Quietly, Luka turns the knob on the door and pushes it open, waving me in. Inside, there are two hospital beds with two elders sitting on them. Neither look our way as we make our way into the bleak room. Everything is white—the walls, the floor and even the tiny dresser that holds a small television. Why would Luka bring me here? And who are these people?
Luka clears his voice, interrupting my perusal of the room. “Ela, I’d like you to meet my parents.”
Luka’s mom rocks in the middle of her bed, babbling words I don’t understand. Her gown drapes loose around her slender shoulders. She makes no move to welcome us or even acknowledge our presence. His father’s bed is close to a window that overlooks the water. He sits motionless, staring out the window. If it wasn’t for the faint rise and fall of his chest I'd think he was a statue.
“My parents were once two of the strongest warriors the Shades had ever seen.” Luka kisses his mom on top of her head before sitting down next to her. “They were constantly sent away to battle with the Wraiths. Countless times they came home victorious with stories of saving others with magic. They believed all magic was special and powerful regardless of the quantity or type.”
Luka waves to the spot next to him on the bed. Tentatively, I take a seat. His mother continues to rock and babble. Only now her babbles have quieted some, almost like she’s listening to Luka speak.
“My father is an empath like me, only much stronger.” Luka sighs as he looks over to his statuesque father. “My mother holds the gift of precognition, much like yours.” His hands drop away and he turns to face me. “I remember the day they left. The war was almost over. They were so close to ending the Wraiths. They were so sure—” Luka’s voice cracks.
He bows his head and his fingers pick at the old blanket on his mother's bed. Whatever he is about to tell me will hurt him. Will somehow make me understand why I need to trust the Shades.
“A Wraith caught them. They walked right into a trap. This Wraith tortured them with his mind. No one knows who he is or how he did it. But once the other Shades were able to get to them, they were gone.” Luka looks up and meets my eyes. “He did this to them. There’s no way to bring them back. This is what the rest of their lives will be.” Luka jumps from the bed. “Because of the Wraiths, they’re gone. My parents are forever lost.”
Luka rakes his hands roughly through his hair as he paces over to his father who has yet to move and waves a hand in front of his face. Nothing.
“They were the strongest of our warriors!” he shouts. “Do you understand now? Do you understand now why the Shades need you? You can prevent this from happening to another Shade.” Luka spreads his arms wide. “This hospital is full of Shades with the same fate. Even with all our magic and gifts, we can't fix them. We can't save them. But you!” Luka points to me. “You can stop this from happening to anyone else.”
Luka’s back hits the wall and he slides to the ground, letting his head hang between his bent knees as his body shakes. “The Wraiths,” he says to the ground. “Their magic is tainted. Dark. Evil,” he spits out. “The Shades, we just want to live in peace.”
Neither of Luka’s parents react to his obvious pain. They’re gone, lost in their own worlds. The air in the room goes cold and a chill runs up my back. Luka truly believes I’m the one. That he can make me into the warrior who can end this fight and stop the Wraiths. His mother continues to babble next to me and I hate that this is her life. Nothing but a shell of who she once was. The woman next to me looks nothing like the warrior Luka described, the woman he so obviously looked up to and loved. The woman who raised Luka into the man he is today.
“Did your mom see death like me?” I ask quietly as I get lost in her rocking beside me.
“Sometimes. Her visions were sporadic. Sometimes she would see the immediate future and other times it was far in the future. Her strength came from other talents. The epitome of a true warrior.” Luka pushes his hands through his hair and looks up at me. His eyes are red and glassy. His anguish shines through. “She was my idol. I wanted to be just like her. And now she’s gone.”
“How long have they been this way?” I ask as his mother begins to rock faster.
“I’d just turned thirteen. They planned a huge party for me for when they returned.” Luka drops his arms to his sides and knocks his head on the wall behind him. “The party never happened.”
