Brady Hutton - Taylor Lautner
Lianna Westan - Ashley Greene
Sloan Abshire- Caterina Scorsone
Cole Atkins - Robbie Sheehan
Brady woke up to the sun shining in his room. He took off the covers that had protected him from the cold of the night and got up from the bed, yawning.
Alius was a beautiful place to live in, everyone knew that, but as all the days were sunny and warm, the nights were just as dark and cold.
Brady checked to see that there was no one around before he grabbed his laptop from under his bed and opened it. Still no response from Neal.
Brady groaned, closing the computer and placing it back under his bed. He was a 22-year old young man with messy, black hair and a slightly tanned skin. He had brown eyes to match his dark hair and a lovely smile that people said lit up the whole room wherever he went.
It was a long and messy story of how Brady had gotten hold of the laptop he had just been holding, and it was also a long story in general of how he had become aware of the "other world" that Neal and Abigail were from.
He had indeed been waiting for a contact from the other world a long time now. One of the girls in his city, Sloan Abshire, had found a way to cross worlds a few years ago and had told all her friends. Brady happened to be one of them. The elders didn't know anything of it, though.
Brady still lived with his parents. It was not uncommon in Alius. There they believed in the importance of family and honor and respect. Brady was a trained soldier who was respected amongst everyone. He also had the body and the bruises to prove it.
"Brady", he turned to the doorway to find his mother staring at him. "You were up late last night."
"Yeah, sorry, I was talking to Sloan through the window. She and Lianna are going out to town today, and I am going to join them", he hastily put on a shirt, smiling. The fact that Neal still hadn't replied bothered him, but he had to keep up with his life.
"Alright. You know how I feel about those girls, Brady", his mother said quietly. "That Abshire girl believes in the most horrid things-"
"Like other worlds?" Brady asked. "What if it's true?"
"It's not", his mother said firmly. "Grab some breakfast before you leave,."
Alius did not believe in things like computers or televisions. Sometimes Brady curses that fact. He had been to the other world and he had seen all the wonders it had to offer. After that coming back to a world of oil lamps and chamber pots seemed horrible. But it wasn't like Alius didn't have its perks. Some people, most of the elders, could do magic. And it was told that before Brady was born, there was a war between the elders and two villains - brothers. Both defeated in battle, everyone said. Brady was quite sceptic about that, though. Where were the bodies?
"Late again", his friend, Sloan Abshire announced as he joined the two girls in the city center. "What, did you have to cry at your mommy's helm again?"
"Shut up", Brady snapped, turning to look at Lianna. Secretly Brady thought that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. With her graceful features and beautiful, brown hair. And her kind smile.
Of course Sloan was beautiful, too. She had darker hair and a smirk that could make men fall for her immediately, but admittedly could also make anyone want to slap her. She was a very smug person, but Brady didn't mind. She was good company.
"Did he respond?" Lianna asked, and Brady turned back to look at her. "The man who sent the email to you?"
"No, not yet", Brady said. "And he wasn't alone. I had a camera installed on his computer and I could see there was a woman with him."
"Maybe his girlfriend. What, you jealous?" Sloan snorted.
"Will you shut up?" Brady groaned in frustration. "I told you, we need Neal. I'm not sure if we need the woman."
"How can you say who we need and don't need?" Sloan snapped.
"Because evil is coming and we all know it. We just don't speak of it. The dead brothers are rising again. I've heard whispers all around."
"Maybe, but it not up to us to send these people to their death in a land they've never even heard of", Lianna said quietly.
Brady knew she was right, but didn't want to admit it. "Where is Cole, anyway?"
Cole was their friend as well. He was Sloan's best friend and Brady could have sworn they were like in love with each other, but nothing had ever happened.
"He's meeting us by the fountain", Sloan said as she got up. "Come on, now, Brady. Your mystery man can wait."
"I hate you so much", Brady said as they walked.
"I know, I know", Sloan snorted.
The three of them set off up the road towards the fountain that was situated in the centre of the old square, apparently this is where many of the elders used to meet up before the battle, now it was just a gathering place for young people, like Brady, and their friends.
“Hey” Sloan called over to Cole as soon as they got in reaching distance of the fountain, Cole waved in response.
“Alright guys?” He asked to Brady, who high-fived his friend, and Lianna, who smiled at him from a little further back. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Brady here is going to tell us all about his secret friend who he’s been sending mysterious emails to” Sloan smirked “And I’m going to tease him about it” she added.
