“No. But something terrible has happened.”
“What?” He looked as though he were about to shake the truth out of me.
“Where is the cord, the cord from our vows?”
He looked around half-heartedly. “I don’t know, why?”
“Because, Micah. I fell asleep tied to it. Where is it now?!” I didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, I jumped out of bed and ran out of the room, hastily throwing a robe around me, barely bothering to tie it. Micah followed, slowed down by the pants he stumbled into and was still trying to pull up and buckle while he followed my flight out to the gardens.
Our commotion attracted more attention than I would have liked, as most of the household was already awake, but only Vayu, Alex and Susan followed; some out of genuine concern and some just out for their daily dose of drama, I’m sure.
Micah caught up easily, but didn’t stop me. He stayed by my side, exuding a sense of calm and confidence, letting me know he was there for me. I made my way down the path toward the rock and nearly collapsed when I entered the clearing. There, in front of the rock, was a spot where the soil was compressed and indented with a shape similar to a body. Half a dozen rose petals fluttered around the clearing with the morning breeze and drew attention to the most damning evidence of all; the red cord tied to a root protruding from the ground.
Micah knelt down beside me and untied the cord. “I don’t get it – were you here last night?” As if to answer his own question, he stood and reached inside my nest of matted hair to pull out a rose petal that was buried deep within.
I nodded. “I think so. In person, or…otherwise.” How could I explain it to him?
His hands felt the outline of the body in the soil, then moved down to two much deeper knee marks, “And who else?” His voice suddenly grew tight, weary of my answer.
“Shawn.”
His took up a handful of soil and squeezed until I thought minerals would come out. He stood up in anger. “How? Why?”
Still bent over, with my eyes cast downward, I barely whispered, “Look at the cord, Micah. How many blood streaks do you see?” I stayed quiet for a moment, letting realization hit him.
I heard the hesitant footsteps of our three followers enter the clearing. They each looked over Micah’s shoulder at the cord. Susan let out a gasp muffled by her hand over her mouth. Alex gave a very audible, “No way.”
“It is done, then.” Vayu said softly to Micah. “They are bound just as you and she are bound.”
Everyone grew silent but I felt all eyes turn to me. I stood up with my back still to them, not bothering to brush the tainted soil from my knees.
“The hell we are. Give me that cord.” I held out my hand and Micah passed it over. “Now stand back.”
I heard them take a few steps back and knew it wasn’t enough.
No matter, they’ll scatter as soon as they see.
I drew energy that came willingly up through the ground. Almost immediately the wind picked up and clouds blew in at my insistence. I called upon all the elements, infusing moisture into the atmosphere and charging the clouds with electrical energy. Next, I used opposite-charged energy to create a conductive path. The first lightning strike hit the cord dead-on, filling the area with a sudden light and a loud crack. My ears rang in protest, but I ignored them. Before the effects of the first bolt wore off, I had another racing to the ground. Those behind me half-jumped, half-stumbled back. I turned my head slightly and smiled; had they not been scared shitless, they would have been proud of me.
My robe came undone. Combined with my cackle and hair rising from the static electricity, I must have seemed an insane witch. I have to admit, I was quite insane in those moments. The cord disintegrated in a matter of seconds, and I set my targets to the impression of my body in the ground. Soil exploded up around me with each lighting strike, then rained down again – offering more and more energy to my cause. The lightening was coming dangerously close to me, but I didn’t particularly care. It fueled my excitement.
“Do something!” Micah shouted over the noise at Vayu and Susan.
Before they could, I delved deep into their centers and retracted their energy. I had no idea I could do that until it was done. Susan actually fainted at the sudden loss of energy. Vayu fell to the ground, paralyzed. Alex moved toward me. I stopped him with a bolt of lightning at his feet. He flew back into the brush. Before Micah could try disarming me with one of his famous kisses, I did the same to him.
