TWENTY-TWO
Not even bothering to call or knock, I burst through the back door of Hols’ house. Even though everything else in my world is different, this place doesn’t feel or seem any different to me. Except for the nasty wall-smoke and carpet mold, but I can handle that as long as nothing else changes.
I race down the hall and push the beads aside to find my best friend sprawled out on the floor, papers and pastels and paints spread around her.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I relax my shoulders.
Hollie turns around at the sound of my arrival and smiles—a huge grin. I return it, feeling a zeal inside that our connection is still here after everything that’s happened.
Hols gets up and gives me a huge hug. Neither of us seem to want to let go, but after a minute we both do. Hollie steps back but keeps her hands on my upper arms, taking me in, looking me up and down. I take her in with my eyes as well, still fascinated by her beauty.
Both of us giggle and she sits back down on the floor, facing the bed where she knows I will choose to sit. We open our mouths to speak at the same time.
“You go first,” I laugh.
“I was gonna say that, but all right. Well, not much has happened here. My mom still hasn’t come home from her date last night so I’ve been alone, just drawing, painting, and thinking. Bon has stopped in and out to see how I’ve been doing but really, I’ve got nothing to report.” Hollie pauses for a second and then says, with a wink, “Not like you, you little hussy.”
“Oh, ha ha! You’re so freaking funny.” I squint my eyes, attempting a glare.
The weird thing is that I had forgotten I just lost my virginity. One, it felt natural so it isn’t that big of a deal—it feels like something that was supposed to happen. But mainly because so many other things are going on. I haven’t had much time to delve into all the sex stuff while worrying about death.
“You have to meet Sloane. I mean, I know you will, but … he’s beyond phenomenal. And so ridiculously gorgeous you could just die!” I close my eyes and picture my guy in my head, smiling like a schoolgirl. I open my eyes when Hollie starts speaking.
“Yummy. I’ll def have to see him soon.” Hollie smiles, but then her face turns serious. “So what’s going on for real? What have you figured out about everything? The supposed prophecy Bonnie elaborated on after you left…”
“What? She knew about that? And after all the research Landon did… Whatever. I guess she has her reasons,” I grumble. I understand, I suppose, but I’m also a tad upset about the time and energy we could have saved.
Ignoring that, I answer Hollie’s questions. “Well, with the help of quite a few people I’ve figured out what I have to do. But the thing is, it’s gotta be tonight. Like right around midnight, Avalon time—maybe just after, but not much. But who knows when that is in this world’s time… And it has to be done right. So I could reallyreally use your help with it, sweets, if that’s OK.”
“What kind of help?” Hollie sits back, concern on her face. I can tell she hadn’t expected much to be asked of her.
I wave my hands in front of me, signing a big ‘WaitWaitWait.’ I know I look ridiculous, almost like a traffic cop, but I want to erase any idea from Hollie’s head that she’ll have to do anything she doesn’t want to.
“No, don’t worry. You don’t have to come with me to Avalon or anything if you’re not comfortable with that yet. Everything we have to do can be done in this room. We will stay right here and you can still help me a ton.”
Hollie breathes out a sigh of relief and nods while she relaxes back on her hands behind her. “OK, sounds good. My room—that, I can do.” She smiles, reassuring me.
“Awesome. First, I need you to trust me—completely. I have to try something kinda different. If I can do it, it’ll make the first part easier for you and it will be beyond awesome for me.”
“Sure. I trust you. You know that.”
Energized by what I am about to attempt, I jump down off the bed and sit on the floor by Hollie. “OK, good. Because this is something that happened to me and I have a weird feeling I can do it, too. But I’ve no clue for sure. All I can do is try, right?”
I really hope I can do this because if not, I’m screwed since I didn’t bring a picture of the creature. Damn it. It would have been so easy just to snap a shot of the book page… Whatever. Can’t do anything about it now. K—shut up now, Kellyn.
I focus on Hollie and start speaking to her rather than ranting to myself in my head.
“Now I need you to close your eyes and concentrate on me. Try to keep me out of your head any way you possibly can. Don’t let me know your thoughts. Build up a wall or something and zero in on that, making it as strong as possible so I can’t get in. I know it’s new and weird, but it’s new and weird on my end, too.”
Hollie doesn’t close her eyes right away. Instead she looks at me inquisitively. “But Bonnie told me you can get into my mind whenever you want. That it’s some talent thing you have.”
