by M. A. Torres
“YES!” Zander’s response was loud, startling many of the surrounding students. “Sorry... yes. Do you think I would confuse seeing something like that? Those roots that took those guys... They were the same as the ones that wrapped around my neck.”
“I’ll go with you,” offered Kevin.
“Dude... you go with me? You have any idea the kind of people that hang out at that place? It’s no place for a... for a... kid like you.”
“Go on, say it! No place for a nerd like me.”
“No offense.”
“Listen, I don’t care. I must know what happened there too.”
As they walked, Kevin noticed Jimmy Smith, Rodney Jones, and Alexa Donnelly grouped together by their lockers, staring his way. A mocking grin appeared on Jimmy’s face and he whispered to the others. They burst out laughing.
Zander glared their way, but the group continued.
Kevin and Zander turned the corner.
“You win. Come with me, but I won’t be responsible if anything happens to you. I warned you,” he told Kevin.
“Don’t worry. No one there can be worse than those I’ve come across in Derathiel.”
They reached Kevin’s locker. Matthew, Jake, and Robbie froze with shock at seeing Kevin and Zander walking together amicably.
“See ya in P.E.,” Zander said as he walked off.
“See ya,” said Kevin.
“Kevin! What are you doing with the enemy?” inquired Robbie.
“Wait, did hell just freeze over? Matthew, wake me up. I’m having the weirdest dream!” hollered Jake.
“No kidding, Kevin, what was that about?” asked Matthew.
Kevin approached, looked around, and spoke in a low tone. “Guys, Zander said he saw some high school kids experimenting with mirrors. He said that roots grew out from them and turned some kids into twigs.”
“What?” exclaimed Jake.
“He’s going back to where he witnessed this—today, after school. I’m going with him.”
The friends exchanged a scowl.
“Kevin... don’t be stupid. What if he wants to get you alone to beat you up... or worse,” Robbie said, warily.
“I don’t think so. Guys, he’s been acting differently. He’s been worried! I think he’s actually scared!”
“Scared? Zander?” asked Matthew. “Zander does not feel fear. The boogieman himself checks under his bed before going to sleep, afraid Zander might be there. I’m with Robbie; he’s planning something evil.”
“I’ll follow them,” volunteered Jake. “If I see Kevin in trouble, I’ll rush in and help. I just wish I had Tombstone. I’ve dreamed about introducing it to Zander’s face!”
“No need guys, trust me on this one,” assured Kevin.
“I trust my gut,” answered Jake. “And my gut tells me it’s a terrible idea.”
“What if it is true? What danger is lurking in our home town? Jey warned us... one of Raven’s lieutenants was already here. I need to go.”
“Take Flameclaw!” suggested Matthew.
“It’s at home. There’s no time. I’ll be all right.”
His friends shook their heads in disapproval. Then they surrounded and embraced him.
“What? Okay, okay! Let go, guys! I can’t breathe,”
They released him.
Kevin took a deep breath. “C’mon, you guys remind me of my mom!”
“JuSt bE sAfE, kEvIe,” mocked Matthew
“Yes, be careful!” commanded Robbie.
“Yeah, we wouldn’t know what to do if something happened to you,” said Jake.
“Thanks for all the love, but I’ll be fine! Now let me get to class.”
They watched as Kevin walked away, rubbing his ribs.
“We’ll follow him from afar,” said Matthew.
“We’ll do it on foot—no bikes,” suggested Robbie.
THE LUNCH HOUR CREPT up before any of the friends realized they were hungry. It was Mexican enchilada day, an offering that was always met with mixed results. Half of the seventh-grade student body loved them while the other half hated them, and this ratio held validity with Kevin and his group. He and Robbie hated enchiladas, while Matthew and Jake loved them.
Olivia was sitting with her popular friends across the cafeteria. Half of them were eating the enchiladas while the other half wasn’t, and it seemed Olivia belonged to the group that was fond of them. She and Lance Jackson sat beside each other, studying their lines for the upcoming play. Maria Harris sat across the table, a look of jealousy plastered across her face.
