The Fateless: Errata Read online

  Searching until she found muted colored clothing that would best conceal her, she dressed, covering nearly every inch of her body. Even if someone saw her, there was no chance of touching them now since the clothes covered her from head to toe.

  Tat jumped catching her reflection in the tall mirror standing near the clothing cabinet. It kind of reminded her of the time old Copper Pot Briarden fell off the roof of his cottage after sliding on a bit of moss during an attempt to repair it. They had to bandage him from top to bottom before it was over.

  Slipping on a pair of brown garden gloves, she decided the clothes protected her well enough. For the final touch, she wrapped herself with a wide blue and green striped knit scarf that Clover had made for her last Winter. Only a crop of her mousy blond hair, her forehead and eyes remained visible.

  Her tummy rumbled in a fit of outrage reminding her she’d forgotten all about missing dinner. As predictable as ever, the plate was right where Tat knew Clover would leave it for her, in the warmer of the wood stove. Unsurprisingly, a cup of blue juniper tea also waited on the sideboard. She sat down on the wood-hewn bench and table, shoved the scarf out of her way, and ate half the plate of red honeyed potatoes, piney seed bread and fried cabba root, washing it down with the now tepid tea.

  It was time to put the rest of her plan into action. Summoning up all the courage she could muster, she considered the next step with a heavy heart. I must get the keystone.

  Hanging from a thin leather lanyard, it sat right next to the back door in the mud room where Biscuit left it. Waiting there as expected, on the long bolts and doorknob coat rack he made from various findings on one of his many collection runs. The stone, no bigger than a tiny rosebud in diameter and about the same length, looked like a meager sliver of a thing, a mere chip from another stone. It had no discernible description other than that.

  The odd thing about it was that to one person it would look one color; to another a different color entirely, and to yet another it might even have some strange pattern to it. For Tat it was a muted teal blue with tiny patches of navy and silver mixed in.

  There it was, in arms reach. All she had to do now was lift it up and step out the door and she would be well on her way. Her stomach churned, and she struggled to keep the food she consumed down. Not wanting to let her nerves ruin her plan, she snatched it off the rack and rushed out the door, not caring anymore if she made a noise or not.

  Again she ran, perhaps even harder and faster this time. Tok’s fur stiffened from fright as Tat ran by. She tried to keep pace with her human, but soon gave up and decided flying was easier. After making their way down the path that led to the Briarwoods Forest, Tat stopped to look but the cottage was too far gone to see if a light had come on or not.

  She half expected Biscuit and Clover to come running to warn her that she was making a terrible mistake, but to her surprise they were not there. Only Tok was present to observe her taking the biggest risk she’d taken in her entire life.

  Why is this so hard? Why am I thinking about turning back? No, I must move forward! I must go to the Otherworld. It is where I belong. Where my kind is from, and nothing will stop me from going there.

  Forcing herself to be calm before taking another step she decided she would do this with pride, not all panicked and scared like the little child they made her out to be. She would show them just how mature she really is.

  With her newly found assurance, Tat began down the pitch-black but well-trodden trail that she knew by heart. Her parents always took this path when going on runs. They would take turns, one would go and the other would stay with Tat, but all three of them would make the journey each time to see the other off.

  Neither could go too long without going on a collection run though. Denying a Pooka from collecting was like denying a bee flowers, or a bear the honey the bees made. They decided the best thing would be to take turns, that way someone could always be there to look after her.

  When Tat was little she never minded staying behind. There were plenty of pooka children to play with. Plus Tok was always there, as well as their other pet Muk, their pooka-pup. Besides, whoever went on the run brought back the most fascinating thingamawhosits or interesting whatsamajig or two from the human world which she could play with to her heart’s content, which always left her looking forward to their return.

  As time went on Tat began thinking more about the little tinker bits they brought back. She and her friends would spend hours trying to guess their use. It wasn’t until later that she felt out of place because of it. If she had grown up in the human world, she would’ve known what those things were.

