The Tale of Sarah

Warm rays of golden sunlight slowly strayed into her room through the half open bedroom window. The flowered curtains flapped against the gentle breeze of the wind. Her long lashes fluttered open revealing those baby blue eyes. She effortlessly sat up, her body slowly lifting from the bed, almost as if she were a puppet. Gold silken hair played about her shoulders and a soft bang covered her forehead allowing loose strands of hair to frame her face. A fatigued yawn emanated her lips.

Monday, she thought, worst day of all. But it was hardly that. I told myself as I looked upon her. She wasn’t aware of my existence, or the fact that I kept a log of her day to day ventures. Knew everything she did and did not want. Knew her sentiments before they were concepts. We were one in the same. I was her and she was me. For now I choose to linger in the shadows. An anonymous figure incessantly observing a soul that deserves to foster its own feelings and emotions.

“Aunty Laura!” Sarah screamed from the top of her lungs.

She rushed down the flight of stairs dressed in her school uniform. The frills on her black skirt bobbed up and down as she sprinted to the kitchen. Golden blond hair kept up tight in a ponytail, swept across the back of her half crinkled white T-shirt. She stopped out of breath. Upon entering the kitchen, she was welcomed by her aunt making breakfast. The aroma of fried eggs mixed with creamy yellow cheese and brown crispy bacon filled the air. The combination was so heavenly that she even forgot she’d been at a loss for air a minute ago.

“My fav.” She breathed.

“Good morning to you too.” Laura said. “Ready for school this morning? It’s your first day since the break. Are you excited?”

At that moment, her head fell into the cradle of her open palms. Grief came over her as she mourned the loss of a well-deserved vacation.

“No Aunty L. Why did you have to remind me?” The world she had built of not going back to jail, as she put it, was now disintegrating around her. She would have to return to her twenty cellmates. And Mr. Keeters, her jail warden. During the course of the day, she would have eight of these.

“Cheer up, Cousin Sarah.” Said a voice that mimicked the sound of chirping morning birds. Soft, sweet and relaxing.

Looking up, Sarah had barely noticed her baby cousin Tamia, sitting across from her at the table.

“Aunty Laury do I have to go?” She whined. “I mean it’s the first day and there are barely going to be any students at class this morning.”

She found herself sitting in that same class that morning. A fist of frustration was placed neatly beneath her chin. Sarah never visualized she’d be curious enough to stare at the other students. Instead, she kept those shimmering blue eyes fixated on her desk. This was her day to day routine before class began. On the contrary, her classmates were always engrossed in a conversation. There were little cliques scattered in every corner possible. Their voices were beginning to collide as the chatter grew louder and louder.

They are so noisy. She thought. Am I in a beehive or what? But then again, it’s the first day of school.

Over the years, she had perceived the bathroom as her refuge anytime she felt the need for seclusion. Her black sneakers squeaked on the yellow tiles.

I wonder how class is going to be today. And as she thought, she tried to imagine Mr. Keeters, standing before them in his signature black suit. He was the best man in some imaginary wedding he would never go to. As usual, the students never acknowledged his presence.

He would clear his throat. “Eh hem.” But that never had any effect. “Students please. Sit down and be quiet.” When he was tired of tapping his well clipped nails against the mahogany table, he would count to ten. When that didn’t work he would then revert to his old ways.

“I said to be quiet you little teenage brats before I throttle you all one by one!!”

After they all closed their mouths in shock, the students would then scurry to their seats.

Mr. Keeters would adjust his tie, clear his throat and pretend his outburst had never occurred.

How he became a teacher astounded Sarah till this day. His patience was limited, and this was always an essential quality, that ought to run in all educator’s blood. Those anger management classes were not paying off. Benevolence should be exemplified in his genes. One day, she was even afraid he’d go into one of his phases again. Enough about him, what about her! She didn’t have any companions. And the very few that she did have, were in different classes. She needed to make a couple soon or else lonely girl would be her intonation.

On entering the place where all her thoughts suddenly manifested a breeze of cold air wrapped around her. A rash of goose pimples rose on the exposed areas of her skin and she cherished the sensation. The feeling of belonging and acceptance. But this was crazy and she had to stop doing that. She had to stop regarding the bathroom as the only place she could be accepted. For God’s sake, it was a toilet. A place where people came to urinate and defecate. A place germs were in abundance.

But, it’s a place that I can be alone, she thought. A place where I don’t have to worry about the people around me. I place that I am…content and I don’t have to live in the shadow of-

Bling, Bling! Bling, Bling! Students, class is about to start. Please return to your rooms immediately. Students, class is about to start. Please return to your rooms.

Her heart caught in her throat, as she tried to slow her breathing. What is that! And she pressed her hands over her ears to block out the harsh sound. After a few minutes, it died down to a whisper.

Exhaustion roared in her bones as she yawned her way through her final class. Just a few more minutes she said, as the clock above Mr. Avery’s head ticked away the seconds, her blue eyes following every stroke. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. She tapped her feet to the rhythm. The sound of her math teacher’s voice made wonderful background music but it didn’t help with the sudden thrill in the air. The inevitability of the buzzer going off any second now. The rush of the uneasy students, ready to go back to their normal lives, only to relive this day tomorrow. Bling, Bling. Bling, Bling.

“Aunty L.” Sarah screamed as she rushed to the car. Eyes smiling, cheeks puffy and rose pink. “I made it through the day. My goodness, I thought I’d die. Those kids were unbearable.” She kept blabbering, not noticing that there was another presence, other than her aunt and baby cousin.

“She hasn’t changed, has she?”

Her lips quit moving and her body froze. That voice, she thought. It brought a chill down her spin. That person. No! Never in her mind would “it” be regarded as a person anymore. That thing, she thought a little angrier, was gone for good. Why, is it back now! It’s the sole reason why I’m…

“Are you happy to see me?! It’s been a while. Why don’t you give me a hug?”

“What’s he doing here aunty L?” Completely ignoring the voice, she continued. “I thought you said…”

“Thought I said what, I never said anything.”

“But Aunty-”

“Stop it! Ok Sarah. You’re being very childish at the moment.”

“But you don’t understand.” I never expect you to. She continued in her mind.

“Come on! Get in the car already! You know how long we’ve been here waiting?!” His voice came in again.

And it infuriated her. “For your information, I don’t remember you being behind the wheel when I came here, so keep that trap of yours shut!”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Always the same. Never change. And oh so feisty. I don’t remember you being this way when I left.” He let out a sigh. “You always used to play nice.”

The gravel crunched beneath her shoes as she walked silently to the other side of the car, to the passenger seat. She could almost imagine that sly smile that crossed his lips. Her hands had barely touched the door when,

“Uh, no honey. You’ll have to seat in the back.”

“B-b-but. The front is where I usually seat.” She stammered out of shock.

“Just this once. I have to pick up Nickolas from work.”

Steam slowly rose from the food on her dinner plate. Separated in portions where the stewed vegetables. An assortment of soft yellow corn, wrinkled green beans, with slices of orange carrot and finally, the most hated of all, broccoli. Freshly prepared white rice and a slice of baked ham. The juices slithering out of it as the knife slowly cut it open. Aunty made everyone’s plate in the likeness of a rainbow. The purpose was for Tamia so she’d be encouraged to eat all her food. But me, Sarah thought, I don’t have the appetite. His sudden appearance here, is disturbing. She clenched the knife. Why was he here again! Hadn’t he gone away, never to return?! Aunty L knew he’d be here, but she never told me a word. She betrayed me. Pulling up today, knowing full well that bastard was in the car. I thought I’d made it clear to her how I felt about him, and how I despised him. She knows exactly wh-

“Sarah.”

Startled, she looked up.

“Please place the knife down, you’re making us worry.” Her aunt smiled.

Making you worry? But why? I haven’t…

She slowly looked down at the silver knife in her grasp. She was holding it so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

“I’m sorry everyone.” And she forced a nervous smile. “I was just…thinking about something that’s all. No need to worry.”

“What such thoughts had your mind occupied?” Uncle Nicholas asked her. But he wasn’t really her uncle. He was just the guy who married her aunt, and also the guy, who came with all the unnecessary baggage.

“Nothing to fuss about.”

“Oh it must be something, if you’d seen it from my point of view, even you’d be worried too. We thought we’d lost you.”

“It’s just school. Same as always.” And she stabbed at the broccoli. At that moment, she could see his face imprinted right then and there. So she stabbed more and more. A little harder and faster. She lips pressed tighter against each other as she put more effort into it. If only she had her way, he’d be shredded just like the broccoli, until there was nothing left to shred. Her hands got tired and she stopped, breaking a little sweat. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. If only I had my way.

“Are you guys sure she’s ok Daddy?”

Is Tamia referring to me?

“I always knew she was crazy. It’s just that no one believed me at the time.”

His voice was so much like poison. Infecting her ears every time his mouth opened.

“I mean, you should take her to a doctor Mrs. L. Just to make sure everything is in tip top shape up there. And for the time being, let’s keep her away from the cutlery. She might bludgeon one of us.”

“The only one I’m going to shred is you!” On saying those words she lounged at him from across the table.

Tamia let out a shrill scream that permeated the air. And Sarah heard what sounded like glass shattering. A sharp stinging pain shot up her cheek. It was almost like it was on fire. And she stopped dead in her tracks.

“That’s enough from you!” Laury screamed.

S…She hit me. Aunt Laury has never laid a hand on me before. Ever! She thought, her mind in a state of shock.

Another sound could be heard. Like someone was trying to hold in a laugh. Not hold in. Someone was laughing. It was him. He…was...laughing at her. That idiot was laughing.

“Ah ha ha ha! You people are crazier than when I was here.”

Sarah sat back down slowly, staring into space. Her body was so overridden with shock that she barely felt the tears stream slowly down her cheeks.

“My goodness.” He said in a half laugh, wiping his eyes. “I laughed so much I almost cried. Almost.” Then he turned in her direction. “Look at her face, you still can’t believe she hit you?! Oh my god.”

“That’s enough from you too, Tyler.” Laury said as her anger subsided. “Both of you leave this table at once.”

“But I didn’t do anything.” He began but she wouldn’t have it.

“I said both of you. Sit in the living room until the two of you can communicate like human beings.”

Four days had passed since the incident, which meant that today was Friday. In those four days she hadn’t spoken to anyone of them in the house, unless she absolutely had to. Otherwise she was completely silent. At breakfast, during their travel in the car, at school, the ride back, and dinner and even in her room. Being alone was something that was familiar to her. The feeling was forever imprinted in her DNA. Loneliness was what she knew best. What she would always know.

I hovered above her for a while. Just staring. I’ve seen her like this before and it angers me. I hate to feel her sadness and regret and pain and suffering. If I had tears I would cry for her, but that’s not a quality that I have. It’s just a fragment of the things I’m not allowed to do. Slowly, I float downwards, joining her at her bedside. I want to hug her, to touch her but it’s also something I’m not allowed to do. Every moment a small tear rolled down her cheek, it resonated through me. Almost like they were splattering on my heart. She resembled an inanimate doll. Knees hugged tightly to her chest, eyes as wide as an open window, but blank and staring at nothing. And when I met her gaze, I shuddered. It was just a cold, lonely stare. Eyes that were emptying the ocean on me. And I felt like I was drowning. I tried to enter her mind but for some reason, nothing I said got through. It was futile. I was just shouting in space. She’d never hear me.

Was that his purpose of coming here? To induce more pain and conjure up suffering? He better not challenge me or my Sarah. He better stay away as of this moment. I’ll use all I have, just to protect her.

I could see a shadow beneath the doorframe. It was him. I could sense it as I drifted in his direction. I passed through the door and stared down at him, my anger almost getting the better of me. He was sitting there, almost like she was, but there was something different. I tried to enter his thoughts. But the moment my mind touched his, I got this sharp pain. Almost as if my mind would explode. I pulled away, clutching my head as it subsided into a headache. What was this, it’s never materialized before. I could read anyone’s mind. But why not his. He stood up and stared. But not through me, at me. My eyes widened. No! I must be mistaken. And for the first time I felt distress. Gut wrenching fear. This was impossible. How could he see me! I tried to calm myself down, clear my head. I moved out of his field of vision. A test to ascertain if he could really see me. But he just stayed the same. Not even a flinch. I was mistaken after all. Relief flooded my body again, but I still couldn’t get rid of that fear. I must go back to Sarah, I think desperately. I don’t want a reoccurrence of the last time either.

Dinner time was at hand, but she didn’t budge. A faint knock sounded against the door but she feigned being death. With a creek, the door slowly opened and light cascaded into her room.

“It’s time to eat.” He said quietly.

But she pretended not to hear a sound.

“You got to eat something, Sarah. You can’t stay here all afternoon.” After the deafening silence, he spoke again. “L is sorry for what she did. She didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”

She stood up and stepped more into the light, turning her face to the left, revealing the already fading black spot on her cheek. His hand lifted to touch it but she backed away. “Get out.” She said quietly, hatred surging through her veins.

“Stop acting like such a little bitch. Nothing is wrong with you. It was just a slap, stuff like that fades away. It isn’t like she tried to murder you, or she did it for fun. You know full well that Laura cares about you. About us. And there you go punishing her for something that you caused.”

“It was your fault!” She yelled.

“Hmph.” He snorted. “Isn’t it always? Blame me for everything that’s happened to you so far. Put all the blame on Tyler. But you know you’re responsible. I have done nothing to you. Nothing! If anything, I have been nothing but nice to you.”

“Get out of my room.” She lounged for the door, eager to push him out and bang it in his face. “I want you out!”

“I’m not moving a muscle!” And he stood firm. “You’re going to come down stairs, sit at that table and apologize to Laura.”

“The only way that’s going to happen, is if you imagine it!”

“Is that true. Well, I have a thing when it comes to making my dreams become reality.” He grabbed her arm and began the process of dragging her downstairs.

“Ouch! Let go of me! You’re hurting my arm. Stop it!”

“You’re so damn spoilt.” He grunted.

They stumbled down the stairs, with him landing on top of her.

“Kids what are the two of you doing? Are you guys hurt?” Laura rushed to their aid. She patted Tyler down for injuries.

“I’m fine.”

“Sarah? Are you ok?”

“I’m sorry aunty L.” She forced in a whisper. “Ty was right. I just…you’ve never hit me before…and I guess I deserved it because I was wrong. So…I want to apologize for being disrespectful and hurting you in any way possible.”

“Honey don’t worry about it. Ok?” And she wet her forehead with a kiss. “I never felt hurt. Come sit. Have dinner with us.”

It’s so hot. She thought as she lay in bed. The darkness shrouding her room as she twisted and turned. Kicking the sheets off, she tried to find relief but to no avail. I hate getting up in the middle of the night. Those thoughts invaded her mind as she walked downstairs into a larger pool of darkness. Sarah stifled a dry yawn as she fumbled with the light switch. Come on you stupid thing. She mumbled. Whatever, I know my way to the refrigerator anyway. She tried to feel her way through the kitchen and accidentally knocked one of the pots over. It clattered noisily to the floor, echoing in the once still darkness. Oh no. Now I’m going to wake everyone up. A door upstairs creaked open, causing light to flood the darkness of the kitchen. She could almost imagine them squinting at her.

“Sarah? Is that you? What the heck are you doing? It’s four in the morning.”

Tyler rubbed his eyes wearily.

“My room is hot, so I came for a glass of water.” She whispered.

“Mine is pretty cool, want to join me?”

“Not ever!” She tried to whisper harshly.

“Never?” He inquired with a quick raise of his left brow and a smirk.

Cold water slowly slid down her throat, coursing through her body, chasing out the heat. She let out a sigh. That feels good. She thought. So good.

“Still not going to take me up on that offer?” He was close to her now, almost near her face. “Remember when we used to pretend the sheets were tents? And we’d play beneath it with the flashlight? And I’d turned it off so we could just lay there, my hand intertwined with yours, imagining the stars. One time, when we were doing just that we turned to stare at each other, almost simultaneously, almost like we had the same thought in mind.”

She knew where he was going with this. His next words, forever etching the image in her memory.

“I remember I leaned over then. Your eyes were so wide…”

She felt his lips on hers. Warm and soft. They began to mold as her lips moved with his. As she did this, he abruptly pulled away, looking at her with a smile.

“Just as they are now.” His green eyes suddenly reflected sadness. He moved his thumb across her cheek. “That was our first kiss. And that night, we kept doing it over and over.”

“Ty…”

“Come on. Let’s go to bed. Don’t forget to pick up that pan.” He made his way to the stairs.

That night she couldn’t fall asleep after. Nothing she tried worked. It was still hot. Mine is pretty cool, want to join me? His words pervaded her mind. Want to join me? She covered her ears. Join me? She touched her finger to her lips. And that kiss.

She found herself staring at his door. What am I doing here? She thought. This was a bad idea. But it was already too late. She’d already knocked. Maybe he’s asleep. She turned in the direction of her room when the door opened slowly. He never said a word as he stepped aside and let her go in.

It really is cooler in here, she thought. She heard the door shut, and as it clicked, she couldn’t help feeling trapped.

“Here, you can have the sheets.” He threw them on her. They slept with their backs to each other and although she was covered with the sheets, she felt his warmth against hers. And she just couldn’t help herself.

“Ty…” She called out to him in the darkness, her heart thudding so loudly against her ribcage that she swore he could hear it.

“Hmm?” His back was still turned.

She touched his shoulder but he shrugged it off.

“We should try to get some sleep while we can. The sun’s going to come up soon.”

“You’re right.” She turned, feeling a bit like she made a mistake. Like she did the wrong thing at the wrong time. Stupid. She punished herself mentally. You’re so stupid. Pulling the sheets to her chest, she took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. His scent was wrapped in the sheets and it invaded her lungs. It felt like the old days, like when he used to…no! She wouldn’t allow herself to dwindle on the past any longer. Not ever again.

“Students please take your seats. Class is in session. Students I said take your seats!” Mr. Keeters cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. “Now before we begin today, I would like to introduce you to your new classmate.”

New classmate? She sat up straight, her interest somewhat peaked.

“He just moved to the neighborhood with his parents and it would be appreciated if you rascals….I mean students gave him a warm welcome.”

It was a boy? He moved here? Why? And out of all the schools ours? He must be insane. Or maybe one of those below average students. I’m one to talk myself.

“Hi.” He said.

His voice was almost girly but deep. Like he was just nearing puberty. She looked up. His hair was charcoal black and curly. From a distance, it looked almost like a cotton ball, made out of shiny black silk. Those soft brown eyes. Sarah found herself getting dragged in. She was hypnotized. He never smiled, his face a blank slate.

“His name is…how did you pronounce your name again?”

“Oh umm…it’s Kisake. As in key-sake. Sake as in the Japanese wine.”

Everyone mumbled all at once. Like flies buzzing around noisily.

“But you can call me Kai, for short. It’s easier to pronounce.” He sounded a bit annoyed by the way he replied.

“Ok enough formalities, you can sit here, behind Ed.”

He was sitting before her now, and her fingers almost touched his hair. Hands to yourself, she thought. Stop acting crazy. Her eyes widened as it got to his neck. He had a tattoo. What was it, a dragon? She could see the green coils and something like a flame. A snake? And his ears. They were imbedded with earrings. Five in each, following the sequence of red, black, red, black, red. The red ones being a little larger than the black. Is he a bad boy? No way. Does the school not condone this type of thing? Her fist found itself beneath her chin. Hmm…but if so, they wouldn’t allow him on the school grounds if his grades were deplorable. I wonder if they overlooked it for some reason.

Something attracted me from where I slept. Not that I’m ever allowed to sleep. Another one of the forbidden things. The list goes on and on. The nerve of those rules. Anyway, I felt the need to be there, next to her. Upon arrival, she didn’t seem to be in any danger but, yet, I couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy. I found her burning holes in some student’s back for no reason. Her stare was so, intense. I glided before him and it really caught me by surprise. He was cute to the T. This would be a great guy for her. From what I’m already feeling, he’s kind and sweet. But so says his name, Kai. It means kind and loving. Perfect, because Sarah means princess. And after all she’s been through, she deserves a kai in her life. But I’m not betting on this yet, something big is going to happen. Something big. And I’m going to be the one to spearhead it.

He didn’t say much. He was silent, and almost a loner. And how did she know this? Well, the signs were there. She too, was a loner herself.

The bell rang for the last time today. Finally, she thought. It was so exhausting. As she quickly packed her stuff, her pen rolled off the table onto the ground.

“Where do you think you’re going? Get back here.” She grabbed it before it got too far. As she looked up, she saw a book in the desk before her. Isn’t that the new boy’s seat? She reached inside and grabbed what looked like a journal upon closer inspection. She opened the front page and saw his name written there.

Property of Kisake Tate.

Journal Entries. Private!

If it’s private then I can’t turn anymore pages. But why would he forget something as precious as this? I have to go quickly, she thought, maybe he’s nearby. She run outside, eyes searching frantically. By that time, the crowds were getting larger, more students congregating in the halls. If this keeps up I won’t find him. She made her way to where Laura was waiting.

“Aunt Laury, can I walk home today?”

A sudden sense of surprise emanated from Laura’s eyes. “But why honey, I came all this way.”

“I know, but someone forgot their book in the desk and I just want to return it. I’m going to take the route home in case I see him.”

“Oh, so it’s a boy. Do you have a crush?” And Laura wriggled her eyebrows at her.

“N…N…No!” She stammered. Her face turning red.

Home wasn’t far away, maybe around forty-five minutes from school. And come to think of it, she had no idea where he lived. See what happens when you act on an impulse? She scolded herself. Why am I doing this? I have no idea. Maybe because, if it was me, I’d…appreciate it if someone did the same. But everyone doesn’t think like me. Ugh. Maybe I’m too nice. That’s why bad things always happen to me. Oh well. She let out a sigh.

As Sarah neared the last block before home, she saw movers at a house across the street. They were carrying a huge T.V. set. Maybe that’s where he lives. Mr. Keeters did say that they just moved. She waited for the light to turn green. It seemed like it took forever. The movers were already leaving.

The stairs slowly creaked as he ascended to his room.

“Kai honey, are you home?”

Letting out a huge sigh, he turned around to face his approaching mother. He didn’t want to deal with anything right now. For some reason unbeknown to him, he forgot his journal. Something he always kept on lock and key. He wasn’t careless or that forgetful. It’s like the thought of it being there just evaporated from his mind. This situation just amplified his hate for that place.

“How was school today?” Her voice had a cheerful ring to it, as usual. She was always so caring and trustworthy. The way a mother should be. Her brown eyes reflected her genuine smile, but her face betrayed her. She looked worn from all the packing and unpacking. Being a stay at home mom wasn’t an easy thing. He looked down at her.

“It was fine.” He tried hard to keep that annoyed tone of voice as low as possible. But it didn’t work.

“Hmm, I see.” She dried her hands against the blue apron around her waist. Her hair was kept in a bandana, with some stray strands escaping into her eyes. “Ok. I bet you have homework, maybe-”

“Big brother!” His baby sister run from the kitchen towards him. She was just like his mother. Always happy and smiling. So cheerful and willing to play. “Did you see the T.V. the big men brought in today?”

“You mean the movers, I think I saw it.”

“We can watch TV now. Will you watch it with me?” Her eyes were so bright and filled with expectations. She was five years old after all.

“I…” He didn’t know what to say.

“Lia honey, big brother just came from school today. He might need some time to rest.” He looked to his mom then to Lia.

“Oh. You must be tired.” Those words reflected sadness in her voice as she pouted.

Before he could make it up to her, they were already heading to the kitchen.

“Let’s go baby. Maybe you can play later.” His mom rubbed her back reassuringly as they vanished.

Another sigh escaped his lips. He felt so frustrated today for some reason. Wanting to completely eradicate the memory, he turned on his cellphone and switched on the music. The nice and loud kind that reverberated in your ears. Where the beat kept going on and on. He was totally immersed in it. Lying on his bed now, nothing could be better than that.

Maybe I should turn around. She thought anxiously. But he’s probably crazy about losing that book. What do I do? What if this isn’t their address. But what if it is? She must have been in this mental back and forth for about ten minutes now. She summoned the courage and knocked, finally coming down to a decision. The door slowly opened and a slender young woman appeared behind it.

“Yes?”

This had to be the place. This woman looked just like…the eyes were the same. The face and everything. The hair was the only exception.

“Umm….I’m looking for…” Oh crap. She thought. I can’t pronounce his name. “Kissinay…I mean umm…” I screwed up, she thought again, mentally face-palming herself.

“You mean Kisake.”

“Yes…that’s it. He forgot his journal in the class today so I was planning on returning it.”

“Oh, he did? Well come in.” She moved aside.

“No it's fine. You can have the book…I mean…I don’t want to intrude.”

“Mommy, who is it?” A little girl appeared behind her. And to Sarah’s surprise looked just like a miniature form of the woman.

“Pretty.” She said quietly. “Mommy, don’t you see the pretty lady. She’s flying.”

“Where honey. I don’t see her.”

“She’s right there. Behind her.”

And she pointed towards Sarah who looked around in astonishment, not seeing anything.

Embarrassed her mother tried to make up for it. “I’m sorry, please, do come in.”

“Umm, I don’t know.”

Before she knew it the little girl grabbed her hand and pulled her in.

“Come play with me!” She was so enthusiastic, Sarah didn’t want to refuse anymore. She would do anything to avoid the water works of this adorable child.

“So, how was my son today at school? You guys are in the same class right?”

They were sitting there now, having some marmalade. There was no designated place to sit since the sofa hadn’t arrived yet. They were just occupying the space where it should have been. Life seemed carefree sitting on that rug.

“Well, he seemed a bit withdrawn.” Sarah kept surveying the room, noticing the large to medium brown moving boxes, taking in the scent of chemical cleaning products, and also lending a hand in little girl’s dollhouse.

“Oh my.” The woman said abruptly, clasping her hand to her mouth. “I was in such a hurry to ask you about my son that I didn’t even introduce myself. My name is Lianna. This is my daughter Lia.”

Her smile was bright and cheerful, her eyes emitting a warm glow. Sarah felt at home with her, like there was no room for sadness. But by the looks of things she was tired. The whole place seemed like it was in disarray, stuff stacked up everywhere. It might have been a possibility that they moved in yesterday.

“My name is Sarah Parker. I live a block from here.” Taking another heavenly sip, she returned to the question asked before the formalities.

“He never spoke to any of the students.”

Mrs. Lianna let out a sigh. One of longing. “That’s my Kai, always a loner.” A sad smile appeared on her lips when she said those words. “I just wish he was more social, you know?” She looked up and smiled happily, but Sarah knew it was a rouse. She was forcing it. “Oh, speaking of which, you were returning his book. His room is the second from the right, just as you reach the top of the stairs.”

But why is she giving me directions? Isn’t she going to give him the book? Clutching it to her chest now, she stared at the door. What do I do? Before she knew it, she was answering herself. Just knock stupid. How hard can it be to knock on a door? But, what do I say when he comes forth, is he going to think I read his journal? She stomped her feet down hard, as she tried to reach a state of mental clarity. Just calm down. You’ll be fine. She took in a deep breath. He won’t think you’re a freak. You were being polite. And stop talking to yourself.

“Right.” She whispered, as her knuckles came in contact with the door.

Kai tapped his feet to the sound of the music. He got goose pimples every time it got to the chorus. He hummed sweetly to it. It would play over and over and he would never be tired of it. He suddenly got this weird feeling, simultaneous to the one he usually got when his mom was near. Maybe she was at the door again. He pulled off one side of his earphones. Nothing. Maybe I was just sensing things, he thought. In the process of putting it back on, he heard a faint knock. “It’s open!” He called out. But another knock just came at the door. Maybe mom didn’t hear me. “I said it's open!” Another knock. He strode quickly towards it and pulled it open. “Mom, how hard is it to open a door. You can’t say you didn’t hear me, I said that as loud as possible.”

“Umm…I’m not your mom.”

