"What is this place?" I ask Ari, clinging to him, not wanting to risk being pulled into the gate by some psychotic soul wanting revenge.
"I think this one is Asphodel Meadows. It's for regular people who weren't good or bad. They're more like indifferent." He says. "There's nothing to be afraid of here." He adds in making me feel better.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
oblivion
Of course when we get to the edge of the gates a river lays ahead of us. Instead of freaking out, I look to Ari for explanation. The last one was okay. Don't get me wrong, it sucked but it was a lot better than the river of pain.
"Lethe." Ari states with disgust. He pauses for a couple seconds then looks to me. "We can just cross it. Just do not drink the water." He warns me, with a serious look in his eyes that I know not to cross.
"What will happen?" I ask him.
"You will get very confused. This is the river of Oblivion. We'll be okay as long as none of the water gets in our mouths." He explains confidently as his hand locks on mine.
"Easy enough." I say, walking towards the water, wanting to come off strong.
I put one foot in and then the next. Nothing happens at all. I smile, looking back at Ari on the bank, I wave him in. This river is darker than the others, almost ominous. It's also much wider. It will take a while to cross,x but it is safe. Finally, we catch a break.
We start walking side by side and then I decide to speed into a jog. The less I have to be in here, the better. Once I move faster, I notice that it's getting deeper with each step. What was once a foot deep, is now up to my thighs.
"We're going to have to start swimming soon. We're not even half way." Ari says, sinking into the water until he's neck deep. "Remember do not under any circumstance, open your mouth under there." He reminds me, before swimming on towards the end zone, ahead of me.
"Got it." I state, following close behind him. I stay close enough where I can touch his feet if I need to. I'm a decent swimmer so I'm not worried about the length of the swim. Instead of swimming faster by putting my head under or swinging my arms over my head, I go doggy paddle style so that my head won't get wet at all. I don't want to risk it.
We make it to the edge of the river and there's no slope at all. To get out of the river we have to pull ourselves up out of the water. This requires major upper body strength. Of course it can't just be easy. This place is torture—I guess it's fitting.
I put my arms over the edge of the river and try to push up on my arms. Swinging my leg up and over the ledge, I try to pull myself over or just roll out onto dry land.
It works but then the dirt gets wet and crumbles. I slip falling head first into the water. Because the fall takes me by surprise, I open my mouth to scream before hitting the water letting a lot of water in.
This only panics me more so I freak out, under water. I swallow a lot of water—like a lot.
As I'm coming up for air, two strong hands reach under my arm pits and lift me out of the river as if I'm weightless. I spit out as much water as possible but I know deep down I swallowed a lot.
Ari clings to my arms, pulling me into his wet chest. He's shaking and I'm not sure if it's from the cold water or fear for me. He studies my face and body.
"Did you swallow any?" He asks me, his voice cracking at the end.
"Yes." I reply making his perfect face melt in horror.
"You have to throw it up, Eury. You have to do it now before the water starts to mess with you. Can you do that?" He asks me.
I don't throw up at all, like really at all. I haven't thrown up since I was seven. Unless you count the one time I threw up when I was drunk. "I don't know how." I respond, feeling like an idiot. He's going to hate me. Why did I try to get out of the water by myself?
He takes my hand in his and drags me to the edge of the river. He pats the ground next to him as he sits down and I reluctantly join. He instructs me to sit on my knees so my face can be over the water. The least I can do is be obedient.
"Try to get your finger all the way in the back of your throat and think of throw up. I need you to do this for me, okay? Please, Eury." He says, demonstrating for me in his own mouth. He pulls my hair back and rubs my back urging me to go on.
I panic. I don't want to throw up in front of him. It's only confusion. How bad could it be? I'd rather be confused then throw up right here. But Ari has saved me before, numerous times so I'll try.
I bend over the water and try to throw up thinking of the smell, the sound and what it looks like. I try to imagine the most disgusting puke ever which isn't hard since I've witnessed Junior millions of times. I stick my pointer in the back of my throat and I gag. Nothing comes up, though.
I try again but I can't get it. I don't know how to freaking do it! I start to cry because I'm frustrated. I throw my hands up in defeat and sit back on my heels. I can never do anything right!
Suddenly my mind becomes foggy, my thoughts getting jumbled. The edges of my vision start to blur and I look all around me wondering if I'm having a dream. I look over to Ari but he's gone. A man stands in his place with the same eyes but his mouth has changed. He's got fangs like a wolf or maybe a bear.
"Go away!" I complain pushing the mans chest, craving Ari. I punch him in the arm to get him to move. "Ari! Where are you?" I scream out into the cave.
I look back to the wolf, also known as fake Ari, challenging him to attack me. He transforms into a black wolf, hair and all before my eyes. His eyes are one hundred percent yellow, all traces of Ari vanished.
Instead of the wolf answering back, he howls showing me his sharp, white teeth. I run from the wolf since I know he's going to kill me. I keep running until I run straight into a red wall and have no idea how I got here. This isn't my room. Where the hell did this wolf take me? I must have been taken to the wolf's lair. He's keeping me here waiting to kill me. I need to get away before I die.
