Micah blinked. Oh no, not now! But the vision remained.
The woman in red was perched precariously on top of the Fiat as it darted through streets, passing crowds of people, all of them unaware of her presence.
Micah watched her stand up straight, perfectly balanced on the moving vehicle. She threw her arms out, spreading them like she was about to take flight, her black hair whipping behind her. Her inky eyes scoured the streets as the buildings were replaced by trees. She hissed at the forests whipping past. He was enthralled by her, almost feeling the boiling rage within her. He wondered what was making her so upset, when flames burst across her body. The fire flamed out in all directions, licking her face, arms, and back. He’d never seen anything like it. She was consumed, but not consumed at the same time.
“Micah?” Someone jostled his arm. He wanted to swat them away; it was distracting, making the woman in red hard to see. Then he realized it was Viola’s voice.
Micah closed his eyes, trying to disguise how hard he was panting.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her tone worried, her hand still touching his arm.
He glanced at her. “Yeah, sorry, guess I’m sleep deprived.” He wasn’t sure what he’d been doing or looked like during his vision.
She raised one eyebrow. “Do you want to get out too?”
Huh? Oh, the car’s stopped. The front seats were empty, Gianna and Trent already gone. Staring out his back window, he saw nothing but trees.
“Where are we?”
“A villa,” Viola explained as they climbed out of the car. Micah caught sight of Trent and Gianna disappearing from view into the trees. Bet he doesn’t want to be followed. Great, this should be fun, he thought, unenthused.
Viola shivered and he glanced over. “Are you warm enough?”
Her teeth chattered. “I am all right.”
“It’s pretty cold out here,” Micah observed, as they began ambling through the large ilex trees. With so many trees close together, it formed a canopy overhead.
Viola pulled her jacket tighter.
An icy gust sent the trees shaking, rattling their gray brown branches, bouncing the holly leaves, and sending small acorns falling down on them. They crunched underfoot as they continued to walk aimlessly, his uneasiness growing with each step.
Something’s not right. The air feels damp. He stopped short and faced Viola. I need to get her out of here. “Why don’t we go back to the car? It’s really cold and I know you’re freezing.”
She started to protest but he grabbed her hand, redirecting their steps. She seemed to brighten at her hand in his. Once at the car, Micah opened the back door for her. She climbed in and gazed up, probably expecting him to follow in after her.
Her smile faded when he leaned in and said, “I’ll be right back. Stay here and keep warm.”
He shut the door before she could respond. His heart was thumping wildly as he sprinted back. Not caring about the grief Trent was going to give him, he yelled their names as he searched in the direction they’d walked off in.
Panic flooded him. What if I can’t find them in time?
Finally, he heard a growled, “Someone better be dying!”
Relieved, Micah spied them emerging from the shadows, Gianna’s hair tousled, and Trent’s annoyance clearly written on his face.
“Trent, we’ve got to go,” Micah said firmly.
Gianna glanced at Micah’s expression. “What is wrong? Is Viola ok?”
Another blast of wind hit them. This time Micah smelled something foul in the air.
“Viola’s fine, she’s in the car,” Micah responded. “Let’s go.”
Trent didn’t move as Gianna scurried away. Once she was no longer visible, he muttered, “Micah, what the cavolo—” but his voice died as his face contorted with terror.
In that split second, Micah was sent hurtling down, smacking the ground with his chest. Gasping for air, he struggled to right himself, but there was no time. Something cold seized his calves, the pressure of the grip so severe, he gasped, inhaling dirt. Lying on his stomach, he tried to twist and kick free, but the captor’s hold felt like steel. Then they were flying across the ground, every branch, rock, and bump abusing Micah’s body as he was drug along. He felt like a ragdoll tied behind a horse—the speed felt inhuman. Straining to see behind him, Micah watched Trent grow smaller and smaller, sprinting after them.
Micah tried to grab on to the ground, leaving both of his palms bleeding and raw. Realizing it was futile, Micah tried to shield his face from the rough terrain he was slicing through.
His body ached, his skin burned, and he could hardly feel his legs anymore. I need a plan now! Straining to look over his shoulder, he caught a glimpse of his captor as they passed under a small clearing in the woods. Horror shot through him.