Clear of distractions, I concentrated on the annoying little rose petals that still had the nerve to grace the clearing with their presence. The smell of ashes floated through the air. I felt the incredible deposit of energy I had built up draining, and decided to go out with a bang. With just enough to create a very large, very powerful final strike, I focused. The lightning paused for a moment while I fueled the force-to-be.
Just as I finished carving a path of energy and released the charge from the clouds overhead, Micah took me from behind. We went tumbling across the clearing and the strike skewed off to the side in my confusion. It hit the boulder, hard. Pieces of rock shot at us through the air like shrapnel. Micah shielded me with his own body and from the corner of my eye I saw Alex do the same for Susan. Vayu was left to his own devices. When the last pieces of boulder finally rained down, bouncing several times on the ground then settling, Micah rolled off of me. Sanity took hold as I looked around, surveying the damage and my closest friends, wrought with injuries from my doing. Micah picked himself up from the ground, moving gingerly at best, careful not to press on the shards of rock buried in his skin. I heaved myself to my knees and crawled over to the others.
Alex had recovered quickly, lifting the still unconscious Susan to his shoulders. “I have to get her to medical.”
I nodded my head, at a loss of what to say in my guilt. I watched him leave then crawled over to Vayu. The wind whipped all around us and rain began to pound down. Natural rain, I felt, amplified by the distress of the atmosphere. Vayu lay on the ground, his back to me. I saw his side rise and fall, a steady but slow breathing pattern. The rock pieces had torn his shirt to shreds. He had taken the brunt of the scattering debris. I ran my hand lightly over his back, surveying the damage. The wind easily ripped away the remaining rag of his shirt and his bare back was revealed. On his right shoulder, he bore the same scarred pattern mine did. Shawn’s mark.
“What is this?” I touched the mark to ensure it was real and he winced, gaining consciousness.
When he realized what I was looking at, he smiled. “How do you think Shawn’s blood got on the cord?”
I stared at him, eyes wide. “You…you’re with him?”
He shrugged his shoulders and lifted himself off the ground, wincing as the muscles of his back moved. “What can I say? His offers are a bit more enticing than Cato’s.”
Vayu lifted his arms. Unnatural wind came in, growing strong enough to lift him off the ground within seconds. Vayu moved up and away from the clearing. Anyone else might’ve thought it was Vayu’s magic, but I knew Shawn’s power when I felt it. I bristled, my anger coming back. I called upon what energy was left within me and the surrounding area; there was very little. I tried anyway, copying the same wind pattern that carried Vayu away. I slowly lifted myself off the ground, eyes intent in the direction in which Vayu had disappeared. Suddenly, one of my hands was restrained, halting my upward progress. I looked down.
Micah had a tight hold on one of my wrists. “This is his element, you can’t fight him with it,” Micah yelled to be heard over the wind tunnel.
I started to explain Vayu had no energy of his own left, but Micah interrupted, sending his thoughts to me. There is a better way to do this, with me by your side. I looked into his pleading eyes; he was already battered and hurt deeply by my insanity, but he was still holding on, unwilling to let go. I released the wind and spun back down to the earth, right into his arms. We held each other, supporting each other’s weight because neither
one of us could stand on our own. Finally I looked up at him. “Take me to the doctor. I need to check on the baby.”
Chapter 14
A Gift
After an hour with the doctor and many assurances that the baby was fine, as well as several more assurances there was no way to determine the baby’s eye color yet, he moved on to a more private exam. Micah refused to leave the room. Instead I positioned myself so Micah would be spared of some of the more gruesome sights involved.
“I’ve seen everything you are trying to hide from me.” He held my hands and stroked my cheek.
“Not like this, you haven’t.”
The doctor interrupted, “Kaitlyn, you have a fair share of new wounds. Some are already scarring over, probably due to the energy of the Chakra, but they are definitely new.” He looked at Micah, narrowing his eyes in accusation.
“It wasn’t him,” I said in defense.
