Searching for the truth (Maryn)

[ashley]

A feild, its grass lush and green, stretched before her. Snow-capped mountains lumbered in the distance against a velvet black sky, illuminated by the little golden specs that were stars. Alarice intook a sharp breath of air. The beauty and sereneness of this place was startling.

The air was calm and cool, and all was quiet except for the occasional flutter of wings overhead or hoot of an owl. She walked on, toward the mountains, at a slow yet steady pace almost as if in a trance. She had but one thing on her mind; 26108 Butternut Lane, the muggle street that existed some two or three miles to the right of the mountains ahead, in a town called Oakwood. Areson had taken her this far, the rest was up to her. But she was so determined, she as hardly afraid of being out all alone in the late hours of the night. This was her one chance to find her father. Alarice clenched her fingers tighter around the crumpled-up piece of paper in her hand that bore the adress she needed to find, even though she had already memorized the numbers.

"Butternut, what a pretty name..." Alarice thought dreamily to herself as she kept walking still, picking up speed now. "Perhaps I could come and stay with him over the summer holidays..." She gazed up at the sky a moment, just long enough to catch sight of a shooting star. She squeezed her eyes shut tight and made a wish. Please let him be happy to see me...

She repeated those words over in her head at least three more times as if a silent mantra to ensure that her wish had been heard, and hurried along toward an unfamiliar town, in an unfamiliar place, all the while to meet an unfamiliar man that was supposed to be her father. But none of this would've been possible if it hadnt been for Berry, her owl. She had found the place Alarice was on her way to now, and had retreived the adress. Now, now Alarice just had to get there.

She had 5 hours. Five hours untill she was to get back to Sephora's house, and in those five hours Al hoped she would be getting to know her real live father. Not the substitutes life had thrown at her such as Frank, or even Areson. Sure Alarice loved Areson, (Sephora's uncle) it was just that he filled a different space in her heart. No one but the real deal could fill the empty space where her father should be...

[Maryn Livley]

"Yes, Aunt Claire." Maryn muttered walking towards her twin cousins as he aunt had asked. It was the weekend and Maryn was spending it with her aunt and her six year old twins, April and Jamie. Aunt Claire was unwed so Maryn often came out to visit and help her with things. She didn't mind leaving London either. Sure, she wasn't terribly far from home, but it was better none the less. "No, no Jamie." Maryn called pulling the glass figurine as asked. "Fine." He muttered as he angrily walked away. Maryn was actually glad he had obeyed her for once. April and Jamie were wizards and already showing signs of it. The had the little child emotions problem obviously. When they were truly angry weird things would happen and such. However, now didn't seem to be one of those times and Maryn smiled a bit as Jamie ran off.

It was night time and Maryn was glad of that. Her little weekend had turned into hard work no her aunt's farm and taken care of the little boy and girl. Both of them were handfuls, but Maryn loved them all the same. She was in her little attic room. Maryn had received the room at a young age even though the house wasn't her own. She had spent so much time at the farm in those days; Claire had just given her the un used room. It was cut in weird angels as most attics were. The walls were real cedar and smelled just like that. Maryn's bed spread was white with little purple flowers covering the edges. It was simple and country like and Maryn loved it. She sat at the foot of her bed combing out her long light brown hair. After a minute of that, Maryn was about to turn out her lights when her aunt called frantically. "Coming!" Maryn called as it felted urgent.

Maryn's country white linen night gown flowed with her down the stairs as she ran. Maryn finally reached her aunt. "What is it?' She asked in a frightened voice as her aunt held Jamie close. "Where's April?" She gagged not breathing normally. "Oh no!" Maryns screeched darting for the door. She knew ectally where April would be. The little girl loved to leave home at night and wonder off towards the country road towards another town. near the mountains. Maryn ran as fast as she could from the house past the yard. "April!" She called through the night with fire flies around her. Maryn had to run a bit more before she saw the outline of the little girl sitting down crying. "April." Maryn said running over to her and picking her up. It was cold outside and Maryn knew her little cousin must be scared. "Don't ever do that again." She said calming her. "I won't Mare." The little girl cried. Just before Maryn turned back, she noticed someone walking. "Hello?" She called. Maryn walled nearer to the girl that he could barely make out in the dark. As she stepped closer, Maryn could see who it was. "Alarice!" She called walking briskly towards her friend with April in her arms. "What are you doing out here so late?" She asked nicely.

[ashley]

Alarice jumped startled, hearing a familiar voice call out her name from behind. She turned slowly to see who it was, and sighed out a great breath of relief. "Oh, Maryn! It's only you! I thought--" She paused, not quite knowing what she had thought exactly. The night could play tricks on your mind, and Al had become quite uneasy walking out alone. "I'm glad it's you.." She reassured, not wanting to hurt her friends feelings, even though a part of her wished she had just been left to do her wandering in peace, because now that she was back to the real word instead of the dreamlike state she had fallen into while walking, she was beginning to doubt her quest...

Al quickly shook this negative thought out of her mind. She would not give up now. This was important, and she had been about to do it anyway! What was stopping her now? But then she looked back into Maryn's face and felt the reality close in on her, along with all of her doubts and fears.

Alarice smiled at the little girl in Maryn's arm, choosing to act as though she hadnt heard her question about what Alarice was doing, instead of stumble out a lie or have to explain the truth. "Who's this cutie?" Alarice asked with a bright, cheerful smile, just wide enough to mask her secrets. She looked down at the girl, then back at Maryn, and in the process cast a quick glance toward the mountains. She was almost sure now that she could see tiny lights reflecting from street lamps and house windows. She was closer than ever now... But she felt even further than she had been when she started, now that her heart was losing hope...

