It was time to test my theory.
I reached forward, touching Anna’s arm. “Give my longevity to the ones who deserve it.”
Thunder shook the ground, collapsing one of the shacks. The chicken coop fell over on top of the livestock. They clucked, and lightning shot through the sky pelting Anna and me. We rose in the air in the midst of a lightning storm of electric blue and metallic red lightning bolts.
She screamed, igniting into flames. Her hair fell out of her head and I couldn’t breathe. Please, give back what was stolen, I thought once more.
My body froze and I could feel my heart slowing. I could see the others below. The epochalites were still chestnut-colored and now Alex, Charles, Donna and Ally stood on their feet. The others on the balcony were alive as well.
At least I’d die knowing I was able to save them from Anna.
CELESTE—
The hardest choice to make is to turn on your family…
“Rat,” I said. “Are you ready?”
Rat hissed, racing ahead.
“Pig?”
He growled, kicking dirt behind him.
I’d let my family die once before, watching my best friend turn them into epochalites. I wasn’t going to let that happen to Lisa’s family. They were, after all, my family, too. I just wished that I’d had the strength to save the other twenty groups and their “beginnings” that Anna stole longevity from. Lisa was the strongest I’d ever seen. She was the first to cause a collapse (as the fulgurites called it). Anna did it once with the old beginning. I was the one who saved her. It was time for me to choose the correct side this time. Hopefully, Pig and Rat would be strong enough to help weaken Anna.
I ran after Pig and Rat and with a running leap, let the “collapse” or longevity source pull me in. “Rat!” I grabbed him by the tail, tossing him into Anna. His claws grabbed her flesh.
Anna’s eyes widened. Everything that she feared, Rat was probably showing her. It was too bad her lungs were collapsing. I’d love to hear what she had to say for herself.
Pig floated by. I waited, holding his leg. How would I know when Anna was weakened enough? Pig glanced at me, as if he knew she was ready for him. With all my strength, I threw Pig towards the energy source, hoping he’d make it to her in time. I was nearly in the center of the lightning’s cloud. It would be the end of me if Pig didn’t do his job. He needed to take away whatever bit of longevity she still had!
He locked his jaws onto Anna’s throat. Her eyes glistened with what could only be tears. I glanced up. My head entered the cloud. “Goodbye my friends, I’m just sorry I didn’t do something sooner.”
I thought about the first time Anna befriended me. She saved my life from disease. My parents weren’t so fortunate. My new family became the tribe, the village. I loved them; they cherished me, treating me like a princess. Nootau and Chepi adopted me, giving me first born birthrights over their son Sucki. How could I turn on them? How could I choose Lisa over my best friend, my sister?
Didn’t Lisa understand what she was asking of me?
The blood shed needed to end no matter how much my family meant to me.
“Goodbye, my—”
The cloud erupted into crackles of lightning. Volcanic lava spurted encircling the five of us. (This was new.) Lisa’s hand pushed through the ice that covered her. (What was she doing covered in ice? This never happened in the other collapses.) Did she want me to take her exposed hand? I did. As soon as I touched her, ice enclosed me also. My lungs tightened and I couldn’t breathe.
We could see Pig and Rat hanging from Anna’s body. They twisted in the funnel clouds, lightning crackling and striking Anna. Pig lost his grip on Anna, flying our way. Lisa forced her other hand out, catching his foot.
Ice encircled the Boston terrier. My heart burned. It wasn’t from the lack of oxygen. I struggled to close my frozen eyes. It was useless. I didn’t want to watch my former best friend, die, nor did I want to see Rat be lit to smithereens. The storm was ready to strike them.
Lisa kicked her foot out of the ice, banging her head against the ice. Blood trickled down her newly released face. “Rat! Let go and come to me!” She was able to say before her body was covered in ice again.
Rat unclenched his claws, flying towards us with his back arched. Lisa pounded her foot against the ice. It thickened around her. Rat’s body landed against the ice, his claws scratching it.
