Evanescence (Black Rose #1)

by R. J. Rogue

  "Care to try again?" he smiles.

  "Uhhh, yes."

  He motions his hand for me to try again. More force, Evan. It was weak. He didn't even budge. Okay. Here we go.

  I try again. Nothing. I back off.

  "I don't understand," I say.

  "Because you aren't fully vampire, you can't assume that everything you do will be vampire."

  I was doing just fine a minute ago climbing the mansion and jumping from the bell. Had I known an off-period can occur at any time, I'm pretty sure I would not have taken neither of those life threatening risks. I'd be spaghetti or a smashed watermelon.

  "Your body is still adjusting, but I shall teach you how to trick it with your mind."

  "I kind of taught him," Bianca says.

  Father smiles and slightly bows.

  "Well, thank you, dear."

  He turns back to me and clears his throat.

  "This time Evan, I want you to focus more, but not on putting me through this brick wall. Focus on a time when you felt endangered. Now, careful I tell you," he lifts a finger. "Anger is inevitable; however, do not allow anger to provoke careless action. Allow the essence of your soul to find peace within yourself. Only then will you know how to bring out the better, stronger, you."

  "But what if I can't and won't learn how to do any of this?"

  "You can do it, Evan," Essence says. Everyone looks over at her and smiles. "I believe in you."

  "I'll try," I say returning a smile.

  I nod and position myself for another try. I remember when I first ran into uncle Abel. He had frightened me. Moving about from tree to tree. I remember breaking my wrist, running through the rain and how cold it was. Then knocked unconscious from smacking into a tree.

  My fingers begin to tingle and I feel strong. The mint smell of the rainforest fills my nostrils and water continues to crash against the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. I can do this, I tell myself. My father smiles as I shift of my weight back, and focus on his midsection.

  I pushed him and I pushed hard. The blow echoes in my ears as I watch his body leave the ground beneath him, his arms and legs throw forward, and his torso cave in. When his body connects with the wall behind him, it cracks as loud as thunder. I had imagined it to be painful, however, father has yet stopped smiling.

  The wall bursts into pieces and he tumbles and plows across the ground, then, gracefully, catches his weight on his feet, his staff, beneath his hands once again as though nothing happened at all. It worked. I brought the vampire out of me. Everyone claps and cheers, except Cedric of course.

  "Bravo, Evan!" my father, Kaius, exclaims as he claps then outstretches his arms. "Now, how did that feel?"

  I smile much greater than anticipated.

  "It felt similar to when I was angry at the bully in school yet different. Even different from when Bianca had helped me tap into myself when I climbed the mansion. Similar, but different." I respond.

  "Different than before, yes," he agrees. "That is because, instead of anger, or any emotion that stems from it, we used a substitute. Self- awareness; acceptance. Recognizing that we have to address the issue before us and instead of running from our problem, fix it. We can choose to act, just as you did, or do nothing, and be consumed by fate. Do you want everything in your life in the hands of fate? Or would you rather have more control over your life?"

  "More control," I answer.

  "I thought so," he says nodding.

  He dusts himself off and clears his throat.

  "Now," he says. "Are you ready to continue?"

  "I am."

  "Splendid!"

  Father flicks his wrist, and like magic, an apple appears in his hand. He holds it up for all to see.

  "Now, we are going to test your sense of sight," he says. "This here, is an apple."

  As I can see.

  Mike snickers and Bianca nudges him again. I'm pretty sure he was thinking the same thing I was, so I smile inside.

  "Okay," I listen on trying not to think of eating it.

  "I am going to drop this apple and I want you to get it," he says.

  "That won't be too hard," I respond.

  "You got this, Ev!" Mike calls still laughing a bit. Bianca hits him again, but he ignores. "You got this."

  "Come," father says walking me to the cliff. He places his hand on my back and leads me to the edge. We overlook The Mohawk River Valley. It is beautiful as always. Trees encompass the perimeter of the large ocean of water, the gray clouds are calm, and birds flutter from across the river and throughout the valley.

