Touched by Darkness (Young Creator Trilogy)

by Christiane Shoenhair

  Chapter 25 Keagan We are on our way back from France. My second time on an airplane. This time I’m sitting with Nick, Trish, and Riley. We talk excitedly about all of the things that we saw over the last week. We spent it in Paris and Chris thought that we deserved a break and to have some fun. For the first few days it was as if everyone was walking on eggshells waiting for something to happen. Wondering if Trish would be visited by Haddie, or if Tisiphone would show up and try to hurt Maximus or Trish. However, everything was quiet, and once we realized that we took full advantage of it. Trish wanted to check out the Louvre again, retelling the story of the Underworld as we stood in front of the Mona Lisa. Riley wanted to visit each bakery in Paris, which ended up being impossible; there are way too many of them. I have to say that the baked goods really grew on me, and I’m going to miss them when we get back to Dalton.

  It’s amazing how much things have changed over the last few months. I remember the day that my dad broke the news of me going off to attend Dalton Academy. I was angry and so upset that I would be taken away from my Guardian training, but now that I look back I know I have learned and grown more since I got to Dalton Academy than the entire time that I was in Haven.I’m actually looking forward to getting back to Dalton; I think I will enjoy the experience this time. Nick is going to attend Dalton with us, his father thought that it would be a good idea since he is teaching at Dalton anyway and they would get to spend some time together.

  I look at Trish and smile when I see her talking excitedly to Nick and Riley. She is full of life and seems so happy, momentarily forgetting about everything and just enjoying herself. It’s really good to see her like this, but I know that things will change when we return to school. The bullying that she has to deal with is horrible, and I know that it’s my fault that she’s in this situation. I’m just glad that she has the friends that she does; they are real friends and stood by her side when she needed them the most. We have six more months until graduation and I know that it can pass by really slow when things are hard. I have to figure out a way to make things better. Trish has so much on her plate, and we all know that the quiet is only temporary. This last week was awesome. I know that things don’t have to be bad at Dalton, I just have to fix everything.

  Dalton is the same as it was when we left two weeks ago. As soon as we walk onto campus I can feel the tension in Trish. Nick and I flank her as we walk through the busy school grounds; words like whore and slut are yelled at Trish. The happiness that was there just hours before has been replaced by sadness and her shoulders are slumped in defeat. Screw it, enough is enough. “Wait here,” I say as I walk up to a table and jump on it. Trish is watching with wide eyes.

  “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” A hush falls over the courtyard and all eyes are turned to me. A few people have their phone out and I bet someone is going to be filming what I’m about to say. People are always looking for drama. “Everyone has been giving Trish a really hard time about that stupid video. What I said was mean and cruel, and what happened after the video was released was just horrible. No one should go through something like that. You all want to know the truth? Trish and I had been dating and she broke up with me. I was hurt and angry, so I said some things that I shouldn’t have, which was wrong on my part. Trish was able to forgive me for my actions, even though she has been suffering from the cruelty of people that don’t even know her. She is an amazing person that would do anything for her friends and family, and I need ya’ll to leave my friend alone. Do you all understand me?” A hush has fallen over thecrowd. “Good, I’m glad that you get the message. No more bullying.” I hear someone repeat the words and next thing I know the entire student body is chanting the words. I get off the table and walk over to Trish, who gives me a hug and smiles at me, tears glittering in her eyes. She mouths,‘Thank you’ and hugs me again. Nick high fives me and then we are surrounded by all of Trish’s friends who hug her.

  “Where have y’all been? We were so worried,” I hear Chelsey ask Trish. The petite blonde has tears in her eyes and is hugging Trish like there’s no tomorrow. The rest of her friends are also in tears. I still can’t stand watching girls cry, so I nod at Nick and point toward my dorm.

  “Yeah ,let’s go,” he tells me. I meet Trish’s eyes over the othergirl’s heads and wave her over.

  “I’m gonna get Nick settled in. Looks like we have some explaining to do about our absence. Guess that Tisiphone isn’t covering for us anymore.”

  “Do you want to meet up later and go for a run? I could really use it.” I can’t help the shit-eating grin that splits my face.

  “Yeah sure, I’d like that,” I reply.

  “Okay, let’s meet up outside the dorm in an hour. It will give me a chance to catch up with Chelsey and the girls, and you to get Nick settled in.”

  “Sounds good,” I say, hugging her. She melts into me, and I do a total creeper thing and smell her hair. My little sidekick must be getting squished because I feel him wiggling his way out of the top of my jacket. I really like the little guy, and decided to call him Jack. Trish gets a lick to her neck from him and jumps back, but starts laughing when she spots him.

  “Is he going to be going,too?” she asks.

  “Where I go, Jack goes!”

  “Jack?”

  “Yup, that’s what I decided to name him.” She laughs again and I wish that I could keep her like this forever. Happy and carefree, not the eighteen year old with the weight of the world bearing down on her shoulders. Her green eyes are sparkling in amusement and she rubs the tiny, winged lion’s head. I plan on taking every opportunity to spend time with Trish, and the people I care about. I want to enjoy the time that we have before the next crazy thing happens. I know that with what Trish is, things will never be simple because there are forces out there that want to destroy her for her power. Not only that, but there is also a new power in my blood, something inside of me that Ican’t explain. However, it is itching to break free. All of these things seem to be against us,but I don’t care. All I know is that I will do whatever I have to, to make sure that nothing happens to Trish. I care too much about her, and I will always stand by her side. Regardless of what we have to face next.

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  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed Trish’s story!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR Christiane lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband, Nick and son, Bentley. She loves to read and daydream which inspire her to write her stories. She loves the outdoors, and spending time with her family.