“This guy needs a red flag – one that says, ‘I’m not alone’,” she said boldly.
I pushed my arms through the sleeves, smelling Draven’s cologne. Though it made me feel safe, it also made me feel guilty. I zipped it up, then put my bag across myself and stuffed my keys inside. Madison got out first and looked up at the house like it was a mountain she had to climb. I took a deep breath and called back the memory of my song to my mind. I felt the shield I always had come to life as I opened my door.
Madison ran up the steps and rang the bell. The sound it made was eerie, so loud I felt it echo through me. I walked slowly up behind her just as the door opened. Bianca was standing there.
Her eyes coldly met Madison’s, then glanced at me. “Seriously, Charlie.”
“Alibi,” I said, staring blankly at Bianca. “You know what those are –right?” I said coldly.
“What’s with the attitude?” she asked, furrowing her eyebrows at me.
I pushed passed her into the large open entry hall. Nothing less than luxury was in front of me. White marble floors, huge oil paintings, a red velvet staircase that circled to the floors above. In the distance, I could hear a loud TV – gaming.
Madison was at my side as Bianca circled around us. “What are you?” I said flatly to her.
“What kind of question is that?” she said, smiling adoringly – trying to look innocent.
I stepped closer to her and smirked. “I don’t even wanna know – you’re not worth my time.”
Bianca reached for my shoulder, and Madison blocked her. “Keep your hands to yourself,” Madison said boldly.
Bianca smirked, no longer trying to hold her innocent approach. “I knew I should have handled you sooner.”
“Handle me now,” Madison said, bowing her chest out as she glared at her.
I shook my head from side to side. “No one is handling anyone – get the hell out of my life – you hear me?” I said calmly as I walked passed her toward the sound of the gaming that I was sure was coming from the room in front of me.
The hall opened up into a huge room. The back wall was windows, and to the left there was a massive TV. Two guys from my party were lounging on leather couches, playing some kind of game. Britain was sitting on the arm, watching with little interest.
I’d forgotten how attractive he was. His dark blond hair was brushed perfectly out of his eyes. He was wearing black slacks and an oxford button up shirt. He didn’t look like a teenager – he looked like a powerful man – someone who had no fears. The moment I stepped in the room, he looked at me, and his commanding steel blue eyes captivated me. I felt like he could see right through me. I reached back and pulled my hood up.
“Told you it was cold,” Madison said, quietly plotting how she’d play this.
At that moment, I felt someone pull me back and looked back to see Bianca pushing me against the wall. “Time to go back to sleep – sweetheart,” she said as she smiled wickedly and her pupils began to expand and contract.
I closed my eyes tightly, blocking them as I felt her ripped away from the hold she had on me. I opened my eyes to see Madison on the floor on top of Bianca, slapping her; Bianca fought back. Britain had come to their side, and he looped his strong arms around Madison, holding her back. Thinking for sure that we were now outnumbered, I had no choice but to charge him- but before I reached him, he kicked Bianca away from him and Madison.
“Get her out of here,” he said firmly to the room.
The boys that were playing the game had dropped their controllers and were just waiting for a command. The biggest one pulled Bianca up; she spit, trying to hit Madison, but Britain moved her out of the path.
“This isn’t over – no – this has now begun!” Bianca yelled.
“Out!” Britain said firmly. The boy pulled her through the entry hall as she kicked and thrashed against him.
Britain didn’t let go of Madison immediately. He held her…gently…almost as if he were enjoying how she felt against his body. She was still at first – like she was trapped in the same twisted illusion he was in, then she stepped forward, then looked back at him. As they held each other’s stare, I felt an odd current flowing between them – one that was full of countless emotions that neither of them seemed to understand.
“I need to talk to you,” I said, breaking the tense silence.
He nodded. “Excuse us…,” he said quietly, smiling slightly at Madison. “Let them know if you need anything.”
Britain nodded for me to follow him to another room. I began to follow him as I tried to focus on the song playing in my mind – my father’s song.
“OK, but listen,” Madison said. Reaching in her bag, she said, “I’m the mom alert, and you only – and I mean only - have minutes.”
Britain hesitated; as he heard her voice, he turned to look at her and nodded politely. Then he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me out of the room and into a doorway to the left. It led into a study that was covered wall-to-wall in books. An arched window framed a beautiful flower garden outside.
He closed the door. I took two steps in, then turned, wanting a fast exit.
He stepped slowly forward, holding my gaze. When he reached me, he raised his hands cautiously and pushed my hood back. I held the breath that wanted to escape.
I stepped back, wanting more space between us. Even though he had protected Madison and ordered Bianca away, I didn’t trust him; in my mind, he was still dangerous. He tilted his head and smiled innocently as his eyes searched over me.
“What have they done to my Charlie?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said sarcastically.
“Then why are you so mad?” he asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
“I remember, Britain,” I said, finding strength in my voice.
“Then you remember that nothing happened,” he said calmly, holding my gaze.
“Nothing could have happened – Bianca took my free will – but all she did was delay the inevitable,” I said, staring boldly into his blue eyes.