  "You see the water below?"

  I look down at the water crashing against the wall of the cliff.

  "Yes."

  "Good. Now find the apple."

  He lets go of the apple and it falls through the sky until it disappears from view.

  "How am I supposed to--?"

  Father shoves me over the edge and I flip and plummet through the sky. Okay, you can do this! However, such confidence has not stopped me from yelling, and partially, suffocating on the rush of air. I readjust myself to the fall, straight as a pencil, and take the deepest breath I can. Okay, here we go.

  I throw my arms above my head and water engulfs my surroundings. The water is freezing, my ears are plugged, and my body sways like a falling feather, as I sink. I hold my breath, kick the water beneath me, and swim to the surface. I can barely see my father on the cliff, and the rest of the family joins him looking down at me. I wipe the water from my face and inhale as much oxygen as I can. I dive below and sound muffles. How can I find an apple in this water that is so dark? This is impossible.

  I continue to swim, arms thrusting and legs kicking as I head for the bottom. The temperature of the water feels as though it is dropping by the second. My face is numb, I think my ears are bleeding by now, but I must continue. I can't give up.

  Where are you? I think to myself. Oh no. My chest tightens and my muscles begin to submit. I need air. I can't be anywhere close to the bottom of the river which is where I suspect the apple to be by now. I have to go back up.

  I adjust my swim back towards the surface. I have to hurry. I reach frantically through the water kicking harder, trying to hold my breath as best and as long as I can. Water fills my nostrils, my eyes begin to burn, and the cold is unbearable. Before my lungs burst, I emerge from the surface. I throw my head back, coughing and gasping for air. The worst is over. I cough up what is left of the water and look to the top of the cliff.

  "I can't find it!" I yell, exposing my failure.

  Someone jumps from the cliff. The body dives into the water like a bullet, but smooth and fluid. A few moments go by and Bianca springs from the surface like a dolphin. She swims towards me.

  "Looking for this?" she says as she smiles and holds up the apple. "I'll lead you back up, Evan. We can try again."

  When Bianca and I get back up to the cliff, everyone awaits with towels. I hug my goosebump-covered skin and my clothes are wet and heavy.

  "Evan, come," Kaius calls holding a hand out to me.

  "I'm freezing," I say. "I can't do it."

  "You must remember what I told you before. You know you can withstand the cold if you really wanted to, Evan and barely have to hold your breath."

  Bianca nods and lightly shoves me to try again.

  "Alright," I say, trying to keep my teeth from chattering. Bianca hands Kaius the apple then joins the others on the side.

  "Let's try this again only this time, we'll take the advice I've given, hmm?"

  I don't want to, but I have to. I have to learn how to be what I am. I can't give up. No matter how hard it is. I come from an amazing history. This is in my blood. I am meant for this. If I want to make everyone proud, I'm going to have to try harder no matter how many times I may fail. That's how lessons are learned, and greatness is born.

  "I'm ready," I say.

  He smiles.

  "Now," he says holding the apple up to me. "This time, Evan, this i
s not an apple. This is something much more important to you. This is something you cherish with your life. Save it. There is no other option.”

  I nod my head.

  "Got it."

  My father holds the apple over the edge of the cliff. He nods, then lets go of the apple. Without hesitation, I immediately jump after the apple and watch as it spins and descends through the air. I hold a hand in front of me, ready to grab it when I catch up. And then I see her. The apple of my eye. Essence. Just as she was in my dream.

  Adrenaline fills my body and boils my blood. Essence is in trouble and I must save her. Thunder rumbles and rain begins to pour. My heart tries to creep into my throat, but I ignore the doubt that tries to distract me. As we plummet through the raining sky to the ocean below, I extend my arm and hand to Essence. She is unconscious, but I will catch her. I will save her.

  Essence breaks through the surface of the water, and I am right behind her. As I continue to dive to the bottom, she is gone. I kick and swim, deeper and deeper, ignoring the cold, ignoring the need for air, and ignoring the will to live.

