Madness or Purpose

by Megan Perry

  “You know I tease, but I am sort of serious. I don’t know how much longer I could have tried to ignore you and we might have leveled the apartment building or burnt it down or something. Hell we could have taken out power to a city block!” “Gavin! Stop! I…”ZZ starts yelling but soon we are both laughing so hard we can barely breathe. “But seriously, Gavin, how are we going to get back to the city we have to work the bar tonight?” “I called the guys; they will be here in probably an hour or two. They have to use the GPS coordinates from my cell phone to get here, and I doubt all these roads are on a map.” I just grin.

  “Well, what should we do until they get here ZZ?” I ask wiggling my eyebrows at her. Turning to me she tilts her head to the side a bit and her brow furrows. “Is that all you think about?” “Is what all I think about ZZ?” “SEX, you ass!” “Of course, I like your ass.” I tease her. “Holy hell Gavin, could you at least try and be serious?”

  “ZZ, chill out, I was only teasing. I was actually being serious. You brought me up here for more than just last night. Why here?” “Gavin, I told you yesterday.” “I know all that, but there is something else. You were mumbling in your sleep about hidden messages. What was that all about? I’ve stayed out of your head because I’d hoped you would tell me without me having to snoop.” I lead her to the small wooden table and motion for her to sit down. She sighs and closes her eyes trying to decide how to say whatever it is she is keeping from me. I move to a bag I grabbed from the truck and rifle through it to find something for breakfast.

  The crisp outside air slips through the cracks around the small window over the kitchen sink. I remain silent giving her a moment or two to collect her thoughts before I probe her for more information. I find a box of pancake mix that just needs water, bottled water, and a small bottle of syrup. I start digging in the cupboards for some sort of frying pan. After a thorough search of the kitchen I wandered around looking for any other type of storage closet or self. By the fire place a flat piece of cast iron with a very rudiment handle catches my eye. I snag it and bring it back to the kitchen rinsing it off with some of the water from the grocery bag. Zoe’s back is to me. She moves to a window off the small dining area and her eyes looking beyond the scene outside. Zoe’s gaze is far beyond today; her mind is like fog and her aura flashes and dances about her. I continue making breakfast mixing the batter in an old tin bowl left in one of the cupboards.

  “I have dreams, but they aren’t dreams, they’re memories. Not my memories, well at least mostly not my memories. Sometimes it’s like hearing snippets from a conversation or seeing a few frames from a movie. Gavin, someone left me a message here in this cabin. It’s something important, it’s meant for more than just me. I’m supposed to share it with you. I’m afraid to look. I have no idea what I might find,” Zoe explains in almost a whisper. I walk up behind her slipping my arms around her waist and laying my head on her shoulder. “Don’t be scared ZZ. I’m here with you and we’ll look for it together. You’ve got to trust me Zoe, I’m always with you 200%.” I turn her and lift her chin so she is looking me in the eyes. A solitary tear rolls down her cheek and her eyes are solid sapphire. “As long as I breathe you will not be alone Zoe. Don’t you ever forget it.” I gently touch my lips to hers. Zoe’s body relaxes and she lets her guard down. She pulls away but lays her head to my chest and wraps her arms around my torso. “I will make us pancakes and then we’ll search.” She nods her head.

  While we finish our food and Zoe does her usual of licking the excess syrup off the plate, I can’t help but laugh at her. “I can’t believe you do that, seriously,” I say shaking my head.

  “Well, not everyone has to cut their pancakes up into tiny pieces before they can eat them, freak,” Zoe fires back with an evil little grin. “You’ll pay for that one.” I respond pushing her raised plate into her face. Zoe freezes and I realize what I just did. The paper plate is stuck to her face and the syrup drips down her neck pooling along the collar of her t-shirt. I reach out and pull the plate from her face revealing her bright red eyes and a death glare.

  “I’m sorry ZZ; don’t move I’ll get a wet rag or something.” I say dashing for the kitchen. I can feel the electricity in the air and the last thing I need is her losing her temper. I grab an old rag on a rack near the wash basin and a bottle of water. I soak the rag and turn around to see a red eyed Zoe standing behind me. I warm the rag in my hand quickly and lift it to her angry face. She is faster than me and her hands are suddenly on either side of my face. An evil grin spreads across her face and before I have a chance to flee she rubs her syrup covered face all over mine and we both burst out laughing.

