The Vision - Chapter 8

I waited for Luken in the library for over an hour after the arranged meeting time, he didn’t show. I was so pissed, and reluctantly I left. I went to the uniform shop with the shiny silver card Lisa gave me and didn’t buy much except for a lovely, red velvet cloak with a hood. It reminded me of some sort of evil red riding hood. I fell completely in love with it and brought it knowing I would probably never wear it. I stayed up late that night, expecting him to come on one of those late night visits he liked so much but I fell asleep around midnight. He was a total no-show.

The next morning I wake up and slam my hand down on my alarm. Ten minute later I do it again. And then another ten minutes after that before I finally pull the plug out of the power point and crawl back into bed. There was no way I was in the mood for magical mumbo jumbo today. Mid-morning I pull myself out of bed and to my window and decide that now was a good time for me to enjoy the school yard.

Half an hour later I was standing at the edge and admiring a beautiful, flat lake. I could see the school from here but if I turned my whole body to the lake all I could see was nature. I bask in its glory for a few minutes before slowly untubboning my dress and stepping out of it, then I pull off my singlet. I let the dress fall to the ground and leave it in its perfect circle. It was a light green, summer dress. It was casual but I liked it.

I slowly wade out into the water, skimming my hands over its smooth surface, leaving a ripple trail in my wake. When the water was up past my waist I dive down and resurface pushing my hair out of my face. I float around, my anger slowly seeping away into the water. I lie on my back, pushing my hands and slowly turning in a big circle. I could stay in the calming water all day but Luken had other plans. Suddenly he was at the waters edge. He must have teleported, I hadn’t even been here five minutes yet. Wait, shouldn’t he be in class? It was almost recess, but the bell hadn’t rung yet.
"Bridget!" He calls to met from the grassy shore. I jump in the water, my rippled becoming erratic. I reach my legs down and found I could touch the bottom with my water only reaching my chest.
"Luken." I sigh it, not expecting him to hear me.
"What are you doing! You should be in class!" He definitely sounded angry. I sigh and shrug my arms out wide.
"I didn’t feel like it." I smile at him, I couldn’t help it, the water had washed my bad mood away like no shower could. I see him clench his fists and watch his fists start to shake, my smiles fades.
"Bridget get over here now!" I knew he was angry, he was using my full name. I reluctantly wade out of the water, suddenly becoming aware I was only in black boy shorts and a black bra. Ah well, at least they weren’t white.
"What makes you think you can just skip class like that?" He practically yells in my face. I shrug.
"It’s the first time I’ve done it I didn’t think it was that big a deal!"
"Bridget it’s only your second week here!" He shoves my clothes at me and I hastily pull on my dress.
"Geesh, I didn’t know it was such a big deal!" My anger was returning, fast.
"Bridget! You can’t just skip class like that!" I wished he would stop suing my name.
"Fine! I’ll go to your stupid class!" I match his volume level and add a little. I was meant to have his class this morning. I turn on my heel but he grabs my arm.
"Bridget, don’t be mad. I’m sorry, ok? I don’t mean to be harsh." I stare at him in disbelief as little bells rang in my head. He was lying. He did want to be harsh to me. I open my mouth to say something then remember that I hadn’t told him about my other power. I felt guilty, and then was even more angry that he could make me feel guilt. I step towards him and shove him, hard, backwards. He only stumbles.
"You didn’t show up yesterday, but you expect me to make it to everyone of our classes. What right do you have that I don’t?" I turn around and storm off before he could reply.

LUKENS P.O.V.

I hated that a 16 year old could make me reflect on my life more than any other person I knew. Her words flew through my mind as I watched her dampened figure storm away.
What right do you have that I don’t?
This place has beautiful grounds.
You know not everyone can act as perfectly as you do!
There were too many voices.
I found myself yearning for more information about this girl, I simply just had to know what kept her going in the day.

BREE’S P.O.V.
I go to my next class, and got a depressingly large pile of homework. I curse Luken internally. We had a new book to read for English so at lunch time, making good use of the nice weather, I lie in smack bang in the middle of the lawn out the front of the school and read right up until when the bell goes. I reluctantly drag myself to class.

