“Jayden!” Uncle called.
Jayden looked up from his book and gazed out the window. Outside, the moon shone down over the darkened countryside. He was free, yet he was still scared to leave the position that Master had left him in, reading his apothecary books. Jayden was studying to become an apprentice to his uncle. After a moment of stillness, Jayden blew out the candle on his desk and moved the golden-brown hair from his eyes, casting one last glance out the window at the glistening moon before going down stairs.

Jayden quickly passed through the dark, creaky halls of his uncle’s house. He carefully navigated the labyrinth of passageways, avoiding the creaky floor boards.
“Jayden!” Uncle called again, his voice echoing through the dark house.
Jayden quickened his pace, Uncle was usually a kind, gentle man, but he didn’t like to be kept waiting. Jayden’s parents died when he was small, before he was assigned a master, so his uncle took him in as his own son and was training him in a profession.
Jayden entered his Uncle’s study, not surprised to see him crouched over his desk, his hands a blur as he mixed and stirred different powders and concoctions.
“Yes Uncle?” Jayden said respectfully.
Without looking up, his uncle said “Jayden, I need you to run into town and go to my office.”
Jayden couldn’t believe what his uncle was telling him. He wanted him to go out? In the night? Alone? Didn’t uncle know how petrified Jayden was of the things that went on in the night? After the sun went down, people, free of their masters’ control, would become reckless and it could sometimes turn dangerous. Jayden’s parents had disappeared into the night and never returned.
When his nephew didn’t answer him, Uncle looked up and saw the look of horror on Jayden’s face. “Jayden, you can’t live in a fear of going outside after dark your whole life,” he said, “and besides, I need you to get me the vial of powdered brittle morrweed from the shelf behind me desk. You know where it is, right?”
Jayden nodded slowly, his uncle was right, he needed to stand up to his fear, to embrace the time that he had to be free from his master. But Jayden didn’t like being in control of his life, he had become so dependent on his master that he usually spent the night in the exact place his master left him, waiting for the sun to rise. Jayden was lucky to have a kind man for a master whose goal was to make sure that Jayden would become a good apprentice to his uncle.
“Good,” said Uncle, “now hurry, I need to be finished this potion by sun rise.”
Jayden turned to leave and as he was walking out the door he heard his Uncle tell him, “Jayden, I am proud of you and I’m sure your parents would be too.”

I wandered the darkened streets, my pockets clinking with the gold and coins that I had just recently stolen. My mastered had forced me to break into the home of a wealthy man and I stole as much as I could find. I suppose this man had been an enemy of Master before he died. I hated my life of crime. It was the reason that my parents had abandoned me, alone in an alleyway when I was eight. They told me they would be back, but I never saw them again. I don’t blame them though, I was a very bad child; I would sneak out of the house to harm others. It wasn’t my choice, and my parents knew that, but it was also at night, after Master’s control had been lifted, I would have random bursts of anger and violence because of what I was being forced to do. So I have been wandering the streets ever since.
As I walked, people around me would swerve to try to avoid being near me. I was used to it; I had made quite a reputation for myself in this little town. But I was never charged or caught for my crimes because I knew how to slip into the shadows, disappear without a trace, and I knew who to go to trade my stolen goods for food.
I was walking along in a back alley when I heard someone behind me. I turned and saw a black-caped figure walking briskly, head down, towards me; he obviously didn’t notice me because he just walked on past me, not even moving to the side. I decided to follow him because I really had nothing better to do. I slipped into the shadows, following him like a hungry cat stalking its prey. He stopped outside the apothecary’s store. He took out a key and began unlocking the door. I wondered who he could be. He was too short to be the apothecary himself, he was a little shorter than me, even though I am quite tall for my thirteen years. But how did he have a key? He could be an apprentice, but I had never seen the apothecary’s apprentice before.
He slipped into the store and I followed. I silently stopped the door before it closed and stood just inside the doorway, waiting for him to light a lamp. The store smelled strongly of a root that I couldn’t quite remember the name of. He lit a lamp and began working with his back to me behind the counter. There was a large wooden counter that took up most of the room and behind it the wall was lined with shelves. The shelves were filled with jars and vials of all shapes and sizes. They were full of powders and liquids of all different colours. He took off his hood to reveal a head of dirty-blonde hair and I knew he was my age, just a little shorter. The boy must have been the apothecary’s apprentice because of the way he worked quickly and took things off the shelf without some much as a pause. I decided say hello, I felt creepy just standing there behind him.
“Hello,” I said calmly.
The boy jumped and turned around cautiously. He just stared at me in horror for what seemed like hours. I finally said, “Are you the apothecary’s assistant? Well, I’ve never seen you around before. My name is Isobel, by the way.”
The boy still just stared. I was getting a little impatient. I hadn’t talked to anyone my age in a long time, and he was just staring at me like a frightened child.
Eventually the boy came to his senses and said, “Um, my name is Jayden. I am the apothecary’s apprentice. Well, not yet any way, but I am studying to be.”
“So why haven’t I seen you before?” l asked.
“Well, Uncle-the apothecary... he usually has me stay at home studying at night,” Jayden replied, but it sounded like he was hiding something.
“Then why are you here now?” I asked.
“I’m just running an errand for him.” Jayden said. “I have to go.”
“Well, Jayden, I hope we meet again sometime,” I said, “Goodbye.” And with that I slipped into the night, leaving him alone to lock up the shop.

