By: Rhi Marzano
Chapter 1
My name is Jordan. I'm not going to tell you my last name or where I live, because you could be some psycho stalker killer. It could happen, you know. It happened to my best friend's aunt's dog's veterinarian's friend's brother-in-law. Honest.
I'm in junior high now. My sister, Rachel, is a sophomore this year. She can really be mean to me. My other sister, Sara, is younger than me and a pain in the butt. My parents are divorced, and my dad lives on the other side of the country. I don't see him a lot, except on TV. That doesn't count.
Everything seems so different lately. My mom's always rushing to win that "big case with a very important client." Sara's always whining about something. And Rachel won't even help me with my homework anymore. On top of that, I'm in junior high and my teachers are piling on the homework. Plus, all my other friends are at a different school now. It's really hard being in a school where no one knows you by name- not even the teachers.
It's always "Oh, you're Rachel's sister. Are you going to be the next Packard Foundation Outstanding Student?" "Oh, you're Rachel's sister. Are you on the gymnastics team, too?" "Oh, you're Rachel's sister- now, why isn't it that you're not acing every test?"
Why do people compare me to Rachel? I don't look like her, I don't act like her, and I'm not her. The only thing I share with her is who our parents are. They expect me to be Rachel, and when I'm not, they get upset.
Teachers love Rachel. Guys all think she's hot; girls all think she's a role model. In their eyes, I can never be as good as she was.
The only friend of mine who has no particular affinity for Rachel is Pippa.
Smart, smart girl.
"Jord-y," said Pippa in a sing-song voice. "Wake up."
"I'm not sleeping," I protested weakly, opening my eyes.
She laughed. "Uh-huh. Right. You really ought to get more sleep- and while I leave the room to get some pocky is not an optimal time."
Pippa is one of those utterly friendly people just bursting with warmth in laughter. Her hair is this gorgeous red-gold color, which I would love to have, but it isn't arranged in any remarkable way; just cut very short like a pixie. She isn't very tall or big physically, but she's a big person. Can you understand that?
I rubbed my eyes. "Okay, I promise I'll go to bed early tonight. Can I have some pocky now?"
Pippa giggled and whipped out the strawberry variety of that cool Japanese snack. "Here you go," she said generously. "Now, have you got that pre-algebra done?"
"No," I grumbled as I nibbled on the strawberry pocky.
"It's not really that hard, Jordy," she said earnestly, nudging open my books.
"But I don't want to do it," I said, making a face.
"Jordy," she said lightly, "no one really wants to do pre-algebra. It just has to be done."
I sighed and began to scribble the answers on a piece of paper. Within minutes I was done.
"There," I declared triumphantly. "Done."
A slow smile crept up Pippa's face. "Time for anime!"
We raced up the stairs. "Family room?" Pippa asked, reaching for the door.
I shook my head. "VCR's broken. We'll have to use Rachel's room."
She nodded and we turned down the hallway.
Once in Rachel's room, I slipped the tape into the VCR and hit the play button. Within moments, we were viewing the amazing splendor of Ranma ½.
"How did you get involved in all this Japanese stuff, anyhow?" I asked Pippa.
"Don't know," she shrugged. "I was just drawn to it, is all."
Then we became so engrossed in Ranma that we barely talked. We ate some pocky and drank a little coke every now and then, and exchanged a few words on how Akane was so cool, but even those were limited. It was very peaceful.
Peaceful, that is, until Rachel came home.
Chapter 2
"What are you doing in my room, you little spore?" she demanded.
"I'm not a spore!" I retorted. "And I'm watching a video with my friend! The other VCR's don't work!"
"Well, you could have asked first," she snapped.
"You weren't home!" I seethed.
"Pocky?" Pippa said pleasantly, offering a stick to Rachel.
Rach took it worldlessly, and turned to chew me out. She paused, and swung around slowly. "Who are you?" she whispered.
"Pippa," said my friend quietly.
"Jordan," Rachel said slowly, "leave. I need to talk to your buddy here."
"But-" I objected.
"Now, Jordan," Rachel said tersely.
