Cataclysm

by Karice Bolton

  My head was buried deep into my pillow, but I was still able to make out all of his beautiful features. This is where I wanted to be, in his arms. Sadness began drifting over me as I thought about what was looming ahead for us all. Sensing my thoughts, Athen’s eyes opened, and he brought me closer to him, hugging me as we both sunk back into much needed sleep.

  Chapter 24

  Athen’s smile immediately warmed me, as he handed me a mug of coffee, with nonfat milk.

  “Where’d this come from?” I asked.

  “Had to order room service for it. We need to go get some beans and things for our stay,” he said. Noticing that his hair was still messed up, from our time the night before, made me smile. Even though it was mid-afternoon, we were only beginning our day.

  “What’s got you grinning?” His eyes shining with happiness.

  “Your hair,” I teased. “You’re just always so cute.”

  Taking his hands to his hair, he attempted to smooth down all the stray pieces, but as soon as he removed his hands, they popped right back up.

  “I liked it that way better anyway.” I smiled.

  It pained me to know we were trying to make this as normal as possible. But deep inside, I knew we would only be acting out this fantasy while we were up here. I did my best to follow our rules and push it out of my head. But it was hard.

  “We’ll be okay. I promise. Have I ever let you down?” Athen’s smirk, that I adored, appeared only to make me chuckle.

  “No, you never have,” I said, shaking my head.

  He came over and kissed me softly on my cheek, reminding me of everything I wanted to hold onto.

  “Let’s go check out our guestbook!” I exclaimed, almost completely forgetting the dark thoughts that had nearly won out on my thinking.

  Athen called Arie to find out when they’d be over and joined me in the living room, where I was thumbing through the pages of the guest book. Starting with the very first day, it was so fun to see who had stayed here and what they did.

  The first couple who’d stayed at our condo, described just about every detail regarding what they fit in. They even wrote where they liked to eat and get coffee, but the event that topped it off was that they became engaged at the Summit.

  “Oh, my gosh! How cute!! Look, she even left a website where we could see her engagement pics!” I excitedly turned the page to see the next group’s adventures.

  This group had two couples and reminded me a little of Cyril, Arie, and us. They enjoyed the same activities as we did. I greedily ate up all the details that filled up their vacation, and I let myself realize how truly lucky we were to be able to call Whistler home.

  This book also did a surprising job of reminding how the majority of the mortal world was worth saving, regardless of what I kept experiencing. I didn’t realize how hard it had been seeing so many mortals, day after day, willing to go to the dark side. I was being blasted with a part of society I didn’t ever want to believe existed.

  There was a knock at the door, and Athen went over to open it.

  “Well, we didn’t want to just barge in case, ya know…” Cyril’s voice came down the hall.

  “Enough, Cy! Enough!” I threw a pillow at him as forcibly as I could, but all he did was throw it right back.

  Arie bounded into the living room, bringing in her added element of perkiness, which was certainly nice to have at the moment. Sure enough, she had some sort of shopping bag next to her.

  “What did you decide you couldn’t live without this time?” I teased.

  “Actually, I found a little something for that little girl you guys helped,” her gaze falling to the floor.

  “Oh, wow. That was kind of you. I hope we do get to see her again,” I said, realizing a lump was beginning to form in my throat. Unsure of the reaction I was having, I held the bag open so Arie could grab her gift out easier. She pulled out an overstuffed teddy bear.

  “I thought the one she had really needed a facelift, especially with everything,” Arie said.

  “I think she’ll really like this,” I said, nodding my head. Athen’s glance caught my eye, and a smile spread across his lips. He was leaning against the wall, chatting with Cyril, but he didn’t seem to be paying attention to what Cyril was talking about. His gaze was locked with mine. I knew what he was thinking, and it was the same as I, but those kinds of thoughts would have to wait until after the battle. The pull to him was almost unbearable.

  “I love you,” I mouthed.

  His grin grew wider until Cyril smacked him in the shoulder.

  “Geez, man! Have you been listening to anything that I’ve been saying?” Cyril asked.

  Our eyes unlocked, and I placed my attention on the memory book on the table, trying to hold back a laugh.

  “No, not really,” Athen replied, as he punched Cyril back.

  “I decided to go through the guest book we left for all the visitors to sign if they wanted too. It’s pretty cool. It seems like about everyone who stayed here filled it out,” I said, switching gears.

  “Sweet, let me see.” Arie opened it up to where I left off, while the guys made their way to the kitchen, which is still probably one of their top two favorite places to be.

  As Arie and I flipped from page to page, we laughed at some of the tidbits of information people left for us or even a dried flower now and then. It was all very cute.

  “I had no idea so many people would’ve have participated in this,” I said.

  “Yah, no kidding. We’re up to what, twenty seven?” Arie asked, flipping through the last pages.

  Athen brought Arie and I an iced tea to get us through the last couple pages while he went back into the kitchen to snack on what sounded like a chip bag being opened. Obviously, Cyril had already managed a stop at the market on the way over.

  “Guys, huh?” Arie asked, catching my amusement.

