The Two Worlds Read Free Page B

the riders had made on the bus. “Or so I’ve been
told.”
    “ What’s my gift?”
    “ Dunno. Every Awakener has a
way they Awaken things or people, but you have to figure it out
yourself.”
    “ And just how am I going to
do that?” We walked off the bus. Paul followed behind us, mumbling
to himself.
    “ Well, when we get to your
house, you’ll be able to practice Awakening things there. Either
that or you’ll starve, because the fridge won’t work until you tell
it to.”
    We walked in silence for a few seconds
before I registered what she said. “W-wait.” I stammered,
side-stepping a small man darting through the crowds. “I have a
house?”
    Nia laughed. “I know it’s kind of a lot
to take in, but honestly...where’d you think you were sleeping? The
bus station?”
    “ No...”
    She increased her pace to keep up with
Paul. “I created a house for you. You have to Awaken it and the
things inside of it or else it’s just a small house standing there
with no purpose.”
    We ducked through the crowds of people
on the street, and I noticed the small shops that lined each side,
each claiming to be a restaurant, clothing store—one had a small
sign that read Two Headed Knit Sweaters, 2 for 1 sale! —or
another form of small business. Paul led us through the streets
that seemed to become even busier as the night went on. After what
seemed like forever, we turned into a quieter street, and Paul
stood still for a moment as Nia sucked her teeth.
    “ You forgot where I put it,
didn’t you?” she accused Paul. Tsking, Nia whistled softly as if
calling a dog. The air became still and, from the distance in front
of us, something began to take shape. I squinted and re-squinted as
a small, odd blue house with sickly yellow shutters and a matching
front door sauntered up to us. It looked like it was walking on
invisible legs! The house stretched and groaned before becoming
still.
    “ Sorry to wake you,” Nia
said softly, “but your Awakener’s here.” The house shifted a little
bit, as if fidgeting to get back to bed. Nia noticed and promised,
“We won’t take long.” Turning back around to face me, she shooed me
out of the way and held up her hands straight in front of her as if
she were surveying the two houses closely situated side by
side.
    “ Yep, this’ll work.”
Clasping her hands together and then slowly pulling them apart, Nia
concentrated on the houses. I watched in awe as the houses moved in
accordance with her hands, one shifting to the left, the other to
the right. Nia continued this until there was a large enough gap
where my house could squeeze in. Satisfied, she dropped her hands
and grinned.
    “ Okay,” she said, turning to
me. “It’s your turn.”
    Paul, who had been quiet during all of
this, stepped up and said, “Allow me to explain. There are three
common ways most of us Awaken things. The first way consists of
actually speaking out loud to the object you are Awakening.
However, the language you use is not common to others that hear
you, and it is rare for someone other than the Awakened to
understand what you are saying. Here, try asking the house to move
into the space.”
    I gave Paul a wary look, stepped up to
the house, and cleared my throat. “Uh...house, I command you to
move into that spot!”
    Nia snickered and Paul gave her a stern
look.
    “ Kay, I don’t think it would
be wise to command anything. You should just simply ask. And try
not to sound like you’re in the military.” Paul pointed at the
house. “The trick is to relax and just talk to the house as if you
know that it can hear and understand you.” I nodded, loosened my
shoulders, and took a deep breath. Half closing my eyes, I imagined
it was my grandpa standing there, waiting to be asked of
something.
    “ House,” I said in the most
conversational voice I could muster, “could you please move to the
spot?” The house stood where it was, ignoring me. I looked over at
Paul, helpless. He, however,