Memories We Own

The path to Vevra

"Who... who are you and what are you doing in my room?" screamed Emma. She felt the Veyra prickle in her fingers.

"Be quiet — I'll explain everything." whispered the professor. "Remember that letter you received a couple of weeks ago?"

Emma nodded.

"That letter was a calling. I'm Professor Peter, potionweaving teacher in the school of Vevra. I am sure you are aware of your magical abilities by now. That power is called Veyra — it belongs to us, the Vervillians. We live on a small island in the middle of nowhere called the island of Vevra. There has been a recent problem. Our generations ceased — to keep the Veyra alive, we invoked it in a handful of humans." said the professor, talking rather quickly.

"Wait, so I'm not the only one who has this power? And how did you come to me if your island is nowhere? What am I supposed to do?" Emma asked, anxiously.

"Slow down. I'll explain everything when we reach the island. You're not alone — you're one of nine chosen children from around the world."

"Right now? I have to go now?"

"Yes. Pack a small bag — you'll be back in no time, right here in this room."

"But what about my parents?"

"Tell them you have an important event — parents aren't allowed."

"Okay — wait outside; I'll be there in a minute."

Professor Peter used his potion once again and climbed downstairs. He stood in the garden waiting for Emma. Emma quickly grabbed a bag and placed her notebook and a scarf in case it got slightly chilly.

She told her parents about her fake event, they were surprised but didn't think much of it, so she left the house.

"Now, Emma — you'll come with me to gather the others," Peter said. "The next child is Harry Roberts — he doesn't live far. To save time we'll use the map."

The professor grips the map in one hand and Emma's wrist in the other.

"We're going to teleport to Harry — hold on tight."

They closed their eyes and whoosh. "We're here!"

Emma and Professor Peter appeared in the remnant of a forest near Harry's grandmother's house.

They see someone sitting next to a pond, throwing rocks.

Harry felt his Veyra tingling as Emma and the professor approached him. He looked back. Utter shock blanked his expression. There was an eerie tension between all of them; Harry didn't trust them at first.

"Who..." said Harry, unable to complete his sentence.

"We are here to tell you about the letter," replied the Professor.

"So: you possess a power called Veyra, meaning that you've been chosen to solve a problem on the island of Vevra," Professor Peter continued.

Harry nodded, confusion and curiosity warring on his face.

"Come on, Harry get up and come with us to collect the others," the Professor added.

Harry was very confused; he couldn't understand what was going on. He only knew he had a gift and wanted to use it. So, Harry just followed along.

"Brace yourself and hold on," said Peter as he touched the next location on the map.

They reach a village in Ireland — bleak and frigid.

Roads were empty, lights were out. There was no life in the village.

"We've reached Lucas's house. Wait here; I'll fetch him," the Professor explained.

Emma and Harry stand awkwardly near each other, patiently waiting.

"I'm Emma," she said, offering a hand.

"I'm Harry," he said, shaking her hand.

Their conversation came to a short end as Professor Peter came out of the house with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy.

"Hello," Emma smiled. "My name is Emma — and this is Harry"

"Hello. I'm Lucas — you can call me Luca,"

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Luca," she replied.

Harry smiled warmly. He lacked social experiences, and that made it hard for him to talk with people, though neither Lucas nor Emma seemed to mind.

"Next up: France — Eloise Duvayne," the professor announced.

They went from house to house, gathering the chosen.

From Eloise in France, to Theodore in Brazil. Then it was Leila Greenwood, Anaya Thornevale, Patrick Tendril, and lastly Amelia Elmshade in Australia.

All the children now are together, slowly introducing themselves to one another.

"Now children, I will say the name of each child and all you have to do is confirm your presence," called the Professor. "Emma,"

"Present, sir," she replied.

"Harry,"

"Here," he answered.

One by one, Professor Peter called each child until he reached Amelia.

"Finally, we have Amelia,"

"I'm present," she said.

"Very well — we must go. Hold on tight; we teleport to the secret portal at Kynance Cove."

They teleport and reach just in time for the portal.

"Line up. You are about to enter somewhere magical."

Emma and Harry looked at each other, speechless, their eyes wide as the truth settled in.

This was real. And it had already begun.