by Rue Volley
“I am eleven. I will be twelve in three days. You should be nice.”
“Okay,” Josh said, as he looked at Johnathan. Johnathan grinned.
“Yea… it's real funny Johnathan. I guess she hates me at any age,” Josh said, as he stepped over to a pew and sat down.
Rue walked up to him and hugged him. “I'm sorry... you helped me.”
Josh held her and looked at Johnathan. He patted her on the back as he rolled his eyes.
“She is getting this girl thing down, don't you think?” he asked Johnathan.
Rue pulled away from him and frowned. She walked over to Johnathan and reached for his hand. Johnathan took it and stood up.
“Listen Rue, we need to find a mirror, okay...? I need you to show us where it is... in this house.”
She smiled and looked up at the ceiling. Josh looked up and rolled his eyes. The ceiling was a mirror but it was a high ceiling, with no way to get to it.
“Of course, it would be on the ceiling!” he said, as he stood up and stared at it. Johnathan smiled at her and she kissed him on the cheek quickly, then she ran out of the room.
“Wait!” he yelled after her, but she was gone.
Josh grunted. “Okay... how the hell are we going to do this,” he said out loud.
Johnathan looked at it. “Well, it would be nice if it was down here?
Josh looked at him. “Of course, go get your girlfriend.”
Johnathan crossed his arms. “She is twelve dude.”
“Eleven... twelve in three days, don't you listen?” Josh said as he laughed and pulled a pew out of the way.
“Yea... I do,” Johnathan said.
“Well, trust me, girls get pissed when you don't get the details right,” Josh said, as he pulled more pews over towards the door.
“What are you doing Josh?”
“This is her memory right? Well, you need to get her to turn this house upside down… She can do it, she controls everything here.”
“What...? How is that going to... Ohhh, I get it! Flip the house and we get to the mirror!” Johnathan said.
“You are so quick, it just pains me,” Josh said, as he dragged another pew out of the way. Josh looked at him. “Go and get her Johnathan... Jeezus!”
“Yeah... right, okay… I'll be right back.” Johnathan ran to the door, and sprinted down the hallway.
He reached the top of the steps and peeked out. Nothing, the house was silent. It was also dark, the sun had set again. “Damn it,” he whispered to himself. He suddenly had another pain in his head and he grabbed his forehead, and fell against the wall. This one hurt worse than the last. His vision blurred a little, things started to come back into focus and he saw Rue leaning down to him. She placed her hand on his head and he grinned at her.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
“Yea... I have a headache. Listen, I need you to help us. It is going to sound silly, but I want you to turn this house upside down, Okay?”
Rue sat down in front of him and laughed. She hit him on the leg, and he winced.
“You are silly,” she said. “I can't flip the house upside down!”
“No listen.” Johnathan leaned towards her. “You can, if you think about it really hard... I know you can.”
She sat there for a minute, and smiled at him. “If I do it, what are you giving me?”
Johnathan sat up and tilted his head. “Well, what do you want?”
“I want you to stay with me. The other one can go, but I want you to stay,” Rue said, as she looked at her hands. Johnathan looked at her hands and realized that she was fidgeting, just like Rue does.
“I can't stay with you. It's so hard to explain, but I'm not supposed to be here, I live someplace else.”
Rue looked up at him with sad eyes.
“Do you have a girlfriend, there?” she asked.
“You wouldn't believe me if I told you the whole story, but yes I do,” he said as he reached to her.
She pulled away and stood up. “Well, I am not going to flip the house.”
Johnathan stood up. “Listen, I like you, I do... a lot.” She smiled. “But I have to get back home, we both do. Someone I care about could get hurt if I don't”
She crossed her arms. He tilted his head... like he was having déjà vu. He realized that she was stubborn. Of course she was, it's Rue.
“Please... I am begging you, do it for me,” he pleaded with her.
She grinned. “I will do it, but only he can go. I don't like him anyway,” she said, as she walked towards him.
“No, we both have to go Rue, please,” he said as he reached out to her.