Luka lost his parents at the same age I ran away from mine. We’ve both been raised as orphans. I would give anything for my life to have been different. To be able to grow up normal, uncursed. It seems magic has taken both our families from us. Not just any magic but dark magic. Cursed magic. Maybe my curse is just what is needed to end the evil. Counteract it somehow?
“I understand,” I mumble as I stand from the bed. “No child should lose their parents, especially from something that can be stopped. Something I can prevent.”
I walk over to Luka and stick my hand out to him to help him up. He looks up at me with such sadness in his eyes that I want to cry right along with him. I want to hold him and take all his pain away. Luka’s warmth envelops my hand as he pushes off the ground and stands facing me.
“I know you don't know this world. But the people are the same here as they are up there.” He points to the ceiling. “We all feel the same.” Luka grabs my hand and places it on his chest over his heart. “We want the same things. There are good people and bad. The only real difference is we have a bit of magic in us here. Makes life a bit more magical.”
“I’ll try. I’ll try to fight. To be what the Shades need. But I can't promise I’m the one.”
I stare at my hand still resting on his chest, afraid to look him in the eyes, afraid of what I’m beginning to feel knowing I can never have anything from Luka or anyone else. I have to do the job the Shades need me to do and move on. Seeing Luka’s death would be too much.
Luka tilts my head back with his finger under my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. A sad smile graces a corner of his mouth. “You are the one. That I can promise you.” Luka drops both his hands from me and looks over his shoulder to his father. “He never moves. Never sleeps. The doctors keep him alive, if you can call it that.” He walks around me and squeezes his dad's shoulder. “I know I’ll never get them back. But I want to make sure no other child has to lose their parents like I did. Thank you, Ela. Thank you for trying.” Luka nods and walks toward the door. “Come on, I’ll take you home so you can get that shower.” He gestures to the door before he walks out.
Home. A concept I barely remember. I pass by Luka’s mother as something cold snags my hand. Instinctively, I try to yank my hand from the cold grip only to realize it’s Luka’s mom’s hand. Her thin fragile fingers have latched onto me. Her grip tightens as her babbles start to make sense.
“Save my son. Save him. Save my son. Save him,” she continues to repeat.
“Save him? Save him from what?” I attempt to interrupt her chanting.
“Save my son. Save him,” she says over and over.
I look into her empty brown eyes and see nothing. Her hand slips from around my wrist and she goes back to rocking as gibberish once again falls from her mouth. I look over to Luka’s dad, who hasn't moved, and back to his mom. Did I imagine the whole thing? Or was that a vision his mom had? I haven't seen Luka’s death yet, so I’m confused as to what she means. My head swims with questions.
I jump as Luka opens the door. “You coming?” he asks from the doorway.
“Yeah, sorry.” I look back down at his mother and walk toward the door.
What just happened?
My body aches everywhere. We have been training non-stop for the past three weeks from moonrise to moonset. Luna has thankfully been MIA. She hasn't come around the training facility since she and Luka destroyed it, and Luka hasn't brought Luna or that day up since.
A knife misses my face by a hair as I bend backwards on the heels of my feet away from Luka and his flying knives. Pushing my weight forwa
rd, my elbow connects with the back of his shoulder. The knife clatters to the ground and echoes around me in victory. For the first time since we've begun, I have successfully disarmed Luka.
“Finally.” I turn and face Luka head on. “I’ve been wait―”
My feet fly out from under me as Luka skids to the ground, kicking my shins. He falls on top of me, pinning my arms above my head, knocking the breath from me.
“Never celebrate before a fight is over.” Luka squeezes my wrists and jumps to his feet bringing me with him.
“Sorry.” I blow out a breath. “It’s been weeks and I finally disarmed you. I was a bit excited.” I laugh.
“Everyone catches a bit of luck sooner or later.” Luka winks over his shoulder as he grabs a towel off the table.
