Cyrosphere: Hidden Lives

by Deandre Dean

A scream lead her right to Monica. It was full of agony and fear. The closer she ran toward the sound the more she felt Monica’s emotions and also sensed another person.

  Ginger yelled, “Monica, I am on my way”.

  Not just any person but an indigo and could tell from the very different type of brain pattern. A young black woman was standing opposite of a whimpering, injured Monica with a table blocking her path; there was a strange energy around her. Psychic dark energy that was trying to evade Monica’s body.

  Monica said, “Run. You can’t help me. You must escape”.

  Ginger ansnwered, “No. I am here to help”.

  Suddenly Ginger felt a boost to her abilities. The proximity to Monica and the psychic energy was allowing her to expand her telepathy but not by much. Ginger got a name; her name was Darlishia Kirwood and sent by a man name Feltus. That was what she had been told; her memories were jumbled like they had been tampered with. Altered is more like it and she wasn’t like this but someone or something was controlling her. Monica was using her empathic powers to try and shield Darlishia’s attacks. It was as if Ginger hadn’t entered the room at all. Her presence was totally being ignored.

  Ginger asked, “Who is she”?

  Monica asnwered, “Does it matter”?

  Somehow Monica linked to Ginger in the hopes of defeating Darlishia but in the midst of the battle Monica passed out. Ginger was too stunned to move when all of a sudden Darleshia broke out of her trance and noticed Ginger.

  Ginger said, “Yikes”.

  Darlishia started lashing out with her mind, the pain was intense but Ginger had no way to shield any of her attacks. Before Ginger could think she felt a built up of energy and she knocked Darlishia out. It was as if a hand was guiding her powers which was lucky but both women lay unconscious.

  Ginger wondered, “What do I do”?

  Instead of calling the police Ginger called Malcolm on his emergency line.

  Ginger responded, “Hurry. Pick up”.

  Malcolm picked up on the second ring.

  Chapter 10:

  She quickly rehashed the details of what happened and he told her to wait into she was contacted by COPS head investigator Aaron Tarquinn Darkholme. Stacey’s dad was good at his job; an old friend of Malcolm’s who would take care of everything.

  Ginger wondered, “Where is he”?

  In a matter of minutes about thirty or so were she waited and tried not to panic. Just waiting and allowing her mind to run wild Aaron finally arrived with a crew of men. He was handsome, 43 year old Caucasian man with a toned body. He was no stranger to the gym and had good taste in his custom made Gucci suit.

  Aaron asked, “Are you Ginger”?

  Ginger replied, “Yes. I am”.

  Aaron took a second to sum up what happened which was really twenty minutes before he called her parents. While writing her statement Ginger recounted the questions he asked while taking very few notes. About the time he was done Frost had arrived along with her parents. Frost ran up to her and hugged her which felt nice since she almost died.

  Frost asked, “You ok? Nevermind, scratch that. That was a dumb question”.

  Ginger answered, “I am ok. A little rattled is all”.

  Her parents went over to Aaron like they knew him and spoke in angry hushes that she couldn’t hear. Ginger tried to ease drop but heard nothing.

  Frost said out loud, “How is Monica”?

  Aaron answers, “She is in a reduced state comma with a low chance at recovery”.

  Ginger gaps and replied, “What”?

  The answer stunned Ginger as she thought how was all this possible when Darlishia was awake and being placed under arrest by COPS whereas Monica was still out.

  Aaron told Ginger, “You should start training or go in hiding at Hellhilton Silver Bright Academy in Florida”.

  Ginger replied, “There is no way I would agree to that”.

  Aaron nodded his head but seemed disappointed, “I can’t force you. It is your choice. Take care of yourself”.

  Ginger answered, “Sure”.

  Sonia said, “Thanks Aaron”.

  He gave her his card before leaving.

  Ginger asked her parents, “Who is he”?

  Thein looks at Sonia before answering, “An old friend”.

  Ginger replied, “How do you know him”.

  Sonia said, “We will take about this later”.

  Ginger looked at the card as her parents walked to the car. On the back was a number and name written on it. Diego Palmer, who the hell was he? Thein came back and takes it from her. Ginger wonders what is going on as Frost drags her to the car.

  Chapter 11:

  What a way to spend her birthday with a friend in a comma and having her life threaten before she almost died. Once back home Ginger had to wonder why they came after Monica. That night while eating birthday cake with the Stovall’s she felt all their worry and had no way to filter or block anything out. She was glad when they left because her parents didn’t seem to over stimulate her powers.

  Alone in her room all she wanted to do was cry and shut the world out. Instead she found Hannah was knocking on her window and waiting to be let in. She unlocked the latch letting her in.

  Hannah asked, “How are you”?

  Ginger responds, “I am”.

  Suddenly Ginger thought, “This was not turning out at all as she pictured her birthday and glad to see her”.

