The road I've found myself entranced with, runs as if it were to never end. Branches littered the street, and fallen trees lay scattered throughout a place I could maybe once call a forest. I can imagine a world where magic still exists, pixies and fairies with sparkling dust falling from their wings as they would bounce from tree to tree. The air I would breathe would feel alive and make me finally feel at ease. It's a shame really. The fairies no longer have a place in the wilds as the animals do. Bears eat deer, deer eat grass, and grasshoppers eat bugs. Since magic is gone, those same fairies that were full of joy, have been reduced to bugs. Their wings no longer flap. Each breath I take is extraneous, and I can never feel comfort. Why would someone go through the trouble of befriending a magical creature without any magic? No one needs magic anyways, we have planes and drones to fill the space in the sky, although I would like to see it. But to see a wizard out and about is like seeing a dinosaur at a diner. It will never happen, they're more likely extinct than few in number, but despite that I've always wanted to see one since I was a kid; Someone that can still wield magic- or really any form of magic at all. Maybe then I wouldn't be picked on all the time.
Our car bumps, rolling over a pothole in the tarmac. My head bounces off the window and smacks back into the glass. My brother Ty sees it from the seat beside me and laughs.
"Hah! You'd better wake up already, we're almost there." he says, pulling me by the ear. I swat his hand away, sticking my tongue out to him. He always did that. Despite how much it hurt and despite how much I told him not to. When we were little Ty didn't know what an Elf was, so when I came into the family, he thought I was some kind of monster. Can't say I blame him, but it doesn't give him the right to twist my ears around now that he knows!
From the driver seat Uncle Tom turns around, taking his eyes away from the road. "Hey, knock it off will you. You know Al hates that."
"Wah wah, I think I can hear him crying over there." Ty mocks
"Am not!" I reply, feeling a fire burning in my chest.
"Is that a tear I see?"" Ty prods.
"Whatever! You must be going blind. Uncle Tom, I think Ty needs new contacts." I say hoping to get a rise out of him as well. A chuckle spawns from beside Tom as Aunt Kerry turns to us from the passenger side, her dark curly hair hanging over her shoulder.
"I think he got you with that one Ty, I don't see any tears from the little man over here."
"Yeah Ty!" I say, piggybacking off of my new favorite family member. Tom had only started dating Kerry a few months ago, but she already felt like a part of the family. She is nice to me despite what I am.
Uncle Tom jumps witnessing what's ahead of us as we pass the fallen trees and see an open expanse of blue beauty "Look guys, It's the ocean!" The bumpy road turns smooth as the road shifts to concrete. Peaking past the traffic ahead, the horizon doesn't have a single obstruction in our way. It's all open air free from the smog of the city and the loud noises from the people. Well, for the most part.
"Wow, it looks so…blue." Ty remarks.
"Thanks for letting me know." I say, snapping back the first chance I could. Ty pushes my head.
"Shush back there, you're ruining the moment." Tom says to us without taking his eyes away from the car in front of him. The bridge we're on is wide enough to have two lanes on each side, but it feels like barely enough to keep us from falling off. Just looking out the window makes me anxious. Aunt Kerry on the other hand, can't help but look into the ocean.
"God, I can't wait to get in the water. It'll be like, so refreshing."
"I wanna hold a crab! Wait, are there crabs here?" I ask. I'd never been to the ocean before, only seen it on TV and heard about it while others in school talked around me. This trip would be my big chance to see a dolphin, or a mermaid, or maybe even a catfish!
"If we find a crab I'll make sure you're the first person that knows about it." Tom says, glancing at me in the rear-view mirror. His grip tightening on the wheel. He hated crossing bridges like these.
"I heard they hide in the sand and wait for you to step on them" Ty chirps, keeping half of his attention on me to gauge my reaction.
"What? why would they do that?" I ask.
"So they can cut your toes off!" he exclaims, trying to scare me, like usual. I'm not going to fall for it this time.
