I looked over at Athen who gave me a wink. I went for it. I closed my eyes, took one step off the perch, letting my body fall as if I have done it a million times before. The sound of the metal harness racing down the wire became amplified as I picked up speed. With my eyes shut, I began to hear the sound of trickling water down below. I glided down the mountain as if I was floating. The fear overtook me. My eyes still remained tightly closed, and I tried to scream, but nothing came out. I took deep breaths as the wind rushed past me. My face turning as cold as stone. I heard Athen hollering and forced myself to quit missing everything this almost out-of-body experience had to offer. I slowly opened one eye and peered down below as my hands were squeezing the rope to an almost liquid state. I saw the most stunning sight; a rushing river heading down the snowy mountain as swiftly and smoothly as I was. Could this be? Am I really flying? I had a few more seconds of bliss before it came painfully obvious that I was indeed still human and was about to crash into the man standing on the platform waiting to catch me. The scream from within finally appeared as the man put on the brake.
“Oh my God! That was so incredible,” I told the guide, as my heart was still pounding a million miles a minute. “Are they all like that?” I asked, as I began smoothing down my ponytail that had erupted into a frizzy mess.
“I’m glad you liked it because that is the only way off the mountain. You have several more lines to go. They get longer as we head down the mountain. Hey, here comes your boyfriend.”
I was so happy hearing the word boyfriend ring through the air. As I was thinking about how lucky I was to find someone so perfect for me, I spun around to see Athen gliding in hanging upside down from the line, looking as graceful as ever. The snow covered limbs almost brushing him as he landed on the platform right side up. As the guide unhooked his harness, Athen grabbed me and spun me around. I didn’t want to let go, but I knew the next person on our trip would be landing in a few seconds, so I held on tight, and Athen hopped down to the next level.
“Thank you, Athen. Thank you so much. I never thought I could do something like this. It was incredibly amazing.”
“Of course, angel, I knew you could do it. Wait until you do it without the harness,” his voice whispered in my hair, just soft enough to leave me wondering if that’s what I really heard. He squeezed my waist sending chills through me. I squeezed him back as hard as I could.
“Yeah, right,” I laughed, but partly wondering if he was kidding or not. I had never seen any of them fly or have any abilities for that matter. Although, I did wonder about their speed; they seemed to get everywhere quickly and without any obstacles. Still not knowing what they were, I laughed at myself for even indulging in the insanity of it all. I was sure there was a logical explanation for that. I do tend to take the long way everywhere. The fact that I would even let my mind wander like that was so embarrassing. It’s not like these people can have supernatural powers – they’re just people. Things like that don’t exist. The more I tried to talk myself out of the things I imagined, the more my stomach began feeling like it was tied in knots. Maybe that is what he meant by subset. I could drive myself insane trying to figure things out that were impossible.
I found myself deep in thought, bouncing around all of the crazy ideas, but his laughter alerted me back to reality, as our group walked to the next zip line. This one seemed far higher than the last one and much longer. I couldn’t even see the end of the line. My blood was pumping extra hard. I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. Nonetheless, I put a brave face on and climbed the stairs to the next platform.
My positive memory of the last line was quickly fading as I approached the platform. I looked down from the Douglas fir respecting every inch of how truly high we were. All I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. Suddenly everyone’s voices began to fade into a soft rumble, and a light ringing began in my ears. I turned to look at Athen, and that last swirl of my head was all it took. My knees gave out. I was headed face first towards the wood platform when the strength of Athen’s arm swiftly surrounded me before I hit the ground. I heard our group give a gasp as he moved me to the bench that was built so graciously on the platform as if its sole function was to wait for people like me, which totally embarrassed me enough to become alert.
“Ana, are you ok?” Of course, hearing Athen’s voice made me feel better instantly.
“Yeah, I’m hundred percent fine. I’m a bit flustered, but I’m fine - really. I probably didn’t eat enough this morning or something.” I saw the guide making his way through the group of people, and my embarrassment level grew tenfold.
“Hey, miss. How are you doing? You seemed to be holding your own. What happened?”