Jayden stood in Uncle’s shop, stunned. He had no idea what had just happened. Who was that girl? She was so tall and confident, and her eyes shone like the moon. She was... beautiful. Jayden knew that she wasn’t just any normal girl, no; she seemed different than anyone who he had ever met. Jayden packed up the crushed root for Uncle, locked up the shop, and stepped into the night. As Jayden walked down the dark country lane, he wasn’t constantly afraid of what was lurking around him, as he was on the trip into town, but his mind was focused on that girl, Isobel, she said her name was. He knew that they would meet again, he was no longer afraid of the night, seeing how confidently she strode out of the shop and into the street. Jayden made the final turn onto his uncle’s driveway and started walking up to the huge, somewhat intimidating, mansion that was his house, but, in his heart he knew, was not truly his home.

I wandered the streets alone all night, lost in thoughts about that mysterious boy. Why didn’t he ever come into town? What was he hiding? And his eyes, so scarred, yet strong. I had to admit, he was very handsome, with his brown-blonde hair hanging over his face a bit, and his chiselled features. I knew I had to meet him again.
As the sun rose, I felt as if a heavy weight was being placed back on my shoulders. Master had me sell the stolen goods to buy food, and I was grateful for the stale bread, I hadn’t eaten since the day before. I guess he couldn’t think of anything else for me to do because he sort of let go of control a few hours before the sun went down. Maybe he was beginning to realize that the crimes he committed through me were a waste of time. I hoped so.

Jayden awoke to the light streaming in through the window. The sun was already high in the sky, which was strange, he usually woke up when the sun rose and his master took control. He sat up in bed and realized that he didn’t seem as though anyone one was controlling him. But then he stood up without meaning to and he knew his master had taken back control. Jayden spent the day studying and helping his uncle mix medicines to make different remedies. His master seemed determined to make Jayden into an apothecary, but deep down, Jayden knew that he wanted to do something more with his life.
In the afternoon, Uncle gave Jayden a package to take to a customer in town. Jayden took it excitedly, hoping he might run into that girl again, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Jayden knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop and talk to her because they were both under their masters’ control still, but just seeing her made him excited.
As he strode down the country lane, Jayden thought about Isobel. His feet may have been controlled by his master, but his mind was completely his. He realized that he sort of liked her. But he knew that couldn’t be possible, no one fell in love anymore. People were just matched together to continue the human population. But he remembered the way his parents had looked at each other, he was small when they disappeared, but he remembered that they seemed to actually like each other, maybe even love one another. Jayden pushed these thoughts out of his mind. No, that’s not possible. But as he walked on, he became more and more uncertain.