There was a girl, standing there in black and white uniform. Her blonde hair looked really neat in that ponytail and her bangs were cut just above her eyes. A little lower and she’d be blind. The white t-shirt was covered in wrinkles, and disheveled at the waist were the skirt hid the rest of it. By the looks of things, a little higher and there would be no skirt. It looked so short. As a replacement, her socks reached her thighs, where the skirt should be. The image that she imbedded in his mind right now was not a good one. She looked like she’d be just at home in one of those playboy magazines. Heading; the naughty schoolgirl.

“How’d you get in my house? Who are you!?” Those blue eyes of hers were shy. They just kept moving all over the place. Everywhere except at him.

“M…M…My name is…umm…”

Now she was biting her fingernails. Seriously, how does a person forget their name? “Spit it out already.”

“Don’t be a jerk.” She said firmly. “My name is Sarah and I came to return your stupid journal.”

Where did that sudden burst of courage come from? “I guess my mom let you in.” He stretched out his hand. “Give it.”

“Well I never!” She said incredulously. “No!”

“What!” Now it was his turn to be incredulous. He couldn’t believe what she was saying. No way had those words reached his ears. “What do you mean no. It’s my book. Hey. Did you read it?”

He stared at her, his anger beginning to surface. A look of shock took the place of her defiance.

“No! I would never do such a thing. Calm down, don’t get angry…” She trailed off and took a step closer to him.

“Is that what I think it is? That song. Is that the remix of Green Day’s song? Boulevard of broken dreams?”

“Yes, why?”

She shrieked with excitement. “I love that song.” And she begun to hum. It caught him off guard when she put the earpiece in her ear and began tapping her feet.

“You like music, don’t you.” He couldn’t stop himself from saying it.

“Kind of yeah. Here’s your book. Ohh, since we’re in the same class I could give you the notes from the previous days you missed. You haven’t gotten them from another student have you?”

She stared at him for a shot second and smiled. “I doubt that very much.”

“Why!”

“Because you haven’t spoken to anyone in class yet. Why is that by the way?”

“You don’t seem to be too acquainted yourself.” This girl. Where did that courage and formality come from? You’d swear she knew him already. Why was she being so friendly?

“Thanks but no thanks. I think I’ll be fine.”

“I’d take me up on that offer if I were you. Mr. Keeters loves giving surprise quizzes in the second week, from notes he gave last week. And he doesn’t tolerate failure.”

“Does he now.” Kai raised a brow at her. He didn’t believe a word she said. It was so obvious she was lying. “Well I guess I’ll just fail then.”

“I don’t think you would. By what I see, you look like the bad boy type.”

“What!” Did someone drop this girl when she was a baby or something? “I’m lost as to what you’re referring to.”

“Your piercings. And come to think of it, I didn’t even notice those two. The one in your right eyebrow, and that one in your nose. Those in your ears I did see. And that tattoo. What is it by the way?”

Is she some kind of creep? If she’s so observant maybe she would see that her bra was showing through that top.

“It’s a snake. And where were you heading with your bad boy type statement?”

“I was just saying you seem to be but, our school doesn’t accept delinquent students. They check into your backgrounds and everything before you get accepted. So you’re a smart cookie.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Smart cookie huh? And what’s to say I didn’t hack the system and forge my grades?”

“Like I said. Smart cookie. You have to be smart in some way to hack the system. You just prove my point.”

Her phone began to ring abruptly. “Excuse me.” She said as she turned away.

Why was he calling? That’s not like him at all.

“What do you want!” She whispered harshly.

“I was just curious as to what you’re up to.”

“Well stop being curious. Curiosity kills the cat.”

“Cat’s got nine lives, I can be curious eight more times.”

“I’m kind of busy. I don’t have time for your antics. Good bye.”

She turned back to the boy. She didn’t know how she was keeping up with that whole courageous act. Sarah was trembling to her toes. He was so intimidating but she was determined for some reason to befriend him.

“So where were we, before I was rudely interrupted?”

“It’s cool. Don’t worry. Hey, umm…sorry about earlier. I was kinda being a jerk.”

“Right back at you. Don’t worry, it’s cool. So you want the books or not. Maybe we can exchange numbers.”

Oh no. She cringed. I got ahead of myself.

“I don’t even know you. I can’t just hand it out like we’re best buddies.” She stared at him, at those brown eyes. It seemed like fire was burning behind them. They were so brown, those eyes, it looked like liquid gold. And the way his hair moved fluidly when he spoke. Those curls caught her then and there. She couldn’t stop herself. Her hands lifted slowly to touch it. Just one she thought. Just one curl.

“What are you doing?” He slapped her hand away.

“Ouch that hurt.”

“Stop being creepy. If you want to touch my hair just ask.”

“Can I touch your hair?”

“No.”

“But you said ask.”

“I didn’t guarantee I’d say yes.”

“Hey, I brought your journal back. I didn’t hear so much as a thank you coming from that mouth of yours. The least you can do is let me touch your hair. Not like it’s going to fall out or anything.”

“I don’t know that.” He replied. “Fine.”

He gave in to her. “Yes.”

“Don’t get carried away. I’m not some pet you meet at the zoo. Remember that.”

Sarah stepped closer to him, their faces in close proximity. She held her breath and swallowed hard. Her heart got carried away with all that beating in her chest that she thought she was having a heart attack. Her fingers trembled as her hand landed smoothly on his head. She glided her hand through his soft hair. It felt like she was touching a cloud. A jet black cloud that curled delicately around her fingers. Her hand relocated to the base of his neck and she felt the prickly stubs of freshly cut hair. She bit her lips as her hands moved to his neck, fingers tracing the pattern of his tattoo. His pulse quickened from her touch. She didn’t know what she was doing. It was almost like her hands, her fingers. They had mind of their own. Without noticing it, she got closer to him, her hands unfastening his shirt to get a better look and feel of the tattoo.

“Amazing.” She whispered softly.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. She looked up unexpectedckly as possible. Everything went quiet and it seemed like time had stopped.

“I’m sorry. I…got carried away.” She looked away from him. “I have to go. My aunt might be getting worried.” She rushed to the staircase.

“Hey!” He stopped her in her tracks. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

He waved the phone at her.

I spun with excitement. I was so incredibly happy that nothing could bring me down from my high. My plan had come to fruition with just a bit of meddling with my abilities. Besides a few minor setbacks, for example the little girl, everything went smoothly. But it still puzzles me as to how she noticed. If I hadn’t acted swiftly and put my finger to her lip, she would have babbled everything to them. But of course I told her about my plan. Not that anyone would believe her, but still. It’s better safe than sorry. I wonder how she could have known. How she could have seen me. Oh well. That’s not my top priority at the moment.

I glided merrily into the house, humming an imaginary tune, doing an imaginary dance. Everything seemed to be insignificant at the moment, except one thing. That boy. Tyler. I have to check up on his mind again. Maybe there was some glitch somewhere. I mean, I can read anyone’s mind if I please. And not being able to read his, is like an itch. Those you try to ignore but scratch anyway because it feels so good when you give in. And he was going to give in to my itch.

I felt like I was trespassing every moment I stepped through that door. Just like Sarah did the last time, when she expressed her feeling of being trapped. There is not time to be afraid. I thought trying to find an increase in bravery. He is nothing compared to me. I’m better than him anyway. I could kill him right there in his sleep and the idiot wouldn’t know. I heaved a sigh. Maybe I was going too far with this. He was just lying there, face up, almost snoring. Now that I had more time now, I noticed how handsome he was. But his attitude was that of a sewer rat. It was vile and disgusting. Those lips have spoken an immeasurable amount of lies, those eyes have drawn in the weak to be devoured by that gaze. Whatever he was playing at, I’d get to the bottom of it. Centering my gaze on him, I tried to gain control over his mind. The moment I thought I got something, a surge of what felt like electricity flooded my mind. It was like a firewall. No matter what method I tried, I could never decrypt his brain activity.

Standing over him, I placed my hand on his forehead. My heart was going a mile a minute but I didn’t care. I was determined to read his dirty mind no matter the cost. I concentrated on it. The spec of brain activity he emitted. It was getting bigger and bigger. Yes! I got it. I got his-

“What do you think you’re doing?”

My heart caught in my ghostly throat. Those green eyes stared at me with intensity. No. This wasn’t happening. My mouth went dry. This was not happening. I tried to pull my hand away but he grabbed it tightly. Now I really knew what Sarah was referring to when she said it hurt. But how could he hold me. His hand should go right through mine. He shouldn’t see me…or…or ….touch me. My breathing increased as I kept trying to pull my hand away frantically, but to no avail. My heart wouldn’t calm down. It kept thumping and thumping with such an inharmonious rhythm. Fear. I felt deafening fear.

I tried to scream but all I heard was silence. He smiled. Such a crooked smile. His teeth gleaming at me. He was the hunter and I the hunted. A famished lion and the unsuspecting prey. And just like that, I let myself get lured in the trap. How stupid have I become? How blind must I be?

He got up, my wrist still in his grasp.

“Now now, it’s alright. No need to feel frightened. I’m not gonna hurt such a pretty guardian like you. After all, you were just doing your job.” All these words. He said them with a hellish smirk on his face. I was still caught in disbelief. What was he?! Who was he?!

“Let’s have a chat, shall we? Now, I’m going to let you go, but don’t leave. If you do, then you face the consequences. We have a deal?”

He was just smiling and smiling. I nodded, but I would never comply. I’d go to Sarah and set a barrier between her and that thing. The moment his touch left my hand, I phased out of that place to Sarah. But when I got there, she was gone. Like she just vanished. I gasped, the realization of what might have happened hitting me hard. I phased back to his room, only to see her cradled in his lap. He put a finger to his lips as they curved in a smile.

“You might wake her.” He whispered.

“Let her go!” I shouted.

He looked up at me again and this time he wasn’t smiling. He looked almost angry. A sudden dark aura engulfed him. “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

He kept smoothing out the hair on her head. Sarah unconsciously leaned in to his touch and she wrapped her hand around him.

“Ty.” She whispered. “My bed smells just like Ty.” She dozed off again.

“What do you plan to do with her?” I was terrified and angry all at once.

“I couldn’t hurt her if I tried.” He said that so quietly. I almost wanted to believe him. But his mouth was prone to lies.

He kept smoothing out her hair, pulling some stray strands behind her ear. “Don’t touch her!” I said harshly. “Get your filthy hands-”

“My what!?” His head slanted in my direction but he didn’t look up this time. That didn’t help stop the shivers from running through me.

“Tyler loves her. Very much. However, I don’t care for love.”

What was he blabbering about? Why does he refer to himself in the first person?

“I want you to help me find something.”

“There is no way in hell-” I began but he looked up at me with that slanted gaze. His eyes were cold but they held a fire behind them I didn’t comprehend. He had the power of authority behind his words now.

“Like I said, I don’t care for love.” His hand stopped moving over Sarah’s head. A dagger appeared out of nowhere and with its silver blade he traced it over her face.

I stood there, with utter shock on my face, my mouth agape. He wouldn’t. He would dare. His hand began to lift gradually, the knife with it. I couldn’t do anything as he looked up at me.

“I don’t care for love.” He whispered again. His hand came down so swiftly on her neck. I shrieked. Crimson leaked from the gaping wound, spraying everywhere. On his clothes, the bed, everywhere. Some even reached my face. Still warm as ever. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“You bastard! You killed her!”

“Look again.”

“What’s there to look at but the gaping wound in her-” I blinked over and over, rubbing my eyes until they hurt. There was no blood anymore. She was unharmed. The wound was gone. So what did I see!?

“He won’t let me hurt her. Like I said.”

“B…B…But what did I just see.” I stammered in disbelief.

“I was just screwing with you. Tyler won’t let me harm a hair on her head.” He smiled that hellish smile again. “I want you to help me find a body.” He said calmly. “You have a week. Or else he will die.”

“I don’t care about him. You’d be doing me a favor.”

“If that happens I take over hers. And you wouldn’t want that. Normally I don’t take over women’s bodies. But, I can make an exception.”

“What are you?” I whispered to myself. He looked up and grinned.

“I’m just like you.”

She woke up with a yawn and a quick stretch to chase the fatigue from her bones, when she felt a sudden restriction. Someone was holding on to her as tightly as possible. As her eyes began to accept the light, things became clearer, literally. She was in Tyler’s room. But, how could that be. She never recalled leaving her room at all that night. Was she sleep walking? And of all the places she could have gone, it was there? Heaving a big sigh, she tried to untangle him from her. He looked as peaceful as he slept. His lips just a few centimeters apart, his eyes not moving around busily, his face just as calm as ever. Some silky strands of brown hair caressed his cheek. Her touch was as soft as a feather, when she gently combed it back with her fingers. A smile curved on her lips as he stirred a little, holding her a little tighter and nestling his head in her bosom. He was like a child. So innocent and fragile. With a little hesitation, she gave him a nudge. He was two years older than she was, with her being seventeen and all. In some way, she looked up to him. And if things hadn’t turned out like they did before, maybe they would still be…

“Tyler wake up.” She pinched his cheek. A small red dot appeared.

“Ouch.” He didn’t open his eyes, but nestled deeper against her. “Mom, I don’t want to wake up yet. It’s still so early.”

Her eyes widened. Not because people were getting into the habit of calling her mom, but because Tyler…he said mom. He never got into the habit of saying that word. No matter what he refrained from saying that word. Mom. She herself, never liked that word. She would usually be plagued with nightmares about that individual. Mom. She gave him another nudge and pinched him harder.

“What the-” He bolted upright and stared straight at her. Rubbing his eyes, he let out a sigh. “Oh, it’s you. What are you doing to me now? Last night you-” He yawned loudly. “Came into my room. You were sleepwalking. No matter what I tried you wouldn’t get out so I let you crash here. Before I knew it, you took my pillow so, I used you as mine. I must say, your chest is really soft.”

She flinched, her cheeks turning red. “You mean, you were sleeping on my breasts the whole time.” She swallowed hard. “Tyler you pervert. How dare you!”

“No! How dare you. You pillow thief. I’m going to ask Laura to put a lock on my door. To keep you out.”

She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Do that again. I dare you.” He said that so seriously but she defied him anyway, sticking it out more furiously. Before she could pull it back in, he had seized it between his thumb and forefinger. He was squeezing it harder and harder.

“Oup. Yop hurping me.”

“Apologize.” He said with a smile.

“Uh uh.”

He raised a brow at her. “You sure?”

She nodded. He came closer. “Are you sure, sure?”

Another nod from her. He gazed deeply into her blue eyes with his pair of forest green. He bit his bottom lip.

“Sure.” It was almost a whisper. More to himself than to her. “Let me make it better for you.”

Those words seemed to have been carried by a breeze to her ears. Before she could say anything, he kissed her. Those soft and moist lips against hers. So warm with a tad of wet. He tasted like mint as his tongue glided over hers, soothing the pain she felt at the tip of hers. She got goose pimples instantly. She cradled the base of his neck and leaned in deeper.

“Mommy!” Tamia shouted from the top of her little lungs.

That tiny cry sounded the alarm as they pulled back hastily.

“Tammy!” Tyler shouted after as she run. “Come back here!” He chased after her. And after a few seconds of pursuit, she burst into happy giggles as he caught her and brought her back to his room.

“You were doing grown up stuff.” She kept laughing. “Mommy will punish you.”

“Not if you don’t tell her, because you didn’t see anything.” He smiled, but there was authority behind his words.

“Did too.” She sounded like a tiny songbird. Such a sweet little voice. “I won’t see anything if you smuggle me sweets at dinner for a week.”

“Doing a bargain are we?”

“Come to think of it,” Sarah put in. “Didn’t I see candy wrappers in your skirt pockets yesterday?” With a smile of her own, she continued slyly. “It would be a shame if aunty Laury knew about it.”

Tamia gasped. “Come to think of it Cousin Sarah, and Ty, you two were sound asleep when I walked in.”

They burst with laughter.

But Sarah held in that fear. The fear of Laura knowing what was going on. If she knew that they were getting involved with each other, the consequences would be insurmountable.

Bang! Someone slammed their hand against the desk.

She almost jumped from out of her seat. Startled, she frowned at him. “What was that for Kisake?”

“Stop saying that name. Call me Kai. You were spacing out.” He turned around completely and gazed at her with intensity. “Something’s up. You seem less crazy today.”

“I’m not crazy. Just different. And I’m fine.”

Today was day three, which meant that I had four more days. Where would I find a body? What kind of body? Dead or alive? Young or old? Ugh! I yelled in frustration. What do I do? I paced up and down helplessly. My fingers found their way to my mouth and I bit my already half eaten fingernails. I need to talk to whatever that guy is. That thing inside of Tyler. Judging from this morning, I could tell that they were both in on it. I rushed into his room. Ready for business. Ready to tell him that I wasn’t going to do any dirty work, and that I didn’t care what he did. He could never hurt Sarah. He could never possess her.

“Come out you fool!” I shouted, on entering his abode.

He was sitting there, looking less sinister. He looked up at me.

“Oh, Sarah’s guardian. It’s nice to finally see you.”

“Don’t be nice with me, you pig. You think you’re so sly do you?”

“Huh? I don’t understand.”

“Stop playing dumb.”

“I’m not actually. I’m Tyler, he’s asleep right now.”

“What do you mean asleep?”

“He as in, the one who was using my body…” He trailed off. “He sleeps during the day. Did you find-”

He went silent, his body going limp. His head then rose unnaturally, and then tilted to the side.

“Don’t you have something to do?”

That tone of voice. Him again. Oh how it angered me the way he talked.

“You called me a fool? I hope you were pretending.” He stood up and stretched. “That felt good.”

“How can you sleep?” I was curious. Because if he said he was just like me, he shouldn’t be able to.

“I see you’re still restricted.”

“What do you mean restricted?”

“The list of forbidden things. No sleep, pain, or feelings. You can’t touch anything and express how it affects you. You have to be impartial and devote yourself to them. Those that we guard. But the truth is…”

He coughed loudly. A trail of blood streamed down from his lips tracing his jawline and slowing down at his neck. He touched it, and rubbed the red liquid between his fingers.

“The truth is we were once human ourselves.”

Another loud cough followed after the other. Each one more violent than the next. And even more blood. He rushed to the sink and began to vomit. The white sink was now crimson. An orange and red color blended together. That sight turned my stomach. If I wasn’t careful I’d go puking myself.

“What are you doing to him?!” I wanted answers.

“I thought you said…” His words were strained. His voice weak. “You didn’t…care what…happened to him.”

It then occurred to me. He must have been one of those who were banished. Talking about that once human nonsense. No wonder he was kicked out. We were never human. We created our humans in the way we wanted to be. They were us and we were them. That was the truth.

“You’re lying, about that whole human story right?”

Before I knew it, he’d fallen to the ground. “I need…another…body…I can’t….let Tyler…die.”

His blood was already staining my hands. Fine. I’d do it. But not for him. I know the ideal place to find a body.

His eyes began to close. “Wait! Don’t black out yet. What kind of body, I know a place. Do you want a young body or an older one?”

“Young. Male. Near death…if you can. It would be much easier to…take...control…”

And he was out cold. I cleaned out the sink and washed my hands. I pulled Tyler into bed after I cleaned him up. His face looked paler than before. He really was dying. I had to hurry. But wait. On second thought, I could make one. The same way I created Sarah. Although she was just a thought. All I had to do to create her was, find a human being. Preferably a woman and help her fall in love and the fruit of that love would be my Sarah. I sighed I didn’t have time anymore. I was running out.

The door flew open. Sarah was standing there. I froze. She bypassed me and went to him. She shook him but he didn’t wake up.

“Ty!”

I tapped into her feelings. She put her hand against his forehead. It felt so cold. His heartbeat was faint. His breathing was rushed. He started gasping for air.

“Aunty Laury.” She whispered, unable to believe what was happening.

“Aunty L!” She rushed down stairs. “Dial 911!”

“What? Why. What’s going on?”

“It’s Tyler. He’s…just call them ok!” She rushed back upstairs, not wanting to leave his side.

Well so much for that. I thought. Guess we’re going to the hospital after all.

She stood standing at the kitchen table, barely feeling the cold from the counter seeping into her hands. Tears were trickling from her eyes, staining her cheeks, moistening the counter. She couldn’t get the image out of her head. Him just lying there, pale as ever, cold like ice, so near to death. It was so unlike him to be holed up in his room. She felt something was wrong when she heard that thud upstairs. It sounded like someone fell but when she got there he was in bed. Her heart stopping at the sight of him looking helpless. The room had a deathly scent of blood. What happened to you Ty?! She thought desperately. Why were you so cold? Soo cold.

“Check his pulse and his vitals. We need to stabilize him. Bring in the oxygen.” The doctor barked out orders to the nurses as they tried their best to assist him. Laura held on tightly to her husband’s hand, hoping to subdue her fears. Praying that he would be ok. Why did this happen. Why so suddenly? Was it because of the accident years ago? Please. She pleaded. Please don’t let it catch up to him now.

Sensing her fears, Nicholas held her tightly, soothing her with a light kiss on the forehead.

“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. He’s strong. He will pull through this just like back then.” She was trembling so badly. It was hard to hold her, why did this calamity have to befall them now. When everything seemed to be going so well.

Ok. Time to get to work. I have no time to lose. This is a hospital. Plenty of people die here every day. All I have to do is find someone close to kicking the bucket and I’m free of this disease. The sooner I get this done the sooner this kid stops suffering. Not that I don’t mind but… What can I do? As Sarah’s guardian it’s my duty to protect her. Yes. It’s all for her. Everything I commit myself to…It’s for her.

Now, abilities at work, I need to sense a young boy. Concentrate, it’s not that hard. Ok. I found ten of them. Now to minimize the range to around Tyler’s age. My head began to pound. I’m almost there. Just a bit more. Three of them. Good. The numbers are slim but I have to keep hoping that there’s just one. Otherwise…I don’t even want to think of the outcome. I feel so strange. What’s that burning in my nose? I touched my nostrils only to realize something gliding between my fingers as I rubbed them together. Blood. The very sight of it again makes me sick. I can’t let this slow me down. I need to find that child.

The machines kept beeping and humming. He was surrounded by a bunch of equipment, entitled to keep him in check. Nickolas sat there silently, caressing his cheek. Tyler felt so cold. He suffered so much already. Just one chance. He thought. Just give him another chance. Let him be ok. For everyone.

“Where…”

He looked up. Tyler was whispering something. His voice was almost inaudible.

“Tyler, talk to me.” He grabbed his hands, squeezing it between his.

“Where…is…”

He didn’t understand. Where is? What was he trying to say?

“Where…is…it.”

His grip on Nick’s hand tightened a little.

“Where is my body?” He gasped.

“Body!?” What does he mean? “It’s right here. Ok Ty. Right here. It’s safe.”

“Give me…Yours.” Now that voice, wasn’t his. It sounded too cold and frightening. So callous and menacing. Looking down on his face now, was terrifying. A hellish smirk tainted his lips. He grabbed onto Nick’s hand so tightly he thought it would break.

“Give me yours!” He began to salivate as his eyes opened wide. “Give me yours!”

He pulled his hand back quickly, fearing his wrist would no longer be in place if he stayed. Something dark and overbearing came over him. The hospital equipment was going haywire, the lights flickering. The heart monitor, it was beeping so quickly. An overwhelming sense of terror and helplessness just washed over him. Tiny beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face. What is this? What’s happening to Tyler?

“Stop this?!” He put his foot down. “I can’t believe what you’re saying! Haven’t you been through enough already!? Losing your parents in that accident, being the only one to survive, only to have it catch up to you now.” He clenched teeth and tightened his fists. “You have to fight this. If you’re not going to do it for me, then do it for Sarah! She’s depending on you, to make it out alive. I know the two of you will always be there for one another. Just like she was there for you. Be there for her.”

“Don’t worry.” The voice, it still didn’t go away. He felt sure that everything he said, got through to him. “I’ll take care of her too…her…and…” It slowly began to fade. “…that guardian.”

Everything stopped. The impending terror was gone. What just happened?

I came into the room just in time. The man stood there with terror in his eyes, magnified by disbelief. I wish I could erase his memory but I can’t. But I can alter it and make it like this was a dream. He was asleep and he just woke up from a nightmare. He was stressed. I’ll call his wife to his side. Now, for him. I wonder, what plans do you have in store you creep?

“I have what you want.” Another thing about me is that my voice can’t be heard unless I want it to be. “Leave him now so you can control this one.”

“I can’t do that.” His eyes were closed. Maybe he was too weak to open them. But, didn’t he say he wanted a body, close to death? Didn’t he say it would be easier to control? So why isn’t it getting easier to control Tyler? Isn’t he dying?

“You will have to take me to him.”

“I can’t do that. There are people in the room remember?! How would they react when he’s here one minute and then vanishes!?”

“They won’t notice. You’re just taking me and not him.”

“But how I don’t-”

“Just take me there!”

“Why is it always the two of us?” Sarah kept staring into space.

“Cousin Sarah?” Tamia tugged on her skirt. “Where did mommy and daddy go with Cousin Ty?”

She couldn’t bear to look into the little girl's tearful green eyes. She was just as worried as Sarah was.

“It’s ok Tammy.” She smoothed down the little girl’s brown hair, putting on a brave face. “He wasn’t feeling well so they brought him to the doctor. They’ll make him better. Ok?” She stooped down to her level and kissed her on the cheek. “He’ll be alright.”

“But why are you crying?”

“I was just…remembering how we met. That’s all. Want to hear the story?”

“Mmhmm.” She nodded with a growing excitement. “But don’t cry anymore ok?”

“Ok. Done.” I was scared to defy whatever this thing was. But I was also very curious, as to how he got inside of Tyler in the first place and why. Why he couldn’t control him and why he had so much information about us. Why was he exiled? What crime did he commit that led to his banishment? I had so many questions and too little answers.

That kid he was now going to possess, what would happen to him? I followed his order of looking away. Curiosity overpowered me as I longed to see his true form. What did this thing look like? I tilted my head to the side slowly and cautiously. I didn’t want to distort my angle too much to be noticeable. In the very corner of my eyes I saw it. A dark mass of nothing. I swallowed hard, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. It had a humanly shape and body, but no face. Nothing but a pair of ghostly red eyes, looming over that poor child. What had I done? What was I doing? I must try to stop it. But I can’t. What do I do?

As though he sensed me those eyes landed directly into mine. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that gaze. I felt like I saw death flash before my eyes. I grew so weak. No longer able to glide in the air I collapsed to the ground. Never have I felt so cold, despite having no sense of feel. He had no face but I know I saw that smile lurking behind those eyes. I opened my mouth to scream. The terror was so great that I never made a peep. Scream I told myself, or you die. Scream! All I heard was a muffled cry. But I did scream. Someone…Something was covering my mouth. I looked down, only to see my own hands preventing me. I didn’t know why but, maybe my body knew what would happen if I did. It was best to stay silent. Just as those tears sliding down my cheek.

The shadowy figure began to dissipate. Entering into the child’s nostrils and mouth. He began to shake violently, as a scream emanated from his lips. A scream based on burning agony and despair. He went on and on. I covered my ears terrified I would go death. He kept twisting and turning on the bed. Writhing in pain. A deadening silence befell the place as the child simmered down. His body kept twitching unexpectedly. Then went still.

I stood up on jelly like legs, holding onto the wall for support. Was it over? Did the boy perish? I inched closer and closer. My heart racing a mile a minute, body quivering. Standing before him now, I slowly reached out my hand. No! I thought quickly. Don’t touch him. I have no idea if what he did worked out. But my hand defied me anyway. He wasn’t cold. Letting out a sigh of relief, I calmed down a little. “Maybe it didn’t work after all.” I said quietly.

“Think again, you twit.”

I lost my breath. It was so hard to breathe. His hand tightened around my neck, lifting me from the ground. I scraped at his hand with my nails, in hopes he’d let go, but to no avail. He kept squeezing and squeezing.

