Chapter 17 - Power - Evelyn and Marlow

Evelyn could remember the several different days over his lifetime that his life had changed as though they all occurred yesterday. The first had been many years ago, on the day that his parents died. He could remember the fear that he was going to be alone, not believing that he had any family. As he huddled beneath his blankets, allowing the tears to flow freely, there was a knock at the door. Slowly, cautiously, he peeked through the spy hole to see an elderly woman. Despite having been taught not to talk to strangers he thought that an old woman couldn’t hurt him so he opened the door.

A stooped figure was framed by the door way, her grey hair pulled back into a tight bun, her bright blue eyes staring holes into the young boy. There was a long silence as each studied the other, then the woman took a step forward. “Get your things, you’ll be living with me.”

Relieved that he wasn’t going to be alone Evelyn hurried to gather a few possessions. He stopped in the doorway of his parents’ room, trying not to cry again, then stepped through to collect something, anything, that he could keep and remember his beloved parents by. He settled on his mum’s perfume and dad’s cufflinks, both permanent fixtures during his childhood which would soon be prematurely ended.

---

The second was a week into living with the woman who claimed to be his grandma. Evelyn wondered if he would have been better staying alone, as much as that thought filled him with fear. She seemed to be crazy, continually sprouting nonsense about magic and mystical forces. It scared the young Evelyn, especially when she insisted that he had power.

Although she hadn’t done anything to hurt him, and she provided for him, he still wanted to leave, so he waited until she went into town to get some food and other supplies. Then he left, only taking his mementos of his parents.

He was staying in a cottage, somewhat out of the way, and headed towards a wooded area, as opposed to the fields which would provide little cover. He didn’t walk along the path, but followed it from the undergrowth, trying his best to be as quiet as possible, to the point that the air was almost still around him, concealing his presence. But it wasn’t enough. Out of nowhere a ball of energy came hurtling towards him, knocking him down.

When he opened his eyes again he was back in the cottage, his grandma leaning over him with a disapproving expression but, if enough attention was paid, Evelyn would have seen satisfaction in her eyes.

“Well, boy, do you believe all my ‘nonsense’ about magic now?”

Evelyn paused. Did he? He couldn’t deny what had happened in the woods, despite the fuzziness of his memories. Slowly he nodded.

“Good,” the old woman smiled. “You can begin your education.”

---

The years passed. Not a day went by when Evelyn wasn’t subjected to his grandma’s, whom he was thoroughly convinced was a madwoman, teachings and rantings. She would go on about how the world would soon recognise their power, and they would no longer have to live in the shadows. Evelyn wondered if she was a member of a cult, and that was where she disappeared off to weekly but he never found out.

His powers increased, until he had mastered the art of charms and curses, and was proficient in the use of the elements. He learnt that there were many powers out there, some rarer than others. His weren’t especially rare, but most normal people were blissfully unaware of the hidden world out there.

He wished he was. But when his grandma died, the third of his life changing days, he used the skills that had been thrust upon him to survive. Adding or removing charms, for a price of course, he built up quite a reputation. He also built up another identity, wanting a fresh start where he was finally free to live his life as he saw fit. And so he wore girl’s clothes. It was a comfort, a source of control where previously he had none, and ultimately he knew he looked hot.

He also wanted attention. He didn’t care what type, not really, he just didn’t want to be alone. So what if he slept with people from time to time, and so what if he happened to get paid? All in all it was just survival.

So he learnt to be tough, and not get attached because that route just led to pain. He cultivated his skills, as much as he hated them, but it meant that he could look after himself. At times people thought they could take advantage of the cross dresser, but they soon learnt the error of their ways. He was in control.

Evelyn had built up quite the reputation for himself and it was this that ended up being his downfall.

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The same time that Evelyn was growing up under his grandmother’s care, Marlow was learning all he could about the occult, and how to gain the power he sought. Some people naturally had supernatural abilities, some people could learn, however Marlow was in neither of these groups. However he would not allow such a trifling detail discourage him, and get in his way. So instead he learnt the secret of how to transfer power from someone else to himself.

Unfortunately he could not do it alone. But that wouldn’t matter. He would pick someone with power, someone he could mould into his image, and eventually take their power as his own. And so he searched.

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After almost a year of being alone, just surviving and barely living, the fourth life changing day occurred. Evelyn was working as he normally did, when he was approached by a tall brunette, with green eyes that shone preternaturally with strength. The short boy was almost afraid, but this he wouldn’t allow to show.

“Evelyn,” he stated, having done all of his research, as always. Knowledge was power after all, and that was what he sought more than anything else. With it he would never have to feel like a victim again.

“Ye-yes,” Evelyn stuttered, cursing himself for that show of weakness.

“I have a proposition,” the stranger offered. “I can take you away from all of this,” a sweep of his arm indicated that he was referring to the squalor that Evelyn had become accustomed to, but by no means enjoyed.

“Oh?” Evelyn questioned, keeping that small syllable neutral.

“You have great power. It’s wasted on petty parlour tricks. I can help you use it better, and give you a better life.” Evelyn wished that the stranger meant this in a way other than just wanting his powers; it had been so long since he felt loved. At the youth’s distrustful look the elder smiled. “My name’s Marlow. Just give it a go. You can always leave.” Although he had no intention of letting Evelyn leave, it wouldn’t do for the ginger haired boy to know this, so instead he allowed his smile to widen, to look open and friendly. Finally Evelyn nodded.

---

Evelyn had no idea when he agreed to go with Marlow how much his life would change. But he soon found out that it wouldn’t matter what was requested of him because he would follow Marlow to the ends of the Earth. That was how he found himself at Torrington Academy, testing those he was told to, doing what Marlow bade him to.

Love is such that you would do whatever it took to make your beloved happy. And Evelyn was no exception to this.

This Marlow knew. And this he exploited.