The Others

Chapter One

I take a deep breath. I love the way the forest smells after a thunderstorm. It's not cold, but also not warm. The rain has stopped, but the leaves of the trees are still dripping and making it seem like it has not. -
The cottage where me and my parents live, is not very far from where I am right now.
It's been a while since my brother has left. On his twelfth birthday, he discovered his Other. It was quite a surprise, and I think I am allowed to say that it was a blow to the family. My brother, Shane, is my parents' only son. With him leaving us, they are left with just a daughter.
And well, a daughter's not a son. Although I am sure neither my mom, nor my dad will ever admit that out loud.
We never expected Shane to have an Other. It's not something that happens in the family. If I am quite honest, I do not know anyone with an Other. Sometimes you hear it happen, but most stories come from the cities. That's where the richer, and more prosperous families are. Usually it depends on your bloodline, if you possess magic.
Yes, it also happens sporadically. Like with Shane. But that's rare.
With him being my big brother, and almost three years older than me, I could have not been more excited to turn twelve. But neither on my birthday, nor the following year, an Other appeared to me. And now I am almost eighteen, I need to accept that Shane is the only magician in the family.
Which might be a good thing for my parents, considering I am the only one they have left to run the farm.
I smile when I think of my brother's falcon. I still remember when my brother came home with the little creature, which he saved from it's nest. My parents tried to fight him, but he was certain he needed to take care of it. Neither my mother, nor my father, even thought of the option that it was Shane's Other.
When the little bird turned bigger, Shane started talking about how the bird spoke to him in his head. That's where my parents started to get scared. And when the falcon grew up, into a big, strong bird, they came for Shane. About twenty magicians, all companied by their Others.
Shane was impressed, he felt special, and important. He did not even look back, after they took him on their jeeps and drove him away. He probably did not realise, that he would never see us again. He was too much in awe.
It's been five years, since.
The sound of thunder in the distance, takes me back to reality. I need to get back home. During the first shower, I hid in a cave. But I am so close to home, that it's better for me to just arrive, than hide again.
I feel a drop of rain land on my nose. And another one on my cheek. Quickly I start running through the forest, that I have roamed since I was just a little girl. I know every tree, and every rock. It's like the forest is my own personal home. It feels more like home than the farm does, but that's just a silly thought of course.
I try not to scream, when I trip. My foot hits something really hard, and I catch myself with my hands. Stinging pain in my palms make me aware that my skin is pierced, but I'm more worried about my toe. With tears in my eyes I take of my leather shoe, and see that my toenail is ripped in half. Tears roll down my face.
It's not that it hurts a lot, it's just that I feel sorry for myself. This means I will have to walk home, instead of run...
I look up, and see the skies burst open.
Anger takes a hold of me. I know every single rock in this forest. What could I have possibly hit? I look around, digging through the leaves on the floor.
And that's where I see it. It's a perfectly oval shaped, purple rock. I tilt my face, trying to take a better look at it. It looks like it has scales, ever so slightly. It does not take me a lot of time, to decide that I will take it home. The rain is pouring down from the heavens, and I am soaked.
Slowly, and painfully, I continue my walk home.

It takes me much longer than I like, before I arrive at the small farm. Instead of taking the front door, I walk to the barn. There, in the right corner, is a big heap of hay. I dig a little hole, and lay the stone down. I am not sure if I want my parents to see it. What if they try to sell it, or get rid of it? I want to see what it is first.
After I make sure the stone is completely hidden, I walk back towards the front door, and soaking wet I enter the barn.
'Maya', I hear my mother say. 'Don't you dare take all that water in to the house.' I smile.
'Mom', I defend myself. 'It's just rain and-', she raises her hand, stopping me. 'Get out, dry yourself in the barn, and after that you can come in. If you wanted to eat that badly, you would have returned home before the storm. I have warned you before you went out this morning.'
It's clear that my mother is angry that I left her alone. She asked me to help her prepare some of the crops for the winter. It's a job that takes weeks, and weeks. And... to be honest, I just wanted to go. Without answering, I ran out of the door. So... I understand her anger.
Not completely sad that I have to go back to the stone, I turn around on my heels and walk right out of the front door. I see that the rain is pouring down so fast now, that it looks like there's a curtain of water all across the land. I run to the barn, and drop myself in the warm, and dry hay.
I take out the stone, and put it right next to my face. While staring at it, I notice how tired I am. Without truly realising it.. I close my eyes. Just for a little bit.