“Stop.” I forced out. I kept trying to pull his hand away, tearing his grip from my neck. My fists pounded on his arms. But still, nothing. I flailed about desperately, as my vision began to dim. It felt like my eyes would pop out of my head.

“Please.” My voice was so faint. I was near death’s door.

“Fine. They’re here anyway.”

I fell helplessly to the ground, gasping greedily for air. What does he mean by they? And where did he go to. As those thoughts invaded my mind a blinding light rained down from the sky. So golden and bright, that I was blinded. I was too weak, my eyes closed and I passed out.

“Guardian of the girl Sarah Parker!”

A voice boomed in my ears, startling me awake. A blinding light shined upon my eyes. Where was I?

“You are hereby charged with the crime of aiding one of the fallen. Your punishment is to spend five years serving your sentence.”

What? Who was that? I’m charged with a crime?

“But the main reason why you were summoned here is because of another unforgivable misconduct. If it had not been for that we would have overlooked the previous little offense.”

That voice was so full of authority. Almost like I was talking to a God. So loud and powerful.

“But you not only helped him, you provided him with an earthly body. Such a thing is unforgivable. It is forbidden! The worst crime ever to be committed and for that you shall pay. During those five years of confinement you will be lashed with the whip of justice one hundred times every day for five years until you pay for the sin you have committed.”

“What!” This can’t be! Isn’t this only for the use of capital crimes? The whip means that I’m before the counsel but, why?

“I was protecting Sarah. He’d come after her if I didn’t give him what he wanted.”

“It doesn’t matter! There is no getting around your sentence. And to think we gave you a second chance.”

“But you can’t!” Tears poured from my eyes. “It was my duty.”

“Stop using the earth girl in your blatant lies. You will receive the maximum punishment.”

“This is injustice!” I was on my knees. “Why not punish him too. He led me to this.”

“A crime is a crime. And your sentence will be carried out immediately.”

A couple of armed guards came forth and grabbed my arms, pulling me away.

“No!” I screamed. “This is wrong! He is responsible. If you know what happened why not capture him too! Let me go! Stop this. If I’m not there to protect Sarah then who will. He’ll go after her!” I kicked and screamed. “He’ll go after her.”

“You will also be stripped of your abilities and your right to protect the girl. As a result she will be left without a guardian. After your sentence is served you will be sent back to earth. You are now, one of the fallen. Banished from this place for eternity.”

One hearing this, the guards stopped. Almost in disbelief. Just like I was. A single word couldn’t form in my mouth.

“Count yourself lucky. It’s either this, or death.”

“Then give me death!” I found my voice as anger gathered in my heart. “You people are worthless! I hate all of you!”

From somewhere in the distance, past the blinding light, I heard a gasp.

“Hate?! So during your time protecting this child you were corrupted with feelings? A guardian should be impassive and clearly, this statement has proved you are not. Your decisions should be based on what is right! Never on what you feel! A thousand lashes every day for five years! This is the worst punishment you will receive. May you suffer! Take her from my sight!

Sarah sat at the edge of Tamia’s bed, staring as the little girl slept peacefully. She hummed a little melody to herself. A song that she had sometimes heard in her dreams. A tune to make her fears disappear.

Sleep my little angel. May I be your guide tonight?

Slumber little darling, for princess I am your knight.

Nothing shall hurt you so long as I’m here.

Darkness won’t taint you, there’s nothing to fear.

Love is my shield, love is my light.

Sleep little darling. I’m with you tonight.

Sarah kissed Tammy on the forehead. “I’m with you tonight.” She whispered caringly.

I was dragged to my cell like a dog. The rusty bars forever keeping me imprisoned. But never my heart. They could never confine that. I tried to sense Sarah but, to my surprise, I couldn’t feel her. I felt nothing. Tears collected in my eyes. A sense of loss came over me. She was everything I had. Despite me being her guide, she taught me everything. How to love and laugh and what it felt like to cry. She gave me feelings. And now, thanks to them, that was all gone. An unending darkness began to fill that void in my heart. They would pay for this. I assure you. They will pay with their lives. In this dingy old place, my cell, is where I collapsed in a pile of helpless tears. Tears? That means I can cry. I felt them wet against my cheek. So cold and lonely. What was this pain! Why wouldn’t it go away?

“Go away!” I screamed at nothing but the unrelenting darkness. The silent answers carving holes in my soul. Truly now, I really was alone.

“It’s time.” A guard appeared at my door. He was cloaked in a black garment, a hood concealing his face. He turned me around and chained my hand behind me, while also placing a blindfold over my eyes. I stumbled blindly as he led me down a path way. I was unaware of where I was going. I even stumbled over something, falling helplessly to the ground. My body getting an up close feel of the concrete. It was so painful. So hard and cold. I squirmed for a few seconds before the guard lifted me up and continued to lead me on.

This place was ominous. The whole feel of it was wrong. It reeked of bodily excretions, from what I could gather from the memories I leached from Sarah. The blindfold was removed and so were the chains on my wrists. I was in a room now, the silence so thick it was deafening. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I could see what seemed to be a white room. It looked new and untouched. In the center, seemed to be shackles. The guard led me to it silently, placing me in a kneeling position. Of the two pairs, he shackled my ankles first. Locking them together. The next pair seemed a good distance away from it, where he shackled my wrists. Not together, but intersecting. My head bowed now, I felt like I was worshipping someone. What was going to happen to me? Why bring me here? In the far distance I heard a sound.

“Whapishhh” I gasped knowingly, eyes widening. The hair raising crack of a whip. Oh no. One thousand lashes. I swallowed hard. A loud chuckle ensued.

“Hee hee hee. Hee ha ha.”

I tried to locate where the sound was coming from, the loud beating of my heart prevented me. I was scared. Not as fearful as when I met that thing. But still.

“You want to know why you were put in that position. Well do you, little guardian? So you can kneel to the lord and ask for forgiveness.”

Whoever he was, that man spoke like an expert. All I could see was between my legs. The position was so strict and limited. It was painful to try to look ahead. Just down. He cracked the whip again and I trembled. I was so scared, not knowing when he would strike. Sweat trickled down my forehead, dripping from my nose. His footsteps echoed in the now near darkness of the place. But I swore, it was bright a second ago. I swore. He was circling me. No doubt about it. Getting a view of his prey before he would strike.

“Whapishhh” There was that crack again. It was tormenting.

“I will count to four, then it's, “whapishh” for you.”

No. Why count. I thought desperately. If he counts then, he would just build pressure until he attacked.

“One.”

I swallowed hard despite my mouth going dry a long time ago. “Two.”

The seconds seemed like forever.

“Three.” I braced myself. My heart thundered in my chest. Clenching my fists as tightly as possible, I shut my eyes. “Four.”

“Whapishhh” I jumped as my heart exploded. My breathing went beyond the limit. It felt like I wasn’t even taking in air.

“Relax honey. I haven’t touched you yet.” He cackled with laughter. He was toying with me.

The whip cracked again and this time, I felt a burning sensation on my back. It felt like someone cut me open and poured salt water in my wounds.

“Ahhh!” The shackles clinked as I twisted painfully. My toes curled as I tried to overcome the pain. The tears pooled out on their own. “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.” I whispered to myself. “It hurts.” My voice broke. “It hurts so much.”

“This is just the beginning love. Let’s go with me. I want you to count. Say it loud and clear so I can hear you, to keep track of the lashes.” He cackled again. “I have a habit of losing count.”

Then out of nowhere he began the assault. Lashing me mercilessly. This long leather instrument of terror rained down on my back. Over and over and over again. I kept screaming and screaming. At one point I even lost my voice. My back curled every moment the whip came in contact with my body. The garment I wore was now torn to shreds. Bathing me in slivers and blood. My own blood, it dripped on the sides of my waist. Decorating the floor with its crimson glow. I tried to hold on. Gripping onto the chains so tightly they cut into my wrists.

“Stop!” I pleaded. “Please stop.” I panted, afraid I would pass out. Afraid I would die. But maybe death was best for me now.

“Shut up!” He stopped. I could hear him panting, almost envisioning that scowl on his face. “I give the orders around here little missy. And I stop-” He lashed me as he said every word. “When-I-feel-like-it.”

My deafening screams permeated the air. It began to smell like blood. How sickening. I vomited. Just a green slimy liquid emerged from my mouth. Burning my throat.

“Disgusting.” He stopped. “How many was that.”

“T…t…th…thirty…f…five.” I trembled.

“You got a long way to go.” And so it continued. All through that day, into the night, breaking the dawn. I gave up on screaming. There was no use. Just laying passed out in my vomit, made me even sicker. He spat on me as he gave the one thousandth blow.

“You have a day to recover.” His footsteps disappeared from the place. This was death after all.

When I woke up, I was in my cell again, with a clean prison garment and a refreshed feeling. But the pain was still there. Every insignificant movement came with a painful reward. In the end, I tried laying still which was near impossible. The thought of her invaded my mind again. My Sarah. I guess things just weren’t meant to be. The thought of going back in that room made my wounds hurt. But I should have been used to it by now. Three months had gone by. Three. This means I have four years and nine months. Hmph. A smile appeared on my lips. By then she would be all grown up. Might even have a husband. A family. Great friends. Maybe she never needed me to guide her in the first place. Maybe when I felt like I was being useful, I was useless after all.

Footsteps echoed in the whipping room. As usual, the whole place was perfectly white. He was here. The punisher. For some reason, I wasn’t in the normal “kneeling on the ground” position. Instead I was standing up on a stool, but just barely. My hands were tied above my head, the rope hooked in a piece of iron in the ceiling. I never noticed there was such a thing until I was placed like this. Clearly I wasn’t tall enough but I was forced to reach by the prison guard. So, I was on the tips of my toes. His footsteps inched closer and closer, but I didn’t turn to see his face. Terror flowed through me when I heard that crack of the whip. I wasn’t used to the pain after all.

“How many?” His voice pierced the air. When I didn’t reply he just let out a huge sigh. “You get a break.”

I guess maybe he was used to this already and he was beginning to feel sorry for me. Or maybe not. Maybe he wasn’t feeling sorry but bored. It’s like when you get a new toy as a kid. You get all excited and you play with it over and over, but as time goes by, you get bored with it. There’s no excitement anymore. In some way, I was glad the excitement died. Somehow I fell asleep in that short moment he was gone. But his returning footsteps woke me up. They sounded behind me and then stopped, resuming a few seconds after. They continued on my left, paused and then continued. What was he doing? Stalling for time? Is he thinking about some other way he could punish me? A new way to return the excitement in his old toy?

“That’s some position you’re in.”

That didn’t sound like him at all. Did he decide to trade places with someone? But that voice, it kind of sounded familiar. I sensed that whoever he is, was too close for comfort. That, or he was staring long and hard. The hairs on my neck wouldn’t lie down.

“I wonder what will happen if I do this.” He muttered. I heard him back away and then the whip cracked a few times. I heard it and felt it at some point when he got me on my thighs. It was so unexpected and painful that I jumped, almost knocking the stool over. To keep the pain inside I bit into my lips and breathed in hard. My leg was trembling now. He hit me so hard, I could feel the blood slowly running down my leg. Just like those tears on my cheeks.

“Let’s see your reaction after these.” The blows came from different directions. My arms and legs. He became so precise that he even got me beneath my feet.

“Stop.” I whispered painfully. It had been almost three months until I said a word. I just couldn’t bring myself to talk anymore.

“Why? This seems like so much fun. Watching you squirm like that has me all fired up. I want to keep going.”

The excitement in his voice made me tremble. “No.” I tried to whisper. “I’m begging you to stop.”

His sudden roar of laughter reverberated in the air. “I see nothing has changed.”

What does he mean, nothing has changed? Do we know each other somehow?

“You know, she’s a real beauty. Those sweet blue eyes. That soft golden hair. It gives me goosebumps when I think about her.”

Blue…eyes? Golden…hair? Sarah! How does he know her?! If he hurts her I’ll kill him. I swear. But I want more information out of him. So I’ll pretend I don’t know.

“Who has…soft golden hair and…blue eyes?” My voice was so weak. Jails aren’t always known for prison care and health. The food is weak and disgusting but I’m glad I get to eat at least three times every day I get a break. Once every two days.

“Feigning ignorance are we?” The footsteps sounded again. Was he walking to face me? Oh no. He was. Should I be curious? It’s better I don’t know.

“Awe come on. Why are those brown eyes of yours closed?” He said those words with such a playful voice. “I really wanted to see the look on your face when you realize who I am. I just know you’re dying to find out. Guardian of Sarah Parker. That’s what they call you here right? Eliza?”

How does he know…my name?

“Oh that? It’s not hard to know if you ask around. Or if, you read someone’s mind. Like I’m doing to you now. This kind of feels like payback for when you were trying to read mine. I’m sure that must have been a painful headache you got.”

I kept my eyes closed. The name sounded in my mind but I was terrified.

“Nope. Wrong person. I’m not Tyler. But, you could say I was him at some point.”

No way…it can’t be…don’t tell me it’s…that thing. He tried to kill me.

“Yeah. I wanted to see those pretty brown eyes wiggle in their sockets.” He laughed again, sending shivers down my spine.

“What do you want!?” My eyes were still closed.

“These are some nasty scars you have on your back.” He chuckled softly, completely ignoring my question. “They look so…deep.”

I sensed him again. His fingers trailed down my shoulder, slowing down at my waist and going back up. His touch felt so cold I got goosebumps.

“They look so…painful.” As he said those words, I felt a finger press against my back, into one of my wounds.

“I wonder how deep it is.” He kept pushing it in further and further. I screamed and screamed and screamed.

“Stop it!” I let out. “Stop.” I wanted to get him out so bad I began to shake and squirm.

“Now you better take your own advice. And stop it!” His voice sounded so demanding and threatening. So I had no choice but to do as he said.

“Open your eyes. Look at me.” He was suddenly before me now.

“I refuse.” I shouted.

Out of nowhere I felt the burning slice of the whip on my abdomen. “Look at me.”

I opened my eyes slowly and focused on his image. The boy at the hospital. That was definitely him. The one that thing possessed.

“Better.” He said with a smile. “Thanks for the body.” He inspected himself. “I like it. Nice size and shape and height. Look.” He lifted his shirt, “He even has abs too. So cool.”

“Why did you come to torment me?” I said quietly, not looking his way.

“To be honest, I came to save you.”

“Save…me?” I erupted with laughter. How absurd. I thought.

“I’m serious.” He gave me a side glance. The same as the one that day in Tyler’s room. So menacing.

“I have nothing to live for anymore. That day took everything from me.”

“What if, I gave you all of that back? I can’t restore lost time but I can return your abilities and take you back to your dear little Sarah.”

“You can do that? Really?” My body overflowed with excitement. And tears flooded my eyes. Tears of happiness.

And he suddenly laughed again. He was hunched over, laughing. He even went so far as to slap his knees. “You should really see that look on your face. Ha ha.”

But I was unaware of the joke. “I see.” I said quietly. “You were mocking me.”

“Oh no. I’m dead serious about the saving you part. It’s just that, the face you made, cracked me up. Ha ha ha.”

“You’re doing it again.” I said flatly. He was just like Tyler.

“I’m not going to apologize. It’s just my nature to make fun of things that look so…how can I can say?” He pondered for a while, as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Pathetic? That’s the word.”

“You know what, don’t bother saving me. I’ve suffered enough by your filthy hands. Your very existence makes me sick.” I backed up my words with an angry glare.

With his eyes shut he used levitation to climb imaginary stairs, stopping just at my eye level. He leaned in and stopped when his nose touched mine. When he finally opened his eyes, I saw terror in them. Unable to look away myself, I was imprisoned.

“Why are your eyes so grey?” I whispered curiously. “Why are they so…cold?”

He looked up and loosened the rope at my wrists, setting me free. He smelled good, for someone who was so evil. I took in a really deep breath, letting the sweet scent wash over me. My body relaxed to a certain extent and the pain that I was feeling, disappeared for a minute. It was comforting and so warm.

“Stop daydreaming and climb on.”

That scent had such a hold on me that I didn’t notice I was already on the floor. How did he do that?

“Climb on to where?” I looked around, not seeing a vehicle.

“My back stupid.” He turned around, and bent over a little.

I hesitated. My legs moved on their own. Using his broad shoulders for support and I jumped on.

“Ouch.” I said painfully, remembering the painful lashes on my back.

“Wow, you’re surprisingly light.”

“I’m an inmate you idiot. Not like I can stuff my body the way I want to.”

“You know, it’s not too late to leave you here.”719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtcVjTfDpd
I swear, I thought, I’m going to regret this. But something reassured me. Perhaps it could be how amazingly comfortable his back was. Or could it be the scent of the shampoo he used in his hair?

“Why did you dye your hair green?”

“Why don’t you mind your own business?”

It looked really amazing though. The color was that of newly sprung leaves from the buds of a young tree. Almost pale by still shimmering with life. His hair reached just below his neck and to keep it from entering his eyes, he tamed it with a small hair band of some sort. I rested my head against his pillow soft hair.

“You smell good.” I whispered softly. I had no idea if he heard or not. I guess I was happy I was escaping. But escaping to where?

***********

My eyes opened slowly, and I winced as the light rushed in. The sun was bleeding out into the horizon as it slowly sank below the earth. The surrounding forest of broken and misshapen trees felt like some type of fence. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I took in my surroundings. I had been lying on my side on what seemed to be a really big sofa. It was placed alongside the window where I had just witnessed the sun setting. A stab of pain shot through my back when I tried to sit up. Oh right, I had forgotten that I was once in captivity and he saved me. He saved me and I was…happy. After the many unsuccessful attempts at sitting up I made, I decided to just lay there and wait. Birds fluttered and tweeted in the reddening sky, signaling the time to rest, they put everything sweetly to sleep. I almost fell asleep again myself, but curiosity had the better part of me. It’s so beautiful. I thought, as I pulled a so called blanket across my chest. Almost surreal. If she was here with me…if Sarah was here this might really make my day. Might as well have been a dream. A fantasy I knew would never come true because I was powerless. I couldn’t feel her, see her or sense her. Was she safe? Was she okay? Did anyone hurt her?

A lonely tear streamed down the bridge of my nose as all those feelings came over me. Tears huh? So that’s how you must feel to cry. So scared and useless and lonely in the world. And those single drops of rain coming from my eyes, they were exposing it all. I have cried before, when they used the whip on me but, those were different compared to those I was having now. It caused a lot of pain in my chest and my head.

This was all his fault. Whatever he was. That thing…I’ll make him pay for this. Heat surged through my body, up to my ears. I hated him for doing this to me. Because of him I can’t do anything…I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! Where did he bring me?! Where am I?!

I want to be with Sarah. I want to go home! Yes, she is my home. Sarah…you’re home. I miss you.

“I need you…” I whispered quietly. “You were my purpose in everything and I m-”

“Oh will you shut up already?!”

My heart caught in my throat.

“Dammit all your whining is driving me crazy. Can’t sleep in a place like this!” The voice came from behind the sofa. Try as I might, I couldn’t turn around because of the pain in my back.

“Who is it?!” I moaned.

“The person who saved your life! Now stop talking and let me get some shut eye!”

“You were here the whole time?”

“So annoying…” I heard him mumble.

“Please,” I begged. “Help me sit up. I can’t on my own. The pain is too much to endure I-”

“Shut up! For crying out loud!” He yelled it this time and I felt his anger from whatever distance that was between us.

What a pig. I thought angrily. All I asked was to help me sit up. Not to roam the world.

“Did you not hear me say it!? Are you death? You want a purpose in this world like you were saying before?! I’ll give a purpose, want to hear it?! It’s to shut the hell UP?!”

“Then why don’t you make me! I never asked for thi-” I stopped to think for a minute. Didn’t I just think what I said a second ago? “Wait! You can hear my thoughts?”

“Give the girl a prize.” He words dripped with sarcasm. “Who knew the voice in your head was more unbearable than the real one.”

“Get out of my head! Now come help me up! You wanted this. I said I didn’t want to be rescued, but you insisted. Now own up and do as you said you would. Give me my powers back and take me to Sarah.”

“I lied.” He chuckled and then burst into full blown laughter like he was mad. “I can’t give you your so called powers back.”

“But why. Why can’t you.”

“Because, you’re human now. And humans can’t have these powers.”

“That’s a lie! Guardians aren’t humans.”

“But you have no powers, you’re basically nothing now. Nothing without me.”

“You shut up!!” I shouted disbelievingly. “Stop lying and do what you promised!”

“I never promised you anything. I said I would but I never remember promising.”

I heard footsteps in my direction. He was coming my way. I almost fell off the sofa when he appeared. I would never get used to seeing that child’s body as his. Those chilling grey eyes and most importantly, that ridiculous green hair. Ridiculous, but beautiful.

“What!”

I guess I had been staring for too long. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You just staring at me like this means you had something to say. Now say it!”

“Stop being a child. Now see your words through and give what you said you would.”

A sly smile crossed his lips. If this guy had a spirit animal it would be a snake.

“You have to do something for me first.” He kept smiling.

“What is it?!”

“Give me your soul.”

“No! Never. I am a soul. If I do give you mine then I cease to exist.”

“Not like that you idiot!” And as he said those words he prodded me with a sharp finger in my back. “I mean swear your life to me. And whatever I say becomes reality to you. That’s what I mean.”

“No! Why would I do that?! I belong to Sarah and not you. I won’t do it.”

His finger kept going deeper and deeper and with more force. I kept gritting my teeth to help pull me through it but it was more than I could bare.

“Stop it!” I screamed.

“Swear it.” He wasn’t smiling anymore. “I said swear it!”

“Okay. Fine.” I forced out those painful words. “I swear.”

He pulled his finger out of what I guess was now a hole in my back. I swear the whip was better than this. I stared down at the floor. Pain was beginning to seize in my neck from staring up at him for too long.

“I want you to face me!”

Geez! This guy. Demanding everything from me. I just gave my soul to you, be polite.

“You haven’t given your soul physically, you just promised.”

“Out of my head! You’re taking everything from me again! Everything! And I won’t be all happy-go-lucky about any of this!

He grabbed me by the throat and lifted me with one hand. I couldn’t breathe. I tried scratching at his wrist but that wouldn’t be enough to make him let go. As I struggled, I noticed him pull his other hand backward and then he thrusted it into my chest. It went straight through my body and for a split second I didn’t quite get what had just happened. Blood rushed down onto his hands, staining the rug, dotting his face. Then I felt his hand form a fist inside me, like he was grabbing something. He pulled it out and I dropped to the floor like a ragdoll. I was conscious long enough to see him open up his hand and reveal half of a glowing irregular shape. Half of my soul. He dropped it into his mouth and swallowed, licking his bloody fingers for emphasis. That’s when the pain rushed in and flooded my body. That’s when I thought about how stupid I was to make that promise. That’s when…I blacked out...again.

When I came to, I was still lying on the rug, in a soggy pool of crimson. There was so much pain erupting through my body that I could hardly move without distress. Dying sounded better than anything else. I was in an even worse condition than before. That’s it. I told myself. I am going to die here. I won’t even be able to see her again.

“You’re not going to die. Just shut up and stop over reacting.”

My body went still and I stopped talking. No matter how much I tried to open my mouth to speak it just wasn’t happening. What’s wrong? I thought desperately. Why can’t I speak?

I knew he could hear me because he would be listening in on my thoughts.

“My words become your reality.” He smiled down at me. “Did someone say demonstration?” He placed a hand behind his ear, pretending to hear someone shout.

He never uttered a word. I just saw Sarah standing over me. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulder and her sweet smile reflected in her sky blue eyes. All of a sudden, a confused look appeared on her face. As she reached for her lips, a tiny river of blood flowed from the corners of her mouth. Out of nowhere came this gaping hole in her chest. Blood was spilling everywhere and I shut my eyes as I screamed.

“Stop it!!” I knew he was doing it. Making me see her die. Bringing forth the reality that I will always dread. Losing her.

“You’re no fun.” He grinned, as the mirage disappeared. “Come on, let’s get my new pet all cleaned up.” He scooped me up, onto his chest, my feet dangling over his forearm. “This is going to be fun.”

***************

A month had passed since I had become a slave. As I stared down at my sleeping angel, Sarah, I couldn’t help but frown upon the thought of him. But at least I knew she was safe. That was the important matter here. When I had healed from my wounds and his mental abuse that night, I rushed to Sarah as soon as I able and now, here I am. I reached out to touch her, wanting to make sure that this was really her and not some illusion from the back of my mind.

“What are you doing!?” A hand manifested from the shadows and grabbed my wrist, pulling it behind my back and wedging it between my shoulder blades. The next hand covered my mouth so the sounds of mixed pain and terror was silenced.

“Didn’t I say, you can’t touch her? You’re human now stupid. The downside is that she can see you and feel you too. So if you touch her what do you think will happen?”

He kept whispering harshly in my ear. “She’s going to feel your hands on her. Would you want that? Her waking up in the middle of the night to see a stranger leaning over her, touching her, in the place she thinks that she is most safe?”

When I didn’t respond, he pulled it higher between my back. Nodding painfully, I tried to fight the throbbing.

“Now let’s go home. She’s fine, as you have confirmed with your very own eyes, now let’s get going.”

I hate you. I thought angrily.

The feeling is mutual.

I heard his voice in my head as we reappeared back in his room, the place I’d woken up the first day.

“Stay out of my head!” I shouted. “It’s a violation of privacy.”

“That coming from the person who’s stalked Sarah from birth. I bet they were doing her a kindness when they locked you away for three months.” He smirked at me.

“Shut up! I’m going to tell them. I’ll tell them what you are!”

“Wait…wait. Are you threatening me?” He closed the distance between us and lifted my chin to his, so that I was staring straight into those cold grey eyes. “Do you even know, what you are threatening? Plus, what can you do? With what are you going to threaten me? You are nothing. You have nothing! You don’t even exist. The very people you worked for treated you like garbage. Nobody wants you. You belong to me! Understand! And as my pet, you are to obey your master. Don’t become a dog that bites the hand that feeds you! That takes care of you! You hear me, pet!!”

“You are not my master.” As I said those words, I could the fear building up in my chest. My body began to tremble. His fingers tightened against my chin and the look in his eyes hardened.

“What? I didn’t hear you back there. Say what you said a second ago.” He smiled, a sudden cheerfulness surfacing in his voice. “My pet?”

“M-m-m….Master.” I stammered.

“Ah. For a moment there, I thought I heard something completely different. Things would have gone crazy if that was what was really said, you know. Certain body parts would have been rendered…out of order. Useless.” As he said those chilling words, he patted my head.

Something told me, that I had narrowly escaped my death. And I never want to experience that feeling ever again. Ever.

***********

She rushed down the stairs, almost slipping as she reached the last stair.

“Aunty Laury! Have you seen my other sock?” Her hair was strewn madly about her shoulders. Her t-shirt was out of the skirt and she had on one pair of socks. Sarah pulled a brush from her pocket and pulled the rubber band from her wrist to her mouth. As she frantically pulled her golden hair into a ponytail, her eyes surveyed the area for her lost sock.

“Did you check in the laundry?” Laura poked her head from the kitchen.

“It’s not there.”

“Why not just find a different pair to wear. Doesn’t have to be this specific one. Unless you’re trying to impress someone.” Tyler spoke from the table.

“Stop sipping your orange juice like it's tea. And for the record, your name’s not Aunty Laury, the last time I checked.” His voice was still infuriating.

“So I was right.” He took another cold sip. “Ahh. Refreshing.”

I don’t have time for this. I need to go. I’m late. Late. She hopped about on one leg, looking beneath the sofa, and then running back upstairs. “Damn it.” She whispered under her breath.

“Laura, Sarah cursed.” Tyler projected his voice in the direction of the kitchen.

“Saraphina!”

“But damn isn’t a curse.” Tamia said innocently.

“And how would you know.” He asked her.

“I don’t want to hear you repeat that word Mia.”