I shook my head not actually knowing what did happen. I certainly didn’t want to admit it could be the height factor.
“Well, we are going to have to double harness you to someone to get down the next line or two for a safety measure.” I grabbed Athen’s hand immediately.
“I can take her down, if you don’t mind,” Athen offered, as he squeezed my hand. “I’ve done doubles before.” Hearing him say that made me wonder who with. A twinge of jealousy entered my veins.
The other guide had already started harnessing the waiting customers and began sending them one by one down to the next perch. Slowly clearing out the crowd of onlookers.
“That sounds good, man. We’ll get you all hooked up.”
I looked up at Athen somewhat embarrassed. He touched my cheek gently and gave me a wink.
“Don’t feel bad, Ana. It’s no big deal. It’s kind of funny. I can’t wait to add it to the list.”
I managed to kick him right in the ankle, which only made him laugh harder.
“Ok, are you feeling up to this or would you like to rest a little? We don’t have to keep up with the group.”
“No, no, I’m good. I’m so sorry about this. I don’t know what came over me.” I shot straight up like I was a contestant in a spelling bee trying to prove to everyone I belonged on this adventure. Thankfully, I didn’t feel woozy any longer. I’d gotten my bearings back. I walked with our guide and Athen over to the equipment and couldn’t figure out what led to my demise because now I was feeling as energized as before. Maybe, it was the thought of being fastened directly to Athen for the rest of the way down the mountain that made me feel so alert. The guide fastened two extra clips and a belt around my waist, with a strap that went around Athen, and then we both stepped into our connected harness.
“Alright, the only tricky part is walking to the line now.”
I followed Athen’s moves, and we got there as if we were one in a fluid motion. Another sign we were meant to be together. Athen tried to stifle a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“Nothing really. I kind of think it’s cute how you can find so many things to reassure yourself of our relationship.”
“What do you mean?” I asked incredulously. I never said anything like that. At times, it still occurred to me that he was meddling in my thoughts. I knew that was impossible… Or was it? I honestly had no idea anymore. As always with his perfect timing, he took a step off the platform, and we were flying. I held onto him with all my might, hoping I wouldn’t crush him. Being with him made me feel so safe. Instead of being terrified, I could actually look around and see the wonderful scenery. I didn’t even have any screams welling up inside.
“My God, Athen. This is breathtaking. I like it better this way – with you.”
“I knew you would.” I heard the wind whipping by my ears, seeing the majestic rock formation rising from the snow capped mountain, and the baby trees trying to poke out from under the snow and still sheltered behind the larger more grandiose trees. All things I would normally overlook, but being with Athen always made me appreciate the little things.
With the added weight to the harness, we sped up swiftly as we sailed d
own the mountain. The snow became patchier near the river, and the firs got a little thinner in the forest. For a split second, I thought I saw something large in one of the trees-almost like a human, but I knew that wasn’t possible. It turned into a black streak and darted through the trees. Great, I can never get away from my dreams.
“Is that a bear in the tree?” I yelled at the top of my lungs, hoping for a sense of normalcy to be yelled back at me. We had long since whipped by my sighting by the time my words reached Athen’s ear, and before I knew it we were landing on the platform.
“Did you see that thing in the tree?” I asked Athen again. He told me to be vigilant and aware of my surroundings, and I was doing my best.
“No, I didn’t see anything,” he replied, “What did it look like?”
“It was so fast it looked like a streak, but that isn’t possible so I would say a bear because it was so high up.” Then it hit me. It truly was one of those black things I had seen in my nightmares. My body tensed up, and I began to become sick. My night creatures were now haunting me in the day.
Athen’s eyes changed instantly, a gathering swell of angst building quickly through him.
“It wasn’t a bear. They are hibernating.”
“Sure. What do you think it is? I thought that other situation was taken care of…” I trailed off hoping he would give me something to latch on to.
He grabbed my hand as we walked to the next platform. He was detached a bit, on alert now. For what, I didn’t know. It wasn’t like my dreams could be a reality.
“Nothing. Just promise to keep your eyes open.”
