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Adina had been born a mute, unable to speak. Her father had walked out when she was young and her mom had trouble raising her because they were poor. No matter though. She was hardly ever home because she was in the woods befriending the animals. She stayed in a small cave, taking care of her friends. The animals came to trust her, and by the time she was a young woman, she was living there full time. Little did she knew that she was the result of the mixing of one of Hyam and one of Li. Her ability to heal came naturally to her.
One day, she took a break from her work and walked to a promontory. There, she saw that a small, purple flower had a broken stem. She bent down, touching the injury. A soft, yellow glow appeared, and the stem was restored. Smiling, she got up and walked back toward her home. On the way back, she heard growling. She turned around and saw a pack of strange dogs start to chase her. She ran her hardest, but while she was taking a glance over her shoulder, she ran into something. A door behind her closed, and she realized that she was in a wooden cage. She looked around, desperately trying to find a way out but outside, the dogs kept snapping at the cage, trying to get her, and she couldn't see anyway to leave. A whistle came and the dogs backed off. It had come from a man who now walked toward her, looking at her through the bars.
"Well," he said. "You are as beautiful as everyone says." She recognized his voice, but couldn't place it. He went on. "Don't you remember me? I'm your father, Artemio." His daughter let out a gasp and started shaking her head. He let out an unsympathetic laugh. "Take her away," he said laughing as a drape was put over the cage so she couldn't watch as he loaded her into the back of the pickup truck.
She didn't know when she fell asleep, but when she woke up, she found herself in a simply furnished room. A bed near the door, a tiny window, a chest, and a small bathroom. She looked out the window until a lady came in to get her for dinner. In the dining room, were her father and a man. Her father spoke. "Adina, I'd like you to meet someone. This gentleman is my adopted son, Shawn."
"Nice to meet you," Shawn said smiling, getting up and offering her a hand as she sat down. He's a nice guy, she thought as she smiled back. Dinner was pleasant as she forced herself to brush off the negative feelings she was getting from her father and concentrated on Shawn.
After dinner, she was led back to the room. Soon, the door opened and Shawn came in. "Guess what? We're roommates! Father said that we'd be staying together for a while because none of the other rooms have been prepared yet. I hope you don't mind." Adina gave a lopsided smile. "To help ease you into this though, I did get you a little something." From inside the chest, he pulled out a ball of fur and Adina broke out into a grin as the puppy wriggled free and wandered its way toward her. She held out a hand and let it sniff her. It tentatively licked her and she rewarded it by scratching its ears. The dog liked it and settled itself in her lap. "I knew you'd like it. I heard about you being an animal person so I thought." He trailed off when he saw that she wasn't paying attention to what him. Before he could turn away though, she looked up and saw the gratitude in her eyes. He knew then that she'd heard every word. That night, she slept at the foot of the bed with the dog.
One night, Artemio barged into their room, drunk and angry. The two had been sitting in bed, trying to communicate with each other and absentmindedly patting the dog in between them. Artemio started cursing at them, muttering that he hadn't allowed them to get a pet. He reached between them and grabbed the sleeping pup. Adina reached out for it as the dog started to whimper softly as Artemio left with it. A few minutes later, he came back empty handed and Adina shrank away. This angered him even more though, and he took her out. Shawn cried out, trying to get him to stop but he wouldn't listen and locked the door behind him. Shawn couldn't get out so he tried to figure out where he was going with her. "No, not the study!" he whispered to himself as he heard a door down the hall slam shut.
Artemio flung her to the middle of the room. He locked the door so no one could disturb him. "Stupid, silent brat," he muttered under his breath as he took down a whip from one of the walls. She cried but no sound came out of her mouth. After he got tired of that, he continued inflicting pain on her for a good amount of time before he realized that she lay unconscious at his feet. Realizing what he had just done, he cursed again under his breath and carried her back to Shawn's room before going to his room to sleep off his own drunkenness.
