Lost Energy

by Lynn Vroman

  “What else would it be?” He didn’t wait for an answer and carried me to bank.

  Good. I didn’t have one to give.

  As we dressed, Mom and Jake walked around the bushes, secretive smiles on both their faces. Resolve hit me. Tarek might not like Winston’s idea, but if it saved my family–saved Teenesee’s world–how could I say no?

  Simple, because saving them put Tarek and his world in danger.

  Shit.

  If an easier solution would drop from the sky…

  Actually, I didn’t want a goddamned thing to fall from the sky.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  We ended up in Arizona. Of all the places in Earth to hang out, the dimension’s Warden chose the hottest, driest dust heap imaginable. Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but the sweatshirt and jeans I had changed into definitely weren’t conducive to an Arizona summer. Not even the setting sun helped with the heat.

  The sweat factor doubled since our portal opened in a stuffy pole barn big enough for the five of us. The place was empty except for a lawn mower and some shovels. Funny, because when Winston pushed the door open, easily breaking the padlock with a little finger magic, not a blade of grass existed.

  “You could’ve let me in on where we were going. And a tool shed? Nice one.” I frowned at Winston, placing the blame directly on his shoulders. The suffocating heat didn’t get any better. It hitched a ride with us as we hiked to the center of town.

  “Hey, blame little Miss Guide over there. She’s the one who gave coordinates.”

  Avery didn’t look comfortable, either, with her long smock plastered to her perspiring body. Small stains showed under her arms every time she raised them. “I am sorry, Lena. Cheveyo designates the landing spot so no one sees our portals. To open anywhere else would show disrespect.”

  I snorted.

  “Again, my apologies.”

  “Whatever.” I cinched my bag higher. “I’ll grab a T-shirt from a gift shop or something.” I took in the small town–er, I guess it was a small town? “What is this place?”

  Winston walked ahead with Farren, obviously neither up for a game of twenty questions. Avery was nice enough to fill me in. “It’s what is called a reservation.”

  I tried hard not to give her a “duh” frown. I knew what a reservation was; I did take history class. Instead, I kept listening even as I pushed open the door to a small shop with Tshirts hanging in the window.

  “Cheveyo has lived on this very spot of land for centuries. He has never left, even when the land was stolen.”

  Okay, time to stop the history lesson. I already had enough to feel shitty about. “Yeah, my ancestors, along with every other person of European descent, were assholes. Got it. I’m already onboard. Question is, why? I mean, the keeper of all Earth’s energy chooses to live here?”

  She held up her chin, her eyes turning to stone. “He stays because these are his people, regardless of his burden.”

  Uh-oh. Think I touched a soft spot.

  I went into the tiny dressing room to swap my Penn State sweatshirt with my brand new I Love Arizona T-shirt. I raised my voice so she could hear me over the cheap partition. “Sorry. My bad.”

  I came out to her serene smile, the same one she gave during our first meeting. Freaked me out, really. “Forgive me, Lena. This has been quite stressful. I do not mean to be short with you.”

  “No worries.” I walked to the register after grabbing five waters from the front cooler. I pointed to my shirt and the waters, the woman cashing me out barely acknowledging me. “So, do you think he’ll help us?”

  “He respected you before, and I hope he respects you still.”

  Something hit me. “Hey, you knew where Winston was. Why not everyone else?”

  She looked down. “It was part of our bargain…for him to always let me know where he dwelled. I-I sent you close to him…after your execution, hoping he’d find you, maybe help you.”

  “Looks like that didn’t work out for you, either.” We filed out of the small store, and I handed a water to the guys. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”

  “Thanks, kid.” Farren cracked open the bottle and took a huge swig.

  “Don’t call–whatever. You’re welcome.”

  Winston stuffed his in the back pocket of his baggy pants with a nod and again took the lead. Farren shrugged and went with him.

  Avery didn’t move. She waited until they were half a block down the road and cupped her mouth with her tiny hands. “Gentlemen, you are going the wrong way, I’m afraid. Please, follow me.”

  Winston and Farren turned. Nicolette smiled as Avery veered toward the open land beyond the settlement. Just like that, we all followed the Guide, her Protector staring on with pride.

