Sooner than Keelia could ask when they were leaving to go meet her adoptive family, she was rushed out the door and back onto another trolley. Keelia was terrified. Would she like them? Would they like her? Did they have kids her age? What if she wasn’t what they wanted? Would they cancel the adoption? “Goodness, Keelia. They are very nice people, and we haven’t seen them in a while. Try to be happy!” said Delisa.

                “I’m very nervous! What if they don’t like me?” She asked.

                “They’ll love you, who wouldn’t? You’re super nice!” Delisa responded. Trilly stepped over to them.

                “Delisa’s right, Keelia, you don’t have anything to worry about,” she reassured, but Keelia was still terrified. They passed quite a few blocks and turned. The block looked strangely familiar to Keelia, and when they walked up to the house, her mind clicked.

                “Wait, I’m living with the Mickinsons?” she whipped around.

                “How do you know?” Alvis said.

                “I stayed with them the first night in Crecklington, when I couldn’t find you guys.” She grew excited. She had loved them, even though she had only met them once, and not for that long! Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. Cligan was there to open the door. His face was blank, like it was the other week when she had first been there. Maybe he was a Musicton, that would be great, she could talk to him secretly…

                “Keelia! I didn’t know that you would be here!” Eliza said and turned to Dedrick, “Is she the one you told us about? You forgot to mention her name! What a happy surprise!” Eliza was clearly happy, her smile spread all the way across her face, and Helbry arrived at the door.

                “Hey Keelia! I thought that I’d be seeing you around sometime, but I never thought that you were the girl we were adopting. We had only met you when you were a baby! Come in, come in!” he said, and he, too, was smiling brightly. They all sat down at the table, but the Howells refused to stay long.

                “Keelia, you need to get to know them a bit more. We’ll drop your stuff by tomorrow. Goodbye!” said Dedrick. Well, that was nice of them. As much as I like Helbry and Eliza, I’ve only met them once.

                “So Keelia, what is your Sustaining power?” asked Helbry.

                “Um, I’m a Musicton. What are you all?” She answered.

                “Well, I’m a Mechanic for security for the King and Queen, and Eliza is a Growther. She helps in all the royal gardens. Cligan is also a Musicton, and Brinely is a Weatherton,” Helbry said. They looked over at Cligan, who was seated at the other side of the table. He hadn’t changed at all. His posture was the same as before, there was no smile, and he was looking down at his feet.

                “Cligan, aren’t you going to say something?” It was a hopeless answer, they all knew, he hadn’t said a word in five years, of course he wouldn’t say anything now.  Cligan stood up slowly and trudged up the stairs.

                “I’m sorry, Keelia, I wish I could make him be nicer to you. He’s just never gotten over Fern’s death…” Eliza said.

                “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to go talk to him. Is that alright?” Keelia asked.

                “That’s fine, but don’t expect an answer. His room is third on the left,” Helbry said.

                “I’ll make supper! Anything that you especially like?” Eliza asked.

                “No ma’am, I like all things. Mostly, except for tuna and sushi.” Keelia made a throwing up face, and they all laughed.

                Keelia dashed up the stairs and knocked on Cligan’s door. She opened it. Cligan was sitting at a small desk in the corner. There was a picture of a girl. That must be Fern, Keelia thought. The girl had raven black hair with purple highlights, and pale blue eyes. She was thin and bony, but all the same, she was pretty.

                Cligan, I’m a Musicton too. Cligan jumped a little when she said something in her mind to him. Please talk to me, I would love to be your friend. No response. Please? Keelia begged.

                You’re going to be my little sister, I don’t think Brinely would like that. A hoarse voice in her mind said. Keelia looked into Cligan’s eyes.

                I know that you don’t like to communicate. Why don’t you like to? Kelis said.

                I think you already know the answer to that, he thought.

                Yes, but I know that you loved Fern. But I lost my family too, you know, Keelia thought. Sort of…

                You did?  He looked up. His eyes looked tired; he was probably using all his energy.

