Montana

Abby Roswell says goodbye to her old life.

I could see the luminous glow of the city’s skyline over the tree tops as we approached the great city of Birmingham. I usually welcomed the vivid flow of lights but not tonight, there was no room for joy tonight only deep dark sadness. In less than an hour I will be forced to say good-bye not only to my home here in Alabama but also to my best friend Chloe Vega.

I do not believe anything could possibly fill the empty void the last seventy-two hours has left inside my chest. In three days I have graduated from high school, broke up with my boy friend of three years, and buried both of my parents. The latest addition to my misery is being shipped off to Montana to live with an aunt that until recently I never knew existed.     

I glanced over my shoulder at Chloe, she was concentrating on the road ahead but there was no mistaking the pain in her eyes as she struggled to keep a firm hold on her emotions. A battle I was certain we would both lose when it came time for us to say our final good-bye. I wiped away a stray tear with the back of hand. How was I ever going to make it through the next few months without my best friend?         

“Abby?” Chloe yelled. “Just Stop”                          “Stop what?”

“Stop Crying!” She grabbed my hand. “I hate it when you cry!”                         “Sorry I just.” I paused. “I just- will miss you.”       “I’ll miss you too.” She blew kisses at me.              “But you’re not getting rid of me that easy?”          “Huh?” I shook my head. “You lost me?”                  Chloe giggled. “Friends forever remember?” I smiled at the memory. “How could I forget?” It was a silly promise we made to each other when my sister Laurel disappeared ten years ago last spring. A promise we renewed when Chloe’s mother Sorina walked out on her entire family in the middle of the night without so much as a letter to explain why.“Okay than stop being so… dramatic” Chloe rolled her dark brown eyes as she turned back to the road. “I’m not!” I folded my arms across my chest. Well okay maybe, I was being a little dramatic considering I would turn eighteen in October which was only a little over four months away.

Once I turned eighteen I would be free to move back to Alabama which is exactly what I planned to do. Chloe pulled into the first available parking space closest to the entrance of the airport lobby. I took a deep breath dropping my hands back down into my lap. The moment I had been dreading since we left the house was here, it was time to say good-bye to my best friend.                      

“Vince wanted me to give this to you.” Chloe stated as she placed a pink heart shaped box with a shiny gold ribbon on the dashboard. “Did he say what it is?” I eyed the little box closely. “Not really.” She grinned which of course meant she was lying. I was more than a little afraid of what was inside the box seeing as Vince was having a hard time accepting the fact that it was over between us for good. A fact I could not ignore after last night, when he showed up in the middle of the night outside my bedroom window begging me to run away with him. I gently tugged the ribbon over the corner of the box slowly I lifted the lid until I could see a glimpse of silver. I felt my breath get caught in my throat as I finished pushing back the lid.

Inside was the most unique heart locket I have ever seen. In the center of the locket was a raised heart shaped ruby. The outside of the locket had a dozen small opened raised hands giving the appearance to me that there was something missing from the locket. “Have you ever seen anything like this before?” I tilted the box in Chloe direction so she could get a closer look. “You could say that I have.” Chloe giggled. “Is there something missing?” I pointed to the edge with the small little hands it still somehow looked incomplete to me. “Vince won that bet!” She laughed. Chloe pulled the necklace out of the box carefully opening the clasp as she placed the necklace around my neck so that the heart fell at the base of my throat. “What bet?” Why did I get the feeling the two of them were also co-conspirators in Vince’s late night visit? “There it looks beautiful on you!” Chloe sat back looking like the cat, which had finally swallowed the canary. “What bet Chloe?” I hated always being the last to know something especially if that something involved was me.  “Oh just here, look for yourself.” Chloe tried to hide the huge grin plastered to her face but I caught a glimpse as she handed me her cell phone.    

