I felt a weight come over me, so heavy, so mindlessly numb that I closed my eyes and began to fall. I heard Draven scream my name – I heard Aden scream at the image that reflected Britain, then I heard the whispers hiss. As I collided with the ground, I tried to focus. I saw the shadows overtake Aden; they tried to overtake Draven, but he was saying random words so fast, the darkness was breaking apart before it could reach him.
Draven charged at Britain. I tried to scream, to tell him to stop, that it was an image of a demon – not some shadow that could be talked down - but I couldn’t find the words. I was slipping away. I was losing myself again. My eyes closed, and the only sound I could hear was my guitar.
The darkness started to fade, and I heard my name: “Charlie.” It was so faint that I couldn’t tell who had said it. “Charlie,” the voice said again. I opened my eyes, and all around me there was a white glow; it was warm and inviting, and I felt at peace.
Kneeling beside me, looking adoringly at me was my father.
“Are you real?” I asked in a tearful voice. “Did I just die?”
He gently reached for my hand and pulled me up. “You are not only alive…your soul is on fire.”
“Help me stop this – help them fight the shadows,” I pleaded, looking into my father’s dark eyes. I watched as his he carefully looked over every part of my face.
“The shadows are not the enemy.”
“I can’t save them fast enough; there are too many memories – too much heart ache.”
My father tilted his head and smiled warmly. “All you have to do is invoke an emotion – one emotion…and the most powerful emotion may be one they have never felt.”
“Then how can I help them remember something they never felt?” I asked in a pleading voice.
“Show them what it feels like to have it – let them see it in your life.”
“I can’t let my shield down – it’s not safe.”
“My beautiful girl,” he said, reaching to cradle my face. “It would only take an instant – then you can hide behind the wall I gave you.”
He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and felt the bliss of his presence fade and the coldness of the ground come to life around me. I struggled to open my eyes. Through a blur, I could see Draven and…Bianca, face to face – I could see Aden and Madison still struggling with darkness – I was terrified she was hypnotizing him – stealing him from me.
I pulled myself up on one arm, and in the loudest voice I could manage I said, “Come.”
In that instant, I was surrounded by dark images – and evil taunts. I couldn’t see past them. I had no way of knowing if they were the same ones that the others were fighting or simply more.
Too weak to hold myself up, I laid back on the ground and stared up at them as they hovered around me. “Do you want to feel this?” I mumbled as I let my shield fall and the memories I had of Draven loving me – the way his kiss felt – the way I felt when I heard him say “I love you” came to life around me.
The whispers stopped, and the images that were all around me grew hungry for that emotion. I let the sound of my guitar play in mind and felt my shield come to life again.
“If so,” I mumbled, trying to hold my eyes open, “fight for the one I love – redeem yourself with this one good deed.”
My eyes closed against my will. When I forced them open, I saw that the images were walking away from me. I rolled to my side and saw that Aden and Draven were side by side and that Madison was running to me.
Bianca looked past Draven to the images of the shadows that were coming to Draven’s side. Madison reached me and pulled my head into her lap.
“He has to show them,” I said, trying to focus.
“Show them what?!” she said breathlessly as she tried to get me to focus.
“Tell Draven to show them us – our memories – that will help them all at once,” I said, pushing her to go to him.
“Draven!” she screamed.
He looked our way. Madison didn’t say a word; she just let him see her memories – she let him see what I’d just said. Draven furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at me, then behind himself. In that instant, I saw every shadow turn into a light – separate, they were dim - but together, they were near blinding. In that instant, Bianca was gone and Britain was standing in front of Draven – I thought I was going insane – how was that image doing that? Who was Draven fighting? Did he even see Bianca? Was that Bianca who mocked the image of Draven before? My head spun as I tried to grasp reality.
Draven tuned and glared at Britain. “This is over.”
I stared at the image of Britain, waiting for him to say or do something .Then all at once, the image turned into Bianca again – I blinked, thinking my eyes were definitely playing tricks on me; when I focused again, I saw Britain. I started to crawl forward, not trusting anything I could see - as I moved, Britain turned into Bianca and smiled daringly down at me. But before I could scream her name, she turned back into Britain.
The image looked at Draven, and a confident grin came across its face. “No….she’s already asleep…you’re too late.”
Draven charged forward, but the light behind him and Aden was faster than he was – it swarmed around the image of Britain, then a vibration of pure energy erupted, and it was dark again – they were gone. I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer. I let my eyes fall and felt myself drifting deeply into sleep.
I tried to understand who that was…was it the real Britain….the one I thought I could save trapped somewhere and the devil just used his image…or was he the devil himself?
Chapter 18
Somewhere in my sleep, the sound of my guitar began to fade, and I heard a much sweeter voice. I heard Draven scream my name. I tried to answer him, but I couldn’t; I was too weak. I felt his lips on mine – I felt warmth – life – love flowing through me. It was as if I could breathe for the first time ever. I kissed him back, and I felt his arms tighten around me and pull me up. I opened my eyes, gasping for breath. Draven was holding me, and Madison and Aden were at his side…it was silent.
