I wrestled harder than before, doing everything in my power to free myself, but it was useless. I heard myself scream, Stop it! Stop it! Help him, Betrayal! Help Evan! Inch by inch her grip on the leash was easing, her disgust with Nathan outweighing her fear of him. Finally, Nathan landed the last punch dropping Evan to the floor, one clout away from being beaten unconscious. Nathan was panting hard, wiping his bruised knuckles against his chin to clean the blood. Then he stood over Evan and knelt astride Evan. “Let me show you a trick, Damage, that Hunters can do to filth like Banished. This is how she destroys them and takes their power for her own.”
He wrapped his hands around Evan’s throat and started to squeeze. Evan convulsed underneath him as strains of ash lifted upwards from his pores. As the smoke lifted, Nathan inhaled it with a long breaths. Evan’s fighting quickly stopped. As the smoke rose and disappeared into Nathan’s body Evan’s younger self appeared in flickers. His colour was fading and his body became transparent, like he was disappearing. Nathan then eased up, “Go on! It’s easy Damage! Try it!”
Damage looked down at Gargoyle. His eyes were bright with tears, but his face strong. He didn’t try to fight her. He didn’t raise his fist or even scowl. Gargoyle only bowed his head. Then he whispered, “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him. I wasn’t strong enough to help you when you needed me. That man, our father, had no right to take from you what he did. Even as a Banished I will never stop hunting him, I’ll never stop making sure you can live without fear. I just wanted to make sure you knew that before I’m gone forever.”
Damage stepped forward, lifted her hand to his neck then froze. I can’t say for sure what thoughts were running through her mind, but I could see how, layer by layer, the armour she had built around herself broke apart. “I won’t…”
“What?” Nathan snapped.
“I won’t… you’re wrong about them, Nathan. Gargoyle… no, Simon, is still my brother! Banished or Hunter, he is still my brother.”
Frustrated, Nathan tightened his grip. I looked frantically over towards Jordon; he looked back at me as if trying to tell me something urgently. Evan’s soul was barely there, Nathan had nearly stripped the last part of him. “You’re weak! You’re pathetic! Miira will destroy you too. She will destroy all of you!”
“Let go of him, Nathan!” Damage demanded, rising with Gargoyle.
Betrayal’s eyes peered upwards; bright and flashing with rage and he let her fingers slip free. Raix kicked free of the leash. Instead of going for Nathan, the giant wolf ran straight towards the Creator. The Creator has to focus on Raix to avoid its attack. The moment I felt the pressure drop and my body crash to the ground, I lurched away from the wall. In a matter of seconds, faster than I could comprehend, I knocked Nathan off of Evan’s body and trapped him in the coil of my tail. With two of my arms, I forced his face to look at me, and with another arm I lifted the mask to my face. I felt Mother’s presence as strong as ever. She was here, sitting next to me, whispering her clicks into my ears. With one long breath, I inhaled through the mask and took Nathan into the Realm of Wrath. He didn’t even have a chance to scream before his body vanished.
Betrayal didn’t whimper as she started to disappear along with him. She looked over at Jordon with her lips slightly parted like she was trying to say something. Then she vanished.
I turned back around, Evan was but a fading blue fog. Chaos was still unconscious.
Jordon jumped up and raced to his brother before looking back at Damage questioningly. She had her mouth buried in her palm, shaking her head in guilt.
“Can you fix him?” Jordon begged.
Damage looked over then shook her head. “No…I’m sorry…”
“Where’s Betrayal? What of Melissa?”
Damage drew in a shaky breath, “Nathan connected their two souls to stop her from betraying us. He knew she was your weakness, aside of course from…” She motioned down to Evan weakly.
“There must be a way.” Gargoyle’s voice was raspy. Jordon started to weep. The Creator frog, confused about its role, scampered underneath the rim of the door and into the room beyond. Mother was with me. I could feel her thoughts mesh with my own. I was losing my control. My body was moving when I didn’t ask it too, my consciousness was running low. Mother was becoming stronger, but she didn’t reflect the same desirers as I did. All she yearned for was to collect her Sins, to bring them back into their rightful homes.
