I look at the strength within her, feeling true friendship and trust in my heart. “Thank you, Nora! You’re a rarity and an extraordinary friend. I don’t deserve you.”
She lovingly grabs my arm whispering, “Sappy—but I like it anyway. See you soon, Ab-Bi!” She gives me a long look before exiting the bathroom.
I hear a commotion outside, and I steadily count to ten in my head. I carefully exit the bathroom, noticing that everyone is turned towards the left of the auditorium as a messy fight ensues. I quickly move through the room unseen, exiting the party with a giant exhale of relief. I spot James waiting for me at the end of the hall, and I run to his side quickly. He leads me through the school, moving through different halls in a rush, confusing my sense of direction.
I stop, grabbing his arm as I ask, “Where are we going?”
“There’s two options. You and I can escape the school together. Or I can find you a place to hide within the school.”
I could never leave Easton behind and protect myself, so it’s an easy decision. “Wayward has Easton. I can’t leave until I rescue him.”
James’ energy is frantic, and his voice is rushed. “Okay, then I’ll take you to a hidden place within Cognosco.” James leads me into a hidden passage that is dark and musty smelling. The farther we get, the more I wonder how James knows of this hidden passage, and whether I can really trust him.
I stop walking and address my doubts head on. “Where are we going?”
James turn around and answers with urgency in his voice. “When this building was first built, this used to be a jail, but no one knows about it or uses it. It’s the safest place to hide within the school.”
“How do you know about it?”
James seems irritated by another question but answers anyway. “My mentor showed me.”
Unsure of James’ intent, I grab his forearm. “Can I trust you?” James’ energy flares with desire for me, but I can’t see anything else motivating him.
His eyes soften as he squeezes my hand. “I only want what’s best for you, and I want to help you.”
James starts walking again and I choose to believe him, trusting my friend. We emerge from the passage into a wide-open space with jail cells lined against the walls. There’re enchanted Onyx chains hanging on the grey stoned walls and a wooden table in the center of the room, which holds metal claws, a large 2 feet long needle and leather whips. The room is not only a prison but an old school torturing chamber from the sixteenth century. It’s been hidden in Cognosco the whole time, just like the darkness. My last dream enters my mind as I realize I’ve seen this room before. I turn to escape, but James grabs my arms right as Wayward enters the room. For the second time today, betrayal hits me.
I ignore Wayward, turning to James with pain. “We’re friends. Why would you do this?”
James’ voice wavers as he says, “You weren’t the only Celestial to be attacked by the Darkness. The difference is I quickly gave in, liking the power.” I notice a darker energy emerge in James. It disgusts me.
Unable to look at him, I turn towards Wayward, who speaks to me unmasked for the first time. “Once I noticed Easton was protecting you, I had to change tactics and get a back-up plan. James was easy to infect. So willing to help me, for a promise of being your boyfriend when I remove your memories.”
Power radiates through my body as I draw upon my energy and look Wayward directly in the eyes. “Where’s Easton.”
Wayward smiles, contradicting his cold response. “He’s safe for now, as long as you don’t put up a fight.”
The mention of hurting Easton hits a raw nerve. “I first want to see Easton, before we negotiate.”
Wayward shakes his head in disbelief as he turns to get Easton, talking as he leaves. “So predictable.”
Once he’s gone from sight I turn towards James, trying to help him even though his betrayal hurts. “You can fight the darkness. I can teach you how.”
I reach for James’ arm, but he pulls it back from my grasp. “I’m happy the way I am. This is the only way we can be together.”
“James, darkness can’t love. It possesses and ruins.”
James’ eyes almost shimmer with his old self as he replies, “Easton is pure darkness and he loves you. Wayward tortured him for hours, and he wouldn’t tell them anything about you.” His darkness returns with a vengeance as he adds, “Too bad he’ll be dead when this is over.”
The mention of Easton’s death makes me realize I never stopped loving him. He betrayed me in the beginning, but once he had feelings he stopped working with Wayward, fighting his own darkness. He was just trying to protect me, and I punished him for it.
Wayward enters the jail cells with Easton restrained and floating next to him. He’s unconscious and looks severely beaten, and my energy cries out in pain as my powers expand, breaking the school’s barriers.
Wayward looks at me in alarm as he tightens his restraints on Easton, causing his body to concave. His words are tight and threatening. “I wouldn’t do that. I can kill him in a second, before you even get a blast off.” I pull my energy back, watching in horror as Easton starts to wake. Wayward quickly shouts orders at me. “Get in that cell, or he’s dead!”
With Easton’s life in the balance I slowly walk into the cell, watching Wayward close the cage door behind me. The door shuts with a loud thud that sends shivers down my spine and a chill through the air. I ignore Wayward, turning my attention to Easton as I watch him regain consciousness. He dizzily looks around the room, his sad eyes landing on me.
Easton’s frail energy begins to panic as he weakly screams, “Let her go!”
Wayward seems annoyed by the whole ordeal, flipping his lip upward in disgust. “Silence!” His energy covers Easton’s mouth, preventing any additional noises from escaping. Wayward then turns his attention to me, delivering one final line before leaving me alone. “And if you are planning to escape, know that I will kill Easton instantly—just like I killed your friend Nora before I came here.”