“So, guys,” Matthew began, “my brother wants to meet up. He and Jenny have found a lead.”
The others paused. Matthew continued to eat without following up.
“AND?!” inquired the other three.
“Oh, sorry, there’s nothing else. Said he couldn’t explain over the phone. I think it’s something very important.”
His friends exchanged an interested glance. David and Jenny were going to follow up on the Crimson House’s mysterious previous owner. Perhaps this would shed some light on the mystery of how Maviel’s mirror came to be found inside that house.
“You guys go and fill me in when I return,” said Kevin.
The others exchanged another glance. They couldn’t reveal their plan to stalk him and Zander after school.
“How about you text us after you and Zander go on your adventure, then we’ll all meet at Matthew’s?” suggested Robbie.
“I agree,” agreed Jake.
Matthew nodded.
“Okay, then! It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll text you all when I’m done,” answered Kevin.
Just then, Olivia appeared and took the empty chair next to Robbie.
“Hi, boys,” she said, smiling. “Oh, excuse me, I meant sers.”
“Thank you for addressing us with the proper title, my lady,” responded Jake, as Matthew and Kevin rolled their eyes. “Now, let me know when I can swoop in and rescue the damsel Maria from the clutches of those beastly football players!”
“Oh yes, I will, ser! I have dropping your name here and there about how cool you are,” she said with a wink of the eye.
Jake’s smile spread even wider—from ear to ear.
“Oh, pleeease!” laughed Matthew.
“But...” added Olivia. “She’s going out with Lance.”
“So I hear... but that’s okay,” informed Jake. “I’ll be here waiting when they break up... which, I assume, will be soon.”
Robbie could not help but laugh, just as his own admirer happened by the table, clutching a stack of books across her chest. Sylvia slowed and appeared ready to join them when she noticed Olivia sitting next to Robbie. She spun and walked off, leaving Robbie and the others baffled. Olivia never noticed her.
“So when will you return to Derathiel?” she asked.
Everyone looked at Kevin.
“Soon,” he said with a lowered tone. “Jey left us some instructions. He wants us to meet with Brealin, the fallen god of fire.”
His friends frowned with concern.
Kevin noticed. “Don’t worry. Jey trusted him. He said he is one of the fallen gods who regrets his past ways.”
Just then, Jimmy Smith and big Joe Villa were at their table, standing next to Olivia. Jimmy was tall and thin, with a muscular build, light hair, pink cheeks, and light blue eyes. His shoulder had apparently healed, as he no longer wore an arm sling. Joe Villa was taller than he, and looked every bit a football lineman—a thick, neck, broad shoulders, and large, powerful arms.
“So, Olivia, who are these new friends you’ve been hanging out with?” asked Jimmy with a half-smile on his face.
Olivia seemed startled at their sudden presence. “Oh, hi, guys!” She turned towards Robbie. “This is Robbie; he’s my neighbor. That’s Jake, that’s Matthew, and that’s Kevin. Guys, this is Jimmy, and he’s Joe.”
“What’s up,” said Jimmy, the mocking half-smile still on his face.
Kevin and his frie
nds returned the greeting, trying to sound as cool as Jimmy had.
Jimmy’s eyes were fixated on Kevin. “Hey, didn’t we see you yesterday?” He turned to Joe and nudged him with his elbow. “Didn’t we see him at the mall yesterday, Joe?”
Joe stared at Kevin for a few seconds, then smiled. “Oh, yeah! You were sitting on Santa’s lap! Your mom was there, taking a picture of you!”
Joe and Jimmy burst into a mocking laugh. Kevin and his friends exchanged an irritated look. Kevin glanced at Olivia and noticed a gigantic smile on her face. He felt the burn of embarrassment on his cheeks, the reddening of the incoming blush. He wished the earth would open up and swallow him whole.
“How cute!” said Olivia. “Let me guess; Tara made you do it!”
Kevin’s embarrassment faded. He was surprised Olivia had remembered his sister’s name. He had mentioned Tara only once before, as far as he could remember.