“Come on,” Draven said, leaning down to pick me up. “Ride with her,” he yelled at Aden as he ran to his Hummer.
He opened the passenger door of his Hummer and slid me in. I looked out the window to see Madison and Aden climbing in her car. I looked back at the collapsed bridge – I had no idea how I had survived the moment it fell. All you could see was the roof lying across the water. Draven climbed in and pulled me closer to him as he sped through the streets toward his house.
“Where’s my mom – Kara?” I asked as my focus came back to me.
“My house – your mom wanted to see Nana.”
“Did you tell them I was in danger?” I asked, fearing my mother was near insane at this point.
“No…we didn’t say anything; we just ran…Aden called Madison. We knew she was closer.”
“She should have waited for you…I thought she was gone at first.”
He tightened his arm around me as he drove faster. Once we reached his house, he sped around to the back of the house. I tried to sit up as he got out, but I felt the pain in every single one of my muscles. Draven gently pulled me to him and carried me across the garage.
“She’s bleeding, Draven – we should go to the hospital,” Aden demanded.
“It’s nothing – I don’t wanna go anywhere,” I pleaded as I tried to sit up in his arms. Draven held me closer and nodded for Aden to open the door for him. Madison rushed in behind him. As Draven carried me in, I saw Nana, my mom, and Kara around the island in the kitchen. I could see the terror in their eyes and heard the overlapping questions as Draven carried me through the kitchen.
“Find the first aid kit,” he yelled as he carried me up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, he turned to the right, then into the first doorway. He laid me across his bed, which centered the room. My mother was right behind us.
“Look at me, Draven – tell me w
hat happened.” He looked over his shoulder at my mother as I felt Kara crawl across the bed and start to look over me.
“Stop,” I said, pulling myself up. “I’m fine…just a little weak.”
“Look at me,” my mom said, reaching for my shoulders. “Show me what happened – I think you need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m not going anywhere – I’m safe here.”
“Look at me!” my mother commanded.
At that instant, I looked into her eyes and let my shield fall. I showed not only her but each of them every single second that I’d endured – the mock fight with Draven, myself fleeing from the house – the bridge collapsing – my fight for breath under the water – the words I said to that image.
I looked past my mom at Draven; I could see rage in his eyes as he relived it with me. Aden pushed him out of the room – I’m sure to calm him down. Madison followed them; I knew she was prepared to follow them wherever they chose to go. I pulled myself up – I needed to talk to Draven to calm him down.
“I’ll find the first aid kit,” Kara said, rushing out of the room.
Nana turned and started to go through Draven’s dresser at the end of the bed – I was sure she was looking for something for me change into.
My mother looked to her side at the thin air. “Do I need to take her to the doctor – how bad is it?!” she demanded.
At that moment, the image of my father appeared. He reached his hand for my shoulder, then looked over me carefully and shook his head no. I swear, I could see pride beaming from him. My mother tried to smile, but she was too worried for me. She pulled me to the other side of the room where Draven’s bathroom was.
“Take these off so I can see the scrapes,” she said as she closed the door.
I slowly began to take my clothes off, feeling the soreness all over me. Once I pulled my shirt off, I could see the scrapes on my side; they were covered in mud from the creek. I slid my boots off, then my jeans.
“Rinse off so I can treat these,” she said as she turned the water on in the shower.
I didn’t argue; the smell of the creek in my hair was near nauseating. I let the warm water run over me and take away the evidence of the murky water. As I let my hands rush across my side, I could feel small pieces of glass. I pulled them from my skin, squinting in pain as I watched the water wash away the blood.
I heard the door open and shut a few times; I was sure it was Kara and Nana bringing in the first aid kit and clothes for me. I lingered under the warm water, blocking out their voices as they whispered about me. My mind replayed all that I’d faced; I didn’t find a relief in my emotions like I should – all I found was dread. I knew that this wasn’t over….we didn’t just fight Britain…that was Bianca…that was the devil.
My mother reached in the shower, turned off the water, and handed me a towel. I didn’t look at her; I kept my eyes down as I took the towel and dried off behind the curtain, then wrapped it around me.
I pushed the curtain back to find concerned stares coming from Nana, Kara, and my mom.
Nana reached for a pair of shorts on the counter and held them open for me to slide into. I pulled them up and folded them down to make them small enough for me. Kara handed me a white T-shirt of Draven’s. As pulled it over my head, I took in the addicting aroma he always seemed to have. I held it above my ribs so my bleeding side wouldn’t stain it. My mom gently gripped my arm and urged me to sit on the side of the tub.
Both she and Nana started to treat the scrapes on my side as Kara brushed my hair out. I just stared forward, lost in a vacant thought.
“Stand up for me,” my mother said quietly.
I did as she requested, and she kneeled at my side so she could see my wounds. She then reached for the first aid kit and pulled a pair of tweezers.
“I can do this…just leave us alone,” my mom said, looking at Kara and Nana.
Nana put her hand on my mother’s shoulder, then smiled faintly at me as she turned to leave.
“Let me help, mom,” Kara pleaded.
