The moon shines through the window, and with each passing second, the shadows grow in the bedroom. Even with the others gone, I can hear hushed whispers traveling around the room. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, and although I’m chilled, a bead of sweat forms on my brow. The darkness is all-consuming, and instead of the usual comfort I feel, I’moverpowered by terror. The whispers begin to grow louder, but the words are a mix of chaotic chatter that I can’t make out.
I slap my hands over my ears and carefully sink deeper into the bed. My head lies flat against the soft bedding, and I close my eyes. The exhaustion of traveling just a short distance hits me hard, and I feel myself slipping into sleep. A sudden noise jolts me awake one last time; the room is empty, but I scan it, seconds away from slumber. My eyes begin to close, and I must be dreaming, because a dark figure stands at the end of my bed with a smile on its face.
A few days later…
Imove slowly behind the others. Today is a quiet day dedicated to paying our respects to Warrick. Andorwood emerged victorious in taking down the ships of the resurrected; however, the battle was brutal. My friends returned home beaten, bloodied, and wounded—both physically and emotionally.
We lost Warrick, and even though I was just beginning to get to know him, I understand that this is a significant loss for our group. Losing people changes you, and we are in no condition to have our world shaken this way. I watch Fenmore walk ahead of me. She stands tall, but each step seems to cause her pain, knowing this is her reality.
Larkin moves with her like a second skin, always close by in case she needs anything—a true friend. Briar and Silas travel hand in hand beside them, and they don’t speak aloud, but I know they are talking privately—they always do, now. I see her squeeze his hand, and a sadness washes over me. Silas has also lost someone dear.
Oak looks at me, and a small smile spreads across his face. Dark circles rest under his eyes, and I know he hasn’t been sleeping. Every time I wake up, no matter the hour, he’s there watching me—like he thinks that I may vanish at any moment.
A stone in my path trips me, and a searing pain courses through my legs. Even though the healing is going well, the scars have faded somewhat, and I’ve begun a new therapy, the pain hasn’t stopped. It’s as if someone has an open tap pouring misery into my body at all times. I can’t figure it out; by now, the pain should have subsided somewhat, but it hasn’t. It’s like the darkness and burns have inflicted more damage on my internal body than my external body. I feel like I’m fighting a battle that no one can see.
Oak feels my stumble and immediately catches me.
“Let’s stop here, darling,” Oak whispers, letting the others continue forward toward the ceremony site.
“Thank you,” I respond, breathless from the trip taking a toll on me.
The ceremony begins with Rose, followed by Fen, who, against our pleas, wanted to speak for Warrick today. Her stern voice conveys themes of love and loss, filling each of our hearts with hope, sadness, and pain as we remember the hardships we will face in this life.
She pauses at the end of her speech and turns to gaze upon the white, flowing sheet that shields Warrick from our view. The wind rips her hair in all directions, but her gaze holds, taking this moment to look at him one last time.
Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but it was genuine. I believe it helped us all understand how fragile life truly is, regardless of your strength or determination. Life can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
She grabs the torch, ready to set the sheet aflame, when her instincts stop her. My breath hitches as I see Silas instead take the flame and ignite the white sheet. The others remain deathly still, focused on the scene before us, and I close my eyes, already filled with such sadness that I fear that if anything additional hits me, I’ll crumble.
A faint voice flows through the wind, striking my mind. “Maines.”
I freeze, half hoping what I’ve heard is my own imagination, but the voice persists.
“What did they do to you?” The male voice fills me once more. “You are broken and beaten.”
Terror floods me, and I can’t move, unable to respond. I try to turn my head to get Oak’s attention in front of me, but I can’t, realizing the others don’t hear this voice.
Only I can, and I can’t move.
“I will heal you.”
A tear rolls down my cheek, realizing that the voice I hear is Malachi.
“I will help you.”
I shake my head, as if he’s directly in front of me.
“You will be reborn.” The voice becomes darker. “I’m not giving you an option.”
A sob escapes my throat, causing Oak to snap his attention to me after momentarily stepping closer to Silas. His eyes widen, and a look of horror distorts his expression. My heart races in my chest, and I feel the icy touch of a man's hand rest upon my trembling shoulder. The wind shifts, the sapphire sky darkens to an ashen gloom, and I feel as if I’m going to be sick.
I look forward to see the grass blades bend under the weight of something moving in the in-between.
Travelers.
“Such a smart, observant woman,” Malachi whispers.
A tear falls from Oak’s face, and I notice the soft skin of his neck slightly press inward. An invisible claw rests directly where one single swipe would end his life. The others notice the shift and slowly turn. I watch as their faces turn to horror, and I can’t stop my body from quivering.
