Touched

by Allegra Skye

  He might be relieved. All along he’d told her things were temporary and she hadn’t listened. Now she understood what he meant. She and Cooper were from different tribes, had different journeys to take. Their paths had only crossed fleetingly, for a specific purpose and no more. Once again Keira wondered what her purpose in life was, but the pain she felt at separating from Cooper, stopped her from thinking clearly. As she left the compound, she felt as if she were being ripped apart, leaving half of herself behind.

  Ilyana hadn’t left any detail unattended to. She insisted that the guides drop Keira off at the far end of the trail, on main road. Once they did, they turned swiftly and left without so much as a good-bye. It was cold, wet, windy and Keira crunched down next to a tree, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.

  It had all happened so quickly. Now Cooper was back home with his mother and Tua, the woman he was meant to love, and Keira was tossed away by the side of the road. Pain and anger flooded through her body, almost bursting her veins.

  She couldn’t let it destroy her, though. She had to re-group, pull herself together, she couldn’t stay here. She’d have to take a leap of courage and take the next step. More than anything, she wished the indigo light would come, warm and guide her. Sometimes it came and gave her courage. Other times, it hung back, invisible, and she had to learn how to depend on herself.

  Keira pulled out her backpack out and ruffled through it. To her surprise, her cell phone fell out, right into her hands. It had stayed with her all through her travels. For a moment she wanted to call home, but could not bring herself to. What could she say to them now? How would they respond?

  Then she thought of her first cousin, Toby, who she used to be close to and had moved to the South Side of Chicago. Keira’s family saw them a lot in the beginning, but then it tapered off. Toby’s father was then killed a plane crash a few years later. Toby was sent off to a boarding school by a guardian and after that Keira’s family had lost track of her. Last they heard she was working in some kind of club. Keira’s mother always spoke of Toby with scorn and Keira always felt badly for her.

  Even though it had been ages since they’d spoken, Keira decided to give Toby a call. She dialed her number, and to her surprise Toby picked right up.

  “Yeah,” said Toby, “what’s up?” her speech was slurred.

  “Hey, Toby, it’s your cousin Keira. Remember me?”

  “Sure,” Toby acted natural, didn’t seem at all surprised.

  “It’s been a long time,” Keira said, feeling funny.

  “No big deal,” Toby answered. “Things like this happen to me all the time. People I knew a long time ago are always popping up. What’s going on? How are you doing?”

  Keira told her that she needed a place to stay for a little while and Toby said that she had a small room in her apartment that Keira could use. For a few bucks, of course. Keira was grateful. Then Toby filled her in. She worked in a club a few blocks from the apartment. She gave Keira the address and told her to meet her at the club to get the key, if she came at night. Everything was arranged in a few moments, and then Keira hung up the phone.

  CHAPTER 10

  Keira’s bus in arrived at the South Side of Chicago after 10 o’clock that night. The streets were narrow, dark and littered with garbage, scraps of metal and boxes of all kinds. The buildings were poor and run down. A sense of doom hung over the neighborhood, with people roaming around, glancing over their shoulders as they walked. A perfect place for the Shadows, Keira thought, feeling as though she’d landed in hell. She stopped a second, listened for hissing, but didn’t hear any. Not yet, anyway, she said to herself.

  Then she straightened up and shook her head. Wait a minute, she thought, this is crazy. It’s just late at night in a strange city. Everything will look brighter in the morning. Besides, this is a good place to be now because it’s so crowded: with so many dark, miserable vibrations, if somehow the Shadows did track me here, they’d have plenty of other people to feed on.

  Keira felt wrecked from the past few days and desperate to get a hot shower and good sleep. She took out the scrap of paper she’d where she’d written the address of the club Toby worked at. She had no idea what Toby did there. It had been so many years since they’d seen one another, Keira even wondered if she and her cousin would recognize each other now.

  The club was called Rakanrovers, on West Ogden Avenue, just a few blocks south of the bus stop. Keira walked south and in a few minutes saw a seedy building with dimly flashing lights, surrounded by a steel yellow gate. Two large bouncers with giant muscles, stood at the gate checking ID’s, letting some in and keeping out others. A bunch of girls dressed in tight clothes, and guys in black shirts, straggled around, checking each other out.

  Keira suddenly felt self-conscious about how she looked. She was dressed in slacks and a shirt that she hadn’t changed since she left the Torches. But for now, she had to forget about impressing anyone. She just had to get in, find Toby, get the key to the apartment and go there. Then she’d collapse on her bed and sleep for at least twenty four hours, she thought.

  Keira walked to the gate boldly, acting as if she belonged. But, as soon as she got there, one of the bouncers walked over, stood in front of her, looked down at her and stopped her on the spot.

  “Okay, baby,” he said, “where do you think you’re going? Show me your ID.”

  Keira had just turned eighteen. “My cousin works inside,” Keira said, “She’s expecting me.”

  “Yeah,” he sneered, “tell me another.” He moved closer again to block her, his breath reeking of garlic and beer. Keira wanted to throw up.

  “My cousin’s name is Toby and I’m moving in with her.”

  “I couldn’t care less,” he sneered.

  Keira tried once more, starting to get angry. “I’m only going in for a minute,” she said, “I need to get the key.”

  As she spoke, his dark eyes leered at her. He seemed to be enjoying this. He had the power and she couldn’t budge him. She could talk all night long.

  “Okay, honey, get moving,” the bouncer bellowed. “It’s a busy night.”

  The anger in Keira began to grow stronger. She was in no mood for this. She didn’t need it.

  “I’m not budging,” she said, her voice growing darker. Who did he think he was? He couldn’t stop her from finding her cousin.

  The bouncer motioned to another one to come over and give him a hand. Then he lunged forward, as if to grab her and toss her out.

  Keira looked into his dead, angry eyes. The other one was behind him now, backing him up. Outnumbered, she felt a long quiver rise through her back. In the past, Cooper would have tossed these thugs down the block with a flip of his finger. Now he was busy with a new woman. The thought of that further inflamed Keira. White rage rose through her. She breathed deeply, and felt electric energy rise in her hands.

  “Get back from me,” she suddenly growled, her voice rumbling in her chest and her head spinning.

  The bouncer jumped back for a second, startled at the sound of her voice. Then he went into full operation.

  “Oh yeah, baby, you threatening me?” he said, practically spitting in her face.

  A wild, uncontrollable laugh rose from the back of her throat and shrieked out into the night. It startled both of them, throwing them off balance. At that moment, Keira lifted her hands and pushed on his thick shoulders. That was all it took.

  As if struck by lightning, the two bouncers heaved, trembled and started to shake, like leaves in the wind. Another wave of energy rose in Keira and she pushed them once more and, watched them fly like tree twigs to the end of the street. She could hear them yelling for miles around.

  The people at the door, glued to what was happening, let out a shriek and went running down the block to see what had happened.

  At that very moment, Keira fled into the dark club, disappearing into crowd, loud music and dancers that were grinding on the dance floor.

  Keir
a wove her way through the throngs of people who were drinking, drugging, dancing. It was hard to move in the heavy energy that surrounded the place, sucking the air out. She had to find her cousin fast, get the key and get out of there.

  Keira stopped at the bar and sat on a stool next to a lanky guy who was downing drinks, one after the other. The bartender, a slim guy with pale eyes looked at her admiringly.

  “New here?” he asked. He was nicer than the others, and saw that she was having a rough time. “Want a drink?”

  “No thanks,” she said. “I’m looking for Toby. Is she here tonight?”

  “Sure,” the bartender seemed surprised. “She’ll be out dancing soon.”

  “I need to see her right away,” Keira whispered, as the guy next to her put down his drink and stared.

  The bartender leaned over and whispered. “If you want to see Toby now, just go through that back door.”

  “Thanks so much,” she said, took a few dollars from her pocket and left them on the bar.

