Mightier Than the Sword: Book 1: Enter the Divide

9781483557557

Chapters:

1: Fun with Final Exams

2: Boar-ish

3: Involuntary Skydiving Lessons

4: Exposition

5: Food For Thought

6: Everybody is Almost Eaten

7: Blood, Sweat, and Soma

8: Into the Doldrums

9: Beware the Jabberwock

10: A Moment’s Respite

I’m not sure if I’m going to live much longer. In fact, I’m not even sure if anything I’m doing is to matter. I won’t lie; I’m afraid right now. There isn’t a nerve in my body that isn’t quaking with the idea of what’s about to happen. Everything we know, all the things our minds can conjure up, every thought that’s ever been, and all things that might be in the future all rest on this last battle. It all started with a wish I made one day.

Okay, wow. That is extremely over-dramatic, and no, I don’t care if you’re trying to get people’s attention. You’re telling this story all wrong! Who starts from a cliff hanger like that without explaining what’s going on? When I came into this reality and asked you to write this stuff down, this isn’t what I had in mind. I’ll do you a favor, I’ll start this thing right; I’ll start at the beginning.

1: Fun with Final Exams

James!

Alexander wished nearly every morning of his life he could wake up one day to the sound of silence. Groggily, he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and licking his lips with the taste of night still lingering sourly in his mouth. Alex had to squint hard at the dresser on the far side of the room, which to his shock, read forty-five minutes past seven. He was going to be late.

Springing up from his sheets, he stumbled clumsily over to the other side of the room, nearly blind without his glasses. While people had often told him he’d looked rather handsome with contacts on, Alexander preferred wearing them. His father had always worn a pair, and in that small way he looked a little less like his mother. Like his father, Alex was tall and scrawny, with dusty blonde hair, but his eyes here definitely his mother Sophia’s, and he did everything he could to cover them.

Alex had lived with his mother in England since he had been eight. He’d been born in the United States, and after his mom ran out on them, he had been raised by his father Carl and his grandfather George. Growing up with them, he didn’t have much, but they’d always tried their hardest to make him happy. Alex could still remember the hustle and bustle of the city around him when he and George took their daily walk to the library, or the calm melodies his dad used to play him on his guitar to get him to sleep. Every memory of them, was a fond one…at least, nearly every memory.

Alexander could still remember the night when his father never came home. He heard his grandfather crying, and knew the solemn faces of the police officers who’d come by their apartment door by heart. It was the first of many ill omens. Shortly after, George suffered from a disease in his heart. The costs of medication and treatment proved too much for him, even with help. That was when they sent him here, to England, with his mother. That, was when his life became very, very miserable indeed.

Up now, come on!

Alex grumbled aloud to himself as he shuffled over to the closet to pull on some clothes. It was one of the final weeks of the school year before summer holiday, which the youngest Moore looked forward to more than any time of the year. Each break from the end of July to the beginning of September, he was able to leave his mother for six whole weeks to stay with his Grandfather. In the long time the two had been living apart from one another, George had been able to leave the city, and had retired to the quiet countryside of Ireland. The little cottage had been his Grandfather’s home back when he was still married, though it had been occupied by various renters while George had been back in the United States. Every summer had been filled with the pair spending time with one another, just as they had when the one they’d loved was still alive and well. On the worst of days around the house here in England, Alex thought back to all the wonderful days spent with his Grandfather and felt everything wrong drift away.

By the time he’d managed to put on his shoes and get down the stairs, his mother was long gone. Alexander almost breathed in a sigh of relief, until he noticed Annabelle sitting at the island in the kitchen talking to someone he would have rather avoided seeing today. A round, balding, portly man was looming over the stove, flipping bacon in a sizzling pan and humming out of key with the radio.

Hello there sport! Donald called from over his shoulder, grinning cheesily. Hope you’re well and rested! Today’s the big day you know!

Alex felt his insides shift around inside of him. Donald was the latest of his mother’s unfortunate victims, one of the many men she’d dated on and off. They never lasted long, and more often than not ended up with Sophia getting rid of them instead of the other way around. Personally he found it horribly beastly that his mother would do something like that to people…but then again, it would have been far from the first time. Part of him really didn’t want to see someone as naively innocent as Donald get thrown through an emotional woodchipper, but Alex figured that he was an adult, and meddling in his mother’s relationships would only really get her more on his case than ever.

"I don’t see what the big deal is. He’s still in Secondary School. I’m going to be finishing to Secondary School this year," Annabelle said proudly, scooping up a large helping of bacon into her mouth.

