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Amelia and her mother finished their lunch and their conversation. Which most anyone would agree won the prize for “strangest mother-daughter first time conversation ever.” The list of questions only kept growing in Amelia’s mind, as they made their way up to the penthouse.
“Why did it take you so long to find me, if you’ve been looking this whole time? I live less than an hour from the hospital you dropped me at,” Amelia asked with a sharp edge.
“Because when I left you there, I had no idea what might happen. I only knew that you were safe. I watched the nurse come to the door and gather you up. From there I had no idea what name you’d been given, or where you had gone. Amelia is a lovely name by the way,” She said as the doors to the elevator slid open and Amelia unlocked the door to her room.
It was gorgeous. A stunning view of the ocean could be seen through a wall of windows, the water glinting with the sun as boaters came and went from the marina. If she looked down for too long, she started getting a bit light-headed.
“Well, since you asked,” Amelia snapped, “I bounced from foster home to foster home after you left me. Which isn’t as fun as it sounds. After that I finally got adopted into a family that didn’t really care that much about me. I moved out at 17, put myself through community college, and worked my ass off to buy a home of my own.”
“You’re resourceful and strong. I admire that,” Phoebe said, trying to play nice.
“Yeah, well what’s done is done I guess,” Amelia said, dismissing the conversation.
“Well, Trevor has all your bags in the closet, and you’re free to order room service anytime you’d like. I highly recommend the breakfast here, and the spa downstairs,” Phoebe said, walking toward the window, joining her daughter.
“So, you’re rich?” Amelia asked bluntly.
“The Colony members pay ‘dues’ of a sort. And yes, we have money. Each member of the colony has responsibilities to achieve before they are Unbound. A college education, two children from our bloodline, and the ceremony itself. But the legacy of the colony has endured for centuries and has amassed quite a portfolio,” She grinned.
“So, what’s the whole bloodline thing about you keep talking about? And centuries, hu? What is it like a secret society or something?”
“In a way, yes. Our lineage begins hundreds of years ago. The history of our kind goes back for thousands of years. And yes, we have to maintain a secrecy for our own protection. Nearly every culture on the planet has some version of us in their legends.
“When New Holland was colonized in 1788, we chose to come to this new and unknown land along with others of a different bloodline, in an attempt to escape the radical religious persecution that threatened us all in Europe at the time.”
“I still don’t understand. What does it mean to be ‘Unbound’? Am I a part of the Colony? Am I Unbound? And what needs to be kept a secret?” Amelia rambled on question after question.
“Would you like to go for a walk outside, see the marina, and get some fresh air? We can talk more, and you can see the sights.”
“I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time for that.”
“Actually, we will be heading out day after next, so you can see the Colony for yourself, and meet the rest of your family. It won’t be as luxurious as this, I can assure you. And we’ll be there for about a week. Which is why I have to give you such a stark and shortened version of everything. Believe me, I wish we had more time to talk. We should take advantage of the time we have now before we leave.”
“Why for so long?” Amelia asked. “What’s happening the day after tomorrow?”
“Our Corroboree Celebration, which is an event we hold twice a year. Unbinding and other rituals. It’s something of a spectacle, especially for someone who’s never been before,” She briefly explained.
“And that’s why the crash course? Because I have to be honest. It’s not making a lot of sense right now,” Amelia said.
“The more we talk, the more sense it will make. And seeing the Celebration will help you understand a lot more than I could ever explain. But I’d like to show you the city while we have time, and get some fresh air,” Her mother suggested again.
“I’d like to see the water . . . I guess”
“Let’s go then.”
Once they exited the rear of the hotel Phoebe stood in the sun, in a secluded spot for a few minutes, as Amelia watched her skin begin to acclimate to the sun. Soon, she became the same deep tan she had been when they first met.
“That is so weird,” Amelia said, as her mother stepped out into the open, giving her a look of slight disapproval.
“It’s the melanin in our skin. It protects us from burning. Over the generations, our bodies have developed ways to protect themselves. Another important and beneficial result of expanding the Colony. Introducing new ethnicities and cultures into our bloodline helped us evolve over time.”
“What do you mean?” Amelia asked.
“When we first came here, this place was an island prison for the undesirable people of Europe. But over time more people came to the land, and we accepted them into the colony. We are highly diverse you’ll find,” Phoebe said with a smile.
They picked their way down the stairs leading to the water’s edge. A wide walking trail surrounded the marina, bikers and joggers sped by them as they enjoyed their leisurely stroll.
“You asked me earlier about Unbinding,” Her mother said, receiving a nod from Amelia.
“Unbinding is a ritual. It’s permitted only after the criteria I mentioned earlier have been met. It’s a custom thousands of years old. It means that you are released from your mortality, simply. More complicated, it also means that the human restrictions you’ve been bound by are no longer an issue.
“And no, you are not Unbound by simply being of our bloodline. You must be included in the ritual, one that is performed only twice a year, thus the Corroboree Celebration. Because you were removed from the Colony at birth, you are exempted from the conditions for Unbinding. After learning more about it, it’s your decision about whether or not you wish to join us.”
“What do you mean, join you?” Amelia asked.
A man traveling toward them, slowed, addressing her mother. “Good Afternoon,” he said bowing briefly, which confused Amelia. She remembered Trevor doing the same to her this morning.
“Is this....?” He trailed off, glancing at Amelia then bowing to her in the same simple way. Okay now this was weird, she thought.
“It is. And yes, she will be joining us at the Celebration. But, please Hendrick, keep this between us?” She asked the deeply tanned man.
