by Mary Ting
Michael had a difficult time looking into her eyes since his heart was already broken, but to see Alexa Rose’s hurtful eyes already filled up with tears, he couldn’t bear it. Kneeling, he embraced her tenderly, not knowing when or if he would see her again. His mission was dangerous, stepping into an unknown territory, fighting with demons he was forced to trust. Perhaps it was better that Claudia’s mind was clear from him. There was no guarantee he would come back. “Yes,” he finally answered. “I need to do grownup things too.”
“Promise to come back?” Alexa Rose asked.
“I promise,” he said wearily. But he only said those words to ease her mind as Claudia’s words rushed through. “You can’t really keep a promise. It’s just a word. Can you promise me that I won’t die? Can you promise me that you’ll love me forever? Can you promise that we’ll be together after this all ends? Promise is saying I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee. Don’t promise me something that you can’t guarantee.”
In the end, her words were true. He couldn’t keep them together, and his promise was just words. But to him, promise meant more than just words. He always kept his word. His words were guarantees. With those thoughts in mind, he was even more determined. He had to find a way to keep his promise to Claudia and Alexa Rose. Moping around wasn’t doing any good for anyone. It was weighing everyone around him down. Looking into himself, he had to find the Michael that once was.
He held Alexa Rose tighter. “I promise,” he said sternly—not only was he promising her, but he was thinking of Claudia. “I promise to come back. I’ll find a way. I won’t give up because my words are a guarantee.”
Davin, Caleb, and Vivian placed their hands on his shoulder, knowing who he was referring to when he said those words to Alexa Rose.
Michael stood up with a genuine smile. His smile was contagious, and everyone around him smiled brightly. “This isn’t goodbye. We’ll have to go our own ways for some time, but we’ll all be together again soon.”
“That’s right,” Davin said enthusiastically.
Alexa Rose jumped up and down, giggling, seeing the grownups smiling and laughing.
“Ready, Davin?” Michael asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” he replied as he exhaled. A part of him felt insecure. They were always together, supporting each other through thick and thin. He could always rely on them, knowing they had each other’s backs. Now, he would be on his own.
All their heartfelt smiles were brighter than Halo City. The love they had for one another was special. As their eyes shimmered with happiness and sadness, they gave one last smile.
“I’ll take with me the memories…” Davin started to sing.
“Peace out,” Caleb chuckled.
“See you when I see you,” Vivian cheered.
“Guard your healing crystal,” Agnes reminded.
“A character is defined by how they react to the obstacles thrown at them. Remember who you are and your purpose,” Margaret said.
“God speed,” Philip said.
“Hallelujah!” Davin shouted as everyone laughed out loud.
“Don’t forget your promise,” Alexa Rose said sweetly.
Michael raised his hand, rested his arms around Davin’s shoulder, and with one last look,
they were gone.
Epilogue
A smile sets on my face as I look upon a figure standing at a distance, near a waterfall. My heart thumps faster and I feel tingles down my spine, the kind of tingle that tells you that you’re in love, or that you have a crush. I can’t see his face, but my instinct tells me that I know him though I haven’t the slightest clue who he is or why he is there. Who is this person that has me completely enthralled? I want to know so I move closer, but the closer I get, the further he is away from me.
“I’m here,” he says. “I’ll always be here.” Then he vanishes.
“No. Come back. Who are you?” I yell, but he just simply disappears.
Claudia awoke, stretching and yawning, rubbing her eyes from a restful sleep. Hearing the sound of waves crashing, she opened her eyes. Looking at her surroundings, she noted that she was at Island of Eden. When she tried to remember how she got there or why she was there, her mind went blank. In fact, she couldn’t remember what she did a day ago or even last night. Strange, she thought.
As she pulled herself up and sat comfortably, she heard a soft knock.
“Come in,” she said in a hoarse whisper, wondering who it could be. She cleared her throat, wondering why it felt sore.
The door creaked open. “Hello, there,” a voice said timidly, anticipating her actions.
“Austin,” Claudia called cheerfully. “Come in.”
Austin inched his way to her. “So, how are you feeling?”
“I’m not sure. I had a strange dream.”
“Hmmm…you won’t be dreaming much from now on.”
“What do you mean?”
Austin sucked in his breath. His words had slipped, and he didn’t know what to say. He wanted to tell her that after her body adjusted to her newfound self, eventually she would need very little sleep, if any.
“I mean…” He changed the subject. “Do you remember anything?”
“You’re going to think I’m crazy, but…I feel like I’ve slept for days…and I can’t seem to remember what I did yesterday,” she expressed, trying not to sound upset.
Austin thought carefully. He had to be cautious of his words. He couldn’t believe Michael actually did it. He could only imagine his pain. Better Michael than me, he thought.
“Do you want to know what happened to you?” Austin asked.
“Yes, of course,” Claudia said, eyes filled with questions, desperately wanting to know.
Austin sat on the side of her bed, thinking how he would have to train her and hunt demons beside her. Would he be able to control his emotions around her? How easily he could manipulate her, now that her mind was nothing but a blank book waiting for a story to be written. He could easily tell her that they were dating or that they were a couple, but he decided it was not in the best interest and Claudia would eventually find out. He laughed to himself thinking these thoughts.
“I’ll tell you what happen…” he started, but knew that the lie he was told to tell would come back to haunt him. His instinct told him that someday soon she’d know the truth. And the truth would set her free.
My Dearest Claudia,
I have made a big mistake. I should have whisked you away where we could hide for eternity. Though we would always be on the run, we would be together. I’ve broken my promise that we would be together, and for that, I hope you can one day forgive me. I will continue to write letters to you because when I find a way to help you remember us, I want you to know my pain of missing you. I will be on a mission for Katherine, and though I don’t trust these demons, which I will explain to you later, I need to fulfill my duty. I too have a mission of my own, and that is you. You will constantly be in my thoughts no matter where I go or what I do. I swear we will be together again. In the meantime, my heart bleeds from being apart from you. It pains me deeply that you have no memories of us. But I will hold onto our memories, and I will be your sunshine after the rain…until…at last.
In my heart
, in my soul—M
Coming September 12, 2012
Book 3 of the Crossroads Saga
Beyond
About the Author
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.
Visit her website www.marytingcrossroads.com
facebook http://www.facebook.com/crossroadsbook
twitter @maryting
email [email protected]
blog http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com/
Where it all began:
More Young Adult Titles
from World Castle Publishing Now Available:
The Embrace Series:
