Clackers

Clackers - Part 2

Mara says, "The Octavo has record of many things. In the early days you could go back and forth between the two worlds."

"Not now?" I say.

Mara says, "No. Sometimes I imagine it would be amazing to visit the other world. Sadly, once you clack you never go back."

Before I have to live any of this weirdness I will find a way back.

Mara continues, "Saffire is a wonderful place but we are a warrior society. You will learn this soon enough so you may as well learn now. Some of the things that happen here could be seen as violent, brutally violent."

Is Mara trying to shock me? Her tone is so casual it makes that talk of violence more intimidating. Her words demand more explanation and I wait. She provides none and suggests we take a stroll around the Palladium. I feel like she's trying to freak me so I stay calm.

Mara says, "The Palladium holds all the essentials that make up Saffire. The people who clack under thirty stay here until orientation is complete. Grand Council and the Practice center are also here."

The Palladium is constructed from small brown bricks with large square windows; it blends into the surroundings rather than imposing on it.

She stops in front of one large window. "This is the Practice center. The Practice center is one of the oldest parts of the Palladium."

All the windows have the invisible glass like the detention cell where I spent the first night. The room has light coloured hardwood flooring.

Mara says, "All Practice or combat arenas are identical. A thick red line marks out a rectangular border twenty-one by fifteen feet in the center of the room; a single bench, a cabinet and a water fountain are the only things in the room."

The room has a simple but handsome appearance.

Mara says, "This is where Sentius will train you in combat."

"Combat? Who is Sentius?" I demand a reply.

Mara says, "Pure white hair cut to shoulder length, that's Sentius. Combat? Don't worry, we all get trained. You'll never need it. Only a special few ever show powerful Ki."

Ki? Mara's made nothing clear. This should be called a dis-orientating session. She enjoys watching me struggle. Mara seems to assume whatever Ki is, I won't have much of it.

I say, "Why's it always so hot?"

Mara looks up at the red sun, "Our's sun's dying. Did I mention these days we get some freaky storms, Shangokas?"

Mara leads me back to the apartment. I sit in my beautiful chair, turn off my fancy light and cry until I fall asleep.

CHAPTER FIVE

Mara says, "Did you cry yourself to sleep?"

A very direct question and it's too early in the morning for me to think up a good lie.

"Yes," I say.

Mara says, "Don't feel bad, everyone does that. It's the reality of your new home setting in, it's normal. Today is a new day and I'm going to show you the rest of the Palladium."

I close the door of my apartment. Mara is wearing a white suit and holding an expensive leather bag. She heads off so I run down the gray cobblestone pathway to catch her. The landscape of the Palladium is beautiful. I bend down to touch the grass that is so precisely trimmed it looks artificial.

What are Mom, Dad and Sophia doing? Sophia must be taking Dad to his liver appointments. He desperately needs a piece of Mom's liver. Mom will deliver the baby and then donate some of her liver. Will I find a way back before then? Just thinking about home makes the world spin and I feel nauseated. I can't afford a panic attack. I want to crawl up in that beautiful apartment, close the curtains, and turn off the lights for the next month. I bite my lower lip, shake my head and smile at Mara.