“Well … it is. But I never knew about it ’til now. Like, only in the past couple of days. I’ve always known stuff about you and thought maybe it was something more but way too creepy to explore. So I’ve never actually tried to go into your head if you’re worried about that. I didn’t know I could—well I sensed I might be able to but, like I said, it’s too creepy. On top of it being an invasion of your privacy. So anyway, I never tried.”
“Hrm. I mean, it wouldn’t matter if you had. I have nothing to hide from you. But I’m glad you haven’t ’cause that could be kind of weird.”
I sigh, yet again. “I’ve gotta be honest then. What I’m about to do is exactly that. I’m gonna try to break down whatever walls you build to keep me out. Except—wait.” I hold my hand out when Hollie’s shoulders fall. “I’m not going to be able to read anything you’re thinking.
“What I want is to see if I can take over your mind. Compel you to do something. Apparently there’s this thing some of us can do called compulsion, and what I have to do tonight will be a lot easier if I have the talent. I could definitely use it to my advantage.”
“Oh.” Hollie appears satisfied with my explanation. “Well then, as long as you don’t make me pick my nose and take a picture and then put it online, I guess we’re fine.”
My heart warms with Hollie joking around and taking things a bit more in stride. So I make a face and giggle. “Of course not. I’d never do that to you, ya goof.”
Straightening my body, shoulders back, feeling—almost conjuring—the power from deep within, I ask Hollie to close her eyes, and she does.
“Now, try with all your might to block me out. Even if you have to chant something to yourself silently saying I can’t get into your mind. Anything—whatever you think might work.”
We sit in silence for a moment. Hollie begins bopping her head back and forth, either bored or just waiting or… Right after Hollie starts moving, I find myself inside her head, trying to find a part of my friend’s mind I can control. And so I begin my attempt at compulsion.
I feel the air moving gently around me. Just faintly, actually less than gently. Not enough to move anything—only the slightest breeze one could imagine.
I watch as Hollie opens her eyes, stands up, and turns toward the bathroom. Walking inside, she turns the light on and off five times, then comes back and sits down where she started. Her eyes close again and I let go of the power.
A big gust of wind blows my direction, whipping my hair around, but then it stops as if it was never there.
Hollie then opens her eyes without me asking her to. “So is this ever gonna happen or are we just hanging out on the floor like this all night?” She gives me a cute half smile.
“It already happened.”
“But I didn’t do anything…”
“Yeah you did.” I can’t stop the grin that is spreading across my face. “I wanted to do something simple, so I had you get up and play with the bathroom light. I promise you it worked. I didn
’t expect you not to remember it, though. That part’s kind of cool.”
“Really? I got up and went in the bathroom?! How freaking crazy is that? I seriously didn’t think I’d left this spot. Well well, that’s a pretty sick trick to have up your sleeve.” Hollie’s tone and expression both say ‘impressed’ ten-thousand times over.
“I know, right? But now that I know I can do it—and I’m kind of in shock that I can do it and it was that simple, I need to get into your mind one last time. I have to let you see something so you can draw it for me. That is, if you would. It’s pretty important.” I sort of frown, hoping my friend will do this for me but not sure if she will.
“All right. As long as it’s quick.”
Hollie is pretending to be fine with all of this, but I can see right through her. It’s not that she has a problem with it, exactly—I just know that Hollie wants normalcy and to deal with everything in her own way and on her own time schedule. Which I can understand. I would probably do the same if I had that option but unfortunately, I don’t.
“What do I have to draw?” Hols asks me.
“The guy I have to fight. The one in the prophecy. He doesn’t really exist in any form where I can get a picture of him, except for in books—and I forgot to bring one—imagine that.” I stick my tongue out to the side, making fun of my own ditziness.
“So I’m gonna have to show you what I have seen and I’m hoping you can draw it from memory. Then while you’re doing that, I get to practice some other cool magic stuff.”
“Magic stuff? Like what?” Hollie takes out a fresh piece of paper and pulls her pastels closer.
“I need to be able to make things appear. From out of thin air… Thing is, I don’t know if I can do it here, or just in Avalon. But if I can get it to work here, I know for sure I’ll be able to do it there. My mother and another faery told me about it. I’m pretty excited to try it; see if it works.
“I was supposed to give it a shot when I was still in Avalon, but that’s something else I forgot. This is all such a big deal that Landon even forgot. And I was just so excited to get here—to see you. And to get this all over with, to tell you the truth.”
I’m really hoping that me forgetting things isn’t a sign of something bad. I know I’m a klutz and spacey and all, but please, gods, let me be able to do what I need to. This isn’t just about me…
“So … this is like witchcraft stuff?” Hollie’s eyes cloud over and instantly become a storm. But they are also emanating a tiny bit of fear.
