Fizzle

by Heather D Glidewell

  Her hands were red, and her wings were dirty just as Helen’s had been. I raced down the street, sweeping my sword through the enemy line until I heard a loud weeping. I spun around and saw a young girl in the corner, her hands over her ears. I ran toward her, noticing she was just a mortal child. No threat. I looked around at the business windows, searching for someone. I picked up the girl easily and carried her to the nearest store, knocking on the door. It opened, and an older woman looked at me, wide-eyed. She reached out with eager arms and took the child. I gave the little girl one last touch as the woman shut the door. Spinning around, I was nearly knocked off my feet by a demon’s approach.

  More sparks, more fire, more death. I felt my power grow with each unclaimed soul I took. I felt a warmness on the back of my neck when I realized the sky had opened, and blood was pouring down on us. I smiled to myself as I searched for more souls to reap.

  For an hour or more, the battle raged until none of the enemies was standing. Panting and out of magic, my body was drained, and I fell to the ground.

  I could sleep right here.

  I felt a set of hands-on my arms, pulling me back to my feet. My eyes focused on the bright eyes of Rose. Her wings were wet and stained with the blood rain, her eyes were black, and her body bruised. She was bleeding from a deep gash on her waist. With haggard breaths, she wrapped her arms around me, crying.

  Wesley came running down the street with Adam on his heels. Rose let me go and welcomed the assistance of Adam as I collapsed into Wesley’s arms.

  “What were you thinking?” he screamed at me. “You could have died.”

  “I wanted to,” I sobbed.

  I could hear Adam consoling Rose as she bawled in his arms, her body shaking. I thought of Helen and tried to pull myself away from Wesley but found my body too weak to pursue. I was battle-worn; my body wasn’t as forgiving with me as it was with sparring others.

  “Helen,” I whispered.

  “She’s fine. You saved her.” He had tears streaming down his face.

  Was he worried?

  “Pharmacy. I need a pharmacy,” I choked, and he looked at me, confused until reality took over his face.

  “There is one on Mill Street,” he said, helping me to stand. He held my arm, steadying me. “Adam. Can you send several people over to Mill Street Pharmacy?”

  “What the hell do you need from a pharmacy?” he said, smoothing Rose’s hair.

  “Just, please! I know Dawn.” Adam looked at Wesley like he was about to punch him.

  Wesley banged on the door until an old man answered, opening it slowly. He took one look at Wesley and smiled.

  “Wesley?” The man asked, confused.

  “Yes, Mr. Walsh. We need your help.” Wesley helped me inside and sat me down on a workbench. “What do you need, Dawn?”

  “Anything he can give. I will pay for it,” I said, my breathing labored. I wanted to lay down right there on the bench and close my eyes. Maybe I would never wake up.

  “What is happening out there?” the old man asked as Wesley grabbed a cart and started putting everything he could find in it.

  “Would you believe me if I said there is a battle for Earth?” he asked the man. Even the pharmacist was throwing things in the cart now.

  “Yes. That girl needs a doctor.” I knew he was talking about me, and I nodded.

  “A doctor would be nice. We have wounded …” My voice trailed off; I couldn’t even finish my thought.

  The door opened and in came Shawn and Minerva with about ten other people. The pharmacist went behind the counter and started handing them medicines from the back. I watched in awe as this human man helped us. The world really did have good in it. You just had to look to find it.

  “Where are you guys at?” the man asked as the bags were handed down a line to the last person who would take off toward the house the moment his arms were full.

  “The Weathers’ manor,” Wesley replied as he grabbed more bandages and medicines from the counters.

  “You need to get her somewhere before she bleeds out all over the floor,” the man mentioned.

  “SHIT!” Wesley screamed, grabbing me up into his arms and running. We ran, and we ran. I watched the world pass by in streaks of green and brown. Then there was darkness. I welcomed it as I felt my heart slowing.

  “We aren’t going to make it,” I muttered with my last ounce of energy.

  “Like hell, we aren’t,” Wesley yelled and took off faster, holding me tighter to his body. “I will be damned if I lose you.”

  That was the last thing I heard before the world ended.

  Peace at last.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Freezing

  I can see him. I can see my own body as it is thrown onto the ground in the front yard, Wesley’s hands caressing my pale face. My eyes are closed; my heart has stopped. He feels for a pulse, and I see his shoulders start to shake as he rips my shirt open and begins chest compressions.

  I wish I could tell him I’m ok. That there is peace on this side of the sphere. I reach out and touch his shoulder, but he doesn’t flinch. He just keeps pressing on my chest. My mother’s tears are streaming down her face. She tears out of the house and stops at his side.

  She’s suddenly grabbing my face and stroking my cheeks. I knew she never thought this day would come. I wanted this; I wanted peace. I was never cut out to be a Warden; I knew this. I wasn’t ready to accept the responsibility of my core.

  “What happened?” she screams at him.

  “I didn’t know she was hurt.” He doesn’t stop pressing on my chest. I can hear him praying for my heart to start.

  “DAMIEN!” my mother screams. My father comes running, a blood-soaked Mona on his heels.

