She summoned flames in her hand. “You want to get incinerated?”
Ambert got between them. “Calm down. Fighting like this isn’t helping anyone.”
I chuckled. Ambert would always be Ambert.
“For your insubordination, I sent out a message to The Hidden Oracles of Wellspring to gather Dreamers and come here. You’re not to leave without my order. Ever.” Chief Starbright commanded.
I lowered my head. “Of course, Ma’am.”
“Prepare for their arrival. They’ll be in the storage room at dusk.” Chief Starbright straightened her posture.
“We’ll start right away,” Wes confirmed.
Ambert followed his twin sister without a second thought. Ever since The Science Department, he was always busy with someone else. Always Enya… he could spend time with me occasionally, couldn’t he?
“And you, Knight. I know where you come from and how you react,” Chief Starbright said.
“Why did you want me here, Chief Starbright?” I asked.
“I come from a long line of Oracles. I’ve studied prophecies, stars, tea leaves, constellations. You’re only a child who needs help learning just how powerful she is.” Chief Starbright poured me a cup of tea. “Let’s see how much help you need.”
FIVE
Ambert
Thunder roared in the distance — normally signaling Safe Haven’s “magic” rain. This time was different. Droplets spattered against the cave walls and the soft grass beneath my feet. Enya sighed and pressed forward through the valley.
She shivered. “So, why did that freak want us out? Just to talk to Wallflower?”
“You know how much I hate that nickname.” I glared her in the eye.
“At least mine’s interesting.”
“Ambert…”
The whisper came from nowhere — like it called from the rain.
I tapped Enya on the shoulder. “Did you hear that?”
“What?” Enya placed her hands on her hips. “This cave’s driving me nuts…”
“Ambert…”
Again. I wasn’t insane after all. The sound came from a nearby room on our left.
“You go on. I’ll meet up with you later,” I said.
Enya’s eyes narrowed. “You better be there in an hour.”
I nodded.
Creeping past the entry, a candle-lit room peered into my vision. Antiques littered the place — clocks, woodwork, even clothing pieces. Each item looked battered and worn, similar to items found in Wes’ musty-smelling warehouse.
Three white-haired women bent over a table staring at the rising smoke. Their hands looked clawed, animalistic. Creepy figures tended to travel in packs — even outside The Regime. Cheap perfume and spices scented the hollow area. Candles flickered in the darkness, gathered on the table.
“Beyond the light that Dreamers seek,
Darkness is forever bleak.
Friend or foe?
Truth or woe?”
“Hello?” I froze, realizing my stupidity. My announcement gave the three creepy figures an invitation to talk to me.
The three women faced me, revealing glossed over eyes. The gray fog gave them an eerie feel — more so than when I first entered. I let out a gulp, and for me, that was bad.
“Ambert Greer, we expected you…” one spoke, their voice hoarse.
Another let out a wicked chuckle. “The Sparrow of Silence… one of Harmony’s… one of two…”
“Starbright said you would come today, few…” the last wore a grin on her face.
“How do you know so much about me?” I asked.
“We know a lot. You’re right…” one spoke.
“There’s something of Harmony’s we kept out of sight.”
My expression lit up. “Something of hers?”
“Shh…” all three women placed a finger on their lips. “Lives taken her way would be few, yet harder to execute, decipher, and follow through.”
“Those who are spared have more purpose in mind. Secrets of The Regime lie everywhere if you dare to search and find.”
“Are the rhymes really necessary?” Now I knew they were crazy. Any lunatics required caution.
One of the women reached out her wrinkled, raisin-like hand. A bound notebook with torn pages laid in it. “Take it, and save The Dreamers…”
“There’s been a mistake…” I started.
One interrupted. “You know nothing of fate…”
“Not until it’s too late…”
“To know one’s future is a daunting task. Morals change to fit the mask.”
I took the notebook and gripped its cover. “I didn’t ask for fate. Just answers.”
