by Lynn McCain
The clock in my room struck twelve, causing chills to invade my entire body. This is what I had been waiting for. As the clock continued to chime, we headed out the door. The guards all lie crumpled on the floor fast asleep.
I looked to Levona, who shrugged her shoulders and said, “Must have been something they ate.”
I smiled. As we passed the large fireplace, I saw Mother too, crumpled over the edge of the sofa. A plate of cookies was spilled all over the floor beneath her.
“That’s one way to do it,” I laughed.
As we approached the floor the prisoners were on, some guards still roamed the halls.
“Not everyone likes cookies, I guess,” Levona suggested.
I had to laugh. She was clever. I thought under different circumstances we might have actually been friends all this time.
Regardless, there we were unable to get past the guards. We stood just outside the door peering into the long corridor flanked with doors. We were already out of ideas. Pitiful, I thought. Nearly causing us both to jump out of our skin, Henry appeared behind us. He quickly pulled us aside into a nook in the wall and held his hands over our mouths. One of the guards opened the door and glanced around. He had heard us but after a survey of the hall, he returned to his post.
Releasing us, Henry placed his finger over his lips telling us to be quiet. He had come to help. I was so angry, not that he was helping because we needed all the help we could get, but that I was glad that he was there. I felt safe, and I hated that I needed him, especially with Calev so close. How would I handle seeing them both, together, in the same room? I felt ashamed. Henry examined my eyes. I wished for the fiery red to return yet without answer. His gaze would remain as black as the midnight sky.
“Save them,” he uttered before opening the door before him.
He wanted me to save Calev and Father? What did that mean; why was he helping me? His life was now in danger, and I felt responsible.
We watched him through the small opening in the center of the door. The guards arose but were not alarmed that Henry stood among them. He led them to a cell in the back. Instead of doors, there were only bars across the face of it. He requested they remove the female prisoner. As they all entered the cell, Henry roughly grabbed the prisoner and led her out first but just as the girl was on the outside, Henry turned and punched the last guard right across the face. Before any of them could respond, he had them all locked inside. It was obvious the girl knew Henry, but I had no time to deal with jealousy now. He waved his hands to us, and we raced through the door. After throwing each of us a set of keys, we all began unlocking the doors. One by one the prisoners were released from their chains. The last door we opened was the one I had been waiting for, all my life I suppose. For it held my father behind its walls, not only him but my best friend Shim and Calev, the man who had at least had a piece of my heart.
We raced in, and the three of us unchained them. Levona ran straight for Calev, collapsing into his lap. I watched him as I made my way to Father. His eyes lit up as he embraced her once his arms were released. Henry had Shim unchained rather quickly, and he was at Calev’s side even before I reached Father, the man I never knew. I knelt beside him, pushing aside his long unruly hair. As he looked up, our eyes met. Once his arms were released, he grabbed a strand of my hair and ran it through his fingers.
“Lily?” he questioned.
I smiled through my tears, for they had already begun to fall and whispered, “Father.”
He embraced me, which took all the strength he had. By this time, the others were by my side. Reaching over, Henry helped my father to his feet. His eyes searched for answers, as he was hoisted to stand by his enemy.
Just then Levona says something none of us understand, “Olam.”
My father’s eyes filled with tears, as he grabbed feebly for Levona’s hands and began kissing her fingers.
“Vona?” he affectionately called her.
Her face twisted revealing the biggest smile I had ever seen. They embraced, soaking one another with their tears. Olam was something that he used to say to Shira, promising that their love would last forever.
As I looked around, Henry’s eyes were fixed on mine. Shim threw his arms around my waist and Calev, well his attention was divided between me and Levona. I had no time to process all the emotions that were detonating inside me before Tizipporah stood before us. She brought word from Maleke that the Arcadians were within the walls and prepared to enter the castle. I knew this was it, it was happening so fast. I knew Father was alive; we had rescued him. That was my only request before I would allow them to take me to the caves. Now that it was over, there was only one thing left to do, die.
