Zarin: prologue

This is the prologue to my novel. I've been working on it and want to know what people think. I'm hoping to get this one published as an actual book someday. A lot of people have read this, but a lot haven't as well. So enjoy! Tell me what you think.

The rain poured. Drops fell on the soggy ground, soaking through the blades of grass and forcing the dirt into mud. Large, black clouds covered the sky, rolling and turning in anguish. A fork of lightning broke through the blackness, illuminating one, small figure. She was sitting on the side of a mountain, staring down at the tiny house nestled against the cliff's edge.

The house was lonely looking, the darkness pressing against it on all sides. The light from the windows reached outward into the night, but were quickly swallowed up, leaving only shadows. If nothing else, it looked warm and dry, but the girl didn’t make a move towards it. Her chin rested on her knees, her arms wrapped tightly around her bare legs for warmth. The rain clung to her hair and clothing, sending little rivers down her skin. She was shivering, though she was trying desperately not to. The mud should have helped to stop the cold, at least a little.

Kelly Clyde didn't want to go home. She didn't want to go to that little house, to see her mother and father. She was only eight, but she felt as though she'd aged a lot in the past few hours. If she had a remote to control time, she would rewind it and change everything. She would have stopped him from leaving. She would have stopped them from fighting. She would have done. . . something.

But it was to late now. He was gone forever.

***

“Kelly, move!” Kaylynn ordered. Kelly jumped out of the doorway, making room for the older woman.

“What’s happening Mom?” She whispered, “Is. . .?”

“I don’t know,” Kaylynn answered, biting her lip. Kelly didn’t want to move from the front door, but knew her father would be home soon. And the last time she had seen him, he hadn’t looked too happy. But then, he wouldn’t be. As if Zarin hadn’t disobeyed him enough.

The door smashed open, making Kelly squeak and hide behind her mother. A large imposing figure stood there, drenched from the rain. He wore a large dark beard that covered over half his face. His eyes a steely gray. Derek Clyde was an intimidating sight on the best of circumstances, with his large leather boots, pants and jacket. But now he had an expression of pure rage lighting his heavy set features, his hand holding the scruff of a young boy. A boy with a devilish smirk and his fathers eyes. Zarin grinned at his little sister as his father threw him into the room. Like a cat, he twisted around and caught himself before he could fall. A little absentmindedly, he rubbed the back of his neck where Derek had been holding him.

“What do you have to say for yourself, boy?” Derek growled, “After everything we’ve told you, after everything you’ve done. . .”

“I’d tell you I’m starving.” Zarin pipped in, smirking, “Prison food sucks.”

“Zarin!” Kaylynn warned. The boy threw a sidelong glance at his mother, it was a look full of the boy's usual confidence and arrogance. Kelly wanted to smack it of his face.

“We told you to stop your pick pocketing!” Derek screamed, his face cracking and eyes bulging out of his head. Three huge steps brought him right in front of his son. As fast as Zarin was, he still didn’t see the blow coming until it was too late. Derek’s slap snapped the boy’s head back and sent him flying. He crashed to the ground on his back, stunned. For a moment he didn’t move, then he jumped to his feet, swaying, but trying not to show it. His gray eyes blazed, the devilish mouth ground into a hard line.

“It wasn’t just a pick pocketing,” he told them, “I full on robbed a jewelry store. Not for the first time either. I’ve stolen things a million times and you’ve never known about it. Of course, if you weren’t so stupid you’d let me steal stuff and we wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore! Or anything! You’re just too stupid to think that maybe bending the rules a little isn’t such a bad thing!”

“You’re not bending them boy! You’re breaking them and enjoying it!” Derek yelled, his face was purple and his eyes looked every bit as angry as the boy's. Zarin laughed, the sound only sounding slightly forced. Kelly silently pleaded that Derek wouldn't hit him again.

“Zarin stop it!” Kelly yelled, Zarin looked directly at her for the first time and smiled. It wasn’t a smirk, but an honest smile, like they were sharing a secret. Kelly knew Zarin better then any other person in the world. He was an obnoxious show off and smart mouth, but she knew that he didn’t want his father to hate him, he just wasn’t willing to let go of some of his ‘hobbies.’