I glanced down at the display screen but quickly looked away when I seen it was a picture of Vince. A few seconds later it connected the something missing from my locket was hanging around Vince’s neck in the picture. I bit down on my lower lip to keep it from giving away that I was just a few quivers away from being a total basket case.  It almost worked, but then my cell phone rang that familiar tone… Vince. I took a deep breath. “Hello?” “Did you like my surprise?” Vince asked softly.                              “Yes it’s very beautiful, Thank you!” I hated the awkwardness there was between us now. After three years you would figure there would be none but I guess that is the price you pay for breaking someone’s heart.               “Na you are beautiful Abs.” His voice ripped at my heart. If he only knew how hard it was for me to let him go. “Thanks again Vince, I will cherish it.” I mumbled the words as I suppressed another round of tears. 

“Abs, could you just do me one favor?”                “What’s that?” I held my breath in fear of another emotional plead for me to stay with him. I don’t think I could say no a second time.                             “Keep me in your heart.” His voice shook. “Think of me.” “Vince I could never forget you!” I never would.         “Do you promise?”   “Of course, I promise.” I choked. Even if I wanted to forget I knew there would never be any one that would make me forget the life I had happily spent with Vince or the memories we made together. “One more thing before I’ll let you go.” He whispered. “What?” I held my breath hoping almost praying he would ask me just one more time to stay with him. “I love you Abby.” He cleared his throat. “Always”                                                  “I love you too.” I whispered. A single tear escaped from the corner of my eye. I always would but it was not fair to make him wait for me. I had no other choice. I had to let him go.         “Goodbye Abs.” He whispered.                         “Goodbye Vince. I echoed. I turned to look at Chloe for support but stopped as I seen the stream of tears rolling down her cheeks. This was one time I did not have the words that would make everything okay again for her or for me. I glance down at my watch it was just about time for my flight to Montana to start boarding. “I have to go soon.” I nodded down at my watch. “I know.” Chloe frowned.         “I wish you could stay.”                                  “I do too.” I sighed. “I wish this was all a bad dream.”  “I wish your parents were still here.” She whispered. I nodded my head unable to form the words to express how much I wish that were true. Chloe seeing that I could not speak jumped out of the car into the parking lot. I gave one last look around the car before I too jumped out meeting her at the back of the car as she sat my suitcases down on the ground at my feet. It was the last sign that things were coming to an end. “I will call you once I get settled in there.” I forced a smiled. “You better email like everyday too.” She threatened. I smiled as she gave me a great big hug. I would sure miss the way she could always make me laugh. There was just one more thing I wanted her to promise me before I left one last detail to be seen too now that I would be gone. “Chloe can you do something for me?” I stepped back so I could look her in the eyes as the smile evaporated off my face.

“What?” she asked. “Will you take care of my parents for me while I’m gone?” I paused. “Will you make sure they have fresh flowers every day?”                               “You know I will.” She cried. Fresh tears filled her eyes. “Thanks.” I gave her one more hug. “I’ll miss you!”       “I will too!” Chloe smiled. “Come home when you can!” I nodded. “Oh if it’s not too much trouble could you look after Vince too?” I asked laughing at the way it sounded. “That one might cost you!” She giggled. “No I will! I Promise.” She crossed her fingers over her heart like she did when we were kids. I stepped back picking up the two suit cases at my feet before I looked back up at Chloe. “Well I guess this is it.” I took a deep breath.          “I guess so.” She nodded.                            “Goodbye Chloe.”     “No not goodbye Abby.” She paused to wipe her eyes. “Later!"

“Later!” I whispered. I waved once before I turned walking the short distance from the back of the car to the front doors. I paused in the doorway turning back once more to look at the girl that had been my best friend since we were four years old.                 

A tear sprung into my eye as I seen us five years old, hands locked together as we bounced down the stairs into my mom and dad’s waiting arms. There were so many memories to choose from but it was that moment when our innocence had never been tainted by sadness and neither heart had ever been broken that I would carry with me in my heart. I waved one last time before turning back to face what was waiting for me on the other side of the door. I took a deep breath as I pushed open the door and took that first step on the journey to my new life.

      The last passenger had just stepped through the gate as I rushed forward with my ticket in hand. The flight attendant smiled as she waved me forward reaching out her hand to take my ticket. I was just about to hand off the ticket to her when I heard my name being called. “Abigail Roswell?”

