Notebook of borrowed items

The last obsidian blockade that has preventing James from entering the dreamscape cottage is at last thin layer. It was as if a frosted rain storm imprinted the shape of the door.

Speaking of passing time, it is thanks to being locked a coffin designed as a tomb to seal the misunderstood parts of the Final grim reapers tome. There was nothing else for James to do. This tomb had strange quality of not letting live or die. Just before having a rude wake up by the syth named Sean and forcing him to explore time before he was mean to be born. All those events was seen and lived through by the obsidian time doorway. Its thanks to this that he relived taking his young uncle to meet Erebus and damn James's life before it began.

The sky of this realm this moment was a forced into a forvere dawn, the celestial bodies of other planet's are tangled up with a cluster of floating objects. A few got took hold of a gravity and were impacted into the surface of ever changing seasonal floor.

A nice wood carved table and four chairs was elegantly placed in the front garden of the grey aging cottage. The kettle of tea and share of cups sit for each seat. The goop of ink was in a human figure, the mask muttering passive additional commentary to the man across from it.

This man is the weapon that judges souls in a mock grim reaper uniform. Mostly covered in assuming skin but there are runes cut down to showing the metal core of it. The eyes seem to unable to judge the mask. Speaking the frustration of how this was able to happen. Why a monster like the mask existed or why it has to have a victim human host attachment.

This syth man was struggling to put the human into a category of soul too. Realizing that all three of them are not in any category within soul tome system. At a guess, Sean is unable to access the part where soul names are written but has access to every other section. It could take decades of long searching to work out these soul names but that would be pointless. The book has self-awareness which would prevent it.

"I am so glad you have realized this issue. Because now you to can start working out how to explain it to the ignorant souls with us." The goop directs the 'us' part to a floating book, that flicked pages in ways of giving a suitable responses to this conversation. This is that book.

"I think I get why a human has to be objectively be a sub part." I voiced, "In someways, I could have been someone or something else too. I have to be the living anchor for you three. The context you miss out on. It makes sense saying that." The last seat was for myself, for me to join them. Sean hummed in thinking about this and tilted confused once more.

"How are you able to understand this conversation?" I point backwards to the doorway into the cottage. The mask and Sean tilt that way. They stare a while, "I don't get what were looking for."

"The door into the cottage. Thanks to mask locking me into that coffin of ink. I had nothing else to do. I also had to stay sane while being both alive and dead." Sean looks about my clothing, the many wounds I seem to have gained and the many runic marks tattooing my skin. These marks are often hidden by the mask however there no need to hide them if they were the only folks here.

"So when you wake up again, taking the last obsidian slab section. You will be back to normal time experiencing. You will be set back to where time shouldn't have barged into. In your own unique order of events not copied by other timelines." The mask sips the drink, "You will be snatched out of that time frame every revisit here. You are free to call upon our power or us but there will be some issue of souls around you. So be careful and smart. I would really appreciate you fixing things or not breaking things. Sort of like a hunter of oath." The pause is with the book slapping across the table and spitting stuff at me, "The book is how to access needs anytime. But also once again be careful, it is stealing it from somewhere. Taking to much money from a bank without being accounted is going to make a financial crash." I nod understanding this.

The floating objects of this world are from somewhere and do have existence somewhere. Taking it out of where it belongs as borrowing is ok. Just needs to be replaced after use. Taking 10 quid means earning ten quid from a job. A borrowing affect. I would guess objects like clothing too. Have it now but buy the orginal set at some point. You can't take what you don't earn or have.

"You want to buy these list of things within time. Things we have used already and need a purpose of where those came from." The notebook was a list of everything inside the cottage. The furniture, the kitchen, the tools and whole lot. Upon touching this notebook runes from off my skin crossed out things I owned already. As if the catch up to my current life has already picked up stuff.

I have a whole three lifetimes of stuff I already owned. Like kitchen set, camping gear I used as a homeless kid on the streets and the many birthday and Christmas gifts. The savings in four different bank accounts not in a bank but in a safe. The land deeds, king title and the many magic craft items inherented from being the mage kings son. This stuff I should have forgotten about having. There is multiple things I have from having done this life three time over already, the stuff accounted by erased time events. Like this mangled crowbar I have, I don't remember why I have it.