I watched as Father embraced Levona and felt jealousy rise slowly up within me. Calev too seemed to be more pleased with seeing Levona than me. What had happened? Levona was going to get all that I had ever dreamed of. She got Father and would have Calev, as well. Why did she get the fairytale, and I got death? There was an assault on my thoughts before I could stop it. Henry continued to move Father toward the door. Tizipporah gave each of them a red vile and made them drink, life entered back in to them right before our eyes. The sound of winds approaching met us as we left the cell, but Tizipporah confused them, and we were able to escape. We ran through the stone corridors, Henry leading the way in and out of rooms, until we came upon a large wooden door. It led to the back lawn. Maleke and the others were already inside and had begun to fight. Most of the soldiers were caught off guard, still recovering from Levona’s cookies.
The ground began to shake underneath us and a shrilling scream echoed against the walls. I froze. Henry’s face grew dark.
“You must leave now!” he screamed above the noise.
Everyone ran past me, but my feet remained planted on the ground. Henry was pushing me out the door, but I could not move. He was going to die. Reficul would kill him because he helped us escape. I threw my arms around him. I did not have time to consider all the reasons I should hate him. I did not think of Calev or even Father. I thought of the torture he would endure all because he loved me. He had truly loved me.
Tizipporah looked on. She knew Henry must be the faceless man in my dreams. The soldiers had entered the room by this time and with one flap of her enormous wings, they were all thrown back from the sheer force of the wind they produced.
Looking to Henry she commanded, “Get her out of here! You’re coming with us.”
Hand in hand, we raced out on to the back lawn. Calev and the others had already made it to the fences. The sound of great travailing could be heard even outside the walls, reminding me of an angry beast. As we ran, it was as if we were back in the forest at Eden; the day I entered the door. I could hear Shim calling out my name, and it echoed in the space around us. So much had happened since then. Henry and I reached the tall, stone fence just as Maleke had blown a hole in the center of it. As we turned to run through it, I watched as Eitan was devoured by one of the wild dogs that had already begun to pursue us.
My heart cried out, but there was no time to stop. Shim only made it by the skin of his brow before another wall rose up out of the ground, trapping those that still remained inside. The structure was made of metal, but we could see right through it. I heard a sound leaving Calev’s tongue that still haunts me to this day. It was Maleke, he had not made it. Calev raced back to the fence trying to break through with all of his might. Henry assured that nothing would break it. I screamed and thrashed about, trying to make it to Calev.
“Go! Run with her!” Tizipporah commanded Henry.
I continued to fight as he hoisted over his shoulder and raced toward the trees. I watched as Calev tried to pull Maleke through the bars of the fence. He refused to let go. Maleke tugged, trying to get away but was stuck in between them. He screamed for Calev to leave. As Henry ran, the whole scene got smaller, but I will never forget what I saw next, with Calev still holding on to his brother one of the wild beasts attacked leaving on
ly Maleke’s arms left dangling from Calev’s hands. Henry continued to run. The louder I screamed, the faster he ran. That was the last thing I saw before I fainted, fell lifeless upon Henry’s shoulder.
Chapter 11
My eyes opened slowly, taking in the light around me. My head was pounding, and I could hardly sit up. As I tried to focus, I saw faint images of people sitting all around with their backs leaned up against the trees. From what I could make out, we were in a dense forest. I thought we must be on Tizipporah’s mountain, for that was the only green place that I knew of in all the land. But we had traveled out beyond the borders of Arcadia and were headed to the caves. Oh yes, I was on my way to die. I had almost forgotten. The very thought finally brought my vision back into focus.