I turned to see a petite red-headed girl slowly approaching with two guys one on each side. The one on her right was tall, thin with short blonde hair, while the one on her left was tall, thin but he had dark wavy brown hair. I held my breath as the group came to abrupt stop in front of me.

“Can I help you?” I asked puzzled. I was certain I had never met any of them before as all of them were beyond mere beautiful in fact they were closer to what you would expect an ancient mythological god or goddess to look like. The girl wore her light red hair in ringlets that fell in perfect precision down the center of her back. It was the kind of hair most girls would die to have. I personally fell in love immediately with her intense jade eyes that seemed to peek out from underneath thick dark lashes. As she closed the distance between us I added her flawless porcelain complexion to my growing list of admirations. “I’m Violet!” She laughed.                   “I am your new best friend!”                          “Excuse me?” I took a step back. She had beauty going for her that was a given but maybe not so much going on in the brains department. We had just met so it bugged me that she would use the words “best friend” so causally besides no one could replace Chloe not in my life or in my heart. Violet smiled. “Clarissa sent me.” She held her finger out. I waited as she searched inside her black shoulder bag before pulling out a folded over white piece of paper that held hand-written instructions from my Aunt Clarissa. The instructions dictated that violet was to meet me at gate 16 then accompany me on a private flight to Liberty. Liberty was the town where my Aunt Clarissa lived and I was sentenced to be for the next four months.  “I am slightly confused.” I paused. “I was told Liberty did not have any airports which is why I was to take this flight.” I finished pointing at the door that was still being held for me.                                                     “Liberty does not have any official airports.” Violet smiled. “However the family has a personal air strip they use for emergencies.”                                   “Oh!” I muttered. I was not aware that my new family owned a private air strip but then there was a lot about my family in general I was just beginning to find out. Violet turned to the flight attendant that was patiently holding the door open. “I am sorry for the inconvenience but Miss Roswell will not be boarding the flight to Missoula tonight.” The flight Attendant nodded her head in understanding then disappeared through the door. Violet turned back to me. “Do you have any other questions?” she asked looking down at the paper in my hand.             “Just one-who are you exactly?” I bit my bottom lip. “I mean who are you exactly to me?” I held my breath hoping she was not going to spring any news like she was my long lost cousin or something along those lines. I was not ready for that, not yet at least. Not ever. “You mean besides your new best friend?” she titled her head to the side as if she was in deep thought before she added. “I’m not blood related but you could say I am a close friend of the family.                “Do you live with Clarissa or something?” I asked sensing there was something that she was intentionally leaving out. I watched as she bounced from foot to foot as she thought about what to say next. “We all do!” She nodded her head at the guys. “We all work for Clarissa but we are like one big happy family.” She giggled. “Great!” I tried to sound as happy about that as she apparently was but honestly at this point all I wanted to do was curl into a ball and cry. “Can we finish all this on the plane?” She patted my hand. “It’s a long flight so we should get started.”                                                                   “Oh sorry” I nodded my head. “This is just so new to me.” Violet shrugged her tiny shoulders. “No Worries!” She grabbed my hand. “I’ll help you get through it, but we better hurry up before Brady and Foster here throw a child sized fit.” I looked over at the two guys that flanked her side and had to agree they both looked like they were ready to jump out of their skin at any given second. I lean close to Violet. “Who is who?” Violet’s smile brightened as she pointed to the guy on her right. “This is Foster Vaugh he is an expert in all things weather related, an awesome ranch hand and an exceptional boyfriend.”                                                          “Hi!” I nodded. “Nice to meet you Foster.”           “Hello.” Foster muttered before turning his attention back to the airport lobby. I guess he was not much for small talk. Violet rolled her eyes as she turned to the guy on her left. “This is Brady Andrews he also works for your family and is a giant pain in my butt.” Violet laughed when he shot her a dirty look. Then he turned his attention right on me.  I was immediately awe struck the moment our eyes met his were a piercing emerald green with small yellow streaks that were not quite gold but almost honey in color. These were eyes that burned with such intensity that it caused my heart to beat wildly in my chest. It was not just his eyes that was leaving me awe struck it was everything about him from his long black curly eye lashes, high cheek bones and full rose colored lips all the way down to his perfect flawless porcelain complexion next to his well built arms and chest that left my head spinning in circles. I drew in a deep breath as our eyes met again but this time I could not force myself to look away.                    “Hello Abigail.” He whispered in an almost musical tone. “Hello.” I managed to choke out half breathless. I stood there unable to speak or move as I stared back into his eyes the only sound I could hear was the beating of my own frantic heart. I shudder half in excitement the other half was from the coolness of his breath on my skin. I was completely wrong he did not look like a mythological god. No not even that came close to describing how breathtakingly beautiful he was not even a fallen angel could rightfully compare but it was the closest I could come.                “Brady? Abigail?” Violet paused. “Hello?”                                                “What?” Brady replied slowly shifting his eyes away from mine. “Do you think we can continue this umm display on the plane or would you rather stand here out in the open all night?” Violet asked. “Right” Brady nodded. “You and Foster take the lead I’ll follow behind with the luggage.” Before I had a chance to object Brady had scooped up my suitcases into his hands. Violet grabbed my hand pulling me behind her as she led the way down to the last gate. Once aboard the small plane Foster took Brady to go over the pre-flight check list while Violet helped me get settled into my seat. “Wow that was something back there.” Violet stated as she handed me a bottle of water. “I have never seen two people react to each other the way you two did.” She sat down in the seat beside me.                                      “What happened?”                                        “I’m not sure.” I honestly did not know how to explain what had happen back in the lobby with Brady mainly because I didn’t quite understand it myself but luckily I did not have to explain because just then Foster came back to tell Violet that we were ready for take-off so she and Brady could switch places.                        

