by Wendy Owens
Uri and Sophie were speaking in hushed tones. Gabe began to sweat as he kept feeling Uri’s eyes on him.
Gabe’s thoughts began to wander. He found himself drifting back off to sleep when he suddenly heard Sophie ask in a clear voice, “Is Michael going to tell him when he gets there?”
Slowly straining his neck forward, in an effort to better hear, Gabe held his breath. Uri didn’t say anything for a moment. Gabe imagined Uri was staring right at him to ensure he was sleeping, so he tried his best to be convincing.
“I don’t know Soph. I mean, I’m not sure I could have handled news like that when I first came. I trust Michael knows what he’s doing, but I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision.”
What kind of decision? Gabe wondered, starting to feel a bit panicked as he listened.
“Yeah, I get that. But is it fair to ask him to stay if he doesn’t know everything?” Sophie asked.
Gabe wanted to sit up and shout, “No, it’s not fair. So how about you just tell me what all this is about.” But he didn’t. He continued his charade.
“I know, but imagine you were in his place. Think of the person you were when you first came to the manor and who you are today. If you got that news at those two different points in your life, would you have handled it the same way? I seriously doubt it. Michael has his reasons, whatever his choice may be,” Uri explained.
Gabe realized his fists were clenched. His jaw tensed. He did his best to relax, but all of these secrets were driving him crazy.
“Uri, I’m not disagreeing and I’ll support Michael with whatever decision he makes, but if free-will really is the most important thing, I don’t see how this kid can choose without being told the prophecy.” Sophie replied.
“Yeah, part of me agrees with you. I don’t know enough about Gabe to know how he would handle finding out that ...” Uri paused.
Here it comes, Gabe thought. I’m finally going to get some answers. He waited, but Uri said nothing. Gabe’s heart began to race.
The agonizing silence continued as Gabe felt the car begin to slow. Suddenly, he heard hurried whispers between the two in the front seat. Gabe assumed his act had been discovered as he braced himself for the consequences.
As he waited for the admonishment to begin, Gabe felt a shiver down his spine. He rubbed his fingers against his cold and clammy hands. His stomach ached. He was filled with that often-reoccurring feeling of dread. Reality hit Gabe that the silence was not from him being discovered pretending to sleep, but rather it from the fact that something was about to go terribly wrong. He quickly opened his eyes and sat up. Uri was already staring back at him.
“You feel it too, huh?” Uri asked giving Gabe a half smile even though he was clearly worried.
“What?” Sophie said. “He can already recognize auguries?” She stared, her mouth slightly agape.
“Auger - what?” Gabe asked, peering at Sophie.
“Auguries,” Uri answered in a rush. “They’re the warning sirens we have to tell when evil is near. It’s like our spidey-sense.” Uri was scanning the outside of the car as it rolled to a stop.
Sophie placed the car in park and looked over at Uri.
“Seriously? I still can’t always feel the presence and I’m a third year. You’re telling me Gabe already has his auguries fully developed?” Sophie questioned again.
“I have no idea where he’s at with his development,” Uri began, annoyed with the line of questioning. “Can we not do this right now? Michael will be the one to best judge where he’s at, all right?”
“Wait,” Gabe interrupted, feeling completely lost by the conversation. “What’s a third year?”
“Gabe, I’d love to explain everything to you right now, I really would. The thing is, we’re still a decent ways out from the manor,” Uri said as he reached over and put his hand on Gabe’s wrist. Gabe felt the familiar calmness he had come to know with Uri. “I know you feel it. Danger’s near. Our priority is getting you back safe. Okay? We’re out here with our asses hanging out.”
Gabe nodded, still clueless as to what was unfolding around him.
“We can outrun them,” Sophie suggested.
“We can’t risk them discovering the manor,” Uri replied before looking back at Gabe again. “I need you to duck down and hide on the floor with your head covered.”
“What? You’re kidding right?” Gabe asked, certain he must have misheard.
“I wish I was, man,” Uri answered, pushing Gabe’s head down forcefully. As Gabe stared up at him, Uri’s intensity unnerved him. “Whatever you hear, do not get up! Do you understand?”
