Un
My hand presses against the cool rock on the side of the cave. It’s a shallow cave, and there’s remains of a nest and red glass fragments which makes me wildly think of dragons for a second. I focus on the rest of the living-dream I ‘m having. Before I run out of time, I must figure out the meaning of this recurring dream. It’s been driving me crazy for weeks!
I slowly edge to the front of the cave and stand beside the rock that reminds me of a sentry on duty to spot threats. Looking out of the mouth, I have a great view of the Black Woods and Llewellyn Academy, the school where I’m sleeping right now. The school is nice, a boarding school for kids who can afford to attend. It’s located somewhere in southern France, but I always forget where exactly, since I myself am really from the States. We’re taught French, but I really only know basics, like counting to twenty. There isn’t anything but green landscape and distant mountains around. In my dream it seems like its midnight, the full moon bathing everything in an eerie glow. I can tell that something is different on the grounds as well as in the school in this dream. There seems to be a cloud of some sort hovering above the entire area, as if something evil were about to happen at any moment. The wind picks up and I shiver. I turn to look at the school again, noticing a light flickering in the East Tower.
Suddenly, I’m standing by the fireplace of the tower, staring into the flames. My three closest friends from school are standing behind me. Their mouths are moving, someone appears to be shouting but I hear nothing besides the crackle of the fire. I see someone fall, I think my friend Necca, and someone moves to help her. Now a blinding whiteness is my only vision, I am unable to close my eyes against it. I’ve never seen this far into my dream before, I can only hope tha-
“LOCKLY!” a voice screeches into my ear. I bolt upright in bed and smack my head against a brass candleholder that had been held up to my face moments before by one of my best friends, Necca Whitelore. Hot wax flies all over, hitting mainly my face, arms, and blankets. I shut my eyes tight and try not to cry out in pain. Necca’s voice is watery as she apologizes. “I’m so sorry Lockly! I wasn’t thinking, you were breathing weird, and the candle was so close…”
“Necca, it’s fine. I’m alright, are you?” I say, getting out of my bed. She responds yes quietly. The lights are off and the candle is out which makes our shared room quite dark. I hear her shuffle back to her side of the room and sit on the bed. “Really, don’t worry you goose, I’m okay. I’m going to go take this wax off in the bathroom right now, I’ll be right back if you want to wait up for me. Then we’ll talk,” I tell her, feeling her unvoiced curiosity, “I’ll tell you about this dream I’ve been having.”
Carefully I feel my way to the door. I open it quietly and check the hall quickly. The dark wooden doors of the other girls’ rooms are all closed, everything silent. My bare feet barely make any noise on the carpeted floor as I creep towards the end of the hall. I go down the staircase and enter the large room that’s named The Social, a sort of lounge area for kids that belong to the dorms on this side of the school. Sconces on the walls illuminate the area, but only dimly. I smile when I see the familiar tables, chairs, and couches that make the space cozy, but not too small and clustered. I know the walls are a deep maroon color with light oak trimming. I think of where everything is placed on the walls, from the bulletin board to the paintings and other art made by the students who belong to this Social. When the next step I take makes a small creak, I’m reminded why I came down here in the first place. I shake back the thoughts and memories for now and try to see where the black door that leads to the bathroom is located. As soon as I take a few steps in what I hope is the right direction I feel a hand touch my arm. Before I can utter a sound, the hand clamps over my mouth. “Don’t scream, it’s just me Lock.” A voice breathes into my ear. I relax and the hand is removed. I turn to see one of my other best friends, Dominic Flamegrove, grinning at me.
“You scared me Dom!” I whisper, but I end up smiling too. He notices the wax all over me in a second and before I know it, he’s leading me to his room. I try to protest but he shushes me. I’m led down another set of stairs and into the area where the guys’ rooms are. We come to the very last one that Dominic shares with our friend Dakar Bleufair. I see a small glint of gold as Dom unlocks the door. He ushers me inside, locking the door behind him. The guys’ room is bright which makes me blink rapidly as my eyes try to adjust to the sudden light. The two full beds are separated by a nightstand, both pushed all the way to the left side of the room. A wooden table placed in the middle of the right side of the room is cluttered with books, pens, pencils, papers, and a strange pile of charred notebooks. I finally notice Dakar leafing through a notebook still relatively unharmed. He looks up from his place on the old blue couch near the door and gets up to greet me.
