First Strikes Disaster

by Tatiyana Perkins

  The entertainers came on to the stage all carrying long white staffs, and everyone gasped. They went still then suddenly; one twisted the staff, which produced a bunch of white sparks, and soon the other two followed. The sparks made pictures and outlines of everyone who went missing. Then they showed the aftermath, the guards searching through the destruction working tireless hours trying to find them. When Daniel appeared Rose found herself frozen. If this were true. If this were real. Why were the people not home? Before she knew it, a tear was falling. Whether out of anxiety or sadness she didn't know.

  After they were done, Jackson told her she was free to leave the stage and mingle. She turned, gave her best smile, and saw Ana. For a second Rose felt so light headed she tripped and almost fell hard. She quickly shoved the embarrassment off, as tonight she would be lighthearted. That was until she felt movement in front of her and saw Naclipse making his way over. Vister pulled him to the side at the last moment, said something; after a solemn nod, the worn down man turned.

  “Naclipse,” she called, “Naclipse,” but if Naclipse heard he didn't say. He kept making his way towards the back, going god knows where. Ana gave her a questioning look and then saw him making his escape. Rose tried to run after him but found it was no good for before long, people began to stand in her path making her unable to see. Some girl ran right into her; Rose groaned while she found a little stair to sit on, for her head now hurt tremendously. They began announcing the awards and almost half the crowd won something as she watched, smiling from her step. After that everything seemed dangerously quiet till the music turned on and people were out of their seats.

  A person reached out for a dance who, surprisingly, was not Kris or Noah. In fact it was someone she had not expected to see at all. The man of light had on a blue fire proof tuxe, his short hair had grown out slightly longer making him look older than what he was, which was the perfect disguise for she couldn't see his true form but she knew it was him.

  “Alex” Rose exclaimed for that was what he had told her to call him.​He’s come back. He’s really here.​She half expected him to disappear at any moment. “I thought you hated these places.”

  He beamed, positively happy, as if he could not stand to be anywhere else and Rose saw bits of the sunlight in his face. “I came here because... I like your family, Rose. You guys are always so honorable and noble. You know, I used to be around a lot when you were with Daniel; now it's been a while and I've missed you.”

  “I've missed you too.”

  She put her hair behind her ears. She had wanted to go after Naclipse but now it felt as if this was her one chance to enjoy his company and she would not miss it. He took his hand around hers and they did a light waltz.

  “How long are you staying here?” she asked after a minute.

  “Until I burn the house down with my amazing good looks.”

  “Isn't that the four hundredth time you said that?”

  “You've counted?”

  They both laughed. Out of the corner of her eye Rose saw that a man was watching her. When he noticed her gaze, he mouthed the words, “Erin." It took her so off guard she almost stopped dancing. He smiled as he showed that his shirt had little bits of blood and laughed at her refusal to believe it was true.​So Vister had figured her out and now he had Erin?​This was too much, even for him. She decided to call for Ana, yet thought better. Vister was crazy but he would not kill, meaning it was merely a trick to distract her along with the Naclipse thing. After the second dance she saw someone else she knew.

  Lena looked so absolutely perfect that Rose felt she was the one who belonged on stage. Her hair had been curled and her makeup done to perfection; her dress was a deep red gown with lace at the top. If she did not have her sword on her back, you would think she was a completely different person. From her table she appeared to watch Rose a little sadly; people were trying to talk to her but she ignored them. A classic Lena move that made Rose laugh. As soon as the next song was over Rose let go, said “I'll be back” and then she walked over to her.

  “Dance with me,” Rose said. Lena stood almost shyly, and with Rose's guidance, put her hands on her hips. For a second they just swayed getting the rhythm so Rose could test Lena's dance moves, which were pleasant enough.

  After they got a good sway Rose pulled her closer so that they were face to face and Lena whispered, “What was that just now? You running after him?”

  She shrugged “It doesn't matter. I think I know how to get Naclipse alone, possibly take down Vister." This made Lena frown; she spun her around and then pulled her close again. “If you're talking about what I'm thinking, I was already on it.”

  Of course. Lena was closer to the people in the guard. Rose tried not to let that bother her as they twirled and glided, getting a lot of stares and smiles, for this was the first real dance they had done since the night started. It was a great discovery to see Lena was actually a great dancer, which was due to her ability to analyze. She anticipated Rose's next move and moved to match it. She also somewhat guided her to try new moves she hadn't tried before. At the end of the song Rose was breathless and eager for more, so they danced to two more. A fast one and then another slow one before Kris came over to “steal Lena away."

  Rose had forgotten about Alex, but it didn't matter for now her aunt danced with him and talked to him.

  She decided not to go ruin it; necklace in hand, she searched around for someone else, but everyone seemed to have their partners, so she sat down and grew lost in thought instead. Lena made her way over to her again after the song was over. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Just how much better this would have been if everyone could have been here. I wouldn't have had so much to worry about. They really ruined everything when they broke apart the families.”

