“That connection was part of the sanctuary provided for you, something we embedded in the dream as part of its construction. Rose remembered that house from long ago. She was curious about it on the last day of her past life. As long as you remained in Rose’s dream, you would have been able to manifest that sanctuary if you wanted to return to this realm.”
“But we shattered the dream,” Nikki said.
Lysrus nodded. “Exactly. And when that happened, I knew.”
“What would have happened to us?” Henry said. “I mean, if we had gotten stuck there?”
“As we’ve discussed, demons are parasites. They can’t kill physically but the result spiritually is worse. You saw that with what’s happened to Rose. She died a long time ago but she’s never stopped dying.”
With his words, the last remaining feelings of exhilaration drained from Nikki’s body. Her heart sank as she thought of Rose doubled over in pain. She’d never forget hearing the heart-wrenching wail of agony that had escaped Rose’s lips.
“When the dream ended,” Lysrus said, “those entities who helped create that illusion immediately started searching for a new source of energy to feed upon. They had you in mind, of course. The best analogy I can offer is an animal sucking the life out of another weaker creature while keeping it alive as long as possible. In your stories, this is also something you would best describe as hell. A place where the negative is perpetually sustained, the difference here being that those suffering the fate can’t recognize the cause. Just the opposite, in fact. As you witnessed with Rose, they embrace that cause like a narcotic, believing it offers shelter from the suffering their true self continues to experience. In essence, the shadow-Rose thrived while the real Rose continued to perish.”
“What about now?” Henry said. “Where is she?”
Lysrus glanced down. Nikki knew, despite what he’d said before about preferring certain outcomes, that he felt sadness. He cared about what happened to Rose.
“She’s entirely earthbound again. As she was before the demons discovered her.”
“Do you mean she’s still haunting the house she lived in? That she’s ghosted out?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. That’s one way of describing her spiritual condition.”
Briefly, Nikki wondered if Rose might have been better off before. At least she hadn’t been aware of her situation. At the same time, while she’d been in the dream, she’d had virtually no chance of escape.
“What can we do to help her?” Nikki said. “There has to be something!”
“Nikki’s right,” Henry said. “There has to be something we can do.”
Martha shook her head. “You’ve risked enough. To ask any more just isn’t fair.” As she said it, her eyes cut to Lysrus.
Lysrus nodded. “Martha’s right. Be sure about this—what you’ve done is admirable. Many others have tried but none came as close as you did. Unfortunately, the demons tracking Rose won’t leave her alone. They know where to find her.”
Nikki’s blood boiled with frustration. “Why can’t you just get her like you did us? Just wrap her up in that light thing—whatever it was—and get her out of there?”
Lysrus briefly closed his eyes. Almost as if he felt embarrassed, it seemed. He opened his eyes again but said nothing as he stood looking back at Nikki.
“You’re not quite getting it right,” Martha said.
Nikki spun toward her. “What part don’t I get?”
“You keep imagining Lysrus to be like you. You imagine him to be human, because that’s how he felt you both could best experience his energy. On another level, you know that’s just an illusion.”
Martha didn’t have to say the other part to remind Nikki of the truth. Which was that she imagined herself to still be physical, to remain a sixteen year old girl from California. But she wasn’t, was she? A similar fantasy held true for Henry. And Jamie, Naomi and Simon. They were spirits and they’d somehow been offered the kindness, for now, of being able to remain in the form they felt most comfortable with. Lysrus, on the other hand, was centuries past the need for entertaining that illusion for his own sake.
Martha’s eyes showed that she understood Nikki had just made the connection. “Lysrus didn’t send something to carry you back to this realm. That was Lysrus you both felt around you. Lysrus brought you back.
Finally, it occurred to Nikki to say what she should have to begin with. She turned to Lysrus and looked into his eyes, that for now remained blue. “Thank you.”
