“Help, help, heeeeelp.” A blubber of sobs followed. “Are you going to kill and hide me in this alleyway.” Raucous sounds of metal, clashes of tins and shrieks followed. “Why won’t somebody help me?”
Luxor ducked into the corner out of sight, and clutched her ears, the muffled plea’s stabbing her eardrums. She righted herself, her eyes darted around The Hive and fled. She honed into the cries of help and let the sounds guide her keeping to the location of across The Village Bowl where are the alleyways were. Since they were all in close proximity, she had to explore them all as quickly as she could.
A choking sound pierced Luxor’s brain and had her clutching her throat. She located the alleyway and dashed down the darkened end, pushing dumpsters to the side.
A girl was crouched, curled into a ball in the corner, her shoulders trembling. A figure stood above her, a curved knife coming down against her neck.
“Stop,” Luxor yelled, sprinting at full speed.
“What are you going to do about it?” The male half-turned, and kicked the girl splat on her back.
She clutched her fists and eyed the girl. She stirred a little, but remained in the same position. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
The boy snorted, and stepped forward, exposing his looks. He couldn’t have been older than Luxor, his extremely curly hair set in an afro, the beginning of a moustache covering his upper lip. When he sneered, his silver braces glinted.
Luxor remained rooted on the spot and appeared unfazed. She didn’t want to hurt him but would if she had to, her main aim was the girl.
The boy chuckled and hastened his steps. Over his shoulder the girl rose to her feet.
“Hey, it’s okay,” she called out to the girl. She closed her eyes, imagining the despicable things the boys would do to her. Her temper rose, her fists itching to harm. She moved closer.
The boy remained idle and cross his arms across his bony frame. He cocked his head to the side and the girl strode up to him to come to his side.
“Did I do good?” she asked expectantly. She fixed her ginger hair into a ponytail.
“Perfect. We have her where we want her.”
Luxor glanced between them, and took a step back. Her anger for the male had been snuffed out by the shock of the situation she had landed in.
Trap?
“Why are you doing this?” she said, taking another step back. “You realise whatever bargain you’ve struck, the rewards will be worse.”
The girl’s laugh was hollow. “Typical, coming from a girl like you.”
Distracted by the girl’s sorrow Luxor had no time for a retort when the boy clutched her throat and smashed her against the brick wall.
“Please, I don’t want to hurt you.” She blinked away the black dots circling her vision.
“Oh, you won’t,” his voice squeaked. He smashed her head again with greater force.
Luxor tried to invite the anger but she couldn’t even open her eyes, let alone concentrate on anything but the pain shooting through her head.
“Should I call them?” the girl said. “She’s pretty much out of it.”
Them?
“She’s fast and strong. Haven’t you seen her in P.E.?” The boy released his fingers from her throat.
They’re in my class?
“But I’m faster, and so much stronger. And it’s time you got paid.”
Luxor’s head lolled forward, and she slumped down. She focused on the smooth voice, and his promise. A brief gliding motion skimmed her cheeks and experienced a ray of sunshine.
Crack.
“You know I’ve seen a lot in my life, met a great deal of people from scholars to artists, but I have never met a couple of incredibly imbecilic people. I guess I should thank you for gifting me the honour of that. Then again, you’ve ruined a perfectly great day.”
Crack.
A spittle of wetness coated her cheek, and she smelt metal. She opened her eyes a fraction, and lifted her hand only it was placed back down.
“Give me a sec, this won’t take long.”
Xavier?
The girl screamed and whimpered. Luxor held onto the over-filled garbage bag and propped herself up against the wall for support.
“Xavier,” she croaked, blinking to remove the blurriness. He paused and turned around. “Leave them. They’re in enough trouble as it is.”
He nodded although his displeasure was clear. The boy’s body was thrown right to the end against the wall for good measure. “You tell anybody who has accepted deals, they touch her and they’ll regret it.” He leaned down to the girl who ironically was in the identical position as Luxor found her.
