by C. S. Harte
Haley summoned a tower shield with her talent.
“Can you make it reflective, like a mirror?” Kayla asked.
Haley shook her head. “Chi weapons will always have a glow to them.”
“It’s better than nothing,” Maria said. “Here's the plan. We all hide under the shield and walk ever so slowly past the dragon between his legs.” She made a walking motion with her hand to further illustrate the action.
“He’s looking straight at us. You don’t think he’ll notice?” Haley said.
Maria shrugged. “I don’t know if this particular species of dragon has motion-based eyesight or not. But I’m open to other ideas.”
They all gathered behind Haley’s shield and moved closer to the dragon. Their movements were slow and labored, making sure that no part of themselves was visible outside of the shield.
“So far, so good,” Kayla said.
Maria shushed Kayla and whispered, “He might hear us.”
The dragon roared at the girls as they neared him. It lifted his head into the air and aimed its open mouth at Haley’s shield. A cone of frost spewed forth, instantly freezing the shield. Haley released her grip, the pain from the extreme cold too much to bear.
The girls screamed and ran back to their starting point.
“So much for that. Everyone OK?” Maria asked.
Haley tended to her arm. “My arm… I can’t move it.”
Kayla glanced at Haley’s arm. “I think it’s frostbite. I thought these circuit suits protected us.”
“They do. Once we get out of here, our bodies will be OK again. But during the simulations, we have to feel any hits we take so it’s more real,” Haley said.
“I thought it was just physical hits. Magical we wouldn’t feel,” Kayla said.
“Well, it doesn’t hurt. I just can’t move it,” Haley said.
“What’s plan B?” Maria asked.
“We didn’t have a choice Jaime,” Victor said, comforting Jaime.
“I know that. It just sucks that I couldn’t save Emily.” Jaime sulked.
Victor pointed at the ticking clock in the ceiling. “Two hours, 44 minutes. We don’t have time to dwell. Let’s get going.”
They continued in silence as they made their way through the maze.
An ice arrow whizzed by Victor’s face.
Victor dodged it with his lightning reflexes.
A second arrow zoomed by him.
Victor caught it with his left hand.
Someone fired a third arrow, aimed at Victor’s chest.
He grabbed it with his right hand.
Jaime kept walking forward, not paying attention to the seriousness of the situation.
“STOP!” Victor yelled. “Look up!”
Jaime stopped and stared up. Animated ice sculptures shaped like medieval archers were firing arrows at him. He quickly held out his hand to create a fire shield, surrounding his body in a protective radius of flames. The ice arrows phased into steam as it dug through the shield.
“Are we… are we literally being attacked by snowmen?” Jaime laughed.
“Why is everything funny to you?” Victor said as he nimbly eluded more arrows. “Look, they’re growing in number. I don’t think we can keep this up.”
“Stand behind me. I can create a shield for both of us.”
Victor stood behind Jaime.
Jaime extended his shield to cover Victor as they steadily made their way forward through a barrage of arrows.
“I don’t want to alarm you, but I’m counting more and more arrows,” Victor said.
Jaime began sweating profusely. “I have some worse news. I can’t keep this up much longer.”
“I have even worse news.”
“I don’t want to hear it. It’s not true if you didn’t hear it.”
Victor sighed, “My friend, we are heading towards a dead end.”
“Do you think we can kill it?” Kayla asked.
“I honestly don’t want to try,” Maria said.
“It’s not attacking us if we just stand here.” Haley checked the clock in the sky. “I think it’s only here to delay us.”
“It’s doing a good job.” Maria laughed.
Kayla glanced at the dragon. “I think if we can get past the ice breath, it won’t follow us because it’s so big.”
“That’s optimistic of you to think so,” Maria said.
“There has to be a weak spot or something. Every creature has a weak spot, right?” Haley asked.
“My guess is the eyes. If you blind it, then it can’t freeze us,” Kayla said.
