“Yeah, I have a knack for that,” I answered. “So, all I basically have to do for the next week or so is stay away from life-ending experiences, then?” I asked quizzically.
He smiled. “To a certain extent, yeah; I’ll be with you. There’s no reason to be afraid.”
I leaned away for a second. “What happens at night?” I asked. “You need sleep . . . I’m not going to let you stay awake all night just to—”
“I don’t need sleep,” he whispered. “My soul has been sleeping for thousands of years. I’ve had enough sleep for three lifetimes.”
“I still feel bad about this,” I argued, touching my hand to his chest. He clutched my hand as it touched him, feeling the soft skin with his perfect fingers.
“Well, don’t,” he interjected, putting a finger to my lips as I tried to dissuade him. I sat back with a sigh, slumping into the couch.
“What time is it?” I suddenly asked, but I remained a vegetable on the couch.
He chuckled and said, “5:30.” I blinked. Already? It couldn’t already be 5:30 . . . “Why?” he added, shifting his weight on the couch again. “What time do you want to be home?”
“Actually,” I answered, smiling sheepishly, “Pa was coming to my place later to hang out. Ricky said he wanted her over, so I guess 6:00 or so—”
“Why don’t they come here?” he offered before I finished speaking.
“Is that . . . okay with you?” I asked, feeling guilty now. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scoffed. “I’d love to have them over. Besides, the sooner we get the other Keepers awakened, the sooner you’ll be yourself again.” He smiled and his hand came up to caress my face.
“I’ll call them, then,” I said determinedly. I fumbled in my pocket for my phone and it came to life at my touch. I dialed Ricky’s cell phone, not sure whether or not he was home.
He answered on the first ring.
“Dessa?” he asked, his voice alarmed. “Are you okay? What’s up?”
I smiled. “Relax, Ricky, I’m fine. I’m still at Chris’ place. He just invited you guys over. Do you want to come? He invited Pa, too,” I added, sure that this little tidbit of information would secure his decision.
“You’re sure it’s okay?” he asked, his voice sounding just as mechanical as the phone.
“Yeah, he’s here if you want to ask him yourself,” I offered. I could almost see Ricky shaking his head.
“No, that’s fine, I believe you. What time do you want us over?” he asked. I smiled.
“Anytime you’re ready,” I said. “We’re waiting here for you.”
“Okay then, Dess. We’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Ricky. I love you,” I said affectionately into the phone.
“Love you, too, Dess,” he said happily, and the line went dead.
“They’ll be over soon,” I told him as I shoved the phone back into my pocket.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, looking toward me with concern. I shook my head, but of course, the moment I denied it, my growling stomach condemned me, shouting at him to feed it.
“Shut up!” I screamed at my abdomen. “Stupid stomach,” I muttered.
He laughed and began to walk off to another room that I assumed was the kitchen. I followed him obediently, my eyes roaming this way and that to take in the beauty of his home.
“Do you live here alone?” I asked curiously.
“Yeah, I live alone,” he said simply. “My parents were killed many years ago, and I was an only child. Of course, my father willed me to possess this place. I had a feeling he knew about me and my role connected with that fountain. It was certainly wise of him to leave it with me.”
“Do you think we can awaken Ricky and Pa tonight?” I randomly asked, slightly uncomfortable with the whole dead-parent conversation.
He shrugged. “If we meet them outside, perhaps I can find a way. I don’t know how to awaken another person. My awakening was gradual and came over time. I have no idea how long it would take with another person.”
He reached into one of the thousands of cabinets on the kitchen walls to find a mixing bowl.
“Salad,” he said. “Everybody loves salad.”
I laughed. “What kind?” I asked cautiously.
“I put everything in these,” he said, reaching for eggs, lettuces, bacon, and cheese. “Is there anything in particular you want?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m fine with whatever mystery you concoct for me,” I replied, sitting down at the table. I watched him as he worked with the salad, his nimble hands chopping and cutting at the speed of light. Within a matter of five minutes, it was completed and he had set it in front of me on a handsome maroon placemat with a fork beside it.