The moonlight bounced off naked, black, scaly skin. The figure was lanky, hunched over, with a bony spine pushing against dry, leathery skin. The arms were long, ape-like, and twisted backwards to hold Micah’s legs. The torso of the thing was still facing forward as its massive legs propelled them deeper in to the woods. It turned its ugly head and glared at Micah. In the blackness, all he could make out were two beady, red eyes. He shuddered as the thing roared a wet, vicious laugh.
“You are mine, Seer,” it spat out, abruptly stopping and shoving its ugly face into his. The words resonated from deep within its chest. Its breathing rattled and purred, like there was liquid in its lungs. Its blood-red eyes bore down on him, glowing ominously.
“Semjaza’s praise and glory be mine,” the beast growled.
Micah’s mumbled an incoherent prayer. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. I will fear no evil—”
A light pierced through the darkness, blinding him.
The iron hands released him.
Micah pulled his legs back, scrambling to his feet. Disoriented, he attempted to run, but found himself on the ground again.
I can’t feel my legs!
There was a crackle and a hiss as a wave of heat hit his body.
“Run, Micah!” a female voice commanded.
He jumped up again, relieved he could feel his feet beneath him. He wanted to see who had saved him, but he obeyed as he half-ran, half-stumbled.
The female cried out, “How dare you cross the line! You shall pay for this! You and all the others in these woods!”
The creature wailed as the heat behind him escalated, searing Micah’s backside. The cries turned to shrieks and Micah smelled a horrible stench of sulfur and rotten flesh. He pushed his legs harder, his muscles burning with exertion. He was no longer numb. The wave of heat was suffocating, leaving him feeling like he was literally on fire. Desperate to move faster, he didn’t see the rock jutting out of the ground and tripped, landing hard on his right knee. Unsure if he could stand, two hands reached under his arms and pulled him up.
It was Trent. He threw Micah’s arm over his shoulder and they began sprinting back, with Trent swearing the whole way. Micah could see dirt and tear tracks down his face.
They were almost out of the trees. That thing had carried him far. The heat from behind had subsided and they stopped for a moment to catch their breath. They bent over, wheezing.
“Thanks,” Micah said between gulps of air.
“What the cavolo was that thing?” Trent gasped, both hands on his knees.
“I don’t know, but let’s get out of here.” Micah straightened. His knee throbbed, but the adrenaline was still surging.
As they ran, Trent yelled, “How’d you get away?”
They almost ran into his answer. She appeared out of nowhere, his lady in red. Standing directly in front of them, she put out her hand to stop them. Smoke curled off her dress and hair.
“Holy Zena Warrior Princess,” Trent gasped.
“I can’t stay long. You must leave this place—never return here. Get to your apartment quickly. You’ll be safe there. I’m going to make sure I destroyed all of them and then come
to you tonight.” Her voice was melodic. The woman’s eyes darted back to the trees. “Go now!” she commanded.
Micah and Trent didn’t need to be told twice and sprinted back. Throwing open the car doors, they jumped in.
“Gianna, my love, why don’t we get out of here?” Trent said as the girls gaped at them with wide eyes. Viola brushed Micah’s cheek and he winced. Something warm dripped off his jaw; he wiped it away. Seeing his red fingers, Viola promptly handed him a tissue from her purse.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, tapping the front seat with his fingers. “Let’s get out of here, Trent.”
Trent gave Gianna a reassuring smile and she threw the car into reverse.
Once back on the main road, both girls asked, “What happened?”
Micah glanced at Trent, who was covered in sweat and dirt. He realized he was a mess too, when Viola reached over and pulled some leaves from his hair.
“Micah was mugged,” Trent said, not missing a beat.
“Caspita! We should call the polizia!” Gianna gasped.
“Are you okay?” Viola asked.
“I’m fine. We should probably head home though, sorry.” Micah was desperate to obey the woman in red’s directions.
“What happened?” Gianna asked again as she brushed twigs out of Trent’s hair.
“Well, after you left, this dude comes out of nowhere and hits Micah with a bat. Micah goes down and the guy starts wailing on him. I jumped in, grabbed him from behind, and threw him to the ground. The guy starts crying about how he needs the money for his kid’s surgery, blah, blah, blah… and I’m like, No one beats the crap out of my cousin but me, idiot!”
Micah bit the inside of his cheek to keep from cracking up. I can’t believe they’re buying it. But I guess it’s more believable than what actually happened.
The Awakener Page 14
