The Prophecy

by Desiree DeOrto

  I stopped as I made it to the angel's statue. Time hadn't been kind to it as I looked up into his hauntingly beautiful face. His hand reached down to me, seeming to want to help me, to offer something. A couple of fingers were missing and one of his wings looked like it was about to fall off at any moment. A sense of sadness overtook me as I looked closer at its crumbling form. He must have stood guard here for generations. Protecting and offering comfort to those who had passed to be beaten away by time and nature.

  I caught myself reaching out toward him and jerked my hand back. I didn't know where that thought had come from, nor why I had the sudden urge to touch him. I shook my head and looked around. This was crazy.

  Crumbling gravestones stood around in rows like sentinels. Each of them had signs of decay. Pitiful, hopeless. All except for one. I frowned. This couldn't be right.

  It looked like it was just made, the obsidian still a pure black. No wear shown. No damage by nature. I stepped forward hesitantly. Confused.

  Merlo. Deceased 1691-. I squinted as I read it again. It didn't make sense. “Hey Rose!” I called, my eyes glued to the headstone in front of me.

  “You found it?”

  “I think so. Why does it have a deceased year then a lead to? I thought the dates were supposed to be from birth to death.”

  “Yeah, that's one of the weird things about it. It's like they're expecting him to come back or something.” Her laughter echoed throughout the clearing. I went cold at the sound. “Just touch it already so we can go home. It's freaking cold.”

  “Alright, just give me a minute.” I pulled my hand out of my pocket and reached forward, holding my breath as I prepared to touch the headstone. It's just a piece of brick. That's all. As soon as I do it I can go home. The reassurances ran through my mind. I groaned at myself. I was being such a chicken.

  Determined, I reached forward. I expected the stone to be smooth, cold. What I didn't expect was to feel an intense energy to creep into my hand and to travel up my arm. I was transfixed as the sensation move through me. I knew I should be scared, running for the hills the minute I felt the warmth, but I couldn't find the strength to turn away.

  The darkness inside of me flared. I felt it spread as it seemed to feed on the warmth the stone was generating. A pulsing sensation started to come from the stone, becoming stronger, faster until my body started shaking with the intensity. My eyes stayed locked on the obsidian in front of me, seeming to fall into the endless pure black like an abyss. It was calling to me, welcoming me.

  “Star! Are you done yet?”

  My head snapped up and with an audible crack I flew backwards as the last of the warmth rammed into me. My head hit the gravestone behind me. Dazed, I raised my hand to my head only to come up short as I saw a silvery sheen. I peered closer and saw a long slash down the center of my palm. The moonlight turned the crimson flow silver, making it beautiful in its grotesqueness.

  I turned at the sound of leaves crunching as Rose stomped forward, Brandon was swiftly behind her. “Did you hear me? What are you doing?”

  “I touched it.” I sighed out. I didn't feel right. Something was wrong, but I couldn't function enough to figure out what.

  She looked at me, frowning, then looked back at the stone. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. “What happened?”

  She sounded shocked. Some part of me seemed to care about her tone so I slowly turned my head and followed her gaze. The headstone was still there, but barely. It was like three hundred years had passed in the minutes that I had touched it. Where once there was nothing but smooth obsidian, now there was a crumbled mass between gray spears where time hadn't touched yet. I frowned. That wasn't right either. “I think we should go—”

  “What are you kids doing? Get out of here!” I jerked up at the sound of the enraged voice. Rose and Brandon quickly grabbed me, half-dragging me toward the boundary line.

  “Shit!” Rose screeched, pulling on me roughly.

  “Who is that?” My breath started to come faster, fogging up the space in front of us.

  “That's the groundskeeper. He keeps people like us away.” Brandon huffed beside me.

  “I thought we were allowed to go?”

  “No one's allowed to go, Star. That's what makes it so much fun. You've got to touch the stone before you're caught and he runs you off.” Under Rose's agitation there was a hint of excitement. I guess she would enjoy practically breaking the law.