“Enjoy,” he said, taking his own bowl. We ate in silence for about ten minutes, listening to the grandfather clock ticking away the minutes, the seconds, until Ricky and Pa showed up in the driveway.
Suddenly, Chris jolted upright.
“They’re here,” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back to the front door. He released my hand and we walked at least a three foot distance from each other across the dark lawn. I passed the fountain on my way to the driveway, and noticed that it was lit up.
The small pool below the five figures was a beautiful golden color, and the six-pointed stars on their marble foreheads were reflecting their green, blue, red, brown, and gold shines into the shallow pool. The darkness threw strange shadows over their faces, making them more menacing than when they were in sunlight.
I passed it slowly, my eyes finding it difficult to stray from the fifth figure clutching at the petite woman’s ankles. What did that mean?
Ricky and Pa pulled up in the Pontiac just a few minutes later, while Chris and I waited for them, standing awkwardly on the side of the driveway.
Ricky opened his door first and walked around to open Pa’s for her. She stepped out while holding his hand, her tiny fingers wrapping around his in a beautiful way.
I smiled at the sight, and thanked my stars that it was dark and Ricky hadn’t seen my reaction. The moment Pa was out of the car, her hand fell lifeless beside her, and Ricky’s beside him. I scowled in the darkness at this change of mood, but walked forward to greet them.
“Pa!” I said, running forward to hug her. She giggled.
“Hey, D!” she said as she swooped me into a hug. It was like being hugged by a small child . . . it felt so great . . .
I pulled away from her, motioning toward Chris. “Pa, Ricky,” I said, acknowledging them both, “This is . . .”
“Chris Calder. The new kid,” he supplied with a humorous chuckle of sarcasm.
Ricky stepped forward, offering his hand. “I’m Rick Ambrose. Dessa’s brother.”
“Pleasure,” Chris said as they shook hands. I stood skeptically beside Chris, scrutinizing Ricky’s reaction. He smiled at the strength of Chris’ hand and clapped him on the back.
“Thanks for inviting us,” Pa piped from behind Ricky. Chris smiled at her, shaking his head.
“As I said,” he repeated graciously, motioning toward the house, “It’s my pleasure.”
Pa smiled at me, winking secretly as she walked by Ricky’s side. Chris and I walked toward the fountain discreetly. Pa would notice it; surely she would comment on its utterly wonderful beauty.
“Oh, this fountain is gorgeous, Christopher,” she said.
I laughed to myself. She always used full names, except with me.
“I take great pride in this fountain,” he said as he touched the water’s edge, just as he had when we arrived.
“What’s it called?” she asked conversationally, motioning for Ricky to come closer. I was by Chris’ side, leaning over to gaze at the mesmerizing colors of the water, when Chris answered her.
“This fountain is known as Athanasia,” he continued to explain the tale to Pa and Ricky as they stood there, completely baffled.
“Only one of them . . .?”
Pa asked curiously. “As in . . . there are more . . .”
“Naturally,” Chris said plainly, trying to keep her calm. “And I have good reason to believe they’ve been found.”
“Well, where are they?” she asked, looking around.
“They’re here,” Chris said, pointing his slender finger at Pa’s breast. His finger moved slowly to point at Ricky and then came to highlight me and then himself. “The fifth is at your home, grieving for your absence.”
She bit her lip.
“But none of that matters now,” Chris interjected. “What matters is that we’re running out of time, and we need to release your souls again.”
Pa was about to take a step forward, but Ricky wrapped a restraining arm around her waist and pulled her back. “Hold the phone a second,” he said. “I don’t know about this . . .”
“Trust him, Ricky,” I said in unison with Pa, who was staring at the petite woman on the base of the fountain. She stared straight into the stone figure’s blank eyes, and her legs began to move forward almost as if she was in a trance.
