by Owens, Wendy
“I don’t think so, Gabe. You are not getting off that easy. You and I need to talk about this.”
“Talk about what, Sophie? I still have no idea why you are even angry.” Gabe pleaded.
“You and I are meant to be, Gabe. Some little slut is not going to come in and destroy our destiny.” Sophie replied with an aggressive anger Gabe had never seen before.
“Slow down. Who are you talking about?” Gabe tried to calm Sophie by holding her wrist, but it just seemed to make her angrier.
“That girl from your class, err. Don’t act like there is nothing going on.”
“Are you talking about Neru?” Gabe asked, shocked by Sophie’s harsh depiction of this innocent girl she didn’t even know.
“Whatever her name is.” Sophie snapped, rolling her eyes in disgust.
Gabe grabbed both of Sophie’s shoulders tightly, forcing her to look into his eyes.
“Sophie, I promise there is nothing going on with Neru. I just met her and she is simply a nice girl who happens to be in my class. I actually spent most of my time with her talking about you and how much I love you. You are what I think about, Sophie, do you understand?”
“Oh Gabe,” Sophie threw her arms around Gabe’s neck and began to hug him wildly. “I’m so sorry,” Sophie whispered between the dozens of tiny kisses she planted all over his face.
Gabe pulled himself free of Sophie’s grasp and gave her a confused glare. Her attitude had changed to the complete opposite in a moment’s time. Gabe was stumped by what to make of her odd behavior.
“Sophie, are you sure you’re alright?”
“Of course, silly. Why wouldn’t I be?” Sophie cuddled up close to Gabe’s cheek. Gabe couldn’t explain the feeling he had inside, but he knew something wasn’t right. This was not the way Sophie behaved and he wanted to get to the bottom of it.
“You seem to be all over the place. One minute you want to kill me and the next you are kissing me all over.” Gabe explained.
“Would you rather I be mad at you again?” Sophie asked, attempting to be flirtatious.
“No, of course not. Oh never mind,” Gabe added, deciding he would simply keep a close eye on Sophie for the time being.
“Well, if we’re all right, I guess I better get to class. I wouldn’t want Raimie and Dina to worry.” Gabe said, trying to once again pull himself free from Sophie’s grasp.
“I wouldn’t worry about them too much. I doubt if they are even there,” Sophie muttered as she took a step back.
“Huh? Why wouldn’t they be there?” Gabe asked.
“Wait, you didn’t hear about what happened last night?” Sophie said with a smirk curling at the end of her lips.
“Last night? What are you talking about?” Gabe felt completely lost.
“You really don’t know? I thought everyone heard that drama. It pissed Michael off something fierce.” Sophie continued.
“What did?” Gabe asked, starting to get frustrated about being kept in the dark.
“Apparently a lover’s quarrel.” Sophie explained with a grin plastered from ear to ear. Gabe felt unnerved by her reaction to their friend’s dilemma.
“Raimie and Dina?” Gabe asked in disbelief.
“Oh yeah. They went at it pretty good in the cleric’s garden last night. Apparently it wasn’t long until tempers were heated and accusations were not the only thing being thrown around.”
“Wait, no!” Gabe gasped. “They cast against one another?”
“Oh yeah!” Sophie exclaimed. “And there were no safety spells on. They meant business.”
“That makes no sense,” Gabe said, shaking his head.
“Maybe Dina thought Raimie was being unfaithful.” Sophie’s words almost sounded like a warning to Gabe.
“So what happened?” Gabe asked, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“I guess they had banged each other up pretty good by the time Michael got there. I don’t think I have ever seen Michael that angry. He took them both back to his chambers and last I heard, nobody has gone in or out of his office since.” Sophie took a step forward and punched Gabe lightly in his arm. “Crazy, huh?
“Yeah, I guess.” Gabe replied, still puzzled by Sophie and now his friends’ behavior.
Just before they parted ways, Sophie leaned in for a kiss, but all Gabe could think about were Dina and Raimie in trouble and the red flicker he had seen earlier in Sophie’s eyes.