Maria sighed heavily. “We should’ve thought of that before the person who could summon projectile weapons lost the use of one of her arms.”
“It also has two eyes. We would have to blind them at the same time, or it might come after us,” Kayla said.
“No, I think blinding it is our best chance. Kayla, can you make two spears of ice, the way you pulled the blocks out for Victor?”
“I’ll try.” Kayla visualized two long spears of ice in her mind. Then she approached an ice wall and placed her palm on it. The wall gave birth to two long icicles. “This isn’t quite what I had in mind.” Kayla frowned.
“Icicles count as spears,” Haley said. “Maria, you take one and throw it at the right eye. Kayla, you take the other and launch it at the left.”
Maria nodded. She grabbed both ice spears from the wall and effortlessly detached them, dropping Kayla's on the ground in front of her.
“Just so you know, I’ve never actually done this before,” Kayla said.
Maria placed a hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “It’s our best shot. You can do it.”
Each girl got into position.
Maria used her shoulders to help balance the spear in her hands.
Kayla’s spear stayed on the ground, too heavy for her to lift. She knelt next to the weapon, placing one hand on her giant icicle.
Haley raised her hand in the air. “On the count of three.”
Three.
Two.
One.
Maria's icy javelin rocketed forward with a flick of the wrist. Her aim appeared true.
Kayla’s icicle propelled forward with a thought. Her aim was seemingly off.
“Move it left a little, quickly!” Haley yelled.
Kayla placed her fingers to her temple and concentrated. Move left! Move left!
The dragon either did not see the icy spears heading for it or it did not care. It stood frozen as both weapons punctured its eyes. Upon impact, a thunderous roar burst from the dragon which was now completely blind. Blue liquid cascaded down its face. The ground shook violently as the dragon stomped its enormous feet thrashing in pain. Its frost breath fired in random directions as a final fail-safe.
“That did not work as intended,” Maria yelled.
Haley pointed to an area between the dragon's legs. “We can run past him. Just have to time it well.” She took a few moments to study the pattern of breath and feet. Then she ran, jumped, flipped, spun, and sidestepped her way through.
“She made that look simple,” Kayla yelled. “I’ll go next.” She too studied the timing of the breath and stomps. OK, here I go. Kayla waited for the first breath to abate before making her run.
The dragon, as if sensing her presence, quickly reloaded and fired an attack directly at her.
Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating death. Shield. I need a shield. The sound of the outside world became muffled, drowned out by a low hum. She slowly unclenched her eyes, expecting to see the staging room. Instead, she found a blue shield above her head with purple wisps of light swirling throughout. She had conjured a magical shield, and it was blocking the icy death from above.
I’ve seen this before. In the car accident. I have a shield talent. Do I have two talents?
Kayla heard muted screams coming from Haley and Maria. “Keep going. Don’t stop!” She continued her run between the dragon’s legs. The dragon appeared to k
now Kayla’s exact location even without its eyes. Is Masa controlling it? It pounded on her shield with its dinosaur-size feet. The shield held, but Kayla dropped to one knee, feeling the heavy burden above her.
“Oh no,” Maria cried. She ran towards Kayla. The dragon ignored her completely. She added her strength in lifting the large dragon foot. “Run, Kayla. I have this.”
Kayla did as she was told, running toward Haley.
Maria grunted and roared, elevating the dragon foot, giving herself just enough time to scamper before it landed again. She too sprinted for safety towards Haley and Kayla.
The dragon kept its balance despite Maria’s efforts. As a last measure, the dragon’s tail whipped at Maria, connecting on a staggering blow. Maria launched into the maze wall, her body disappearing before it slid to the ground.
“No…” Kayla reached out. “She was trying to help me.”
Haley wrapped her good arm around Kayla’s neck. “We have to continue. Only two hours left.”
28
“It’s me, Tommy.”
The iron gate to Izzy’s private estate slides open.
Tommy takes his time moving up the driveway. He parks his car and gets out. “Aww, you didn’t have to wait for me. Is it ok for you to be outside?”