“Your answers and fate intertwine, dear boy. Knowing future knowledge is a tool, not a toy.”
One of the three grabbed a chalice and dipped it into the smoke. A wine-like liquid dripped on the side. “Drink.”
“Is this some kind of test?”
“Drink…” the three women spoke in creepy unison.
I raised the cup, lost in my thoughts. This smell was worse than a vile of Antiserum, blood-like. My facial features scrunched as I plunked the cup back on the table. The liquid splashed onto my clothing like a dark ooze.
“What is it?” I demanded.
“Dreamshade — tool of the fates…” their rhyming and conformity were maddening.
One woman laughed. “This liquid will give insight into your own past, present, and future… to piece together destiny, you’ll need fate’s suture.”
“Not interested. Future knowledge is dangerous.”
“Even so, this reality is breaking in ways you’d never know. Drinking is key, to stop impending death that be...” This voice spoke at a whisper.
I grasped my hand over the cup. With a shaking, sweat covered hand, I placed the chalice to my lips and drank it down. The liquid stung, and despite the smell — believe it or not, the taste was numbing on my tongue.
For a moment, nothing happened. Dead silence overtook the room and left only my heartbeat and the ticking of a nearby clock.
Tick…
Something brushed against me, quick as a breeze blowing a plumage in the wind. A bird with black and maroon feathers gazed back at me. With a screeching echo, the bird spread its wings and disintegrated into a cloud of smoke.
Tock…
A city materialized in front of me. Even with The Regime’s flags in the foreground, the city buzzed with new life. Sparkling white buildings littered the scene. Music filled the streets in a way I’d never seen before.
Tick…
Blood dripped from my hand onto the table, pooling on a piece of paper — but the crimson liquid didn’t stop there. The blood swirled upon the page, forming two phrases: Sealed Destiny. Broken Reality.
Tock...
Music notes flew around me, but not the way I expected. Dark notes swirled and spiraled around like a fog, playing discordant notes when they passed my ear.
In the midst of this chaos, a figure stared back at me — a young woman. Her slender body was wrapped in a tight black jumpsuit; another figure stayed at her side, holding her hand. Bouncy blonde curls framed the young woman’s face. Sharp, magenta eyes gazed into mine as if to say, “You’re mine…”
Another young girl held my hand. Though she remained a blur, one striking feature lingered in my mind — the jagged design traveling up her right arm.
Seconds reverberated like minutes, and somewhere between them, I blacked out.
)
When I came to, the room was hushed and void. The candles dimmed, now blown out. The three women vanished, without any trace of being in the room at all. A chalice rested in my hand — liquid staining the side of the cup.
How long was I out? I popped my shoulder from the floor. Turning to the mirror, I was out of place, and even my shirt was left with stains and disarray. Dang it.
My head jolted toward my backpack. Were they still t
here? They had to be, otherwise, there would be no replacements. As I unzipped a compartment in my backpack, I was relieved to see my vials tucked away inside. I felt around the side pockets. An unusual object was in the backpack. Strange, the paper hadn’t been there before.
Taking out the letter, I noticed the waxed seal on the envelope. This imprint consisted of a bird with open wings — the same as the one on The Illusionist’s cuff in Fortress.
A note in typed, block letters was on the page:
Ambert,
Delighted that I found you so I could drive those fates off. I intend to make sure when we meet again you’ll embrace who you are… and swear your allegiance to someone who will give you what you deserve. You’re adorable. I can see why The Commander has me keeping tabs on you. Don’t forget where you came from or who your allies are. Ever.
-B
The Regime had spies everywhere. Safe Haven could’ve had a mole. Argh — a headache wasn’t going to help me figure out who it was though. I clenched my forehead between my hands as I rose from the floor.
My right hand still held my mother’s journal. I swore whatever drove those women off would’ve taken it too. I shrugged and opened the first page. Fancy script inked the paper. I adjusted to the foreign scripted handwriting.
