by Alice Sweet
Instinctively, she held her hand out to touch Ivan again, comfort him if possible, but he stumbled back further. Autumn felt a stab in her heart then; when he pulled away from her he made it clear she was no longer going to be able to help him, only hurt him. Then unexpectedly, Ivan dropped to the ground gripping his chest looking at her in pain. Then she was surprised to see a figure rushing towards her; it was Grayton and he had a look in his eyes that frightened her, like no other ever had before. Serena held her hand up to stop him but he did not listen. “She is the eye” drifted slowly into the air, slowly as if they were never spoken but materialized, floating in the wind to stop him.
Autumn slid her hand up, imitating Serena and Grayton stopped on a dime, growling in frustration, “You’re going to kill him.” She understood then and slid her hand onto Ivan’s chest, concentrating on his pain and pulling it back from his body. She was repeating a scene from one of her dreams, much as a fresh memory now. It was like liquid light, flowing easily and warming her as it came back meshing with her flesh, pure and true. Instantly she felt herself pull more than was necessary and watched as a flame followed the pain back into her chest and began pulsing, on the inside of her.
Autumn smiled let the flame consume the cold inside of her, and then felt it grow on its own, taking new life. Her skin flushed and a familiar whisper came to her aid, Hurry time is running out. Autumn looked around her and watched as Grayton and Serena slowly crept forward, watching her cautiously. Ivan sat up then and blinked looking pain free as he reached for Autumn instinctively pulling her close. Relief flooded her and she cried long and hard in his arms, “I am sorry I hurt you. I didn’t mean to.”
Ivan cooed her softly, “I know love I am fine.”
Autumn frowned, “No you are not fine. We have to hurry; you only have a couple of hours now.”
Ivan replied sounding worried, “So soon?” She nodded and closed her eyes squeezing them tightly; knowing immediately that it was the truth. She also guessed by the feeling in her chest that she was not likely to live through the day either; she would be following her love to the grave.
Possibilities
Autumn awoke in the bathroom with cold water hitting her back. She turned the water off quickly and jumped out dressing swiftly. She quickly pulled her wet hair up, bracing the edge of the sink for a moment, as the world shifted again. This time it was not as difficult as the last, and fearful that she had already changed, she checked her face in the mirror. It looked fine, a little pale but fine, more or less. Then she marched out of the bathroom, announcing, “Grayton we cannot delay any longer. You must go and see Sophia now. Ivan will be dead soon, he only has a couple of hours.”
Serena looked at Ivan with dread her face, “So soon?”
“You had a vision?”
Autumn nodded then, looking up at Ivan just long enough to see that he had her journal in his hands. She reached up with a quickness that surprised them all, and snatched it. Then she threw it into the roaring fire place. It burst into flames and blacked quickly. “I don’t know what changed the time line, maybe the touching, or something happened when I passed out. Either way he has like no time.”
All eyes were on her now, wide and puzzled, as she sat down on the couch not looking at Ivan as she put her socks and boots on. She knew that Ivan was waiting for an explanation, but she wasn’t ready to face him yet. She didn’t know how her body would react and she didn’t trust that her emotions would not set the chain reaction off again. Serena mumbled to herself then, “Probably the temper tantrum earlier.” Ivan shot her a look and Serena said defensively, “Well, you were angry, it probably fed the fire.”
Autumn looked at the piles of her folders next to Serena and asked, “What is the eye?”
“Our leader,” she replied.
Ivan asked then, “What happened in the vision?” Autumn did not answer him as she finished her task at hand.
He reached out impulsively to touch her and she flinched looking up at Grayton and said unnaturally forceful, “Ok we have to go now.”
Grayton noticed her change and felt his heart rate increase. His mind whispered, Ivan dies, he shook his head no, seconding his friends question, “What did you see?”
Autumn took the letter from the counter, “Let’s go.”
Serena stood in front of her blocking their exit, this time her eyes wide, “What did you see?”