“Yes Ma’am, of course.” He bowed again. Another question for another time. “I will let you two get back to your day. A pleasure to finally meet you, Amelia,” He said to her, then bowed again before picking up speed and jogging on his way.
“What the hell was that all about? How did he know my name?” Amelia asked. Forgetting her last question completely.
“Word travels in our community. I told you that you were special. The Colony has been waiting twenty-five years for you to come home. Hendrick was there when you were born,” She said.
“And he’s Unbound too?” Amelia asked.
“Yes. We prefer the term Garkain to describe what we are. Unbinding is only the process of becoming Garkain. Keep a watchful eye. We’re everywhere. In every walk of life. On every continent. We’re all around you,” She said. “It’s essential that we blend into normal society. Maintain jobs, go about life in a normal way. But knowing what you do now, you’ll be able to tell our kind from others.”
“Others, you mean humans?” Amelia said a little too loudly, glancing around.
“Yes.” Her mother said in a clipped tone. A hint that Amelia should be more aware of her volume and public questions in the future.
“Even in the States?” Amelia asked, curious now.
“Yes, but there are other groups around the world, other Colonies and communities like our own. Our Colony has its own rules, its own laws. And we’re also the only one that I know of that can co-exist with our neighbors,” Phoebe said in that same vague and frustrating way she had everything else.
They turned a corner traveling down one of the side streets, Phoebe making sure to stay in the shadows for a bit while her skin began to pale. Small shops and cafes, including a coffee shop which caught Amelia’s eye. “Can we grab a coffee?” she asked.
“Of course, whatever you’d like.” Her mother smiled as they went in and placed their orders. Amelia watched as she stared in concentration at the barista behind the counter, who made their drinks then handed them over without asking for payment.
“That is such a cool trick,” Amelia said.
“One of the things about the human body is that they are limited by natural laws. Once you Unbind, those laws don’t apply any longer. The aging process stops, your strength and your mind are enhanced, in a way. The natural things that make you who you are, are simply magnified, enhanced. Many different gifts are found within the Colony. Some share the same ones, as I expect you will share mine.”
Amelia nodded and sipped the latte, a nice warm cup in her cold holds. She was learning quite a bit, putting together the pieces. As strange as the pieces were. But the picture was still very broken and in need of more information. Information that Phoebe was intentionally leaving out for some reason.
“Shall we head back to the hotel? You look cold,” Her mother suggested, as Amelia agreed. She was nearly shaking.
The clothes that her mother had packed were warm, but when the wind picked up, it cut right through her sweater. She made a mental note to ask for a coat or pick one up at one of the shops they’d just passed.
“And to answer the last question. You are a part of the Colony. You're linked through blood, but that doesn’t mean you have to join us. I want to stress that the decision is yours entirely, Amelia. Whatever you decide, we will understand.”
They continued back to the water, watching again as the ships came and went. Fishing boats and large yachts made their way in and out as she watched.
“Aren’t you cold?” She asked her mother, noticing that she was dressed just the same as Amelia, yet she never seemed to shiver.
“Another perk of being Unbound, neither the heat nor the cold bothers you. We can feel it a little, but not in the same way you do.”
“You make it sound great. Why do you make it so clear that I have the choice to say no. Why would anyone say no?” Amelia pushed.
“Because with every perk, there comes a drawback. A balance to things. And danger. Our kind is misunderstood. A lot of bad press in various forms. You’ll see. For now, though, let’s enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”
Amelia continued to process and think as they strolled. “I’ve wondered about my biological history for so long, and now there’s so much to take in all at once. All the things I had imagined growing up were so far from reality,” Amelia said with a laugh.
“I wish there was more time to ease you gently into all of this. I truly do. But I had to tell you in this way because of time constraints. Like ripping off the band-aid, so to speak. You must attend the Celebration, and I wanted to have the time to talk with you and explain at least a few things before you arrived. To prepare you,” Her mother said.
“As fantastical as this all sounds, and as shocking as it is to hear. Without a bit of understanding, the Celebration would have been overwhelming if you were to just dive in,” Phoebe continued to explain.
Amelia stifled a yawn. Despite the coffee and the conversation, the long day had crept up on her.
It was getting late in Australia, but in America, it was nearly time for her to wake up. Her mind and her body were more than a little confused at the moment. She had a feeling that tonight would be a tough night for sleeping. Especially considering all the information she would be processing as she tossed and turned. Her mind already had trouble letting go and calming down at night. And she could only imagine the racing thoughts she’d have running through there now.
They made it quickly through the lobby and into the elevator, scanning the room card which took them to the penthouse floor. Amelia tossed her empty coffee cup into the trash bin by the front door as they walked in, then took a flying leap onto the bed.
Her mother gracefully followed, sitting beside her. Amelia sat up and curled her legs underneath her. “So, I don’t think I can sleep tonight. It’s like the exact opposite time in the morning in America. Tell me more about the ceremony, tell me more about everything,” Amelia asked excitedly.
“There’s only so much I can tell you, and so much more that I can show you. Like I said already, seeing is better. You’ll understand more then. Would you like me to help you sleep? I can if you’d like,” She offered.
“You mean, do that hypnosis thing? I think I’ll pass. I might stay up for a bit.”
“Well, take the day tomorrow to relax and get some rest. You’ll need it. And take my advice on breakfast and the spa. Trust me,” Her mother said smiling.
“I will,” Amelia promised. “One more thing though. My Father. Will he be there at the Ceremony?” Amelia pressed for more information.
“No. Your father left us, just after you were born,” She said.
“What do you mean left us?” Amelia asked.
“He was killed.”