Mystical (The Mystical Trilogy Book 1)

by Michael Weekly

  I wander to the clothes in front of the store, fingering through the many pieces of scarves and socks. I’m not trying to come off as a stalker. I just wanted to see what he’s up to.

  “Hey, Liz, I’ll be in the fitting room. Gonna try this one,” Dawn says. “And…you’re totally not listening to me. All right then.”

  My focus is on the guys outside. They say something to each other and then look at the store I’m in. My mouth parts and I quickly head to another part of the store. The sound of the motion sensor goes off from someone entering the store. The sales associate greets them as I hold onto a white scarf I thought looked pretty cute. Someone places their hands around my waist. I turn around only to be brushed up against someone’s chest. I lift my gaze and see Eric in front of me, grinning.

  “What are you wearing?” He chuckles.

  “You like it?”

  “Love the beanie.” He flashes a smile. “This is my friend, Alex,” he says, pointing to the blonde guy standing next to him.

  “Nice to meet you,” he says. His cologne is fresh and smells like flowers. I laugh at the thought.

  “So, what’s up? Why are you on The Strip?” I ask.

  Eric walks past the associate Dawn and I ran into first. She smiles at him and then wanders off into the men’s section of the store. Alex ventures off on his own, browsing the place.

  “Nothing. I just heard about The Strip on Tumblr and wanted to check it out. We don’t have this kind of stuff in Canada,” he answers me.

  “Wow, you should come with us. We have—”

  I choke on the words I’m about to say and my face crinkles up. I sprint back into the fitting room, where my purse is, and search for my cell phone to look at the time.

  9:00 p.m.

  Shit...

  Mom and Jared have warned me countless times not to be out past eight. I don’t know why. Maybe it has something to do with whatever Mom claims she’s protecting me from, but it seems important to them for me to be inside.

  Dawn comes out from the fitting rooms and drops her pieces of clothing. Alex rushes over to help her pick the items up. She tucks her hair behind her right ear, looks up at him, and mouths thanks to him. She smiles, her teeth beaming, as the guy places his hand on a fixture and leans against it.

  She holds the clothing she tried on against her chest and covers her mouth when he says something that makes her laugh. Alex takes out his phone, and she tilts her head to the side, biting her bottom lip, an obvious sign that she’s flirting.

  They walk into another section of the store together. From the way she’s carrying herself—chuckling between sentences and giving him her undivided attention—I know they’re having an interesting conversation and that she’s interested in him.

  I’d hate to butt into Dawn and Alex’s potential…whatever it is they’re aiming for. Mom doesn’t leave the house until tomorrow, so I need to at least try to get back home to keep her sane in regards to all of her witch nonsense.

  “Dawn, its nine o’clock,” I whisper, finding my way next to her.

  She’s too busy talking to Alex, who’s checking her out. Dawn is giggling in the middle of their conversation. I narrow my eyes. It’s like Dawn isn’t aware of the time or anything else right now besides Alex.

  “No, really. Cats are awesome, man. I have, like, five,” Dawn says bravely, throwing out five fingers. Alex holds on to her waist from behind as they walk toward the fitting rooms. He takes her five little fingers in his hand, disappearing within the tall fixtures of beanies and socks. It’s as if I was never beside the both of them, like I was some sort of ghost they ignored.

  It’s strange because not one coworker catches them go back there, and I may not know much about working in retail and such, but I’m sure opposite genders in one single fitting room isn’t allowed.

  As I walk toward the fitting room, I lose the sound of her giggles. I turn around the corner to see Alex and Dawn making out by the large mirror, Alex biting on her bottom lip. This isn’t like Dawn.

  She seems like she is under some sort of spell. The more the guy sucks on her lips, the more she moans. Dawn begins to mumble even more about random things in the middle of kissing.

  Alex caresses her cheek with his thumb, his pale skin almost glittering off the store’s lighting. Dawn shudders comfortably as he leans over her. Goosebumps develop on her skin.

  I walk beside Dawn. Alex’s eyes flick up furiously at me.

  “Dawn...” I whisper. “Uhm, we have to go. Jared’s going to kill me.”

