Vaalbara; Visions & Shadows (22 page)

             
I walked to where Alandra and Evin were waiting, and immediately felt uncomfortable. I didn’t know what to say to Alandra. In spite of everything, it was her father who had died, as well.

             
I said the only thing I could think of. “Thanks for the clothes.” Hey, it was a start.

             
“Do not mention it.” Her voice was softer; absent was the pure hatred I’d grown so used to. Something strange was going on.

             
She took a step towards me and did something I don’t think I will ever understand. She hugged me. …Really. 

             
“We missed you at the funeral,” she said, looking at the men as they approached.

             
“We can take my truck unless you have other transportation.” Jason seemed to be getting into the swing of things really fast.

             
“If you do not mind we will take you up on your generous offer,” Raighne replied.

             
We bundled into Jason’s double cab; it was a massive thing. Raighne’s hands settled around my waist and lifted me into the backseat. It was all I could do to maintain my poker face when the sudden movement sent a wave of pain streaking through my chest.

             
“Thank you.” I closed the door quickly before he could get a look at my face and any sign of pain that might be on it.

             
Raighne got in front with Jason and drove to the nearest gas station to fill up. When we stopped, Raighne asked if we wanted anything, as this would be our last stop for a while. Continuing my stubborn streak, I remained quiet.

             
Raighne came out with bags filled with sodas, water bottles, and snacks. My mouth felt so freaking dry; I could kill for something to drink.

             
He gave everyone a soda and started handing out the snacks. I grabbed the Coke from him, and downed it in one minute flat.

             
“Do you have a clue as to where we should be heading next, Alchera?” Raighne asked, offering that familiar lazy smile.

             
“I don’t know yet. Their voices had a funny accent. They sounded British, or something close to it. I couldn’t see anything except for the guy.” I was so frustrated with my visions and their lack of details.

             
“Can we just get far away from Jason’s house? We can find a place where we can stay overnight and take it from there.” I did my best to keep the fear I felt inside of me out of my voice. Resting my exhausted head against the window, my eye caught Raighne’s in the side mirror…looking worried. His eyes told me that he knew we were running out of time.

             
For three hours we drove without stopping. My bladder was in full protest, though I wasn’t going to be the first to say anything. I sat there hoping one of the others had a normal bladder like mine. But as the minutes ticked by it became clear I was the only one in need of a toilet.

             
Crossing my legs for the hundredth time, I accidentally bumped Alandra. I expected to receive a full face of hostility, but there was none. I was starting to believe that something had gone wrong with her potion. At least it was to my advantage.

             
“Can we please stop somewhere?” Alandra suddenly piped up.

             
“Do we need to?” Raighne sounded sleepy.

             
“Yes. My bladder is only so big, you know.” Was it a coincidence, or was Alandra
actually
helping me out?

             
“We will stop at the next gas station.”

             
Luck was on my side for a change. As if on cue, a gas station popped up on the horizon. The relief I felt sitting on that toilet was heavenly; I could almost hear the angels sing. As I came out of my stall Alandra was busy washing her hands.

             
“Thank you,” I said. “You saved me.”

             
“Anytime.” She began to turn away, but stopped. “How are you feeling? I mean…after the thing with Adeth.” She caught me totally by surprise. I never thought she of all people would care.

             
“It still hurts. Especially my ribs. They actually hurt like hell.” That reminded me of those magic painkiller patches just waiting to be slapped on.

             
“Why not just ask Raighne to heal you?” she asked.

             
“I’m not in a good place with him right now,” I replied, shortly. She lifted my shirt, exposing the kaleidoscope of purple, blue, and yellow that was once my smooth skin. “It looks awful!” Her face paled. “Look, we do not know what is lying ahead. Let me get Raighne so he can heal you.” 

             
“No! Please don’t.” I grabbed her hand. “I’m doing fine. I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me, really. I’m okay.” I walked over to the basin to wash my hands.

             
“As long as you believe yourself I suppose I cannot help you,” Alandra stated, as she walked from the room.

             
Looking at my distorted reflection in the broken mirror, I could swear I heard music playing somewhere. It was a relaxing song drifting through my mind.

~*~

The beautiful voice belonged to Sarah. She stood in front of the happy crowd, finishing her song. The man from my previous vision swept her up in his arms and spun her offstage. They looked so much alike, with their blonde hair shining gold in the electric light from above.

             
“You were great Sarah. How’re you feeling?” He looked at her as if she was his world. No one else mattered but this girl in his arms.

             
“Doug, stop your worrying, would you? I’m great! You’d swear I was gonna’ drop dead any second now the way you act.” She kissed him on the cheek when she saw the fear register in his big, brown eyes. “I’m not gonna’ leave you, Doug. You’re my big brother and I love you way too much to ever leave you. Be a darling and take me home now.”

             
Then came the haze, and then…I heard them laughing.