She took his hand. She grabbed him around the waist and started to cry. Johnathan raised her head up to him.
“Rue, don't cry.”
“He hurts me every day Johnathan. I am scared and lonely, please don't leave me,” she cried out.
He sighed, and rubbed his hand through her hair. His vision went fuzzy and he fell to one knee.
Rue held his face in her hands. “What's wrong?” she asked him.
Johnathan groaned. “I am sick,” he whispered.
She tried to pull him up, but he was too heavy. He sat for a moment, until things started to come back into focus. She smiled at him.
“I will flip this house, upside down... for you,” she whispered.
He tried to smile, but this time the pain stayed with him, like a migraine. He pushed himself up and stumbled to the basement door. Rue gripped his hand and they made their way down the stairs.
***
We had been at Red woods, for about two hours before I had to sit down. Johnathan had finally convinced me to dance to a song. When he touched me, my head had gotten light and a flash of light went through my mind. The music echoed in my ears, my stomach started to ache, I felt it growl. I had stepped away from him and headed for a place to sit. Johnathan followed me, without saying a word. I looked around and saw Sara swaying back and forth in front of the bonfire. I looked over to Johnathan who grinned at me. I squeezed his hand and went to stand up. I stumbled. I felt weak, I needed to eat something, but all that was here was alcohol, even though it shouldn't be.
Johnathan got up and ran over to an open trunk of somebody's car, and came back over with a water, lid off, in his hand. I reached up and put it to my mouth. I drank it all in a few gulps. I lowered it, and Johnathan smiled at me. It seemed to help the ache in my stomach, at least temporarily. I cleared my throat.
When I gulped down the water, it had tasted a little sweet. I didn't notice until after I finished. I pushed myself up and had to reach out to Johnathan, he grabbed at my hand. I grinned at him as a warm feeling started to come over me. I smiled... had to... things started to seem really funny. I blinked a couple of times and tried to take a step forward… I tripped. Johnathan caught me at the waist and picked me up. I reached up and tapped him on the face.
“You are so pretty.” I said without hesitation. He grinned.
I felt us moving, but I didn't care. Johnathan started to carry me into the woods. I could hear the music off in the distance... it sounded like an echo. He leaned down, and gently placed me on the ground. I sat there, swaying a little.
“I feel really, really good,” I said to him, as he stood there looking at me.
He leaned forward. “I am glad,” he whispered.
“And you,” I said as I lifted my numbing hand at him. “Look good enough to eat,” I said as I laughed out loud.
Johnathan knelt down in front of me. “Really?” he asked.
“Yes... I have wanted to do the most awful things to you... forever,” I said as I dropped my hand in my lap.
I looked at it, and grinned. I felt like I was floating. He pushed himself up next to me and placed his hand on my face. I closed my eyes, I felt like I was spinning, and almost fell over. He grabbed me at the waist and laid me down. He rolled on top of me and pressed his lips to mine. I relaxed... Well, I was already relaxed, to tell you the truth...
I don't think that I've ever felt so much at ease... ever.
“Awful things huh?” he whispered in my ear.
“Yes, you drive me crazy Johnathan,” I whispered.
He pushed himself up and straddled me. He reached down and started to unbutton the top part of my dress. I giggled. He grinned at me.
“I want to give you my birthday present now, Rue Volley,” he said as he got to the fifth button. He opened my dress up and stared down at me. I twisted a little as he placed his hands on my chest.
“Oh,” I said, as I looked down, kinda shocked.
He lay back down on top of me and I felt his weight. I tried to move, but he had me pinned down. His mouth kissed mine harder. I groaned a little and he stopped and looked at me. I blinked a couple of times.
“We have to stop right here. Don't get me wrong Johnathan... I would love to do, well… whatever this is, but I want to wait, I'm not ready,” I said as my words started to slur.
He touched my face and then kissed me harder. I tried to talk, but his tongue was in my mouth. I started to squirm a little. I started to feel like I was in an elevator... and that's not good. I turned my head as he bit at my neck.
“Johnathan!” I said as loud as I could, but it didn't come out loud enough.