The doctor raised his eyebrows, “Maybe I should leave you two alone for a minute…” he hesitated. “Is that okay with you?”
“It’s fine – thank you doctor.” I lifted myself to a sitting position. Micah and I sat in silence for a few minutes, looking anywhere but at each other. I turned away from him once the tears started to roll down my face. “I’m so sorry. I should have been able to get away, to prevent this. You did something so special for me, and it’s all been ruined.”
He quickly pulled me off the table and wrapped himself around me, letting me bury my face in his chest. “How do you think I feel? I wasn’t able to protect you even while you lay in my arms.”
“It’s not your fault.” I sobbed into his chest.
He took my face in both hands and forced me to look at him. “Nor is it yours.”
I nodded my head slowly, trying to relieve myself of the guilt, and he did the same.
“Okay then,” he finally said, a forced smile on his face. “Let’s get you cleaned up, fed and back in bed. In that order.”
I managed to smile back, happy to let him take charge.
He saw me to my room, ran a warm bath filled with healing salts and fragrances the doctor gave us, and left me alone to get his own wounds looked after. I felt safe enough, as long as I stayed awake. He returned with a full plate of food just as I was dressing. Prime rib, baked potatoes, fruits and vegetables, even dessert. “Where did all this come from?”
“There was a feast in our honor last night; but we had disappeared before we could partake.” He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. “I guess we were a little too anxious.”
I laughed mouth already full of food. “Well, had I known…”
His face brightened. “You are really amazing, you know that? With all that’s happened, and…”
I waited to see if he’d continue before prompting, “…and what?”
“Well, I just think you are going to be okay, is all.”
“As long as I have you, honey.” I gave him my best ‘wife’ voice. I finally motioned to the large cardboard package he brought in with my food. “What’s that?”
“Oh, a gift from everyone.” He walked over to it and took out a card, reading aloud as I was too busy stuffing my face to look myself. “Dearest Micah and Kaitlyn, we are so happy for the two of you. Please accept these tree seedlings and our offer to plant a forest in honor of your union. This is a gift that will grow along with your relationship and will be a constant reminder of your love for one another. As the trees grow and prosper over the years, so too will your love.” Micah’s eyes moved to the bottom of the card. “Signed Cato, Susan, Alex, and Vayu.”
He pulled out a small bullet-shaped canister, pointed at one end and open at the other. “Aerial reforestation,” Micah commented in wonder, studying the canister. “I guess Vayu was meant to help.” He slowly lowered the canister and gazed off into space. “Traitorous bastard.”
I almost felt guilty having been the one to reveal it; almost. I tried to change the subject. “How’s Susan? Maybe I should go see her.”
“That can wait. She needs her rest as do you.” Micah pushed away my food tray and pulled me into bed with him. He laid me down and curled his body around me.
“Not sure I can sleep,” I said hesitantly. “It’s high noon outside.”
“You have lost a lot of energy today, your body needs it.”
I swallowed. “It’s not just that, Micah. I’m, well, kind of afraid to sleep. What if he comes back again? This is like my own, personal Elm Street.”
Micah’s arms tightened around me in response to the prospect of it happening all over again. His breathing grew more rapid and I lay still, tucking his hands close into my chest waiting patiently while he got himself under control. His breathing returned to normal but his voice still had an edge to it, “Now that I know, I can help prevent it.”
“How?”
“We can stay connected, even in our dreams.”
I recalled the days when we would communicate telepathically on a regular basis, and squirmed in closer to him in excitement at the expectation to do that again. I loved hearing his voice in my head almost more so than hearing it out loud. It felt more intimate than anything else, allowing us to be one person. It was as if his thoughts were mine and my thoughts were his. Sleep now, beautiful. I will maintain the connection. What would you like to dream about? Prime rib? Cake? Mountains of rolls smothered in almond butter?
I giggled.