             
Driving down a narrow road, the air was still crisp and fresh from the early morning dew. They drove past a sign that read James Street, and something else that was a bit of a blur. They laughed again, as Doug took a right and turned into a parking area. Parking the car, they emerged and walked toward a huge building that I soon realized was a hospital.

             
“Ready for chemo, sis?”

             
“I have to be. It’s this or nothing.” Sarah’s voice turned sad.

             
“They could be wrong, you know.” I could hear the encouragement in his voice as he held her tightly to him. His eyes reminded me of a wounded deer.

             
“What if the chemo doesn’t work, Doug? They said I only had weeks left. I could be dead in a month…a week!” Her panic was raw and real, and I wanted desperately to take it from her.

             
“Don’t let it get you down, sis. You’ve been doing so great.” Doug held Sarah even tighter, as if he could pass some of his strength into her frail and weakened body.

             
I wished I was there to help them - this brother and sister who loved each other so tenderly, so unconditionally. I knew it was a miracle just discovering such an astonishing bond between two human beings.

~*~

“Alchera?” Raighne stood behind me.

             
“They’re in Ireland! But we have to move fast! Sarah…the woman…is dying!”

             
“She is what?” Raighne stared at me in disbelief.

             
I nodded frantically. “She has some kind of cancer and only has weeks to live - maybe less than that. We need to move!”

             
Raighne’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm. Luckily, it was my left one. “We need to talk.”

             
“Now?” I took a deep, calming breath, but it didn’t help. “We don’t have time to talk; we need to find Sarah and Doug first.” I freed my arm and walked straight to the double cab. Without looking back, we all settled in for another long trek. 

             
I must’ve dozed off because when I woke up it was dark and I was lying in a bed next to Alandra. The clock on the nightstand was flashing 03:53 in bright red numbers.

             
I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again, so I got up as quietly as possible, grabbed another painkiller patch, and headed for the door.

             
Once outside the cool early morning air felt refreshing on my face. I had a killer headache and it felt like I was coming down with something - something I didn’t have time for.

             
I made my way to the coffee vending machine by the motel office where I stood and stared longingly at the beverage I so missed.

             
Jason’s hand came past me and fed a note into the slot. “Choose what you want.”

             
“Really?” Jason had just become my hero.

             
“Really.”

             
I got myself a coffee with milk, and nursed it while he got himself one as well. We drank in silence, enjoying the heavenly mixture.

             
“Thanks, Jason.”

             
“My pleasure.” He sounded tired.

             
We sat in his truck and listened to music for a while. It was so great I hadn’t even realized how much I’d missed music.

             
“I’m really sorry for strangling you.” I had to smile, it sounded so funny coming from someone like him, someone who was supposed to be all about love.

             
“You were upset. I know how much you love your animals. I meant it when I said I’d felt your emotions before.” I wondered why a man with so much love to give was still unattached.

             
“Is it really the end of the world?”

             
“Yes. I didn’t believe them when they told me either. I thought they were insane or from some weird cult.” I looked at him and smiled. “Vaalbara is beautiful. You will love it there. You’ll be in charge of all the animals, so be prepared to be busy all the time.” That put a big smile on his face, making him actually look pleased for a second.

             
“My animals are really there?”

             
I nodded. “They are. Safe and alive, every single one.”

             
“When will I see them?”

             
“I had ten days to get all ten of you, and that was four days ago. So we have six days left to find the other nine. As soon as I have all ten of you we can all go back, then you will be reunited with all your children.” I could see he believed everything I’d just said.

             
“What’s up with you and Raighne?”

             
“Oh, he’s my guardian. It’s his job to keep me alive so I can get all The Chosen Ones together.”

             
“Oh, come on.” He snorted. “That’s not what I picked up on today. The way you guys kept looking at each other and the way the other two looked at each other - if you ask me - everybody ended up in the wrong rooms. But, hell, I’m just the driver here.”

             
I looked over at Raighne’s room and saw him standing by the window, watching us. I couldn’t make out the expression on his face.

             
I sighed. “We’d better go get ready for today.”

             
“Thank you for being honest with me,” Jason said.

             
“It’s the least I can do.”

             
We walked to our rooms in silence. Before I could reach for the door, Jason took my hand.

             
“Alchera, I just wanted to say thank you.” I looked up into his gray eyes. “Thank you for saving my animals. I’m really sorry for your loss and the sacrifice you’ve made for me. I just wanted you to know I’ll never forget it. If you ever need anything from me, just ask.” Letting go of my hand, Jason ducked into the room he was sharing with the other men.

             
I don’t know how long I stood outside before Alandra opened the door. She surprised me again by pulling me into the room, while hugging me to her. She held me like that for a while before shoving me in the direction of the bathroom. I’m telling you, this was a serious Jekyll and Hyde moment. I was just waiting for the Hyde to appear.

             
“Go shower. I have left clean clothes on the bed for you. I will be back with some breakfast before long.”