Lisa struggled, freezing completely. I stomped my feet feeling chunks break off. I used all my might, getting my foot out.
Rat slid down the side of the ice. I felt my foot freezing over, so I pumped my legs. Rat’s ear grazed my toe, freezing him instantly.
Lava covered Anna, encrusting her. Were the elements what created our longevity? Were we being preserved? Anna wasn’t so lucky. My sister, my best friend, sure she was cruel, but I loved her. Was that crazy?
Lightning sliced through the sky, hitting our icy cocoon, splitting it in two. We soared through the air, crashing into the lake. The ice around us melted in the heat of the lava which trickled down like a waterfall.
“Hurry!” I screamed. “This lake will suck us into it.”
Lisa gasped, grabbing Pig. She threw him, he yelped, flying towards the shoreline. “Toss Rat!”
The cat gripped my back with his claws. Images of what he feared most flooded my mind. “Trust me, Rat!” I grabbed him by the tail, flinging him to shore. He splashed a few feet away. Charles carried him and Pig into the grass.
“Thank you, Celeste, for helping me,” Lisa said, swimming besides me. “Now, it’s time I helped you.”
Lisa’s arms rose, she caused wind tunnels on the top of the water, blocking the ever growing lava. Some crept through, making its way to us.
“Swim faster!” I said.
“I can’t,” she cried. “I have to keep you safe.”
“C’mon, if we make it to the shore, we’ll survive.”
Lisa cried out. “I need to do this, let me save you.”
“No!” I screamed. “I can’t lose another person.”
We kicked our feet; Lisa groaned, forcing herself to ignore the ever quickening flow of lava.
Charles and Kimi used wind tunnels to hold back the lava from encrusting us.
Michael and Nootau leapt in the water.
My father held me to his chest, breathing heavily. “My baby, what have I done? What have I done? I’m so sorry, Celeste. I love you and I’m so sorry.” He dragged me to shore, not letting me go. “My Celeste, I’m so sorry.”
“Daddy,” I sobbed, barely able to speak.
“I’m so, so sorry. I almost lost you.” His eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m so sorry. What have I done?”
LISA—
A Traitor in our midst…
Michael pulled me to shore. He picked me up in his arms, carrying me as far away from the water as he could. He laid me in the grass, his body hovering over mine. “Lisa, are you all right?”
I spat up water. My eyes blurred. His strong hands rubbed my forehead, and then cradled my face. “Lisa, answer me, please. I just need to know you’re alive.”
My body jerked forward, choking. “Michael,” I gasped. He smacked me in the back. What in the world was that thing? I was in some sort of longevity storm. Lava, wind, ice and lightning, these are things that don’t mix. What was that thing? “Where’s Pig and Rat, are they okay?”
Pig whimpered, laying his head on my leg. He cried, exposing a large gnash in his side. “You’re a good boy,” I said, weeping. “Where’s Rat? Is he okay, too?”
Michael stepped into a patch of grass and leaned over. He stood with Rat in his arms. The Himalayan looked like a drenched rat. He growled, barely able to lift his head.
Michael put my cat in my arms. I covered my eyes in his fur. Images flashed before me. Rat said he loved me.
Alex and Ally leaned over us. “Are you okay, Lisa?”
I nodded, glancing over at Tobey. His eyes widened. Everyone, including him, got
their original longevity back except Francisco. I cringed, watching him turn to stone.
“What’s happening to me?” He screamed. His eyes bulged as his arms crumbled. What had Celeste told me? Francisco didn’t have any longevity of his own. He’d stolen from others just to stay alive.
I couldn’t watch anymore. My eyes focused on Tobey. How’d I fall so quickly for someone so wicked? He never cared about me. The whole time, it was a game that he and Anna orchestrated.
Tobey glanced at me. He smirked then backed away, motioning for the guardians to do the same. Chepi, Inteus and Donna raced into the woods. How could she turn on me? Donna was supposed to be my friend. I wiped the tears from my eyes. Maybe everyone was right about her, after all.