  We trudged through the sand and stone for what felt like hours. As the three of us walked behind Avery and her guard dog, Winston kept his voice low. “I need to let y’all in on something. The Warden, he does some shit to your mind with his voice. Hell, with any sound he makes. His way of controlling the situation.”

  I smiled. “You mean like Teenesee’s beauty? Don’t worry. I can be around her without drooling too much.”

  The side of Winston’s mouth curved up. “Don’t get cocky, Tainted. He’s like venom on the brain. You’ll be smiling right up until he breaks your neck. You might even ask him to do it.”

  Farren tensed up beside me. “How’re we supposed to handle that, man? Plug our ears? Won’t that piss him off?”

  Winston pulled his earbuds from his front pocket and scrolled through his phone. “Do what you gotta do, but try not to get dead, you heard?”

  Well, that didn’t sound comforting.

  At least the desert was beautiful. It shined at night, the plants and muted color like an ocean bed. Dry air smelled clean, as if the moon brushed away the dust. We stopped at a ridge hiding a small opening wide enough for two people. Avery didn’t attempt to walk in, but stood in front with hands fidgeting at her sides. Taking her example, we all waited, no one saying a word.

  Nerves snuck through my body, making my hands tremble. This was it. If the guy didn’t want to help us–worse, if he wanted to kill us–we were alone. Screwed, really. Yeah, we’d go to Empyrean, but our help wouldn’t amount to shit. Unless you asked Winston.

  Shadows coming from the opening brought me out of my head. Faint footsteps echoed off the stone and calm washed over me. A person floated toward us, his gait graceful. Winston and Farren flanked me, not helping the nerves at all, regardless of the peace juice flowing through my blood.

  All of us had faces painted with that ridiculous Arcus color. Hopefully the guy wouldn’t kill us for looking stupid. When the person, who hummed low, ended up being a slight man who I assumed was Cheveyo, the calm intensified, suffocating the fear. I wanted to curl up in a ball and sleep, not caring if poisonous reptiles snuggled with me.

  My eyes drooped, and I would’ve fallen to my knees if it weren’t for Winston, who grabbed my elbow and held me up. I searched his face, a drunk smile hanging out on mine. “Thanks.”

  Winston shook his head, not even close to relaxed. “He’s using his crazy shit. Snap out of it.”

  I tugged on his blond-tipped dreads. “Lighten up, chief.”

  He held me tighter with one hand and elbowed Farren. “You too. Pay attention or he’ll kill you. Both of you.”

  Farren heeded the warning better, looking away from Cheveyo. As the Warden’s footsteps grew louder, Farren slammed his palms over his ears and hummed. I tried. Really. But this feeling, this Zen, why waste it on trying to stay alive?

  When Cheveyo spoke, my insides turned to liquid. “I’ve been expecting some company.”

  All right, you win. Where do you want me to stand? Or would it be easier to kill me if I lay down.

  Farren wasn’t so eager to die. He stormed off into the desert about fifty feet, his palms still over his ears and pacing. And Winston? Guess only one of us had the ability to be cool in any situation. I
patted his cheek and noticed the earbuds firmly set in his ears. Oh, right! Ah, so maybe not so cool after all, huh? Even Super Winston had his kryptonite.

  Nicolette sat on a boulder, heaving. Her desire to stay by Avery obvious, but she’d be worthless if things got sticky. Moans leaking through her tight lips said that loud and clear.

  Avery didn’t seem fazed all that much, though she wobbled when stepping forward with her hand outstretched. “Cheveyo, it is so nice to see you again.”

  He took her hand. Hmm…a polite murderer. “I wish I could say the same, Guide.”

  “Please, give us a moment to explain.” She gestured toward me, and I waved. He didn’t wave back. “We’ve brought Lena with us.”

  He glanced my way with a slight smile. “She is supposed to be carrying out punishment, not organizing a rebellion.” He turned back to Avery. “Is that not what you all are doing?”

  Exactly! Thank you. Wait, do I get to keep Tarek? No, not thank you. I pushed Winston’s hand off my arm and stumbled forward. “Hey, fu–”

  Before I told the guy exactly what he could do, Winston locked me in a hold that would impress any cage fighter and drug me to the side. Once he stopped, his hand clamped over my mouth and his lips butted against my ear. “Shut. Up.”

