LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1)

by Brandon Chandler

  Hayden pulled the trigger. A near invisible wave of energy erupted from the barrels. It tore through the air taking out whatever was in its path including the oncoming dragon. There was an enormous detonation, resulting in the surrounding woodland to be leveled. Once again Hayden was sent careening backward until his body slammed into the same tree, in the exact same spot. He slumped to the earth with a groan and rolled over onto his back. For a moment he laid there unable to see anything. Mists of sawdust along with bundling molecules of dirt and leaves clouded his vision as they settled in the aftermath. Then a cluster of gravel hit the landscape.

  Then another.

  Within moments, rain consisting of clay rocks and murky water, came pounding against him and the forest.

  He got to his feet.

  There was nothing left of the dragon, except for the carnage it made while trying to murder him and it’s raining remains. However, as the debris stopped, an unexpected surge of exhaustion befell his body. He fell to the earth, struggling to stay conscious. And if it wasn’t for the sound of rapid footfalls heading his way, he would have given in.

  He attempted to stand.

  “C’ mon.” Hayden tried to scream, his words coming out hoarse. Using whatever strength he had left, he pushed himself to his knees. Legs wobbly, he stood and stumbled backward watching his balance.

  A smile spread across his face. “I-I won.”

  The smile was immediately dropped after he felt a hard blow to the chest. His back slapped against the massive tree once more and before he slouched back to the earth, a foot pinned him by the neck against the woody plant. He knew he could escape the hold if he was at a hundred percent, but at his current rate, he knew he had lost.

  ...Again.

  “Looks like you still can’t control your powers?” the girl from earlier said.

  His adopted sister, Brianna Cortes waved his revolver in front of his face.

  She rolled her eyes and set Hayden free.

  “Yeah well I still defeated your dragon,” Hayden said as he slumped onto his butt. “I win.”

  Brianna knelt next to him. “The point of this training was for you to not overexert yourself.”

  Hayden rolled his eyes, “whatever.”

  He leaned back and closed his eyes.

  “Your dragon could have taken it a little easy on me,” he said. “Just because I heal quickly it doesn’t mean I don’t feel pain.”

  Brianna laughed. “You’re such a sore loser.”

  “And you’re a conceited nerd,” Hayden retorted.

  Brianna sighed and held out a helping hand. He glared up at her, his amber eyes portraying his embarrassment.

  “Think you can walk, or do I have to carry you?”

  Hayden got to his feet. “Really? You’re like a toothpick compared to me.”

  He hadn’t taken two steps before his legs gave out. Landing flat on his face Brianna’s laughter echoed around him.

  “You got this huh?”

  Hayden rolled onto his back. “Shut up.”

  Chapter-Three

  The summer day was turning into a warm morning when they reached the bluff’s edge. Still holding onto Hayden’s pistol, Brianna was in the lead.

  “How did you create such a big blast?” she asked once Hayden joined her at the border.

  He shook his head. “I infuse Delilah with a massive burst of energy instead of my usual smaller ones,” He paused. “I figured bigger opponent bigger blast.”

  He held out his hands. The weapon dispersed into a cloud of black smoke disappearing out of Brianna’s grasp and leaving behind a faint smell of burning brimstone.

  She released a bewildered outcry. “A little warning next time would be nice.”

  Materializing in Hayden’s awaiting hands; he smiled holding his weapon high.

  “Hello beautiful...Miss me?” Hayden said as he holstered the revolver.

  Brianna sighed. “You’re really weird at times.”

  The sun was ascending above the mountain tops from the east, giving early morning life to the landscape below.

  “Isn’t it beautiful Hayden?” Brianna said, glancing over the cliff’s edge.

  A colossal labyrinth garden overtook the view below. The hedge maze was decorated with a widespread of flowers from all over the world, giving the terrace a radiant luminosity. A few miles ahead of the maze’s entrances were small buildings, cottages, workshops and other shack-like dwellings; all of them spread out on the thousand acres of land. Sitting in the middle of it all was their home. A southern Victorian mansion.

