Fathom Five: The Unwritten Books by Bow James

Author:Bow, James [Bow, James]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2007-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

***

When Fiona found Peter, his tears were still dripping into Ariel’s hair. Fiona stood by the door, her gaze cast down in shame. “Peter, I am so sorry. I should have told you everything before I brought you here. I made a mistake.”

“It’s okay.” Peter let go of Ariel, dried his eyes, and stood up. “I’m ready to meet everyone, now.”

“They’ve all gone home.”

“Everyone?”

“Everyone except my mother, of course. This is her home.”

“Then I’ll start with her.”

Fiona put a hand on his shoulder. “Only if you are ready, Peter. Do not push yourself.”

“If I wait until I’m ready, I’ll never meet anyone. Let’s go meet our family.” Ariel caught at his hand.

The house was silent, save for a few subdued voices in the kitchen. Peter hesitated at the threshold, but forced himself forward. Eleanna was sitting on a stool beside the butcher’s block, talking to a strikingly tall and dark-haired woman. At Peter’s entrance, the woman stood, hugged Fiona’s mother, and left.

Peter stood across the butcher’s block from Eleanna, silent and uncertain. The old woman indicated other stools. “Please, sit down, all of you.” Her voice was as warm as the Gulf Stream. Peter, Fiona, and Ariel took their places at once.

There was another uncomfortable silence as the four stared at each other. Peter tried to work up the courage to say something, but Eleanna beat him to it. “Welcome to our home, Peter McAllister.”

“Thank you, Mrs....” Peter hesitated, suddenly realizing he’d never known Fiona’s last name. “I’m sorry, but what should I call you?”

Eleanna blinked and smiled. “Ah, yes, the human custom of multiple names. Do forgive me. I haven’t much experience with introductions. My name is just Eleanna, so Eleanna will do.”

“It’s good to meet you.” Peter looked at the table.

“I’m sorry I bolted just now.”

“No need to be sorry,” said Eleanna. “I understand how you must feel. I also understand that there are several questions you want to ask. Ask them. I’ll answer.”

Peter swallowed. “How did my birth parents die?”

Fiona reached for him. “Peter, are you sure —”

“Just tell me, please!”

“It was their time,” said Eleanna.

“You mean they died of old age? But, I’m only sixteen, Ariel’s barely ....” Five? Ten? He had no idea, he found. She was a little kid but she seemed old, too. Then again, people said that about him: sixteen going on forty. “I’m not old enough to have parents die of old age.”

“I told you that we were not human, Peter,” Fiona cut in. “We are built differently, as is our world. Our lives are long and full, but we pass quickly.”

Peter mulled over this answer until he was satisfied with it. He nodded. Now for his other big question. “Why did you leave me … over there?”

Fiona touched his shoulder. Her mother took a deep breath, but couldn’t answer.

“Because there are so few of us,” said Ariel. “There are only one hundred and fifty-seven people in this village.”

“A hundred and fifty-seven?” said Peter. “What about the other villages?”

“There are no other villages,” said Ariel.

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