The Recovery Centre, like most buildings in the town, was built into the fabric of the natural environment, sounded by trees, shrubs and greenery. It was designed like a butterfly and made from glass and concrete. We were met at the entrance by an elderly woman with kind eyes and hunched shoulders. It was my first time visiting the Recovery Centre. I had never been seriously ill enough to require the aid of a qualified healer and neither had anybody else that I knew of. I came from a family of healers and any minor injury or accidents were quickly taken care of.

“Hello Margaret, tonight seems busy here.”

“Hi Keith, long time,” Margaret hugged Dad. “You’re right, I’m not sure what’s going on tonight but we’re suddenly getting an influx of patients. Who do you have there?”

“Mars is strong tonight, lots of accidents. We were sent to assist this boy - Brendan, I think is his name. Apparently he just moved into the area but we don’t know anything more than that. We’ve fixed a broken ankle but I’m not sure if he’s got any other injuries. His head was bleeding earlier. He’s now fast asleep.”

“Bring him inside, we’ll check him over and fix him up like new,” said Margaret.

Dad carried Brendan inside and I followed behind with James who had left the motorbike under a large oak tree opposite the entrance.

“He should be able to tell us where he lives once he wakes up, otherwise we can get somebody to identify him so don’t worry. I don’t expect he’ll be here long.”

Margaret led us to the end of a long corridor before ushering Brendan in a tiny side room. It was a basic room with a bed, bedside table and chair. Dad placed Brendan on the bed and covered him with the blankets. Brendan curled himself into the bedsheets and continued to sleep like a baby.

“I don’t see anything else broken. All his bones and organs look good to me,” said Margaret. “I think he lost a lot of blood and he's slightly weak as a result. I’ll give him some liquid iron when he wakes up,” Margaret announced to the room.

“Sounds good. We’ll leave him in your very capable hands then,” said Dad.

“I don’t suppose you’re going back out there tonight? It’s nearly dawn.” said Margaret.

“I don’t suppose we are but I’ll need to check with Mark first.”

We waved goodbye to Margaret who stayed behind with Brendan. The corridor was very quiet. There was no other sound apart from our footsteps. I peered through the glass windows into the side rooms and saw that most of the rooms were occupied. I turned to Dad as soon as we left the building.

“I thought people in this community rarely got sick and if they did, there were enough healers scattered everywhere. This is my first time coming to the Recovery Centre.”

“That is a very good observation, Rebecka,” said Dad. He patted me on the back before taking my hand. “This Recovery Centre is used to treat those with complicated long term illness such as chronic cancers. All stubborn conditions from ripe destinies that have been generated in the past life which can’t be avoided. This Recovery Centre is mainly used to treat outsiders who have qualified for help. The healers here are the best healers we have. Their knowledge, combined with their experience of human anatomy is second to none. They are highly trained and Margaret is the longest serving healer I know. She worked here when I was a little boy and she’s still serving.”

“Wow,” I dropped my jaw. “That is amazing. I wouldn’t mind being a healer one day. Sounds fantastic. I want to be like Margaret.”

A frown replaced the smile on Dad’s face, giving away his reservations. I knew what he was thinking. My horoscope doesn’t predict my future as a healer, especially not as a Gemini. Although he couldn’t force me into anything if I decided to choose my own path, he would caution me against it.

“How old is Margaret?” I tried to steer the conversation towards safer grounds.

“That is a good question. The honest answer is I don’t know, although I believe she’s over 100 years old.”

It wasn’t uncommon to find centenarians in Waterside Valley, in fact it was the norm and most people were expected to live comfortably beyond 150 years old.

“Dad, have you heard from Mark? It’s 5am. Are we going home?” James asked. He appeared bored with the conversation and was tapping his feet impatiently.

“We’re going home, Son.”

It was a 20 minute walk from the Recovery Centre to our house, which was located on the outskirts of the centre of town. All the houses in Waterside were built within a circle to represent the zodiac with the front gardens meeting each other in the middle. A few personal flying jets were parked in the centre. I couldn’t help the rush of affection which engulfed my heart as we approached the house. We melted through the front door without opening the lock as easily as if the door didn’t exist. This house had witnessed my birth, my first birthday and every other important occasion in my life.

“Mum, are you back yet?” I shouted through the living area, which was a large open space, leading to the Kitchen. The windows were floor to ceiling glass windows.

“I don’t think Hannah is back yet. We came back slightly earlier than normal” said Dad.

“Okay,” I headed for my bedroom which was on the second floor landing.

“Rebecka wait! Before you go, I want to say how proud I am of you. You’ve done really well, considering today was your first time. Most people are useless the first time.”

“I was useless. I couldn’t heal him.”

Dad opened his arms and wrapped me in a warm hug. He smelled the same as he’d always done, a mixture of fragrant spices and wood.

