Falling (The Soul Collectors Series Book 1) (26 page)

Hannah stopped walking, pulled me back, and gave me a comforting hug. I returned it quickly, but had to pull away. The last thread was vibrating, close to breaking. “Thank you. We better hurry so we can catch up with the boys.” I appreciated the hug.

Not one to dwell too long, she quickly changed topics. “Have you been in this direction of the valley?”

“I have. I think you might like what we’re going to find when we exit these woods.”

Declan and Gray were in the clearing before us, and I could hear when Everett saw the falls too. He was as excited as I had expected. These falls completely dwarfed the ones close to our campsite. I picked up our pace, wanting Hannah to see them too. Declan had the same idea I had and was already in the process of removing his shirt and jeans to go swimming. Gray and Everett didn’t need any convincing to join him. The hollering from the boys after they emerged from underwater let me and Hannah know that the water was going to be freezing. I needed the shock. I was quick to take off my tank and shorts. Thankfully Hannah had suggested wearing our swimsuits underneath, just in case. I waited at the edge for her, grabbed her hand, and when she counted to three, we both jumped in. It was beyond freezing. I came up quickly gasping for air. Hannah was doing the same.

“Holy Grace!” I sputtered, gasping from the cold.

“No kidding. Maybe if we stay under for the most part, we will adjust. Let’s swim over to the falls. There might be a cave behind it as well.”

She didn’t wait for me to answer but just headed over with me in tow. She was right about the water getting warmer or at least feeling warmer, as long as we stayed submerged. The guys must have noticed that we were heading towards the falls and followed us. Taking a deep breath, I dove under. I wanted the burning of my lungs. Physical pain at the moment was like a gift. I stayed under until I couldn’t take it anymore. I came up, and noticed Declan had come up beside me. He didn’t say anything. The look he gave me let me know he knew what I feeling.

Hannah was treading water near the falls waiting for us to catch up. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get out of the water to check if there was a cave or not as I had just gotten warm. I indicated I was going to go under the falls to see what was on the other side. I took a deep breath and dove. After swimming several feet, I could feel the falls over me, and after a few more feet, there was stillness of the water. I surfaced and looked around.  As I’d suspected, on the other side of the falls was a cave. We could just swim the length of the cave from what I could tell. The others quickly made appearances on my side of the falls.

“Wow, this is awesome!” Everett was the first to come through. “We should see if we can swim back a ways.”

“We should wait for the others first. We don’t want to take of chance of getting separated.”

Hannah, Gray and Declan were quick to follow Everett, and soon we were on our way. I couldn’t use my wings as light this time, but thankfully Gray had brought a waterproof flashlight that fit on his head. He swam up to the front and guided us for about a hundred yards. There the water seemed to get more swallow, and we were able to stand and walk. The cave led back another fifty feet or so before it became too narrow and short to pass through. This was not an ideal place for hiding them, but it was better than no option. I peeked at Hannah and noticed she was doing the same as she had in the other cave. She was making sure to feel along the walls, paying attention to the turns we made. We turned back, letting Hannah lead us out.

Back outside of the falls, I climbed up on the banks and laid out, letting the sun dry me. Hannah and the boys joined me. We were all pretty content. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. What made it even better was that Sadie wasn’t in my line of sight. I couldn’t believe she didn’t even bother to stay around to make sure it was Meph. I didn’t remember a delivery Angel by the name of Lailah, but she could have chosen to become a Fallen before I was of age to know many other Angels. If her story was true, then what could make her want to be a Fallen, only want to do good once she was here? I knew I would need to talk to her again and ask her about Meph’s plans. I was running out of time, and it had to be today or never.

Rumble. We all looked around to see whose stomach was the culprit for the loud noise.

“Seriously, who released the Kraken?” Everett said, making the group laugh.

“I think I might be hungry.” Hannah giggled.

“You think? I’m pretty sure people in other countries are now aware of your hunger,” Gray teased.

“Let’s head to camp. We can have some junk food before our dinner. We’ll be total rebels.”

“I like the way you think, Bay.” Everett was already up and partially dressed at the mention of food.

We were all more intent on getting back to camp than observing the trees and wildlife this time. Swimming was a great way to make someone hungry. I was dreaming about the marshmallows and cookies. Hannah and I started discussing our favorite desserts, and the boys joined in. The talk of food seemed to urge us on enough to make it back before we starved. I wasn’t really sure what happened on a camping trip, but if we went on another adventure again later, I was going to pack a granola bar or something.

Sadie and Alissa were each engrossed in their own books. While the others were getting food, I decided to use this time to talk with Sadie some more.

I tapped her on her shoulder. “Follow me, please.” She didn’t respond, but closed her book and followed.

“I need more answers.”

“What kind of answers?” she asked, looking hesitant.

“Why didn’t the Watcher stay until I was here? What do you know about Meph and his plan?”

“The Watcher had to leave when his mission was completed, or at least that’s what he told me. Nathaniel was one that followed the rules to the tee. Meph never shared his plans with me for this part. He wanted me to kill Gray and collect his soul for Hell before any of these events happened. He didn’t say why he was so important, or why he didn’t want to wait to battle it out with you. He was the one who told Lucifer to send Declan, or so he told me. He wanted it to be on the down low, fighting dirty. He had been hunting for me in the valley just a few hours earlier that day and that’s why I thought Had was him. He was upset that I hadn’t followed his command and was planning on erasing me.”

“If you chose to fall, then why are you trying to help me or my side?”

“Who said I chose to fall?” She paused for a minute. Sighing, she spoke again. “Besides, it’s a long story, Bayla. One that happened long before you were the Collector. Just know that I will help you however I can tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure I need your help. I cannot forgive you right now for Haddy either. I just can’t.”  Her statement of not choosing really threw me, but I didn’t have the time or energy to even think about that part right now.