"Yeah right, they can't even pinch that hard."
"No, Ty's right. They do hide in the sand." Kerry chimes seeming dead serious. My stomach sinks at the thought of it. One wrong step and it'll literally be my last.
"Don't listen to them Al, they're just playing around with you." Tom says, sensing my increasing worry. I kick Ty's leg to get back at him, but he moves out of the way just in time.
The rest of the ride across the bridge is silent except for a few oohs and ahhs from Kerry looking at the large fishing boats settled under the bridge. The locals on the island party on their own private boats, blaring their music loud enough to echo up to us. Uncle Tom rolls up the window to block out the profanity. When we finally reach the end of the bridge, Ty has gotten visibly bored with the journey. he starts to tap his hands on his knees pretending they were a drum set. slapping and slamming hard to make the sound he wants. Kerry asks what song he's playing, but frowns when he ignores her. Tom decides we might as well join him and turns up the radio playing the latest pop hit. Kerry of course sings along with it- and loudly. Very loudly…
Ty's thrown off by the sudden shift in genre and tries to force himself to concentrate on the beat. It doesn't work. With an annoyed glare he stares out the window. I do the same, only this time I don't rest my head on the glass.
The car comes to a full stop for the first time in what feels like years. It took around 20 minutes to find a parking spot. The hotel is atop a hill surrounded by thick woods. I saw a gravel pathway leading to a tourist spot where you can look out at the sea. I tried to get Tom to stop the car so I could add something to my gallery, but he refused.
We all rush to exit Uncle Tom's cramped minivan and, in my hurry, I forget to take off my seatbelt as my phone falls from my pocket onto the ground. My heart sinks into my stomach hearing it hit the pavement. Praying to God it isn't cracked, I undo my seatbelt, but before I can leave the car a hand is pressed against the window, it's easily the size of my head. Wrinkles and cracks of dry skin all make me think that whoever this man is, I should not let my guard down around them. If anything, he's probably gotten those kinds of hands from hurting people, and I doubt everyone here are fond of elves.
The man leans down using our car as a support to pick up my phone then stands back up to reveal a crooked-tooth grin.
"Think you dropped something here, boy." the man says in a dialect I'd only heard before in movies. A thick accent from the countryside, another place I'd never been. Even on the big screen I thought it felt played up, but was this really how these people sounded? Like an exaggeration?
"Thanks…" I say slowly opening the door and accepting my phone back from him. His towering figure cast a shadow over me, obscuring the sun almost in its entirety. Looking over my phone, I see that the protective screen Uncle Tom made me get had worked wonders. Leaving it unscathed except for a few scratches on the case. If my first phone was to get broken before I even got the chance to use it, I think the rest of this trip would've been ruined for me.
Tom comes around the car to see what's happening and immediately puts himself in front of me.
"Hi! I'm Tom." he goes to shake the countryman's hand. The man grabs hold of him and firmly shakes it. I see Tom wince a bit at the difference in strength.
"Bill. You folks new to Bright Town? "Bill questions, finally taking his eyes off of me.
"Yeah, we're actually just swinging down here on vacation." Tom says.
"Well, ain't that nice. You got a good eye for a good place to stay, that's for sure. You in real estate or something?" Bill pries. Despite how friendly the conversation seems, I can't help but feel a sense of dread. Whether it's my stomach curling into knots like normal, or if something is genuinely wrong with this man, I can't tell but I would really hate to find out for myself.
Tom laughs at the idea, "Me? No no, I can't even sell my nephew here a piece of candy!" The joke Tom thought was funny didn't seem to get a rise out of Bill, just a slight smirk at the corner of his lip. "What about you?"
