Zias, Ruby and Drew were sitting at the kitchen table with fearful looks on their faces. They sat in silence minus Drew’s nervous tapping on the table. He tapped his finger to an irregular tattoo, warning all of those around him he wasn’t comfortable. Zias was leaning forward with his head in his hands and when the door burst open announcing our arrival he was the first of the three on his feet. They scurried towards us, seeming incredulous that we were both unharmed. Auntie’s lips were no longer blue either and she was glowing and radiant again. I felt tired and disoriented, but thankful.

Zias threw his strong arms around me and at first I felt the familiar floating feeling but it dissipated quickly. I remembered the Elder’s warning but I couldn’t let Zias know. I wasn&rsquo...

Please subscribe to keep reading.