~People of the Lost Cities~ Ch.1

Instructions

Welcome to the first chapter of People of the Lost Cities (my fanfic story of KOTLC)! POTLC follows my elf OCs as they grow up in the Lost Cities and their lives get affected (or not) by canon plot events. This chapter occurs approximately five years before Sophie arrives in the Lost Cities. (Btw, I suggest you read at least the first book of KOTLC before reading this, to understand elf culture. I explain a little bit, but I expect readers to know at least some canon things.) (WARNING: MENTION OF KIDNAPPING AND WIPED MEMORIES) Chapter One: Atlantis Atlantis knocked on the door of Rippleglean. Even though she was only nine years old, her parents trusted her to go to her friends' house by herself. In the Lost Cities, everything, everyone, and everywhere was safe. The only danger was fading away while light leaping, but the nexus on her wrist protected her from that. Atlantis's cerulean eyes wandered over the intricate door, and she grew ever so slightly impatient. She knocked again, louder. This time, the door opened to the familiar face of Mrs Dayli. "I'm sorry," the elf said in her usual rushed way of talking, "I didn't hear you. Come in, come in!" Mrs Dayli ushered Atlantis through the door, hollering, "Matthew! Your friend is here!" "But..." The reply came from upstairs, "He's already here?" Atlantis started up the steps to the second floor, where a whole complex of rooms was, yelling, "Your other friend!" Matthew peeked his golden-haired head out of his room just as Atlantis reached it. "Atlantis! I didn't know you were coming." He withdrew his head, and Atlantis went in and plopped down on the floor. "I figured Lily would have told you. She invited me over a few days ago." She gave a small wave to Rhian, Matthew's best friend and Atlantis's normal friend. "Where is she, by the way?" "I was also wondering that," Rhian agreed in his Vacker accent. It was less noticeable than some of his family members', but still there. Matthew looked at both of them, staring blankly. "Who's Lily? And why would she be here?" Now it was his friends' turn to stare blankly. "Your... sister?" Rhian said, not really as a question, blinking confusedly. "Same blonde hair, same deep blue eyes? Atlantis's best friend? Sleeps in the room down the hall, amazing at levitating?" "Yeah," Atlantis picked up, "did your parents decide to ditch her because she's your twin? They wouldn't do that, especially after nine years." "Um..." Matthew looked extremely confused. "None of that rings a bell. But that's too many details for you to have made her up. So why don't I remember her?" "It's a mystery!" Rhian announced, jumping up. "And correct me if I'm wrong, but your parents haven't mentioned her at all since... Atlantis, when did we last see her?" "It was when we all got something from my dad's stall for free, two days ago." "Great! So, Matthew, have your parents mentioned Lily since then?" "... I don't recall them ever mentioning her." Matthew's voice was fearful. "Does that mean my memory was wiped?" Atlantis, too, jumped up and pointed her finger at Matthew. "THAT," she exclaimed loudly, "is a WONDERFUL explanation! Rhian, you're a Telepath," she said, pivoting to face him, "can you do some sort of fancy trick to make him remember?" "Not so loud!" He hissed, peeking out the door and closing it. "Somebody could be listening; you know I don't want the pressure of being a Telepath who manifested young, especially in my family. Besides, I only manifested, like, a few weeks ago and have no trainer, so I don't know all the 'fancy tricks.' But," he added thoughtfully, "I think I just need to poke and prod until I find something to trigger the memories. If you could just remind him of memorable moments with Lily, that might help." He turned to Matthew. "Permission to enter your mind?" "Uh, sure?" Matthew looked a tad confused, but Atlantis was glad he was letting them figure it out. A moment later, Rhian closed his eyes and apparently started "poking and prodding." Atlantis clasped her hands together. "Alright... Memorable things." She started listing off everything she knew about Lily. How she was shy at first but then actually very fierce when you got to know her, her amazing mallowmelt, the way her nose wrinkled up at anything disgusting, even the time she had put peanut butter in Rhian's bed at a sleepover. After probably an hour of Atlantis listing memories and Rhian searching Matthew's mind, Rhian's eyes flew open. "I think that's it," he said, voice brimming with excitement. A few moments later, Matthew gasped and stumbled back, clutching his head. "I remember now!" Matthew seemed excited at first, but then his expression filled with fear. "Tell us, then!" Atlantis demanded. She hated waiting when it was unnecessary. And then, barely louder than a breath, Matthew whispered, "Lily was kidnapped."