1.14

Graham woke up to Gavin shuffling around in his room.  "What are you doing?"
"This thing is dead," Graham said, fishing a small shark out of its bowl.  Yeah I guess it is. Graham thought.  "It's been dead a while." Gavin said.  Yeah, yeah I think it has. 
"It's stinking up MY room," Gavin said, marching upstairs for the toilet.

Graham quickly dressed and followed.  He particularly liked that shark.  It was the first he caught.  He supposed he should have fed it.  A tear crept into his eye as Gavin made up some bogus speech about the fish.

"Now what are we going to do today?" Gavin said, rubbing his hands together.  "I'm going to shower and put on clean clothes.  Why don't you cook us some breakfast?" Graham said, shooing his brother from the bathroom.

Gavin wasn't sure who Graham thought he was.  He wasn't the maid.  Graham could feed himself.  He was the oldest! And he sure as hell wasn't taking orders from his brother.

Graham finished showering and walked into the kitchen making as much noise as possible.  "Did you eat?" he snapped at Gavin.  "Gavin laughed on the inside, "Yes, I finished off the spaghetti."  Graham slammed the dirty dishes around in the sink and started preparing himself breakfast.

"So I was thinking," Gavin said.  He had been toying with the idea for a while, now his parents were gone he could put it in action.

"Great," Graham said, whisking his eggs harder.

"We need some space to play ball.  Dad's always wanting to play catch, but we don't have any space."  Gavin could tell Graham was listening intently.  "Let's use the wood dad's been saving and add a third floor courtyard."

"That's a terrible idea!" Graham protested.  "We don't have any clue what were doing!"
"Well, I'm going to get started, come join me after breakfast if you aren't scared."  Graham said heading upstairs.

After working in the hot sun for hours, the boys finally finished the third floor courtyard.
Graham was pretty sure his dad was going to be pissed, but it would be nice to play catch every now and there.  "Hey Graham, whats that out there?"  Gavin said pointing towards the sun.  Graham looked only to be hit in the back with a water balloon.  Dad's gonna love this, Graham thought as he retaliated.

1.13

"Being a teenager is nice," thought Graham. Since aging up his parent's were easier on him.  His father made him work the garden, since Gavin refused to leave the house, but that was the hardest thing he did.   Graham enjoyed fishing the most.   He was especially happy when he'd come home with a fish and his mom would start prepping it for supper.  There was some sense of belonging that came from being valuable in ones home.    Even Gavin seemed to ease up on him. 

Gavin was, well Gavin.  He hardly came out of his "under ground layer."  He spent most his time concocting things and sometimes shaking the house.  At least now he cleaned up his own messes.   When he wasn't hibernating in his room,  Gavin was leaving little pranks for the family.  Mostly the bathroom.

"GAVIN!" Graham shouted post shower.  He could hear Gavin's snicker echoing through the house,  "You deserved it you damn canary!  It's a shower not a singing booth!" 
"Mom!" Graham whined walking into the living area.  "I'll talk to him," was all Sun Li said, shaking her head.

Every day was similar.   Graham needed to showers to get clean.  It was a large waste of time.

Since Gavin surfaced to eat or drink,  Graham took over most of the chores.   He could leave it for mom, but he didn't want too.   Today's plans was fishing.  All day!  The sky darkened, Graham wondered if the Weather Stone would be tormenting him with weather today.

Sure enough,  after two hours of peaceful fishing, the bottom fell out, and rain fell hard onto the island.  "This is getting old," Graham called to the sky.  When will this curse lift?  Apparently not today

Jace loved the rain. It reminded him of home.  And good times.  Then those good times reminded him of the people he used to know.  He was better off now.  Assholes.

After seeking shelter inside,  Graham pondered things to do.  His father was on the computer writing.  His mother was fixing the dishwasher.  There really wasn't anything on T.V.  Gavin would probably be up to something.

A short search of the house and Graham found Gavin leaving his room.  "Hey bro," he said awfully cheerily.  "I was just looking for you.  Want to play chess?" Graham offered. 

"I have a better idea. Come close," Gavin said, pulling Graham closer to him.  "This potion I made, it will keep you awake for 24 hours!"  Gavin pulled away.  "You could watch the sun not set!" Gavin said all giggly.  "You want to try it."   Graham weighed the consequences.  Gavin was always pulling pranks. But being awake 24 hours? That would be awesome!  "Sure, lets see it."

