by Mary Ting
“You do remember me telling you that I can do things like that…right?”
Skylar nodded, looking like she had seen God himself. She recalled being told. But hearing was one thing, and seeing lightning bolts flash out the palms of his hands, and seeing him move with such great speed, was a whole different story.
“I’m still me, okay? You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
Skylar shook her head. “No.”
“Good. Now you’ve just seen some of the things I can do first hand.”
“But…but why didn’t you fight them off when they were trashing Kayla’s house? If you could do what you just did, why did we run?”
“I had just met you. You would’ve thought I was a freak and tried to run away from me too. It would also have been two against one…not that I couldn’t take them on my own, but I would be putting your life at risk. I’d rather hide and protect you than try to kill two. Enough about me…what happened?”
Ignoring his question, she asked another. “You’re hurt?” she said, looking at the patch of crimson on his torn white T-shirt. Starting from his right shoulder, it was ripped diagonally across. She stared at his exposed tattoo, remembering how it had lit up when lights shot out of his fingertips. Slowly her hand reached out to touch it, but dropped it when Mason stiffened and retreated a step, seeming to anticipate what she was doing.
“I’m fine. I’m healing. Now…what happened?” His tone was sharper, demanding, wanting his question answered.
“The thing came at me. I picked up whatever was in front of me and jammed it through it, and Amanda chopped its head off. My hands….” Skylar gazed at her hands. “I cut my hands when I jabbed the broken pieces into its back. But the thing turned and I accidentally touched the bleeding wound on its chest. It was already bleeding from Amanda’s doing.”
“So your bleeding hand touched its open wound?”
“I…I guess. I mean…it happened so fast. That is how I think it happened. Why do you ask?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to figure out—”
“How it turned to stone?” Skylar assumed what he was thinking.
“No.” His eyes fell to her chest, looking surprised.
Skylar followed his gaze and realized again that she was braless. Her face flushed with warmth. Too busy trying to survive, she had forgotten. When she crossed her arms, he looked away shyly and continued.
“Don’t be so brave next time. You could’ve gotten killed,” he said in a scolding tone, changing the subject.
Did he seriously say that to me? “What do you want me to do next time? Let it kill me instead of defending myself?”
“No, of course not. Nick and I were there. You should’ve let us handle it.”
“Amanda was right there…she—”
“Doesn’t matter. Amanda thinks she can do anything.”
Anger was boiling to the surface, but Skylar kept it at bay. After all, he was right. Her human speed and strength were not comparable to theirs. But his hot and cold personality made her feel infuriated. First, he’s so sweet and tender, and then the next minute, he’s arrogant and back to himself.
Just when things were getting awkward, Nick entered. “That was fun. Amanda and I cleaned up the mess. Breakfast anyone? I’m making breakfast.”
“Sure,” Skylar faked a smile.
“No. We can’t stay,” Mason said, standing in front of Skylar, blocking Nick’s view, seemingly covering Skylar with his body.
“Where are you going?” Nick inquired. “And just so you know, Amanda told me everything.”
“Whatever she said is wrong. You need to hear it from me,” Mason stated.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Skylar turned red, wondering how Nick felt about Remus’s death. She tried to read his facial expression, but he had none. Either he was good at hiding them, or he didn’t care, like Mason. And how much did she know?
“I was going to tell you,” Mason said, looking sheepish. “I told Amanda parts, but not all.”
“I know. And you don’t have to do this alone. Let me help you,” Nick muttered, standing in front of Mason, looking deeply into his eyes. “You can trust me.”
Mason paused, inhaling a deep accepting breath. “Okay. But I don’t know where to start.”
“My recommendation is to seek the Oracles.” Amanda entered the kitchen, talking as if she was part of the conversation. She looked at Skylar with a quick smile, as if to apologize for what she had done the previous night.
“Are you nuts?” Mason snapped. “We tried before, but they didn’t appear.”