Shortly after Master had let go of the reins, I saw that boy again, Jayden. He was walking through the streets with a parcel. I had to resist the urge to go over and talk to him. But he, unlike me, was still under his master’s control. But I decided that I should try to send him a message to meet again.
As he walked out of the house that he delivered his parcel to, I stood across the street, looking at him and waiting for him to look up. As he hopped down the last step, Jayden looked up in my direction and our eyes met. He looked so different in the sunlight, his eyes glistened and his hair shined. I mouthed “meet me here tonight” to him and then swiftly turned away and went on my way.

As he walked back to his uncle’s house, Jayden couldn’t help but smile a little. He was so excited. He was going to see Isobel that night! He thought of an excuse to tell Uncle, he has to get a pair of pants hemmed for the next day.
As Jayden walked in the door, he saw his uncle staring out a window at the never ending countryside. “Hello Uncle,” Jayden said.
His uncle turned around, “Oh, hi Jayden,” he said sadly and sighed.
“What is it Uncle?” Jayden asked, worried.
“I was just thinking about your parents, they are-I mean were- such amazing people, they would be proud of you, you know.” Uncle’s master was very laid back; he let Uncle have much control over his life because he used his knowledge to heal other people.
Jayden smiled, “Thank you, Uncle. Would you like me to make us some tea?”
“Yes,” Uncle replied, “that would be very nice.”

I waited for Master to take back control all day, but he never did. At sundown I went to the spot where I had last seen Jayden. A few minutes later, there he was.
“Hello,” he said with a lot more confidence than the last time we talked.
“Hi, I’m glad you came,” I said.
“Thanks. I’m glad I came too.” We laughed a little at this.
“So, what shall we do?” he asked.
“We should take a walk; I don’t know very much about you, would you care to fill me in?” I asked.
“Sure,” he said “As long as you tell me about you.”
I shuttered a little at this, what was I going to tell him?
“Well, my name is Jayden,” he started, “But you already knew that.” At this, he smiled. Even in the fading light, I could see he was even more handsome when he smiled.
Jayden told me about his life. About how his parents had disappeared when he was still very young. About how his uncle had taken him in and raised him as his own. About how he was studying to be an apothecary like his uncle. His life was a very interesting story, so interesting, in fact, that I didn’t have time to think about what I was going to tell him.
When he finished, he turned to me and asked, “Enough about me, what about you?”
I paused for a moment, and then decided to tell him the truth, just not all of it. “Well, my name is Isobel. I don’t have any parents either,” I didn’t tell him why, of course. “So I pretty much raised myself.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. We continued walking for a while in silence.
Then he started to walk a little closer to my side. Eventually, he reached for my hand and held it in his. I felt so happy, I really liked him.
We walked for a while, we started to talk about the weather and I asked him some questions about being an apothecary. After a couple of hours, he told me he had to go home because he had told his uncle he was coming to town to have his pants hemmed. We said goodbye and he hugged me. I hugged him back and couldn’t help but smile widely. Then we both went on our way.

Jayden and Isobel continued to meet in town at night. Jayden loved being with Isobel, she made him so happy. But he thought that she was hiding something because of the way she tried to change the subject when they started talking about their masters. But Jayden didn’t care, he liked Isobel.
One month later, Jayden came down stairs one morning to find his uncle sitting at the table with a breakfast feast in front of him.
“Happy Birthday!” he yelled.

Then Jayden remembered that it was his fourteenth birthday! How could he have forgotten? Jayden and Uncle had a happy and delicious breakfast. As they were clearing the table, Uncle told Jayden that he had a present for him. Uncle left the room and entered his study. He came back a minute later with a large, leather-bound book.
“Your father gave me this book to give to you when you were old enough.” He said as he handed it to Jayden.
Jayden took the book and read the title “The Apothecary’s Book of Secrets”. It didn’t make sense to Jayden, why had his father given Uncle the book? Did he plan on disappearing into the night and leaving his son in his brother’s care to become an apothecary? But Jayden thanked his uncle and continued to clear the table. Jayden worked in the shop beside his uncle all day. When he had time to himself, he read the book. The first few chapters were about potions and powders that healed different diseases. As Jayden read he noticed a bump in the pages. The more pages he turned, the larger the bump got. Eventually, he turned a page an there was a folded note. Jayden looked at his uncle who was busy talking to a customer. He cautiously opened the note and read it.