  I struggled a little, but like with Wilma, to show I didn’t appreciate the censorship. His hand and hold didn’t budge.

  “Exemplar has come to her, not the other way around.” Wow, Avery could talk fast when she wanted to. She gave me a disappointed grimace before turning back to plead our case. “Teenesee is under attack, Warden. And if Exemplar wins the battle…”

  Cheveyo held up a hand. “Come.”

  This time when he spoke, my mind and body bounced back from the brink of Stupidville. I shrugged from Winston’s loosened hold, my cheeks burning. Farren joined us, the bright red patches on his cheeks matching the ones flaming hot on mine. As we all plodded into the cave, Ginger bent close to my ear. “You almost told a Warden to fuck off.”

  Like I needed to be reminded? “Yeah, well…well…you look like a clown.”

  He laughed. “Maybe, but I still didn’t almost tell a Warden to fuck off.”

  “Almost, Ginger. Almost is the key word here.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  In the deep center of the cave, enough room existed for at least twenty people to stand upright. A small fire crackled in the middle, and when we sat, the comfort of soft leather hides and cushioned blankets protected our butts from hard stone. Everything about the Warden and his area screamed calm, even without the hypnotist act he used on us outside. The smell of wet stone created an earthy invisible shell around us. Water trickled from the rock ceiling in the far corner. No clue how there could be so much water in the middle of a desert, but I’m sure it had a lot to do with who lived here.

  Cheveyo sat cross-legged on the opposite side of the fire. His slight body didn’t hide the sinewy muscles in his arms and chest. His face…boy, his face…all young and dark with smooth skin, full lips, and straight nose. Damn.

  No one said a word while Cheveyo took his time to scan all our faces. His eyes stopped on Winston the longest, that smile he wore deepening. “You surprise me the most, Protector. I haven’t heard from you since your arrival here. Why the change of heart?”

  Winston pulled out his earbuds, the music coming from them soft, like Mozart or something. “Sorry?”

  I was the disrespectful one?

  Cheveyo didn’t seem pissed and repeated what he’d asked.

  “I returned a favor that ended up turning into a lot of favors.” Winston shot Avery, who had the decency to blush, an irritated smirk.

  Cheveyo nodded. “Yes, that seems to be the norm when dealing with Exemplians.”

  He grew quiet again, watching us. Silence didn’t bother me, though. The place was too damn cozy to feel self-conscious. After a few minutes, Cheveyo reached into a pouch to his right and pulled out a small pipe. He took a hit and offered it to me. I shook my head, never a fan of the habit, the smell familiar. The trailer parked reeked of weed more nights than not. He shrugged and offered to Winston, who had no trouble lighting the pipe and sucking deep. Farren and Nicolette took it after Winston. Avery declined.

  Finally, when everyone was good and high, I pulled the papers from my pack. “Ah, sir, um, we did come for a reason.” I handed him the list. “We need help finding these people.”

  He read the names, smoking his bowl, before giving his attention to Avery and ignoring my request. “Your people are setting up nests here, clusters around my world.” It wasn’t a question.

  Avery fidgeted with her robe’s sleeves. “Y-yes. I believe Earth is an imminent target. After Empyrean.”

  Cheveyo didn’t show any anger or fear, though he took a few more hits off his bowl before tucking it back in his pouch. A little weed must do the temper wonders.

  “I expected as much, though I did not realize your people were declaring an all-out war.”

  “I-I have been accused of treason, Warden. Those people are no longer mine.”

  He nodded, interest lighting his deep-set eyes. “Indeed?”

  Her gaze landed on her busy hands. “They found out I have been hiding rogues here.” A sob escaped her throat, and Nicolette pulled her close. “They are annihilating Empyrean as we speak. I’m…this…it all falls directly on my shoulders.”

  The anguish in her voice made my heart ache. “No, this isn’t your fault. Cassondra is to blame. Her revenge started this.”

