Soul Decisions

by Casey Harvell

  I see a similar determination in each of them as we make our way to Shay’s. It eases my anxiety some. It’s not just me that feels it.

  We all do.

  Shay’s comes into view and I don’t see the pandemonium I expect. I see a formation of soldiers ready to fight—all of us, angels, Cerberus, even human and vampire in unity. It’s when I spot Cyrus that I grin. Add a demon to that list.

  “Quetzal.” I say as I approach.

  “She wants to join us.” Cyrus tells me, the distrust plain in his tone.

  “Good.” I say to both of their surprise. “You’re in.”

  The look I give Cyrus silences him. Quetzal has yet to betray me, and the more firepower we have, the greater our chances. This is too important to let stereotypes or pride stand in the way.

  I prepare myself to teleport us all to the Everglades—no easy task and one that will leave me with a bit to recover from regardless of my enhanced power. I almost have everyone’s energy to do it when a familiar hand on my shoulder gives me pause.

  “I’ve got this.” My mom smiles, “You save your power and kick your father’s ass.” She throws a small satchel and begins to chant. Seconds later a portal opens. Inside the swamp is in plain view. “Well, go on then, don’t dawdle.” She juts her chin.

  I lead everyone through quickly. Cyrus and Shay help Mom in before she closes it, her exhaustion plain. I notice Quetzal close. “Keep her safe until she’s ready?” I ask. Quetzal nods and we begin our plan. Once again I disguise my powers and Chase grabs my arm. Everyone else lies in wait. We’re on a clock because it’s too risky to use a signal.

  In fifteen minutes all hell will break loose outside.

  Retribution

  Chase leads me to a different entrance this time. Once more they allow us entrance with no hassle. A chill runs through me at how often this same scene must occur, to be so commonplace.

  Chase and I continue our charade, hallway after hallway. We make our way closer to the center of the complex’s maze.

  Closer to Elias.

  See, it’s not the fight here that scares me—the external battle about to ensue. It’s the one inside me. The resolution I made to myself to shelf my emotions. Within me a personal battle wages, one that fights for control of my willpower... and possibly my sanity.

  The rage within me that’s been festering away threatens to seep out, but I push it back. For once I’m going to stick to the damn plan. It’s our best hope.

  It may be our only hope.

  Suddenly doors in the hall around Chase and I fly open. I pin everyone in place with more satisfaction than I should feel... that is until Elias begins to walk down the hall towards us. Despite my best efforts, he’s still seemingly unaffected by my power.

  We must’ve been in here ten minutes by now. At least five more and the attack will begin outside. Chase intercepts Elias before he reaches me, but Elias tosses him aside like a rag doll. Ensuring my hold on the others is strong and will remain intact I then worry about protecting myself. When Elias’ hand clamps around my throat, I can still breathe—though I’ll admit, the pressure is still almost too intense.

  “Daughter. I’ve been awaiting your return.” My father says haughtily. “Come. There’s much to show you.”

  A glance to Chase shows that he’s still out cold. As much as I’d like to knock out Elias’ minions it would take too much time to recuperate. I settle for keeping them still for now. Cyrus and Jack will be here soon enough with the cavalry.

  Still the struggle to contain my rage boils close to the surface. If I unleash it now, surely I can destroy my father...

  ...but at what cost?

  The small voice in the back of my mind keeps me at bay. It allows me to let Elias lead me first down another maze of halls, and then to an elevator I hadn’t known was there. When the elevator begins to go down the smallest bit of fear creeps into my gut. I’m not a fan of wildcards.

  Elias doesn’t speak. He just smiles this smug smile that I wish would melt off his face. Preferably with acid. I try to avoid it in the shiny door’s reflection, but it looms regardless. My jaw tightens. Despite his grip that still remains on my throat, I drop my elbow into his gut with as much power as I can spare. His smile drops as he gasps for air, and as I catch his eye I smirk just for a split second because screw you.

  “You’ll pay for that.” He half groans and pushes me off the elevator.

