THE TALE OF THE LOST

By: Rickey S. Barnes

Have you ever noticed? That one weird kid that seems to stand out simply because he is alone. Often times a persons attention is drawn to someone for reasons they themselves may not even comprehend. If you ever feel that way about someoneleave him or her alone. That is right. No matter how many times your parents tell you, Why dont you try hanging out with that boy? He seems so lonely sitting over there by himself. Ignore them. Why? How about you open up and see for yourself

The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Table of Contents
Prologue........................................................................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 1................................................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 3 ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 4................................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 5 ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 6 .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 7................................................................................................................................................. 14

~1~

The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Prologue
WellI guess this is it. Sitting here, with these blades spinning above me slowly inching their way closer with every passing second as if taunting me before my demise. They say, just before you die, your life flashes before your eyes. Well they were not lying. Everything, was right there in front of me the important pieces anyway played out on the blade of that saw as if it were a hi-definition movie screen. It was agonizing I would have sooner been engulfed in the flames of Hell, than go through that again. I found myself praying to G.O.D _ not that my uncle every responds promptly to hasten the speed of the blade and have it impale me swiftly, so as, to ease my pain. If not for the fact that I was affixed to silver chair, and bound with silver chains, I would have long since freed my companions and myself. I still have dreams of what I saw that dayabout the people I hurtthe suffering I had caused. Itchanged me. I see things far differently now. Things I could not previously fathom. Just as I was taking in the last of my world, there was a deep rumbling sound. Moreover, before I knew it the wall before me had erupted into a blazing mushroom cloud of fire and smoke. Then, I heard it.

Hello, son.

~2~

The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 1
If you are reading this, it means I am gone. Where no one can find me us. Whoever may read this account should not come searching for the whole story. We all have journals this is mine. Just as you are, I am only human I think and I; make mistakes, lose memories, and leave out pieces of a story. Pieces, which, undoubtedly, are being written down by my friends as we speak, just as I am, and will soon be in the hands of their greatest trustees and only friends outside of the D. A.D.S...The A.S.Ss. I know neither what they write nor how they may write it, but the locations of these journals, though not widely discussed, is not private knowledge. Perhaps, if I may, I shall divulge said locations to you as I take moments such as these to pause, explain, and re-gather my thoughts. HmmI have said to much already, time to move on I suppose. This is your first warning. You have already risked far too much just by lifting this from whatever desk or shelf it has come from and flipping to this page. You may not think much of it since it is only the second page of the story, but people have hunted, and died, for these secrets for years. There are things in this journal that if they fell into the wrong hands could alter the course of history or even worsedestroy the very fabric of this reality. In fact, even in my hands, they have come close. Once you begin to read, to understand my world, there will be no turning back. The overwhelming truth of the words beyond this point can push one to the brink of reality, illusion, life, and devastation. This is your first, last, and only chance. Close the cover, put the book down, and walk away as if it never happened. However, for those of you who wish to know our secrets, learn our ways, unlock our mysteries, hear our stories the tales of action, adventure, suspense, bravery, excitement, romance, and of coursebetrayal then flip to

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

the next line, the next page, the next chapterand embark on a journey that will change your life forever

Chapter 2
Fire that is my alignment. Well, not fire per say. It is more of a combination of darkness and fire Dark fire. Your alignment is very important, that is, if you are a sorcerer like me. Yeah I know what you are thinking; magic is bad especially dark magic. Well, that is a lie. For some, it is more of a religion than a practice. I am a ChristianI guess. I go to church, I pray, I read the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (Bible for short), all of it. I have read the commandments and laws, and in no way do I value any spirit or entity over the Holy Spirit. However, there are other things out there that are considered to have great power, in respect to humans. In a way, being a sorcerer actually helps me to follow the rules of the bible. As a sorcerer, I draw on my own inner power as well as that of lesser spirits to perform magic and ask the Holy Spirit to watch over and guide me as I use said magic. In this way, I can become more like the son of the Holy Spirit by performing some of the miraclews that he was able to do. My father was the same way until he disappeared that is. Now some of you may be thinking, that is what you get for using magic. No. He was kidnapped. His magic had become too powerful and the International Roulette of Sorcery (I.R.S) thought they might lose control of him. In truth, he had become quite distraught around the time of my tenth birthday. He was constantly muttering that the time was almost upon us and he must reconvene with the I.R.S. I had not understood what he said or meant until recently, but I had a sense that it concerned me. Once I had become thirteen, everything in my life began to change. Before she became a lazy drunkard, my mother

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

had said I had begun to showinteresting qualities. When I became angry, there was fire, not just things catching on fire, but also things becoming it. There were many other signs, but I will not bore you with the details. The real story started one year ago