“I better get going,” Gabe said as he turned to walk away.
“Ok, bye sweetie,” Sophie said waving cheerfully. Gabe wondered if he were in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
CHAPTER TEN
Gabe walked to class. The entire way his thoughts were consumed by what Sophie had just told him. Raimie and Dina had one of the closest and well-functioning relationships he had ever witnessed. Prior to the last couple days, he couldn’t recall a single argument they had had in front of him. The idea of them actually engaging one another in a magical battle was inconceivable.
Gabe’s thoughts shifted to Sophie and her reaction as she told him the story of Raimie and Dina fighting. She almost took pleasure in it, he thought.
Coming to a stop outside of the classroom door, Gabe glanced in and saw that indeed, Raimie and Dina were nowhere to be found. Looking up and down both halls, he huffed when he realized Sophie might have in fact been right about what had transpired the previous evening.
Shoulders slumped, Gabe entered the classroom and took his seat at the empty table. The next three classes dragged on. What was only a few hours, felt more like ten.
Gabe was consumed by thoughts about his friends. He also didn’t dare speak to Neru after Sophie’s reaction. Avoiding her had proven somewhat easy. Gabe waited until just before each class was about to begin before sneaking in and sliding into a seat near the exit. Neru had attempted to get Gabe’s attention at one point, but he pretended not to hear her.
At last, he decided he was not going to another class until he got some answers. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was evident by the behavior of Sophie and his friends that something was in fact not right at Rampart Manor. As the professor dismissed the students, Gabe scooped up his books and bounded from the room on his mission.
“Gabe!” The tiny voice called out behind him.
Gabe’s thoughts were still filled with worry over Sophie and his friends. He seemed to not notice the beckoning.
“Gabe, wait!” The voice called out again in a stern tone, breaking through Gabe’s mind. Gabe turned around and quickly stopped to watch as Neru approached.
He felt his stomach ache. This poor girl was only trying to be nice. But just by speaking to her, Gabe seemed to be enraging Sophie.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Neru asked, the concern plain on her face.
“Yeah, I just need to go check into something.” Gabe said, trying to dismiss her concern.
“Your girlfriend seemed pretty mad last night and now you’re avoiding me. Look, I didn’t mean to start any problems between the two of you.” Neru continued, even though it was clear Gabe wanted no part of the conversation.
“Neru, it’s fine. Sophie is just… stressed out. She’ll get over it. I just have a lot to do, alright?”
“Well, maybe I can help,” Neru added.
“I doubt it.” Gabe said, becoming agitated by the delay.
“Did I do something wrong? I’m just trying to be a nice person here.” Neru said, looking down at the ground as if she were ashamed.
Gabe realized that, even though Sophie was jealous, it was not a rational feeling and surely not Neru’s fault. He regretted making Neru feel like she was somehow responsible for anything that was going on in his life at the moment.
“No, Neru. You didn’t do anything wrong. My friends all seem to be going crazy. It's got me on edge.”
“Do you mean Raimie and Dina?”
“What? You know about them?”
“Who doesn’t, Gabe? I th
ink everyone was there last night for their fight.”
“Everyone except me, apparently.” Gabe grumbled.
“Seriously? You missed that?” Neru asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, I went to bed early.” Gabe wanted to kick himself now for that decision.
“I don’t know how you could have possibly slept through that. I was in the dining hall when it started and I heard it. I have never seen two Guardians go at each other like that.”
When Neru said those words, Gabe thought of the last two Guardians he had seen fight. The result had been Anthony’s death.
“What did Michael do?” Gabe asked, thinking about the emotions it must have stirred in his mentor.
“I don’t know exactly. Just as Dina was about to attack Raimie again, Michael swooped in, dissolving her cast. He is so powerful. It was quite amazing to watch. With just the swipe of his hand, he brought them both to their knees.” As Neru retold the events, Gabe grew even more frustrated that he had slept through the entire thing.
“You start to realize how powerful he is when you see that he can move you around like rag dolls.” Neru said in awe of their leader’s strength.
