Metanoia

by Angela Schiavone

  With a sigh, Gina pulled out her books and plopped down on the couch. She pulled her syllabus out of her Chemistry book, unfolded it, and read.

  DUE FRIDAY: Read Chapter 5 and complete the review questions at the end of the chapter.

  Gina sighed, flipped to chapter 5, and began to read.

  An hour later, she had just barely completed the reading and was starting on the questions. She would have finished sooner if it hadn’t been for the increased screaming coming from right next door to her. From what she could clearly hear, a mother was yelling at her child for not taking out the garbage while he was yelling back that it had been his sister’s turn to do so. Directly downstairs from Gina, Ms. Stern had moved to another tenant who was late on rent and was now screaming at them. Gina released a great sigh of relief that she had turned her own rent in on time. She had been left a good deal of money by whoever her parents were and had definitely needed it these past few months.

  Gina directed her attention back to the task at hand: her boring Chemistry homework. Fill out this Vapor Pressure of Water chart with its appropriate temperature (˚C) or pressure (kPa). Refer to the table on page 528. Gina repeated this in her head for the hundredth time.

  “I always have to do everything around here!” wailed the boy next door. “Sarah never has any chores! It was her turn! I have to cook, I have to clean, I have to do everything!”

  “Yeah, well try being a mother someday!” screamed his mother. Concentrate, Gina thought to herself. At 10˚C, the pressure will be 1.2 kPa…

  “Rent time is now! Not next month, not next week, not tomorrow – NOW! Pay up or get out!” Ms. Stern was screaming. How she could scream that loud on a daily basis without losing her voice, Gina did not know. It seemed impossible. Yet, she was always screaming. If it wasn’t about the rent then it was about that pesky cat or somebody leaving roller-skates out for someone to trip over. At 20˚C, the pressure will be 2.5… no… 2.3kPa…what is a kPa anyway? Gina tried to glance back to figure it out, but couldn’t even concentrate long enough to do that. Finally, she resulted to simply grabbing a snack and hoping that the screaming would end by the time her break was over. She knew not to count on it though.

  When Gina finally finished her homework, it was 1:00am. The screaming had stopped, but the tenants below her were watching a loud action movie that kept her awake long enough to finish her homework. Finally, she threw her books into her bag, put on her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and crashed onto her bed.

  The next day was like all the ones before it: boring and far too drawn out. As much as Gina hoped and prayed that Mrs. Spencer would have caught a mysterious tropical disease and not shown up that day, she was inevitably disappointed. There her teacher stood at the front, facing her victims with an evil grin that put the Grinch’s to shame. “With this chart,” Mrs. Spencer began, pointing at a chart she had drawn on the board to match the one in the book, “you can determine the critical temperature for a substance as well as the critical pressure. You can also find the triple point where the substance will have liquid, solid, and gas properties at the same time. But remember this occurs under rare conditions and is hardly seen…” Suddenly her scream pierced the air. Gina’s attention shot up to her teacher for the first time, totally ignoring her drawings. Mrs. Spencer stared out the open door at some unseen horror beyond it, but something else caught Gina’s eye. A black and blood-stained arrow now protruded from her teacher’s desk. Gina stared at it in horror, complete fear overtaking all of her ability to move. Mrs. Spencer sank back, crawling with grasping hands towards an inexistent safety zone. The rest of the class retreated to the furthest corner of the room they could get to, all but Gina. She continued to stare transfixed at the arrow, panic weighing her down.

  It was in this instant that the embodiment of pure terror emerged. First one claw, then another, dragged in the body of a horrific beast. Straightening up, it towered eight feet in the air, covered in black and red colored skin. Shards of rusting metal protruded from this monster’s baldhead, splitting its skull in what seemed like a million pieces. It wore armor displaying sharp spikes that steam sizzled from. As terrifying as this sight was, nothing compared to its horrific eyes. They were black with a pupil of red fire seeming to actually have living flames. These eyes turned to Gina. The creature’s harsh, raspy voice interrupted the screams and gasps coming from the class. Painful sounds began to emerge from its mouth and though barely understandable, one word could be clearly distinguished.