~5~

The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 3
MomMomMOM! I screamed. What! she screamed back. Im leaving! I returned. This is how my mornings always were; I would wake up early and make breakfast and wake my mother when I left for the bus. I have no I idea what my mom did all day, I didnt really care. She always blamed me for what had happened to my fatherand she was right to. I only really had two friends at school, Mika and Seth. We were the weird kidsthe outcasts. We had practically grown up together; living as neighbors in the same neighborhood most our lives, going to the same schools, they were like my family. It was only until today that I realized they were the only real family I was ever going to have, and I was about to lose them. It started with Seth. As soon as I got on the bus, I went to our usual couch-like seat in the back. Mika was already there. When I sat down, I instantly noticed something was wrong, she had been crying. Whats wrong? I asked innocently. Havent you heard? she said in an uncharacteristically sad tone. Heard what? I replied, eagerness creeping into my already breaking voice, Whats happened? Seths brother is dead! she said venomously.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

I knew she wasnt angry with me but her words had still hurt. I always take everything she says to heart. I had no idea I said honestly. She leaned over and began to sob heavily into my chest. I knew she wasnt sad for Ryan, but for how Seth must be feeling. Later, during lunch, she told me about how Seth had almost tried to kill himself when he first heard the news. I suggested that we go visit him after school and she gave me a small, but meaningful nod. When we arrived at Seths house we could sense the dreadful mood before we even stepped foot on the porch. We were met at the door by Ryans grieving parents. Come in, Mrs. Knight said. I could tell by her tearstained face and gown that she hadnt left the house at all in the past few days. We went up to Seths room to try to console him and stayed for dinner. There was no conversation. Merely exchanges of looks and glances at photographs with the occasional tear-fall from old memories. We left early, seeing as there was nothing we could do. I went with Mika to spend the night at her house, as I often did during the week, to study. Although it was obvious no studying was going to be done tonight, I still felt the need to stay with her. I stopped off at my house to leave a note for my mom telling her where Id be. When I got back to Mikas place I noticed her in her usual position, curled up in a corner of her bed, book in hand. This is often what she would do to take her mind of things. She said it felt as though she were in a completely different world while reading. Sometimes we read together, though she reads far faster than I, and we share books so we both dont have to buy them. Only this time she wasnt reading a book. Hey! Thats my journal! I exclaimed incredulously, Ive been looking everywhere for this! Why are you reading my journal? And howd you even get it without me knowing?

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

You left it here on Friday and I know how you dont like to be disturbed on weekends so I she paused; I could see she was fighting back tears. I thought I should wait until today to give it to you at school, but I left it at home since I was ratherpreoccupied. she finished in a small sad voice. I hadnt meant to read it, honest. It was justthe cover, it was so she started to trail off and began to cry. I couldnt stand to see her cry any longer. I brushed her long, beautiful hair out of her face and looked deep into her brilliant, sapphire eyes. Its my fault. I shouldnt have left it here in the first place. I admitted, Besides, I should have known you had a good explanation. Im sorry I yelled at you. I looked back into her eyes again. Her small slender frame had stopped shaking; I could feel her soft pale skin against mine. She leaned on me once again and drifted off to sleep. I could smell her hair when I awoke. At first, I hadnt known what was going on and shifted the weight off me. I heard a soft moan, and then I remembered.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 4
*THUMP*
Ow! I got up and looked around. Had I fallen out of bed? Im sorry! Im sooo sorry! he said. I remembered that voice. It was Kai. He was standing over me helping me up. Howd he get in here? Did mom let him in? Then I remembered last night. When he had caught me reading his journal and I had started crying. Then he looked at me with those big, brown eyesI loved those eyes. I still do. And the way he used to hold me when I got upset. I always felt safe in those arms. Sorry, Im being rude. Hi, my name is Mika! Though he has already told you so much about me I think I would be insulted if you couldnt already tell. Do not tell Kai this, but I snuck in here to fill in the parts of the story he doesnt rememberor doesnt know. Anyhow, on with the story! Sokay. I said. I had fallen asleep in his arms. The most perfect moment in my life and Id gone and ruined it falling out of the bed like a total idiot. Im a total idiot, Kai said. I turned to him, meeting those big, brown eyes again. Did I mention how much I love his eyes? No, its my fault I said.

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The Tale Of The Lost Dont say that. He said in an overly concerned voice.

