by Mandi Oyster
We spent the evening eating, playing video games and enjoying ourselves. It was a nice change of pace. Marcy showed up right on time to kick Cody out of our room.
“Time for me to go.” Cody pulled me to my feet. His hands slid up my neck, sending shivers through me. He tipped my head back and pressed his lips against mine.
I grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled him closer to me. “Don’t leave,” I whispered.
“I have to. Marcy won’t go away until I do.” His lips brushed mine. “Good night. Sleep tight,” he said as he headed out the door.
Chapter 24
Ominous Feelings
“Dreams do come true,” the deep, rumbling voice growls.
I lie on the ground trying to get up. My entire body aches, and blood drips off my chin. I try to stand, but Nefarious has beaten me down. I know I can’t win this battle, but I can’t give up either.
Off in the distance, I hear Cody calling my name. “Dacia, where are you? Dacia?”
No! I scream in the confines of my head.
I can’t let Nefarious hurt Cody. Hearing his voice helps me find the strength to face the demon. I struggle to my feet. I stumble but catch myself.
Nefarious stands twelve feet tall. Four horns jut from his head. The two largest protrude from the top of his skull and another smaller one sticks out on each side. Fangs the size of my forearm fill his immense jaw. His crimson skin appears to be thick and hard. His legs are massive—the size of tree trunks. A spiked, jagged tail the length of his body slices through the air. His enormous, bat-like wings are tipped with sharp claws. In his right fist, he holds a sword that looks like a bolt of lightning, in his left, a flaming whip.
A scream rises in my throat, but I swallow it and advance on shaky legs.
He looks down at me like I am nothing more significant than an ant. Hatred fills his snake-like eyes, and for a moment, I am paralyzed by fear.
A rumbling voice in my head says, “Run away. You cannot defeat me, insignificant human.”
And I agree with him wholeheartedly. How can I defeat such a beast?
“You cannot!” the voice rings out as if he has been reading my thoughts. “Surrender to me.”
My legs tremble, wanting to heed his command. “No.” My voice is weak, scared. I can’t hand the world over to him. I have to fight for it, no matter what. “I won’t give up!” I sound strong, determined.
Once again the voice echoes in my head, “Give up, and I’ll spare him. If you insist on this battle, I’ll kill him right in front of you.”
I gasp. No, not Cody.
“Everyone you love will perish if you continue this fight.”
“Nothing will happen to them if I stop you,” I yell at him.
“Dacia?” Cody’s voice is closer.
An evil laugh erupts from Nefarious, and I know I have to do something. Now!
A lightning bolt shoots from my fingertips. It sizzles as it’s absorbed into Nefarious’ body.
“So, you have chosen your fate.” He growls and cracks his whip.
It flies through the air at me. I jump up and soar above it. The flames scorch my shoes, and the air smells of burnt rubber. Once again Nefarious cracks his whip, but this time it doesn’t come near me. I turn to follow its path. I hear Cody scream. He writhes in agony, entangled in the fiery whip.
“No!” A stream of ice flows from my fingertips, freezing the flames. I levitate a rock, hurling it toward the whip. It makes contact, and ice dances through the air in an impromptu storm as the whip shatters.
“Cody,” I call out as I run to him. His body is covered in burns. I kneel down and place my hands on his face. “Please, Cody, please.”
Nefarious’ steps shake the ground as he approaches. I need to turn to fight him, but I can’t leave Cody like this. I have to make sure he’ll be okay. I hold him a little longer. I can’t see his wounds healing, but his breathing evens out. “I’ll be back,” I tell him as I turn to face the demon.
He’s close enough to strike me with his sword. My heart pounds against my chest, sending waves of panic through my body. I fight to calm myself, to get a grip.
A fireball flies toward me. Ice flows from my hands. The fire sizzles, melting its way toward me. Water droplets fall to the ground. The flames diminish, but the ice isn’t enough to stop them. I turn to the side and brace myself for impact. The fire hits my arm, and my scream shatters the still night air.
“Dacia, wake up!” Samantha shook my shoulders. Her eyes were wide, her face flushed.
“I’m fine.” I reached over to turn on my light. “It was just another nightmare, a new one.”
Samantha gasped. “Oh my God.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked with a catch in my throat.
“Your chin is bleeding.”
I sat up, and Samantha’s face paled.
“What?”
She pointed a shaky finger. “Your arm.”
Blackened skin covered my left arm. I touched it gently. Nothing. I pressed harder. “I can’t feel anything.”
“Stop.” She pulled my hand away. “Just stop.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I’m the worst roommate ever.” I stared at the charred skin. “I’m sorry I keep waking you up. You must get sick of it.”
“Luckily, I took mostly afternoon classes.” She smiled with her mouth only. “I get some good sleep in after you leave.”
“I need to get cleaned up.” I pulled the covers back and waited for her to go down the ladder. “Why don’t you try to go back to sleep?”
She waited for me at the bottom, hands on hips. “Use the sink here.”
“No.” I grabbed my bathroom bag and a change of clothes. “I’m gonna rinse off in the shower.”
