by N. Phillips
I squeezed his hand and shared his tribulation. It wasn’t until he opened his mouth to speak again that my heart skipped a beat.
“I wish I could bring her back.”
His words made me tugged my hand away in response. A sequence of vivid images appeared in my mind of Valeria rising from the grave. I questioned if Tyler’s desire was powerful enough to bring her back to life, or if it was even possible to begin with.
“I’m sorry,” he said, looking at my spooked expression. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s just that I have no memory of her dying, you know? It makes everything worse. The last thing I remember is fighting with her foster parents in the hospital. None of what you told me afterwards feels real. But I apologize if I upset you or ruined your day.”
“It’s fine. I’m here for you, Ty, just like you’re here for me. You can talk to me about this stuff, okay? We’ll get through this together, and I promise I’ll never let you down.”
He nodded and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand before digging into his jacket and taking out his cell.
“Dammit, it’s Candice.”
“So cute. How does it feel to have the most self-absorbed girl in the school texting you?”
“Like I want to rip my eyes out so I won’t have to decipher her stupid messages. How is it fun to communicate with someone using only emojis? Can’t she tell me in words that she wants me to stop by and finish the math assignment? She even added her stupid Candice forever hashtag at the end of the text.”
It was the funniest thing listening to him complain about her. “Wow. Well, at least you figured out what the symbols mean.”
“It starts to get easier, I guess.”
“That’s so hilarious. I’m gonna head home, though. I had a great time.”
“Same. It was nice doing this again. Let me give you a ride back.”
I was thrilled to have rekindled our friendship after months of absence and discouraging events. But after stepping outside the building and sensing the darkness of those around me, I was reminded of what killed my best friend.
I wasn’t about to let the same thing happen to my sister.
CHAPTER 20
T yler and I crossed the busy street to get to his car when we saw Agent Grant standing by the vehicle.
“Aliyah Dawn. What a surprise seeing you here.”
“That’s funny. You expect me to believe you weren’t spying on me?”
Tyler confronted Grant. “You some kind of stalker or something?”
“Well, I’m something, and that’s an FBI agent. You’d be smart to get out of my face, kid.”
“What if I don’t? Guys like you always think you can do what you want because you’re the law.”
Stepping in between them was a struggle, but I managed to separate their closeness and lock eyes with Grant. “I don’t care what sort of investigation you’re doing. You have no right to harass me or threaten my friend.”
“Actually, my investigation was shut down, and I believe you know why. I think it’s time the two of us had a conversation off record.”
I was unsure whether to accept or decline his offer. “And why should I believe that or even talk to you?”
“Because I have information on Alvin Steinberg, the man you’re working for. Real information. Not the lies that I’m sure he told you. In exchange, I want you to tell me everything that was discussed between the two of you yesterday evening. And please, don’t try to falsify the event to deceive me. I’ll know if you’re lying or telling the truth.”
Despite his shadiness in our previous encounters, the way he spoke now felt more open and less interrogating. There was also nothing to lose and everything to gain, so only one answer was viable.
“Fine. But we’ll talk tomorrow. I have to get home to my sister.”
“Understandable, but I’m afraid I can’t do that. I have an important meeting scheduled outside of the city. We need to have our conversation right now.”
Mya was my top priority, but an opportunity to learn more about Alvin was something I couldn’t pass up.
“Alright, whatever. We can talk in here.” I gestured my hand to the Chipotle we were standing outside of.
“Alright, Miss Dawn. I’ll see you in there.”
As he walked inside, Tyler stopped me from following him. “What’s this guy talking about? Are you sure you wanna be alone with him?”
“No. That’s why you’re coming with me.”
We entered the restaurant and saw Grant sitting at a table with his hands folded. He gave us a closed-lip smile as we sat down in the chairs across from him.
“Okay, Grant. You wanted this, so you start first,” I said. “I’m not saying anything until you tell me about Alvin and what he’s really up to.”
“I can tell you about him. But one question,” he narrowed his eyes at Tyler, “why is he here?”
“Because he’s my friend. Either he stays, or I go.”
His stare continued until he chuckled. “I guess he stays.”
“Okay, now tell me what I want to know.”
He cleared his throat and rolled up his shirt sleeves before speaking. “Well, as for Alvin’s plans specifically, even I’m in the dark as to what his motives are. For nearly thirty-years, he’s assisted some of the top scientist in the country. Throughout those decades, he’s made countless petitions for the position of chief science officer, but was denied each time. It wasn’t until he discovered the Mentifery Virus that he was put into a role of power. I’m sure you’re well informed of this disease I’m speaking of.”
“Yeah. The one that can turn desires into reality.”
“Exactly. But what if I told you the virus has an origin that can’t be explained by scientific means?”
Tyler laughed in response. “What? Did some magic spell start making everyone’s wishes come true?”
Grant’s silence and unsmiling expression made Tyler look at him in disbelief.