I sent my sister a Look and stomped out, shutting the door.
Of course, I didn't go off to my room. You should know me better than that. I listened at the door.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen, just like your sister."
"My foot. How long have you gone to school?"
"I just started going to public schools this year. I was home schooled all before then."
"Clever story."
"I didn't make it up," Pippa said stonily.
"Right. Now, tell me something. What city was bombed in 1995?"
Silence.
"You don't know it," Rachel crowed, "I KNEW it."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You don't know because you weren't around 5 years ago."
"That's ridiculous."
"You're an Ellimist," Rachel said, "and I don't know what Ellimistish plans you have for my sister, but kindly abort them now."
"I am not an 'Ellimist', whatever that is. I'm just a girl whose dad doesn't give a rip about her and whose mom left her and who's found a great friend in Jordy," Pippa said hotly. "Funny how in their immaculate description of you everyone fails to mention that you harass innocent junior high students."
The door swung open and Pippa stomped out like a series of jackhammers hitting the floor. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said darkly to me.
"No, you won't!" Rachel flared.
"Try and stop me!" she yelled.
The front door and Rachel's bedroom door slammed in conjunction, followed by an icy silence.
I went back to my room and picked up the phone carefully.
"Jake, it's me," came my sister's quiet voice.
"Rach? What's up?"
"There's a second stage Ellimist here in town. She's Jordan's friend, apparently."
"Not again."
"This isn't like the other times. She doesn't admit that she's an Ellimist."
"Meaning they're still upset at us because two of them died in our care," said Jake grimly.
"Exactly. So, what are we going to do?"
"Keep tabs on her, I guess. When are she and Jordan getting together next?"
"Tomorrow."
"We'd better keep tabs on her."
"I'll get Tobias on it."
"Alright. I'll call Marco just in case."
"'Kay. Bye."
I slowly hung up the phone, dumfounded.
"What," I said aloud, "is going on?"
Chapter 3
Pippa didn't come to school the next day. I'm not sure why. It only disturbed me more. I walked over to her house, and I could have sworn this red-tailed hawk was following me the whole way. I knocked on the door expectantly upon reaching my destination.
I don't like Pippa's dad. He freaks me out. He's tall, dark-haired, and kid of wiry. He never calls Pippa by her name- usually he calls her "you brat" or "ungrateful chit" or "unworthy fungus." Needless to say, they don't have a healthy relationship.
"Hi," I said carefully to her dad in the doorway, after checking to see if that hawk was still overhead. "Is Pippa here?"
"Yes," he said stiffly.
"I'm her friend. She's expecting me."
"Fine," he grunted.
"Jordy? What are you doing here?" Pippa asked sleepily, coming down the stairs.
"I was supposed to come over, remember?" I reminded her. "You weren't at school today. I was a little worried."
"I had a rough night," she said shakily. "Come on."
I followed her into her room. Swallowing, she closed the door. "Something weird happened last night," she whispered.
"Pippa?" I questioned. "What happened?"
"I came home," she said, carefully choosing her words. "After a usual argument with my father, I went upstairs."
"And?"
"I was so cold," she said distantly, shivering and closing her eyes. "I touched my African violets, and they went up in flames."
I was silent for a moment. "Just like that?"
"Yeah. Just like that."
"Are you sure it wasn't something else? I mean, there must be an explanation."
"Oh, believe me," she said wearily, "I looked for one. But I can only think of one: it was me."
I didn't know quite what to say to that. I stared at my shoes uncomfortably.
That was when I saw the cockroach.
"Ew," I said. Probably not the most intelligent response in my life I had uttered, but it was true enough.
I picked it up disdainfully and carried it to the bathroom. I let it "plink" into the toilet. No reason to flush it, of course. I just figured it would drown.
When I came back from the bathroom, Pippa was on the floor, unconscious.
"Oh, god," I said under my breath. "Not this too."
ºIt's a natural process. You need not worry.º
"Who are you?" I demanded, turning around in circles, my eyes scanning the room. "And where are you? Show yourself!"
ºIf you wish.º
Out of nowhere appeared a tall, goldenly glowing man.