“I hate when my plans get derailed.” Xavier thumbed the blood from check. "I was told to give this to you." He passed her a bag with the The Hive's logo on it.
From the end of the alleyway Ayla frantically floated, her hair ropes of gold. “What happened?”
“The usual, people out to get me.”
“Habiti?” Ayla hovered her palm at the base of her head, a warmth sending painful pricks. She finished it off with a massage.
“Better?”
“Much,” Luxor said. The bruise had been erased but a tenderness remained. “And no. There’s somebody I need you to meet?”
“Do I need to ask why you’re here dear cousin?” she said sweetly.
“Making amends, Luxor and I had a lunch date.”
Luxor opened her mouth to explain, but thought better of it. She headed to into the theatre, and hoped Becky Tan who would clue Ayla on the human being given deals.
“Becky? Are you in here?”
Becky entered from the front door and tsked. “Oh, Luxor what great company you keep.” She flicked the sign over to closed. “What can I do for you?”
“You were right,” Luxor said. She moved to the chair and slumped down. “And now I need you to explain this to Ayla.”
Ayla and Xavier remained standing by her side, solid pillars of protection.
“Of course, I was right, wasn’t my proof, proof enough?” Becky said. “Are you hungry? I can make fresh popcorn,” she said.
Luxor shook her head, opened up her bag and inhaled the smell. "Yum."
Too bad I can't eat it. Or have the appetite.
"Waffles?" Xavier enquired.
"Inez's way to cheer me up." Luxor smiled.
"I have a better way,” Xavier said.
“I bet you do,” Becky drawled. “Are you ready for this latest titbit?”
Becky didn’t wait for any responses before launching into animated retelling of how demons are choosing teenagers of the lower class to do their bidding. She omitted the part of being offered the deal, which Luxor was grateful for. If Ayla had a seed of doubt implemented in her mind about somebody’s character, no matter their good intentions, she was a nightmare to work with. Pandora was a prime example.
Ayla held her chin up high and asked pointed questions. Luxor could see it in Ayla’s eyes she had a renowned sense of purpose and not just of one a glorified guardian.
“Whenever you’re in trouble, come here, it’s heavily guarded. I think we should meet a couple of times a week, exchange notes on any happenings.” she said, picking at her nails. “We can watch a movie too.”
“She is heavily guarded,” Ayla stated plainly.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Luxor said.
Becky smile and covered it with a cough. “I better get the theatre prepared for tonight.”
“And I’ve got to get Luxor home,” Ayla said.
“You ready for lunch?” Xavier said.
Luxor frowned and she rose and shifted away, eager to get away from Ayla at whatever cost. What originally started off as a five-minute explanation walk from Xavier had turned into a painful trap, and him saving her. Now he was in on a part of her life she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know about.
Luxor bid goodbye to Ayla and walked side by side with Xavier across the Village Bowl right down to the end of Main Street,
until they passed numerous apartment blocks.
The flat grassy trail had been shrouded by overhanging trees, and during the walk Xavier talked all about his travels, learning different customs and languages from Italy to the United States, Africa and all the way to Australia. Luxor stayed quiet, absorbing it all wanting to know everything about him.
For fifteen minutes, the trail getting narrower and narrower until they reached the end, a sign signalled they were on the edge of exiting Brighton Falls.
"Close your eyes." Xavier obstructed her view.
Luxor arched an eyebrow, and looked at him dubiously, but she trusted her judgement, and closed them. Xavier's warm hand was in hers as he led her forward, gravel kicked along under her feet.
With one of her senses gone, the melodic sounds of bluebirds sang out, and she inhaled the sweet-smelling aroma of golden acacia’s, and blueberry ash, mixed in with the heady crispness of eucalyptus leaves which encompassed the forest.
"Open," he whispered close in her ear.
Luxor shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun, and properly focused. She clasped a hand over her mouth. "What is this place?"
Black and white majestic swans slid elegantly around the lily and lotus covered pond, while ducks lapped up the water, ruffling water behind them.