  Lena paused and then said, “Maybe it was the right thing to do.” At Rose’s wide eyed look, she walked away.

  Rose thought and thought long after she was gone. At the end of the dance those words were still foreign, so unlike her friend. She half suspected that she was confused. Maybe a Lena impersonator had come over. That couldn't be true, however, because that was impossible, as no one else had Lena's eyes or could look so sure about something. How could she possibly feel that way, and why would she say something like that?​For the rest of the night, Rose avoided her and danced with everybody else. She had a total of ten dances with Alex before he had to leave and then she let Noah take over.

  Right before she went to bed, she took Aylea's badge so it could go upstairs in her room. Aylea had won it for servicing the house, and talked to everyone for half the night about how someone might steal it. She followed Rose up and they had a long talk about the awards of the night. That night, Rose fell asleep with her dress on.

  The next morning Rose said little when they woke up, despite Lena's continuous attempts at conversation; she only spoke to her once to say she wanted to go back to the maskers. In fact they were downstairs in the living room, getting ready to travel back to Sakara's with the bracelet, before Rose even truly looked at her and saw just how hurt Lena was over being ignored.

  Just as Lena walked into the next room and Rose made to apologize someone knocked on the door. Rose peeked through the door hole and said, “Who's there?” A voice said, “I have a meeting, I need to talk to Ana.”

  Rose opened the door with a sigh.

  The woman standing there was tall with long blond hair and eyes that changed color depending on the lighting.

  “Nice to meet you. My name is Madelyn. I'm Lena's mother."

  Chapter 15☆

  "Oh," Rose said, somewhat shocked. Lena's family had become something in the back of her mind. She knew they were real and that one day they would be back, but the idea felt so weird that she never entertained it for more than one minute. In matters of family, her father was the only one she use to speak of. When the topic of her mother came up, she never entertained it. Madelyn moved and Rose saw a beautiful golde
n retriever standing behind her. It wasn't a big fact and still Rose felt a little offended that she never knew Lena had a dog.

  "Do you know where she is?"

  "Umm," Rose stalled. She knew she was close, but perhaps it would be better to find her and tell her first. "I'll go get her," she said, but Lena walked in before she could stop it. Her eyes were so fixated on Rose to tell her what she had to say that it genuinely surprised her when Rose nodded to the lady's direction and she saw who was there.

  "Madel- I mean, Mom."

  "Hi," her mom said nervously. With a quick comparison Rose saw that they did not look alike in the face sense. Her mom’s features were more graceful and regal whereas Lena's were harsh and full. Nevertheless, when Madelyn moved forward, her movements were so much like her daughter's that it was scary.

  "What are you doing here?" Lena asked, clearly skeptical.

  "Are you happy to see me?"

  Lena looked to Rose for guidance on answering the question, and her mom quickly stepped forward.

  "I came so you can be a guard. I know it's such short notice, but I'm happy to tell you that I want you to be what you always wanted. I know I never use to agree, you can trust me as I'm different now.”

  Lena held in a laugh. "You're not serious.”

  "I am. I've come to my senses and I know how much this means to you."

  “Like you did before?”

  “That was before, Lena.”

  “Okay sure.”

  Her mom reached down and took the leash off the dog. “You never were good at letting things go.”

  “And you never were good at keeping them.”

  “We both have some work to do and I promise I'm putting in extra hours. I won't police you now anymore. You're getting older and so you should have a choice.”

  Lena crossed her arms. “I'll have a choice when dad comes home.”

  This made Madelyn exasperated. “I want you to love me too. Do you know how hard it is? Being the other parent."

  “Dad would know what to say to that. He'd know what to say to you.”

  “He would and I know you miss him, but it's us now.” For a second Madelyn looked like she might break down.

  “Are you saying you're giving up on him?” Lena asked in shock.

  “I'm saying the noticeable thing.”

  “We must have two different types of sights then.”

  “So your answer is no?”

  “Yes. Mom.”

  “Will you at least hear me out if I prove it to you and you believe me.”

  “Possibly.”

  “I already told Ana I would be over last night, she approved it and everything.” Her mom held up a piece of paper and Lena took it warily. Her face was clearly in denial, but it changed to disbelief by the time she got to the end. She read it two more times and examined every inch before she opened her mouth and then closed it and read it again.

  Her voice cracked a little as she asked, "Are… Are you sure about this, mom?" “Yes.”

  “Are you aware of what it says?”

  “That I give up my legal rights to you.”

  “And you signed it? This is your signature?”

  "Yes. All I have to do is go turn it in and it will be done. I really mean it. You know I won't lie. It was me who failed to give Ana the permission after your father disappeared, but not anymore. It's what he would have wanted, most importantly, it's what you want."

  “And you're sure about the dates? You've read clearly when it's effective?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Lena hesitated. “Thank you.”

  She stepped forward slowly and then hurried to go hug the dog, who licked her all over her face, then she handshook her mother, which was slightly more awkward. As if seizing the moment, her mother added, "As long as you agree to come home.”

