Code of Shadows

Chapter 7: Left

I woke on the floor of my house in the living room with the blankets wrapped around me tightly. I groaned as I lifted my head. The room had nothing in it, except for the three people hovering over me.

"She is awake!" I cringed at the loud noise.

"Hello to you too, Arin," I grumbled.

"Hello! Hi! Howdy--"

"Arin. Please stop yelling. I have a blaring headache." Arin gave me one of his 'you aren't being nice' faces, then skipped off. Letting Mom and Dad have a look at me.

"Well it is not my fault that you came home knocked out. You got to stay here an extra two days because they said we shouldn't move you!" Arin still yelled over his shoulder. I cringed.

Mom slid down next to me. "We were so worried! Where did you go? What happened to you?" Her eyes looked red and puffy, and I felt bad. I know that they promised to send a message to my parents, but I knew that they would send no details. If they weren't going to tell me where they had decided to take me, then they surely wouldn't tell anyone else.

"I..." I swallowed a breath then continued, "got wacked in the head."

Mom gave me a stern stare. "No duh dummy," she laughed. "That is not what I meant, you obviously got hit on the head. Where did you go after the ceremony?"

I sighed. I knew the question would coming, I just hadn't prepared for it. I should have. I didn't have the best answer in my head at that moment because of my migraine, so I just spilled.

I told her everything up to meeting the Prime Justice. She encouraged me at first, but then she quickly became disappointed.

"Honey," Mom's voice became serious. "I am serious, where were you?"

I swallowed, and took another deep breath. "That was where I was. The Prime Justice wanted to talk to me about..." I stopped. The information hit me again. "How... I ... I am..." I couldn't actually say it. Meeting the Prime Justice seemed like a dream, but I knew it had happened. The bump on my head proved it.

"What type of cover story is this? It is no time for games Caitrialyn. What did you actually do to come home with a huge lump on your head. You have never been one to lie, so why are you lying now?"

"Mom," I said. "I know this is the craziest story you probably have ever heard, but it is true. I don't want to talk about it right now." I scooted around the subject again.

I tried to sit up again. I failed miserably.

"Cait," Dad said. "If what you say is true," for a moment, relief washed over me, but it quickly went away. "Then you would be really important to society. We need to know who you, or who he, thinks you are."

I shivered. "I told you Dad, I don't want to talk about it."

"Was it something inappropriate?"

"Dad!" I wailed. "How could you think that?" He chuckled at me.

"You can tell us about this later, for now rest up," he said.

He stood up and gently encouraged everyone, including Arin, to back away and leave me alone.

I sat back, and just thought. It took me a while, but I finally digested everything the Prime Justice and Uncle Jamison had said.

.....................................

I had started to stumble through the halls when Arin saw me. His face went white as he saw me trip and almost fall. He was the best younger brother I could have ever asked for. Yes, he could be pesky at times, but he always was there for me.