I whispered softly to him as we stepped off the platform, “I have seen them in my nightmares.”
Athen wrapped his arm behind him so he could touch me as best he could to comfort me, as we sailed down the rest of the mountain. Once we got to the base, we unharnessed in silence and wandered over to the benches waiting for us all. Because of my little mishap earlier on the mountain, we were behind everyone so the place was pretty cleared out.
“How many times have they appeared in your dreams?”
“Well, first of all I would say nightmares and several. The last one, before I met you, was one of the worst. There were a lot of them. They were swirling all around me.” Athen reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“And?” he asked gently.
“I didn’t make it. All I was left with was loneliness and desperation. I…” That’s when it hit me. It was Athen who tried to protect me from these creatures. It was Athen standing there with tears running down his face. Cyril and Arie were the other two people with him in my nightmare. How did I not see this before? That’s why they seemed so familiar.
All of the color drained from my face. My hands were cold and numb. I couldn’t move my arms. I wanted to reach for him, but I couldn’t. I looked in his eyes, an understanding beginning to spread.
“You were there. You were there, Athen! That’s why you have felt so familiar. Your family - everyone. I don’t understand.” My entire body was numb now. It barely registered that his arms wrapped around me. I didn’t understand what was taking place. He kissed my cheek gently.
“You are almost home, sweetie. The time is almost here. I have missed you so much, my darling. You are my everything. You always have been.”
As I was trying to make sense of even a morsel of what was taking place, I heard footsteps coming up behind me.
“You seem to be doing a lot better.”
“Yeah, thanks. Not sure what happened. I’m so sorry about that.”
“Oh heck, not a problem. We are all going down to the Dublin Gate to grab some beers. Feel free to meet us there if you want. I’m sure we’ll be there for a long stretch.”
“Sounds good, man. I’ll call my sister and see if they want to meet us there. Thanks again for all of your help up on the mountain. Seems like my angel is a bit scared of heights.” He kissed the top of my head like the night of our first meeting, and I immediately warmed.
“Kind of ironic. An angel afraid of heights.” The guide winked at us and walked back to his friends.
“Yeah, it is,” Athen said, as he tied up his boots and looked at me with an honest curiosity.
“Well,” I said, “I guess it would be even more ironic if I actually were an angel.”
“Whatever,” Athen whispered in my ear, and grabbed me only to give me a peck on my cheek.
“So are we going to meet up with our newfound friends tonight?” I asked, wanting to continue the night with Athen. “ I was kind of hoping for a more detailed explanation about what is going on.”
“Well, the time is not exactly right. I think this would be a fun outing to lighten the mood. We are almost there, Ana. We can’t rush it. In fact, I never expected things to go this fast in the first place. The fact that you have been having these dreams is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
“I’m counting on an explanation and will go tonight on the condition that you’ll tell me everything in the next 24 hours. That being said, I would like to go back to my house to get changed and see Matilda for a little while.”
“Would you mind company?” Athen asked so innocently, as if I could possibly mind.
“Have I ever?” The excitement began building, replacing the fear with every second that passed. I loved being alone with him. I stood up and grabbed my backpack, and Athen grabbed it away from me to carry the rest of the way to my condo. God, he’s so considerate in every possible facet, such a gentleman. I looked over at him. He was beaming as we headed down the hill. Sometimes I wished I knew what he was thinking when he had expressions like that.
We made our way through the side of the village, with the streets starting to empty out a little as people began heading back to their hotel rooms to change for the evening too. The Westin looked pretty inviting with all of the room windows glowing from the lights inside. We walked by the fudge shop, and I made a mental note to replenish my sweets stock in the pantry. As we were making our way closer to my condo, I was getting thrilled at the thought of showering and warming up before heading back out to meet up with everyone in the village. I didn’t realize how cold I must have gotten flying down the mountain, goose-down or not. I thought about how so many things had changed in such a short time. I never wanted this to end, but I desperately wanted answers. I knew I couldn’t tell him of the dream he was in. I knew he was searching for something, but I couldn’t tell him. Not yet, if ever.
The Watchers Trilogy: Awakening Page 14