Word Count: 2082

~Akara

One month Later

My fingers dig deeper into the dirt, scattering it about.

Time has been moving blissfully fast since moving here. Each day is almost the same, Marek and I having established our home here. I've come to truly love the Emerald Pack, and it's balmy weather and friendly people. I could see myself here forever, away from everything in my past.

Physically, my past may be behind me, but each night I close my eyes, and flashes of Tai and Vaia come to mind. What are they doing now? What are they plotting next?

Marek has soothed me some nights, running into my room when nightmares plague me.

He tells me to move on. But it's harder than that, even as more time passes.

We haven't kissed again since that night over a month ago. There have been moments when I've been tempted, but Marek hasn't pushed me, knowing I need time after Tai.

"What a nice garden," someone says, drawing my gaze up from where it was focused on the flowers I'm planting.

I lean upwards wiping my sweaty forehead with my forearm. "Thank you. It's progressing nicely."

I've never seen this man, who lurks near the fence. He must be one of my neighbours, smiling at me broadly. I've kept away from most people living near us, knowing there is a chance we will have to move quickly.

And I'm a Summoner. I don't exactly fit in here, and neither does Marek.

"I live just a street over. I walk by your place on the way to work, and I always admire it," the man notes, motioning behind me. Gardening has been the only thing keep me sane recently, keeping me outside of the house and in the sun.

"I'm glad you like it," I say, before bowing my head again, hoping he gets the hint as I resume my gardening.

He leans up against the fence. "I'm Jake, by the way."

Sighing, I look back up. I shouldn't tell him anything about me, but I get the feeling if I don't he's only going to dig into my life more, and I'm frightened of what people will dig up if they look too hard.

"Akara," I mutter.

Nothing against you Jake, but you should probably just walk away.

"You just moved here?" He looks over my shoulder and to my house, clearly making a mental note of it. He's going to be back again, but once he meets Marek, I doubt he will want anything to do with us. Especially since Marek's marking is more prominent than ever, making it no secret he is a Summoner.

I tear my gloves off, deciding there is no chance I'm going to get any gardening done anymore. "About a month ago."

"And what brings you here?"

"I just thought a change of scenery would be nice. I'm from the Jade Province," I tell him. It's probably obvious, I definitely look like I came from there. But being foreign makes me less of a threat. I don't know anybody here. I don't know any of their secrets. I want to remain unassuming and in the shadows of this town.

Partially because I want people to like me, to not mind my presence. And it's also because I don't want Tai to ever come for me again.

"I've never left the Emerald Province, but if I did, that would be one of the first places I would go," Jake says, grinning broadly. I get the feeling he is used to appeasing people with such a smile, and now uses it on me.

"Hmm. I don't think I'm going back." I get to my feet, dusting the dirt off my knees. A storm is rolling in, the clouds darkening with every passing moment.

Jake seems to read something in my expression. "Bad memories?"

"Don't even get me started," I say, almost laughing. The thought of explaining everything that has happened to me is almost comical. If I told Jake, I doubt he would believe me anyway, especially since most of my story involves a King.

When I glance back up at the man, he's looking over my shoulder, frowning slightly.

"I'm assuming that's your boyfriend giving me such a terrible look," he mutters.

Looking back, I see Marek standing in the doorway of the house, a soft smirk on his face. He's monitoring the situation, evidently, although I wonder if there are other motivations to him standing there that don't involve my safety. He doesn't move either, as I glare viciously at him, hoping he will take the hint.

"Oh, no he's not my boyfriend. That's Marek," I say, whirling back around. Jake looks officially uncomfortable, shifting from side to side. I would be intimidated too, if I saw a tall, well-built Summoner watching me with painful scrutiny.

"Brother?" he asks hopefully.

"Not that either. It's complicated. He's a friend," I murmur, rubbing the back of my neck. I know how it sounds, living with a man who is just my 'friend', but it wouldn't be a good thing if Jake backed off.

"And he lives with you?"

I sigh through my nose. "For now."

I haven't thought about what's next for me in a while. I've just been trying to survive now, but I know the issue will arise soon enough. I'm going to have to move on, to start living my life. Marek is pushing me away, but I do feel as though I'm going to have to decide whether I want him in my life or not.

Especially in the way he wants me...

"Well, if he isn't your boyfriend, maybe I can take you out to dinner sometime?" Jake offers, plastering a smile back on his face that started wavering at the sight of Marek.

"I...Well, that might not be a great idea," I say comfortably. A date with a stranger may be good with me, but it requires revealing too much about myself, and if he starts asking about who I am, and where I came from, things will start to get messy, and I like it here...I don't want to have to move again.

"Why not?"