She dared not to speak loudly in case to disturb the serene peace. She was speechless and in complete awe of the picturesque view in front of her. Situated in the middle was a grey bricked structure, the wishing well, protected by four thin pillars and a brown tiled roof.
Xavier tilted his head to the sky, his face illuminated by the sun. Reclining back on a wooden bench, he leaned on his wrists, and crossed his ankles. His hot chocolate balanced on the edge.
He turned his head and stared out to the pond. "It's called the 'The Realm of Possibilities.’ I stumbled across it when I first arrived, and it's now my favourite place to come relax and reflect."
There was a tinge of betrayal as she had given Hunter her word she would visit this place with him.
Oh, well too bad for the jerk, but technically I didn't break my promise.
Luxor gave Xavier her waffle, and he turned to break of pieces for the birds. When he wasn't looking, Luxor subtlety spilt the creamy hot chocolate on the grass underneath her, although she felt guilty about marring the grass, it didn’t trump death.
She leaned against the wishing well in a field of dandelions, plucked one, and made a wish for happiness and blew. She laughed at the idiocy, as if flowers and old wells would give her what she needed.
Xavier came forward and joined beside her plucking four dandelions. "Dandelions are my favourite flower, and yes before you say that it's weird, let me explain. All flowers have significance, such as the lily. Christians hold the lily as a symbol of chastity, innocence, purity and piety. The dandelion on the other hand has heavenly connotations as it represents the celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars." Xavier blew on the first dandelion. "The yellow flower resembles the sun." He blew on the second on. "The puff ball resembles the moon." With the third dandelion with a big huff seeds dispersed into the air. "And these resemble the stars. Who would have thought a flower could have so much significance?" He passed the final dandelion over to Luxor, who ran a finger over the top.
Xavier removed his beanie, tucked it in his jacket pocket, and smoothed back his silken blonde hair. "I want to apologise for how I acted, it was uncalled for."
"You think? Why?"
"Shock. I couldn't believe it when I saw you, I was rendered speechless. I had to leave suddenly the first time at the mall and when I came back you were gone. When I saw you in the classroom, I don't know...seriously I honestly don't know why I lied, but I'm sorry."
“Why make it out to Ayla you had just arrived? What was the point?”
“Because she’s nosy, and I needed to run errands.” He gave a small smile. "Want to make a wish?" He held out a gold coin.
“This isn’t the end of the conversation, there’s more to the story.”
Before Luxor could respond, a coin was enclosed in her hand. She kissed her palm, closed her eyes, and scrolled through her mind.
What do I want the most?
Hunter, her mind called out. She shook her head and dug in deep. The wish was obvious...Serenity. She wanted the pain, danger, and angst to disappear.
Luxor unclenched her fist, and cast the coin into the darkness. Moments later a plop echoed through the well. She turned around and faced him. "Your turn."
Xavier smiled, and for the first time she noticed he had dimples. "I have everything I need." He peered to the sky. "I have to get going."
"Oh, okay." She tried to suppress her disappointment.
Xavier lent a hand and helped her up. The walk back to the Village Bowl felt much quicker than the way up there, Luxor wanted to keep talking, but since Xavier was quiet, she couldn't muster up the nerve. Once they were back in the centre of town, the anxiety of life crept back in.
"Can I take you out?"
"Like a date?" she asked hopefully.
Please say yes, please say yes.
"No, not like a date, it will be a date. Do something fun."
"Definitely." Luxor didn't even have to think twice, she had to push Hunter to the back of her mind. He was a game player, and he repeatedly proved it.
"Really?" he asked surprised, his pale blue eye lit up, and she nodded. "What do teens do these days? I haven't really dated, I'm quite...selective. Besides it's kind of hard when you’re constantly on the move. The culture in different countries is so diverse, as are the activities for having fun." Xavier explained.
"Selective, hmm interesting word." Luxor laughed.
"It sure beats picky."
"Why don't you surprise me?" She offered and hoped it wasn't anything adrenaline induced.
"That I shall do." With a quick nod and a heart-warming smile he left.
