Chapter 3
River and I actually became pretty quick friends. Jacob had no problem welcoming her into our group, which was just another reason why I loved him. They were heading over tonight and I had pizza on the way. I quickly ran over to answer the door.
“Evening, ma’am. I have one cheese pizza, one pineapple and ham, breadsticks and a soda?” He asked as he told me the total. I paid and tipped him. Before I could even close the door, Jacob and River walked up.
“Perfect timing! I guess you are rubbing off on me, finally.” Jacob joked as he grabbed some plates out of my cabinet. River was still in that stage of friendship where she fit in well, but wasn’t quite at home with us. She was standing off to the side, until Jacob rolled his eyes and yanked her playfully over to the counter where he had the pizza set up. She gave a shy grin and sat down.
“How can you eat that sweet crap on your pizza?” I groaned and shoved the pineapple pizza toward Jacob. He grabbed a piece and dramatically bit and chewed it with an appreciative groan. I rolled my eyes at River. She laughed and took a piece of the cheese pizza. “That’s my girl.” I joked.
“Whatever, you girls eat your boring pizza. I’ve got the good stuff right here.” He said around another mouthful. The amount of food Jacob could eat always astounded me. The dude manages to keep abs and down copious amounts of food. I guess that’s the product of those gross morning jogs he loves. I was the opposite. I was petite and lean, but I got my shape from good old genetics and walking. I was way too uncoordinated to try and play any kind of sports.
“It’s not plain, I just don’t eat meat.” River defended. “Also, I brought cookies.” She announced. Jacob and I perked up at that news and she laughed.
“I’ll forgive your poor pizza choice for a cookie, that’s for sure.” Jacob announced in a fake snotty tone.
“So River, tell us about you?” Jacob asked. He wasn’t afraid to be nosy. Though I couldn’t disagree, I was curious to know more about her too.
“I am a vegetarian. I do landscaping designs. I am studying horticulture and graphic design. Though it is more of an adaptive study. Time here moves much quicker then home, so I am technically 67 of your years. Going to college seems so weird. I try and keep in contact with the other Fae around, but we are all so different I would call us more like a forced family, then friends.” She listed off her description like she was reading from a list.
“Hold up! 67?” Jacob shrieked. I jumped at his outburst and River just laughed.
“Yes. In Faerie, weeks pass by while years pass by here. Living here is making our lives a whole lot shorter. Not to mention the food and pollution are making us slowly grow ill. Though we don’t have technology or cars at home, so there are advantages.” Her eyes lost focus while she spoke. It made me want to be able to see what it was like.
“Why did you have to leave? I’ve never heard it directly from a Fae before. It’s always humans telling tales that aren’t theirs to tell.” I asked, hoping it wouldn’t offend her.
“Faerie consisted of four regions. The courts of Spring, Summer, Winter, and Autumn. However, some Fae became greedy and wished for more power or more land, corrupting the minds of their citizens. It put a distinct line, dividing the land into the dark and light Fae. The Dark were Winter and Autumn. The light were Spring and Summer. Though don’t be confused by the titles, the prejudice from the brighter courts sent the dark Fae into the darker ways.” Jacob and I were hanging on to every word. It wasn’t often that discussions happened in friendly ways between the Fae and us humans. Humans were assholes, sometimes.
“What court were you?” Jacob interrupted.
“I was born after the division of the courts. I am a dark Fae technically. I was born in the Court of Autumn. When the war started, it wiped out villages and cities like they were nothing. Magic is a powerful thing, especially when combined together on the unsuspecting. Eventually the last royalty standing was the Prince of Winter and the Princess of Spring. They were said to be lovers and wanted unity of the dark and light. However, they too disappeared. Nobody ever found them and presumed them dead. Not even a week after they disappeared the land rejected the survivors. I happened to hide well enough when my village was slaughtered. I was among the only survivors.” She had a few tears running and we both grabbed her hands to offer comfort. What can you really say to someone that lost their family, friends, and livelihood in one moment.
“Wait, your land rejected you?” I asked, both to change the subject and because it sounded so odd.
“Faerie isn’t like here, we are more connected to our land and trees. Nature turned on us. The animals turned hostile and the plants turned poisonous or withered away. Those of us who made it through the war fled through the portals. I believe some stayed behind, but the chances of survival would be incredibly rare.” She finished her story and took a few deep breaths to rein in her emotions.