Shawn rushed Adina's side seeing the bruises and cuts that covered her body. He didn't know what to do and so, just held one of her hands and prayed. He didn't notice the yellow glow that came from her hands. It faintly covered her feet and then slowly rose up her body until she was totally encircled by the light. He was healing her, feeding off the strength he was giving her to help her heal herself. Shawn finally opened his eyes when he felt the bed move. He was amazed that a healthy body was now smiling back at him. "Did I do that?" He asked, incredulously. She shook her head as if indicating that she'd tell him all about it later and gestured for him to get in bed. Before going to sleep, he told her, "We must escape. Tomorrow. We need to leave this place." She nodded and they slept a dreamless sleep.
The next day, Shawn was unusually quiet and Adina hardly smiled. Artemio didn't pick up on it though. He was still hung over from the night before and was wondering if he'd just dreamed beating her up for there was no trace that Adina had suffered. But the evidence was there in the study room with broken furniture and blood all over. She couldn't have healed herself while she was unconscious... could she? That afternoon, she and Shawn took a walk. "I'll get us over to the woods, but after that, it's your job to find the way. Understand?" She nodded nervously. "All right. Let's go." He held her hand tightly and transported them to the woods.
She turned toward the woods and let out a whistle. A little, red bird came and perched on her finger. She whistled some more and the bird answered back. The bird left and she beckoned him to follow her. They went through the woods, mostly in thick brush until they came to a small brook. There, they stopped for a break, but heard noises in the distance. "They're coming," he said, sensing who it was. Adina could also feel the dark presence and nodded. They continued to walk, this time in the river to block their scent as much as they could, but when the noises grew to be too loud to continue on without making noise, Adina crouched and jumped right overhead to an overhanging tree branch and motioned him to do the same. From then on, they continued jumping from tree to tree until they reached her home, where she finally jumped to the ground. He did the same.
She motioned him to go inside and rest while she tidied up a bit. While inside, he watched as she made some clapping noises. Moments later, some animals came. She seemed to be inspecting them, and as she made the little clapping noises, he noticed the others answering. After each was checked, they left, except for a deer that was limping. She bandaged the hurt leg indicating that it had to stay off it for a night. Soon, she had a small, smokeless fire going and made some food. When he first tasted it, his expression showed that he didn't like it. Laughing, she said, "Oh, it can't be that bad. Anyway, it's good for you."
"How come women always say that? It's like… Hey. How did you talk to me? Only certain people I know can do this."
Again she laughed. "I became aware that you were able to talk to me through your mind when you first tried to do so in the beginning when we were being acquainted. However, I didn't answer because I wasn't sure if you were going to tell Father or not. I doubted it though because I had a feeling about you. There's some connection between us much larger than father and I was hoping you'd be able to tell me."
She sat down comfortably in front of him, waiting for him to explain. "Well, it's like this." He started out hesitantly, explaining how as a child, he'd gained his powers from watching Artemio. However, one day, Artemio had a bad fall and turned against his people for Nica. Luckily, Artemio never knew of his son's abilities and so, Shawn was able to live his lie. It was his hope to bring him back someday.
Adina gave Shawn an understanding smile, reaching out and giving him a comforting pat on the hand. "Finish your food," she told him. "You can't start saving lives if you aren't healthy." She got up and went outside. He noticed how her voice was melodious and how she was always ready to smile. She was always focused on who she was speaking to, no matter if animal or human. He watched her as he finished his food. Afterward though, he walked quietly to her and she didn't notice him until he was sitting right next to her.
"It's really peaceful out here," he said out loud.
She nodded and smiled. "That's one reason why I like it so much. It's always been my home." They sat, listening to the night music. Then, the deer hobbled to them. She laughed and petted it as it laid its head in her lap. They listened some more until it got too cold. "You can sleep there," she pointed to a corner full of leaves and vines. "You may not get used to it, but you won't mind when you're tired."
"Are you sure? I mean this is your place and all-"
"Don't worry," she interrupted him. "It's the softest place there is in here. I'll sleep on the floor with the deer. I'm used to it."
"All right," he said uncertainly. A few minutes later, she and the deer were fast asleep with her arm over its back. Sleep came slowly to him as she'd predicated. He was uncomfortable, longing to be in his soft bed again.
