"I need the four of you to take my nephew to the Now and stay there until you get word from me that it's safe." Abernathy hustled them all into a circle.
"Safe from what?" Kyle asked.
"Mr. Burkletter there isn't time. I promise to explain when you return." Abernathy opened a small book.
Ophelia recognized it. A duplicate to the one under her pillow.
"And the students here?" Ophelia frowned.
"They'll be fine."
"I don't understand. What exactly is this place?" Ophelia's swiped her hands on her dress.
"Miss Wetherton, we don't have time for this. You will see soon enough."
Abernathy raised his hands and commanded. "Not here, not there, not anywhere. Through the door I vow, to the realm which is, Now."
Ophelia gasped as the blackness crept down the walls of the room and cloaked them in darkness. Amry whispered words of comfort in her ear, but they did little to ease her apprehension. The Headmaster's voice grew further and further away as the blackness coddled their bodies and lifted them weightless in the atmosphere.
Ophelia shut her eyes tight. The movement made her dizzy. She pushed back the churning nausea with her throat muscles, holding the sour taste of bile at bay. She hoped Amry would hear from Mr. Johnson when they got back… if they got back. The idea of tasting and feeling something that has been gone over a hundred years was beginning to freak her out. A hot shower was one thing, but phantom organs giving real sensation—she needed answers.
"Lia, open your eyes. We’re here."
Ophelia tapped her foot on solid ground and sighed.
"Come on you, open them," Amry laughed.
Ophelia peeled open her lids. In front of her lay a narrow path, winding and twisting into a gray abyss. To her left, a crisp, clear view of the Academy, and to her right, a picture-perfect vision of the little town where the breather's resided.
"This is so peculiar." She reached her hand out toward the school, the image blurred. "What is it?"
"The two worlds surround us and we're occupying the space that separates them. Sort of like a doorway. On one side your room, on the other, the dorm hallway. We're standing directly in the threshold." Amry grinned.
"Why are you grinning? This is not funny." Zachary's voice cracked.
"I think it's kind of funny," Amry replied, "We can see everything going on in both places, but they have no clue we're watching." Amry pointed in both directions.
Zachary clenched his fists. "I know what this is. Remember?"
Ophelia gulped. They had all forgotten, she was sure of it. Zachary had been banished to an in-between for five hundred years.
"Zachary, we are sorry," Ophelia apologized.
"Don't!" Kyle snapped, "Why should you apologize to him?"
"Because he knows firsthand what the in-between is."
"So what?" Kyle's voice deepened.
"So, stop judging. We have no idea what he has really been through," Ophelia defended.
Zachary's neck whipped and turned to Ophelia.
"Can we move around here?" Ophelia asked.
"You can walk along the pathway, you can sit down, and you can lay down, but don't disrupt the wall that separates us. And don't wander too far. You don't know what's out there," Zachary replied.
Ophelia gently smiled.
"We will be fine if we stay in place," Zachary suggested.
Ophelia shuddered; crossing her legs, she collapsed to the ground. Facing the town, she yearned to be there. Stretching her neck to get a better look, it saddened and yet exhilarated her at the same time.
"You never told us what happened to you?" she turned to Zachary.
"My mother. She did not know my father was a sorcerer when they met. Worse, he practiced dark magick. By the time she found out, it was too late. He killed her. But she hid me with some friends. Unfortunately, he found the couple and killed them too. I was older by then and took to the streets, surviving anyway I could."
Ophelia was stunned.
"I am so sorry that happened to you. I could never imagine my parents ever doing anything to harm me or Haven." Ophelia skipped a breath.
"Yeah, dude. That’s the worst," Kyle chimed in.
Bethany and Amry nodded in agreement.
"Is your dad still trying to find you? Is that who you’re hiding from?" Ophelia leaned closer.
"No. He's dead. It is who I am; that is why I'm being hunted. His followers want me because I am half dark sorcerer."
A bolt of light pierced through the darkness and swirled its way toward them creating a circular motion above their heads.