I had maths now, I walk in hesitantly. I sit by myself again, wow it wasn’t even this bad at my old school. At least I had some friends there.
"Miss Parkins." My head shoots up, it was Mr. Davis speaking.
"Please bring your workbook to the front to show me how much you have done." I see another student leaving his desk and then realize that he meant on this whole topic, at least I ahd a good excuse. I hadn’t been here for most of it. Looking down at my book I realise I ahd actually done quite a bit of work (none of it today but still) and pick it up to take it to the front.
"Oh, shit!" I say loudly, I had only taken two steps to his desk. Several heads hwip up and Mr. Davis opened his mouth looking angry. That’s when I drop to the floor.

The vocies flood into my head, I see different colours moving above me. Time ceased to exist. Pain was excruciating. It was familiar. I knew in my mind there was no way that I could control it, so instead I try to block it out. I think of what I did the day Damien tried to get into my mind, knowing it didn’t work. I try to hold it at bay, I didn’t want to hear their other thoughts. At least I knew who I was this time, I was aware of the different people above me even if I wasn’t replying to whatever they were saying.

I tried to block it out, but it didn’t work. It worked a little, but not a lot. I was still in complete agony but I was almost…getting used to the feleing. Plus at least I was improving. I could still know who I was and focus my mind on something else, blocking the power. But they were miniscule improvements compared to how much came through.

When I wake I was lying in a very uncomfortable position on the floor. There were several faces above me. I recognised Mr. Davis, Luken, Damien, Lisa and three other unfamiliar faces. Two male and one female. Oh and nurse Peat just scurried through the door. I moan and sit up.
"Ow." I say lamely, not being able to come up with anything better to say. Luken and Damien both help me sit up, which was good because when I moved I felt suddenly dizzy.
"Luken, Damien? What are you doing in my math class?" Ok, so obviously I was not awake by this point.
"Bree, you’ve been having…an episode for about twenty minutes now. Mr. Davis called me when he didn’t know what was happenning." It was Damien who spoke and I was glad because I had just remembered I was angry at Luken for ditching me yesterday.
"An episode?"
"A vision." Luen puts in, I ignore him.
"That’s one way of putting it." I continue, chuckling halfheartedy. I duck my head and close my eyes, feeling dizzy.
"Any chance of that charm any time soon?" I mutter to Luken.
"Soon." He promises, I could hear the sincerity in his voice.
"Get out of the way!" Mutters Nurse Peat. She pushes the men impatiently.

The nurse checks my pulse and rections and whatever before whisking me away to the medical bay before Luken or Damien could talk any more. All I wanted to do was sleep. So when Nurse Peat finally let Damien and Luken in she was really annoyed that she couldn’t actually do anything for me. I roll my eyes as she tells them this.
"If you don’t have good news I don’t want to see you." I call. Luken strolls over.
"A charm is being made to protect you, it should be ready by tomorrow." I ignore Luken and look over his should at Damien who was still hesitating on the threshold.
"I do not have any good news." I laugh.
"Come on in, Damien." Then I turn back to Luken.
"I told you I didn’t want to go to class today." I say harshly.
"What?" Damien asks.
"Nevermind." I say quickly.
"Ok. I went into your mind while you were having your…vision."
"What? Why?" I ask in a sharp tone.
"To check that you were ok. No one kicked me out this time."
"Congratulations."
"But I felt you trying to keep me out."
"I wasn’t trying to keep you out." I sigh. He raises his eye brows.
"I was just trying to keep it out, all the voices." I see understanding on his face and he nods.
"Do we know what kicked you out last time?" Luken asks, turning to him.
"Maybe it was Zin." I say, their heads whip towards me.
"What makes you say that, Bree?" Luken says slowly. I reply just as slowly, sensing dangerous grounds, I let them know a theory I had been working on the today.
"I prayed, the night before Damien came into my mind."
"What did you pray for?" Damien asks. I try to think back.
"Protection, for the day." I say, frowning in concentration. They exchange a glance.
"Bree, would you mind coming and visiting me when you get out of here?" Luken says, still looking at Damien.
"I suppose. Will Kelly be there?" My tone was hard and flat. Luken turns, looking a little surprised.
"No, Kelly does not live with me." He says in way of explanation.