  Mona pushes Wesley aside, rubbing her hands together, she places them on my chest. I lurch as pain shoots through me. I stare at them, confused by what was happening. My soul just wants to be at peace. Why won’t they let me die? Mona takes her hands away and rubs them together again before sending another shock through my body. I jolt again, more pain.

  My mother screams, throwing herself sobbing into my father’s arms. This does not seem to bother Mona as she rubs her hands together one more time. I watch the vision fade as my body is consumed with unimaginable pain.

  My eyes fluttered open, and I stared up at Mona. She looked lost but happy as she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. While I could still remember seeing everything taking place, I was mystified as to how they had brought me back.

  “Upstairs now! I have her room ready.” Mona patted Wesley on the shoulder. He lifted me up easily, carried me up the stairs, and into my room where he lay me down on the bed.

  Kelly was by my side in an instant. Her face was bruised, and her nose was bleeding, but she was alive. I smiled at her and reached up to touch her sweet face. She held my hand as one of the Blessed Ones hooked me up to IVs. Wesley returned moments later with blankets and started to cover me up. I knew my body was cold to the touch.

  It’s just so cold. I’m freezing.

  “I thought I had lost you,” he uttered as he bent over me.

  “You did,” I replied as pain pulsed through me. “But only for a moment.”

  He tried to smile at me, but it came out as more of a pitying smirk. “Don’t speak, please.”

  “Why are you here with me?” I tried to touch him, but my body would not respond.

  “Because I love you,” he muttered, a tear rolling down his cheek.

  I laid there for a second staring at his face. He was dirty, but no signs of wounds were visible. Right then, he was the most beautiful being I had ever seen. My heart fluttered, and I slowly smiled.

  “Oh. I guess that’s a good reason.”

  I could hear people screaming all around me. I had collapsed before I was able to assess the damage. I knew we had wounded, but I was unsure as to just how many. Judging by the screams, it was more than I had anticipated.

  “Wesley?” I
heard Adam’s voice from the door. I turned my head to look at him. His shirt was torn, and there was bruising around his eyes, but I could tell he had held his ground during the battle.

  “What’s up, man?” Wesley didn’t even glance over his shoulder; his focus was on me.

  “Townsfolk. They are outside. They want to help.”

  “Why are you telling me?” Wesley asked, his voice heated.

  “Damien said to get you.”

  Wesley seemed shocked; my father had promoted him to a higher rank. Not that it was what had really happened. So many were hurt and missing; my father probably named the first person he could think of as a point of contact.

  “Let them in. If they don’t know what to do, have them start boiling water and sanitizing tools. I will be down in a moment,” Wesley replied, finally looking over his shoulder. “Man, you ok?”

  “Yeah, it’s not my blood,” Adam replied, his face paling.

  Wesley gave him a sympathetic smile as Adam turned to walk away. As soon as Adam was out of sight, he focused back on me.

  “You are going to be ok,” he whispered, touching my face, and then planting a kiss to my forehead.

  As grateful as I was for everything he was doing. There was only one thing on my mind.

  “I’m so cold,” I stammered.

  “I’m not going to leave you this time.” His voice caught in his throat as he looked up at the Blessed One. “Is she ok?”

  “She’s going to need a doctor. I am doing everything I can to stop the bleeding,” the woman replied. Her eyes were pale pink, but her skin was sun-kissed. I would have pegged her for a vampire, but something about her said she was much older.

  What happened? Who got me?

  Faces flashed through my head. I couldn’t pinpoint the moment when I was torn. All I could think of was peace and how I longed for it at that moment. I looked at Wesley, and my vision became fuzzy.

  “Stay with me, Dawn,” he demanded as my eyes fluttered.

  “I’m so cold,” I said again. My eyes were heavy. I wanted to close them.

  “I know, baby, I know.” He smoothed my wet hair and smiled at me. “Just stay with me.”

  “Don’t leave me, Wesley, I’m so scared,” I sobbed. The pain was almost too much for me to bear.

  “I’m not going to.” This was the last thing I heard before my eyes closed again, and my body gave out.

  “How is she?” I heard Adam’s voice, and I questioned my existence.

  “Stable.” Wesley’s speech was strained; he sounded tired.

  “Good.”

  “How’s Rose?”

  “Good. They were able to stop the bleeding. She’s resting now. Was told no strenuous work for a few days,” Adam answered.

  “Has anyone heard anything about Helen?”

  Wesley’s question hangs in the air for a moment.

  “She’s still in surgery. Her mother and father are waiting to hear something.” I opened my eyes, and I saw them standing across the room. This was the first time since we were in Midvale; the two of them seemed to have a normal conversation. However, I couldn’t get over the fact both of them looked so tired.

  “How many were lost?” Wesley's lips were pressed together in a thin line, and he seemed paler.

  “Quite a few.” Adam’s voice was somber. He glanced at me, and a smile spread across his face. “We will talk later. Look who’s awake.”

  Wesley looked at me, and the worry drained from his face. He gave Adam a pat on the arm and walked back toward my bed. Sitting down, he looked at me.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Like I’ve been hit by a Mac truck.” I groaned and tried to move.