The next morning, he awoke stiffly to a strange smell. She was already up cooking. I hope it's not berry soup, he thought. It was instead, a nut mush topped with leaves and berries. "I'm not supposed to eat the leaves too, am I?" he asked with a disgusted tone. She smiled and nodded before she went out to call the animals. There were more this time and he watched. She was always gentle with them and always in control. If anyone got rowdy, she scolded them with a gentle but firm clapping or whistling. That surprised him. It was as if they'd formed a language of their own. It also amazed him how easily they acted with her. She was truly of Lhaam. When all were treated she looked to see how Shawn was doing and was surprised to see that he'd come up right behind her without her noticing. She gave him a quick smile before she turned to the deer. She looked it over and clapped. The deer got up, tapped his hoof on the ground a few times and bounded away.
Smiling, she turned to him. "Come on. We need to get some water, and I think you'd like a bath. You look pretty stiff. I'll give you a massage afterward if your muscles still ache." They walked through the woods until they came to a stream. She filled a bowl with water and then beckoned him to take a bath and left. The water was cold and refreshing and when he came to get his clothes, he noticed that they'd been cleaned too. Smiling, he put them on and tried to find his way back. After awhile though, he was afraid he was lost and called out her name. He heard a rustling above him in a tree next to him and looked up. She was smiling down at him and jumped out. She landed softly and made no noise as she led the way back to the cave. That night, she suggested that they sleep outside. "It's a gorgeous night." He agreed and she built another fire.
That night, while they were both lying by the fire, he asked her suddenly, "Do you love me?"
She sat up, looking at his face. Seeing that he was serious, she lowered her eyes. She hesitated in her answering and was careful about what she said. "I don't know what to say. It's only been awhile since we met and yet it feels like we've known each other forever." She hesitated before going on. "I guess. Yes, I do love you." She smiled uncertainly, keeping her eyes downward.
He came over and cupped her chin, tilting her head back so she'd look at him. "I love you too." He smiled at her and sat back as she lay against his chest. He gently stroked her hair as they watched the fire glow.
When Shawn got up, he was alone and it was already way past dawn. She probably went for more water, he thought. He leaned back, remembering last night. They had kissed after their conversation and a smile drifted across his face. Suddenly though, there was a rush of feet. He tried to get up, but was pushed back down. They were all dressed in black, wearing masks except for one. "Where is she?" Artemio demanded.
"I don't know." Father glared at son as he ordered the rest to look in the surrounding area. As soon as Artemio left to find her, Shawn forced himself up and the men fired at him twice. He willingly surrendered unhurt. He hoped that she had heard and wouldn't go back.
Adina had also been thinking of the night before when she heard the shots echo. Instantly, she thought of Shawn and dropped the bowl of water she held as she made her way back. A bird chirped at her, warning her that danger lay ahead but she didn't listen. "Adina, stop!" she heard a voice say. She straightened up and froze. Artemio's voice had come from behind. "Don't move. I won't hurt you." He walked up to her and bound her hands behind her back. "That was foolish, trying to get away from me. Wasn't I taking care of you?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and he pushed her onward, a knife at her throat. They got to her cave but remained out of sight from the rest of them. Most of them were sitting down while Shawn remained tied to a tree. His shirt was torn and his head was hanging low. Shawn looked up at the commotion and saw her. They looked at each other but she lowered her eyes. Two cages were brought out and they were placed in separate ones. Once again, the drape was pulled over them as she heard Artemio's malicious laugh once more.
During the drive, Shawn tried to talk to her but she blocked him out. Usually, he talked to her out loud but around enemies, he was afraid and tried to establish the mind link. Eventually, he gave up, frustrated.
When they arrived at their destination, they were dragged down stairs to a dungeon. They went into adjacent rooms, each having an iron collar placed around their neck, chaining them to the wall. Only after they had left did she start talking to him again. "I'm sorry, Shawn. It's all my fault. I should have known not to go back home. We could have started somewhere else…" She started crying.
Knowing guards were still nearby and still trying to figure out if his father finally knew of his secret life, he talked to her through thought. "Don't cry Adina! It will turn out all right," but he knew hopes were slim.
