by Em Pitts
"We've always trusted you." Ollie clarified.
I still wasn't sure, but I took a leap of faith and let them see everything I saw. The first dead boy who was ripped open from the inside out and the second boy who was murdered in cold blood. I even remembered to include the ministers final warning and the cuffed ankle on Vita.
There was silence after I finished thinking about everything again. The men didn't move away from me, but they didn't acknowledge anything that was just seen either. Insecurity was rising in me and I pulled my face up to look at Nick who seemed the most on my side right now.
He was crying. His face was red, and tears were gliding down over his jumping cheek muscles. He was angry. No, he was livid. Still, his voice came out gentle towards me when he spoke.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that, Tessa. I'm sorry we weren't there."
"Never again." Ollie's harsh words brought my stare his way. His face was pale, and anger battled over something else in his expression. "You'll never face something like that alone again." The others agreed wholeheartedly. They believed me. I relaxed and settled into the fours embrace as they held me.
In a way, we were bonding as we all mourned for the boys we didn't know and the countless others before them. Death has a way of bringing people together like that. It's universal; painful and cathartic in its own right. Because in the grief of a lost life-the bitterness, anger, fear, and other emotions that can be brought forward-can bond souls together. We lose pieces of ourselves and connect to the missing pieces of someone else. There were five of us doing just that; connecting pieces of each other together. And I'm not sure those pieces would ever be undone.
30
"We have to stop this. We have to stop him." I demanded. That seemed like the logical choice in the matter. The grave expressions on the men surrounding me gave me pause. "You know we have to stop him. He's killing people!"
"How though? How do we stop something that has been going on since before we were born?" Raynor had no hope in his voice.
"We tear the shit down!" Nick agreed with me wholeheartedly.
"And then what?" Isaake questioned. "Alexander nulls our powers while Judge kills us?" He shot an incredulous look towards Nick. I was on Nick's side with this one.
"If you're going to die for something, then it might as well be meaningful! I can't think of a much better reason than to save someone else's life." I argued my point. "Who says we have to die anyway? We can do it and leave the area before anyone knows." I doubt they'll be able to catch up to us. It's not like in my time, where there are infinite resources to aid them in finding someone.
"You're both being impulsive." Isaake was shaking his head and sparking my anger further.
"And what about your sister?" Ollie questioned rubbing his eyes. "Are you just going to forget her? We haven't even found the clock. Leaving the area now means we won't be able to come back."
My stomach dropped at the thought of leaving Abby. All I want is to get back to her. That's all I wanted from the beginning. But honestly, if the clock was in front of me right now and it was guaranteed I could go home, I don't know if I would be able to do it.
Logically, I knew this time had already passed. I knew that whatever happened now has already happened and the people who died have been dead for a very long time.
I looked around at my men. Nick's anger as he stared down his brothers ready to fight. Raynor's hopelessness as if he has already given up. Ollie's frustration at the situation and not knowing what to do. Isaake's irritated look showing me he craved retribution as well, but he couldn't figure out how to do what needed to be done.
Logically, I knew I shouldn't get involved, especially at the risk of fucking myself out of a future. Logic could go to hell.
"I wouldn't want to live with myself knowing that I could have done something and chose to do nothing." I captured the men's attention. "I wouldn't be the person Abby deserved if I did nothing. I wouldn't deserve to go back to her." I shook my head.
It was true. Abby had survived without me before. I knew she could do so again. I didn't want that; I craved the exact opposite. But how would she ever be able to look at me knowing what a selfish coward I was? And if I didn't tell her, then how could I ever look her in the eyes again? She deserved better. Even if that meant I lost her.
"I'm doing this. With or without any of you." I declared and tried to ignore the pain that decision gave me.