As it turns out Foster in addition to being an exceptional boyfriend also had his pilot’s license and would be flying us to Montana. Brady sat down in the seat across from mine just as the plane started moving down the runway. I looked out the window and said one more silent goodbye to the city lights as they disappeared along with my life as we took to the night sky.                                           “Do you always do that? Brady asked.                                                      “Do what?”        “Bite your bottom lip like that when you are upset?”      “I guess so.” I shrugged. “I don’t really notice.”          “Don’t worry I am sure he will wait for you.” Brady stated. “Who” I turned my head so that I was looking at him but not making direct eye contact. I would have to remember that in the future. “I am no expert.” Brady stated as he slid into the seat next to mine. “But I’m guessing it would most likely be whoever gave this to you.” He added lifting the heart part of my locket into his hand. “Vince.” I frowned. I pictured Vince sitting at home day after day just waiting for me to come back home. What if I never got to go back to Alabama? What if I decided to never go back? How long would it take for him to finally give up on me and move on?                                                 “Did I say something wrong?” He asked softly.           “No.” I shook my head. “We broke up that’s all.”         “My Condolences” He offered. “Was it a bad break up?”   “Not bad.” I sighed. “It was just unexpected.”            “I see.” He answered. I gave Brady a half smile as I tucked the necklace down inside my shirt hoping that would put an end to the questions about Vince or at the very least about my recent break up. I just did not want to rehash the events of the last seventy-two hours or feel the pain it had caused.                      

I luckily did not have to because Brady started asking questions about what life had been like for me growing up in Brookville. I answered as many questions as I could but when the subject somehow came around to my parents I shut down immediately. It was not that I did not want to share with Brady what my parents had been like it was more that I could not talk about it yet. In time maybe I could talk about them but not now, not when the pain still ripped a hole in my heart. Brady must have sensed that I was uncomfortable talking about my parents because he nodded his head before changing the subject again.              

I listen quietly as Brady talked about what life was like around the ranch He talked about some of the people I would met on the ranch while I was there. I had to admit there were some people I was looking forward to meeting but I was still on edge about meeting my Aunt Clarissa. No matter what good things he had to say about her I had to wonder what kind of person she was really considering her own sister, my mother, had kept her existence a secret until the day she died. There was also the weird Mr. Foley that had me a little more than just creep out about what waited for me in Montana. I came into contact with Mr. Foley when I found a key taped to a note from my mother inside her lock box.  

