by C. S Luis
She seemed to have already made up her mind. Like she was just telling him, informing him. “You can’t stop me. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not,” her expression seemed to say.
"Why? How do you know it's not a trap? Can you even be sure of such? What if?" Michael desperately asked.
That thing was far too dangerous for him or even her to control; he wasn’t even sure what it was. An alien, a monster, or a little of both, but it couldn’t be trusted; of that he was certain.
"I can't explain it, but I have to go—he needs me. I must go-it’s something I must do."
Claudia reached for his hand as she stood by his side.
He didn’t know how she knew this or even why. But she did. He could see it in her brown eyes, and he knew that no matter how much he refused her, it wouldn’t stop her. She had made up her mind with or without his consent. She was going. What control did that thing still have on her? Why her? It was a question that kept popping up; why her?
Michael spun his head around and gazed directly at her. There was no more discussing it; she was going with or without his permission.
"Very well." Michael finally agreed.
"But you must promise me you’ll be careful-I don't ever want anything to happen to you."
He fell silent, still gazing into her large brown eyes. In his heart, he knew he would never say no to her because he trusted her. She was brave and wise, beyond his knowledge of these things. But to him, she was still someone who needed his guidance and care.
Michael hoped she understood his concerns, and she did. It was that compelling feeling that drew her away from him. He could see it, she didn’t have to make him aware of it. She had never been so insistent of something as she was of this.
"I'll be alright," Claudia assured him. "I wouldn't be asking this if I didn't know it was safe. Q won't hurt me, or rather, he can't." She pulled out the crystal from around her neck.
Michael realized it was the same crystal that had saved them from that creature before. For some strange reason, that beautiful gem kept the being away. He didn’t care to know how it worked, wondered even less why, but prayed for it to continue to keep her safe as long as she wore it. To this day, Claudia had not removed it.
Only now had Michael remembered it and it brought him a sense of relief to see the rock around her neck where it belonged. He often wondered where the crystal had come from. Neil had one, and then John had carried one just the same. Even Alex Burton, the young Goth girl had one. With that thought, he wondered what had become of Alex Burton, when she had been swallowed by the gigantic whirlpool forming in the hallway. Was she alive in some strange plane? But thank goodness for her sacrifice, for if it hadn’t been for her, Claudia wouldn’t be here now.
Claudia had recovered the crystal from the floor of the hallway days later. Where indeed? But it didn't matter anymore, as long as it kept her safe.
"If you must go-very well, I won’t stop you. I know I can’t," Michael exhaled, patting Claudia gently on the shoulder, realizing she had been the only one to ever call that thing by any name, and even now give him a nickname of Q. He wondered if it had been its idea or hers.
"But I strongly suggest you take Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Cortez with you. I don't want you to go alone. Just in case. Alright?"
"Okay," Claudia whispered softly with a tiny smile as she reached over and hugged him.
He held her tightly for a moment before she darted out the door. Considering the fact that she had been asked to take along Mr. Cortez, she was not at all fazed.
Mr. Cortez was the least of his worries, Claudia could hold her own. As far as he knew, he was harmless except for what nonsense spat out of his mouth once in a while. Or whenever he demanded money for whatever reasons. They had both adjusted to a year’s worth of Mr. Cortez’s bull. Although it hadn’t been easy or at all pleasant, they knew very well how to handle him now.
Michael wondered whether he had made a bad choice. He was sure she'd be okay and shoved negative thoughts aside, until Mr. Cortez came rushing through his office door a few minutes later. He seemed to have a few complaints of his own.
The short man who was now one of his assistant principals, not by choice, had a bad habit of never knocking and always complaining about the slightest things. Today was no different. Michael was sure he knew what had brought him into his office now.
He burst into the office, darting past poor Mrs. Wallace who stood to stop him. The man was now standing in the center of Michael’s office with both hands on his hips trying to look threatening.
"Have you lost your fucking mind? What is the little-” he began but bit his lip to prevent finishing the sentence, when Michael glared over at him. Fear, it was a pleasure to see it on his face, Michael thought.