"Anything I have forgotten to tell you about will be sent by letters. This will go the same for anything Sean or the tome will need." I finished reading through the notebook for memorizing what still is missing and could be picked up when I do wake up.

I did get changed into the clothing I was given and I look at how this is my school uniform. Complete with mock scuff shoes and the annoying clip tie that scratches the throat. The school bag was from that day the house was broke into. Karen was freaking out about the creepy thing in her room. It feels like yesterday, likely that it going to be today. I would know when David looses his job at the bingo.

"Don't worry about it." the mask waved in having always being in my head listening to my thoughts, "Its more... early then that."

"I am going back to sleep and your coming with." Sean takes the floating book with him, cutting a gate of his own to cross realms with. The mask studied how I watched the existence of the gate become erased. The light purr and a slurp of the drink it has.

"Before I forget, I have some little things for you. Items from your personal servant." The laptop, a mini storage hard drive attachment and a necklace is pass to me, "His name was James. You swapped names and places the day you left the mage island. Its why your uncle has failed to find you for the early years of your outside none magic life." The mask studies the hurt and guilt I felt from taking these items. That sacrifice I didn't know and I am sure many did... not just him, "He would appreciate you taking the throne and making the changes needed. You visiting after that." I own it for them to do it. I guess I can't keep running around from it. No matter how much I think I can prepare for the better chance, its longer the country waits.

This was the laptop with the go pro video of the upstairs attic opening. There still web searches of hotels, booking flight sites and things like that. The messages are disconnected servers from Greg and David trying to find me. I closed off this stuff but don't wipe the memory or laptop processor.

"Have fun on the first day of school." I frown with that, I hated my first day. Being in a wider public and seeing the weird things. The whole dilemma of getting a therapist in the first place because of the first day of school.

The dim street lights into the temporarily accommodation room flicked off, darken the small room. Just one bed, side table and three large piled suitcases of stuff. It's early morning and most of temporarily staying fosters aren't even awake yet. The smells of the large kitchen down a level was wafting bacon scent on everything. The place is just temporarily stop, the note under my door was from the foster staff explaining that picking me up from another homeless shelter is going to reflect badly on my personal fosters report. I lifted my pillow with where my current notebook of lists and mental notes is at. I read the latest one through.

This the very first time I was put into the foster system. I am in primary school, meaning on UK soil. I am studying GCSE and not thinking about the future. I am currently leaving myself to question if this was a smart choose or not. Given I am often forgotten by everyone I met.

First day of non magic school, life in a none magic family and being a face in the none magic public. I am a lot younger then I thought I was. Uncomfortably old enough by mage standards to be married with having 2 kids.

"Pardon me... you seem to be awake." I closed my notebook as peer cautious with the ghost poking its face through the door, "Can you see me?" A plain spirit of the damned. I simply stare continually for it to get I have full attention, "I take that as an answer. I meant to deliver something to a dark fearful being." I pull a mask out from my shadow, the grey clay but without facial features. This visitor frowns in a bow, putting a letter and a box down. It backs away gone from sight.

I don't touch those things, only used dark tendrails of my influence pick them from there. The mask fully one, I could read the letter. Acceptance letter into the dead side of damned nobility. The box contains damned gifts to make the dead appear among the living comfortably. Cloth made to hide inhuman things and smooth out any light burning flaws. There is paint for runes to imprint patterns of status on cloth damned skin. I just had to touch it all to flex it as part of me.

This actually fixed a few issues I had my first day of school before. Like blocking my sight of demons, angels and other things. They appeared human mocks now. This then would make less of the dream folks visibly in my way during class. Tuning my life a stable structure, no looking as paranoid the first time. It was a confidence boost that I needed to play off any weirdness tendency.

I think the first time I came here, they didn't lock my room door. They would have in later times due to running away from repeat fosters whim forgottenthey took me in already.

"There is a new kid, his here in the temporarily accommodation room. Who wants to place bet this kids..." I shouldn't have also guessed that the kids on the other side of this door aren't welcoming. Here to stir trouble, it was always been a gamble of how well they received me.

"You are going to be grounded if you do this, Jake. Remember the last person you boasted the door on."

"It was funny to see that drooling fool get wheeled off by the ambulance." I put away everything and sit on the bed in meditation. If I am going to change the outcome of not being singled out in a negative way, I have to not be in their knock out opportunity.