Graham lifted the concoction to his lips cautiously.  Gavin wasn't smirking or laughing, so it had to be legit.   Graham drank the bitter tasting liquid as quickly as possible.  "That tastes terr-" but before he could finish his sentence, Graham had an overwhelming "I have to pee" sensation.  Graham ran towards the bathroom, making it just in time before bladder failure.  Gavin stood in the hall way and laughed his wicked laugh.  "I will get you back!" Graham  yelled.


"Boy's"  Sun Li yelled down the stairs.  "We need you to come upstairs!"  Graham chased Gavin upstairs, when he caught him, he slammed him in the back of the head hard. "Ow, MOM!" Gavin screamed. "Boys, sit" Jace said commanded.  When Jace spoke- it was the end.  Gavin giggled to his seat.  Graham slid him a dirty look. He'd get him.  He would.

"Your mother and I are going on vacation for a few days.  I expect you two to behave." Graham's gut sunk.  His parents were the only reason Gavin behaved in the first place.  "Your father and I believe you are mature enough for this or we wouldn't be going."  Graham shot a look at Gavin.  He looked as if he was in a candy store.  Oh no.

As his parents walked out the door the last thing their father said was,  "Behave."

1.12 Childhood fears

The family returned home to a strange chill. The trees swayed in the wind. Jace could remember wind.  Barely.

Jace prepped a decent size breakfast with the fruits Sun Li purchased in Al Simhara. The breakfast conversation was  vacation memories.  "On the plane, I spoke with a witch mom!"  Gavin said.
"Mom, are witches real?" Graham said.  "No baby," Sun Li responded.
"Mom, she said that  what we experienced was rain.  It's when wet stuff falls from the sky.  I don't like it. She gave me this book,"  Gavin said sliding the book across the table.  Graham grabbed the book.

"Witches aren't real Gavin!"  Graham said.
"Yes they are!" Gavin responded.
A fit of "unhuh" and "utun" ensued.
"Boys!" Jace said getting up from the table. 

Graham ran outside all this talk about witches and curses was scaring him.  He shivered and pulled his cape tighter.  So far the Weather Stone's predictions had came true. Now there was a witch who knew about rain.  And there was a book that had all the answers.  But Graham wasn't ready to read it.The sun was low in the southern sky, so Graham knew it was time for bed.

But sleep wouldn't come easy for Graham whose  dreams were plagued by rain, talking stones, and curse casting witches.

The television was a great addition for the family.  Sunday mornings were the best time to spend with the family watching T.V. Even if Gavin hated seeing his family in their underwear. "Put on a robe guys!" 

With the boys bigger, Sun Li was able to work on her paintings.  She loved to see them in the halls of the house.

School consumed a lot of the boys' day.  When they weren't in class, Gavin enjoyed observing the evil astronomical happenings.  He was watched documentaries on aliens, and whoever thinks sims are the only beings that exist are wrong. Way wrong.

Graham debated reading the book.  It weighed him day after day.  He was scared of what he may find.  But finally, he sat down to read it.  Once he started reading, he couldn't put the book down.  He read about the phenomenon known as weather.  Weather accompanied something known as seasons.  On paper, it looked unrealistic, but he had experienced rain and wind.  Maybe it was all coincidence.

 After reading the book he was scared again.  There was this thing called hail, and he was pretty sure that mean the sky was falling. He had to get out.  The island was making him crazy. The book was making him crazy.  He was making himself crazy!   He wanted to leave the island.  He would swim.  He would swim all the way back to  Al Simhara.  He would approach the Weather Stone and make him take it all back.  Then he wouldn't be cursed anymore.

He swam until his heart beat in his chest.  It was impossible.  Graham went home and cried. He cried it all away.

 It was hard sometimes on the island to get away from your family.  So Graham retreated to his room where he could be alone.  But it didn't last for long because Gavin sought him out.  "Hey bro, what's wrong?" Gavin said, plopping down on Graham's bed.  Tears welled in Graham's eyes.  And without any more questions, all of Graham's insecurities came out.  When he finished, Gavin laughed softly at his brother's naiveness.  They were a lot a like.  Gavin hated water himself. Graham's irrational fear was the unknown.  "Graham, it's okay to have fears, but don't let it rule your life.  And you aren't cursed silly,"  Gavin said, softly punching his brother's shoulder.  Graham smiled.  "Now come upstairs, mom finished your cake."

1.11 Nothing like a Vaction Day Two

Day two brought family tomb exploration.  Our tour guide told us the Tomb of Discovery would be a great place to start. Since it was close to home base, we decided it would be a great place to start.