The note had directed me to hide the key then to contact Mr. Foley immediately and do not tell anyone about the key. When I called Mr. Foley I learned that he was my mother’s private attorney who had documents that sentenced me to life on the ranch. It was then I learned for the first time about my Aunt Clarissa. I shivered recalling the conversation. I could only hope that after I handed over the key to him that would be the end of my dealings with him. Well I could hope couldn’t I? All at once Brady busted out laughing I whipped my head around to see what he was finding so humorous. “What?” Brady looked up catching my eyes as a large grin spread across his lips. I was stunned into silence by his smile but again, I was awe struck by his eyes. Just like in the airport lobby I was vaguely aware of anything else but Brady and the sudden intense pull I felt in his direction. What I felt was not just a physical pull but an emotional one as well. I had never experience anything like it before not even with Vince but I had heard of stuff like this before in movies and from one other source. I swallowed hard as the nagging voice in the back of my head became clear.                         The voice oddly enough belonged to my mother from the one and only time she talked about her past. Once When I was eleven years old she told me a story about the day she met my father. What I remembered the most from the story was what she described when she talked about the first time she looked into dad’s eyes, how in that moment she knew he was the one. What she described that day was exactly what I felt sitting here looking to Brady’s eyes now. Brady again was the one to break the trance by looking away. I cleared my throat and refocused my eyes on the seat in front of me. My heart was just starting to slow down when Brady looked back at me. “Does your heart always race like that?” He demanded. “No.” I wish I could have said yes but up until now it had never done that unless I was watching one of those late night horror flicks.“Hmm that does create a complication.” He stated absentmindedly. “What’s a complication? I asked slightly offended by his tone. “What?” He shifted his eyes back to me. “Oh nothing, I was just thinking out loud.” He flashed a quick smile at me then returned his attention back to the seat across from him. I glanced at Brady out of the corner of my eye it was obvious to me that he was deep in thought by the way his eyebrows creased together. I did not like how much Brady was getting under my skin.                           

Ouch! I rubbed my right wrist for the tenth time since leaving the house in Brookville. I could not remember what I had done to injury it but hoped it would heal soon. I thought as time passed it would get better not worse but this was the seventh day and it was definitely worse.   “Are you okay?” Brady asked pointing at my wrist.       “What did you do?”   “Not sure.” I shrugged. “I probably sprained it or something.”        “Mind if I take a look?” Brady asked reaching for my wrist which at that very second felt like it was suddenly on fire. “You know what.” I smiled through the pain. “I’m sure it will be fine.” The burning started to lessen. “Is there a bathroom on here?” Brady nodded. “Yes straight back to the left.” As I stood I held the inside of my wrist up close to my body. “Thanks.” I mumbled then hurried past him to the bathroom.                                                       

Once I was inside the bathroom I pulled my wrist back to see what had caused the intense burning. What I saw was swollen red lines in what appear to be an outline of a single rose. It looked like I had got a tattoo but without ink which would be normal had I gotten a tattoo. I leaned back against the door as I tried to think of a reason or some skin condition that might cause something like this to happen. I drew a blank so I did the next best thing I could, I hid the marks under one of the thick Brown leather wristbands Chloe had given me for my last birthday. I made a promise to myself that I would get it looked at by a doctor or something when things settled down. I took another deep breath then opened the door to Brady’s smiling face. “Holy Crow” I squealed. “What are you doing?” Brady laughed holding his hands up in front of his chest. “I was just going to check to make sure you were alright.” I eyed him suspiciously. “I’m fine.” I was back in my seat buckled in before it dawned on me what he might have heard had he came just a few minutes earlier. I would have to be careful in the future because something deep down inside was telling me that nobody should know about those strange marks. “How is your wrist?” Brady asked eyeing the wristband.  “All better.” I smiled. “It must have been a cramp.” Okay I know how lame that sounded and by the look Brady gave me he did not believe it either but it was the best I could come up with. What was I suppose to say “Oh by wrist you mean my miraculous rose tattoo” Yeah okay that’s not going to happen. I caught Brady staring at me intensely out of the corner of his eyes but the look on his face sent cold chills down my spine. “What?” I gasped. “What is wrong?” Brady looked as if he had just seen a ghost or was told the plane was going to crash. The last thought sent cold chills rolling down my spine. Instead of answering Brady grabbed my wrist with one flick of his thumb the band that had been concealing my secret fell into my lap exposing the truth. He gasped as his finger ran over the smooth rose shaped marks.            

