by Casey Herzog
“You are essentially asking these people to commit suicide. What makes you think they will follow you without taking a step back? Speaking as the devil’s advocate, sometimes you need to think about how far to push people. There’s only so much someone can take before they crack under the pressure. The more people who know your plan the higher the likelihood it will be discovered. Blind ambition is one thing, but blind trust will be your undoing.”
William was saying the things I had already been thinking. There was no chance with just me leading the charge.
“I have to believe people are tired of the way they have been treated. We let this happen. We were foolish, which led to giving the Elders power. They weren’t exactly shy about using it and abusing it. We are only as strong as our weakest link. We have to be sure about who we take into our confidence because I have no doubt the Elders are using those easily intimidated to do their bidding.” William was making me think that I should take time before pursuing this course of action.
“It’s the hunter that makes expedience necessary. They found a way to fight fire with fire, and we need to do the same thing. We lay out the facts using logic to prevent them from making holes in my plan. The one thing missing is Damien. He’s a brave kid with an old soul. He fights with the realization that it’s never going to be enough. He needs me to pull him out of wherever he’s at before it’s too late.” The hunter was breathing down my neck, and I could practically feel his hot breath.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve grown fond of Damien, but I’ve also grown fond of breathing. I’m not going to stop you, and it’s not like I could even if I wanted to. I just wish I could believe we had good things coming our way. It just seems out of reach, and it doesn’t feel very good. We are on the losing end of this battle.”
I felt the same way William did, but I wasn’t going to allow that to stop me. “The world is changing, and we either prepare for that eventuality or stay stagnant with no way to fight back. They control how we live our lives, and I am through playing by their rules. They think that with intimidation automatically comes obedience. I don’t want to be treated like a pet. These rules have gotten out of hand, and something has to be done sooner than later.” I was trying to get through to William and I could practically see the gears in his head going around and around.
I took his hand, and he looked down at me with his mouth open in absolute shock I would take initiative. I grazed his palm with my fingertips until I was gliding my fingers in between his. I brought it up to my mouth and I kissed the exposed flesh, his eyes wide with the implications of what I was doing. I put my other hand on his chest, letting him know it was time to follow his heart.
“I can never say no to you, but there’s something you need to know. I haven’t been completely honest, and you deserve to know the truth. I don’t want you to look at me any differently, but it’s entirely up to you.”
I could only hope that his declaration was not going to tear apart what we had together. It was still in its infancy, and there was still a lot for us to discover about one another.
“You can say anything to me and we can deal with whatever it is together. I want you to treat this place like a safe haven. Nothing can get to you in here. It doesn’t matter how much the Elders, the Guardians, and Mr. Black would like to believe otherwise."
His heart was beating heavily inside his chest and he was breathing deeply like he had run a marathon. “A few years ago, I was diagnosed with an unknown illness. I need to sit down before I continue. I can’t believe it has come to this. I thought it was going to be so simple, but it got complicated in a hurry. I’ve known about your infatuation for quite some time.”
His words had a hint of betrayal. It made me feel like we were working against each other, that somehow we were at odds with one another without me even realizing it. I had let the enemy inside the inner circle, but I wasn’t the only one to blame. There was enough of that to go around.
“I’m not sure I want to hear this. I was worried, but I tried to quell the unnecessary voice in my head. Are you saying I have a reason to doubt your sincerity?” I was wondering what to do and how it was possible I could only think of him at a time like this. He was suffering some kind of indignity and was ready to unveil his true purpose. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt, or I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror again.
“I will get back to that in time. There’s a back-story you need to know before anything else. My life has not been my own since the moment I was diagnosed. My parents invested their time and effort to find a cure without any luck. I was deteriorating, my body shutting down with no hope on the horizon.”
I could tell this was hard for him to say out loud. I wanted to comfort him in his hour of need, but he had not said anything to give me a reason to trust him. “Let’s be sure of one thing before you say what you’re going to say. I want to be perfectly clear without any miscommunication. I’m doing what I can to stay strong, but I get the feeling I’m going to want to wrap my hands around your throat.” I didn’t mean to lose my composure, but my feelings for him were genuine.
“I wasn’t expecting to have feelings for you. I thought I could string you along until I was able to take something to them they could use. They know about the school.”
That was a cold slap in my face and one that had me stumbling backward. I was barely able to keep my balance. “How is that possible? If they knew, then why haven’t they stormed the castle? You’re the one that told them.” I tried to keep a straight face, but my mind was whirling with the possibility I was kissing the enemy.
“They do know about the school, but there’s no way for them to access it. I have been their eyes and ears. I do it for the selfish reason of wanting to live. The Elders came to me when I was at death’s door with the grim reaper knocking quite loudly. I had nothing but contempt for them, but they offered me something of a lifeline.”