“Yes mommy.” She said quickly.

Missing sock now found, she rushed down the stairs with her shoes on and grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. As she pulled the door open in one swoop, Laura called out to her.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

She gobbled down her orange juice and eggs all at once and rushed back to the door.

“Eh hem.” She ran back and kissed her aunt on the cheek.

“Me too.” Tamia laughed, as Sarah gave her a hug and smothered a kiss on her forehead.

“What about me?” Tyler smiled. “Remember I was hospitalized two months ago.” He tried to sound wounded.

“For how long are you going to keep playing that card?” She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, but the second she got close enough he turned his head and the kiss landed on his lips.

As she doubled back with an angry blush on her face, he winked. “See you after school. Say hi to Ki-what’s-his-face for me.”

She banged the door in her wake.

He was standing around the next block, hands thrust into his pockets, angry and out of patience.

“Kai, I’m sorry I’m late.”

She stopped her running short and took some time to breathe.

“I’m never waiting for you again.” He began to walk without giving her a second glace.

“Exactly what you said yesterday.”

“Come again?” He turned around swiftly. As he did so, his curls straightened out into strands of silk, then took on their curly forms again after he stood still. Some of them curled around his neck, beneath his ears, near his soft brown eyes….

She felt her heart do a backflip in her chest.

“What!? Why are you giving me that creepy look? Let’s go, class starts in fifteen minutes and we have a thirty minutes’ walk ahead of us.”

“I am so sorry.” She said frantically.

“Come on Parker. I still waited for you didn’t I?”

***********

I sunk deeper into the bathtub, until the bubbles got to my chin. The water was so warm and good I never wanted to get out. It enveloped my body and offered a sudden weightlessness that I miss now that I am human. Stupid, stupid, stupid master. I can’t stand to be near him. Yes, master. I have to say it every time I refer to him. But come to think of it, what is his name? I never really cared to ask. He never bothered to share it. Must not be anything special anyway. The only thing I admire about him is his hair and that’s it. Nothing! Nothing more! I let out a deep sigh and sank beneath the surface of bubbles. Isn’t it such a beautiful morning? I saw her off to school today and helped her find that missing sock. It was so funny to see her search frantically for it. Now that I am human I can touch things. Hold them and feel them. Although when I was….me, I fed off of Sarah’s feelings so I know how it all seems but, I just want to do it as me sometimes. Experience it as Eliza not Sarah.

“The water is freezing cold.”

All of a sudden, I felt like a Popsicle. My body began to shiver and I my fingers and toes felt numb.

“Stand up, wrap a towel around you and go open the door.”

My body began to move on its own, following these direct instructions. I tried to gain some control when I got to the door. My hand trembled as I fought to defy the command. Stop. I thought. You’re my body. Stop it.

My hands clasped the knob and pulled the door open. He was standing there fully clad in a pair of ripped black jeans, a white long-sleeved T-shirt which he folded up to the elbows and a red converse to complete the look. As always, his hair was tamed by a head band, and that sinister smile claimed his lips.

“W-W-What d-d-do do y-y-you wa-want.” I shivered the words out as I clasped my shoulders to keep in the warmth.

He checked his watch and then stared at me. “Do you know what time it is? How long does it take you to shower?! A whole day?! All you do is wash the important parts and that’s it. You don’t need to linger and daydream.”

“Is that what you do? Wash the important parts?” I shuddered from his lack of cleanliness and took a step back.

“I can give you lesson if you like in cleanliness, but it doesn’t involve that towel. You know what it involves?” He paused for a moment, then shouted. “Me shoving a bar of soap down your throat if you don’t hurry it up! Get dressed already dammit!”

***********

“But why do we have to go shopping? I’m just fine with wearing your T-shirts.” I licked my ice cream as we walked down a crowded street, a couple of shopping bags in my other hand. Oooh. It was so cold and creamy. Smooth as it melted down my throat. So amazing.

“Because, my T-shirts, are mine! Hence the words mine which suggest that they belong to me! Plus I don’t appreciate you walking around my room half dressed in just a T-shirt and underwear.”

“Eh hem,” I pretended to clear my throat. “For someone who’s quick to claim ownership, you disregard the fact that this body, the house and everything in it, belongs to him and not you. Even his parents.”

“Oh, everything belongs to me. The house is mine.”

“What about his parents? How do you think they feel? I bet they have noticed a change in their own son.”

“They’re complementary to the house. For example, if you buy a car, you get complimentary wheels. They’re like a bonus. A monetary bonus to be exact.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “You’re the devil himself.”

“In the flesh.”

As we neared the corner, we noticed a couple of kids in uniforms. They were mostly around five or six years old. We walked by casually…in fact I walked by casually. He seemed pretty irritated with the little people.

“Mommy mommy look!” I heard a tiny voice. Tiny but familiar. “It’s the pretty lady. Remember? She came with big sister Sarah.”

Oh no. I thought. Goodness no. It was…

“Lia it is not polite to point at strangers and shout.”

“But mommy it’s her.”

I froze as I met the woman’s gaze. She was trying desperately to make Lia stop her pointing as people began to stare.

“I am so sorry about this.” She said quickly.

“No no. It’s alright.” I smiled uncomfortably as I waved her apology away. Her eyes went to him. One look and her expression changed. When I looked at him, he gave me a stare as he grabbed my arms and pulled me away.

“She saw you.” He didn’t once turn back but I knew he was angry. “How the hell did she see you!?”

We were in his room now. I was sitting while he paced up and down. “How did she see you?!”

“I don’t know!” I said for the third time. It looked like he was about to hit me. I was so fed up and tired.

“I won’t take this type of behavior towards me lightly. I said I don’t know, then I don’t know.”

“I can do whatever I want to you. You belong to me.”

“I belong to no one!” I shouted those words as loud as possible.

“Senree?” A voice came from below the stairs. “Who is that? Was it a girl’s voice I just heard?”

It was the mother.

His hands tightened into fists. “It’s nothing mom!” He shouted back as he looked at me. I shrunk back against the sofa.

“Don’t tell me it’s nothing, I know what I heard.” She pulled the door wide open. “Oh my goodness. Charles!?” She shouted to her husband. “I can’t believe my eyes.”

*************

She passed the plate to me.

“I could not believe what I was seeing. No wonder Sen had been acting so strange lately. He’s been keeping this big secret from us. The fact that your girlfriend was living here with you and we knew nothing about it. It hurts my heart.”

I shook my head at him. “Tsk Tsk, Sen.” I held in a laugh. This was golden. The look on his face was classical. He was trying so hard to not jump on the table and throttle me.

“She isn’t my girlfriend.” He said through gritted teeth.

“But I thought we were dating.” I tried to sound hurt as I wiped away an imaginary tear. “It hurts my heart.” I mimicked his mother. An evil smile peppered my lips as I hid my face from view. Oh I am going to make this last. I chuckled. Hehe haha ha ha.

“She’s laughing.” He said, frantically pointing a finger in my direction, like a child who was falsely accused. “Look at her. Just watch mom. She can’t be trusted.”

I knew he wouldn’t be able to touch me. In their presence, he was Senree Tier. And I would always use Mr. and Mrs. Tier as my advantage. He had no choice but to act powerless.

“If she was lying then why was she in our house? Seems to me she’s been here for a while now.”

Mr. Tier spoke from across him.

“Yes dear. It seems they were having a little trouble when I walked in though. I want the two of you to kiss and makeup.”

“K-K-Kiss?” My face turned red.

“I would never!” He gave me a dirty look as he turned his face away.

“I stood up and banged my hands on the table. “As your girlfriend you owe me an apology in the least.”

“Oh my.” I heard Mrs. Tier say. “Calm down sweetie.”

“I’d kill myself before I ever apologize to you.” He stood up and did the same.

It was like electricity was flowing between us. “Apologize.” I said angrily.

“I dare you to make me.”

“Now Senree,” His dad stood up a little too quickly and the table rocked with the sudden force.

I felt myself rock forward and before I noticed it, I was looking him dead in the eyes, our foreheads touching. But why, the table was just rocking and….and. I felt something soft on my lips. It felt better than the ice cream I had been eating earlier. Oh no….no…no. Don’t tell me we were…

“Kids this is not the place for this display of affection.” Mrs. Tier had an embarrassed look on her face.

“I will make you pay for this.” He said angrily as he pulled away, putting his fingers to his lips.

“You will not.” His dad finally said something after standing there in shock. “Now go prepare the guest room for her.”

“But-”

“No buts.”

He walked away angrily while he murmured to himself.

Who’s the pet now, Senree? Hahaha. What a stupid name. I thought.

“Welcome to the family. Pardon me but, what is your name?” Oh Mrs. Tier. How sweet you are. I thought comically.

“My name is Eliza.”

“What a coincidence, my name is Elizabeth. This is Pepper .” She pulled a black and white tom cat from beneath the table. To be honest I didn’t even realize it was there.

“Honey what have I said about that thing at the table?” Mr. Tier said.

She gasped, offended by his choice of words. “He is not a thing.” As she said those words she scratched behind his ears. He gave a hearty meow in response.

She thrust him in my direction. “Can’t you see this adorable face?”

“Yes, am I not adorable?”

I almost fell off my chair. “H-H-He spoke!” I pointed frantically.

“Meow?” It slanted its head and stared at me.

“Or maybe not.”

“Or maybe.” I jumped off the chair when his words tickled my ears. Senree you creep. What did you do? I thought to him.

Oh nothing. He thought back as he sat at the table. I just gave the cat something it’s always wanted. I’m such a nice guy.

“Isn’t Pepper just adorable?” He scratched him behind the ears and smiled at me.

The devil. I thought.

“In the flesh.” He smiled.

***********************

“I don’t understand this.” Sarah cupped her chin in one hand and scratched her head with the other.

“First you turn it on and then you go to settings.” The girl was deadly frustrated with her.

“Oh, thanks Captain Obvious.” She said sarcastically. “First turn on the phone, then go to settings. Blah blah blah. What do you take me for, the dumb blonde?”

Kai sighed. “Take a deep breath Anna May. See why I didn’t want to help her? Stupidity is contagious.”

“Oh be quiet, you-wanna-be-dark-and-mysterious.” She was at the edge herself.

“No Kai, don’t do it!” Anna May grabbed him from behind as he reached for Sarah’s face.

He flailed about helplessly. “Let me go. Just one hand. Let me do it! Get off me dammit! I’ll slap some sense into her. Just one slap.” He kept talking feverishly.

Sarah stuck out her tongue. “Nah nuh-nah nuh-nah nah. You can’t touch me.” She sung.

After he calmed down, Kai grabbed the phone from her. He followed the necessary instructions and gave it back. “And there it is. All this for a stupid update.”

“I just learned that I have practice today!” Anna grabbed her bag and back flipped from Sarah’s window, with a perfect landing, her hands outstretched before her.

“Wait! Don’t leave me alone with him!” Sarah screamed out to her.

“Hey, I should be saying that!” Kai shouted. “Don’t leave me with her. Stupidity is contagious. Anna, you’re my last hope.”

“Hey you guys,” Anna walked to a spot in the grass. “What’s a black butterfly doing here?”

“Black….butterfly?” Kai leaned against the window pane.

“Yeah. It’s got black wings with red dots on it. It’s really creepy looking.” She checked her watch. “Oh no! I’m late!” She shot them a peace sign and run down the street.

“Psh. There’s no such thing as a black butterfly. It must have been a moth or something.”

“But don’t these things come out at night?” Sarah leaned in next to him. She felt the hairs from his arm brush past hers and a blush blossomed on her face. We’re so close. She thought.

“It’s so sad that it took you, to remind me of that.” He kept looking out the window. Then he turned to face her. “Want to go check it out?”

“But by now it should be gone. I mean, it’s not like the thing is going to wait for us to…come…find…” Sarah trailed off.

“What! What did you…?” He did the same.

Their eyes focused on the small creature as it slowly fluttered its wings and then drifted on a breeze. It landed smoothly against the window pane next to Sarah’s hand. Frightened, she pulled away hurriedly but suddenly stopped. It fluttered its wings twice and then flew onto her extended finger. Instead of securing its wings upwards, it rested them down like a dragonfly, revealing the crimson spots that looked similarly to eyes. It fluttered them again, then vanished.

Startled, Kai backed away from her. “Don’t you even think of touching me with that creepy hand! Aren’t even freaked out in the least by this?”

“A raven butterfly.” She whispered. “Raven…butterflies.”

*****************

I twisted and turned in my bed. The thing was so uncomfortable. Jeez, it felt like I was asleep on a rock on one side. And then when I turned it felt like a feather fest. “Where the heck is the balance?” I said to myself in the pitch darkness. I’m going to sleep next to Senree. I stifled a laugh. Hahaha ha-ha. Senree. What were Mr. and Mrs. Tier thinking? I returned to the issue of the bed. I don’t care what he says. I’m sleeping there no matter what! As I jumped off the bed I felt something mushy beneath my feet.

“Wehh ehhre.”

Frightened, I jumped back up and peered into the darkness. The spots of white glistened like patches of moonlit silver. The thin, almond shaped eyes glowed green. “Pepper?”

It let out a hiss in response.

“I didn’t know you were there. I’m sorry. Come here, kitty kitty kitty.” As he walked over slowly I welcomed him with open arms. “That’s a good pussy cat.” He walked a little faster, then broke into a run. “That’s it- Wait-” It sped up a little more and I could see the evil intent in his eyes. “What are you doing- no…no…” It jumped up in the air and bared its sharp claws, each one sparkled despite the lack of light.

“Meow-”

“Sennnnn-reeee!” I pushed his bedroom door open and turned on the lights. “I’ll kill it! Kill it!” I said through gritted teeth as I threw Pepper at him. I had been holding him by the flap of skin behind his neck but now my hands were bleeding from his many furious scratches. It landed on all fours and hissed at me.

“Right back at you, you fleabag!”

Despite the commotion, he was still sound asleep. It was almost looked like he was dead. His body looked stiff as he lay there on his side, his lips half parted.719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdClbWCs98
“Sen….?” I whispered, half afraid.

Pepper licked his paws generously, looked up at me, and then went back to his previous task.

I poked him with a trembling finger. A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I felt the warmth emanating from his cheek. You’re still alive. I thought. You’re alive.

Shocked. I stopped to think. Why am I relieved that he’s alive? A tired yawn escaped from my lips. No matter. It’s late. I need to get some shut eye. I yawned again and then turned off the light, careful on my way back to not find certain “obstacles” in my way. When I finally settled on a spot in front of him I searched his face. He looked…peaceful. As my eyes began to shut, I saw Pepper’s shadow drift onto the bed. He paced around in a circle and then finally curled up beneath my feet. Stupid cat. I thought sleepily. As I drifted off to sleep, my forehead came to rest on his and I had the weirdest dream….

************

“No…don‘t go that way...It’s not…safe…” I murmured those words as I bordered on consciousness. “Stop!” My eyes flew open as I shouted those words. It was just a dream. I thought desperately. A yawn threatened to escape my lips and as it did so, I looked up and caught his gaze. He was staring me dead in the eyes and the yawn got stuck in my throat.

They didn’t look too happy as I kept staring. I blinked twice hoping that they would soften but he kept giving me that intense glare.

“What’s the matter?” I laughed nervously as I pulled away. He simply looked down and then looked back up at me.

“What?” He looked down toward the end of the bed and then up at me again. When I followed his gaze I saw a fluffy ball of black and white. Pepper.

“I can explain.” I put my hands up defensively. “You see there was the bed and then the cat and all these scratches on my hand and I was angry and tired and your bed seemed so perfect I couldn’t resist.” It all came out as one word.

He kicked Pepper off the bed and then looked up at me. His eyes seemed to ask me what I was waiting for.

A soft meow came from below it. Then Pepper jumped up on my side and let out a yawn.

Senree stared at Pepper, and Pepper stared back at him. I could almost imagine the dialogue.

“What?” Is what Pepper seemed to say, but Senree would be all silent and just stare.

Ultimately it would end with a huge staring contest, which Pepper would win. He would do it by default anyway, because Senree would definitely throttle him, then send him flying in the air and kick him while he was still defying the rules of gravity.

Yes. I could definitely see this happe-

“What? Quit staring at me it’s making my fur stand up.”

I turned around and stared at the cat as he licked his paws. His green eyes fell into mine.

“Not you too.” He stopped and placed his paw down. “Do I have fleas on my face? Or cat food stuck in my teeth?”

My eyes widened as I tried to speak, but nothing came out. My lips just trembled.

“Hasn’t your master ever told you it’s rude to stare?”

“Kick it off the bed.” Senree gave the command and my legs followed. But this time Pepper jumped over my leg and onto him.

“Seriously, you two have no respect at all.” Pepper pretended not to notice.

In one swift movement, he grabbed the cat and pulled me by the end of the T-shirt and threw us out.

The door banged as I sat there on my buttocks, looking at the closed entrance. Pepper simply walked away with his tail in the air, swinging from side to side.

“A talking cat.” I finally said.

“Wow, a talking human.” He returned sarcastically.

“One day I’ll get you back for those scratches.”

“And one day I’ll fly. Hahahha.” He laughed as he took the corner. “Brings tears to my kitty cat eyes.”

“Get off your high horse, cat!” I shouted as he disappeared.

“Say’s the girl who’s arguing with a cat. What a shame.”

I shook my head. He still had time to give a good reply. Stupid cat.

**************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6fsDzDtHs
Brown eyes, soft…sweet. A kind smile. Smile…Lips…rose pink…Warm. Really warm. A cheerful laugh. Contagious. Beautiful. Rich. Amazing.

Those thoughts run over and over in Sarah’s head. Kai. She thought. Kai. I have a huge crush on you. She wished to say. A huge, lingering crush. I can’t make it go away. Or rather, I don’t want it to go away.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” He was sitting across from her on the bench.

The moment she opened her mouth to answer, he interrupted.

“Where’s Annie? Have you seen her today?” He looked around him.

For some reason she felt a small pinch in her chest. May. Anna May. She was a friend of Kai’s. Not hers. Yes they got along well but she didn’t like her that much.

“We should study for midterms.” She tried to change the topic.

“You need to study.” Success. She thought. “Annie and I do most of our studying at home.”

Darn it. “Why do you call her Annie, all of a sudden?” Her curiosity got the best of her. When he first said it, she had taken it for a slip of the tongue. But twice now?

“Because it just sounds cute.”

“Well why don’t you give me a cute nickname?”

“It’s hard to give someone named Sarah, a nickname. Annie just sounds fun and cool. You know?”

“So are you saying that my name sucks?”

“It’s not that Parker. Come on.” He took a sip from the cup of sparkling water before him.

She lowered her head, as the pinch intensified and turned into a punch. “Why do you call me Parker all the time? You never call Anna May by her last name.”

“Where is all of this coming from? It’s just a nickname Sarah. Jeez. You’re such a child. Annie wouldn’t even make a big fuss about something like this.”

“I get the feeling that you like her.” She never thought as the words escaped her lips. It was just a thought and for some reason it manifested into words.

“So what if I did? I mean, she’s cute, smart, does cheerleading and she’s totally my type.”

“Well I think she’s annoying and loud and a huge show off!” She shouted those words as she kept her head down. After a few minutes of silence, he replied.

“The only one who’s annoying here, is you.” Kai stood up and poured the cup of sparkling water over her head.

The cold fizzy liquid run down her hair and dripped across her face, spilling onto her school T-shirt and her skirt.

“No wonder you’re all alone.”

She heard someone speak behind her. “It’s because no one wants to around someone who’s as disgusting as you are! You think I’m a show off? Well here, I’ll show this off!” Anna May strode over to where Sarah was sitting, and poured the bottle of water she was holding in her hand over her head. “You make me sick.” And she walked away with Kai.

A small crowd gathered around her. People were laughing and whispering.

“Oh, it’s her…Serves her right….Hmph, who would want to be around a girl like her...She chased away the only two people who wanted to be her friends, how sad.”

“They aren’t my friends!” She screamed those words and run off to the bathroom.

This was all his fault. He was to blame. Tyler. He was the reason that she couldn’t trust anyone anymore. If he hadn’t cheated when they were together, if he hadn’t lied to her, then maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way between her and Kai. If he hadn’t lied…if he hadn’t cheated…

As she sat in bed that night, her mind drifted off to the past and that horrible memory that she tried, but could not suppress.

She was fifteen and crazily in love. Every moment she saw him, her heart would begin to race, begging her to be in his embrace and to be even closer than ever possible. They were sitting there at lunch, side by side, while Laura sat across from them with five year old Tamia.

“Tammy, eat your veggies.” Laura spoke to her daughter sternly as she played with her food.

“No!” Tamia folded her arms and pursed her tiny lips in refusal.

“If you don’t eat them the monsters will get you.” Tyler said as he laughed at Tamia’s expression.

“Don’t cry, Tammy. He’s joking.” Sarah tried to calm her down. He squeezed her hand beneath the table, and then closed the spaces between her fingers, as he fit his hands in hers. A blush rushed across her face.

“No Tamia!” But Laura was too late. The little girl threw one of the carrots beneath the table.

They quickly parted their hands and placed it on their laps. They shared nervous glances which turned into nervous smiles. A week from now, would make it two years that they were secretly dating. For some reason, Tyler didn’t want Laura to find out, but neither did she. Besides, it seemed a bit more fun that way. He promised her, that sometime in the future they would tell Laura about it, but now was not the time. It was too soon and she would not take it lightly. He didn’t want to lose her, he’d said.

Later on that day, one of his friends came over to study. Her name was Leslie. Sarah didn’t see it as anything too dire. Not even when they disappeared into his room, so that they could be free from distractions. They were together for two years. He’d never hurt her like that. She trusted him and that was the main part of a relationship. Trust.

So when Laura gave her a couple of snacks to bring to the room, the thought never crossed her mind. She pulled open the door and then it struck her, hard in the chest. Tyler was sitting at the edge of the bed, with Leslie on top of him, half dressed. She saw how they kissed feverishly and desperately. She noticed the way the hands that had just held hers, was now moving in Leslie’s opened blouse. She watched the lips that had smiled at her kneading with someone else’s. Her hands began to tremble and it caused the cups to rattle. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that they didn’t even notice the door was open, and she was standing there with a front row seat.

“T-T-Ty?” Her lips quivered. The tray in her hands shook even harder as hot tears streamed down her cheeks.

On hearing his name, he pushed Leslie off, onto the bed. She tried to cover up as a smile run across her face.

“What’s going on?” She spoke quietly.

“Listen Sarah, I can explain.” He grabbed his shirt off the floor.

“B-B-But s-s-she’s half naked and so a-a-are you.” She stammered. She began to back away.

“Wait! Listen, it’s not what it looks like.”

“You should tell her, Ty.” Leslie finally spoke. “Tell her the truth about you and me.”

“Stop it.” Sarah replied. “This is a misunderstanding. T-T-Ty would never cheat on me.” She placed the tray on the table, as she tried to deny what she’d just seen. “It is a mistake, right Ty?”

The look on his face said otherwise. “Sarah….I…” He couldn’t answer.

“It’s been a year now that we’re doing this. He’s in love with me. Not you.” Then she turned to him. “Tell her Tyler, that I’m the one you want.”

He never spoke to her. All he kept doing was look away.

Leslie sat up on the bed and grabbed his hand, intertwining it with hers.

“Ty?” Sarah kept waiting for him to let go, for him to deny what she just said, but all he did was tighten his hold on Leslie’s hand.

“I love her.” He whispered finally. “I love Leslie more than you.”

“But why? You said you loved me!” She placed her hand across her chest to try to stop the pain. “You said you wanted to be with me. You said you didn’t want to lose me.” Her voice broke a little.

“He was lying, just because he cared about your feelings. But I’m the one he likes. Right?” She looked up at him.719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrO5ZXRohQ
“Right.” He replied.

“You’re not pretty enough and you’re disgusting.”

Sarah stumbled backwards.

“I don’t know why he’d ever be with you anyway. Your voice is so annoying.” She continued.

Surging with anger, Sarah walked up to Kai and slapped him. “You pig!” She shouted.

At the same time, Leslie gave her a slap in return. “Don’t you dare, you little brat. Know your place!”

. She couldn’t stand to look him in the eye anymore. Days would go by and she wouldn’t eat anything. Laura even took her to the hospital as a result of all of this. Two weeks later, when Tyler turned eighteen, he moved away to stay with his aunt. She’d thought she was over him, and what happened, but clearly not. She still loved him no matter what. Even when he showed up a year later. Everything was still in her mind.

And as she lay there, crying herself to sleep, Sarah tried not to think about Kai and what he had said.

“The only one annoying here, is you.” It kept replaying over and over in her mind like a broken record.

No!

“You make me sick.”

Stop it!

“I don’t even know why he’d ever be with you anyway.”

Don’t say it!

“You’re disgusting.” They all said it simultaneously in her mind.

“Shut up!” She screamed. “Shut up.” She whispered quietly as a painful slumber awaited her. “Shut…up…”

***************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEic0OuWq5M
I felt the pain in my chest as I stared at her. Physically, I wasn’t there. After that altercation that we had the first time and I was about to touch her, Senree, took that ability from me. So all I can do is see her from my mind’s eye. That pig, how dare he. I clenched my fists. How dare he?! He can’t boss me around and tell me what to do. I’m going to help Sarah out no matter what he says.

I grabbed a jacket and pulled on some shoes.

“Where are you off too?”

I looked down at the black and white fur ball, “None of your business, cat!”

I looked out the window, ready to jump.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“Then what do you suppose I do? Stand around when I know I can do something meaningful?”

“You’re really suicidal aren’t you? It’s too high to jump from there. Even for a skillful animal such as myself.”

I glared at it. “And where do you suppose I leave?”

“Oh well, I don’t know, the front door perhaps?” Its words were coated with sarcasm.

I rushed at Pepper with frustration and annoyance. He sat up and lifted a paw, then displayed his sharp claws.

“Harm one strand of fur and I will make you bleed.”

“Tch. Whatever.” I stopped dead in my tracks and pretended that it didn’t discourage me. “Fine. Front door it is then.” I proceeded to open the door when,

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Senree appeared out of thin air. He just materialized before me.

“And why not.” I said to him defiantly.

“She can deal with things on her own. She doesn’t need you.”

Those last words caught me. “She does need me.”

“No, she doesn’t. She did fine when you were gone for three months. I’m sure she won’t disappear after just a couple of hours.”

“But she’s crying and in pain. What if she….what if…”

“Nothing is going to happen.”

“But you don’t know her. The first time this happened, she starved herself. She can’t take this kind of stress!”

“Tyler, can take care of her.”

“Which is exactly why she needs me. This is all his fault.” I clenched my teeth and tightened a fist. “If he wasn’t such a man-slut none of this would be happening.”

Sen pulled out a phone and dialed a couple of numbers.

“Who are you calling?” He ignored me and went straight into his conversation.

“Yeah, it’s me. Go check on Sarah now, or else you-know-who is going to start jumping out the windows. Literally.”

“You know who?” I grabbed the phone. “Who is this?” Before I could get an answer, he grabbed it back and restrained me with one hand as I reached for it again.

“Do it now. I’ll see you later.”

He pulled his hand away. As he did so, I lost my balance. My shoe got caught in a fold in the carpet for some reason.

He turned to face me, “He’s going t-”

It all happened in slow motion. I grabbed onto his shirt because it was the only thing I could find in that split second, when I was falling down.

Pepper licked his paws for a split second and then stared at the two humans curiously. It’s a sad thing for us animals that these creatures are the leading species. Well, they are not actually human. He sighed as he continued to think. How she managed to fall on top of him he would never know. Or most likely I don’t care. Pepper thought, as he went back to licking his paw. As long as I’m not the one who she falls upon it doesn’t matter to me.

“Ouch.” I looked up at Senree. “I’m sorry about this.”

“Why are you the one who’s saying ouch!? I cushioned your fall!” He glared at me.