Gabe nodded. With that, Uri shoved his head down further, completely out of sight. Gabe listened. He heard both doors open with a creak and then slam closed. There were footsteps along both sides of the car. Then nothing except the occasional soft grinding of gravel, which he imagined was someone pivoting in the dirt.
Gabe covered his mouth, though the urge to laugh nearly overcame him. He was scared out of his mind, yet at the same time, the absurdity of the situation he was in was beginning to take its toll. He took stock of where he was at, hiding on the damp and dingy floor of an old car at the whim of two strangers and what they called ‘auguries.’
The silence seemed to go on forever. A nauseating sulfur smell filled Gabe’s nostrils as he heard something that sounded like metal unsheathing around him. The humor in the chaos he found himself in was suddenly gone. The metal ringing faded into silence.
Gabe held his breath, trying not to make a single sound, random thoughts racing through his mind. Who do these people think I am? What’s this prophecy they were talking about? I never wanted a life like this, why does trouble always seem to follow me?
As the silence continued, Gabe considered poking his head up to take a quick peek, but decided, for the moment, to stay hidden as Uri had instructed. Gabe wasn’t even sure why he was putting his trust in a complete stranger. However, he did get the distinct feeling that Uri wanted to keep him safe.
“Soph,” Gabe heard Uri’s muffled voice outside the car. “There are three. I think all skyward.”
Three what? Gabe wondered. What the heck does he mean by skyward? The curiosity to peek was starting to overwhelm Gabe. Then he heard a blood-curdling shriek that pierced right into his soul. He put his hands over his ears as quick as he could and curled up tighter into a ball. The scream was so agonizing it made him tense up to the point where his muscles were burning like fire.
A dull white noise filled his ears, drowning out all the sound except his racing heartbeat. For what seemed like hours, Gabe laid there unaware of anything around him. As sounds came seeping back in, he heard something he thought might be steel striking against stone. A loud jarring sound jolted him back to reality. He wanted to stay hidden but began to wonder. What if Uri and Sophie are over powered? Should I helplessly wait here until whatever is out there comes for me next?
Despite all the clanging and clashing going on outside the car, Gabe had to know what was happening. He decided he had to see; he had to make sure Uri and Sophie were okay.
Gabe needed answers, like who Uri and Sophie were fighting and why they wanted to hide him from them. He tried to muster the courage to inch up to the window, but found himself paralyzed with fear. He could hear Sophie grunting just feet away, heavy in battle. Gabe cringed at the thought she may get hurt while trying to protect him. As he sat there, debating what to do, he heard the gruesome sound of a blade tearing through flesh.
“Sophie!” Uri shouted.
Without warning, Gabe’s fear evaporated and he regained use of his limbs. He popped his head up just in time to see Uri swinging a sword wildly. It glimmered in the moonlight and Gabe was certain it was glowing green. As Uri wielded the sword, he reminded Gabe of a mighty gladiator in battle, fierce and agile.
Gabe craned his neck a little more, hoping to catch a glimpse of Uri’s opponent.
Just as Gabe caught sight of the beast, it saw him.
Lifting its head to the sky, letting out an ear-piercing screech, Gabe then locked eyes with the creature. The eyes were oversized, bulging from its head. They were like one large pupil, a dark onyx. There were glimmers of red that flickered around the edges and in that moment Gabe knew there was so much more besides the glimpses behind the curtain he had seen throughout his life. There was pure evil and it stood here before him.
Gabe watched as the beast’s face contorted into what could best be described as a smile, but he thought it looked more like a snarl. Its grey lips pulled upward, exposing its sharp dagger-like teeth. Thick grey saliva dripped from its mouth.
As the creature towered over Uri, Gabe noticed its entire body was a deep midnight blue and shimmered as if wet. The body appeared to be a mixture of muscles intertwining with one another, a thin mucus covered skin pulled tightly over them. The legs were jointed backwards as if it were a bird about to take flight. However, it stood upright like a man, with massive shoulders, its arms hanging low at its sides.