“Alright, I’ll admit this whole ‘desires become reality’ thing does sound otherworldly,” Tyler said. “But you mean to tell us that some sort of witchcraft is responsible for everything that’s been going on? You’re being legit, right? Because that sounds insane.”
“Does it, really?” I asked him. “I am fighting demons, after all.”
“I was baffled myself the first time I was told about it,” Grant admitted. “For years, the government has been tracking the activity of a cult known as the Black Mask. The group believes the world is full of sinners, and that the planet is in need of cleansing.”
“They’re not wrong about that,” Tyler jumped in.
“Two members of the Black Mask in police custody confessed that the cult performed a year-long ceremony. The ritual is responsible for infecting every person in the city with a virus that makes their strongest aspiration come true. It’s only airborne in New York for the time being, but the purpose of the virus is to expose all sinners in the world so that members of the cult can track them down and kill them. Despite his claims of not believing the paranormal, Alvin Steinberg knows about the Black Mask, but he refuses to take their existence seriously without proper proof of what they did.”
Saying my mind was blown would be the understatement of the year. As I sat and absorbed the information, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy from the reveal of the Black Mask; a new element to my nightmares.
“Did you think I was a member of the Black Mask?” I questioned.
“Yes, because of accusations from this person.” He took out his cell phone from his pants pocket and showed me a photo on the screen.
“Her name is Robyn Foster. She was considered to be a member of the cult around the time of Valeria Vasquez’s death. On the morning of the incident, I followed her around Ravenvale High School and watched her go up a one-way staircase leading to the roof. As I waited for her to come back down to begin my interrogation, you bumped into me on your way up the same stairway. When she finally reappeared, she told me you were
the one I should keep a watchful eye on, which prompted me to investigate the roof. When I did, there was blood everywhere. That’s when I looked down and saw your body lying next to Valeria Vasquez.”
Tyler slammed his fist on the table. “So it must’ve been Robyn who started those damn rumors about Valeria killing Aliyah. And what exactly are we, anyway? Cursed or infected?”
“Well, I look at it as both in a way. As for Robyn, if I had my ability at the time, I would’ve known she was lying and continued my investigation on her.”
My brows shot up in surprise. “Wait, you have an ability? So what you’re saying is—”
“Yes, I’m a Dreamer. Just like I know you are.”
Tyler glanced back and forth at the two of us before voicing his thoughts. “Dreamer? Is that the official name for people with powers?”
I nodded at his question, but my eyes were trained on Grant. “And what exactly is your strongest desire?”
“It’s quite a simple one, actually. It’s to always know when I’m being lied to. Unfortunately, it only works with direct questions.”
My face contorted in doubt. “That’s it? There’s gotta be a deeper reason for why you have an aspiration like that.”
“Well, I can ask you the same thing. Why is it that someone your age cares so strongly about helping others?”
“Because helping people is what makes me happy. Period.” My answer caused him to snicker. “And if what you’re saying about your ability is true, why didn’t you just ask me if I was a member of the cult when you first saw me?”
“Because I never lay all of my cards on the table, even if it would give me the answers I’m looking for. You gain more information by letting the culprit crack under pressure and reveal their agenda through fear. Impatience and a straightforward approach would get you nowhere in my line of work.”
Exhausted from taking in so much information, I took a deep breath and rested back against the seat with my arms crossed. “Fine. And I’m guessing it’s my turn to give you what you want?”
“That would be nice.”
“Alright, here it goes: I was kidnapped and drugged. By the time I regained consciousness, I was in a laboratory room with Alvin.
He explained the Mentifery Virus to me and showed me other Dreamers he was keeping for experiments. He claimed he was using them to find a cure, but they were being held against their will inside these unbreakable glass cells, so there was no way I was gonna believe him.”
He appeared in deep thought with his chin resting on his fist. “Interesting. I knew he was given his own laboratory after so long, but no agents were ever given the location of it. He must be using it for some sort of unlicensed experiment on humans with abilities.”
“He also knew about my ability to find Dreamers with negative desires and threatened my family if I didn’t help him track them down. We came to an agreement, and something was put over my head before I was escorted out and brought home. That about sums it up.”
“Are you gonna do anything about this?” Tyler asked Grant.
“I can’t, unfortunately. Whether it’s by an ability or not, Alvin has manipulated every government official in the state. They follow his exact orders and do whatever the hell he wants them to do. I have no power, and now with this information, I can safely assume that he ordered every agent to drop the Black Mask investigation to find Dreamers instead. If his ability is manipulation, I’m guessing it doesn’t work on me because of my own ability to see through lies and deceit. Still, this is a major crime, and something has to be done.”
He removed a card from his pocket and slid it across the table. “My number’s on there. I’ll be outside the city for the next two days, but I want you to contact me if anything new arises. Can you do that, partner?”
Look at this guy, being so friendly.
“We’re partners now because you said so?”
“Well, after an exchange like this, I’d say we are. We have nothing against each other, and based on our individual abilities, I’d say we both want the same thing. Justice and peace.”