“I understand.” Her shoulders drooped.

“Let’s get back before they get suspicious.”

Back at camp, Hannah had gotten us both apples and a water, so much for cookies. I knew the apple was better for me especially having just spent the entire afternoon exploring, but I wanted sweets. We plopped down on the blankets. Since I knew dinner would be soon, I didn’t pout too much about the apple. Hannah was telling me about making sure she mentally mapped the cave at the other falls while we ate. Everett and Declan were telling Sadie and Alissa about what we had done while we were gone. Neither looked overly upset that they had missed out. Apparently Alissa didn’t know what she had missed, not seeing Declan in swim trunks. With the exception of Sadie’s revelation, my first camping trip had several great highlights.

Soul meets soul on lovers' lips. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Dinner was fun. We made hot dogs over the fire, then we enjoyed roasted marshmallows. I’d never had campfire food quite like this, and I was hooked. We were all messy and having fun getting the sticky pieces off the stick. The view of the stars was unobstructed out here in the valley. I wanted to lay out by the fire and watch as time passed, but Alissa suggested telling ghost stories. I didn’t really have any that weren’t based on something true and figured they might be too scary. I listened as the others each took a turn telling a story they had heard growing up. It was fun to watch as the group jumped at whatever part of the story that was supposed to get them. I zoned out by the time Everett got around to telling his story. I was visualizing how tomorrow could go. The more I was prepared, the better I could react.

I didn’t know what time the earthquake was going to happen, or if there would be any tremors before the main one. I just knew that as soon as it started, I needed to get Gray and the group to safety, hidden away from Meph. He must not have known I was out here, or Declan might have made some deal with him because so far he hadn’t made any appearances. I needed to set up a system between myself and Hannah throughout the night to make sure nothing happened while we were asleep. If he started to get desperate, he might change his game plan.

“Hannah.” I leaned over towards where she and Gray were sitting. “I need to go to the bathroom. Walk with me?”  With Gray in close proximity, it was the best excuse I would have to get her away from him.

“Sure. I need to go, too.”

We quietly excused ourselves and headed to the wooded area.

“I was thinking about tomorrow. Meph hasn’t bothered us today, but that doesn’t mean he might not try something tonight. We should take shifts staying awake to make sure he doesn’t try to pull something tonight and come for Gray.”

“What if he comes during my shift?” she asked timidly.

“You yell. Loudly. I will wake up and come help.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take the first shift.”

“I’ll lay out with you if you want. I’ll be content watching the stars for a while anyways. They look so different from Earth.”

“Thanks, but you need more sleep than I do. Besides, I’m not really sleepy right now. I think I have too much sugar coursing through my body.”

“Me too.”

Back at the camp, I made a show of yawning and stretching before saying good night. Inside my tent, I crawled in my sleeping bag. I was pretty sure it was going to be a fruitless attempt, but I had to try. I needed to be on top of my game tomorrow. Hannah had agreed to wake me in a few hours to give her a break. It only seemed like minutes had passed when I heard the tent being unzipped.

“I’m up.”

“Shh, Angel. Scoot over.”

“Declan! What on Earth are you doing?”

“I wanted to see how you’re doing. I asked Hannah if she needed a break yet; she said she was okay. Scoot over. It’s cold out here.”

“Go away! Get your own sleeping bag!” I felt him push me effortlessly over to the side and slip in behind me.

“Alissa’s in my tent. I really don’t want to go back there. She crawled in a little while ago complaining she was scared. Once she fell asleep, I slipped out. I need sleep too, you know.”

“Fine.” I rolled away from him.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. He was warm. I could feel myself drifting back to sleep. “Bay, tomorrow is going to change everything. I just really want this one night beside you. I want to pretend that tomorrow isn’t going to happen. I need you to tell me what you’re supposed to remember.”

“Since the beginning.” I groggily responded.

“Yes, Angel,” he whispered. I felt him scribble something into my hand, but I had already fallen asleep before I could decipher it.

“Bayla.” I heard Hannah somewhere in my foggy haze. “Bay. It’s your turn.”

I was careful not to wake Declan as I slipped out of the tent. Hannah winked at me, then headed to Gray’s tent. I plopped down on the blanket Hannah left out, and stoked the fire. She had placed a full bottle of water out for me and some cookies. She was probably trying to make sure I wouldn’t fall back asleep. It was peaceful out. I laid down on my back, wrapped in the blanket and watched as several falling stars crossed the sky. I’d read somewhere that humans made wishes on these. They were supposed to be a sign of good luck. I wasn’t one to believe in luck, but at that moment, I pretended I did. I could use any help I could get tomorrow.

“Not asleep, are you?” Sadie asked.

“No, just watching the stars.”

Sadie sat down beside me close to the fire. “The stars are definitely more beautiful this side of Heaven, but I miss it up there sometimes.”

“Why are you awake?” I chose to ignore her reference to Heaven.

“I thought you might need company. Besides, I can’t sleep. I’m nervous about tomorrow, and I have been upset since I found out about Haddy.”

“Don’t say his name to me.”

She nodded, and sadness emanated from her. “Bayla, I know you hate me, but I can help tomorrow.”

“How do I know you’re not still working for Meph and that this isn’t all some ploy you two put together?”

“You don’t. You just have to trust me. Nathaniel trusted me. Father Paul trusted me, but warned me not to say anything to you. I had no intentions of telling you who I was or who Nathaniel was, but when Declan found out who I was working for and what I had done to Hadraniel, he made me tell you. He threatened to imprison me in Hell if I didn’t, and that’s worse than the thought of being erased. That boy loves you.”