“I guess the saying is true huh? When you go down make sure someone goes down with you?”

He kept glaring.

I let out a nervous laugh and when he kept glaring I let it die down awkwardly. “Heh heh…heh…ehem.”

“Get off of me!”

***************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBONhjowGC7
“The only one annoying here, is you.” Kisake saw himself pouring the drink over her head, as anger overflowed inside him. How could she say that about Anna May? She sickened him when she shouted those nasty words. He would never stand by and let someone disrespect one of his friends like that.

But now that he was in his room alone and he had taken the time to think about things, he realized that he was wrong to have emptied the cup over her head. His words were just enough to make her realize her mistake but, for some reason he didn’t think that it would be enough. In fact, he just couldn’t help himself. The cup was already in his hand and…

No! He thought. I was right….Just that look on Annie’s face when Sarah said that, was enough to make anyone take the kind of action he did. But still…still…He stared at his cellphone. Kai touched the screen and it lit up. He immediately went to contacts and dialed Sarah’s number. Her phone rang but no one picked up. He tried again. Nothing. So as a last resort, he left her a voice message.

****************

Her eyes slowly fell open. She couldn’t muster the strength to get up after all the crying last night. It drained her both emotionally and physically. She rubbed her swollen eyes a little and yawned. As she did so, she felt something stir beside her. Or rather, someone. Only then did she notice the arm draped around her torso and the slight tickle of someone’s breath on her neck. It had to be Tyler. She thought, as she removed his hand. When she turned to face him, her heart sunk a little at the sight before her. His eyes were shut tight but it seemed like there was a storm brewing behind them. She backed away off the bed slowly, careful not to wake him, but it was already too late. A frown appeared on his face when he suddenly stopped feeling her presence next to him. His hand moved across the bed, where she had just awoken and when he didn’t feel her, his eyes flew open in surprise. She froze at the edge of the bed in her crawl position.

He blinked twice, and then sat up and yawned. When he noticed how swollen her eyes were, he went on his hands and knees and took a closer look at her face. He rubbed his finger across a dried tear that stained her cheek. Tyler never said a word as he leaned in closer and kissed her. She pulled away and turned her face, refusing to look at him. So he kissed her cheek and then her neck. It was then that she pushed him away.

“Stop it!” She shouted, as she got off the bed and stood there in her pink silk shorts and cotton spaghetti strapped shirt.

“You made your choice a long time ago. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

“This has nothing to do with me.” He said quietly.

“Maybe…maybe it doesn’t.” She looked away and bit her bottom lip. “But it began with you.” She clenched her fists. “And this is where I end it. This is where I draw the line. I’m tired of this back and forth between us. One moment it’s like you love me and the next you don’t know. I’m sick of it.”

“I know you still love me, Sarah.”

“It’s sad. I know that I still do too. But it’s time we both move on. We’ll just wind up hurting each other.”

“Why were you crying!? Is it because of something he did to you?”

“That’s none of your business. I can deal with my issues on my own. I’m not as weak as you think I am.”

“Me caring about you has nothing to do with me thinking that you might be weak.”

“Leave my room, and don’t come back without me letting you in.”

He stood in the doorway and stared back at her. “Just know, that I always loved you and I still do. I did what I did back then, to protect you. I just thought you should know that.”

*************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2jiTFsE4n
Kai bent over and tied his shoelaces quickly. His mom had already left for work and taken Lia to school. Things were already getting better. She quit being a stay at home mom and found a job at Lia’s preschool. His dad wasn’t too happy about it but Kai didn’t really care about the guy anyway. Alright. He thought. Jacket, check. Side bag, check. He slung it over his shoulder. Now all I need to do is call Parker and… He trailed off. Right, we had a fight. I think I’ll wait for her this morning. I hope she walks by today.

Despite having an exam at nine that morning, he waited till eight thirty, but she never showed up. As he walked to class he noticed a bunch of construction materials to the back of the school. I guess they’re going to finish that final wing. He thought. It’s about time they had this done with! After he transferred they had decided to start and now that things were coming to a close for this term, they would have enough time to get it finished by the time they got back for school.

*************

“Stop. Don’t go that way!” I grabbed onto the person’s hand in the dream. “Stop. Don’t go.”

I had no idea why I didn’t want them to go into that direction, towards that person. But something just told me I would never see them again if I let them go. I pulled their hand into my chest and tightened my grip, as tears run down my cheeks. Somehow, the person disentangled their self from my grasp and followed the next person. As they were walking away, he turned to face me and said something. All I could see was their lips moving. I couldn’t hear a word.

“I can’t hear what you’re saying.” I whispered slowly as I woke up. “I can’t hear you.” When I opened my eyes, I was staring dead into Senree’s face…again. His eyebrows were twitching and he had on a tight smile. Or maybe it was because his teeth were clenched?

“What! The! Hell! Are! You! Doing! In MY BED!?” He was about to explode.

When I looked down, I saw myself holding onto his arm as tightly as possible.

“Let go of me dammit!”

I sat up quickly and wiped my eyes. “I had a bad dream.” I said quietly. “I was scared and I had nowhere else to go.” His expression softened.

“I don’t care. Stay out.” At least he didn’t shout after me. I could sense a little bit of compassion there…I think.

“Please Sen, you have to let me sleep next to you.”

“No.” He got off the bed and walked out.

I jumped off and followed after him. “Please.”

“No.”

“Senree.” We walked into the kitchen where Pepper was happily enjoying some Meow-Chow.

“Here, take the cat.” He flung Pepper at me. I side stepped and he landed on all fours onto the table.

“That fur ball can’t offer anything comfort. Hey, wait. Where are the Tier’s?”

“At work.” He pulled out a chair and placed some cereal in a bowl of milk.

“Senree I’m begging you.”

“Isn’t that what a pet does when they want something from their master?”

“We’ve been over this.”

“The cat is available. Look.”

He pointed at Pepper. I glanced in its direction. “That’s not Pepper, that’s a boy- What?!”

I looked again and saw what looked like a teenage boy, sitting in a catlike position. His eyes were green like Pepper’s and his hair was black and white. Cat ears protruded from his head and a tail from his back.

“Pepper?” I questioned shakily.

“Meow.” He smiled mischievously.

************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIarhVSk70
He licked his hand and stood up.

“Ahh!?” I screamed as I covered my eyes. He was naked. “Put some clothes on.”

“I’m a cat. I don’t wear clothes.” He jumped down and walked on two legs. For some reason, it kind of creeped me out. I mean, one second it was a feline, now a homo-sapien. Partially…..His hair…or fur…well hair I guess in this form, touched the middle of his back. The patches of white claimed his hair as white streaks instead of dots. He yawned a little and I noticed his cat-like fangs were still in. He was almost like a vampire. Minus the ears and the tail. Pepper sat back down like a cat would and reverted back to his feline self. He continued to enjoy his Meow-Chow despite what had just happened.

“Ok. How are you okay with this?”

He looked up at me. “Meow?”

“I know you can talk cat!” I clenched my fists. “Spill it!”

“Hey, isn’t she supposed to be calling you master?” He looked towards Senree.

“I gave up that title a long time ago.” He waved his hands dismissively.

“Hey,” I jumped off the chair and pointed at him accusingly. “Where’s my breakfast?!”

“There’s cereal in the cupboard, like you already know. And milk in the refrigerator. Go nuts.”

************719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlnMBJqkI9
719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u18c8L2ql

Sarah took a ride with Laura today. For some reason she didn’t feel like walking because she knew Kai would not be waiting anyway. What was the point of walking alone? So many thoughts were crowding her mind that she was afraid to be left alone with them. Thoughts that threatened to eat her from the inside out. Feelings about Kai and Anna May and Tyler. They all converged in one place and kept on nagging at her.

In order to keep them all away, she rode with her aunt and Tamia. Tamia’s constant chatter would help keep everything at bay. Once she was caught in a conversation she never stopped.

“Cousin Sarah, when are they going to finish building your school?”

“I don’t know Tammy.” They were parked outside of the school gate.

“What time is your exam?” Laura had a concerned look on her face.

“At nine.” That brought on the memory that she would be in the same classroom as him. Kai. Her mind drifted off.

The only one who’s disgusting is-

“Sarah?” Laura snapped her fingers before her eyes.

“I’m fine. See you guys later. Come pick me up, okay Aunty L?!” She waved as she walked briskly away.

“But honey, aren’t you going to walk home with Kai?! Sarah?!”

Safely inside the classroom, she rested her head on her folded arms which were lying on the desk.

I‘m glad I escaped that one. She thought.

“Alright students, settle down.” Mr. Keeters entered the classroom and he looked impeccable. May be he was going all out because today was the final day of exams. He stacked a couple of sheets of paper against their tables. Kai’s seat was empty.

I wonder where he is. She thought. Oh well, it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care.

But you do. The voices sounded in her head. You do care about him.

I don’t. She thought back angrily as the grip on her pencil tightened.

You want him to come back to you. To say that he loves you. To say that he won’t walk out on you like Tyler did. Like she did.

“Shut up.” She whispered quietly. “She didn’t leave me. Something happened and she died.”

She left you! It seethed.

“Shut up!”

She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Mr. Keeters turned back to stare at her. “So you don’t think that the exam rules and corrections are important, hmm, Ms. Parker?”

“No, that wasn’t what I meant Sir.”

“Then why did you yell ‘shut up’ in my exam room? Have another outburst and you fail my exam!”

“Yes sir.” She looked and saw Kai standing in the doorway. Did he see? She thought consciously. He thinks I’m crazy now. The pulled her eyes away from his.

I don’t care. She thought. I don’t. Before she closed her eyes, she saw a butterfly. Just like the black one the last time. It swooped into the room from the open window. It fluttered its wings gracefully and then landed at her desk. This time, it seemed like she was the only one who seemed to notice it.

All of a sudden, it went splat! Like someone slapped it against the table. Then it disappeared, leaving bits of butterfly goo on her desk. Eww.

******719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkicu6Oo4X
“Pepper!” I yelled at him as we teleported back into the house. “What did you think you were doing?”

“I was having me a snack. Mmm. Butterflies are tasty.”

I defied Senree’s rules and I went to see her anyway. Despite saying that he took that ability from me, I somehow managed to get through with Pepper for some reason. Not hard to believe that he could cloak himself. I wonder what else he asked Senree to give him. The ability of speech, to turn human and invisible. Then what will he do next, fly? And why would someone like Sen, give little old Pepper powers? Something is fishy here. Oh my goodness. I made a cool joke. Pepper, fishy…so funny.

“You could have chased the creepy thing out. Not kill it against her desk.”

“Ah, whatever. I bet she didn’t even notice from all her moping around.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“What is your job as a guardian anyway? To stalk the poor child?”

“Not stalk. To protect her.”

“Stalker. Tell me something, what is this whole guardian thing about?”

“Pepper? Are you interested in my job? Oh my. I feel important all of a sudden.” I pretended to care.

“I am serious.”

I pinched my chin. This is my chance to get some information about Senree from him.

“A secret for a secret.”

“Deal.”

As I sat there, I explained what being a guardian meant. Pepper took his normal cat sitting position before me.

“So this is what it basically means to be a guardian. You make them in your likeness. Of what you want to be and wish you could be. They’re like a thought or an idea. You mold them into reality and that’s how Sarah came into being.”

“So, if you’re a guardian, can you see others such as yourself?”

“I can’t. We cloak ourselves so we can’t be seen.”

“Why do you all do that? Wouldn’t it be beneficial to be able to?

“There was an incident that happened. I can’t say for sure, but a guardian developed what they call the forbidden feelings.” I rolled my eyes. “And he went so far to protect his human that he even killed other guardians who threatened to report him. Those who have these feelings are called the fallen. They lose their powers completely and are banished into the human world to suffer. ”

“That doesn’t sound like a legitimate reason to me.” The cat yawned and lay on his stomach.

“Tell me about Senree.”

“What about him?” He closed his eyes.

“Did he tell you anything about why he was here? Or maybe something, some reason why he needs me?” And plus, why does he still have powers if he fell?

“Why do you ask?”

“I think Senree is one of the fallen.”

“That’s because I chose to fall.” I heard his voice behind me. Startled, I jumped away from him.

“Quit doing that!”

“What.”

“Teleporting so unexpectedly. You’re like those creepy disappearing butterflies.”

“Disappearing butterflies?”

“Yes. They’ve been appearing near Sarah lately. I’ve seen two of them now.”

Senree closed his eyes, like he was thinking. I wanted so badly to know what he was lost in thought about that I tried my luck and read his mind.

Damn it. Those stupid things. Why now? Time. Time. I need time. He’ll be coming soon. Soon.

“Who’s coming?” I un-subconsciously asked him.

A confused look appeared on his face. “How did you…?”

“You were wide open. Ha! Now you have no choice but to-”

“Memory wipe.” He waved his hands over my face.

I found myself staring at Senree. He just kept looking at me like he was expecting something. “What?! Was I saying something?”

“Not really.” He teleported away and I was left with Pepper.

“What was I about to do? I feel like I’m forgetting something.”

Pepper opened one eye and stared at me, then shrugged and went back to sleep.

Hmph. I thought. Hmph. Maybe it was nothing important if I can’t remember.

*****

Sarah tapped her feet unceremoniously. Aunty Laury was taking a lot of time getting here. She thought. It’s been two hours since the exam was over and she had been waiting outside ever since. What was taking so long? After the exam, Kai had just disappeared. She had no idea where he had gone.

Good riddance anyway. She thought quickly. I don’t care what he does or where he goes. Or…who he’s with.

“Dammit.” She stopped her foot, creating a small dust cloud in the process. “I don’t care.”

“You don’t care about what, exactly?”

Surprised, she spun around quickly, to find out who had just seen her in such an embarrassing situation. Talking to herself again. It's never a good sign when someone sees you doing it. Twice now.

It was Kai. His hands were in his pockets and his side bag kept hitting his thigh as he walked.

When she noticed Anna May in tow, she looked away quickly.

“Nothing.” She said quietly. “I was just talking to myself, is all. I don’t think it warrants someone questioning me.”

He stopped just behind her and took in a deep breath. “Did you get my message?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Seriously?” He sounded surprised. “I called you. I think maybe twice and you didn’t pick up so I sent you a voice message. Didn’t you check your notifications?”

“I didn’t get anything.” She quickly rushed through her phone to make sure. There was nothing there. No calls from Kai or a voice message.

“Let me see.” He walked around quickly and pulled the phone from her.

“You know, for someone who said I was disgusting you’re really disrespectful!”

“Fine!” He gave back her phone. “Let’s go Annie.”

“Sure.” She spoke to Kai. “I bet she deleted them herself just so she could lie about it.” And then she turned to Sarah, “If you don’t want us to be your friends, just say so! Don’t say rude things about us when our backs are turned! That’s not what friends do!”

Tears began to stream down her cheeks. “To hear you say that about me. Just to hear those words coming out of your mouth made me sick. How could you!?”

“I was angry! Alright?! And I would never delete Kai’s messages or calls just so I could lie about it?!”

“Both of you stop it!” Kai came between them. “I know you wouldn’t lie about that, Sarah.” And then he came turned towards Anna May. “We were all wrong. Yes we were mad, and what Sarah said about you was out of place, but as friends we have to at least deal with this with civility. Not as wild animals.”

Anna May turned her head furiously and folded her arms across her chest angrily. “Hmph.”

“What ever.” Sarah returned as she did the same.

“Now look here,” Kai showed her his phone. “I called, see?”

“But why doesn’t my phone show any records of it then?”

“Maybe it was really deleted.” Anna May put in. “That’s the only explanation.”

“Question is, who deleted it?” Kai looked at her.

***

“Tyler?” The door was barely open but Sarah was too mad to care. “Where are you?!”

She walked into the living room stalk mad.

There was a boy sitting there with green hair and creepy looking eyes.

“Sarah right?”

“Who are you? And where’s Tyler?”

“He went to the bathroom. My name is Senree Tier. Nice to meet you.” His smile creeped her out. And something was little off as well.

“Dude you’d never believe what happened in there. The tissue run out right when I was about to…”

“Where did you delete it?” She began as she thrust the phone in his face.

“What do you mean, deleted it?”

“Look at this and then look at mine.” She produced Kai’s phone and showed him. At that same moment, Kisake and Anna May emerged from the door and walked inside.

“Your so-called friends are here I see.”

“I know you did it. There was no one else there.”

“I want him to leave.” He pointed towards Kai.

“Kisake has nothing to do with it. Answer me, why did you delete it?”

“Get out.” He looked him dead in the eyes.

*******

What is with this guy? Kisake stared at Tyler.

“He’s not going anywhere.” Sarah said to him. It was clear that Parker was angry but wow. The way she handled things was kind of cool. It was him. Who else would it be? Kisake knew about the story between them but it wasn’t his place to say anything. No matter what he told himself to not get angry.

“After what he did to you, you’re still defending him?”

“That’s not the subject here. Why did you delete it?”

“Not till he leaves.”

“Just admit what you did?!” He turned to see Annie who had just spoken.

“Relax Annie, this is Sarah’s problem not ours.”

“But Kai…”

He silenced her with a finger on his lip.

“I don’t appreciate him treating you badly then waltzing in here like he has something to prove.” Tyler returned to him again.

“Leave him alone Ty. This is about you, not him.” Sarah got between them.

Pushing Sarah aside, Tyler stood before him. Kai stared at the brown haired guy who was just two years his senior, but acted two years younger.

“What did you say to her? Look at her face, her eyes. Making her cry like that. I want you to leave.”

It was nothing when his green eyes pierced his brown. He controlled his anger when he came face to face with him, when he accused him of unjustly harming Sarah. But the last straw was when he pushed him. Yes, Tyler pushed him. That was it. He lost every sense of control that he had. He thrust him backwards.

“Back the hell off!” Kisake shouted as he tried to regain control.

Tyler stumbled backwards but regained his footing. He walked forward and pulled back his fisted hand ready to punch Kai. Whilst that was going on, his friend might have notice because he jumped before him.

Before anyone could really place a finger on what had happened, the guy who they had met in the living room, came up with a bloody nose.

He laughed it off as he faced them, blood running down his lips. “Ha-ha. Guys calm down. Don’t get bent outta shape because of…What was the problem here again?” He held his nose and bent his head backwards. “Ahh, this hurts like a bitch.”

“You get mad when other people hurt Sarah, but when you do it, things are just fine.” Kisake heard the words leaving his mouth. “You can’t justify your actions that way because you were the one who hurt her first. You were the one who cheated on her, with one of your so called friends. You were the one who made her so lonely, who made her lose trust in everyone and you’re the one who’s making her suffer right now!”

“You’re the one who she’s in love with, but you’re too blind to see.” After Kisake heard those words from Tyler, he made a last statement.

Tyler began to leave the room and as he passed next to him, Kai said quietly, “I’m not you.”

He gave a little exchange of his own as well. “You can never be me.”

******

I was falling. The wind blew hard into my face. The ground seemed to be coming closer and closer. If I didn’t do anything now, I would be a pancake. In an effort to save myself I thrust my hands out before me and shut my eyes. This was going to hurt.

Before I knew it, I found myself slowing down and straightening up, until I landed smoothly on my feet. The grass tickled my toes as I walked carelessly through the open field. The wind kept frolicking cheerily. Blowing in alternating directions. Despite my hair being just below my ears, it still managed to get into my eyes and blur my vision. Dressed in one of Senree’s T-shirts, I kept on walking, having no knowledge of my destination. My legs were leading. Not me. But where were they taking me. Why were they taking me there? After about five minutes of endless walking I stopped. My hand lifted unconsciously and pointed due north. That’s when I saw him and I knew. I was in that dream again.

“Hey! You!” I shouted after him. “Wait!” He kept on walking without looking back. I ran after him, but no matter how fast I ran, I couldn’t catch up. He seemed to be strolling. Walking as casually as possible. “Who are you?”

He turned around and smiled. I could only see half of his face. No matter how badly I tried to look up, I couldn’t see above his nose. It was all shrouded in darkness. He never stopped. Just a quick turn and a smile.

Far off into the distance, a shadow manifested. He stopped then and but picked up the pace and walked faster. It seemed to me like he knew whatever, or whoever it was.

“Stop!” I run using all that I had in me. As I did so, I managed to get close enough and I grabbed his hand, pulling him towards me. I held on as tightly as possible, tying his hand to my chest. “Don’t go.” I began to sob. That person. That shadow was dangerous. He can’t go. He can’t.

He loosened my grip and kept on walking. No matter how much I tried to follow I couldn’t catch up again. When he was a few feet away from what it was, he turned around and whispered. His lips were moving but I couldn’t hear a sound.

“I can’t hear you. I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

He whispered again then smiled as he waved good bye. Hot tears streaked across my cheeks. I kept running and running. Shouting ‘stop’ and ‘that’s the wrong way’. But nothing came of it. I finally gave up and fell to my knees. “I don’t want to lose you.” I whispered. “I don’t.”

A strong gust of wind blew past me and on it, I heard a whisper, “The crimson flowers.”

I lifted my head and turned it swiftly in it’s the direction. “Next time, meet me there.”

Those…were the words I couldn’t hear. He sent them…on the wind…

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Pepper struggled against her grip. She kept squeezing him tighter and tighter. This was not what his human form was for at all. Using his claws, he disentangled her from him and reverted back to cat form and hissed at her. After he was satisfied, he walked around in a small circle and then rested lazily in his tiny spot. One of those dreams again. He thought. Pepper looked at her as she slept. In Senree’s T-shirt no doubt. And with just a pair of flowered undies. Well, this one’s a keeper. He let out a yawn that strained the elasticity in his jaw. Next thing he knew, she was sobbing and whispering.

Who didn’t she want to lose? He thought nosily.

“Crim…son…flowers…meet me…there…” Those words sent the fur on his back standing at attention.

Who dreams about creepy stuff like that? He jumped down and strolled out the door, his tail dancing in the air. It was still late at night, and he had the munchies. Meow-Chow seemed totally do-able, but he perished the thought when he noticed Senree sitting on the porch. His hand was caught beneath his chin, with his fingers tapping mercilessly.

In an attempt to flee the scene, Pepper backed away slowly but he was too late. He bumped into something and when he looked around, Senree, who had just been sitting on the porch, appeared behind him. Catnips. He cursed.

***************

“We need to stop those dreams. They’re getting more intense. More real.” Pepper sat up and stared up at Senree. “Those creepy words, I think they have a meaning. It can’t be a coincidence that they keep recurring.”

“And the further into the dream she gets, the more she learns. He’s almost here, cat. What am I going to do?! Eliza is getting her powers back. She can read my mind now. How the hell did that happen?!”

The cat shrugged. “I don’t know. At least you wiped her memory so she doesn’t recall she can do it. By the way,” Pepper found himself an opportunity to ask him an important question. “What do you plan on doing with her? I mean, you have half of her soul, isn’t that enough? Why not let her go? Let her be with that child she keeps stalking around.”

“Because, she’s-”

“Senree?!”

Pepper heard a shout and turned to see the outline of a body in the far corner of the shadows, along the sidewalk.

“Long time no see, pal.” The person emerged and gave him a devilish grin, teeth glistening as the moonlight shone on it. “Or are you someone completely different?”719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp2kbPfBDD
He poked a finger into his cheek and pretended to think, as he looked up at the moon.

Senree stood up defensively. Something about this guy spelled trouble. Pepper himself backed away slowly and hissed.

“Ah. A soul taking over a human body.” The stranger laughed and settled his cold, dark eyes on Pepper. “And I see you’ve made…a pet.” The way he said pet, just sent Pepper running behind Senree as he hissed again.

“What do you want?! Who are you?”

“I want the real Senree back. As his guardian, I’m asking you nicely.”

“You finally decide to show yourself.”

“Give him back! Right now! That boy belongs to me!”

“Don’t people usually tend to show more appreciation for things that belong to them?”

What is he doing? Pepper thought as he stared up at Senree. Was he not afraid a second ago? So why is he smiling?

“That boy, body and soul is mine! Mine! Mine!” The guardian sprawled forward for an attack. Senree jumped on the roof of the porch and casually placed his hands in his pockets. As he looked down, he laughed.

“You seriously don’t think you can get him back, do you? I mean, I already claimed his body, mind and soul. I control it all.”

Then he disappeared and reappeared before the guardian, “I can even have you too, if I wanted. You’re a full-fledged soul, I can even devour you.”

“You monster!”

The guardian produced a sword from heaven knows where and made a slash at Senree. “He’s mine to protect!” He shouted with rage.

“Well you did a hell of a good job of that. I commend you.” Senree laughed as he moved at the last second. “Of all the times to protect him, you chose now? The one moment you should have achieved that now broken promise was when he was in that hospital bed.”

Senree then kneed him in the spleen. “You should have tried to help him when I took him over.” He whispered into the guardian’s ear, who was now leaning over the knee in his stomach area, his mouth agape, with eyes wide open.

“You should made an effort,” He grabbed him by the hair, and with each word, he kept pulled the guardian into his knee over and over. “To save him when I crushed his spirit!”

He coughed up blood and his fingers loosed around the sword, causing it to clatter to the ground.

Pepper, who was now hiding behind a pillar, emerged from his hiding place. The guardian looked so young. Almost a child. What was the purpose of all of this? Guardians creating humans from a tiny thought? This was crazy. Whatever they were feeding these guys was pure nonsense.

As he dropped to the floor, he whispered. “What…was I…supposed to do?” He clenched and then unclenched his fists. “If I tried to save him, they would have banished me! If I showed any sense of feeling, they would take me away from him! I couldn’t save him-”

“So like a coward you let him die!” Senree kicked him in the ribs. “You let him die because you were too scared to stand up and think for yourself!? To do what was right!?”

The young man kneeled on his hands and knees before Senree, with his head bowed. A mixture of blood and saliva dripped down the sides of his mouth. “You took what was precious to me, now I…will take what is precious to you.” Then he disappeared.

Pepper began to think. Precious to him? This guy? The entity inside of Senree Tier’s body with something precious to him? Ha! What a joke. Eliza would definitely…

His eyes widened then. Eliza! He means Eliza! Pepper run through the kitty door and up the stairs. I hope hasn’t done anything yet. Let him not do anything.

As he run through the half open door, Pepper saw the boy in the darkness, looming over her. In his hands, he held the sword. He pulled it back, over his head and brought it down swiftly.

He closed his eyes, unable to watch what was about to happen. When Pepper opened them again, he noticed that the blade had stopped inches away from Eliza’s neck.

Senree stood at the guardian’s back with one hand keeping the sword at bay, and the other clamped against the boy’s mouth. He squeezed the boy’s wrist until he let go of the sword. He clawed at his hand but to no avail. He just kept struggling. Senree pulled the captured wrist swiftly behind the boys back, between his shoulder blades. He pushed it higher and higher until there was a loud popping sound.

The look in the boy’s face showed pure agony. His eyes widened as tears streamed down his cheeks. His expression showed screaming but not a sound was heard. His arm fell limply at his side, useless.

Senree reached for the sword, one hand still secured over his mouth. He pointed it toward him and he stabbed it into the guardian’s chest. In an effort to save his life, the boy grabbed hold of the blade. His hand bled as the cut deepened. But that did not deter Senree at all. He pushed the sword harder and deeper until it peeked from beneath the boy’s left shoulder blade.

The guardian struggled violently. He wriggled and writhed as his attire became stained with blood.

Crimson run between Senree’s fingers from the hand covering his mouth.

Pepper just kept on staring, incapable of looking away. What scared him, was not the way the guardian was brutally dying before him, but the look on Senree’s face. It was just calm. Not a smile, or a frown ever appeared. He never even showed that the boy’s movements were straining him. It was like they were hollow, grey eyes staring at nothing.

When all movements ceased, the body fell limply to the floor with a thud.

After that sound, Eliza woke up and half-opened her eyes. “Sen?” She whispered drowsily. Pepper quickly rushed onto the bed and placed a paw over her forehead.