Samantha widened her stance and crossed her arms. “Do not go anywhere else.”
“I promise.”
I rinsed off, changed into uncharred pajamas, then stared at my reflection. The cut on my chin was barely noticeable, but I was bruised and burned all over.
As I stood there trying to decide how to save the world, the familiar uneasy feeling returned to the pit of my stomach. I doubled over thinking I might throw up. When the nausea released me, I hurried back to my room, no longer wanting to be alone. I closed the door and turned the lock. I stared at it, waiting for Nefarious or some other force to knock it down and attack me.
“Get a grip,” I said out loud to myself.
“If you want me to.” Arms wrapped around my waist.
With my hand keeping my heart from escaping my chest, I turned to face Cody. “Don’t ever do that again!”
“Sorry. “ He fought to hide his smile. His eyes traveled from my face to my arm, and his expression turned serious. “You okay?”
“A little spooked.” I nodded at my arm. “I can’t feel that yet. I hope it heals without me feeling it.”
“Spooked?”
I nodded. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Samantha thought you might wander off, so she called me.”
I glanced at her bed. She was sleeping or pretending to.
“I’m going to sleep in Cookie Monster, unless you want to talk.” He raised his eyebrow in a challenge. “Actually, I plan to sleep in one of these chairs ‘til this is over.”
“You can’t stay here! What about Marcy?”
He put his finger over my lips. “Quiet, and she’ll never know.”
I thought about biting his finger.
“It’s one o’clock. If she knew I came in, she’d’ve kicked me out.”
“Fine. I’m going to bed.”
He pulled me close to him and kissed me before sitting in the chair.
I climbed into bed on unsteady legs. Darkness shadowed my thoughts. Shallow breat
hs and a racing heart left me lightheaded.
I wondered if it was time for me to face Nefarious. I’d never seen him so clearly before. Maybe this was a sign my wait neared its end.
I drifted in and out of a tortured sleep. At three-thirty, I woke panicked. Knowing whatever I feared had finally happened.
Chapter 25
Second Chances
My arm burned and throbbed. I bit my lip and tried to fight the pain. I guess it’s healing. I climbed out of bed and got dressed, careful not to make a sound. I blinked back tears when I pulled my jacket over my arm. I didn’t want Samantha or Cody to wake up and keep me from leaving. It would’ve been nice to have them with me, but I knew they would try to talk me into staying. And, something told me there was no time to waste.
I hurried through the hall and down the stairs. Opening the door, I hesitated, intimidated by the thick blanket of fog. I reached behind my back for the doorknob. I knew I should go back to my room and go to sleep, but I let the handle slide out of my grip.
I couldn’t shake the need to do this. It gnawed at my insides, leaving me no choice but to follow through. I pulled the collar of my jacket up, snuggled into it for warmth, and mustered the courage to continue toward the commons.
Streetlights brightened the fog around them, but the light that reached the ground was so diffused that objects in front of me were merely shadows. I walked forward in what I hoped was the right direction. The fog disoriented me, making it impossible to tell where I was. Everything had a dream-like distortion to it.
My footsteps were deafening in the eerie silence. Nothing moved. There wasn’t a cricket chirping, an owl hooting, nothing.
My ears were tuned to listen for any noise out of the ordinary. As my imagination took over, my heart thumped against my chest, trying to free itself from my ribs. The hair on my neck stood on end. A chill rippled along my skin and left goosebumps in its wake.
The shadows created by the mist and fog surrounded me. I kept looking over my shoulder, but if anything was there, I didn’t see it.
“Dacia, stop scaring yourself,” I said out loud in an attempt to penetrate the silence and dispel the fear that overwhelmed me. They’re just shadows, nothing more. No one is following me. No one is going to jump out and grab me because no one in their right mind would be out on a night like this. I hated walking by myself in the dark, and tonight my normal fears were amplified thanks to the nagging feeling that compelled me to keep moving.
A terrified scream pierced the still night air.
I’m too late. The realization sent an icy spear of dread through my stomach. No.
I ran to the commotion. Please be okay. Please be okay. Please.
Light illuminated the ground in front of me. I stopped and took in my surroundings. With slow, deliberate steps, I moved forward. My eyes darted from side to side. On my left, a fire escape ran down Quartz Building. On my right, one clung to Primrose Hall and disappeared behind two huge dumpsters that stood alongside the building.
In front of me, I saw a crumpled body lying on the ground. My heart jumped into my throat, stopping my breath. Without seeing her face, I knew it was Sarah. I sprinted to her body and rolled her over. Her blank eyes stared straight up.
“Oh, please don’t be dead.” I choked back a sob and felt for a pulse. Finding none, I began CPR. I hoped that combined with my powers, it would be enough to bring her back. I squatted, keeping on my toes in case I needed to dart away.
The darkness closed in around me.
My mind raced, a thousand thoughts running through it at once: “Run. Give up. Don’t listen. You’re stronger than that. Stay calm. You can’t win. You’ll never defeat me. What will you do without your teacher? You’re an insignificant fool.”