The vision of town blurred into the blackness, filling the crevices of open space. Swaying with weightlessness once again, Ophelia's stomach soured. In a moment they were back in the Headmaster's office.
"Children, is everyone all right?" Abernathy cleared his throat.
"We are well, uncle," Zachary acknowledged.
"We need answers." The four of them ganged up on Abernathy.
"As I promised. There are souls who wish to take my nephew and use him for evil. Things that would affect both the world of the living and the dead. They want to control his dark side. His father was very powerful, but just as malevolent. My poor sister didn't realize any of this until it was too late, the price was her life. Most of what you read about Zachary is false. A cover made up to get him to the Academy. They couldn't know he was my nephew." Abernathy sat down.
"He wasn't banished to the in-between?" Ophelia asked.
"No, he was. But it was to save his soul. I sent him there for a short time. I had no idea that Zachary would fall prey to the Underworld. A realm of the in-between that occupies the space dividing heaven and hell."
"Wait. I thought that is what the Academy was?" Ophelia inquired.
"No, Miss Wetherton. The world of the Academy is occupying the same space as the living."
"What?" All four students clamored to Abernathy.
"Uncle, please explain." Zachary's eyes widened.
"When I created this for all of you, it was not its only purpose. I knew one day I would find Zachary. And when I did, I would need a safe place to bring him. Creating a new realm attracts a lot of unwanted attention. So instead, I used an existing school. A veil between us keeps the worlds separated."
"That's why there are showers, and the gym, and the cafeteria," Ophelia gasped.
"Precisely. Although I must say it's worked out for you my dear girl," Abernathy chuckled.
"What school?" Ophelia squeaked.
"Excuse me?"
"What is the name of the school that we are sharing? It would be different than The Academy of Souls."
"Cain Amry Thearige Academy."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Amry squinted.
"I'm not sure I understand the question. Do you have trouble hearing, Miss Goodman?"
"No. You said, Cain Amry Thearige Academy, yes?"
"Indeed."
"That's my great, great grandfather. I was named after him.”
"So, you're actually in the school named after a member of your family?” Kyle chimed, "Cool."
"Yes." Amry stared out the window.
"Headmaster. Where is the other academy located?" Ophelia inquired.
"The original building was constructed in England several hundred years ago, but we share worlds with a replica created in America some one hundred plus years ago. Thearige's grandson wanted the exact duplicate. He had several bricks taken from a tower no longer in use and transported across the ocean. His academy is a monument to his great grandfather who created a small village in New York, Floral Park."
"And Amry is connected to all of this," Ophelia murmured.
"Did you know?" Amry glared at Abernathy.
"No, Miss Goodman. I promise you, I had no idea."
"What difference does it make? Can we get back to Zachary and why we had to go to the in-between? Which, by the way is creepy as shit," Kyle demanded.
"Yes. The souls that want him will s
top at nothing."
"And they were here at the school?" Kyle interrogated.
"Not at the school. They were lurking about in town. But I fear if they get too close, they will uncover the veil. Then both schools will be in jeopardy."
"You're a sorcerer, why don't you just get rid of them?" Kyle huffed.
"There are too many of them. If I strike at one group, another will just take their place. I'm trying to find a way to reach all of them, I just need more time." Abernathy dropped his chin.
"I have a question," Ophelia asked.
"Yes, Miss Wetherton." Abernathy raised his head.
"Not you. Him. "Ophelia pointed to Zachary. "Why were you such a bastard when you arrived here?" Ophelia furrowed her brow.
"I thought it'd be safer for everyone else if they stayed away from me. I did not plan on my uncle having the four of you babysit me." Zachary glared at Abernathy.
Headmaster Abernathy cleared his throat.
"Now all of you understand the entire situation. Please keep this to yourselves. The least number of students who know, the better. Mr. Coal and Mr. Rain will discreetly be following all five of you. Stay together but keep up appearances. If Zachary blends in, the better it will be for his safety, the living, and the dead."