  She supposed those thoughts were all thanks to little miss Teacup who was a few years older than the rest of them and already received access to her family’s keystone. It wouldn’t be long now before Teacup would know all about those fizzledy-wiggly things that she’d always liked to play with as a younger child.

  It was then that Tat stopped associating with the other children. She began counting down the days after that until she too could take her rightful place among the collectors to repurpose those wasted things the humans took for granted. Her heart felt heavy as she thought about it. That day would never come like she planned.

  Nope, Ba and Da are just being way too stubborn – and they just don’t trust me.

  Her pace slowed, allowing Tok to stop flying and skip alongside her. She was so lost in all these thoughts that she almost forgot Tok was even there. But Tok was always there, she should’ve known that by now. As a matter of fact, it was because of her first and only collection run that she even had Tok.

  Tat remembered when she’d tripped as a toddler and almost touched a human by accident. Biscuit and Clover swept her up and darted for the Notherworld gate, frightening their little Tatty Buttons to tears.

  She wailed for hours and nothing would calm her, not even the funny faces Biscuit would make to get her to giggle or the beautiful whistling or humming that Clover would do to get her to sleep.

  Little Tatty knew something went wrong but didn’t understand what scared her so. Then she heard the mewing from the big black ball of fur with glowing green eyes.

  The wailing suddenly stopped. Pointing at the pooka kitten with her chubby little fingers she declared ‘Tok!’, and Tok was her daily companion from then on.

  They had such wonderful adventures together exploring the Briarwoods. Sometimes even old Muk would join in, barking behind them. There was no way she could ever get lost in these woods thanks to them.

  The winding trail ended at two slightly moss-covered waist high rocks. The stones chiseled with long forgotten ancient words sat on either side of the path as markers for the gate like silent watchmen looming over a castle’s entry. Upon arriving she knew she was at the moment she excitingly anticipated.

  “You can do this Tatyana,” she told herself out loud before releasing a deep sigh, knowing all her answers were just on the other side of the gate.

  For just a moment a pang of regret came over her. She usually pictured this scene with Clover and Biscuit there to see her off on her grandest adventure yet. But she couldn’t let that thought overwhelm her. Not now that she’d finally gotten to this point. Closing her eyes, she knitted her brows, trying to remember what they had always done.

  Tok mewed, as if to say that she was proud of her – or maybe she was asking what the holdup was?

  “Right,” Tat gripped the stone in her hand. “I guess I just step through...” she said half stating, half wondering as she stepped forward.

  The gate became visible. It was like looking at a clear upright pool of water, almost as if she were looking at the mirror in her bedroom. Although, instead of her reflection it was a wobbly scene of an alleyway, and a poorly lit one at that. Tat could make out various shapes but couldn’t see anything with any detail, only silhouettes and lights passing by in the distance.

  She told herself to be brave. She was Pooka. If not by blood then by heart, or that is
what they always told her, and that meant she must be brave.

  Wouldn’t one have to be brave to go into an unfamiliar and nearly alien world where no one could see them, to a place where beings that were so different from them existed?

  Unlike the pooka and all other fae, she was visible to other humans, and this thought scared her the most. She decided she would just have to take that chance.

  Tok mewed once more, perhaps to say that she would show her how to do it. The furball bounded running at full momentum straight through the gate between worlds. Tok flexed her wings gliding on the silent winds to the other side.

  Tat heard a plopping sound as the fluid portal rippled like tossing a pebble into a deep pond. And with that Tok was no longer in the Notherworld.

  She had seen this many times before but this time chills ran up her spine. Tat swallowed hard, not at all expecting Tok to go charging in. She frantically searched for some sign of the kitten on the other side.

  Exhaling with a sigh of relief, she could see the glow of Tok’s yellow green eyes and a pacing motion of a cat’s shadow just through the gate.

  You can do this Tatyana. Be brave.

  She stepped through.

