The tension around me is so palpable that, I have started to ask each one of them individually about it, but, as usual, none of them answer me straight. Sighing, I give up and start doing my work. Dance practices, in all their beauty, are going well. Ted and Kay’s electric chemistry on the floor, along with the synchronization of the fellow boys, makes the entire thing seems so sizzling. Ted, especially after dance get’s over, asks me of the quality of it, as if, I am some sort of judge, which I am definitely not! “You all are wonderful,” I say, as I clap and encourage them, “I have no words to praise you. You people are just wonderful,” “Thanks babes,” Kay comes to my side and hugs me. In that instant, I see something changing in Ted’s gaze and just like that, it is gone. Whatever it was, I don’t think, I liked it! “Ok,” he says, “done with the day, everyone. Pack up,” “Tris,” that silent whispery voice, resonates inside my head, “Be careful, pet,” Jerking from my place, I turn and look around me. No one! But I am sure; it is that Thanatos guy, who calls himself death! “I want to meet you,” I say inside my head. If I can hear him than, I am sure, he can hear me, too. “Hey,” Ted says from back and I turn to his side. Room is empty and I see him giving me that wide eyes glare, as if, assessing me, “Yes,’ I ask, hiding my inner turbulence. Why the hell do I find him so handsome and eye-catching? Ray too, is dark and dangerous but, his aura is so innocent. Ted, he is like treading on dangerous waters! “Thanks for assessing us all. Join us for lunch tomorrow,” “I would be glad to,” I answer, “Till then, bye,” “Tris,” he calls from the back, again. “Yes,” I say. He comes close, too close for my comfort and I hold my breath for the while. What is he doing? My heart is racing inside my chest like some wild untamed horse. Is he…? Will he…? I am shivering, inside and out. His face is too close and I can count every line, every small dimple on his cheek as he pulls me into his embrace and kisses me lightly on cheek! I am awestruck, literally bewildered! Did he just kissed me? My breath is hitched in my throat, “Thank you again,” he whispers near my ear. Leaving me in that dazed state, I see him going out of the big hall. I like him…I think!
***
That night, sitting on the balcony, with that strange phantom of the person next to me, who calls himself Thanatos, the death god, I say, “Why is it that I have received this sort of affinity? I mean,” I clear my throat, “This,” I splayed my hand in helplessness, “You see, this alien school, it’s weird students and the people, who are super-naturally assisted with great powers…I don’t understand any part of this entire place,” “Everything happens for a reason, Tris,” he says, and I see, his shoulder dropping, “I cannot tell you the reason behind everything which is taking place around you. I know, you are scared, nervous and little bit freaked out…,” “Little bit?” my voice reaches the high pitch and I drape the shawl tightly around my freezing shoulder, “I am scared shitless, alright. First, I am brought into this weird place and is introduced to all these beautiful but scary creatures. Then, drop-dead gorgeous vampire and down-to-earth hunky werewolf make me their friend. Everyone around me keeps giving me those, ‘come, let me eat you,’ look. I mean, what exactly is going on? I am not some piece of meat or beef. I am a human..,” “Exactly,” he points out, “You answer your question all by your own,” “And by the way,” I cut him in the middle, “Where do you fit in the equation? Today, you made this weird sort of telepathic connection, telling me to be careful. Careful about what?” I ask, as I look at his hood covered face which is shining in the moon’s beautiful light. “There are many things, Tris,” he says, “About which, you should be careful. Your emotions, feelings and un awakened powers,” “Powers?” I ask, getting excited at the certain image of light being thrown out from my palms at some unseen enemy. “Not the stupid Hollywood version,” he says, and I hear a certain chuckle in his voice, “Stop reading my mind,” I pout. “Powers,” he continues, “which are there inside your feeble human body. Powers, which are to be preserved at any cost or else, they have the ability to destroy everything beautiful…,” though he whispers the end words but, I hear them, nonetheless.