No one had any words left. They just nodded.
Needing some time to discuss what had happened and the new introduction to who Zachary really is, they had agreed to meet at the library.
Ophelia needed to recharge. Somehow, having human tendencies wore her energy down quicker than her friends. Promising to join them shortly, she went back to the dorm room to lie down. An hour of rest would be enough to regain her full strength.
Snuggling her pillow, she rolled onto her side facing the room. Amry's bed was perfect as usual. Which wasn't difficult, she rarely laid on it. A small circle of light hovered above the neatly folded blanket at the foot of the bed. She glanced out of the window at the sliver of sky peeking out—dusk. The sun had nearly set. Lifting her head, she widened her eyes. The sphere appeared bigger than a moment ago. Shooting up, she clutched her pillow to her chest and gasped as it ferociously spun in a circular motion creating a screeching wind. Ophelia dropped her pillow and covered her ears. It was happening again, this time, she'd be ready.
9
Welcome to the Academy Alex McKenna
The chiming of the doorbell signaled dinner had arrived. Alex slipped his debit card out of his wallet and gave the delivery girl a generous tip with payment. His mom had been a waitress in her younger days and schooled both her kids on showing appreciation for a job well done. Working to get her real estate license, she relied on tips to get her through school.
Margaret poured them each a glass of soda, grabbed some napkins and paper plates from the kitchen cabinet, and followed Alex up the staircase to his room. Although the house was empty, they both preferred the sanctuary of his bedroom. It was theirs. The one domain in the house they didn't have to share.
Plopping down on the bed next to each other, Alex lay the pizza box on his lap and opened it. Garlic, pepper, and melted mozzarella pervaded through the air and nestled on the inhale, filling his nose with an explosion that ignited his taste buds and made his mouth water.
"Mmm, cheese paper," Margaret cooed.
She reached in and stretched off a piece of melted cheese from the wax paper below the pie.
"You know, Lorenzo's is one of the few pizzerias’ that still puts that paper in the box." Alex observed.
"I know. That's why I love it so much." Margaret pulled off another wayward glob of cheese.
"And that's why I love you so much."
"Because I like cheese paper?" She licked her lips.
"The simplest things are so exciting to you. Most people could care less about cheese that's melted into wax paper, but you, it's a fascination. And that fascinates me." He leaned in and peppered her neck with kisses.
"Maybe after our pizza, we should think about dessert," Margaret said coyly.
"Oh, there's no maybe. We are definitely having some dessert."
Alex slipped his arm out from underneath Margaret's neck. They had fallen asleep and the TV was still on. He reached for the remote on the nightstand and clicked it off. Silently stretching, he nearly fell when his socks slid across the oak floor. A quick look at Margaret, she was still sleeping peacefully. He quietly padded across the room and ambled down to the kitchen.
Pouring a glass of soda, he sat down at the table. Peering out of the sliding glass doors to the backyard, he could see the row of houses cascading down the block. His mom had opted not to fence in the yard but trim it with hedges, leaving the driveway to the garage bare. A perfect viewing platform for the rest of the neighborhood behind them.
The streetlamps illuminated the black empty sea of asphalt. A quiet calm laced the row of sleepy houses. Alex reveled in the tranquility. So much noise constantly filling his head, any semblance of stillness wrapped around his mind like a child's favorite blanket.
In the center of the glass, a small sphere of light caught his attention. At first, he thought it was in the yard. Leaning forward and squinting, he realized it was a reflection coming from directly behind him.
Jumping up, he spun around. Growing in diameter, it was beginning to spin.
"Hey, whatcha doin?" Margaret said groggily.
"Stop. Babe, slowly move to your left and come over here by me."
"Why? What's going on?"
Margaret gingerly slid to the left as Alex instructed, and then quickly scurried by his side. "What do you see?"
"It's the vortex opening, the gateway to that girl, Ophelia.”
"Alex, please be careful. Remember what your Gram said. Don't get too close," Margaret pleaded.