Brady just rolled his eyes and turned to Cole, who was shaking his head, laughing. “She knows it’s not like that, we just need more information from the other world, and hopefully enough people who will agree to help us defeat the brothers-”
“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” Lianna asked, she always knew Brady took the story about the brothers more seriously than other people his age and, with him being a soldier, she wasn’t surprised. She looked at him now in admiration of his bravery. He really was very handsome.
“Someone needs to be, the elders aren’t clueless to the fact that another war is starting but they seem to be intent on sitting by and letting it happen. I’m not. Plus the fact that they don’t know this other world exists, and we do, means I’m very serious about it.” Brady straightened up then just as two of the elders walked by, he might have been annoyed at their lack of preparation but he wasn’t going to stop being respectful to the people who once protected their land.
“And anyway, it gives me something to do.” The other three nodded in agreement; there wasn’t a huge amount of entertainment in Alius, not anymore, and if they didn’t have each other for company, Brady was sure he’d have died of boredom by now. That’s why he needed this mission.
It went quiet for a moment before Sloan spoke up. “Sooo, let’s talk more about this Neal guy. Seems as though you’re apparently not interested…How hot is he? I could do with a knight in shining armour” She giggled.
“Sloan! What about his girlfriend?” Lianna asked, she might have guessed this was the first thing Sloan would think about.
“What? That girlfriend-who-might-not-be-his-girlfriend girlfriend? I could deal with her” She was only half joking. Cole coughed awkwardly; he didn’t want to admit that he was maybe a little jealous of the fact that Neal had made such a strong impression on Sloan already, when he’d been her friend for years. Brady noticed this ‘cough’ and thought how it practically confirmed that there were some feelings between his friend and Sloan; at least on one side, though Sloan had always been good at hiding hers’.
“Oh, come one” Sloan sighed, playfully hitting Cole on the knee “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition.” There were a few awkward looks then before everyone burst out laughing, this is what Brady meant by good company; Sloan was always the best at lightening up any situation.
Cole looked at his watch then. “It’s time I was heading off; I said I’d be back before dark.” He held out his hand for Sloan. “Want me to walk you home?” She looked up at him through her beautiful dark lashes, and Cole had to turn away to hide his expression, and slightly pink cheeks.
“Oh, my Hero.” Sloan replied, dramatically putting her palm to her forehead, before taking Cole’s hand and brushing the dust from the back of her dress. “We’ll see you guys later, bye!” Her and Cole linked arms and turned away, laughing together as they made their way up the road.
Lianna turned towards Brady, her brown hair appearing a shade lighter as it caught the light of the moon, and took hold of his hand.
“You seemed a little quiet tonight; you know you can tell me if there’s ever anything wrong, don’t you?” She smiled at him reassuringly and he squeezed her hand back.
It took Brady a while to answer but finally he said; “It’s just that I’m used to being able to sort things out on my own, you know, not having to rely on strangers who don’t even know half of the things that are going on. I mean they live in a whole other world and yet we’re depending on them to help us win a war in a world they never knew existed. I just prefer to be more in control, I guess. You could say that years of being a soldier made me a bit of a control freak.” He chuckled slightly at the end, but not convincingly; not that he needed to, Lianna was one of the only people he didn’t need to pretend around.
Now Lianna wrapped her arm around Brady’s shoulders, she hated seeing him like this and knew how much it meant to him that he was the next generation to protect their world.
“You know, many people wouldn’t be as strong as you’re being right now, or as determined. You should be proud that you’re actually trying to do something, unlike half the other people around here, and you can always rely on me and the others to support you, whatever you need.” She leant her head on his shoulder before saying “I believe in you, Brady, and you should believe in yourself because you are a brilliant soldier and you will win this war, and I know you pride yourself on being independent, but it is alright to need help once in a while.”
Brady knew she was right, and something told him that Neal was only the beginning of people he needed help from, he better get used to depending on other people sooner rather than later. He rested his cheek against Lianna’s hair and closed his eyes.
“Thanks, Li.” He whispered “And not just for being right, as usual...” – she laughed – “…but for being such a great friend too”
She got up suddenly then, as if remembering something, and pulled Brady up with her. A huge smile, a mixture of excitement and intrigue, broke across her face.
“You can thank me later; we have an email to check”.
Lianna and Brady walked back to his house as the sun begun to go down. As the new war was creeping on them, the days all seemed shorter and the nights longer. That was because it was true. The darkness was coming.
"I find it creepy how it gets so dark", Lianna said. "You can't see anything."