“I haven’t seen you in awhile Tommy. I miss you,” Izzy said.
Tommy drapes his arm around Izzy. “It’s good to see you again. Let’s get inside before the mosquitoes eat you.”
The pair walks up the stairs and inside the mansion.
Izzy’s mom greets Tommy in the foyer.
“Mrs. Sanders, it’s good to see you again. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well Tommy, thank you for asking.”
“I really appreciate you allowing me to stay for a week while I figure things out.”
“Tommy dear, you can stay as long as you need to. After what we’ve all been through… After…” Mrs. Sanders voice loses strength, her eyes struggling to hold back tears.
Tommy saves Mrs. Sanders from finishing her thought. “Well, thank you anyway. I’ll try not be a bother while I’m here. And let me know if you need help around the house with anything. I may not look like it, but I’ve had many odd jobs, and I know a few things.”
Mrs. Sanders gives him a warm embrace. “You’re a good kid, Tommy.” She smiles and walks away without saying another word.
“Sorry, my mom is still having a hard time dealing with everything. Seeing us together without Kayla always makes it worse for her.”
“Oh no, don’t apologize. It ain’t nobody’s fault. Well, if anything, I guess it’s mine. I let someone take her while I slept by her side. So if she needs someone to blame —”
“Tommy, no…” Izzy holds his hand. “Let’s go sit outside on the patio.“
“Sure thing.”
“You go ahead first. I’m gonna grab us some drinks.”
Tommy opens the door to the backyard patio and stares at the setting sun. Orange and purple hues streak across the landscape, painting the day away. His eyes shift to the koi bridge in the garden, and he sighs. “Where did you go?” he whispers to himself.
Izzy joins him with refreshments.
Tommy swivels toward her. “Here, let me help you with that.”
“I know what you were looking at.” She points at the garden bridge with her eyes.
Tommy rubs the back of his neck. “That obvious, huh?”
“You and I haven’t had much chance to talk about things. But I want to if you’re OK with that.”
“Whatever you need, Izzy.”
She pours strawberry lemonade into two glasses. “My mom says you came over almost every day when I was in a coma. Thank you.” She beams a smile.
“Kayla would be upset with me if I didn’t. I’m sure she would want me to look after you.”
“Don’t do that Tommy. You don’t need an excuse to be a good person.”
Tommy's eyebrows arch. “I don’t follow.”
“Never mind.” Izzy takes off the towel around her head. “Don’t freak out.”
“I’ve stared at that bald head almost every day when you were unconscious. Your hair is already growing back so fast. Did they really have to shave off all your hair?”
“It’s better this way. Everything will grow back evenly. Besides, I’m alive.” Izzy runs her fingers along her scalp, lingering on her scars. “I kinda like touching my scalp with no hair. That’s not weird right?”
“Why would that be weird?” He smiles.
“I still can’t believe the police arrested you for Kayla’s disappearance.”
Tommy takes a sip of lemonade. “About that, I have to thank your mom for helping with the legal stuff. I might still be in jail if it wasn’t for them. I owe your family so much. Just tell me how I could start repaying you and I will.”
Izzy huffs. “Don’t even think about it. You did nothing wrong. You haven’t done anything wrong your entire life, but people keep blaming you for things you didn’t do. And you know that includes yourself.”
“I was there Izzy,” Tommy says sharply.
“Whoever took her — took Kayla while I was there. I will never forgive myself for that.”
Izzy wipes a tear from her face.
Tommy stands up and paces around his chair. He returns his stare to the koi bridge. “You don’t understand. I told her I would protect her. Always and forever. I told her I wasn’t gonna leave her. Then I fell asleep. I wasn’t even that tired.”
Izzy's mouth opens, but no words came out.
Tommy’s mind replays that moment of bliss with Kayla. The intensity of the first kiss. The tingling of electricity on his skin as they held each other. The fluttering in his stomach as they walked back to the mansion, hand in hand. He shakes his head. "Sorry, got distracted just now." He sits down.