“You’re right…,” he answered innocently.
I stared past him, not finding the courage to look him in the eyes any longer. “Free will…my free will is telling you to leave me alone…I can’t help you now.”
He gently reached to turn my chin to look at him. “My free will wants to stay right here with you…I told you…you’re addictive…both of you are.”
A new fear shot through me – it was for Madison. I didn’t ever want her to have to find herself captivated by the silence around him…the illusion of protection - but then I had a wild thought: what if she could save him? What if I was only meant to lead him to the one that could help him? Aden may have said I was the strongest of all of us, but that was only his perspective. I knew we were all strong – that we all had a purpose behind the gifts we shared. I tried to think what Madison would say if she were in this room – without a doubt, she’d find a way to gain the information she needed to understand what he was – to protect us.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I said, “Do you have a birthmark?”
He smirked at my question, and his eyes sparkled. “No.”
“I don’t think I believe you,” I mumbled as I told myself to stick to the plan and just tell him to go away.
Britain took a step back, then slowly began to unbutton his shirt. I held his stare as he let his shirt fall to the floor. He still had on a tight white tank top. I held my breath and tried to not let heat rush to my skin as he raised his shirt, revealing every perfect sculpted part of his lean body. He turned to show me his back; I couldn’t see a single mark on him.
He turned to look back at me. “Do you wanna look anywhere else?” he asked with an alluring smile.
I shook my head no and held the look of anger. “There may be hope for you…but I can’t save you now…I need you to leave my life. When I understand what has control over you - I’ll help you.”
His eyes moved back to Draven’s hoodie, then
he locked gazes with me. “He doesn’t know I exist – does he?” he asked, smiling.
“Why does that matter?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.
His grin grew, and I saw confidence build in his eyes. “I can be your secret, if that’s what you want.”
“What kind of twisted mind do you have? Do you even have one? You have no connection to me – you never have.”
He moved his head from side to side as if I were oblivious, which only made me angry. “This Draven boy…I have no harsh feelings for him….I’m not the one that can hurt him.”
I slowly shook my head no, refusing to let him fool me. I was sure he was trying to push the blame on Bianca, but I was no fool – birds of a feather flock together.
His eyes moved slowly across my face. “I have empathy for him…for he’s the one that’s truly blind right now.”
“He’s going to stay that way, then,” I said shortly.
“Not for long…not for long,” Britain said as disdain for something beyond Draven was made apparent on his face.
Madison knocked on the door. “Mom alert – let’s go,” she yelled through the door.
Britain ignored her and stepped forward. I stepped back, but he causally followed me and leaned his forehead to mine. “You don’t wanna leave me…think about the risk.”
“The risk of staying near you is worse,” I said, stepping back, then walking around him.
He reached for my arm and gently held me back. Stepping behind me, he pulled my body against his and whispered in my ear, “If we’re friends, then I’m in your life…and you’re safe…everyone is safe…at least for now.”
I could feel the threat between his words. I couldn’t find the words to stand up to him – I knew I’d need help – I needed Draven.
He let my arm go, and I walked forward. “Call me when mom goes to sleep; I wanna hear your voice before I close my eyes.”
I didn’t say anything; I just pulled my hood up and fumbled with the knob on the door. I found Madison eagerly waiting on the other side. She looped her arm through mine.
“Seriously – Kara just texted me. You have to meet your mom for an early dinner,” she said, pulling me through the house.
The two boys were leaning against the couch, staring blankly at me, almost as if they feared the moment I left. I looked for Bianca as we ran through the entry hall – prepared to fight with her, but I didn’t see her. I reached for my keys before we made it out the door. I ran to my car, and Madison climbed in just as I did. I didn’t bother putting my belt on as I threw the car in drive and circled the driveway. Madison started to dig through my bag, then plugged my phone in, turning Draven’s song all the way up. As soon as I heard his voice, I felt a calm come over me and I took in a deep breath.
“Much better; put your belt on,” Madison yelled, rolling down her window.
I rolled my window down, trying to get air – to stop my heart from racing as I hit ‘Home’ on the GPS.
“Well, is it over?” she asked seriously, turning the volume on radio down.
I shook my head no. “I don’t think he’s ever gonna let it be over – I have to talk to Draven.”
She furrowed her eyebrows in disgust. “Like now?” she said, reaching for my phone.
I took my phone from her. “This isn’t a conversation you have over the phone – I’ll tell him after dinner with my mom.”
At that moment, my phone vibrated and I felt my insides fall. Madison took my phone from me and looked down and read: “You better be on your way back Mom is too tired to wait for us to cook she wants to go out. Draven is driving us so we only have one car – hurry.”
I sighed, realizing that Draven would be at my house before I would and I’d have to find a way to explain where I’d been – I didn’t want to lie – but I wasn’t ready to tell the truth. I had to focus on getting through dinner with my mom.
Madison changed the song on the phone just as it vibrated.
“You may have a guardian angel watching over you,” she said, scrolling through my texts.