Dear Firebird,
Our world isn’t what it seems. Twisted morals and perceptions rule the weak minded, and even the purest of souls can find themselves left in ruin. The Regime broke society, tore emotions, and splintered reality to which there was said to be no cure. Escape only favors those who patiently wait.
I write to you from a time where society began its metamorphosis — a time where dark and terrible deeds led to the rise of The Commander’s power. Nothing is as it seems. It is my hope that you will use my words to fracture and puncture The Regime at its most fatal flaw. Let what you hear inspire you, but keep the knowledge protected like a child. Perhaps knowing the truth will steer your life to a brighter destiny. I’ll leave you with a final phrase: ‘To The Regime, light is darkness and darkness is light. Twisted perceptions and suffering souls live all around the weary Dreamers.’
-Mom
Enya’s fire lit the entryway with infinite shades of red and orange.
“Where the heck have you been?” Enya’s teeth clenched together.
“Don’t give me that look, Enya. Come over here.”
Enya finally got to a place where she could see me. “Crap… you look terrible. What’s that in your hand?”
“Something of Mom’s.” I felt along the leather bound cover of the journal.
Enya sat beside me and stared at it. “Mom left us something?”
“Seems like it. She probably has the easiest way to defeat The Regime hidden in here somewhere. We can stop the war before it happens.”
“Dreamers and The Regime have too much tension to ever do that. Besides, even some Dreamers betrayed their own kind to join The Regime. Including Mr. Knight.”
“What’s anything got to do with him?” I turned my head away from her.
“Ambert, I get it. My foster family was just as bad as yours. Still, the way The Committee described it to me sounded like he didn’t do it by choice. Something’s off. Really off.”
“Mr. Knight’s a monster. I swore I’d never become that man. Ever.”
Enya changed the subject. “What did Mom’s journal say?”
“Only that our world isn’t what it seems.”
“That’s vague. Thanks a lot, Mom.” Enya’s sarcastic tone wasn’t helping the images I saw.
“We just have to look for some clues.”
“My twin: always the optimist.”
I laughed. “Come on. Cal’s going to be worried sick! Is she still with Chief Starbright?”
“Yeah,” Enya rose and wrapped her arms over her chest. “That woman’s really persistent. Hasn’t she asked Wallflower to see her four or five times since we got here? Two in the last week?”
“Doesn’t change the fact that she’ll need us after she’s done.” I rose from the floor and winced. A sharp pain entered my leg. Maybe it was a little too early for me to be doing this adventure stuff.
“You should rest tonight. I’ll tell Starbright to give you a break.”
I put on a smile. “Then who will be there to watch you?”
Enya chuckled. “I can handle myself.”
With that, Enya and I made our way toward the other Dreamers, a journal in my hand.
SIX
Calista
“As an Oracle, it’s your duty to guide Dreamers on their journey. It provides an opportunity for leadership, but also places you in great danger.”
“Um… what are we going to do?” my lip quivered.
Chief Starbright poured a dark powder into a clear glass of water, coloring the entire thing black. She stirred the mixture as she continued talking, mixing everything evenly in. “Aurelia Peterson is still alive somewhere. It’s not only your promise to Wes, but the key for The Dreamers to succeed in our rebellion.”
“Glad you agree!” I exclaimed.
“But, finding her is harder than you realize. Right now, Aurelia’s being concealed.”
“Concealed?”
“Darkness is growing in The Regime, and it’s beginning even to consume the fabrics of creativity we’ve built here. Harmony received warnings from Oracles long ago, and she put all her efforts into finding The Regime’s weakness.”
“Harmony? You mean Ambert and Enya’s mom?” my eyes widened.
Chief Starbright gave a quick nod. “This will let you travel into your dreams and show you a vision. Tell me every detail once you’re done.”