He kissed me on the cheek. I love you. I was about to respond when he stopped me. Don’t use any more energy. Relax and let me do the work. Just know that I love you and I always will. We’ll get through this together, then continue to make this world a better place for our child. His hand rested on my belly. I smiled. It was the first time he referred to the baby as ‘ours’. I closed my eyes, letting his words wash through my mind. Feeling his steady heart beat against my back, keeping in rhythm with his voice, gave me confidence enough to let myself drift off to sleep.
Chapter 15
His Everything
I awoke with Micah’s arms still around me. I dreamt not of meat and buttered rolls but of our forest to be. It was beautiful. It grew strong and pure, deeply hidden from civilization and unmarred by man’s presence. Micah and I spent the entire dreaming session there, exploring the hilly landscape and revering the great trees.
Are you awake? Micah sent the question cautiously.
I answered telepathically, not yet trusting my morning voice, nor my morning breath. Yes. What time is it?
Midnight.
Oh. I’m not tired anymore.
Do you want to go for a walk?
I turned to face him on my side and snuggled closer. I don’t want to leave your warmth.
He sat up in bed and wrapped the comforter around me, trapping in his heat. So take my warmth with you.
“Come on,” he said aloud. “Let’s go plant our forest.”
I groaned, but lifted myself out of bed.
He dressed then lugged the box onto his shoulder. “Where do you want to do this?”
I thought for a moment. The rock was out of the question. “How about the pond?”
“Okay.”
I stayed in my nightgown and dragged the whole comforter outside and down the path to the pond with me. It slowed us considerably, but Micah didn’t seem to mind.
The lake was a brilliant blue, reflecting the waning moon. I spread the blanket out on the shores of the pond, just out of the water’s reach. Micah set the box down in front of us and began rooting through its contents. “Cato left us some ideas of where we could place the forest – places most in need.”
He leaned in so we could scan the list together.
Only about half of the forests in Honduras remain; there was a 37% decline in forest cover between 1990 and 2005. All but 10% of trees in Nigeria have been chopped down. The Philippines forests are down to 35% and Benin and Ghana retain less than 10% of their forests.
The list continued, Cato giving us more than our share of choices, but one country in par
ticular caught my attention. Indonesia, like much of Southeast Asia, was historically entirely covered in forests. Even though 65% of those forests remain, there had been a serious decline that didn’t show signs of letting up. More logs were felled in the ‘80s and ‘90s across the large country than in all of South America and Africa combined.
The Asian region only makes up one quarter of the earth’s land, but holds 60% of the world’s population, the letter ended.
It seemed logical to maintain large amounts of greenery where there were large amounts of people, for the sake of balance.
“I like Indonesia.” I announced. Besides, its close proximity to the Chakra would make using the wind element easier; a fact I left unspoken.
“Me, too,” he said. “It is rather appropriate; they came out with a new law last year that each newlywed couple has to plant ten trees and each divorced couple has to plant 50 trees.”
“How many seedlings are in there?”
“I’m guessing about 1,000.”
“Enough to get married 100 times over! Or divorced…” I tried doing the math in my head.
Micah interrupted my calculations by placing a canister in my hand and digging in the box for the proper map. “It doesn’t matter. There is patch of land on Java that was severely damaged by a recent earthquake. Although the land is protected by the government, they gave permission for logging companies to come in and clear the area of debris. Now it’s just barren land, but rich in volcanic soil. It should be easy for the seedlings to take hold. Barring any more earthquakes, the forest will remain protected.”
I studied the map. “I’m not sure how I’ll know I’ve hit the right spot from here.”
Micah thought for a moment. “Well, Java was formed mostly from volcanic activity. There is a line of volcanoes running from east to west on the island.”
“So?”
“So…I thought that the soil might have a similar feel to you as the soil on Galapagos.”
I gave him a warning look. Searching for something similar to the energy depleting islands of Galapagos was not my idea of how best to spend our night together. “Maybe we should think this through better. Do you think this place has the same, you know, properties as Galapagos?”
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