Chapter 7 #2
Tetley pointed to the rock holder, saying,
“That’s Rolary.”
“It’s nice to meet you all.” Foster said, giving
them a smile of his own.
“Why would you rather die than get the help your
mom and dad want you to have?” Corvan asked.
Foster looked at the young child, answering
honestly, “Because when I get the medicine I can’t get out of bed.
I’m always throwing up and not wanting to eat anything, not only
because my stomach feels bad, but because the food has no taste.
Without the medicine, I might be dying, but until then I’m actually
living my life, eating what I want and tasting the food in front of
me. I’m laughing and having fun and seeing things I’ve never
dreamed of seeing. I can’t remember ever being happier than I am
right now.”
“What do you mean “actually living.” Rolary
asked curiously.
Smiling, Foster replied, “When I was sick I read
a lot, watched a bunch of YouTube stuff and a lot of television. Do
you know what that is?”
Nodding, Gavil said, “We study surface dwellers
in school. It’s supposed to help us understand things if ever we
find ourselves there for some reason.”
Smiling, Foster replied, “That’s good, because
knowledge is power. Anyway, I really love paranormal stories
whether they are in books, movies, or whatever. I can never get
enough.”
“What’s paranormal?” Tetley asked.
“Paranormal are things beyond scientific
understanding. You know things that aren’t what others might
consider normal.” Foster explained.
“So to us, you are a paranormal?” Marclo
asked.
Foster laughed, and nodded, “I guess I would be.
So the thing is, I always wanted to go and see some of the things
these books and television shows talked about... like ghosts and
stuff. So when I was given the go ahead to take charge of my own
life, I began to travel. I thought since I always wanted to go
fishing, I would charter a boat that could take me to some haunted
lighthouses, and fish at the same time. In all honesty, I love
shark week and really hoped I’d get to see a few up close.”
“They are beautiful creatures.” Rolary
stated.
Smiling, Foster said, “Yes they are and I did
get to see some, but then a large storm came and I was hit by big
waves and pulled off the boat and into the water.”
“Oh, that must have been scary for you. Did you
drown?” Corvan asked.
Gavil slapped at Corvan, saying, “He’s sitting
here talking to us so he couldn’t have drowned, besides, he’s here
so he must be able to breathe underwater.”
Foster wagged his finger at Gavil, “First off,
don’t hit people. It’s not nice, and never call someone stupid,
that’s just rude and not a very friendly way to act. Also, it is
never stupid to ask a question if you don’t know the answer to
it.”
“I hear you and I’m sorry I hit you, Corvan, and
that I called you stupid, but he didn’t drown because he’s sitting
right here.” Gavil said with a pout.
“True, I didn’t drown, but not because I could
breathe underwater. Truth be told, I would have drowned had Jabari
not saved me.” Foster replied.
All the boys eyes widened, but it was Rolary
that said, “Jabari saved you? But... but why?”
“I don’t know what made him do it, to be honest.
I never asked because it didn’t matter. What mattered to me was
that he did save me and that I was here to live another day.”
Foster quickly answered, then added, “Just like he’s out there
trying to save all of you.”
“He does that because Poseidon makes him. It’s
why his kind were brought here.” Rolary quickly stated.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “That’s not
exactly correct, Rolary. When Poseidon brought the original
Atlanteans here, he went to Jabari’s father and asked him to care
for the people and make sure they were safe. Jabari’s father agreed
to help Poseidon, he was never ordered to do it. It was also
Jabari’s father that stopped the Adanc from killing all of your
families and chose to stay and help protect everyone. When Jabari
was born, it was a joining of all parties involved. The sad thing
was that the Atlanteans didn’t recognize it for what it was.”
“What do you mean?” Corvan asked, his deep
interest in what Foster was saying coming out loud and clear.
“Well, think about it. Jabari’s birth place is
Atlantis. That makes him an Atlantean. His birth brought everyone
together, but instead of seeing it for what it is, you all have
ostracized him.”