  The whole air shifted. Rose felt that this should be a family moment, so she turned to go, but Lena pulled her and said, "Stay." In that word Rose heard all the emotion. "Why would I come home?"

  She fumed, ready to hit someone.

  "Because your father, he's.... been gone for a while and i'm the only one left who can give permission. You know I always said I'd let you do this if you want. And I will, I really will, but why do you have to stay here?"

  "Because it's a part of joining mother. I won't be the same daughter when I take it. You won't come first, yet you continuously get your hopes up."

  "I do, Lena, because...." she was lost for words.

  Rose wondered if she should intervene. She tapped her friend on the shoulder and whispered, "keep going,” for they had to have it out.

  "You just want to make sure I never actually do anything, don't you?" "That's not true. I… Le, can't you see, I came here so we can talk about it." "What made you think this time would be different?"

  "I don't know, I just..."

  It became quiet, and the dog went to Rose and smelt her ankles, so she bent down and rubbed it behind its ears. Lena turned at the scene and seemed to stare like one might do at a funeral. "It's okay, " Lena finally said, "because I'll do it."

  Rose dropped her mouth and gave a "we didn't discuss this” expression that they both ignored.

  “Are... are you sure?" Her mother asked, getting excited.

  "Yes.”

  “You'll leave this place?”

  “Yes, mom.”

  “You agree to do it?”

  “Yes.”

  "When can you come home?"

  "As soon as possible... tomorrow...maybe even tonight."

  "Good. You can pack your things and i’ll call a van. I'll go tell Ana now and then I'll give you Hera’s old room and-"

  Rose kept gaping at her, full of surprise. She wanted time to ask questions, but she had to leave at twelve thirty and Lena knew that. Lena kept talking to her mother, and did not say a word to her, or look in her direction. Rose felt a deep betrayal, as if this was repayment for the way she acted earlier, so she stood up promptly and left, followed by the dog. The dog would not go back no matter what she said, so she decided to lead him back down. Lena ran to grab him at that exact same time and for a second they were alone, staring at each other, on the stairs. They both turned around. On the walk up, Rose didn't look back. Madelyn was her family, true, and yet Rose had thought they had become something of a family, but families did not abandon you.

  Lena came up five minutes later, secured a bag out of her closet as soon as she stepped inside, and put clothes in it. She also began to grab her weapons along with other important things too. Rose took out Daniel's notebook so she could draw for the first time in a while. It was nothing but a rough sketch of the forest and yet it relieved her stress as it was beautiful in a haunting way. Rose noticed she had, unintentionally, made the forest a rainy one. Something was said, but she gave not the slightest indication that she heard. The line was repeated and she yawned.

  "Hey," Lena said when Rose walked passed her, obviously not wanting to be alone with her.

  "What?" Rose said, irritated.

  “We have to talk.”

  “About?” her voice took up a disinterested tone.

  “How you're making me mad.”

  "I don't care too much for that topic."

  "So you don't care that when you ignore me it hurts."

  Rose suddenly felt small and childish, as a toddler throwing a fit, but she thought about losing her too and it didn't matter, “I'm not doing anything, I really don't care, do what you must.”

  “You're right I must.”

  Lena said it with so much bad feeling that Rose looked up. "What do you mean?"

  "My mom is hiding something. There is a reason why she won't let me go, and I have to know what it is."

  “So you're going with her to find out?”

  “Yes, can't help it. It’s something you would have done, and you've grown on me.” “But how do you know she's not just being a mom?” Rose had not had a mom long and even she knew they were like that sometimes.

&n
bsp; “I can just tell," Lena said. "I wouldn't leave you on purpose, you already know that.”

  Rose merely nodded, so Lena stepped forward and hugged her. Then when Rose didn't react, she squeezed tightly.

  "Let me go," Rose laughed.

  “Why were you so angry?”

  “Because of what you said last night,” she confessed.

  "I figured. Do you think me so heartless that I don't want my dad back?"

  “Never.”

  “Then know I didn't mean it like that. All these events, as bad as they are, have exposed all the bad stuff going on. I'm sorry if I offended you.”

  Rose hugged her again and said, “You're actually saying sorry?”

  “I'm not dense. I know that you apologize no matter what for any situation you caused.”

  “Well, I was being silly anyway.”

  “So after training we can hang out?”

  “Sure.”

  “And we'll go on adventures, just the two of us?”

  “Yeah.”

  "Try to be good without me, please.”

  There was real pleading in her voice and Rose smiled, but after she left it didn't stay long. Even when the children of the counsel left for the show, she barely paid attention; instead she left earlier than she had to. Kris walked her back personally seeing how down she was, which helped a little. It was oddly different without Lena that night. Rose was expecting her to get up and come back in the room at any moment. She thought about going to Aylea and telling her to come in, but it wouldn't be the same. Instead she found herself drifting to the main hallway.