I saw the men's eyes as each of them accepted my statement. Nick readily agreed to be with me. Raynor looked in awe as he nodded his acceptance. Isaake and Ollie...those two were more reluctant with their nods. The selfish person I am didn't question if they were sure or not. I didn't want to be alone through this. Didn't know if I could do this alone. Although the promise of "never again" may be the only reason that both men joined us, I wholeheartedly accepted all of them.
“Tonight.” I declared. “Before any more men uselessly die for a cause they know nothing about.”
“Tonight.” Ollie nodded and firmed his look. He was already preparing for battle. We were about to find out who are enemies truly were.
A fire was lit in celebration of the blessings gained. The aspirantium were gathered around the fire and had a feast set up. I would ask where the men had gotten the food, seeing as no one had a way of cooking earlier this morning, but I got to see firsthand where it came from. Thin air. The men did say John could transport things from place to place. That seemed to be the case as dish upon delicious dish appeared on a table.
I tugged on Raynor's arm to get his attention before speaking through the bond. "Where did the table come from?"
"It appeared with the first dish. John sends it first, so he knows where to direct the rest of the dishes."
Raynor grimaced at a man who was leaned against a log playing the flute. I guess all that practice making music made him picky about his songs. The flute gave off a high pitch that sounded forced and I grimaced with him.
"One time the table almost went through the fire." Nick cut into the conversation.
Both brothers walked on my sides this time and remained close to me. I could feel my hand brush against each of them if I leaned too far in either direction.
"The aspirantium was scrambling trying to get the table moved as quick as possible. We lost the pie, but the table survived." Nick spoke sadly in remembrance.
"We lost more than the pie," Raynor grumbled. "The first three dishes appeared in the same spot before Nick had the good sense to reach out and tell John his aim was off."
"It was only fish" Nick rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Take it back," Raynor growled out. Okay, so clearly they have different food preferences.
I laughed quietly at their banter while the men around us seemed content to mingle. When the table seemed to almost overfill, the judge and Alexander took positions next to the minister. That seemed to be the cue to shut up.
"Tonight, is a time for celebration!" The killer's voice echoed around the men. "We have gained two powerful allies with us today. Welcome brothers." The men applauded the two lucky boys. "Tonight, is also a time for us to honor the men who gave their lives today to better themselves. In doing so, they are now in a much better place." I saw red as I listened to his lies. Those men were nothing more than ash beneath the lava. "We have lost many men to the trials and we have gained many gifted. We shall go forward with hope that tomorrow even more blessings shall be bestowed upon us." Another cheer rang through the crowd. "Tonight we feast and praise, for God has blessed the righteous!"
My men were stoic and didn't join in with those around them. Judge was eyeing us from his perch to the right of the minister. I eyed him back, no longer afraid of capturing his attention. I didn't fear him at all anymore. He was a twisted man, but standing next to the minister, he looked nothing more than a man. The minister was the one to truly fear all along. Unless he knows. Was the judge in on this operation?
"Do you think the judge knows?" My voice was ti
ght as I asked this question.
"He could," Isaake admitted eyeing the judge who still hadn't taken his eyes off us.
"What if he is in on it too? And Alexander?" I just realized how little we knew about the situation. It was bad enough we didn't know the actual purpose behind killing the people. Not to know who the players were seemed dangerous.
"I told you, we are being impulsive." Isaake again tried to reason with me. "We should wait until we know more."
"And let more die? A life is not worth the information." I knew it was risky, but what other choice did we have? I wouldn't watch more people die.
"And if we die, then we aren't saving anyone." Ollie joined in on Isaake's side. It hurt. I hated that both of them were not fully on board with the plan.
"If you don't want to do this, then don't." My voice was oddly calm. I'm sure my face was blank at the moment too, even though no one could see me. Correction, Isaake could see me.
"We are with you, Tess," Isaake replied sadly. He didn't sound like he wanted to be with me at this moment.
Ollie turned around facing me. I'm sure it would look like he was facing Isaake right now, but he stared down at me as if he knew exactly where I was.