Miira is in there… We have to stop her.
Click! Clickey-clack! No… not our purpose. Click! Click!
Please, Mother?
They were all talking and arguing about what to do, but there was no time. Evan was disappearing. I was fading. I got to the doorknob and pushed the door open.
Chapter Fifty-Two:
Inside the hall was the only thing that still breathed beauty. Large marble pillars arched upwards to the roof, where a chandelier of smashed lanterns and bulbs was slowly being replaced. The farther I walked, the harsher the light seemed to shine; it got to the point I had to squint and cringe my head away.
“Rachael!?” Gargoyle’s voice called after me in a soft echo, far beyond my reach. I slithered in to find myself in the presence of not one, not two, but four different Creators. There was a frog, a black crow, a green snake and blue bird. They all nestled around the feet of a giant woman; a spirit I could only imagine to be Miira. Yet, as she watched me approach, she did not seem angry. She welcomed me with a nod of her head as I reached out to her.
“Rachael…” She spoke my name as if she had known me for years. The power from the Creators radiating by her feet was impressive. Even if I had all the Reapers and all the Sins here beside me, we would be no match. “Child, why are you doing this?”
Why? It was such a simple yet complicated question. After all, what was I fighting for? Justice? Love? Revenge? After all this is done, what was going to really change? Miira was a God and we were mere spirits buzzing around her ear lobes. I had never felt as hopeless in my entire life as I did right now. Why was I doing this?
My answer was obvious, I want happiness. I want security. I want to be free from Mother. I want Evan, Gargoyle, Jordon and everyone to be safe and happy.
“Rachael?” Gargoyle’s voice sprinted in after me.
Miira tapped her nails against the chair arm, “You want happiness, freedom and safety? You and I aren’t so different. In the beginning, I was not like this. In the beginning, I wanted peace and justice among the spirits. I created a Heaven for all those that worshiped my name, for all those that feared me as much as they loved me. Wisdom made me this way.”
Why do you need their love when you live in a world outside of theirs?
“It was unconditional. I wanted to feel loved and important; I wanted to know that I was remembered. But, stronger than their love, was their fear and dependence. I needed to control them. It was never my intention to harm the people. But can’t you see, they need me for guidance? I have to remain ruler to ensure everyone goes to his or her rightful place. We all have jobs now and purposes; our lives have meaning, even in death. My purpose was to control. Dictate.”
Rachael… Click! Clack- clickey click! Time to go back…
“I will never let them go. I’m sorry child, the curse has been set and there is nothing you can do to stop it.” She stepped up from her throne, so that the folds in her elegant kimono extended. Without a doubt, Miira’s power was so immense that I couldn’t just blow it out. She had grown this power, fed it, and moulded it like putty in her hands. “I’ve destroyed you once, Mother… There’s nothing to stop me from doing it again. It’s time you went back to where you belong, and never return. Everything is to go back to normal…” She stepped up to me, raised her palm upwards and formed a fist. I wobbled. This was it, this was my last chance to stop Miira, but I couldn’t find the strength or the anger to lift my arms. I sagged against the stone steps that lead up to her throne. The Creators hummed in gentle curiosity.
“Can’t
you see it’s for the greater good? I must distinguish the evil in the hearts of humans.”
“Wait…” Miira pulled her hand back; Gargoyle’s faint outline stepped through the mist. The Creators all tilted their heads at him. “You’re right Miira.”
“Gargoyle?” She lowered her hand as Gargoyle reached my side. Darkness was encroaching on me swiftly.
“You were right about the corruption in people needing to be distinguished, but you are also blind to your own faults.”
Even behind her heavy mask, Miira’s face twisted in her anger, “You forget your place. I don’t have faults! I am a God!”
“You sent down thousands of Hunters, you caused chaos in the realm of the living…” Gargoyle argued.
“My hand was forced!”
“No, you made a choice.” Gargoyle took another step forward, “I’m sorry, but I won’t allow you to continue your rein of corruption and terror.”