"Oh, ok then." My tone was obviously brighter and I noted the obvious curiousness behind Lukens eyes and remind myself to tread carefully. Luken and Damien leave, and I was released soon later. I walk to Luken room, it took me half an hour to find it. I wasn’t really that coherent last time I went there but I found it eventually and knock.
"Come in." He calls, I open the door and step inside.
"That was quick." He notes from the kitchen fridge. I shrug.
"Nothing wrong with me."
"Tell me about your payer." He says, so much for small talk.
"I prayed for protection for the day."
"To Zin." It wasn’t exactly a question.
"Well…" He looks up, closing the fridge.
"You didn’t pray to Zin?"
"Not exactly."
"Who did you pray to?" He simply looks confused. I chew my lip.
"I wasn’t sure exactly who to pray to…I said, ‘to all pure spirits’." I remembered the internal battle of the simple words, they still sounded odd. Luken pauses considering, he shrugs.
"Anyway, Damien and I have exhausted all sources, we can’t figure out what happened that day. And he is able to enter your mind now, so I am wondering if it was your prayer that saved you." I look at him, incredulous.
"You think your god actually answered my prayer? Even when Damien wasn’t trying to hurt me?" L:uken shrugged, looking a little embarrassed.
"We can’t think of anything else. I was hoping you would pray again, and we could see if anything happens."
"You think something might?"
"No." He says simply. "But we may as well try. Go on, pray." I look at him doubtfully, how could I pray in front of someone?
"Dear Zin…it just doesn’t sound right."
"Say whatever feels right."
"To spirits that are pure, I pray that I could fly." It was the only thing I could think of.
"I wish that I could grow wings that would carry me away into different lands, to a different world. I wish that I could fly away and be calmed by the soothing of the night air. I wish my wings would carry me to a better place." I started as a joke but halfway through the prayer something clicked in me, and I really meant it. I was staring into nothingness, actually wishing that I could fly away. When I look back Lukenw as staring at me.
"I’ll be sure to get up early and see if I have grown wings. I’ll let you know if I have." He exhales and nods once.
"Right. I am sorry I didn’t show up yesterday." I look away again.
"It’s ok." I lie easily.
"The ceremony, it is tomorrow night. At 6 o’clock."
"Where abouts?"
"School roof. We are celebrating a full moon, as we do every month."
"The roof?" He nods.
"You, as a student, will not be required to do a lot but attend. Oh, as a new student you will need to wear a special robe."
"A robe." I say flatly. You have got to be kidding me.
"Everyone wears a robe, yours will just be a different colour. Everyone wears it to their first ceremony, to represent welcoming and acceptance. We are showing you to Zin."
"Right." I say, looking away again.
"It will be a powerful moment for you. There will be a chant too, but you can learn that another time."
"Ok." I nod. I was looking around now, taking in his apartment. It was neat, with dark furniture. Something about is was masculine but I couldn’t figure out what. Luken clears his throat.
"To make up for yesterday I was wondering if you would like to stay for dinner." I stare at him for so long I could see his neck flushing. Did someone put him up to this? Damien?
"Oh, that’s really nice but I think I might just go back to bed." I could sense and awkward night when I was invited to one…if that makes sense. But seriously, what would we talk about? Luken just nods.
"I will see you tomorrow night." I smile, walking to the door.
"You’ll be the first to know if I grow wings." I laugh as I leave. I thought I heard him mutter something but I don’t turn around.

I was actually nervous, about the ceremony. I had no idea what was going to happen there. And a special robe, what was with that? What if they cast a spell on me or something equally stupid? Could I trust them? Could I trust Luken? I chew my lip until it was bleeding again and fall asleep pondering.

