“There is something greater than your own glory dependent on this,” Elysian scolded me gently. “There is no doubting it’s you. Your power the other night proved it.”
“Well, what about that girl? That Starry Knight person? Who is she? She was able to fight off that smurf-woman. Why doesn’t she protect humanity?”
“You are the one I was sent to. Never mind her destiny for now. You’ve got your own to worry about.”
“But I can’t do this! I’m just a normal – okay, extra-awesome – teenager in high school trying to graduate so I can go to college, major in pre-law and political history, and go to graduate school and become a government worker!”
Elysian sighed. “I suppose everyone has the choice to accept or refuse the opportunities presented to them.”
“Look, Elysian, I can’t be the person you want me to be, even if you think it would be better. I’ve got to learn to make mistakes on my own.”
“I should have known you would not say yes anyway. You have no love in your heart.”
“What?” What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
Elysian ignored me, continuing on. “And you have no real fighting skills; you are a long way off from becoming an even decent warrior again, too. It’s actually probably better you don’t fully accept the supernatural abilities you have. With all the human influence you’ve been exposed to, you would only cause trouble with them.”
“What!?” I found myself climbing further up onto Elysian’s head. “I don’t have supernatural abilities, for one thing –”
“But the other night, you managed to scare away the one Sinister,” Elysian reminded me.
“– and I am capable of love, so I don’t really see the point of you bringing that up –”
“Everyone needs love; that is the best defense against –”
“– and I could so become the greatest warrior person ever if I did accept your stupid made-up not real offer.”
“Except you don’t know what kind of powers you have, and it would take hard work for you to grow and mature into the kind of warrior you were made to be.”
“What?” I looked down at him. “I didn’t catch what you said.”
Elysian snarled. “You should know, at this point, if you do not act on your given abilities, and continue to deny them, they will eventually go away. That is probably why they have remained dormant inside of you for so long.”
“That’s fine.”
“Once they are gone, there is little hope for getting them back,” Elysian warned.
“I don’t care. I don’t want them. Sell them on eBay, if you want.”
“Do you even know what you are giving up?”
“I’m perfectly aware I am giving up the chance to ruin my high school career and my reputation by not accepting this.”
Elysian shook his head. “Your decision to not act will cost you much more than fighting it.”
“What do you mean?” That caught my attention.
“If you really want to give up, you will see,” Elysian told me. “If you love the illusions you have surrounded yourself with, you will see them increase to their deadliest. You were assigned to capture the Seven Deadly Sinisters. When things meant to do a job don’t work, things go horribly wrong for everyone, not just you.”
I felt a strange sense of irritation and disgust – and a tingle of fear – at Elysian’s words. I wondered if Elysian was trying to guilt-trip me into believing some fairy tale was real, that there really was some line drawn about good and evil and absolutes; that I was a cast away star living among normal humans; that I had a duty to humankind for something I didn’t want to do; or worse yet, that he knew how to convince me.
Thankfully, it’s too huge and inconvenient for me to believe it all. Or any of it.
“Just so you know,” Elysian added, “Being ignorant will only make you happy until you least expect it.”
And that was the way I wanted it. I wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by my own ideas of the world and have the free will to choose which way I saw it, even if it was all folly. I pushed madly at the madness in my mind, scuttling away at the gnawing ghost walking with unhurried chase with increasing desperation.
And that was probably why I missed the fact, as we were headed back down to Apollo City, that there was a deadly, brilliant ring of sunshine burning a hole in the clouds above my city.
Apollo Central
“I’m so glad all of you were able to make it here today,” Ms. Carmichael announced to start the meeting. “I’m sorry it is because of such horrifying consequences.”
Ms. Carmichael was the art director at Rosemont before the terrible events with the meteorite. She’d willingly volunteered to help Mr. Lockard finish the play at Central while her unemployment/disaster relief paychecks were delivered.
As Ms. Carmichael continued to give out comments focused on stalling until the arrival of the last remaining drama group members who weren’t maimed, put to sleep, or scared off, Gwen felt pain creep up her arm and cringed. The fracture was not severe, according to the doctor, but she still wished it would stop hurting so much; obviously, the pain medication had worn off after the long school day.
“I just wanted you to know Mr. Lockard will not be returning. The, uh, incident at the opening night performance has apparently sent his system into shock. He is in the hospital, in the special care ward.”
There was little remorse expressed for Lockard; I don’t think they hated him, but the students were more upset he wouldn’t be around to direct the play than at what had happened to him.
Gwen raised her good hand. “Ms. Carmichael, why can’t you direct the play this week so we can reopen?” It wasn’t impossible; after all, the auditorium was fixed up (just needed cleaning now) and the stage was mostly repaired.
“I’m sorry, Gwen,” Ms. Carmichael apologized. “I already went to the school board, asking in light of Mr. Lockard’s condition, if I could step in. I’m afraid the reparatory arts have been placed on hold until next year.”
“That’s stupid,” a student spoke up. “We’ve been working so hard, and they’re going to throw it all away because they’re afraid of having to pay money?”
