As if holding a catcher’s mitt, I lifted my arm with my palm flattened to give the keys a perfect target. Man, if I could do this….
“Come to me,” I ordered.
The keys didn’t move.
“Now. I command you. Come.”
Still nothing. I felt so stupid.
My arm landed hard against my body. What was I doing wrong? In the kitchen I didn’t have to say or do anything.
Try again.
I stood straighter and listened. “Who the hell are you?” My eyes narrowed, as if that could that would give me special vision. “Are you some kind of ghost or… an… angel?” Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe I’d asked that.
But it laughed like there was some secret joke. An angel. Yes. Of sorts.
“But… why? Why me? Why now?”
Try again. The voice insisted. Focus.
Then the possibility hit me. “Wait a minute! Am I in trouble or something? Angels don’t just pop into someone’s life unless they’re going to save them from something, right?”
There was no answer for a few heartbeats, then it spoke again, very patiently, like a father to a child. The keys.
The keys. Why was it so insistent about the freakin’ keys? I might get hit by lightning or something, and all it can think about are the keys?
“Okay.” I whipped around, looking in every corner of my room. “If I play along with this, then will you tell me what’s going on?”
The keys. Focus.
“I need to know.”
The room turned quiet again. I wasn’t sure how to take that. Was I going to get an answer or not? After another slow turn, with no more hints invading my mind, I decided I wasn’t going to have anything to lose, so I locked my door and went back to where I’d been standing.
So I’d try again, but this was nuts. Really nuts.
Just like I did before a wrestling match, I filled my lungs with as much air as they could hold, then let it seep out through my clenched teeth. This time, though, a kind of heavy fog swirled through my body, pressing down on my shoulders and weighing me down. My eyes narrowed until everything disappeared from my line of vision except the keys. I held up my hand again, ready to catch them.
The keys didn’t move.
Focus on the stream of energy between you and the keys.
My concentration broke and my hand dropped to my side. “I can’t.” I shook my head. What was wrong with me? “You’re not even real,” I said out loud.
Try. Again. The voice sliced the air with obvious impatience.
I spun around again. “What is going on? Who are you?”
An angel. Your angel. It said too quickly. Come. Try again. I will help you this time.
“Why are you helping me?”
You asked me to.
“I did not!”
Again, quiet laughter rippled around me. You most certainly did. I heard your desire. I answered. Try again, it said, a little more insistent this time, but the edge was gone.
My breath came out with a small quiver. “Okay.” My stomach got tangled up in my nerves and tripped, landing with a thud. But I was willing to try again. I flattened my palm toward the keys one more time. “Like this?” I whispered.
All things are energy. All energy is connected. Imagine the connection.
The muscles in my arm, from my shoulder to my wrist, pulled in tight and a small tremor intensified as I pictured a silver thread stretching between my hand and the keys. In the center of my palm, a very small part tingled before a sensation of warmth melted the tingling away. A ball of heat, about the size of a BB, then growing to the size of a ping-pong ball, filled my palm. The invisible thread widened and stretched, reaching a few inches beyond my palm. My whole body tensed. Every cell in my body convulsed until the tension clawed at me, screaming to get out.
Yessssss.
I could see, I could feel, but for a few seconds it didn’t feel like my body was mine anymore. I felt furious and impatient, and at the same time, scared and excited.
The keys quivered where they sat, the metal tapping against the surface of the desk before they rocketed off, bee-lined across the room, and slammed into my palm. My breath caught as the metal tore at my skin before dropping in a heap on the floor.
The heat cooled, the tingling slowed to almost nothing, and my lungs found a shallow, steady pace until I was breathing normally again.
The stillness of the air was eerie. There was no movement at all, anywhere, until I let my hand down once again.
Oh. Wow. That was crazy. Heh. Harry Potter lands in Idaho.
Well done.
My body jerked at the voice as if I had been shocked. Like an echo, the sound bounced its way around my mind, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. My first impulse was to run—far away. But away from what and to where? I hardly thought I could hide, let alone outrun it.
My palm began throbbing—not like thorns or needle pricks—more like claws had sunken in and raked down the skin. But my palm was the least of my worries. Because, though I didn’t want to believe it, I felt it. Something was inside me. Something… other. Very other.
A second pulse inside me beat steady, strong, and disturbingly close to mine.
And then the truth hit me. Hard. I knew.
The soul had been delivered.
I allowed the boy to rest this past night to give him time to adjust to what he already knows. I settled around him, weaving in and out of his consciousness, blending our souls and reinforcing the ties that bind us. I have chosen him as my eyes, my ears, and my touch. He will be the one to fulfill my destiny.
~ Maksim
Chapter 5
The sky was just beginning to lighten when the alarm went off. I must have slept hard because I didn’t have any dreams, good or bad. None that I remembered, anyway. I sat up and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to identify what it was that felt different this morning.
Different, but in a good way. I rolled my shoulders and turned my head from side to side. I guessed I’d managed to shake off whatever made me so sick last night.
Last night. Man, I hadn’t felt good at all. How much of that really happened? I couldn’t help questioning myself. I felt something then. I know I did. But now… nothing. Could I have imagined all of it?