                I had to leave them and come to Crecklington, but I miss them a lot and wish I could visit them. I had two siblings, Samuel- who is your age, and Mabel- who is ten.  Mabel was ten, her birthday must have been last week! That’s right! Tears filled Keelia’s eyes.

                At least they’re not dead, he said sadly.

                Do you want to talk about it? Keelia asked. Cligan sighed deeply.

                It’s probably good that I do, but it hurts so much. I-was walking home from school, and I saw smoke from around the corner, and I realized that was where Fern went to school, so I rushed over to find the building enveloped in flames. I ran in to see if I could find her, but I never could. I got burned badly on my leg and arm, but those have healed. I went into the rubble after it had collapsed, but didn’t see any sign of her. People I asked said that she was almost out when it collapsed. I feel responsible for it because I ran almost right past her and didn’t see her. I-

                It wasn’t your fault, Cligan. She knew what was happening and tried to get out. Was she the only one?  Keelia asked.

                No, there is a whole graveyard dedicated to the 200 students who perished. I visit it every day after school, he replied.

                See? It’s not just you! So many other people lost loved ones. Please try and talk, everybody has gotten over it, it’s hard, I know. Just try, at least?

                The next morning Cligan came out and walked over to Keelia’s room. She was unpacking her things, which were brought to her earlier. Her room was small but since she was a minimalist, she thought it was nice and spacious. She had kept the door ajar and opened one of the large windows above her bed board. Cligan walked in and sat down beside her. Keelia turned around. Good morning! How did you sleep?

                I didn’t sleep. I was thinking about what you said. I think I’ll take you on a tour of the castle today. You can meet King and Queen Vesperus. Don’t worry, they’re the best.

                Today? But, but- What happens if I embarrass myself in front of them? She started to go on a long rant in her head to Cligan about how she would probably insult the King and Queen accidentally.

                Hey! They don’t kill a new person who doesn’t know the rules! You’ll be fine, Cligan’s face went serious suddenly, and Keelia, even though you have only been here for a day- you have helped me so much. Last night the way you told me that I have been mourning excessively really helped me. You told me that the other graves had mourners just like Fern has. I realize that I have been distant from my family for a while, but I still don’t think that I can talk. It just hurts me; I don’t know why. It just reminds me so much of her because she was the one that I talked to the most. He stared at his feet.

                Cligan, I’m glad you realize that. But I don’t think that you’re pressured to speak. Are you going to act more joyful?

                It still hurts to think about it, and everything in this house reminds me of her. It’s so hard to be happy in this house. He stared back to her. When will you be done?

                Oh, I’m done right now. Are you sure you feel like getting out of the house? He agreed, so they went downstairs.

                “Eliza! Can Cligan take me to see the King and Queen today? He said that he wants to,” Keelia asked. Eliza’s head shot up.

                “He said so?” She asked. Cligan shook his head.

                “Well, sort of, he and I were communicating in Musicton Colors, but can we?” She asked again.

                “I suppose so… are you sure Cligan? You haven’t been there for a while now,” Eliza replied. Cligan nodded, and Eliza gave him a quick hug. Cligan took her to the trolley. It was a different trolley that Keelia had seen. It was pure silver instead of cherry red, with purple lining instead of white lining.

                “Cligan, why does this trolley look different from the others?” Keelia asked.

                This one is the royal trolley, it takes the counselors to their offices, and the King and Queen Vesperus to the palace. This is the only trolley permitted to enter the royal gates, he replied in Musicton Colors. She peered in wonder around her as they drove through the gates. The castle was ginormous! It was shiny bronze and silver, with twisting spires that twirled high up into the sky. The doors were gold with plants and animals engraved into the gleaming surfaces. It was stunning. That wasn’t the only word Keelia was thinking of, but it summed up the other names she was pondering. She started to brainstorm how she would introduce herself. Oh, exquisite majesties, your stunning palace is a haven for all who enter. Your presence is soothing and causes my heart to flutter- NO that was awful. You know what, I’ll just be myself. She thought. Cligan was looking grimly out the opened windows of the trolley. She didn’t mention it, because she didn’t want to get him further depressed than he already was.