“Stop fighting me,” he whispered.
“What?” I said to him.
He grabbed my arms and pulled them above my head. He pressed my wrists together with one hand and took his other hand and started to unbutton my dress further. I tried to push up, but my head was swimming in numbness. I blinked a few times and tried to roll, but he had me pinned down with his weight.
“Johnathan. I am not kidding... get off of me,” I said, as I started to feel uneasy. He grinned at me.
“Sorry, I cannot do that Rue,” he said. I raised my eyebrows.
He had color welling up on his face and I looked down at his hand as he pressed it against my stomach, an orange glow started to run across my skin from under his hand. I sucked in my breath as a feeling started to come over me a familiar one, the same that I had when I fought Josh. My legs started to shake and I started to talk, but my breath was staggered.
“Johnathan... please, stop... whatever you are doing, stop it,” I said as I closed my eyes.
He moaned as he lowered his head almost to my stomach. He opened his mouth and I could see mist coming from it. The mist snaked out and caressed my skin, I threw my head back and sucked more air in. I suddenly had a tremor run through me, I drew my legs up and groaned. He stopped and looked at me.
“If you relax, you will enjoy yourself. I promise you,” he said. I pulled my head up and looked down, he was pulling at his pants. My eyes got wider.
“No... I'm not ready!” I said as I shook my head at him.
He looked up and grinned at me. “Bind,” he whispered.
I felt my body stiffen, I felt like a terrible weight was pressing down on me. Johnathan rose up, with top of his pants open. I looked at him and started to plead, hoping he would stop.
“Johnathan, I said that I don't want to do this. Please stop, I'm begging you,” I whispered.
He grinned as he stood over me. He reached down and pulled my dress off of me. I tried to struggle but I could barely move.
“I have grown tired of waiting for you, we will mate now. Trust me, you will enjoy it little girl,” he said.
“What?” I said as I looked at him.
His expression had changed to something I didn't recognize. I felt a vibration in my hands... it burned at my skin. I hissed as I tried to look down. Color started to swirl up from me. It was a faded blue… not bright like it usually is. He leaned down and looked at me.
“I want you to know that it will hurt at first, but once you relax, you will enjoy it... and every time thereafter.”
I looked at him and pulled my face into a frown.
“Release me now Johnathan…! Are you crazy?” I asked him, as my voice cracked.
“Shut up,” he said.
I gasped as he lay down on top of me. He bit into my shoulder and I felt a sharp pain run through me. I tried to scream… but he pressed his hand over my mouth. I made as much noise as I could under his hand. He reached down and started to pull off my panties and I bit his hand as hard as I could. He stopped and hissed. He raised his hand to his mouth and licked it. Then he grabbed my throat. He squeezed it as hard as he could. I opened my mouth and nothing came out. I closed my eyes and color started to swirl behind my eyelids... blue... silver. Then all the colors came into focus, swirling like the core itself. He pressed against me hard and I pushed everything I could out of me as hard as I could. It felt like a bolt of lightning.
Johnathan flew off of me and flew across the woods. He hit a tree and let out a groan. I rolled to my side and sucked in as much air as I could. I realized that I wasn't held in place anymore by his binding and I pushed myself up. I looked at him and he raised his head. I started to run. I wanted to flash, but my head was foggy and my stomach ached. He yelled out my name behind me and I started to run.
***
Johnathan stepped into the chapel, with Rue in hand. Pews were scattered in the hallway. He looked back at them and then suddenly fell to the ground... He grabbed at his head and screamed out. Flashes of Rue's face started to pulsate in his mind. Rue leaned down and touched his shoulder. Josh flashed to him.
“What is it?” he yelled at him.
Johnathan pushed on his head and hissed. “I keep seeing Rue in my mind, she is running... in the forest, I think.”
“Shit,” Josh said as he looked at Rue. “Turn this house upside down... now!” he yelled at her.
She frowned and crossed her arms.
Josh grumbled. “Please?” he said to her.
“Look at him... he is going to die if you don't do this Rue!” Josh said, as he held his hand out.