"Oh, I'm just coming over to see some family of mine. They promised they'd come down to visit for a while now, but they ain't ever come. Now, it's finally happening." He explains
Tom gives Bill a warmhearted smile in return. "Aw well I hope you guys enjoy each other's company"
Kerry slams her door shut, putting on her sunglasses. Bill stands up straighter at sight of her. She gently grabs my shoulder moving me out of the way. "I hate to cut our conversation short guys, but I really need to use the bathroom."
Bill's faked smile becomes the only thing I can focus on, "Aw no, that's alright. I thought I'd come by and say hi to some new faces is all. I don't mean to keep yah." Kerry doesn't leave Tom's side. Instead, she stays until Bill has left entirely.
"He was weird." Ty says from behind us, grabbing his bag from the trunk. Kerry flicks his ear. "Ow!"
"He was just being nice to the newcomers. Don't just assume he's a weirdo like that." she scolds.
Tom grabs his bag and mine from the trunk "-C'mon Al, take your bag. Let's go see your room." he leans down a bit to get beside me. "On the brochure it said they give kids free candy."
"No way!" I say cheerfully, glancing at Ty as he stares at us both confused.
"You and your brother better get up there quick, you wouldn't want him to take it all."
Ty scoffs, "I'm not a kid. I don't eat candy anymore, it's for babies."
"He's right Tom," Kerry interjects. "He's a grown man now, he should pay for his own room and meals."
"Well uh-" Ty stutters.
"As a matter of fact, he should pay for our rooms too. That's what a gentleman would do."
"I don't know about all that guys" Ty says nervously, unsure if Aunt Kerry is joking.
"No, c'mon it's what a man would do for his family. Since you're a man now it's time to step up and support us." she pats him on the shoulder. "So, where's your money at?"
"I- uh- Don't have any with me right now…"
"Then I guess for today you can be a kid." Aunt Kerry says turning him around and lightly pushing him towards the hotel. She had a lot of moments where she made "jokes" that never felt like they were meant to be funny. Moreso picking on us- well, Ty specifically. I got the lighter half of her bullying, but I still don't know to this day if they were just to be funny or if she meant what she said.
The hotel's first floor is made completely of glass, well at least it looks that way. There's a long line of people waiting for reception leading out of the front door and wrapping to the side of the building.
Tom takes off his hat, wiping his forehead. "I guess Bright Town's busy this time of year?"
"Looks that way." Kerry says, she takes off her bag from around her shoulder. "Here, I wasn't lying earlier, I really do have to pee." offering it to Tom. He takes the bag from her, and she gives him a kiss on the cheek before scampering into the building.
Ty, being the impatience brat he is, groans loud enough to disturb the people ahead of us. "This is gonna take forever. I think I'm going crazy."
"Stop whining" I mumble to myself. Ty pulls me by the ear again. "Ow! Stop that!" the people ahead of us turn to look in our direction.
"What'd you say?" he asks.
"Quit it Ty." Tom demands
"Not until he gives."
"That hurts! Stop!" I plead. His fingers twisting the tip of my ear around in circles. It feels like at any moment my it would be ripped off.
"I said cut it out Ty!" Tom grabs Ty's hand.
"Aw come on, we were just playing." He says with a sly grin.
Tom sighs, "When I tell you to do something I meant it. Don't do it later or ignore me, you do it! You understand me?" the smile on Ty's face fades. Tom lets go of his hand to readjust Kerry's bag. I look on from the side rubbing my ear, the pain still fading. "I am the adult and it's my responsibility to keep you both safe, so until you stop doing stupid shit…Listen to me, for God sakes. Sorry for cursing." Ty shoves his hands in his pockets, looking away from Uncle Tom. "Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, now go get something to eat while I check us in. Ty begins to turn before Tom says, "and take Al with you."
My head snaps at Tom, eyes wide. "What? He's going to do it again!" Ty purses his lips making a deflating sound.
"No, he won't, he'll listen because he knows that I can just as easily drive him back home while you and Aunt Kerry enjoy the beach."
"Fine!" Ty declares shuffling off. Tom places a hand on my back nudging me forward. Reluctantly I follow behind my older brother.