That night, the door to the dungeon opened. Both got the feeling that it was Artemio. They listened as he hesitated outside Adina's door a bit before opening it wide. She cowered under his gaze and they listened as he spoke. "I'm sorry it turned out this way, daughter, but things can still change for you if you let me." He trailed off as he came close to her, drawing her to her feet. Once again, she smelled the alcohol in his breath as he stood back a little, studying her. Satisfied, he forced her to lie back on the ground. She pushed him back angering him, making him slap her across the face. "Be a good girl for daddy. I promise I won't hurt you." And with that, he removed her iron collar and then ripped the dress she wore down the middle. When the cloth had finally slipped aside, revealing her body, he tossed it aside. Gently, he touched her face, his breath warming her skin before he kissed her, his hands traveling all over her body. She realized then that he was naked as well.
In the next room, Shawn bit his tongue back as he listened to what was going on in the next room. He tried to shut his mind out to her screams of pain and the animalistic grunts of pleasure coming from Artemio. Hot tears streamed down his face as he realized how helpless he was. He was still too new, learning the rituals of Lhaam to be able to do anything and so he sat, quivering every time she cried out for his help.
The next night, they were driven to an abandoned railroad station. Artemio stepped out into the middle of the track before speaking. "Adina, I'm sorry I never was the father to you as you would have liked. I left when I heard that we were expecting another baby. One that never came I found out later. I never had the courage to come back and it wasn't until your mother died that I came for you. Shawn, my apologies to you as well. I know that you've tried to bring me back, but unfortunately, I was way too far-gone for any help. Yes, I know your secret but don't worry. It will die with me." A train whistle had sounded just then and a beam of light was now on Artemio's body. Staring at the oncoming train, Adina suddenly freed herself from the servant that held her back and ran the few feet that separated her and her father, pushing him out of the way as it sped past. In doing so however, she was the one to be hit, and she now lay a few feet from where Artemio was.
As soon as the train passed, Shawn came over to see if she was okay but she wasn't. She was trying to get up but the left side of her body had been too hurt. She couldn't push herself up and her breathing came in gasps. Shawn rushed her to the nearest hospital. He cried, seeing the amount of pain imprinted on her face as she struggled to regain consciousness. No comforting glow came this time, either. This time, it was the professional doctors' jobs to bring her back to Shawn and they did. After a week of staying in the hospital to look over her major injuries, they released her and the two went straight to Artemio's house. It had been abandoned. Everything was left untouched except for a letter that had been dropped on the floor. The envelope bore their names. Shawn opened it and read it before handing it over to her. She took it as Shawn went over to a couch, putting his head in his hands. She let him cry awhile before indicating that they should leave. He'd forgotten she couldn't read.
Their romance gained little by little and soon they had a child who they named Marie. Shawn learned the ways of the Lhaam that way, through watching Adina and feeling Balance run its course naturally. When Marie was about five though, Adina began to have a Dream. It was the same every night, and it left her depressed. In the Dream, she would be alone in the woods. A dark presence was felt and she turned around. A man pointed a gun toward her, the face hidden in the shadows. The gun fired and the Dream would end. Shawn tried to reassure her that this was probably a false Dream, but to have the same Dream every night? Adina faced reality, knowing she'd be killed someday soon.
She was, of course, right. One day, she felt like walking through the woods. Before she left though, she left a circle of flowers, her sign that she loved them. It wasn't something she did every day and she left, wondering what had prompted her to make it this time. She walked to a promontory, the same one she had visited so many years before. The flower had long since died but in its place now grow a number of young, purple buds. A click was heard then, and she abruptly turned around. Just like in the Dream, a man detached itself from the shadows, a gun pointed at her. He stepped out and she could see who it was. Artemio cried, tears pouring forth as he pulled the trigger. "I'm sorry. So sorry."
Back at home where Shawn had been teaching Marie, a sharp pain filled them, causing them to stand up suddenly. Instantly, Shawn looked back toward the cave and noted the circle of flowers but he was drawn away. "Daddy?" Marie asked, tears starting to overflow.
