The Autumn Prince

18. Before the Storm

Katherine stormed off to bed while I thew myself on the sofa in a huff, arms crossed. She had wanted me to light her up again and I turned her down, which ended in our first real argument. Whatever I'd done to her didn't have the effect we'd intended and I decided that playing around with some strange ability without knowing more was risky and foolish. She countered with her earlier arguments, then she tried guilt, and finally demanded it. After she left the room I sulked, upset that she refused to understand. I pictured myself stomping through the door and into the hall, slamming it behind me, but I was being stupid. I never would have abandoned her, not before our lives turned inside-out, and certainly not then.

I wished for the solace of comfort foods but having spent a decade on bland cuisine, the only memories that stirred that level of peace were of Lucy Lowe, the natural daughter of my first foster family and the only real friend I had after leaving Greenhill. We used to raid the cookie jar and share our haul under a blanket fort in the attic while binge watching cartoons after school. That was before I got sick. By the time I was released from the hospital, the Lowes had moved on.

Lacking a robust menu, I finally settled for coffee with far too much creamer because it seemed like something normal people would indulge in. As I sipped at it, I received a text from a number I didn't recognize.

"Currently in Austin. Beware strangers. Keep the Glim close."

I thumbed a response, relieved and excited to hear from Miss Gold. "Thanks for checking in. Everything okay?"

Several minutes passed while I sat there watching the screen before she replied.

"Why?"

"No reason," I answered. Her response came quickly.

"Are you well?"

I wanted to tell her what happened with Rachel, with Katherine. I wanted to talk her ear off even though I'd known her for less than a week because she was the only one who could understand, because she was the closest thing I had to a living relative. Instead, I answered, "Fine now. Thurs was rough. Think I'm starting to figure out the lights."

Another expectant pause, much longer than the first, and then she answered, "What lights?"

It hadn't occurred to me that we never discussed them since I only just found out they might be more than glitches in my head. I wasn't sure how to answer briefly so I sat, thinking it over. If Miss Gold didn't know about them did that mean they were unusual or just unexpected? While I sat staring, the phone vibrated in my hand.

"Hello?" I answered absently.

"What lights?" came Miss Gold's voice, and then she added, "be succinct."

"Um, well there... I see these floating points of... like stars . . ." I began.

"Succinct, Thomas, I cannot remain on this line."

"I see them in my mind." I explained rapidly, telling her far less than I wanted to, "They show up when people are around. I don't have a good way to describe it."

"Aus ucht De" she muttered, or something like it. "Thomas, I will attempt to return soon, but I cannot promise. Take extreme caution, especially now."

"What does that even mean?" I asked, frustrated, and confused.

"It means be careful. Cause as little mischief as possible. The implication troubles me, but I am unsure how best to proceed. Bide your time well. Study the Glim."

"What implication? Miss Gold, I..."

"There is no time. I will see you soon. Remain safe." Then she hung up.