The Awakening

by Rochelle Southwick

  That was true. Dad had always been my safe place. Growing up, I would always go to him when I skinned my knees or fell out of trees. He was the one that helped me through what I thought was my first heartbreak. In reality, it was just a childhood crush. The one who encouraged me to take risks with my magic, even though I took it for granted.

  He was the one who pushed me to better myself. He was the reason I was as talented with magic as I was. I felt the tears on my cheeks before I realized that I was crying.

  Again Mitch was right there comforting me, as I had done for him before. He placed his arm around my shoulder and let me cry. “I miss him.”

  “I know, I know, honey.” He reassured me.

  Part of me wanted to punch him for calling me honey, but I felt too broken to do anything about it.

  He held me until I pulled myself together and then let go. Perfect timing and mom and Malcolm walked in with Mr. Ellis in tow.

  “Bea!” Mr. Ellis said as he saw me in the bed. “If I had known this would happen, then I would have made you stay home!”

  Mom noticed my tear-streaked face. “Oh, sweetheart, are you in pain?”

  I was, but not for the reasons she thought I was. I glanced at Mitch, praying that he wouldn’t say anything. “Yeah, my head hurts pretty bad.”

  She grabbed my water and saw that I hadn’t drank any while she was gone. “Sweetie drink this, it will help. The doctor said you were dehydrated, and that will not help anything.”

  I nodded and winced in pain and took the cup.

  “Jake was asking about you. He said if you are feeling up to it you can talk to him. He’s here overnight too. He has water in his lungs.”

  “Overnight?” I said looking at mom. This was news to me.

  “Yes, I didn’t have time to tell you, you will stay overnight. They want to watch you for a concussion.”

  “Mitch will stay here with you.” Malcolm said. “And two of our highest centuries will be here as well due to the fact that Claire already come in and out of the hospital without a trace. Well, we just want to be sure that you are safe.” He saw Mitch’s jacket in the trash and smiled. “Ah, I see the girl has gotten to you, son. Thank you, Bea.” He said to me, kicking the jacket with the toe of his shoe. “I hated that thing.”

  I smiled a little, still not trusting him completely after the stunt he pulled with Jake the last time he was at our house.

  “Well, I will see you guys later.” He said nodding to us. “Mitch if I could talk to you outside for a moment.” It wasn’t a question, it was a demand.

  “Yes, sir.” Mitch nodded; he stood and shot one last look down at me before walking to the door with his dad.

  Mom stayed with me while Mitch talked to his dad outside. Mr. Ellis took his leave not long after Malcolm and Mitch walked out of the room. He didn’t want Jake to be alone, and I didn’t blame him. I didn’t want him to be alone either.

  “Are you okay?” I heard Jake in my mind.

  “I will be. Mitch will stay with me tonight, he’s acting more normal. He got rid of that leather jacket.” I thought back.

  “Oh, joy.” I could hear the sarcasm in his voice. “I’m happy you will have someone to be with you. But he already got you injured once today.”

  “That wasn’t completely his fault. I went to the ladies' room to escape him because he was being weird.”

  “Which makes it his fault. If he wasn’t so stuck on you…..” His thought trailed off.

  “What do you mean? What does that have to do with anything?”

  “I just mean, he thinks we have a thing going on with how much time we spend together. I am perceived as the bad boy. You think it’s a coincidence that this bad boy thing of his is right after we are spending all this time together?”

  “People perceive you incorrectly.”

  “That isn’t the point. But yes, they do, I’m misunderstood.”

  “Okay fine, but he says it’s because of his sister’s return.”

  “Yeah well it isn’t.”

  “Honey, are you all right?” Mom asked, sitting in the chair that Mitch had been in.

  “Oh yes, sorry I was checking on Jake.”

  Mom smiled. “Is there something going on with you two that I should know about?”

  I could feel my face flush slightly. “Mom, don’t be silly he’s just watching over me, keeping me safe.”