Jayden,
Our dear son, please forgive us. We did not just disappear into the night; we left for your safety. We have found a way to break the strings between the master and puppet. But it put our lives and yours into jeopardy. So we left you with your uncle for your safety. One day you will learn the secret to breaking the strings, and when you do, be careful. We were not careful and we regret it now. Your uncle will take great care of you and teach you to be an apothecary. Your soul my not agree, but do as he and your master wish until you find a way to break the strings. Now we will tell you one thing: there is a way to read the thoughts of your master. You must use your dreams to penetrate their mind when they release their control on you. Use this skill well, son.
Goodbye and always remember that we love you, your father and mother.
Graham and Lucinda Drake

Jayden stared at the note. How could this be? His parents had broken their strings? How was that possible? Why were they in danger? It was possible to read your master’s thoughts? Jayden had so many questions. He couldn’t ask his uncle because the note was probably supposed to be a secret, right? Jayden could think of only one other person to ask, Isobel.
Jayden left the house as soon as the sun set. He ran into town and looked for Isobel. He found her sitting on a bench across from the shop.
“Hey,” he said, catching his breath.
She turned around and smiled, “Hi. Why are you out of breath?”
“I ran here,” he gasped, “I have to show you something.”
Isobel looked a little confused, but said, “Um, okay, what is it?”
“No,” Jayden said, “not here.”
So together they walked to an empty square in the center of town, Jayden leading the way as he pulled Isobel behind him. They sat down in the grass, and Jayden pulled the note from his pocket. He handed it to Isobel and watched as she read it in the evaporating light. When she was done, she looked at him. They just looked at each other for a few minutes, their minds trying to process the note.
Eventually, Isobel said, “I have heard of a puppet reading their masters thoughts, but I never knew how. But I have never heard of someone breaking the strings before. And how could it put your parents in danger?”
Jayden said, “Maybe they tried to tell people about how they could break their strings too, but they didn’t believe them.”
Isobel considered this, “Yeah, maybe. So you don’t want to be an apothecary?”
“No, not really,” Jayden said, “I feel like I want to become something more. But I can’t ever do that because my uncle and, more importantly, my master want me to become an apothecary.”
“Well,” said Isobel, “There is one way to become something more... break the strings.”

Jayden and I talked late into the night, discussing possible ways to break the strings. Now that I knew it was possible, I wanted to break free of my master’s control more than anything. I wanted to stop having to harm others and, more importantly, I wanted to stop having to lie to Jayden. We decided to both go home and try to read our masters thoughts through our dreams. We said goodbye, hugged, and left each other. I didn’t have a real home so I went to the archway in the park by the fountain. I fell asleep huddled into a corner.