“What should we do about that traitor?” Charles asked me. He meant Nootau. I glanced at Celeste and her father. Nootau didn’t move from Celeste’s side.
I scanned the lake for Anna. Could she survive that? The lava left only a shallow pool of water. Aunt Millie’s shack stood alone. Ally’s multicolored home was nothing but a pile of rainbow lumber, and the poor chickens were pinned under a mess of chicken wire. Anna wasn’t anywhere to be found.
“What should I do?” Charles repeated. “Nootau is a traitor.”
“Nothing,” I said. “Leave him alone with his daughter.”
“They tried to kill us!” Charles’ face reddened.
“I said do nothing. He’ll suffer every time he makes eye contact with one of us. Nootau is just a man. He needs to be forgiven and only judged by his actions from today on.”
Alex smiled at me. “I would’ve said the same thing.”
I nodded. “Who do you think I learned it from?”
Tears spilled down my cheeks. What were we going to do with all these new fulgurites? Anna’s family didn’t want to harm us. We couldn’t send them back under the school. That would be inhumane.
What happened to Anna? Was she buried under the lake or had she escaped?
Would we still have our same energy sources or did my plan to make us all our own hubs work?
If Donna was a traitor, then what about Ally; was she? I seemed drawn to dark and dangerous people like Donna and Tobey, Tobey…
Did the secret Ally kept have some significance? Rat told me yes. I glanced at my best friend. What did I really know about her?
AMIE’S JOURNAL
Christina Leigh Pritchard
PART .5
Deleted Scenes
Excerpts from the mind of Alex and were originally in Traitor, but readers said that there were too many point of view shifts. So, for now, I’m keeping them in .5 of Amie’s Journal, so that you may read them.
The Past
Back When Alex was Mathew
& Ally was Jane…
“Mathew,” Amie giggled. “If you don’t hold my hand I’m going to dance with another at the formal with Green’s School for Boys this weekend. I’ll end up romanced by another.”
“Is that so?” I stepped forward inches from her lips. Her breath was warm and smelled of peppermint leaves. (We stood outside my house in front of the porch. Back then, the house was wooden and white washed. Ally—or Jane hadn’t gone paint crazy coloring the house like a rainbow.)
“You wouldn’t want to lose me, would you?” She leaned in closer nearly kissing me. “This is your last chance.”
“What if I can’t?” My eyes set on hers. Would she understand that touching her might cause me horrendous pain?
“Then you’ll force me to love another who can.” Amie stepped backwards her lips pouted. What I would give to kiss her.
My heart pounded and I reached for her. No one else could have her! I needed her. “Don’t go,” I said. “If I try will you stay?”
Her hands cupped my face. I jerked back shaking violently. “What’s wrong?” Amie cried. I doubled over, convulsing. “Did I do something wrong? Mathew!”
I took a deep breath and forced my fingers to touch hers. She couldn’t love anyone but me. I needed her—she understood me. Amie didn’t have reservations when it came to passion and I wanted to be with her always.
Touching her hurt so bad that eventually after a few minutes all I could feel was pins and needles—numb tingling all through my body. My arm wouldn’t move and I bit my lip to hold back a scream. I had to have her—no matter what it cost me.
“Does this mean you love me?” Amie smiled, taking my other hand. More pain flooded my body. “Why aren’t you answering me, Mathew? You’re as red as a tomato! Are you that embarrassed?”
“I-I love you, Amie.” I forced the words out. “I love you more than anything in this world.”
“This is wonderful news!” Amie squealed wrapping her arms around me. “I can’t believe it! I’ve been pining over you for years. Who would’ve thought all this time you loved me back? Let’s get married, Mathew.”
“Married?” I stuttered. Touching her hand sent me into cardiac arrest what would full contact or even more intimate things do to me?
“You said you loved me so what are your intentions? Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
“No!” I shouted. “Why would you say something like that? I’ve barely touched you!”
“Mathew,” Amie said. “I need to be married immediately.”
“Why?”
“Father has decided that I shouldn’t associate with you, he says,” Amie leaned in close and whispered. “He says that you and your family are scoundrels.”