Her eyes were wide and blank as she moved slowly toward the stone statue, the green in them beginning to glow as she grew closer and closer to her sleeping soul. As she drew still closer, her hand touched the sleek marble of the figure’s arm, and the six-pointed star upon the statue’s head was suddenly upon hers, seeping emerald.
I gasped and fell to the ground as a large gust of wind came from out of nowhere, revolving itself around Pa. She stood there, her mouth slightly open, her eyes closed, while the wind whipped ferociously around her. She let out a gasp and the wind stopped.
She fell to her knees in what felt like slow-motion, her eyes opening and shining a beautiful, vibrant jade.
“Pa?” Ricky asked, kneeling by her side. She stared forward, her eyes wide and blank, when suddenly she blinked.
She stared forward, looking up at the stone replica of herself.
“I’m the Keeper of Wind,” she said with a slight smile. “Christopher,” she added, standing slowly. “It’s been so long.”
Chris smiled as Pa stood up. She turned toward Ricky and, seeing him, hugged him to her.
“Pa, are you okay?” he asked.
“Rick, I’ve never been better,” she promised. “Dessa,” she added, seeing me. She embraced me and looked toward Chris. “I cannot thank you enough for releasing my soul.”
He smiled. “It’s nothing, I assure you.”
She nodded. “Rick,” she whispered.
Pa touched Ricky’s hand and suddenly a gasp escaped his lips. He gazed upward toward the statues upon the base of the fountain. The figure that resembled him seemed to be calling out to him, because he was now reaching blindly to find the statue, his eyes glassy and unfocused as he eased steadily forward.
His eyes began to shine a deep earthen brown, just as Pa’s had illuminated the darkness with their emerald shine. He finally approached the statue and, touching it with his right hand, fell to his knees.
The symbol upon the head of the statue was now shining on his forehead, emitting the color of the earth. His mouth slightly open, his eyes closed, he knelt there.
I fell over again with a thump as the earth began to shake beneath us, an earthquake disturbing the peace and foundation of the planet itself. Ricky gasped and the earth ceased its movement and his eyes opened once more, shining an iridescent brown.
“I’m the Keeper of Earth,” he said slowly, looking toward Pa with glowing eyes. Pa gazed back for the longest time, her arms stagnant at her side, until Ricky rushed over and clutched her small body to his chest. “Chris . . . Thank you for this. I’m indebted to you for returning my soul to me.”
“Ah, please, Rick. You don’t have to keep up the act. You haven’t matured that much in these 5,000 years,” Chris chided. Ricky chuckled and released Pa, running after Chris—probably to tackle him or something.
“How right you are,” Ricky retorted, running after him. The two of them ran around like complete idiots until they ended up colliding with each other. They lay there on the damp grass, their eyes shining in the dark. Pa walked over to them and helped Ricky to stand on his feet.
“We have to get Skylar here,” she said. “Once he’s awakened, Dessa will also be reunited with her soul.”
“How long will that take?” Ricky asked. “I’m sure Skylar won’t come of his own free will.”
“That presents a problem, then,” Chris replied.
I had been standing there this whole time quite a long distance from them, staring blankly at the fountain. What was happening to my life? Would it ever be normal?
Okay . . . it had been normal before, but that had been boring. Now, when the opportunity came along it had to get strange?
I sat down, putting my face in my hands. I stayed there until I felt a pair of arms touch my shoulders.
“Dessa?” I heard Chris’ voice ask.
“Leave me, please,” I said gently, not looking up.
“Why? Is something wrong?” I could hear the pain in his voice. It irrationally ripped at my heart and tore it to pieces.
“I’m fine.” I said curtly, closing my eyes as a tear threatened to spill over.
Chris paused for a moment and I heard two pairs of feet walking away.
“I’m not leaving you out here alone,” he said then, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I still didn’t look up.
“I’ll stay with you until you wish me away,” he said, massaging my arms with his gentle hands.
“I just need time to accept all of this, that’s all, Chris,” I told him in a broken voice. “It’s just a little too much, that’s all.”