  “Oh really? I could have sworn I saw a goofy smile on your face.” Mom said, her voice teasing.

  “Mom!” I said, pulling the itchy hospital blanket up over my face.

  “Seriously, though, honey. Just because the Seers think you will end up with Mitch, that doesn’t mean that is how this will play out. You do what your heart tells you to.”

  I pulled the blanket down and saw the seriousness in her eyes. “Mitch is pretty dang sure about us.” I pulled at a loose string on the edge of the blanket.

  “Yes, but what are you sure of?” Mom asked, placing her hand over mine.

  I sighed, a million things running through my mind. “Nothing.”

  “Hon, I’ve seen you get a little flustered when both of those protectors of yours are around. Just remember you are still young and you still have lots of time. Date, have fun. You aren’t old enough for a serious boyfriend. You know that.”

  I will be eighteen in August. Mom and dad always told me that they didn’t want me to date anyone seriously until then.

  “Mom, I’ve only been on a couple real dates. I don’t think I am anywhere ready to seriously date anyone.”

  “That is exactly what I wanted to hear.” Mom said with a smile.

  I knew that, but that wasn’t why I had said it. Mom was right, I should date around a bit. Figuring out what I did and didn’t like in a guy, besides with everything going on with the rebels I didn’t see anything happening with anyone in the near future.

  “Mom, do you think the rebels know what they are doing? Like the damage they are causing?”

  “Not all of them. I think the higher up people know what is going on. But other people, Mitch’s sister, for instance, I don’t think they know what is really going on behind the scenes.”

  “It’s like they are Marinettes.” I said, thinking about the puppets on strings. “And someone pretty high up is the puppet master.”

  Mom nodded, “that is a splendid way to put it. I think you are right. I don’t know how many people are running that show. Or who they are, but we will find out.”

  As mom said this, I knew it was a promise. She would do anything to keep me safe, and these people were compromising my safety.

  Mitch came back into the room, a smile on his face. “Well, I have to get going.” Mom said. “I will be back in a few hours. We will have dinner together and watch a movie” She had lost a lot of her work day being here with me.

  “Mom, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry about what dear?”

  “If I could have held my own ... you wouldn’t have been pulled away from work.”

  “Bea look at me.” Mom said leaning down and placing a hand on my chin. “You are my number one priority. Always. I just have a few things to finish up and then I will take a few days off.”

  “Okay.” I said, concerned about her. She had just gone back and now because of me she was being forced to come back home.

  “I trust that my daughter will be well looked after in my absence.” Mom said, eyeing Mitch.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He said.

  Mom eyed him up and down and then left the room.

  We sat together in awkward silence for a while until Mitch said. “So I talked to my dad.”

  “About what?”

  “What you heard. Or rather, who you heard.”

  “You did what?” I asked, I was livid. I couldn’t believe he had betrayed my trust like that.

  “I’m sorry he asked what was up. He could tell that there was more going on than your head just hurting.”

  I looked away from him. I was frustrated and upset,
I could feel tears of anger welling in my eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Bea.”

  “No. You don’t get to tell me you’re sorry after you betrayed me.” I spat at him.

  “He thinks you were just hearing things. Comfort, just like I said.”

  “Yippie for him.” I said, rolling over and looking out the open window. I could see flowers blooming in the window boxes.

  “Come on, Bea, I said I was sorry.”

  “Yeah well it will take a lot more than that to get me to open up to you again. You did this, not me.” I said icing him out.

  “Bea, are you all right? I just got a furious vibe from someone in this hospital and since you are the only one I am concerned about ...” Oh Jake.

  “No, not really, I confided in Mitch and he blabbed.”

  “ZEEDA?” I could feel his urgency.

  “Oh, hell no. He will never know about her. I heard a voice after Claire slammed me into the wall. It was my dad. But don’t worry everyone including Malcolm thinks I am imagining things.”

