by Tricia Barr
“Wow, that’s cool,” Phoenyx said. “Sounds like it really comes in handy.”
“Only for as long as I can imagine,” he said. “There have been quite a few times that I lose focus, get distracted, and then get myself into trouble.”
“Yes, Sebastian has quite a knack for that,” Skylar said. “Only surpassed by his talent for getting out of trouble.”
“How was it that you two came to know about each other’s powers?” Lily asked.
“We were already becoming close friends at the foster home,” Sebastian began. “When I came home that night, Skylar came up to me and told me he knew about my gift because he heard me thinking about it. Knowing that I was different, too, gave him the courage to open up to me about his gift. That secret between us made us thick as thieves.”
“Literally,” Skylar said with a smile.
They all laughed.
“And you?” Sebastian asked Lily. “When did you discover your power to heal?”
“Oh, uh, well,” she stammered, clearly surprised at having been invited to share the history of her gift, “when I was twelve, I had a pet canary named Sunshine. I loved that bird. It was the first pet I was ever given, and I fed it and cared for it almost religiously. One day while refilling her water, I left her cage open for a second too long and she got out. She flew circles around the room before crashing into my window and falling dead to the floor. I was completely devastated. I rushed to her and picked her up and held her in my hands. I wanted more than anything for her to come back to life. I felt my desire for it all through my body and my hands. A few seconds later, as if nothing had happened at all, Sunshine shook her head, popped up to stand on my palm and chirped at me. Totally stunned, I cupped her in my hands and rushed back to put her into her cage before anything else could happen.
“Of course, I doubted for a long time that it was me, that I had miraculously brought her back to life. I believed that she just knocked herself out and then snapped out of it, denying the fact that her neck was clearly broken by the crash. Then one day—years later—when I was driving home from school, I hit a dog by accident. I freaked out and pulled over to check on it. Its hips were broken and it couldn’t get itself off the street. I picked it up and carried it to the sidewalk. I felt so horrible for harming such a cute little animal, for not being more cautious. I had to find some way to help it. Then I remembered the incident with Sunshine. Feeling a bit foolish but, fully committed to helping the dog, I put my hands over its hips and just tried. I concentrated on wanting to make it well again. Just like with Sunshine, a second later the dog stood up on all fours, shook itself off, and then ran off into the bushes.
“I always knew I wanted to be a nurse but that day I realized I had an amazing gift. I could really help a lot of people, which just made me want to be a nurse even more.”
“That’s amazing,” Phoenyx said reverently to Lily. She really was something special.
Lily shrugged humbly, looking embarrassed.
“How did you know it would work on people, too?” Sebastian asked. “How did you know it wasn't just animals you could heal?”
“I just believed,” she said. “I’ve tried it on a few patients before, when I volunteered in the children’s ward before I graduated high school. All it takes is the true desire to make an ailment go away and it works.”
“Your desire to help people is very admirable,” Skylar said. “In our line of work, all we see is selfishness. There aren’t many people out there who put the needs of others above their own.”
She blushed and looked down at her lap.
“All right, Phoenyx, now it’s your turn,” Sebastian said.
“Oh, uh, hit me,” Phoenyx said.
He shook his head. “I mean to tell us how you learned about your gift,” he clarified with a chuckle.
“Oh, ha, ha. Actually, I think I’ve always known about mine too. There was no one moment I remember as being the first time I used it. It’s always just been kinda second nature to me. I want something from someone; I touch them and ask for it; I get it.”
“Sounds like the perfect arrangement,” Sebastian said. “I wish I could do that. Wanna trade powers?”
“Sure,” she said jokingly.
“So, basically, you’re an only child who always got everything she wanted,” Skylar summed up. “Aren’t those people typically insufferable spoiled brats? How did you manage to escape that trend? You seem pretty well-rounded to me.”
“Oh, trust me,” Phoenyx said, “I was well on my way to becoming a spoiled brat. Losing your father kinda breaks bad habits.”
“Or creates them,” Sebastian said. “Exhibit A.” He smiled proudly and waved his hand up and down his body in a displaying gesture.
Phoenyx laughed at him and rolled her eyes.
“I used my power to get whatever I wanted when I was growing up,” she continued. “I guess I thought I was entitled to it because of what I could do. Once I saw that it couldn’t get me what I really wanted…it couldn’t save my dad’s life, it couldn’t bring him back…I don’t know, I guess I stopped taking and started earning. I stopped using it for everything and only for small things, whereas the bigger things, I tried to get them the old-fashioned way, like everyone else.”
Skylar raised his brows and nodded. “Nice to see that people can grow up, rise above their circumstances—both the bad and the good. We just aren’t used to seeing that sort of thing. Maybe there’s hope for the world yet.”
“If you ask me, not much,” Phoenyx scoffed. “Look at where we are. The prime example of someone just taking what they want, whatever that is.”
“True,” Skylar nodded.
The room was silent for a moment as everyone stared off in synchronized dejection.