  It seems like she’s stuck in her reverie with the guy in front of her. He ignores me and stays focused on my friend. He proceeds to touch her cheek and hand, then rubs under her ribcage. I don’t think Dawn wants this to be happening. I said public display of affection was all right, but this is the kind I know Dawn wouldn’t be comfortable with. Plus, she just met the guy, so why is she acting this way and allowing him to do this?

  “Hey! Get off of her, creep,” I shout, pushing him against one of the glossy fitting room doors.

  A feeling of energy surges throughout my body. I furrow my eyebrows at him. I want to drag him across the ground, jab my knee in his gut until he begs for me to stop. Anger burns within. I purse my lips and walk toward the guy.

  His eyes are shocked and he’s smirking like he doesn’t care what I’m about to do. I grab the collar of his shirt, pull him in, and punch him in the face. My knee moves by itself, jabbing his stomach. He falls to the ground. His hand shoots up to the side of his jaw. The smirk disappears and his eyes lock onto mine.

  My voice somehow leads Dawn to the light at the end of the tunnel she’s stuck in. Her eyes grow wide with shock that I’m beside her. The noise that came from me jabbing Alex in his stomach must have brought her back to life.

  She coughs, holding her hand against her throat. His smirk reappears, outlining his face and thick jaw as he watches her come back to reality. With his thumb, he wipes the blood from his lips. I don’t know how I managed to get a six foot guy on the ground. I watch him collect himself, get up, and stagger out of the fitting room. I turn around, checking if Dawn is hurt.

  “Are you okay, Dawn?” I move her hair from her face and see colorful glitter fading away from her lips. I swear I’ve seen these colors before somewhere.

  “What? I’m so confused. I was—I was just looking at this purse…” Her voice fades. “I—I don’t remember anything else.” She shakes her head and fixes her hair. “Who was that guy? What the hell?” She rubs her mouth in disgust.

  “You were talking to him and, well, you guys were sucking each other’s face.” I look around for him until I see the store’s doors close slowly, like someone just left. “Who…isn’t here anymore.”

  “What?” Dawn looks at me. She looks dazed, crazy. She raises her hand to her lips as if she feels something on them.

  “I don’t know. The guy you were talking to, Eric’s friend...” I furrow my eyebrows. “We need to go. It’s nine.”

  ***

  I walk into an open fitting room and take off the clothes I tried on. I had them on much longer than I intended. When I finish, I come out and see Eric watching me closely. I walk to him while Dawn checks out her clothes at the register.

  “Sorry, I have to go. Family problems at home,” I explain, flicking my hair behind my shoulder.

  “Oh, curfew? No need to lie,” he jokes, putting his hands in his pockets.

  “No, really. I just have to go.”

  Eric’s facial expression becomes puzzled. He places his clothes on a table. I guess he decided against buying them, or maybe something else made him change his mind. I lift up my hand to smell my breath.

  “Are you going to keep running from me every time we meet up somewhere?” He grabs my arm tightly. I flinch from the pain he causes.

  “Hey, that hurts.” I look up at him. My eyebrows feel like they’re scrunched together.

  “I’m playing with you, Liza. Calm down.” He smirks and waves bye
to me as he leaves the store.

  Why would he grab me like that? It was very weird. I rub my arm and realize that there’s a bruise on the spot he gripped me.

  Dawn and I leave the store and walk down the strip. Streetlights glow golden white across the sidewalk. Neon lights from the bars and clubs beam on our skin as we stroll by. A few drunks stagger amongst each other, laughing hysterically. They look like they’re in their twenties.

  “Hey, babe, you lookin’ sexy,” a guy says to Dawn while she fake texts to avoid confrontation.

  “You lookin’ sexy,” I joke, nudging Dawn.

  “Shut up.”

  My car is a few blocks ahead of us, near some weird French jewelry store. It seems like it’s going to take us forever to get there. My legs begin to feel heavier as my muscles ache in pain from standing all day.

  “Who was that guy you were flirting with at Urban Outfitters?” Dawn asks.