“Ok, let’s lighten the mood. Dance party?” Jacob announced as he plugged his phone into my sound system. We jumped up and danced while River laughed at us. Jacob being Jacob, was not okay with anyone sitting on the sidelines. He beckoned her forward and she smiled, but joined in. By the time a few songs ended we were winded, but smiling. Jacob was like the sun, when he was happy and smiling, it lit up the room and everyone in it.
“Bella, I need you to handle the register.” Jacob called as he tried to fix the coffee machine in front of him. Today had been one of those crazy days at work where nothing worked right. I took the next few orders until we hit a glorious lull in customers.
A man stumbled into the coffee shop, looking panicked. I ran around the counter and helped him walk to the counter barstools. He looked winded and I noticed he was Fae. I frowned and looked outside. I saw a group of men jogging down the sidewalk, looking down alleys and through the shop windows. I ushered the man to the back and pulled the curtain so he was shielded from view.
“Are you alright? Do you need medical attention? Did they hurt you?” I asked as I tried to see if he had any injuries.
“No, I’m alright. I made it here before they could hurt me.” His voice shook almost as much as his body did. This guy was terrified.
“Why were they after you?” I asked quietly, trying to hold in my rage.
“I was talking to a human woman. She asked me a question and I answered her, it was no big deal. Then a group of guys saw us and yelled that they were going to kill me for talking to their women. I ran here, River told me it was safe.” He explained. I gave him an attempt at a warm smile, still trying to hide my rage.
“Excuse me while I go make sure they are gone. Just try and calm down, I’ll send Jacob back with a coffee for you. He’s good people. You did the right thing, I won’t let them hurt you. Don’t let my size fool you.” I joked. He gave a weak smile and I stepped back out. The men outside were on the other side of the street but still looking. I took a mental note of their descriptions so I could tell the police. I dialed the non-emergency number.
“How can I help you?” A bored voice answered.
“I work at Deb’s café, and there is a group of men outside chasing down a Fae male for merely speaking to a human woman.” I practically growled into the phone.
“Ok, I’ll send an officer out, I’m sure it’s nothing. They are just protecting the streets.” She was clearly unmotivated by my anger or a decent conscience.
“You are kidding, right? I just told you that they attacked him for SPEAKING to a human. Last time I checked that isn’t a crime, but attacking an innocent civilian is. Do your job.” I barked into the phone. I slammed down the receiver and went to the sidewalk to wait. I was outside for twenty minutes before I went back inside to check on the poor guy.
“Keep an eye out for the cops, Jacob.” I asked as I passed him and went to the back.
“You didn’t have to do that, they won’t help anyway.” The man said. I gave him a confused gaze.
“Who?” He looked up and his eyes just looked resigned. Like this wasn’t new to him.
“The police. They don’t respond to calls for Fae. We have tried to call for break ins before, among other things. They straight up told us that they won’t come out for us.” He explained with a shrug. I felt my anger rise again, I tried and failed to calm myself. The man looked on in shock as the lightbulb above us exploded, raining shards of glass on our heads and shoulders.
“You are Fae? You can still use magic on earth to glamour yourself? How?” His voice held awe, though it was misguided.
“I am human. Sorry, we must have had faulty electric, I’ll let Deb know to check it. Are you ok?” I asked as Jacob burst behind the curtain. His face was frantic, then it melted away to concerned.
“I thought something horrible happened! Did the light just explode on you? That’s nuts!” He said as he grabbed the vacuum. He pulled out the hoses and quickly cleaned up the floor, then our shoulders and hair.
“I’m awful, what’s your name?” I felt my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. I was often forgetting to be polite when I got worked up.
“I am Andras.” He said, apparently still assessing me for my supposed glamour.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Andras. Please stick around until closing, so we can walk you home. Power in numbers and pepper spray.” I said. “Why don’t you come sit out in the café, I won’t let them come in.” He nodded and followed us out. Thankfully it was only an hour until closing.
The hour flew by, but still no sign of any cop cars patrolling the area. I even told the ridiculous woman where I worked. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as I realized he was right. How did we let things stay this awful? It never affected me, that’s why. Disgusted with myself, I decided that I would meet any Fae who come into town, so they knew they had a friend and backup here.