  “Ok Gav, let’s clean up and see what we can find.” “Sure.” After removing the sticky substance from our faces and changing clothes we begin our search. “Where should we start?” I ask her. “Well, there used to be a hidden compartment under the floor boards there.” ZZ tells me pointing to an area near the fireplace. Moving closer to check it out I really don’t see much of anything. I grab a smaller log from the small wood pile and start tapping the floor boards listening for a hollow sound. After a moment or two Zoe grabs my arm to stop me and points to an area I just tested. “There…it sounded different there.” Reaching into my pocket I pull out my knife and begin running it along the seams of the boards. After a moment the blade slides between two boards. I run it as far as it will go around the board removing the built up dirt and loosening the board. I pry it up and set it off to the side. It’s too dark under the boards for even us guardians to see what’s inside. I light a small flame in the palm of my hand and lower it into the hollow place below the floor.

  In the farthest corner of the compartment is a metal box. I pull it out and set it on the floor between us. Though it has been below the floor for years the box still shines like new.

  Well, there is a light layer of dust covering it, but no rust or visible damage. Upon examining the metal box we notice a key hole. Looking at Zoe I ask, “you got any ideas ZZ?” “Um…let me think…” With our hands still lying on the box she closes her eyes and I can feel her concentrating. I close my own eyes and focus on her thoughts. She is running through snippets of memories and sound bites of conversations. There is a female voice that is not familiar to me and though there is no face to go with it I can feel the emotions it stirs in Zoe. I think it’s her mother, though she doesn’t even know her. “Will she know it’s the key?” a man’s voice asks. “She will be much smarter than you think. She will figure it out,” the female voice answers. Then the only image in Zoe’s mind is the necklace Zoe has worn her entire life.

  We open our eyes and just look at each other for a moment or two. Then Zoe reaches out and takes the metal box. The instant both of her hands touch the box it begins to glow the bright colorful mix that her aura does. An intricate design begins to appear in the metal identical to her necklace. After a few moments the light dims and only the etching gently glows. Zoe’s eyes lift to mine. “I think I need your help. Something doesn’t feel right. Give me your hand.” As soon as our hands touch the box erupts in light and the entire cabin is so bright we have to close our eyes. Once the light dims and we open our eyes we are both temporarily blinded. As our sight returns, though it is a bit hazy, we both notice my version of our mark is also etched in the box. It remains closed but the key hole is also lit up in a dim glow. Again we find ourselves staring at each other wondering what to do next.

  Then it hits me, her necklace is the key. Without a word she reads my thoughts and slips it off over her head. It doesn’t look like it will fit the lock; it’s too large and not quite the right shape. Just as Zoe is about to give up she drops her necklace.

  Once the necklace comes in contact with the box it begins to glow and the metal begins to shift and change. Her eyes dart between the key in her hand and me and back again. “Well, go ahead. Try it already.” “Ok ok, I will. Just don’t rush me ok!” “Ok ZZ, no rushing.” I laugh and shake my head. She glares at me and
slowly places the key in the lock and turns it. The mechanism clicks and the lid pops open. Inside is an envelope sealed in wax, and another necklace with the same symbol stamped in the wax seal. Zoe removes them from the box and breaks the seal with her fingernail. It’s a letter and a picture falls out into her lap from between the pages. It’s a photo of a woman who looks very much like Zoe with a very young boy in her arms.

  I pull Zoe into my lap as she unfolds the papers and begins to read aloud:

  My Dearest Zoe,

  I want to first tell you that I am sorry that I have not been there for you. I am sorry that we only shared a few precious hours together. I will never forgive myself for leaving you alone and placing a cloaking spell on you. One day I hope to meet you and hopefully get to know the woman you have become.