  Chapter Two

  The Notherworld

  and the Otherworld

  W ithin moments Tat felt a shift. Something didn’t feel right. If she’d gotten a chill before, it was nothing compared to what she experienced now.

  The noise was so loud it made her head hurt. The quietness of the forest with the occasional caw of an ebony bird, or a scamper of a fire-tailed marmot burrowing in the tree roots were the familiar daily noises she’d grown accustomed to. Those gentle sounds were nothing like this blaring rumpus. None of it helped the overwhelming sense of nausea that threatened to send her retching out her late evening meal.

  The sky wasn’t even visible. A smoky haze with a strange emanating light in the distance stole the space where the visible sky normally resided. What happened to the sky? Shouldn’t the stars be shining at their brightest this time of night? At least the moon should be visible. Shouldn’t it?

  Moments ago Tat walked in a lush ancient forest, now she stood surrounded by dirty, reddish-brown brick walls. Instead of a dirt worn path beneath her boots a much firmer ground formed. It was like standing on stone.

  She stumbled. The heavy air made her light-headed. And to say this place had the filthiest stench she’d ever smelled would be putting it politely.

  Tok flew to her side knowing something wasn’t right. Her faithful furry friend had always been attentive to her in that way. Getting her bearings, she leaned against the wall and pulled the scarf from her nose and mouth. She gasped for breath, choking on the noxious foul-tasting wind. The rancid air was making her sick.

  Is this what the human world is like? Why would Ba and Da want to come to such a nasty place? Maybe they were right, maybe she wasn’t ready for this. Maybe she should just turn around and go home.

  Light flickered, illuminating a small circumference of the alley. Tat had no idea what the light source originated from; it was much too bright to be bioluminescent. The light drew her attention to the rusty red metal door on the brick wall as it swung open.

  “I’m sorry Elaine, I just can’t do it anymore,” a distressed voice echoed.

  Her first instinct was to hide. Ducking, she disappeared behind a stack of heavy brown paper box things. She’d seen the box material before from when her parents brought home their collection findings. What was it they called it? Oh right – cardboard.

  “I know Elaine. This is a crappy way to break up with someone, and yeah; I agree. I am the biggest jerk in the world. Hey, but at least it’s not a text... No, you’re right, that’s not funny. And I am sorry, but this just isn’t working for me anymore.” The troubled voice emanated from a boy – a human boy.

  He was much taller than her, and she was sure he was at least a few years older too. Tat watched closely as he stepped through the door holding some device to his ear. With his free hand he slammed the door behind him. Tat’s heart pounded; she couldn’t move. This was the first time she’d ever seen another human. And of course, the first time she ever did, it would be a boy.

  His thick, dark brown disheveled hair looked as wild as some of the Fae boys wore their hair, just nowhere near as long. This boy’s hair was just barely over the neck hole of the very odd collarless shirt he was wearing. His hair was the only way he resembled any fae. Plus, his skin was way too sallow. As far as boys go though, she didn’t think he looked all that bad. Still, he differed from any boy she’d ever seen before, and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

  “Please don’t cry Elaine. I do... I mean, I did love you.” He half yelled, half cried into the black blocky device. “Look, I’m really sorr—.” The boy suddenly went silent before getting angry.

  “God dammit! She hung up on me!” he pounded his balled fist on the metal door. “Owww!” He dropped the little slender black box and shook his injured hand.

  “Oh crap,” he picked it up, “just scuffed, but at least the screen didn’t break.” The boy slumped down with his back against the wall staring at the ground, “well that could’ve went better. Hopefully, the worst of it is over, and maybe nothing else will go wrong--”

  Mew.

  No, Tok! Tat wanted to yell but knew she shouldn’t. This boy did not need to see her, but he didn’t need to see Tok either.

