“Why do I have to live in this world full of lies?” I asked. I have no idea how I’m going to explain anything to her. To anyone, how was I going to explain anything. Ok mental break down, let's pull this together and try and gain some self control, flipping heck. Taking a deep breath and twisting a stray hair behind my ear. I removed the blanket of stress that had begun to cover my head and smiled. Pulling out my phone I showed him the symbol on the church.
“What the heck is that” Pulling it from my hand and examining it further, he let out a huff.
“A Church and a chaos sign” I smiled “And these are books, want to help me figure it out”
“Sounds like fun” he answered sarcastically and took the books from my hands.
Carrying the books under his arms, he linked his other in mine and led me down the corridor and into the fourth door on the left. As we entered through the double doors, the scent of burning firewood hit me. I breathed in the warm homely scent and followed after Josh, who had placed the books beside the fire place and was now lying on the floor. Taking a seat in front of the fire, I was completely consumed by the warmth of the heat rising from it. Taking the black and gold book from the pile, I stroked the spine and traced the indented title with my little finger, Ruins of our souls. Flipping the book open, the first page was covered with a golden woman.
“That’s Goddess Merial” Josh mumbled from behind the book, Demonic symbols and their meanings.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about her lately.” I muttered. “Does it say anything about the water stone we found…..”
Just as, the words left my lips, a gush of wind blew the book shut and a window clattered open. The wind blew out the fireplace.
Alex appeared just as the fire had blown out. She made her way to close the window, as another burst open, knocking her to the ground.
“ALEX!” We exclaimed jumping up to her side.
“What the hell?” Alex groaned standing up slowly. The remaining windows blew open, sending a rough wind around the room. Lifting up the papers and books, the wind circled us, surrounding us in a whirlwind. The coldness sent goosebumps up my arms and legs and it stopped suddenly, dropping books to the floor. The sound of distant thunder shook the room and threw flashes of light into the darkness.
“What is that?” Alex asked walking towards the large open window. Stepping over broken frames, I edged towards her and followed her gaze along the horizon. Clouds of smoke were covering the ground, creating a grey mist over fields surrounding the castle. The lightning continued to streak across the sky, showering the mist and the room with constant bursts of light. The floor looked as if it was covered in tiny flickering light bulbs.
“That doesn’t look right” I whispered. I felt the wind pick up around the room, lifting my hair and throwing books off the shelves, throwing dust into my eyes. Before I could clear my vision I felt a presence in the room other than ours.
The sound of settling pages and rustling window netting filled the room. We stood in silence, all looking at the opened windows in shock. With a slam, the first one closed followed by the others. Taking away the only light source the room had.
“I’m just guessing here, but I think this could be something to do with this” Josh explained, pulling the stone box from his pocket.
“Well if it is, then putting it on show isn’t a good idea” Alex snapped taking the stone and putting it in my bag.
“Go, they won’t find you at the Bales house ” Shoving the bag into my hand, she turned towards the windows.
“We will stay her and sort of this mess and hopefully before someone gets us” She mocked.
A huge bolt of blue light shattered the window furthest away from us.
“Go!” She shouted as the room around me changed, the darkness changed to light and the smell of smoke was replaced with the floral smell of the Bales household.
The room felt to safe and normal for me to stay in their. I grabbed my supernatural jumper and ran from my room. Running down the stairs, I nearly tripped on the last step as I opened the door. I heard Beth call after me as I continued running. I had no idea where I was going, or even if I was safe. The wind whipped my hair in my face as I ran, before I knew it, I was standing outside the church. The church which used to be a vision of sanctuary and now the one making my question everything I have been told.
Opening the iron gates, the chill of the air caught me. The sky had gone darker as I had ran. What time was it anyway. Pulling out my phone, I looked at the digital clock half nine. Well time really does fly. Stepping into the empty graveyard the feeling of un ease covered my body.
“Well done Elle, Alex says hide, and you go into a graveyard and a church that has been taken over by demons. What a good move”
My words sounded megaphone loud in the silence of the sleeping dead. Why had I run here of all the places I could of gone, why here. Walking past the broken down headstones and dark patches of grass, I found myself walking towards the statue of Merial. She stood beautifully alone amongst the dark and eerie graves. Like a light in the dark, but she looked different now, almost sad. What had changed from this morning. Her face was so bright and full of happiness, but now it felt as if she had seen something bad or evil. The air became colder as the wind picked up. Pulling the hood on my jumper over my head, I saw the glistening light of silent lightning bounce off the stone path. Each bolt came closer and closer down the path, until the last one was inches from my feet. The absence of light for a couple of seconds made my heart beat against my rib cage. Merial’s face began to be shadowed in darkness. The shadow of a person was cast across her, but the shadow was far too big to be my own. As it grew on her face I could feel the presence of someone behind me, but I couldn’t turn around.
“Elle?” Her voice broke through the silence and the shadow disappeared, leaving the goddess smiling again.