  “Don’t; they had to stitch you up. You may heal quickly, but your body is drained, so it is going to take longer.” He touched my face, and I felt the warmth radiating through him.

  “Where’s Marshall?”

  “He’s fine. You know for a shifter he’s pretty tough.” Wesley let out a soft laugh. “He’s been helping the doctor and running supplies to the other rooms.”

  “Good.” I sighed. “My brother?”

  “Also helping. Did you know he was an MD?” Wesley sounded impressed.

  “No, I didn’t.” I laughed softly, then stopped when the pain became too much.

  “Krista is fine too. She’s been with your mother. They have been making phone calls all day. I didn’t know there were so many camps like this. Each one is run by an angel or a demon.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “The Creators gave them permission to help without penalty. I’m not too surprised.”

  “Nice.” He shrugged. “You scared me, you know.”

  “I scared myself,” I replied, reaching up and painfully touching his face.

  “You died in my arms.” His shoulder shook as he relived the moment.

  “I’m sorry about that,” I sighed to myself.

  “Just never scare me like that again,” he demanded, and I nodded.

  “Ok,” I frowned. “How long until I can get up and move? Do we have enough medicine?”

  “We have more than enough. The whole town showed up with food and medical supplies. Not a single human was harmed today. Thanks to Helen and Rose, they were all safe.” He proudly stated.

  “That is wonderful news.” I felt elated that the casualties were kept to only our kind.

  “There is no need to rush the healing; you will be on your feet in no time.” He leaned in and gently kissed my lips. The familiar spark seared through my soul.

  “Can I see Mona?” I asked, suddenly remembering the electricity and my body lurching.

  “Let me see if she is available.” He got up and walked out of the room, leaving me alone.

  I lay there staring at the ceiling then looking at the IV. My pulse was pounding in my ears. I had died, I had really died. My head started to swim, and I closed my eyes to ease the dizziness. Had I managed to bend too far in one direction? Was there some special blade that would render me breathless? What could have caused that moment of freedom?

  “Dawn,” Mona stated as she quickly walked into the room. “What is it, honey?”

  “Thank you,” I said, looking at her. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail; her hands were covered in blood as well as her clothing. I had never seen her disheveled. Even in all the chaos, she was radiant.

  “For what?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “I know it was you.” I grabbed her hand and put it over my heart. “When it stopped, you made it beat.”

  “How could you know that?” Her eyes widened with fear.

  “I saw you. I saw all of you,” I said.

  A tear rolled down her cheek, and she sat down beside me.

  “You may not be my daughter, but I raised you as if you were. I was not going to let you go so easily.” Her lip twitched. I knew she was fighting back sobs.

  “Still, thank you,” I said again.

  “You are so welcome, darling.” She kissed my forehead. “I need to get back to Rose, but I will check on you later.”

  “Ok,” I said as she kissed me one more time like she did when I was a child. “Tell Rose; I love her.”

  “I will.” She scooted away from me, wiping her eyes, and left the room, pausing only for a second to speak to Wesley.

  “Take care of her,” she said, followed by a few more words I could not make out.

  “Of course.” He nodded and returned to my side.

  “Lay with me?” I asked him. “Like you did in the old days.”

  “You make it sound like it was ages ago,” he laughed, laying down next to me and taking my hand in his.

  “You know I owe you my life, right?” I said, turning my head toward him.

  “I think I owe you mine more.” He raised an eyebrow, and I cracked a smile. I could get used to his mood-ring eyes. Sooner or later, I would know what each color meant.

  “Where’s your father and sister?”

  “My sister is pr
eparing meals with several of the Blessed and Cursed Ones. My father is engaged in a conversation with several leaders of the Fairy Council.” He laughed. “I don’t think my father believed them at first. However, they became quick friends.”

  “That’s good,” I said. “And your mother?”

  “She stayed as long as she could.” He looked sad. “She had to go back. I will forever be in your mother’s debt for what she did for me today.”

  “My mother is awesome, what can I say,” I smiled at him again.

  “That she is.” He agreed with a chuckle.

  We laid there, staring into each other's eyes for a few moments. It was calming and put my mind at ease.

  “Wesley?” I stammered.

  “Yes.”

  “I wish she could have stayed longer.”

  “So do I, but you know what? I am grateful for the time I had with her today. She said she would return soon. Whatever that means.” Wesley closed his eyes for a second to collect his composure.

  “Who knows? I have learned not to question.”

  “I love you,” he said, squeezing my hand.

  “And I, you.” My heart fluttered.

  Why did I feel what was happening was wrong? Adam had said he felt nothing. Why hold on to something that will never be? I had something right in front of me. I had said my farewells to Aaron; it was time to move on. I deserved happiness, right? I was not destined to be alone, even though I told myself so many times I was. So much for not being codependent.

  I woke up to screaming. My adrenaline pumping, I jumped out of bed and winced as the pain shot through me for a second. I took off at a sprint, not caring if I ripped my stitches open. I tore through the door at the end of the hall and into Rose’s room. She was hunched over on the floor, blood pooling below her. I raced to her side, grabbing anything and everything I could find to be absorbent and putting into the open gash.

  “What happened?” I asked as she gripped on to me. I held the items to her wound tightly.