“No, not like that. Faerie stuff. I mean, I guess it could all be considered along the same lines,” I tell her, remembering what Sloane told me about the split of the species, while also gauging Hollie’s reaction.
My powers are for good. I don’t possess dark, witch-crafty magical skills. And I don’t get why she seems so put off by this stuff.
I explain more, but barely. She should already understand. “This is all fae power, Hols—even the compulsion I just did. And here’s hoping I have it.”
I raise an eyebrow, a little pissed off at how my half-faery friend is acting. It’s possible she has these powers, too. “You just got super excited and amazed over me controlling your entire body so I don't get why anything else is scaring you or making you think it’s bad.”
Looking kind of embarrassed but not ready to apologize, Hollie simply shrugs slightly.
“If I can’t do it here,” I tell her, “I’m gonna have to head back and practice there when I meet up with Sloane, Zoë, and Landon.”
“Yeah, you said the name Landon earlier but I didn’t want to interrupt you. Who is he? And Zoë?”
“They’re two faeries I met yesterday. They’ve been amazing—helping me figure this whole thing out. You have to meet them, too. That is, when you’re ready.”
“Yeah. Sure. If you’re cool with them, I don’t know why I wouldn’t be. There aren’t that many people you actually like.” Hollie smirks and then bursts into a grin, immediately reassuring me things are still all right.
I giggle, enjoying the lightness and comfort of our friendship, but also a little freaked at my unstable emotions.
Hollie just laughs and says, “I know I’ll get used to all this pretty soon and I do want to meet them, but I really believe my place is here—not in Avalon. So it’ll be kind of strange. But whatever, we’ll figure it out. When the time comes.”
“Yeah. We will.” I smile genuinely at Hollie. I know it will all be fine and we will stay close and in each other’s lives, even living in different worlds—literally. I can’t say how I know this, though … maybe I am able to see the future now, too. But that is just one more thing I don’t have time to think about. So I continue the conversation about all my friends meeting as though I haven’t missed a beat.
“Plus, it’s not like they can’t come here to see you, if you feel uncomfortable going to Avalon. And I’m going to have to deal with my parents at some point soon so I’ll be around. That’s not something I’m looking forward to but I actually really miss them and I feel bad about how I left things. But hell—how could they not tell me something so enormous?! Whatever. That’s for later…” I wave my hand dismissively.
“You know, I bet things won’t change quite as much as we might think, when it comes down to it. Or if they do, we’ll adapt fairly easily. We’re tough chicks, right?” I laugh a little but most of me believes it to be true.
“Hell yeah, we are!” Hollie pumps one fist in the air, looking rather ridiculous. I give her an ‘are you kidding me’ look and we bust out laughing.
In between breaths, Hols makes out a sentence. Barely. “And things … will … be fine … with your parents.” Considering the serious subject matter, she is able to get herself under control and continue speaking. I just have to wait a few breaths. “They had to have known this day was coming and that there would be a big-deal reaction. I doubt they’re mad. They probably really miss you, too.”
She purses her lips and looks down, and then asks, “Have they tried to call at all?” She glances up for the answer, hurt and worry in her eyes.
I shake my head, wondering if it’s good they are respecting my request not to call, or bad that they don’t care enough to ignore it and attempt to talk to me anyway. Even if I’m not their real daughter, I’ve been their kid for seventeen years. That has to mean something. A lot, in fact. So I honestly have no idea what the heck I’m supposed to think.
A hopeful, but realistic thought pops into my head. “You know, it’s actually possible they have tried to call and I just wasn’t able to even hear it ring.”
“What, when you were … with Sloane?”
I can’t help but laugh at the two totally different places our minds went. That’s me and Hols.
“No, you perv—because I was in Avalon! I have no idea if phones from this world even work there.”
“Oh wow, that’s pretty funny. I was way off. Maybe I’m just jealous you’re getting some and I’m not. But it makes sense that they might have called and you had no possible way of knowing…”
We both sit and think about the entire situation—I swear she is projecting her thoughts onto a screen just like a movie, but after a couple minutes the silence is uncomfortable.
Hollie starts talking again, but changes the subject entirely and I am grateful she knows me well enough to do so. “Let’s forget about all that for now. We should get this drawing started so you can go do whatever it is you’ve gotta do tonight. Then maybe once that’s all over we’ll have some peace and can spend more time together. Talk about more stuff, ya know…”
“Definitely. Without a doubt.” I agree wholeheartedly with Hollie that time is needed—to process a bit more. But at the same time I wonder if there will ever be enough time to handle all of this craziness. If we will ever completely get used to it.