“Ready Andras?” I asked as we finished our cleaning routine. He nodded and we locked the doors. Jacob and I flanked him, as he pointed us in the right direction. It was then that I realized no Sam tonight. I glanced at Jacob and noticed he seemed a bit more reserved now. I made a mental note to check on him after Andras was home safe.
“Does this happen often, Andras?” I asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.
“It isn’t the first time, and I doubt the last. I try to keep my head down usually.” He explained quietly.
“No more. You call me or Bella if you need us.” Jacob’s voice had an edge to it that I haven’t heard before. He looked determined and angry.
“Thank you. River was right. I’m glad I met you. Though I still want to know how you maintain a glamour here.” He added pointedly at me. I just shook my head.
“Bella is human.” Jacob announced, confused. He looked at me and his expression clearly questioned Andras’ sanity.
“Last time I checked, humans don’t explode lights.” He replied with a raised eyebrow.
“That was you?” Jacob asked skeptically. I shook my head no and rolled my eyes. I think I would know if I could do magic.
“This is me. Thanks again for the help and walk home.” He bowed to us. Yes, legitimately bowed. We smiled and waved as he entered his small home.
“So he thinks you can explode light bulbs now?” Jacob joked.
“Apparently. I mean I get the correlation, I was super pissed about the attack and lack of cops. But I clearly didn’t do it.” I laughed it off. Andras seemed so sure, but he was wrong.
“No Sam tonight?” I asked quietly. Jacob knew me well enough that if he didn’t want to answer, I wouldn’t pry. I just wanted him to know he could talk to me.
“Another work project I guess.” He said with a sad shrug. “I get it, I have to work too. I just miss him.”
I didn’t have any words that would help, so I just stepped closer and linked my arm through his, resting my head on his shoulder.
We parted ways a block later and I made my way home. I had to turn in my library project in the morning, so now was my last chance to finish it. It was almost done so I was way ahead of my usual procrastination. I took out my cell phone to text River before I got started on my blueprints.
Me: I met Andras tonight and helped him. Thanks for trusting me with your friends. We got him home safe.
River: He just called me. Thanks for being a good friend.
Me: If you know the other Fae in town, let them know they are safe at Deb’s as long as I’m there. I’m so livid the police didn’t care. Don’t walk alone anywhere.
River: I won’t, and I already spread the word. I didn’t want a repeat of my incident. It’s like they have gotten more bold lately.
Me: Agreed. We won’t stand for this. Power in numbers.
Satisfied with her answers I put my phone in the music dock and turned on my homework playlist. It helped drown out the apartment noise and let me concentrate.
I worked for a solid two hours before I was in desperate need of coffee. I reached for the coffee grounds in the cabinet above the coffee maker. As I pulled it down I felt something fuzzy brush against my hand. I screamed and jumped back. As I did the cabinet door flew across the room and landed on the couch.
The fuzzy creature was a white mouse, huddled in the corner of the cabinet. Clearly I scared the poor guy as much as he scared me. I couldn’t just let him live here though, I loved my coffee too much. I found a decent sized plastic container and poked holes in the lid. In one quick movement I forced him to get caught inside before sliding the lid over. Most mice are not white, so he had to be a science major’s lab mouse. I grabbed my keys and shoes and locked the door behind me. After the sixth door I was about to give up. There were only nine other doors on my floor though, so I may as well finish. I knocked on the seventh door and it swung open to a guy in gym shorts and a tank top. He leaned against the door frame and gave me a smirk.
“Hello, pretty lady.” He said with a creepy wink.
“Did you lose a white mouse?” I asked in a monotone voice.
“Ah, yea. My snake food ran away earlier. Did you catch it?” He asked as my mouth dropped open in horror. He was going to feed this little guy to his snake? I mean, I know a snake has to eat, but he almost made it to freedom I couldn’t just offer him up as food.
“Uh, no. This is just some cookies I’m taking a friend. I did notice a mouse in the stairwell and thought I would tell the owner.” I promptly turned around and all but ran into my room.
The realization of what I did set in as I looked down at the container in my hands. What the hell was I going to do with a mouse? I grabbed my phone and texted River.