“Yes... yes. How did you know?” he asked, smiling.
“That’s just the kind of boy you are, Kevin. That’s such a sweet thing to do.”
Kevin’s friends smiled and looked up at Jimmy and Joe. Jimmy’s mocking smile had disappeared from his face.
Joe nodded. “I guess it is kinda sweet,” he agreed.
Jimmy shot him an angry stare.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Jimmy turned away. “Let’s go, Joe. See ya around, Olivia.” Jimmy and Joe walked away.
“Bye, guys,” she said.
The boys exchanged a look of satisfaction as the jocks walked off. Then Robbie turned to Olivia.
“So, are you ready for the play?”
Olivia sighed. She pulled a sheet from her pocket and looked it over. “These are my lines. They were engraved on my mind for weeks, and now that the date for the play is nearing, I’ve begun to forget them. I’m making more and more mistakes at rehearsals. I’m getting more and more nervous.”
“I don’t blame you; I’d be nervous too, being in front of so many people,” said Matthew.
“Don’t worry, Olivia, we’ll all be there to cheer you on!” said Jake.
“You guys are going?”
“Yes! Right, guys?” Jake looked back at the others.
They all nodded or said yes.
“Okay, now I better not mess up,” she said with a nervous chuckle.
“Olivia, just go into Nubekillah mode. Nubekillah will slaughter those lines,” offered Kevin.
Olivia’s eyes widened. “Yes! I’ll try that! Good idea, Kevin!”
Olivia stayed at their table for the remainder of lunch. It was the first time she had spent most of the lunch period with them, and not with her other friends. This made the boys feel a bit cooler, and they all walked a little taller that day.
Chapter Three:
The Dubious Duo
Kevin unlocked his bike from the rack, bid his friends farewell, and rode west as fast as he could. He met Zander at the corner of Greenward Road, which spanned north to south almost the entire distance of the town itself, and bisected Wakefield Falls into east and west halves.
Kevin dismounted and walked side by side with Zander, who was on foot. They proceeded silently, neither greeting the other. Kevin was nervous, but his sense of duty to the portal mystery overwhelmed his fear. He slowed his breathing—in through his nose and out through his mouth, and thought only of the task at hand.
But then he caught Zander eyeing his bike. Kevin tightened his grip on the handlebars. “Are you going to try to steal my bike?”
The question snapped Zander out of his stare. “Huh? No! It’s just a very cool bike. I was admiring it.”
Kevin paused and brought his bike closer. “I should have known! My friends were right; you’re up to no good. You’re going to try and take my bike, aren’t you?”
“What? No! No, I promise I won’t!”
Kevin was unconvinced. He mounted his bike and began a fast pedal south on Greenward Road.
“WAIT! NO!” Zander sprinted after him.
Kevin pedaled quickly, crossing the bisecting streets as fast and carefully as possible, avoiding cars and timing his pace to coincide with the gaps between them. Zander tried to keep up as best as he could, dodging cars and jumping over curbs.
“KEVIN! STOP! C’MON!”
A car clipped Zander’s left leg. He stumbled and rolled over the car’s hood, before falling off the driver’s side. Kevin heard the impact and stopped his bike. He looked back. Zander was on the ground, grabbing his left leg, his face wincing with pain. The driver of the car, an older man with a white beard and overalls, exited his vehicle and tried to help Zander to his feet, but he waved him off and began limping towards Kevin. The older man stood behind, his hands on his hips.
The more Zander walked, the less evident the limp, until it was barely noticeable. By the time he reached Kevin, his gait had normalized.
“Kevin...” he panted. “I swear to you; I don’t want to steal your bike. Believe me!”
Kevin glanced up the road and noticed three familiar figures hide between the bushes.
My friends are watching...
He felt more secure, so he dismounted his bike. “Are you okay?” he asked him.
Zander ignored the question. “Kevin, stop being stupid! You wanted to come! How could I be setting you up when I didn’t know you would invite yourself?”
He had a point.