She handed me the drink and I downed it without a second thought. The taste was better than the Antiserum, but that wasn’t a compliment. The Antiserum was bitter. This stuff was like cherry medicine.
I stuck out my tongue and shivered before a vision entered my view.
Fire and ash destroyed Safe Haven, smoke rising through the caverns and valley. I was taken somewhere resembling an office, struggling to get free. Everything passed so quickly, details were impossible to see clearly. Faces, locations, actions, symbols, and more became a blur. How did Chief Starbright expect me to remember all of it?
Next, I saw my mother. Her beautiful brown hair and eyes shimmered with the love she showed me before leaving with Gran. I craved her warm smile, her apples, her advice, her love. My heart skipped a beat. I missed her so much!
“Mom!” I smiled and rushed over to her.
Behind her, a mirror reflected a woman with green eyes and red hair eerily like mine. Who was she? Was that the woman from the time I passed out on the ice? Yes! I recognized her smile. But what did this have to do with me? How would it help find Aurelia?
Throughout this dream, voices sang phrases:
“Choose between two lives, both with loyalties true,
Before time runs out, broken promises will catch up to you.
Both connected with dreams and flame— one will lose themselves all the same.
The girl is the key, the answer to your path,
Call upon your gifts. Stop the visions of wrath.”
There were many things those words could mean. Yet, I was scared to find out.
How could I choose between two people? And what if one of these lives was Aurelia’s? Where was she? How could we find her if The Regime was holding her captive? Maybe everything would unfold as I went along.
“Calista.” Chief Starbright’s voice brought me back to reality. “Take it slow. I need you to tell me every detail you can remember from this vision.”
“There… there was fire,” I said.
“Where?”
“Here.” I sighed. “And we were mourning something. I remember struggling too, and my mother…”
“That’s a start.”
“And there were voices singing about two lives I have to choose between.”
&nbs
p; “Intriguing.” Chief Starbright handed me another glass. “You’re going to do it again.”
“What is this stuff?” I asked.
Chief Starbright clasped the glass tighter. “We call it Dreamshade. For Dreamers, it gives the user a glimpse images from their own future. For an Oracle, it provokes an overwhelming vision to come forward, no matter how painful it is.”
“So, it’s the same as the ones I get in my sleep?”
“Not entirely. Dreamshade can sometimes take an Oracle several places: past, present, or future. Determining which is the tricky part. Are those all your questions?”
My shaking hand grabbed the glass of Dreamshade and drank it down again. This time, smoke coated the skyline. Pastel colors laid underneath the coats of chipped gray government painted buildings. The flat-roofed structure let rainfall build on top of it, slowly splashing to the ground below. Vegetation grew everywhere, though most of it burned to ashes. This city showed no signs of the cold, metal atmosphere found in Fortress, but it definitely shared the same hate.
Blood covered a teen’s face and a gun was pointed at her head. A young man, slightly older, held the weapon in his hand with a stern expression. In black and red attire, he had all the makings of one of The Regime’s officers.
I had seen this before! This was the flashback of Enya I saw when I first met her. What was it trying to tell me?
“For a Dreamer, you’re potbellied, freak!” the officer’s voice echoed in my head.
“Please, Steven… stop this…” Tears streamed down Enya’s face.
“Stop? You’re the sloppy Dreamer who deserves to die.” the officer chuckled.
“I thought you loved me,” Enya croaked.
A woman stood over Enya, a knife in her hands. “Enya Cooper. What do you have to say for yourself?”
A wreckage of a car was behind her, shooting sparks everywhere. Did Enya wreck it? By the blood on the steering wheel that matched the blood on her face, it was the best assumption I had. This Enya was bruised, almost broken. Her eyes contained a sense of pain, one I couldn’t comprehend. I’d never been caught by The Regime since Enya used her magic to protect us. She might have been rebellious against authority, but she did care about staying out of The Regime’s grasp.
Splintering Reality (Breaking Order Series Book 2) Page 3