  Keira grinned and slid through the back door to the place where the dancers got ready to find Toby.

  The place back there was crowded with half naked girls and stank of cheap perfume.

  “Toby?” she called.

  A young woman her age, in a skimpy outfit, dark black hair and tons of makeup, walked over and looked out at her from startled eyes.

  “Keira?” she said.

  My God, Keira thought. Look what happened to the little girl I grew up with years ago. I would never have recognized her.

  Keira’s heart broke for Toby. She looked so fragile and lost, dressed in her dancer’s outfit, trying to find a way to get by.

  Keira and Toby gave each other a quick hug.

  “I need the keys to the apartment,” said Keira. “They gave me a hard time getting in.”

  Toby nodded and ran to get the keys. She came back, stuffed them into Keira’s pocket and said, “I’ll show you the back way out of here.”

  “Thanks,” said Keira. “See you later. Back at the house.”

  *

  The back way out of the place was narrow, dark and smelly. It was filled with open garbage pails, stray cats wandering and a rat darting in and out. Keira flew to the end of the alley, crossed the street and started jogging north to the apartment building. This was a far cry from Everstock. It was a far cry from the cottage at the lake she and Cooper had stayed at. It was no time for remembering the past, though. She needed her wits about her here.

  As she approached the block the apartment was on, she saw three guys loitering on a stoop on the corner. They made whistling noises at her as she came closer. Her body began quivering in an odd way. She looked closer and knew they were trouble.

  “Hey, babe, come hang with us,” one of them got up and came over. He was greasy, slimy and drunk.

  Keira was tired, in no mood for this now. “Get back, I’m warning,” she said.

  He threw his head back and laughed at her. “You’re warning me?” Then he looked over his shoulder at the other guys. “You hear what this chick is saying?”

  The other guys laughed along.

  Keira felt the power rise up in her arms as they all started laughing. She felt the rage drift through her shoulders and light flashing in her eyes.

  “I’m warning,” she uttered in a growly tone, scaring the guy close to her, for a second.

  He came closer anyway, almost pushing up against her now.

  Keira had enough. She let the power pour through her arms, down to her fingers, reached out towards him with both hands opened, touched him on his shoulders, and watched him fly backwards, helpless, screaming, landing on his back, halfway down the block.

  The other guys yelled, jumped up and ran after him to see what happened.

  Keira ran after all of them for a second, then stopped. It was enough. She just wanted to get home. She was grateful for the power when it came and protected her, fascinated by how fragile humans were. But she had nothing to prove. She didn’t want to play games with it. She’d taught these guys a lesson and it was plenty. She just left them there, and continued on to where she was going, safe from harm.

  When she reached the apartment building, she opened the door, ran up the stairs to the third floor, found the apartment, and went inside.

  *

  Keira turned on the light. The apartment was small and dinky with a heavy smell of cigarette smoke. Clothes were strewn around on the floor. The furniture was old and torn.

  Keira looked around for an extra small bedroom and found a door at the back of the place. She opened it and went into a room that felt more like a closet, with a thin cot and broken chair. It didn’t matter. She was exhausted. She tore off her clothes and threw herself down on the bed, wrapping her body in the old sheet that was covering it.

  Before her head even hit the pillow, Keira fell into a deep, restless sleep. She tossed on the cot and then started dreaming.

  In her dream, she was home with her family, back in Everstock. She was in her own room, had taken a bath. Her journal was on the chair next to the bed.

  In the dream Keira tried to write in her journal, but suddenly, her sister Amanda came in the door. Keira practically sat up in bed as she was dreaming. The dream was so vivid. She was so startled to see Amanda standing there, looking healthy, beautiful, looking just as she had before. The dream seemed more real than the life she was leading. Keira actually felt her sister with her. She started to cry, realizing how much she wanted to see Amanda again, find out how she was doing and what was going on.

  “Amanda,” Keira cried out in the dream, “how are you? Where are you?”

  Amanda didn’t answer, just held out her hands.