  “And what do you think?”

  I sighed, not knowing how to answer.

  “Bea, are you all right?” Mitch asked. I turned over long enough to glare at him and then returned to the window.

  “I honestly don’t know what I think. This is all insane.”

  “Well, when you figure it out, I will be here to listen. You know I have your back.”

  “I know you would never betray me.”

  “No Bea, I wouldn’t.”

  I smiled at his reassurance. He had kept my secret about Zeeda, although it was now more of our secret. Her acts of heroics today showed me she loved him too.

  “I’m sorry I called Mr. Ellis without telling you, I should have let you make that choice.”

  “No, you made the right decision. I would have decided not to worry him and then I would have ended up with pneumonia or something, which is still a possibility. You calling him today showed me you have my back. I’m not all alone in the clan.”

  “No, you’re not, you have me. You will always have me, Jake.”

  I closed my eyes letting myself drift off to sleep, not wanting anything to do with the man-child in my room.

  Sixteen

  By the next afternoon, they released me from the hospital. They wanted to keep Jake for an extra night to be sure he was okay. I kicked Mitch out of the room so I could change out of the scratchy hospital gown and into an outfit mom had brought from home.

  I noticed the outfit she picked wasn’t eye catching at all. Just a blue loose fitting tee and jeans. She was making a point that I didn’t need to dress up for Mitch just because the seers thought we would be together.

  Rolling my eyes, I quickly dressed and then headed towards the door. I wanted to stop and see Jake before leaving the hospital.

  Mitch was waiting right outside the room. He was leaning casually against the wall with his phone in his hand. I still hadn’t let him off the hook for telling his dad about me hearing my dad. I said nothing as I made my way towards the elevator. Jake was on the floor above the one I had stayed on.

  I hit the button and then tapped my foot impatiently waiting for the elevator to arrive. I felt Mitch step up behind me, closer than I would like, but I dealt with it, not wanting to make a scene.

  The elevator arrived with a ding and I stepped inside, Mitch followed me close behind and I pressed the fourth floor.

  “What are we doing?” Mitch asked.

  “I want to see Jake before we go.” I told him, staring holes into the elevator doors. I could feel his tension rise.

  “Why?” He asked, I could almost feel his eyes boring holes in the back of my head.

  I turned towards him. “Because he’s my friend.” My irritation with him was rising again.

  “He’s not friends with anyone, he’s just out to help himself.” Mitch said. “Do you seriously think he’s hanging around you because he’s your friend? No. He’s here because he has orders to be here. Don’t think it’s anything else.” I could hear the frustration in his voice as well.

  “Whatever Mitch.” The elevator dinged, the doors sliding open. I walked through them and signed in with the reception nurse and then walked to Jake’s door. Mitch wasn’t far behind me. “You can wait out here.” I told him as I stepped inside, letting the door close in his face.

  The moment I stepped in, I felt the calm that was Jake. “Hey Bea,” He said with a smile, it faded when he saw my face. “What’s the matter?” His voice was still a little scratchy, but he looked and sounded better than he had the last time I had seen him.

  “Oh you know, just my guard pissing me off. As per usual with him.”

  “I’m sorry I wish I could leave and be your guard. This is all my fault, you getting hurt, all of it.”

  I went to the side of his bed and sat on the edge, gently taking his hand. “Jake, this isn’t your fault. If anything, it’s mine. I was the one that wanted to go across the river. You nearly died because I decided I needed adventure.” I rubbed reassuring circles on the back of his hand with my thumb.

  “Yeah, I guess. Zee was a real hero hu?”

  “Yes, she was.” I smiled. “Look, your doctor said you would most likely be released tomorrow and I would like for us to go see Zee together. I am sure she’s freaking out.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. Uh, Bea?” I saw Jake’s eyes flicker to the door. There was a small window in the door.

  “What?”

  “Any particular reason Mitch was just looking at me like I killed his favorite dog?”

