The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

Eden was not happy to be home alone waiting. Jessie left soon after the phone call, her dad was working late, and her mom had taken Brendon and his friends bowling. Since seeing the woman at Micah’s house, she jumped at shadows, turned on lights in every room, peeked under beds, behind shower curtains, and in closets just to make sure.

  What was strange to her was how easily she fell asleep at night. It was like a calming blanket wrapped around her, leaving her feeling safe and relaxed. She’d never felt anything like it before.

  The living room darkened as the sun went behind the clouds. She hurried to the light switch, flipping it on.

  There, that’s better.

  Spying a novel she’d left on the end table, she moved to grab it, and heard a resounding thump upstairs. She froze. Is it another ghost?

  Eyes searching the room, she remained planted, terrified to move. The blood pounded in her ears, making it hard to hear.

  Just the house settling, nothing’s going to happen, she reassured herself.

  There was a firm knock and she sprinted for the front door, throwing it open.

  Micah filled the doorframe. “Hey, ready to go?”

  “Yep.” She practically shoved him out of the way, trying to escape.

  He stepped back. “Well, ok then.”

  Once inside his Ford F-350, she finally felt safe. She ignored the nagging fact she’d only seen the supernatural while with Micah. Seeing a ghost without him would be way worse.

  He threw the truck into reverse, pulling out of the parking lot. He was quiet as they drove.

  She peeked over. He turned, their eyes meeting briefly. She glanced away.

  “So you leave tomorrow?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You don’t sound excited.”

  He made a sound, somewhere between a grunt and a hum, then said, “I know I need to go, so I guess that’s enough for me.”

  She stared at him. His eyes were focused on the road, one hand on the steering wheel, the other arm resting on the cushion between them.

  “You need to go to Rome?” she probed.

  He glanced over and smiled. “Saw another vision.” He laughed. “Man, I sound nuts.”

  “No,” she asserted, realizing she believed him. “You don’t actually.”

  He glanced over again, but said nothing.

  Micah’s mom was chatting to Eden as they chopped carrots and potatoes together. Micah sat on the bar stool watching; it was a comforting sight. How many times had he sat at these stools as a kid with Eden, staring wide-eyed and hungry as his mom prepared snacks for them? He smiled to himself. Now, Eden stood taller than his mom did, which wasn’t hard since Lacey was probably 5’4”. Micah had passed her up years ago.

  “Micah, your dad’s going to be back soon from the airport with Trent. Are you sure you packed everything?” his mom asked.

  “Yes.” He wanted to add, You’ve only asked me a hundred times… but he didn’t want to spoil the moment.

  He gazed at Eden; her lips were pulled together, a crease between her brows. He knew she was concentrating her efforts on slicing the carrots evenly. It was the face she’d made since they were kids, only now her lips were fuller, and the effect it had on him was… different.

  “Hey Mom, care if I show Eden something?” he asked, rising to his feet.

  His mom didn’t look up from the potatoes she was shoveling into a pot of boiling water, “Sure hon, that’s fine.”

  Eden glanced up from her task, her brows remaining bent. Funny how I can still read her. Now she’s curious.

  He grinned at her. “Come on, it’s out back.”

  Eden’s feet sloshed through the damp grass, which got longer the further back they wandered. Snow in January was rare in Richmond and its suburbs, but cold, drizzly rain was not. The trees were getting closer together as they trudged on, the fading light of day harder to see. She stayed close behind Micah, preferring to follow his path through the woods.

  When he paused abruptly, she collided into his backside.

  “Sorry.”

  He turned around partway and she saw why he’d stopped. “The tree house!” she gasped.

  “Remember all the good times we had in there?” he asked, grinning.

  “Yeah.” His smile was infectious and she beamed back at him.

  She stepped forward, resisting the urge to fly up the ladder. The square fort nestled in an old oak had been there as long as she could remember. When she and Micah were about three and four, their dad’s had built it together. Being engineers, they crafted a two-bedroom tree house with a pitched roof, four windows, a ladder ascending into the middle of the larger main room, and a fireman pole and tire swing off the sides.

  She gazed up at the rusted telescope poking through one of the many spy holes.

  “And I remember you made me play the dragon every time too. I never got to be the princess or damsel in distress—”

  “What?” he cut in, “A knight needs something to fight! Besides, you hated princess crap anyway. Don’t lie,” he stated, when she scoffed at him. “You loved being the dragon because you got to kill me.”

  “You’re right. I did like killing you over and over again.”