“Ostra what?” Tetley asked in confusion.
“Ostracized. It means excluded him from all of
you. Not including him amongst your kind.” Foster explained.
“But we were told he was evil and would eat us.”
Gavil said quickly.
Nodding, Foster replied, “I understand that, but
I ask you this. If Jabari is evil why did he not just go with his
parents to the surface? If he is evil why has he never harmed
anyone in your beautiful city? If he is evil, why is he out there
putting his life on the line to keep you all safe?”
The boys looked at each other and Rolary finally
asked, “And he is your mate?”
Nodding, Foster answered, “Yes he is.”
“But you don’t have his mark?” Rolary said more
in question than in statement.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “No, but I
would in a heartbeat if I could.”
“What do you mean?” Tetley asked.
Foster answered, “From the books I’ve read if we
mate and I die, he will die. I can’t allow that to happen.”
“But if you are mates and he marks you, you
shouldn’t die. Mom told me that if you are true mates things like
that can’t happen.” Corvan said.
Shrugging, Foster said, “I can’t take the
chance. I’ve read that as well, but I also read where human disease
is in play, no marking can stop the inevitable.”
“That’s really sad.” Tetley said.
“Then how do you know he is your mate at all?
Being human you wouldn’t know unless Jabari told you and he could
be lying.” Rolary said firmly.
Shaking his head, Foster replied, “He isn’t
lying. I can’t explain it, really but I know in my heart it’s
true.”
“How?” Tetley asked.
Foster thought of Jabari and their time
together. A wistfulness coming over him. “Whenever we’re together I
feel a connection and all I want is to be as close to Jabari as I
can.”
“You feel the pull.” Rolary stated.
Nodding, Foster went on to say. “Even if I
didn’t feel that, I would know. Jabari is the sweetest, most
romantic man I have ever met. He makes me laugh, smile, and feel a
happiness that makes my soul sing. I love walking hand and hand
with him down the streets of Atlantis. I love going for ice cream
and watching him get a whipped-cream mustache. I love listening to
him talk about his home and the people that live there, and I love
just sitting with him and watching a movie or just listening to
music. I love when he takes me in his arms and dances me around the
room, holding me so close I feel as if we are complete and one as
the fates meant us to be.”
“You love him.” Tetley whispered in awe.
Foster’s eyes widened as he realized what Tetley
said was true. Holy shit! He had never even thought about it... he
had never, Foster gasped, “I do. I really do love Jabari.”
Just as that thought left his mouth, Jabari’s
voice came to them loud and clear, “That’s good because I love you
too, but we need to get out of here before the enemy returns.”
Foster jumped from where he was sitting and
rushed into his mate’s arms. Jabari didn’t even hesitate to open
them for him either.
Forgetting about the youth sitting not even
fifty feet behind him, Foster attacked his mate’s mouth with a
flourish. Tongues dueled, teeth clacked and spit was swapped.
Foster had never felt so good in his life, and damned if it wasn’t
because of the man in his arms. He didn’t know how long they were
liplocked, but the sound of a horse neighing in the background
brought Foster out of his kiss-induced stupor and he pulled back,
noticing Polaris, Sacrin, and Goboli standing there with smirks on
their faces. Polaris said, “I really don’t think that this is the
time or place for whatever it is you were planning on doing. Some
things children are not meant to understand until they are much
older.”
Foster felt his cheeks heat and he turned to the
blushing boys. “Sorry.”
Rotary whispered, “You really are mates.”
Nodding, Foster said, “Yes, I told you
that.”
“This changes things.” Rotary said, sitting the
rock on the ground, bowing his head, he said, “Jabari son of
Calista and Noran, I ask of you friendship and I give you loyalty
in return.”
The other boys stepped forward, bowed their
heads and said the same. Jabari looked at Foster in wonder, “What
is happening here?”
Foster smiled wide. “You’re making friends.”