Jake will one day have his but handed by Taz. Taz will not be in the fostering homes for another 3 years. They are in the same gang even today, so simply punching Jake out of it will impact Taz's place and future. The joke of everyone knows each other so well to say 'its a small world' is a headache.

"Good morning." I caught the fist in my face, "What a lively place you have here? Is it worth the harm of others for such a unpleasant first impression? I know I am not into that gang life you have here but I pretty sure this isn't how you recruit idiots as part of the wolf pack." I let him go. The two friends holding the door are distracted from being look out, "You dont care about me. Maybe you do enough to consider me a weak target to be your punch bag. I have to decline this meaningless play victim role."

"What language is that?" I blink softly as the two at the door roll eyes. Language here was more like mocking my accent. A trick to confuse a foreigner into thinking that they weren't understood. I spoke a version of English, he is just taking the mick (a British way of saying making fun of you).

"Look, I can only tolerate so much mocking. Just leave me alone. You're not going to be let off easy if the staff catch you doing this again. Is it really worth missing out the vanilla milkshake and victoria sponge with strawberry jam?" The two at the door were really trying to get Jake to leave without being punched by him. They soon were running away anyway, leaving Jake to turn back confused.

"Jake Galemor, this is strike two. If you have actually hurt the new person, you would not be joining us for dinner tonight." Soft pink fluffy cardigan and a smart formal teachers uniform, her breast pocket has a cat watch the looks like it was clinging there. Brown hair with a nice face. Glasses made her as strict as her punishment for breaking rules.

Jake was not just scared of her because she staff. That wasn't what made him scared of her at all. Its that she treats them like toddlers if rules broke, taking away that adult identity from even the oldest fostering child's. Her punishment wasn't mean or of any physical harm, it stripped away the big boy attitude. Some staff are push overs. Ms Catherine or Cattie is not a joke. She looked scary when she was mad or serious. She was also one the most open armed and warmest of the staff. She wasn't judging on look or background. All were individuals and are treated as fairly as possible. She why this place isn't total chaos, working hard to show someone does care for the people from broken families or dire situations. The mother hen of this building.

"I will leave. I don't actually have a reason to be here except for making trouble." Jake admitted and bows his had my way, "Sorry for nearly punching you."

"I am sorry of your hand bruised from me catching it." I returned back this with a head bow too, "I have been in worse situations before. I hope that you see it not worthwhile one day." Jake looks up confused and his guided out the room. The door isn't closed as the conversation between me and Cattie wasn't private.

"Once you have breakfast, there is a potential meet up with someone today. Either as a foster to take you or at least someone who can help you with any potential criminal offences." I don't really recall whom this is. I don't have that much of a known record.

Only that I was caught in three gambling shops and taken off the back street alley I was hid at. Part of how the homeless shelter found me as part of the community cop don't have the powers of arresting me. Maybe there was going be some questions about my origin, family background or something for them to locate my real family with. All part of an assessment that goes into a foster care file. I have no recollection of this boring survey, I did it 18 times. I did lie for all of them. I didn't want my other criminal offences like stealing to be traced. I would refuse the fingerprint part of the survey, never of getting a real ID card from it.

"Do you have any questions?" I totally forgot that Cattie was talking to me. She was going over the emergency stuff and the other government legal requirements about being a child in foster care.

"Ms Cath, do I have to attend school? If I prove to you that I am a well educated enough, can I request to take this years exams?"

"Its compulsory for all under 16 to attend full education."

"And they will talk about making it 18. I know. But I just... I was privately taught before. I was already working on something for university." I pulled a suitcase up and took out several textbooks and exorcize books I finished, "I dont think I would fit in, no matter whatever school or year group I end up in." She step up with looking through the textbooks and the vast majority of the handwriting being the same. There was a lot of self assessment marks too and critical thinking questions throughout.

"I would this talking to Rose about this too will help you. I am sure she can point you the right way within law." Cattie puts the books down, "But other then asking about school. Is there anything else?"

"Anyone else would be asking for their phones back or something like that. I read the pamphlets about all that." I took one from being a book mark, "I just didn't know how to ask for help before. I bought these textbooks to learn not just GCSE but English. Its not my first language." She gets it.

