We caught an Uber. It was a very pleasant ride back to the farm. The girls chatted away as if nothing had happened. I missed their voices so much, even the little things they were talking about seemed rather interesting. Not long into the ride, it became quiet, just like when they were babies, they fell asleep. Since Zack couldn't speak and I didn't want to look like a lunatic talking to a cat, I just looked out the window for the rest of the way.
There was so much on my mind. I thought back to the 10 years that we were together, thinking about the strange and irrational things that happened here and there. There were hints but how could I have imagined that this was the situation? I chuckled internally at how ironic it was, that he never allowed me to have a pet cat.
I turned back to look at my kids and a sense of serenity washed over me. Somehow, seeing Zack in cat form, I just didn't hate him as much.
Soon, we stopped in front of the farmhouse and thank goodness I kept my phone in my pocket. I left my purse inside the patrol car when I went to search for the kids. As I walked to the front door, I noticed a patrol car was parked at the back of the house and as we stepped onto the porch, two officers walked out.
I asked the children to go in first with the cat while I had a chat with the officers. I asked them if any of the other officers were hurt. Thankfully, everyone was okay. I also found out that they never found anyone. All the kids that were here those days they did surveillance, were all gone. No adults either. Actually, the only kids that they found were my kids. Well in truth, my kids found them. They told me that they were just there to do a final sweep, and they did not notice anyone at all. They were also going to stop by the hospital to return my purse and take my statement. So, we all walked over to the patrol vehicle to retrieve my purse.
I thanked them and they asked how long I was going to be here at the farmhouse. Even though there is no one here now, they could not be sure that no one would return, and they feared for my safety. I told them that I was there to help the kids pack so that they could come back to Austin with me. They warned me not to stay too long and asked if I needed them to wait for me and drive us back to the hotel. I told them that I would be fine and that I did not want to take up too much of their time. I also told them that I will go to the station to give my statement and complete some paperwork before we leave for Austin. I thanked them for their help in finding my kids before they left.
As I walked into the cabin, it was just as small as I had imagined. I wondered how so many people had lived in this small house. It was a normal wood cabin, with an A-frame and four walls. It was more like a studio, the kitchen and bedroom and sitting area were all in the same area. There was a door on the left side wall, and I thought maybe that was where the kids' room would be. I walked closer and was about to open the door when Zack's voice came from behind me. "That is the bathroom."
"Oh, then where are the kids?" I asked.
"They probably went out to their hideout. Don't worry, they will be back soon, just have a seat," he said.
I figured they practically grew up here so there was nothing to worry about. I sat down on the couch and Zack jumped up as well. He leaned close, but I scooted a bit to have some personal space, I didn't trust that I could always keep my anger at bay.
"So, where is everyone?" I asked.
"Mom took them all to a ranch that we have in Clovis, a city just east of here," he said.
"Will they be coming back?" I asked.
"No, now that this place is exposed, we can't freely roam about. The children don't have control over their transformations yet. It would be too risky," he explained. "We will put this place up for sale, as soon as I can transform back into a human and make a few renovations."
"Renovations, you mean the barn and the fields?" I asked.
"No, let me show you something," he said.
"What? I don't want to go anywhere. I just want the kids to pack and return to the hotel with me. I don't feel like staying here," I said.
"Don't worry, you are safe here and so are the kids. Just come with me a bit and I can show you," he said as started walking towards the bed.
I didn't budge. I wasn't going anywhere with this guy. I just wanted to take the kids home as soon as possible.
He placed his paw on the wooden bedpost and the bed floated into the air. A door appeared under the bed.
"Um, could you give me a hand with the handle?" he asked shyly. He stood up on his hind legs, but he just could not reach. It was when he was outstretched that I noticed that his hind leg was bandaged up. He must have gotten hurt during our escape last night. What happened last night?
I pitied him, so I started walking towards the door intending to just open it up for him. I didn't trust him.
As I walked, I said, "So keep talking, I want to know what happened in the tunnel last night. I want to know everything," I demanded.
He sat on his hind legs and winced from the pain. I didn't know that cats could make that face too. But I guess he wasn't truly a cat. "Well after the kids were safe, I placed a sleeping spell on you then I used my powers to create a shield so that I could protect you from the smoke, but I did not expect that the tunnel would collapse under the weight of the rubble of the barn. I hugged you close and tried to protect us until the rescue services came to protect us. I wasn't sure how long I could hold out, so I dug a small hole in the bottom of the tunnel and partially covered it with a big slab of concrete. I placed you in there, so at least you would not be crushed by the rubble if my shield did not hold out. I don't even know how long it was, but once I heard voices, I relaxed and fainted as well. So, I was not sure how we both got to the hospital as well."