Nefarious was nearby. I felt his presence even though I couldn’t see him. The urge to run—like I had in my dream—nearly overwhelmed me, but in my dream, I didn’t know I had the ability to heal. Now that I knew, I hoped I wasn’t too late to help Sarah.
I stared down at her lifeless face and thought I saw her eye move. I watched more carefully. Nothing … no movement. No, don’t die. Then she gasped for air. My heart leaped, but I couldn’t relax yet.
“Sarah, I know you’re hurt and you need to rest, but now is not the time. We have to get out of here as quickly as possible.” Fear crept into my voice. “We’re being watched. Nefarious is close.”
She nodded in understanding, and I helped her to her feet, levitating her like I had done with Cody.
“Go to my office.” Pain made her voice raw. “It’s closer.”
“Give me your keys.”
As I led her off, I heard Nefarious’ evil laughter, then the familiar growling voice, “Give up, Dacia. You cannot win.”
I looked over my shoulder and saw him shrouded in fog. I ran all of the way to Sarah’s office. I didn’t want to see if the Nefarious in my dream was the reality, but I couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t stop me.
I laid Sarah on one of the overstuffed couches. Then I called my room.
Cody answered on the first ring. Panic filled his voice.
“Cody, what’s wrong?”
“Where are you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I woke up and you were gone. Why?” Desperation clung to his voice. “Samantha and I looked, but in this fog, you can’t see anything. Where are you?”
“I’m in Sarah’s office.” I fought to keep my eyes open. Exhaustion from using my powers threatened to overcome me. “I need sleep. I’ll tell you and Sam—” I yawned “—all about it over breakfast.”
“We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Cody said right before I heard the dial tone.
I called my room again, but nobody answered. Please, Cody, pick up the phone. It’s not safe out there tonight. I let out a heavy sigh, hung up and looked at Sarah. “Nefarious is still out there. I have to find them before he does.”
“You didn’t think they would stay behind. Did you?” Sarah’s voice was so quiet, I had to strain to hear her.
“No.” I started for the door and clutched my arm. Searing pain radiated through it, burning, scorching. I tugged my jacket off. The once blackened skin was bright red and blistered. The touch of the air was like a thousand needles stabbing my arm.
Darkness crept over the edges of my vision, and my legs wobbled. I reached for the couch to steady myself.
“Dacia, are you okay?” Sarah asked as I fell to the floor.
Sleep welcomed me into its arms, embracing me like it hadn’t done in days. I never heard the door open, never heard Cody and Samantha enter the room. I don’t think I moved for the rest of the night. And dreams did not dare to disrupt my slumber.
I woke up Saturday morning with the sun shining on my face. I yawned and stretched like a cat, then realized I was on the couch.
“Morning, sleepy head,” Cody said.
“Hey.” I combed my fingers through my hair, trying to pull the tangles out of it. As I did, I noticed my arm was completely healed. Thank God. “When did you get here?”
“About five minutes after your call,” Cody said.
“Thanks for waiting up for us.” Samantha’s voice held barely contained anger.
“I’m sorry.” My heart sank. “I collapsed.”
“We could’ve used some sleep. But between your nightmares and sneaking off, we didn’t get much rest,” Samantha grumbled. Heavy, black bags weighed down her red-rimmed eyes.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. I literally collapsed.”
“That explains you lying on the floor,” Cody said.
“Did either of you sleep?” Guilt welled in me for what I’d put my friends through.
Cody patted the couch. “With my head right here, s
o I’d know if you moved.”
I lowered my gaze to the floor. I had to leave. Sarah would be dead if I’d stayed.
“I tried to sleep in the chair.” The sharp edge of Samantha’s voice had dulled slightly. “Here—” she tossed me the amulet “—you left this hanging on your bed.”
I turned it over in my hands. I wonder if it would’ve helped me at all last night.
I looked around the room and realized Sarah wasn’t lying on the couch opposite me. “Where’s Sarah?”
“Went to get breakfast.” Cody sat on the couch, putting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side.
I looked out the window. The fog had cleared, and the sky was the blue you only find in the mountains. “Did she tell you about last night?”
“No. When we got here, she could barely keep her eyes open. Her face was really pale. She looked sick.” Samantha paced the room, stopping with her hands on her hips. “I want to know what would make you consider going out on your own in the middle of the night after what happened last time.”
“That uneasy feeling I’ve had lately made me get out of bed. I knew I had to leave the room, and I knew you two would try to talk me out of it.” A chill ran up my spine. “I didn’t want to go out on my own. Believe me, I was scared to death, but it was something I had to do. And I had to do it immediately.”
We sat in silence. Samantha’s annoyance began to turn into curiosity. Sarah stepped through the door. “Breakfast is here,” she announced. “Dacia, I see you finally woke up.”
“Yeah, I actually slept pretty well after passing out.”
“That’s good to hear. Cody, would you mind clearing the coffee table? We’ll eat there.” She carried the donuts, coffee, and milk over to it. “Why don’t you all have a seat, and we’ll talk about last night. I want to start with Dacia’s dream.”
I launched into my story. “I saw Nefarious.”
“In your dream?” Cody asked.
“Yes.” And through the fog.