Alexander couldn’t help but break a smile around his little sister sometimes. Annabelle was still just a kid, still only ten, but she definitely had a personality. She was big-headed, loud, stubborn, tenacious, and crafty, and all of that was thankfully untainted by Sophia. He’d been looking after her since he’d arrived in this house; their mother always insisted she was too busy working to do it herself. Despite how annoying (and difficult,) it was sometimes, he was glad she hadn’t turned out like their mother. She still looked a great deal like Sophia, with bright blonde hair and happy blue eyes that he guessed came from whoever her dad was, but unlike the woman in charge of them, Annabelle was genuinely bright and bubbly. Sophia only pretended to be that outgoing and wonderful when there were people around, and even then the ruse was so thin that it was barely kept in check.

Only one more year ‘til he’s the big man on campus, strolling about in Sixth Form, the other told her, less than expertly splattering a bit of egg along the side of the pan. You eat your eggs now, both of you!

Alex wasn’t one to turn down a meal, but the bits of gristle and Teflon made him realize how poor Donald was at cooking. He’d only been around the household less than a week, and had unfortunately brought it upon himself to cook for the four of them whenever he stayed. Alexander wasn’t sure when the last time it was he’d been able to eat a meal without checking for something dangerous first. Slowly, he nudged the plate away and headed out for the door, slipping his knapsack on as quietly as he could without bringing attention to himself.

Al-ex, wait! Annabelle groaned, noticing her brother was leaving without her. It’s raining outside and mum broke the other umbrella last week! We still have to share!

Well hurry up Annabelle, Alexander grumbled. It’s almost time to go and we still have all that way to walk.

You haven’t even touched your eggs Al-pal, Donald said, with a pet name that Alex really could have gone without hearing for the day. You’ll need all the brainpower you can get for today’s super hard exams!

I’ve got all the brainpower I need thanks, Alex replied sourly, already getting annoyed with the man’s overly-cheerful nature. C’mon Ann, we’ve got to go.

They mostly filtered out Donald’s passive protesting over eating a full meal and walked out into the early morning rain. Alex let his sister hold the umbrella, although it kept bonking him in the face because of his height. His thoughts were focused on the day ahead, worrying about all of the questions and exams he’d have to face. Alexander didn’t dread school, or even dislike it like most of his classmates. Personally he was rather indifferent to school. It bored him. Nothing seemed to challenge his mind; nothing gave him a sense of accomplishment. It was all just too easy, but he’d never complained about it. Nearly everything about his life bored him, except for Annabelle, his Grandfather and…

Something moved in the very edges of Alex’s vision, causing him to glance over his shoulder in a panic. Of course, he couldn’t see anything because of the silly green umbrella blocking his vision, but what could possibly be bothering him in the middle of the street?

Hold up Alex, my shoelace’s untied, Annabelle told him, suddenly coming to a halt. Alexander went face first into the fabric of the umbrella again, spluttering in alarm as he got a full taste of it.

Oi, on your left there, a voice called out, as the sound of passing wheels sped by them along the sidewalk. A collection of boys in Alex’s year zipped past, looking over their shoulders at them as they went by.

Morning Lanky-Yankee, you ready for exams?

Alex cracked a half-smile, and nodded. Yeah, I’ll see you there.

Ain’t any of us in any hurry to get over there. See ya.

For as long as he’d been around Middlesbrough, Alexander had been something of a black sheep. His classmates hadn’t been unkind to him, but he there had always been a sense of disconnect from the people around him. Alex felt he didn’t belong, despite being here so long. Even after all of these years, he still kept his American ‘accent’, which stuck out in all of the heavy original English the people around him spoke, giving him many pet names along the way. None of them were cruel, though there were times where people had used them to try and hurt his feelings, but it made the distance between him and everybody else greater. Sure, people hung out with him sometimes, but they were more like acquaintances than actual friends. However, none of it really bothered him; he enjoyed being noticed, even if it was in a way that might have annoyed others. Even he had to admit that most of the time, he was invisible to people. Most of his classmates only spoke to him when they needed help, or the rare times where they were trying to be friendlier towards him, though Alex hardly seemed to mind. He kept to himself, and that wasn’t always so bad a thing.

I don’t see Jake anywhere, Annabelle piped up, glancing around the sidewalk. There were more children coming for the bus stop now, but all Alex could see were their legs and shoes. There were many children in Old Lackenmore, and most of them had to take a five minute or longer walk to the bus stop on High Street, so in the mornings the walkway was dotted with people trying to make their way over. Now that Annabelle had mentioned it, Alex hadn’t seen him either…

BOO!