Ms. Carmichael sighed. “It’s very complicated. Please sit down. I’m very sorry, but there is nothing we can do. Even if Mr. Lockard was well enough, there is little chance that the play would go on.”
She continued on, assuring them she wanted to be able to work with them again, and other stuff, like how the students should make sure everything was in order, and… the list went on (There’s always a list teachers tell the students the students don’t think is necessary so they don’t listen and usually regret it later.)
After being dismissed, Gwen hopped up the stairs onto the stage and sighed. She looked out into the audience seats and dropped her head, miserably.
“Gwen!” Tim came up to her.
“Hi there, Tim,” she answered glumly.
“I hope you don’t feel too sad,” Tim told her, putting his hand on her shoulder gently.
“Not now, Tim,” Gwen told him. “Please leave me alone.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He backed away from her. “I’ll call you later, if you’d like.”
“No, I’ll just see you later,” Gwen told him. She watched as he left, downcast, before she walked backstage and saw the balcony set. “I wish the play would’ve gone on.”
A small shadow moved, and a second later, it spoke. “Gwen.”
Gwen looked over her shoulder and saw Raiya standing behind her. “Oh, hi… Raiya.” Gwen inwardly grimaced at herself; she’d almost forgotten Raiya’s name.
Raiya put her hand on Gwen’s bandaged arm in sympathy. “I’m sorry you didn’t get a chance to be Juliet,” she whispered softly.
Gwen smiled at her kindly. “Thanks, Raiya. I suppose there’s always next time.”
“I heard you got hurt because you were looking for me. Thank you for helping me when I fainted o
n Thursday,” Raiya added with a small smile.
Gwen smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. And don’t worry about my arm. It’s not your fault I got hurt,” she said. “It was an accident. It doesn’t hurt anymore –” She stopped there. It didn’t hurt anymore. The pain she had just experienced moments ago in the auditorium seat had gone. That’s funny, she thought.
“Something the matter?” Raiya asked, noting the expression on Gwen’s face.
“Er… no, I’m just surprised it’s healing so fast,” Gwen shrugged. She didn’t know what else to say.
Raiya nodded. “That’s good.” And then she let go of Gwen’s arm and turned around. She picked up her case of paint and headed out. Her footsteps were silent on the floor as she made her way out of the building.
Gwen smiled after the sweet girl. She felt a lot better hearing Raiya thank her.
Her eyes caught sight of the repairs made over the weekend. Looking at the damage, she shivered. Maybe, as much as she hated to admit it, it was for the best the play was canceled. After all, that woman had been pretty scary. And she had powerful friends, too; maybe she was in some kind of gang. Who’s to say she wouldn’t try to spoil their play again?
16
Fire
I barely realized it was Friday morning when I woke up in a cold sweat. I didn’t need to place my hand over my heart to feel it try to pop right out of my body.
That dream again. It was that supernova dream again.
I blamed the spells on Elysian, who was quietly and oh-so-innocently sleeping on the edge of my bed. But even that didn’t make sense, a small part of my brain told me. The dreams had come long before Elysian sought me out.
I ignored that part of my brain; Elysian was a too-convenient choice for a scapegoat.
Elysian opened his eyes. “Big day today, isn’t it?” he asked. Already the sleepiness had left him, and I was slightly jealous of that (although I was ready to call it suspicion to make myself feel and look better.)
“Yeah, the last game of the season is today,” I replied. “And then next week, swim team practice starts.”
“You just go from one sport to the next?”
“Pretty much.”
“Oh, I see. How sad for you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked as I ruffled around trying to find my books and homework.
“You just go from one season to the next, one plan after another. You’re not a very spontaneous kind of person, are you?”
“I have priorities,” I told him and myself, reaching for my socks, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun.”
“I don’t imagine you have a problem with fun,” Elysian replied. “It’s the lack of control I mean. You like being in control.”
“Well, yeah, of course.” Duh.
“You have your whole life planned out, at age sixteen –”
“Closer to seventeen –”
“And it’s just one big fat to-do list.” Elysian looked up at me meaningfully. “No wonder you don’t believe in the supernatural. You don’t have the time to spare to consider it, you’re so busy and stressed and trying to control everything.”
I looked down at him. “So? It’s my life.”
“I know. But it just seems, well… you’re afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid of taking a risk – to believe in a higher purpose, let alone a better one, than the one you’ve planned out for yourself.”
I was about to hotly deny I was afraid of anything when Cheryl called up. “Hamilton! I’m going to work now! Make sure you leave on time!”
I sighed. “This is not about you. My life has nothing to do with you,” I told Elysian. “I don’t want to hear this anymore.”
“But aren’t you the least bit curious?”
I stopped in my tracks. I glanced suspiciously at the small dragon, with a half-annoyed, half-intrigued look on my face. “Curious about what?”
Elysian grinned. “About your powers? About your mission?”
I huffed and turned away, about to leave once more.
“About Starry Knight?”
That one caught my attention. I swiveled around. “What about her?” I asked. “Do you know who she is?”
“Ah…” Elysian had a look on his face that made me want to punch him. “So you are curious. You want to know who she is.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “So you don’t know,” I countered.