  “No kidding!” I placed my iced tea on the coffee table, and saw Matilda getting restless by the door. “I better go let our girl out.”

  “Oh, we only have one more page!” Arie whined.

  “I know, but we don’t want to chance it,” I said grinning.

  Arie got up and placed the book back down on the table and came with me.

  I grabbed my gloves and off we went into the elevator. Thankfully, at the moment, we were the only ones riding down. Sometimes being social to complete strangers was tiring.

  “So how’s everything going with Cyril?” I asked, knowing the answer already, judging by what good spirits they were both in.

  “Wonderfully. I think he has fully forgiven me over the whole disappearing act,” she said, with her usual glow.

  “That’s good news. I didn’t think I was going to be able to handle it, but once I told Athen, I felt immediately better. At least, I didn’t have to carry the burden alone. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was seeing Cy like that. His demeanor was completely different - his eyes were sunken, shoulders slouched. It was heartbreaking. Occasionally, his sense of humor would prevail, but I am so thankful we were able to reunite as quickly as we did. I think him seeing and hearing from those other families really did the trick. Just like you thought.”

  “Yeah, I can’t imagine. I felt so guilty for putting you through that, but I thought it was the only way to keep him safe and buy us more time.”

  “No, I get it. When Athen agreed with your decision as quickly as he did, I knew we were on the right track.”

  The elevator dinged, and we stepped out into the lobby. The ice-cold air from the doors constantly opening and closing to greet new visitors, reminded me that I was back in Whistler. My wool coat was not enough.

  Following Matilda to her favorite place, we both walked in silence until Matilda started circling.

  “She cracks me up,” Arie giggled. “She takes these things so seriously.”

  Looking down, I saw exactly what Arie was referring to. Matilda seemed one click away from being human, and her facial expression
said everything it needed to about humiliation and the things we make her go through.

  I let the smile spread across my face like there wasn’t a care in the world. I only hoped we would be able to look back and see this was all just a horrible blip in our history, the world’s history.

  “All set, girl?” I called. Matilda bounded in the air as much as any bulldog could. She was obviously lighter on her feet.

  “You know what would be perfect?” I asked Arie, as we got back on the elevator.

  “Nope, what’s that?” she inquired.

  “If it would snow, just once, before we leave for the fight. Do you think I could be that lucky?” I asked.

  She hugged me tightly, and I knew, in that moment, the battle we were facing was far too difficult to remove from any of our minds.

  “I think so, my dear. I think so…” She smiled.

  “That would be a good omen,” I said.

  Letting ourselves back into the condo, Matilda went straight to the bedroom to warm up as Arie and I plopped down to see the notes the last visitor left for us.

  The guys came in the family room. Reaching for my iced tea, I watched Arie’s hand turn the page to our last visitor’s notes.

  The page was spattered with blood red writing, and a heart encircling a name that I had never wanted to see again. I squeezed my iced tea glass until it shattered. My face draining of all color, Athen rushed to my side, as the blood began dripping from my fingertips down to our ivory rug.

  “What’s the matter?” Cyril called from across the room.

  “It’s…” Arie couldn’t bring herself to say the name either.

  Athen held me tightly. The tears of what we were about to face ran down my cheek. This had to be it. How much could we all bear?

  “What’s going on?” Cyril repeated.

  I leaned away from Athen as he did his best to fix my hand. He concentrated on my torn flesh, doing his best to heal it as quickly as possible. I looked at Cyril and then at Arie, who looked as devastated as I felt.

  “Our last visitor was Lilith.” My voice filled with disgust. It was all I could do to get those words out before the lump in my throat suffocated me.

  ***

  We were at the pub all playing with our food rather than eating it. Nothing appealed to me, not even the poutine. The cherry wood booth, we were all huddled in, did a great job of keeping us secluded, but it also provided the perfect environment to allow us to sit and stew.

  “It’s hard to believe she was in our condo. Do you think she’s still in Whistler?” Arie was the first to break the silence.

  “I know she is,” I flatly replied. “I think it’s time I take care of her once and for all.”

  Athen caressed my hand. “I’m not sure that’s what or who we should be focusing on at the moment. I know you’re angry, but your time will come, one way or the other.”

  “I honestly don’t know if I’ll be of any use to anything we’ve got going until she’s gone.” I pursed my lips on accident and Athen touched them gently, making them fall instantly.

  “You can’t let this anger sidetrack you from our goals. None of us like what’s going on with her, but one step at a time. You tell us that all the time, remember?” Athen’s voice was filled with understanding, but it did little to calm me.

  “Yeah, but it’s different when I tell you.” I tried my best at smiling. “I know she’s waiting for me, and I might as well fight her when I’m ready for it, rather than be jumped like what happened to me a couple days ago.”

  “Listen,” Arie began, “If we let her interfere with our plans that’s exactly what they want. Every little seed of anger they sprout in you, takes away the wisdom that usually guides our decisions. We’ve got to stay in control.”