Looking around, I was met with sleeping bodies. As I found Calev, I remembered the horrible events that had taken place just hours earlier. It had felt like a terrible dream. I was living in my worst nightmare, and I was the star. Levona’s head rested upon Calev’s chest. I no longer felt jealous. That’s not entirely true, actually it’s not true at all. I felt like a raving lunatic on the inside but suppressed it because I was soon to die anyway. I would want him to be happy, wouldn’t I? Besides Calev and I, well I wasn’t really sure what we had. I know my heart raced even at the thought of him, the smell of his skin was like an addiction and his crooked smile, well I would die a thousand deaths just to see it one last time. As I stewed over my feelings, I became keenly aware of Henry’s arms around my waist but was not ready to address it. Looking back toward Calev, I imagined that his heart had always belonged to Levona anyway, hadn’t it? And she too loved him, didn’t she?
I had to break my gaze before I went crazy right there in the camp. I saw Shim, his little legs curled up in a ball as he lie face down in the dirt. My father leaned against the tree directly across from mine. He was so handsome, even with his scruffy beard. I had saved him. I felt a rush go through me. I would save Arcadia as well. A tear fell from my cheek, as I thought of Maleke and the others. They too had given their life for Arcadia. I wanted to honor them, throw a party to recognize their sacrifice, but there would be no parties, no celebration, for I too was headed off to be slaughtered.
I could take it no more. I began to weep harder still, yet mindful not to wake the others. In the middle of my breakdown, I felt a hand upon my arm. It was Henry. He had abandoned his family, helped in our escape and was now ready to comfort me in my distress, but he had also killed my grandfather. Regardless of the reasons why, I was unsure if I could forgive him, yet I also knew that my heart longed for him worse than my lungs cried out for oxygen. I could hide it no longer, couldn’t repress the feelings inside. What was the point anyway? Calev had Levona, and I had Henry.
I allowed his hand to remain on my arm and scooted in closer until his arms encompassed my entire person. I lie against his chest and wept until no more tears could form. He never said a word, just held on tightly as if he knew it would not last. He had no idea how quickly it would soon be over, for he was unaware of why we were headed to the caves.
Oblivious to the truth, his grandfather had only revealed part of the prophecy to him, for he, himself did not have all the answers. He thought Tizipporah and the others were saving me from certain death, thinking Reficul would be defeated and that I would be safe. Henry underestimated his grandfather’s power, for only in my death would a power greater than his fill the people, allowing them to overcome him. He had no idea he was the faceless man in my dreams; he was the one that would actually end my life, not Reficul. I buried my face in his chest not wanting to look him in the eye. How could I tell him? I could not; I would not be the one to do it.
The caves were still a few days journey away, so I thought I would forget about what lie ahead and just enjoy being in Henry’s arms. Once everyone was awake, I would make them promise not to tell him until the very last moment. That way I would not have to live with his guilt hanging over my head on the last few days of my life. I pretended to fall asleep in Henry’s arms that morning. He never loosened his grasp, not even once.
I was still awake as the others began to slowly let in the light of day through their eyes. Levona leaned over and kissed Calev right on the lips. His eyes darted straight toward mine. Lava, burning, hot lava settled in my cheeks. I breathed in deep and smiled. I knew how much Calev loved his brother, and I was glad he had Levona there to comfort him, in spite of my own personal feelings. It had been a rough night for all of us. Tizipporah was all but drained from keeping us shielded throughout the night. She was quite confident though that she had led the soldiers in the wrong direction. They would soon catch on, but she hoped she had given us enough of a head start.
Father was the first to approach me. Henry finally released his grasp but only because he had to. I arose and received my first official hug from Father, not counting our embrace in his cell. It was emotional, to say the least. He knew all about the prophecy and had a look of distress upon his face. Before he could speak, I turned frantically toward Henry and asked him to fetch some firewood for our breakfast. I couldn’t bear the thought of him finding out what was about to happen. Smiling, he headed toward the woods. Just before he was out of sight, I had the most awful thought flash through my mind.
“Stay close!” I screamed.
I could not have imagined losing him.