“Amanda is right,” Nick interrupted, walking toward the stove. “They would be the ones that could answer all our questions. They may appear this time, especially since we’ll be bringing an unknown along.”
“The unknown has a name!” Mason snapped.
“Mace…chill. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Okay…sorry. The road ahead could be dangerous. I don’t think we should take Skylar there.”
“Why is it dangerous?” Skylar asked, wondering if she had any business butting into their conversation.
“It somehow limits our powers,” Mason explained. “I won’t be able to protect you like I can here.”
“I’ll have to agree with Mason. The road ahead could be dangerous,” Amanda seconded. “So…no problem. I’m coming with you guys. Someone has to protect you.” Amanda winked.
“No. You can’t go,” Mason protested.
“And why not? Because I’m a girl? I can handle myself. There is strength in numbers. I’m going, Mason, and you can’t stop me.”
Mason let out a heavy, defeated sigh. “Fine. When do we leave?”
“After breakfast. I’m starving.” Nick took out a frying pan from the bottom cabinet and poured oil into it.
“I’ll help.” Amanda opened the fridge, took out the eggs, and handed them to Nick.
“What are you going to tell Kayla?” Mason asked.
“She’ll have to come. I can’t just ditch her.”
“You’re putting her under unnecessary risk,” Mason muttered.
“Bringing a human may help. You know they won’t show themselves in front of humans,” Nick reminded, cracking the eggs into the frying pan.
“True, but…alright,” Mason agreed.
“Hey…it won’t be like the last time,” Nick said. “We know better.”
“The last time we went for fun, and that was stupid.”
“But…it was fun,” Amanda giggled.
Using the spatula as if it was an extension of his hand, Nick rattled it as he spoke. “Like I said…since we know what we’re up against this time, we know better.”
Amanda clapped her hands once, breaking up their conversation. “Okay boys…don’t forget to bring camping gear. We need to pack lunch and dinner. This is going to be so much fun.”
Skylar stood there, gaping back and forth between their conversations, having no idea what they were talking about. Just when she wondered where Kayla was, she entered, yawning and stretching.
“Good morning,” she cheered, heading to Nick. “Did you put these ear plugs in my ears?” She held them out. “I slept like a baby. I need to get me some. It was the best sleep I’ve ever had.”
Nick turned to Kayla, giving her a quick peck on her cheek, and then turned to Skylar with a wink. “I like to have them around just in case.”
She bet he did, wondering how many girls he’d slept with. “Would you like some help?” Skylar offered, looking at her hands, then remembered she was braless and thought twice about what she’d said. Oddly, her wounds that were throbbing a minute ago were now painless.
“Why don’t I help you pack instead?” Mason suggested, guiding her out the door. “You also need a few more layers on you.”
Skylar looked over her shoulder to see Kayla give her a big smile. Skylar knew that look. She wanted details. There was so much to tell her, but she couldn’t.
Chapt
er 19
After driving across the highway for a while, the road became unfamiliar. Skylar didn’t know where they were headed, but she knew they were going to the mountains. After a couple of hours, they finally arrived at their destination.
“This is our stop,” Mason pulled off to the unpaved road.
“Here? There is nothing…here,” Skylar said, gazing at the surroundings.
“We need to hike the rest of the way,” Amanda informed, opening her side of the car door.
When Skylar got out of the car, she saw Kayla stretching her long arms and legs. She rolled her eyes to Skylar, indicating she didn’t like it there. Then she turned to link her arm with Nick’s. When Everett got out of the car, Skylar looked away. She hated him…hated him for what he had tried to do.
After the boys put their camping gear on their backs, Nick led the way. Twigs snapped underneath their feet, and the sound of shuffling footsteps was all that could be heard as they headed down the path in silence. Though it was summer, the weather was perfect.
“Where are we going?” Kayla asked, looking down at her feet.
“Camping. Don’t worry, babe. You’ll have fun,” Nick said.