  I glanced towards the door and watched as Mitch moved away. I sighed, “I’m pretty sure he’s jealous.”

  “Of me? Why? I nearly drowned. What is there to be jealous of?”

  “Of our relationship. He’s lost his mind, I swear. He’s convinced that you are only hanging around me because it’s your job.” I thought for a minute, I mean it was sort of true. “Which I guess is kind of the truth…”

  “Stop, I’m here because I want to be not because I have to be.” He said. “Bea look at me.”

  I dropped my eyes to his on the bed. “If it weren’t my job to protect you, I would pursue more with you. But in order to keep you safe, I have to play nice.”

  I nodded, not knowing what to say. He was wearing the same itchy hospital gown I had been in. His arms were revealed. For the first time in the daylight, I saw small circular burns all over both of his arms.

  He noticed me looking and sighed. “I figured you would actually see them eventually especially after you felt them the other night.” His face turned red. They embarrassed him. “You don’t really know much of my life before I came here do you?” He asked, his eyes not meeting mine.

  “No, just what the others have said, but none of them know the truth either.”

  He nodded. “Growing up, I was about ten hours from here. My parents were... strange, which is why it is hard for me to accept the Ellis’s.” He pulled his hand away from mine and rubbed his arm uncomfortably. I let my hand drop. A few seconds later he was scooping it back into his.

  “I heard you grew up in a different type of community.”

  “I didn’t know magic was a thing if that’s what you mean. I found out that I could use magic when I was nine or ten.”

  “That is really young. Most of us don’t start showing signs of magic until we hit puberty.”

  “Yeah, so they tell me. Anyway, when I was young, I don’t know when it started, but my dad wasn’t the nicest to me. He always said I didn’t belong, that they should take me back to where I came from. He was an angry drunk. Some nights were worse than others. He started leaving these on me.” He looked down at the burns on his arms. “With his cigarettes when I was seven, it was a punishment for leaving a few legos out on the living room floor.”

  “That’s horrible.” My heart and soul ached for him.

  He nodded and continued. “It only got worse from there. Some days if I so much as opened my mouth
to talk he would scorch my arms, my back, anything that could be hidden under clothing. One weekend a few months before I came here, we went camping. Mom, dad, and me. I don’t know why they took me, usually if they went somewhere they left me home. A warm welcome to be left alone.”

  I didn’t know how to respond, so I continued rubbing circles on his hand and waited for him to continue.

  “On that trip dad wanted to go back to town to get some more beer. Mind you, he had already had well over the legal limit. I tried to stop him, I told him it wasn’t safe. He made mom get in the truck and then hit me. It stung, but not as much as it would have if he had been sober. Then he told me to get in the truck. I stood my ground, I told him no. He hit me again and told me he would hit mom next if I didn’t get in. So… I got in.” Jake laid back into the pillows and looked up to the ceiling. “The rain started coming down not long after we left the campsite. Dad was already weaving and bobbing around the road. Yelling and cursing when cars would honk at him. We started spinning and I remember hitting the guardrail. After that everything is black, until I woke up in the hospital. I had a few scrapes and bruises, but other than that I was unscathed. One thing led to another, and I ended up here, with the Ellis’s. It surprised them to find out their foster kid had magic. As far as anyone knew magic on this plane didn’t go too far away. Aside from the rebels now, anyway. Which I assure you I am not.”

  I nodded, knowing damn well he wasn’t a rebel. He was quiet after that, having said all he would say on the matter. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You aren’t?”

  He looked up into my eyes. “No, because of my hardships it led here me. It led me to you. I wouldn’t trade that, trade you for anything in the world.” I could feel the honesty gushing out of him.

  “Hey, Jake?”

  “Yes?”

  “Will you help me with something?”

  He looked confused; he had just opened up to me and I know it seemed like I was shutting him out.

  “Of course anything.” He said. As much as he tried to hide it I could hear the disappointment in his voice.