by Hannah Wick
He grabbed my shoulders and shook me, rattling my brain inside my skull, and still I couldn’t speak, couldn’t scream, couldn’t even move.
Footsteps pounded across the floor.
“What are you doing to her?” a voice shouted. Cassandra’s voice. She shoved Devron aside and leaned over me.
“Kiera?”
I could sense her using her powers, searching for my aura. Whatever she found, or didn’t find, drained the colour from her face.
“I found her like this,” Devron said. “She won’t snap out of it! What’s wrong with her?”
Cassandra shook her head. “She’s been drained.” She leaned her ear close to my mouth. “She’s hardly breathing. We need to get her to the medical ward right now, or she’s not going to make it.” She rushed to the door, panting. “Rose!” she shouted. “Come and give me a hand!”
It didn’t take long for Rose to run over. She looked down at me, swallowing hard. “Shit! Not again!”
Panic churned in my stomach. I couldn’t die, I had my whole life ahead of me. I wanted to live, I needed to live.
Arms slipped under me – Devron’s, I thought – and he held me close as he hurried me through the building. Weakness swept over me, and my eyelids slid closed.
As I began to drift into nothingness, I could hear a voice calling out. It sounded familiar, and cold.
“Danny! I’m coming…”
Chapter Twelve
I was laid on the bed, unable to move. My limbs felt like they were weighed down, and even my eyelids were too heavy for me to open. Time passed, but I had no way to tell how much. Maybe I slept, maybe I didn’t. Periodically, light would assault me, scorching my retinas as a healer pulled up my eyelids, then the blissful darkness would return and she would announce that my pupils were reactive to whoever was there, or whoever cared.
And nothing changed. I remained trapped in this state, helpless, near death, frustration burning me alive from the inside.
But I fought. I fought harder than I’d ever fought anything in my life.
Start with something small. I just need to open my eyes. It wasn’t like I hadn’t done it a million times before. I woke up every day… until now. Just open my eyes, and then move on to moving the rest of me. Still nothing. Come on! Panic welled up in me and I tried to battle it back down with grim determination. I cannot spend my life in a coma. I won’t. I simply won’t. Whatever it took, I was going to wake my arse up. I had a life to live. I finally had friends. I had a family. A horrible thought dawned on me. Vicky was still sick. Was I ever going to see her again? I was supposed to help her. I have to wake up – she needs me!
I tried to find some strength, summon everything I had. I couldn’t die without trying to help her. I just need to wake up and open my eyes; and I don’t care if Sally’s is the first face I see! I still couldn’t move. I couldn’t even get my eyes to flicker. Fear gripped me, and I began to wonder if I would even survive the night, as my life slipped away. At least give me a chance to say goodbye! I wanted to cry. I really did, but even that was out of my control.
I heard the door open, and the familiar footsteps of one of the healers. The faint smell of lavender lingered in the air as she passed me. She stopped a little to my right, and there was a creak. A soft breeze blew across my cheek. A window. She’d opened a window. Good. If I could feel the breeze, and hear the healer, I was still here. Still alive.
A pair of fingers pressed lightly to the inside of my wrist, then withdrew.
“Her pulse is still strong. But her aura is no better.”
That’s because I’m not dead. Yet.
More silent hours passed, and I began to think about all the things I had wanted to do. I missed talking to my friends, hell, I even missed talking to the lecturers. I’d never be able to stand in the snow. I wouldn’t have kids, or get married. I didn’t even get the chance to find true love. My whole life had been taken. I’ve lost everything.
The door swung open with a soft creak, and a loud bang. Feet pounded across the floor, more urgent and frenzied than the soft steps of the healers.
“We found her in the library,” a voice exclaimed, frantically. It was Cassandra. “This was hidden behind the books.”
Something was hidden? My gut twisted into a knot, fearing what they might have discovered.
The healer thanked them. “I’ll go and get the potion.”
It must have been another amulet – why else would they need the potion? I wished I knew who they were talking about. If only I could wake up, I could help. I could do… something. But instead, I was forced to watch from the sidelines. No, not even watch. Listen. Trapped inside a sleeping body.
One of the sets of feet came my way. I recognised the slight scuff of each step. Cassandra. She stopped beside my bed.
“Please, Healer Alice. How is Kiera doing?”
Oh, I’m great, I wanted to reply.
“No change, I’m afraid.”
A hand – Cassandra’s, I was sure – brushed my hair from my face. I heard her sharp intake of breath, and her fingers ran lightly over the silver chain hanging around my neck… moving towards the stone.
Stop! I tried to shout, to thrash, to pull away from her, but my body refused to obey. If she touched the stone, it would drain her.
Abruptly, she jerked her hand away.
“Healer Alice?” she said, her voice uncertain.
“Just a moment,” the healer replied, from across the room, and then, “Open her mouth. Here, drink this.”
I heard coughing, and then someone gasp.
“Rose? Rose, can you hear me?” It was Sally’s voice this time.
“Yes.” Rose’s voice was weak – it must have been her who was drained in the library. She must have been looking for more books on the vampire stone. Which, given what had just happened, might not have been such a bad idea.