"So you are from another country?"

"I have been around the world, which is a achievement for a 11 year old like me. I lost my family and friends on the last trip. Between then and now, I wasn't sure of trusting anyone. I met a lot whom proved that right." I put away, closing this suitcase, "If I could find my family, it all be so much easier. Yet, life isn't simple. I know that now." I stacked the case no problem. She stands studying the weight and sturdy pile. She had to be sure it wasn't going to fall and hurt anyone, giving it a light push. The fact she struggled was enough for her and then at her mind lost to how that meant for me.

"Pardon me, Ms Catherine. You're guest is here." A normal other staff knocked, "You want to hurry to breakfast of your going to eat." I am told and I nod.

"Office 9 when you finished." Cattie shouted my way.

"2nd floor, I know." I hurry along. I intermixed into a queue, taking a tray and polite in asking for which ever portion of food at offer. I went the unpopular chooses as they are more generous with serving sizes. I was isolated from conversation around me but at least I wasn't sitting alone to be attacked by other difficult kids.

"I will need to warn Rose about this one. He is going to be a difficulty case. I didn't even get his name." Cattie had light spoke as they followed me in watch, "But he talks like he knew his background and family. Private tutor... could been from a wealthy family. Yet, there is something off about it all."

"It's not like you to worry this deeply over any other kid." The other member of staff sighs, "I will take Rose to office 9."

"Thanks Jane. I will follow soon." Cattie watches from this distance, her eyes wandering over the others. Her colleagues right, its not like her to get personally attached to any case. She been a strong pillar for these childs. There is some children whom act out or harm her when they can't understand how to express themselves properly. She always never held a grudge or felt wrong about things unless those red flags were waving. It could be this is a cause with hidden problems, she just can't forsee in which ways.

'He not trying to make any freinds. However his has avoided being the center of attention. Was all that stuff a lie, the text books and first language thing. If his a kid from a very wealthy background, why isn't anyone looking for him? He has only been on the streets for 2 years at most. Where did the mature attitude come from? Last night he was literally shivering scared of everything and didn't have the nerve to try to talk. Why would he be already thinking of moving on? Only someone older then him would think like that.'

She sighs in holding on to these feelings, moving to talk the heads up with her external colleague Rose. The change of attitude from this child over night was something to not be ignored. The act of fear was very real for this child, and now his not even showing it.

"My lord, we have report that the ine whom you asked to die... is still among the living. Although, we cant confirm his actual state nor do we have the powers of authority over such." The thinned humanoid bows to the man stood looking out the sea.

The walls that separated mage island from its sand coast was a dangerous place. sand banks and underwater coral platforms render this side of the island impossible for safe fishing or boat docking. He heard the thing but waved it away. He didn't really let that damned interrupt his thinking.

"What did it say?" The faint image of the god flows at ease in the darkness, tilted in wanting to nose of what his follower been up to.

"I have been looking for my nephew. I originally was out for murderingthe boy to make sure I would gain control of this land and the inheritance powers. Yet then when I reading my brothers many research notes about souls. I realized he did something that broke the throne succession and at a guess, he did something to his son. I am not only unable to trace any magic signatures to find my nephew. I am unable to trace him at all."

Mark frowns in studying the waves throwing materials on the beach, the pollution from other countries. It wasnt the normal bottle, plastic, netting or fishing wire. Traces of battle ships... gun shells. A helmet. wiring from engines. War scars.

"There has been quite a disturbing developments among the gods... a godless power that lurks in my image of darkness. Its been mysterious... appearing as fast as it disappeared. It were given a title... i dislike the implications of such. This thing is nothing to do with me." The twirled mist of clouded darkness making other remarks of annoyance in several languages.

Mark look back behind, feeling of eyes on his back will be from the four noble damned. They stood straight and bow need to grovel for a living royal. Unlike most damned, the higher society look human and act accordingly. They have issues which can't be easy fixed. Leading to adapting to nearly perfected human mocking. They still eat like a damned and sun light still a problem. They have lingered around long enough to know how to speak to the living without causing mass damned huntering or breaking perception veils. They speak openly unlike lower classes, the lower society pretend to be mute or have not worked out how to communicate. They still will never be heard by any god, not even hunters of oath or grim reapers.