“Beth called. What you doing here? In the cemetery?” Poppy questioned looking scared. She was never one for creepy things, so being in a graveyard at night would be enough to freak her out. Glancing back at the statue I smiled and turned and walked towards Poppy.
“I needed to be alone” I muttered taking her arm. Linking with her, we walked out through the iron gates. I shot one glance towards the statue and the candle surrounding it burst into life. Walking with Poppy it seemed the normal thing to do. Something was going on miles away from us, in a different realm, and I was here helpless with what’s apparent to be a stalker following me.
“So do you want to tell me what’s going on?” Poppy asked as we turned the corner towards my house. What was I going to tell her? I was all out of lies at the moment and everything was going round and round in my head.
“I don’t want to talk about it”
“Oh ok” Poppy sounded hurt and I couldn’t hurt her.
“It’s not that I don’t want to Pops, it’s just that I don’t know what’s in my head at the moment for me to say it out loud.” I tried to explain. It wasn’t a lie, I did have things in my head that I couldn’t voice.
Entering the Bales house the atmosphere seemed to be to normal, like before there was no feeling of panic or stress, just normality with the Brady bunch family. Robin was sitting on the stairs as we entered. Pushing past her we made our way upstairs to my room. Opening the door we both collapsed on my bed.
“When did life get so complicated Elle?”
“I have no idea, why what’s wrong with yours?”
“I’m eighteen and where is my life going? I have no boyfriend and no job” She moaned. Is this girl serious, who cares about boyfriends and as for a job, she could have mine. Fighting demons every day isn’t the best career opportunity, try putting that on your c.v.
“Pops, your eighteen you don’t need to worry about anything like that”
“Yeah but….” My phone ringing interrupted her and I jumped off the bed making the mattress bounce. I gave a one minute gesture to Poppy and exited the room. As soon as I was out, the phone was to my
ear.
“Elle, ok don’t talk just listen, The castle was surrounded by demons, they were part of Lorias new army. I have no idea how he got them, but he did, and there after you E. Eric said you can come home, but he wants you to stay there and go to college and act normal, ok, bye” Alex hung up before I could answer.
Why was Lorias after me so much, Oh my days what was going on with my life. Taking a deep breath I entered my bedroom. Poppy was sitting on my bed reading the newest more magazine, most likely looking at all the male celebrities, she was such a pervert.
“Fancy staying the night Pops?” I asked.
“Yeah sure, why not”
Chapter eight
Waking up Tuesday morning my head felt like a car had hit it. Poppy snored at the end of the bed as I got up and went to the wardrobe. This day causes for comfort clothes. Opening the doors, I pulled out a pair of jeans and blue vest top. Getting dressed I saw Poppy stir in the beds reflection in the mirror. Her blonde hair stuck out in random places, and her panda eyes made her look seriously rough.
“Get up you lazy sod” I yelled picking up a cushion and throwing it at her head.
“We are leaving in twenty minutes”
Closing the door as I left I went downstairs, leaving her to get dressed. The hallway was filled with the scent of bacon and eggs. Entering the kitchen Beth gave me her usual cheery morning greeting and continued cooking. Taking a cereal bar out of the cupboard I sat down at the table next to Bruce.
“Morning Elle, How are things?” Bruce asked, barely looking over his morning paper.
“Things are fine, thanks, how’s work?”
“Work’s grand, Bobby was in last week asking for more supplies” He babbled.
“That’s great Bruce” I answered half listening, half day dreaming. Poppy entered the room half an hour later as if she was one of the celebrities out of her favourite magazine. Her hair was tied up in a braid, and she was wearing my black and pink floral dress. As usual she looked absolutely gorgeous and flawless not to mention naïve to the world. Giving her a smile I grabbed my bag from the banister and left the house with Poppy in toll.
“Can I drive?” Poppy asked smiling her usual sweet smile.
“Can you fuck!” I replied mimicking her smile and shoving my bag into the car.
Pulling into college, the car park was filled with cars as Poppy took an extra twenty minutes getting dressed. Driving around the car park twice before I found a space, she kept going on about her makeup regime. Before I physically couldn’t take her yapping anymore, we found a space and parked up.
“I don’t see him?” She whined looking over cars and around the campus.
“Don’t see who” I asked. Locking the car and dragging her from the spot she seemed to be stuck in.
“That new guy, the one that was here Friday, he was gorgeous!”
“Poppy do you ever think of anything else!” I yelled. The last thing I needed was her crushing on a demon.
Taking my arm out of hers I marched in front, bashing the doors as I entered the building with Poppy close by.
“God sorry Elle” She muttered as we reached Carrie standing in the corridor. I couldn’t be bothered with this Lorias talk. He isn’t fit, he’s just a demon who needs to die and who apparently wanted me dead, what’s with that. Walking to English I was silent. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to anyone. I frankly wasn’t in the mood for simply chit chat. Before I knew it I was sitting in English, listening to Mr. Hanno say his normal good mornings.
“The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts, between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft, the Devil's magic and 20 were executed” He began with enthusiasm.
Wow this had defiantly got to be the funniest thing ever. Learning about witches is that ironic. I don’t know, but it’s funny.
