The Channeler Tales

A fantasy series with a psychic, misfits, and more. Preview available! This series is in progress...stay tuned for more!

The Channeler Tales 

The blazing ball of fire in the sky weakened in strength as it dipped lower on the horizon. The setting sun cast long shadows on the tree dotted hills of High Park, one of Toronto’s tranquil gems of nature surrounded by behemoth sky scrapers of ox strong metal and glinting pristine glass. Dane took in the scene before him as he pushed his feet lazily in the playground sand beneath the swing he sat on. The only other occupant on the playground was his best friend, Jake, who sat on the bottom edge of the slide facing Dane.

The younger boy looked up to find Dane watching him, Jake must have thought it was an opportunity to speak.

“You really messed up this time Dane, like big time.”

“Yeah yeah, it wasn’t like I was going to college for any big plan anyways.”

Dane stared at the ground where his feet were digging a trench in the sand. The start of his grave. He snorted to himself at the thought.

Worriedly Jake kept talking, “Your parents are so mad at you, in all the years I’ve known them I’ve never heard them yell at you for any of the shit you’ve put them through.”

Jake grumbled something uneducated and foul under his breath and reached out a hand towards Jake, “Pass me that.” He gestured to the silver flask in Jake’s hand.

Jake stood and handed over the goods. Dane took a long swig, not flinching at all when the fiery liquid sliced down his throat and pitted in the bottom of his stomach.

“What are you going to do now man?” Jake queried.

“I dunno, hang out with you and see what happens. Maybe I’ll travel.”

“Well I leave for bootcamp in four months, you know that. I won’t be around to help you get out of trouble anymore. It’s not like you have anyone else around either since everyone that tries to come near you irritates you and you end up fighting them. You should get help for that temper of yours.”

““F” That. I’m fine, I don’t need anyone.” Dane’s words slurred a little as he took another swig of the Jameson.

“Whatever man, I’ve suggested all I can.”

Jake stood and started to walk away across the grassy expanse, back towards the main road. Dane got up and followed slightly reluctantly.

They were halfway across the field when a scream erupted from the opposite direction they were heading. Loud, long, and definitely female.

Jake spun around, “What was that?”

Dane just rolled his eyes and replied, “I don’t know, probably some kid getting scared in the dark.”

The park was almost fully dark now, and chilly. The tattered holes in Dane’s jeans let the nippy air reach his skin and he tried to ignore the shiver he felt go up his spine as another scream reached them. This one sounded more distressed.

“Dude, I’m going to see what that is.” Jake took off across the field at a run, his agile form easily making good time.

“Guess that means I’ve gotta come too.” Dane grumbled to Jake’s back. He set off at an easy jog, his long legs covering twice the amount of ground Jake’s did, catching up to Jake in no time at all.

Nearing a set of trees on the far side of the park, both boys spotted the figure of a man crouched over a figure laying on the ground thrashing about and increase their speed. The attacker was clearly a man clothed in a black track suit, though his hood was up so neither boy could see his face. He was straddling a prone figure on the ground, black gloved hands wrapped around the figure’s neck firmly. On his approach Jake bowled right into the attacker, shoving him off of the figure on the ground, revealing a girl. Jake turned quickly and knelt down beside the girl checking for a pulse. Dane landed a hard kick to the attacker’s stomach and the attacker groaned but rolled away as Dane advanced on him again. The attacker staggered to his feet and Dane landed a punch square on his jaw before the attacker turned and started to flee. Dane recognized the pain blooming across his knuckles and found the feeling comforting, allowing it to take over his mind as he started after the attacker.

He was stopped short when Jake yelled after him, “Dane! I need your help! Quick! She might be dead! I don’t know!”

Dane’s long stride faltered and he paused, crap he though to himself. He wanted more blood. He shoved his hand through his disheveled black hair in frustration and turned back to Jake and the girl. Dane knelt down opposite Jake and let his fingers slide along her neck checking for a pulse.

“She’s alive, barely. We need to get her to a hospital, quick. I’ll carry her.”

He scooped her up effortlessly, gently cradling her against his body. They began a quick walk across the park so they wouldn’t jostle her too much. Almost at the road the girl suddenly coughed and made an indiscernible noise against Dane’s chest.

Then in a raspy voice she said, “Stop! Stop! Put me down, down now!”

Dane and Jake halted but when Dane didn’t put her down right away she turned her head and bit his arm, hard.

“Ow! Jake, she speaks, and bites!” Dane sounded slightly worried and shocked.