He is talking in codes and I cannot make sense of what he is saying. “Why can I see you at night?” “You wish to see me in daytime, too?” he asks and I can sense some amusement behind that voice.”You are dead serious on not showing your face,” I say, “It will be great to know that someone…I mean, I have made another friend, in this strange place.” “Friend?” he muses, “I don’t think we are just friends,” “Aren’t we?” I ask, “I am your bodyguard, not friend,” “But, from whom, are you guarding me?” “From yourself, Tris, from your own destructive self! Why did you think Alan brought you to this place?” “You tell me, then,” I ask and hear nothing but a soothing silence. He seemed to have gone numb. “Answer me, please,” I make my voice extra soft and pleading, “Your charms won’t work on me, sweet,” he answers, “You called me and I came to meet you. That’s all you need to know. When the right time arrives, you will answer many questions by your own self.” “But,” I stand, “Why can’t we be friends? Is it related to my being human…?” “Let me ask you something,” he stands and walks up to the side of railing, “Don’t you find it weird that the guy who has kissed you welcome the first night, turns out to be the one who is there to protect you on the order of deity Krishna? I have already violated one rule, Tris. I should never had done that but…,” he halts, “But,” I complete him, “You could not control yourself?” “It’s not that,” he whispers angrily and in a flash, I find myself pinned to the wall again, with his arms on my head’s either side. “There is something so innocent, so irresistible about your soul that,” I hear his quite close to my ears now, “I cannot control myself, whenever I am around you,” “Are you talking about us being lovers or something? That is seriously so impossible, you know. I mean, it has been just one two months of my being here…,” “I am death and you are human,” he says again, “that is the reason enough for me to make my distance from you. The smell of your soul…,” he halts and I can feel his chilled, cold breath on the side of my neck, “I know so much about your past, present and future, pet. It breaks my heart to see an innocent flower like you in such a situation. Many virile things will try to break you and, mind you, they will try your very patience. But, you will have to remain strong. I have something for you,” saying that, he takes out a small black locket from his front long pocket. I am still holding my breath and see him tying the thing around my neck. “It is a protective charm. Anytime, you feel the need for me or want my help, just touch it.” It is a yin-yan locket, signifying the bond I am going to share with the death, itself. “Why can’t we be friends?” I ask all the same, “Because death and humanity never goes hand in hand. Being the immortal, I can’t have any relations with the mortal on earth. I kill, Tris. I destroy lives; take the soul to the gates of heaven or hell. In such a case, how can I let my emotions…,” he goes silent again and I hear him sighing. Indirectly, he is telling me that our relationship has no name! I am still scared, terrified even! The entire conversation feels like some sort of bad dream. Don’t people tell that they saw death in their dreams? Maybe, something similar will happen with me. I will wake up, soon…” You still are considering me a dream, are you?” “God!” I gasp, as he turns to me, “I can’t be there around you, all the time, Tris. I have so many other works on my hand. I can’t give my entire time to you, as much as I like to do that. This charm around your neck will protect you from some ill things and will warn you of upcoming danger. Take notice of it when it gets heated,” “Thanatos,” I whisper immediately, “What dangers?” “I wish, I could say them out loud,” he says and in a flash, without my realizing it, his face is again very close to mine. Now, his cold breath is touching the corner of my mouth and I am frozen on my spot. “Test your heart desires before giving into them,” he whispers, “Always, and I mean it, be around your two besties, Ian and Ray. They are your real powers,” “But Kay and Lyn?” “Have no danger looming on their head,” h
e says automatically “Though Kay…,” “What about her?” I ask. Sighing heavily, once again, he shakes his head and says, “ I cannot reveal Krishna’s plan to you,” he whispers, “It’s again our code of duty,” “You can trust me with the secrecy,” “if,” he cuts me, “ I tell you everything now then, there will be no future. You have been assigned a special task by your endearing lord, Tris. Though, when the time will arrive, I am sure, you will prove as a great warrior. Shakti will always need you, human or not, it doesn’t really matter,” “Thanatos,” I say, “You are scaring me,” “I am alerting you. There is a difference, pet,” I chuckle and find his sweet breath washing my face, “You are a walking temptation, Tris. I may kiss you already, before I go