“Sorry Dad, but I am who I am, and I’m not going to change.” Kelly put her head in her hands, Zarin’s tone of voice was infuriating. But it was true, he would never change. He was too pig-headed.

“Is that so, boy?” Everything went silent. Zarin shifted his feet uneasily, for once seeming to use his head to think for a second. Nobody moved, Kaylynn didn't even seem to be breathing.

“Yeah, Dad.” Zarin finally said. He stood up as tall as his twelve year old body could hold itself. “Yeah it is. I'm a thief. And a blasted good one.” Kelly swallowed, trying to work some moisture into her mouth.

“Zarin. . . ? Please. . .” Her brother didn't even look at her.

“Well then,” Derek spoke very softly, but he might as well have been shouting. “You’ve left me with no other option, boy. Get out.” Zarin blew out a breath, his face going from arrogant to confused.

“What?”

“Get. Out.” Derek breathed again. He reached out and grabbed the boy by the collar of his shirt flinging him around and shoving him toward the door. Zarin flew through the air like he was nothing but luggage. He stumbled, banging his shoulder against the wall and almost falling. His eyes were huge, smart-mouth working silently.

“Derek. . .” Kaylynn started but her husband cut her off.

“No, this is it, I’m sick of it. I’m sick of his attitude, I’m sick of his habits and to be frank, I’m sick of him. Twelve years this boy has lived under my roof, and twelve years was too many. Get out Zarin. And don’t come back.”

“You can’t do that!” Zarin finally managed to yell.

“I’ll do what I please! This is my house!” Derek yelled back. He thrust his hand into his pocket, pulling out a handful of bills. “Take the money and get. Go to Roonib, where they'll appreciate your stupidity.”

“Derek!” Kaylynn plead, reaching out to grab her husband's arm, but he pushed her away. “You. . .”

“No, Kaylynn.” He moved his glare from Zarin to his wife. Kelly could have sworn there was a bit of moisture hiding behind that gaze, “I'm done with him. He's no longer my son.” He thrust the money toward Zarin, who snatched it out of his hands. Zarin's lips were peeled back, he almost seemed like a cornered animal, snarling.

“FINE!” he said, “I don’t want to be here anyway. I hate you all! You’re all just a stupid bunch of morons with no brains!” The boy bolted for the door, throwing it open and running out into the rain. Kelly tried to follow but her father grabbed her arm.

“I don’t want you to catch a cold, Kaylynn,” He told her, using her full name which made Kelly jump slightly. She stared at him, hesitant, then yanked her arm free and ran through the doorway after her brother. Zarin hadn’t gotten far. He was staring down the road toward town. The rain had already soaked through his black hair, already sending trails of water down the back of his shirt.

They didn't look anything alike. Where Zarin had a tall frame and broad shoulders, Kelly was short and thin as a reed. Zarin had gray eyes and midnight hair, while Kelly had emerald eyes and was platinum blond. But he was her brother. Her best friend. And now he looked all alone.

“Zarin?” Kelly whispered, taking his hand.

“I didn't mean it.” he said.

“I know you didn't.”

“I don't really hate them.”

“I know.”

“No, Kelly, you don't!” He pulled his hand away from hers, “You don't get it. I’m only twelve,” he took a deep breath, “I can’t do this.”

“He wasn’t serious,” Something was blocking her throat, and the night seemed a lot warmer, “Come back, he’ll forgive you, you'll see! Just don’t steal anymore!” She reached out to take his hand again but he jerked away.

“No,” he said, his face hardening in a look all too familiar, “I won’t stop. I can’t.”

“Yes you can!” She wanted to beat him, wanted to bang her fists against him until he listened. Until he really listened! “You just don’t want to!” Kelly could feel the tears threatening to overflow. A sob wrenched itself from her chest. Everything was wrong, it was all falling apart! “Don’t leave Zarin, please!”

“I have to Kelly," he said, looking away, blinking his own eyes rather quickly. "I'm not wanted here."