“Banished Gargoyle, you are a mere demonic spirit, a lone man. Not even your great monster, Mother, can stop me. What makes you think you can make a change?”
Gargoyle took another step, “Because you too were just a lone spirit once, Miira; and because I am brave enough to stand up for what is right. The beauty of this is that when you stand up for what’s right… others will follow.” Behind him, pushing the dreary fog aside, the Blue Spirit stepped out from the mist followed closely by Chō who perched on her shoulder. When the Blue Spirit paused, Chō scampered off and into his child size form.
He glanced over at me and winked, grinning mischievously, and his teal eyes flickered with happiness. He turned towards the other Creators, speaking to them in a series of clicks. They all seemed to relax their shoulders, stepping away from Miira’s side.
“What? What’s this? You can’t leave me...” Miira stepped forward to snatch one of the Creators, but they turned and hissed at her, thrusting her hand away.
“It’s time, Rachael…” The Blue spirit whispered into my ear. My eyes fluttered uncontrollably; I could feel myself falling asleep.
“Don’t worry, we won’t destroy you. I’ll let Mother decide your fate as she has decided all other corrupted spirits.” Gargoyle grinned.
The Blue Spirit placed her hand against my forehead, pinched her fingers together as if she was unravelling string. When she pulled the darkness from my body, I felt my very being crumble. Then I was free from her. Like waking from a long sleep, I could only see distorted blurs of colour, and my eyes hurt so much that I tried to blink away the pain. The dark blur, who I could only presume was Mother, rushed forward. There was screaming and fighting before Mother was able to seal Miira in her grasp. With no Creators helping her, Miira was taken quickly.
But of course, I could only assume all of this because my body was nothing but unattached matter. The Blue Spirit was right. I was not strong enough to survive on my own after being attached to Mother for so long. I never got to say my goodbyes to my family, to Jordon, Gargoyle, or Evan. Would Evan still look at Mother, thinking I am buried deep inside? Was it the right choice to disappear rather than continue on as her?
All these doubts, second guessing and worrying, quickly vanished. I floated between the world of dreams and consciousness, not sure what to expect or what I should do. Then something in the vast darkness pricked me. It hit a nerve, and tingles ran up my spine and throughout my body, sending information into my brain. How is this possible?
Miraculously, I woke up. I actually felt heavy in my human body; my eyes opened and air rushed into my lungs. Nerves were painfully coming back to life, like my whole body had fallen asleep. There was so much pain that I actually froze mid scream. It was too dark to see anything, but I felt the plastic sheet pressed against my face. My warm breath hit the barrier and blew back onto my face. The sheet covered more than just my head; the sheet encased my entire body. Was I in a body bag?
My throat was too dry to scream. At first, I couldn’t make any noise beyond a wheeze. I kept trying to swallow, trying to wet my throat so I could produce noise. Any sound, anything at all. “W-Wait! St-op! I’m al-ive! I’m alive!” I screamed into the plastic.
I heard voices and shuffling, before the zip near my head was yanked down. Bright light welcomed me and all I could do was cry. Astonished voices clambered beyond the lights, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying.
I kept calling out, I couldn’t stop myself. “I’m alive… I’m alive!”
Chapter Fifty-Three:
I don’t know how long I was in hospital. I constantly drifted in and out of consciousness. The endless beeping of machines made me feel like I was stuck inside some sort of giant clock. The sound of voices and the shuffle of footsteps entering and leaving my room became a soothing lullaby. A few times, in my dreams, the Blue Spirit came to visit me. She stood off into the distance; and even though I couldn’t see her clearly, I could always feel her smiling at me.
“Blue Spirit? Blue Spirit!” I would try to wave her down, “Thank you! Thank you for saving me!” The Blue Spirit merely lifted her hand and placed it on her heart.
