by Wendy Owens
“Ok, bye sweetie,” Sophie said waving cheerfully. Gabe wondered if he were in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Gabe walked to class. The entire way his thoughts were consumed by what Sophie had just told him. Raimie and Dina had one of the closest and well-functioning relationships he had ever witnessed. Prior to the last couple days, he couldn’t recall a single argument they had had in front of him. The idea of them actually engaging one another in a magical battle was inconceivable.
Gabe’s thoughts shifted to Sophie and her reaction as she told him the story of Raimie and Dina fighting. She almost took pleasure in it, he thought.
Coming to a stop outside of the classroom door, Gabe glanced in and saw that indeed, Raimie and Dina were nowhere to be found. Looking up and down both halls, he huffed when he realized Sophie might have in fact been right about what had transpired the previous evening.
Shoulders slumped, Gabe entered the classroom and took his seat at the empty table. The next three classes dragged on. What was only a few hours, felt more like ten.
Gabe was consumed by thoughts about his friends. He also didn’t dare speak to Neru after Sophie’s reaction. Avoiding her had proven somewhat easy. Gabe waited until just before each class was about to begin before sneaking in and sliding into a seat near the exit. Neru had attempted to get Gabe’s attention at one point, but he pretended not to hear her.
At last, he decided he was not going to another class until he got some answers. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was evident by the behavior of Sophie and his friends that something was in fact not right at Rampart Manor. As the professor dismissed the students, Gabe scooped up his books and bounded from the room on his mission.
“Gabe!” The tiny voice called out behind him.
Gabe’s thoughts were still filled with worry over Sophie and his friends. He seemed to not notice the beckoning.
“Gabe, wait!” The voice called out again in a stern tone, breaking through Gabe’s mind. Gabe turned around and quickly stopped to watch as Neru approached.
He felt his stomach ache. This poor girl was only trying to be nice. But just by speaking to her, Gabe seemed to be enraging Sophie.
“Hey, is everything all right?” Neru asked, the concern plain on her face.
“Yeah, I just need to go check into something,” Gabe said, trying to dismiss her concern.
“Your girlfriend seemed pretty mad last night and now you’re avoiding me. Look, I didn’t mean to start any problems between the two of you,” Neru continued, even though it was clear Gabe wanted no part of the conversation.
“Neru, it’s fine. Sophie’s just … stressed out. She’ll get over it. I just have a lot to do, all right?”
“Well, maybe I can help,” Neru added.
“I doubt it,” Gabe said, becoming agitated by the delay.
“Did I do something wrong? I’m just trying to be a nice person here,” Neru said, looking down at the ground as if she were ashamed.
Gabe realized that, even though Sophie was jealous, it was not a rational feeling and surely not Neru’s fault. He regretted making Neru feel like she was somehow responsible for anything that was going on in his life at the moment.
“No, Neru. You didn’t do anything wrong. My friends all seem to be going crazy. It's got me on edge.”
“Do you mean Raimie and Dina?”
“What? You know about them?”
“Who doesn’t, Gabe? I think everyone was there last night for their fight.”
“Everyone except me, apparently,” Gabe grumbled.
“Seriously? You missed that?” Neru asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, I went to bed early.” Gabe wanted to kick himself now for that decision.
“I don’t know how you could have possibly slept through that. I was in the dining hall when it started and I heard it. I have never seen two Guardians go at each other like that.”
When Neru said those words, Gabe thought of the last two Guardians he had seen fight. The result had been Anthony’s death.
“What did Michael do?” Gabe asked, thinking about the emotions it must have stirred in his mentor.
“I don’t know exactly. Just as Dina was about to attack Raimie again, Michael swooped in, dissolving her cast. He’s so powerful. It was quite amazing to watch. With just the swipe of his hand, he brought them both to their knees.” As Neru retold the events, Gabe grew even more frustrated that he had slept through the entire thing.
“You start to realize how powerful he is when you see that he can move you around like a rag doll,” Neru said in awe of their leader’s strength.