  If I’d thought the chamber with the pods was huge, it’s nothing compared to this. We could be outside on a starless night, not underground. Unlike the pod room, this chamber is practically empty except for a centerpiece which Elias walks us very obviously towards.

  When we get close enough I see a what looks like a large glass globe. From it runs the largest wire I’ve ever seen. Elias drags me towards the globe.

  “I’ve been waiting so long for this.” He says almost manically. “Finally I get to fulfill my destiny.” He waves his hand and part of the globe disappears. “Just as you’ll fulfill yours, daughter.”

  Elias tosses me in so quickly and with such force that I barely realize it’s happened before he waves his hand once more and shuts me inside. As I pound I realize this isn’t glass at all. It doesn’t budge. It doesn’t make a sound as I bang and kick with all I have.

  Outside in the chamber Elias continues on with his smug creepy-ass grin. His lips move, but I can’t hear what he says. Despite everything, I begin to panic a little.

  I let my powers rip and try to tear apart the barrier to escape only I still can’t break through. Instead the globe around me begins to crackle. Suddenly Elias’ voice booms in. “I’d forgotten about the microphone!” His voice is annoyingly gleeful. “That a girl.”

  Of course I stop, but it seems that the globe retains what I’ve already expelled. Regardless I refuse to give it anymore. I flip Elias the bird and sit in the center while I wonder who’ll find us first.

  I felt the moment our forces broke through. Not many made it in, but I held Elias’ hallway super-troopers long enough for them to no longer be a concern. I have no doubt that the battle outside rages, but inside here it’s now a waiting game.

  Elias has been attempting to break me for some time now. Still no one has found us. Still I sit in the middle of this stupid glowing globe bastard.

  His frustration grows as I refuse to give him any more power. My own determination hardens as his frustration grows. It’s all I have. Elias has already taken all of my happy places.

  “You’re more like me than I thought, daughter.” Elias’ voice breaks through my chant internally to keep it under control. I ignore him, so of course he continues on. “So cold-hearted.”

  I grit my teeth, but say nothing as I watch Elias approach from my peripheral vision.

  “I took you child.” Elias hisses at me, within striking distance if not for the barrier between us. “Does that not anger you?”

  My fists clench along with my jaw. As I raise my gaze to meet his, I know he sees the power glow within me. I don’t release it, but I show it as warning—and begin to wonder if enough of a build-up would blow this thing, because I’m not sure there’s another way out.

  Elias looks upon me and his gaze shows a very brief look of fear before his poker face falls into place.

  “You killed your own grandchild.” I hiss back. “Your own flesh and blood. Who’s the monster here?”

  A very large rumble comes from above us and the entire room trembles, enough so where I almost lose my balance. This time Elias doesn’t mask his worry.

  My frustration grows. I have no idea if that boom was in our favor, or not. I ignore Elias completely now, shut my eyes, and channel everything I have. If I can’t get out of here rationally, I’ll have to try and blow it up. It may suck up power, but obviously my father wasn’t prepared for what I now possess. Even if he drains some, I’ll replenish quickly and be able to fight him—and defeat him.

  I feel it rage and this time I allow it. Every ounce of pain, mise
ry, anguish, every bit of anger and desire for vengeance—it all seeps in. I concentrate it into a ball of pure miserable energy before I push it out. I extend my hands before me and through my palms and fingertips the pulse of energy rushes out. When it’s over, the globe is no more. Elias lies spread on the ground in a daze as I hop down. I rush towards the elevator in hopes to find some way to communicate when I hear a sick laugh. It begins softly, and then grows loud and maniacal.

  Elias is on his feet. I try to freeze him, but he deflects it. I rush towards him, but he climbs into the globe and resets it before I can reach him.

  “You stupid, foolish girl,” He hiccups and gasps out through his now giggles. “You’ll never stop me now.”

  The globe begins to whirl and I step back. This isn’t good. Elias begins to levitate in the center while the globe glows increasingly brighter, and I decide not to stick around any further. I sprint for the elevator door, nearly cry from relief when it opens, and begin to tap on the button to go up relentlessly until the door closes. The last thing I see is an almost blinding flash as the door slides shut.