  “Oh, I met him on the way to school. He noticed me embarrass myself while I was driving. I was dancing to Taylor Swift and he watched.” I glance up at the neon lights on the buildings ahead of us. “I also ran into him again that same day on the way to student services. His name’s Eric.” I brush my frizzy hair from my face and look toward the ground.

  “You like him...”

  “Wha—”

  “Don’t even start, Liza.”

  “I don’t—”

  “I’m your best friend. Shut up.” She laughs.

  Is it that obvious that I find him interesting? Plus, we just met, and I’m sure I don’t like him…well, at least I think I’m sure. The guy is weird. He just grabbed me for no reason, bruising me as a joke.

  To clear up the tension, I say, “I’m sure he doesn’t know anyone, since he’s from, like, you know, Canada and all.”

  “Oh...and you know where he’s from? You go, Ms. Eliza Rose.” She smacks my shoulder.

  We continue to walk as the neon lights slowly begin to dim. Everything gradually becomes dull with only the streetlights lighting up the sidewalk. Across the street from where I parked my car, I see a dark path filled with garbage cans on the ground. I look for my keys in the purse by shaking the bag and listening for a jingle. It’s not successful. Dawn has her headphones in. She’s mumbling some song lyrics.

  A soda can rolls over into the middle of the street as if someone kicked it purposefully.

  An eerie feeling stabs my stomach. I look up slowly to see where the can came from. When all I see is darkness, I quickly look for my keys again. I finally find them just as I hear footsteps coming from the dark path crunch on the rocks.

  I walk toward the door and point my key’s remote at my car, beeping it unlock.

  “Hey,” Alex says to Dawn dryly. Dawn stops singing and takes out her headphones. He gives her the same deep look he gave her back in the fitting room.

  She smiles. “You look familiar.”

  “Yeah, we should get going, Dawn.” My voice cracks. I clear my throat to get her attention. Alex looks at her, smirking. He fixes his hair while he bites on his bottom lip.

  He turns around and glides into the dark path without making a single noise. Absentmindedly, Dawn follows the guy into the shadows, skipping after him.

  My blood thickens and my heart rate quickens. My hands start shaking, along with my keys. I look around to see if anyone is near just in case I need to call for help.

  No one is around, and I feel like I am nowhere.

  “Dawn!” I yell out. I bump into my car, my purse falling out of my hands as I run after her.

  I start breathing faster, and with the cold air hitting my lungs, breathing becomes more difficult.

  I scream out for her again as darkness surrounds me. I step on trash that is in the narrow path. A black cat runs against me, bumping into a trash can.

  I lean against the rocky wall beside me, covering my mouth to prevent myself from screaming. Claustrophobic feelings drown my thoughts. Carefully, I walk, and this time I don’t yell for her.

  “Dawn?” I throw out my hands in front of me, feeling the air in case I might run into something. Without my glasses, I’m completely blind, and especially since it’s pitch black down this path. I must’ve forgotten them back at home.

  “Instinct.” I remember my mother saying.

  “You’re a witch.” Jared’s voice rings in my head.

  I take a deep breath, concentrate on hearing anything, and, very faintly, I hear giggles.

  That’s Dawn’s giggles.

  That’s all I need to find her. I know where she is now. My newfound agility decides to force itself out of me. I sprint down the path. I remember my mom’s reflexes and, almost as if I’m channeling her, I glide swiftly toward Dawn’s giggles to save her from this creep.

  I pick up my speed. My hair flies back from the wind, the gust punching my face. Ahead of me, I see a light, and everything becomes a little clearer. It’s a dead end, so they must be somewhere in that light.

  “Oh, Eliza, meet my new friend,” Dawn says, but she sounds completely intoxicated.

  Golden sparkles of blue and green dust lay on her skin. Alex is kissing, or what looks like biting, on her neck.

  Glitter drops off of Alex as he kisses her further down. Sharp wings are on his back, fluttering smoothly and slowly. He begins to float just a little above Dawn, feeling inside her shirt.

  His skin is smooth with swirly tattoos perfectly wrapped around his skin. His ears are pointy and he is wearing a tight, dark green outfit.

  I remember his hair being blonde, but it’s not blonde now. It’s dark grey and glows in the dark. The light I witnessed from a distance came from his fluttering wings.

  The wind the wings create brush against my face, and a soothing smell of fresh lilies and roses slither inside my nostrils.

  My nose flares and my vision blurs. Dawn moans with pleasure as the guy makes out with her, caressing her body. With every kiss, he leaves glittery rainbow colored spots on her skin. Dawn’s veins begin to outline her arms and her eyes roll back.

  I have to stop this. I remember this from somewhere, but where?

  Without thinking, I search the ground beneath me, hoping the strange creature in front of me doesn’t notice. He seems to be more focused on Dawn.

  I find my broomstick in my pocket. I hold it tightly in my hands as its rusty metal scrapes against my palm. My hands are shaking in fear, so I take a deep breath.

  “Let her go!” I scream, lunging toward the disturbing scene.

  I wave my useless weapon in the air and in a defenseless motion. Nothing happens. I quickly press its button, but still nothing happens.

  Why isn’t it resizing?

  The monster stops kissing Dawn and then redirects his attention on me. Glitter is sparkling on her lips and drool is dripping down the side of her neck. She’s smiling. She’s back in the zombie daze she was in at Urban Outfitters, when she and Alex were in the fitting rooms.

  I know I look crazy. I’ve been told to bring this stupid object with me wherever I go, and it’s not useful at all. The creature flies toward me. I duck and tumble to the left, against a wall.

  I see a trash can top on the floor. I bet it’ll be more useful than this broomstick. The monster floats back to Dawn and holds her neck tightly. I grab the top and throw it against his head as hard as I can.

  The pressure from my hit causes him to snap out of his trance, releasing Dawn. She falls onto the ground, giggling.

  He stumbles to the wall behind him. He glares at me angrily, his crystal-like eyes locking onto me. He forces his red lips back, showing his sharp teeth.

  The guy’s rainbow colored tattoos begin to glow. He still has some of the features he had as a normal human, but this? This is a beautiful monster. He floats up and soars toward me.

  He grips my neck with freezing hands. His harsh skin shocks me, and I find myself struggling for air as the wind, made by his colorful, deadly wings, press against my face.

  Cracking his neck to the right, he
smirks as he holds my neck tightly, choking me. My hands fly up in an effort to release his grip. My vision begins to fade as my heart beat frantically picks up. I grunt in pain, kicking my legs around, trying to free myself.

  The cold ground smashes against my skin. As I cringe from the pain, my eyes begin to water. I hear a loud thud against a wall. I blink, trying to clear the tears, and look in the direction where the sound is coming from. My vision is still a bit faded, but I can make out movements. I blink again, trying to focus on seeing what is happening.

  My ears perk from the noise I hear behind me—boots scratching against the tiny gravel on the ground. I dig my hands into the dirt and slowly breathe through my nose.

  The sound of someone’s erratic breathing is closing in, and fast. I turn my head slightly and see colorful, silver lights running toward me. Wind slaps against my face as the person darts past me. I hear the sound of leather clothing rubbing against itself.

  They flip in front of the creature, and the sound of a button being clicked grabs my attention. I see the red button on a slender object glow, followed by the sound of metal scraping against metal as the object activates into a medium sized bar.

  Long hair sways over her back as she circles the bar above her head with one hand as if it was a twirling baton. The sound of the air whipping around the slender metal object holds my attention.

  She stops twirling her weapon in the air. She presses the button once more, and I hear another sharp scraping sound as two daggers appear on each end of the bar. I blink a few times to clear up the image a bit.

  Rainbow colored markings around his neck crawl over his face as he directs his attention to the lady in front of me. She is wearing a black suit with studs on the side of the jacket, black leather pants, and heels. The creature bares his teeth as his eyes continuously change to different colors. He shoots in the air, his sharp wings fluttering ferociously behind him.

  The lady side steps out of the way swiftly, allowing her to swipe his right wing. Rainbow mist rises in the air when she swipes him, and the wing vanishes into the mist of rainbow colors. He crashes to the ground, spraying the hard gravel in my face. I scoot to the side of the wall, getting out of the way.