  “Well hello little guy,” he said, noticing the ball of black fuzz at his feet. Tok mewed as if saying hello back. “Black, huh? You wouldn’t have anything to do with the rotten luck I’m having tonight, would you? No, of course not, you’re just too cute for that,” he smirked reaching to pet Tok. Tok’s fur bristled. “It’s ok little guy, I won’t hurt you. Are you hungry? Why don’t you come up stairs with me and I’ll see if I can find you a can of tuna or something?”

  Tok stayed statue still for the first few moments, but as he reached to pick her up, she bolted for the stack of boxes that kept Tat hidden from view. He missed the kitten by just inches before tripping, tumbling straight down on Tat, knocking them both to the ground.

  Neither of them could do much to prevent it in the half of a second the entire incident took place as their cheeks slightly brushed one another.

  Oh no... Oh no! Tat began to panic. This isn’t happening, she told herself. We barely touched, maybe it wasn’t enough, she began trying to calm herself, too terrified to say anything out loud.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so clumsy,” the boy jumped off of her as if she were on fire, “I didn’t see you there. Here, let me help you up. I suppose the cat is yours?” He extended his hand not knowing what to do. Tat decided it was alright and extended her hand out to meet his.

  His face went ghostly white. Am I scaring him? She then remembered that pooka cats looked like ordinary cats to humans marked with a seal. Or... is it possible... can he see... Tok?

  “What the heck is that thing?”

  “Oh no, no, no!” Did this mean I erased his seal? Did I make him Errata? “I’ve got to fix this...” she half said to him, half mumbled to herself. I’ll take him back to the Notherworld... ba and da won’t like it, but they’ll help me fix it. I know they will, they have to!

  “Boy, come with me.” Tat didn’t give him a chance to refuse. She yanked him forward, their hands still clasped.

  “Boy? Wait, what? Come with you? I’m not going anywhere with you!” He snatched his hand back so hard it almost knocked her down.

  She grabbed his arm. “You have to. I’m sorry but I’ve made you Errata, and you have to come with me now!” Tat pulled him with both hands with all the strength she had in her fragile body. He resisted but with one final heave she stepped into the gate.

  The frightened boy’s hazel eyes opened wide as he saw the liquid like swirl of the portal. Yanking back harder, he knocked the stone from Tat’s hand, but she held her grip and pulled him in.

  The gate collapsed as the keystone dropped
behind them. The force of its closing thrust them forward, launching them face down on the dirt path in the forest. Hit with an instant wave of nausea, Tat gripped her stomach as if she were trying to keep it in place. The boy whined, grabbing his ribs he leaned forward on his knees.

  “What... the...” he spoke cautiously as the air resettled in his lungs, trying to abate the nausea.

  Tat groaned, then rolled over and sat up, unsure of what to do next. There was a chill filling the air. Just seconds ago the night sky was a murky pitch black but now the dusky dawn peered through the branches as if catching a first glimpse of the forest’s trespassers.

  “Where did the alley go? Where’s my apartment building? Where the hell are we? What is this place? And what the fuck was that... thing... back there?” The questions came rolling out as soon as he could speak.

  Tatyana was speechless. She knew the answers to his questions, but she had some questions of her own, and they were all she could hear in her mind. How is this possible? How could I screw up something I planned out so perfectly? How could I be stupid enough to let this happen? I should have known better. Her ba and da tried to tell her, but because of her stubbornness she wouldn’t listen. What was she going to do now? She couldn’t go back now, not after this... not after losing the stone.

  In the name of the Gods! She realized; I lost the stone! Now what will happen? Did pookas ever lose their keystones? Surely it has happened before, right? She had never -ever- heard of it happening, but surely it had...

  Tatyana propped her elbows on her knees and covered her face with her palms. Tears streamed down her face like the pressure from a geyser. Lost in her own misery, she didn’t notice the boy crawling toward her. He grabbed her wrists tight and squeezed. She gasped as he forced them both to a standing position.

  “Answer me!”

  “I...” she began to answer, but her voice broke and she couldn’t speak. All she could do was cry.