“Hey,” he says as he gives me a friendly hug, “nice look there, Lockly. Trying for something new, drastic, and fantastic?” I make a face but laugh anyway. Dakar is tall and lean with light skin. His black hair throws a handsome shadow on his features and makes his blue eyes seem darker. He’s wearing a tattered pair of pajama pants but no shirt. Dominic, now rifling through a dresser drawer, pauses to raise an eyebrow at him. “Alright,” Dakar says in response, “I didn’t know we were having company, jeez!” He exaggeratedly pulls a shirt over his head. “There, decent enough for you?”
“Oh, yes. Now I can keep my eyes open, lest I see something I shouldn’t!” I reply in an innocent voice. He grins, and then goes back to the notebook from before.
“Lockly, come here, let me help you with all of that wax.” Dominic is sitting on his bed. He pats an open spot next to him and motions for me to join him. I feel my stomach flip and hesitate. I look him over; my heart begins to beat faster. He’s sitting there in flannel pajama pants, a gray t-shirt, looking amazing as ever. Even with my eyes closed, I would be able to see his features perfectly. His wavy hair is a deep honey color that perfectly compliments his tan skin. His face though, is what really makes my heart flutter. He has what I call a falcon nose, sharp, a littler larger than average, but strong and amazing looking. His lips are perfectly sculpted, a light pink color that brightens when he smiles, which is often. I think his eyes are the most amazing part. They’re a burnt orange color that you can see even from across a room. My thoughts are wandering but Dom pulls me back to earth with the sound of his laughter. “Hey, I don’t bite, honest!” I smile and join him on the bed.
Dominic turns me towards the opposite wall so he can get the wax out of my hair. He slowly runs his fingers through the strands. “God, Lock, what the heck happened to you? Look at this!” he says, holding out a clump of wax. A few strands of my nearly chocolate brown hair are stuck in the clump, which makes me wince.
“Is there a lot more to get out of my hair?” I ask.
His fingers snag on another large clump. I bite my tongue but a small whimper escapes. “Oh, I’m sorry! Hold on, you’re almost done.” Finally after a lot of tongue biting, Dominic turns me towards him and shows me a palmful of misshapen yellow wax.
“Ouch.” I say lamely. He smiles and sets it aside. Could I be any more of a complete idiot?
“You have some on your face, arms too! What…” Dominic starts. I shake my head at him and start picking wax off my arms. I go to peel a big piece off my face but wince in pain. Dom reaches out and lays his hand over the spot that’s smarting. My face grows red hot in a second. I look directly into his eyes, he’s looking right back. He’s so close…our faces just inches apart. I feel my self lean a bit closer, and if it isn’t my imagination, Dominic moves a little closer as well. As I begin to tilt my head slightly, over the fierce pounding of my heart, a voice shatters the moment I’ve been wanting forever.
“You guys alright over there? Keep it PG please.” Dakar says from the couch. He doesn’t even look up from the spiral. I wish to shove it down his throat. My hope that maybe the moment can still be saved disappears as Dominic removes his hand and looks away. My feelings hurt, and my embarrassment flaring, I rip the wax off my face and throw in onto the bed where the other pieces are.
“Well, thanks, Dom. I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow. ‘Night.” I tell them. I swipe the key off the nightstand, unlock the door, and toss the key back to Dom who’s still on the bed, watching my every move. Still in a bit of a heat I make my way back to my own room. I remember that Necca might still be up and waiting for me to talk about the dream. I groan inwardly, not in the mood to discuss anything else tonight. I guess I can’t be too angry, my crush is a secret, even from Dakar and Necca. Dominic might suspect something, but that’s doubtful.
Right as I pull the key off the chain I wear around my neck a hand touches my shoulder. I turn and come face to face with Dominic. I cross my arms, but he only smiles and says, “Sorry Dakar was being so immature earlier. I know it annoys you.” My jaw drops at his blunt ignorance. He doesn’t notice, yet again, and puts a bottle into my hand. “It’s some aloe,” he explains, thinking that’s why I look so dumbfounded, “I didn’t get a chance to give you. It’ll soothe the burns from the wax.”