I drag myself to classes the next day, still trying to get inot the habit. I didn’t used to start work until eleven, it was bliss. I didn’t have Lukens class today, making me even more on edge. Everwhere I turned it semed someone was talking about the ceremony tonight. They all seemed happy, not dangerous. But I was still nervous the whole day, not focusing on classes though talking about the strongest powers they known of in the hundreds of years past was pretty interesting. And the rules of the powers. But still, I couldn’t pay attention.

That night, after class, I go back to my room and shower. Luken had said something about a robe, but what was I meant to wear underneath it? Shrugging, I pull on a pair of formal black pants, white shirt and socks I had on before. I leave my hair out, it was wavy, as always. And I put on a fair amount of make up. I was too nervous to eat but as six o’clock rolled closer I nervously venture out of my room in search of a stairwell.

I emerge onto the roof, it was not long until Dusk. There were teachers mulling around and a few students in little groups, talking. They were all in black cloaks. I hesitate and start forwards in no particular direction. But before I get there Luken spots me and comes over to me. I snort with laughter. He was wearing black pants and a white shirt, but had a cloak kind of cape, a short one that only covered his back, unlike the other students. I had to admit though, somehow he pulled it off still lookinging incredibly cute. He reminded me of an anime character.
"Zorro, where’s the mask?"
"Ha-ha." He says sarcastically, but he smiles. Good mood, yay.
"I suppose you have saved my life a few times, you would make a good Zorro." I hope he took it as a compliment.
"Don’t you laugh." He holds up a cloak, a full length cloak this time.

It was beautiful, crushed velvet. But it was the most amaZing silver colour, catching the light and giving it off to every angle. But it was a cloak, and drew attention even though at the moment it was only in his hands.
"No." I say, smile gone.
"Yup."
"No." I say, backing away, he moves towards me. I turn to run but he catches me, grabbing around my stomach. I kind of laugh screama nd he spins me around. I didn’t want to wear a stupid cloak but his good mood was infectious.
"No!" I squeal/giggle. He sets me down and I pout sarcastically.
"Just put it on." He smiles and holds it out.
"I have a bad feeling about that cloak." He just gives me a flat look. With a sigh I take it and throw it over myself, leaving the large hood down. His smile reappears when he looks at me in it.
"Lisa is over there." He points. I turn.
"Really?"
"Sure. Come on." I hadn’t seen Lisa since the day she showed me my room, which I was a little disappointed about. Sure enough, her Auburn hair glowing in the afternoon sun, stod Lisa, with her back to me. She was talking to another lady, who I didn’t recognise.
"Lisa." Luken says in his deep voice, hands on my shoulder. She turns, squeals a little, then hugs me.
"Bree! I’m sorry I haven’t seen you in a while, how are you? You look beautiful." Well, I barely knew her, but it was still nice. Luken drops his hands when she hugs me, like he was showing her a new pet or something.
"His Lisa." I say, feeling shy.
"Nice cloak." I got that bad feeling again, I don’t know why, it was a beautiful cloak.
"She doesn’t like it." Laughs Luken, I look at him over my shoulder. He was grinning.
"Really? Why not?" I shrug, the silver feeling like water on my shoulders.
"It’s a little over the top." She laughs.
"True. True. Oh, Bree, I don’t think You’ve met our headmistress, Ms Peaque, this is Bree Parker." Lisa steps aside and an elderly woman with greying but styled hair seps forward.
"Yes, Your Mr. Brax’s new charge." It took me a moment to remember she was talking about Luken. She holds out a hand which I shake.
"Yes, that’s right."
"I hope you’re enjoying your first week of classes." Technically it was my second but I smile an dopen my mouth to say yes before Lisa interrupts us.
"Oh, sorry guys, but we gotta get set up. We’re running behind."

It was true, there were a lot more people arriving now, almost filling the school roof. I was worried, because the railings around the edge were not very high, meaning not very safe. Lisa and Luken leave me and Iw as left to an awkward conversation with the principle chick, during which many teachers come up and interupt us and Is tand there feeling invisible. When they left she would go back to asking me about classes, teachers, friends, my room, and whatever else she could think of. An amazingly sweet and slightly fake smile plastered on her face the whole time. I presumed these were typical new-kid questions but I still had to think hard about how to asnwer her.

