The next day I decided to avoid Will, but he was cooking porridge with James and Dad on the Kitchen island when I walked in. I sat down and waited for breakfast to be served, avoiding his eyes. Will watched my every move, making me feel self-conscious. There was tension between us, creating an awkward silence which hadn’t been there before.

I felt tired and restless, mostly because I couldn’t concentrate on cleansing my body before sleep. I knew it was dangerous for lightworkers to ignore the cleansing exercise before going out to serve, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t gather my thoughts. The previous night was incredibly busy. My Dad and I visited a lot of sick animals in the Amazon forest. They were either hunted or poisoned by the humans in the area. Most of the species were critically endangered and without the help of lightworkers, they would’ve become extinct ages ago.

I fought the need for sleep by blinking several times before pouring a glass of orange juice. Will set a plate of omelets and toast on my table a bit too hard, causing some of the omelet to topple off the side. He covered his mouth and popped his eyes open, clearly embarrassed.

“Oops sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Thank you,” I murmured.

“Anyway, how was the Amazon forest yesterday?” Will asked.

“Fine.”

“Did you get to see any interesting animals?”

“Yes.” I stuffed the omelet in my mouth like a starved dog, desperate to end the conversation and leave.

“Rebekca is being modest, she was very brave against a giant Anaconda. The snake’s spirit guide was nearly as fearsome as its charge but she was able to persuade him that we’re friends, come to heal the snake,” Dad said.

“That sounds incredible,” said Will. His voice was so excited that it gravited on my nerves.

“It was incredible. Her healing ability is coming along really fast.”

“Hello, do you realize I’m right here? You’re speaking about me as if I’m not in the room.”

Suddenly, Dad threw his head back and laughed, followed by James and Will. I couldn’t see what was so funny.

“You’ve all gone mad, what’s so funny.?”

“Sorry Rebecka, It’s just the way you said that with such a serious face. It’s quite funny,” Will said.

“Great! I’m glad you can all have fun at my expense.”

I pushed my plate away, picked my bag and walked out the house without a backwards glance. The look on Will’s face was priceless and I felt a perverse sense of satisfaction.

I met Charlotte and Pamela on the way to school and we flew in together. Our first lesson of the day was World Literature and it went like most of the lessons we had so far this week. Mrs Sharon Hayes began with a lecture on our final exams and the fact we had to take it seriously. My head felt like splitting in two by the time she finished revising Hamlet by Shakespear. Our homework was to meditate on the play and write a short piece on its esoteric meaning before next week. I knew the play very well, having read it last year, but to understand the esoteric meaning was something else.

I wasn’t sure if I imagined it but I could’ve sworn that most of the students groaned inwardly after the homework was announced. I wondered how Brendan would cope and I watched him carefully for his reaction. He had only joined us recently and had probably never read the play. He sat a few desks from me with a brooding expression which made him appear more handsome and mysterious if that were possible. When the bell rang for lunch, Brendan was about to race out the classroom when I caught him at the door. I placed a hand on his shoulder and he turned sharply as if he’d received an electric shock.

“Sorry. . .Wait. What are you doing for lunch? Why don’t you eat with us?”

“Eat with you?”

“Yes. Me, Charlotte and Pamela, and maybe Jeremy. Do you have other plans?”

He ignored my question and said, “You’re holding the door. Maybe I’ll join you in the canteen shortly.”

He was right, there was a build up of curious faces behind us, waiting to get out. I wondered how many of them had overheard us. I shrugged and went back to my desk to pack my bag.

“What was that about,” Pamela asked from the next desk.

“Nothing, I was just asking Brendan to join us for lunch.”

Pamela’s eyes widened like saucers.

“What? We’re friends and it’s not a crime. He’s probably lonely and needs company.”

“Lonely? Hello, this is Bredan we’re talking about.” Pamela shared a look with Charlotte which I decided to ignore.

“Don’t forget he’s still new. I’ve not seen him hanging out with anyone else. Have you?”

“Come to think of it, not really,” said Charlotte.

I followed them to the canteen where we ordered our food. Afterwards, we decided to eat outside. We found a spot on the school grounds and settled on the grass. Although the sun was out and it was less windy, it was still chilly for September.