The moment his fingers made contact with my skin I felt electricity rock through every inch of my body followed by wave after wave of cold chills down my spine which left me trembling and speechless. Brady also appeared to be shocked into silence as he sat motionless by my side staring down at my wrist. Brady slowly raised his eyes to my face this time he was the one avoiding making eye contact. “Did-did you get a tattoo?” I was still not able to form actual words so I resorted to shaking my head no in response to his question. He nodded. “Tell me you do this to yourself?” He pleaded. I shook my head no. “I was afraid of that.” He sighed.Brady released my wrist all at once as he turned away slipping back into the seat across from me. I opened my mouth shocked by his reaction but prepared to explain it the best I could. I stopped when I notice he had removed his shoe and was in the process of removing the sock.  “What are you doing?” Brady looked up at me slowly.       “I think there is something you need to see.” He replied lifting his right foot into the air. It was my turn to be shocked into silence when I seen what looked like a white rose tattoo on the bottom of his foot.                      “Do you know what caused this?” I asked hoping almost praying that he had a reasonable explanation that would rule out mental illness. “No.” Brady pulled his sock back on. Brady nodded over at my wrist. ”I have been trying to figure that out since it happened.” He explained slipping his shoe back on.“When did it start for you?” I asked. “It’s been seven days for me.” Brady moved back to the seat beside mine. “I first noticed it three weeks ago.” He paused. “It started out exactly like yours but last night it exploded in color.” Brady lifted the wristband off my lap and carefully placed it back around my wrist. “Can you do me a favor?” Brady asked snapping the band shut. “What?” “Can you keep this a secret between us for now?” He pleaded.“No problem.” I agreed. “Why though?”            “Can you trust me?” Brady asked. “Please?”             “Yes!” I whispered. What surprised me was not only did I trust him but for the first time since my parent’s accident I felt safe. That knowledge excited me just as much as it scared the hell out of me. Why do I feel safe with a guy I had just met? Why had I not felt just as safe with Vince? Had I lost my mind completely? It was the answer to that question I feared most.

Brady promised that he would not stop searching until he came up with something that would answer both our questions. I again promised to keep it a secret until he could figure out what was happening to us. Brady resumed our previous conversation about life in Montana as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place. I listened intently as he described what life on the ranch was like for him. I learned that he was my Aunt Clarissa right hand man who spent a lot of time overseeing the others and checking up on their work.

 Brady had just started to describe what the scenery looked like when exhaustion got the better of me. I found myself battling against heavy eye lids in attempt to stay awake. I could not remember the last time I had slept more than ten minutes at a time. A battle I knew I lost when I believed Brady had leaned over and whispered softly in my ear. “Sleep now my little Abigail nothing can harm you, not now, that I am here.” He swept my hair back tucking it behind my ear before lingering for just a fraction of a second with his fingers on my chin. Well I if I am going to dream it might as well make it a good dream right? I sighed as I remembered than nothing good last forever which was apparent as I turn around everything around me changed.

I shivered as I stepped through the opening in the wall. I had been here before this I knew, but still, as I descended down the spiral stairs into the darkness that waited below my stomach twisted into knots. I pulled the red cloak tight against my chest as I took my first step into the black abyss. The darkness would not go on forever that I was also certain of, just as certain as I was that I would undoubtedly end up in the room with the strange purple glow. It was there in that room the real danger awaited me. I could not explain why I knew this, not when nothing has happened up to this point that would cause my feelings of impending doom. Even tonight I could feel it though inching its way to the surface of my soul.                  

The only thing that gave me comfort was the knowledge that this like all the times before this was just a really bad dream.  A dream in which I would always awakened from unharmed. Each time I have been here it changes but only slightly from the time before.  A picture on the wall might look a little brighter or a movement of one of the other red cloaked figures would be a little more defined. No matter what changed one thing remained the same. I would always awake before I could make out the face of the figure cloaked in all white. The only change to the setting that I could find so far was up until now I had always appeared to be alone on the stairs but tonight I could see a red cloaked figure moving in perfect precision with each step I took. This change should have freaked me out or at the very least should have sent wave after wave of alarms going off inside my head but yet I felt oddly comforted by the presence of this faceless figure. I sucked in a breath as we came to a stop outside the stone archway that led into room made of marble.       