“Hmm-mm, Lily, it’s your turn, right?” Sebastian broke the silence.
“Oh, yes,” she said, coming back to herself. She looked at her cards. “Stay. No busting this time.” She giggled.
The game continued, the pace changing to one of lightheartedness.
“So, who’s missing us while we’re gone?” Sebastian asked the group. “Skylar, I already know that nobody is missing you because I’m your only friend.” He smiled teasingly at Skylar, whose face said it was pointless to protest and that the statement was mostly true.
“What Sebastian is so eloquently trying to get out of you two ladies is whether or not you have boyfriends back home,” Skylar said.
Phoenyx and Lily laughed.
“I’m afraid Nursing School is the only boyfriend I have time for,” Lily said.
Sebastian nodded. “Aww, that’s too bad. All work and no play, that’s no way to live, Lil.” He looked at Phoenyx. “And you? Got a boyfriend waiting for you back in Illinois?”
“Nope, no boyfriend,” she replied, unable to hide an amused smile. “I had one but I dumped the loser after he ruined my prom night.”
“Ah, so you’re on the market,” he said. “Excellent. I know we have our little hot tub arrangement but, seeing as we’re getting out of here tomorrow, how about you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”
She burst out a laugh. “You just don’t give up, do you?”
“Never,” he said proudly. “So, what do you say?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “You still have yet to answer the question yourself. A good looking guy like you, with that British accent and a talent for deception, I bet you’re quite the playboy in Vegas.”
“Please don’t inflate his ego anymore; his head can’t afford to get much bigger.” Skylar snorted.
Sebastian sneered playfully at Skylar, then turned back to Phoenyx. “To answer the question, no, I do not currently have a girlfriend. Sure, I may have had a few romantic mishaps…” Skylar cleared his throat loudly. “…but that’s just what growing up is all about, right?” Skylar made a snide comment under his breath that Phoenyx didn’t hear. “Besides, like you said, I’m a talented, great looking guy with a British accent.”
She couldn’t help but giggle at how he twisted her words around. They really don’t make ’em in a more charming package than Sebastian Reid.
“Oh, for the love of God,” Skylar blurted. “Just tell him ‘yes’ already so we can get on with the game. I mean, really, Sebastian, you have to try to pick up a girl while we’re all trapped in a dungeon?”
Everyone but Skylar laughed.
“All right, yes, tomorrow night, it’s a date,” Phoenyx said, still laughing.
“Woohoo,” Sebastian exclaimed.
Tomorrow night. Here’s hoping.
Phoenyx was curled up in a ball on the floor, lying on her side and trying to get to sleep. There was too much on her mind and her body was restless. Tomorrow, they would make their grand escape attempt. How could she not be nervous about that? Then, given that they actually made it out, she had the added pressure of a date with Sebastian. Somehow that made her more nervous than the escape prospect. She hadn’t expected to like him. Yes, he was gorgeous and adorable and charming as all get out but she didn’t easily fall for a guy’s charm. It was probably just the dream from the night before that wigged her out. She did marry him in it. The thought of that was bound to make her focus on him too much and read into everything.
Just turn your brain off, Phoenyx, and get to sleep! You need to be sharp and alert for tomorrow. Now stop thinking!
“Skylar, are you awake?” she heard Sebastian whisper.
“Yes, I can’t sleep,” Skylar whispered back.
“Me, either,” Sebastian said. “Can we talk for a moment?”
She heard rustling behind her in their direction, and she inferred that Skylar and Sabastian moved to sit up against the wall.
“Sure, what’s on your mind,” Skylar asked. “I don’t usually have to ask that question, but there’s too much going on in my mind tonight for me to see what’s going on in yours.”
“Do you remember…the girl I used to always dream about?” Sebastian asked.
Now this got Phoenyx’s attention.
“Yes,” Skylar said. There was a pause and then he asked, “You think…it’s her?”
“I don’t just think so, I’m absolutely certain it’s her,” Sebastian said. “When you see a face a few thousand times over nineteen years, you don’t easily forget it—especially when it’s a face as pretty as hers. Look at my memories and you tell me.”
Another pause. Phoenyx’s heart fluttered like a horde of butterflies.
“Hmm, I guess she does have the same face,” Skylar mused.
“When I first saw her, when they dragged us in and we were both doped out, I guess I must have thought I was hallucinating or dreaming. The whole situation seemed so much like a dream that it felt right she would be there. When I came back to my senses and saw it was really her, in real life…I felt like I got the wind knocked out of me. I just knew I had to talk to her. All I’ve managed to do is make an ass out of myself in front of her.”
“Well, you’re always making an ass out of yourself,” Skylar teased.
Sebastian chuckled and she heard a thud as if Sebastian gave Skylar a shove.
“What do you think it all means?” Sebastian asked. “I’ve dreamed of her my whole life, and now we meet, in a dungeon of all places, and she has powers just like we do.”
“I don’t know,” Skylar said. “I guess the only thing that matters is what you think it means. They are your dreams, after all.”
Another pause.