He stood up from his seat and extended his arm for a handshake. I responded with a scrutinizing glare before standing and gripping his hand.
“Fine. Partners.”
With our agreement intact, he walked out the restaurant. Tyler nudged me to get my attention.
“Aliyah, that group he was talking about… the Black Mask or whatever… Do you really think they’re the bad guys in all this? I mean, they go after evil people and punish them. What’s so wrong about that?”
“Ty, they’re responsible for cursing the entire city with a virus that could potentially end humanity if everyone knew about it. Not to mention they’re killing people who don’t fit their moral standards. None of that screams good guys at all.”
He looked away and shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they’re making the world a better place, but whatever. Just know I got your back, no matter what.”
“I know you do. Thank you.”
We walked out and entered his car with more questions than answers. With the cult known as Black Mask added to the equation, it was no doubt in my mind that an unavoidable confrontation was coming my way.
Standing outside my house, I waved to Tyler as he drove away. When I put the key in the front door, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Turning the knob and poking my head inside, I squinted through the misty darkness and called out, “Mom. Dad.”
I gulped back the nervousness before saying, “Mya?”
The increase of the eerie tension only made me question if looking around would be wise, but the sound of Cinnamon’s muffled barking swayed me to enter the house. Before I could make it upstairs, a sudden movement zipped past out the corner of my eye, causing me to gasp.
“Mom?” I whispered this time, stretching my arm out to reach the light switch. The second the living room was lit, the door slammed shut.
“You’re late,” a familiar voice roared. Turning to see my father a few feet away, I noticed his shoulders were slouched and his head tilted to the side. His eyes were dilated and his jaw hung low as if he were a lifeless puppet.
“D-Dad?”
“You keep making mistakes.”
I jumped at the sound of my mother’s voice, who appeared next to me with the same eyes and posture as my dad.
“Why can’t you be more like Mya?”
“Mom, why are you saying this? Where is Mya? Tell me where she is.”
In a rapid motion, my mother’s hand struck my face. Before I could even react, she leaped on top of me and held a strong grip around my throat.
“Mom, stop it, please,” I managed to breathe out while struggling to remove her nails from my neck. My plea fell on deaf ears as she continued to choke me on the floor.
“Richard, hold her legs and bind them together,” she said to my dad. I was powerless to defend myself, and I was now certain that Mya’s spell had completely taken over the minds of my parents. They would never do any of this to me.
My lower body became tighter, and my vision began to fade. “Mya, I’m sorry.”
“Release her,” I heard a familiar, yet evil voice command.
When the unyielding hold around my throat loosened, I stood up and gasped for air. My parents backed away as I caught my breath and saw Mya sitting at the top of the stairs. Her arms were folded together, leaning forward with a malevolent grin on her face.
“You’re so pathetic. It’s nice seeing how weak you are when Mom and Dad aren’t around to worship you and get you out of trouble.”
“Mya, I know what’s going on. There’s a demon in this house that’s controlling you. I know it sounds crazy, but—”
“Nothing is controlling me. Not like you control everyone around you and make everything all about yourself.”
I walked halfway up the stairs before saying, “Mya, you have to stop. This isn’t about me or you. Look at what you’ve done to Mom and Dad.”
“So what;
they’re mine now. All of the attention, love, and protection they gave to you, they’ll now give to me and only me. I’m going to make you suffer for forcing Connor to break up with me. You thought that was okay to do while you have a rock star boyfriend by your side? It’s my time to get everything I want.”
“Couldn’t you tell Connor was bad for you?” I questioned, now inches away from her. “And our parents have always given you everything you wanted. If you want to fight and argue about which one of us is more spoiled, then fine. Just free Mom and Dad from your spell. Please.”
She cackled, standing up to confront me. “Oh, you haven’t seen spoiled yet. Not until you look at yourself from another person’s perspective. You have everything someone our age could ask for, and yet, you remain this bland, ungrateful, unrelatable person who takes advantage of everyone around her. So you know what? I want everything you have because you don’t deserve it.”
I stared into her honey brown eyes in distress. Everything was coming together. Her desire could only be one thing.
“You want my life… Mya, you don’t need to be this fabrication of me that you’ve created in your head to be happy. I know you believe that deep down. Something has taken over your mind. It’s a virus that manifests our desires into reality, and there’s these demons that influence people to use our aspirations for evil. They look like—”
“Werewolves shrouded in darkness?” she cut me off with a smirk on her face. “Oh, I already know. Did you think you were special? That you were some chosen warrior or God’s gift to mankind so you’re the only one able to see them?”
“No, that’s not it at all. I—“
With a hard shove to my chest, my body went tumbling backwards down the stairs. The pain coursing through my back, arms, and legs after reaching the bottom was excruciating, but I was thankful my neck didn’t break from the fall.
Despite her actions, my anger could never reach the point of harming her. My mind was more focused on her desire, which gave her the ability to see the Shadows and Shade Crawlers. That power could put her in serious danger, and I needed to put an end to it. Now.