  Ashwood Manor.

  Rich in beauty and culture, the titan of a house was built centuries ago.

  They headed through a narrow pathway leading into the maze. It didn’t take them long to navigate through the high walls of the labyrinth and emerge into a community of workshops and tool sheds. Landscapers ran about performing their daily duties and a few of them waved, speaking formal greetings.

  Brianna smiled and returned the salutations politely, while Hayden replied halfheartedly.

  Brianna nudged him. “Don’t be rude.”

  “They work for Alexander, so they have to be nice to us,” he retorted.

  “Or they could actually be really nice people.”

  “Until they trick you into their van,” Hayden said sourly.

  “Get help,” Brianna shot back in disgust.

  Hayden opened his mouth to continue his teasing when a tall male heading their way caught his attention.

  Andres?

  “Dad!” Brianna shouted happily. “You’re back!” she ran and gave him a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too kiddo,” he replied as they let go of each other.

  Andres Cortes was a tall muscular man, with brown eyes and olive-colored skin like his daughter. But unlike her honey blonde thick hair, his was black and spiked. Sporting a chinstrap beard and stubble cheeks, he was a man in his mid-forties who could easily pass as a man in his early thirties.

  “I’m guessing your training session didn’t go so well. We could feel the ground quaking from the house and had to convince the help we were clearing out an area on the mountain.”

  Brianna glanced back at Hayden as he gave her a pleading look not to rat him out.

  “It uh-went well... Hayden even showed some improvement.”

  Andre’s usual laid-back persona thawed as he fixed Hayden with a questionable gaze.

  “Brianna why don’t you go on ahead...I need to speak with Hayden...alone.”

  She smiled not questioning her father. “Has Dominic returned as well?”

  Hayden groaned at the mentioning of the name.

  Andres nodded. “He’s probably getting ready for school.”

  “Okay but I want to hear all about your trip to Europe,” she ran off towards the mansion.

  Hayden watched her enter the manor wishing he could have gone with her.

  “Hayden,” Andres’s voice boomed.

  Snapping him back into reality, he looked up at the middle-aged man.

  “Brianna was covering for you,” he said stepping closer to Hayden.

  “I know what you’re about to say.” Hayden said in a mocking tone. “Dominic is a prodigy when it comes to mastering his powers.”

  Andres sighed. “You want a normal life, right? Well it’s not possible if you can’t control your abilities.”

  Hayden smirked. “I don’t have to use them.”

  “Do you remember when you lost your temper and nearly nuked a cave of high schoolers?”

  Hayden scratched the back of his head and laughed nervously. “I really hate bullies?”

  Andres placed a heavy hand on Hayden’s shoulder. “Alexander had to erase the incident from everyone’s minds.”

  Hayden lowered his head.

  “My point is, if you can’t control your abilities, you’re always going to be a danger to yourself and others,” he paused searching Hayden’s face. “Alexander and I won’t always be
around to save your hide. Now run along and cleanup for school you smell like baked ass.”

  Hayden grinned, “you don’t smell any better old man.”

  “Old?” Andres said with an offended tone. He then chuckled. “I’m only human.”

  Chapter-Four

  With his body damped from the shower, Dominic dressed himself and ran his hands through his hair, making the afro appear unkempt.

  “I’m surprised you survived my dad’s training alone,” a voice sounded from behind him.

  Dominic smirked. “What are you still doing here metal mouth?”

  Behind him, Brianna leaned against the bathroom’s entrance.

  “Aren’t you worried you’re going to be late for school?”

  Brianna scoffed. “First of all, stop calling me metal mouth, the braces came off like over a year ago and secondly I’m glad you’re back.”

  “It’s good to be back,” Dominic said walking over to Brianna and giving her a light hug.