I feel a hand on the back of my neck, freezing me. It's like someone has hit a pressure point, paralyzing every single muscle in my body at once. I can't see around me. My head refuses to move in any direction—I can't look up or down, left or right. I can't see anything except the tall, red wall I'm stuck in.
Red ants start crawling up my body, slowly biting me as they make their way to my face. They feast on my biceps and forearms, the bigger ants nibbling on my fingers. I cry out in horror and pain wanting them to get off of me.
I look down at my legs, barely able to see them since my head is immobile and snakes circle me. They slither up my legs hissing at me when my eyes meet theirs. They're slimy like slugs as they slink all over my body, leaving trails of where they have been. They start nipping at my skin, first small bites and then large chunks.
I get a sharp pain in my stomach and when I look down I see that a snake has bitten into my stomach. I try to push it away but I can't move. It's fangs are stuck into my belly button. It keeps biting my stomach over and over again, refusing to stop. Blood starts gushing from the wound, leaving a gaping hole in place of my belly button. The blood starts pouring by the gallon out of me—my body emptying in front of my eyes.
I feel like I'm going to throw up the pain is so unbearable. For some reason I think this is a good idea. The hand on my neck drops letting me move again. I look behind me and see the same black wolf. This time it has Ari's deep green eyes, filled with worry like a human. Why would this wolf steal his eyes?
The pain worsens, knocking my thoughts out and I finally let it all go. I vomit on the black wolf's feet covering them in black slime. The would growls scaring me into thinking I'm dead meat now. I run away from it towards the river, throwing up the black slime again, this time into the water. Thankfully it washes away so I don't have to see it.
My vision starts to come back, sharpening more and more by the second. Everything that I see is more vibrant than before. The river that was once murky and dark is now bright see-through blue. Fish swim through the water stopping to smile up at me and wave with their silly
little fins. All I want to do is pull out a hammock and nap under the sun.
I look down at my body. My stomach growls and groans from the hurt from the snake and the pain. The pain fades but since there's nothing in my body, I feel so weak. I crave the hum from Ari that I have become so accustomed to. How do I get the electricity back on?
I can barely keep my eyes open. I don't want to keep them open anyway. I am on this amazing beach. I crawl onto my towel and lay on my side cradling my wounds. I shut my eyes and fall asleep laying next to the fishes.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
challenge accepted
I literally feel like I haven't eaten in a full month. I try to figure out what's going on as I wake up. It all rushes to the forefront of my brain. A headache starts causing me to grab my forehead in pain. The river, falling in, drinking the water and then blank. I can't remember anything after. It is like I've been brainwashed.
Where is Ari? I get up to dust off my butt and see a river in the distance. Ari must have moved us away from it when I passed out. I start walking around searching for him but he's nowhere.
Fear sets in along with abandonment. Ari left me. Maybe he thought I was dead or something. What am I supposed to do now?
I'm scared to go down the path because I don't want to be alone in the darkness. I lean against a wall and sink down to the floor, dropping my head into my hands, attempting to slow my heart rate. I stare at the ground, trying to come up with a plan of how to get home. My brain still feels funny and not cohesive—stray thoughts flutter around aimlessly.
I hear a noise in the distance and my head darts up questioning what it is. Ari's dark head bobs my way and I rush towards him on the verge of crying. I'm so elated that he came back for me.
"What are you doing?" He asks me, not understanding why I'm so happy.
"Freaking out clearly. Where were you?" I shriek at him, shoving him on the chest for scaring me.
"I was looking around trying to figure out where to go next. You were asleep." He explains.
"Oh." I guess that's a logical answer. "What happened to me?" I ask him.
"Do you remember anything at all?" He asks back, placing his hands on my shoulders. He gives me a small smile and it makes me feel better, reassured that he's here with me.
"I remember falling in and trying to throw up... then nothing." I admit, tucking my head down.
"You went crazy. You thought I was a wolf. You said snakes were eating you. I had to shove my hand down your throat and you finally threw up the water. You know you swallowed a lot." He states, leering at me. I punch him for that one. Of course I know I swallowed a lot.
"Anyway, you were so tired after that escapade so I laid you down over there. You only slept for like a half hour though. Are you okay?" He asks me, truly concerned. He touches my forehead to make sure I don't have a fever like my dad used to be.
"I feel perfectly fine. Hungry though. Got anything in that pack of yours?" I suggest. He lifts an eyebrow at me so I raise mine right back, challenging him.
He drops to one knee and opens up his backpack, fishing out a well balanced meal of gatorade and pop tarts. It takes me all of a minute to finish the 'meal' but damn, a pop tart has never tasted so good.
"Are you okay to head out? We might be able to finish today and get to the gates." He asks, checking to see if I can handle it.
Excitement surges through me. "Really?! Yes, I'm ready." I exclaim, jumping up, ready for the next leg of our journey.
We start walking and it's the same thing we've gotten used to—holding hands, connection sizzling between us, silence. I kind of want to drill him about my little freak out but decide not to. I don't even want to think about how his hand was down my throat. I cringe at the thought.