“Oh, thanks. That’ll be helpful.” I reply. I try to smile nicely, but its diminished considerably because of the ruined moment from before. Instead, I give a small, fake laugh and hug him goodnight. I know the right moment will come with time, cliche as that may sound. I just hope I don’t have to wait too long for it. Upon entering my own room, I find Necca lying on her back, eyes closed, and breathing slowly. As soon as the door shuts behind me and I turn the light on, however, she stirs and sits up, blinking rapidly. She has long and delicate blonde hair, pale skin, and a soft round face. Her eyes are a very light amethyst hue I almost envy, framed by long and curvy lashes.
“What took you so long?” she asks, pouting. I know she’s been concerned about me for the past few nights I’ve been having the dream, but I can’t help but think she’s just being a tiny bit nosey too. I tell her about my run in with Dom, she nods knowingly. “That’s just the sort of thing he’d go and do, try to be someone’s hero,” she laughs. Now, sitting on the bed next to her, an idea pops into my head. I look over at my friend, thinking, what if I tell her about Dominic? What would she even say? Would she just laugh at me? Worse, confess that she likes him too maybe?
“Necca, you waited so you could hear about this dream I’ve been having, right?” I ask cautiously. She grows serious and nods her head.
“I’ve been worrying about you Lockly. Your breathing changes, you mutter weird words in your sleep. I don’t want to wake you up in fear of scaring you, but I don’t know what would happen if I didn’t do anything.” Necca says, her voice growing watery again, “It scares me, Lockly. It really does.” I throw my arms around her and hug her fiercely. I know Necca. She’s my best friend. I know I can trust her.
“Oh, Necca!” I cry, “You’re wonderful, just wonderful! I promise I’ll tell you all about my dream, perhaps you can help me with it. But first off, I have something that’s sort of a secret to tell you.” Her face perks up at the word secret. I hesitate; feel my face growing hot again. “Necca, promise you won’t tell anyone?”
“I promise. Just get on with it! You seem so flustered by it!” my friend laughs.
“Um…well, I have this crush. Yes, it’s a boy, and yes, it’s someone you know.”
Not even three seconds pass before Necca shrieks with joy. “It’s Dominic! I knew it! I am so glad you’re finally confessing.” The giant smile on her face makes mine even hotter than before.
“What? You knew! Since when?” I stammer, for I think I am a little indignant at anyone’s knowing my secret before it was told by the holder, me.
Necca just laughs and waves her hand in the air like it was some time ago that no longer matters. I press her though, until she finally considers my question. “Well, I guess it hasn’t been long or anything.” she muses, “Maybe since the beginning of this school year when he came back from his holiday.” Seeing as the year here at Llewellyn began just over a month ago, I feel a bit relieved. She goes on, “That seems right. Its confusing how I know, just take my word for it. I can see these things.” The way she finishes her sentence intrigues me, and when I meet her eyes, she looks away.
“Necca, just what do you see?” I ask slowly, mind whirring into action.
“You’d think I was crazy.” She whispers, “But…I can see these, colors, all around people. All the time. They’re called auras, and I’ve been able to see them for as long as I can remember. I’ve kept it hidden, because in fourth grade, I said something about it to my mother, and she wanted me to get help and thought I was depressed and what not. I’m not crazy.”
I shake my head quickly to reassure her. “No, you are definitely not crazy. Maybe I am though. Listen, I have this…thought about us…” Necca’s eyes grow in anticipation. I pause, let out a breath, and begin, “In my dream I see Llewellyn from a far distance, a cave in the mountains that border the Black Woods. At about the same moment each time I notice a light shining through the window of the East Tower and as soon as I do I suddenly appear next to the fireplace in what I’m almost positive is the same tower. All of us, you, me, Dakar, and Dom, are in the small room discussing something. I know it starts with something I say, but that’s it.”
“The farthest I ever saw in the dream, before you woke me up tonight, was Dakar grabbing your wrist as you fell backwards and a horrible screeching in my ears until everything goes white.” I finish with a shudder and involuntary hand up to my right ear. Necca sits back. She smiles after a few silent minutes.
Twisting a lock of her hair she says, “Well, you know what we have to do, right?”