Brady grabbed her hand. "I know the way home even with my eyes closed."
Lianna looked at him in amusement as they walked. "Really? That's your excuse to take my hand?"
"Shut up", Brady laughed a little.
They sneaked into Brady's house. His parents were out in the city, so it was safe to use the computer.
As Brady turned it on, he could feel Lianna's gaze at the back of his head, so he turned to look at her.
"What?" he asked gently.
"I'm just wondering what will happen if.. if the war truly starts."
"Then we'll all have to fight. This is why I'm doing this. I'm not revealing our secrets just for fun", Brady said, although he knew she knew that already.
"I know", she said, smiling.
Brady gave her a faint smile before turning back to the computer. He felt a knot in his stomach as he saw that there indeed was a new message.
"Open it", Lianna urged him.
Brady clicked on the message and read it silently.
"Dear Brady, I don't know who you are or what it exactly is that you want from me, but if this is some kind of a joke, I will hunt you down and kill you."
"He sounds like a lovely guy", Lianna snorted.
Brady chuckled and continued reading.
"However, we would like to know more about this world of yours and especially what it is that you need me for, because to be honest, I have no idea what's going on. But don't expect me to help you until you prove who you really are.
Neal."
"Okay, that guy needs to lighten up", Brady snorted. "I think I'm gonna.. write him a reply."
Lianna nodded, but then they heard noises from the front of the house. Brady's parents were back.
"Your parents don't like seeing you spend time with us", Lianna said quietly. She walked to the window and opened it. "I'll see myself out."
Brady hesitated before standing up and walking to her. "Are you sure? I can walk you home."
Lianna smiled at him., "I know the way."
Brady watched as she climbed through the window just in time for when his mom walked into his room.
"Did you hang out with your friends?" his mother stopped at the doorway.
"Yeah, for a while", Brady said, standing in front of the laptop so his mother couldn't see it.
"Okay. Dinner's ready soon", with that his mother left the room.
Brady rolled his eyes and turned back to the computer, typing a quick reply.
"I'll be there in two days. Meet me at the library where you met your girlfriend.
Brady."
He smiled in satisfaction and closed the computer. Maybe things could turn around after all. Now all he had to do was convince Sloan to get him through the portal. Shouldn't be hard.
Lianna Westan - Ashley Greene
Sloan Abshire- Caterina Scorsone
Cole Atkins - Robbie Sheehan
Brady woke up to the sun shining in his room. He took off the covers that had protected him from the cold of the night and got up from the bed, yawning.
Alius was a beautiful place to live in, everyone knew that, but as all the days were sunny and warm, the nights were just as dark and cold.
Brady checked to see that there was no one around before he grabbed his laptop from under his bed and opened it. Still no response from Neal.
Brady groaned, closing the computer and placing it back under his bed. He was a 22-year old young man with messy, black hair and a slightly tanned skin. He had brown eyes to match his dark hair and a lovely smile that people said lit up the whole room wherever he went.
It was a long and messy story of how Brady had gotten hold of the laptop he had just been holding, and it was also a long story in general of how he had become aware of the "other world" that Neal and Abigail were from.
He had indeed been waiting for a contact from the other world a long time now. One of the girls in his city, Sloan Abshire, had found a way to cross worlds a few years ago and had told all her friends. Brady happened to be one of them. The elders didn't know anything of it, though.
Brady still lived with his parents. It was not uncommon in Alius. There they believed in the importance of family and honor and respect. Brady was a trained soldier who was respected amongst everyone. He also had the body and the bruises to prove it.
"Brady", he turned to the doorway to find his mother staring at him. "You were up late last night."
"Yeah, sorry, I was talking to Sloan through the window. She and Lianna are going out to town today, and I am going to join them", he hastily put on a shirt, smiling. The fact that Neal still hadn't replied bothered him, but he had to keep up with his life.
"Alright. You know how I feel about those girls, Brady", his mother said quietly. "That Abshire girl believes in the most horrid things-"
"Like other worlds?" Brady asked. "What if it's true?"
"It's not", his mother said firmly. "Grab some breakfast before you leave,."
Alius did not believe in things like computers or televisions. Sometimes Brady curses that fact. He had been to the other world and he had seen all the wonders it had to offer. After that coming back to a world of oil lamps and chamber pots seemed horrible. But it wasn't like Alius didn't have its perks. Some people, most of the elders, could do magic. And it was told that before Brady was born, there was a war between the elders and two villains - brothers. Both defeated in battle, everyone said. Brady was quite sceptic about that, though. Where were the bodies?