“Sleep.”

“Pepper…why is he…covered in…” She never had a chance to finish as her lids grew heavy and she went back to sleep.

Pepper sighed. Senree didn’t seem like he would have made her sleep. He just kept standing there, staring at nothing. Staring into space.

A bright circle of light appeared in the room over the guardian’s body. The figure lifted into up into the air and then disappeared with the light. Rumbling broke out into the sky in the form of thunder and electricity snaked across the storm clouds as lightning. It began to rain loudly like stones were being pelted on the roof.

“The sky…is moaning a loss.” Those were the only words he spoke, as he quietly left the room.

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I tapped my fingers against the table. Pepper ate his breakfast casually. “Explain to me cat!” I said angrily.

“Explain what?!” He looked up at me.

“Why was there blood in my room? Couldn’t you have killed your icky mice elsewhere?” I shivered at the thought of it all. The blood on the carpet in my room. Oh how disgusting. That mouse must have died brutally from the amount of blood that was there. But still, that’s too much blood for a tiny mouse. I mean, the amount that was there, ten mice must have been killed. It was like someone bled out there.

“And why isn’t Senree out of bed?”

“If I had known an interrogation would be a part of my morning breakfast, I would have eaten elsewhere.” He pushed the bowl away with his tail and walked away with his head held high.

“I’ve lost appetite.” He said.

“Pepper! Don’t you walk away from me!” But I was too late. He disappeared behind the corner.

I’ll just go find out myself then. I thought as I got up from the chair and walked up the stairs. The rain had been coming down mercilessly from since last night. It felt like the heavens were crying. I never knocked. I just pushed the door open and strolled inside. I did a little run up and then jumped onto the bed. The shape beneath the covers shook violently but I never heard anything. So, I jumped up and down. “Wake up sleepy head!” I screamed.

A sob came out from beneath the covers. I stopped and listened, when I heard a few others. Was Senree crying?

I knelt beside the shape of his head. “Sen? Are you crying?” I tried to pull the sheets down but he wouldn’t let me. “Senree? Don’t cry.” I rubbed his back caringly. “If you wanted a share of the mice Pepper had for dinner in my room last night you could’ve just asked. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing with you.”

“Idiot! I’m not crying!” He sat up quickly as he pulled away the sheets. “Does this look like a crying face to you?!” And he pointed at himself.

“Well yes, it does.” I felt a little sad. He looked adorable when he cried though.

“It’s not me! It’s him!” He sobbed again.

“Him? Have you finally lost your marbles Sen?!” I shook my head in disappointment.

“Senree! The real Senree! He’s crying.” He wiped the tears from his eyes but more came to fill their place. “Darn it! Stop your whining dammit!” He shouted.

“Why is he crying?”

He stared up at me. “You don’t want to know.” He sobbed again and wiped his nose.

I felt like I needed to do something. “He needs comfort.” I opened my arms wide, expecting him to lay his head against my chest.

“No. Go away. You’re making me uncomfortable.” He sized me up and down.

“What?” I looked myself up and down. Okay, maybe I didn’t have a bra on and I was dressed in just a T-shirt but I was trying my best here. I pulled his head angrily into my chest.

“Take my offer dammit!” I bound him there as he struggled.

“Stop. I can’t…breathe.”

I loosened my grip and he relaxed “Lay down.” He said quietly. “Don’t make a sound either.”

It felt so…peaceful in the room. The rain falling heavily on the rooftop, Senree, fast asleep with his head on my chest. Soft tears streamed down his cheeks and I would quickly wipe them away. I placed a kiss on his forehead and whispered quietly. “It’s going to be alright.” And as I began to fall victim to sleep myself, I whispered.

“I’m going to protect you too.”

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It was a week now since the incident with Kai and Tyler. It was summer vacation now and things seemed quiet and peaceful. Sarah sat in Anna May’s backyard with Kai. The sun shone brightly on her skin and she just felt like she wanted to take a catnap in the warm golden rays. The wind blew quickly and took a couple of loose green tree leaves for a ride. As it swirled like a mini tornado, the leaves whirled dizzily around with it. It looked so beautiful.

“You’re the one who she’s in love with but you’re too blind to see.”

Her mind drifted back to that fight again. Tyler told Kai out loud how she felt. But ever since then he still hasn’t said anything. He just acted normal, like nothing ever transpired between the two of them. Maybe he just doesn’t feel the same and he doesn’t want to admit it. She thought. Sarah hugged her knees to her chest.

I love you Kai. I love you…I love…you. Why won’t you notice me? Why won’t you say anything!? You know. So why?!

Out of nowhere, water splashed over her head and soaked into her clothes. She let out a gasp in surprise and turned around to face her accomplice angrily.

“What did you do that for?!!!” She screamed at Anna May as she laughed hysterically.

“Oh stop your whining. It’s just a little cold water. It’s no big deal.” She continued to laugh.

“It’s freezing cold! How is it no big de-” May cut her off.

“I knew you liked Kai too.” Her face turned serious. “I noticed from the moment I saw you. The way you acted. The way you would look at him when he wasn’t staring. I knew. That’s why that day when I didn’t have practice I left, because I wanted to give you guy’s time alone.”

“That day we saw that creepy butterfly?”

“What creepy butterfly?” Her face looked confused.

“You know, that Black one with the red dots on its wings?”

Anna May shook her head defiantly. “I don’t recall.”

“But you were the one who…” Sarah decided to not continue the conversation anymore, because something else came to mind. “What did you mean by too?”

Anna May blushed. “Because I have a crush on Kai too.”

At that moment, the wind blew noisily through the trees. Lush green leaves twirled and scattered around them. Their hair flagged crazily in the summer wind.

To Sarah, it felt like Anna May was issuing a challenge. If that was the case, then she herself had already lost.

“Hey! What are you two talking about? And Parker, why are you dripping wet?”

Sarah stood facing Anna May with her head bowed.

“Oh we were just talking about how exams went.” Anna May smiled.

He laughed. “Parker discussing exams. Haha ha. You must be joking.”

“I’m not as useless as you take me for Kai.” She said quietly. “Maybe the two of you were meant for each other.”

Dripping wet and angry, she stormed inside, grabbed her bag and began her journey home. As she exited the gate, Anna May grabbed her hand and turned her around.

“Don’t just give up!” She said firmly. Then she turned around and looked at Kai who scratched his head in a confused motion.

“He’s too good of a person to let go of so easily. That smile, those eyes, that voice. Anyone would kill for that. You should too. He’s too kind, too sweet and too amazing to let anyone have him besides you. This is what you should think. This is what you should do.” She kept going on and on.

“Shut up! I don’t want your pep talk. If you want him too, then why are you telling me all this?!”

**********

When Kai noticed things were getting out of hand, he walked over to them. “Hey, what’s the matter? Don’t tell me you girls are fighting again.”

“Here!” Sarah shouted as she turned Anna May around and thrust her at him. “You can have him!”

He caught her just in time as she fell forward. “Annie, are you alright?”

When he looked up, Sarah was already gone.

“I really thought she had a little more fight in her.” He heard her whisper. “I thought that if I said those words it would encourage her, but I was wrong.”

“Wrong about what?” He stood her up.

“She’s beautiful, Kai. But she doesn’t even see it.”

He heaved a sigh. “Tell me about it. Wait here, I’ll convince her to come back.”

“Why do you keep trying?” He stood still, his hand on the gate.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said quietly, not facing her.

He continued to walk without looking back. At that moment he swore he heard her say something around the perimeters of,

“You’re not fooling me.”

Who ever said I was trying to fool anyone? He thought, as the wind blew through his hair.

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“What are you going to do about that sword?”

Pepper looked up at Senree.

“I’ll keep it, for future use.”

“Let the girl go. She will only serve as a weak point.”

“Why don’t you go bald?!” Senree bent down and held him up by the tail.

“Whoa! Wait! What are you doing?” Pepper looked like he was running on air.

“Or would you rather be a regular cat again?” Senree pulled him up to eye level.

“No talk about the guardian. Got it. Now can you put me down?”

“No…stop…Don’t go…It's dangerous…” Pepper heard those familiar words and sighed. “It seems she’s at it again.”

He was still hanging by his tail. He looked at Senree’s furrowed brows.

“Come on Pepper. Let’s put a stop to those measly dreams.” He let go unexpectedly, but luckily, Pepper always landed on his feet.

“And just how are we going to accomplish that? It’s not like we can enter…her dreams…”

The look on Senree’s face said otherwise.

“Don’t forget I have half of her soul. If I can control her movements, what’s a pathetic little dream?”

When they entered the room, Pepper could hear her little sobs.

“So how will we enter her head?” He whispered.

“Like this.” Senree rested his forehead against hers and took in a deep breath. “Give me your paw, cat.”

“Talk about gentle.” Pepper said sarcastically, as he gripped his leg tightly. After a few seconds, he was sound asleep.

As he disappeared, I buried my head in my hands and cried. Out of nowhere, my legs stood me up, and walked in the opposite direction. I tried to stop myself. I tried to stay still, but they wouldn’t let me. It was just step, after step after step. Far off in the distance, I saw what looked like a red patch. As I got closer, I noticed that the red patch was really, a cluster of roses. They were about the size of my fist with petals that blossomed open. Those blood red petals were shaped like perfect drops of blood. When I stared long enough, I noticed a couple of butterflies fluttering amongst them. They were black with dots of red on their wings. Just like the ones which were-

“The raven butterflies, as Sarah called them.”

I spun around and found myself faced with…a young man. He smiled broadly.

“Hello.” He waved.

He was…the boy in the dream. The one who’s face I couldn’t see. And now I knew why. I knew because…

“My name is Senree. The real one.”

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Pepper sauntered in the tall blades of grass. He would occasionally jump to swat them away when the wind blew it in his direction.

He played hide and seek from Senree, who kept an uptight look on his face. When he saw his feet appear in the grass near him, Pepper rocked his little kitty hips from side to side, locked onto his target, and then pounced on his toes.

Senree lifted him from the flap of skin behind his neck. Pepper curled his tail up between his tucked in feet.

“Stop that! This is serious.”

“Meorry.” Pepper said quietly.

“Something is wrong here. This whole scene. It’s creeping me out.”

“You? Getting the hibby-jibbies?! Then something really is wrong with this place.” Pepper looked around him cautiously. “Are you sure Eliza is even here?”

“Oh, I know. I can sense her presence here, as well as someone else’s.”

“So is she cheating on you in her dreams?” Pepper stifled a laugh.

“What do you mean by cheating on?! We’re not a couple?!”

“Whatever you say.”

They kept walking in silence when Pepper noticed something. “What is that? Do grass planes even have rose gardens?”

“Hmm. I dare say, it sticks out like a sore thumb.”

As Pepper adjusted his eyes, he saw two people. One had to be Eliza but the other…he looked just like Senree. He was sure he must have noticed something too because Senree clenched his fists and said.

“The good things just keep on coming.”

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“You’re still...alive?” I was shocked, but the words spilled out of my mouth.

“He is using my body after all.”

“But how, I thought he destroyed your soul.”

“Someone managed to save me without even realizing it.”

“Who was that?” I was curious to know.

“It was the monster himself.”

“Mons…ter?” This Senree- No the real Senree, had dark brown eyes and long black hair. But the one I knew, he had grey eyes and green hair.

Wait! Wait! Wait! Was my Senree wearing contacts? I sighed mentally. And I really thought that was the original color.

“He saved me. But I couldn’t stay in there. I needed to find help from somewhere. And that’s how I stumbled upon you.”

“Upon me?! How?!”

He poked me on the forehead and smiled. I took a step back. “That doesn’t explain anything.” I touched the spot like I had just been burned.”

“I transferred from that safe spot in his mind, to yours. That night. The first night you fell asleep next to him. Don’t you remember?”

“So that’s how you started appearing in my dreams? And that black mass that you kept following, what was that?”

“It’s him. Or mainly, the largest part of him. A piece of it stuck to me when I escaped but, I’m safe from it now.”

“How is that?”

“It’s because of those flowers.”

I turned around and faced the roses. “It looks like blood. And what’s with the creepy butterflies.” I remembered how they were appearing around Sarah. “Keep a leash on your pets!” I said a little angrily.

“I was just trying to send a message to you, through her, but it never got through.”

“You being in my dreams are good enough. How are these things even able to materialize in the real world?”

“I don’t know. They were here when I came. I assumed they were for protection. But to keep them there, I grew the roses.”

“Crimson roses and raven butterflies. Oh, I bet it is for protection alright.” I said sarcastically.

“It took me a while to create them actually. I made them from his original body.”

“Who’s original body? You can’t mean-”

“Exactly who I mean. Him. But let’s not get into this for now. He needs your help.”

“He doesn’t need anything. He doesn’t even have a body.”

“He does. And I will lead you to him.”

“Why should I trust you?!”

“Because Sarah will be in danger soon.”

“What!?” I held him by the collar of whatever shirt he was wearing. “What do you mean danger!? Danger from who?! How!? Why!?”

“I’m not sure. But he says they’re coming for her. Hurry we need to…” He trailed off but the expression on his face turned serious. “How is he even here?”

“Who? How is who here?”

“Come on. This is a good thing and a bad thing. Mostly bad.”

He grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me into the patch of flowers. We stooped down low and that’s when I saw…the other Senree.

“You stay here, I’ll distract him. I’m sure he’s going to kill me when he finds me here, but before I go, I need you to go inside his mind. In fact my mind. He’s asleep right now so he can’t control it.”

“Control what!? You’re not making any sense!”

“There is a part of ourselves that we always suppress. This is how I got saved. I got pulled into that world by the suppressed part of him. When you go into his mind, I need you to find the person who saved me. I call him a monster but, only because he’s part of that thing. When you get inside his mind, find someone called Aaru.” He spoke so quickly.

“But make sure that thing is completely asleep, or else he’ll know.”

“I can’t do any of those things you asked me too. I can’t read his mind. He even took away my powers.”

“You can read his mind. You already did it once, so that means you can do it again. And I wouldn’t worry about your powers if I were you. He can’t take your abilities. Like that other part of him, he suppresses it. So little by little you gain some of it back. Now, I need you to wake up.”

“How do I even know if you’re not just feeding me lies?”

“Fine. Here.” He uprooted one of the roses. Unlike the others its petals were bundled up tightly like a single blood drop.

“I want you to take it.”

“No way man.” I pushed his hand away. “That’s gross. I can’t touch that. You said that was part of someone’s body. This looks like blood. No.”

“Take it.” He thrust it at me.

“No!” I pushed his hand back.

“Take the flower.”

“This is blood. Keep it away.”

“If you do as I say, and take the flower, you’ll know who’s going to come after Sarah.”

I hesitated. Then held it like it was fire.

“Now listen carefully. I want you to plant this flower in his mind. I’ll attract his attention. Hopefully it will give you enough time to wake up. You have a minimum of two days to plant it before it withers. As soon as you do plant it, it’s going to blossom immediately. This will open a road to Aaru. Just follow it and you’ll know. It’s only if you chose to. But I’m asking you to do it when he’s fast asleep. You’ll be safer that way.”

I stared at the drop of blood in my hand. The creepy butterflies flew around it. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

He waved his hand over my eyes. “Be safe.” He smiled a bright smile. A smile that I knew I would never see again. A smile I knew, would disappear from my dreams forever, along with the person who revealed it.

***********

“Who are you?” Senree smiled brightly. “I know you’re not who you’re posing as. Trust me. When I take someone’s soul, I eat it all.”

Pepper looked up at Senree, confused.

“Like I said, I’m the real Senree Tier. It’s so nice to see you again Pepper.”

He diverted his attention to who he assumed was Senree. “Master. It’s nice to meet you again.”

“Oh, I see you can talk. That’s nice. And you have no qualms about this new master I presume?”

“I must seem like a traitor to you master, but I promised I would always stay by your side.”

“As loyal as a dog I see.” He smiled, but it was not the same. Pepper knew the way his master always smiled and it never seemed as bright and cheerful as this. His master, always seemed to have a sort of melancholy smile. The corners of his lips would curve upwards, but they would drop just as quickly. But this one lingered.

Something was wrong. He backed away and hissed. “You’re not my master!”

“Isn’t that what I said, cat?! People never listen until it’s too late.”

“Ahh, I know what you mean.” The poser smiled. “How did you like my butterflies? Nice warning, wasn’t it?”

Senree’s eyes opened and the smile disappeared. “What are you doing here!?” His voice was filled with anger and malice. He spoke quietly. “She has nothing to do with any of this.”

“Ohh, but she does. She got her feelings, right? She can touch things and experience even stronger emotions like love and hate, even loss.” And he smiled. “Loss. Yes, I think she’ll like this one the most. Just like you experienced it right, Aaru?”

“Shut up! Don’t ever say that name again! You hear me!?”

“Why don’t you go ahead and tell her. Tell her how guardians used to be human. Tell her why you’re keeping her by your side. Explain to her the reasons of the restrictions.”

“I won’t say a damn thing!”

The poser appeared next to Senree’s ear, a side of his cheek against his. An arm draped over his shoulder.

“But you know don’t you? How Sarah was born? She wasn’t just a thought, was she? Oh no. She was much more than that. You know exactly what she is. Or should I say, who she is.”

“Why don’t you stop using that face?! I know it’s you, Gabriel.”

“Are you tired of referring to me as ‘him’ now? He’s coming, you’d say. Why are you so afraid of me coming?”

“Because I know what you’re capable of and what you’re going to do. I won’t let you hurt either one of them, you hear me?!”

He disappeared completely, but his voice still echoed over the planes.

“How are you going to protect them... when you couldn’t even protect Rielle?”

“You shut up about her?! It was your fault she died! Because of you!”

“It’s time to wake up now, Aaru. You know the saying. You die in a dream…you die for real.”

“Dammit!!” Senree was so angry, he dropped down to his knees and tore at every rose he saw. When he was done, he snapped his fingers and set the whole thing on fire.

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I woke up and stared at Senree, who was sleeping next to me. Pepper was lying on my leg, with one paw caught in Senree’s hand.

What should I do? Should I plant the flower? I wanted to know so badly who would come after Sarah. I wanted to know who wanted to put her life in danger, but…

I stared down at the rose in my grip and my hold tightened. I needed to see someone who had the same interest in mind. Someone who wanted to protect Sarah as much as I did, but also thought about Senree too.

I gently pushed him off to the side and rummaged through his pockets. Cell phone in hand, I searched for a number. I had to hurry, before he woke up. I didn’t want him to find out, or to know what I was up to. If he did find the real Senree in my dreams then my thoughts would be on lock and key from now on.

Crap, I should have asked the Senree in my dreams for a way to keep him out, without him so much as suspecting a thing. Oh well. Too late now.

I stared at the number.

“Hmmm.” He began to stir a little as a frown appeared on his face.

Oh no. He’s going to wake up. What do I do? I need to distract him somehow. What will divert his attention? What will make him totally fall on his face and lose concentration? A distraction…distraction…dis…trac…tion…Trac…tion…kiss…

I gasped. That’s right? A kiss! If I kiss him then, he’ll totally spiral out of control. He’ll never even know what hit him.

I stared down at him. Senree looked so cute, so adorable. The way his hair was strewn carelessly over this face, concealing his left cheek and half of his eyes. His lips half parted and that funny expression on his…face. They look so…soft and…pink.

I took in a deep breath as a blush blossomed against my cheeks. I could feel it, my heart going wild. I gulped. I don’t feel that way about him. No. I reassured myself. It’s just a kiss. A silly distraction.

“Eliza…?” His eyes fluttered open.

Oh no! I’m not ready yet. My eyes went to his lips, and I gulped again.

“Hey, what’s with-”

I pushed him down against his back and sat on top of him. With my legs on either side of his waist, I leaned down slowly. My heart was going a mile a minute. What should I do? I’m not ready. I’m not. I…

“What are you-”

I silenced him with my lips on his. They were so soft. So...warm...so…

I caught myself getting drawn in. I kept our connection going.

Senree tasted sweet. Like that apple juice he likes to drink. Sweet and tart and- No. I jumped off of him and run out the door. I had already forgotten my main goal. That number.

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The spoon clinked at the side of the cup. The more I stirred the cup of tea, the more the spoon clinked. Breakfast was silent. I stared down at my reflection as my mind drifted off to last night. Senree had soft lips. They were warm and sweet and tender.

As those thoughts invaded my mind I unconsciously touched mine. Kissing him again didn’t seem that bad a thought, now that I had already did it twice. But why do I get this feeling in my chest? The one where my heart beats faster and it then goes out of control. That sweet feeling in the pit of my stomach, like butterflies. I wonder how Senree would feel if I tried to kiss him again.

As I pondered, I looked up at him from across the table. The breath caught in my throat as our eyes met. He was just staring at me, eyes unwavering. A tight fist served as a podium for his cheek, as he kept a slanted gaze my way.

No doubt the kiss was on his mind too, but maybe, just on the surface there was something else. I waved my hands in his direction and he didn’t blink.

So he wasn’t looking at me. He was just lost in thought. I was letting this kiss thing get to me. It was a distraction, and that’s all there was to it.

I banged my fist on the table, hard. “Wake up!”

He wasn’t even startled. Senree just blinked and focused his gaze elsewhere.

“Why do you look depressed? You don’t have any kids.”

He just sighed and formed a fist with his other hand, to rest his head against.

“Senr-”

“Shoo. Go play somewhere else.” He made a shooing motion with his hand.

“Hey! Don’t shoo me! I’m not some kind of domesticated animal you can boss around you know. I have a mind of my own! Hmph.”

“Go for a walk somewhere. Get busy. Bother the blonde chick if you have to.”

“Blonde chick.” I raised an eyebrow in his direction. “The name is Sarah, not ‘blonde chick’.”

He didn’t even bother to give a comeback. Sen just got up, thrust his hands in his pockets and walked upstairs. He didn’t even touch his egg sandwich. Something was wrong.

What happened in the dream after I left? Was the real Senree really gone? Did he kill him? Is that what’s weighing on his mind?

The rose bud popped into my head. That’s right. I had almost forgotten I had somewhere to go.

I didn’t want to keep my once in a lifetime chance waiting.

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“So what did you want again?”

Tyler spoke quietly. His eyes never left the dark brown ones of the guardian, now human before him. She was short, with jet black hair that teased just below her ears. Despite seeing her in her guardian form, it was still a bit overwhelming to have her standing before him as a living, breathing, and human, being. Her skin was almost pale from a lack of sunlight. His best guess was that she didn’t go out much, or that Senree didn’t let her out of the house.

“It’s about Sarah…” She trailed off and looked away. “And Senree.”

The wind blew gently through the park, stirring the fallen leaves around their feet. As it continued to blow, it loosened a few more leaves from the branches.

“What about them?”

“Sarah’s life is in danger. And Senree…I don’t even know about that…”

“What do you mean her life is danger?” He became more alert. “Have you told Senree about this?”

“I can’t tell Senree. He doesn’t care about her like you might think. He keeps saying she doesn’t need me, and that she can go through life on her own. But I don’t care! I want to protect her. If I can’t do that then what kind of guardian am I?”

She seemed so determined from where he was standing. Whenever she mentioned Sarah’s name, to him it felt like she was talking about someone precious to her. Precious, like how Sarah was to him.

“How do you know her life is in danger? Danger how?”

“I don’t know. All that I can say is that someone can give me more information. But that someone is in Senree’s mind. I have something that can lead me to that person but, I don’t know what effect it will have on him.”

Her expression saddened a bit and she shifted uneasily next to him on the bench.

“So what you’re saying is, that there is someone inside of Senree’s mind, and they know who’s going to endanger Sarah’s life?”

He massaged his forehead. “This all sounds so crazy.”

“I know what you mean. But tell me,” She looked up at him, with hope concealed behind her eyes. “Senree was in your mind right? How was he able to do that and not kill you? Did you meet a person named Aaru in there?”

“Aaru? Is that who knows what’s going to happen to her? If that is the case, then I can’t help you. I never met anyone in my head called Aaru.”

She sighed heavily and looked away. “I don’t know what I should do. I want to protect her so badly but at the same time…I’m not sure if I should even trust Senree.”

“Why do you say that? I think he’s a pretty trustworthy person. I mean, he’s a pretty cool dude, if you ask me.”

“Well you don’t know the Senree that I know. He’s a freaking sadist. And plus he won’t tell me anything. Keeping my powers away from me.” He noticed how the little vein popped up at the side of her head as well as the way she clenched her fists.

“One day, I’ll make him pay.”

“If he kept it from you, I think he might have a really good reason.”

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“If he kept it from you, I think he might have a really good reason.”

I heard the words come out of Tyler’s mouth and I felt sick to my stomach. Good reason my a-

“Going back to what you said before.”

I turned to face him. “What I said…before…?”

“Who told you that Sarah’s life was in danger?”

“The original Senree. He came to me in a dream.”

“Listen to me, don’t just go on the first thing you get, ok? Have faith in the Senree we know now.”

“Never!” I stood up and stomped my feet defiantly. “I will never trust that guy and I will never trust you! I have no idea why I even thought to ask you in the first place.” I turned around and walked away. “What a waste of my time!” I made sure I said it loud enough so he could hear me.

“Aaru is Senree now.”

A gentle breeze blew through my hair as I heard those words.

“What?” I spun around quickly. “He is Senree? Didn’t you tell me that you never met anyone named Aaru? See why I’ll never trust you.”

“You asked if I met him in my head, and I said no.”

This guy, he really pisses me off. “You know what I meant! In fact, I want to know.”

“You want to know what.” He didn’t say it like he was asking a question. He was making a statement.

“How did you meet Aaru?”

“Take a seat. It’s also the story of how I met Sarah. Afterwards, you tell me how guardians are created. Deal?”

“What do you mean how guardians are created? We simply just exist.”

“Restricted, huh?”

“What do you mean?! I am not restricted. He said it and now you? He’s a fallen. No wonder he’s spreading so many lies.”

“Aaru chose to fall, so he could save me.”

“What?!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He chose to fall in order to save Tyler?

“I was on my way home with my parents.” Sadness dawned behind his eyes. “At the time, I was eight years old. My dad was driving and my mom was asleep at the passenger seat. Everything seemed so normal then and for a moment, I believed I would make it home. I thought that my mom would wake up and then turn around and smile back at me.”

He stared up the sky. “There was a driver who wanted to beat the red light. It just so happened that my dad was driving past and bam, he hit us. Everything happened in slow motion. The car kept on rolling over from the sudden force. From what I remember, there was broken glass everywhere. And blood, lots of blood. All over my face, staining my clothes, but it wasn’t mine. It belonged to my parents and…it belonged to Aaru. The moment the accident happened, he protected me from everything. When the car was rolling, I felt his arms around me and I heard him whisper to me, that I was too young to die. At the moment, I didn’t know what happened. All of a sudden, this bright light came out of the sky and he disappeared. That’s when I blacked out.

When I got to the hospital, they checked my vitals and everything. It was a miracle, the doctors said. I didn’t have a scratch on me. But my parents…didn’t survive. When my uncle Nicholas came and they told him the news, all he could do was hold me and cry. I never said anything. I, under no circumstances, shed a tear during the whole ordeal.

While I was waiting for Uncle, this little girl walked by. She had bright blue eyes and a quiet smile. The little girl stopped and looked up at me, then opened up her arms.

“It’s alright.” She said to me. “I won’t laugh if you cry.”

I had no idea what she meant. My eyes were not watery. At the moment I felt cold, like I hadn’t even been at the accident. But the way she said, it’s alright, and the way she opened up her arms…It all came back to me. I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. My lips began to tremble and all of a sudden I just bawled out in tears. I cried like a baby.”

He chuckled upon remembering how it happened. “All she kept saying was ‘There there.’ And rubbing my back. I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t know why I cried like that at all. It was like she saw right through me. Then I heard the name Sarah coming from across the hall. That’s when I met Laura. At that same time, Uncle Nick came out to see what had happened. And they met each other.”