The rattle of my cell phone on my desk made me jump. Throwing back the covers, I jetted across the room, half expecting the phone to levitate or the tingling in my fingers to start again. Flipping my hands back and forth, I checked for anything unusual, but my hands and fingers looked normal and felt fine when I flexed them. But just to be sure, I wiped my hand against my leg, and before anything had a chance to change, I snatched up the phone.
Dani had sent a text: Have 2 go in early. Meet u in 1st. XXOO
I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until my chest ached from the pressure of caging it in. Nothing happened. Nothing was going to happen. I’d imagined the fork and the keys taking flight… and the voice.
And I wasn’t bummed out all. Well, not really.
I texted Dani an answer and tossed the phone on my bed, grabbed a t-shirt off the floor and yanked it over my head.
The smell of bacon and eggs slipped through the crack under the door. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was. No wonder. I don’t think I even finished my pizza last night. I couldn’t get my door open fast enough.
Dad hummed to himself as he stood in front of the stove pushing bacon around in a pan. He looked totally content to be home. I wished I could do something to make that permanent.
“Hey, buddy! How are you feeling this morning?” he asked, giving me a once-over.
“I’m feeling pretty good, actually,” I said, peeking over his shoulder at the strips of bacon that curled and spit in the grease.
“Great!” Dad grinned. “You had me worried. I didn’t want to hit the road again if you were sick.” He turned down the stove and reached for the oven mitt. “I have a plate of eggs in the oven.”
“H
ere, Dad, let me do that for you.” I reached for the mitt.
He held the edges open and I pushed my hand in. “You do that and I’ll make the juice.” He took a can of frozen juice from the freezer and started opening the cabinets, looking for something to put it in. “Ah, here we go,” he murmured, taking out a pitcher.
I opened the oven door and visually traced the red-hot curved rods that snaked below the rack. It was like a miniature hell that sent its heat up to wash over my face.
Dad rambled on, his voice a background buzz. “I know what you’re thinking about the bacon, it not being good for you and all, but I figured once in awhile it’d be okay.”
I stared at the rack, thinking about how only a few days ago it had burned me—or so I’d thought. I slid the mitt off my hand and touched my fingers to the plate. There was no squeezing of my brain or chest. No voices in my head. Heh. I guess I did want it to have been real. It might have been nice to have an angel looking over my shoulder.
“Are you still there?” I whispered, hoping that the voice would answer.
I’ve never left.
I flushed hot, then cooled just as fast. My brain had registered panic before the relief hit. The angel was still here. I looked out of the corner of my eyes to both sides of me, thinking maybe I’d see him. Of course, I didn’t. How do you see a voice? I knew nothing about angels, but I was pretty sure they didn’t just materialize. But maybe I could make him show himself.
Touching the plate with one finger at a time, I tested the heat until I had a firm grip on the plate, letting the burn seep into the layers of my skin. Fighting the rational urge to pull away, I did the irrational and tightened my grip. Let’s put this to the test. I waited, expecting my skin to burn and my arm to shake from the pain. Okay, any time now my angel should be saving me.
Behind me, Dad stood at the sink filling the container with water. “I wanted to go all out and get you fresh-squeezed juice, but I couldn’t find any decent oranges at the store last night. Wrong time of year, I guess.”
I pulled the plate out of the oven and set it on the counter just as Dad walked over and placed the pitcher on the countertop.
“I should have gotten a bag at the produce stand the other day, but I thought for sure I could get some in town. I hope this is okay for you.” He looked around the kitchen. “All righty, now,” he said. “I think that’s it. Let’s get you fed so you won’t be late for school.” He pushed the plate of eggs over. “Ow!” He sucked in a quick breath and looked at his hand. “That plate is hot!”
I gestured to the mitt and smiled. “You should use the mitt next time, huh?”
“I’ll say.” Dad nodded and smiled back. Grabbing a spoon from the drawer, he piled the eggs and bacon onto two plates, gestured for me to bring the juice and a couple glasses, and headed to the dining room.
I hung back, studying my hand.
No burn mark. No pain. Just like before.
Who are you really? What is your name? I asked in my head.
I am a friend, came the answer. Long ago, they called me Maksim.
# # #
The school parking lot hadn’t filled up yet so I easily found Dani’s car and a space close to it. Grabbing my backpack, I slammed the truck door behind me.
“Seth! Wait up!” Justin skirted around a few parked cars before catching me. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
I nodded. “Good. My dad is in town. Came in last night.”
“Really? How’s he doing?”
“Awesome.” I grinned and patted my stomach. “He made me breakfast.” I looked at my hand again, opening and closing it. “Hey, when you buy something on eSouled, isn’t the seller’s info right there?”
“Yeah. Why?”
I shrugged. “I must have just missed it.” That’s what I thought, but didn’t bother going into any more detail. No one knew I had made the purchase and I saw no reason for that to change. This issue was mine, and mine alone. Besides, I didn’t want Justin to think I was crazy, talking about buying angels online.
Once inside the building we slowed our pace to match everyone else shuffling down the halls. We pushed around those who’d decided to stop and talk by their locker.