Alexander jumped and gasped as he felt a pair of hands clasp on his shoulders, and whirled around to the grinning, goofy face of Jacob McKay. It was apparent that he was trying not to laugh and not doing a good job at hiding it, and took his hands off with an apologetic shrug.

Sorry mate, couldn’t help myself! It was too good to pass up you know?

Alex couldn’t help smiling himself, and chuckled a little. You’re so dumb sometimes you know that?

Rude, Jake laughed, punching him lightly in the shoulder.

Hello Jake, Annabelle said, shyly.

Jacob put on one of his regular handsome grins, and gave a little wave. Hullo yourself Annabelle. You ready to get to Second Form today?

Alex could see his little sister flush scarlet. Yes.

To some, opposites would seem quite the unlikely pair to consider themselves best friends, and yet Alex and Jake were just that. Where Alexander was tall, thin, and pale, Jake was a head shorter, well built, and looked fresh out of a magazine from head to toe. He had always been the studious type, where his friend was the athletic sort. Alex was always much too shy, or involved with reading to pay too much attention to social events, where Jake was always in the middle of some party, or charming a flock of ever-increasing googly-eyed girls. They complimented one another perfectly it seemed, and despite how different they were, shared a lot of interests. Alex had always helped Jake with his schoolwork, and Jake had always made Alex feel more included among the class. After school they were almost always seen together, and when one had some form of event in their lives, the other was just as assuredly there cheering them on. They had been best friends since fourth year, and had every intention of keeping that going long after school had passed.

You’re ready for today’s Geometry exams? Jacob questioned, as they all trudged along the sidewalk to Highgate Street. The rain was getting a little heavier now.

"I think you mean, are you ready for today’s Geometry exams, Alexander replied, with a smirk. I studied last night; I’m ready for anything."

Don’t get a big head now, the other retorted. I mean it though; I’ve forgotten everything we covered yesterday!

What’s the point in us studying if you’re just gonna forget about it?

It’s not my fault! Jake moaned, running his fingers through his chocolate hair in a panic. I’m starting to think it all just rolls out of my ears when I’m sleeping!

Did you at least remember your note card? Alexander asked, raising an eyebrow.

Immediately, his friend paled. Oh no, I for—

Relax, I made a copy of mine last night, Alex laughed, putting the card in his palm. He knew all too well that while he wasn’t stupid, Jake had a habit of getting so wrapped up in things that he forgot stuff quite a bit.

You’re awesome, have I told you that lately?

Not today, the youngest Moore grinned, and not often enough. We can go over it one more time before first period.

Oh, good. The author went to lunch. That’s good, since this around the part where I started noticing something was really, really wrong. I can always tell when there’s something off with my master. Okay so maybe it was a bigger deal at the time, but I had everything under control! Everything would be fine, as long as my current master had a descendant I could be passed down to. I of course, knew that was a fact; I had lived in this house, in the wretched drawer, for what seemed like ages. I could tell you there was definitely a child belonging to my master living there for a good eighteen years or so.

But when I started to look for him, searching through the great network of energy connecting all things to the Flow. I couldn’t find it.

I looked for countless hours. Something must have happened to the old man’s kid, I was guessing, because his energy was gone from this plane. He definitely wasn’t here in the fourth dimension, and for me, that was really bad news. Without a new master to take my current master’s place, I was a shoe-in for getting every part of my being recycled. So naturally, I was reacting in the same way most creatures do when they’re faced with certain death…which was panicking. This was not the way I was picturing leaving this accursed place!

I was going to avoid that fate. I just needed to come up with a plan .

So the note card has all of the formulas on it, Alexander continued, making sure not to trip on his way off the bus. You should just be able to plug in the numbers you need and get the answers like that.

You are a lifesaver Al, Jake muttered, stuffing the card into his trouser pocket. I would have blown it for sure. I still don’t know if I’m gonna be able to remember all that. Pausing, he took a deep breath, and his worried expression went back to normal. You smell that? I could go for a slice right about now, you reckon?

Alex had almost forgotten how hungry he was from skipping Donald’s gristle, and ignored the growling in his stomach spurned on by the delicious-smelling Italian food.

C’mon, let’s go. We might get some more time to look over stuff if we get to class early.