  The apple is gone. Images of Essence trying to breathe begin to plague inside of my mind. I have to find her. I have to find her or she will die.

  I swim as fast as a bullet, and there she lays, on the ocean floor, still and cold. My heart pounds against my chest as I swim to her and bring her into my arms. I sit on the river’s floor, close my eyes, and kiss her forehead. I throw her over my shoulders holding her legs and squat to gather strength. With one push off the floor of the river, we rocket to surface. The water flies behind us like a speedboat and the light from the surface begins to shine around us. Just a bit further. Just a bit further, I tell myself.

  With a few more kicks, I emerge from the surface holding the apple high above me.

  "YES!"

  I saved Essence, the apple. I succeeded.

  I splash the water with my hand and look up the cliff. They watch from above, as I swim to the rocks, and stuff the apple into my pocket which forms a huge ball, and begin to climb, one hand after another, one step after another. My hand reaches over the top and my family was there to congratulate and pull me up.

  "Jeez, you're freezing!" Sarah says as she hugs me. "Great job! I'm proud of you."

  "Thank you," I smile and wipe the water from my face.

  "Son, you have made me proud," my mother says bowing her head.

  "Ev, man, that was awesome!" Mike says handing me a towel. "I think you were faster than me! I knew you could do it!"

  "Uh huh, sure you did," Bianca says shaking her head. "Great job brother."

  "Great job indeed, Evan!" Abel agrees.

  My father joins us and places his hands on my shoulders.

  "A job well done. You'll make quite the vampire, Evan."

  "Thanks," I smile.

  I try to bite the apple, but unable to puncture its surface. It pops open and inside is a weight.

  My father laughs.

  "That was to keep it from floating, Evan."

  "Oh," I chuckle. "Right. Of course."

  "Are you ready for your next lesson?"

  "I'm sure I can manage."

  "Great. We're going to test your climbing and agility. You've done this one quite a few times, but I'm going to make it a bit more of a challenge."

  "I'm ready for it."

  He looks up to the mansion and we all follow his eyes.

  "I want you to grab that pole and bring it to me."

  I stare at the silver pole that stands above the bell. I think the best way to do it is the way in which I am used to. I will climb the pillar walls, make it window to window, grab hold of the lip of the bell, and pull myself over. The pole will be right there in front of me. Not too difficult actually.

  "--Without touching the bell."

  I turn to him with raised eyebrows.

  "Wi--without touching the bell?"

  "Go on. Try," he says inching me over to the mansion with a hand.

  I stand at the bottom of the mansion and look up. Much taller than when I first climbed because Bianca and I were up a floor already, which made it a bit easier. I can't stop now. I believe in myself and must continue.

  I exhale deeply and brush my palms against my pants. Either they are still damp from the water and drizzle of rain, or it’s sweat. I place my hands and feet on a few rocks and try to climb. After a few feet, I lose grip and slide back down to the ground. I look over my shoulder at my family who watches quietly. My father holds his grin and I decide to try again.

  I have to discipline myself. My father will not always be there at times like this to coach me along the way. I have to get this down on my own. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, tune out my surroundings, and focus on breathing. Maybe if I approached my situations while in a brief meditative state, I can focus more.

  My best friend Mike, I was starting to think was either lost or dead. I had forced myself to believe otherwise. That he was alive and well. His family. All of them were afraid. I was afraid. I can't imagine a world without my best friend, and for weeks, I was forced to experience what that would feel like. Unbearable.

  I open my eyes and grab onto the rocky walls of the mansion. My feet leave the ground and soon, I am coasting up the mansion wall, grabbing one window, climbing to the next, then grabbing hold of another. A sound from below catches my attention. I look over my shoulder. The ground is far below, but just beneath me--.

  "Mike? What are you doing?" I call down to him.

  "Kaius upped the standards a bit," he responds climbing the mansion. "Since you're making it look too easy," Mike continues to climb and grunts a bit. "You have to get the pole before I do."

  "But I never beat you at anything?" I say.

  "HAHAHA!" He laughs hysterically, and his voice gets high pitched. "I knowww!"