Hardly believing she might be proposing such an idea I raise my eyebrows at her. “If you’re thinking what I am pretty sure you are, then you’re crazy. Are you suggesting a little meeting of four in the East Tower tonight?” Her smile flashes with excitement. I know she won’t back down from this. Even though she’s as quiet as she looks, when Necca sets her heart on something, she doesn’t back down. It must be the giddy feeling between us from sharing the secret of my crush on Dom as well as my almost magical dream that makes her idea seem terribly inviting.
“Oh, Lockly! Just think of what this could mean! Your dream, my colors, and whatever Dakar and Dom might have secret! I know it seems silly, but it seems like magic to me. Think of all those books you’ve ever read, wouldn’t it be marvelous to live a life like that?” my friend giggles excitedly. A grin spreads from her face to mine and suddenly we’re both wide awake, hurrying to put clothes on instead of pajamas. We both throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She brushes out her hair while I tie mine up in a quick ponytail. I steal a glance in the mirror as she’s rummaging under her bed for some shoes. My eyes are my favorite feature, a bright green with flecks of blue and grey, and a ring of yellow around the pupil. My dark brown hair hangs to my shoulder blades while my bangs playfully tickle the tops of my eyelashes. I’ve been blessed with a naturally clear complexion and a heart shaped face. I flash myself a smile, feeling even giddier. Necca finds her sneakers and puts them on while I slip on my own.
Without even coming up with a plan, together we sneak out of our room into the hallway. I lead the way to Dom and Dakar’s room, remembering my visit probably no less than thirty minutes ago. Necca knocks on the door softly. I hear hurried footsteps and a dull clunk. After what seems like much too long Dakar ushers us inside. Except for his shirt being off everything is as I left it earlier, including Dom sitting on his bed. He looks at me questioningly. I stand there and blush like an idiot. Just what are we doing? I ask myself. The two of us must look crazy, all dressed up at midnight with flushed faces.
“So…” Dakar says to break the odd silence, “what brings you ladies here at such a late hour?” Helplessly, I burst into nervous giggles.
“Lockly’s had a strange dream.” Necca begins. She retells the dream to them, including our idea of heading to the East Tower tonight. The guys both look at us with wry expressions on their faces. When Necca tells them about her auras though, they perk up and listen carefully. I stand off to the side, a strange feeling welling within me. Somehow, I feel left out.
“Lockly, what’s going on?” Dakar asks. I can tell he’s close to laughing, but intrigued. Dom looks worried. He elbows Dakar in the side but his friend doesn’t get the hint. “What was that for? I’m asking a simple question!” he complains. They exchange another glance, this one more heated.
“Necca and I…we’re just a little excited. Please humor us with a trip to the East Tower?” I say. The two of them converse quietly for a minute; Dakar becomes as unsure as Dom. Everyone agrees, and we head off to the East tower. We’re all in the North Tower area, so it isn’t far to go, just dangerous. We sneak along quietly, listening for teachers and other students. We pass down long hallways and climb about three staircases until we reach the hall that leads to the staircase of the East Tower. Necca glances at me with excitement, and I smile back. We dance up ahead of the guys, feeling reckless. Once we reach the stairs we rush up together, skipping every other step. Dominic and Dakar meet us at the top. A strange feeling courses through me, making me wonder all the more why we've been compelled to come to the East Tower tonight.
I open the door and step inside, followed by my friends. I run my fingers along the cool, black marble of the fireplace mantle. I think about the academy. There are four towers, North, East, South, and West. Corresponding sections of the school are appointed the tower. All of us are North Tower, and we belong to the North Social. The names don’t do much more than assign where your dorm is, what Social you belong to, and what area is your responsibility. I have no idea how kids are placed and I’ve never remembered to ask anyone. It isn’t by last name or skills or anything I’ve tried to guess so far. Even so, rivalries break out as one section thinks they’re better than the others. It’s known that East and North ally up against West and South. There’s a holiday week each year where sections go against each other in academics and athletics. Usually North and East take the cake in academics, but South and West have won athletics most years.