I was tucking into a bowl of sweetcorn when Jeremy sat next to me. My heart fluttered in disappointment that it wasn’t Brendan. I watched the entrance like a hawk, hoping to see Brendan emerging from the canteen but there was no sign of him. I chewed the inside of my cheek alongside my food. Eventually I couldn’t stand it anymore so I decided to look for him.

“Where are you going?” Charlotte asked.

“Brendan might be looking for us in the canteen, I’m going to find him.”

“But why?” Charlotte said as if it was the most ridiculous idea she’s ever heard.

I looked Charlotte in the eye, “I told you he doesn’t have any friends yet. Do you have a problem with that?”

“He’s not one of your victims that you have to save Rebecka. I’m sure he’s capable of making his own friends if he wanted to,” Charlotte replied.

“Charlotte is right, Rebecka. You’re becoming obsessed with him,” said Pamela.

I frowned at Pamela and Charlotte and shook my head. “Don’t be ridiculous. Obsessed? Me? . . . I’m still going to find him.”

“Clam down, there’s no need. He’s right there,” said Jeremy.

Indeed Brendan was strolling towards us from the school’s main entrance as if he owned the place. He had long strides and oozed confidence like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Hey Brendan,” I waved him over. “I was just about to come looking for you.”

Brendan sat next to me and waved hello to everyone in our circle. I noticed Pamela fluttering her lashes before turning away shyly. He unwrapped some sandwiches from his backpack. “Why? Did you think I wasn’t going to come?”

“No, I thought you couldn’t find us. Where did you go?”

“You’re rather nosy aren’t you?”

“I’m just trying to have a conversation, I get to know you a little better. You don’t have many friends in this school yet. Do you?”

“Good observation. And so you think I’m a charity case?”

He was doing it again, answering every question with another question.

“Not really, I just haven't seen you speaking to anyone else yet.”

“You must be watching me more closely than I thought if you know that.”

“And you must be watching me to know that I’m watching you.”

I released a long breath and pinched the bridge of my nose for a brief moment. Brendan was in a strange mood and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. A ray of sunlight beamed through the clouds and hit Brendan’s dark curly waves, making it glitter with a rainbow of colors.

“Ahem. . . “ Pamela interrupted my thoughts with a loud cough. “I was thinking, I’m going to need your help, Rebecka,” said Pamela.

“My help? With what?”

“The homework. How on earth I’m I supposed to write about the esoteric meaning of Hamlet? I could barely understand the play as it stands.”

“Have you read the play?”

“Of course I have but it’s difficult. It was written nearly 2000 years ago for goodness sake!”

“Fair point. To be honest I’ll probably have to ask James for help with this one.”

“But you’re a lightworker.”

“Exactly. I’m a lightworker, not an omniscient literature scholar.”

“But I thought lightworkers are supposed to understand the esoteric meaning of things.”

“That would be the neophytes, but even among them not all would understand the full meaning of Hamlet. I think this homework is hard.”

“You’re meant to meditate on them, Pamela. That’s what Mrs Hayes said. If you mediate the answers will come to you.” said Jeremy.

“Oh stop it. Don’t act like you know any better. When was the last time you meditated?” Charlotte said.

“Excuse me, I do meditate and I do gain insights from it. Just because you don’t do it doesn’t mean I don’t.”

“If Rebecka thinks it’s hard then I don’t know why you think you stand a chance, Jeremy?” said Charlotte.

Charlotte and Jeremy sometimes got into these petty arguments which I thought were silly but everyone else found it amusing.

“Are you saying the rest of us are stupid? If Rebecka can’t do it then nobody else can?” said Brendan. He was chewing the last of his sandwich and rolled the wrapper into his bag.

Charlotte opened her mouth then closed it again. She looked to me for help, “Of course, I’m not saying that, but Rebekca is one of the top students in our class. She always nails the homework.”

“Maybe she’s not as clever as you think. What if she gets help, probably from James,” said Brendan.

“I can’t believe you just said that.” I covered my mouth with both hands. “I was actually going to ask if you need help. You’re new and a lot of things must be different here compared to what you’re used to, but if you don’t think I’m clever enough then fine!”