“Why do I have to go?” he said instead.
Michael blinked over at him but only momentarily. He had learned to ignore Mr. Cortez as his threats seemed to be less meaningful to him over the period of their year together.
“Are you crazy? I’m not going out there. Did you forget what happened? I saw it. Do I have to remind you?” Michael didn’t answer.
“I’m not going—it’s suicide.” He said in reference to the trip to Demos.
“You’re going if I say you are—” Michael boldly directed.
“You know she’s walking into a trap,” Mr. Cortez snapped, surprised by Michael’s answer.
“What does it matter to you, Mr. Cortez?” Michael angrily asked. “You only care about yourself.”
“And that’s precisely why I care,” Mr. Cortez said. “You should let him take her. Maybe then he'd leave the rest of us alone. Have you ever thought about that?"
A devilish smile seemed to rise from his creepy face. There was malice in his eyes and intent in his heart. He was the kind of man that looked out for Number One and talked about nothing else but getting his break or what he felt he deserved. He had no one and cared for no one but himself, and right now, he was sticking true to his character.
"You’re getting paid either way. Aren’t you? So shut your mouth and keep an eye out for her. And if anything happens to her, you're the one I'll be coming after, not that thing. You got that?"
"Fine, I guess.” Mr. Cortez snorted. “I wouldn’t want something to happen to my little money cow."
He then rudely added, "You should really watch how you talk to me." He could not meet Michael's eyes when he did.
Michael knew that Mr. Cortez feared him more than he let on.
“Get the hell out of my office!”
Mr. Cortez merely grinned and disappeared from the room without another word.
The hold Mr. Cortez had on them seemed to be slipping more each day and Michael believed Mr. Cortez sensed it and it was making him desperate. With time, he would have nothing and nowhere to go. Michael waited for that time with sheer delight, but for now, restrained himself to keeping the man entertained for as long as he could. Or until he knew it was safe.
Mr. Cortez hadn't been happy with Michael's decision one bit as he had nodded reluctantly to Michael and exited his office. What else could he do? Michael thought. He only hoped he hadn't made a mistake in sending Claudia to that thing’s side with Mr. Cortez and Mr. Vasquez as guardians. What had he been thinking? He hoped the crystal would be enough to protect her from the monstrous entity or whatever he was, for he felt this thing calling itself Quentin could not be trusted, but what worried him more was that Claudia couldn’t see it.
20
Return to Demos
We came out of the blue aura, stumbling about, onto a land I felt I had known all my life. An ocean spread beyond the distance, as a gentle breeze blew strands of my hair onto my face. Ahead, a white blanket of sand spread under my red boots, palm trees swayed in the wind, and seagulls' musical calls welcomed me from above. The sun was glowing above us, beaming down on the white sands to brightly blind us with its reflection.
Pointing toward what lay in front of us, I smiled happily,
took a deep breath, and then leaped onto the sand. Then I raced away toward the crashing waves coming ashore and stood to take it all in. Nothing had changed; the seagulls still danced in the currents, the palm trees still sprouted leaves and coconuts, and the whistles and howls of exotic animals could still be heard from the jungle surroundings.
The beach was still more beautiful than I had ever imagined. Except I hadn't imagined it…it was real. I had been here once a long, long time ago. It seemed like just yesterday I heard Q say, “I created those birds in your honor.”
"Wow!" Mr. Vasquez gasped. "It's actually nice here. I could live here. This place is exactly how I imagined it."
I smiled at his words, knowing that he could only know such things from my descriptions. But it was I who was the only one to have ever seen it, Demos, Q’s world.
"Don't be ridiculous, Vasquez, you don't have an imagination!" Mr. Cortez snapped, frowning at the tall man standing beside him.
Although not having an imagination could also be said for him, I believe he tried not to think of it. Inside, he hated the thought that he was very much a part of this group, for now at least. Yet I wasn't sure why he continued, why he remained, whether or not it was just for my inheritance. Did he think I would grow to accept him? The idea alone disgusted me. For he knew I was aware of his thoughts, and he couldn't stand that I knew what he was thinking. It bothered him because he couldn’t hide the truth from me. He feared it, and at the same time, envied it. My gift, that is.