  “What have you done?” The enraged yell seemed to follow us as we made our way into the woods. The farther we got from the clearing the more like myself I felt. I shrugged out of Rose and Brandon's hold and ran along beside them, clenching my hand to my chest.

  “Holy shit!” Rose panted as she leaned against the door frame to my room. “I swore he was about to chase after us!” Her laughter formed between her panting. She was thrilled. Brandon sat down on the floor, breathing heavily. She flopped down into his lap, a smile lighting up her face.

  I sank wearily to the floor, completely worn out. “I can't believe I actually listened to you guys. We could have gotten in so much trouble.”

  “Well it's worth it. You're one of us now.” Rose said with a shrug, her smile still firmly in place. I wasn't so sure I wanted to be one of them anymore.

  I opened my hand and looked at my palm. The bleeding had almost stopped, leaving nothing but a small trickle. The blood had dried on my hand and the trails that ran down my arm. I grimaced. I definitely needed a shower. I sighed and leaned my head back.

  “I still can't believe you did it, though. I thought for sure that you'd run off screaming ten feet into the woods, but you actually freaking manned up! Andrei's going to be so pissed he missed this!” She was practically bouncing now. God I wasn't feeling good.

  “Yeah, well I'm sure he'll hear about it soon anyways. You look too excited to hold back.” I rubbed my head where a headache was forming. “Look, I'm all happy it's done and everything, but I'm not feeling well. Can you guys leave now? I just want to go to bed.”

  She frowned at me. Brandon looked like he was half-asleep on the floor but he perked up a little bit. “You okay Star?” he asked, concern crossing his face.

  “Yeah, I'll be fine. Just tired.” I got up and walked with them to the door. “I'll see you guys on Monday.”

  They looked at me for a moment. Rose's excitement had died down some, but she was still bubbly. “Yeah, we'll see you.” I waved as they walked away and closed the door behind them.

  My head started swirling as I walked to my room, kicking off my shoes in the process. I started swaying drastically. It was like the pulsing from the stone was rampaging in my head, throwing off my equilibrium and thought processes. I stumbled toward my bed and fell face down to it. Within seconds I was gone to the world.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Monday rolled around faster than I liked it too. I ended up sleeping through most of Sunday, only getting up to eat or use the bathroom. The weirdness I felt had slowly gone away, leaving me feeling relatively normal.

  I pulled into the parking lot and raced inside, hurrying to class. I was late, again. I threw open the doors to my history class only to skid to a stop. Jessica Rabbit was standing behind the desk.

  She wasn't the actual Jessica Rabbit, but I bet she could pass for a damn good imitation. I felt myself blush as her large green eyes locked onto me. Her body was what every little boy dreamed of in a woman. Curves in all the right places and then some. Her stilettos made her stand over me, though I had a feeling that if she was barefoot we'd be the same height. She wore a simple yet elegant dove gray skirt suit. The skirt hugged her generous hips all the way up to her miniscule waist. The jacket fit to perfection, highlighting her large breasts. Flaming red hair fell in waves down her back. I had no idea what she was doing here but she sure as hell didn't belong in a school. Especially this school.

  “You're late.” She snapped out, her anger seemed to enhance her symmetrical, dainty features.

&nb
sp; “Yeah, sorry.” I was still standing in the doorway, just staring at her.

  “Apologies don't work in my classroom. Come forward and inform the class as to why you are late, and why what you were doing was so important that we had to hold up class.”

  I frowned at her and looked out to the other students. Every male in the class was practically drooling over her. I couldn't blame them. The females, on the other hand, were looking at her like she was the second coming of Jesus. I shook my head and stepped forward.

  “Okay, Mrs.—”

  “Miss Beckingdale.”

  “Miss Beckingdale. I overslept. Sorry.” I could feel my anger rising along with the darkness. It seemed to be stronger for some reason. Maybe it just didn't like Jessica Rabbit look-a-likes. I clenched my jaw and turned toward my seat.

