Beloved Emrys

November 15th, 2017

From the window I cannot see the moon. I suppose my window is facing the wrong direction, or perhaps it’s hiding behind the trees in the garden outside. Whichever it is, I don’t know when the moon will wane.

The darkness outside seems to swallow the garden and everything is black and haunting. If the faeries were there, I cannot see them. I turn from the window, sliding off the bed and onto the cold tiled floor. The bed is the only furniture in my small white room. It only takes me 5 steps to reach the door.

The door is locked from the outside, but it has a small window from which I can crane my neck to peer down the hall. If I get the right angle, I can see the clock at the end of the hall. It reads 3 am.

So early. Usually the faeries are very active at night, but tonight seems different. Maybe there is a storm or a gathering.

I trot back to the bed and flop onto the disheveled covers, staring at the ceiling. I hear only the soft hum of the ventilation. I don’t feel like sleeping, I feel wide awake.

My thoughts drift idly, imagining what it would be like when I can get out of here. Would someone come to get me? Will they be tall? Will they be nice? Will they be a man or a woman? Why am I here in the first place? It has been so long. Does anyone know who I am? Why would anyone come for me?

Soon my thoughts turn to the faeries. A few days ago the faeries told me something new. They told me I was special, that I could change things. Faeries are very vague; they don’t tell you things straight.

I repeat the words a faerie with a braid in her hair told me; “If you hold out your hand and open it wide, you can change the energy around you, change it and direct it.” It was a strange idea. I chuckle to myself, as I had when she told me. That was nonsense. No one can change anything.

I hold out my hand before me, gazing at it against the dark ceiling above. I hold it in a fist, looking at my fingers as they curl inwards. My hand is so smooth and pale compared to the doctors hands. I flick them open and suddenly sparks fly from the light and rain down on me.

I fling my arms over my face and roll off the bed onto the floor. I take several breaths before I open my eyes and observe the bright room. The light has turned on.

A bell chimes in the hallway and I hear footsteps outside my door, the click of the lock and a lull in the air as the door is pulled open.

In steps two doctors in full lab coats and behind them, a nurse holding a clipboard. I scramble onto my feet and crawl onto the bed. Every nerve is alight with sudden uncertainty. Frankly I’m a little frightened.

“Good morning Emrys.” The black haired doctor on the left says in a friendly tone, his name tag reads Dr. Miles. The blonde doctor standing beside him, Edwin, looks up at the light with a raised eyebrow.

“What could be keeping you up at this hour? Hmm?” Dr. Miles asks, adjusting his glasses.

I feel his curiosity rolling towards me like a thunder cloud. I don’t answer his question.

The blonde doctor speaks up. “Did we leave the lights on?” He asks Dr. Miles.

I wait.

Dr. Miles frowns. “Unlikely. The lights are on a timer. How did you turn on the light? This hasn’t happened before Emrys.” His eyes are scary, like they want to find the answer no matter what.

There is nothing I can say. I’d only just tried it, because the faeries said I could. And I had no idea what would happen. I had nothing to say. I tried my best to look calm, like usual.

“Harmless eh?” Dr. Edwin says, leaning over the nurses clipboard. “Talks to faeries, knows things before they happen and without being told.” He reads aloud.

I don’t move a muscle.

“Well, it looks like we’ll have to run some tests. We’ll start in the morning, before breakfast.” Dr Miles says.

I frown. That was in a few hours. They’ve never done anything with me before breakfast before. What have I started?

The doctors leave the room, locking the door behind them. A few minutes later the light switches off. I venture to the door and see the nurse posted outside, sitting in a folding chair, writing in her little green book. I walk back to the bed and look out the dark window.

Guess I’ll try to fall asleep. I don’t look forward to today’s tests. It doesn't sound fun at all.

#Fantasy #Magic