Autumn snapped back, “Move Serena.” Serena stood her ground placing her hands on her hips, while Autumn glanced at her watch, only ninety seven minutes.
Autumn snapped again, “Ivan will die if we don’t hurry.” Serena stepped aside but looked unconvinced, asking perceptively, “If you had a vision, then how are you in danger?”
She shot back without thinking, her temper flaring, “I think I accidently kill myself trying to save him.”
Ivan grabbed her arm and yanked her back snapping “What?”
She huffed, “It’s hard to explain Ivan, and we don’t have the time. If it makes you feel better, it was Grayton’s fault.”
Ivan shot a look at him as if he were going to rip his head from his body. Then as he stepped toward Grayton, she slid her hand onto his arm and he stopped as if he were struggling against himself. She huffed and pulled him towards the door then. “We can change the time line if we hurry,” letter in her other hand, they all headed for Sophia’s place.
Autumn knocked on the door in the rhythmic pattern that she always used, taking deep breaths. Sophia opened the door pleasantly surprised by Autumn’s visit. Autumn smiled warmly and said, “Hi Sophia, I got another letter.” She slid her hand out with the letter in it, and Sophia grabbed it without looking at it. Autumn watched happily as Sophia’s surprise turned to curiosity, as she stared at the three bodies behind her neighbor. They stared at her with the same interest, though they kept their distance.
She smiled brighter then and stepped to the side, trying to sound casual, “Let me introduce you to my friends, Serena and her brother Grayton…Oh…and my new boyfriend Ivan.” They all waved at Sophia smiling the fakest most strained smiles that she had ever seen on their faces before, and Autumn nearly bust out laughing at the sight, relieved to see that they were not entirely perfect.
Sophia waved at them and then smiled at Autumn teasing, “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend?”
Autumn smiled wider replying, “Yeah, and he’s super cute isn’t he?” Sophia smiled and nodded politely.
Slightly nervous, Autumn found herself hoping that Grayton would approve of Sophia. She had her dark brown hair up, as she almost always did, revealing her long swan like neck. Autumn had always thought that Sophia was beautiful, exotic looking, brown eyes that were large and deep set, though strangely flattering on her. That along with her droopy lids and long lashes gave her appearance of living in a constant sweet haze. Her olive skin and thick sensual lips were naturally stained rose, perfectly complementing her loveliness. Autumn smiled thinking, she was lovely, like an enticing flower with an aroma that was familiar but complex.
Ivan slid his hand into Autumn’s, continuing where she left off, in the fore mentioned plan asking, “You should invite her to come with us?”
“Yes that is a great idea.” Serena chimed in, while Grayton nodded as well.
Autumn offered, “Sophia have you eaten breakfast yet?”
Sophia replied truthfully, “No.”
She smiled brighter, “Well we are heading out to grab a bite to eat. You want to come with us?”
Sophia looked a little nervous and then glanced at Grayton signaling her interest in him, replying, “Are you sure?”
Autumn smiled wide and as friendly as she could muster, “Yes… please.”
Then Sophia broke into a broad smile, “It will take me a couple of minutes to get ready.” Sophia opened the door wider offering, “Come in, I’ll hurry.” Autumn smiled even brighter and walked inside with her new friends in tow.
Grayton suddenly looked painfully anxious as he wat
ched Sophia leave the living room. Autumn took that as a good sign, and watched Serena buzzing around the room. She stopped every few seconds looking at every knickknack and piece of sheet music that was lying around the apartment. Ivan simply sat close to Autumn his eyes intently fixed upon her as though he were afraid that she would disappear. Autumn found a sick comfort in his newest level of concern and shot him a warm smile before turning her attention back to Grayton.
He sat watching the door that Sophia had closed behind her. Serena noticed then that Ivan was watching Autumn and then, that Autumn was watching Grayton. Grayton watched the door that the female had gone into, listening intently to her every movement.