“Really?” I said, smiling as my father’s image flashed before my eyes.
“Yep, this one is from Draven, saying he was across town playing with the guys he played with the other night, and this one is from your mom, saying that she’s having to wait for them to clean the car she’s renting.”
I took in a deep breath and relaxed into my seat, thinking I might be able to pull this off - or at least come close.
“Take the next left,” she said, setting the phone on my dash.
“It says to go straight,” I argued.
“I grew up here; I know these roads better than a computer – do you wanna take a short cut or not?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“You better be right,” I said, putting my blinker on.
“I’m always right,” she said, turning up the radio.
I fidgeted in my seat, taking every turn Madison told me to, driving faster than I should. All at once, above the radio I heard a violent hiss; my heart started to race as I looked at Madison. She was whispering random words as fast as she could – but it just seemed to make it worse. It was so loud, I thought my ear drums would burst. Then out of nowhere, a dark shadow grew from the road we were driving on. I slammed on my breaks, not knowing what was on the other side of it.
“You’re gonna have to help me,” Madison said as she let her seat belt loose. “Do you remember how? Tell me you do!” she screamed over the hiss that was all around us.
“I do,” I said, letting my belt go and stepping out of the car.
I met her in front of the car. The hiss turned into laughter. “…Charlie…come,” the dark cloud mocked.
“Show yourself!” I yelled.
At that moment, the dark cloud divided, and before us were hundreds of ashy ghostly images. My heart started to race, and I felt adrenaline rush through every part of me.
Madison stepped forward and into the mass of shadows, saying random words. “Summer…Buttercups…lavender.” Each time she said a word, one of the images would vanish.
It took everything I had, but I remembered my song and felt my shield come to life inside my mind. I faced the image closest to me. It was a woman; her eyes were cold, and as I stared into her soul I watched her life come to life around me – she had been hurt by everyone in her life - man and woman. I knew I’d have to dig deep to find a memory. I was so distracted by the fact that there were others that I grabbed the first memory I could find. It was a priest, and he simply said, “You are loved…you’re a beautiful soul.” I repeated his words, and at that moment she faded. Others closed in around me, whispering my name, begging me to come with them. I just stared forward and let the memories of lives that didn’t belong to me come to life – I didn’t even know which image they belonged to. I started to say words – names – cities – songs – smells – seasons of the year. At first, I thought I was doing it all wrong - too fast - because I couldn’t see them fade; when I thought I did, more would emerge - but then the hiss grew calm, and the whispers became innocent.
Their taunts ended, and their pleas began. I felt them fight for my attention – for my words that would bring an emotion to life – one that would help save their soul. I wanted to help them all, but I had to go – I had my own life to live.
I stepped back. “If you want my help – clear my path…let me find my light, and I’ll bring yours to you.”
As I said the words, the dark images melted into ordinary shadows and it was silent. I could see Madison a few feet in front of me. Shock and confusion was all over her face as she walked back to the car.
Stunned and numb, I stepped slowly back to the driver’s side and slid in. Madison climbed in, and we sat in silence as we stared forward at the ordinary world before us now.
“I can’t believe they listened to you,” she finally said, daring to look at me.
“They could just be playing games…I don’t trust any of it,” I said as I reached to turn do
wn the still-playing radio.
“Charlie – you just told them to clear a path, and they did…you made a promise to them…if I were you, I’d keep it.”
“I will…as soon as I figure out how,” I said, putting the car in drive. I was so numb from the adrenaline, I felt dizzy.
“Maybe they’re our weapon…not the enemy,” Madison said, turning in her seat to look at me.
“That doesn’t make me feel any better – the bigger the weapon, the bigger the enemy.”
“It’s gonna take the four us to do this – you see that now, don’t you?” Madison asked me in a pleading voice.
“More than the four us…much more...I don’t know what to think…I just know this is the beginning, not the end.”
“Evan is flying people over here….”
“What?!” I asked, completely confused.
Madison pointed for me to turn; once I did, I hit the gas, knowing I’d lost time helping those shadows.
“There are more of us…a lot more…so far, we’re the best…the strongest - but after what happened to you, we had no choice but to reach out to others – we can’t be outnumbered.”
“We already are – who’s he bringing?”
“I’m not sure…I was too focused on you. Ask Draven tonight when you tell him about all of this.”
Her directions managed to cut twenty minutes off our time. I slowed down as I crossed the bridge in my driveway, then sped up again as I circled the house.
Madison threw her hands up in the air. “Score – no Hummer.”
I sighed and pulled into my spot in the garage. I put the car in park and leaned back in my seat, telling myself to just breathe. I felt Madison’s hand on my arm, and I opened my eyes.
“Tell him, have dinner with your mom, smile and be happy, and tonight tell him. Don’t let Bianca destroy you – the both of you,” she said quietly,
I smiled faintly. “K,” I said as my eyes danced over her face. “What was with that look you and Britain had? It didn’t look like you two hated each other then.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know if he can see or not, but if he can, I’m sure he saw my dream….Aden saw it the other day….at least parts of it.”