“Come on, don’t act all hurt. I didn’t say you’re not clever enough. You’re the one who said you get help from James and there’s no shame in that. We all need help at some point. I’ll not be ashamed to ask for your help when I need it.”

I chuckled, “In other words, you don’t need my help. Message received loud and clear.” Perhaps he knew more than I was giving him credit for. Afterall, they wouldn’t allow someone who knew absolutely nothing to join in their final year.

“Have you read Hamlet, Brendan?” Pamela asked.

“I have.”

“No way!” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“The lady doth protest too much!” Brendan said.

Pamela laughed, followed by Charlotte and Jeremy. I couldn’t hold back my own smile as I recognised the famous quote.

“I was home schooled by my parents until my father passed away, last year. My mother couldn’t cope anymore without him, that’s why we moved here. She’s taught me everything that I know,” said Brendan.

“I’m sorry to hear of your father’s death, I didn’t know,” said Pamela.

“Yeah, sorry to hear that Brendan, that sucks,” said Jeremy.

I sat motionless. Speechless. I didn’t know what to say. I knew there was no such thing as death, that the people we called dead still lived on in the inner worlds. However, it’s difficult for the living to adjust when a loved one is taken away, especially when it occurs so suddenly in the prime of life.

Eventually I was able to untie my tongue. “Your mother sounds like a hero. How did your father pass away?” I asked.

“He died in a car crash.”

I wanted to hug Brendan but thought twice about it. I saw tears lurking in his eyes but later on I wasn’t so sure and thought it was a trick of the sunlight.

“Have you seen your father in your dreams or spoken to him at all since he passed away? I spoke to my grandmother every night after she passed away, which helped to lessen the pain,” I said.

“I imagine that being a lightworker probably makes it easier to communicate with the dead,” said Brendan.

“It certainly does, but anyone can do it.”

“I thought the dead were meant to be left alone,” said Charlotte.

“Generally speaking they are, but there’s no reason why you can’t speak to them. Just because someone’s dead, it doesn’t stop you from becoming a friend.”

“Alright, I’ll have to take your word for it,” said Charlotte.

Thankfully, the bell chose to ring at that moment, saving me from having to say more.

Our last lesson of the day was Theology. Mrs Rosey Clearenden, a soft-spoken woman with white dyed hair knew everything about all the religious systems in the world, both ancient and modern. She explained we would be learning about two ancient religions by the end of this semester, Zoroastrianism and Egyptian Mythology. We covered Egyptian Mythology two years ago but apparently, it was likely to feature in the exams so we had to cover it again. I knew from Dad that Egyptian Mythology was best understood by the Neophytes. The inner meaning of the religion was poorly understood even in the days of ancient Egypt by the people. Only the priests understood the inner meaning of the myths and symbols.

I wasn’t in the mood to learn anything hard or new but Mrs Clearenden took us through the life of the prophet Zoroaster for 3 hours. I tried to stay focused but found myself drifting off after the 15 minutes break. The effects of the lack of sleep were beginning to catch up with me. I felt really tired and sighed with relief as soon as the bell rang. I waved goodbye to Charlotte and Pamela and headed for my flying jet.

When I got home, I found the house empty apart from Will, who had a lot of papers spread on the coffee table in the living area. I said a quick hello and walked past him, not wanting to be drawn into another lengthy conversation. As soon as I got to my room, I shut the door and collapsed on the bed. I knew that I couldn’t function like this for long if I wanted to continue serving as a lightworker. I had to do the cleansing exercises to rid my body of all toxins and poisonous thoughts before going to sleep each night, just as I’d been taught from a young age.

With that thought in mind, I focused hard on gathering my thoughts and began to review the events of the past 24 hours in reverse order. I thought about each word I’d spoken and whether I portrayed the principles of truth, fairness and honesty in every action throughout the day. I praised myself where I’d done or said the right thing but equally felt the deepest contrition where I misrepresented the truth. The hardest part of the cleansing process was knowing the things I’d left undone that should’ve been done during the day.

I turned over to sleep after I finished and felt as rested as a new born baby. However, by the time I woke up, I realized I’d missed dinner and the house was quiet. The clock on my bedside table read 12.35am. Dad would know that something wasn’t right and I didn’t want to explain the reason why I needed that much sleep in the first place.