“You’re going to be fine. Just take it easy. No, don’t try to get up yet. That’s it, lie back, and try to have some water. I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
“Thank you.”
Footsteps came my way, and I heard movement above me.
“What was it you wanted, dear?” the healer asked Cassandra.
“This necklace,” she said. “I don’t recognise it.”
“It’s not hers?” The healer’s voice, which had been weary, sharpened. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“Step back. I’ll be right back. Do not touch her until I return.”
In the sudden silence, I could make out hushed voices across the room.
“Why were you in the library?” Sally was saying. “Why don’t you hang out with me anymore.”
“I had to help,” Rose said weakly. “Kiera and Cass saved you. Then Cass got sick, so I helped Kiera… something has been happening to the students.”
“What are you talking about?” There was a pause. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I won’t be here for much longer. I’ve been meaning to tell you. I’m moving away.”
“Moving? Where to?”
Sally’s voice wobbled; it sounded like she was about to cry. “Dubai.”
“Dubai?” Rose sounded aghast. “Will you be coming back for school?”
“No,” Sally whimpered in a small voice.
“So, this is our last year together?”
“I’m afraid so. This is why I’m so upset about you not spending time with me. I’m going to be leaving everyone behind, and I don’t want to go!”
Footsteps hurried across the room, covering the whispers of their conversation.
“Right,” the healer said, standing above me. “Stay back, please. I’m going to remove the necklace. It’s very important you don’t try to touch it or her while I do this, or it could be dangerous. Is that clear? Good.”
I felt someone lift the necklace; thick gloves brushed my skin. Enchanted, I was sure. Good. I didn’t need the healer getting drained. There was a quiet click as she undid the clasp, and
then pulled it. She grunted and tugged harder; it was like the necklace was fighting her, like it didn’t want to release me from its thrall. The pressure increased, and then it was gone.
“There!” the healer announced, panting with exertion. “It’s definitely spelled. I’ll fetch some more potion, but don’t expect an instant result – she’s been under its influence for a long time. It’s best to let her rest for now. You can come back later.”
“Okay,” Cassandra said meekly. “But you’ll let me know if anything changes?”
“Of course. Off you go now, get yourself a decent meal.”
More time passed, though how much was impossible to say. The healer tilted my head and poured small sips of potion down my throat, each trickle burning its way down, and then I was alone again. Now that the terror of being left like this forever – however long forever might have been for me – was gone, I felt exhausted, but desperate to finally wake. If I could just open my eyes, just know that it had worked, then I could rest peacefully.
My eyelid twitched.
It was working!
I used all the strength I could summon, and slowly, my eyes began to open. The darkness lightened, greeting me with a colourful blurred vision of the surrounding room. I focused my eyes, blinking until my vision cleared. Then I focused my attention on the rest of my body, starting with my fingers and toes. Bit by bit, I began to move. My throat burned with dryness. I had no way of knowing how long I’d been out, but it felt like a long time.
“Hey,” I called out. My voice was hoarse and barely a whisper. “Anyone? Can someone bring me some water?”
I called out again, but no one came. No one could hear me. I wasn’t strong enough to sit myself up. With a soft groan, I looked towards the door. The light in the hallway was on. I couldn’t tell what time it was. As I turned away, trying to make myself more comfortable, something moved at the corner of my eye, as a shadow slipped open the door. What was that? I knew I’d seen it before.
There was a voice in the next room. I strained my ears; it was Danny. I tried calling out again, but my voice wasn’t loud or strong enough. I rasped out a cry, “Dan… Danny!” Please hear me.
His voice echoed in the hall. “I need some amulets. It’s an emergency.”
“Whatever do you need the amulets for?” one of the healers demanded, creaking the door again as they entered the room.
“It’s my father, he’s back!” There was no mistaking the panic in his voice. “Please, I don’t know any other way to stop a malicious spirit.”
“Malicious spirits are rare. Are you sure that’s what it is?”
“Of course I am. It looks like a shadow. And…” He drew in a sharp breath, and let it out in a huff. “And I’ve heard him.”
I gasped. So, I wasn’t seeing things after all. I really did see a shadow. I frowned, I was sure there was something else. It took a few moments, and the realisation hit me. The voice! The voice called for Danny. It must have been his father’s ghost! I closed my eyes tight. I had to be heard.
“Danny!”
The conversation stopped. They heard me! I called out again, louder. “Danny!”
Within moments, they were by my side, and the healer passed me a glass of water. I took a few gulps before groggily trying to sit myself up. It took them both to help, but once I wasn’t laying so flat, I turned to the healer.
“Give him the amulets,” I told her. “He’s telling the truth.”
“How could you possibly know that?” she frowned. “You’ve been in a coma.”
I nodded, still feeling weak. “I saw it. I’ve been seeing the shadow for a few days now. Or…” I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. “Or before I fell into the coma, whatever. And I heard his voice, calling for Danny, right before it happened. He’s telling the truth.”
“There are no guarantees they will even help,” she said. “Like I said, it’s rare. They may not do anything.”