Gabe squinted out the window, focusing on what the beast was holding, it appeared to be a weapon of some kind, but Gabe couldn’t make out what it was. As he continued studying the monster, he realized it wasn’t carrying a weapon at all. The small, jagged swords were actually claws protruding from its gigantic hands.
As the horrifying figure turned to face Gabe, another swooped down and landed next to it. Gabe was able to see the leathery wings they carried on their backs; tattered and worn, but massive. Now both creatures stared at Gabe. He was frozen with fear once again. He heard Uri shouting for him to get down, but he was unable to move, no matter how much he willed himself to.
“Soph! You have to, now!” Uri shouted.
“I’m kinda busy over here,” Sophie replied. Gabe could hear her grunts and huffs on the other side of the car.
“Remember what you and Michael have been working on?” Uri shouted back.
“I can’t,” Gabe heard fear for the first time in Sophie’s voice.
“You can,” Uri insisted, backing up and losing ground as he struggled against the two towering demons. “I know you’re ready. You have to be. Now, Soph! Now!”
With that, Uri dove for the nearby ditch and tumbled out of sight. As Gabe watched him disappear, he felt more alone and terrified than he ever had before in his life. Everyone abandoned him eventually, but he couldn’t remember such a terror filled moment, not since the night his parents died.
When Gabe heard Sophie’s voice call out to him from the other side of the car, he felt a small sense of relief knowing he was not completely alone.
“Gabe! Close your eyes now!” Sophie shouted. He closed them instantly. A second later he heard her voice again. It sounded different, though, deep and smooth. He didn’t understand the words she was speaking.
“Penitus lux lucis!” she cried out.
Gabe sat with his eyes squeezed shut. He heard a thunderous cracking noise; even with his eyes clenched tightly, he could sense the bright light flooding out all around him. The car rocked back and forth, and then settled. Gabe heard gravel from the road blowing against it. A second later, he heard what sounded like a body fall to the ground and little bits of something showering down.
He wasn’t sure if he should open his eyes. In the darkness of his mind, he was imagining the beasts closing in on him, ready to pounce. Not able to handle the unknown any longer, he decided to look.
Before he could take in the scene he heard Uri cry out, “Soph!” Gabe quickly peered through the window, just in time to see Uri climbing from the ditch and dashing around the back of the car. Gabe searched frantically with his eyes, but the creatures were nowhere to be seen. He looked back to the side where Sophie had been; there was no sign of her either.
Feeling confident the danger had passed, Gabe climbed up onto the seat. He pressed the seat in front of him forward, pulled the door handle, while pushing the heavy door open with his feet. On the ground in front of him, he saw Uri on his knees clutching an unconscious Sophie. Nearby, there was a small mountain of ash.
“Is she ...” Gabe paused, unsure what to even ask. None of what had just happened made any sense.
“Help me get her in the back,” Uri said with a strained voice, motioning to him.
Gabe quickly ran to Uri’s side and swung around to hold her feet. Uri climbed in first, pulling Sophie in behind him as Gabe guided the rest of her. Gabe thought about how he had admired her boot clad feet when he first saw her. He wished with everything in him that she would be all right.
“You come around this side and hold her head,” Uri beckoned.
Gabe made sure Sophie’s lower half was securely in the car, then closed the door as gently as he could. He rushed to the other side of the car to take Uri’s place. As he came around the back, he saw two more piles of ash where the creatures that were looking at him had been.
He hesitated for a moment as Uri stepped out of the way, allowing Gabe to slide into place, cradling Sophie’s head in his lap. Even lifeless, she was beautiful, Gabe thought. Her skin was so pale; it had a gorgeous alabaster quality to it. He wasn’t sure how she did it, but he knew she had saved him.
Uri jumped quickly behind the wheel and searched frantically for the keys. Gabe saw they were still dangling from the ignition. Leaning forward, he placed a hand on Uri’s shoulder. Uri looked back at him; Gabe could see the worry in his eyes. Gabe motioned toward the keys, slightly clearing his throat. Uri looked down and with a sigh started the car, pulling back out onto the deserted road. Minutes passed with Uri frantically checking over his shoulder.