I collapsed back on my pillows, determined to sleep and slip into the astral plane, but no matter how hard I tried, sleep eluded me. I laid on the bed for a long time, thinking about how to explain to Mum and Dad without lying or getting myself into trouble. At 2am, I felt my stomach rumbling so I went downstairs to the kitchen to hunt for food. I made a bowl of cereal and ate quickly. Afterwards, I decided to set up my easel and canvas to finish my art homework rather than going back to sleep. I tried to paint the scene of the etheric temple during the night of the full moon service as I remembered it.

I was so focused on my work that I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. As soon as I finished the initial sketch for the temple, I heard a sound behind me like someone knocking over a glass. It was a tiny family of fairies, about four of them, looking very nervous at the damage they’d caused. They flew in the air like big insects, releasing glittery perfumed dust from their backs which made them appear like wings. I didn’t recognise them and wondered what they were doing in my house. I knew the environment was theming with nature spirits at all times but they didn’t usually reveal themselves unless for a purpose.

“Hello, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Oh, Miss, we're ever so sorry. Little Johnny here didn’t mean to break your glass. He gets ever so excited Miss.” The oldest looking fairy spoke in a tiny voice.

“Nevermind the glass. It should’ve been in the cupboard in the first place and not left on the island.”

“Oh Miss, you're ever so kind, thank you so much. We’ll be on our way now and we shall not trouble you any further.”

“Where are you going?”

“We’re heading to the tropics now, it’s much too cold for us to do any work here now. We’ll come back in spring.” The family flew closer and hovered above my canvas.

“I see, and you do that every year?”

The mother fairy nodded. “Yes Miss, every year we head to the topics, sometimes to Asia or Africa or even South America.”

“Of course you do, and that’s why the leaves fall and plants cease to grow. Why didn’t I think of that before?”

“Very few humans think of anything beyond what they can see, Miss.”

“Rightly said, it seems I still have much to learn. But how are you going to get there?”

“We’ll fly Miss, but it’s a very long journey to get to where we’re going. We travel in small groups until there’s none left by December when it gets much too cold to grow anything.”

“Are these two your children?” I pointed to the two tiny fairies behind her and she nodded.

“They are my children Miss, Johnny and Isabella and this over here is my sister, Alvina.”

“Hi”, said Alvina.

“Hello Alvina, Johnny and Isabella. What if I can help? You said your journey is far, maybe I can take you there. Where exactly are you going?”

“Oh Miss, thank you ever so much. There’s a large island on the pacific ocean called the Phoenix Islands. That is where we gather every year. It’s remote and far from humans, which is best for us.”

“A time is coming when the earth will be much improved and humans will be kind to all living things, maybe then you’ll not need to retreat on a remote island every year.”

“Oh that sounds wonderful, Miss. I hope that day will come soon.”

“Excellent. Just wait for me to fall asleep then I can slip out of my body and take you anywhere you want to go.”

The fairies nodded in excitement. Although this wasn’t an official assignment, there was nothing to prevent a lightworker from using their powers for good whenever they found the opportunity. Now armed with a purpose, I was more determined than ever to sleep. I settled myself in bed and luckily found myself on the other side in no time. I gilded to the kitchen in my astral body and asked the family of fairies to sit on my shoulders.

They settled on my shoulder and directed me to Phoenix Island. We got there in less than 5 minutes. The first thing I saw was a huge gathering of fairies on a large field, under the guidance of a Deva who was emitting some kind of light, streaming from her body to the fairies below in all directions. She was beautiful and beyond description. She swayed gently back and forth with the wind and the fairies swayed along with her like a slow moving dance. The whole atmosphere was permeated with a sweat smelling floral perfume that was spellbinding.

“Thank you so much, Miss, for being kind enough to bring us here. We appreciate your kindness.”

“Sorry I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Faye, Miss,”

“Well Faye, the pleasure is all mine. You’ve shown me things I never knew existed.”

I smiled at the Deva who was watching me closely. She waved for me to come closer and when I was within hearing distance she held up a hand for me to stop.

“Rebecka Frost, thank you for your service to my charges. I’ll remember your kindness,” said the Deva.

“Oh no, it was no trouble at all. Can I come back and visit sometime? I would like to learn more about the fairies.”