Me: You awake?
River: yes. What’s going on?
Me: So I created a little situation for myself. A mouse got in my coffee cabinet, I caught it and thought it was a lab mouse. When I found the owner he was in fact snake food and I wasn’t cool with that. So I have a mouse in a plastic container and I don’t know what to do.
River: Release him outside?
Me: I can’t! He will get eaten for sure. I feel responsible now. This is awful.
River: hahahahaha
Me: Not funny at all!
River: Ok, tomorrow get it a cage? For now google what they eat and feed it something and give it some water?
Me: Ok, I can do that. Thanks.
River: You’re welcome. Give him a good name, haha.
I rolled my eyes, but then realized she was right. How could I leave him in a plastic container though? Thankfully I put quite a few holes for air flow, so he would survive. After googling, the only safe food I had right now was an apple. I cut it up and gave him some smaller slices of apple. I was to scared that he would jump out, so I slid them carefully under the lid, not letting it open to much. I could hear him squeaking and crunching so I set it on the countertop where he wouldn’t knock it down.
I went back to my coffee making when I finally remembered the cabinet. I was starting to think that something was wrong with me. Cabinets fall sometimes sure, but their doors don’t fly across the room. Was I being haunted? Did I somehow have Fae blood? Was that even possible? No matter what I asked myself I just made myself more and more crazy. I pushed my thoughts aside and returned my focus to my work, skipping the coffee. I didn’t need to add caffeine to my already crazy mind tonight.
I finished and rolled it up, storing it safely in a cardboard tube. I sat it on the desk and went to bed. Once I got comfortable I thought I would drift off pretty quickly, but I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get the lightbulb or the cabinet door out of my mind.
I focused instead on thinking of a good name for my new friend. I had started referring to the mouse as a him, so I went with boy names. I finally drifted off with a few of my favorites picked out.
“How big of a cage does it need?” Jacob asked, still looking slightly appalled by our task. I had to force Jacob to come shopping for my mouse supplies. River came willingly, mostly just to laugh at us.
“It’s a pretty small mouse. So a hamster cage? Do they need wheels and tunnels like hamsters?” I asked as I looked at the ridiculous wall of options in this pet store.
“Google says yes.” River said, not even looking up from her phone.
“This one has tunnels and a wheel included. Girl, you know this means you have to clean up his poop, right?” Jacob’s face held exaggerated horror at the mere thought of it. I laughed at him.
We finished picking out the little guy’s new mouse condominium and supplies, and I paid for it before we made our way back to my apartment.
“Name him, yet?” River asked curiously. I had picked out a few, but I was no where near close to picking.
“No. But I’ve got a few ideas.” I said cautiously. Jacob and River both laughed, knowing me enough to realize it was about to get ridiculous.
“Ok, the top names are sir squeaks-a-lot, Dormouse, Mocha because he was hiding behind my coffee when I found him, or Gizmo.” I mumbled the names, waiting for their judgement.
“Isn’t he white? Mocha would be weird then.” River noted. She wasn’t wrong. He was pure white.
“Dormouse as in from Alice in wonderland?” Jacob asked with a smile. He knows it’s one of my favorite stories, including the retellings. I nodded. He smiled at that. “Ok, that’s my vote.”
“Dormouse it is. Time to build him the best mouse house ever to celebrate not getting eaten alive by a stupid snake.” I cheered.
“Snakes aren’t stupid, you just didn’t want to contribute to the mouse’s death.” Jacob corrected knowingly. I shrugged and stalked off ahead. He wasn’t wrong.
“Wait!” Someone yelled, stopping us in our tracks. My hands were full so I was fairly annoyed. I glanced over and noticed a group of people standing on the side of the road. They all wore hats, which I thought was odd. I glanced at Jacob who looked just as confused as I was. River however, stepped forward.
“Hello, brothers and sisters. What brings you to Silver Forest?” She replied in an emotionless voice. It was odd to hear.
“We all felt a pull here, so we traveled together. Do you know why?” The Fae who previously yelled seemed to be their spokesperson.
“I have no clue. I haven’t felt anything odd. I am not the only one in town. Perhaps Andras? I can walk over there with you.” She offered. I pulled her aside.