"She's there, it looks like a bedroom."
"What's she doing?"
"Sitting on the bed, she's covering her ears."
The wind whipped around the vortex howling like a wolf speaking to the full moon.
"I don't hear anything?" Margaret turned to Alex.
"It's like a high-pitched howl. It's deafening. Wait. It's quieting down. She sees me."
"What's she doing now?"
"She's coming closer."
Alex leaned closer to the anomaly.
"Alex, back up." Margaret tugged at his t-shirt.
"Babe. I gotta do this. Please. Let go of my shirt."
Margaret reluctantly let the fabric fall from her fingertips.
Alex inched closer.
"You are Alex McKenna, right?" Ophelia asked.
The anxious teen widened her eyes in anticipation.
"Yes. I've seen Haven. Who is she?"
"She is my sister."
"I think she's in trouble," said Alex.
Ophelia floated off the bed and stood directly in front of the entrance to the living.
"I've been searching for her for years. She was taken by a man, a Soul Gatherer. I think she is counting on you to help."
"I think she is, too."
"Can you?" Ophelia's eyes widened.
"I can try. Where are you? Is it The Academy of Souls?"
Ophelia’s chin dropped.
"Yes. You know about my school?"
"I do."
"Oh no."
"What is it?'
"The gateway. It's closing!" Ophelia shouted.
Alex heard the desperation in her voice as he helplessly watched the circle shrink. The wind cried out once again, as it violently thrashed around the outer edges of the bridge between the dimensions.
"I have to go." Alex tasted Margaret's lips. "I'll be back soon."
"What the hell? No. Alex. You can't," Margaret shrieked.
"I love you," his voice trailed.
Alex stepped into the center of the storm. The vision of Ophelia rippled, traveling to the rim of the circle, and splashing into the void. "This shield is my power to protect against evil, this shield keeps out harm. No dark entities shall pass through this shield. As I will
it, so shall it be."
Sawing to fill his lungs with air, he pushed forward and landed on the floor of the dorm room. Gazing up, Ophelia stood in front of him, her mouth wide open.
"Ugh. My head hurts. Where are we?" a voice echoed.
Alex winced. His heart punching the walls of his chest. Whipping his head around in a frenzy, Margaret was lying on the floor beside him.
"No, no, no, no. What the fuck, il mio amore." Alex scrambled to her side.
Ophelia moved closer. With her pointer finger, she quickly poked his shoulder and retracted.
Alex didn't respond. His focus was Margaret.
"How could you do this? Why did you do this?" his voice strained.
"I couldn't let you go without me."
Alex kissed away the saltiness from her cheeks. With the back of his sleeve, he gently patted dry her eyes.
"Alex?" Ophelia murmured.
The couple turned to the bewildered Ophelia Wetherton.
They were abruptly interrupted by three harsh wraps on the door.
"Miss Wetherton, is everything all right in there?' Dictator Dick shouted.
"Yes, Mr. Cander. I'm fine."
She drew her pointer finger to her mouth, alerting Alex and Margaret to keep quiet.
"We've registered an atmospheric disturbance coming from this room. Open the door, please."
"One second, I was in the shower."
Ophelia could hear another voice; someone was with the annoying guardian.
"The shower?" The unknown voice was raspy.
"This is that weird kid. The one I told you about," Dictator Dick explained.
"Oh. Yeah, that's right."
Ophelia fluttered her hand toward the bathroom. Alex and Margaret quickly scurried in as she closed the door after them.
"I'm coming. I needed to dress," Ophelia called out.
Standing in front of the door, Ophelia composed herself before turning the knob.
"Mr. Cander, please come in."
She stepped aside for the two men to gain entrance. The other guy accompanying Dictator Dick was a short, older man. His hair and beard were snow white. Ophelia giggled.
"What's so funny Miss Wetherton?"
"He looks like Santa Claus." Ophelia covered her mouth.
Alex McKenna & the Academy of Souls Page 10