“All right.” I start this part, eager to get the the next. “Well, I suppose just do what you did before, but this time don’t focus on pushing me out or
away. This is something we both want so it’ll be easier if I can find the best place to put this picture for you to access it.”
I hesitate, choosing my next words with precision. “I just want you to be aware that this isn’t a pretty sight. I mean, it’s not absolutely horrible but it also isn’t anything you would want to come across in a dark alley, let alone in the middle of the day. It truly is a monster so be prepared. Is that all right?”
Hollie swallows and nods, seeming unsure but also giving out the vibe that she will go above and beyond for me.
“OK, awesome. Now close your eyes and I’ll try to be quick.”
Hollie obeys and I easily slip into her mind. I wander around, drawn to the area where all of the colors and pictures are—like Hollie’s personal art gallery. If people could get in here, she could charge admission. It’s amazing!
Imagining the creature, or Donovan as the creature, to be specific, I place the image with all the others that are hanging around, making sure it is large enough to notice, and then I duck back out.
“Ew. You weren’t not kidding me. That thing is nasty.” Hollie almost shivers while wrapping her arms around herself. She stares down at her blank paper while rubbing her arms, obviously preparing to bring the face of evil to life.
“Right? I warned you. So you think you can draw it for me while I practice this other stuff over here?”
“Of course. I can draw anything.” Hollie winks. As an aside, she says, “Oh, if you want to change the music, you can. It’s been on shuffle, but if you want some thinking music or whatever… I don’t know. Just a suggestion.” She shrugs and smiles, almost looking embarrassed.
I ignore how she is acting. Maybe her emotions are all screwy, too. They kind of seem to be.
“No, that’s a good idea. I’ll go find something.”
Hollie takes out a dark green color and starts sketching the outline—and I really have to try hard to tear my eyes away from her talent. Once I manage, I make my way over to the stereo, avoiding the papasan and forcing myself not to think about what I saw there recently.
I stand in front of the stereo, grateful the CDs are on the opposite side of the papasan. I flip through those for a few minutes, which helps my mind forget the scary shadowy shade thing. Not finding anything in the boxes Hollie stores her CDs in, I pick up her iPod and scroll through it, eventually choosing Enya. The mellowness might help me relax and, therefore, concentrate on the task at hand.
Plopping back down on the bed, I get comfortable, sitting lotus style. I figure it can’t hurt to be in a meditative pose. As Hollie draws, I attempt to focus on nothing but a rock. A simple stone. Even just a pebble will do. I assume something from nature will be the easiest to conjure, and since I forgot to ask what I’ll be needing for the spell, I figure starting simply will be best.
It feels as though hours pass with nothing happening, but I know it’s just my mind messing with me. Along with the fact that it is difficult to breathe and I am as hot as can be. Hoping that comfort might make the task easier, I strip off my t-shirt, leaving on just my tank.
Shoulders back again, feeling more in a position of power, I let the soft music take over. I breathe as well as I can and I focus like I did on Hols. Except this time I am picturing a plain grey rock sitting in front of me. The type you can find in almost any yard. It is all I am thinking of and, within seconds but also what feels like yet another hour, I see something.
The ‘something’ resembles a heat wave. Like when it’s so hot outside the air actually moves. That happens a lot here in the summer and it is what’s happening on Hollie’s bed. The air speeds up, bobbing up and down, and then spins in no particular pattern or motion. I can faintly feel it, just as I felt the compulsion power not much earlier, although I have an inkling that controlling the wind is a separate power. But I can’t think of that now. I need to concentrate.
With enough focus, the ball of moving air morphs into the rock I so desperately was hoping for. It is hanging out in mid-air, dancing around as if trying to impress me. I put my hands out underneath it, not wanting to take it out of the air but also wanting the dang thing. I made it—I should be able to hold it. It acts like it hears me because it slows down its rhythm like a scolded child, and then it falls the four or five inches down into my open hands.
I hold it, feeling its weight, and then I rub my fingers all over to feel its texture. It feels just like a rock. It is a rock! And I’m blown away. I can’t speak at first; I tried to tell Hollie. But after a minute or two, my voice comes back, louder than usual.
“Yes!” I scream. “It freaking fracking worked Hols! Do you believe it?”
I hold up the rock as though it’s a trophy, and I stare at it as though it’s the largest, most flawless diamond in existence.