  “Re-gi-na!” The creature was after her. The realization finally set in, and Gina scurried to get away. It was too late.

  “Freecra!” This was yet another horrible hiss emerging through the creature’s mouth, but its affects were much worse than its sound. An invisible hand seized Gina and snatched her up into the air. Tighter and tighter the grip became until…

  Gina rolled over painfully. She tried to get up, but the hurling to the floor was too much for her to handle. The beast yanked her up and flung her over its shoulders - right on the spikes. Gina screamed in pain as blood soaked through her white sweater. With each breath the creature took, the spikes drove deeper into her stomach. The rhythm of the beast’s breaths began to match the beating of Gina’s heart. Her head dangled against the monster’s back as she made the feeble attempt to hold on to consciousness. Suddenly, another arrow, this one brown, flew through the door. From her view at mere inches away, Gina could see the arrow protruding from the creature’s back. The monster swayed and dropped Gina, the spikes tearing at her stomach as she fell to the floor. She looked up in just enough time to see the creature crashing down on top of her.

  Gina lay there, her pain excruciating. It seemed her life was quickly being sucked from her. She felt so much pain from her injury and from suffocating under the creature’s weight that she slowly began to stop feeling. Slowly, she could see light, but her eyes could not focus on anything until someone cast a shadow. Someone was standing over her having torn the monster off of her. The person lifted her up and held her close. In the stranger’s arms as he ran through the halls, Gina slowly began to breathe normally again but her pain would not cease. Even though the person had shifted the creature off of her in a hurry, the trauma to her stomach was severe. Quickly, the stranger burst into a computer lab and set Gina underneath a desk for protection. With all the strength she had, Gina turned to look at her rescuer, her first true look at the most gorgeous man she had ever seen in her life. He, like her, had brown loose curls, though short, that hung messily around his face and stunning blue eyes.

  “What is going on...who are you...what was that thing?” Gina pushed out painfully.

  “Don’t speak, just relax. You’re hurt badly,” he exclaimed. He quickly lifted Gina’s sweater slightly to examine the damage. The spikes had obviously paid their dues. Swiftly, he reached into his pocket and produced a dried, shimmering leaf. He crushed it in his fist and opened his hand. His skin glimmered from the extract of the leaf, seeming to glow as he put his hand over her cuts. Instantly, the pain and blood were gone; only bruises remained.

  “How did you…wait, who are you?” she began.

  “You mean you don’t remember…of course you don’t, I’m sorry. My name is Leyance,” he explained. “That creature was an Übel, and he unfortunately isn’t the only one out there. They all look the same, Übels do – simply physical variations of pain and suffering. They are here for you, I’m afraid. I can’t explain anything else right now. You must trust me and do exactly what I say, no questions asked.” Gina nodded. She had no other choice; nothing made sense to her now anyway. Leyance glanced out the window, worried.

  “Where are they?” he whispered. Gina was about to ask who but remembered Leyance’s warning and kept quiet. Suddenly an arrow crashed through the window, sending shards of glass flying towards both of them. Leyance dived to the ground just in time. Swiftly he set an arrow and fired back through the window. A shriek proved his aim deadly. Gina stared, not knowing what else to
do. A chime suddenly sounded, drowning out all of the shrieks and calamity happening outside.

  “Finally!” he exclaimed. He pulled up Gina gently but strongly and hurried her out the door. “Run in a straight line to the field, no swaying, and no dodging. I’ll clear your path. Go!” Gina took off. She never thought; she only ran. Her feet kept moving even though her mind seemed completely disconnected. Her mind told her to dodge the thousands of arrows zooming past her head at deadly speeds and dangerously close ranges, but she didn’t. Many more people, dressed as her rescuer was, now joined them as Leyance shot arrow after arrow killing those Übels in front of Gina and those closing in behind them. Every shot hit its target. A blond-haired, blue-eyed man now turned to Leyance.

  “Leyance, we don’t have much time!” he said.