“That’ll be lovely. You’re welcome here anytime.”

“Thank you.”

I decided to stay for a while, inhaling the sweet smelling atmosphere until I knew it was time to go home. It was my first soul flight on my own without a parent. I stretched out my arms like a bird and screamed above the pacific ocean. Suddenly, two giant blue whales came up for air, spraying the sea water everywhere. I dipped my head under the sea and moved alongside them for a while. They were going quite fast for such huge animals. A family of tiny sea creatures were glowing on the dark ocean floor that I’d never seen before. I was so focused on studying them that I nearly missed the mermaids swimming beside me. I counted about five of them, beautiful females with human heads and fish tales. They were wonderfully adapted to the water, swimming so effortless.

“Hello,” I waved in the water and they waved back. They didn’t say anything, nor did they come too close or try to stop me. All the legends about mermaids hunting fishermen were probably nonsense. These beautiful sea creatures seemed so harmless and friendly that I couldn’t imagine them hurting a fly. I swam beside them and the whales for a while until I got bored.

The sun was beginning to rise by the time I got home. Dad, Mum, James and Will were sitting in the living room, holding mugs of herbal tea. They were laughing about something that James was saying. I couldn’t believe Will was still here. Why wasn’t he with his own family? I felt as if I’d missed something, maybe he’d moved in unofficially?

“Rebecka, there you are. Where have you been?” said Dad.

“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

“Come and sit with us, or maybe you would prefer to enter your body first. I’m afraid you can’t eat or drink in your soul body.”

“What is that?” I pointed to the mugs.

“Apple and cinnamon tea.”

“Sounds lovely, I’ll be right back.”

I cut through the walls to my bedroom rather than taking the stairs. I sighed with relief when I spotted my body lying on the bed and slipped inside. I skipped down the stairs two at a time, eager to tell everyone about my adventures with the fairies and mermaids.

“Ah Rebecka, there’s your tea,” Mum pointed to a steaming mug on the coffee table. “Your Dad was just saying that he could’ve used your help tonight.”

“Yes I know. I’m so sorry, I overslept,” I covered my face with the mug and sipped slowly.

“Don’t worry about it, it happens to the best of us at times. I used to sleep through all the time. Being a lightworker takes some time to get used to,” said Dad.

My jaw nearly hit the ground in shock. I couldn’t believe Dad wasn't quizzing me or telling me off.

“I find that hard to believe, Dad.”

“He’s telling the truth. In fact Keith used to be quite lazy,” said Mum.

“And that’s why you loved me,” Dad laughed.

“I did not. Your parents convinced me to marry you because no one else would have you,” said Mum.

“And it’s the best decision you've ever made,” said Dad.

“Indeed it is. And seeing as this is not our first time being married, I figured I might as well get on with it.” Mum set her mug down and kissed Dad on the cheek. He hugged her and pulled her to sit next to him on the sofa. I tried not to roll my eyes at the display of affection between them. They behaved like children sometimes. It was beautiful to watch and cringe at the same time.

“Where have you been Rebekca?” Will asked in a low tone that carried through the room.

“I went with some fairies to the Phoenix Islands. Did you know they migrate to the tropics during winter?”

“Of course they do. That sounds wonderful, Rebecka. I’ve been there myself, several times in fact. Did you see the Deva?” Mum asked.

“I did, she was beautiful.” I told them everything that happened from the moment the fairies knocked over the glass to my experience with the mermaids and whales.

“I was wondering who left the broken glass on the floor when I came in,” said Mum.

“It would’ve been very hard for that baby fairy to knock the glass by accident. Sounds to me like something a gnome would do, or maybe they did it together to grab your attention,” said Will.

“That’s exactly what I thought at the time,” I said.

“Hmmm, you might be onto something there Will,” Mum said. “Rebecka, you’re going to come across more of these nature spirits the longer you serve as a lightworker. Mermaids, salamanders, sylphs and gnomes, spirits of the air, fire, earth and water. They’re mostly friendly and harmless like you experienced today with the mermaids if a person has no evil intention towards them.”

“It sounds like a lot of fun. I wished I’d been there with you,” said Will. He looked at me with the same longing in his eyes as the previous day.

“It was fun and now I’m going to get ready for school.”