"I'm not worried about going and dying to save their lives. I'm not worried about the fight or the running that is going to happen. I'm pissed that we have to do this with you without any guarantee that you'll be okay. I'm worried about you." His words were like a life raft I didn't know I needed.
I didn't know why it mattered to me so much to have their approval, their support, but it did. To hear him say that the only reason he was reluctant was that he was worried about me? It made my heart soar.
Isaake's body pressed against my back and his hands landed on my arms rubbing me. As silent support, the others stepped closer shielding me farther from view. No one asked him to step away even though it was risky.
"You can't die, Tess. Your life isn't worth theirs. Not to us." He admitted without shame.
It was wrong. It shouldn't feel good to be put above another, but it did. I knew it wasn't true that my life was worth more. No life was greater than another. But to them I was. To them, I was worth more.
I leaned back against Isaake letting him support my weight. He did so without question. Nick's fingers interlaced on my left and Raynor's hand brushed the back of mine on my right. Ollie's stare was burning through me and I felt his intensity as if he was coating me with his flames. That look held more than he was willing to say. He cared and that was enough for me. For now.
"Can we go back to the hut? I'm not feeling like a celebration right now." I whispered aloud. Isaake whipped me around so quickly the world almost spun. The others fell in step without pause.
I was surrounded again. I didn't look back at anyone. Fuck the rest of them. Tomorrow I would never have to see them again. My men were all that mattered right now. Then when we righted this wrong and things settled down, we could work on getting back to Abby. Together. Because I wouldn't be leaving without them. No point in lying to myself and saying otherwise. They were mine in whatever way I could have them.
"Or we fill it with the water that's right next to it. Enough water and the cave will be flooded and unusable." Nick pointed out.
"Until the lava dries it up. Or someone manipulates it out of there with a gift." Isaake pointed out. They had been arguing tactics of destruction since we got back. So far, no one has any great ideas of demolition that everyone agrees on.
"Tess?" Raynor questioned from behind me. I tore my eyes away from the moon to look at him. I had been sitting at the opening running through my thoughts while everyone else went through ideas. "You alright?" He looked concerned.
"Yeah." I thought about it before admitting, "I'm actually the best I've been since arriving here." I looked around at the men before smiling back at Raynor. "Just daydreaming is all."
I was thinking about getting the men back home with me. Funny that I'm no longer worried about my repercussions on being in this time zone. Instead, I'm focused on getting them to the future with me after we destroy the past.
"Or we just blow the whole thing up." Nick tossed his hands in the air dramatically. "Ollie collapse it, Raynor scatter the pieces, and I'll flood the leftovers. There, dispute that!" He taunted Isaake. I smiled bigger as Ollie laughed at them. Family. I'm pretty sure this was what it felt like.
"Actually, there is something you're not thinking about." I chimed in bursting Nick's smug bubble. "Vita. You can't just take down the cave with her in it. We've got to get that cuff off her."
Nick plopped backward and laid in the dirt with his arm over his eyes. I'm pretty sure he was mumbling something about difficult women. Isaake concentrated on the newest problem and started questioning me.
"What was the chain hooked to?"
"I couldn't tell. It was cuffed around her ankle and had some weird symbol on it. There was a burn mark from the cuff on her skin." I furrowed my brow realizing something. "What kind of cuff could burn her, when the lava doesn't?"
"The kind someone uses to control her. Maybe it has something to do with the blood spilled at the cave?" Ollie joined in. "You mentioned that it seemed like the demonic ritual John spoke of. Maybe it is a form of ritual, but it helps control the cuff instead?"
That made sense. Weird symbols and blood. Plus, I doubt that men were able to trap her without the help of someone else. She could give power to people and lived in lava. I'm pretty sure she wasn't just human.
"I don't know how to get a demonic cuff off." Isaake groaned out sounding surprisingly like Nick now.
Sometimes I forget they are the same age. Isaake acts much more closed off most of the time and Nick acts silly on purpose. The stress of not knowing the outcomes must have really been playing on Isaake. I crawled over to lean on his arm offering my support.