With wings.
ºMy name is Gabriel,º he introduced.
"I'm Jordan," I said, uneasy, "how do you know my friend? It's not her time to go, you know. She's only 13."
ºA) You're right, it's not her time to go; B) I don't do that sort of thing- we leave that to Thanatos; and C) Pippa is not thirteen. She has been alive for about 2 years.º
"Impossible," I snapped. "She's in the same grade as me."
ºShe's not the same species as you,º said Gabriel patiently, flexing his wings. ºShe's an Ellimist. A 2nd stage Ellimist, in fact.º
"My sister Rachel called her that, too," I said thoughtfully, curbing my temper. "Does that have anything to do with what's been happening to her?"
ºA clever one,º murmured Gabriel. He cleared his throat and spoke up. ºActually, that's precisely why. You see, typically an Ellimist will spend one of your Earth years as a first stager, and then a short time as a 2nd stager. Pippa has been in her second stage for more than a year, and her body is not adapting well to it because she isn't using her powers regularly.º
"How do we help her?"
ºFor one, she needs to accept her powers. That won't be enough, however. After a time, she will barely be functional in this form. She needs to progress to the last stage as soon as possible.º
"And how do we do that?"
ºShe needs to mate,º he said simply.
I blushed. "That's a pointed way to put it. So, um, did they send you to do the honors?"
He looked at me strangely for a moment, and burst out laughing. ºGoodness gracious, no. That's absolutely ridiculous.º
"Why?" I pressured.
ºThat is not for you to know at this time,º he replied quietly. ºBut I do need a favor from you for her.º
"For Pippa, anything."
ºGet her out of this curséd house,º he said between clenched teeth, but his eyes pleading.
Why did those eyes look so familiar?
Chapter 4
Okay, I'll admit the people on the bus seemed a little worried that I was dragging around an unconscious girl, but I was sure they'd get over it. After I thanked and tipped the driver, walked from the bus stop to my house, and set Pippa on the couch, I bellowed up the stairs, "RACHEL!"
So I'm not the most polite little sister in the world. So sue me.
"What?" she snapped as she came to the stairs.
"Pippa's staying here for awhile."
"Why is she staying?" asked my sister, calmly, almost like she already knew.
"Well, um. That's the strange part. An archangel appeared to me and told me to take her away. I didn't really want to argue with him- he was nice."
"It's always hard to argue with Gabriel," she said softly, as if a memory were replaying in her mind's theater.
"So, do you think it'll be alright if she stays?" I asked hurriedly.
I knew I didn't really need permission, but I do respect my sister. Sort of.
"I won't tell mom, if that's what you mean," she replied offhandly.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," she announced, and raced down the stairs.
"Cassie!" Rachel chirped in a very un-Rachel like manner. "Glad you could make it."
"Jake said he might drop by, too," my sister's short friend said casually.
"Oh, okay. That's cool. Come on upstairs."
I waited until I heard the click of the door.
All this sneaking around was ticking me off. They were obviously hiding something. Duh. And trying to hide it in such a pathetic way from me, no less- just who did she think she was?
Let's just avoid that line of thought, shall we?
So, with my very best spying skills at hand, along with the practice of using them several times in the past two days, I confidently followed their path.
"So, what's up now?"
"Well, Gabriel's been appearing to my sister."
"He's back?"
"I guess so. He's explained to them a little bit about Ellimists, but I think they're still confused."
"We should probably keep it that way. We don't want them to get into too much trouble."
"Yeah, if they ever get in the hands of the Yee-"
"Hi, Jordan," said a voice behind me.
I spun around. "Hi, Jake," I said, coughing.
"Eavesdropping?" my cousin asked mildly.
"No," I lied quickly. "Just resting my head. It's been a long day."
"Man, that's lamer than some of the excuses I've made up," laughed the boy behind him.
I froze.
Marco.
Marco, my cousin's best friend, really funny and terribly cute guy.
In my house.
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
"H..h..hi," I stammered.
"So, what's this with that girl down in the living room?" Marco asked, jerking a thumb in the general direction of downstairs.