“I’m not a scoundrel!” Thunder grumbled above us.
Amie glanced up. “I fear the storm. Let’s seek shelter.”
“It’s not going to rain,” I said.
“Stand up on the porch with me.” Amie ordered, motioning me forward. I complied. Her body trembled and her eyes watched the darkening sky with anticipation. “Sometimes I wonder if you and the thunder are connected. She laughed at her own thoughts.
“That’s ridiculous. How could the sky know my mood?” Could she really make such a connection? Was Amie smart enough to make the association?
“Humph!” Amie tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Are you calling me silly?”
I smiled. “Yes I am! What are you going to do about it?”
She squealed racing off the porch. I chased her around the lake until we collapsed from exhaustion. Her chest caved in and out while she giggled uncontrollably. “I do love you, Mathew. I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you; forever even.”
“That would be nice—to spend forever with you, Amie.” I sat up leaning above her beautiful face. My fingers brushed her cheek bones. She felt like silk. I loved her. The pain wasn’t so bad compared to how good it felt to physically connect with her. I could get used to this. “Let’s do it.”
“I’m not a loose woman!” Amie pushed me away. “How dare you!”
“I meant let’s get married.” I laughed grabbing her waist. She pressed against me and squealed. “Marry me, you crazy puritan.” My breath tickled her neck.
“Won’t you be afraid of my father?” Amie whispered. “He’s quite wicked when angry.” I shook my head. “He’ll try to kill you, Mathew.”
“He can’t kill me. I’m stronger than he thinks.”
“Exactly how strong are you?”
I held her close. “I’m strong enough to keep you forever.”
“You can save me from him?” Amie nestled against my chest. “Will you take me away from this place?”
“I can’t leave Lynn,” I said. “I have to stay here.”
“How will I get away from my father, then?” She pouted, jerking away. “How can you say you love me and want to marry me if you won’t leave Lynn? He’ll come and take me away with him if you don’t run away with me to someplace he can’t find us.”
“Amie, he will never take you from me,” I promised, drawing her back. “Trust me, Amie. Now that I have you I’m never going to let you go—no matter what I must do.”
THE PAST
When Alex was Mathew &
Ally was Jane…
“Mathew!” Amie screamed. She raced along the edge of the lake her feet splashing small puddles along the waterbed. “Mathew!” Her hair fell in her face and she cried. Amie’s dress was ripped and she didn’t have on any shoes. “Where are you, Mathew? My father—he’s come for me. MATHEW!”
I poked my head out my bedroom window. What was Amie doing? I grabbed my trousers and pulled them on. I didn’t have time to put on a shirt. Amie was in trouble! I ran through the hallway pushing Jane out of the way. Her touched paralyzed me momentarily. We never allowed guests over, but someone was in our small kitchen! I couldn’t decipher who and I didn’t care. Amie needed my help.
“Mathew,” Jane tried to say.
“Don’t give me a lecture right now,” I yelled, slamming the front door. She followed at my heels.
“Mathew, this isn’t what you think,” Jane said, grabbing my arm. I doubled over, tremors shaking me. “Don’t do it. Please; it’s not worth it.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” I snapped. “She’s my everything.”
“Mathew, listen to me!” Tears streamed down Jane’s freckled cheeks. “Please listen to me.”
“No, I won’t!” I ran meeting Amie halfway across the lake. She fell in my arms. I cradled her, letting my tears fall in her hair—her lavender scented locks sent shivers through me. Had her touch become less painful? The more we touched the easier it became each time. Soon it wouldn’t hurt at all.
“My father has come for me. We’re too late, Mathew.” Amie hid her face in my bare chest. Her tears burned me like fire. “What will I do without you?”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I said. “He won’t take you away from me.”
“How can you say that? He’s here looking for me. It’s only a matter of time before he searches for me right here at your house. It’s over! We’re finished. What am I to do in Europe? He’s making me move back to his home country!”
The C I N Series Bundled Page 36