I sighed heavily. It was all so sad. Yes. I knew about that scene all too well. I was with her when she met Tyler. I had no idea how she knew he was about to cry though. But jeez, I asked the guy how he met Aaru, not his life story. Now when I get home, I’ll get the rest of the truth from him and hopefully, this will help me make my decision about the rose. I got up to leave without saying a word to him. That is when I heard him say it.

“Guardians are born from the death of humans. When someone dies, their soul is cultivated into that of a guardian. They are given restrictions so they don’t remember their life back then. But when children die, they send them up to heaven. Not all souls become guardians, those who did good deeds throughout their lives, go up to heaven too. Mainly guardians are people who die too quickly. They die with regret, or unfinished business. They can’t go to heaven like that, so, the counsel, are the people who take care of that. They give them lives that were similar to what they had when they were alive. The restrictions also take away their feelings, so they don’t remember. That way, they don’t do things like contradict a living person’s reality. Such as the thing that Aaru did for me. But, there is an entirely different reason for the restrictions as well. Ask him. I think he might tell you.”

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I got inside and banged the door behind me. Angry! I was so mad at him. How could he tell Tyler what was going on and not me? If he knew all of this, then why not tell me? What was I to him?

“Come out Senree!” No. Not Senree, I’m gonna get him stalk mad. Yes! If he thinks he can continue to keep me in the dark and not pay some kind of price, he must be joking.

“I know you’re here, Aaru! Come out you S.O.B! Or else I’ll make you pay!”

“Shut your loud mouth! What the hell are you doing!?” He appeared from his room and walked down the stairs casually.

“Aaru! That’s your name right?! Huh? How dare you! So that’s how-”

“Where did you hear that name?” He glared at me angrily. “Who told you!?”

“I have my way of getting information, since you refuse to tell me! Let me know, are guardians made from the souls of dead people? Why is that! How come you know so much about this stuff!? You, someone who was banished, even if you claimed you chose to fall on your own!”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. I knew we were not that close, but I just wished he had told me. I felt so stupid, not knowing where I came from or how I was born? What am I?!

“If you fell to save Tyler, then what am I here for? Why did you need me? From the start, you were always here. Weren’t you? Then why!”

“Shut up! Don’t question me. I have my own reasons! Now if all you’re going to do is bitch about everything, then you were a perfect match for Sarah. That’s all she does anyway. Complain. Complain. Complain.”

“You shut your trap about her! You hear me?! You have no reason to bad mouth her!”

“Or what! What are you going to do?! Hit me!” He walked up to my face. “You don’t have the balls to do anything. You keep saying that it’s your job to protect her. But you can’t even protect yourself! You’re a useless guardian. You keep saying that you’re the one protecting Sarah, but really, she’s the one protecting you!”

I don’t know how it happened. My hand lifted on its own and I…My hand just…I…

After I slapped him, my hand stayed stagnant in midair. My fingers trembled uncontrollably. He slowly turned to face me. Senree’s face was calm. A light stream of blood leaked from the corner of his lip.

“Don’t talk to me. You understand, Eliza? Never.” He turned away from me and began to walk out the door.

My eyes began to water again. I grabbed the tail of his shirt and he stopped. “You’re not leaving, until you answer my questions.”

“Let go!”

That was a command. My body followed his words and I couldn’t do a thing about it. “Stop!”

“You don’t know anything.” He said quietly. “You just don’t know.” With those last words, he left me in the house alone. The silence was the only thing that kept me company.

My decision was made. I went to my room and took the rose from beneath my pillow. I was going to have to do this the hard way.

“Senree, you’re an idiot.”

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“Sarah, what are you going to do for the rest of the week?”

Laura peeked at her niece from the kitchen.

“I don’t know. Watch television perhaps?”

“What is wrong with you, child? The summer vacation ends in two weeks. What are you going to do? Watch T.V. on your own the whole time?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Sarah…”

“Aunty Laura.”

“Why are you being rude to me all of a sudden?”

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Sarah whispered under her breath. “Because you keep barging into my life.”

“What was that?” Aunt Laura called from the kitchen.

“Nothing.” She yelled out. “I’m going for a walk.”

As she walked down the stairs, Tyler was making his way up. After the exchange between them, a word had not been uttered since. It felt to her like time slowed when he passed by, but she ignored him and kept on walking. Where did he go so early in the morning?

Never mind. She shook her head hastily. It’s none of my business anyway. Unbeknownst to her, she was walking it the direction of Kai’s house. Only when she saw him outside, did she realize where she had been going. She quickly searched for somewhere to hide, but found none.

“Parker…hey.” He waved to her awkwardly.

After that day with Anna May, she had not heard from him. Her showing up here, to him might have seemed like a visit. But really, it was just a coincidence.

“Tate.” She said unenthusiastically.

Lately, she didn’t feel like being nice to anyone. Maybe her time of the month was on the way.

“Did you come to say hi? It has been a while since Lia saw you.”

Then why doesn’t Lia ask to come visit me? She stopped to think. Wait, did I just say that in my head?

She smiled to him uneasily. “Oh, she does? Well I guess I could say hello. Maybe on my way back.”

“Back from where?”

“Back from my business.” She continued to go ahead, and didn’t look back.

Sarah walked past the school, and took in the scene from the construction site. They’re finally done. She smiled. I wonder what it is going to be used for. It’s not like we need another grade. Or that a section in the building is missing. So what is it for?

“Oh well.” She shrugged and kept on walking. Sarah had no idea where her legs were taking her. She was just taking a walk through the neighborhood. Maybe if she was lucky she would fall into some unknown world like those in the stories.

She had never walked in that direction from the school before, but that didn’t deter her. She stretched her hands out before and yawned. This is all so boring. When she realized how far she was walking, she decided to turn back.

“Let go!”

Sarah turned around upon hearing those words. That voice sounded familiar. She kept looking to see what house it was coming from.

“Stop!” This time, it was someone else. Were they fighting? She decided to be intrusive and stuck around in order to hear what was going to happen next.

A door shut and when she looked to see what house it was, she noticed a guy with green hair.

Green hair. Sarah stopped to think. Hmm. He looked a bit familiar. Her brows creased as she continued to think.

Yes! That’s it. He was that guy from the other day. What was his name? Sen something. It was a pretty weird name. Senlee? No no no. That doesn’t sound right. Senree! Yes.

“Hey, Senree!” She shouted to him. He turned around with an angry look on his face. Scary. Maybe calling him was not such a good idea.

“What are you doing here?” He seemed a bit surprised. “And why do you have shorts on and a t-shirt?”

“Because it is summer, dummy.” She tried to smile in order to lighten the mood. But it wasn’t working. His expression darkened.

“What do you want!?” As he walked down the stairs she noticed a black cat was in tow at his heels.

“Nice kitty.” She walked in their direction. “Can I pet him? I love cats.”

“Don’t ask me, ask the cat.” He never stopped though, he just kept on walking.

“What’s his name?”

“Pepper.”

“Oh…” She was expecting something like Black Panther by the way the creature walked with style. It looked so proud.

“Meow.” It said sweetly as she picked him up. Woah, that cat is heavy.

“So were you in a fight with your girlfriend just now?”

He stopped and clenched his fists. “Why does everyone say that?” He turned to face her. “She’s not my girlfriend!”

That’s when she noticed the fresh mark of a slap on his face. “She hit you? It must have been pretty serious.”

“Mind your own business.”

“Meow.” She scratched Pepper behind his ears.

“Do you love her?”

The wind blew past them quickly and left an unsettling silence.

“What does love have to do with any of this?” Senree thrust his hands in his pockets and kept walking. “She’s just meddlesome. That’s all. She doesn’t even trust me. That wretch.”

“Don’t call her that. It’s disrespectful.” She followed him with Pepper cuddled in her arms. “Meow” He said again.

“Maybe if the two of you sit down and talk about it, then things will get better.” She continued. “I could put in a word for you if you want.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” She hoisted Pepper up against her chest. Her arms were going limp.

“It just isn’t, ok Rielle?”

“Who’s Rielle?”

He stopped, realizing what he’d just said. “It’s nothing.” He returned quietly.

“Is that her name? Rielle?”

“No! It’s Eliza.”

“Were you cheating?” She gasped and burned a hole of disdain in his back with her eyes. “No wonder she-”

“That isn’t what happened! We’re not dating or a couple!”

“But you care about her…right?!”

“To some extent. But not the way you think. Now leave me alone. Don’t you have somewhere to go?”

“You are so rude. Fine, I guess I have somewhere to go.” She thrust Pepper at him. “I’m going to say hi to your girlfriend.”

“Yeah, do tha- Wait what?!”

She run back towards the house. Now if I remember correctly, it was this one. She rang the doorbell. Come on. Come on.

“And she’s not my girlfriend!” She heard him shout as he gained up on her.

She pushed the button again and then the door opened.

“Don’t you have a key? Why are you ringing the bell stupid Sen…ree?” The girl gasped. And then it turned into a full-blown scream.

“S-S-S-S-Sa” She stammered, as she pointed a trembling finger at Sarah.

At that moment, she turned around and faced Senree who just face-palmed himself. There was a thud, and when Sarah looked again, the girl was lying on the floor.

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I hid behind the frame of the kitchen door.

“Hey, are you playing hide and seek? If that’s the case, then I’ve already found you.” She laughed cheerily.

I blushed upon hearing her teasing. “I-I-It’s not hide and seek.” I stammered. “Why are you here?”

Looking towards Senree, I tried to signal for help, but I forgot he didn’t want me to talk to him anymore. He just turned his face away.

Idiot. I thought angrily. This isn’t the time for this. Can’t you see the trouble we’re in? How did Sarah get here in the first place?

“Is he your boyfriend, Eliza?” I jumped out of the doorway from shock.

“No! He’s not!” When my eyes met hers, she smiled again, and my cheeks pinked and I looked away.

“Well why not?”

“We’re not dating and we never will! You understand me little girl?”

We turned to stare at Senree.

“I wouldn’t want to date someone like you anyway!” I shouted back.

But of course he ignores me again.

“Don’t pay him any attention. Come here.” She stretched out her hand.

“I really shouldn’t.” I said as I put my hand in hers reluctantly.

All of a sudden, I felt a strong force sucking me in. Everything felt like it was spinning. The room turned murky and saw the faint image of a woman. She looked like a mature version of Sarah. Before her, stood a little boy of about seven or eight. He was crying mercilessly. As she knelt in front of his darling face, she smiled and whispered something, then pulled him to her chest. He held her tightly, like she was going to disappear.

As she held him, her head turned in my direction and she smiled. A chill travelled down my spine.

“Take care of him, will you?” She asked sincerely. “This is my little Aaru.”

As she said those words, she untangled him from her and walked him over to where I stood. The child measured up to my waist. His hair color was white as snow and when he looked up at me with heartbroken eyes, I noticed they were grey. Just like…Senree.

Wait! Was this Aaru? The one who knew what kind of danger Sarah would be in? If so then this was my chance. I’d ask him.

I stooped down to his level and stared into his eyes. “Aaru, do you-”

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Pepper stood between the two girls. They held hands above his head as he looked intently. Sarah and Eliza were just staring into each other’s eyes one minute and then something shocking happened in the next. Senree teleported from where he was sitting and pulled their hands apart. He kept his grip tight on Eliza as he pushed her behind him.

It seemed like what he did pulled her out of some kind of daze.

“What…just happened? Sarah are you alright?”

Meanwhile, the young girl stood there with her hands still outstretched. After a few seconds, she held her head, like a headache was coming on.

“I said it was a bad idea.” Senree looked at her. “You should-”

He stopped and then looked back at Eliza. There was an expression on his face that Pepper had never seen before. It was like he saw someone else in her eyes. Someone that brought him both joy and pain.

He turned back quickly to Sarah.

“Memory wipe.” The girl fell to the floor.

Eliza gasped. “What did you do!? Sarah!” She tried to fight him to get to her but with a quick punch to the gut, she fell unconscious.

Pepper stared at the two girls lying motionless on the floor. “So what do we do now?”

“You get Sarah out. I’m sure you can handle waking her up and doing something about her being in this area.”

Pepper licked his paws and set it back down. “What are you going to do?” But it was obvious. His motives were outlined in the way he looked down at her and he clenched and unclenched his fists.

“First Gabriel and now this.” He spoke to himself. “What am I going to do? What will I do?” He hunched over her and began to cry. “I can’t handle this. I can’t…I can’t take it…”

“Just kill her.”

Pepper spun around to stare at the person who had spoken.

A man stood there above Sarah. He had jet black hair that he kept in a tight ponytail. Some stray strands cupped his cheeks and framed his forehead. He walked over casually to Senree and lifted his chin to his face, as he gave him a devilish grin.

“Isn’t that what you wanted to do at first? Was that not the whole reason why you went through all that trouble? If you bring the two of them together, won’t you get her back? You almost had her. Oh yes. So why did you pull their hands apart?” His voice turned harsh. “Or are you just a pathetic good for nothing piece of crap!?”

He kneed Senree in the gut.

Senree stayed silent as he bent over and coughed, while tears still streaming down his cheeks.

The man snapped his fingers and out of nowhere appeared what looked to be a staff with a pointed edge.

“You should die where you kneel!”

Pepper jumped between them and hissed angrily. “I won’t allow you to kill him!”

With a swift raise of his hand, he swatted Pepper away without even physically touching him. As he crashed into the door, the poor cat let out a painful meow before it fell to the ground with a thud.

His body couldn’t move but he could still see, despite the pain that he felt.

The man stood over Senree and raised the staff, its sharp point directed at his chest.

“Look me in the eyes, before you die. I want to see the look of defeat on your face. I want see to the pain in your eyes when you take your last breath.”

On command, Senree slowly raised his head. He looked as pitiful as that broken expression which claimed his face. He had already given up. He didn’t even bother to fight at all. But why? Like that time with the guardian, he fought to the end. But against whoever this person was, he just gave up.

The man pulled his hand back and thrust the staff downwards.

Blood slowly dripped from the point and dotted the flow with crimson.

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I couldn’t recall what had happened but when my eyes opened, I saw the staff on route to Senree’s chest. He was going to die. If I didn’t do anything, I would lose him. I had to. I just had to protect him. I had no idea what was wrong. I didn’t have a clue as to why his face looked so broken. But I knew something had to be done. I quickly transported myself next to Sen and I held him as tightly as possible. I was risking my life and I didn’t know it. Jeopardizing my life to save his. But no matter the outcome, that promise I made about protecting him was going to be kept.

As I held him, I expected the sharp point of the staff to pierce my back. I shut my eyes and braced myself for the intense pain that would come along with it. My arms began to tremble and tears streamed down my cheeks. A few seconds later, a hand pressed against my shoulder and I opened my eyes.

“Don’t cry, Eliza.”

I pulled away from him and turned around. He caught the edge of the staff in his left hand and held me with the right. It looked painful to stare at all the blood dripping on the floor. I wasn’t satisfied.

I turned around again and stared at his face. My lips began to quiver and my shoulders trembled violently. I shook my head over and over and then I just hugged him. I held him so tight that even I couldn’t breathe.

He let out a sigh and then I felt him shrug. “You can let go.”

“No!” I shook my head furiously. “I won’t!”

“You’re getting clingy! Let go of me already!”

“I almost lost you…I thought he was going to kill you…I…I…”

“Well, isn’t that touching?” The man who tried to kill Sen spoke up. “This reminds me of that day. You know the one, right Aaru?”

Senree’s grip on me tightened. “Don’t call me that!” He pulled the staff angrily from the man’s grasp and threw it away.

But the man ignored him and continued. “That day Rielle died.”

“Don’t…” Sen went quiet.

“That day she died, just so she could protect you too.”

“Shut up!”

“You said that I was the one who killed her, but in truth, it was you.”

“I said not to say it! It was you Gabrielle. You were the one who slaughtered her like she was nothing!”

I was lost. Who was Rielle?

“I bet you’re wondering.”

He looked towards me. “Who this mysterious person is. It seems like he’s keeping a lot of secrets from you.” He smiled and for a moment, I felt like I had seen a smile similar to his before. I just had no idea where.

“It’s none of her business!” Senree shouted.

I looked towards him out of shock from what he said.

“Oh my. Oh my. Such a temper. When Rielle was around he never used to be this rowdy.” I stared at the man.

“Who are you?” I was afraid to know.

“Oh me?” And he smirked. “My name, is Gabrielle.”

“How do you know Senree? And why does this Rielle person sound like she’s closely related to you? I mean, your names are almost identical.”

“Believe me, we are far from siblings.”

“He’s lying! She was your sister! And you slaughtered her!” Senree yelled at the man, who in return smiled.

“Is that why you were so in love with her?”

I pressed my hand against my chest in an attempt to quell the pain that had unexpectedly surfaced there. My vision blurred a little but I recovered quickly.

Gabrielle noticed and smiled.

“Come with me and you will learn everything there is to know.” He extended his hand towards me. I kept looking down at it, afraid to touch him.

“I know why he saved you that day.”

My heart jumped. “I also know everything there is to know about Aaru and Rielle. The whole love story.”

Love…story?

“All the secrets he’s keeping from you, I have the answers to them all.”

Secrets…?

I reached out. I wanted to know. My hand was inches away from his.

“Touch him and you’ll regret it!”

I pulled my hand away upon hearing Senree’s words.

“He keeps talking about me slaughtering her.” Gabrielle hunched over laughing. “But she’s anything but dead.” He gave me a chilling smile.

“What do you mean, she’s anything but dead?” I was growing curious.

“In fact, this is exactly what he came to do here. He came, to bring her back to him so he could be with her.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There she is.” He pointed towards Sarah, “And there as well.” And he pointed to me.

“Which is it? Sarah or me?”

“She’s both of you.”

He gave a little bow, and a smile. “I’ll see you next time.” He vanished from sight but his voice lingered. “I’ll be closer than you think.”

I looked Senree dead in the eyes. “What does he mean by that statement!? I demand to know!”

“You can’t just demand things and expect them to happen. That’s not how the world works!” He released me and then walked over to Sarah despite the bleeding in his hand and run his knuckles over her face. I could see the affection that hid behind his eyes and the soft smile that formed on his lips.

“Why are you looking at her that way?”

I felt like my chest was burning. “What’s with that stare?!”

He stood up and when his eyes met mine, I felt this stabbing pain. I was jealous of how his eyes bathed her with affection. I was angry with myself as well. What else was he keeping from me! Why is he so good at lying!?

He walked over to me casually and gradually raised his hands. I knew it was coming from a mile away. Senree was going to wipe my memory just as he had done Sarah. I stood up quickly from where I had been in his arms and took a few steps back.

“I won’t let you.”

“Stand still.” He said it quietly. Such was the command that my body obeyed. I had forgotten. The fact that he had control over my actions made me angrier.

“I will not!” I stomped my feet.

“Stand still or I kill her.” His face was devoid of emotion as he levitated the very instrument that had injured his hand and repositioned it at Sarah’s stomach.

“I won’t fall for it!” I was confident he wouldn’t do anything. His words were just a bluff. I could never mistake that look in his eyes. If what I had just observed was true, then he wouldn’t inflict harm upon the one he exhibited such fondness towards.

His hand lifted slowly, as did the staff. “Walk over to me.” He said quietly as his eyes locked with mine.

“No! You can never kill her! You keep pretending you have the power to do it. You’ve threatened me with that same logic so many times that I’m familiar with it. You won’t-”

He pulled his hand downward and as expected, the staff mirrored his actions. A red flower bloomed from her body and spread its petals on her shirt and on the floor.

My knees grew weak and my legs folded beneath me. I couldn’t feel my body at all. Everything felt like it was happening from someone else’s point of view.

That person looked up at him, with tears brimming in their eyes. They glared at the person behind all the tragedy and the pain in their life. The look on his face was calm and collected and his emotions stayed concealed.

“Her purpose has been served.”

I no longer saw any of those events in someone else’s eyes. It was all happening to me in real time. Upon hearing his words something within me snapped.

“What do you mean she’s served her purpose?” I bent my head. “What purpose did she serve?!” I lounged at him, but he sidestepped and slapped my hand away.

I thought about how I wanted to hurt him. How I wanted to kill him so badly. Everything in my sight blossomed to red depicting all the rage that I felt. The image of a knife materialized in my head and it suddenly appeared in my hand. I made another attempt to jab him.

He grabbed my wrist and lifted my hand over my head. Somehow, he managed to get behind me and that was when he pulled my hand to my back and forced it up between my shoulder blades.

“You can’t kill me Eliza. No matter how pissed off you are.”

I heard a cough and stared at Sarah laying helpless and dying on the floor. The staff was still protruding from her body, with blood oozing from it. She coughed again and blood streamed down her lips.

I did a terrible job. I couldn’t protect her. Here she was, dying before me. Her life slowly slipping away.

At that moment, he released me and I put some distance between us.

“Then maybe…” I looked down at Sarah. “I’ll just kill myself.”

I placed the knife at my throat. “I won’t be hurting you, now will I?”

“Don’t!”

As those words left his lips I pressed the knife harder. I could feel the warm blood run down my neck. In that moment, I knew I wasn’t afraid to die. Having lost all I had. There was nothing that I would be leaving behind.

I guess he was listening to my thoughts as well because he pointed a finger towards himself.

What about me!? His thoughts bled into my mind.

“Are you going to leave me behind?” He said it out loud. “I need you.”

“For what reason!?” I yelled at him and pressed the knife harder. “You took her from me! And now, you claim you need me!? Horse shit!” I yelled again.

“Eliza!” I heard him scream my name. But his voice seemed different somehow like he was calling from some far off place. “Snap out of it! Open your eyes!”

Open…my eyes? But they were open.

“You heard my words so your body must obey!”

How could he be speaking to me here and somewhere completely different simultaneously?

The Senree before me curved his lips into a smile and then he disappeared like a wisp of smoke.

What!?

The place went dark and when my eyes opened for real, I was shocked. Somehow, I found myself standing there with a knife pressed against my throat. But how could this be? I never recalled being anywhere near one. Did it emerge from that mysterious occurrence I had just experienced? I let go of it quickly and it clattered noisily to the floor.

Senree was still kneeling there with his bleeding hand, and the man named Gabrielle was still standing there.

No! I thought he had left. I swear he did. I looked at Sarah and my eyes widened. She just lay there, on the floor just as she had before. Nothing was protruding from her chest. And she was just fine. I run over to her, picked her up from the ground and held her to my chest. I swayed back and forth like I was trying to rock her to sleep, but really I was calming myself down.

“It was all in your head. He’s been manipulating you. It’s was he does.”

Sen glared at the man.

“I am just trying to give you what you came here for. But it seems my efforts were for nothing. So long, Aaru. It’s a pity your name means peace, in relations to late Egypt, but you bring so much turmoil in everyone’s lives. How contradicting.”

“Just leave!” I shouted angrily as I cuddled Sarah to my chest. I smoothed out her hair affectionately and sobbed as I kept rocking back and forth. “Just leave us alone.” I murmured once again.

*********

Kisake sat on the porch and waited patiently. He had a bad feeling that something was wrong when Sarah had not returned after an hour had passed. That impending sense of terror stirred in his gut and made his body restless. He stood up and paced for the fourth time as he glanced down the road.

Maybe she walked too far and got lost. Maybe she was kidnapped.

Upon that terrifying thought, he stopped and shuddered.

No no. Think positive. Positive thoughts always cancel out the negative. He attempted to reassure himself. Sarah is fine. She’s safe. Like she said, she was going somewhere. She was fine.

After a few seconds of silence, the uneasiness reappeared. His fingers began to tingle from lack of being tasked with doing something and his skin began to itch.

“I can’t take it!” He grunted out of frustration. “Ugh! Sarah where are you?!”

It didn’t take him seconds before he convinced himself to go looking for her. Kisake walked angrily down the porch stairs. When his toes touched the last stair, a jet black car pulled up in the driveway. Its silver rims glistened in the sunlight and the black paint job gleamed on its sides.

A frown appeared on his face as the driver beeped the horn noisily. All of a sudden, Lia rushed out of the house, with his mom following behind her casually.

“Mom, who is that?”

To answer his question Lia shouted those words. “Daddy, Daddy!”

Kisake gave his mother a distasteful look and turned to face the man who Lia had ran to. As she wrapped her tiny hands around her neck, he clenched his fists. When she kissed his cheek, Kai stared angrily at him.

The man walked towards him, with Lia in his arms.

“Kisake.” The man said casually.

But Kai did not respond.

“Big brother, it's Daddy.” Lia hugged the man tighter and that in return made him angrier.

“Kisake!” He heard his mother say. And that too received no response but an angry look toward her.

“I see you have gotten a bit disrespectful. Not only to me, but to your dear mother as well.”

Dear mother? Kisake thought to himself. You have no right to call her dear! No right at all!

“I trust that you will get rid of these piercings on your face? The one in your lip, eyebrow, nose and the assortment of five in your earlobes.”

When he got no response, the man whispered in his ears menacingly. “Son, do I make myself clear?”

“Like crystal, Father.” Kisake said the words with clenched teeth. Like crystal. He thought to himself.

At that moment, he saw Sarah and his anger subsided. She walked sluggishly on the side of the road. Her body rocked back and forth and her hands fell loosely to her sides.

“Sarah?”

Kai walked quickly to the zombie like girl as she kept moving with a delayed purpose. He stepped in her path.

“Hey, stop. It’s me. Kai.”

But she kept going and her head bumped into his chest. Sarah’s body bounced off of his and she began to fall backwards.

With the swift motion of his hands, Kisake grabbed her by the waist and held her as her head lolled the wrong way. He pulled her to his chest and supported the back of her neck in his palm.

What in the name happened to you? He thought. It’s like she’s drunk or something.

“Sarah?” He called her name but she didn’t respond.

“Oh my goodness. Gabrielle, call 911.”

Kai continued to hold her as his mother yelled from the doorway.

************

“Are you sure you want to let her go like this? She could be kidnapped Eliza.”

I looked into Senree’s eyes as he spoke to me. “Sarah will be ok. I’m guiding her. She met up with Kisake already, and they are on route to the hospital right now. So if anything happened to her, the doctors will tell.”

“Why are you suddenly just fine with treating her like this?! Why not just-”

“Stop it!!” I held my hand over my ears and screamed. “This is too much! There are too many things I don’t know. Things that you refuse to tell me. I want to know. I demand to know everything!”

“Not this again, Eliza! You aren’t going to understand. No matter how many times I tell you, you will not get it. Now shut up, and don’t say anything!”

“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to leave.”

Everything in my body trembled when I said those words. “I’m going to leave and I am not coming back.”

Senree kept his expression free of emotion. His eyes focused on mine for a split second and then he spoke quietly.

“The door is right here.” He moved to the side and his bloody hand revealed the path. “Don’t forget to lock the door on your way out.”

My legs crumbled beneath me and I collapsed to the floor. I stared up at him and I began to cry again. They were just empty words. I could never leave. I would never. All I wanted was to have some knowledge of what had just happened. Something that would stitch all those loose events together. A tiny word, would have made a huge difference. But in the end, he still refused to tell me anything.

“I give up.” I said weakly. “I have had enough.”

“We’ve all had enough for one day.” He walked over to Pepper and carefully scooped up the injured cat.

“She looks like her, doesn’t she?”

“Like who? What are you talking about Eliza? I thought that you had had enough for one day.”

“This girl that you were in love with, Rielle? She looks a lot like Sarah, doesn’t she?”

He stiffened and kept his back to me. This was all I needed. His body language said it all. He was in love with Sarah because she looked like Rielle. Or maybe because she was Rielle. I couldn’t help feeling a bit more jealous. Without realizing it, somewhere along the line, I had fallen for him and now it hurt to know he was dying for someone. But that person was not me.

This was when everything clicked together. His reason for saving and keeping me hostage. It was not some sick plan or a way to kill time and have fun. Neither was it a way to torture me. It was all so he could get closer to Sarah and I was his ticket to doing that.719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqp6WimyZN
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“That isn’t true. I don’t have feelings for Sarah.” His back was still all that I could see.