"He didn't mean it Zarin! He was just mad! Wait and see, he'll come out and tell you not to go! I know he will!"

"It's too late, Kelly." The tears finally overflowed and spilled down her cheeks. She brought her hands to wipe them way, but only ended up crying harder. Zarin reached out and hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry Kelly," he whispered.

"How will you live Zarin?" she cried, "What will you do? What will you eat? Where will you sleep?!" Zarin stayed silent until she was almost done crying. then he gently tilted her head up, forcing her to look at him.

"Kaylynn," he said, calling her by her full name for the first time, causing her to swallow nervously, "do you remember yesterday, when you wanted me to go looking for the newborn glarenine in the mountains?” she nodded, “I want you to go and find them. I want you to take one of the pups and raise it, just like we always said we would one day. And when you worry about me, or wonder if I'm okay, or if I'm even alive, I want you to take care of the pup. It'll be like a good luck charm." He smiled, and even in the darkness she could tell that it was one sided and crooked. She nodded, her eyes still red.

"What. . .will I name it?" she hiccuped.

"Well. . . if it's a girl, name her. . . Jinx."

"Jinx?"

"Yes, because all girls are Jinx's." he teased, forcing a small giggle from her.

"And if it's a boy?"

"If it's a boy. . . Call him Link. Because that's what he'll be, a link between you and me." He smiled and ruffled her hair. She forced herself to smile, but let it drop off her face when Zarin's back was turned. He straightened his shoulders and began to walk, the rain shrouding his figure until there was nothing but pouring moisture. Mud squashed beneath her bare toes, her hair fell down her face in ringlets. She watched him grow smaller and smaller, until his smudge completely vanished. She didn't move from that spot for a long time. She ignored her father's call. Ignored her mother’s pleading voice.. She just stood there, wondering if she would ever see her brother come back.

But he wouldn’t. He would never come back.

“Kelly?” Derek called, the sound of his large boots hitting the mud reached her before he did. He placed a large hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently, “I promise Kelly, it had to happen. I’m sorry.” For a moment, it appeared as though tears threatened Derek as well. Kelly felt her shoulders begin to shake. Felt the horror of what had happened break over her, crushing her.

“No you're not,” she whispered, jerking away from his grip, “You’re not sorry, you won’t ever be sorry, and I’ll never, ever forgive you!” She turned and ran, the mountain was only feet from her, and she scrambled up it like a mountain goat.

Derek watched his daughter flee. He didn’t go after her. Instead he stared down the road his son had taken. “I’m sorry Zarin,” he whispered, “but you’ll learn. Maybe the world can force you to learn.”

Kelly dug her fingers into the loosening dirt of the mountain, pulling herself up further and further. She would find the glarenine. She would find the little creatures of light and raise one of the pups. She would take care of it and if she took care of it then maybe the gods would take care of Zarin.

It didn’t take long to find the little cubby hole in the rock she had spotted the day earlier. She dug at it, ignoring the father glarenine coming out to protect its family. He wasn’t a real protector, he just did whatever he wanted. No matter what the consequences of it was. It didn’t matter, it didn’t matter that it hurt people or made her fingers bleed or her heart cry out in pain. That stupid little father glarenine had no idea what it was doing. Had no idea that her family. . . that her family. . .

Tears clogged her vision again, choking her. She pulled her hands away from the hole. The male glarenine bared its sharp teeth at her before scrambling back into its den. Glarenine’s were like little foxes with burning blood and glowing skin. They weren’t native to Earth. They had been shipped here a long time ago, and now were as common as rats. Kelly turned away. Curling into a ball at the top of the mountain.

There was no other sound beyond the pouring of the rain. The mud coated Kelly's arms and legs, soaking her through. The clouds churned, rumbling overhead, and lightning split the heavens like the hand of god. Kelly didn't move, barely seemed to breathe, as she looked down the mountainside to the little house that barely stood out against the night. She never wanted to go back there again. She didn't want to return to her parents, didn't want to see their faces. Not when he wasn't there anymore. Not now that her family was broken.

Because he was gone now. He was gone forever.