  “How was Europe?” she asked letting go.

  “Beside from almost dying due to your dad’s crazy training...it was meh,” he answered. “And I missed you too.”

  Together they exited the bathroom and walked across the hall into Dominic’s sizable room.

  Sitting on the edge of his bed he slipped his shoes on.

  “Has Hayden made any improvement?”

  Brianna smiled wryly. “Touchy subject.”

  Dominic stood, “I could totally wipe the floor with you two.”

  As if to challenge his statement Brianna whipped out her wand and aimed at Dominic. “What are you-?”

  “Turbinis Vasti,” she said.

  A miniature tornado exploded from the fourteen-inch mahogany wand.

  Gyrating sideways the small storm slammed into Dominic flinging him backwards on the bed, knocking the wind out of him. After serving its purpose the cyclone slowly died and withered away.

  A dazed Dominic looked up to see Brianna leering over him. For a while, he studied her innocent small features before rolling off the bed and landing on all fours.

  “Okay I get it, you’ve gotten stronger,” he said in between heavy breaths. He took several more minutes to regain his wits before climbing to his feet.

  “You should see my dragon,” she said triumphantly.

  “You’re what?” Dominic said with widened eyes. He shook his head. “Tell me all about it later; I have to get to school early.”

  He bolted towards his bedroom exit, picking up his backpack along the way.

  Brianna walked out of the bedroom and into the wide foyer. Confused, she scanned the hall for a moment. Dominic was nowhere to be seen.

  Brianna rubbed her chin.

  Since when did he care about getting to school early?

  Chapter-Five

  Hayden stood on the front entrance’s enormous veranda with his arms folded and foot tapping against the wooden foundation.

  “We’re going to be late,” he said in a whiny mocking tone. The door opened inward and-

  “Seriously weren’t you the one so excited about-” Hayden Trailed off as he realized it wasn’t Brianna.

  “A-Alexander,” he said.

  “Well good morning to you too Hayden.”

  Alexander was a giant of a man, with a trimmed snow-white beard, massive shoulders and stern icy eyes, creased with centuries of knowledge and experience.

  And at that moment, those very eyes were reading him like a book.

  Hayden tore his gaze away from Alexander, “are you heading to the office?”

  His guardian nodded.

  “You never go to the office.”

  The sound of an approaching vehicle caught their attention and a silver SUV came into view. The vehicle traveled up the paved driveway and came to a halt several feet away from the veranda.

  “Every now and then I do, to keep up appearances,” Alexander said straightening his tie. “Andres and your brother have returned.”

  Hayden grimaced.

  Alexander chuckled, low and soft. “The two of you still haven’t patched things up?”

  He patted his nephew on the shoulder and headed towards the SUV as the driver stepped out of the vehicle. The two of them exchanged formal greetings and the driver opened the back door for Alexander who climbed inside. The driver shut the door and bowed at Hayden.

  “Morning master Ashwood.”

  Hayden scoffed. “Stop with the formality crap,” he said waving the guy off.

  The driver chuckled as he hopped into the vehicle and sped off.

  The last of his patience withering, Hayden stared at the manor’s entrance.

  “Hurry up Brianna.”

  And when she finally showed up Hayden’s impatient mood didn’t sway.

  “Sorry, I’m so late. I was having a heart to heart with Dominic.”

  He jeered.

  “You still haven’t talked to him?” Brianna asked.

  Hayden shook his head.

  “Are you going to?”

  Hayden didn’t answer. Instead he exited the porch and walked along the driveway.

  Brianna rolled her eyes and followed.

  As the two of them walked, Brianna took time to admire the tall privacy hedges on either side of the walkway. They were blooming, but she knew in a few weeks they would be barren. She plucked a flower and placed it behind her ear.

  “Cute,” Hayden said.

  Hearing the sincerity in his voice Brianna blushed.

  “Don’t let it go to your head nerd,” Hayden teased.