She was right, of course. “They won’t do much to the ghost, but they’d protect Danny from its influence.” I took another sip of water. “As soon as I have my strength back, I’ll go to the library. There’s a spell, I can help him with it.”
“Very well. But he’ll have to make do without you – you’re not going anywhere for a while. I’ll fetch you the amulets.”
Danny thanked her, and turned to me with a nod. I gave him a brief smile before he hurried out after the healer.
I hoped the spell worked. The academy was in enough trouble as it was. A malicious spirit we did not need.
Chapter Thirteen
Hours passed without anyone coming to check on me. I laid on my back, irritated. Had they forgotten me so soon? Just as I was trying to dredge up the energy to get out of bed and get the healers myself, the healer walked through the door. She halted, looking straight at me.
“Uh, hi.” I leaned back, trying not to look like I’d been about to get out of bed. “I don’t suppose I can have some water?”
She smiled. “I’ll see what I can do – if you promise not to try to get out of that bed.”
Oops, totally busted.
“Thanks. I promise.”
“Are you up to talking? We need to know how you got the necklace.”
“I don’t know where it came from. I found it under my pillow.”
“You didn’t see anyone, or hear anything?”
“From what I heard, I am guessing that the necklace on my bed wasn’t from a friend.”
“No. They’ve been trying to find out who it was. Your friends, Cass and Rose, have been worried sick.”
The doors burst open as if on cue, and Cassandra rushed in. “Kiera, you’re all right! I am so relieved. How do you feel?” She crushed me in a hug and I tried not to wince. Everything ached. It was probably for the best I hadn’t made it out of bed, it would have been embarrassing if the healers had had to scrape me up off the ground.
“I’m feeling better, thanks,” I said when I could breathe again. “How’s Rose?”
“How did you know about her?”
“I could hear everything that was going on. It’s been torture not being able to say or do anything. I was trapped inside my body.”
“Kiera, you were in a coma.”
“No. I was locked in. I don’t think coma patients are aware of what’s going on.” I wasn’t certain, but it had felt… different to what I’d heard about comas. “Well, either way, it was the worst week’s sleep I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. It’s a lot less peaceful than it looks.” I tried to make light of it, hoping it didn’t sound as forced to their ears as it did to mine.
“It’s not funny,” Cassandra scowled. “You were pale, barely breathing and your aura was almost completely gone. None of us thought you would make it. Even with the potion, it was useless. It wasn’t until we got that necklace off that you started improving. Kiera, we really thought you were done for.”
I had tried so hard to fit in, and now, someone almost robbed me of my life altogether. I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that’s how bad I looked. It just felt like I was too weak to open my eyes. But I could hear everything.”
The healer stepped in. “It gets worse.”
Worse? I tried to keep a straight face, but inside, my frustration turned to dread.
“What could be worse?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“There’s talk about closing the academy.”
She was right. That was worse, and I definitely didn’t want to hear it.
“You have got to be kidding,” I looked at the healer’s steely gaze. It was no joke. I swallowed hard, feeling my anger bubble to the surface. I’d had enough. People were close to losing their lives, and I had almost lost mine. And for what? I wasn’t going to stand by and have everyone be pulled out of the academy and let the criminal go free.
Lightning flashed outside, illuminating the gardens, and thunder exploded through the air. Car alarms in the street outside started beepi
ng. I was too angry to be startled.
“I see,” I said. “Where is Devron? He tried to say sorry when I...”
They shook their heads. “No one has seen him since this morning.”
“Oh,” I whispered, feeling a little disappointed.
“He’s the one who told me you were in trouble,” Cassandra said.
“Did he see anyone in the hallway?”
“No, he just said he was trying to snap you out of your daze.”
“Yeah… it’s a good thing he came when he did.”
I shoved the bed covers aside and glanced around for my clothes.
“I don’t think you should be going anywhere yet,” the healer said. “You’re still much too weak.”
“I’ll be a lot weaker if someone comes back to finish the job.”
“I assure you–”
“I’m leaving,” I cut across the healer, more abruptly than I knew was polite. “You can’t keep me here.”
“Kiera!” Cassandra gasped, but the healer just shook her head.
“Just promise me you’ll come back if you start to feel ill.”
“I will,” I promised, half meaning it as I dragged on my clothes. We left the room with Cassandra hovering by my side like she was waiting for me to collapse in a heap, though I managed to stay up right, which was just as well, or the healers would probably tie me to the bed.
We found Devron sitting in the library, his nose buried in a spells book, Lifeline.
“Hey, you’re okay,” he said, looking up from his book. “Thank goodness. What happened?”
“Someone was trying to kill me,” I said. “Did you see anyone lurking in the hallway?”
“What? Kill you? No, I didn’t see anyone, I swear.” He shook his head. “Are you all right now?”
“I’m not gonna lie, I feel awful. But I can’t lay back and wait to see if they try again.”
He turned towards Cassandra, who was watching him closely.
“I didn’t see anyone, I promise,” he replied soberly.
“I believe you.” She frowned, tilting her head to get a better look of the book in his hands. “Why are you reading a book called Lifeline?”