  “Elenzel, how many?” Leyance asked.

  “Too many,” he replied. “Get her out of here, and we’ll take care of it!” Gina continued towards the field but all that waited for them was a simple haze resting on the grass stretching about eight feet tall. Gina glanced back. Hundreds of Übels had finally seen their mad dash through the chaotic school and were now close on their trail. Leyance now put away his bow and picked up Gina in one swoop. An Übel came in closer and closer. A giant claw reached out for her, but with a giant leap, Leyance entered the haze. The world spun around Gina and the Übels disappeared – along with the rest of the world.

  Chapter 2

  “Nythagié”

  Gina woke up and looked around her. She lay in an attractive four-poster wooden bed, complete with a transparent canopy, in a shimmering room. She gazed around in awe at this beautiful heaven she found herself in. The ceiling appeared to be made of a single glass pane on which rose petals had settled upon. These were from the many vines hugging the manor. Her room had windows on two faces, meeting at a round balcony that revealed acres of forest, complete with a river, against a cliff and beautiful waterfalls. At a closer look, Gina would have been able to see a pathway leading through the thick trees. But Gina’s room distracted her. It seemed that every piece of the room shimmered like glitter. Walnut furnishings rested in the room, some with live vines of their own wrapping around them. Gina admired the room and sunk into the comfortable bed. She glanced down and saw that she wore beautiful golden silk pajamas.

  “Good morning; I see you’re awake. How are you feeling?” Gina leapt up to see Leyance, whom had just entered the room noiselessly.

  “Where am I?” Gina asked still gazing at the beauty around her.

  “Well, I suppose I am the first to welcome you to Nythagié, Gina,” he said smiling.

  “How did I get here though? I don’t remember. This just seems like a dream…” Leyance smiled and leaned in closer to sit on the bed, making Gina’s heart race. Leyance had such a mysterious and yet, comforting way about him. She felt that this was probably the most interesting and adventurous person she would ever meet. The thought made her shy and slightly uncomfortable to have him so close.

  “This is not a dream, believe me. Remember that haze in the field? That was the gateway to another world, to this world,” he explained. “Except, when someone has not been through it in awhile…or not at all, they become weak and disoriented. That’s why I carried you through it and why you have slept for a day.”

  “Oh, I’m alright though?”

  “Of course, good as new. The bruises on your stomach have healed too, as you can see. You better get dressed, there are many here who are anxious to see you,” he said.

  “Why do they want to see me?”

  “You are very important to them,” Leyance explained.

  “Leyance, why am I here, though? Why am I so important to them? I don’t know them, nor they me.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m under orders not to answer any questions you have just yet. You’ll know shortly. Just enjoy your visit for now.”

  “Oh... Umm, Leyance – where are my clothes?”

  “Oh, right. There are clean ones in the closet,” he said motioning towards a beautifully carved cabinet standing against the wall. “You can wear any in there. They are all yours.”

  “Thank you.” Gina glanced down as Leyance stood and headed towards the door. He stopped and slowly turned to Gina who in return shyly glanced at him. Leyance wanted to say something, she knew, but he just smiled. Soon, the thought passed.

  “I hope you like it here; I think you will,” he said and walked out.

  Now once again alone, Gina pulled off her sheets. Seeing the true beauty of the outfit she was in, she ran over to the mirror adjacent to the closet and peered in. These golden silk pajamas consisted of a comfortable wrap on top, which reminded her of tube tops back home, and cozily baggy pants. Her bare feet sunk into the heavenly white carpet flooring the room. She now turned to the closet and, taking a deep breath, flung it open. Inside hung the most beautiful gowns she had ever seen. They reflected a delicate, medieval style but with a new magical aspect to them all. As with everything else in the room, they too shimmered with the morning’s first light. This room, this land, was a utopia fit for a queen.