"Is that what it is like to be human?" I could already hear Q’s voice.
"To be selfish and spiteful." Q would see that part of him as I had. Why did I know him so well? Like he was part of my soul, and why did it frighten me?
"Leave Mr. Vasquez alone," I ordered, defending the kind-hearted lanky fellow standing nearby. "You don't have to be here…" I more confidently said.
"Well, I had no choice, did I, sweetheart?" Mr. Cortez said and mumbled the rest of what he meant to retort underneath his breath.
Mr. Vasquez frowned at Mr. Cortez's comments. His nurturing and warm manner had always been that of a caring father. I laid a hand on his arm to assure him it was alright. Mr. Cortez’s words didn't bother me. Although he had always thought I was naïve and childish, it did nothing now to stir me.
“Besides, I need to be here to protect my niece. And that lovely inheritance.” He smirked.
It disgusted me that he still had the nerve to continue calling himself my uncle when we both knew the truth of his deception.
“I’m not your niece.” I snapped. “My uncle was a war hero—nothing you’ll ever be!” I exclaimed. He grinned.
He had succeeded again in stirring the anger in me, and I hated that, suddenly realizing the pleasure it gave him.
“Ah, I see I still can get under your skin.”
I tucked my lip back angrily. God, how I hated him.
He simply laughed until Mr. Vasquez furiously darted his eyes over at him. Mr. Cortez looked in the other direction to avoid them. Mr. Vasquez, the big guard dog, afraid of the slightest sound but ready to strike when the insult was directed in my direction.
He stood alongside me while Mr. Cortez, did so reluctantly. I gazed at the beach fully aware this place could have been home at one time, if I hadn't escaped from Q.
I pushed a single strand of brown hair behind my ear and gazed into the opening landscape of the beach. ‘Not a bad place to live,’ I thought. The island, or rather this realm altogether, was filled with bright colors; like a painting. It was indeed colorful; the greens were bold and the yellows and reds burned with a blush that put Earth's own exotic places to shame. The blues and purples radiated in the sky. Here I could do as I pleased. My imagination could run wild. If I wanted to, there was nothing I couldn't imagine in this world of his. How did I know this?
"Damn it, why are we here?" Mr. Cortez snapped in frustration, taking a seat on a large boulder near the edge of the sand. He then took off one of his shoes and poured out the sand.
"Can we go now? I have sand in my shoes and in a few other places I don't want to mention." The beauty of Demos had not impressed Mr. Cortez one bit.
"I'm with Mr. Cortez on this, my dear. Why have we come? This is suicide," questioned Mr. Vasquez, the creases on his face filled with worry. The realm was warm and welcoming to those who could summon it but could be frightening to those who couldn’t. Poor Mr. Vasquez looked extremely anguished. The man was twice the size of Mr. Cortez but as timid as a bunny rabbit.
"Mr. Vasquez, relax. I won't let anything happen. I promise."
I held up the crystal from around my neck. At that moment, it occurred to me that perhaps I had said those words not only to comfort the nervous man but also to reassure myself. I wanted to believe them. What was to stop Q from keeping me and what if I was wrong? What if it was a trap? Would the crystal be able to protect me from him again? Especially now that I was here where he wanted me.
"But it's not me I'm worried about, my dear. I don't necessarily trust Quentin…" Mr. Vasquez quietly whispered, hesitating slightly when he said Q’s name, then looked about, afraid perhaps that the name would summon the beast.
"Will the crystal work? Can it protect us?" He asked me but I hesitated, uncomfortably smiling and shifting.
"Oh, grow up! That thing's probably broken and your friend, this thing you call-Quentin is most definitely up to no good. Don't you see what's happening? He's lured you here, then- Bam! He's gonna get you. And I'm not gonna stick around to help you if that happens. That thing you care so much about—he’s evil. Don't you realize that yet? Or did something crack that tiny little head of yours?" Mr. Cortez spat at me. He looked up at the darkening sky, then rose from the stone and walked a few steps toward us.