  Hannah said, “Ginger”.

  Before she could continue Ginger immediately broke down to tears while Hannah calmly rubbed her back gently. Stroking her hair and saying soothing words was nice but eventually the real world would be calling.

  Ginger said, “I think I am better”

  Hannah answered, “You sure?

  Ginger nodded before she told her everything that happened since last night. It all came pouring out about the time she finished with the big family dinner Ginger felt better because she knew this wasn’t her fault.

  Hannah went on, “There was nothing you could have done to help Monica”.

  Ginger responded, “Are you sure”.

  Hannah answered, “Yes this isn’t your fault. You aren’t to blame. Don’t feel guilt”.

  Hannah wasn’t just human but what exactly she was is still a mystery, however she was a great friend.

  Hannah said, “I don’t want to alarm you but a part of Monica had imprinted onto Ginger probably her empathy or telepathy will double your own abilities. And possibly you now have a small amount of fairy magic but will probably stay dormant”.

  Ginger responded, “Are you sure”?

  Hannah answered, “I believed so”.

  Ginger upset, “Hannah I trust you”.

  A few minutes later Hannah told her to write in her journal before leaving out the window about the time she wrote everything. She was now officially 16 and the worse birthday possible.

  A couple of days later no change with Monica’s condition but on the bright side Malcolm came home from his unexpected business trip early. He was impressed with her good job but concerned how things turned out with Aaron Darkholme.

  She gave him a brief recap not wanting to relive everything so suddenly. He sat silently and listened patiently once she was done he suggested she listen to what ever advise Aaron gave her parents. That involved this Diego character but she hadn’t brought it up yet. Now was the time to get everything out in the open so she thanked him and took the check he provided.

  Chapter 12:

  Walking home always brought joy but now it was filled with foreboding as she walked inside her house. She didn’t see her parents but a note attached to the kitchen counter saying they’ll be back soon with company. The house was clean so she couldn’t kill time that way. She grabbed her notebook and went out to the garden to sit under the sun to write. Ginger lost track of time when a guy came over to the lawn chairs and joined her. He was tall, handsome and dressed like a mechanic.

  Ginger asked, “You mus
t be Diego”.

  Diego responded, “Got that right. How have you been”?

  Ginger answered, “Stressed”.

  Diego replied, “That is understandable. I am here to help you until you feel safe and secure”.

  She looked up and through the window saw her parents smiling while they cooked together and watching them do things together was very mushy but it was also sweet. Diego Palmer was 18 and just graduated from high school.

  Diego said, “I was hired by your parents to be her tutor”.

  Ginger responded, “For what? I am on the Honor roll”.

  Diego answered, “I am gonna teach you self-defense and help to develop all her abilities fully”.

  Ginger says, “It looks like Malcolm’s words of wisdom weren’t needed after all. I don’t need to discuss anything with my parents. When do we get started”?

  Diego stated, “That’s good, the sooner the better. People are after Stacey so it reasons they’d soon be looking for her”.

  Diego was giving Ginger a few minutes to process this information. He was kind but direct she could tell by his vibe and liked this.

  Diego explained, “Sonia wants you to be able to protect yourself”.

  Ginger answered, “That makes sense”.

  Diego asked, “What’s wrong”?

  Ginger replies, “My parents should be telling me this. I feel betrayed”.

  Possibly due to the fact this information was coming from a stranger instead of one if not both her parents. Diego smiled and for a second Ginger’s heart felt as if caught in her throat.

  She surprisingly smiled back at him and told him, “I guess it’s not a big deal”.

  Diego asks, “You sure”?

  Ginger replies, “No problem. So you staying for dinner”.

  Diego answers, “I’d be happy to”.

  Ginger was blushing at him as they headed inside. After spending a night with him at dinner she couldn’t help but find him charming and very respectful to her parents especially considering how young he is. That night while writing in her journal she wondered how tomorrow’s training session would go.

  Chapter 13:

  The next morning at around nine am Diego and Ginger went for an hour run. They did some stretching and warm-ups; he showed her a few Krava maga moves. The next steps would be the most difficult building mental barriers and getting her mind use to the fact it can be used as a weapon. Working with Diego brought a sense of purpose an outlet for flirting and a reason to stay focus this summer.

  Weeks went by and while alone with her boyfriend Diego.

  Diego asked, “When do you want to tell them about us”?

  Ginger replied, “I think they already know”.

  Diego answered, “No they don’t”.

  Ginger laughs and says, “I think they do and you’re naïve. Cute and sweet but naïve”.

  She never lied to them seeing no point in it and they loved him a ton anyway. Things were great into she got a phone call from Aaron Darkholme. She hadn’t heard from him since last month and had no idea why he would be contacting her now at the end of summer. Someone had killed her parents while she was at the park with Diego. There was a car accident and they died leaving Aaron to be the one to tell her.