Lysrus smiled. “You’re entirely welcome. To answer your question, I can’t save Rose in the same manner that I saved you for the simple reason that she won’t allow it. She believes she’s receiving what she deserves for her actions in her last life. The fact is, even if I did bring her here, she would experience it in a manner that would be entirely terrifying. After which, her own beliefs would return her to where she believes she belongs. Until that changes—if it ever does—I can only attempt to assist her through means that might change her perceptions. And I thank you for trying, Henry and Nikki.”
As he had upon first meeting them, Lysrus closed his eyes and bowed his head. A moment later, and without another word, he turned and walked back through the Veil. Almost immediately, the vibrant light around them faded. Nikki, Henry and Martha once again stood in Martha’s apartment.
“I don’t understand,” Nikki said. “Is that it?”
“For now,” Martha said. “I know it’s not easy. But you two have been through a lot as well.”
Henry ran his hand through his hair, looking around as he regained his bearings. “Not anywhere near what Rose has been through.”
Martha cast her gaze at the windows, where sunlight beamed in an azure sky. Nikki knew from past experience that Martha often preferred more volatile weather, so she wondered if she’d again chosen what lay beyond those windows for them. Martha spoke softly. “I know, Henry.”
In that moment, Nikki felt some of the weight Martha must have to carry. “Is that what it’s like, being in Service?”
“Not always. There are times when being in Service is painful. At other times, it’s a joyful experience.” Martha smiled. “After all, I look after all of you, don’t I?”
Nikki felt she understood Martha more than she ever had before. She’d always liked her but only now realized how much Martha cared, how much she was willing to risk to make sure each of them remained safe. Nikki had always imagined there were no real dangers facing them but now she knew otherwise. Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and wrapped Martha in a hug. She rested her head against Martha’s shoulder.
Martha took a deep breath and stroked Nikki’s hair. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
After a moment, Nikki withdrew from the embrace. She wiped a tear from her eye. “There’s nothing more we can do?”
Martha glanced at the window again as she thought. For a moment, Nikki felt sure she was about to suggest a possibility. Then, Martha said, “I really think you two should just be with your friends for now. Please, give yourselves that much. But be sure to get some rest first.” Martha’s eyes met Nikki’s with an intensity she hadn’t quite expected. Within them, Nikki perceived what seemed an unspoken message. Martha took a moment to make eye contact with Henry too. “Both of you, spend some time with your friends. Just promise you’ll get some rest first.”
~~~
If Nikki had measured it in hours, she would have guessed she’d slept at least twelve. All she knew was that as soon as she’d gone back to her room, she’d barely managed to wash up and change before staggering off to bed. Only then had she realized how totally exhausted she’d been. She took a shower and threw on some jeans and a t-shirt without giving much thought to her appearance. Not that she normally worried about the way she looked all that much. Still, she had to admit that lately she’d been a little more self-conscious of her clothes and how she wore her hair, as her feelings for Henry had continue
d to grow. Especially, since she’d been increasingly aware that he felt the same way. She guessed Jamie and Simon probably hadn’t noticed. As for Naomi, Nikki had no doubt that she’d noticed even though she hadn’t said anything.
Today, though, Nikki didn’t really care how she looked. As far as she was concerned, they still had work to do. Martha had been right about both she and Henry needing some rest. She felt a million times better already. But she also kept thinking about what she felt sure had been an unspoken message in Martha’s eyes. The problem was figuring out what that message had been.
Nikki had just reached the top of the stairs when Henry opened his door. “Hang on,” he said. “Just woke up.” He caught up with her a moment later. “Sleep okay?”
“Like the dead.”
Henry laughed. “Nice. I didn’t hear anyone else get up. Did you?”
“You could’ve dropped a hippo through the roof and I would have slept through it.” Part of Nikki wondered if the house would be quiet again, like it had been last time. Her spirits rose when they reached the bottom of the stairs and laughter sounded from the back deck.
“What are you smiling about?” Henry said.
Nikki hadn’t realized. “Nothing.”