  Mike is crazy. Apart from trying not to laugh, I try to move faster. He's gaining on me. Mike has always been much more athletic than I am. I can't let him win. I have to not only prove to myself that I can do this, but also prove to myself that I can beat Mike sometimes as well. Here is my chance.

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Secrets

  The wind gusts against us, but we manage to stay against the mansion's walls. I take a brief moment to look back. Where is he? Mike. I search for him, but nothing.

  "Better hurry, Evan," I hear him say.

  He climbs up one of the pillars of the mansion's corners. The bell is centered in the middle of the mansion.

  The bell hangs by metal prongs that come from the four pillar-towers of the mansion. I leap for a pillar and almost lose my grip. My body suspends from the wall by one hand and my feet kick to find balance. Don't fall. Don't fall. Don’t fall. I regain control, hug the pillar, and climb to its top. Mike stands above his pillar and sizes up the bell, the pole standing, centered above it.

  I struggle to stand to my feet, but manage, and look across at Mike. He grins and I know he is about to jump for the pole.

  "Sorry, Ev. I'm taking this one."

  Mike leaps from his pillar. I turn back to the pole, but Essence is there holding her arms out to me. No, Mike. I am.

  I take a leap of faith, rising above the lip of the bell. Mike extends his hand to grab the pole, still holding onto his confident grin. I extend my arm for it the pole, but my heart sinks. He's going to make it before I do.

  Mike grabs the pole, but then we collide in the air. The pole fumbles, and we fall into the sky, plummeting after it. It flips and descends to the water below. I adjust my body into a dive. Mike trails behind me.

  "It's mine, Evan!" he yells.

  "Not this time, Mike!" I yell back to him.

  "We'll see about that!"

  I extend an arm out for the pole. It continues to cartwheel in the air. Mike hovers above my back, slowly taking the lead. He extends his arm above mine as he then passes in front of me. No! No! I can't let him win. I can't always fall short of Mike all the time. I was born a vampire. He was bitten. I am supposed to win!r />
  Mike falls closer to the pole and his body falls in front of me. I have to do something. Think! I grab hold of his ankle, pull as hard as I can, and flip above him, taking the lead

  "Evan!" he yells. I place my foot on his shoulder, kick for a boost, and straighten my body into a dive.

  Got it!

  We fall into the river. I keep my grip on the pole. I swim to the surface and look around.

  "Mike?" I call out. Nothing.

  "Mike!" I call again.

  He bursts from the surface of the water.

  "You still have to give it to Kaius!"

  I jump out of my skin and begin to swim for the cliff. Mike is on my heels.

  "Give it, Evan!"

  "Come get it!"

  I grab hold of the cliff, place the pole into my pants belt holder, and begin to climb as fast as I can. Mike follows behind monstrously, anxiously trying to grab hold of my ankle, yet missing. He reaches and reaches and almost grabs hold. I leap for another grip on the cliff hoping that would grow the distance between us. I slip from the cliff, the pole drops from my hip, but I manage to catch it by its end.

  Uh oh!

  Mike leaps towards me, with his arms out and wide open. I quickly climb out of the way, avoiding the tackle. The edge of the cliff is just above, but Mike is nowhere in sight again. Perhaps he called it quits? I reach for the top of the cliff and grip it with one hand. I look back. Then reach over with my other and begin to pull myself up.

  "Evan!" I hear him yell. Mike is in the air with his arms spread once again for a tackle. I pull with all my force and roll over the edge of the cliff. Mike grabs hold of the edge, tries to find his grip to keep himself from falling.

  "Ev," he says. "Could use a hand here."

  "Oh?" I say. "You look like you're doing just fine."

  "Oh, come on," he says. He holds a hand out. "I'm your best friend."

  I sigh and walk over. He smiles, and keeps his hand up to me. I smile back, but not for reasons he believes. I crouch down to him and kiss the pole.

  "I win." I say.

  Mike drops his forehead to the ground. He then looks up and glares at me through his eyebrows.

  "That's cold-blooded, man," he says.