They turned right on Velvet Street thirty minutes later. The homes were smaller and older, and the roads were pot-hole ridden. Graffiti marked many of the street signs building walls. A few minutes later, the abandoned clinic came into view.
Zander paused at the edge of the street and turned to Kevin. “Listen, there will be some rough guys in there. Have you ever heard of the Blood Ghouls?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of them.”
“Well, this is one of their hang-outs. You just act as though you belong, and they might not mess with you.”
Kevin thought for a moment. “How do I act as though I belong?”
“You need to look tough, walk tough, talk tough.”
Kevin stared at Zander, confused.
Zander sighed. “Yeah, that’s going to be difficult for you to pull off. So, just act like you know something they don’t.”
Kevin nodded. “Okay, I can do that.”
“But I don’t mean equations and school stuff!”
“Oh.”
“I mean, pretend like you know a deadly form of karate that no one else knows. Pretend you can kill anyone with a flick of your wrist.”
Kevin stared at him, even more confused.
“Listen, just pretend you have a lightsaber in your pocket!”
“JUST LEAD THE WAY!”
Zander grinned. “Let’s go.”
They crossed Velvet Street onto the crack-ridden sidewalk and vacant parking lot, then rounded the building to its southern entrance. There was no tough-looking teenager manning the entry like the day before, which meant that the Blood Ghouls were not around. Zander sighed with relief, as the risk of having to defend Kevin against possible bullying decreased drastically.
The stench of cigarette and vomit blasted them as they entered the dimly lit waiting room. Kevin leaned his bike against the wall and quickly held his nose. He scouted the room and noticed the interior walls were adorned with graffiti—most prominent was the melting red skull of the Blood Ghouls. The floor was littered with trash—fast food containers, cigarette butts, beer cans, and other assorted paper junk. Zander pulled out a small flashlight and lit the way into the interior.
They came to a long hallway just beyond the waiting room. It extended far to their left and far to their right.
“This way.” Zander turned left, towards the large room where he had witnessed the previous day’s happenings. He progressed slowly, shining the flashlight down the hallway and into the adjacent rooms.
Kevin followed, peering into each room. They too were marked by graffiti and littered with trash. Articles of clothing and b
undles of sleeping bags were scattered on the floor. A few mice crawled through the litter and Kevin noticed one of the sleeping bags shift slowly, as though someone was sleeping inside it.
They continued into a large backroom, which was furnished with wooden tables. Mirror shards littered the floor next to the collapsed remains of a frame. The foul odors weren’t as prominent here, and the boys were able to breathe easier.
“This is it. This is where the high school kids did their thing. They were playing with mice and mirrors—they said they were ‘trying to feed Vengara.’
“Are you sure that’s what they said?”
Zander gave him an assertive nod.
“Zander, that inmate at the police station said that Vengara was coming. He said that she was coming for the child!”
Zander froze, and concern washed over his face. “Are you sure you heard him say that?”
Kevin returned the assertive nod.
“This is worse than expected.” Zander approached the middle of the room and knelt by the remains of the broken mirror. He picked up a shard and inspected it by running his index finger over the reflective surface. A sparkly residue was left on its tip.
“I saw this mirror suck the life out of two guys yesterday. This is where the roots came out from.”
Kevin knelt beside him. He picked up another shard and inspected it. “Shine your light on this.”
Zander did as he was told. The light reflected off the shard in thousands of colorful specks. They lit up the room like a disco ball. Kevin ran his index finger down the shard surface and eyed the residue left behind.
“This residue... it reminds me of the crystalline leaves.”
Zander nodded. “Kevin, this guy had a plant with the crystal leaves growing from it. He crushed them and mixed them with water. Then he poured the water on the mirror. A minute later, the roots came out.”
“Did you know any of them?
“No. But the older one was wearing blue medical clothes. And what happened next is the part that freaked me out.”
“What happened?”
“A black figure with a white face appeared inside the mirror. It approached the surface and actually came out of it. Its body was black, the blackest black I have ever seen. I threw my knife and broke the mirror. It sucked the black figure back inside.”