I rip the terry cloth towel out of his hand and wipe the sweat from the back of my neck as I shove Luka’s shoulder. We’ve spent every second of almost every day these past three or so weeks together. If we weren't at the gym we were at his house or exploring Hollows Ground together. It was strange to feel so comfortable with someone. To actually have a friend, something I haven't had in many years. It’s also made me train twice as hard. I’m determined to keep Luka safe.
“I’m really proud of you, Ela.” Caramel brown eyes look back at me. “I think it’s time to move on to the next step in your training. Something I can't teach you.”
“What's that?” I ask as I throw the towel back at Luka.
Luka catches the towel with a laugh. “Grab your bag. I have someone to introduce you to.” Luka gestures to the green bag I threw on the floor when we got here.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder and tossing my water bottle in the trash, I follow Luka out into the early afternoon light. A slight breeze floats through my hair as we walk down the main road through town. I have to constantly remind myself that this place isn't the real world. That we are actually under the real world and everything around me is made from magic.
We travel in silence, both lost in our thoughts. Most people are at work and the stands around us are empty. We walk to the outskirts of town where the farm fields stand. We’ve walked this far once before, when Luka explained to me how the people of Hollows Ground have adapted to relying on themselves. Sure, they can go to the surface to get food and supplies; but it was safer for all to learn to supply themselves with all necessities. Of course, these aren't the regular farm fields I grew up knowing. These fields get their energy from magic and not sun. They grow twice as big and twice as fast, again thanks to the magic.
Corn stalks flank us as we continue down the narrow road. A bright red barn looms over the tops of the stalks as we veer off down a narrow dirt road.
“Maxwell is in charge of keeping an eye over all our crops. He retired a few years ago and volunteered to live out here. It’s a solitary job; the only real contact he has now is the few times a year the workers come out here to harvest the crops. Even then he keeps to himself busying himself with other jobs. The crops self-regulate, so he doesn't have to do much,” Luka explains as we turn into an open field.
A small farm house sits in the middle of the field that overlooks a lake. I wonder if it's the same lake that the hospital overlooks.
“What kind of training will we be doing here?” I ask, a bit confused as I take in the peaceful scenery.
“Maxwell has the gift of precognition. Or had it.” Luka pauses and looks over at me. “As he got older, his visions dulled. He hasn't had a vision in many years. Some say that's why he volunteered for this position. He is the only other Shade I know of with a gift similar to yours who is still lucid. I contacted him a few weeks ago asking if he would meet with you. He agreed.” Luka shrugs as we come up to the farm house.
The screen door creaks open slowly as a man in his mid-fifties peeks through. Maxwell, I presume, has salt-and-pepper hair that reaches his shoulders and a scruffy beard. His head tilts to the side as his bright blue eyes take in our existence.
“Maxwell.” Luka bounds up the two stairs in front of us with his hand out. “Thank you so much for meeting with us.”
Maxwell breaks eye contact with me and looks to Luka. Slowly, he raises his hand and shakes Luka’s, letting the door slam shut behind him as he walks onto the porch.
“This is Ela,” Luka gestures to me. “She is the girl I was telling you about. She has the gift of second sight.”
Maxwell nods his understanding as he walks toward me, taking the stairs much slower than Luka had. Mere inches from me, he stops and gazes down at me. His eyes are mesmerizing as a gold tinge works its way around his pupils. Neither of us say anything as we take the other in.
“So, um―” Luka breaks the silence. “Do you think you can help her with her visions?”
“I’ve seen you before.” Maxwell mumbles quietly. “Your magic is strong. Much stronger than mine or any other I’ve come across.”
My body begins to tremble as I take in his words. “Seen me where?” My voice cracks.
“Many years ago, in a vision. It was a vision that haunted me for years. I searched for you, unsuccessfully.” He takes a step back from me.
“What did you see? In your vision.”
Maxwell turns to Luka. “Go take a look at the crops. Make sure everything looks right while I speak with Mirella.”