During my conscious hours, I woke to find mum sleeping on the chair next to my bed. I felt like every bone in my body had been shattered. Perhaps it was true. I did plummet from a height that would’ve killed anybody. I looked down at myself; one leg was in a cast, as was my shoulder. There was an uncomfortable swelling in my chest, suggesting I had cracked some ribs, too. The bones all along my spine were uncomfortable and out of place. I wore a neck brace, as well, making it difficult to look around.
“Rachael?” Mum woke at my rustling. She scrambled over and held my unbroken hand. “Rachael! Rachael, you’re awake, you’re awake!” She was crying and kissing my hand. I still felt really drowsy; whatever drugs they were pumping into my body to lessen the pain kept my head spinning.
“Mum…?” mumbled and darkness swept over me, pulling me back into healing slumber. When I woke once more, I thought I was still dreaming, because I could’ve sworn I saw Jordon and Gargoyle by my bedside. Even Chaos and Damage were there, holding flowers in their hands.
When I blinked to clear my eyes, they were gone. I was alone in my room with the humming and beeping machines on my left. It was easier to move and my neck was no longer confined to a brace; while my broken leg and arm were each free of their slings.
I shifted over when a body surprised me. For a moment I tensed, thinking it was Mother coming back to drag me into the Realms; then I recognised Evan’s exhausted form. He was slumped across the bed in the chair next to me. His hand lay gently in mine, though when I moved closer I realised that he was transparent. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes barely open, and it seemed he used all his remaining energy to hold up his head.
“Rachael?”
“Evan?” I leaned forward, breaking into a smile, “Evan, I’m so happy to see you!”
“Promise me…” He struggled to mumble, “Promise me… to never forget.” His voice lifted up and away from me. I knew it was a dream but I didn’t want to awaken. Not yet.
“I promise. Once I’m better we can go back to the way things were, just you and me.”
“You have to… come… and find me again.”
I knit my brows, “Find you again? But, where are you going?” Evan closed his eyes and faded back into smoke. I jolted awake and a chill swept my body.
Chapter Fifty-Four:
A few weeks later, I was fully awake and able to eat on my own. ‘The Miracle Girl’, that’s what they called me. I’d been pronounced dead on the scene; my body broken and my skull fractured, sending bone shards through my brain. I should not have survived. The brain swelling alone caused massive trauma; yet here I am, healing and speaking without any problems. I did have a lifetime of physical therapy ahead of me, though and the doctors said I’d never walk unassisted again. My only guess was that the Blue Spirit had no choice, but to put me back in my own body. I could vaguely remember death, of being that close to leaving this world behind. I was so
weak that I couldn’t even hold onto my thoughts. But here I am, months later, having yogurt and pudding with my mum.
We barely speak of that day. She was confused and I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened. From what I saw on the news, things have right settled down. The danger and chaos caused by the Hunters’ and Reapers’ fighting had ended. I didn’t know if Miira remained, or what happened to Gargoyle, Jordon, and Evan. That was what bothered me the most, the not knowing. I withered away, concerned; Are they okay? What happened in the end? Did Evan survive, did he make it to the third realm? I felt like I’d never be complete without knowing. That I’d never be able to let them go, to move on with my life, if I never found out what happened.
***
Still no news, and it was finally the day I was to be released from hospital. I had healed remarkably well considering the damage, but I still had a really bad limp and needed assistance with a wheelchair. I sat on my bed, looking out the bedroom window watching the city being rebuilt. I was a little bit annoyed, I mean, didn’t I deserve to know the truth? Why haven’t any of them visited me yet? Why haven’t they even attempted to see if I was okay?
“Rachael, are you ready?” Mum was packing my stuff up. I found myself staring out the window. The sun was setting, the powerful red bled through the windows and coated the walls behind us. I sighed heavily, unsure if I could accept this existence as my new normal. What does all this mean? Back to school? Back to work and trying to figure out a career? Back to being ordinary Rachael Hastings?
“What’s wrong Rach?” Mum noticed my distraction. She put the bag back down and scooted over towards me on the bed. I hugged her close.
“I don’t know… I’m just upset. I haven’t heard anything…”
My Demonic Ghost #3: Hunters and Creators Page 29