  “We're not finished yet.” Her voice stopped me short. I breathed slowly, deeply, but the darkness seemed to rise faster than I'd ever felt it. My hands started to shake as I struggled for control. I was starting to panic, it had never came back that fast.

  My base emotion was quickly becoming over ridden as the darkness pushed forth, bringing the energy with it. I winced as it lashed across me. Through me.

  I turned around slowly and faced her. The anger on her face started to slowly leave, replaced by curiosity. “As far as I'm concerned, we're done here.”

  “Well, luckily for me I am the substitute until Mr. Ridgewood returns. That means that I am in charge and you have to listen to me.”

  “I don't care who you are. I don't have to stand here and listen to this—”

  “Star, don't.” I snapped my attention over to Gabe. He looked at me pleadingly even though his confusion showed through.

  “Yes, listen to your friend. And since he had the nerve to speak up without being spoken to, he can come up here, and join us in our little discussion.”

  The shaking had moved up my hands into my arms, slowly working its way toward my chest. I knew this wasn't right, even for me, but I couldn't hold on. I wasn't able to hinder the progress.

  I had to do something, had to escape. “How about not?” I practically growled at her as Gabe made his way to the front. I cast him a quick glance as I turned on my heel and headed for the door. I'd had enough of this shit.

  I broke free of the classroom only to be jerked back. I snapped around, glaring at the hand that grabbed onto me. The grip was painful, cutting into my arm.

  “Listen here Miss—”

  I jerked my arm out of her grasp. She was stronger than she looked. I clenched my jaw and turned around again. I was at the breaking point and I didn't know why. As the energy coursed through me I stared deeply into her eyes. I couldn't hold out much longer.

  “No, you can't be—” her eyes widened and a small smile appeared on her face. Her distraction was what I needed to escape. I started running, hell bent on getting out of there. Maybe if I was fast enough I could escape the darkness too.

  I slammed the door as I got home, not caring who would hear. I thought about everything that happened, but none of it made sense. Things had always been bad, but there had always been a lead up. It never hit me this fast before, almost like it had a fury all its own.

  “Starlette.” The edge to my mother's voice made me stop my fidgeting. I turned toward her. I knew I must have looked like I felt, raw and panicked.

  “You're principal called. Feel like telling me why you skipped school and attacked a teacher?”

  “What? I didn't attack anyone!” I took an automatic step forward. Where the hell had she gotten that at? If anything Ms. Beckingdale grabbing me could be considered assault.

  “Well you obviously skipped school because here you are! What in the world were you thinking? Haven't we taught you the value of education? I don't know what has gotten into you!”

  I started laughing. It just came out of nowhere, startling me as much as it did her. “Well that makes two of us. When you uncover that great mystery, please let me know.” The bite in my words should have shocked me, made me feel something, but I was beyond anything at that point. All I knew was that I had to be alone for a while until the darkness passed. I couldn't stand it if someone else got hurt.

  I shoved past her and stomped to my door. Her voice was like the sound of buzzing insects, lost in the myriad thoughts of my own mind. I was losing it. This had to be the final break.

  I slammed the door and went downstairs, locking it behind me. My hand twisted my hair around and around and around. I couldn't seem to stop the motion, my agitation breaking out into a physical manifestation. Damaging my hair seemed like a better prospect than hurting those around me. The images were back, playing in my mind like an all-time matinee, and the reel on loop showing the grisly scenes over and over again. I tried to stop it, to shove it to the back of my mind like always, but they refused to be moved. I sank down onto the floor, my head in my hands.

  “What the fuck is your problem!” I didn't even look up as I heard my father's shout. I couldn't face him, or any of them.

  “Just go away, please.” I muttered. I squeezed my head, trying to force the images to stop. I shut my eyes, but the images only became more vivid, more intense.

  “I am not going away! You are not going to just storm off and get out of this!” He yanked me to my feet, the pressure of his hands biting into my arms. I relished in it. Pain meant that it was real, all of it. It was something physical I could hold onto while everything else seemed like a dream, separate from what had been my reality.