  Your father is not like you or I. He did know and I know he will spend his life trying to protect you and keep you safe. I never wanted to walk away and I never wanted leave your father. I didn’t get a choice and every day I wonder just what my life might have been like if I could have stayed. I dream about you each night and I dream of the woman you will grow to be. By the time you are able to find and open this letter, you will know your true nature. I do hope that you have found your other half, he will be able to help you in ways not even I could have. What am I saying; you must have found him in order to open this box. Please take care of yourself. You are meant to do great things for our people and the people of this world. Never take your heritage or gifts for granted, each makes you who you are.

  In the picture I have included in these pages are myself and your step brother. He was born when you would have been 16 almost 17. We were together for only a year. Your brother was kidnapped and we have not yet found him. He has found ways to send letters and call me at odd hours here and there to let me know he is alive. I have no idea where he is or if he will even be alive when you receive this letter. I am so sorry I cannot contact you in any other way. After Leo was taken from me I was terrified you might be next if I contacted you.

  Every day I regret leaving you and every day I regret keeping Leo with me. I can’t seem to do anything but hurt the ones that I hold dear. For that, I am sorry. If you do choose to find me or find your brother I wish you well.

  If you haven’t already noticed and I am sure you have, the world is not as it seems and individuals like yourself and I have great responsibility thrust upon us whether we choose it or not. I would hope that you take on your destiny with honor and pride for the individual you are and the world you were born to help protect. If you ever doubt who you really are simply hold your necklace in the palm of your hand and repeat these words: Remove my blindness. Uplift my soul. Reveal to me nature’s truth.

  The powers greater than all of us will open your eyes and remind you of the path we are to take to protect the innocent. Please, don’t shun your gifts and your talents. Be courageous and do what others have failed to do. With you and your other half lays our world’s hope, our future.

  If you choose to find me your heart will guide you and your mind will unlock the secrets untold. I have great faith in you my child. I am only so lucky to have been allowed to give our people two leaders.

  There is a false bottom in the box.

  Love,

  Zeta Nadia Jones

  Zoe drops the letter in her lap and with a shaky hand picks up the photo. She traces the two people’s faces with the tip of her finger and a tear rolls down her cheek. Zoe begins to tremble and the single tear turns into many. She starts sobbing and turns her face into my chest. I have no words to comfort her. My heart aches for her and if I could take her far from here and make her forget everything I would. I knew we were here for something and everyone has made a big deal, but I never imagined anything close to this. I really do hope that for at least a while longer the guys are lost on their way here. I don’t even know where to begin. Zoe’s trembling becomes violent and her tears fall like they will never stop. Drops of salty tears drip to my arms as I cradle her and she electrocutes me over and over though the pain is excruciating I dare not let her go. Eventually my body can’t take it anymore and I collapse.

  Invisible

  “Gavin, Gavin, can you hear me? Are you ok?” Oh, no. I think I killed him! If I did, I don’t think I can forgive myself. His face is pale, his chest is still and I feel no pulse. I quickly straddle his waist and lean over him. I try to remember everything I learned in my CPR class. I place my hands in the right place and open his mouth. Alternate between compressions and breaths the whole time yelling for him not to leave me. “Come back Gavin, come back! Don’t leave me. I need you.”

  With those words I notice I’m giving a small shock to his chest with every few compressions. I seem to be on some sort of auto pilot. Everything appears to be going much slower than it really is. I check his pulse and his heart beats one faint time. I resume the breaths and compressions in combination with shocks. I swear in any hospital they would have declared him dead already.

  I can’t seem to stop though.

  I can’t give up. I could have imagined the beat, but I won’t give up if there is any chance. I take a deep breath and everything around me becomes fuzzy. I can only make out Gavin and I continue the CPR. “Breathe, Gavin, breathe! I can’t lose you now. I’m so sorry. I lost control. I can’t do this without you.

  I can’t do this without you. I need you…” My arms are like jelly and I haven’t heard a single beat of his heart in minutes. I collapse on his chest and the tears that have been damned up behind my eyes pour down. My own sobs fill my ears and the cabin begins to feel cold and devoid of life. I have handfuls of his shirt in my fists and I mumble through my own tears. Over and over I say, “I’m sorry, please forgive me Gavin.”