“Yeah,” Gabe said, nodding. He had seen Michael’s power firsthand when he turned Anthony into a pile of ash on the beach all those months ago. “I have to go.”
“Wait, are you going to see Michael?” Neru asked, following Gabe as he turned and walked away.
“Yeah,” Gabe replied, not slowing his pace. “I have a few questions I need some answers to.”
“Can I come?” Neru asked, not losing a single step next to him.
“What?” Gabe was surprised by her question.
“Well, it’s just,” Neru struggled with her words for a moment. “Nothing this exciting ever happens to me.”
Gabe smiled at the notion that his life seemed exciting to Neru. All summer as he trained for his tests, he had thought about how boring his daily routine was.
“I’m not sure that's a good idea.” Gabe tried to dissuade her as they approached Michael’s office doors. “Michael isn’t expecting me. Honestly, I have no idea what his reaction will be when he sees me.”
“Oh,” Neru replied, clearly disappointed by Gabe’s response.
“I’m sorry. You understand, don’t you?” Gabe asked softly.
“Are you kidding me?” Gabe’s heart sank as he heard Sophie’s voice shout from behind him.
“Oh God,” Gabe groaned.
“I knew it!” Sophie exclaimed.
“Sophie, please,” Gabe pleaded, turning around to look her in the eyes. It only took a second before he saw the glimmer of red again. Her auburn hair flared out all around her face as she quickly approached them.
“Neru, get out of here!” Gabe shouted, seeing Sophie was not in her right mind.
“Oh no, no, no, my darling Gabe,” Sophie bellowed, venom dripping from her lips. As Neru turned to run, Sophie raised her hand and without hesitation muttered, “Paralysis.”
Neru froze where she stood, unable to move.
“Sophie, no!” Gabe shouted, running to Neru’s side. “Oh my God! What’s wrong with you? Why would you ever cast on someone like that?”
“You made me do it, Gabe! I warned you. We’re meant to be,” Sophie said in a callous voice, no remorse present.
“Sophie, you’re crazy! Just stop and think about this for a minute. Have you ever done anything like this before? Of course not. I know something has to have happened to make you act this way.”
“Shut up, Gabe! You can’t talk to me like that!” Sophie screamed, clearly becoming overwhelmed by her anger.
Michael’s door opened. A moment later he and Uri were in the hall, trying to make sense of what was unfolding before them.
“There, Sophie, how about you explain to Michael what’s going on? Tell him how casting on other students isn’t crazy and see if he agrees with you.” Gabe pressed the unraveling Sophie.
“I mean it, Gabe! You better shut up!” Sophie screeched.
“What’s going on out here?” Michael demanded.
“Sophie has lost it! That’s what!” Gabe replied, glaring back at the girl he had come to care so much for.
“I warned you!” Sophie shouted. She raised her hands. Looking directly at Gabe, she started to say, “Offendo un...”
“Somnus!” Before the spell could completely leave Sophie’s lips, Michael had stepped in with a sleep spell. One moment Sophie was preparing to cast a shockwave on her beloved and the next she hit the ground, a lifeless p
ile.
“Uri, get her inside!” Michael commanded as Gabe stood there, speechless. His mouth still hanging open in disbelief at the thought that the girl he loved was willing to cast on him.
“Gabe, are you all right?” Michael asked as he walked over to examine Neru. But Gabe said nothing.
“Uri, come back out here when you’re done. I need you again,” Michael bellowed.
Walking to Gabe’s side, Michael put a hand on his shoulder and tried to bring him back into reality.
“Yes sir?” Uri said, exiting Michael’s office.
“I need you to take this poor girl to the infirmary,” Michael requested, motioning to Neru’s frozen form.
“Neru,” Gabe finally said, breaking his silence. “Her name’s Neru.”
“Yes, of course,” Michael added. “Can you take Neru to the infirmary?”
Uri nodded. The next minute he was carrying the tiny body of Neru without much effort.
“Gabe, we need to talk,” Michael said, grabbing hold of his arm.