“I saw the way you looked at her when she entered the house. That expression on your face. I know what it is. I know what someone’s face looks like when they like someone. That is exactly how I know that you can never kill her. No matter how many times you threaten her life to discipline me. You can never kill the one you love.”

“I don’t love her.” He said quietly. Almost like he was trying to convince himself in the process.

“You know the worst person you can lie to?” My words hang in the air for a few long seconds. “Yourself.”

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Sarah opened her blue eyes lazily. Her eyelids felt heavy for some reason and a familiar smell bled into her nostrils.

Bright yellow light blinded her as she stared up into the ceiling light that was placed just above her head. After blinking a few times, her eyes adjusted and everything came into view. At first, the room seemed to have a heavy white haze around it but after a few seconds had passed she was able to see the visitor chair at the foot of the bed.

The heart monitor kept its rhythmic “beep-beep, beep-beep” sound. Before she could take in any more of her surroundings, Tamia’s face just popped in her line of sight. The heart monitor beeped out of its set pattern for a few seconds and after she calmed down it went back to normal.

“Mia, what are you doing here? What am I doing here?” Her mouth felt a bit dry but she kept on talking despite the burning in her throat. “Where is your mother? How did I get here?”

Tamia looked into her eyes worriedly.

“Don’t worry, you will be alright.” A deep voice seemed to emanate from her throat.

Tammy’s voice sounded a bit too mature for her age and that seemed to startle Sarah even more. “Tamia? Was that just you?”

“No cousin Sarah. It was the nurse. She said I could stay with you while mommy went to get something to eat.” Her tiny voice seemed to be knotted in, with concern.

“So how are you feeling?” The woman came into view. She was a slender old woman with brown colored skin. Her eyes were a pale brown and the yellowing around them seemed to tell how mature she was. Silver hair streaked down to her chin, just below her ears, with some of it fastened at the back. “You have grown so much since the last time I saw you.”

“I’m sorry Mrs….?”

“Mrs. Tanner.” The woman replied.

“I don’t seem to remember meeting you anywhere.” Sarah sat up slowly and her head began to throb a little.

“Well of course you don’t, child. You were just a baby when we met. I was there when your mother gave birth to you.”

My mother?

Questions began to flood her already pained mind. She was there when I was born. So that means, she knows who my mom is. Sarah thought frantically.

“Mrs. Tanner, do you know what my mother looked like? How did she feel after she gave birth to me? Was aunty Laury there? Did she hold me in her arms like a-”

The elderly woman held up her hands. “Slow down now sweetie. One question at a time now.”

She took a deep breath and then began to answer the questions. “Your mother was a beautiful young woman. I can see her just by looking at you now. Your late grandmother was in the delivery room, but your Aunty Laura stayed outside.”

Of course Grandmother was there. She had to be. Sarah continued to think to herself as the nurse went on.

“After you were born your grandmother held you lovingly in her arms just as the miracle you are now.”

“But what about my mother? Didn’t she hold me?”

“Your mother…she was still a bit young then. I don’t think she wanted to hold you as much.”

“But what did she say? Didn’t she say anything?”

“Darling I think I have said enough now. This is breaking my Doctor-Patient confidentiality.”

“Please. You have to tell me.” Sarah begged. “I want to know who my mother is. And if she ever loved me at all. Aunty L won’t say anything to me about it. She doesn’t even mention her name. What happened! I want to know the truth.”

“Sarah…your mother was-”

“Are the two of you talking about Aunty Rein?” Tamia interrupted the busy conversation.

“Rein? Is that what her name is?” The nurse sighed and that in turn answered Sarah’s question.

“Tammy, how do you know about her?” Sarah gave the child an intense gaze that seemed to terrify her a little.”

Tamia shrunk back from against the bed and run to hide behind the nurse. “I can’t tell you. Mommy told me to keep it a secret. Even cousin Ty knows too. But mommy said she wanted the right time to tell you.” She buried her head in Mrs. Tanner’s uniform. “Mommy said not to tell.”

“Nurse Tanner, you were about to say something.” Sarah bent her head in order to ease the worsening headache. “What were you about to say?” Her voice was quiet and it sounded like she was bordering on tears.

“I think it is best if you ask your aunt about this. It is not my place to say.” After those words, Mrs. Tanner left the room.

“Don’t tell mommy that I told you. Mommy will be mad at me.” Tamia began to sob. “Mommy will be angry.” She twiddled her thumbs as tears streamed down her plumb little cheeks.

Sarah opened her arms wide and beckoned the child into them. She hugged her tightly and poured all her affection into her words.719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJQQU8dQxN
“I won’t let Aunty L know that you told me. Alright? This will be our secret. So don’t cry.”

As she held on to Tamia, she continued to think to herself. She would not be the one who would tell her, but Tyler would. She would make him spill every single word. And Sarah was sure of it.

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Mrs. Tier watched as Eliza played around with her food at the dinner table. The expression on her face resembled that of someone who had no interest in anything.

“Eliza, are you alright?”

She looked up slowly and then looked away. “I don’t feel hungry.” As she spoke, Eliza looked in the direction of Senree who pretended not to notice her. She looked a bit angry as she kept on staring. “Something ruined my appetite earlier on today.” The fork slipped from her hands and clattered onto the plate.

Mrs. Tier spoke to her son affectionately. “Senree dear, do you know what happened to Eliza?”

“How should I know.” He bit into a piece of sausage and continued while he was still chewing. “Why should I care?” He swallowed it all in one gulp and looked Eliza dead in the eyes when he spoke. “If she’s not hungry, then she’s not hungry. It’s none of my damn business. Starve for all I care.”

“I expect nothing less from a dog like you!” Eliza slammed her hands on the table. “You only care about people when they have something you need. And after that’s done you treat them like nothing!”

“Are you sure you want to go there with me Eliza, because I can sure as hell take you there free of charge.”

As the two kept on bickering back and forth Mrs. Tier let out a sigh and let her mind wonder off to her sweet little Pepper. Her husband, Charles had taken him to the vet. How the poor kitten had gotten so hurt, she had no idea. But at least he was going to be alright.

She turned her attention back to the lovers and and sighed again. She was getting too old for this.

*********

“You make me sick! I can’t take this anymore! I’m finding whoever that guy is and I’ll make him tell me everything!” I stood up angrily and the plates rattled.

“If you take one step near Gabrielle I will get rid of you myself.”

“Watch me.”

“One foot out of that house, and it’s over between us!”

As those words reached my ears I looked at him. The anger inside me was building and I couldn’t hold it all in. “There was no “us”!” I walked back to him. “There was just you! I am leaving! And nothing you say or do will stop me.”

“Eliza? Honey!? You can’t be serious.” Mrs. Tier grabbed onto my hand. “You should sit down and think about what you have just said. Don’t let your anger guide you.”

“Let her go, mother.” He spoke quietly. “I hope he kills you. And you suffer before you die.”

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He sent out a signal that only they could see. All the guardians in the town flocked to him and as they stood together, he called the meeting into action. They were all clad in white long sleeved gowns with the hood pulled over their heads.

“By a show of hands, how many of you witnessed the ascent?”

They began to speak amongst each other; some murmuring while other spoke loudly. A few raised their hands regrettably.

“For those of you who are unaware, a Guardian has died, in the past couple of weeks. Maybe months. The ascent, was that bright light that called him back to heaven, where he belonged. We are now facing a problem. Something that threatens to eradicate our very existence and the creature is responsible for the death of one of our own.”

“That guardian called upon his own death.” Someone in the crowd yelled out and some showed their approval by nodding. “He shouldn’t have fought. The boy that he was fighting for was long dead. If he had followed what the Counsel had said, this would not have happened. We must be unfeeling towards the humans. In order for us to go on to heaven we must fulfill our destiny and show them the path of right and wrong. This is all we were sent to do. Not fight and protect them. Not squabble because they are about to die.”

“I understand where you are coming from. But as the head of all the Guardians, I am the one who called this meeting and therefore what I say goes. We will fight together and eliminate the problem that we now face. That Guardian was defending what was his and he died for it. I am sure you all have not forgotten that incident that happened a long time ago. Where those Guardians were murdered because they were doing their duty. Killed like animals for the sake of one human who is still alive today. They were both betrayed by one of their own. Our own. And this guardian has become the very creature who threatens us with the same outcome again.” He clenched his fists. “We must not let this happen. The Counsel has equipped you with weapons to serve that purpose. Tonight, i want you to go out and kill the boy named Senree Tier. For it is within this body that the creature dwells. Kill him and when the creature reveals its true form, bring him to me.”

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I levitated just above Sarah’s bed. As she lay there fast asleep, tears streamed down her cheeks. I felt her anger, frustration, sadness and loneliness. The news about her mother was both frightening and elating. Laura had a lot of secrets that she was keeping and so did that bastard Tyler.

Sarah’s mother. I know her, don’t I? I was present at her her birth, was I not? I tried to think back. I tried to recall the memory but nothing surfaced. I couldn’t remember. Come to think of it, was I even there when Sarah was born? Is what that man said true? That Sarah and I are this Rielle person that Senree is in love with?

My eyes began to slowly close on their own. Tired. My body was so tired. As sleep began to take its hold on me, the memory of a promise flooded my mind. The promise that I had made to Senree.

………….

Snow white hair….silver eyes….pale white flesh….

“Will you take care of him for me?” The voice echoed in my mind. “This is my little Aaru.”

I could feel tiny fingers closing around my hand. When I looked down I saw the child. He looked up at me and all the sadness in his eyes washed over me.

The voice belonged to the woman who looked like Sarah and when I looked back to her, her body began to disappear.

“His body is different, but his mind is still the same. You still need to protect him, like you promised. Like any child, no one likes to be left alone.”

“I cannot.” I finally spoke back to her. “I don’t think I can.” The guilt washed over me. “Not after what I said. Not after the things I did.”

“I forgive you.” Aaru spoke to me quietly. And his tiny grip tightened on my hand. “I know….that I can be….mean sometimes….but I…” He burst into tears. “It’s so lonely. And I’m scared. And Rielle is gone and I’m all alone.”

His little shoulders trembled and his nose dripped. I stooped down to his eye level.

“Who is Rielle?”

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and sniffled. “She just told you to take care of me.”

So that was Rielle…

“Come on, Aaru. I promise I won’t leave you alone ever again.” I hugged him tenderly. “Never again.”

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Sarah sat up slowly on the bed. Hair fell over her eyes and shrouded her vision. She felt so drowsy.

“What...day is...today?” She asked herself lazily.

“Saturday.” A voice said.

“Oh...Saturday.” As she said those words, she fell backwards on the bed with her arms outstretched. “More time to sleep.”

“Yay to sleep.” The voice spoke again.

“Yeah. Heh Heh Heh.” She laughed lazily. “Yay Sleep.”

After a few seconds had passed, she came to acknowledge the presence in the room. “Wait a minute! Who is that?” She sat up quickly and scanned the room, but no one came into view.

She pulled the sheets up to her ears. “Who’s there?”

Her hands began to tremble and her heartbeat went a mile a minute.

Ghosts. There are ghosts in Aunty Laury’s house. As the terrifying thought crossed her mind, a floorboard creaked noisily.

She held her breath and closed her eyes as hard as she possibly could. It creaked again to her right. Something was approaching her. Was it a person? No! That couldn’t be. When she looked around she saw no one. When she asked if anyone was around there was no response. So it must be a ghost...or something. There was no one in the room but her.

A hand clasped her leg and Sarah kicked furiously as a desperate scream escaped her lips. “Someone help! I’m being attacked by a ghost! Aunty L help me!”

“Calm down Sarah it’s just me. It’s Tyler.”

But she kept on screaming, not registering the words which were so loudly spoken to her. The boiling fear in her mind disregarded them, causing her to scream even louder.

She grabbed a pillow and swung at the thing that was still holding onto her leg.

“Ouch! Sarah stop it! Cut it out!!”

When she finally recognized Ty’s voice, Sarah opened her eyes and gazed at him angrily. “What are you even doing in my room?”

Fueled by her anger, Sarah swung at him even harder than before. “Get out!” She yelled. But when she attacked him again, he grabbed onto her weapon and disarmed her.

“I’m not leaving.” He sat at the foot of her bed. “I am never going to leave your side ever again.”

She frowned. “What do you mean, you aren’t going to leave my side ever again? Are you talking about what happened a couple of days ago? I was just dehydrated. That was it.”

“Dehydration doesn’t make you sleep walk in broad daylight, Sarah.” He clenched his fists. “I should have never let them meet you in the first place.”

“Them? And again, what are you still doing in my room? I want you to leave.”

Tyler crawled up to where she was currently kneeling. “I still have feelings for you Sarah. They won’t go away.”

She looked him dead in the eyes. “When are you going to stop lying?” Her heart never even fluttered when he said he still liked her. The hope of that ever happening, or of him ever admitting that, died months ago. “I’m not concerned about your feelings towards me. Get out of my face.” And she shoved him away from her.

Acting quickly, Tyler grabbed her hand and pushed her down onto the bed so that she landed on her back, with him on top of her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her face was devoid of all emotion. “Let me go!”

He fastened her hands on both sides. “Kisake,” He began.

“What about him!?”

“He hasn’t even kissed you yet, has he?”

“Of course he has.” She lied through her teeth and her face pinked at the thought of actually doing so.

It all happened so quickly. She just felt his lips on hers. They were soft and a little moist. His lips rubbed against hers slowly. It felt like they wanted to feel every tiny bump and take all the small curves. He pulled her bottom lip into his mouth and then just as quickly released them and went for her upper lip. Somewhere in the mix, he slipped his tongue in there too and when he did, her eyes opened wide and and she turned her face away quickly.

“Tell me.” He breathed into her ears. “Am I a better kisser than he is?”

His words tickled her ears and she could not hide the blush that bloomed across her face and into her cheeks.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself!? And get off of me!”

His face went blank for a minute and then he smiled. As that smiled broadened he spoke to her.

“You haven’t kissed him yet, have you?” He rolled off of her and laughed hysterically. “Oh my my goodness. I think I’m a little glad to hear that though. I rather be the only one to ever kiss you. And the only one that you ever kiss.”

“Ugh.” Sarah covered her ears and walked away. “Stop talking about kisses!”

But deep in her mind, her thoughts were still locked on the memory of what had happened. Then she recalled the hospital room and bit into her lip. He knows about my mother.

“Tyler, I have an offer for you.”

*************

“Tyler, I have an offer for you.”

He found himself hooked on her words. As he stared at her back, Ty thought to himself. What kind of offer is she talking about?

“What do you mean by an offer?”

“I’ll be…”

He saw her shoulders trembling. “You’ll be?” He asked, urging her to go on.

“I’ll be your g-g-girlfriend.”

His eyes widened as his heart rate went over the roof. “My girlfriend?”

All he ever wanted was a second chance with her. To make things right again. He wanted to show her that he really loved her. But something didn’t seem right. No matter what, she would never forgive him that easily. There was a catch.

“You’ll be my girlfriend if?”

Sarah spun around. “If you tell me about Rein.”

That name hit him like a rock. He felt the air get knocked out of him as she said that word.

“I pass.” He said quietly.719Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl5YAmWg7P
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She looked like she had lost all hope. The expression on her face turned to despair and then to anger.

“What do you mean you pass?!”

“I just don’t want your offer anymore. I thought about and I don’t mind not having you as my girlfriend. I think this is more fun. Us being spontaneous and all.”

She clenched her fists. “Spontaneous!?”

“Where did you hear that name anyway.” He sat up and folded his arms behind his neck. “I never said anything about it. And neither did Laura, so...who could have let it slip?”

“It’s none of your business. She’s my mother!” Sarah stomped her feet angrily. “You can’t keep something like this away from me!”

“It was Tamia, wasn’t it.” Her expression gave her away. “I’m going to tell Laura about that.” He smiled devilishly.

“You wouldn't dare.”

“The only way I won’t tell, is if you let me make love to you.”

“You have to be out of your mind if you think-”

“You know I am crazy enough to tell her. I’ve got nothing to lose.”

He stood up and made his way to the door.

“Wait.” He heard her say.

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My stomach growled loudly as I floated into the kitchen. I was so hungry that I could eat two horses.

Laura was fixing breakfast before I had even thought of waking up. Steam rose slowly from the platter of scrambled eggs. The yellow lumps of fluffyness jiggled at the slightest vibration. The thin strips of curled bacon were still covered with angry sizzles that popped feverishly.

I breathed in the aromas all at once and my mouth watered. I must have some. Just one slice of bacon. When my finger almost touched a piece, I stopped myself. NO! I chastised myself. I shouldn’t. This is Sarah’s breakfast. It would be selfish if I took it for myself. Truly...selfish. I inched closer and closer to the slice. Unforgivably….inconsiderate. But I snatched a piece anyway and launched it into my mouth.

Mmmmm. I sunk to the floor as the bacon melted on my tongue. It was so crunchy with just a hint of salt. Mmmmmm. The best. Just the best! Maybe i should have another slice. I thought crazily. Just one more. I’m sure Sarah won’t mind.

“Mommy, there’s someone eating our breakfast!”

I froze in my tracks. Oh no. This wasn’t good. I should be invisible. A bead of sweat trickled down my chin. Oh please don’t make her see me. My hands began to tremble. If it came to it, I would have to restrain them and get Senree to wipe their memories.

“Tamia, I think your imagination is going wild again. There isn’t anyone here.”

“No mommy. I swear, she’s right there. She stole a piece of bacon and she was going to have another one if i didn’t call for you. She’s a thief.”

Relieved, i turned around and smiled at Tamia then stuck my tongue out and shook my butt in her face.

“That’s what you get, tattletale.”

She gasped. “Mommy, she’s making fun of me!”

“Tammy enough! Now say your prayers and eat breakfast.”

I grinned at her as i took two more slices and then teleported to the Tiers. Maybe they have breakfast too.

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“We cannot kill every guardian in this town. That would be crazy. Ludicrous. Everyone would die and plus you can’t take them all on at once. That would be suicide.” Pepper walked around crazily at Senree’s feet as he spoke.

“Shut up. And stop rubbing against my legs. I know what I’m doing.”

“I may be new to this whole guardian thing, but I know when someone is being stupid and they aren’t thinking. Which is what you, Senree, are doing.” He finally settled himself at his master’s feet, but he was so uneasy that his tale kept knocking on the tiles. This was his way of tapping his feet, the way a human did.

“Stop making that sound. It’s getting on my nerves.” Senree drank some tea and placed the cup on the counter. “Pepper!”

“I can’t help it. I’m nervous. This would be the first time that I show you my true potential. I’m not even sure- Meow!”

“I said, stop it!” Senree stepped on his tail and he kept applying pressure. “You made me say it twice.” He spoke with his jaw clenched.

“I apologize! Now off my tail!” He sniffed the air. “Bacon?”

“What are the two of you planning?” Eliza walked into the kitchen. Pepper did not expect to see her after she left the house as a result of her fight with Senree. He felt the tension in the air as he looked from Eliza to Senree and back again.

Senree kept sipping his tea and Eliza kept chewing on bacon. Well this was going to be a great morning. Pepper thought to himself.

I finished my bacon off with a glass of cold water and returned to my previous task.

“What are you guys planning again?” I asked for the second time.

Pepper walked away and he just ignored me. Again. Not that i blamed him much. After what had happened between us that night, i wouldn’t talk to me either. But i don’t think i was at fault. There are too many things that i don’t know and i might not be able to better protect Sarah if Senree doesn’t tell me. Plus...he may be in love with her too.

Ugh. Why does it bother me so much. I mean i can’t stand the guy. He pisses me off so much. So why do i feel this aching pain when i think about him being with Sarah. I hate this. Its making me sick to my stomach.

“Senree! I know you can hear me. Hey!” I tried to punch him on the shoulder but he grabbed my hand before i could touch him and then he let me go.

Well, since nothing else worked, what about something totally unexpected. But I was definitely used to doing it.

I waited until he drunk the last of his tea. When he set the empty cup on the counter i reached for his hand. He grabbed my hand to stop me, just like i expected. This is where my plan came in. He held me at my wrist, so what i did was twist my hand and grab onto his forearm and pull him towards me. Then i kicked him off balance, sending him on his back. But while he was falling he didn’t let go of my wrist, which i expected too. In his mind, if he was going to fall then i would go down with him. And as our faces got closer i nailed a perfect kiss on his….

Hand. I nailed a perfect kiss on his hand. I was so stupid. I never anticipated that he would have done that.

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Pepper strolled back into the kitchen with his long black tail sailing through the air.

Back at it again? He thought to himself as he stared at the two humans on the cold tiles. Looks like Eliza tried to kiss Senree. And failed. He chuckled to himself. They never cease to amuse me.

“Get off me!” Senree tossed her off of him and stood up. “Let’s go cat. We have places to go and things to do.”

As Pepper followed him out of the kitchen, he turned back to take one last glance at Eliza. Her face was red and puffy. He made two deductions which were either she was embarrassed or really pissed off. As she sat there flat on her butt staring at Senree’s back, she suddenly clenched her hands into fists and lowered her head. Her lips were moving but he couldn’t hear a word she was saying. All of a sudden, she stood up and grabbed a knife from the knife block and charged at Senree.

Anger! Pepper thought frantically as he ran for his life. I deduce that it’s anger!

Meanwhile, Senree turned around calmly and grabbed her hand in mid-stab.

“If your intention was to kill me, then you need to get in line. Some people have been waiting longer than you have.”

“Answer me this one question.” Eliza said quietly.

Pepper opened his eyes and zoned in on them again, making sure he listened carefully to what she had to say. Despite the fact that he wasn’t even included in the conversation.

“How deep are you?” She kept her head lowered, with the knife still in her hand.

“What do you mean how deep am I?”

“I won’t ask you a question you already know the answer to. And since you will not admit it to me, you can admit to something else. So, I am asking you, how deep in love are you with Sarah? I know it’s true. Your expression says it all. Whenever you are next to her you get all concerned and worried. But when it comes to me you...you just...act like it is nothing. How can you be that way?!”

She pulled her hand from his grasp and let the knife clatter to the ground. In that moment, she revealed her tear stricken face.

“I lost everything because of you! My place in heaven, my abilities, everything! And then you go around acting like you don’t need me!? Acting like you’re there all on your own?! That was all because of me and my sacrifices!”

“You don’t know jack about sacrifices! You stand there with all that big talk, making people believe you’re something! You were somebody because of me! Not the other way around. I saved your life! I gave you everything you needed after the things that happened to you. Even if I was the one who caused them, I stayed by your side.” Senree pointed his finger right in her face.

Eliza slapped his hand away. “Don’t pity me! It’s pathetic. Make up some other excuse. You have taken all that I had, but you won’t get your grubby hands on Sarah. I’ll die before i let you lay a finger on her.”

“You’re so goddamned useless. How can you protect her when you can’t even protect yourself?! How can you be so hypocritical. Face it Eliza, you’re jealous of her. You’re jealous of what she has, who she is! And you’re angry because no one will ever want to depend on some fake piece of crap like you! You can’t do anything! Everyone abandoned you and treated you like you were nothing. So don’t get pissed off at me just because Sarah doesn’t need you.”

She stood there, her eyes blown open by shock. Tears dripped from them painfully as her whole body trembled. She was staring him dead in the face as she broke down. Her lips quivered and she kept hiccuping as she sucked in lots of air. She dropped to her knees as she looked up at him. It seemed to Pepper like her ears couldn’t believe the truth that Senree had spilled into them.

“And to answer your ‘one question’ of how deep I am,” He walked up to her distraught face and whispered in her ear. “I’m head over heels deep. And trust me, I’ll be one she runs to. Not you.”

He turned around to walk away and stopped. “One more thing.” He spoke as he approached her. “Remember when I said you belonged to me? Forget about that. You’re on your own now.”

Despite the fact that he had already said his last words, Pepper noticed that he was still walking up to her. Senree pulled his hand backwards, gathered his fingers together and straightened them out. He thrust them deep into Eliza’s chest, the force lifted her off the floor. She spat up blood all over his face. He pulled out his hand, which was now formed into a fist, resulting in her falling to the floor lifelessly with a thud. She coughed up a great deal of blood as she lay there on her side, gasping for air. Sen opened up his hand and revealed a glowing orb. It floated up and down in his palm. He then swallowed it and licked his fingers greedily.

“I was so hungry these past few months I thought I was going to die.” He knelt down to her level. “Don’t worry you won’t leave this earth. You’ve become more human than guardian now. I know you felt it. You get sleepy, and hungry. And trust me, no guardian would exert that much anger, hatred, jealousy, depression and pain all in one setting.”

As he spoke again, he brushed the hair from her face and rubbed the back of his hand against her wet cheeks. She was still coughing up blood and gasping for air.

“I meant every word I said back there. You are definitely on your own.” She began wheezing. “Don’t worry, things will be alright. By the time i get back, i want you out of my house. And if you’re not gone before I return, I’ll finish you off just like i should have done on that day.”

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As i lay there, i thought to myself. Where was i going to go? What was i going to do? I had nothing. Nowhere to go. No one to go to. My eyes followed him as he stood up and began to walk away again.

“Wait.” I grabbed onto his leg. “J-J-Just k-kill m-” I tried to cough up the words but they wouldn’t come out. I shut my eyes as hot tears continued to river down my face. I took in a painful breath and tried again.

“Just k-kill me. I-I-I have n-nowhere to g-go. I h-h-have nothing.” I managed to rock my head from side to side. “Nothing!”

But all he did was pull his leg from my weak hand and continue on his way. There was no remorse in the way he walked. “I want you out of my house. Just get out. I don’t care how you do it.” He spoke quietly. “Just leave me alone.”

I lay there on the cold kitchen floor. Abandoned. Left to figure things out on my own. That’s when i saw it. The knife that had fallen out of my hand during the commotion with Senree. I dragged myself towards it. But my body felt so heavy that i gave up. Instead, i reached with my fingers. I kept trying to hold it but it was two fingers too far. So in an effort to get to it, i dragged myself painfully upwards and grabbed it.

Several thoughts were racing through my mind. Those of Sarah and of the Council, Gabrielle...and mostly of Senree and what he had said. My weak grip on the knife tightened a little and as those memories of his words came bursting into my mind again, I placed the weapon at my chest. I put my hand as high as i could and then thrust it deep in my chest. The air was knocked out of my body for the second time. More blood was pouring onto the floor. As the light faded from my eyes, i took one last look outside the window. A slight breeze whistled through the branches of a nearby tree. The green leaves rustled a little, but some brown leaves found themselves getting a little loose, dancing with the wind.

I struggled to keep my eyes open as the hot tears crept slowly down my cheeks. The tiles were so cold and it was so dark. “I’m so sorry.” I whispered as i felt myself sinking deeper and deeper. “Sorry…”

All of a sudden, my body felt light and warm. There appeared out of nowhere this bright light from the heavens. I glimpsed a hand behind the light, beckoning to me towards it. Asking me to come home. The tears that filled my eyes were no longer those of pain but those of happiness. Relief. Things were okay. I was forgiven and soon, everything would be back to normal. But, as I reached out to it and my finger touched the tip of that hand i felt myself forcefully shoved into the earth. Something was dragging me down and the light became dimmer and dimmer. Fading before my eyes until it was nothing but a speck of brightness. Whatever this thing was, that had this hold on me, it didn’t seem like it would let go anytime soon.

I struggled against its grip as the tears came back again. Pain! Sorrow. Helplessness. Complete and utter loneliness. At that moment, i realised it. I realised where my soul would be heading. A place which would offer me no comfort. A placed that contained the most sinister things. I screamed then. I yelled for someone to save me. I begged for forgiveness. This could not be happening. “No! I don’t want to go to hell!” I wailed, as I was dragged deeper and deeper to an eternity of suffering.

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The Tale of Sarah

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