A Long Journey Begins

“How much farther to the next town?” Pacifica asked as she poked her head out of the coach window.

Shannon shrugged in the driver’s seat. “How should I know?”

Raquel was snoring quietly in the coach, seated across from Pacifica. The cloudless blue sky stretched out for what seemed like forever. The road was bathed in warm sunlight, and the contented-looking people who occasionally passed by seemed more attractive than usual. It was an easy day to be in a good mood.

“You don’t know?” Pacifica snapped. “Don’t you care about anything? You’re apathetic—that’s what you are! And if there’s anything a woman hates in a man, it’s apathy! That’s why you don’t have a girlfriend!”

“Whatever,” Shannon replied wearily. As usual, that made Pacifica even angrier.

As Pacifica continued to prattle off meaningless insults behind him, Shannon looked up at the sky. The Day of Destiny, when Pacifica would turn sixteen, was less than a year away. That day would mark the end of their journey.

Was the prophecy wrong, or was he?

Shannon looked back to gaze at Pacifica. Noticing his stare, she stopped mid-insult and turned rather pink.

“Wh-What are you looking at?” she demanded.

Shannon shrugged. “Do I need permission to look at you?” he asked. “Maybe I just think you have… an interesting face.”

“Interesting? You’re one to talk!”

We’re taking a massive risk, Shannon thought. We’re gonna need a miracle.

“Besides,” Pacifica continued, “you could at least comb your hair or something, Shannon. You’re so gross to look at!”

“I’m very sorry, Your Highness.”

“Your hair looks like a bird’s nest. I wouldn’t be surprised if something tried to lay an egg in there.” Then, as if suddenly tired from her ranting, Pacifica fell silent.

The sound of the wheels rolling through the ruts in the road settled into peaceful, comforting background noise. Their daily carriage ride was calming, a time when the three siblings could go back to acting like an ordinary family. It served as a bittersweet reminder of the life they had been forced to leave.

Shannon ran his thumb over the reins. So maybe they needed a miracle. Sometimes miracles could happen with faith.

Pacifica looked around distractedly, as if something were on her mind. She leaned toward the dozing Raquel and snapped twice. When Raquel didn’t respond, Pacifica pushed herself out of the window and leaned close to Shannon’s ear. Shannon continued to watch the road.

“Um, Shannon?” Pacifica whispered shyly.

“Mm?”

She paused. “I… I love you.”

Shannon, suppressing a yawn, replied, “I know.”

An awkward silence followed. A moment later, a red-faced Pacifica threw her arms into the air.

“SHANNON!” she shrieked. “I don’t believe you! Can’t you act happy or embarrassed or something?! You’re as apathetic as a corpse!” Her screams filled the warm air.

They still had a long way to go. As Pacifica’s tirade continued on behind him, Shannon just sighed.