a dream. I speak from experience with past citizens of Poughkeepsie and even I've never witnessed anything that bad.

Then I knew: this was exactly like the place Buffer described one night as all of the small children gathered around his feet. Although everyone knew they were nonsensical tales, we couldn't resist. I was only 12 or 13 years old when he talked of a group of people who, when they feel into deep sleep, traveled to a strange dimension, a complicated and beautiful expanse that was populated with spirits and it has no name as far as we know. Spirits of people past or those who have been since the world was created are said to live there.

We soon arrive at Buffer's residence, also known as the old people's home. We ask to see "Ryder Markham", his true name, and the secretary directs us to his room. Kasie drags her feet and walks as slow as possible as we make our way to his room. I glare and her and turn back to Buffer's room.

"Hey Buffer?" I whisper, knocking on the wooden panels that line the wall around his door. I peek inside to find him rocking slowly in his chair, a blanket draped over his lap. He stares at a painting of heather fields in what appears to be Old Scotland. A small smile tugs at his lips. "Buffer." I say louder this time and he turns around. He smile widens as he gestures us in, always happy for visitors. Kasie and I sit on the bed in front of his chair and Buffer's attention turns to us.

"What can I do for you young ladies this fine morning? A story, perhaps." He has always spoken with such a cheery voice, no matter what.

"That's it exactly. Right Kasie?" I bump her ribs with my elbow and she glares at me, still refusing to utter a word.

Buffer chuckles. "What story would you like, my dears? Or shall I surprise you?"

"Actually, there is one in particular. Do you remember the one about those realms? With the spirits?" I question. The corner's of his old eyes crinkle up into a smile and he clasps his hand over the blanket. "I haven't told that one is quite a while. No point in waiting now, let's begin.

"Do you remember the story of how the world collapsed? Oh, I remember quite well. Every one hundred years, a tragedy would sweep across the world, wiping out anything that stood in it's path. Ah yes, but there was a group of people that vowed to put a stop to the danger. 'How do you stop a pandemic or a world war?' you may ask. Well, let me tell you. These people called themselves the Alium after the Latin word for 'different view' as they saw the world in a much more unique way than us. They brewed up potions and elixers that allowed them to travel to a wonderful place called the Planes when they fall asleep. In fact, when they traveled there and spirits got over the initial shock, the Alium asked the spirits to join the. While some refused, most agreed and began to help guard the veil, which separates our world from theirs. The reason they did this was because the Alium believed that spirits we're causing the disruptions in our world and they planned to communicate with evil spirits, find out why they were doing this and work out their problems.

"It's beauty is unlike anything you've ever seen, this dimension. Flowers bloomed wherever your foot landed and animals you couldn't even dream of walked the land. Sprits inhabited these astral realms as well. Wether you we're a good soul or a bad one, there was a place for you there. The very top level that floated above the earth was the First Plane, or Heaven as some call it. This is where loved one's travel in their time of death. Life for them is happy and they have anything they'll ever need. But the Third Plane is deep below the Earth and where the bad spirits go. They must face their punishments for the sins they commited in this world. It's much too gruesome and I shall refrain from describing it. The Second Plane is where the Alium traveled. It looked much like our Earth but the colors seemed to glow and you could see and hear and even feel the life force of those around you.

"The Alium couldn't travel to the First Plane as that took much power and there was not enough to go around as it was. They of course didn't dare and even swore to never venture to the Third Plane. They stuck to wandering the Second Plane in hopes of finding a lone spirit to speak to. But no such luck. They eventually risked the Third Plane. They tried time and time again to travel to there and many died trying. Soon, a trusted member of the the Alium became a traitor, deciding to break away from the group and try his luck at traveling to the Third Plane alone. He knew many secrets about the Planes and took the information with him when he disappeared into the Third Plane. That's when people say the falling governments got worse. After that, the Alium and it's members faded away, not wanting to show their faces, shamed at what a member of their group had caused. Many soon forgot about them, calling their adventures just a children's story. But the one's who remember still hope that someone gives the spark they need to start the fire of the Alium once again."

I'm perched on very edge of the bed, brimming with excitement at his tale. Kasie still looks unamused but I can see how the story has put her on edge, wanting for more.

"Could you describe what it looked like there?" I ask, awaiting more information to connect the Alium to my dream. It seems impossible and I've never even threw a second though and Buffer's supposed nonsense. But now, it seems I'm right on the brink of figuring this out.

"No can do, dear," he tuts with a smile.

"What? Why?" I question louder than I need to.

"Because it's indescribable."

Kasie groans at his logic and tugs at my hand. "Let's go. This is bull," she whispers in my ear. I sigh, knowing she's probably right. I stand up, thanking Buffer for the story and silently swearing to never try that again. No way he's right. Kasie rushes out and I'm about to follow after when I hear Buffer's voice.

"Watch yourself, dear. I can feel great power within you. Best not let it get out of hand." He gives me that sweet smile that now makes me feel slightly sick to my stomach. I rush out of the room to find an annoyed Kasie waiting for me by the exit.