Jake mumbled something about, "looked so much like Kirby."
"She's my friend," I told him. "She's staying here awhile. Her dad's a jerk."
"What's her dad's name?"
"Niles... er.. something like that."
"Nigel?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"Oooh boy," Marco said, exhaling explosively. "We're in trouble."
"I've got to go check on her," I blurted, and ran down the stairs.
It wasn't the smartest move in the world. You'd be nervous if one of your crushes was in your house, too.
So there.
I entered the living room, bouncing around like one of those super bouncy balls they give you at the Dentist's office.
"Pippa! You will never guess what just happened! I was.."
She was gone.
No indication that she'd ever been there.
I shrieked.
Six (Six? I thought there was only four...) teenagers came thundering down. "What's wrong?" Cassie asked worriedly.
Dumbly, all I could do was point at the emptiness.
"It smells," said some foreign looking boy. "Like tainted meat. ME. Meet-uh."
"It smells like Nigel," said Jake.
"Someone's got to tell that guy about Arrid Extra Dry," Marco quipped, wrinkling his nose.
"We've got to get her back," Rachel said fiercely. "We can't let her fall into Nigel's hands again."
"How do you propose to get her back?" I said angrily. "Whisper about some magical plan and wish upon a star?"
"Guys, you know what to do," Jake said, giving significant looks to everyone around the room.
"Let's do it," said my sister.
"Wait a minute, what about me?" I protested.
"You're staying here," Cassie said firmly.
"But-"
"No buts," said the boy who looked like he belonged in la-la land. "It's not safe."
One by one, the six exited.
"Why won't anyone tell me ANYTHING?" I demanded of no one in particular.
Strangely, the only answer was the roar of a car engine.
Chapter 5
I don't give up. I'm not a quitter. And by golly, Pip was my friend. I'm supposed to protect her. I wasn't about to let my sister and her friends bungle up the situation and put her in danger. No, sir. Pip needed me, and I was going to help her.
Not the bus again, though. My frequent runs on the bus had left me somewhat short of cash, and what with my mom off on some girl-scout thing with Sara, I wasn't in any position to get any more.
I rode my bike as fast as it would carry me. Something was going to happen, and I was going to be there for it. The wind was against me, blowing wildly and swirling leaves, blocking my view of the road. A cold hard rain blasted down from the sky. Cars zoomed by and splashed me constantly. I didn't care.
After what seemed forever, I was there. I hopped off my bike, shoved down the kickstand with my foot, and ran into the house. Rachel stood in the middle of the living room, looking absolutely livid with anger as she stood next to Nigel.
"How DARE you," she spat. "You steal her from her family and hide her from her heritage. You try to kill her by separating her from all those like herself. What is she, compensation for the fact that her family stole one of yours and that he actually prefers the side he's on?"
"You belong with us," Nigel said silkily, moving towards her. "Look how that anger becomes you."
"Stay away from her!" a boy exploded. "You've tortured enough in your lifetime!"
Hatred filled the room so deep one could bathe in it.
^You really ought to settle down,^ said a quiet voice coming from the hall.
Pippa padded in the room, dressed in a white outfit, barefoot, and glowing a bluish color.
"Pip, did you swallow some nuclear waste?" I asked, coughing.
^I'm fine, Jordy,^ she assured with a smile.
Carefully, she approached Nigel.
^Sit,^ she ordered. ^And change back into what you really are.^
With fear in his eyes, he complied.
YOU CAN'T HARM ME, he said feebly.
^Why would I want to?^ she asked. ^You were once of us. You made a mistake, is all.^
I AM AN OUTCAST, he snapped.
^You only made a mistake,^ she continued, ^which lead to more mistakes.^
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO ABOUT IT? he sneered.
^Nothing,^ said Pippa simply. ^Your conscience alone serves as punishment. But if you ever want forgiveness, all you need do is ask.^
At this moment, Nigel finally understood. ALL, he choked out, COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF I HAD MERELY ASKED?
^Of course, Nigel,^ she replied. ^We're not monsters.^
With an absolute horror descending on his face, he turned his prepared powers away from the other occupants of the room and blasted himself to pieces.
