The Song #3
Immy: BOOOOOO! Appointments are boring. You can come over at any time but if you don’t, I’ll track you down the next day.
Me: That sounds exactly like something you’d do.
Immy: Because it is.
The days passed slowly until I boarded the bus. I was beyond excited. What if this guy was my Lux? What if it wasn’t? Would my big brother be excited to see me? Would he be mad that I was intruding on his life? What if he was? Could I handle his rejection a second time?
These thoughts swirled until it was time for me to get off the bus. The driver gave me an odd look. It was then I noticed my hands were shaking. I sighed and forced myself to walk down the steps out. I walked a few miles to the office building.
There was a woman at the front desk who looked at me as I walked over.
I told her, “I have an appointment with Lux Vennox.” She asked, “Are you Katie Karlton?” I nodded.
The woman handed me a visitor badge, instructing, “Take the elevators down the hall to the tenth floor. His office is on the right.”
I nodded because I couldn’t form words. My mouth was suddenly dry, and my body moved on autopilot. I hit the elevator button somewhat detached from reality. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. The elevator doors opened and I walked down the hall into the office.
The secretary smiled, “Ms. Karlton, go on in. Lux is expecting you.” She inclined her head to the door.
Could I do this? I took a deep breath and opened the next door. The man behind the desk looked up smiling while my heart shattered into a million pieces. I felt like I could actually feel it breaking as tears filled my eyes.
I whispered, “I’m sorry. I’ve wasted your time.” Mr. Vennox stood, “Nonsense. Do you have legal matters to discuss?” I shook my head, “No. I thought…” I couldn’t stop my tears. Mr. Vennox called, “Beatrice, grab some water.”
Beatrice entered the room and helped me to a chair. Mr. Vennox asked, “What’s going on, Ms. Karlton?” He handed me a tissue as his secretary gave me some water. She looked worried. I cried, “I’m sorry. I just thought you might be my brother.” That seemed to surprise them.
I quickly explained, “I haven’t seen him in years, and I don’t know his last name. I just know his dad used to live in Tennessee. So, I looked up the Lux’s in this area. Not all of them responded, but you did and I just hoped you were him.”
Mr. Vennox looked sad and even apologized, “I’m very sorry Ms. Karlton but I’m an only child. You look very familiar though. Do I know you?” He hardly needed to declare he wasn’t my Lux. I knew he wasn’t my brother the second I saw him.
I snorted, “No, you don’t know me.” Mr. Vennox frowned asking, “Your brother’s name is Lux?
” I nodded. His eyes narrowed, “And you’re Katie?
” I shrugged, “It’s complicated.” This was another situation where I was feeling completely at ease with people.
What was WRONG with me? I did NOT know these people.
Mr. Vennox sat forward inferring, “So, your name is not Katie. Lux is a very old, honored name in my family.” I smiled, “I always liked it.” Mr. Vennox asked, “Where are your parents? How old are you?” I whispered, “I’m sixteen. I don’t know my dad, but my mom is traveling with her new boyfriend.”
Now Mr. Vennox looked angry, “Who is your mother?” I looked up at him surprised. I stuttered, “I should go. Yeah, go. I’m sorry I wasted your time. My mother would kill me if she found out I was looking for Lux.” I stood.
Mr. Vennox yelled, “Wait! Tell me about your brother. What happened to him? Why haven’t you seen him?” I frowned, “His dad filed for custody. Lux left and never came back after that.” My voice cracked as I cried, “I never got to say goodbye. He was my constant, you know? Then he was just gone.”
How could this man know, Odette? Stop being so comfortable and weird with strangers. Beatrice asked, “What about your mother?” I snorted, “She doesn’t really even like me. She wants me to stay with my abusive ex-boyfriend.”
“Honestly, she’s never around. She doesn’t even want me to live with her when she’s not traveling. Which is rare. She’s always jetting off with some new guy and had said boyfriend of the month pays for a separate apartment for me.”
“After Lux left I pretty much raised myself. Mom didn’t even come back when I got kidnapped. She only came back because she didn’t like my friends. Which my abusive ex told her all about. I guess he rates getting her number when I don’t.” STOP TALKING ODETTE!
Mr. Vennox hissed, “You were kidnapped?!” I clapped a hand over my mouth gasping, “I’m so sorry.
I don’t know why I said that.” Beatrice interjected, “Since you did, do you know who kidnapped you?” I shrugged, “I honestly don’t know.
My friend saved me and they were collateral damage of that rescue.
They were crazy though. They thought they were Demons. Can you imagine? Demons?”