The tomb entrance was too small for  Graham's liking.  Not to mention tombs were dark and smelled bad.  For those reasons.  Graham was done with it.  To bad his family wouldn't listen. So while they filed single file through the door, Graham decided to investigate the grounds.

Graham sat down outside and started to build a sand castle.  He didn't like the sand.  It got everywhere. 

"I have to go to the bathroom,"  Graham said to himself.  Ahead of him, a stone hedge stuck out of the ground.  "Wow," Graham said in disbelief.  He walked around the hedge admiring its size.  He stepped up to it and unzipped his pants.  "Woah Buddy! What do you think you are doing?"  The voice commanded.   Graham looked around in disbelief and slowly zipped his zipper, "Erm?"

Inside, Gavin plotted his secret plans, "A tomb could be useful."  Sun Li was excited for the adventure.   The boys would learn so much here,  "Jace come see this."    Jace stepped up behind her, taking notice of the ancient coins left unattended, I'll take these. "It's a crescent shaped stone.  I wonder what it goes to?"

Gavin quickly snatched it out of his father's hands, "Right here!" he squealed, placing into a plaque on the wall.   The family followed each other into the next room.

The room was empty except  a few footprints  and wall sconces.  "What's this," Sun Li said to her son.
Gavin looked at the footprints,  "Maybe we should stand on it?"  Jace surveyed the cautiousness of his family.  "Alright I'll do it." Jace stood on the footprints and braced for the worst.  These tombs were littered with booby traps.  There was a loud rumble, and Jace closed his eyes.

Meanwhile outside Graham was arguing his own battle.  "That's what I thought!  You were trying to desecrate me!" The voice boomed.  "I don't know what you are talking about,"  Graham protested.
"I am the sacred Weather Stone NOT your bathroom!"

"For the last time," Graham exclaimed, " I was not trying to relieve myself on you!"   If the Weather Stone heard him, he didn't acknowledge him. "For centuries I have controlled the weather, and you sir will pay for this injustice!"  Graham's mouth fell to the floor.  He had to be kidding. He couldn't be serious.  Could he?  Loud noises sounded in the distance causing Graham to jump.  His eyes widened.

"Way to go babe," Sun Li cheered as Gavin fist bumped the air.  Jace opened his eyes to see a stair well leading deeper into the tomb.  He followed his family down deeper into the tomb.  "OoOoOo, my turn!" screamed Gavin as he ran to another set of foot prints.  "Maybe we should get out of here," Jace said, his nerves finally getting to him, "There's a skeleton in the corner."
"Oh babe, it's okay.  Tourists do this all the time," Sun Li said, "plus, Graham hasn't been able to do anything yet. Have you Graham."  Her question hung in the air as a secret door way opened.  "Graham!" Sun Li yelled.  Jace looked around.  Graham was no where to be seen.  

"What you hear is thunder.  And for your careless decisions, not only will you pay but your children and their children."  The stone let out a noise much like a crackle.   Graham  ran back to his castle as wet stuff fell from the sky.  It was like being in the shower only he was clothed and  outside.  In a fit of anger,  Graham
destroyed his castle.  He was going to march into that tiny damp tomb and find his family.   He wouldn't let a stone rock scare him! There was no such things as curses.

"We've got to go back!" Sun Li exclaimed, "We can't leave him!" Sun Li turned and raced up the stairs.  Jace ran behind her, commanding Gavin to follow.  Gavin rolled his eyes.  He couldn't have any fun with Graham around.  The little rat keeps running away.

Sun Li found Graham in the main entrance soaked and crying.  "I'm sorry, I won't leave you again!" Graham cried.  Sun Li comforted her youngest.  She hoped he'd keep his word.  If only he knew what grief she went through when he ran off.  "Lets go home,"  Sun Li said taking his hand and leading him out the tomb.

Jace and Gavin slowly trudged up the stairs.  Sun Li was gone with Graham by time they reached the top.  "Come on lets go," Jace said to Gavin.  Gavin stopped just inside the door, "No." Jace stopped and turned around.  The sun had set and his stomach was aching.  He wasn't in the mood to deal with teenage lip.  "Jace looked at his son.  "Come on Gavin."  Gavin looked at his father in pure fear.  "There's water falling from the sky dad."  Jace stood outside and almost face palmed.  "Son, look it's okay. I'm okay. You'll be okay too." Gavin's feet were rooted in the ground.