Luxor, doubled over and panted, rapping at the door of Evie's house with a rat-a-tat-tat. She had decided to bypass going home sending Meredith a quick text.
Studying at Evie's will be staying the night
Luxor was acutely aware that she didn't ask for permission but her care factor was at an all-time low. Now she would be expecting a call or text to get herself home as soon as possible.
The door opened wide. "Where have you been?" Evie pounced and wound her arms around Luxor's neck in an almost headlock.
"Oh my God, Evie," she squealed and stumbled back.
"I missed you too, but it's been two days."
"That's two days, two much. I missed my bestie." Evie linked arms and dragged her upstairs to her bedroom. "Where have you been?"
Ayla was cross-legged on the desk chair, her fingers linked on her lap.
"I was sick," Luxor replied, letting out a fake cough.
"But we passed by your house, nobody was ever there," Evie replied.
"Bed-ridden. It was a really bad couple of days." Luxor slumped at the desk chair. "So, anything new happen?"
"Nope. Been pretty boring without you, not to mention Ayla was M.I.A. most of the time." Evie scowled.
"How many times do I have to explain I have a sick father?" Ayla said, exasperated.
"Would help if I met him so I won't think he's a figment of your imagination."
"Can you two cut it out, if I wanted to hear arguments I'll go home and be involved in one of my own!" Luxor snapped. Rubbing a hand over her forehead she composed herself and turned towards Evie. "Do you think I can stay here for a couple of days?"
Evie's squealed. "Are you kidding? Oh, my God it’ll be slumber party central!" She skittered fast to her cupboard pulling out extra pillows and blankets and dumped them on her bed.
"I swear if you take up the whole bed again, I'm pushing you out," Luxor said, not so jokingly. "Ayla, you in?"
"Next time."
"So, what's been happening in the land of Lux?" Evie started the process of setting up snacks from her cupboard as if it was a picni
c.
"Nothing just s and x." Luxor bit her lip to contain any laughter from bubbling out. If she knew Evie like she did, her mind would automatically register filth.
"You had sex! With who? Hunter? Oh, My God, how big is he? I want in inches. Like blow by blow descriptions." Evie's eyes widened, whilst her mouth rambled at a million miles an hour. "Oh, hymen, oh hymen, where for out tho hymen? Why it got lost impaled by nine inches of gloriousness," she sang in the same tune Juliet's declaration to Romeo.
Luxor whacked Evie's knee and laughed. "I can't believe your mind went there. You'd actually think I'd sleep with Hunter. I do have standards." The words sounded false to her own ears, as if she was trying to convince herself there wasn't a sliver of something there.
"Don't pretend you don't want him. So, what's this oh so important ‘s and x?’" Evie enunciated the letters by bending her fingers into talking marks.
"Sick and Xavier."
"Xavier is sick, that's impossible," Ayla said.
"No, I was sick, and I'm going on a date with Xavier." Or might be.
"Why?" Evie whined. "Think about nine inches!"
"Why are you so obsessed with her being with Hunter?" Ayla grilled Evie.
"Why are you so against him?”
"You two need to calm down." Luxor tried to reason with them. Ayla got off the bed and headed towards the door. "Where are you going?"
"Home, I need to deal with some things,” Ayla said.
“Where are you going? Are you excited?” Evie said.
“I don’t know where. Or even if I want to, and it’s peculiar. I suddenly am not fazed by going. I don’t know why I was so excited and acted like a giddy idiot.” Luxor trailed her finger deep along the desk, the sensation more substantial than what she had felt.
“Admit it, Xavier is swoon worthy. A blonde, buff, babe with brains. He has the X factor,” Evie laughed.
“Ughhh, really?” Luxor said. “Besides how do you figure he has brains, you’ve spoken to him once.”
“It’s the accent,” Evie said, as if it was the most logical explanation.
A firm knock on the door put an end to the conversation.
Evie shot up like a rocket and hide the food under her bed. “Come in,” she said, clasping her hands on her lap.
Betrayed: The Chronicles of Luxor Everstone Book Two Page 19