I was touched by what he said, and my tone softened, "Is that how your legs got hurt?" I asked as I opened it.
What I saw was absolutely amazing. The door led to a garden that was full of vegetables and fruit trees. There was a paved road, and I could see that it led to a house. A much bigger house than the little cabin that we were in.
"Come on," he said as he walked in.
I was hesitant but I was also captivated by the sight in front of me. I wanted to see more, so before I knew it, I was already following him in. "Wow, what is this place?"
"This was our home. This is the place that I was renovating for us to live before we split. Remember when I had left for weeks at a time, I was here creating this place for us," he stated.
I looked at every plant and tree and asked, "This really is amazing, is it created by magic? Where are we?"
"This is a magic space; we are still on the farm. It is a space in between the physical world that you see outside and the mystic realm," he stated.
"Mystic realm?"
"Yes, as you know, everything on Earth is made up of molecules but I am talking about the spaces in between the molecules. Why is there space, did anyone ever wonder? Well, that space is this realm" he explained.
"So, this house is still on the farm, just in the mystic realm, so we get the same air and sun that the farm gets as well,'' he explained.
He continued, "Those that live here in the mystic realm also have their own governing party and it is them that keeps the barrier between the physical and mystic realms separate.
"If you said you were building this house, I assume with magic, then how did you get hurt?" I asked.
I got hurt because in this world like the one out there. There are mystical animals that would hurt us. When we first arrived, we thought that we were safe, and I let my guard down. I was attacked by a Gybin. The closest I can say is that it resembles a cheetah. After the attack, we placed a protection spell around the farm. No animal would be able to step within the borders of our land without being severely injured, "he explained.
"This place sounds really dangerous. Why would you bring our girls to such a dangerous place?" I asked. I was both fearful for the girls' safety and angry that he took them. All the anguish, pain and hatred that I have felt for the past five years, boiled up again.
"I told you I had to take them, because their transformation skills were happening earlier than expected. I truly did panic, and I have regretted it. Alaina, I never wanted any of this to happen and I am very sorry I hurt you. I had to take Skylar and Avari away so that I could protect them and teach them to handle their blossoming abilities. I didn't handle it very well and for that I am very sorry. I am sorry for all the pain I have caused you. I also for all the years that you have lost with the girls. I hope that you can give me a chance to make that up to you," he pleaded.
"How are you planning to do that? Just look at them, they were three and eight years old when you took them. Look how much they have already grown. How can I ever get those years back, get the time I missed with them back?"
"I can't give you those years back, but I can make sure you have many more years with them. How about you come live with us here on the farm after I renovate it?"
"Are you crazy, my life is in Austin and that is where the kids should be as well."
"Alaina, you can't take them now, Skylar is already exhibiting signs of change and her powers are manifesting. If she accidentally transforms even partially, I can't even imagine the repercussions. The only safe solution before they are 16, is for you to move to Fresno with us," he said.
"Have they not been going to school here? What is the difference? You just don't want to give them back to me!" I screamed.
"No, I swear that is not it. I want you to be in their lives, our lives. I have always wanted you to be here with us. As for school. I place a binding spell on them while they are out and about, but it only lasts for a short distance away from me. If you take them to Austin, I won't be able to protect them. Unless you want me to come with you?" he asked.
"No, we are divorced, and I have no intention of getting back with you," I said firmly.
"Everything in Austin is far away. I am not even sure if their schools would be too far. If I lurk in the schools all day, that would be very suspicious. But here, I found a K-12 school for them and I have my business just across from the school," he said.
"You opened a business, what business? IT related?" I asked since his last job was as an IT specialist.
"No, I opened up a small grocery mart. I sell the fruits and vegetables that we grow here at the mart," he said proudly.
I turned from him and looked around. I thought about what he said, and it did seem to make sense. I wouldn't know what to do if their powers did manifest when they're with me in Austin. Ideas were just popping in and out of my head. I really wanted to go back home to Austin, to my life but would it really be feasible? I know so little about their powers, how would I solve any issues that come up? I would have no answers. I really needed to think about this more so that is the answer that I told Zack.
"That is fair enough. Come let me show you the rest of the house," he said as he led the way.