I finish my thought and gaze around. Dom and Dakar stand opposite Necca, the pale moonlight through the window cuts the distance between them. Standing there in the dampness of the tower room makes me consider how crazy this really is. I mean, why are we here, honestly? Do we sincerely believe that my dream will somehow come true if we place ourselves in the midst of where it’s supposed to take place? Is the belief of magic, so true and deep in our hearts, powerful enough to give us hope, even after repeated disappointments?
Necca shifts awkwardly. Another silence has filled the space we’re in, smothering the four of us. Dakar again breaks the silence by turning to Dom and suggesting, “Why don’t you start a fire? There’s wood in there already, and it’s too dreary in here.” I notice Dom’s odd look of murder before he turns and walks towards me. He bends down by the fireplace, arranging the logs. Necca begins to talk with Dakar but I don’t quite catch what’s said, they look like they might be arguing. I’m too busy watching Dom to really notice. For the merest of seconds I watch him light the fire in disbelief. For I can see he has no matches or flint and steel, yet the fire starts, seemingly from his very hands.
But that’s utter nonsense.
I watch the new flames greedily lick the stone of the old fireplace, replacing the soot already accumulated there. I lose track for a moment, but suddenly a chill seeps deep into my bones. This is exactly what I was doing in the dream! I hear the gasp that cues Necca’s fall, and turn just in time to see Dakar catch her by the wrist. But I don’t see anything at all. White fills my vision, blinding but inviting, tempting. Its fierce, blazing like sun on fresh snow. Alas- no! Much stronger it burns, glowing with sheer magical radiance. Still, it’s all I see, just white. Blazing, burning, glowing. I am the light; the light is inside of me, coming from me. The glow is my smile, the burning my desire, the blazing-
Just as soon as it happened, the whiteness disappears. I feel myself fall backwards, and my vision dims as my back makes contact with the ground. Now I see a circle of trees towering above me. A full move shines brightly in the patch of velvety blue sky that the trees outline. Tiny stars are sprinkled about, and one of the first things I notice is that I can’t find any normal constellations. The North Star isn’t anywhere I can see. The stars here are different too somehow; they glow more, and sparkle. Faint hints of blues, reds, and purples are visible in the larger stars. Confused and disoriented I roll onto my stomach and push myself up. The moon casts a faint glow around and I see that I’m in a small clearing. I can’t see deeper into the trees that surround me. They make an almost perfect circle broken only once by a darker shape I can’t make out. It looks like maybe a path, but I’m not in the mood to find out right now.
Suddenly, it hits me. The true silence is overbearing. There’s the normal sounds of night; crickets, owls, soft wind. Further in the background I can pick out the subtle breaking of waves on sand. However, other than that, I realize, is nothing.
Because I am alone. My heart seizes up in my chest. “Necca…Dakar…” I breathe, “Dom…” I try my best to hold back the tears of panic forming in my eyes. I’m alone, utterly alone. My breath starts coming in short rasps. I don’t even know what happened to me, where I am, and I’ve lost the only people who might have suffered the same thing and could’ve helped me through this. Sinking back to my knees, I take a few deep breaths to control my breathing. Exhaustion takes hold of me. I curl up on my side right where I am and close my eyes. Two breaths later I’m asleep.
Deux
Waking up is hard. It all feels like a dream, everything that happened, but I know in my heart that isn’t true. I wouldn’t be feeling this ache…this unbearable emptiness. I finally open my eyes. I’m on my back again but this time I see the sun in an impossibly blue sky shining warmly above me. The leaves on the trees are greener than any I’ve ever seen, even the dirt seems to be a richer brown somehow, I acknowledge as I stand up. I absently brush the dirt off my jeans. I’m already hot in these clothes and want to change.
The clearing I’m in isn’t remarkable in any means other than those bright colors. Woods surround me, the trees and plants framing the nice size circle of dirt. I notice that some of the dirt on the other side of the clearing seems to stretch away from the circle. I walk over and find that it’s a path leading out from the trees. I follow it carefully, poking my head out from behind a tree when I see where it leads.
A wide road of the same hard-packed dirt that was in the clearing stretches to my right and left like a large road. I notice a few sections of path that lead into the trees much like the one I’m on does. That must mean more clearings like this, I guess. And the only reason these small camp-site like areas would be here is for travelers. Goosebumps erupt on my skin. I have no idea where I am, and I am not interested in having a local spot me anytime soon.