  “Hey, as I recall I wasn’t that bad.” He gave her a crooked smile that left her insides feeling like jelly.

  “Think it’s safe?” she asked, touching the ladder.

  “Only one way to find out.” Micah was bounding up the steps with her right on his heels.

  Something magical about this place, she thought as she playfully pushed him out of the way once they climbed inside. When he shoved her back with a mischievous grin, she corrected herself, No, there’s something magical about Micah.

  He peered through the telescope. “Pretty dirty, but still works.”

  “See any monsters?” She moved behind him.

  He turned unexpectedly, bringing his face close to hers.

  His eyebrows knit together. “Eden, can I tell you something?”

  “Sure.”

  He exhaled and she waited.

  “I do see monsters.” She surveyed their surroundings and he added, “Not now. I mean, I see them in my sleep, in visions. I guess that’s what I’m calling them.”

  “You do?” Her skin crawled.

  “Yeah. It’s kind of freaky.” His eyes searched hers.

  “Totally freaky. What are they?”

  His shoulders hitched up as his brows relaxed. “Don’t know. They look black, sort of human. They have arms and legs. All I can ever make out is their red eyes though and,” he frowned, “they’re always chasing me.”

  She stared back at him, his expression almost pleading. He needs to tell someone, she realized. Wonder why not Megan?

  “That’s creepy. What does it mean?”

  “I don’t know. That woman told me I’m the Seer, so maybe that’s why.”

  “Seer?”

  “I think it means I’m sort of a prophet. I see dreams, visions of what’s going to happen. I’ve seen Trent and me in Rome, so maybe I’ll learn more there.”

  As much as she hated him leaving, she understood and nodded.

  She was surprised when he said, “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “Believing me.”

  She gazed back at him, afraid to say anything. Another stupid lump in my throat.

  “Man, I’m going to miss,” he hesitated, “it here.”

  She was confused by his closeness, so she deflected with humor. “Mm, Bon Air High or the Coliseum? It’s a pretty tough decision. I can see why you’re torn.”

  He scratched his forehead, smiling, “I know, right?” Then his gaze was intense. “But you won’t be there.”

  “Like you’ll miss me!”

  “I will,” he insisted.

  Not as bad as I’m going to miss you. She shook her head, determined not to take him seriously. “There’s so much to see and do there. You’re going to have the time of your life….” Her words faded as
he took a step toward her.

  “I wish you were coming with me.” His eyes were focused on her.

  Objectivity was getting harder. Friends don’t act like this, do they?

  “Your cousin’s going to keep you company. I’m sure you’ll make lots of friends.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” His eyes searched her face. “I’m glad you’re here. You make me feel,” he paused, “normal again.”

  That she could understand. He was seeing monsters and ghosts now. It was probably comforting to have a friend to tell.

  She grinned back at him. “Normal’s my thing.”

  She didn’t see him move, until his arms were already around her, hugging her. Her heartbeat became erratic.

  I don’t think I’m breathing anymore.

  His hand brushed the hair from her face, his fingers warm against her skin. It felt so natural, like they’d done this a thousand times before. But we never did this as kids…

  The euphoria shattered with a loud bang from below. “Time to stop making out, Micah,” a masculine voice called out in a fake, high-pitched, singsong voice.

  The spell broken, they stepped apart.

  Through the hole in the floor, a boy emerged. His spiky, brown hair came first, followed by a lean frame.

  “Trent!” Micah slugged his cousin in the shoulder, who stood inches below him.

  Eden met Trent once before, when they were kids. All she remembered was a boy two years older than she was, who teased her mercilessly. He looked the same, except bigger, built like a wrestler.

  Trent punched Micah back in the arm and then stared at her.

  Her mind was still spinning from Micah’s hug. Great, I probably look like a deer caught in headlights.

  “Oh, you were really getting it on. Didn’t know you were with your girlfriend. I can come back later.” He chuckled and walked closer to her. “Hello, gorgeous.”

  His statement dripped of sarcasm, and she braced herself for the mockery.

  “Hi Trent.”

  “Look at you, you’re really growing up. Holy big bird, you’re tall.” He gaped at her.

  “Jealous, Trent?” Micah asked when she remained speechless.

  “Jealous? Who me? I’m the perfect specimen. Tell me, pretty boy, when was the last time you got lucky, huh? Me, on the other hand, I have to beat the girls off with a stick.” He paused and emphasized again, “With a stick.”

  “The girls in Italy have no idea Romeo’s on his way,” Micah countered.