Elysian frowned, staring at me for a long moment. Then he grinned and shrugged. “Nope.”
I could’ve kicked myself for revealing my weakness. I was curious about Starry Knight. I could hear the taunting remarks from Elysian already. “I’m out of here.”
“Just remember what I told you. Ignorance will make you happy until you least expect it.”
I grabbed my backpack. “Stay here today. I’ll be back home after school tonight.”
Elysian cringed inwardly as the door slammed behind me. “That boy does not like being pestered to do the right thing,” I heard him mutter. “What do you suppose I do now?”
Who is he talking to? I wondered. But I shrugged it off. Great, I thought. I’ve gone crazy and now so have my imaginary friends.
It was hot out. Hotter than most days, especially for November. And it wouldn’t help being inside, either; Apollo Central was too cheap for air conditioning. They’d probably turn them off for the winter by then anyway.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead before I rubbed my sore back. I sighed as I tried to control my anger at the moment. Elysian was a major pest. Imagine some lizard coming into my life and telling me there was some battle between good and evil I had to worry about.
And who was this Starry Knight person anyway? Today had been the first time Elysian even mentioned her. I suddenly wondered if Elysian was telling the truth when he said he didn’t know who she was. And why should I trust him? I certainly had no reason for doing so.
“Hey, Dinger,” Poncey greeted me gloomily.
“What’s up, Poncey?” Poncey looked sick today, really sick.
“Martha’s giving back the tests today. I think it’s going to ruin my weekend.”
“Aw, don’t worry about it so much. You’ll see.”
“I’m not as smart as you,” Poncey reminded me needlessly.
“So? You’re not the only one,” I smirked.
Poncey shook his head. “Never mind.” Poncey pulled out his Game Pac and started playing. “There’ll be no making fun of Martha today,” he sighed.
Drew and Jason came in and sat down. “Hey, Dinger, guess who’s in trouble with Gwen?” Drew asked. “Jason and I just heard her yelling at Tim.”
“I told you Bunny-face Tim was a loser,” I reminded them. “I’m glad Gwen’s beginning to see the light.”
“Well, they only had a fight, just so you know,” Jason clarified.
“I don’t really care,” I replied easily enough. “Tim’s not good enough for Gwen. She deserves the best out there, and I’m sorry if I just happen to be the best. Oh, wait… I’m not sorry. She’ll get over him when pity is replaced by annoyance and irritation, I’m sure of it.” A twinge of pain snaked up my back, and I had to bite back a groan. Speaking of annoyance and irritation.
Mrs. Smithe walked briskly into the room. “Good morning class,” she greeted. “I know you are excited it’s Friday.” She looked at us intently. “Today, I will give back your exams at the end of class, so you can pay attention to the lecture and take extensive notes. I was extremely disappointed in the grades for the exam, but seeing as how it came as a result of last week’s weather issues, I have decided to curve it. No one person got a hundred on it, just so you know.”
Half of the class (my side) gasped. They all turned and looked at me. I grinned. “I felt sorry for all of you,” I smirked. “So I missed a couple on purpose.”
Mrs. Smithe shook her head. “You and your ego can’t both fit into this room, Dinger,” she warned.
“Come on,
Mrs. Smithe, just trying to be honest,” I smiled.
“I guess that’s a good character trait to have,” Mrs. Smithe agreed. “So I’ll be honest. You were not the one to set the curve this time. Hoshi was.”
The class (this time all of them) gasped.
I shrugged. “I was just trying to do all of you a favor,” I muttered, with something like anger behind my words.
“Well, now that’s settled, let’s talk about the Civil War Era!” Mrs. Smithe clapped her hands and headed for the board.
For some unknown reason, I decided to pay attention in class today – or least try.
Class passed by slowly, and it seemed like the room was stuffier than usual. As I was leaving the room, Mrs. Smithe called out to me. “Hey, Dinger, get over here for a sec.”
I almost dragged myself over to her desk. “Yes, Mrs. Smithe?” I asked, trying my best to smile brightly despite myself. I had a feeling I knew what is coming.
“I wanted to ask you if everything was going all right,” she told me bluntly. “I know you put up quite a front. You seem, well, not yourself.”
“I’m perfectly fine, Mrs. Smithe –”
“Don’t give me that,” Mrs. Smithe responded. “I’m in charge of the Mock Trial Team here. Prove it.”
“But I’m fine. See? All here,” I threw out my hands, almost in exasperation.
The rim of her thick glasses glimmered. She just looked at me with that intense stare for a long moment. I felt my breath catch; she wasn’t buying it. Crap.
But then she sighed, surprisingly relenting today. “I will not make you tell me, of course, what is bothering you. Denial never makes the problems go away; if anything, it usually makes things worse.”
That’s more or less what Elysian said before, I thought glumly. I respected Mrs. Smithe, probably more than most people, and here she was telling me the things I wanted to hear the least.
Mrs. Smithe scooted her chair back and sighed again. “Well, hopefully, you’ll be a bit brighter later tonight. I was thinking of coming to the game.”
The Starlight Chronicles: Slumbering Page 16