“This isn’t my idea of fun,” Kayla sneered. “Whose idea was it, anyway?”
“Amanda’s,” Mason and Nick blurted in accord.
Amanda shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t be wimps, guys. Embrace Mother Nature.”
After what seemed like a couple of miles, they finally stopped to take a rest.
“Is it time for lunch yet?” Kayla whined. “I’m starving.”
“Me too,” Amanda seconded, seeing Everett roll his eyes. “What, tough guy? Don’t tell me you’re not hungry?”
Everett dropped his huge backpack and so did the others. “Here,” he said, handing out sandwiches. Instead of handing one to Skylar directly, he gave two to Mason. Nick passed out water bottles, and Mason passed out bags of chips. They had it all planned, as if they had done this many times before. After lunch, they were on the move again.
Skylar jumped from her phone vibrating in the back pocket of her jeans. The text was from Kayla.
I want to go home. I don’t like this.
Skylar felt horrible. She didn’t mean to drag her cousin with her. Skylar regretted not saying anything on Kayla’s behalf, but they couldn’t leave her behind at the cabin all by herself. Being with the children of gods was safer, she guessed.
Sorry! Did you call your mom?
Yes. I felt bad lying to her again.
I called my mom, too, just before we left. Everything will be okay.
I know. I just hate camping.
But, you’ve never been.
I’m here. I don’t like it.
What are you doing?” Nick asked Kayla.
Kayla giggled. “Texting Skylar.”
“Wow, she can do two things at once,” Everett commented.
“Shut up,” Nick snapped.
“You going to make me?” Everett challenged.
“Come on,” Nick challenged, jumping from side to side with his fists up like a boxer.
“Are you serious?” Amanda stood between them. “Guys, we need to get going to safer ground before it gets dark. Stop acting like kids, and keep your testosterone in check. Grow up!” Amanda scolded, rolled her eyes, and took the lead.
After about another mile, they stopped. It was dusk, and as the sun was setting, the air became cooler. While the guys pitched the tents, the girls got dinner ready. Amanda set the fire and placed a flat, small pan on top of several overlapping thick twigs. The way she arranged the wood and got everything ready, Skylar knew she was an expert camper.
“Do you guys camp often?” Skylar asked, sitting on the ground next to Amanda, watching her poke the twigs with a long thin branch, trying to get the fire bigger.
“We used to go more often, especially when we needed to get away,” Amanda replied.
Skylar understood the meaning behind needing to get away. Mason had mentioned they would move from town to town to get away from the vultures. They must have gone to the woods to hide as well.
Amanda reached inside her bags and pulled out several cans.
“Beans,” Kayla frowned.
“Beans and bread.” Amanda shuffled her hand inside her bag again.
“The joy of camping.” Nick was now standing behind Kayla. “Don’t judge me if I fart all night.”
“Gross,” Kayla teased, and pushed Nick away.
Then Mason and Everett showed up, holding flashlights. “It’ll get dark soon,” Mason muttered, handing one to Amanda.
When the beans were ready, Amanda passed out the paper plates. With a wooden spoon she had used to stir the beans, she placed a lump on everyone’s plate. Nick broke bread and handed a piece to everyone. Dinner was tasty since hunger pained Skylar. She had never walked this much before, and had worked up an appetite. Though she wanted seconds, there weren’t any…and even if there were, she wouldn’t have asked.
While she ate, she looked up to the sky, mesmerized by the glistening lights. It was a moonless night and a multitude of stars captured her eyes. Complete darkness engulfed them, and the only light was from the campfire, burning, providing warmth. Under normal circumstances, camping wouldn’t be such a bad experience, but they weren’t there for pleasure. Their lives were at stake, or so Skylar kept hearing, but why and how? Conversation was minimal, especially since Kayla was around.
“Are we going to tell scary stories and roast marshmallows?” Kayla giggled. “Isn’t that what people do when they go camping?”