Hollie looks up from her drawing, which I notice is about finished, and asks, “You seriously just made that? Just out of thin air? A stone?”
I nod, grinning and biting my lip.
“You didn’t bring it in with you to trick me or anything?”
I shake my head, not knowing what to say.
“That is absolutely insane! I never would have thought this would be how our lives would turn out…” She shakes her head in amazement, just staring, pencil in hand and hovering over the drawing.
“I know! It’s crazy, right? It wasn’t easy like compulsion was, but … if I can do it here, who knows what I can do in Avalon.” I try to keep my voice down, but I can’t seem to, now that I found it again. But it’s with good reason that I’m practically screaming.
Hollie stares in awe for another minute and then goes back to the drawing, finishing up the last part.
I sit and look at the rock, turning it around and over in my hands to make sure it is real, all while praying it won’t disappear.
“OK girlie. I think I’m done. Did I do good?”
I look up from my hard-won prize to see Hollie’s drawing in all its glory. It is definitely the monster-creature thing—without a doubt. Every feature is spot on. The girl’s got talent, that’s for sure, and I make sure to let her know. And then continue to praise her.
“Wow Hols! It’s beyond perfect. I’m so glad you were able to do this.”
I climb down awkwardly off the bed, my legs cramped from sitting the same way for so long. I plan to give my friend a hug when I feel something poke my leg. Freaking duh. The amulet. I don’t know how I could have forgotten it.
“Hey, I have something for you.” I reach into my pocket and hand the cloth-covered bark to Hollie.
“What’s this?”
“It’s something Zoë and I made. Keep it on you all the time and it will protect you. You know, since you have human blood. I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to you…” My eyes sting with tears, but I blink them away before the waterworks can start.
“Aw, you’re sweet, hon. I’ll definitely keep it with me always. If you say it works, I believe you. Especially after what I just saw you do.”
“Awesome,” I say, leaning over to give Hollie the hug I had come down to the floor for.
I pull back but keep my hands on her arms. “I hate to run, but I kind of need to get back and figure out what the plan is. There’s not much time left, according to Landon.”
“I understand. It sucks, but I get it. Just make sure to come back. And soon. Let’s catch up and just be like, well—like us.” Hollie smiles, her irises sparkling when she looks into my eyes.
I can’t help but smile back, just like any other time Hollie is happy. It’s the effect my best friend has on me. And I adore it.
“I will. For sure.”
I stand up and look around the room, taking in its beauty while also making sure I have everything I need. Realizing my bag is still at Sloane’s, I wonder briefly if there is anything in it I should get, but then I figure I’ll be all right with just my purse.
Hollie stands up too and follows me as I leave her bedroom, walking me to the back door.
When we get
to the counter I stop short, causing Hollie to bump into me.
“Is that—is that the bowl Bonnie had us use in your room? The rainwater?” I turn and look at Hollie.
“Yeah. She figured she should leave it around for me to practice. Or in case I want to meet my dad or maybe see my Béfind again.” She tilts her head. “Why? You need it for something?”
“Well no, not exactly. But instead of going outside and risking Donovan finding me, it might be smarter, and easier, to scry back to Avalon. Would you mind if I do it? You won’t freak out when I just … disappear, will you?”
“Eh, it might be weird but feel free. I think I’ll just go back to my room; say goodbye to you now. Is that all right?”
“Yeah, sure. It’s fine.” I give Hollie a cheesy ass smile, feeling high on the awesomeness that is our friendship. “You rock, girlie. I love you. Never forget that—or that you’re the best!”
“You too, love. I’ll see you soon.” With a hug, Hollie is gone. I can sense a connection broken—Hollie walking down the hall toward her rather normal bedroom and life, and me, well … not. The phenomenal feeling I just had starts to fade but I ignore it and think only about what I’m doing right now and why.
One thing I find myself thinking about is why I can scry with my entire body now and not just my mind and spirit. But I figure it’s just because I was baptized to be able to do that, among other things.
I wait to hear the curtain of beads move before I sit down at a bar stool and look into the water. I caress the air over it and focus on my home, happily noticing the beautiful cross on my wrist has stayed a rainbow. Yet another grin spreads across my face. I’m surprised my cheeks aren’t hurting by now after all the happiness I’ve been experiencing.
It’s probably because the evil pretty much balances it out… As well as some of the awkwardness and sadness going on. But I don’t need to think about all this. I need to go home.
I have been calling the faery realm Avalon so as not to hurt Hollie’s feelings, but it is home. It doesn’t need a name. I just want to be there, and so I do what is now second nature. I send myself home.