The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

  “No,” Jess assured. “This is her own doing.”

  “I’m sorry,” James cut in. “Did you say, her own doing?”

  “With Sophie’s enhancements come faults,” Jack whispered. “One being that when it starts to get overwhelmed, it shuts down for her own protection. But we don’t know why she’s currently shutting down,” he added sneaking a glance at his wife.

  “She saw something in her sleep,” James said, suddenly realizing what took place in Sophie’s final hours.

  He saw Jack stare at Jess momentarily before looking at the table again.

  “What did you show her?” James asked in a whisper.

  No one made eye contact with him.

  “What did you show her?” James yelled in more of an accusation than question.

  “Nothing to cause this,” Jess whispered, not entirely sure that was true.

  “What did you show her?!” James demanded for the last time.

  Jess dropped her head and sighed once more.

  “She needed to see that I do everything I can to protect my own daughter,” she said slowly. “It was only the last fight I had with him alone,” Jess added flatly. “I left a mark,” she said smiling to herself.

  “Seriously?!” James shouted in anger.

  “We believe that Sophie is concerned she isn’t as pure as she actually is,” Jack cut in with a rush. “She’s worried she will cross a line that she can’t come back from.”

  “Sophie would never kill someone that didn’t deserve to be taken,” James defended.

  Jack gave a weary smile. “We all know that, but I’m afraid that Sophie isn’t as sure.”

  “So how do we help?” James asked urgently.

  “We were wondering if you could take a stab at it, Kid,” Mario said with an encouraging smile.

  “Me?” James asked confused. “How am I supposed to do that?”

  “Love is more powerful than you realize,” Jack said looking at the back of his wife. “Anger can push you temporarily, but love will always be the greatest fuel of all. It provides us balance,” he said not taking his eyes off the back of Jess.

  “Balance keeps us from going mad,” Mario added.

  “So, how do I balance her?” James asked eagerly.

  “That, my boy, is something you’re going to have to figure out,” Jack replied still staring at Jess as if he was trying to get her to turn back around with his eyes. “Everyone is different, with different needs, and different things that pull us back to being centered. Only you will be able to find out how you can provide that for her.”

  “I don’t know that I’m the one to offer that for her,” James stated quietly.

  For the first time, he allowed himself to relive the feeling of pain from Sophie leaving right after James had proposed to her. He had understood, but it still left a mark. He just never took the time to deal with it because it hurt more than he wanted to admit.

  “Did she ever tell you that Simon was ready to kill her when a vision of you came to save her?” Jess asked suddenly.

  James looked at Jess’ back in shock.

  “Your love is the only reason she is even with us now,” Jess said not turning around as she stared into the fire. “You get to her when we fail,” she whispered, a little hurt by the fact. “So, you need to decide if you’re going to fight for her, or do the curtesy of leaving her,” Jess added bluntly.

  “What she means to say is…” Mario quickly cut in.

  “I said exactly what I meant to say,” Jess said coldly. “I have a daughter to save. With or without you.”

  James was taken aback by her sudden coldness. He wasn’t sure what Sophie saw last, but it was clear Jess felt she was to blame. Even if she wouldn’t admit it to herself. They were under the impression that James would be the one to keep Sophie safe. Maybe not from the man with the cane, but definitely from herself. James looked down at the table while he contemplated his options.

  “We don’t have all day,” Jess barked coldly.

  James gave her a glare before turning to Jack.

  “Send me back,” he said defiantly.

  “Does that mean you’re fighting with us?” Mario asked hesitantly.

  “Send me back,” James commanded Jack without answering. Jack searched James’ eyes for answer, but only saw defiance.

  “Good luck,” Jack whispered as he touched his forehead and James was pulled back through the door.

  “Was that a yes?” Mario asked in confusion.

  “We’re about to find out,” Jess said in a whisper as she refused to turn her back on the fire before her.

  Chapter 19

  J ames gasped for air when he came to. Ben watched him with concern.

  “Let me guess,” Ben said dryly. “A ghostly visit?”

  “Of course,” James mumbled.

  “Helpful?” Ben asked with anticipation.

  “When are they ever?” James retorted with frustration.

  “So, no?” Ben asked lightly, already knowing the answer.

  James glared at his friend before hopping up to pace the room and think.

  “So, what did they say?” Ben pried.

  “She’s doing it to herself,” James muttered deep in thought.

  “I’m sorry, what?” Ben asked, not sure he heard his friend correctly.

  “Yeah,” James said to him with a frown. “They showed her something that really upset her, and she shut herself down.”

  “What the hell?!” Ben yelled before composing himself to check her vitals again. “I thought they were supposed to be helpful,” he muttered as he took her blood pressure.

  “That’s what I said,” James said.

  He paced a few more times before his eyes lit up. He raced to her and leaned really close while whispering something Ben couldn’t hear into Sophie’s ear.

  Ben watched with curiosity but didn’t pry. James always got to Sophie better than anyone. Of course, it would be James to help her pull herself out of whatever this was. They both held their breath as they stared at her, willing her silently to come back.

  Sophie breathed in deeply but remained in her sleeping trance. It was up to her to choose to wake up. All they could do was wait for her to decide life over death.