"The society has taken on a saviour... a sort of mule to give any world problems to. The gods fear it. A being whom is part of the very title you lord of darkness is talking of." Quite a gossiping tone and the few whom snicker at pleasure at such news to having a slave to push about. One the four stares different... the stare is cold and distant. It broken from the jokers, stepping up to the ledge of the wall.

"Honestly, why is it when I enter the timeline of an elder... the souls whom belong to it are idiots." This makes the nobility snarl at such insult, "I came to inform both the dark god and his follower that things are as peaceful as it seems. The ender is a elder... there no rest for them."

"Pardon, did you say Ender? As in the family cursed soul?" Mark asked.

"I dont know. I have no need to cause anymore interference in your timeline or business. I am only relying a message. I can go sleep for now. Please?" They shouted out to the waters. They were turning into pages... paper vellum. The air dances as these folded and shifted into a large origami bird - jumping into dark and gone.

"That wasnt a normal damned... he was a lost time traveler. He words should be meaningless." The gossip of the three making light of that they know of this ender. Quite a rule breaker, that makes things easier for the dead and living.

"A warning from another timeline about upsetting the ender... thats foreboding enough. Yet then why was this got to do with my brother's research in souls."

Mark looks back at how the beach changed... the pollution was no where in sight. Clean waters, seeing the sea creatures that swim among the sand banks and coral reefs. A new few extra creatures like underwater crabs and clams. The beach glimmers with shells of exotic shells.

"Things are getting increasingly weird." Mark turns with facing the mage island, watching the population got on with life as it is. Glaring at the mess this place is in... having no power to over turn the nobility democratic voting system. Unable to make wedge into making the people choose him as a dictatorship leader.

"I wish to hear about this cursed soul of your family." the god image pours into a creature, sitting on Marks shoulder, "Is it damned too?" Mark sighs and cant escape the prying of the dark god wishes. Using magic to teleport back to the study for privacy.

"Take 2... I going back to the start. I want honest answers." Rose tsked flustered by the drop of a dime this child changes his act and story. A clever child, whom continues out smarting her. He clearly been through a agency before... or been scammed to give details over. He no being at the slightest helpful for himself.

"It doesnt matter what I answer Mrs Weaver or was it Mrs Woodsmith? Anyway, you going to be to busy to remember me. We can continue this quiz 28 times and I still will not trust you. I haven't trusted anyone since the last folks died. I gave up having a normal life a long time ago." She stared at the paperwork with writing the words out but then when noting about her name. He used both her names... and assumed she's married. Which is true, but that isn't her cover identity away from none magic users, "Was it wrong of me to know your real names? I mean, its not the only thing I know. You have a lot of dead loved ones whom care about you. Even your grandmother is wanting you to know she's not mad at you for making your chooses. The line of work of being a triple agent is a deadly profession." Leaning back with not even looking at her.

"If I want to believe this game was true," making sure her base is covered to call it a lie, "Tell me something only my family knows."

"The cat wasn't from here." He looked at this spirt watching over her, it giving the agreement for this, "Its a cat from Ulthar. It was your grandfather whom loved that cat and it stuck with your bloodline every generation until you. Its what granted you the ability to have hypersensitivity to the unnatural. Protecting you." He twirls in the desk chair and studies her, "Fluff cloud called Simpson. Eyes of purple always looking into you." She is pale as this is very correct information about her. It was also supernatural enough to consider this kid as a possible mage. He turned to the door, he stares with waiting.

"Pardon me," the gentleman knocks on the door.

"I think I have no right to critique your life chooses, mister. Although, you did find the wife of your dreams." James shook out those thoughts, "Good luck. I am sure its not worth the effort if the reward is to live like this another day."

"Excuse me?" he looks to Rose with any clue.

"The kids a secret finder or something. He knows about us both and whom we are really. If that isn't anymore proof, he keeps looks around me."

Josh studies around to, his gifted with sight to see the dead. He gave her a tell and she sighed in some relief that its because of her dead relatives are lingering about. Not a mind reader then, thanks the gods. James spins around the chair and was weighting what he just did. If this meant skipping school, it was worth the risk. He doesn't want to be bullied like his erased lifetime was.