“Yeah,” Gabe said, nodding. He had seen Michael’s power first hand when he turned Anthony into a pile of ash on the beach all those months ago. “I have to go.”
“Wait, are you going to see Michael?” Neru asked, following Gabe as he turned and walked away.
“Yeah,” Gabe replied, not slowing his pace. “I have a few questions I need some answers to.”
“Can I come?” Neru asked, not losing a single step next to him.
“What?” Gabe was surprised by her question.
“Well, it’s just,” Neru struggled with her words for a moment. “Nothing this exciting ever happens to me.”
Gabe smiled at the notion that his life seemed exciting to Neru. All summer as he trained for his tests, he had thought about how boring his daily routine was.
“I’m not sure that's a good idea.” Gabe tried to dissuade her as they approached Michael’s office doors. “Michael isn’t expecting me. Honestly, I have no idea what his reaction will be when he sees me.”
“Oh,” Neru replied, clearly disappointed by Gabe’s response.
“I’m sorry. You understand, don’t you?” Gabe asked softly.
“Are you kidding me?” Gabe’s heart sank as he heard Sophie’s voice shout from behind him.
“Oh God,” Gabe groaned.
“I knew it!” Sophie exclaimed.
“Sophie, please,” Gabe pleaded, turning around to look her in the eyes. It only took a second before he saw the glimmer of red again. Her auburn hair flared out all around her face as she quickly approached them.
“Neru, get out of here!” Gabe shouted, seeing Sophie was not in her right mind.
“Oh no, no, no, my darling Gabe.” Sophie bellowed, venom dripping from her lips. As Neru turned to run, Sophie raised her hand and without hesitation muttered, “Paralysis.”
Neru froze where she stood, unable to move.
“Sophie, no!” Gabe shouted, running to Neru’s side. “Oh my god! What is wrong with you? Why would you ever cast on someone like that?”
“You made me do it, Gabe! I warned you. We are meant to be.” Sophie said in a callous voice, no remorse present.
“Sophie, you’re crazy! Just stop and think about this for a minute. Have you ever done anything like this before? Of course not. I know something has to have happened to make you act this way.”
“Shut up, Gabe! You can’t talk to me like that!” Sophie screamed, clearly becoming overwhelmed by her anger.
Michael’s door opened. A moment later he and Uri were in the hall, trying to make sense of what was unfolding before them.
“There, Sophie, how about you explain to Michael what’s going on? Tell him how casting on other students isn’t crazy and see if he agrees with you.” Gabe pressed the unraveling Sophie.
“I mean it, Gabe! You better shut up!” Sophie screeched.
“What is going on out here?” Michael demanded.
“Sophie has lost it! That’s what!” Gabe replied, glaring back at the girl he had come to care so much for.
“I warned you.” Sophie shouted. She raised her hands. Looking directly at Gabe, she started to say, “Offendo un-.”
“Somnus.” Before the spell could completely leave Sophie’s lips, Michael had stepped in with a sleep spell. One moment Sophie was preparing to cast shock wave on her beloved and the next she hit the ground, a lifeless pile.
“Uri, get her inside.” Michael commanded as Gabe stood there, speechless. His mouth still hanging open in disbelief at the thought that the girl he loved was willing to cast on him.
“Gabe, are you alright?” Michael asked as he walked over to examine Neru. But Gabe said nothing.
“Uri, come back out here when you’re done. I need you again.” Michael bellowed.
Walking to Gabe’s side, Michael put a hand on his shoulder and tried to bring him back into reality.
“Yes sir?” Uri said, exiting Michael’s office.
“I need you to take this poor girl to the infirmary.” Michael requested, motioning to Neru’s frozen form.
“Neru.” Gabe finally said, breaking his silence. “Her name is Neru.”
“Yes, of course,” Michael added. “Can you take Neru to the infirmary?”
Uri nodded. The next minute he was carrying the tiny body of Neru without much effort.
“Gabe, we need to talk.” Michael said, grabbing hold of his arm.