"So… I thought we could try something to pass the time." He offers up, taking me by surprise.
"Sure. What?" I'm curious since he loves his quiet walking. The first thought to run though my mind is making out but I don't think we'd be able to kiss and walk.
"Well Nephilim have powers. They can be fast or strong or read minds and stuff like that. I thought maybe we could try and see what you can do. You should have some powers starting to surface. Plus, I know you're strong from the library incident." He says, half laughing about it.
"Shut up!" I wail, shoving his shoulder. "What do I do?" I ask him, curiously.
"Let's race to see if you can keep up with me." He challenges me. He tells me to just run like I normally would but then push myself. I have to imagine myself running but then flip a switch that turns on my turbo speed.
We line up next to each other behind a fake line. He looks over to me and I look at him. He lifts his brow as if challenging me, pushing me to try and win.
"Ready?" He asks me, revving his back foot and making the sound of a race car with his mouth. I nod and then face forward, putting on my game face. We're going until the next gate which I can barely see in the distance.
"Set... go..." And I start going. At first I don't even look next to me, not wanting to see how fast he's going or how easily he's running. I focus straight ahead, eyes on the prize, willing myself to run.
After thirty seconds, I still don't see Ari at all. Then all of a sudden a blur pasts me. I hear his deep laugh and know I have to push harder.
I do what he says, putting myself into turbo gear. It feels like a nitro burst under my feet as they start moving without me trying. My legs go without me doing anything at all. I almost feel like I'm flying. I start to giggle because I'm so happy.
Ari is still really far ahead of me but I want to catch him. I need to catch him, just so I can wipe that cocky smile off his face. I try but all too soon the gates are right next to me. I stop on the dot and see Ari leaning against the gate, his foot propped against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You beat me." I mutter, pouting in defeat.
"Barely. You're getting your powers! That was amazing." He cheers, rushing to my side. He picks me up and twirls me around in a circle. He kisses my head and then puts me back down, smiling like he's proud of me.
"It was?" I question him.
"Yes!" He exclaims, his eyes alight with glee.
"Cool!" I say and we start moving again through the gates.
I look around and behind the gates is a paradise. The grass is greener than I have ever seen on earth—in pictures, in movies, anywhere. Nothing on earth can compare. The sun shines bright, lighting up the baby blue sky. There are houses and roads and families out there conversing and interacting with each other.
"What is this place?" I ask Ari.
"This is Elysian Fields. Where the good people go." He explains, wistfully.
"I love it." I say, meaning every word. I dream of coming here when I die, if my soul is ever freed. I let out a sigh. I'll always be stuck reincarnating. I'll never have a chance at a happy ever after.
We walk in silence, hand in hand staring into Elysian Fields. I try to imagine my soul floating around in there with Ari. Us living out our afterlives together in happiness. Of course my life can't be filled with that sort of bliss.
"Let's hurry." I say dragging Ari down the path. I can't stand looking at the fields anymore, reminding me of what I'll never have.
After running away from the gates, we get to river number four. I don't even care what kind of pain it'll bring me. I just want to get this over with. I need to finish this curse, find my mom and go home.
Except this river isn't even a real river. It's freaking lava. The water is deep red and the heat rising up from it creates steam all around us, suffocating me.
"What are we going to do?" I ask Ari, praying he has a plan. I already have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Maybe this is the end of our journey.
"This is Phlegethon, the river of fire." He thinks for a second and then starts again. "I'm going to throw you across and then run over it. I can heal, trust me. It'll be okay." He's been through enough pain to last a million lifetimes. The river isn't some
thing you can just jump over and maybe clear it. No, it is at least ten feet across. I won't let him save me again. I won't let him take the punishment.
"There has to be another way." I hope.
"There isn't. Let's get this over with." He takes his backpack off and hands it to me. "There's water and cream and bandages in there. Use them after I pass out." He explains like it's no big deal. He knows it'll be painful but he doesn't care.
He comes up behind me, twirling me around. He lifts me under my butt and then gives it a playful squeeze. I squeal before scowling at him but secretly I love him all flirty and cute even though he's going to be writhing in pain in mere seconds.
He lifts me high, throwing me over the river with strength that never ceases to surprise me. I do the same thing I did on the first river and tuck and roll. I don't hurt myself at all since this river is smaller than the one before and I'm not falling from a freaking cliff.
I stand up, looking across the river at Ari. He is smiling at me but I can tell he is nervous by the way his hands clench in fists by his side.
"If you make it over the river without falling in, I'll give you the best kiss ever." I bellow over to Ari, cupping my hands around my mouth to get my voice over to him. Between the distance and the sound of running water, I'm not sure if he hears me. A wicked grin spreads across his face signaling that he definitely heard.
He turns walking away from me and then flips around, facing the river. He runs faster than any person I've ever seen before. Once he gets to the very last centimeter left of dirt, he pushes off and jumps. At first I think there's no way in hell he's going to be able to clear that river but then I doubt myself.
He doesn't get high off the ground which is misleading. He just skirts right over looking like he's walking on top of the water.
The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books) Page 19