insane with this crazy need for possessing you,” my head is spinning with this melting talk of his. I don’t believe his words a little bit, but, in a flash he pulls me into his arm, and crushes my mouth under his seductive velvety ones. I am feeling drowsy again but, in a strange energizing sort of way. As if, he is pouring inside me the light of his heart, which has been conserved by the darkness, surrounding him, as a cloak. Dragging his mouth to my neck, he kisses the skin and nibbles it lightly. I sigh heavily and my eyes are fluttering open. “Thanatos,” I sigh and try to stop him, “Stop. I am scared. Please, Thanatos,” muttering a curse, he leaves me in a flash and I hear a voice, “Bloody hell Tris, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?” turning to the side of the entry, almost breathless, I look towards Lyn’s amazed and shocked face. “I am sorry,” I gulp down enough water and steady myself, “I was just,” “No pet,” says Thanatos in my head, “You are never going to mention anyone about me. Firstly, I am visible to your eyes and no one can see me, and secondly, no one will believe you. I am your little secret, right?” Lyn is still staring at my flushed face and dazed eyes. She is giving me some sort of weird, freaked out look. “What?” she asks again, giving her frown to my side, “I was…I was thinking. No,” I shake my head, clearing it out of all the fuzziness, “I was out here for night strolling…not really sleepy…,”
*****
Lying in my bed that night, I am going over the talk that I had with Thanatos. A special task has been assigned to me, he said. Rolling my eyes to the bedside drawer, where Krishna’s idol is kept, I am questioning him internally. Who is this angel of yours? Is he really, death? Why have you gifted me this power of seeing him when no one else can? Why did you assign him as my guard? Everything is so tangled up. I close my eyes and try to forget those haunted, hood covered, black lips, which have kissed me twice now. First Ted and then…Thanatos…!
****
I am heading towards the first class of the day, when I see some people decorating it. On every corner and turn of the building, pumpkin with lighted candles, has been kept. Entering inside, I am amazed to see that there is no one in there. “What’s happening?” I murmur, “hey girly,” comes Ian from back and hugs me around neck. “Hi boy,” I smile, “Happy Samhain,” “Samhain?” I ask him brows furrowing, “Oh sorry,” he grins, “I forgot that mortal world calls it Halloween, right?” “Is it Halloween today?” I ask, surprised at the speed of the time, which has passed my side, like a blur. “Where is everyone?” I ask, “Teachers have given us off, today,” he says, “We can go around and have the day to ourselves. No more boring studies,” “Wow,” I say and smile, “That’s great.” “I am going for a swim,” he says, “You know, the lake. All the beautiful mermaids are going to change their form tonight,” noticing him more carefully; I see Ian has changed from dark colors to creamy white today. He looks happy today and for some reason, I find him…attractive at the moment. “Hey,” he clicks his finger, “Earth to human. You want to join us?” “Us,” I repeat, “Someone else is joining, too?” “Ray,” he shrugs and his face loses the happy smile. “Ian,” I take his hand in mine, “Is there something you want to talk about? Something you want to share with me? What’s wrong, boy? What is wrong between both of you? Did you people have a sort of fight with each other? I can’t see my two friends like this,” “it’s nothing,” he shrugs and pulls me behind him, “Let’s go,”
****
I see both of them swimming, along with the other beautiful, fairy-like, mermaids. Other students are there, too. One of the weresnake, changing to his human, slips out of his cloth and step into the cold water! I am scared of merely being near to all these species. Grasping one of the brightly tailed diva by her waist, I see both of them fusing their mouth with each other, as if, too hungry to even care about others. The passionate moment going in the middle on the lake, makes my eyes hurt and I turn to others. “It is going to be a new moon, today,” the voice comes from my side and I turn my head, only to see Ted, along with his group of boys. “Really,” I smile as he sits next to me, “And what does that means?” one of his friend, Mark, I think, imitates me. The group of their erupts in laughter and I try to hide my blush. “What is there to laugh?” comes another feminine voice and Kay sits on to my next side. Boys go all hush and I look at her. With her two long white wings on her back, hair open and eyes glittering golden orbs shining at us, she looks like some soaring Goddess. “Kay,” I say, “You look amazing,” she laughs at my open mouthed expression. “Why, thanks, Tris.” She shakes her head in light laughter and Lyn joins our little group, too. “New moon,” Kay says, “Signifies everything new for us. We all go to our hybrid forms