"I've got such a complicated past, and I wouldn't want to involve you in it if it ever does catch back up with me again," I admit. Jake doesn't need to deal with someone like Tai, or Vaia. The more people I care about, the more people they can take away from me.

He shrugs, still smiling, clearly not understanding the depth of what I'm talking about. "Trust me I can handle it."

"A date isn't a good idea. Thank you, though," I say honestly. I'm flattered, but now is not the time to go delving back into that part of my life. Not just because of Tai, but also because of my unresolved feelings for Marek.

Jake sighs, seeming to get the point as he backs away.

Suddenly though, he stops short, staring at me. For a moment, I just stare back, confused as to why his expression morphs into one of horror.

"Your face is changing..." he exclaims, stumbling back.

I reach up to touch either side of my face. "What?"

"You're a Summoner!" he yells.

I barely have a chance to explain myself, to tell him he has no reason to fear me, but he's already sprinting away, not looking back. All I can do is stare after him, stunned that I just used my powers again, and a complete stranger who lives in my neighbourhood witnessed it.

Marek is suddenly beside me, grabbing either side of my face, pulling me to face him. "Akara...Akara, it's okay, focus on me."

Looking into his eyes, I allow the tension to dissolve from my shoulders, clearing my head. Whatever happened, I haven't done a full transition into him, my body still belonging to me. Thankfully, I raise my hand to feel my face, and once again, my face is mine.

I breathe out a sigh of relief. "What just happened?"

"You used your powers," Marek murmurs, turning my head with his fingers to ensure that all my features are back as my own.

I wince. "Oh no, he thinks I'm a freak."

Marek sighs, not disagreeing. People here aren't used to Summoners; especially ones who take someone's identity right in front of them. I feel sick to my stomach, that once again, it happened beyond my control. I went a whole month not touching that power, and now it comes out without my consent once again.

"Come on, let's get you inside." Marek grabs my hand, leading me inside. Glancing over my shoulder, there is no trace Jake was even there, as the door closes behind me.

I step away from Marek, digging my fingers through my hair. "I didn't even have any control over it. It just happened."

"You're new to all of this, you can't expect it to come easily just yet," he says softly.

"I hate this Marek," I breathe, trying not to panic, although it's not easy. How can I live a normal life if I'm turning into everyone I have a conversation with? No one wants to befriend someone who appears as them every now-and-again.

"I know," he soothes, stepping closer. "What was he talking to you about?"

"He asked me on a date. I turned him down," I admit.

"You could have accepted him. It would have been good for you to get out of the house and do something just for you," he notes, making it clear that I don't have to hold myself back from living my life just for him. Maybe he's right, but now I'm convinced I'm never going to live a normal experience again.

"Considering everything, we could be on the move again any minute now. It wouldn't have been fair to him," I remind him. We assume Tai won't come back to harass us again, but nothing is certain.

Marek smiles gently. "Maybe. But you're deserving of love, Akara."

"Only a few months ago I was with Tai." That was before everything changed. I doubt we would ever find our way back to each other, but that doesn't mean I should run straight into another's arms.

Marek steps away, grabbing his coat off the hook to shrug it on. I watch him warily as he pulls the hood over his head, covering most of his prominent marking. Chills flicker down my spine. I don't see him like this very often, and every time I do, my stomach twists a bit.

"I'm going to have to find that man and have him sent far away," he exclaims, eyes cold, and not just because of the glacial colour.

I flinch. "What why?"

"Because he knows you're a Summoner who is willing to use their powers. That will frighten people in this neighbourhood," he reminds me, as if it's obvious. I thought our first reaction would be to move, not to move him.

"You can't send him away."

"Should I kill him instead?" He asks. Part of me is convinced he's serious, although I doubt it. He doesn't kill without reason, and this motivation is not sufficient, especially when it wouldn't take much for us to pack our things and get out of here.

My throat tightens. "No, of course not."

"Then I'll go to his home, and make sure he understands that he needs to keep this to himself, okay?" He opens the door, but I reach for his arm, snagging his sleeve.

"We should leave instead. It's not fair on him."

"I don't care what's fair. We are barely surviving, Akara." His voice almost sounds strangled, as he holds my gaze. He's right. Moving again would be painfully difficult, and chances are this would happen again. The last thing I desire is to spend the rest of my life moving about, trying to fit into places where we don't belong.

My jaw clenches, lost for words. "Marek..."

His gaze drifts down me, and back up again, before he steps from the door. "And maybe it will feel a little good intimidating a man who was flirting with you."

I don't know what to say, as he turns to walk away, the door shuddering closed behind him.

💙••💛

Remember that you can always find this story 10 chapters ahead on Radish (:

You will find it under King's Possession Season Three!!

~Midika 🐼💜