  “Moment ruined, jerk,” she retorted removing the flower and tossing it aside.

  The driveway sloped.

  “Are you and your band going to play at Club Nocte tonight?”

  “Only if you don’t snitch,” Hayden snapped.

  “It’s not a safe place for your human friends,” Brianna protested. “And owned by Alexander or not, anyone who enters Nocte is putting their life at risk and they don’t even know it.”

  Hayden smirked. “I’m one third human and I don’t feel threatened when I’m there.”

  Brianna shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. I think I will tag along with you tonight...to protect your friends.”

  Hayden’s arrogant smile dropped. “You don’t have to worry. My band is off-limits. Rogelio and I have an agreement.”

  Brianna crossed her arms. “That sleazy manager can’t be trusted. Either I’m going or I’m snitching.”

  Hayden swore under his breath. “Fine.”

  A victory smile spread across her face.

  The path began to give way and the young teens found themselves standing in front of a massive iron gate connected to a stone wall on either side. The wall stood about fifteen feet and surrounded the entirety of the land.

  To their left was a tremendous building they called the ‘garage museum of cars’. Hayden paused staring at the structure; reminiscing about the times he, Brianna and Dominic would sneak inside and pretend to drive various vehicles on each floor.

  The memory brought a smile to his face.

  “We haven’t been inside there in a while,” Brianna’s voice broke through his thoughts.

  Hayden nodded, “we used to be so dumb.”

  A stone-gray security building was to their right. The structure sported a massive wrapped around window. Inside, four men were sitting behind a desk leering over a few monitors. All of them decked out in paramilitary gear and sporting sidearms.

  Brianna waved to the guards.

  They nodded in response.

  A metallic unlatching sound emitted from the gate as it slid open.

  Walking off the Ashwood’s property the two of them stepped onto a sidewalk and headed left.

  The woodland around them slowly died away and they arose into a small suburban neighborhood.

  Brianna gasped and stopped in mid-step, nearly causing Hayden to ram into her.

  Pointing at three cargo trucks spread about the front lawn of a two-story home, Bri
anna spoke, “someone is moving into Mr. Cassidyn’s old house.”

  “You don’t say,” Hayden retorted with sarcasm.

  He and Brianna watched as several men moved back and forth between the house and trucks carrying furnishings and other housing decors into the home.

  “I wonder who’s moving in,” Brianna said her voice a mixture of curiosity and excitement.

  Hayden shrugged. “They won’t stay long...Old man Cassidyn died all alone in there,” he said losing interest.

  “You think the house is haunted?” Brianna asked wryly.

  Hayden shrugged taking another look at the house.

  “Look at us...anything is a possibility.”

  Chapter-Six

  “Welcome to Winter Springs High School,” Principal Frank Crowder said as he stood from his desk and shook the hands of Kori Dawson and Ethan Waite.

  “We’re glad to have you both as students here.”

  “It’s an honor to be attending,” Ethan said with way more enthusiasm than he anticipated.

  Kori nodded her agreement. “Can’t wait to get to know everyone,” she said sarcastically.

  Principal Crowder gestured towards the exit of his office. There, another female student waited.

  “Melinda is the freshman class representative and will get the both of you well acquainted with the school.”

  Melinda smiled broadly. “Shall we?” she said opening the door.

  Kori returned the facial gesture with an exaggerated flair. Then she and Ethan followed Melinda into the main office.

  “Pleased to meet the both of you. I can tell the two of you are the adventurous type.”

  Melinda said as she led them through the main office.

  “I could never wear a flannel shirt and ripped jeans on the first day...or never” she paused opening another door to let them gather inside an empty foyer. “And the hipster nerd look fits you, Ethan.”

  He blushed pushing his horn-rimmed glasses further up the bridge of his nose.

  “Uh-Thanks...” Kori said.

  Melinda nodded with a pleasant smile. “Tell me about you.”