I stay frozen, until his words sink in. Once their gravity hits me I lose all will to hold my body up, collapsing on the hard dirt floor. My grief overwhelms me—bringing back memories of the pain I felt when I lost my dad. I try to pinch myself, praying I’m dreaming and will wake up, but nothing happens. This is my reality. James is evil, Easton is in trouble, I may lose all memories of my mom, and Nora…Nora is…dead. Everyone I’ve ever cared about is gone, and I’m truly all alone.
Nora got me, more than anyone. She knew when to push me, when to leave me alone. I’m to blame for her death. I brought her into my drama and endangered her. She’s dead because of me. There’s no way I can fix this. No way to stop the sadness and pain. Sorrow fills my body. The back of my throat swells and tears fight to escape. I can’t let them loose, or the flood will take me away forever.
Memories of Nora flash into my mind. I remember when she first walked in my room with her pile of books, how she verbally attacked the librarian because he was rude to me, pretended to be a game show host when we studied, how she reacted to my secret and had my back. I remember how we made a nickname for each other, and how she was the only true friend I’ve ever had. She helped me survive the darkness, but I couldn’t save her. The Darkness took her from me, and I let it because I was too trusting. It won’t happen again. I’ve got to be more diligent if I’m to rescue Easton and avenge Nora’s death. Anger fills me as I call out to Wayward with every ounce of strength I possess, shaking the walls with my rage.
“I will kill you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Memories
Lili - Stillness
I’ve spent almost seven days waiting in this dark cave for the eve of my sixteenth birthday, and it’s finally arrived. My emotions have been unhinged all week as I battle my own darkness and try to come to terms with Nora’s death, and the part I played in it. No matter how I look at it, I’m the real reason she died. Her loss comes in waves, as the smallest things c
ause an avalanche of memories to crush me.
Wayward visited the first two days of my captivity, bringing Easton’s body in to remind me of what I still have to lose. Easton is a pawn in the Darkness’ desire for power. The dark doesn’t play fairly, but I’m growing wiser to their games and weaknesses, feeling determined to crush them all with everything I can muster.
James enters the cave at his usual time and in his usual manner, strutting around with a tray full of food—pretending he didn’t just participate in my capture and Nora’s death. He moves close to my bars, whispering, “I brought you Pepperoni pizza, your favorite.” James’ favorite meal is pizza; mine is my mom’s carne asada
He stares at me waiting for appreciation, something that the old version of Lili would have delivered, but she doesn’t exist anymore. “I’m not hungry.”
James moves closer to the bars like I’m a wounded animal. Which is exactly how I feel. “I understand you’re sad, but Nora wouldn’t want you to starve.”
His use of her name fills me with a rage so deep it feels like I could drown. It takes everything I have to not strangle him through the bars. “Don’t ever say her name again! You’re a shell of the James I remember, and I want you out of my cell. I’d rather have no one to talk to than you!”
James’ voice is pained and conflicted, but I’m too numb to care. I listen to him reply, praying for him to leave. “I’ll see you after your procedure. When we can start over.” He exits the room, allowing me to breathe again. In my heart I know it’s not James’ fault, he’s been infected by darkness—but the joy he finds within it is hard for me to understand. I feel lost as I lay on the ground, happy for the silence.
I feel a new energy enter my cage, making me sit up with alarm. I recognize the spirit as the Celestial who warned me multiple times about the danger within the school. This time I take charge, communicating first. “It’s too late. I found the danger, but I lost the fight.”
Her voice fills my head. “The fight is never lost. Just ask for help, and it will be given.”
After being deceived by Wayward and James, I’m more cautious in whose advice I take. “Who are you? I thought spirits couldn’t communicate within the school.”
“I’m not a spirit, and I’m not all Celestial either. I’m something new, like you. I’m Mary.”
“Mary? What happened to you?”
I feel regret permeate the air as Mary says, “I tried to end the Darkness, but it was a losing battle. Wayward was always two steps ahead of me.”
My numbness dissipates as I ask, “Wayward? I thought he wasn’t the head of the school then?”
“Oh, he wasn’t. He was my Easton. The exact opposite of me, sent down by the dark.”
“Like Easton?”
Her energy fills with sorrow and love, surprising me. “Yes and no. Every time something good is created, it has to be balanced equally with something bad. There can’t be one without the other. So, for me it was Wayward, and for you it is Easton.”
“Did you have a strong connection to Wayward?” Mary’s energy almost laughs.
“You and Easton have a connection that Wayward and I didn’t. I’m not sure why or what is causing it. I did love another, but…”
With timing befitting evil itself, Wayward enters my cell and scares Mary away. His hands hold shiny chains, and his energy’s cruelty is exposed in his voice. “It’s time for your procedure.” Wayward hands me shackles through the bars. “Put these on. They’re heavily fortified, impossible to break.” I hesitate to willingly apply my own restraints—debating why I’d ever willingly surrender to the Darkness. Rage boils in me, encouraging me to fight Wayward regardless of the consequences—but I can’t risk losing Easton. His death would break me, and the darkness inside of me is already vying for control.
My hands obey Wayward’s request, extending out. Once my chains are on, Wayward opens my jail door. He leads me down the passage and up the windy stairs to an all stone room without any windows. The exact room from my first premonition.
Once inside the room the school’s Celestial healer, Jim, enters and instructs me to place a large glass dome over my head. The whole ordeal feels very cold and technical. Once the dome is in its place Jim shrinks the device, so it fits snuggly around my hairline. Wayward begins to instruct me again but pauses as a new Celestial enters the room. I instantly recognize him as Adem. His body looks like it could crush me, but just like when I first saw his painting, I see kindness in his eyes.
Wayward looks visibly shaken by Adem’s arrival, turning towards him and saying, “I didn’t know you were coming. The plan changed, but everything is still under control. Everything is on schedule.”
Adem briefly looks at me with hidden sorrow, then his eyes harden as he turns his attention towards Wayward again. “I’m here to ensure things go smoothly. After what happened with your mismanagement of the Easton situation, we can’t afford another failure.” Wayward stiffens in anger while Adem continues to talk. “We’d like the girl’s memory to be free of Easton, so maybe we can salvage this mess.”
I never agreed to have Easton erased too. I’m already losing my mom. I don’t know if I can lose Easton on top of that. All the love I know will be gone. Then what will I be but an empty shell open to the darkness?
Wayward looks at me as he shakes his head in disgust at my sorrow. “Of course. Love is a weakness, and it should be destroyed.”
I feel a spike in Adem’s energy that confuses me as he says, “Love can be used as a weakness, but it can also be used for strength. Any Celestial who doesn’t understand this is limited and useless.”
Wayward’s eyes scrunch in irritation before he turns his attention back towards Jim. “You can continue the eradication.” Wayward moves so close to me I can smell ash and death on him. “Say goodbye to Mommy and Easton,” he mutters.
Jim doesn’t like the audience either, which is evident in his shaky voice. “I want you to think of the first memory you can recall from your childhood.” I fearfully resist his instructions, scared to lose my most precious memories.
Wayward reminds me of my bargain. “Easton’s life hangs in the balance.”
I swallow my fear and recall my first memory. It’s a warm summer day, and my mom was chasing me around the yard as we played hide and seek in the bushes. I kept getting distracted, talking to every living organism I came across—my mom caught me quickly every time with a warm smile on her face, lifting me up and kissing me all over as I laughed.
The healer begins to instruct me again, “Now remember the last memory you have of your home life.”
I recall spending Christmas with my mother and all our special traditions. The way she embarrassed me with Easton, the iPad she gave him, and the love I felt for her when I said goodbye.
Jim takes a deep breath, then gives me one final instruction. “Try to think of why you love Easton. What makes you love him.”
My mind responds to the question without my permission, remembering when we first met. How he pulled away from me, our library break in and first kiss, Christmas with my mom—how she liked him. Our trip to Bermuda—where he fought to protect me. His face rescuing me from the dark abyss. Him putting himself in jeopardy and taking some of my darkness in himself. Our last fight and how he told me the truth even though he knew I would end it. My eyes well with tears as I think about losing every memory we’ve shared.
My mind circles, trying to find a solution as I hear Jim say, “We have what we need, the procedure is ready to begin.”
I try to fight my restraints but find they won’t budge. My mind swirls in despair until it lands on something Mary tried to communicate; she said to ask for help and it will be there. So, I do. I pray with my entire soul, begging for help. Begging to keep my memories of my mom and Easton. Begging to fight off the darkness. Praying. Praying for Nora to be at peace. Praying for relief. While I pray, I hear Wayward instructing the healer to proceed, right as my soul exits my body and enters another abyss.
Lili - Abyss
This abyss is completely different from my last. It’s filled with kindness, understanding and love. It’s light here, where the other was dark. Here I feel surrounded by energy that feels familiar to my soul.
I call out, hoping that someone responds. “Hello, is anyone there?” I see energy gather directly in front of me. It becomes solid, forming into a strong looking woman with a knowledgeable sparkle behind her eyes. She feels familiar to me, but I can’t place where I’ve seen her before.
“Hello, Lili. I’m so glad to meet you in person.”
“Your voice is familiar. Have we talked before?”
Her face radiates with compassion. “You know me as Sax. Others refer to me as God.”
I feel irritate by her deception. I’ve had my fill of recent betrayals. “Why not introduce yourself as God from the get-go?”
Her response enters my head, electrifying my body. “I’ve been known by many names, but my creator called me Sax. My name is not important, it’s my idea that transcends all. Benevolence is really at the root of all religions, and I am at the root of all that is good and light. Humans tend to fight so hard to prove their religion is correct that they lose their way and get caught up in darkness’ grasp. The name of your religion or idea isn’t of importance; the driving factor behind your actions is what truly matters. This is just one of the things I want you to correct when you lead Earth.”
New Celestial : A teen paranormal romance series (The Celestial Series Book 1) Page 19