"So if I take you with us, we still need a name. I can't just call you kid all your life." The chair is stopped. Mostly looking to how serious these two are about it. Rose was taking out a new and different application. It was her form to foster. They still have to go through other risk assessments before they are to take me but they want this sorted since I haven't a proper place to sleep. The accommodation room is already being booked for another temporary staying kid. He has to have a foster family or bed placement in a youth hostel.

"William James Jackson. My street allies called me JJ. I was avoiding execution. I watched 39 others of my age... be hunted. I one of I think 15 whom escape the route the royals used. I come from a privileged background... that backfired when I arrived here. I gave up the snobbery when I realised it isn't working. I did a lot in the 4 years." Rose believes this, "I dont want to go back." Josh sighed, "The ones left behind have already told me not to." Taking a mask out, that made Josh close the door quickly, "This is one my freinds. I know whom they are. They helped us back then too, protecting."

This wasn't what they were expecting nor was the mage language being suddenly used without warning.

"I guess I wouldn't argue with the dead either." Rose fills out the paper worked needed and finally is making through the mountain. Josh makes quick work of doing a mage assessment, asking about the basic mages would know. Asking opinion of living outside of the island is like and any preferences to convince returning back. The look drill stare at Josh for asking something that painful had achieved discomforting him from asking it again.

There a separate notes of being made about what route a bunch of kids have used to escape the mage isle with. All a private order direct from Mark to do without the rest to the company approval. The amount of children, this set claimed by James to escaped with royalty. Given the magic awareness of these two, they arent going to forget James anytime soon. They will do if too long away but not completely like normal people.

The process of having James settle in the anget safe house was a breeze from this point on. As even without approval of the application, he has to have somewhere to sleep tonight. Miss Catherine gave her business contact details for any emergency that James wished to bring up without the foster parental control. It wasnt abnormal that things flowed this way.

Its not the first time Rose has taken up fosters, whom have grown up and left the nest. Rose and her partner are renoun for taking in challenging teens or older fosters. Cattie was at relief that this was the same for James's case. James stood out in strange ways, he would not have coped with foster turn over if he wasn't accepted early.

The notebook of items to buy is taken out, reading through the changes and what things his shadow side been stealing around him. Like printing paper... a lot of small chunks of printer paper. Single copies of all the applications forms. There was a few pamphlets for all sorts being took. All of this organised and added into a filing cabinet within his pocket dimension storage. Its a nice distraction from not wanting to overhear legal requirements once more and all the risk assessments taken. A light pop quiz of what to do in a emergency was a requirement and memorizing safe places to go for help. Education of bad things such as drugs, adult traffic industries and addiction support. The gambling was focused as his history of it.

"I think we're all done here for now. You are in the clear to go home with Rose. I know you be in a better place with her." Catherine giving her farwell, "I hope the next time I see you, it be you considering adopting or fostering... no being fostered." James unlike how tough his been acting was going to not be a tough guy all the time.

It was sort of thanks for all those time erased too that he thanking her for. Not that it was real for those around him, his past experience with Cattie had meant a lot. This carer really does her job well of welcoming and no judging. She was always a safety net when coming back to the fostering and orphanage. She is role model he wishes to take on the persona of as the more things become supernatural with his life. A strong tight hug that was caught off guard for them.

Catherine returned the hug too, most children whom appreciate her parental skills had done this before. Its just strange that a kid she met so briefly felt this way. She took it that maybe she was his first mother figure done right. Not really wanting to cause anymore of a scene. He let's go and hops into the car.

"Sometimes just being there even if it was very little could be a lot for them." Rose shrugs, "You do have that mothering down to the letter." They are friends out of work as well as colleagues within a foster care group. The exchange was pleasantries has some relief for Cattie, more sure that I wasn't going to be sent back any moment soon.

The drive to a hotel room, was not expectedly what was expected. Yet they aren't exactly living in the UK either. Triple agents don't stick around in one spot except for a safe house. This premier Inn was temporarily accommodation while on UK soil assignment. What was more strange was that they left James at the hotel unsupervised. He would guess what they are up to was no business of his. He used this hotel freebies for more things off borrowing tick list. They weren't going to hide that they are mage aware with him, so the treatment of not immediately going to the safe house could have been prevent any oddity. James thought maybe the safe house was being checked through before he was put there.