  “You better believe it, short stack. Now let’s stop playing house, or whatever you two were doing up here, and go eat. Airplane food totally sucks.” Trent disappeared through the hole in the floor.

  Micah glanced over at her and shrugged his shoulders. “I know I saw him there but...” Then he was sliding down the fire pole, hollering, “Come on, Eden, slide down!”

  Micah’s mom cleared the plates, saying to Trent, “I’m so glad you’re doing this together. It’s going to be such a neat experience for both of you.”

  “We’re going to have an experience, that’s for sure,” Trent responded, straight faced.

  Yes, we will, Micah mused, but probably not the type you’re thinking, Mom, or what you’re hoping for, Trent.

  Dinner was over and they all moved to the living room. Micah couldn’t help but notice how quiet Eden had become since Trent showed up. She watched Trent like a nervous cat.

  It was getting late and he knew he should take her home, but he didn’t want to. Being around her settled him. He’d been dead serious when he’d told her he wished she were coming with him. She doesn’t understand what it’s like when she’s not here.

  Still, he knew he had to get up early. Eden seemed to jump at the chance to go when he asked her if she was ready.

  “Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Hawkins,” she said as they left the room.

  “Sure, hon. Anytime,” Micah’s mom called back.

  Trent followed behind them. “Hey Micah, your dad said there’s a photo album somewhere in here?”

  Micah turned toward the formal entry room and pointed. “Yeah, on the bookshelf behind the piano. Be back in a minute, taking Eden home.”

  Trent grinned, giving him a wink. “S-u-r-e.”

  Micah ignored him. It wasn’t like that with her.

  Eden, who was quiet next to him, stopped walking. Micah glanced over, wondering why. He was shocked to see her step over to Trent and throw her arms around him.

  Trent snorted and then slowly patted her back. “Whoa Tiger, I know you’re going to miss me. I’ll miss you too.”

  Micah gaped at her as she flew back, her face beet red as she bee-lined for the front door. Her actions had caught everyone off guard, but it seemed her most of all. It amused him but, if he was honest, there was small part of him bothered by it too.

  Once they were both in his truck, he glanced over. She was still flushed.

  “Ok, got to ask, what’s with hugging Trent? I didn’t think you really liked him all that much.”

  “I don’t know why I did that,” she mumbled, not looking up from her fingers in her lap.

  “Well, you made Trent’s day.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “No really, a cute girl like you hugging him, his head was already too big to begin with. You just made him unbearable to be around.”

  “If anything, I deflated his self-image.”

  He tried to disagree with her, but she gazed out her passenger window. It was quiet for a few minutes, nothing but the roar of the truck’s engine.

  “You’ll have to write me sometime, k?” Her voice quavered, “Maybe email me.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  “I bet calls are super expensive. Probably should just do that with your parents and,” she hesitated, “Megan.”

  Now it was his turn to snort. “I won’t be calling Megan.”

  She peeked over.

  He grinned and said, “She dumped me.”

  “Oh.” Her brow tucked together, “You sound happy about it.”

  “I am actually, she was a…” He stopped short and finished with, “Well, let’s just say, it’s a good thing.”

  He was surprised to hear her giggle. He waited for her to look his way.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh,” she said, licking her lips.

  “No, you should. She was a mess. She was definitely nothing like you.” The words filled him with an unfamiliar longing. It was silent again between them.

  Eden weaved her fingers together in her lap and stared at her thumbs. They were almost there now. He was tempted to turn down a random road, make the ride last longer, but he didn’t. He pulled into the small parking lot and slotted his truck in front of the McCarthy’s town home. His chest felt heavy.

  He let his truck idle in park; the heater was warm, and the night was cold. He wasn’t anxious to leave the cab just yet to walk her up. He needed something and wasn’t entirely sure what it was.

  Eden’s hand rested on the door handle and then returned to her lap. Their eyes met, hers were watering. The tip of her nose was slightly pink.

  “I hate saying good-bye,” he admitted. “Feels like we just got back together and the funny thing is,” he hesitated, “it sucks just as bad now as when you first moved away.”

  She nodded, her eyes turning into reservoirs. Her bottom lip trembled.

  “Come here,” he whispered, surprised by how hard it was to breathe at the moment.

  She scooted over and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. He felt her body shake and heard her sniffle. He just held her tighter.

  “No matter what happens from here on out, you’ll always be my best friend,” he reassured. She nestled her face into his chest, inhaling deeply. He buried his lips into her hair, kissing the top of her head. “Just promise me you’ll be safe while I’m gone.”