Rickey S. Barnes

Okay, what was going on here? It usually goes more like: No, its my fault. Yeah youre such a clown. Then we would both start laughing. He helped me up and then gave me the biggest bear hug, then held me at arms length and looked down at me. You look so beautiful in the morning light he said, I could stay just like this forever. I cant. I teased. Why? he asked looking, at me with those puppy dog eyes. BecauseI need to be closer. I said leaning forward. Thenhe kissed me.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 5
It was the best moment of my life! I had finally kissed her, for the firstand last time. We didnt go to school at all that week. We just spent time with each other and checked in on the Knights. The funeral was to be held tomorrow, on Sunday. We were in Mikas room. I was sitting on the corner of the bed against the wall and she sat in my lap. I was lazily playing with her hair, when she turned, looked up and me and asked: Why are you here? I felt somewhat sad. She must have seen the look on my face because she quickly corrected herself. What I meant to say was, youre usually a stay at home shut-in over the weekends. I wanted to be with you. I said. You dont have to give up your personal time to be with me. She said sympathetically, Well see each other at the funeral. Its not that important. I replied. She stared at me. I could feel her curiosity growing as she tried to read my face. I forced a smile. Well if its so unimportantshe began, I knew what she would ask. Why havent I told you? I said.

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The Tale Of The Lost Yeah. If I tell you, will you promise to keep it secret? I asked her seriously.

Rickey S. Barnes

Just who do you think I am, to go around telling peoples secrets! she, jokingly, retorted. Im serious Mika. Of course I wont tell. Ima wizard.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 6
My life officially sucked. First my brother dies, and now this! Sorry, Im getting ahead of myself here. Hello, my name is Seth. Im here to do some explaining and fill in some of the blanks in this story. If you havent noticed yet, this story seems more like its being relived rather than told. Thats because it is. This is a special technique called memory recall. It allows us to relive our memories in our minds. We write down these memories as they occur in our heads, therefore, it is difficult to write in the past tense when we are experiencing them at the same time we are writing them. Okay, enough with the explanations. I dont want to bore you to pieces. Lets start...here. ~2 WEEKS LATER~ Seth! Come on Seth, its been two weeks already! You have to come out sometime! Mika yelled from outside. They had been doing this all week, Kai and Mika, trying to get me to come out of the house. My brother, Ryan, died a little over three weeks ago. We had his funeral exactly 2 weeks, 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 55 seconds from today. 56, 57, 58, 59, 13 minutes... I never really liked Ryan that much, but that doesn't change the fact that he was still my brother. The REAL reason I did not want to go outside is because Ive been seeing and hearingthings, more specifically people. They looked real and I could hear them clearly, but no one else seemed to be able too. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but it clearly wasnt. It was only until recently that I figured out who, and what, they wereghosts.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

Chapter 7
Seth! SETH! yelled Mika. Its no use, I told her, he doesn't want to come out. But he HAS to come outside sooner or later she complained. It looks like its going to be later rather than sooner this time. Okay she resigned. It has been almost two weeks since his brothers funeral. Ever since then, hes been cooped up in his room. We have been trying to get him to come down for about three days now, but I can tell there is something else bothering him. Somethings wrong Mika said suddenly. What do you mean? I asked. Hes worried about something she replied, I cant tell what, but I can justfeel it. Shes been acting weird recently too. It almost like she can read minds Can you read minds? I asked her. Actually, I think I can. She said, surprisingly. Seriously!? Yeah, its kind of strange and I cant really control it. It just sort of happens.

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The Tale Of The Lost

Rickey S. Barnes

I wonderit was something I had been contemplating for a while now. Was it possible for me to have caused this? I thought. My father had said once before that being in the presence of someone with a powerful aura could cause ones own abilities to manifest rather quickly, but still It doesnt seem like that is what is happening here. In any case, my aura definitely isnt powerful enough to induce any changes as drastic as these are. When did this start happening, Mika? I asked. Uma few days after Ryan died I guess. Hmm.. That must be it! I thought. She must have developed those abilities for that reason. Seths mother had said something about him seeing and hearing people that were not there. He must be seeing ghosts! They did get these abilities for a reason! It must be because of Ryan. Seth is, unconsciously, summoning spirits because he misses his brother, and Mika has started reading minds because she is worrying about whats going on with Seth. What will happen now, I wonder? Did you say something Kai? Mika asked. No, I was just thinking out loud Youre worried about something. How did you know that!? Duh, I can read minds now, remember?

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The Tale Of The Lost Oh yeah I heard that! How did you do that!? Do what? she asked innocently. Talk into my head!

Rickey S. Barnes

II dont know. I just sort of thought it and it came out in your head instead of mine I guess Hey, Kai? Yeah Mika? Since Seth isnt coming down anytime soon Yeah? Do you, um, wanna go do something you know, together? I would love to

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