Chapter 1: The Girl

They were standing underneath the mighty 400 year old Banyan tree- a tree three centuries older than the campus that had been built around it. Spring was in the air and the birds were singing their hearts away, dispelling the remnant winter blues. It was just another day in the lives of the campus dwellers. But not for the father and son standing next to it. They were waiting for the person, a girl, who would herald the coming of a new era, a new social consciousness.

The old man was relaxed. He had read the signs all around him, and he couldn’t wait to meet her. He’d have to be careful though. The girl wasn’t aware of any of it yet. He didn’t want to scare her off. He was sure he would be able to recognize her. The wind had whispered in his ears that she would be drawn to that Banyan at her arrival. It was a matter of time now.

The boy on the other hand was overcome by pangs of anxiety.  Although his nonchalant stance did not betray his emotions, his father sensed the demons that he was battling. He was worried for him. It was going to be the second emotional onslaught on his still-aching heart in a span of six weeks. He wasn’t sure how he was going to take it.  

“Calm down Derek, this one’s different.”

Derek shrugged and gave him an impish smile. Chris noted that it didn’t reach his eyes as it usually did. He couldn’t blame him.

While Chris was waiting for his student to come along, the forces had alerted Derek to his impending tryst with his soul mate. Which would have been great, had he not been duped by his last “soul mate”, conjured up by the Dark Side, with the sole purpose of destroying his family. The battle that ensued resulted in the death of his best friend and Protector, James “Jimmy” Bresnan, and the murder of the trusting, somewhat innocent Derek that Chris had raised. His son had never forgiven himself for falling into the Trap of Darkness. He had never moved on.

There was a distinct sound of feet crunching dried leaves. It seemed as though the person was targeting all the dried fallen leaves and was intent on grinding them to bits. Chris stared into the opening hopefully. There was a girl alright. About 5’6’’, fair, with dark, shoulder length, tumbledown hair. She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt that said “I love my life”. Her warm brown eyes, aquiline nose and a ready smile made her extremely likeable in the first glance. Chris smiled. Derek stiffened.

It had begun.

Shayla threw an absent minded smile at the two men standing under the Banyan tree, staring into oblivion. Or rather enjoying the breathtaking view that greeted them on the other side of the tree. She had seen it all before. In a dream. That was the power she had. It was a closely guarded secret; but her forte nonetheless. She was no Superwoman, or even Wonder Woman. ‘Dreaming Girl’ would come close. The past, present and future mingled as one, in timeless planes, as she drifted back and forth in the dream world. They didn’t reveal everything, but gave her glimpses into the endless possibilities that lay before her and before others. Occasionally, she had the opportunity of helping a lost soul meandering in her world. That’s how she thought of Dreamland. It was her kingdom. It was reality that got her disoriented every once in a while. Not her dreams.

Though she had ignored the pair standing next to her, she couldn’t help but wonder if they were part of the cosmic plan that her dream had hinted at. She didn’t have a clue as to what the plan was (Ni una jota - not even a bit – as her Spanish teacher liked to say) – but there was something big on the horizon. It was a matter of time.

Derek stared at the girl. His deep, penetrating gaze seemed to cut right through her. Her aura was alright – a pinkish haze. He could see the spot of light over her left shoulder that indicated that she was his soul mate. But he’d seen it all before. And he knew that it didn’t mean a thing. The Dark Side had grown immensely strong over the last 2 years. They could conjure a hundred such girls and the best of his kind would never find out. Well, they eventually did find out, when Vanessa tried to kill them all. He shuddered and turned away. He wasn’t going to let his mind dwell on those memories anymore. He had a new assignment. No matter what his parents did or said, he was going to make sure this wasn’t another trick. Another dark, horrific death trap laid by Them. He was going to do everything in his power to ascertain the truth.

“Hello, you are new here, aren’t you? I’m Derek. I’m in the same Master’s program as you this year. They have all our names and photographs up on the bulletin. How are you doing?”

He had turned on the full force of his charm. It always worked. He was the perfect boy next door. Thick dark brown hair, twinkling aquamarine eyes full of laughter, and an innocent childlike face that one was compelled to trust.

Chris looked at son, trying to decode what was going on in his mind. He seemed normal enough, except for his eyes. The light did not reach them.

Shayla looked at the boy standing beside her. He seemed alright, but his smile did not reach his eyes. There was a knot in her stomach that immediately told her that something was amiss. She shook his hand nevertheless.

“Hello.”

Derek seemed taken aback by the brevity of her response. He was used to having girls gushing about him. This was different. He couldn’t give up. Keep your friends close and enemies closer is what he believed in. Before he could utter another word, Shayla turned around and started to walk away. He mentally cursed himself, but decided there would be enough time in class the next day. It was time to make some frenemies.