today; the power of moon is both thrilling and scary, tonight. When you see that white orb shining in the sky, you feel…excited. The feeling is beyond description.” “Really?” I ask. Clive and Ralph, both smirk in their bad-ass way and Elmer joins them, “Never seen us in our monster form, have you?” I shake my head in denial. “You will, tonight,” Ted laughs and everyone joins him. I feel something hot in the base of my neck. I touch the spot absently and instantly, get alert. It is my yin yan locket heating up. As I turn my head, the scream leaves my mouth, “Watch out,” a strong pair of flappy, scaly wings is about to pass over Ted’s head when I raise my eyes to it. In an instant, before anyone blinks the eye, the person fell down on the ground in front of us and there is a low thud. “Ow,” says the person and all of us stand from our seat, “Bloody hell, Keith,” says Ted, as he clears his clothes out of the dust. “Hey,” says the boy named Keith, “Who pulled me down?” “No one, silly,” says Clive, “But, I felt the pull. As if, someone just commanded me to fell down,” “No one of us did it,” Lyn says. “Hey beauty, you flying with me tonight?” Keith asks. “In your dreams,” she rolls her eyes. “Did you do it?” Kay says softly, as she turns to my side, “Did I do what?” I ask, “This, pulling Keith down?” “I just thought…I mean, I thought he is going to hurt someone…” Kay’s eyes go wide with amazement but she shakes her head, all the same. “Keith,” Kay says, “Have you met Tris? My friend?” “Our friend,” Lyn, joined by Ian and Ray, says in chorus. I giggle and see Ted’s group rolling their eyes. “Hi Tris,” he takes my hand and then, he stiffens, “Human?” “Don’t you read the notice?” Ray eyes the weird boy, “Keith is a were-eagle, Tris.” He says, “He keeps on showing of his strength of flying but, never even bothers to read the school’s notice board. The thing about Tris’s arrival was pasted there, fool. It said, nobody is to harm the human, neither day nor night. She is one of us, now.” In amusement, I turn to eye Ray. Even I was not aware about that strange notice. Did Alan actually put up some sort of a notice about me on school board? “Nice to meet you, Tris,” Keith raises his hand to me, “You too, Keith,” I reply giggling. As he hugs me, my gaze is caught by Ted’s strange emotion. He looks…uneasy!
****
The moon is high in the sky and Alan has commenced the ritual for worshipping Kali, the deity of Shakti. Samhain, Halloween…they all are foreign names for the great night of the deity, he has said in the beginning. Actually, the day when the ancestors and the great deity descend on the earth, it is known as Kali night, in actual sense. I was not aware of this thing but then, since every mythical thing is a stark reality for me, I
am aware of not disbelieving everything easily. After the Puja ended and everyone was filled to their throat by the excellent food, I saw students making it to the side of the gate, where guards were actually opening the giant things, letting them all out so that they can go out for nightly stroll and to enjoy the mesmerizing moon rays. Looking above me, I too, feel attracted by the beautiful and sadly romantic symbol of the night. Moon. Back in orphanage, I always felt a connection to it without even knowing the real thing. Thanatos had said that I am blessed with the affinity to death and also, when the time will come, only then will my affinity will help me. “When time comes, you will be able to heal any dying person and make him or her come back to life. But, in this process, you may have to sacrifice something very near to your heart or…maybe your own self,” I am still lost in my thoughts when something cold touches my cheek. Turning to the side, I let out a small squeak, “Thanatos, where did you come from?” “I am always around you, sweet heart,” he chuckles and I look around, to see, if anyone is seeing him or not. “No one can see me. Do I have to remind you that?” he says in a bored sought of voice. “Stop reading my mind,” I say and then sigh. “I could feel your mind churning in some light and almost,” he pauses, “romantic side,” his voice comes out, as if, he does not like the sound of it. “No,” I say, “Nothing of that sort,” “You like Ted, don’t you?” he asks and my mouth goes dry, “I…” “Don’t lie, pet.” He cuts me, “I can feel it. You can’t hide anything from death now, can you?” “No,” I shake, “I am not hiding anything. There is no need to do that.” I try to explain but… “Ok, I like him,” I say it. “You jealous?” I ask him, trying to analyze his mood, “No,” he says, “I don’t have any problem. It is of no concern to me…whoever you date.” At some distance, a howl of the wolf disturbs the night and it is joined by the others of the pack. “As I always say,” he says, “be careful with your heart’s desires, pet. Heart is a criminal, when it comes to love,” I turn to answer him but he vanishes, just like that.
New Moon 1 Page 3