“We’re not people,” Amanda said flatly.
That would’ve been a funny statement, but knowing what Skylar knew, she knew Amanda meant her words. It was awkward for a second until Nick spoke, glaring at Amanda. “What she meant was that we’re not doing the scary story thing, but you and I can roast our own marshmallows privately.” He winked.
Everett rolled his eyes, most likely grossed out by them flirting. He stood up and dusted his pants. “We need to wake up before the sun rises, so I suggest we all go to bed. See you early in the morning.” He headed for his tent.
“Who’s going into whose tent?” Mason asked, twirling a stick in his hand.
“Don’t even think about it. I’m not sleeping with you,” Nick joked. He got up and tugged Kayla to him. “Come on…let’s go fire up those marshmallows.”
“Good night,” Kayla said, walking backward, smiling at Skylar.
“I’m going to Everett’s tent. See you in the morning. Don’t forget to set your watch.” Amanda disappeared into the darkness, but light shone from the direction she’d paced, growing dimmer by every step.
Mason raked his hair. “I guess it’s you and me.” He got up and led the way, beaming the flashlight on the ground.
“This…this is our tent?” Skylar stammered. The tent was small; smaller then she’d imagined. She didn’t pay much attention when they were assembling it. Mason unzipped it and crawled inside.
“We only have one sleeping bag, but it’s big enough for us.” Mason unrolled the sleeping bag that was tightly bundled and laid it out.
“We only have one sleeping bag?” Skylar repeated.
“Echo, that is exactly what I said.”
Skylar heaved a heavy sigh. “Don’t call me that.”
Mason ignored her request. Unzipping it, he tucked himself in first and lay sideways. He patted the empty space next to him. “Come. I won’t bite. Or if you prefer, you can sleep out there with the bugs.” Then he turned off his flashlight.
Jerk! Having no choice, she slid in. Without the heat from the fire, it was cold. Shivering, Skylar snuggled and graciously took the warmth from Mason’s body; or was it the heat brewing inside her from his touch? Though her back was to him, his chest rising and falling made her stomach flutter, and she was weak all over.
“Why do we have to wake up so early?” Skylar mumbled.
“We need to pass the swamp. We’ll be crossin
g over to another dimension, and when we get there, time is reversed. Though the sun will be rising here, the sun will be setting there.”
“Oh….” Skylar blinked her eyes, trying to grasp that such things could happen.
“I forgot to change your bandages. The medical kit is in my bag.” Mason turned on his flashlight. Skylar moved at the same time Mason did. In the tight space, her body tangled around him and she ended up on top of him. The light shone between them, allowing her to see Mason’s piercing eyes. She lay there, lost, as his lips were inches away. The deep breath from Mason traveled to her lips. She could see his lips leaning toward hers. Hot sensations coursed through her body like an untamed flame, wondering if he was feeling the same.
With a heavy, deep sigh, he looked away. “My bag is there. You think you could get off me so I can get it?”
What was wrong with her? She was falling for this jerk. Snapping out of his lure, she unzipped and grabbed the bag. “Here,” Skylar huffed, practically throwing it at him.
With limited space, they sat face to face with their legs crossed. Skylar was glad it was dark so she wouldn’t show her blushing and irritated face.
“Hold out your hands,” Mason commanded.
Placing them out in front of her, Skylar rooted her eyes on the floor. She didn’t want to look at him, afraid that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to turn away, and he would know she had feelings for him.
Mason held her forearm and carefully unwrapped one of the swathes. “Impossible. Have you always healed like this?”
When Skylar looked up, Mason’s eyes were wide, looking astounded. Then she gazed at the palm of her hand. She recalled the pain disappearing quickly, but she would never have imagined it to be like this. Recalling the last time she was wounded, her lips healed faster than she had ever seen any cut in her body heal before. “What did you do?” Her tone was soft, but accusing.