by Rue Volley
Johnathan looked at Josh’s blades and grinned.
“She makes you weak, just like everyone she comes in contact with.”
“No… she makes me stronger,” Josh said as he continued to try to calm himself down.
Johnathan hopped up from the rock and started to pace; he tilted his blades in his hands.
“Keep telling yourself that, Josh. She is a girl… Girls are fickle; they will do anything to keep you wrapped around their finger. I mean come on...! How many times did you tell yourself that you would never get with one girl? You can have anyone you want… forever! Don’t waste it on a little girl who will do anything that moves.”
“Fuck you!” Josh said as he lunged at Johnathan.
Johnathan countered him and slid backward as Josh pushed him forward with his blades. Johnathan spun around and Josh stumbled forward. Johnathan hit him hard on the back of the head with the butt of his blade. Josh fell to his knee and reached up to his head. He pulled his hand to his face and saw blood on his fingertips. He rolled as Johnathan sliced both his blades to attempt to cut his head off. Josh laughed and flashed backward, crouching down with his blades to his sides.
“You are weak when you think about her. You are Lord, Josh… You should have killed me already, but NO! You just wander around here whining like a little bitch about Rue. Rue… Rue… Rue. Fuck her...! Let her leave you; you will die if you hang onto this crap for her,” Johnathan yelled at him.
“No, you will die if you don’t shut up!” Josh yelled back at him.
Johnathan started to pace back and forth.
He tapped his blade on his shoulder and let the other one dangle, relaxed in his hand.
“You know… I hit that shit. Let me tell you… it wasn’t worth the wait.”
Josh ran at him as he screamed. Johnathan grinned and sliced both of his blades upward, causing Josh to roll to the side. Josh swung his leg out and knocked Johnathan to the ground. He laughed as he head hit the dirt floor; Josh flipped on top of him and pinned his arms to the ground. Johnathan looked at his hands and then smiled at Josh.
Josh held the blades over his head, breathing hard. Johnathan tilted his head at him.
“Well, do it, you dick… I know that you have wanted to kill me for a long time now… Kill me, unless you are too afraid to do it. Maybe you let me live so that Rue wouldn’t hate you.”
Josh held the blades as his hands trembled. He took a breath and blinked a few times.
“You do not even exist,” He whispered.
Johnathan cried out and started to disappear into a mist. Josh dropped his blades, breathing hard. He rolled to his side and then to his back. He covered his face with his hands and cried out.
***
Sophia stood the large room alone and stared at the red velvet curtain covering the mirror Josh had stepped through. She rubbed her palms and walked towards the platform. It had already been one day and nothing. No vibration, no feelings of anger in the room. She stepped up to the platform and touched the red velvet. She closed her eyes and whispered.
“Please embrace it, Joshua. Valon needs you; I need you. I want you to emerge as her protector. I need for you kill Rue Valon, clearing a path for this cities survival.”
She gently touched the velvet and turned when she heard the door open.
She stepped back from the covered mirror and turned.
“What is it?” Sophia asked as a guard stepped into the room.
“The council asked for your company,” the guard said as he lowered his head.
“What business do they seek?” she asked.
“I am not sure; I was only sent to ask you to come,” the guard said.
Sophia looked back at the mirror and sighed. She stepped down from the platform and the guard waited, opening the door for her. She stepped through and walked down the steps, heading for the council room. What could they possibly be chattering about now?
The guard opened the door for her and she stepped in. All the chatter ceased. She looked around as she walked towards the raised platform in the middle. She took her place and turned to face the few who had gathered.
“What is business at hand?” she asked as they all looked at each other then back to her.
“Well?” she asked as she waited for anyone to step forward.
Finally a young protector stepped forward and held her hand out to her.
Sophia looked at her and waited.
“Speak,” Sophia said.
“Sophia, there is talk of a looming war,” she said.
Sophia tilted her head at her and looked around the room.
“What war do you speak of?” she asked her.
“A war here in Valon; there are rumors that Rue Valon will return and destroy us.”
Sophia laughed and stepped up to the edge of the platform.
“And from what mind does this tale spin?” she asked. She waited.
“Who?” Sophia said a little louder, letting her voice echo in the hall.
“Many,” the girl responded.
Sophia waved her hand.
“It is rumor and nothing more. I will assure you all that once Joshua emerges Rue Valon will no longer be a threat. His first business will be to attend to that.”
A murmur rose in the room and Sophia looked around at all of them.
“Do any of you wish to include me in the conversation?” she said, once again raising her voice.
The girl looked around the room.
“Well, it is said that he loves her.”
Sophia clinched her fists.
She slowed her breathing, knowing that a show of emotion would only further rumor.
“Well… ‘they’… whoever they are, are wrong. A Lord does not have love; a Lord is devoid of emotion. Joshua Barrington will emerge as Valon’s true protector and his only worry will be to strike down any who threaten that.”