To the girl Jake said, “It’s ok, we are helping you, we are taking you to the hospital, you were attacked.”

Panic filled the girls voice and her eyes widened. “No! No! You can’t take me to the hospital! Don’t take me there please!”

Jake raised his eyebrows at her, “Why not? You need help! You were just about suffocated to death.”

Dane looked at Jake and replied, “Well if she doesn’t want to go then I guess that’s less work for us.” The concern had left his voice and now he sounded as if the whole ordeal was simply wasting his time.

“Put me down, I’m fine.”

Dane acquiesced to her request and set her on her feet. She swayed slightly as he let go of her and he quickly grabbed her arm to steady her.

After a moment she shook off Dane’s hand. “I’m fine, really. I’ve had worse. Who are you two?”

“Your knights in shining armor.” Dane said, sarcasm dripping off his voice like acid.

Jake shot a glare at Dane, “That’s Dane and I’m Jake. We were in the park and heard you screaming. Do you know who was attacking you?”

“I need to sit down, I might be sick.”

“Great.” Dane muttered, seemingly focused on picking his nails.

“Shut up Dane.” Jake retorted.

“Here sit down over here.” He motioned to the base of a large oak tree.

The girl sat gingerly with her back against the tree, wincing as she leaned back against the gnarled bark.

“I’m Vi, Violette.”

Apparently still paying attention Dane said, “Suitable. You're eyes are violet.”

Jake was still concerned about doing the right thing and he asked, “Should we call the police? You should really report the attack so that man can be caught.”

Vi closed her eyes, “No, he won’t be caught. The police can’t help me.”

Dane chimed in, “Agreed, good for nothing use of human beings. The cops never do shit.”

“Dane, shut up.”

Dane glared at Jake, his ice blue eyes seemingly flashing with annoyance in the black of the night.

“That’s not the reason the police can’t help me, they just can’t, I can’t explain it. I’ve been attacked before though, usually I can sense them coming and run away, I couldn’t sense this one though.”

Dane tried to pretend he wasn’t interested but failed, “Sense them? Like you saw them coming?”

Vi glanced up at Dane warily. “Like I could feel their presence in my space.”

“Are you psychic or something?” Jake raised his eyebrows at her again.

“Maybe.” Vi glanced between both boys now even more warily.

“And why didn’t you “sense” this one coming?” Dane asked cautiously, making air quotes with his hands.

“I…I…I don’t know honestly. That’s never happened to me before.”

Still stuck on the psychic idea Jake asked, “Are you really psychic? Like you can read people’s minds and see the future and stuff?”

Vi sighed exasperatedly and replied, “Yes, fine alright? I don’t broadcast it but since you two seem to have caught me at a weak moment I guess you deserve to know so you’ll shut up about taking me to the hospital or calling the police.”

“Prove it.” Dane said, folding his arms across his chest in a daring stance.

“Dane!”

“What? I doubt she can do it.” Dane looked innocently at Jake, the light from a nearby park lamp casting an eery shadow across the scar that sliced wickedly down the edge of Dane’s right cheekbone.

“I can to!” Vi’s voice took on a determined pitch.

“Fine, I dare you to tell me what Jake is thinking right this second.”

Keeping her gaze leveled on Dane’s face she replied, “He’s thinking that you're being an asshole and that I’m the cutest but oddest thing he’s seen ever.”

Jake flushed and looked down at his shoes. “She’s spot on.”

“Fine tell me what I’m thinking right this second.”

Vi’s eyes narrowed a little as she stared intently at Dane’s face and the silence stretched between them for a few long moments. Her eyes slowly widened in surprise.

“There’s nothing there. I can see events that have happened to you in the past but I can’t see your thoughts past present or future.”

“Yeah you’re a fake.”

“How did you enjoy that mint chocolate chip ice cream cake you had on your seventh birthday at your stepfather’s house two days after your father committed suicide by jumping in a lake with cinder blocks tied to his feet?”

Dane’s eyes widened in utter shock for a moment before he quickly masked his emotion again behind his steely wall.

“Dane, breath.” Jake said worriedly.

“Who the heck are you?” Dane glared at Vi, locking his ice blue eyes on her violet ones.

Vi stood up and stepped toward Dane so she was almost toe to toe with him. She had to tilt her head up to look him in the eye. His breath caught momentarily as he thought he saw something familiar flash across her eyes.

Quietly she said, “Better question, who are you? And why can’t I see any of your thoughts?”