A pang of anxiety hit Serena then, was there more speeding up the time line? She needed more information. Why would it be Grayton’s fault that she killed herself? Why would he let her do such a thing? Did he blame her for letting Ivan die? No because there was still a possibility of Grayton being her mate. Unless Autumn is right about Sophia, but why did she ask about the eye?
The eye, the eye was a seer like Autumn was, she shook her head, or perhaps she over heard a conversation in her vision. But if she was right about Sophia....Or perhaps..... Autumn was the eye! If she were... it would explain why Grayton did not or could not stop her. She shook her head again. She just needed more information from the source, “Autumn why did you ask me about the eye?”
Autumn shrugged, and replied still watching Grayton, “You spoke about it in my vision.”
Ivan let his eyes leave Autumn momentarily as he eyed Serena now, trying to follow the conversation, as Serena continued, “Did I call you that?”
Autumn nodded her head yes as she said, “Just before Grayton tried to stop me.”
Grayton finally turned his head and said, “Stop you from what?”
Autumn answered without thinking, “Killing...” she stopped short and looked around dazed as she realized that she had given away too much.
Ivan interjected this time sounding almost frightened, “What happened exactly?”
Autumn looked at the ground then, not wanting to meet their eyes, she knew that she had to tell them now, then she cursed to herself and began, “When I came out of the bathroom the first time I was cold and anxious, and I let the darkness slip.” Ivan looked at her puzzled, Autumn continued still looking at the ground, “Then I reached out to touch your arm because you didn’t seem to notice that I was standing there.” She looked at him then by accident and saw the look that she was dreading and her heart sank.
She sucked in sharply eyeing the ground again, trying to calm herself as she continued, “Then...,” her voice cracked. “...then Ivan pulled away and looked at me strangely like I was a different person...he was scared.... I felt a pain in my chest and then Ivan fell to the floor gripping his chest.” Ivan looked at Serena and shifted in his seat. While Autumn continued, explaining the best she could, ending with, “Anyways in my dream I pulled the pain back out of his chest saving him. It worked and I even let some of the fire follow the stream back in to my chest.”
Ivan breathed, “Why would you do that?”
Autumn refused to look at him, and he asked again with more force, “Why would you do that?”
“I don’t know.” She looked deflated. He slid is hand over to touch her and she stood suddenly. Then she spit out, walking away from him, to go and stand by Grayton, who seemed alarmed by her sudden closeness, “You were going to die soon and I knew I couldn’t stop it.”
Ivan almost choked, “Why could you not stop it?”
Autumn stared at Grayton now and said, “I had changed then and I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to change back. I was no longer human and I couldn’t change back.”
Grayton looked at her with a new look in his eyes; it was a mixture of shock, awe and empathy. Ivan stared at her back feebly, as if he wasn’t able to accept or understand the words, “You could not change back?”
Autumn answered then, “My change was complete then at least I think it was, I didn’t feel like I could pull back from the darkness anymore.”
Grayton looked at Serena and reiterated, “Her skin was cold.”
Autumn seemed slightly alarmed now, “What is it?”
Serena looked at Autumn now in awe and spoke slowly and clearly. “You did not kill yourself; you simply took some of the fire from him.”
Autumn asked in return, “But he was going to die?”
Serena nodded, “Yes he was, and he will most likely, if you change before the kiss.” Autumn nodded yes and then walked towards Ivan and said over her shoulder, “Sorry Grayton.”
Grayton slid his hand up in an attempt to stop her, but instead he let it drop understanding. Ivan looked at her with fear in his eyes again, and she frowned in response, “Am I already changing?”
Ivan shook his head no and asked, “Do you feel alright?”
Autumn smiled genuinely admitting, “I am a little bit nervous.” Ivan broke into a strained smile, and then Autumn leaned in closer wrapping her hands around his waist.
Then she leaned in, sliding her hand up his neck, and into his thick hair. He closed his eyes and she paused for a moment standing on her tippy toes to pull his ear down to her mouth as she whispered, “I think I could love you.”