“Right, nothing,” Henry said, but he left it at that as Nikki’s face grew warm and her smile continued to spread across her face. Yes, she’d missed her people. Not that she’d ever admit it.
“Do you smell fire?”
Henry sniffed. “Yep. I definitely smell something burning.”
“Food, right?”
“Yeah,” Henry said. “Which pretty much rules out Naomi.”
The laughter grew louder as they crossed through the kitchen. Nikki opened the back door and waved smoke away as they stepped outside. Simon stood over a grill while Jamie and Naomi watched him from a distance, their arms crossed over their chests, their chins tucked and brows furrowed.
“Hey, guys,” Henry said. “How’s it going?”
Simon didn’t look up from the grill, where he flipped flaming lumps of meat. “Making steaks,” he said.
Nikki’s eyes met Naomi’s. Naomi shrugged and offered a smile.
“English style, evidently,” Nikki said.
“For your information, I’m searing the outside. I just thought Naomi should take a break from feeding everyone. You know how it’s been lately. We hardly ever go to the food court anymore.”
Naomi’s face reddened but she watched Simon indulgently. “I’m not sure you’re supposed to sear them quite that much.”
Nikki laughed but then did a double-take. There was no doubt about it. Naomi was taller now, still thin as always but with a slight flare to her hips and filling out elsewhere too. She didn’t have any more time to think about it before Jamie jumped back from a blast of fire caught by the wind.
“Dude, I think you passed the searing part,” he said. “Just saying.”
“It’s like a freaking volcano,” Nikki said.
“Steak Vesuvius?” Henry said.
Simon wiped his brow. “I’ve got this. Actually, I don’t. Somebody help.”
Naomi pointed at the grill. “You could just sort of move them off to the side.”
“What do you mean?” Simon said.
“Away from the fire?” Naomi said.
Simon wiped his brow again and batted the steaks away from the center of the grill. He fanned them with his spatula. “There we go. Good idea, Naomi.”
“It was just a little hot there,” she said. “You’re good now.”
“What’s up with the grill?” Nikki said. “I mean, other than Simon demonstrating his culinary skills. Bravo, Simon, by the way.”
“That one’s for you.” Simon pointed at the most charred lump.
Nikki laughed. “Thank you. It looks, um, cooked.”
“It looks like it got hit with a flame-thrower,” Jamie said. When Simon shot him a look, he shrugged. “I’m sure it’s juicy on the inside. Or like completely petrified. Somewhere between the two.”
“We figured we could cook out here and keep an eye on Becky at the same time,” Naomi said.
Nikki glanced across the yard to see Becky galloping within her enclosure. She turned to Jamie. “How’s that going, by the way? Did Becky bite you yet?”
“Not yet,” Jamie said. “Still chases me every chance she gets, though.”
“Must be love.”
Jamie shrugged. “Chicks dig me. What can I say?”
“That’s our only evidence so far, but follow your heart,” Nikki said. “Works for me.”
“Becky let me ride her yesterday,” Naomi said. “She didn’t mind the saddle at all.”
“That’s really cool,” Henry said. “Jamie’s turn next, right?”
“Simon, hit him with the spatula,” Jamie said.
Naomi laughed. “I think that’s a great idea, Henry. You know how much Becky loves him.” She looked off across the yard and called out, “Right, girl?”
Becky looked up and snorted, then trotted off again.
“Debatable,” Nikki said.
“That horse is demented,” Jamie said.
“When did you guys get back?” Naomi said. “We missed you.”
“No kidding.” Simon shot a look at Nikki. “I mean, sort of. Anyway, did you two crack the case?”
Nikki and Henry exchanged glances.
“Sometime yesterday,” Henry said. “And not exactly.”
“As in no,” Nikki said. “I’m not entirely sure we didn’t make things worse.”