Both of them exchanged looks that told me they were angry. Mr. Vennox touched my arm gently. A noise I could only describe as a whistle came out of both our mouths. Both their heads whipped to me in shock. What was wrong with me now? I could hear the hum of a soft song playing somewhere.
Wait, what was wrong with Mr. Vennox? He’d made the same sound as I did. Mr. Vennox asked, “You’re sixteen?” I nodded. Beatrice whispered, “She’s in danger. That’s the only way for that to have happened.” What to have happened? What was going on?
Mr. Vennox said, “Not necessarily. Katie, do you have a boyfriend?” I snorted, “No, I have a psychotic ex.” Mr. Vennox asked, “Does he call you his soulmate? Or sing a lovely song?” I laughed, “No, not even kind of.” Mr. Vennox muttered, “Danger it is then.” What?
I frowned, “I’ve taken up enough of your time, I’m sorry.” Mr. Vennox murmured, “Please, wait. Can I ask you another question? Beatrice booked you for an hour so you’re not taking up any time I don’t have.” I conceded, “Ok.”
Mr. Vennox asked, “What do you think about Supernatural’s?” I asked, “The books? I love them. Well, loved. I had a lot of books on Supernatural’s in a couple places we lived. My mom was really mad when she found out about them though.”
“She said no daughter of hers would be into that kind of thing. Then she proceeded to throw them at me until one hit me in the head. I passed out and when I woke up, they were all gone. So, I only get library cards and read them there now.”
Well, I worked in a bookstore now, so I didn’t have do that this time. Both of them hissed, which had me shrinking back into my chair. I whispered, “I’m sorry.” Beatrice put her hand on Mr. Vennox, which instantly calmed him down.
The lawyer said, “You have nothing to be sorry for. How old were you when your brother’s dad took him?
” I whispered, “Five.” Beatrice gasped. I kept talking, “It seems strange, but I swear to you I somehow remember Lux feeding me as a baby. He’d often ask his dad for money so the both of us could eat.
I’d swear he bought my formula too, but that’s crazy. I couldn’t actually remember that.”
Mr. Vennox’s voice was tight, “How old was your brother when his father took him away?” I wiped away tears answering, “He was sixteen.” Mr. Vennox and Beatrice looked at each other.
Eventually he said, “If you could wait here, I’d like to buy you dinner.
We could all eat it here in the office. You were my last appointment of the day. ”
Beatrice touched me on the shoulder as she walked by, but I didn’t whistle. At least I was going back to normal. Mr. Vennox studied me until I nodded my agreement to dinner. They both left together. I crept to the door.
Somehow, I could hear them whispering. Mr. Vennox said, “It’s not possible.” Beatrice said, “Clearly, it is. We need to take her home. They need to see her, and we need to find her brother.” My hand flew to my mouth.
Why did I ever trust my instincts? Now I’d put Lux in danger! Mr. Vennox asked, “What the hell is Morgana playing at?! How could she not tell the girl about us? Can you imagine how angry Caspian will be?”
Beatrice laughed, “Caspian? Lux, he will pale in comparison to Noxus. Can you imagine your Song doing this to you?” Mr. Vennox snorted then I heard them kissing. He whispered, “You would never.” My eyes widened because I knew this was bad.
These people knew my mom. I was going to get in so much trouble if she found out I’d been here. I had to get out of here. I quietly crept to the other door and noiselessly opened it. I crawled back out the main door and quickly got to the stairwell.
Once there I ran as quickly as I could down the stairs my feet flying all the way to the bus station. I’d already gotten my ticket online. My bus wasn’t supposed to leave for a few hours, but one bus was about to leave.
I ran to the driver and asked, “Can I get on this bus?” He shook his head no. I grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes whispering, “Please let me on this bus.” He looked entranced as he answered, “Sure, pretty lady.” I let go of his arm and ran to find a seat.
Several buses pulled out at once. I saw Mr. Vennox and Beatrice running to the bus station. My heart caught in my throat as they hit the side of the bus right beside us. Our driver kept going but the other bus stopped. They ran onto that one and I breathed in relief.
I was tense the rest of the way home. Who was Caspian? Who was Noxus? Were they going to find Lux before I did? Tears filled my eyes. What if they told my mom I’d come looking? No, that didn’t sound right. They seemed upset with her.
Shame filled me as the realization sank in that were mad at mom over me. What was a Song? I must have misheard them because that didn’t make any sense. Mom said I wouldn’t be like the others. Were Mr. Vennox and Beatrice the others? That had merit.
Which meant there was no way they were contacting her. I got back and walked around for hours thinking about what I’d done. I had really messed up this time. By the time I made it back to my apartment it was New Year's Day.