Without a struggle, Gabe allowed Michael to usher him into his office. Only feet away, he saw Dina and Raimie asleep on cots. Across the room, Sophie slept on the couch. She looked once again like Gabe’s peaceful angel. Her skin glowed a soft pale white. Gabe wished he could freeze this moment.
“Are they all right?” Gabe inquired anxiously.
“I’m afraid not,” Michael replied solemnly.
“What’s wrong with them?”
Michael looked down at the ground for a moment and then directly into Gabe’s eyes. “They’re cursed.”
Gabe couldn't help but gasp.
“Cursed?” Gabe felt his hands trembling as the word slipped past his lips.
“Yes, Gabe,” Michael confirmed. The darkness of the reality settled over them like a black cloak.
“I don’t understand. What do you mean cursed?” Gabe shook his head as he struggled to make sense of what Michael was telling him.
“Maybe we should sit down,” Michael said, motioning to the side chairs near the couch. The last thing Gabe wanted to do was sit and have a rational conversation about Sophie being cursed. Gabe glanced over and saw her sleeping peacefully. The rage she had been frothing with in the hall moments earlier was completely gone from her face.
Overwhelmed by the idea of Sophie being cursed, Gabe decided he would, in fact, like to sit while talking to Michael. Walking over to the side chairs, Gabe sat in the seat closest to her. Leaning forward, he scooped up Sophie’s hand. As he held it, he began to pat it gently.
Gabe contemplated Michael’s explanation for Sophie’s behavior; he remembered the red ember-like spark in her eyes.
“Michael, her eyes,” Gabe could not bring himself to finish the sentence. He and Sophie had grown so close over the summer; he was not willing to say she resembled a demon.
“What is it, Gabe?” Michael urged. When Gabe continued to sit silent, Michael pushed once more. “What about her eyes?”
Taking a deep breath, he decided he had to tell Michael. He wasn’t sure, but he thought it might help Sophie in some way.
“Red …” he finally stated, gulping. “When she got angry, I saw them flickering red.”
Michael sighed and hung his head low. “It wasn’t her. You have to understand that,” Michael whispered desperately.
“I don’t understand. How can it not be her? She knew me. She knew about us. It was her, Michael,” Gabe insisted.
Michael leaned closer to Gabe.
“Part of her is there of course, but she’s not in control. It’s the curse.”
“Wait, I don’t understand. You have to explain to me what you mean by cursed,” Gabe pleaded.
“She has come in contact with something or someone that has taken control of her faculties. She may seem like she’s still Sophie in most ways but as time continues she will seem less and less like the girl we all love. Our people call it the Unhallowed Curse,” Michael explained.
“How could she possibly be cursed?” Gabe inquired.
“We started noticing the erratic behavior with Raimie and Dina. With Sophie exhibiting the same behaviors, we knew it had to be something they had in common,” Michael explained.
“Something they had in common? Like what? They ate the same thing or what?” Gabe wished he understood more.
“Not exactly, but I think I know what it is. Raimie and Dina had traveled to Iron Gate to pick up some artifacts. Sophie has come in contact with those same artifacts. Uri and I had started to suspect Sophie might have been infected as well, but we didn’t know for sure until just now.”
Gabe felt an intense rage welling up in him.
“Uri knew about this?” Gabe snapped angrily.
“Neither of us knew anything for certain Gabe. It wasn’t until things heated up between Raimie and Dina that we started to suspect the artifacts,” Michael insisted.
“You mean the artifacts you asked her to work with in an effort to keep her away from me?” Gabe exclaimed.
“Gabe, I didn’t know.”
“So you don’t deny it! You had Sophie put on that job to keep us apart. Does it really piss you off that much to see us together?” Gabe allowed his anger to guide the flow of his words.
“It’s not that I don’t want to see you two together. You don’t have all the details. The Oracle made it quite clear to me that your relationship with Sophie would lead to you leaving the manor,” Michael said, trying to plead his case to Gabe.
“Really, Michael? First off, whatever happened to all of this being my choice? Maybe Anthony was right and you never really give any of us a real choice.”