“Come inside with us,” he said. “A good night’s sleep will help you calm down.”
I nodded and he picked me up in his arms again, cradling me there like I weighed as much as a feather.
I heard Ricky and Pa talking as we passed them, heading straight up the stairs. I heard a door open and a light switch flip on, and a soft surface encompassing me shortly thereafter.
The last thing I remembered was the soft touch of his lips to my forehead as he pulled the covers over my exhausted body. I remembered the feel of his skin against mine as his body held mine underneath those covers, and I knew I would never forget the glow in his eyes as they gazed into mine.
Family Matters
I opened my eyes to a brightly lit, beautifully decorated bedroom, the curtains pulled back to expose the rays of the sun. A soft breeze blew through the window to creep through the room and the birds sang their morning song to me as I sat up. It took me a few seconds to realize I was alone in one of the largest, most comfortable beds I had ever slept in. The pillows bent and morphed to the contours of my neck and shoulders, like I slept on a cloud. The sheets were made of silk, draping over me like the curtains of the sky. A canopy of mosquito netting draped over the bed, blurring and obscuring the rest of the room.
I pulled the netting aside to find Chris with his back to me. He was standing by the window, letting the wind blow past him, passing over the smooth, toned planes of his bare chest.
I made no sound as I crept off the bed. I touched his bare shoulder with my hand and he looked over at me. He smiled and put his hand on top of mine, then took it in his own and clasped it at his side.
“Glad to see you’re finally awake,” he said in a quiet whisper, his eyes glowing softly in the morning sun.
I smiled back, but then raised my eyebrows. “How long have I been sleeping?” I asked, suddenly turning red.
“Just over 12 hours,” he answered simply. “You say some very strange things while you sleep,” he added, and the red in my cheeks turned redder still.
“What did I say?” I asked reflexively, afraid to look at him.
He chuckled. “You kept saying my name,” he answered. “And you kept saying your brother’s name, too. You’d alternate between me and him, and then all of a sudden you’d just start murmuring about us . . .”
“Us?” I repeated, raising my eyebrows. “Meaning . . . you and me?”
He nodded.
“Ugh! You’re kidding me,” I sighed in exasperation. “I need to start taping my mouth shut when I sleep.”
He laughed. “No, no . . .” he protested earnestly. “I love listening to you. It keeps me at peace . . . if that makes much sense to you. The sound of your voice . . . it’s like . . . it fills me with calmness. I don’t need anything but to hear the sound of your voice.”
“Don’t you sleep?” I asked, suddenly flattered by the fact that he loved the sound of my voice.
“Of course I do,” he answered. “Just not last night, that’s all.”
“Is there any particular reason why you couldn’t sleep last night?” I asked, touching the fringes of the curtains as they fluttered in the breeze.
He seemed to think for a minute and replied slowly, “I suppose it’s because I was with you . . . like my being with you took away my necessity to rest.”
“If I do that to you,” I said frowning, “Maybe I shouldn’t spend the night at your house too often.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry about me, please,” he half-begged. “You’re the one that needs protecting until you can reconnect with your soul. Once that happens, you’ll be the one protecting the rest of us.”
“Hopefully we don’t have to wait too long, then,” I said resolutely, walking toward the door. “Are Ricky and Pa still here?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he replied. “They stayed upon your last waking request.”
I snorted. “I asked them to stay? Wow! What was I thinking?”
“Apparently you weren’t,” he replied with a chuckle, touching my shoulder and wrapping his hand around it. “They said they’d wait for you to wake up and then take you home.”
“But what about you?” I asked with concern.
“I’ll see you in school on Monday,” he said, sounding like a little boy.
I shrugged. “Not typically enjoyable, but I guess I’ll be able to live with it.”
“You’ll make it,” he promised with a smile, leading me down the stairs. I walked down to find Ricky and Pa chatting animatedly with one another on the plush leather couch. Pa talked with her hands a lot, and they were flying now, so I imagined their conversation was heated up.
Poison Page 6