Without a struggle, Gabe allowed Michael to usher him into his office. Only feet away, he saw Dina and Raimie asleep on cots. Across the room, Sophie slept on the couch. She looked once again like Gabe’s peaceful angel. Her skin glowed a soft pale white. Gabe wished he could freeze this moment.
“Are they alright?” Gabe inquired anxiously.
“I’m afraid not.” Michael replied solemnly.
“What’s wrong with them?”
Michael looked down at the ground for a moment and then directly into Gabe’s eyes. “They’re cursed.”
Gabe couldn't help but gasp.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Cursed?” Gabe felt his hands trembling as the word slipped past his lips.
“Yes, Gabe.” Michael confirmed. The darkness of the reality settled over them like a black cloak.
“I don’t understand. What do you mean cursed?” Gabe shook his head as he struggled to make sense of what Michael was telling him.
“Maybe we should sit down.” Michael said, motioning to the side chairs near the couch. The last thing Gabe wanted to do was sit and have a rational conversation about Sophie being cursed. Gabe glanced over and saw her sleeping peacefully. The rage she had been frothing with in the hall moments earlier was completely gone from her face.
Overwhelmed by the idea of Sophie being, as Michael put it, cursed, Gabe decided he would in fact like to sit while talking to Michael. Walking over to the side chairs, Gabe sat in the seat closest to her. Leaning forward, he scooped up Sophie’s hand. As he held it, he began to pat it gently.
Gabe contemplated Michael’s explanation for Sophie’s behavior; he remembered the red ember like spark in her eyes.
“Michael, her eyes.” Gabe could not bring himself to finish the sentence. He and Sophie had grown so close over the summer; he was not willing to say she resembled a demon.
“What is it, Gabe?” Michael urged. When Gabe continued to sit silent, Michael pushed once more. “What about her eyes?”
Taking a deep breath, he decided he had to tell Michael. He wasn’t sure, but he thought it might help Sophie in some way.
“Red…” he final stated, gulping. “When she got angry, I saw them flickering red.”
Michael sighed and hung his head low. “It wasn’t her. You have to understand that.” Michael whispered desperately.
“I don’t understand. How can it not be her? She knew me. She knew about us. It was
her, Michael.” Gabe insisted.
Michael leaned closer to Gabe.
“Part of her is there of course, but she is not in control. It’s the curse.”
“Wait, I don’t understand. You have to explain to me what you mean by she is cursed.” Gabe pleaded.
“She has come in contact with something or someone that has taken control of her faculties. She may seem like she is still Sophie in most ways but as time continues she will seem less and less like the girl we all love.” Michael explained.
“How could she possibly be cursed?” Gabe inquired.
“We started noticing the erratic behavior with Raimie and Dina. With Sophie exhibiting the same behaviors, we knew it had to be something they had in common.” Michael explained.
“Something they had in common? Like what? They ate the same thing or what?” Gabe wished he understood more.
“Not exactly, but I think I know what it is. Raimie and Dina had traveled to Iron Gate to pick up some artifacts. Sophie has come in contact with those same artifacts. Uri and I had started to suspect Sophie might have been infected as well, but we didn’t know for sure until just now.”
Gabe felt an intense rage welling up in him.
“Uri knew about this?” Gabe snapped angrily.
“Neither of us knew anything for certain Gabe. It wasn’t until things heated up between Raimie and Dina we started to suspect the artifacts.” Michael insisted.
“You mean the artifacts you asked her to work with in an effort to keep her away from me?” Gabe exclaimed.
“Gabe, I didn’t know.”
“So you don’t deny it! You had Sophie put on that job to keep us apart. Does it really piss you off that much to see us together?” Gabe allowed his anger to guide the flow of his words.
“It’s not that I don’t want to see you two together. You don’t have all the details. The Oracle made it quite clear to me that your relationship with Sophie would lead to you leaving the manor.” Michael said, trying to plead his case to Gabe.
“Really, Michael? First off, whatever happened to all of this being my choice? Maybe Anthony was right and you never really give any of us a real choice.”