As soon as the words left Gabe’s lips, he regretted saying them. No matter how angry he was at Michael, one thing he could not deny was how much this man cared for him. He had saved Gabe’s life by ending one of his dearest friend’s lives. Gabe was disappointed he let his frustration get the better of him.
Michael sat back in his seat, his face not displaying any reaction to Gabe’s words. He simply sat there in silence, looking at Gabe.
Gabe wasn’t sure if he needed to apologize or simply move on and hope Michael would forget his words. At last he continued. “You know how the Oracle is. According to Uri, she told Sophie that the two of us were meant to be. Does it make sense to you that she would tell Sophie we’re destined to be together and then turn around and tell you Sophie’s going to drive me away? The Oracle’s not right in the head. Everyone knows she likes to play with people’s minds.”
Michael continued to sit in silence, displaying no emotion. Gabe quickly began to think he probably should have gone with the apology instead of continuing down the same path.
“I’m just saying what everyone else already knows about her,” Gabe added, trying anything to get past the uncomfortable tension.
“I know exactly what she does, Gabe,” Michael replied in an even and hushed tone. “However, none of us can deny she has ability—a gift. She led us to you after all. You do realize the trackers were within hours of finding you. That’s how close it was.”
Gabe remembered back to that night he had arrived at the manor. Glancing over at Sophie, he could almost envision her back on the side of the road, battling those demons to save his life. These people had tried to protect him and nurture him, but all he seemed to focus on were the things that annoyed him.
“You’re right,” Gabe whispered, relenting his anger. “I just want to know how to fix Sophie,” Gabe demanded.
Michael looked down at his clasped hands. “Uri and I were discussing that before we heard the commotion in the hall. I’m afraid it’s not going to be easy.”
“Nothing ever is in this place,” Gabe muttered.
“Honestly, Gabe, I need you for our plan to work,” Michael said.
“Of course!” Gabe quickly replied.
“Well, I can’t depend on you until we fix whatever’s going on between us.”
“What?”
“It’s clear there’s tensi
on between us. Uri has expressed to me some of the frustrations you have been feeling. Unless you can trust me completely, the plan we have will not work.”
“I’ll be fine,” Gabe dismissed, trying to reassure Michael.
“I am not taking that for an answer, Gabe. We need to have this talk. You have a problem with me. We need to discuss it.”
“You really want to do this?” Gabe asked, cautiously.
With a nod from Michael, Gabe continued, “I felt hurt when you brought me here and made all these promises of it being like a family. Then as soon as I move in, you checked out. I barely saw you this summer. Then there’s the entire situation with Baal.”
“What do you mean?” Michael inquired, sincerely concerned.
“One of the most powerful demons manages to get in my head. I tell you all. Everyone flips out and then nothing. Not another word is said about it to me. Sometimes I feel like I am a sitting duck. Nobody in power here seems to give a crap.”
“Gabe, just because we don’t tell you everything doesn’t mean the problem isn’t being addressed,” Michael explained reassuringly.
“Don’t you think I should know what’s going on? I survived a long time without you,” Gabe argued.
“We don’t tell you what’s going on for your own protection.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? How can that possibly benefit me?”
“One of the abilities a Guardian has that comes with age is to lock your mind. A lot of demons, especially trackers or a demon with the age and experience of Baal, can get into your head. They can catch glimpses of what you see. It was clear that Baal had found a path into your mind. The more you knew of our plans, the more Baal would know. That’s why we kept you in the dark and why I avoided you,” Michael further explained, sympathy filling his voice.
“Well, that still doesn’t explain why you have been so hard on me!”
“I know I've been hard, but it was for your protection as well, Gabe.”
“How about my tests? Everyone thinks I did a great job, except you,” Gabe argued. “I don’t see how cutting me down on my performance is a way to protect me.”
“I had to do that. The only way we can keep Baal from entering your mind is if you’re here, on the grounds. Our clerics have been casting constant protection spells to strengthen the barrier. Sometimes I fear even that’s not enough. If you were on field assignments there’s no way we could keep you safe.”