  He had called and was waiting at her doorstep when Diego drove her home. Ginger was too stunned to react. Time seemed to move slowly as she sat there processing the words she was just told. She felt powerless that the car wasn’t getting there faster.

  Once they got to her house Hannah and Frost were there and she had no idea how they got word. Frost probably saw Aaron outside her house but had no idea how Hannah found out and got here so fast.

  Hannah asked, “Are you ok”?

  Ginger responded, “God no”.

  Hannah held her as Ginger felt her disbelief and shock melt away. Frost was cleaning the kitchen while she spoke to Aaron. Diego was close by protecting her and making sure nothing was amiss around the house. His phone went off so he excused himself to answer it and moments later Aaron was talking to a woman name Yvette before joining everyone in the dining room. Ginger sat there numb to the facts she was alone in the world. He left his business card again in case she needed to contact him.

  Hannah saw him out and went home to get a few things. She was planning on staying by her side into she finally fell asleep. This couldn’t be happening and Ginger couldn’t imagine how she would make it through the funerals. The next couple of days were a blur filled with plans for the funerals. Attending to the wills and talking to lawyers.

  Frost and Hannah took care of most of the arrangements. Honestly Ginger couldn’t remember the funerals which considering right now was a good thing. She had no idea if everybody came or was notified but would have her entire life to mourn their loses and be contacted by various friends and acquaints. Fall started but she was unable to go back to school.

  A few days later she was finally able to catch her breath and not be bothered with her concerned friends. They were babying her when Ginger started training with Diego again to distract herself.

  Hannah moved back home but visited each day to let her know she wasn’t alone and bring flowers all through fall. Frost took care of her bills or well the house and running of the daily tasks.

  Diego said, “You aren’t safe and if someone killed your parents it stands to reason you are next”.

  Ginger responds, “We can talk about this later”.

  Diego sighs. This made sense and didn’t frighten her in the least because Ginger wanted revenge. She looked at him felt his worry but couldn’t stop herself from saying how she felt.

  Ginger says, “I love you but I won’t hide behind anyone else. My parents raised me to fight so I am not running away”.

  Diego took her hands held her gaze, “Fine sweetheart. I’ll stand by your decision”.

  Ginger felt her heart began to beat rapidly. His proximity always brought a flush to her face and Diego said he would protect her even if that meant from herself.

  She nodded her head, “Fine. I trust your advice”.

  Diego smiled, “You should pack a bag because I won’t let anything happen to you”.

  Ginger replies, “In a second, I need to catch my breath”.

  Diego says, “We will only be away for a couple of weeks”.

  Diego said that but she was reluctant even though she trusted him and packed a few things in an overnight bag. She filled her backpack up with a few essentials including her journal and two empty notebooks in case she felt the urge to write. Once he told Frost and Hannah they’d be gone she hugged them bye. Diego said a few weeks but this felt like goodbye to her old life and everything she knew.

  Chapter 14:

  Diego gave Frost the keys to the house and told him, “Please take care of it”.

  Ginger hugged him again, “I am gonna miss you”.

  She would miss this house and all the memories she shared with her family. That morning she walked down the street to tell Malcolm goodbye. He had come to the funeral and sat in the back. He was quiet during the wake and it was the Jell-O she remembered which tasted amazing. Saying bye to the people she loved was hard but she just kept telling herself it was necessary to protect those she loved. He handed her a letter and told her to open it when she wasn’t certain whom to trust. Great advice she thought before slipping it in her back pants pocket before saying goodbye.

  Malcolm promised her, “You will get justice for your parent’s murder”.

  Ginger hugged him farewell, “Thank you”.

  As she walked away from his house she begins to feel stronger. Ginger knew from his personal experience Malcolm must know what he was talking about. She waited outside in her backyard and a flash came of the last time she was out here gardening with her dad. A tear escaped when Diego came besides her with their bags.

  He held her and said, “You sure”?

  Ginger wasn’t but nodded, “Yes”.

  She felt split in half uncertain she was
made the best decision. She did make a choice with the options infront of her. Diego began a chant before she felt a shift in the air and energy building up to open a portal. Diego through the bags in and he held her tight before looking her in the eyes. He pulled away from her and Diego jumped in leaving Ginger to think about her options. Ginger decided to step into the unknown and have faith.

  Chapter 15:

  The last place Ginger expected to find herself at was in the city of Chicago. She was alone in a new city with her boyfriend but had no idea why she was there. Walking around in this city she felt drown to the church that was abandoned a few blocks away.

  Ginger said, “That church”.

  Diego replied, “Yes that is where we are going”.

  The closer she walked to it Ginger felt like she belonged. He squeezed her hand and touched the wall before reciting another spell. The building quaked and a small door appeared.

  Ginger asked, “How am I suppose to fit through there”?

  Diego says, “Of course you will. How else do you think we travel dimensions”?