“So, is the big search for Dani’s gift finally over?” Justin asked. “What’d you get her?”
Fortunately, I didn’t have to answer because Justin got ambushed.
“Hey, Justin.” Shorter than Justin by at least six inches, a blonde girl with big blue eyes cut him off by stepping in front of him. I’d seen her around before but couldn’t remember her name. She stood there, holding her notebook against her chest, looking up at him.
“Hi, Seth.” Her eyes darted to me for a second—and then another—before moving back to Justin.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Justin tipped his chin in her direction as he moved past her.
“Good!” Her face lit up. She spun around and called to him. “I’ll see you in class, okay?”
I moved around her and kept pace with Justin. “When are you going to ask her out?”
“I doubt I ever will.” He shrugged. “See you at lunch.”
Inside the classroom, Dani sat in one of our usual chairs, going over her notes. I stood inside the door for a moment, enjoying the sight of her. I loved the way she pressed her lips together when she was thinking about something, and the way she absentmindedly hooked her hair behind her ear. Hell, I loved everything about Dani.
“You’re blocking the doorway, Mr. Thompson,” said the teacher from behind me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I moved over to let her pass before making my way to Dani.
“Oh, hey!” She looked up. “How are you feeling?”
I bent down and gave her a quick kiss. “A lot better.”
“Good,” she said, patting my hand. “I was worried. Wasn’t sure if you’d make it to school today.”
I leaned into her touch when she placed the back of her fingers against my forehead.
“All right, people. How ’bout we get started?” The teacher adjusted her glasses and began her lecture.
# # #
We didn’t feel like going off campus for lunch, so Dani, Justin, and I walked into the Commons, the lunchroom next to the gym, and headed to a table in the far corner. Against two walls were trophy cases, displaying the athletic trophies won throughout the history of Sandpoint High. Behind us, the line to the student store was growing. This room was where a lot of events happened: meetings, banquets, dances, and, everyone’s favorite, lunchtime.
I pulled a sandwich out of my backpack and Justin dropped a small bag of chips in front of himself before sitting down. Dani sat between us, watching as members of the student council put up signs about the upcoming dance.
As usual, the muscles in my neck tightened up at the sight of Dirk, who walked through the doors and headed toward us. I bit into my sandwich and watched him, relieved when he stopped at the next table. I really wasn’t in the mood for his crap right now. I shook my head when Justin offered us chips.
“Want to go skiing Saturday?” he asked.
“Nope. No cash.” I forced myself to drag my eyes away from Dirk.
“What about you?” Justin turned to Dani.
“I can’t. I’m helping my mom this weekend.”
“Hey, Dirk!”
The three of us looked up at the loud, sing-song call from across the Commons room. Jessica, a freshman, swung her legs from under the table, stood up, and swayed her hips in Dirk’s direction.
She moved in close to him, snaking her arm around Dirk’s waist and pulling his arm over her shoulder, because apparently he wasn’t going to do it himself. She looked at me to see if I was watching, but instead caught Dani staring at her. Jessica’s smile slid off her face before she turned away.
Then it was Dirk’s turn. He glanced over Jessica’s head at Dani, shooting her a pointed sneer. Then he puckered up and kissed the air, sending it directly to Dani.
“Eww.” Dani grimaced, pretending to
shove her finger down her throat as if to puke.
I glared at Dirk, who threw his head back and laughed before pulling Jessica closer and walking away.
He believes you are weak.
Pfff. I’m not weak, I thought.
But it is what he believes.
My chest tightened up, making my breath come out fast and shallow. It felt like snakes were pressing against the inside of my ribs, looking for an opening, trying to get past my skin. Damn, the guy really got to me.
Dani reached over and squeezed my hand. “Hey.” She shook my arm a little to get my attention. “Don’t worry about it. He’s just being a jerk.” She grabbed a chip out of Justin’s bag. “Here, have a chip.”
“Yeah, come on.” Justin reached around Dani and shoved my shoulder. “Let it go.”
The pressure in my chest eased up some as I watched Dirk disappear around the corner. My smoldering hot anger dissipated and my breathing slowed down. I had to blink a couple of times before I could focus on the chip Dani held in front of my face. I couldn’t believe Dirk pushed my buttons so easily.
“Yeah, I know,” I said. “He is a dick.” I opened my mouth and took the chip from Dani’s hand.
The boy named Dirk… he causes the boy to feel anger. Anger is good, for it weakens the boy’s defenses, allowing me to grow stronger. It is through this crack in his armor that I am able to feed from Dirk, the dark one. I can use this energy to hasten the task that I have been condemned to complete.
~ Maksim
Chapter 6
“Okay, gentlemen. I want doubles to high legs for five minutes. Then rotate to your next opponent.”
Upstairs in the wrestling area above the basketball court, the coach waited for everyone to pair up. “Technique, gentleman. Remember your technique!” He checked the clock on the wall. “All right… Begin!”
Justin and I faced each other, shaking loose our legs and arms, and crouched down into a stance. We shook hands, signaling we were ready. I took a penetration step and snaked my arms around his calves. Then I drove forward off my front leg, pulling his legs from under him.
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