Light Within

PART THREE - Chapter 18: Where Duncan is Thrown Out

"Where to?" says the driver.

"Autumn Leaf Hotel," Father says. The cab jolts and jostles, roaring into traffic. Duncan feels the vibrations in his skull. It's nothing like riding a horse wagon. Wagons are bumpy, but at least they don't unceasingly throb like a growling engine. A wagon on a smooth road is as close to heaven as one can get, he thinks. Better than an engine. His lightning leaps in fright. Hold the storm in.

They arrive at the hotel and ride the elevator to the top. When they get to the room, his parents instruct him to sit on the bed. Then they disappear into the hallway, and he doesn't see them again for half an hour. They return with faces reddened and pinched in distress. Father's expression reflects a glower, and Mother's despair. Neither speak to him. He stays on the bed.

After some time, he says, "When're we goin' home?"

"Our first train leaves tomorrow," Mother says.

Duncan glances at Father, whose face is obscured behind a newspaper. "Pa?" Father doesn't move. Duncan interlocks his hands and twiddles his thumbs. "Is there anythin' to do here in Marche City? I ain't know if I like it here, but if there's something interestin' to see, I want to see it. Is the library big—?"

Thwap. Father throws down the newspaper, features quivering with rage.

"William." Mother stretches out a hand as Father stands. Father doesn't look at either of them before leaving the room.

Duncan's posture shrinks. "Is he mad at me?" he says. "Why did the Council want to give me Dark Within?"

Mother comes and sits by his side, enveloping him in a hug. She rubs his arm. "Let's ... not talk about it, Duncan," she says. "It's all over now, and we ain't need to worry about it no more. I don't want you tellin' anyone at home about this. Do you understand?" She grazes his chin with her fingers, urging his ruby eyes. "Promise me you won't say anythin' about today, or anythin' about Uncle Wally. Ever."

Duncan meets her gaze. He watches it shake and dance with fear. She tries to hide it, to cover it up, but her trembling, tear-stricken features belie her calm words. Something happened today that he doesn't fully comprehend. It scares him, and it terrifies his parents. He wants to alleviate their worry in any way he can, and so he finds himself nodding mechanically. "Okay. I ain't talk about it." His mother rests a hand on the back of his neck, and he shudders as she thumbs gnarled scar tissue.

"Why don't y'all take my scarf?" She gets up and digs a scarf out of her suitcase. "Hey, you said you wanted to grow your hair out like your father, didn't you?" She loops the scarf around his neck and flicks his nose with it.

Duncan laughs, a smile plumping his features. "Yes, but ya said I had to look 'clean cut' to be a priest."

Mother smudges her fingers over her lips. "I changed my mind. I'll let you grow your hair out. Until then, you'll have to wear scarves." She tousles his short, dark hair, causing it to stick up like wild grass. "Let's go find that library. Would y'all like that?" She reaches toward him.

Duncan clasps her hand, rising to his feet. His smile inflates into a grin, and the electricity in his bones settles to a dim crackle. "Yes'm!"

In the distance, rolling thunder booms. Mother says, "Better get there before the rain comes. Let's go!" They bolt through the hotel halls, running down the stairs and onto the streets of the city.

—

Day 320, Year 1006

Boom. CRACKLE!

The storm clouds in Duncan's stomach shift and broil in response to the lightning outside of his train car. His fingers twitch and his veins zap electrically. Focus, breathe. Hold it in, don't let it out. Don't ever use that magic, Duncan. Let the storm pass, let it wash into the sky. Boom, boom. He stares at the rain that pelts the window, and he sinks into the jostling motions of the train car.