“Sure thing,” Luka responds as he jumps from the porch. “Just call when you’re done.”
Luka takes off down the path we just came from. He looks over his shoulder with a small wave before he disappears from sight, leaving me with a stranger who has known me for many years from a vision that I hope wasn't like the ones that I see.
“Walk with me.” Maxwell’s voice comes out strong. “We have much to discuss and I fear not much time to do it.”
I’m uneasy as I trail behind Maxwell. He leads me around his house and down to a dock over the water. Two heavy wooden chairs sit at the edge of the dock. Maxwell plunks down in one, causing the dock to glide over the water. Carefully, I sit down in the other. The lake here is smooth without so much as a ripple, like the water at the hospital.
“To only see death is quite rare. A gift many would like to control,” Maxwell muses, his eyes glued to the water. “Did you know that this isn't real water? It’s nothing but the magic that keeps Hollows Ground together. It flows around and through the city. Pretend, much like most of what you see here.”
“I, uh―”
“You don't need to respond. I know this is all new to you. As you come to know Hollows Ground, remember what it’s like above ground. Don’t ever forget. If you do, your life will become empty and controlled, which is how most Shades live today.”
“You don't like it here?” I ask as I replay his words in my head.
“It’s home.” Maxwell looks over to me. “My gift gave me the opportunity to see the rest of the world. I spent many days above ground. I had the chance to see Hollows Ground for what it is.”
“Which is?” I tentatively ask.
“It used to be a place where someone who did not have control of their magic could feel safe. A safe place for all who held magic. As with other places, it has changed, evolved. It’s still a place for those who wield magic but we no longer provide a safe haven to all.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
I thought Luka brought me here so Maxwell could train me. Instead, he’s giving me a history lesson about Hollows Ground.
“To keep your gift safe. You have the ability to control your magic and your visions. Once you do, many will want to control you.” His eyes darken with each word, the gold no longer visible.
“I don’t think you will have to worry about that. I’ve never been able to control my visions,” I mutter, looking away from his now saddened eyes.
“You will, with time.”
“Time is something I don't have. Kasik expects me to start helping the Shades soon―”
“Or you and Luka will parish. Yes, I am aware. I was able to read the urgency in young
Luka’s voice when he contacted me.”
“So, you know how to help me? Teach me to control them?” I asked.
“With time and practice you will be able to control your visions, but they will never stop or lessen. But the impact they have one you will lessen. Eventually you will learn how to distinguish which deaths are preventable and which are not. You will not have the power to prevent all.” His voice is sad and distant. It makes me wonder whose death he was unable to stop.
“I fear I won't be able to prevent any. I’ve never been able to.”
“You will. You need to learn to identify which you can prevent and which you can't. It will take time and patience. You are still young; your magic is still growing―”
“How will I know which deaths I can prevent?” Something tells me this is not what Kasik is going to want to hear; he thinks I will be able to prevent all deaths on his side.
“With time, you will learn the signs. You must carefully dissect each death you see. There will always be a sign as to whether you can stop it or not.”
“And if there's not?” I stand, pushing my chair away from me. “What if there isn't? What if I can't decipher them in time?” I begin to pace back and forth on the dock.
“There are always signs,” Maxwell says calmly. “That I can promise you.”
“All I see is death, just death. No signs, no nothing!” I shout. “When the visions hit, it's always right before it’s about to happen. I don’t have time to review them or dissect them.”
“Do you get a feeling deep within you before a vision hits?”
Closing my eyes, I try to remember the last vision I had. Since I've been here, I've only had one, and I kept it to myself, not wanting to freak Luka out. Something in the air here has kept them at bay, or no one around me has been ready to die. I grab at my long hair and sit on the edge of the dock, trying to remember. Maybe he’s right. There’s usually a feeling of unease before a vision. I always know right before it comes on, but never with enough time to do anything about it.
Second Sight (Hollows Ground Book 1) Page 6