[Maryn Livley]

"Yea, it's good to see you too." Maryn said staring at her friend. Alarice seemed weird. She didn't seem the same at all. There had to be a reason why she was out in the middle of the night. Maryn didn't even think she lived near her aunt. This was so very weird for Maryn. True, she was glad to she her friend, but she seemed more jumpy than usual, but nice all the less. Maryn smiled lightly as Alarice asked who the little girl in her arms was. "Oh, this is April." She said pulling April closer to her body. "Say hi, April." Maryn said nicely. "He-lo." April said in her cute little six year old voice. "Umm, she sort of got away. This little girl is already showing her magic." Maryn smiled down at April. "And boy is she using it." Maryn joked again watching April dry the remainder of her tears and smile as Maryn talked. Maryn always felt close to the little six year old. They had a lot in common even though April was so young.

Maryn looked back at Al. She shook her head softly. "Al, exactly what are you doing out? I mean this is close to the mountains and it's cold and late." Maryn said concerned with her friend. Alarice had never been that mysterious. Well, at least not to Maryn. Al had always been there for her. Through Maryn's good and bad times. She was a good friend, but Maryn could tell something was strange with her that night. And she didn't like it at all.

"It's cold outside." Maryn said holding April even closer. "Do you want to come inside my aunt's house?" Maryn asked still not knowing what Al was doing out. Maryn looked at the mountains Al was walking towards. There was a small town right in them. But, it would take at least an hour more to get there. Maryn became even more curious looking at them. She turned back to Alarice waiting for her to say something.

[ashley]

Alarice inwardly groaned as Maryn again asked her what she was doing, this time in a more concerned and urgent tone of voice. A wave of guilt washed over her, and she bit the side of her lip uncomfortably. She didnt like to lie at all, especially to her friends when all they wanted to do was help, and she couldnt act as though she hadnt heard Maryn's question, that would look a bit stupid. They were standing within two feet of eachother, out in the middle of no where at night in silence. Unless she was deaf, (which she obviously wasnt) that excuse for not telling was out. Alarice knew that if she just let it slip to Maryn what was going on, that all she would do was help her and probably make her feel loads better, as friends always did, but still, for some odd reason she just couldnt get it out. It wasnt that she was embarrassed or afraid of Maryn's reaction. It wasnt that at all. The fact was, Alarice was scared of getting her hopes up, and getting others hopes up as well, when there was a very great possibility that the last thing her father wanted was to see her. Al racked her brain for something to say, but luckily, before she could answer, Maryn offered for her to come inside her aunts house.

"Yes! Sure, I'd love to come inside!" Al answered quickly and a little to over excitedly. Once again, she groaned inwardly and wished she could just calm down. But Al had just been so relieved that she hadnt had to tell Maryn what she was doing just yet, that she hadnt been thinking. Even so, it was a bit chilly out and it would be nice to take a break....No your just stalling! Alarice thought angirly to herself. If you dont go now, you'll never have the guts to try again! But Alarice had already agreed, and besides, she needed a few more minutes, just to compose herself and try and relax before setting off again. Alarice gave Maryn a weak smile, and waited for an answer, watching as April dried the remainder of her tears from her cute little cheeks. She would just stay a little while, ten minutes at the most, and then she would continue to Oakwood. Oakwood. Just the thought of it gave her an uneasy feeling in her stomach and for a moment she felt greatfull that she didnt have to leave just yet. She felt better here with Maryn, not as alone.

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn shrugged a bit as Alarice again avoided the question. Maryn wanted to help her friend, of course, but she couldn't just force an answer out of her. Maryn really hated it when people tried to do that. Besides, she wasn't that kind of person. Maryn was pretty good at changing subjects or making everything seem alright even though it wasn't. Maryn knew it was one of those moments so she made her outward appearance just let go of the fact that something was wrong with Al. However, that didn't mean she wasn't thinking about it on the inside. Maryn put forth a small smile and then looked back at Al. "Follow me." She said nicely. Maryn hugged April closer to her again. April was very tired as it was past her bed time. Maryn could stay up for hours though. She was used to not getting enough sleep. Maryn turned her head slightly as she walked so she could talk to Al. "This is my aunt's house." She said approaching the country looking building. "It's been in my family for years before my aunt was even born." She explained. "But, there isn't a trace of magic inside it as my aunt is a muggle. April and her twin Jamie's father was a wizard and he passed that down to them." Maryn listened as her words echoed through the night.

After a minute of walking, they reached the house. Aunt Claire was on the front porch looking on the burst of tears. "Mommy!" April called as she jumped from Maryn's arms. "April don't do that again." She said nicely hugging her child close. Maryn smiled at her aunt. "That was close, she almost reached the road." She explained. "Oh, April." Aunt Claire said concerned looking at the little girl. She then finally looked at Alarice. "And who is this?" She asked to Maryn. "My friend Alarice from school." Maryn replied. "Alarice this is my Aunt Claire." Maryn said turning to her. Maryn's aunt nodded. "Well, excuse my Al, but I need to put April to bed and the go myself. You may stay as long as you like or for the night as it is cold." Aunt Claire announced and with that, she turned and went to her room with April in her arms. Maryn smiled and turned to Al. "Come in." She said. Maryn then headed to the kitchen. "Would you like anything to eat?" Maryn asked standing by the refrigerator. Maryn waited for Al to answer.