“Are you sure? Is it safe?” I asked quietly. She gave me a reassuring smile.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” She said, though I saw confusion and fear on her face. “I’m more worried how the town will take this.”
“How about we walk you?” Jacob offered to River. I discreetly offered her my pepper spray, which she put in her pocket.
“How kind of you.” The spokesman offered with a slight bow of his head and shoulders. I nodded in return despite the note of anger in his voice.
The walk to Andras’ house was quiet. Nobody offered up where they came from. I was nervous that if the group of men that attacked Andras found out, they would come after the newcomers. Thankfully it’s a college town so new people wasn’t exactly unheard of. We made it in record time and Jacob offered to carry the box for me. I gratefully accepted, since my arms started hurting hallway here.
“Good luck, call me later. Let us know if you need anything.” I offered to Andras and River when he joined us outside. I felt better that they were together.
“Well that was strange.” Jacob added as we walked back to my apartment.
“Agreed. What would make them come here? I wonder if more will come.” I wondered out loud.
The rest of the walk was quiet as we both got lost in our thoughts. Once I unlocked the door and closed it behind us, I rushed over and set up Dormouse’s cage. It had a tunnel and a wheel, a little soft burrowing area and a bowl filled with food. I filled his water dispenser and the job was done. I took it to the living room and set him up on the bookshelf next to my art desk. That way we could see each other while I worked. A part of me was so excited about my little pet.
“So…” Jacob dragged out the word. I turned around and looked at him with my eyebrows raised. “How do you plan on putting him in there?” He asked with laughter in his voice.
“Probably with a girlish scream and completely undignified behavior.” I replied. I ignored his laughter as I grabbed the container Dormouse was in. I cracked it open and peeked in. He looked at me and squeaked.
“Hey little guy. Can I put you in your new home now?” The mouse looked at me and cocked his head to the side like a dog. It was almost like he was listening to me. I reached my hand forward and he didn’t try and run from me. So I continued saying what I was doing in a soft voice to keep him calm. He didn’t jump even when my hand was close to him. I was secretly praying he wasn’t going to bite me in the process. I decided to just go for it and grabbed him gently. He didn’t struggle at all, so I closed my hands around him so he couldn’t fall if he panicked. I nodded my head towards the cage and Jacob cautiously pulled the door of the cage open so I could put him in. I released him and Jacob closed the door as soon as my hands were free.
“Well, I’m impressed.” Jacob announced as he studied Dormouse. I threw away the bin and washed my hands. I came back and stood next to Jacob observing my little pet. He seemed happy as he explored and sniffed everything.
“Ok, I have to ask. What did you do to your cabinet?” Jacob questioned as he pointed to the cabinet door on my couch. I forgot to move it back last night with all of the mouse drama.
“Uh, it was a fit of panic when Dormouse touched me. I was grabbing my coffee down.” I explained, trying to sound normal. It still freaked me out. He narrowed his eyes at me.
“You panicked and ripped off a cabinet door that wasn’t loose?” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. He knew I was lying, Jacob seemed to know when I wasn’t being truthful.
“Something like that.” I said nonchalantly.
“Bella. What happened?” His voice now held concern, but his tone was harsh, not allowing room for more lies.
“No clue. One minute I was screaming, and the next it flew across the room onto the couch.” I confessed, gauging his reaction.
“Weird. Maybe Andras wasn’t far off. Could you have Fae blood in you or something? That would be badass. I’ve read books to prepare me for things like this!” He said excitedly. I rolled my eyes.
“Not possible. I’m pretty sure my grandmother would have told me.” I said with an eye roll. My grandmother raised me from the time I was born. She said my mother died in childbirth and she had to raise me. She was a stern lady, but I loved her.
“She might not have known!” Jacob was getting more excited by the minute. His voice raising with each word. “Maybe it was your dad. Either way, something is different about you. Think it has anything to do with that group of Fae being drawn here?”
“Okay, no more paranormal books for you.” I joked. He didn’t look convinced. “It freaked me out, but I’m sure it was just a coincidence.”
“Nope. Something weird is going on.” He announced with conviction. “I’m going home to research Fae and check on Sam. Try not to do anything crazy while I’m gone.” He smirked as he gave me a kiss on the cheek and left the apartment.