By this time, everyone was awake and on their feet. Calling them all together, I demanded they not reveal the truth of our journey to Henry until it was absolutely necessary. They began to protest but were soon hushed by Tizipporah, who took my side and scolded them. Calev appeared confused at first. I believe he imagined that it would be him that slid the knife through my flesh. Not that he was looking forward to it, but I think he was disappointed, for he headed off into the trees. Levona followed him.
As we were still speaking, Henry walked up with his arms full of twigs. Awkwardly, everyone turned away. Obvious as it was, Henry still did not notice. I mean how could he ever suspect what we were keeping from him? I watched him drop the timber on the ground and run his fingers through his messy hair. He stood with one leg in front of him and placed his hands inside his pockets. My heart could not take it. He had no idea what was about to happen.
I thought of our wedding; the event that would never take place now. Actually, I’m not sure if it ever would have. Who am I kidding, despite everything that happened between us, despite the fact that our entire relationship was based on a lie; I know he loved me, his face on the man in my dreams proved that, and if I had said yes right then, he would still marry me. I wondered who Henry would end up marrying after it was all over. That’s what my life became in my mind, something that would all be over soon.
Tizipporah interrupted my daydream, “It’s time we move on. We must stay ahead of Reficul’s men.”
We traveled most of the day in silence. It’s funny how my whole life I had dreamed of my father, yet now that he was there I had almost no words to say to him. I’m not really sure why. He was a stranger, yes, but he was still my father. I thought maybe because I was going to die and didn’t want to get too close, making it harder for the both of us. Then there was Calev, I kept catching him staring at me the entire day. I knew we needed to talk, alone. There was so much that had been left unsaid, so many questions that to be honest, I had no answers to. His heart loved Levona, mine Henry, but only a short time ago we had found each other’s arms to be a refuge for the other, and my lips had made their home upon his. Whether out of want or need, the fact remains that I loved Calev. I have always heard that right before you die life gets so much clearer, no such luck for me though. One big ball of confusion pretty much sums it up. I loved Henry, but I also loved Calev. I thought of Mother’s words when Grandfather died, Death makes people do strange things. I think love is the same. It makes you do strange things as well. It is, in essence, strange itself.
All of a sudden, I felt uncomfortable with Henry’s hand in mine. I was glad he could n
ot read my mind. I let go and walked swiftly to the front of the group, claiming I needed to be alone to reflect on all that had happened. Everyone graciously let me be. That is everyone except for Shim. He had not said a word since Maleke’s death. Meeting my pace, he walked beside me and we distanced ourselves from the group. We continued on without a word for quite some time before Shim finally spoke.
“It was my fault. It should have been me, it should have been me.”
He spoke of Maleke. Shim was the one he went back for. He fended off the wild dogs, so Shim could get away, only to be caught behind the fence and himself, devoured by the wicked creatures. I tried to imagine Shim’s guilt, as I wrapped my arms around my tiny friend. He buried his face into my chest and wept. He was alive but only at the expense of another. I held him until he released his grasp.
After we had walked for hours, Tizipporah decided it was time again to stop and rest. I was totally exhausted and thought that if Maleke were there he would have ridden me upon his back. At the very thought of him, my mind flashed the dreadful scene of the beast ripping his arms from his body.
Calev made a small fire while Levona and Father went looking for something to eat. The rest of us decided to gather leaves to sleep on, trying to make the place a little more comfortable. Levona and Father brought back several berries and fruits for us to eat. Once finished, we all lie on our makeshift beds and watch the sun begin to set. Being so high in the mountain made the sun appear to be so close that it seemed we could almost reach out and touch it. Henry held me tightly in his arms and drifted off to sleep rather quickly. The others soon followed. One by one sleep entered our camp. I lie motionless in Henry’s arms and listened to the sound his breath made as it left his body. Unable to sleep myself, I began to count each time Henry’s chest would rise and fall. I glared across the camp, my eyes resting upon Levona peacefully laid upon Calev’s chest. I felt like I was going crazy. I had to get up, get some air between myself and the others.
