The Ever War: Chapter 1.3

Sarah! We're home!" her younger brother called. She was the oldest of three children. Her sister was a year younger than her, while her brother was three years younger. Sarah quickly opened her door and headed downstairs. Josh followed her.

Her sister frowned. "What were you doing upstairs?"

Their brother smiled. "Probably making out."

"Lucas!!! We were not!" Sarah shouted, her face beet red.

"You showed him your tattoo, didn't you?" her sister, Melissa, asked.

"I did. What of it?" Sarah asked defensively.

Melissa rolled her eyes and headed up to her room. "Whatever. I'm going to work on my homework." Lucas shrugged.

"I'm going over to Jill's." he said as he left.

It was just Sarah and Josh now. Josh looked down at his palm again. "What do they mean?"

"I'm not sure, but ever since mine appeared, I've...been sensing things." she answered.

"What? What kinds of things?" Josh asked, concerned.

She shook her head. "I don't know. It's as if...as if there's this dark cloud. And it's growing..."

Josh pulled her into his arms. "Don't worry about it. You've always had a kind of sense for that kind of stuff, but don't dwell on it."

Sarah gave him a squeeze and stepped back. She smiled up at him. "I won't. You better get home. Your mother will start to worry." She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

"Bye." Josh said, giving her another squeeze before leaving. On the way home, his thoughts kept going back to everything that had happened, and the more he thought about it, the more he couldn't shake the feeling that the Marks were important. They meant something, represented something.

He pulled into his driveway and headed inside. "Mom? I'm home." He called. His mother came out of her office (she worked at home) carrying some books and folders.

"Hi. How was your da....Oh my heavens!! NO!!!" She cried, dropping her books. She rushed to her son and grasped his face. She looked into his eyes and examined the rest of his face closely. As she did so, it was evident that whatever she saw upset her greatly. Finally, she grabbed his right hand and twisted it palm up. The Mark glinted a faint gold. She gave a horrified gasp and clamped a hand over her mouth. "No...not you too. First my husband, and now my son as well?" Tears streaked down her face.

Josh grasped his mother's shoulders and gave her a light shake. "Mom!! What is going on?! Sarah's Marked too, and now her sixth sense is working overtime!"

His mother instantly snapped out of her stupor. "What?!"

Josh stared into her eyes. "Sarah has one as well. She said that her's appeared a month ago."

His mother instantly began thinking. "Did she show it to you? Do you know where it is?"

He blushed and looked away. "It's on her back. Her Mark has the sun and the moon."

His mother nodded. "The Sage. But for her to be a close friend...very unusual." She turned back to her son. "Do you believe in the Ever Road?"

"Yes, I do." Josh answered, surprising himself. His mother nodded and turned away.

"It's time you knew, my son." She said softly. She lifted up the front of her shirt (her chest was still covered) and revealed a Mark of her own. In the center of the wings was a shield. However, her Mark was faded, the once bright gold now dulling. She sighed. "Perhaps I sheltered you too much, but then...the Wanderer's path has always been a trial."

"Mom?" Josh asked, voice wavering slightly. She lowered her shirt.

"Listen very carefully, Josh. I haven't much time left. When your father and I found that I was expecting you, it became my mission to protect you. That is what I am: the Protector. The shield represents that, and my ability to control water. Remember when you almost drowned when you were little? I thank the heavens for my gift, because you are special, Josh. Much more special than your father and I thought. Although, I had hoped you would be spared from all this. And now Sarah has been Marked as well. I'm not going to lie; I don't know the will of the Ever Road. But you were chosen for this for a reason. Now, I need you to promise me one thing Josh, and before I tell you what it is, I want you to swear that you will do it without question when the time comes. And it will." His mother said, her face set and determined.

"I swear." Josh said.

She nodded. "My time is almost up. You saw how faded the Shield is. My time of service is almost up. Now, I want to promise me that no matter what happens, you will take Sarah and run from here. Run and never look back. Don't forget this place; don't forget me. But never look back. Promise me!" She said, her voice trembling slightly.

"I swear that if something happens, I'll take Sarah and run. But where will we go?" He asked. His mother looked directly into his eyes and gave a faint smile.

"To your father of course." she answered.