  “I’ll be in control, not to worry,” I sighed. “Between her and everything I’ve been seeing lately, I don’t understand why humans choose to be so cruel to others. Over the years, we’ve witnessed atrocities that shouldn’t even be imagined and to top it off they’ve been repeated.” The anger began flowing through every vein.

  “I know, honey. It’s tough to think about, but as you’ve always told us we can’t give up hope on humanity.”

  “Well, I think there was a time I truly believed it. Now, in all honesty, I’m not so sure. Before, I blamed things on horrendous dictators or groups channeling different types of hate – large-scale things. Lately, all I see are the same evil patterns, but they are precipitating themselves in children even! What is happening?”

  “Ana, It’s always been like this. You just haven’t seen it before.” Athen grabbed my hand.

  “I don’t believe it. I think it’s gotten worse. Rather than mortals enjoying their families or friends, it’s like they can’t wait to talk behind their backs once they leave. Or what about the hatred that’s being spread about online, using social media? It’s supposed to be where everyone can discuss and enjoy each other’s company, and instead, many hide behind it to slander and pick on one another. It’s like it’s given people a wall to hide behind so they can sling insults.”

  “I don’t think that it’s gotten worse. I think the bullying and cruelness is more out in the open. They have a platform now and others think that it is acceptable behavior. They only had a voice amongst their friends before, now they can be cruel on a bigger stage, and they often get applauded for it.” Arie said, shaking her head, “I think we all know people have always had the potential to make cruel choices. Unfortunately, we are the point where they are being rewarded and enticed even more, but I don’t think it’s gotten worse. It’s just more out in the open.”

  “I know what you mean, Arie. I guess I’m now starting to see what everyone has seen for a long time. I never understood cynicism before, but it seems to be creeping into my thoughts quite a bit. I don’t understand being mean for being mean’s sake, and I don’t think I ever want to,” I said.

  “I think some mortals have so little power in their lives or are so miserable inside, that the only way they can fulfill their sense of well-being is to put others down. Those kinds of people have always existed. We tended to ignore them, but I think that’s often the start of something larger.”

  “Well, maybe we can’t ignore them any longer.” A long breath escaped that didn’t bring the relaxed state of being that I hoped for.

  “Let’s get back and get some sleep,” Athen whispered. “I didn’t expect this Whistler trip to end like this.”

  “Me neither,” I said. “I haven’t even gotten to see Karen.”

  “I know. Nothing is as it should be,” Athen replied, helping me up from the table.

  ***

  Sleep came quickly, but it was riddled with nightmares and fantasies. The first images flooded through me were of Lilith.

  The feeling of my fingers wrapped around Lilith’s throat, while I dangled her over the glacial cliff, thrilled me beyond belief. The fear in her soulless eyes staring back at me, as I grinned at her, created a vibrancy that I couldn’t hide. The quivering in her voice echoed through the wind. This was the moment I had been wishing for.

  “How does it feel, sis?” I hissed.

  A gurgling was all that escaped.

  “Did you enjoy destroying all of those mortals? Are you happy with the attention you got?” My voice howled with the wind of the mountains. I squeezed my grip a little tighter. I knew I could end her with one crush, but I enjoyed the process a little too much to do that so quickly.

  “I…I’m.” A wheeze tried to escape from Lilith’s mouth as she did her best to choke out her words. Her feet began flailing as she realized I had no intention of letting her down.

  “Is there something you wanted to say?” I lessened my grip a smidge around her throat, repositioning myself on the off chance she might gain enough strength to break free.

  “I’m sorry.” Were the words that escaped from her lips before I woke up from my dream.

  My entire pillow was drenched in dampness. I tried to force mys
elf back to sleep so I could end her once and for all. Disgruntled, I turned over to see Athen sleeping. His breath was so steady. He looked at peace. I thought back to Lilith’s many failed attempts to interfere between Athen and I, allowing the anger to continue to swell inside of me. I knew it wasn’t healthy to have this kind of hate for another, but she was nothing but pure evil. There had to be a pass on that kind of situation.

  As my body won over my mind, I fell back to a dream world like no other, but this time it was filled with nothing I expected.

  Athen and I were on a beach together and there were all sorts of toys spread around some floral towels we laid out. There was a Barbie on one of the towels, and a life-size baby doll right next to that. I felt Athen’s hand wrap around mine as if this was something we both understood.

  A girl’s laughter rang through the air behind us as Arie called after her. Cyril’s voice, pretending to be stern yelled, “Okay, missy! We don’t have enough energy for this.”

  Smiling, Athen looked into my eyes and pulled me against him.

  “Pretty incredible, isn’t it?” His eyes filled with pride.

  “Everything is. It’s unimaginable, actually,” I mused. “Really unimaginable.”

  “Always said we had to dream big, my angel.” His words carried me into another dream I wouldn’t remember and didn’t need to. This one was enough to haunt me for quite sometime. It was too bad that this one couldn’t be true.

  Chapter 25

  I knew this was my chance, and I wasn’t going to let it escape me, regardless of what we had planned. Finishing Lilith had to be done. I could no longer let myself be plagued at night by her. The conditions were too perfect to let fall to the wayside. I thought of it as a gift.