"Late again", his friend, Sloan Abshire announced as he joined the two girls in the city center. "What, did you have to cry at your mommy's helm again?"
"Shut up", Brady snapped, turning to look at Lianna. Secretly Brady thought that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. With her graceful features and beautiful, brown hair. And her kind smile.
Of course Sloan was beautiful, too. She had darker hair and a smirk that could make men fall for her immediately, but admittedly could also make anyone want to slap her. She was a very smug person, but Brady didn't mind. She was good company.
"Did he respond?" Lianna asked, and Brady turned back to look at her. "The man who sent the email to you?"
"No, not yet", Brady said. "And he wasn't alone. I had a camera installed on his computer and I could see there was a woman with him."
"Maybe his girlfriend. What, you jealous?" Sloan snorted.
"Will you shut up?" Brady groaned in frustration. "I told you, we need Neal. I'm not sure if we need the woman."
"How can you say who we need and don't need?" Sloan snapped.
"Because evil is coming and we all know it. We just don't speak of it. The dead brothers are rising again. I've heard whispers all around."
"Maybe, but it not up to us to send these people to their death in a land they've never even heard of", Lianna said quietly.
Brady knew she was right, but didn't want to admit it. "Where is Cole, anyway?"
Cole was their friend as well. He was Sloan's best friend and Brady could have sworn they were like in love with each other, but nothing had ever happened.
"He's meeting us by the fountain", Sloan said as she got up. "Come on, now, Brady. Your mystery man can wait."
"I hate you so much", Brady said as they walked.
"I know, I know", Sloan snorted.
The three of them set off up the road towards the fountain that was situated in the centre of the old square, apparently this is where many of the elders used to meet up before the battle, now it was just a gathering place for young people, like Brady, and their friends.
“Hey” Sloan called over to Cole as soon as they got in reaching distance of the fountain, Cole waved in response.
“Alright guys?” He asked to Brady, who high-fived his friend, and Lianna, who smiled at him from a little further back. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Brady here is going to tell us all about his secret friend who he’s been sending mysterious emails to” Sloan smirked “And I’m going to tease him about it” she added.
Brady just rolled his eyes and turned to Cole, who was shaking his head, laughing. “She knows it’s not like that, we just need more information from the other world, and hopefully enough people who will agree to help us defeat the brothers-”
“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” Lianna asked, she always knew Brady took the story about the brothers more seriously than other people his age and, with him being a soldier, she wasn’t surprised. She looked at him now in admiration of his bravery. He really was very handsome.
“Someone needs to be, the elders aren’t clueless to the fact that another war is starting but they seem to be intent on sitting by and letting it happen. I’m not. Plus the fact that they don’t know this other world exists, and we do, means I’m very serious about it.” Brady straightened up then just as two of the elders walked by, he might have been annoyed at their lack of preparation but he wasn’t going to stop being respectful to the people who once protected their land.
“And anyway, it gives me something to do.” The other three nodded in agreement; there wasn’t a huge amount of entertainment in Alius, not anymore, and if they didn’t have each other for company, Brady was sure he’d have died of boredom by now. That’s why he needed this mission.
It went quiet for a moment before Sloan spoke up. “Sooo, let’s talk more about this Neal guy. Seems as though you’re apparently not interested…How hot is he? I could do with a knight in shining armour” She giggled.
“Sloan! What about his girlfriend?” Lianna asked, she might have guessed this was the first thing Sloan would think about.
“What? That girlfriend-who-might-not-be-his-girlfriend girlfriend? I could deal with her” She was only half joking. Cole coughed awkwardly; he didn’t want to admit that he was maybe a little jealous of the fact that Neal had made such a strong impression on Sloan already, when he’d been her friend for years. Brady noticed this ‘cough’ and thought how it practically confirmed that there were some feelings between his friend and Sloan; at least on one side, though Sloan had always been good at hiding hers’.
“Oh, come one” Sloan sighed, playfully hitting Cole on the knee “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition.” There were a few awkward looks then before everyone burst out laughing, this is what Brady meant by good company; Sloan was always the best at lightening up any situation.
Cole looked at his watch then. “It’s time I was heading off; I said I’d be back before dark.” He held out his hand for Sloan. “Want me to walk you home?” She looked up at him through her beautiful dark lashes, and Cole had to turn away to hide his expression, and slightly pink cheeks.