Shawn let Marie run into his lap and he carried her outdoors. The creatures of the wild told them what happened and leading them to where Adina was. Together, they stared in shock. Marie took a couple of tentative steps closer to her mother, kneeling down beside her. She reached out a hand and a familiar, yellow glow covered Adina's wound. The skin closed but she didn't awaken. "What's wrong, Daddy? She's supposed to be Healed!"
Shawn knelt by his daughter. "No, little one, she wouldn't have been Healed. Not only was the wound unnatural, but it was also a mortal one." Marie nodded her head, showing that she understood. Instead, she took her mother's hands in her own and crossed them upon her chest. Together, Adina's family made a shallow grave and placed the body in it.
A couple of days passed and another presence made itself known to the two. Shawn tried to push it away, still too deep in mourning. Marie on the other hand, recognized the feeling. She closed her eyes, walking around a bit as if puzzled by some great riddle. Then she stopped and opened her eyes. "Mommy!" she squealed in delight. Shawn looked up but saw nothing, heard Marie talking to an invisible figure but heard no responses. He shook his head, feeling even more depressed. He'd let Marie pretend for a while but then he'd have to tell her that she was just pretending. Adina was gone. He went on with his work, but Marie pulled on his hand, distracting him. "Do you see her Dad? She's right here."
"Oh, really? Where?"
A cool sensation filled him then, and closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel her presence. "Right here," the same melodious voice rang out to him, although a bit more distant than before. He continued to talk to her with this mind link. "But why can't I see you? You sound so far away."
"Have you forgotten what I've taught you already?" she admonished him lightly. "Balance was thrown out of spiral. Too much was disturbed in my death and because of this, Balance needs to be restored. I'm here to see that the job is done."
"So this cycle still isn't complete?" Shawn asked with a saddened tone.
"Far from it. Don't worry though. I'll be nearby to watch out for you."
And with that, her presence left them. Her next few visits were not very comforting either. She seemed distracted and nervous. Whenever he asked if he could help, she'd smile and saw no. One day though, she appeared to them, highly anxious. "Come. You must follow me now or be killed. Artemio's after you and I, as of yet, haven't been able to talk to him. He's built a wall around him and will not listen to sense. He's rooted to deep in Nica and has come with a band of his followers. You won't be able to protect yourselves."
The look on her face told them she was dead serious so they left everything behind and went quickly. They were at the promontory where she'd died and Shawn hesitated. Yelling was heard now and Adina looked back worried before she told Shawn to climb down. "Are you crazy? It's an overhang!" But he saw her glare and bit back further protestations. Adina guided his hands and feet as he slowly climbed down to a small cave. She had Marie follow her father's route before hushing them and going back up to find Artemio.
She was frustrated with herself, knowing that she had failed so many times to talk to Artemio and she was desperate now. It was crucial that she reach him before he killed anymore. Adina watched as he turned to look at her grave and he shivered. She took the chance and entered his mind then. "Artemio, father."
Artemio turned around but saw no one near. "Who's there? Who are you? Show yourself to me!"
His men turned to him, giving him strange looks but he disregarded them. He heard a sigh and a weary voice answer. "It's Adina."
Artemio paled and trembled under the warm sun. "What? Come back to haunt me now, daughter?"
"No. I've come to help you."
"Oh, really now. What do I need help with?"
"Yourself." Artemio was silent, unable to think of a retort. "Please, let me help." Without his approval though, she began her work.
A warm sensation filled his body at first, but the sensation turned painful as he felt a ripping deep inside. "What are you doing to me? Stop it!" He screamed out loud. His men fell back, frightened of their leader's change. Artemio's body writhed in pain and he screamed. He felt the war going on inside, as if three separate individuals fought for control of his body. And then the battle was over. His men had long gone and he was left alone, on his hands and knees, panting for breath. "What did you do to me?" His voice was hoarse.
And he saw her in front of him, kneeling close to him, eyes full of concern. "You alright now?"
He closed his eyes and noticed how his soul felt lighter, freer than it had in a long time. "Yes."
"Welcome back to the good side, father." She smiled at him a moment longer before her image disappeared.
A noise came from behind him and he turned around. There were Shawn and Marie, staring at him uncertainly. He smiled at them and they returned the smile. Faintly, they could hear laughter as it disappeared in the gentle breeze.