Rue looked down at Johnathan and her face softened. “Okay... for him, but not for you,” she said.
Josh grinned at her. “Fine, it's for him... I'm okay with that.”
He grabbed her hand and took her to the middle of the room. She looked down at the symbols on the floor. He smiled at her.
“You need to focus, on this house... I need you to turn it upside down,” Josh said as he touched her face. She smiled at him and he tilted his head. She looked just like Rue, in a tiny package… it was weird.
The house started to vibrate and she grabbed his hands.
“He knows that I am in here!” she said.
Josh grabbed her shoulders. “Listen… you turn this upside down... I promise that I will not let Caine hurt you okay?” he said as he looked over to Johnathan. Johnathan had fallen to his side, still pressing on his head.
Rue bit her lip and looked back at Johnathan. She nodded at him and closed her eyes. She placed her hands out in front of her and a blue flame started to rise all around her. It lit up the room. Josh closed his eyes and held his hands out in front of him, a glowing ball started to form, swirling black inside. He slowed his breathing and called out to Sam, he pushed it upward and let his arms relax.
He ran over to Johnathan and helped him to his feet.
“Listen to me... stay awake!” Josh yelled at him.
Wind started to whip around the room. Light was pulsating from the center, Rue cried out and raised her hands, a bright flash of light filled the room and then everything started to shake. Josh stood there for a moment, waiting to figure out which way the house was moving. It started to tilt to the right and he dragged Johnathan over to the far wall. Rue fell to floor in the middle and Johnathan reached out towards her. Light was still pulsating from her body on the floor.
“As soon as the mirror gets to where I can write on it, we run... got me?” he yelled.
Johnathan nodded. The room slowly tilted and Josh started to run forward. Johnathan moved with him as he kept his eye on Rue, her body still lying on the floor. The door that they came into was across from her and her body started to slide towards it
. Johnathan's eyes got wide as he saw two hands reach up and Caine started to pull himself into the room. Rue's body was sliding towards him and he reached out to her. Johnathan pulled away from Josh and fell to the floor. Josh desperately scribbled symbols on the mirror as quickly as he could.
“Please be there Sam!” he whispered as he pressed his head against it.
Johnathan reached out to Rue and grabbed her arm. He had nothing to hang onto. He pulled her to his chest and rolled on his side with her.
Josh looked over and screamed at him, “Let her go!”
Johnathan tightened his grip on her and tried to stand, but his head was spinning. Flashes of Rue screaming out were echoing in his head. He felt a hand grab his shoulder and start to drag him. He looked up and saw Caine’s face staring him down.
“Oh shit,” he muttered.
Josh fell forward against the mirror at an angle and started to try to pull himself over. He watched as Johnathan struggled with Rue in his arms, Caine had him and was pulling him to him through the door. Josh rolled, shoulder over shoulder and then he slowed. He turned his head and looked at the mirror, it started to roll. He dragged himself slowly as it started to pull him in. He got within reach of Johnathan and reached out his hand.
“Johnathan...! Take my hand!” he cried out.
Johnathan raised his hand to him but Caine dragged him and Rue through the door. Josh cried out.
“NO!” the mirror bubbled and he sank into it.
***
I stumbled through the woods, branches scratching my cheeks, and my legs. I made it into a clearing and fell to my knees. I heard Johnathan call out to me.
“I love you, Rue!” echoed through the forest.
I wanted to cry, but I pushed myself up and started to flash out into the field. I looked behind me and saw Johnathan flashing behind me. He had blades in his hands. I looked forward and saw that I only needed to get a little further. I was almost to the lake. I looked down at my chest and concentrated on the symbol that Josh had carved into my skin with his blade, it started to glow. I'm going to dive into the lake and hope that I come up near Valon... not my first choice, but my only option at this point... I hoped I don't come up in the tower. Oh god. I barreled towards the cliff overhang. I had to jump, I had to. Johnathan yelled from behind me, and my heart ached. I didn't know what was wrong with him, but I wasn't going to stop and try to talk to him.