He jerked his head back and smiled genuinely at her for a moment, and then he replied suddenly tense, admitting, “As do I.” She smiled brightly and leaned in for the kiss.
Meanwhile, Sophia cleared her throat, stopping her inches from Ivan’s moist lips. She dropped her head in defeat and looked at Sophia who was blushing slightly, “You two are so cute together.”
Autumn smiled and then trying not to show her disappointment, asked, “You ready to head out?”
Serena smiled brightly and said, “Autumn, Sophia can ride with Grayton and I in our car since Ivan has a two seater.” Autumn and Ivan both nodded and Grayton tossed him a set of keys.
Autumn asked politely, “You don’t mind do you Sophia?”
Sophia smiled at Serena and then at Grayton who smiled back slightly flirtatiously and she blushed brighter and replied coyly, “No I don’t mind at all.” They all headed to the elevators, Ivan looked particularly pale now. Autumn slid her hand into his and squeezed it, slowing her pace to be alone together.
Ivan complied understanding while Autumn whispered, “If I don’t think I can make it. The bathroom will just have to do.” Then she stopped him, “Wait, if I can’t make it to the bathroom will there be a problem kissing in front of others?” As she said this she looked at the group ahead of them, “I mean will I pass out or anything?”
Ivan shook his head no and replied, “No it should appear as any other kiss would. It usually takes a few days to begin. Although your change might be different, so it would probably be best without an audience.”
Autumn blushed a little thankful that she had decided not to do it in front of Sophia after all and Ivan squeezed her hand and reassured her with a grin, “No worries.” Autumn rolled her eyes and stepped onto the elevator with the rest of the group.
***
The ride down the elevator was uneventful, all three of Autumn’s new friends stood on one side of the elevator while Autumn stood in between Sophia and them. Sophia seemed uncomfortable still and Autumn felt as though she should say something, but her heart was in her head. All she could think of now, was how close Ivan was to her and how much she wanted to pull him close and kiss him, before it was too late. She was thankful for the first time, that all of this craziness in her life, was going to make sense, full circle, finally. Now once he was out of danger, she could remain close to him, forever, more than likely, assuming that she did not turn first and ruin everything.
Ivan continued to hold her hand, even though the warmth turned to sticky perspiration in their palms, finally capturing Autumn’s attention. She was surprised to find, as they walked through the lobby that Ivan was no longer pale but quickly turning pink. She snatched her hand back and wiped it off at
tempting to ignore Ivan’s steady gaze. He opened the door for them all and as soon as they passed Ivan was quickly by her side again. Autumn smiled as Ivan smoothly slid his hand back into hers and squeezed. She looked at him, watching him closely and suspected that he squeezed to feel the rush again as the rosiness returned once more.
He led her to a black sports car and swept in front of her, opening her door, watching the other vehicle all the while. Autumn in turn watched as the three of them slipped into a large silver suburban with darkly tinted windows. Serena drove and Grayton jumped into the passenger seat while Sophia sat in the back.
“No worries, if you are correct, then Grayton will happily see to her comfort, even if she is not as beautiful as you,” Ivan offered. Autumn blushed again and looked out the window at the rain that began to fall, not wanting for him to see her eyes.
Ivan spoke again, “Did I say something wrong?”
Autumn smiled and her blush darkened, then she replied trying to keep the smile from her voice and failing miserably, “No it’s nothing.”
Ivan smiled charmingly eyeing her, “What did I say that brought this on?” He slid his perfectly formed hands over to brush her crimson cheek.
She continued to darken in shades and she closed her eyes asking, “Will you think I am still beautiful after we kiss?”
He looked thoughtful for a moment and replied, “I think that I will.”
Autumn shot back instantly, “You think?”
He smiled and shrugged, admitting, “The fire has a way of warping your mind.”
Autumn snapped back, “So then you might think that Sophia is more attractive than I am?”
Ivan smiled then goading her a bit, “That is one possibility.”
Autumn smacked him then, “You jerk you could at least have the decency to lie, I am saving your life today!”