His very words had the power to change things. This place was based on emotion. The sky’s swirl moved rapidly above us and I wished that Mr. Cortez would shut up.
Mr. Cortez blinked at me then spun around, moving away to look at the ocean, trying to hide his thoughts from me. He hated that I could read him like a book.
"That's not true," I said, trying not to worry Mr. Vasquez or myself at the same time.
Even I was starting to have doubts. Of course, one villain knows another. Mr. Cortez turned and gazed back at me, wondering whether I was still reading his thoughts. He looked worried and pleased he had stirred doubts in me. Yet worried more that he was here.
"Something is happening. I can feel it. I know it. I just know it." I bluntly scolded, unsure of what else to say. I just couldn't explain my feelings to them. All I knew was that Q was in trouble, and something inside drew me to him. I had to go to him; it was something I needed to do. It was a feeling I was sure of, a feeling there was no getting around.
"Oh, you just know it? Well, that's assuring," Mr. Cortez uttered and frowned, rolling his eyes at me. If it were up to him, he'd hand me over and be on his way. Then he'd tell Michael he's not a babysitter. What did he care? His thoughts had never surprised me.
"I have to know if he's alright. You wouldn't understand," I snapped, unable to say anything else, realizing that although I was standing my ground, he was beating me because it was something even I couldn't explain.
"…Now stop scaring Mr. Vasquez." I added.
Mr. Cortez glanced away and shook his head.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. Yeah, no one wants to listen to me until it's too late," Mr. Cortez spat out loud. "Then it's ‘Help me, Mr. Cortez. This evil thing is after me, Mr. Cortez.’ Blah, blah." He laughed.
"Listen, this is something I have to do. Now, you can either shut up or leave." I firmly said as he turned back to me, ready to speak again. He suddenly became speechless. Which surprised me until I heard the voice and realized why.
"I see these creatures you surround yourself with hold no respect for you, my pet. If you were with me, I would never allow anyone to speak to you in that manner," a familiar voice remarked.
I spun around and looked ba
ck, glancing at the realm in wonder, searching for the face that had spoken those words. Mr. Cortez followed the sound of the voice with dread in his eyes.
Q, dressed in a black, scaly leather outfit, stood a few steps away from us. A matted nest of black strands of hair waved on top of his head in the breeze. His bright purple eyes and handsome yet pale face beckoned us from the end of the beach. He stood waiting, with manners of a gentleman. He was far more handsome than I recalled, the thought made me blush and he smiled.
"You! Stay back!" Mr. Cortez pointed at him, backing away, he cowered behind me, shoving me forward.
"Here she is! Take her but leave me alone!" His words didn't surprise me.
I drove an elbow into Mr. Cortez's side, breaking away from him to face Q, pulling at the crystal around my neck so he could clearly see it.
This was the only thing that would keep him away. He knew it. I wanted him to be aware of it. That I hadn't forgotten what he had tried to do to my friends, and of his betrayal to me. Yet I wanted to tell him how much I missed him and that I cared. I looked into his eyes, sensing he had already read me. Delighted, he smiled.
"Quentin," I whispered, correctly addressing him by his true name. Warmth consumed my face as he rewarded me with a single gesture of acknowledgment. There was a joy in his gaze, a warm tenderness I had known at one point. Overwhelmed, I couldn't hide my feelings for him, as he couldn't restrain himself from wanting to come closer.
"I sensed you would come."
He beamed with a delighted crocodile smile. I nodded slowly, unable to fully meet his hypnotic eyes. Something had driven me to come to him no matter what dangers lurked, there was no reasoning that could keep me away and I couldn't understand it. It was like a force too powerful to fight.
Mr. Vasquez protectively stood beside me, as I noticed Mr. Cortez frown and roll his eyes, then reluctantly stood beside me as well, instructed by Mr. Vasquez.
"You're alright?" My lips doubtfully quivered. I suppose I expected to find him crawling or perhaps on his deathbed. No, not perhaps, definitely, just as I had pictured him in the hallway.