  It feels as though I have been begging and pleading with the corpse under me for ages when I feel my own tears roll over my hands and his chest rise and fall quickly as though he has been shocked again. I hear air being sucked into his lungs and I quickly pull away starring at him in shock.

  His eyes fly open and he gasps several times. Gavin’s breathing is labored and slightly erratic. He places his hand to my cheek and rubs his thumb over it in circles. Though I am still sobbing with happiness that he is alive I cover his hand with my own and press into it. “Zoe, it’s really ok. I never left. I was here the whole time. You were so brave, such quick thinking. I am lucky to have you looking after me.” His words comfort me, but I am still so angry at myself I could throw up. I hear truck tires outside and we both stand. I hide the box and its contents in my bag.

  I quickly compose myself and make sure Gavin can stand and walk on his own. Everything seems semi normal by the time I hear shoes on the small porch. “You two in there,” Dean’s voice calls out as he bangs on the heavy wooden door. “Let’s talk about this on the way home.” I think at him. “Come in Dean.” I answer to his calling. He slowly pushes the door open. I’m not sure what he expected to see or walk in on. “We are clothed. Don’t worry Dean,” I add with a giggle. “By the looks of the area I wasn’t sure.” He answers running his weathered hand through his hair.

  I notice the glances he gives Gavin and pretend I don’t see them. I have no idea what they spoke about on the phone earlier, but I’m not ashamed of us nor am I afraid Gavin will tell anyone about the letter or my brother until I decide we need to talk to someone.

  “Well, there aren’t too many trees down, but we will need all the man power we can get to chain them up and drag them out of the way. I brought the truck and Jaron brought his SUV. We should be able to get things moving pretty quickly. Come on Gavin.” Dean gestures for him to come with him. “I’ll just clean up and get things packed. I’ll help when I’m done,” I announce. “Zoe, you don’t have to help. I mean no offense, but what can you do?” Dean asks. “I am completely capable!” I shout tapping my temple with one finger. “Dean, she has a point. Who do you think moved all the trees to begin with?” Gavin chuckles a bit and covers his mouth. “Well, I gu
ess come out when you’re done then.” Dean says before exiting the small cabin. His face was slightly confused and completely flustered. It was rather amusing.

  I close my eyes and started thinking about how the small cabin looked when we arrived. I mean we hadn’t messed up all that much, but it wasn’t quite like it was when we arrived. I open my eyes and the entire room is in motion. I see a broom and dust pan going around collecting the dust. The dishes put themselves away and the fire put itself out. The floorboard replaced itself and the blankets folded back into perfect squares. I moved to grab the bags we had brought as the room finishes cleaning itself up. “Nice work. Reminds me of a cartoon or two I’ve seen before,” I hear from behind me. Spinning on my heel I see Dominic standing in the doorway grinning from ear to ear as always. “I’ve been brushing up on my mad skills.” I reply with a smirk. I grab the bags and head for the door.

  “Uh…Zoe, can we talk?” Dominic asks. “Now, about what,” I question him. He seems uncomfortable about something, but he has his walls up pretty good and I am unable to pluck it out of his head. “Stop trying that just hear me out. OK?”

  “Sure, shoot. You got like three minutes before I plow by you, we got trees to move.”

  “Zoe, I, we’re friends right?”Dominic asks. “Well, yeah, I guess so. I barely know you but sure. Go on.” I reply slightly aggravated. “I well, I need someone to talk to, and I know Gavin isn’t too fond of me right now, and well, I need a female friend in town. I thought maybe you could understand what it’s like to be well, surrounded but alone at the same time.” He looks at me pleading with his eyes.

  Something isn’t right with him. I don’t mean he’s shifty or anything like that, but he is troubled with something. I am such a sucker for a nice guy and a sad face. Damn! I don’t know if I can deal with someone else’s crazy. I have enough crazy of my own for more than a lifetime. “Can we chat latter? Like tonight, maybe at the bar? A conversation might help me keep focused.” I don’t know what I’m doing. I hope this isn’t his way of trying to get in my pants. I’ll fry his brain if he tries anything. “Ok, thanks.” And with his answer he turns and leaves as quickly as he appeared.