“You’re not useless. You just need more practice. I love you so much,” he whispered in my hair.

“I love you too,” I murmured.

“Come on James, group hug,” Dad said.

“No way,” James said. “I’m going to bed.” He jogged up the stairs and disappeared out of sight.

“Not fair, how does he get away without hugging you.”

“Boys! Nevermind him, I’ll see you in the morning.” Dad released me, allowing me to escape.

Inside my room, my body was lying on the bed, peaceful and undisturbed. I felt reluctant to re-enter it, knowing the limitation I would feel. In my soul body, I could travel at great speeds to anywhere on earth without fear of heat, cold, water or fire. I was free from pain, discomfort and every bodily affliction. I stared at my body for a while until eventually I exhaled a long breath. I was overcome by sleepiness as I entered my body much like Brendan had done, through the head.

I dreamt of Brendan. Even with a bruised and bloodied face, he was still very handsome. I wanted to know everything about him, his age, where he lives and what school he goes to. My only regret was that I didn’t ask him the right questions to find out more about him before guiding him back to his body. Waterside Valley was a small town and I could ask around for the new family who recently moved in. Surely somebody would have seen them around.

***

I woke up the following morning with slight puffy eyes which I tried to conceal with makeup, although James spotted it straight away when I went downstairs for breakfast. He was helping Dad in the Kitchen but Mum was nowhere to be found. Dad was a great cook and together with James they did most of the cooking in the family.

“Morning Rebecka,” Dad kissed my left cheek.

“Morning. Where’s Mum?” I grabbed a piece of buttered toast and orange juice from the kitchen island.

“She only came back a few minutes ago. She’s just freshening up in her room, should be down soon,” said Dad.

“What took her so long? She’s normally back by 6am. It’s 8.30am?”

“She didn’t get any help,” James said with an accusatory tone in my direction.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that she would’ve been back at her usual time if you helped her.”

“Why does it always have to be me? You could’ve helped her if you’re so worried.”

“Because working with the children is not where my talents lie.”

“Me neither!”

“Since when? You’ve always loved it.”

“Leave me alone, it's none of your business.”

“I’ll leave you alone if you tell me why you’re wearing makeup.”

“How did you know? Are you spying on me again?” I turned to look at my reflection in one of the floor to ceiling windows.

“I’m not spying. It’s obvious when you wear makeup, it makes you look different.”

“Errr. . . that is the point of makeup. To make me look different.”

“So why are you wearing it?”

“Because I feel like it, it’s none of your business.”

James squinted and regarded me for a few moments before shaking his head. I knew that look. It meant he was going to keep a closer eye on me. That last time he did that was when I stayed out late with Pamela, one of my closest friends. In some ways he took the big brother role like a parent and watched over me like a hawk. I didn’t often wear make up and when I did it was for special occasions. I shouldn’t be surprised that he’d noticed. I shrugged, knowing it was better than the alternative, puffy eyes.

James opened his mouth but before he could utter a word, Dad said, “Stop arguing.” For the first time ever, Dad looked frustrated.

“It’s his fault. He thinks because he’s older than me that he can tell me what to do. Age is just a stupid number. I’m smarter than him.”

“You wished you were smarter than me,” James smirked.

“I SAID STOP ARGUING!” I stared at Dad in shock before closing my mouth. I couldn’t believe he’d raised his voice.

“You’re meant to mature as you get older, not the reverse. Why are you squabbling like little children? I forbid you to argue from now on.”

Dad’s voice echoed like steel and I knew he meant every word. He had never been a strict parent but we knew when to listen if he put his foot down. I hung my head in shame.

‘Sorry, Dad,” I whispered the apology under my breath, knowing he could hear me loud and clear.

“The Adepts have a new batch of potential people to train as lightworkers. Hannah is being promoted to train them until they can go out on their own. James will be free to work on his own as soon as he’s 21 years old in a few months and you Rebekca, you’ll continue to train with me until such a time as you can go out on your own.”

“Can I work on my own when I’m 21?”

Dad shrugged, “I don’t see why not. If you train well and prove that you’re capable then of course.”

I kissed Dad on the cheek as a thank you. I couldn’t wait. I turned 18 two months ago on the 2nd of June and still had two more years to wait.

As if Dad had read my thoughts, he said, “Remember that popular saying, a person who is patient can have anything.”

“Yes Dad,” I mumbled. I've heard this saying over and over since I was little. I slammed the empty glass of orange juice on the table much harder than I intended. “That was good, thanks for breakfast,” I smiled to cover up my mistake.

“Tomorrow is your turn to cook, you better wake up early,” said James.

“I’ll try. I better go otherwise I’ll be late.” I picked my bag and headed for the door.

“Bye Rebekca,” said Dad.

I caught one last sight of Dad putting dirty plates in the dishwasher before I closed the front door.