“Well,” the girl took one more step towards her. “The last Lord strayed, Sophia, as we all know. He could have destroyed everything, if he had not been struck down. It is feared that Rue Valon is a true mate for a Lord, unlike we have ever seen in the history of our existence.”
“You mean that some amongst you believe what the books supposedly prophesized. That one day a true child of the creator would bring the old ways to an abrupt end by producing a new heir to a Lord… a child that would not embrace our ways, and would see to the destruction of all protectors.”
The girl rubbed her hands and looked around the room.
Sophia stepped forward.
“The books… all nine, have never been deciphered by anyone completely. You all let fear creep into your hearts from bits and pieces of an old tale, one of which I do not believe to be true… none of us should.”
“But Sophia… it is said that this would happen with the last Lord… and he is in the mirror, going through ‘Trial’ as we speak.”
“Well. I can see that fear is gripping this city. I would remind you that it was also said that all nine books would be reunited, and understood by this girl. I do not think that is the case… is it not? Or would someone like to tell me that they know more than I do?”
The girl lowered her head.
“I would never claim to know more than you, Sophia.”
Sophia stepped from the platform and started to walk through the small crowd.
“I would suggest that all of you spend your time more wisely, perhaps asking the creator to help our Lord get through his trial, as we should all be doing at this time. Stop wasting your time spreading rumors and causing distress. This should be a time of great pride and anticipation for a new era. One of which will be unlike any other time in our history. Unless some of you wish to roam the world alone.”
No one responded to her, nor started to talk amongst themselves. Sophia’s threat of casting out any of them sent a chill through the room. Sophia stepped to the door and the guard opened it for her. She stepped out and sighed as she walked back towards the trial chamber.
***
Johnathan and Brooke sat there pigging out. They glanced at each other a few times as they continued to shove food in their mouths.
“Oh my god… this is soooo good,” Brooke said as she bit into another chicken leg.
“Uh huh,” Johnathan said as he continued to eat.
“I have to get some more,” Johnathan said as he jumped up and ran to the trays.
No one had even come into the room since they entered.
It would have hit them as being odd, but they had been eating with no other thought in mind.
Brooke stopped and looked at Johnathan.
“What did we come here for?” she asked him.
Johnathan was busy piling more food on his plate. Brooke stood up and walked towards him.
“Johnathan?” she asked him.
He looked at her with a piece of chicken in his mouth and another four pieces on his plate.
“What?” he said as he grabbed it and his plate fell, throwing food all around it.
Brooke looked around the room and rubbed her hands.
“I can’t remember why we are here,” she said.
Johnathan looked at her and rubbed his head.
“Huh… I can’t either.”
“I know it was something… something important, I think.”
Johnathan looked around and grinned.
“Yeah… good food,” he said as he grabbed another plate.
“No… you ass, not eating,” Brooke said as she looked around.
“Why not…? I mean look at all this… all ours. God, it’s amazing.”
Brooke grabbed his hand and started to walk with him towards the two large silver doors.
“We need to get out of here,” she said to him.
“Oh man, why?” Johnathan said as he looked back at the feast that beckoned him.
Brooke stopped and let his hand go. She placed her hands on her hips.
“I think that we are in trouble here,” she said.
Johnathan tilted his head at her.
“How do you figure?” he said.
“Why are we here...? I mean look at me! Look at you! What the hell are we wearing?” she asked him.
He looked down and saw that he was in a white outfit. Food stains on it.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“Exactly… We are on a mission, I think,” Brooke said as she pushed on the doors.
They did not open. She pushed harder and looked back at Johnathan.
“A little help, you think?” she yelled at him as she rolled her eyes at him.
“Yea… yea, sorry,” Johnathan said as he stepped forward and pushed on the doors.
“What the hell?” he said as he looked at the doors.
The intercom dinged a long series of high-pitched bell sounds; they both covered their ears. Johnathan looked at Brooke.
“What the hell is that?” he yelled over the noise.
Brooke held her ears and shook her head at him. They heard what sounded like voices coming towards the doors. Johnathan looked at Brooke and they both stepped back. Brooke grabbed his hand and took a breath. Both doors swung open and six boys came rushing in. Brooke yelped as a boy grabbed her and threw her to the floor.
“What the hell?” Johnathan yelled out as Brooke struggled.
Two boys grabbed Johnathan and wrestled him to the floor. He laid on his stomach as a jacket was placed on him. He looked over at Brooke and saw that they were doing the same thing to her.
“Johnathan!” Brooke cried out as they lifted her from the floor.
“What the hell are you guys doing?!” Johnathan yelled out.
The girl who looked just like Sara leaned down in his face with a needle in her hand.
She grinned.
“What are you doing?” Johnathan asked her with panic in his voice.
“Catching two escapees,” she said as she jabbed the needle into his arm.
He “owwe’d” as the needle released something warm into his blood. His vision started to blur.
