Yep, that’s all we need. More stress.
“Okay, Reaper, help momma out,”I utter as I get back on the floor and reach for more pieces.
It doesn’t take long to find pieces that match up to what I believe are me. The time-consuming part is identifying andaccepting those parts of myself, the good, the bad, and the ugly. One by one, the others finish their mirrors and call out once they pass through the barrier. Deciding to finish this level together, they wait by the stairs as the others finish. Hearing their triumphs as they pass only brings more anxiety my way because I know I’ve made a mistake somewhere, as the last piece doesn’t meld. Either I don’t believe in myself that this is really a part of me, or I picked the wrong pieces, but that’s impossible; all the others match up. It’s easy to find pieces that look close enough to one another, but it’s a whole different aspect when you’re trying to believe that those pieces are who you are.What the hell am I missing?
Glancing down, the only piece that I can’t get to work or meld is my right hand. There are seven other hands to choose from, but I’m running out of time and options. I’ve already tried the hands that represented healing and animals, but they didn’t work. However, I kind of figured that since those reflections were already used in my torso and right leg. I switch it out for one that represents power, judging by the bright white orb in the hand, and I try that one as Knox sends me a wave of calm as he feels me starting to panic. Of course, that piece doesn’t work. I sigh and bow my head. I already have the glowing hand of power attached to the other hand.
I’m the only one still behind the barrier while everyone else is waiting for me by the stairs. Taking a deep breath, I will the hand to work, but I get a cold shock as I pick wrong once again.
FUCK!
Reaper whines and pushes a piece of glass toward me that I haven’t seen before, and my stomach drops.Where did he find this, andoh God, no.The piece must have been pushed under other sections because I can swear I’ve moved all the parts around, and I haven’t seen that one before. I would remember this one.
Why is it here?
‘Rezzi-bear? You okay? The fleabag is saying you’re flipping out. Do you need help?’
Lynx’s voice pulls me from my shock, and I pick up the glass with shaky hands, placing it next to the image of mismatched parts that make up me.
I’m immune to it therefore it only makes sense that we’re connected, right? But…how? I have no idea, but either I’m a part of it, or the Sulks is a part of me.
Click.
The hand with the Rebels’ tattoo on my wrist, holding the Sulks as it wraps around my hand and wrist, like a living being, moves as the barrier opens and lets me through.
CHAPTER 27
Coming Clean
Rez
Itumble out of the barrier—with a few minutes to spare—in distress, to say the least, and Knox wastes no time, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. One second I see my friends in front of me with looks of concern and relief on their faces, and the next, I have Knox’s firm ass bouncing in front of me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for looking at my current view. It’s a nice view. But what I just experienced makes everything else pale in existence.
I’m finally set down on a carpet and get a look around our safe house, though it’s more or less ruins than anything else. A few walls and pillars are attached, and the roof is completely gone, but the carpet is soft and plush, so I’m not complaining. Moni darts off in a frenzy, zig-zagging here and there until she calls out that she’s found the note stating we only have four hours of rest before our next trial.
It doesn’t surprise me that it’s a shorter amount of time since our last trial wasn’t so physically draining. It was more eye-opening than anything else.
“Look here,” Zeke calls, and I slowly get up and follow everyone to his side.
From our ruined safe house without the need for windows, we can see our next level clearly, and by the look of it, I can understand why they call it despair. If you added an Alfred Hitchcock movie, a Stephen King setting, and a graveyard atmosphere, then mixed them together, you would get Despair. As we take in the next level, a ghost of an elf glides across our path, and I watch as I see something bloody start to pull itself out of the ground. Nope…I’m done.
Turning around, I find my pack and sit back on the carpet, giving Reaper some food and water. It’s quiet as everyone joins me and they also get a snack and try to relax.
“So, does anyone want to talk about what happened in The Caverns?” JP brings up hesitantly. It’s crickets for a moment before he sighs. “Because you’re all mentally shouting at me about it, and it’s going to drive me nuts,” he proclaims.
“Good point. I might as well start,” Zeke concedes. “Well, I discovered that I’m a clown at heart because it counteracts the darker need of my necromancer side, which is a control freak. The side that also craves death, destruction, and control. The practical jokes, teasing, and laughing that I do is what helps balance me,” he confesses, giving us a lopsided grin.
JP scoots closer, pulling Zeke into his body and kissing his temple. “And we love all aspects of you.”
“I know!” Zeke chuckles as his face and neck turn a bright red.
I’m halfway listening as I’m pulled back to my own revelation of the Sulks and the Rebels being a part of me or I a part of them.Reaper crawls into my lap and licks my face as I attempt to catch most of everyone’s confessions.
Levi is ultimately scared of failing, so he compensates and tries to control everything. Knox is a murderer. When he fights, he turns off all emotions, so he becomes a killing machine and does it with efficiency. Moni is a coffee addict who can power all the realms with how much she drinks, along with being chaos in a small package. We all chuckle at her admission, already knowing this about her.
Knots is inconsiderate and gives up too easily for the things he wants. Chester is a romantic and a yes-man. JP is scared of commitment and sticking to one thing. Lynx doesn’t know who he is without me.