While I was asleep, I imagined what my master looked like. I imagined him as a large, dirty, unkempt man with a hot temper. I imagined him asleep while sitting at a table. I walked up to him and sat down across from his. The room we were in was foggy and smelled of smoke. The only things I could see were him and the table. I closed my eyes and listened hard. At first, I didn’t hear anything but his snoring. But then I heard a deep, gruff voice. I seemed to come from him, even thought he was asleep.
“What else can I get the girl to do?” the voice of me master said, “The list of my enemies is becoming shorter and shorter. But I am slowly losing my control on her. I have to use my power over her until I lose it. But who is there left that I hate? Oh I know, that horrible man, Nathan Drake!”
At this, my heart almost stopped beating; Nathan Drake was Jayden’s uncle! But Jayden said that he was a kind, gentle man! I wanted to stop listening, but I couldn’t, I needed to hear this.
“Yes, that evil man killed my poor Shirley. He said that she was incurable! What a liar! He deserves to suffer! But how do I get back at him? I know; I will kill that nephew of his! He will be completely devastated by that, just as I was when he killed Shirley! But when should I do it? As soon as I regain enough control over that stupid girl...”
I woke up with a start, breathing heavily. This couldn’t be true. Why was this happening? I knew I couldn’t let master take back his control of me. I had to fight him. I had to protect Jayden.
When the sun rose the next morning, I cringed in fear under the arch. Master had regained control. He forced me to walk through town, I tried to stop myself, but it was no use, I was just a puppet on a string, dancing while my master laughed. I kept thinking about Jayden, about how much I cared for him. I walked all of the way to Jayden’s house. I slipped in through an open window and went up the stairs. I tried to hold myself back, thinking of possible ways to take back control, to break the strings.
Then it came to me. Love. That was how you broke the strings; you had to fall in love. That was how Jayden’s parents broke the strings, they fell in love. Jayden had told me about how is parents looked at each other, how much they cared for each other. That was why Master was losing his control; I was in love with Jayden. I knew I had to break the strings; I had to tell Jayden I loved him. I was at the end of the hallway by that time, right outside Jayden’s door. I thought of how much I loved him and began to cry. I pushed open the door, and Jayden turned around to see who was entering his room. He looked at me with confusion and then compassion.
“Isobel,” he said, “What are you doing here?”
I mustered all of the power I had. I took a deep breath. “Jayden,” I struggled to say, he rushed to my side. I finally managed to say, “I ... love you.” Then everything went black.

***
I was awakened by light streaming onto my face. I couldn’t move, but was able to open my eyes. I saw that I was in a bed. I felt someone holding my hand and looked over. It was Jayden; he was sitting in a chair next to the bed, staring at me worriedly. But then his face brightened.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, letting go of my hand to move the hair out of my face.
I swallowed and said weakly, “Fine, but, what happened?”
Jayden smiled and said, “You figured it out, you broke the strings!”
Then I remembered what happened. I felt tears of relief well up in my eyes. I suddenly felt extremely tired. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Not long after Isobel had fallen back asleep, Jayden’s uncle came into the room.
“How is she doing?” he asked.
“She is doing well,” Jayden said, looking down at Isobel who was peacefully sleeping.
“You know Jayden,” Uncle said, sitting down in a chair next to his nephew. “There are many things I haven’t told you. You must have so many questions.”
Jayden looked up from Isobel and into his uncle’s wise eyes. “Yes, I do.”
“Well, first of all, your parents didn’t just disappear into the night, but you probably know that from the note. “
“What?” Jayden asked, “You know about the note?”

“Yes,” said his uncle calmly, “I know about many things. So, what do you want to know first?”
Jayden thought about this. Finally, he replied, “Why were my parents in danger? Will Isobel and I be in danger too?”
“Well,” said Uncle, “After your parents broke the strings, they decided to help others to do the same. I warned them not to, but they did anyway, some people called them fools, others accused them of practising witchcraft, the few who did believe them became jealous. Your parents left you with me and went into hiding.”
Jayden’s eyes widened, “You mean they’re still alive?!”
His uncle smiled, “Why, yes, I do. After Isobel heals, we should all pay them a visit.”
Jayden was so happy that he smiled from ear to ear. He looked down at Isobel and whispered that everything was going to be alright.

As Annabel helped her mother and grandmother set the table for Sunday dinner, her father, grandfather, and great-uncle, came in the door.
“Hi Daddy,” Annabel said and she hugged her father.
“Hello sweetheart,” he said and kissed her on the forehead. He turned to his wife and said, “Hello to you, my darling Isobel.”
“Where have you been, Jayden” Annabel’s mother asked, “Lucinda and I have been worried.”
“Me too!” Annabel piped up.
Her great-uncle Nathan kissed Annabel on the forehead, “I apologize, can you ever forgive us?”
Annabel smiled and said, “I think so.”
As the family sat down to dinner, Annabel looked at her happy, chatting family and was glad that she lived in a time when the thought of someone controlling someone else while in the afterlife was just a distant memory, about to disappear on the horizon with the setting sun.