  Sophie wandered around in darkness, looking desperately for a door, but none appeared before her.

  “Hello?” she called out, but no one responded.

  Sophie heard James’ whispered words, and her heart jumped at the sound of them.

  “I can’t get back!” Sophie screamed out into the darkness.

  “Can’t you?” asked a little boy sitting on a patch of grass, staring at her intently.

  “Edward,” Sophie whispered, recognizing the figure before her instantly.

  “So, you do remember,” the little boy retorted with a sarcastic tone and frown to match.

  “Of course, I remember,” Sophie whispered in a bit of shock seeing him. The phrase “there always has to be a door” rang through her ears, but she couldn’t control what was happening any more than her need for oxygen.

  The little boy looked at her with doubt.

  Sophie was a strong believer in the fact that everything happened for a reason, so she did what she thought was needed by him.

  “Do you remember the time we put a smoke bomb in Ms. Grubb’s desk for giving you an F and calling you dumb?” Sophie asked with her Cheshire grin, and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

  The boy looked up at her with an instant smile, before quickly composing himself into a doubtful frown.

  “Yeah,” he muttered softly.

  “Blowing up Mr. Peterson’s car definitely got me in trouble with mom,” Sophie said with a frown. “But it was totally worth it!” she whispered with excitement, assuring the little boy she remembered plenty.

  “You did get in a lot of trouble for that one,” the little boy lit up as he giggled. After a second, his face dropped. “But then you left,” he whispered.

  “Not by ch
oice, I assure you,” Sophie said carefully walking towards him to sit on the patch of grass with him. “You were my friend,” she added with a smile. “And I miss you every day.”

  “You do?” the little boy asked in shock.

  Sophie smiled and nodded in confirmation.

  “I even wonder if you’re still alive and okay,” she added softly.

  “Oh, I’m alive,” the little boy replied with a triumphant smile. “Just not okay,” he added with a frown.

  “Do you know where you are?” Sophie asked him gently, trying to find out more information to help her.

  “No,” the boy frowned. “But it’s really dark and cold here,” he said sadly.

  “Edward, can you tell me what’s around you?” Sophie asked suddenly feeling panic consume her.

  “I go by Eddie,” he said sticking out his chest and putting his chin into the air with determination.

  “My apologies,” Sophie responded, trying not to giggle at his reaction. “Can you tell me what’s around you, Eddie?” she corrected.

  “It’s boring down here. There’s no windows, or games to play,” Eddie replied with disappointment. “And he’s creepy,” he added in a whisper.

  “Who’s creepy?” Sophie asked in alarm.

  “You know who,” the little boy whispered looking to the ground.

  “No,” Sophie gasped.

  “You have to come find me,” the little boy begged suddenly looking at her, lost, and pleading for her to come save him. “You have to come now!” he yelled.

  He jumped to his feet and backed away slowly and in obvious fear.

  “Eddie, you need to tell me what’s around you,” Sophie begged.

  “He’s coming,” the little boy whispered in terror, before turning away to run off into the darkness around them.

  “Eddie!” Sophie called out reaching for him, but he was already gone.

  Her chest started to tighten, and she was struggling to breathe. She placed her outstretched hand onto her chest as she gasped desperately for air. She heard the echo of the cane hitting some cement floor as it grew louder. He was coming.

  “I will find you,” Sophie whispered in determination before she squinted her eyes closed and screamed, “ENOUGH!” to force herself awake.

  Sophie sat up suddenly, gasping for air. James and Ben rushed to her instantly.

  “Are you okay?” James asked in panic as he gently rubbed her back to sooth her as Sophie fought to catch her breath.

  Just then, Tina came through the door with a huge smile on her face. Sophie turned to her and glared.

  “Where is he?” Sophie snapped at her.

  Tina took a step back in shock and fell against the closed door behind her.

  “What are you t-talking about?” Tina stammered in fear.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Sophie snarled.

  Confused by Sophie’s reaction, Ben raced to Tina and threw his body in front of her for protection.

  “Sophie, what are you talking about?” Ben asked nervously at her sudden need for blood shining in her eyes.

  “I will find him, with or without you, so you might as well tell me,” Sophie barked at Tina.

  “Calm down,” James ordered, confused at her sudden reaction towards their friend.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Tina asked in panic.

  “I know you work for him!” Sophie blurted out in anger.

  “For who?” James asked trying to put himself into Sophie’s line of sight and take her off of Tina while they tried to get to the bottom of whatever Sophie thought was going on.

  “Oh, HELL NO!” Tina yelled as she threw her bag down and prepared herself to fight. Ben spun around and tried to hold her arms down at her side.

  “Breathe,” Ben said nervously.

  “You set us all up,” Sophie continued in a tremulous voice. “Mario is dead because of YOU!”

  “What?” James asked in disbelief, turning his own head into Tina’s direction and unsure of what to believe.

  “I did no such thing!” Tina screamed back.

  “I think we just need to take a second,” Ben interjected, raising his voice to be heard over the current yelling match.

  “She’s accusing me of working with HIM!” Tina yelled wildly at Ben.