I wasn’t expecting William to be a Trojan horse. He had fooled me and everybody else into thinking he was on our side. “I’m trying hard to understand, and it’s not easy with red-hot rage burning in my veins. You’re very lucky I haven’t unleashed the full potential of the magic eyes on you. It’s taking everything in me not to show you the full force.”
He was showing a bravery rarely ever been seen. “They had a cure, but it meant treatment every couple of months, which was going to cost more than my parents could afford. I’m sure they would be ashamed of me, but I decided at the last minute to take their deal. I
I don’t know how they learned of my connection to the scruffs, and I felt bad for ratting them out one at a time, but I didn’t have a choice. Without treatment, I was going to die. I just couldn’t make the ultimate sacrifice. What would you have done in my shoes? Anyone in the community would have done the same thing with some notable exceptions, like your father.” He had strong will and it made him an example to live by. I will never forget what he and his daughter did for me.” He was causing me to feel pity for him.
“I see where you’re coming from, but that doesn’t make me feel any better about you. I want to tell you to leave and never look back, but I think we can use this. If you were to give them misinformation, then we might be able to catch them off guard.” I was putting together something more than a surprise attack. With his help, I would be able to find their weakness and destroy them from the inside out. The only sticking point was that William would die without treatment.
“I have decided my life is not worth betraying my friends. I haven’t been able to sleep and need pharmaceutical aid to get any kind of rest. I hope what you have in mind will finally put an end to all of this. It’s a good thing you didn’t mention the weapon. I don’t want that information in case it falls into enemy hands. I’m not in control when I’m around them. Whatever I know by spying is pulled out of my mouth without any will to fight back.” He was in a tough spot, and it hurt me terribly to see him dying for the cause.
“I’m sure you n
ever thought about this, but it’s possible the Elders orchestrated this whole thing. Don’t you find it coincidental that this disease only affected you? They used a dangling carrot to get you to cooperate. I can’t take you with me, but I’m going to tell you what you need to do. You’re going to find redemption in my.” I told him what he needed to know, and what the Elders would get from him whether he wanted to give it to them or not. I wasn’t even sure how I was going to continue without him by my side.
“I need to apologize profusely for my role in all of this. Your father might be alive had it not been for me. I can’t say positively that his death happened because of anything I did. It hurts me to think of the pain I caused you. I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to end things before they begin, but I find myself wondering what could’ve been. Do you think there’s still a chance for you and me? It doesn’t matter if they were responsible for the illness. The symptoms were severe enough I couldn’t even walk. They took the freedom of mobility away from me. I had no control over my bodily functions. I was in an embarrassing situation. I would have made a deal with the devil.”
He didn’t know it, but that was exactly what he had done.
Chapter Eighteen
I was still thinking about William and his current predicament. He had done something I’m not sure others could have. He took a chance and let the inevitable occur. His feelings for me made me fall for him, but my heart was breaking with the very notion he was putting himself in danger all over again. I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves.
I remembered some harsh words given to me in the heat of the moment. I had been told leaders make hard decisions. I didn’t know how true that was until I was faced with a dilemma. There was no way I could give him a free pass without proving himself.
I had made the journey to the school and I was standing in front of Professor Bethesda with a tale of woe. He never interrupted the entire time I was speaking. I wanted his advice and somehow to unite everybody. Some were ready to fight, but others felt powerless.
“You have said a mouthful, Gillian. I never thought William would be a problem. He had always been such a good student, and your father spoke highly of him. He was given the keys to the kingdom without any of us realizing he was working his own agenda. I can’t say I blame him with what he was facing, but it’s hard for me to justify his actions. He has decided to make amends, but it’s not going to be easy. We all have things we regret, but none of us really has a chance to go back and do things the right way.”
His words were wise, and I did feel bad about what William was going through.
“I need your counsel and for you to talk to the other teachers. I’m sure you feel it coming. The hunter is on the warpath and taking Damien cannot be tolerated. I can see from the expression on your face that there might be a way to reach him. I don’t care about the cost; I will pay whatever price to get him back. Our strength is immense, but it needs to be fortified.” I waited, but my patience wasn’t disguised as I was pacing the floor.
“There is something that will allow you to enter the forbidden zone. Only those in touch with their inner being are able to enter the realm. You won’t know what is real and you’ll see things that will make you question your sanity and drive you to the edge of madness. Only one person has survived. Of course, you might have a chance, considering it was your father. He went in there to retrieve more of what he was researching. What he came back with were the magic eyes. It took a lot out of him, and his life was shortened due to the influence of the magic eyes telling him what to do. I don’t want you to go in there empty-handed. Unfortunately, the magic eyes need to be extracted from you before you enter, otherwise it will only tear you apart, leaving you with only a semblance of who you are.”