We get to the dining area where old couples in their Hawaiian shirts and sundresses sit together in the silence of their meals. The large windows here are closed with black currents opting for a reserved dinner. It's fitting for our awkward walk together. He grabs a paper plate off one of the tables and hands it to me. Then takes the tongs on the side to grab pieces of bacon slapping them onto my plate, its fresh grease seeping through to the bottom. He does the same for himself, all without speaking a word or even glancing in my direction. I look at the bacon on my plate and pray that this time it'll taste good.
Ty stops dead in his tracks in front of me. I bump into his back, and he doesn't react.
"What?" I ask hesitantly looking around him. Tracking his gaze onto a girl with bright red hair tied back into a bun, eating with an older man.
"What's she doing here?" I hear him mutter.
"Who's that?"
"Nobody, mind your business." he walks off. I quickly follow behind, not wanting to be left alone in this place. As we pass by their table to leave the two of them make eye contact and the smile the girl had before grows wider.
"Ty?" she asks, recognizing him immediately. The old man slowly turns to face us, before going back to his plate.
While Ty's back is turned to her, I hear him whisper a curse before turning around, "Hey! Victoria, what are you doing all the way out here?"
"Just enjoying some time with my grandparents on vacation." she twirls her hair with her finger, then finally notices me. Her never-ending smile puts me on edge. She shows so many teeth for such a normal conversation. "Who's this little guy?" I sink into myself trying to hide from her gaze, but her attention is fixed on me now and there's no running from it.
Ty sighs, knowing what's to come next. "That's my brother. Al, this is Victoria."
"Wait, you're Al? The one from our school?" she questions. My teeth clack together as every bit of my body goes tense. She's heard of me before…that means they really posted it.
"Y-yeah" I mumble, defeated.
She laughs in my face "No way, I had no idea you guys were related." Ty's eyebrows furrow. "I mean, are you sure? You guys don't look very alike." She prods, keeping her grin. Ty holds himself back from saying the wrong thing.
She was going to make the same assumptions everyone's made. That I'm some bastard half breed born into the wrong family. That our parents were cross species freaks. Both of us could tell what she was thinking before she even said anything. If Brock really posted that picture of me, and even the upperclassmen have seen it, then I might as well kiss my life goodbye. Victoria's treatment of me would only be the first of many bullies.
"Positive." Ty says plainly. The wrinkle on his forehead that's been shown to me more than once, finds its way once again to display Ty's growing annoyance.
"Isn't that cute. I bet he's a handful, isn't he? I can't imagine, I mean not everyone's got an elf brother." She leans down to my level, getting only inches away from my face, looking deeply into my soul. She can see the fear; she has to notice it otherwise why would she be so close. "What's wrong hm? You look a little off." the pressure becomes unbearable. I can sense her mask was beginning to slip. That the kindness she seemed to have towards Ty was all fake. This is an evil person. At any moment she'd grab me or throw me or hit me. I know it's coming. All I can do now is prepare for it.
"Can I go now or are you gonna talk my head off until the sun goes down." Ty interrupts. Victoria's smile finally fades and is replaced with a frown as she backs away from me.
"Wow! That was uncalled for. I'm just trying to talk with you guys."
"I know, but we don't want to talk to you." the rest of the room has gone from a whisper to a thick silence. "you're starting to get on my nerves talking about my brother like that, so if you could shut your mouth for me, I'd appreciate it
"You know, that's my granddaughter you're talking to. It'd be good of you to treat her proper-like." Victoria's granddad says with a mouth half-full of eggs, his hand shaking while holding a plastic fork.
"Right…" Ty looks her up and down and mocks her toothy grin. "It's been a long ride over here, sorry I've been a little tired." Ty flips her the middle finger then grabs my shoulder and leads me away from their table as Victoria looks at us with her mouth agape. Her grandfather drops his fork on the floor.