I could see the purple glow illuminating off the east wall. I got a familiar uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach when a second cloaked figure moved through the archway in front of me this too had never happened before. I raised my eyes slightly upwards immediately my knees locked together as my heart began fluttering madly in my chest. I could see the face of the cloaked figure that had been with me on the stairs. It was not just any ordinary face, no this face belonged to an angel not just any angel but a fallen angel to exact. “Brady?” I whispered into the darkness. “I am right here Abby.” He took my hand. “I promise I will never let you go again.” He whispered in my ear as he kissed my neck gently. He will never let me go again? When did he have me to let me go in the first place? I could feel it in the pit of my stomach there is more missing pieces to this puzzle than just the white cloaked figure. “Why are we here?” I paused. “Where is here?” Brady smiled down at me. “We are home Abby we are home.” I repeated the words back but they were not making any sense. How could this place be home? I shook my head No this place was definitely not home to me it just couldn’t be could it?

I was about to turn back to Brady when another familiar face appeared in the archway. “Are you two coming or not?” Violet demanded twisting her lips up in what was supposed to be a sneer but with a goddess like face it came out looking more like a lopsided smile.  The panic that had been eluding me up to this point now swelled hard and fast in my chest. I was suddenly pretty sure this was no coincidence. What if the danger was not meant for only me? What if it was meant for them too? What if in the process of coming after me it destroyed these two beautiful angels because they had gotten too close to me? Instantly my eyes shot past Violet into the room behind her, sure enough in the far corner, I could see the white cloaked figure moving in our direction. “Run Violet Run!” I screamed. Violet did not run she just stood there looking back at me with a puzzled expression on her lovely face.        

I took a deep breath hoping to steady my nerves. “Violet get, Brady out of here now!” I pleaded again and again but each time Violet just looked more and more puzzled. Violet finally shook her head and grabbed my free hand tugging me forward into the archway. I struggled to pull my hand free from hers but it was a useless attempt because Brady was nudging me forward from behind.  “No, No, No.” I cried. “Stop please!” I pleaded. All at once I jerked forward gasping for air as my head spun in circles making it near impossible to focus my eyes on anything that wasn’t moving. “Abby?” Violet called out. “Hey take it easy.” I tried to take a deep breath but the room spun sideways. “It was only a dream.” She whispered in my ear. “It was only a dream.” I wanted to yell back I knew it was only a dream but it was a dream that had scared the hell out of me.                             

I tried to take another breath but again the room spun sideways. Oh great! Just what I needed to do hyperventilate on a plane!  “Oh Crap! Violet exclaimed. “Brady! She is turning purple.” I could hear the fear in Violet’s voice as she called for Brady. If I could crawl under this seat at this moment I would, but it was too late before I finished the thought Brady was behind me. “Abby listen to me.” Brady demanded. As if I had any other choice he was yelling in my ear. “Now put your head down between your knees.” He instructed. “Good now take a deep breath in, good, now blow it out slowly.” Well I had to give him credit I was moving oxygen again but the option of crawling under my seat still looking pretty appealing! Brady had me repeat the last step a few times before he allowed me to slowly sit up again. “Purple is not your most attractive color!” Brady snickered handing me a fresh bottle of water. “That must have been some dream.” Brady grinned as he slid into the seat next to mine. “Red however is very becoming of you!” He teased. “Care to share what had you so worked up?” His grin widened as he pretended to prop his head up with his hands. I could not help but to laugh at Brady which at the moment made me feel oddly normal. I looked up to see Violet beaming her best smile down at me while Foster stood with his arm draped over her shoulder watching with an amused smile plastered on his lips. I realized as I looked from one face to the next this group was no longer strangers to me they were friends.

 

Author's Note

I know the format is a messy sorry about that, I'm still learning here. Would love both negative and Positive feedback please.