  It moves quickly upward, but not before I hear a crunch below me. I picture the entrance in the hall above not a second too late because a portion of the elevator floor tears away as I poof out.

  I rush through the halls with little concern over the enemies they hold. These guys are simple—mere thoughts stop, incapacitate, or toss them from my path. Finally I spot Cyrus, Jack, and Chase.

  “”Where have you been?” Chase asks.

  “Elias.” A hall behind me rumbles. “I think I might’ve screwed up.”

  I quickly explain what went down. “Get everyone in here.” I tell Chase. “The only way we can stand a chance now is within this barrier. I can’t get through it to keep both sides of it safe.”

  “I might be able to help that.” Jack says with a thoughtful look on his face. He takes off before I can tell him to be careful, though from the bloodstains that drip from his mouth he hardly looks like he’ll have any issues.

  Chase is already gone as Cyrus and I hear the loud bang behind us. I don’t have to look to know that Elias is here.

  “Did you really think it would be so simple?” Elias booms out. “That you could come here and put an end to this so quickly. You’re all fools. You can’t change my destiny!”

  “Elias, stop this nonsense.” My mother’s voice calls out, her tone firm.

  For a moment, all the chaos stops. “Ada?” Elias is completely thrown. “I suppose there’s nothing to hold you there now, but I didn’t assume to find you here...” His entire demeanor changes, his tone softer now. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Decades.” My mom agrees tersely.

  “I’ve missed you.” Elias says sadly. “Unfortunately, now isn’t the time to catch up.”

  “No, it’s not. But you should know I won’t let you harm our daughter.”

  “I’d expect no less. And harm isn’t required. She simply needs to stand down and let me pass.”

  “So you can destroy, like, every world there is?” I say, as his disregard for the consequences of his actions astounds me further still.

  “Something like that, yes.” Elias surprisingly agrees. “It’s my destiny to fulfill this prophecy. It always has been.”

  My mother shakes her head. “Elias, surely you know that we can’t allow that, either.”

  “Then... I’m sorry, Ada. Truly.”

  Before we can move Mom goes flying across the room. Next is Cyrus. They both appear unconscious, but breathing and I can still feel their life-force strong within them. I use the same method I did inside that dumb globe as my father approaches. When he dares stand before me, I glow and crackle with my power.

  “It won’t be enough.” Elias says. “It can’t be. This is not how fate deems it.”

  His fist smashes at me, his face full of surprise when I catch it in one hand in mid-air. He’s not stronger, no. Not even a little bit.

  Only something’s wrong. Elias doesn’t relent. He doesn’t surrender. All he does is step back and smile. Then it dawns on me.

  He has another play.

  “There’s still something you haven’t figured out yet—something you’ll surely care about.” He taunts.

  “Gee, stop you from destroying everything or play your stupid games...” I throw back, weighing my hands in pantomime.

  “You say that now. Haven’t you noticed who’s missing?”

  Of course. Gabe.

  “Yes, daughter. Where is that man of yours?”

  “It wasn’t him, I saw, was it?”

  Elias shrugs. “All I know is the man you love is here. He’s in a pod. And when you got here, I shut off his oxygen. If you hurry, you may be able to save him.”

  No. This isn’t fair. There’s no way I can stop Elias and save Gabe. Whether it was him I saw or not, I can’t just let him die.

  “Go, Lettie. We can hold him for a while.” Cyrus insists.

  “Are you sure?”

  He grins. “Sure? I’ve been looking forward to it!”

  He rushes Elias and actually manages to nick his arm as he races by him. Elias looks angry, so I take off in search of Gabe without another moment to waste. I focus on his energy, remembering my last time here. I find it, but it’s weak and that worries me. Gabe is a lot of things, but weak has never been one of them.

  I poof to him and use my abilities to enhance my strength and rip the pod he’s in open. Inside Gabe isn’t breathing. He’s also a pale blue color. Both of these things almost send me into a panic, but I keep it together enough to remember how to do CPR. It feels like I do it forever, and my frustration and fear grow. I get angry and slap his chest.