“You are making a mistake,” he tried to say as his eyes continued to blur.
“No… you both made the mistake of trying to trick me; I am not stupid. I went to the office… neither one of you work here.”
“No… no you are wrong,” Johnathan tried to say as he was lifted from the ground and dragged away.
***
I sat there in the atrium, waiting. I began to feel impatient. I started to tap my foot on the white tile under my feet. I turned when I heard a throat clear. It was Blake, smiling at me. I didn’t smile back at him. I liked him I do, but I was on a mission. That boy… make believe or not, was all I could think about. I just wanted to see him again.
Blake stepped towards me and held out his hand. I looked at it, not knowing what the deal was. He wiggled his fingers and I took his hand. He started to walk with me. I kept looking around, hoping that the boy would just be sitting somewhere in here. Blake looked over at me.
“You look like you are irritated.”
I looked at him and cleared my throat.
“No… no not really,” I muttered.
“Well, who did you want to see in here?” he asked me.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Oh, I just. Never mind,” I said as I started to let the thought of that boy’s mouth leave my mind. Blake squeezed my hand.
“Ya know, we could sit and talk. We have time,” he said.
I walked with him until we came to the middle circle of the atrium. It was the fountain again, with the pretty fish swimming around in it. I sat down and leaned over, watching them just swim around. What an easy life to have. If I could just be placed in a bowl to swim around it would make my life so much easier than this.
Blake looked at me.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked me.
I grinned and kept my eyes on the fish.
“I wouldn’t mind being one of those fish,” I said as one “blooped” at me, his mouth all big… like I might be hiding some food to give it.
Blake leaned over and grinned at the fish.
“Yea, I can relate to that,” he said.
I looked at him and grinned.
“Don’t tell the doctor here; she may put you in the room next to mine,” I said.
“Oh that wouldn’t be so bad… you and me, hanging in here for the rest of our lives.”
I shook my head.
“Oh no, I don’t plan on being in here forever,” I said.
Blake leaned back and crossed his feet.
“Wow, can’t even make a pass at a patient. Guess I don’t have much hope of finding a girlfriend.” he said.
I laughed and looked at him.
He didn’t just put it out there, did he? I mean, come on… I am in an asylum.
“I don’t know how to respond to that,” I said.
He looked at me and touched my hand.
“I don’t know why not,” he said.
I pulled my hand from under his and rubbed my neck. He leaned up to me.
“Hey, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” he said.
I grinned and shook my head.
“I just… I don’t know why you like me,” I said, totally meaning it.
He leaned down, so I could see his grin.
“You are something special,” he said to me.
I blinked, it sounded like an echo in my head.
He looked at me and crinkled his eyebrows.
“What’s wrong?” he asked me.
I shook my head.
“I don’t know… it just felt like I had heard that before,” I said to him as I looked around the room.
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” he said.
I grinned at him and pushed my hair behind my ear. He reached up and finished tucking it behind my ear for me.
I cleared my throat and stood up, looking at the ceiling.
“I really do love this place,” I said.
He looked up at m
e.
“Yea, I do too,” he said.
“Ummm, I think I need to talk to Holly,” I said.
He stood up and took my hand. I didn’t know why he felt like he has to. I liked it better than the grip of Carver’s hand on my arm though, so I let it happen. We walked to the door and I looked back at the atrium. A flash of that boy went through my mind. I hated that he isn’t real, but I won’t give up looking for him. I can’t.
Blake walked me back to my room. We didn’t talk the whole way. I guess I should have been a little more, I don’t know… when he was kind of telling me he liked me. I just couldn’t believe it. I mean it made me question his sanity.
I looked at my door and turned to him.
“Thank you,” I said. He smiled.
“For what?” he asked me.
I looked at my hands.
“For making me feel like a girl… you know, a normal girl.”
He stepped up to me and looked down the hallway.
No one walked around, in fact they never did.
“I like you,” he whispered.
I looked up at him and his face looked soft. I fought the urge to touch it.
I rubbed my palms and looked at my door.
“Would you let Holly know that I need to talk to her?” I said.
He stepped back and straightened his shoulders.
“Yea… I will go tell her now if you want.”
I shook my head yes and stepped into my room. It felt cold in there. I walked to the window and looked out. The leaves on the trees were starting to change. Where do the seasons go in here?
I turned when I heard my door open up. Holly stood there, clipboard in hand. I smiled, well… a half smile really, at her. She stepped in and sat down on the chair. I looked back out the window.
“So, Blake tells me that you want to talk,” Holly said.
I watched birds fly over and closed my eyes.
“Yea, I just felt like I should,” I said.
Holly waited. I do like her. She never rushed me or tried to force anything out of me. She just patiently waited for me to talk. Then she asked all the right questions, kind of leading me in the direction I wanted to go. I guess that was her job, but she was really good at it.
I sighed and looked at my hands.
“So, do you like Blake?” she asked me.