“We’re fine,” my mother said as she removed another piece of glass from my side.
Kara leaned into me and kissed the side of my brow before she followed Nana. I looked in Draven’s room as she left, wanting to see him, but he wasn’t there.
Once my mother was sure all of the glass was gone, she rubbed medicine across the scrapes, then closed the wounds with bandages.
“Good as new,” I mumbled as she stood and started to clean up the mess we’d made.
“No…almost, though,” she said, looking over her shoulder at me.
I thought maybe she was mad at me for not telling Draven…for facing this on my own. I stepped forward and leaned against the counter.
“I didn’t have a chance, mom…not after we talked – it just happened so fast.”
She stepped closer to me, and her eyes danced all over my face. “You have to promise me – that you’ll never make a deal with the devil.”
“I didn’t,” I said in a confused tone.
“Charlie, I can see clearly – you told him the only way you would come was if he’d spare the others.”
I furrowed my eyebrows as I tried to remember what she was talking about. I moved my head from side to side. “I told him I wouldn’t come to him for silence – that saving them would be my only reason.”
“Right,” my mother said firmly. “You should have never told them your price.”
“It’s not a price – it’s my way of knowing that no matter what, we can stop this.”
“You’re not a sacrifice – you’re my daughter, and I taught you to be strong. We don’t give up in this family.”
I looked down and regretted the words I’d said and wondered how I’d pay for them in the distant future.
“I want you to run – run like hell.”
I looked up at her like she was insane. “You taught me to be strong – not to run.”
“Don’t use my words against me,” she said as her eyes filled with sympathy. “I know you have a way out – that you have a way to flee this world, and I want you to take it.”
“I’m not leaving you – your heart has been broken too many times.”
“I’m not alone, Charlie…I never have been…your father has always been at my side. I refuse to lose you – refuse to watch this destroy you.”
“Mom…one of the best lessons you’ve taught me is not to be selfish…I watched you give your life to me and Kara. It would be selfish for me to carry this demon to another’s doorstep – we’re not running.”
I watched as she fought back tears and let out a jagged breath. “OK, then…then stay in this world…stay at the side of the only one who can truly see you.”
“I will,” I whispered.
She reached her arms around me and pulled me to her. We swayed back and forth in the silence for a moment or two, then she slowly let me go.
She let out a deep breath, then opened the door. Draven was sitting on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. Madison was on one side of him, and Aden was on the other. He looked up as my mom walked past him. My eyes stared into his as I walked closer.
Draven stood and reached his arms out for me. Madison and Aden stood as well. I could feel the nervous anticipation in the air as I walked closer to Draven. Once in his arms, he pulled me to him, carefully avoiding my side.
“I think – I think we should go,” Aden said, looking at Madison.
“You don’t have to go…” I said, leaning back and looking at them both. “I’m sorry you had to go through that with me – I tried to do it on my own,” I said quietly.
They both shook their heads at once. “I told you we’re stronger together,” Aden said, leaning to kiss my forehead before he turned to leave the room.
Madison’s eyes searched all over me. “I wish I could have gotten there faster – been strong enough to fight through the shadows.”
I let go of Draven and reached my arms out for her. She
fought back tears and tried to smile as she stepped closer to me. “Your timing is always perfect…and you were so strong…I saw you help them…I could see the light.”
“You’re the light,” she whispered, hugging me back. She looked down, then reached to grip Draven’s arm as she passed him to leave. Once she closed the bedroom door, I looked up at Draven to find him staring at me.
I reached up and pulled his lips to mine. As I felt the warmth of his kiss, I felt a passion in my soul – I felt the aches in my body begin to fade as an urgency to hold him tighter came over me. He was careful not to touch my side as his hands gripped my waist and pulled me against him. As I raised my arms, I felt my bandage come loose, and I feared I was bleeding. I pulled away slowly and reached for my side.
“Let me see,” he said as he raised my shirt. “Lay down; I’ll get another one,” he said, gently encouraging me to lie across the bed. I didn’t argue; I was still weak. I laid on my side and waited for him.
My bag was across his dresser, and everything inside of it was lying out so it could dry. I glanced at the phone as I furrowed my eyebrows and tried to remember if that was mine or Britain’s. Then I remembered throwing Britain’s at the image of Draven.
I felt Draven’s warm hand pull the side of my shirt up. “The moment that image told you I was leaving you.... should have been the moment you realized it was the devil toying with you,” he said quietly as he replaced the bandage on my side.
I looked down at him and reached my hand to cradle his face. “Are you seeing me now?”
He leaned down and gently kissed my side, sending a warm sensation through every part of me before he answered. “I see tonight…I’m still blind to what led us here.”
I reached for his arm and pulled him to me. He crawled to my side and leaned over me. I found myself captivated by the beauty in his green eyes. “I’ll show you everything,” I whispered as I let my fingers run through the dark locks of his hair. I took in a deep breath and remembered it all – the image I saw in the library - what she said…my fears…the first time I saw them…the silent game I seemed to play with them. I hesitated as I remembered the night they all came over… the night I lost my memory.