                They entered the Egenical (the palace) by escort. Two creatures with great brown and blue feathered wings herded them toward the throne room and allowed them to enter. The women were simply called the Guardians of Crecklington, and they had very creepy accents. They had long-feathered wings and bronze implanted into the sides of their faces with small warrior crowns. The throne room was large and spacious, with hardly any furniture in it at all. Keelia felt like an ant in the presence of the royal family. The King and Queen looked very young, and they clearly hadn’t been in power for too long. “Well, if it isn’t Cligan Mickinson! We haven’t seen you in quite a few years. And who are you, dear?” asked the Queen.

                “Keelia Adene Cobell, I’m Cligan’s younger sister now,” she replied shakily.

                “I’m Queen Vesperus. Come closer so that I may get a good look at you. Your middle name seems familiar to me, but I simply can’t remember where I’ve seen it before,” the queen said.

                “That was the name of my old family, but nobody knows who they were. It was with my name tag when Dedrick Howell found me in the snow,” Keelia responded as she walked over.

                “Ah! Yes! Dedrick told me about you when he found you that winter night. Although it was the dryads who first saw you- what is it, Keelia? Are you alright?” she asked intently. Keelia was making herself familiar with the room when something caught her eye. The flowers in the back of the room, one of the big roses, it had wilted. And slowly, all the other roses in the room were wilting and turning black and gray as well.

                “Cligan, what’s going on?” Keelia asked. Cligan walked up to the flower and touched it. It immediately turned to ash and drifted away. Keelia walked over to the instruments hanging on the wall. “Are these tuned?” Keelia asked.

                “Yes, but the flowers should be fine once you play, it’s nothing to worry about,” said the King in a hushed voice, although his forehead had become creased. She pulled Cligan away from the flowers and stood once again before the King and Queen. Their conversations were brief, and they soon were bustled out of the throne room by the creepy-accented Guardians of Crecklington.

                On their way back from the palace Keelia looked over to the side of the trolley. The purple strip had faded to a dull gray. She reached over the window rail and touched the smooth metal. When her fingers touched it, a strange message filled her head.

Darkness and shadows
whisper and shriek
the fires are coming
the ash is falling
Now is the time for power
the time for waging war is upon us
take up arms if you dare
the fires are coming
the ash is falling

                She backed up and bumped into a counselor. It was Counselor Tentriark. She turned around. “Hello Keelia, can I help you? You look pale.”

                “No, I’m sorry. I’m fine,” she replied. Before she could explain to Cligan what she had heard, the strip turned its vibrant purple again. Cligan, you go home. I’m going to go to the Musicton shop.

                Alright, that’s fine. But don’t be gone too long. I wanted to help you learn your Multicolored Flute better. It sounded a little weird this morning when I heard you.

                Got it, see you later! Keelia thought. She hopped off the trolley and waved to Cligan. She ran through the doors of the shop.

                “Hello Mr. Thisgy! How are you?” she asked. The tall thin man jumped and turned, covering some documents quickly.

                “Keelia! I didn’t expect you to be here today! I’m good, how are you?” He asked in his high pitched, squeaky voice.

                “Well, I just came from the palace. A few of the roses had turned to ash and then something weird happened on the trolley. I heard something in my head once I touched a fading strip of purple. It was weird, should I be worried?” she asked. He looked right into her eyes and grinned slightly.

                “No, that happens on a regular basis. It just means that somebody on earth forgot to practice their instrument. It will be fine! Don’t worry about it, Keelia,” he replied, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “Is there anything else that I can help you with?” Mr. Thisgy asked.

                “Yes, I was wondering what kind of things I could make with an ice blue flute,” she asked. That really wasn’t something that she had wanted to know, but she didn’t want to make Mr. Thisgy feel unwanted.

                “That’s a hard one. If it is something created in good will, small pretty things. But when something is created in wrath or quarrel, large things, filled with darkness,” he said cheerfully. Keelia stayed for tea and soon walked back to the Mickinson house.