“Well,” I mutter to myself, “staying put won’t do much for me now. Come on Lockly…you can do this.” I take a steadying breath. I head to my right down the road, careful to stick close to the trees. Not that it seems like it will do me much good in reality, it’s more of a comfort thing.
A few tense minutes pass, then what feels like an hour. The sun is beating down on me relentlessly as I drag my feet along. I haven’t heard anything other than rustling leaves and the faint ocean’s waves for so long in this place, I find myself wondering what my voice sounds like. Somehow, I know this isn’t a normal occurrence, all the silence. It’s as if everyone just disappeared, but intentionally. Feelings seem to come from the plants all around me, the wind, the ground, even the sun in it’s sky. Anxiety, weariness, fear, and sorrow. An overwhelming amount of fear and sorrow. Yet they all hold a simple joy in being alive the way they are. A joy so fierce it makes me wonder all the more. What is going on? Where the heck am I? And where is everyone, anyone?
“Oh you should’ve seen it Derrin! He was spectacular, even if it was an accident!” The male voice was coming from up ahead. I freeze. Another voice replies to the first.
“That hardly matters, Klie. He’s back. That is what matters right now.” This voice is also male, rich and accented in something I don’t recognize. Come on legs, let’s get working! I think, annoyed at my own fear. I tug on my shirt, its soaked with sweat- so is the rest of me. Disgusted, yet resigned, I creep towards the nearest clearing path I see, now a few feet away from the road in the trees.
“Not like it should to you.” The younger voice mutters. He sounds sullen, like a little kid pouting over not getting dessert. And I detect that soft sorrow, intertwined with the words. I imagine it coming out no matter what the speaker intends to express.
“Klie! You have no ide-” Suddenly the voices stop and I with them. I hear quick whispers exchanged, then the soft rustle of footsteps over the dirt. I panic and turn around to run. A conveniently placed tree root has me sprawled face first on the ground in a few frantic seconds. Then I feel weight press down on the base of my skull.
“Please!” I cry out, “I don’t mean any harm, please don’t hurt me! I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, honest!”
“Derrin, what have we caught us this time?” the person I assume to be Klie jokes. Hands lift me to my feet by my arms and the next thing I know, I’m face to face with the first human I’ve seen in hours. He observes me with a curious expression. I imagine my expression mirrors his for he is not what I saw last in human terms. He’s a large, dark-skinned man with square shoulders and a trim waist, at least six foot five and probably around fifty years old. His arms and legs bulge with muscles, his face is angular, but kind with shining grey eyes, and he’s as bald as a cue-ball. But I hardly notice due to his clothes. His chest is bare save for a large tattoo of an eye on his left breast. He isn’t wearing shoes either, just forest green slacks paired with a dark cloak fastened around his neck by a large green brooch that hangs over the right side of his body.
The other guy gasps as he comes into view next to the man. This must be Klie, whom the man keeps addressing. He looks to be the same age as me, as his voice sounds. His hair is short, auburn, it frames his high cheek bones and brings out his brown eyes. Klie’s outfit piques my curiosity as much as the man, who I assume is Derrin. He’s wearing dark purple pants, and a sleeveless, high-necked shirt with gold filigree across the chest. A large katana is strapped across his back, and he has a pair of black gloves hanging around his neck.
I stand there, afraid, curious, and under some kind of inspection. I get the feeling that I’m not exactly passing. “I…uh…” I begin to speak. I lose the sentence and a blush flares to life on my cheeks.
“An Earthe…but it's impossible...” Derrin breathes. Klie takes a step closer to me, studies me closely for a few moments, and goes back by him.
“Look at her clothes, look at her face!” He says excitedly. “Could she be?”
Be what? I wonder. My mind whirrs. I can’t stay here. I have to get away from these people. Oh god, I’m in huge trouble now. Once I see Derrin make a side comment to Klie I pick out a clear path between the trees and bolt for the road. Their voices call out after me, but I don’t stop. I tear down the road, not caring to hide myself. It goes on for so long, my legs ache. Run…run…keep running. I tell myself. Up ahead I see it, the trees beginning to thin. Eventually they stop. I’m so full of adrenaline I push myself harder. The path goes on past the end of the woods and climbs steeply up.