I didn’t like the idea of anybody taking the magic eyes away from me. They had become a part of me almost like my heart. “I did say I was willing to pay any price, and I meant it. Damien needs me, and I won’t let him suffer in silence. He’s brave, but he struggles and I don’t even know if it’s already too late. It’s a chance I’m willing to take, regardless of my own personal sacrifice.” Having the magic eyes was an awakening that allowed me to see things more clearly. I was no longer allowing my father’s assumed disapproval keep me from my destiny.
“I have something your father brought back with him, but he never did say where he found it. We locked it up and made sure to shield it with a magic spell.” He turned towards an empty space on the shelf. He moved his hands in the air until there was a green orb that he thrust forward, giving substance to something that wasn’t there.
“I don’t believe my eyes. It’s been here the entire time.” I looked at the amulet and felt the magic coming off of it. I felt dizzy and lost my equilibrium; the room was spinning out of control. I heard the professor’s voice, but it was like trying to hear it through a wind tunnel.
“I’m sorry but it’s the only way. I know they have become a part of you, and I wouldn’t dream of taking them away without good reason. I need you to know that what you’re going through is withdrawal. It’s only going to get worse over time and the pain will be excruciating. I saw what happens when someone loses magic eyes. Your father didn’t want to talk about it, but he lost it and you found it.”
It was no wonder that my father had been a shell of what he once was. If I felt this way, then I could only imagine what he had gone through all of these years. Finding it was a revelation and losing it was like having your guts pulled out with brute force.
“You won’t have any power in there. There’s nothing to prevent you from getting lost with Damien. I’m trusting you know what you’re doing. In your absence, I will talk to the others and bring forth an assembly with the students. Hopefully, by the time you return, the army you are looking for will be ready for you. I wouldn’t want to wish this on my worst enemy. Your courage in the face of overwhelming odds is an example to all.” He turned abruptly with what looked like a stick and placed it in the center of my forehead. I felt like I was falling and there was nothing to grasp. The images of my life up to this point scattered in the air with memories escaping me.
I landed on what looked like a chess board with living pieces. I landed where the queen would be the strongest of them all. The black king standing tall across the other side of the board was dressed to go to war. His face was covered by a shield of armor. He didn’t make any moves, but I could hear him breathing from where I was standing. He finally revealed himself to be Jasper. I was stunned momentarily, but I was going to have to act.
I thought about William and I reached down deep to find something that was missing. I looked at what I was wearing and it was some kind of ceremonial robe covered in jewels. It would be a sought after commodity by any collector.
Jasper stepped forward with his hand up to get my attention. He had it.
“I’m the hunter, and you are too late. Coming here was foolish when you don’t even know how to play the game. Damien will remain a pawn for as long as I deem it necessary. You may hold the queen’s position, but that’s not going to stop me from decimating your force.” He made a motion with his gloved hand and the pieces began to move. “I know how this works and that gives me the upper hand. The Elders will be pleased to have you off the board. I live to serve, but here I am the master.” His voice rang out with an echo. Everyone who stood by him was cold and calculating.
Jasper’s promise to decimate my force was not made in jest. My pawns fell quickly, leaving me exposed and with only those willing to throw themselves on their swords to protect me. Damien was there and not there at the same time. His body was present, but his mind was a blank slate. He was moving around like somebody was pulling his strings. There was one person in the corner reluctant to do anything.
“It looks like there might be dissension in the ranks. Are you sure they will follow you without question? I see at least one who doesn’t jump when he’s told.” I was trying to make inroads. The rules were something I was familiar
with. This game was made in the image of our creators. There were many depictions, but nobody really knew how we came into existence. It was mostly guesswork meant to supply answers to questions that we didn’t even know we had.
“You worry about yours and I’ll worry about mine. I have no problem sacrificing one of my own. A leader has to be ready to put people in danger for the sake of the mission. The one you refer to will be punished for disobedience.” The scream that ensued was not meant for anybody squeamish.
The man in the corner fell to his knees with his hands up over the shroud covering his identity. I felt sorry for him, but grateful he was willing to walk away from a fight.
“An army is only as strong as the weakest link. I do believe your weakest link is keeping you occupied long enough for my forces to converge on your queen.” They moved quickly and efficiency. They were slashing the adversary standing in front of them. Some did fall, but others remained hopeful. I had to believe I was responsible for their strength against an enemy who thought it was superior in every way.
“His suffering will be internal if I have anything to say about it. You have come here on a fool’s errand and one that you will pay for with your life. The hunter comes after his prey without mercy. Death is your reward for interfering in my business. You think you know me, but you don’t. They will never allow you to pull back the darkness to see the light. You have nothing but your wits and that’s barely enough to stand there and fight to the finish.” He showed me his power by making wings sprout from his pawns. They took flight and swarmed down until my loyal soldiers were breathing no more. Their heads had been severed from their bodies
Fire spewed from their mouths with them screaming the entire time. I was at a loss for words unable to string two sentences together. He was right, and I was dead wrong. Two more soldiers burned to a crisp with the ones responsible howling an intense burn from their throats.