  “Why do you think this?” James asked Sophie looking deep into her eyes.

  “The messages only went to her and Mario,” Sophie rambled. “She sent off the SD card as soon as I gave it to her. She’s the reason he’s….” Sophie couldn’t finish the sentence.

  “You’ve gone MAD!” howled Tina. “I didn’t ask for those messages to only come to my phone! I didn’t ASK for them AT ALL!” she yelled. “And I sent the SD card to a coworker in Oklahoma!” Tina finished crossing her arms defensively.

  “I need to find Edward,” Sophie pleaded with James, not caring about the words coming from Tina’s mouth. Her gut was never wrong, despite people insisting otherwise.

  “Who?” James asked very confused.

  So much screaming was taking place, they didn’t hear their burner phones start to go off inside their bags.

  “You have to explain this to me,” James begged, trying to get to the bottom of the mess.

  Sophie’s ears caught the high-pitched chirping sound as each phone rang a second time.

  “Hold on,” she said holding up her hand trying desperately to listen. She was sure she heard something, she just didn’t know what or from where. Then Sophie heard it again. She jumped up and raced to her bag.

  Tina glared at her, but heard her own phone go off at her feet. She bent down to grab it. The boys looked confused at each other, then heard the chirping sound as well. Everyone got their phones and opened them to read the message.

  “We’re coming for you. You won’t win. -E”

  “What the hell?” Ben asked staring at the message.

  “What is this?” James demanded.

  “We need to move,” Sophie said staring at the phone in her hand.

  “I’m not going ANYWHERE with YOU!” Tina yelled.

  “Then die,” Sophie said flatly as she grabbed her stuff and headed for the door.

  “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?” screamed Ben losing control.

  “They’re coming,” Sophie said flatly. “And they have Eddie for a hostage.”

  “Eddie, as in YOUR Eddie?” Tina asked suddenly changing her tone.

  Sophie looked at Tina full of grief and regret. “I’m sorry,” she whispered before she walked out the door.

  “Wait!” James yelled after Sophie.

  “We’re not safe,” Sophie said over her shoulder as she continued to walk down the hallway.

  “Where are we going?” Tina called after her, forgetting her anger instantly.

  “Las Vegas,” Ben called after everyone. Sophie stopped walking to turn around and face him.

  “Why Vegas?” she asked surprised.

  “It’s the last place Eddie was ever seen alive,” Ben said bluntly.

  Sophie looked at him with wildly confused eyes.

  “Your dad asked me to find him. I didn’t have much to go on, and I’m not even sure this is the right Eddie since I don’t have a clue what he looks like,” Ben added quickly. He knew Sophie’s wrath and didn’t want to be on the other side of it.

  They watched as relief crossed Sophie’s face. It was a start.

  “We’re going together,” Sophie said quickly turning and looking at Tina.

  “I don’t think that’s the best id….” was all Ben got out before Tina held her hand up to silence him.

  “The boys can go together,” Tina said not taking her eyes off Sophie.

  Sophie nodded in confirmation before turning around to make her way to Vegas. It was time to find Eddie. She had put it off, unknowingly, long enough. Tina walked beside her in complete silence.

  “I don’t feel very good,” Ben whispered to James.

  “Well, at least it’s easier to hide a body
in the desert,” James laughed nervously.

  “I prefer my wife not to be the one to get buried,” Ben retorted sourly.

  “Sophie wouldn’t do that,” James smiled wearily. At least he prayed she wouldn’t.

  The girls flew to arrive faster, slipping in the mix of a bachelorette party that was boarding. The boys would travel by land. Ben was not excited to give Sophie and Tina so much of a head start with both girls being upset with each other. However, time was quickly running out, and neither girl would listen to his pleas or excuses.

  “Don’t go too wild on me,” James smiled uneasily, before he kissed Sophie gently in the shadows of the parking garage.

  “I’m not sure this is the best idea,” Ben whispered desperately to Tina for the last time on the other side of the garage.

  “I’ll be fine,” Tina smiled before giving him a gentle kiss.

  “Call me immediately if you’re not,” Ben warned. “I don’t care if you use the plane phone either,” he added.

  “Not much you’re going to be able to do while we’re thousands of feet in the air, Honey,” Tina chuckled. “Stop fussing.

  “But she thought,” Ben started.

  “I know what she thought,” Tina said sternly. “Quite frankly, I would have suspected the same,” she said with a shrug. “I haven’t exactly been truthful with her,” Tina admitted. “We’ll work it out,” she winked before walking away before Ben could protest anymore. “Ready,” she said flatly to Sophie.

  “Yep,” was the only reply Sophie offered. They grabbed their bags and headed inside.

  “Come on,” James said putting his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “Let’s see if we can beat them,” he said with a competitive attitude. Ben laughed hysterically, not sure how his friend planned on beating an aircraft.

  “Sure,” Ben chuckled, picking his bag off the floor and following James to the entrance of the parking garage.

  The girls entered the plane, and quickly found their seats. They listened patiently to their departure instructions, then Sophie took to staring out the window.

  “You realize this is the shortest flight ever, right?” Tina said with sarcasm as she kept her eyes on the girls in front of her.