* * * * *
She wept in the middle of the room.
Never mind all that Nigel had done to her.
She wept for all that Nigel had done to himself.
She looked up to me with tears streaming down her cheeks. ^Blood,^ she whispered. ^Blood on my hands. The one I once called father. I killed him.^
"You didn't kill him," I soothed, "he killed himself."
ºIn some ways, we are all one. We all grieve when one of our own is lost.º
"Briel!" exclaimed the one I knew now was Tobias.
ºIt is I,º Gabriel acknowledged. ºPippa, indeed, you know now who you are?º
^I am an Ellimist,^ she said, ceasing her sniffling for the moment.
ºYou are more than that. You are the Chosen One.º
The foreign boy narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were the Chosen One. Sen. CHO-sen."
ºI was the chosen one of the flesh. Pippa is the chosen one of the spirit. She will complete what I could not do.º
^I must leave, then?^ Pip asked hollowly.
ºIt is the way it needs to be.º
^Alright,^ she said acceptingly, and vanished, making a sound resembling a wheesht.
Gabriel turned to follow.
"Um, Mr. Archangel, sir?" I called.
ºYes?º he replied, glancing back at me.
"You know, before, how you said it was foolish to think that you would be the one to mate with Pip why was that, exactly?"
ºDear child,º he said fondly. ºFor one, I am dead.º
"Well, I knew that."
ºFor another... I am her father.º
And as he disappeared, all I could think about was Darth Vader.
Chapter 6
"I'll drive you home," Marco offered.
"I rode my bike here," I responded, looking at my shoes.
"We can stick it in the trunk," he said, waving his hands.
"Okay," I conceded, and with his help, jammed it in. "How are the others getting home?"
"They have ways," he shrugged.
I opened the passenger's door and got in. His car was a mess, filled with a bunch of fast food bags. "Eat out a lot?" I asked.
"I'm pretty busy," he said, starting the ignition.
When we were on the road, I gathered up the courage to ask a question. "Why do the Ellimists and the angels know you so well?"
"I'm a heavenly sort of guy," said Marco glibly.
I laughed, but turned serious. "No, really. Why?"
"You know how they needed you to get Pip away from danger?"
"Yeah... I don't know why though."
"Well, we're not sure why they sometimes need us to help to avoid danger either, but the truth is that they do," he said evasively. "The Ellimists aren't perfect, and they can use a helping hand every now and then."
"There's something bigger and closer out there than just Nigel, isn't there?" I asked plainly.
"Yeah, there is."
"That's what they need you to help fight, right?"
He nodded.
"Can I help?" I said as we pulled up into my driveway.
"I would never ask another human being to go through what we go through. Be thankful you can live a somewhat normal life, Jordy," he said seriously, then flashed a grin. "Now, get out, watch some television, eat some yogurt, and relish that you don't have to go chasing after angels and Ellimists and strange species every day."
I smiled, got my bike out of the trunk, and waved as his car left again. I put the car back in the garage, went inside, ran upstairs to my room, and flopped on my bed.
"He called me 'Jordy,'" I said dreamily.
* * * * *
I was standing outside a home surrounded by wildflowers. I was there, but yet I wasn't there. I watched as I saw two familiar heads come up the path. From behind me, a woman with rich auburn hair gasped.
GABRIEL? she said in wonder, running up to him and embracing him strongly.
ºHi, Kirb,º he said gently. ºI have recovered what was taken.º
She looked down at the girl with the red-blond hair. OURS? she whispered. IS THIS MY PIPPA?
^Mum?^ inquired Pip, beginning to cry.
MY BABY GIRL, Kirby said softly, taking her into her arms. OH, GABRIEL, YOU FOUND MY DAUGHTER.
ºI trust and love you both. Kirb, train her well. Within her lies the capacity to set all right again,º was all he said before all that remained of him were a few stray feathers.
Mother and daughter, reunited for the first time since the birth of the younger, watched the sun rise together, carrying with it the hope of all of the generations- past, present, and future.
Back to the fanfics
Back to ASLAP
Read next story, The Favorful