“I think it must be fate,” Sebastian said. “I knew I loved her before I ever knew she existed, and meeting her hasn’t changed that. Phoenyx is everything I dreamt she would be. She’s smart and flirty and confident, a hell of a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue. God, if she uses her gift on me one more time, I think I’m going to have a heart attack. She’s…perfect. She’s the one I’ve been waiting for.”
Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! Her cheeks burned hot and her eyes opened wide. She hoped they couldn’t hear her heart thumping, it was so loud.
“What are you going to do about it?” Skylar asked.
“Well, I’m going to get us out of here first,” Sebastian said. “Then…I don’t know…I’ll do everything I can to win her over.”
“Well, I think you’re already half way there. She laughs at your stupid jokes.” Skylar snickered. “I never thought I’d see the day when you actually got serious about something, or someone. I’m actually kinda proud of you.”
“I am definitely serious about her,” Sebastian said.
“Well, we’d better get some sleep,” Skylar said. “We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Sebastian said. “Thanks for the talk. If I had to keep all that to myself any longer, I’d go nuts.”
“Any time.”
Phoenyx heard more rustling and then all was silent, save for the hammering of her heart in her chest and the racing of her thoughts in her head.
Sebastian dreamed about her his whole life! He really did recognize her that first night when they talked. She couldn’t deny it anymore. Before she ever met him, she dreamt about him. They’d gotten married a hundred times in her sleep. How could this be real?
And he loved her? That was really going to take some time to process. Aside from her parents, no one ever said they loved her and meant it. Of course, men told her all the time that they loved her but it was only because they were under her influence. The supposed love they felt wasn’t real. Sebastian wasn’t under her spell, well, disregarding that little stint with making him kiss Skylar earlier. He said he loved her before he knew she existed. That had to be just about the sweetest thing she ever heard. He loved her, even after seeing what she could do. He didn’t think she was a freak. Well, that’s only because he had powers too. Was he right? Was this fate?
If she wasn’t anxious about their date before, she sure as hell was now. What if she screwed things up? Or said or did something stupid?
Ugh, really Phoenyx, get a grip! You’ve never let a guy get you this worked up before. Besides, he probably wouldn’t love you if he really knew you…
That harsh reality made her heart sink. She wasn’t as great and wonderful as he thought she was. She had a dark side. She would only end up hurting him if he got too close.
She exhaled loudly and tried to clear her mind. She didn’t have time to think about all this right now. She needed sleep so she could be ready for whatever happens tomorrow. She could tackle all that stuff when this is over. Right now, all that mattered was getting to sleep.
Phoenyx was thirteen. She skipped down the sidewalk after school on a warm autumn Wednesday, swinging her lunchbox back and forth gaily, eager to get home and tell her parents about her invitation to Cynthia Masterson’s upcoming birthday party on Saturday. Cynthia was one of the more popular girls in the seventh grade, and they recently became friends. Cynthia was an only child and only had her wealthy father, so she was usually spoiled with everything she wanted. Her parties were always the talk of the school. Getting invited to Cynthia’s party meant Phoenyx was making real friends, and not just forcing people to like her.
She saw her front yard peek out past the large mesquite tree and ran over the sidewalk and up the stairs, through the front door.
“Mama! Mama!” she called out, darting her head quickly all around.
“In here, dear,” Her mother’s voice came from the kitchen. “What is it?”
Phoenyx dashed into the kitchen.
The tall, slender, middle-aged blond woman was chopping something on the counter, facing away from the kitchen entrance.
“Mama, I got invited to Cynthia Masterson’s birthday party on Saturday! Can I please go? Please? It’s gonna be a slumber party and I’ve never been to one before.”
“Ah, that sounds like fun,” her mother said, turning to smile at her. “We’ll talk to your father about it when he gets home and see what he thinks, okay?”
“Ooookayyy,” Phoenyx said, stretching out the sylla
bles adolescently.
She went to her room and picked out the clothes and the toys she would bring while she waited for her dad to come home. She was so excited. She had never been to a slumber party; she never had enough girlfriends. Before middle school, most of her friends were boys, and you can’t do anything fun and girly with boys. Girls tended not to like her. She discovered a few years ago that it was because boys liked her so much. Like-liked. She always got the most valentines on Valentine’s Day. The pretty girls, the popular ones, could be really mean when they didn’t get the attention they wanted. So Phoenyx decided that middle school would be different. She wouldn’t even talk to any boys. If she ignored them and tried being really nice to the girls, she might make some real friends. It was actually paying off. Who needs stupid boys anyway?
At around seven o’clock, she heard the front door shut. She keenly hopped to her feet and ran out her bedroom door. She found her father in the kitchen, popping open a can of cola.
“Hey kitten, how was school?” he asked as he scratched his tailored brown beard and took a sip of his soda.
“It was great, Daddy!” she said with excitement. “I got invited to a birthday party—a birthday slumber party, and we’re gonna paint each other’s nails and have pillow fights and everything—just like in the movies.”