Nikki looked around at her friends as they waited for her to continue. It wasn’t the first time, by far, that she’d thought of them as being her family these days. No matter what they did together, she found comfort in it—whether it was zoning out watching a movie, playing together in the game room or falling back into their default mode of hitting the food court. But as she stood there now looking into their eyes, a strange feeling came over her. For some reason, she couldn’t help feel a sense of nostalgia. She knew it made no sense. She wasn’t looking back. This wasn’t a memory. At the same time, she knew her eyes would go misty if she didn’t control herself. Something told her she’d soon be missing these people around her. How she knew it, Nikki couldn’t say. All the same, she knew it to be true.
“So, what happened?” Jamie said.
Jamie’s words brought her back and Nikki shook her head to make the feeling go away. This wasn’t the time, she told herself. Maybe soon but not yet.
Then, she and Henry told them about everything they’d experienced without holding back. Henry described how he’d relived the morning when he’d drowned and how he’d seen his brother and sister again. Nikki hadn’t pressed him for details before, when he’d told Martha and Lysrus. She’d known that whatever had happened must have been terrible. Now, she didn’t bother fighting back tears as Henry told them how he’d almost fallen into the trap, how much he’d longed to stay in that imaginary realm and how he’d been convinced that he’d only imagined everyone he’d come to know here.
It wasn’t easy, but Nikki found the strength to tell them about the visions she’d experienced that morning in the garden. About seeing her parents and sister and thinking she’d joined them again. In telling them, Nikki relived those moments again herself, not for the first time wondering how the demons had been able to both know about, and exploit, one of her innermost wishes.
Jamie, Naomi and Simon stared wide-eyed, realizing how close they’d come to never seeing either one of them again. Eventually, Nikki and Henry reached the end of the story, telling them how Rose had finally accepted the truth only to become trapped by her own guilt again.
“That was the last time we saw her,” Henry said. “It may be only a matter of time before they wrap the dream around her again. Or a different dream. We just don’t know.”
“But she’s still in her old house?” Naomi said.
“Exactly,” Jamie said. “Part of her must know that, right?” He turned to Hen
ry. “You ghosted out before. You still knew where you were, didn’t you?”
Henry considered, his gaze far off for a moment. Nikki knew he must have been recalling that painful time after Bethany had been abducted. He’d kept haunting his old home hoping somehow to make his presence known. Eventually, he’d become delirious from lack of food and sleep. It had taken the efforts of Curtis, Naomi and Simon to bring him back again.
“Yeah, but I was nowhere near as bad off as Rose,” Henry said. “I’d just started to ghost out when you guys found me.”
Simon hunched forward, resting his forearms on the table. “But we did find you, mate. What’s to keep you two from finding Rose?”
Nikki shook her head. “It’s not just about us finding her. It’s a matter of getting through to her. We tried everything we could think of.”
“It’s just so sad,” Naomi said. “The whole thing was terrible but it was just an accident. She didn’t mean to kill them.”
“No, they meant to kill her,” Nikki said.
Naomi gasped and her eyes went wide.
“I’m sorry,” Nikki said, reacting instinctively. Naomi had been a little girl for so long that it had become a habit, over time, to protect her from ugly truths.
Naomi shook her head. “It’s okay.”
“Besides, it was a long time ago,” Henry said, “Those people are long gone.”
“Does Rose know about that?” Naomi said. “I mean, that Joseph and Linda meant to kill her?”
Henry and Nikki exchanged glances.
“No,” Henry said. “It just seemed too…”
Nikki understood why he let his words trail off. Of course, it would be painful for Rose to learn that the boy she’d once loved had conspired with the girl who’d been her best friend. Incredibly painful. That kind of emotional trauma could tear someone apart. But what if that person was already torn apart?
“Maybe we should have told her,” Henry said. “I don’t know. Either way, it wasn’t like we had much time. As soon as she accepted the reality of her situation, her entire dream world started coming apart.”
“And it doesn’t seem likely she’d listen to anything we tried telling her now,” Nikki said. “Not in her present state.”
Stepping into the Sky: Jump When Ready, Book 3 Page 15