“Tell me what you remember,” Izzy says softly.
Tommy throws up his hands. “That’s it. That was all of it. She fell asleep. I fell asleep. I didn’t expect her to wake up for some time. So I fell asleep.”
“Didn’t they review the tapes at the hospital?”
“I haven’t seen them myself. The police wouldn’t let me no matter how many times I asked. There wasn’t a camera in the room, but the hallway tapes didn’t show anything suspicious. At least that’s what they tell me.”
Izzy nods. “On the nights when you stayed watching over me, my mom says you don’t sleep much anymore. Is that why?”
“Whenever I sleep, I dream about Kayla. About her being trapped somewhere.” Tommy’s shoulders slump. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I could have sworn I saw her a few weeks ago.”
“In a dream?”
“No in the Town Center. I was putting up posters, passing out flyers. And then I felt a hand touch me. Then I thought I heard her voice calling for me. It felt like she was in my head. I don’t know how to describe it. I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating. But that’s how I know she’s still alive. I can’t give up on her until that feeling changes.”
“So you’re not going to move North anymore?”
“I don’t know. At least not now. I’m not done looking for Kayla.” Tommy finishes his drink in a big gulp. “Plus, I’m not done with Charlie’s adoption process. The Coopers, aka, the adoption family from Hell, are still trying to get him put down.”
Izzy sighs. “My mother always says God gives the most to those who can handle it.”
“Well, I ain’t no Superman. He can stop giving me crap now.”
Izzy moves closer to Tommy, standing over him. “You are a lot stronger than you think. And I don’t want you to go, you know.” She rests her hands on Tommy’s shoulder, massaging them, sliding down his arms. “I would miss you so much.” Izzy kisses Tommy gently on his forehead.
Tommy lifts his gaze.
A matter of inches separates Izzy’s lips from Tommy’s.
Her breathing slows.
His heart beating faster, sounding through the quiet.<
br />
Izzy remains motionless, eyes unblinking, seemingly lost in the lush green jungle of his eyes.
Tommy connects with Izzy’s gaze, pulling her lips towards his.
Her hands wander to his chest, roaming his torso, resting on his abs.
His heart began beating faster yet, his hands traveling to Izzy’s welcoming hips, exploring the curves of her landscape.
“You know, I told Kayla that if she wasn’t going to date you, that I would.”
“You did?” Tommy said breathlessly. His hands crossing over her Southern border.
Izzy’s breathing becomes labored. A slight moan escapes her lips.
Hearing footsteps, Tommy releases Izzy.
Izzy quickly turns towards the house.
“Kids, what do you want to do for dinner?” Mrs. Sanders yells from the kitchen.
Izzy and Tommy completely disengage.
She heads toward the kitchen, walking backward, giving Tommy a wink.
Tommy stares at her as she walks away. He pushes himself up and shakes his head. “What just happened?” he asks himself while staring in the direction of the koi bridge.
29
“I have a confession to make,” Jaime said. “I think I’m starting to hate Masa.”
“You and me both,” Victor said.
“I’m not trying to be a hero here, but you have to save yourself. One of us needs to make it so we can beat Masa.”
Victor shook his head. “There has to be a way.”
“I know I’m making this look easy with this fire shield against the downpour of ice arrows, but it’s tiring. If I’m to be honest, I could pass out any second. So you should probably go.”
More archers joined the fray from above.
Victor assessed the situation, agreeing with Jaime. “We will sing songs of your bravery my friend.” He patted Jaime’s back. “Die a good death. Or port. Whatever works for you.”
Jaime laughed. “Just freaking go already.” He glared at the fortress. “Masa, I want you to know that you suck.”
With his speed talent, Victor dodged every arrow aimed at him as he retreated, escaping the canyon of death. He stopped at the first fork in the maze, looking left then right. The he slapped his forehead. “Dammit!” He lost track of the original route.