  “Are you alive? Are you home? Do you want to see me?” Keira couldn’t stop asking and asking.

  But, in the dream, Amanda could not reply.

  Keira suddenly awoke and start up sharply in bed. Her body was covered with sweat, her face wet, filled with tears. Was Amanda still alive? Keira needed to see her. She needed to know what was going on.

  Keira sprung out of bed and paced back and forth in the tiny room. She had to go home right away, and she knew it. Deep down, she felt that both she and Amanda were, once again, on the edge of something happening. She wasn’t sure what. But it wasn’t necessarily good.

  Keira pulled on her clothes, packed her backpack, and scratched a simple note for Toby.

  Thank you so much for sharing your place with me. It was so good to see you, but I have to go now. Forgive me, for everything. Keira.

  She didn’t know what she was asking forgiveness for, but she knew she had to do it. Then she left a bunch of dollars on the kitchen table for Toby, and got out of there, fast.

  CHAPTER 11

  Percy had received careful instructions from the Shadow Vampires. He was to go to Bertram High classes in the early track, sit in the back and keep a low profile. He was not pay attention to anyone. It was only Amanda he was to set his sights on. When he had her completely mesmerized, under his spell, he had to immediately find all he could about Keira. She was Urgent Target 1. There was no time to waste, either. Everything was heating up and Keira was a loose cannon.

  Percy also had to remember to report in, every step of the way. The Shadows had a system of staying in touch telepathically. Percy knew what it was and how to use it. When he called, they would hear him calling. When he put his shield up, he would be in the private zone, not able to be found. This system had been set up eons ago, and worked for many reasons. There was power in privacy. In the private zone, you could not get or give mixed messages, could stay focused, and be undistracted. It was important when you had to mesmerize a target. It was often the first step in getting things done.

  This was one of the first Urgent Missions Percy had been assigned to. Up to now, the tribe hadn’t trusted him with anything this vital. He was pleased to be moving up in the ranks, knew he would get the job done perfectly. Then he’d move up even further, have control over lot
s of them. He drooled at the thought of this. He couldn’t wait to get Amanda under his spell.

  Amanda wasn’t in any one of his classes. He knew she wouldn’t be. It didn’t matter -- he’d see her again soon enough. He laughed to himself, all through the day, waiting for these stupid classes to end. Percy planned to meet up with her at the main door at the end of the school day. This would be one of the easiest victories he had.

  Events were working in his favor. He’d seen her first thing in the morning, as soon as he’d signed into school. He snared her interest. More than her interest, she couldn’t stop looking at him over her boyfriend’s shoulder. Just like the rest of them, she probably couldn’t wait to jump into bed with him, either. Stupid boyfriend she had there, too. That guy would be history before he even knew what happened.

  Percy hung back the way he’d been instructed. After his classes were over, he waited in the alcove in back of the lunchroom. When he walked through the halls between classes, all through the day, girls turned their heads, giggling, looking at him. Some of the bolder ones tried to get his attention. Even though he’d been tempted to toy with some of them, he was staying on track. It was Amanda he had his sights set on. She’d be putty in his hands.

  At the end of the day, when all classes were over, bells clanged in the hallway. He pushed through the crowds and noisy corridors and planted himself outside the main door, leaning against the stair railing. Amanda would be walking through it, sooner or later, he was sure of it.

  Before he knew it, he saw a glow coming towards him, looked up and there she was again. This time surrounded by a bunch of girls. They were all chattering loudly, happy to be together. Percy set his mind on her. He focused in, sent a cord of light to her and drew her towards him.

  She must have felt it right away. He saw her look up from her friends and when she saw him leaning against the railing, her eyes opened in surprise. Then she smiled - a dazzling smile. It took Percy back a minute. Boy was this one lively. He felt her attraction to him flooding his veins. It was almost too easy. There wouldn’t be any struggle, or conquest, he thought, a little disappointed. Usually he enjoyed the battle. He enjoyed winning them over. But this one was different. There was something more here. He sensed it immediately. Was she playing some kind of game with him?