“Oh, my Hero.” Sloan replied, dramatically putting her palm to her forehead, before taking Cole’s hand and brushing the dust from the back of her dress. “We’ll see you guys later, bye!” Her and Cole linked arms and turned away, laughing together as they made their way up the road.
Lianna turned towards Brady, her brown hair appearing a shade lighter as it caught the light of the moon, and took hold of his hand.
“You seemed a little quiet tonight; you know you can tell me if there’s ever anything wrong, don’t you?” She smiled at him reassuringly and he squeezed her hand back.
It took Brady a while to answer but finally he said; “It’s just that I’m used to being able to sort things out on my own, you know, not having to rely on strangers who don’t even know half of the things that are going on. I mean they live in a whole other world and yet we’re depending on them to help us win a war in a world they never knew existed. I just prefer to be more in control, I guess. You could say that years of being a soldier made me a bit of a control freak.” He chuckled slightly at the end, but not convincingly; not that he needed to, Lianna was one of the only people he didn’t need to pretend around.
Now Lianna wrapped her arm around Brady’s shoulders, she hated seeing him like this and knew how much it meant to him that he was the next generation to protect their world.
“You know, many people wouldn’t be as strong as you’re being right now, or as determined. You should be proud that you’re actually trying to do something, unlike half the other people around here, and you can always rely on me and the others to support you, whatever you need.” She leant her head on his shoulder before saying “I believe in you, Brady, and you should believe in yourself because you are a brilliant soldier and you will win this war, and I know you pride yourself on being independent, but it is alright to need help once in a while.”
Brady knew she was right, and something told him that Neal was only the beginning of people he needed help from, he better get used to depending on other people sooner rather than later. He rested his cheek against Lianna’s hair and closed his eyes.
“Thanks, Li.” He whispered “And not just for being right, as usual...” – she laughed – “…but for being such a great friend too”
She got up suddenly then, as if remembering something, and pulled Brady up with her. A huge smile, a mixture of excitement and intrigue, broke across her face.
“You can thank me later; we have an email to check”.
Lianna and Brady walked back to his house as the sun begun to go down. As the new war was creeping on them, the days all seemed shorter and the nights longer. That was because it was true. The darkness was coming.
"I find it creepy how it gets so dark", Lianna said. "You can't see anything."
Brady grabbed her hand. "I know the way home even with my eyes closed."
Lianna looked at him in amusement as they walked. "Really? That's your excuse to take my hand?"
"Shut up", Brady laughed a little.
They sneaked into Brady's house. His parents were out in the city, so it was safe to use the computer.
As Brady turned it on, he could feel Lianna's gaze at the back of his head, so he turned to look at her.
"What?" he asked gently.
"I'm just wondering what will happen if.. if the war truly starts."
"Then we'll all have to fight. This is why I'm doing this. I'm not revealing our secrets just for fun", Brady said, although he knew she knew that already.
"I know", she said, smiling.
Brady gave her a faint smile before turning back to the computer. He felt a knot in his stomach as he saw that there indeed was a new message.
"Open it", Lianna urged him.
Brady clicked on the message and read it silently.
"Dear Brady, I don't know who you are or what it exactly is that you want from me, but if this is some kind of a joke, I will hunt you down and kill you."
"He sounds like a lovely guy", Lianna snorted.
Brady chuckled and continued reading.
"However, we would like to know more about this world of yours and especially what it is that you need me for, because to be honest, I have no idea what's going on. But don't expect me to help you until you prove who you really are.
Neal."
"Okay, that guy needs to lighten up", Brady snorted. "I think I'm gonna.. write him a reply."
Lianna nodded, but then they heard noises from the front of the house. Brady's parents were back.
"Your parents don't like seeing you spend time with us", Lianna said quietly. She walked to the window and opened it. "I'll see myself out."
Brady hesitated before standing up and walking to her. "Are you sure? I can walk you home."
Lianna smiled at him., "I know the way."
Brady watched as she climbed through the window just in time for when his mom walked into his room.
"Did you hang out with your friends?" his mother stopped at the doorway.
"Yeah, for a while", Brady said, standing in front of the laptop so his mother couldn't see it.
"Okay. Dinner's ready soon", with that his mother left the room.
Brady rolled his eyes and turned back to the computer, typing a quick reply.
"I'll be there in two days. Meet me at the library where you met your girlfriend.
Brady."
He smiled in satisfaction and closed the computer. Maybe things could turn around after all. Now all he had to do was convince Sloan to get him through the portal. Shouldn't be hard.