"We'll figure it out. You guys are strong enough and smart enough to think up something. We have got to try anyway. She's just as innocent in this as all the people who've died."
And why were they dying? Why were the people being killed when they didn't have to be?
31
The moon was high and the night was silent before we decided to leave. Turns out, Isaake's power with invisibility was able to be extended. Everyone held hands to keep connected just in case. We were walking in a straight line led by Isaake, I was in between Ollie and Raynor, and Nick took the rear. The others didn't trust him not to talk otherwise and we needed stealth right now.
Men were passed out on blankets, others in tents, and the feast was not cleaned up very well. On the plus side, the men were drunk enough to have passed out into a deep sleep. We snuck by fairly easy. The judge was propped up against a tree with his head forward as he slept. He was positioned in a way to see everyone and it made me curious if he was supposed to be on watch duty right now.
Isaake kept the Illusion as we entered the cave and none of us dared utter a word. Raynor's hand squeezed mine as we came near the sacrificial room. The lava lit the room the same now as it did earlier in the day. This time there was no Vita in sight. I worried for a moment when I called out and received no response. Isaake dropped the Illusion and I stepped toward the platform to look for her. It never occurred to me that she might go somewhere else when she wasn't called. How did the minister call for her?
"Vita? We came to set you free. We just want to take the cuff off." Nothing. I laid on the rock and looked over the edge in case there was a spot I couldn't see.
A hand snagged on my dress holding tight. I looked back to see Ollie holding onto me to make sure I didn't fall. I gave a relieved smile before leaning over farther now that I knew he had me. I could see under the ledge now and found a crevice with a curled-up form on it. Vita.
"Hey, how about letting us get that cuff off?" I asked gently. Red eyes raised up beneath her long hair until they met mine. I smiled to try and show her I meant no harm. "I can't come down there to you, so maybe you can try coming up here?"
&
nbsp; She looked at me curiously for a long time and the blood was rushing to my head as I waited for her. When I was about to pull myself upward, she nodded. I scrambled upright relieved. The guys were waiting on me, surrounding me.
"She's coming up," I told them and grabbed Ollie's hand to stand up.
I held on a little longer when my head ached from the sudden blood rush. Letting go, I turned to the ledge and jumped. Vita was already there.
"You scared me. How do we free you?" I pointed to her leg which was covered in lava again.
Vita was eyeing the men around me warily. She looked towards the gloved hands and I understood. These men were here before and she had to gift them against her will. She probably didn't know if she could trust them.
"We didn't know." Isaake raised his hands in a surrendering gesture, accurately guessing the problem. "We didn't know that you were a prisoner or about the deaths in here." He looked toward the lava and grimaced. Then he surprised Vita and me. "Thank you. Thank you for giving them peace when you could and for trying to save them."
Lava leaked from an eye as she nodded her head. The heated rock around her legs retreated and the cuff was shown. The carved symbols were filled with the glowing red of her eyes and stood out harshly against the gleaming black cuff. Isaake moved closer and knelt to examine the cuff. I took a different approach.
"Can you tell us how to get the cuff off?" She shook her head sadly. I thought about how she hasn't spoken a word since I met her. She screamed though and I know she understands us. Maybe she can't speak for a different reason? I tried again. "Do you know how to get the cuff off?" She nodded this time.
I tried to figure out a way to get her to communicate with us when she pointed at her mouth and shook her head. She can't speak. Then she opened her mouth and pointed inside before making a cutting motion. What was that supposed to mean?
"Your tongue has been cut out?" Ollie asked incredulously. She nodded. Holy shit. They didn't want her to speak and made sure she couldn't. "I might be able to Heal you." Ollie stepped closer. His gentleness surprised me. This was the healer side of him. "Will you let me try?" He reached out waiting on her permission. For some reason, she looked to me before she agreed.