This is it! I give myself one last push of energy to make it up the hill. I reach the crest, my voice ready to whoop in victory. I slow myself down.
“NOOOOOOOO!” I shriek. My legs carry me past the end of the road, which I find out excessively late, is a cliff. I fly past the edge, my heart near exploding with fear. There can’t possibly be hope for me now. Below me all I see is water, blue as the sky. I plunge faster and faster, tears barely making it out of my eyes. I hit the water so hard the breath is knocked out of me. It pushes me down as I struggle to keep kicking myself to the surface. I can feel my lungs past their breaking point; they’re burning, ready to burst if I don’t breathe soon. I try to fight back the panic. My fingers graze the surface of the water. One, two more kicks and I shoot out of the water. I take deep breaths, still struggling to calm down. Blindly I kick towards the hazy yellow I take to be land.
Soon I’m laying on a beach, still gasping for air. A shadow blocks the sun, and I open my eyes, too tired to be afraid anymore. Even prisoners get food. Klie is standing over me. He bends down and presses his ear to my chest. “Breathe slower,” he says, “you have too much air in your lungs, you’ll only hurt yourself more.” I do as he says, despite my realization that my running away probably only made things worse. It isn’t long before he has me sitting up and eating a strip of dried meat.
“Thanks.” I say. Klie nods, clearly thinking. An odd expression appears on his face. He opens his mouth to answer a question, but Derrin interrupts us.
“So, is she?” he says, addressing Klie.
“How should I know?” the teen says. He looks back to me. “What’s your name?”
Though I want to be cautious, I tell them my real name, too weary to care anymore. “Lockly Braveheart.”
“Lockly of Braveheart? I’ve never heard.” Derrin says.
“There’s no of,” I tell him, confused, “it’s just my last name.” Surprised looks cross between the two men. My eyes are feeling heavier. They whisper back and forth furiously, but I can barely focus. My lids droop shut, and I fall asleep.
“Lockly, wake up!” My eyes snap open. Dom is kneeling near me, the first familiar face I’ve seen in so long. In my excitement, I throw my arms around his neck to hug him, causing us both to tumble to the floor. He hugs me back just a fiercely, laughing in my hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” he says. We let go of each other, both a little red. I notice Dom and I are in a room that resembles an infirmary, complete with about two-dozen cots, one of which I had been sleeping on.
“I’m better now but…where are we?” I ask. My friend looks a little worried, but he still smiles at me. I feel like I'm in a cheesy commercial for face cleanser or something.
“You’ll find out soon, I promise. Trust me.” He says. He hugs me this time, much to my fluttering heart’s surprise. “I’m so happy I can finally tell you, Lockly.”
“Tell me what?” I find myself asking despite enjoying very much the feeling of being held by him.
“Let’s call it a truth. Not “the” truth, because technically I haven’t lied to you.”
“Dom?"
“Shh. It’s going to be clear in a moment. But, since we won’t be alone much longer…” Shocking me to the moon and back, he kisses me. But what shocks me the most is that I don’t enjoy it. All of those fluttery feelings around him, and the kiss feels like this? So…blah? Dom must think I’m stunned to the core in a good way, because he smiles and nods his head as if to say, “I know how you feel.” Even though he can’t possibly know how I feel, I don’t even really know how I feel!
“Hey, Dom.” Klie comes into the room from a door on the far side. He grins at Dom, who stands up to greet him. The two hug in the typical guy fashion, laughing. “It’s awesome to see you again. I can’t believe you found them so fast.” He says. Obviously the two are good friends, and I can assume already that “them” means me, Dakar, and Necca. But what’s so special about us? I wonder as Dom takes my hand, lifts me up, and leads me out of the room. We end up outside in a courtyard area, that’s basically a small garden with a few paths winding through it. The three of us head down one path. Dom and Klie chatter brightly while I keep thinking. I still don’t know where I am, but it seems like Dom does. He seems like he’s at home here, even though he’s supposed to be from France, which this place is obviously not. I wonder about Dakar and Necca next, and ask him about them.
“They’re already at the palace. Necca’s set up your suite to your liking already, I assume. I assigned her to do so hours ago.” He tells me. The word “assigned” bugs me but I can hardly protest as what must be the palace comes into view.