  She bowed her head, tears falling on her lap. “That is where you are wrong, old friend. I–”

  Nicolette shushed her, squeezing Avery’s thigh

  Weird. But I’d ignore it for now. “Look at me, Avery.”

  Her shoulders shook, but she held a fist to her mouth, took in a few deep breaths, and faced me.

  “She’s not gonna win.” I meant it, every word.

  I nodded to Nicolette, who smiled over her Guide’s head, and turned to Cheveyo. “You trusted me before, believed in the chance to right what Exemplar ruined. I’m telling you, if you help us find these people–our army–we can end this. All of this. For good. No more visits from other dimensions, all energy staying exactly where it’s supposed to, we can make it happen.”

  I drilled Cheveyo with what I hoped passed for confidence. We could do this. A little help would be nice, but without it, my group wouldn’t stop until Exemplar did.

  Farren brushed my shoulder and whispered in my ear. “You got this, kid.”

  I kept my attention on the man with the answers.

  Cheveyo smiled, tilting his head. “Now, there is the Lena I remember. I believe you, and I will give you the locations of many, though I cannot force them to help.”

  “That will be enough. We’ll handle the rest.”

  He held up the list, pointing at the first three names. “Let’s start with them.”

  EYES WIDE OPEN

  “I don’t get why I can’t come with you.” I stomped my feet and rubbed my arms to fight against the chill, the desert night not anywhere near as hot as the desert day.

  We all huddled outside the cave, ready to find the twenty or so people Cheveyo gave us locations for. He said some had no desire to be found, and he’d respect those wishes. Others had died, a few suicides…a few more overdoses. He recycled their energy as quickly as it came to him before Guides could get to it. They deserved some peace, he said. A chance to love life instead of regretting it.

  It’d take a while to find those twenty, though, seeing as they were scattered around the world. Winston refused to let me come, opting to take only Avery and Nicolette. Farren didn’t seem to mind, one arm already in the air and the other snaking around my waist.

  I pushed him away. “Easy, Ginger.” I went to plead with Winston again. “Come on, let me come. I can help.”

  Winston shook his head and launched me back into Farren’s hold. “Imma let you in on something, Tainted, and you ain’t gonna like it.”
/>
  “What? What could you possibly say that would–?”

  “These people probably hate you.”

  Yup, that got my attention. “Why the hell would they hate me? They don’t even know me.”

  He shrugged. “For starters, I hate you. The you before, ah, you, anyway. And if you come, those people are going to see a familiar face they’ve spent years wanting to forget. They might try to kill you before we can get a word out.”

  The tears came so fast, I had trouble holding them back. I couldn’t hide the shaky voice, unfortunately. “Why do you hate me?”

  “I don’t hate you. I hated who you were. And I’d bet everything I had these people aren’t your biggest fans, either.”

  See! I knew it. Past me was an asshole.

  When he didn’t volunteer any more information and began to follow our earlier path back to town, I went after him. “Hey! You can’t say something that shitty and not explain.”

  He stopped without turning to face me. No problem. I circled to his front. When he still didn’t offer up an explanation, I pushed him.

  “You better watch yourself, Tainted.”

  I pushed him again. “No, screw that. Talk. Now.”

  “Or what?”

  “Or…or I swear I’ll…” I pushed him a third time.

  He caught my wrists, his cool never leaving. “You really want to know?”

  I had a hard time seeing his face, tears now flowing without restraint. No would’ve been the best answer to his question. “Yes.”

  He stuffed his hands in his back pockets as his eyes hardened and his mouth thinned.

  “Tell me already. I’m a big girl.” Let’s disregard the tears and my snot-swiping hand…

  “Kendal was an amazing woman. Kind, gentle, still able to love, even though she lived in that hell for so long.”

  Oh, shit.

  Once the first sentence spilled out, he wouldn’t stop talking. “And Mateusz? Good guy, your man’s best friend, actually. That is, until your threats against his woman made him fucking crazy.” He pulled a hand from his pocket and pointed at me. “You, on the other hand, were a heartless bitch. We were all the enemies. Every last Exemplian was guilty of ruining the universe’s natural flow. Didn’t matter to you most were in the dark when it came to the truth, or those who weren’t wanted to leave the place as bad as you with people they loved.”