“How is she?” he finally asked Gabe.
Gabe looked at Sophie’s body, lying there, unsure how to even answer that question.
“Seems to be the same,” he responded honestly. “I don’t understand. What happened to her?”
Uri stared at the road.
“There’s a lot you don’t understand right now, Gabe,” Uri answered, clearly not wanting to deal with a bunch of questions. “All you need to know is Soph used every ounce of power she had to save us.”
All of the questions Gabe had wanted answers to suddenly didn’t seem important. He leaned forward and noticed Uri had increased their speed to just over one hundred miles per hour, Gabe thought it prudent to say something.
“What if we get pulled over? Might be hard to explain what’s wrong with her.” Gabe had dealt with the cops enough in his life. He knew what it would be like trying to explain a half dead girl in the back seat.
“Right, right,” Uri responded without changing speed.
“Caecus,” Uri stated in a powerful voice.
“What?” Gabe asked.
“Oh,” Uri responded realizing Gabe had no idea what was happening. As they sped down the street, Uri searched for the words.
“Look, I know this is all must seem pretty messed up and I want to explain everything, really I do, but I think it’s better if you wait and talk to Michael.”
“Can you at least tell me what you just said? I heard Sophie say something back at the roadside I didn’t understand either,” Gabe pleaded.
“At the manor we learn a lot of things, one of the things they teach us ... some might call ... spells.”
“Like magic?” Gabe asked, trying not to laugh. The more he thought about it the less funny it seemed. After everything he had seen, did it really seem so impossible that magic existed?
“I suppose, but it’s the source behind our magic that makes it work. It’s a divine power,” Uri explained, increasing his speed even more. “I promise, if you have any questions after talking to Michael, I will answer them for you. He’s the best one to explain all of this. I put an incantation on the car so it’s invisible.”
“Yeah, right, we’re invisible,” Gabe said in disbelief, but then suddenly remembered back to the subway and how the officers seemed to not even notice them. “Wait, like you did in the city, with all those police officers?”
Uri glanced back at Gabe, his w
orry giving way for a moment to an impressed stare. “Exactly, I used a distraction spell on them allowing us to sneak by cloaked.”
“So that scream wasn’t real?” Gabe asked. Uri nodded his head affirmatively.
Gabe’s head felt like it was spinning. Monsters. Magic. He had always worried about the evils he had known in the world. Now it appeared there were unknowns that he always thought were make believe to worry about, too.
He leaned back and looked at Sophie’s face, as he did, his thoughts seemed to calm. He began to stroke her auburn hair, admiring how soft it was. Captivated by Sophie, he didn’t realize his hands had begun to burn. He heard Uri’s muffled voice and as he looked up at him, he felt an overwhelming feeling of nausea and realized everything had become blurry.
Uri was turned, looking at him, shouting something, but at that point, Gabe couldn’t hear him. A moment later, Gabe felt like the car was spinning uncontrollably. The nausea overcame him and he seriously thought he might be sick. He looked down at Sophie to make sure she was still all right. His hands were holding her head gently, but they no longer seemed like his hands. There was a glowing, blue light coming from his palms. He began to hyperventilate. Everything went black.
Gabe awoke, surrounded by a room that was quite foreign and looked like it was straight out of the pages of a Dracula novel. Tapestries hung all around the stone walls in what was a meager attempt to warm up the room. The four-poster bed he was lying in had carvings on all four posts that were incredibly intricate.
Gabe pulled back the heavy blankets and made his way down to the end of the bed to get a better look. Glancing down, he realized he had been redressed and was wearing what he would best describe as a gown. He was suddenly annoyed someone had the nerve to put him in such a get up.
Stepping off the end of the bed, he cringed as his skin touched the bitter cold, stone floor. Gabe looked at the post and studied the carvings of warriors and chariots across the upper half; the carvings almost seemed to tell a story. His admiration of the work, however, was short lived as he panned down the post. Gabe was horrified by the images of dark and monstrous creatures on the bottom. The creatures had long claws and horns and for a moment, he had a flash of the haunting figures from the roadside.