Gavin slowly reached out for his father letting the water touch his hand.  It didn't hurt.  But he didn't like it.  He half expected his hand to melt off.   I wonder what the long term effects water falling from the sky has on the body.  "We're going to play a game,"  Jace said.  Gavin shook his head. He could play a game.  "Last one to home base has to do dishes," Jace said as he ran towards home.   "AGH!" Gavin yelled as he plunged his body into the wet stuff.

1.10 Nothing like a Vacation

Sun Li looked forward to taking the children to Al Simhara since Graham was a toddler.  After weeks of saving, I was prepared to go too.  Although Sun Li used the trip as a learning experience for the boys, I was more than excited to purchase a T.V and a few other minor conveniences.

The first thing I noticed was that it was hot.  Good thing Sun Li made me pack shorts.  I heard the locals discussing a phenomenon called a "heat wave." I really didn't like being around the locals so I picked up what I needed and left.

I couldn't travel to far because Sun Li and the boys had set up in the market place plaza.  First she wanted the boys to observe the culture of the people around them.  I thought this was a waste of time, hence the reason I'm not their teacher. I headed back to camp to get rid of the things I had.

Graham and Gavin were polar opposites.  Graham was content on sitting and watching the people interact.  The people acted the same here as they did at home.  Interesting.  "Oh cool, Graham look!" Gavin said pointing to a snake charming basket.  Bet you a weeks worth of dishes I can get a snake out!" Graham snorted.  He didn't like bugs or snakes.

Graham watched Gavin take a seat on the rug. He was pretty terrible at first especially the sounds he made.  Even though he'd never hurt an animal, Graham was pretty sure a dying cat sounded better. Over Gavin's hideous clarinet playing abilities, Graham heard a sweet sound.  It was beautiful.  The song reminded him of happiness.  He had to know it.

Distracted by beautiful sounds,  Graham jumped out of his seat to follow it.  The tune led him between buildings and down crowded market streets.  By time he realized he was no longer following the tune, he  couldn't recognize a thing.

Graham wandered a few more feet and cut between two more buildings.  His family had to be here somewhere.  Scary thoughts ran through his head.  Graham did the one thing Graham was good at, "Why did you get us lost?" He scolded himself.  Instead of a second voice answering, Graham answered himself, "Well I didn't get us lost! It's all your fault!" Graham shouted back.
"Look we have to remain calm," Graham responded calmly.

 "CALM?!?" Graham shouted.
 Graham wanted to cry but he was sure it wouldn't get him anywhere.  Plus himself wasn't very helpful.  Graham wandered back in he direction he came.

As he walked he heard the tune again. "No," he said to himself.  That tune is what got him lost in the first place. He continued walking forward, although it wasn't sure it was the right away.  The tune got louder and louder with each step.  I'm walking towards it! He squealed with delight, earning him a few looks from the people he was passing by.  In a small clearing of people right in front of him, Graham saw a boy his age stop whistling.  Graham new better than to talk to strangers in a strange place but he was lost and this boy knew the tune!  "Hi, I'm Graham!"

The boy looked at Graham and smiled, "I'm Amal. You look a little lost."  Graham shook his head confidently.  He wasn't scared anymore.  Just lost. "Want me to help?" Amal asked.  Graham thought about it. His family was probably looking for him. But what he really wanted to know was the tune.  "Sure.  But first can you teach me that song you were whistling?"  His family could wait.

Amal pulled Graham to an empty alley and began to sing the tune.  Amal whistled it twice, "You try."  Graham was a quick learner when it came to music notes.  He whistled the tune back almost perfectly.  "Good start," Amal said,  "let's walk and whistle- I have to be home before dark." The boy set off down the alley towards the market place.

In the market, Sun Li  rushed frantically everywhere looking for Graham.  He was just right there. Sun Li thought.   Gavin stopped playing after seeing the distraught on his mother's face, "Mom, what's up?" 
 Sun Li stopped for a quick breath.  "Graham's missing," she said weakly.  Why couldn't Graham stay put?  She knew it wasn't his fault.  She should have been watching him.  But Gavin was doing such a great job charming the snake she had to see.  Sun Li fell to her knees in defeat.  She'd never leave the island again.  Nothing good happened off the island.

When Graham emerged into the market place the crowd had thinned so it was easy to spot his mother and brother talking in the distance.  He wondered what cool things they did while he was gone.  "Mom!  Gavin!" Graham yelled running towards them. 

His mother quickly snatched him into her arms and held him.  He was pretty sure she was crying.  Mom's are way too emotional.  As Graham pulled away he heard the familiar tune fade into the distance.  Graham responded with the next verse.  He'd see Amal again tomorrow.