  “Damnit, you stubborn bastard, don’t you die on me. Not like this.” I say through tears and try again to revive him.

  It doesn’t work and I begin to weep when I hear a noise behind me. Immediately I go on the offensive when I see Cosima.

  “Why would you even bother after everything he’s done to you?” She asks.

  I don’t answer because I don’t feel the question deserves one.

  “You don’t know the half of it, do you?” She continues, to my dismay. “How he worked with Elias to build this?”

  I tell myself it doesn’t matter what he’s done, he doesn’t deserve this... and... I love him. I do. That hasn’t changed.

  Instead of giving Cosima the time of day I focus on Gabe’s life-force. It’s still here, I just have to figure out how to restore it.

  “Let him go.” Cosima hisses in my ear, too close now.

  I clench my teeth and prepare to hit her, when another voice cuts through.

  “Don’t listen to her, she lies.” Quetzal’s voice is distinctive and kind of creepy. “A Gabe did those things, but not yours. He’s been sleeping here.”

  “Who will you believe? A demon or an angel?” Cosima asks me, he hand on her hip and her voice cocky. “Of course there’s no contest.”

  The look I shoot her says it all as I go back to trying to reach Gabe.

  Cosima lets out a scream of frustration like a spoiled child that hasn’t gotten her way. “This is ridiculous. Fine. If you insist upon saving him, give him this.” She holds out a vial, then disappears as soon as I take it.

  I turn it over in my hands. It feels off and I look to Quetzal for guidance.

  She takes it and examines it as she cocks her head sideways. “I don’t trust it or her.” Quetzal says finally.

  “Me, either—but what choice do we have?” I say, now in full panic mode because I feel Gabe’s energy slip away even further.

  “Do what you’ve always done, girl. It doesn’t have to be complex, don’t make it so.”

  I think about it and decide Quetzal might be right. I dumb it down and concentrate. I can reach Gabe. I can bring him back. This is easy. I’ve done this before, so I can do it again.

  I release my energy from its restraints (my body) and go in search of Gabe. It takes long, he’
s far out. Almost too far, but I seem to reach him just in time.

  “Gabe?” I say softly.

  He jumps. “Lettie?”

  I give him a sad smile and small wave. “Hey.”

  His eyes narrow a bit. “How do I know you’re you?”

  I roll my eyes. “The same way I know you’re you.”

  “So you’re real?” He looks around nervously.

  “Yeah. I need you to come back though, okay? I need you.”

  “Okay.” He agrees. “If you know the way, it’s very confusing here.”

  I quickly turn him from his current path. “That’s not the way. This way.”

  “Why are you helping me?” Gabe asks. “You wouldn’t see me before...” His voice trails off.

  “I love you, Gabe.” I say honestly. “We can hash out the rest, and I’m not promising you a happy ending, but I’m not going to leave you here to die.”

  “Thank you.”

  “None necessary,” I assure him. “But we should hurry.”

  I can’t poof our energy forms, so we race through as fast as the wind will allow. Soon I see Gabe’s body and the room. He stops and looks at me. “Now what?”

  “Um, hop back in, right?” I have no idea.

  He shrugs and does as I instruct, only nothing happens.

  “Don’t move.” I say and go back into my body. I place my hands on Gabe’s head and give him the same zap I’d given to wake up the others. I expect his eyes to open, so when they don’t I begin to cry. I don’t know how to solve this puzzle. My tears soak Gabe’s chest. I pick up my head to kiss him one last time.

  “I love you, Gabe.” I press my lips to his and hold them there, pouring every bit of love I hold for him into it. When I drop my head, it’s back on his chest to sob further. I know I need to pull it together and go take care of my father, but this just hurts too much.

  Suddenly a hand caresses the back of my head gently. It’s warm and familiar and frankly it scares me that my imagination is playing tricks on me. It causes me to hold my breath, and gives me the courage to glance up.