“Mr. Green seeing as you are late again, you can tell us when the witch trials began.” Mr. Hanno asked as Oscar stumbled into the classroom and took his place next to me.
“Sorry I’m late sir, and its 1690 sir” Oscar replied.
“Well done, but I advise you to be on time next lesson, please”
Mr. Hanno settled back into teaching and talking about witches and witchcraft.
“Why do we have to learn about old hags” Harriet moaned from behind me.
“Witches aren’t hags Harriet, they are normal women. They are only perceived as being hags because that is what stories say to scare little children.” I argued. The stupid Grim brothers, always making us out to be hags.
“Plus, if you say that to one I’m pretty sure they would turn you into a toad” Oscar piped in, making me giggle. When I was thirteen Katelyn turned Bastla an ogre, into a frog because he sat on her cake during a winter fete. The thought of the giant ogre turning into a little frog made me giggle again.
“In them days witches would use the elements to produce spells” Mr. Hanno continued sticking a thought in my head.
What if that’s what the stone is, the water element it’s possible. I suppose but what was it doing in a crappy shed. Plus why do demons want it. If it’s what witches use, I’m pretty sure I’ve missed a demon handbook somewhere.
The lesson dragged on for another forty five minutes. Mr. Hanno finished with a spell from shake sphere’s Macbeth and sent us all on our way. After a boring lesson of R.E and Science, we headed down to the courtyard for lunch.
“Emma called me last night” Oscar moaned as he stirred his yogurt.
“Why don’t you just ask her to the dance?” I asked.
“Because she’s not my type” He replied.
“And she’s insane” Harriet piped in taking a seat next to me. The courtyard was full of students, each sitting in their normal groups and chatting away. Every lunch was the same in Sainsdun. We would sit on the same circle table in the same place.
“Hey Oscar” Emma waved as she walked past, making us burst out in giggles.
“What did she say anyway?”Poppy asked checking out some lad that was walking by. That girl has no dignity, she would get off with anyone with a six pack.
“She basically spoke about herself for an hour” He sighed.
“Wow she sounds very self centred” Poppy laughed.
“Yes Poppy, she’s self centred” I replied sarcastically as my phone began to ring.
Standing up, I apologised and stood in the corner of the courtyard, away from everyone.
“Hey E! I’ve just done some research on that stone of yours. Do you still have it?” Alex mumbled through the phone.
“Yes it’s still in my bag I was thinking that maybe it’s a…….”
“Element stone? Yeah and witches used to use it for spells like over a hundred years ago” She interrupted.
“Yes but why…”
“Are demons using it. Well they steal most of our good ideas”
“Like you steal most of the ends to my sentences” I mocked.
“Har Har but Elle, it was used by demons to, they were creating a spell to turn people evil”
“What? Did they perfect it?”
“I don’t know I need to do more research, but Katelyn is in the library till four”
“Ok well I’ll phone you later then, got to go bye”
Before I could sit down my phone rang again.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Having fun are we? Your friends are quaint aren’t they. They would be fun to…play with” Lorias voice chilled me to the bone. I should have thought about checking caller Id before answering.
“I’m Sorry who is this?” He laughed and sent a shiver done my spine.
“Ah yes, the demon that is going to be killed by me personally…”
“Let’s not get cruel your highness” He interrupted sounding amused.
“What do you want Lorias!” I yelled in a whisper.
“Meet me at the old mill on Harington farm, at eight tonight”
“Why…” He hung up before
I could finish my sentence. The old mill where was that. He could have at least given me directions. Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath and opened them again. Shoving Lorias to the back of my mind I rejoined my friends. Poppy was talking about her two second glance from Blake Robinson to Carrie as I sat down. Taking my phone in my hand I texted Alex, telling her about the meeting with Lorias and then turned to Oscar, who was making a model out of straws.
“So chap, you going to ask this wonderful girl to the dance or what?” I asked. Taking a straw from my coke and turning it into a triangle to hang from his model. Shrugging his shoulders he glanced over at Emma who flipped her hair at him.
“It is next Saturday Oscar” I reminded. Looking at Emma as she flickered her hair back and forth, as if she was having a seizure.
“Yeah I know…who you going with?” He asked staring at me intensely.
“I’m not going Oscar remember, I’m visiting my dad that weekend” My friends knew the Bales weren’t my real parents, and they thought I visited my dad every month. I usually used it as an excuse to get out of anything stupid, like college dances.
“Elle your Necklace is gorgeous, where did you get it?” Poppy asked. Standing up and coming to sit next to me, pushing Harriet out the way.
“My dad sent it me”
“What’s it say on the back? Aw forever in my heart. That is so cute.” She smiled. Thanking her, I took my pendant out of her hand and stood up beside her.
“We best be getting to class, it starts in five minutes”
They all stood up and followed me out of the courtyard. Just two more hours of this charade and it’s to the old mill to walk to my death or god knows. Double Math’s or getting beaten to death, don’t know what sounds like the most fun.
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