Eventually though, Lisa was calling everyone for attention. The roof was packed by now, there was a stage which she was standing on. She started talking and Mr. Peaque (Weird name!) starts climbing the stairs to stand next to a few other teachers. I turn to head into the crowd but she notices.
"Come on, you. New kids are meant to be on stage too." I glance up, there was only one other boy, older, wearing a simular robe. His was silver too, he had a cocky smile on his face, but looked nervous. Gulping I allow her to lead me onto the stage and stand next to him. The stage was small, we were as packed up here as they were in the audience. But I did notice every eye on the roof was on the stage, and a lot on me. I feel myself blush slowly, which sucked because my face went blotchy when I blushed. I look out into the sea of black, then avert my eyes to the ground, wishing I had put the hood on.
"Tonight, as you all know, we are celebrating our full moon to our Goddess, Zin." There was a large applause.
"We will be celebrating the gift of life and love." Blurgh! "But first, let’s welcome our two new Students. Mr, Kyle Farland and Miss Bree Parkins." There was another, scarily loud, applause. I heave a small smile, but felt nervous with every student and teacher at this school in front of me. Maybe My bad feeling was just nerves, the guy next to me was white as a ghost and not smiling. It was right on dusk, I could literally see the sun setting. Or maybe it had just set. Darkness swept across the sky quickly.

Before Lisa gets the chance to continue, a heavy built man steps between me and the audience, trying to squeeze through to the other side of the stage.
"Aren’t you going to let me past?" His voice was loud, but it sounded natural on him. I see Lisa open her mouth and start to speak but I was too distracted to pay attention. He bumps me a little, causing me to fall back. I go to move my foot to support me but there was something hard there. The railing.
With a sound of alert, causing several heads to turn, I losse my balance as the railing pushes on my knees and I fall backwards.
Then I was falling…
Falling Down…

Down….

Down…

Down…

Then insant pain erupted through my whole body.

DAMIEN’S P.O.V.
I watched her yelp, then fall. There was that split second, that second where the same thought was on everyone mind.
Did I really just see her fall?
I must of, because she’s gone.
Then a girl in the audience screams, and everyone starts rushing towards the edge, I was among the first to get there because I was standing closer. I sprint and look over the railings, almost up to my chest, and feel time slow down. The whole roof was silent now. Bodies cramming in and small gasps as we looked down at the scene below us.

Bree stood, almost invisible in the dark, on the lawn below.
There were only two things that made her visible.
The shimmering cloak she was wearing.
And the large white wings that protruded from the ripped cloak.
There was not a single sound on the roof top, but bodies kept pushing so they could see what had happened. She stood, eyes scanning the railings. A sob echoed through the night.
"Luken!" Then her massive wings spread. They were larger than her whole body. With the silver cloak rippling in the wind she truly looked like an angel, not a single person looking down on this scene could deny it. They were much, much bigger than herself, and were white and grey…and red. She falls to the ground and when she did I could see why.

The wings literally were coming out of her back, I could see the skin and muscles stretch and tear as the wings stretched into the air. I see her shudder with the impossible pain. Her sobs continue.
"Luken!" She screams, then falls from her knees onto her side from the pain. I feel my face crumple with a pain that I could not feel. But it looked painful, the rooftop remained silent, no one went to help her. I could still see her eyes scanning the railing for him, then she gives into the pain and her face crumple. I shake my head in disbelief. She had wings, angel-like wings. This I had never seen before, never heard of or read about before. For one milisecond I see Lukens figure beside her then they were both gone. I take a deep and shaky breath, trying to absorb the scene I had just witnessed. Slowly the rest of the school starts to move again. As it does, I hear Luken calling me.
‘I need the nurse.’
‘We’re on our way.’ I send back, then dissapear into the crowd to look for Nurse Peat.

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I really need opinions for this.
Is it ok? Do you like it so far?
I hope so, because I have BIG plans for the plot!
The way I'm planning it, I don't think this story is going to have another dull chapter
COMMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!