  He shook me. I was so consumed with my own mind that I didn't realize he had been yelling the entire time. My father, who was always lighthearted and never serious, was staring at me like a condemning highlander. Ready to strike down on all those who hurt his family. The darkness was rolling inside of me, a storm cloud full of electricity. There was so much darkness, I almost expected lightning to shoot from me.

  I remained silent as he laid into me. There was nothing he could say that I hadn't already thought myself. I've thought much worse.

  “That's it, isn't it? You're trying to punish us for this move! You've turned into nothing but a spoiled, selfish pyro!” Tears began streaming down my face. I didn't wipe them away, even though his words sliced through me. They were a direct jab at Becca. Becca—

  “I don't care what we have to do! You will get over this shit, do you understand me?”

  I started laughing. I couldn't help it. There was too much inside me, too much emotions, and too much darkness. I had to release the pressure. His face reddened until I thought he'd have a stroke.

  He released me quickly. I kept laughing, while the tears kept streaming down my face, looking into his enraged eyes the entire time. His hand drew back and he slapped me full force across the face. My head whipped to the side with his blow, the momentum causing my body to follow until I was nothing but a heap on the floor. I looked up at him through the tangled mess of my hair, blood streaming from the corner of my mouth. I'd stopped laughing. A small piece of me seemed to shrivel up and die at that moment.

  His face was pale and I thought he'd be sick. I stood up, flinching as he reached out to me. He backed away, slowly shaking his head like he couldn't believe what he did. I pushed my hair out of my face and wiped the blood from my mouth. The hit had finally ceased the images in my mind, but it caused the darkness to rise up along with the rage.

  “Baby girl— I'm— my God.” He shook his head. It was a nice try. I've learned that no matter how much you shake your head, or wished what you did hadn't happened, that it would never go away.

  “I'm leaving now.” I stated simply. I would have been shocked at how level my tone was, but I couldn't feel anything besides the darkness. It was almost a relief.

  “No, you don't have to—”

  I just looked at him and he stopped talking. I could feel my eyes changing, and by the look on his face he must have noticed it too. “Yes, I do have too. Don't worry about me,” I smiled bitterly, “I'll be home when I'm home
.” I turned around and ignored his useless ramblings, leaving them behind.

  Chapter Thirty

  I drove endlessly with the darkness leading the way. I was on autopilot. I was surprised I didn't crash as I found myself in front of The Nook. I looked at my phone and was shocked to see that school would be out by now. I didn't know why my body automatically brought me to Rose and Mary Beth. Maybe my subconscious knew something I didn't.

  I got out and walked into the store. The familiar scent of caffeine and books embraced me, calming some of my madness. Mary Beth was behind the counter and looked over at me with worried eyes.

  “Hey, Mary Beth.” I greeted weakly as I walked over.

  She peered at my face, her eyebrows drawing closer together. “Hello, dearie. What happened to your face?”

  I placed my hand against my cheek, wincing at the tenderness. “Nothing, just a little accident.”

  She didn't look convinced but dropped the subject. “You want your usual?”

  “Yeah, that'll be—”

  “Rose should be coming down in a minute to help out. If you want I can see if Michael will stay later so you two can talk.”

  “No, that won't be—”

  “I know how you girls get. Always wanting to gossip and such. I remember when I was—”

  “Mary Beth!” Her shock mirrored my own. This was the first time I ever yelled at her. Guilt consumed me, mixing in with the darkness. “Sorry. I was saying that that won't be necessary. I would just like to sit by myself for a while, okay?”

  Something in my face must have told her to leave it alone. She nodded and finished making my coffee. She was unusually quiet as she handed it to me.

  “Thanks. I really am sorry.”

  She just nodded and turned away. I hoped that I didn't do any lasting damage. She was already frail the way it was, mentally at least. I sighed and went to a corner table, trying to hide within the store.