Prince Winthrop School was a collection of brick buildings, dotted with sleek blue glass panels and windows all about the complex. The grass and shrubbery was kept strictly trim, and its grounds were almost always swarming with collections of well-dressed children of different ages, each going about their own way. During light rain there were fewer of them outside, but Alex could still see some kids underneath umbrellas talking with one another as they sat on the benches. Prince Winthrop wasn’t a bad school, in Alex’s opinion. The teachers were very kind, and very intelligent, but he couldn’t help but feel a little excited about seeing Sixth Form the year after: excited, and a little worried. Everybody had been told how different and difficult it was going to be compared to Secondary school, how it would be the next big step towards the rest of their lives. It honestly made him nervous; it was a lot of pressure, when he thought about it.

Mr. Edgeworth’s classroom was already occupied with other children from their class when Alex and Jake arrived. Edgeworth himself didn’t seem to be around, which meant the other students were taking the time to talk to relax or cram in more information before he arrived with their exams. All of them knew the man, as kind as he could be sometimes, wasn’t taking this test lightly; it would start almost immediately, and it was going to be lengthy.

Before Alex could even begin to relax, their teacher had already entered the room, and it had suddenly become very silent. Mr. Edgeworth was a hard looking man, with short, graying hair and a serious demeanor in everything he did. Despite how stern he appeared however, Edgeworth wasn’t unreasonable or mean to his students; when they deserved something, be it good or bad, he was always sure to see it through. Alexander liked him enough, as did most of the class, though he’d heard some of the more troublesome students complain about him from time to time, and some of the older girls considered him attractive. Today, there seemed to be a twinkle in his eye that was a mixture of both pleasure and sadness.

Good morning everybody, Edgeworth said, with a hint of a smile. Everybody could already see he had the manila envelopes with their exams tucked neatly underneath his arm. "I’m sure you’re all aware of what today is, so I won’t bore you all with the speeches. You’re all young adults, and know what needs to be accomplished, as well as what’s at stake for you. I don’t need to remind you what happens if you’re caught cheating by any means. Do remember to keep your pencils handy and mark legibly," He added.

Some of the class chuckled at the comment, and at the moment of laughter, the teacher himself even smiled a bit, before he continued.

Have your note cards handy and your calculators as well should you need them. I expect you to show the methods used to reach your answers on a blank piece of notebook paper, which you will include in your folders. Everybody clear?

Yes Mister Edgeworth, the class echoed at once.

Excellent. Don’t forget to turn in your cards within your folders as well. The exams will conclude in an hour and thirty minutes. If you haven’t finished by then, speak to me after class and we can arrange for something later on. Suddenly their teacher paused, and his eyes caught a glimpse of Alexander. The corner of Edgeworth’s mouth turned up in a grin, and he pointed a thumb at Jacob.

Mister McKay I hope you’re not having any delusions of sitting over there by Mister Moore during this examination. Off with you now, shoo.

The class tittered with the humor, as Jake begrudgingly went over to another desk, taking his belongings with him.

Now that that’s all settled, Edgeworth smiled, putting his hands to his hips, you may begin.

Like the wings of a thousand fluttering birds, the pamphlets on each desk were opened, pages turning with anxious anticipation. Alex wiped the lenses of his glasses on his sleeve and took a second look at the questions before him. They didn’t seem too difficult, but then again he’d been studying for this final for almost two weeks now. He glanced over at Jake, who was already nervously chewing on the bit of eraser on the end of his pencil. Mister Edgeworth had gone to settle down behind his desk, his eyes carefully scanning around for anything suspicious among his students, drumming his fingers along the rim of his ‘Math Counts’ coffee cup.

Alexander was feeling pretty confident in his answers the longer he continued writing them down. He was thankful that he’d kept all the information in his head for this test, since math was not one of his stronger subjects. He hadn’t even had to touch his calculator yet, and he was nearly through the first page. Feeling curious, Alex peered at the last page to see how far along he was. There were about five pages with thirteen questions each; this wasn’t going to take nearly as long as he’d thought it would have. Maybe today wouldn’t be so horrible after all.

Oh no. Oh, no, no, no. He collapsed. Yes, I was certain at the time he’d collapsed. I could still feel him even though he was out of the house for the afternoon. In his weakened state of mind, I could wiggle my energy and get a good sense of where he was and what he was feeling. He’d hit the dirt pretty hard, but that wasn’t what was causing him pain. No, it was the heart, without a doubt. It was almost as though some invisible hand was squeezing at it, refusing to let go. Even I, with as little knowledge in human anatomy, knew it was a heart attack. Ripples of pain were going almost everywhere along his body, and the man was writhing in it. This stubborn goat refused to accept any help I offered him, even though I had only done what he’d wanted.

G-Get…out…of my…head…

Sheesh, even in