  A man, beautiful and elegant, stood gazing through his grayish-hazel eyes out the window at the landscape below. He had short, clean-cut, white hair and appeared to be in his fifties or sixties but the years had only aged him to perfection. A long robe with gold embroidery wrapped around him, giving him an even more impressive aura. He was standing in what seemed to be a council room, as its main focal point was a long wooden table with carvings of flowers and vines wrapping all around the legs. A knock at the door was suddenly heard, but the man did not stir.

  “Come in, Leyance,” he called. Leyance entered the room. “How is she?”

  “Doing well, I suppose,” Leyance replied quietly. The man slowly turned to Leyance.

  “That is good news, especially for you. So, why is it that you are not acting as if it is such?” the man asked smiling. This seemed to lighten Leyance’s mood, for he looked up and returned the smile.

  “Fheyrhil, you are probably the most brilliant man that ever lived, so it is no use to ask me that. You already know what’s worrying me,” he pointed out.

  “Yes,” Fheyrhil responded, “but I want to hear it from you.”

  Leyance sighed and spoke his mind. “She doesn’t remember…anything. It just wasn’t how I expected it to be.”

  “Did you really expect her to remember, Leyance? Did you really expect her to constantly be receiving clues? This is not going to be easy on her or any of us. She must become what she was, even if the time is not right. It must be so. We cannot dismiss the prophecies, for they rule us all. They are inescapable. All we can do is to help her feel comfortable here. She already feels comfortable around you, so you must act as her guide through all of this,” Fheyrhil explained. Another knock was heard, though this one more timidly. Leyance shot a look at Fheyrhil who nodded.

  “Come in, Regina,” Fheyrhil called. Slowly the door opened and Gina, now dressed in one of the Nythagién gowns, emerged. Leyance’s eyes never left her as she walked up to them.

  “A woman outside told me that I was wanted in here,” she explained.

  “And so you are, Regina. Come in and sit down,” Fheyrhil smiled. He motioned to a chair at the table. Gina sat and tried to be comfortable but she could feel herself shake. She did not know where she was or who these people were, even Leyance, for she had only just met him. Nothing could make her feel comfortable. She was too lost. Fheyrhil sensed it right away.

  “It is alright, Regina. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fheyrhil, and I act as what you know to be a vice-president, an acting chair here. We realize that you have a long journey ahead of you, but remember that we are here to help you,” he said.

  “Yes, we are. All the way,” Leyance quickly added. He smiled warmly at her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Gina said, smiling at Fheyrhil who in return sat down next to her.

  “I imagine that you feel a little confuse
d right now,” he assumed.

  “Yes, I don’t understand any of this,” Gina replied. “I still think I’m dreaming.”

  “Yet you are taking it very well for all the confusion and even fear no doubt filling your head currently. Though, as you pointed out, you think you are dreaming. Perhaps that is why you are so calm.”

  “Why am I here?” Gina asked curiously, but Fheyrhil’s expression told her she would not know that critical answer anytime soon.

  “I cannot tell you yet,” Fheyrhil expectantly replied. “You will understand shortly and yet be more confused than ever. I want you to become comfortable here, so have a little time to settle in before we complicate your life further. Do not worry about it now, my dear.” But something had been bothering Gina. Everyone was already too comfortable with her to just be strangers. She had seen it in just the short journey from her room to this one.

  “Can I just ask one small thing for now?” she inquired.

  “Go ahead, but I sense that this will not be the only question asked presently.”

  Gina didn’t understand his response but quickly decided to ask anyway. “Everyone around here seems to know me or at least know who I am, do they? Is that at all possible?”

  “Yes, they know you, though I cannot tell you why or how just yet,” he explained.

  “Oh! What about my friends? Are any of them hurt? When can I see them?” Gina asked hurriedly.

  “Do not worry, Regina. Everyone is safe and they are not worried. They know you are safe. It will be explained why later. For now, I can help you get acclimated here. How about a little tour? You can meet some of the inhabitants of Nythagié.”

  “Sure, I’d like that, umm thanks,” Gina replied. She felt so entirely out of place here. Fheyrhil only reminded her of how everyone here spoke with such eloquence, acted with such elegance. Gina’s rudimentary speech and actions made her feel like she stuck out painfully.