Emery frowned in confusion where are we going? She wondered out loud there's nothing out this way for miles. Ari shrugged lazily my family has a private dock out here we have to reach the island by boat. You do know what an island is right. You know a big mass of land completely surrounded by water. Hence the boat.
Emery glared at Ari of course I know what an island is. I live out here Ari I think I would know if there was a dock close enough for us to get to before dawn. Ari clicked her tongue in annoyance which is why we're going to be late and besides she said waving a hand as if she could wave Emery's statement away it's a big forest. There are always new things to find hidden out here. Emery shivered and decided putting on her coat might not be a bad idea.
Awkwardly she forced herself into her coat trying not to hit Ari in the face. Emery debated for a moment if she should put her shoes on with wet stockings. She decided the shoes were worth it and slipped on her tennis. Ari was tapping on the steering wheel nervously. So where were you last night you totally blew me off and I could have really used your support Ari said accusingly?
Emery winced inwardly at the reminder of last night. They sat quietly in the dark for some time letting the question hang in the air. Ari seemed content with letting Emery contemplate her answer. Honestly, she was hoping last night didn't really happen. Maybe she made the whole thing up.
At least she hoped she did. Emery didn't want to tell Ari the truth. She knew she should have. She should have asked for help. She should have gone to the cops or at least be freaking out more than she was about last night. Maybe it was because she knew she would probably sound crazy that's why she didn't say anything.
Maybe it was the fact that it was an answer to all her troubles. Even with little miss psycho skirts, the offer still somehow sounded a little too tempting. That's why she kept her mouth shut. Emery sighed if she was being honest with herself. She knew that deep down it was because she had a gut-wrenching feeling that she should keep her mouth shut. Like if she didn't say anything something bad was going to happen to more than just her. So Emery just sat there biting her lower lip trying to figure out how to respond to Ari's question. Emery let her head roll back so she was looking up at the sunroof pretending she was staring at the trees and stars passing them by.
Well to be completely honest with herself she wasn't even sure if any of it really happened anyways. Emery decided until she got further proof that little miss psycho skirts really did drag her through walls. None of what happened to her last night was real. Therefore she would tell Ari the truth. Which was she didn't know what happened to her? Ari was still glaring at Emery when she finally found the words to answer Ari's accusation.
Quit staring at me like that and pay attention to what little road we have left. Emery snapped at Ari maybe a little more harshly than she should have. They were heading straight for the side of a mountain. You have no right to accuse me of ditching you when you didn't even remember to let the security guards know that I was coming. Ari looked back at the road straight ahead turning a bright shade of red. Oh was all she said.
Yeah oh, Emery snapped annoyed at her whole situation last night. You remember how I ran into that lady with the sword yesterday. Yup Ari said popping the P . Her name is Breanna. Her brother and her own most of the town or at least they act like they do.
Ari looked at her suspiciously. Why? Ari would you pay attention to where we are going please Emery half screamed. You're about to drive us into a wall. Ari didn't seem bothered by Emery's concerns and kept staring at Emery as she explained that there was a cave right in front of them and that her family made it so they had a place to park their cars while they were on their boat.
Look closer can't you see it Ari asked with a faint smile as she pointed at the rocky cliff. Emery looked where Ari was pointing but it was hard for Emery to see anything. The sky was just barely starting to lighten up so everything was still cast in shadows. As they got a little closer Emery could make out the spot on the side of the mountain that was just a little darker than the rest of it and was barely big enough for a small car to drive through. Emery could swear that the air in front of the opening to the cave rippled like when the wind blew the waters on a still pond.
So why do you ask Ari repeated? Emery jumped in surprise, breaking her concentration on the cave. She looked at Ari and then back at the cave opening. Emery furrowed her brow as she returned her gaze to the cave. Emery was staring intently at the opening of the cave the rippling effect had gone. Her eyes must have been playing tricks on her from staring into the dark too long.
Well, you see when I couldn't get into the club that chick... uhh Breanna is that what her name was? Yeah, Ari mumbled distractedly. They had just pulled into the opening to the cave that had a pretty steep downward slope to it. Emery was still too tired and sore for these types of mind games she thought to herself yawning. Well, she got me into the club.
Actually to be fair she more or less, dragged me into the club. Emery tried her best not to show how shaken up she was just thinking about last night. I'm pretty sure she's crazy because she demanded to know more about some sword. Emery looked down at her hands, thankful that Ari couldn't look away from the road to stare at her. Emery felt nauseous all of a sudden. The type of nauseous that makes it hard to talk for fear of vomiting when you opened your mouth to speak. It was horrible.Emery swallowed hard before speaking. Maybe I had one too many last night. Emery shrugged she might have slipped a little more then just alcohol into my drink emery said as she recalled the words little miss psycho skirts said last night. I'm not really sure what happened after that, to be honest. What I am sure of though is the next thing I remember I was using the bathroom in the men's room. Ari gasped as she parked in an underground cavern. There was such a hard wind blowing even from inside the car Emery could hear the wind howling.
Emery shivered and pulled her coat closer. Em's Ari exclaimed looking over at Emery seriously, you need to be careful hanging out with Breanna or her brother. Ari grabbed Emery's face causing her to wince in pain. She still had bruise marks from where little miss psycho skirts grabbed her face. Ari turned her head to make Emery look her in the eyes they're dangerous Em's. Do you understand me? Emery had learned to tune Ari out shortly after they met.,,
Ari had a terrible habit of lecturing her like she was a troublesome teenager. From the bits and pieces, Emery had listened to Ari was still going on about staying away from Breana and her brother while frantically examining Emery's face. Emery rolled her eyes annoyed by Ari's insufferable lectures. Ari was turning her head all the way to one side and then all the way to the other side.
Look at me when im talking to you Ari demanded. Emery couldn't help but feel that there was something weird in the way Ari was examining her. Frustrated, Emery smacked Ari's hands away. Ow, she exclaimed, rubbing her checks. That hurt's you know. Look you left bruises Emery pointed at her face. Even though she knew the bruises were really from last night Ari didn't need to know that. Emery sighed in exasperation. Look Ari it's not like we're suddenly besties and are gonna start hanging out all the time. I'm not even sure you can call what we did last night hanging out Emery said irritably. What do you mean by dangerous anyways? Emery asked, glaring at Ari, still rubbing her cheek. Ari was already getting out of the car and either didn't hear her or was ignoring her now. She never answers my questions Emery mumbled.
Emery quickly followed her out of the car shouting you're the one who brought up the subject. Hurry up Ari said I'm worried I won't be able to get you ready before the ceremony.Ari glanced at her briefly before she turned around walking away dramatically before Emery could reply. She had swiftly walked up a set of stairs made of dirt and out of the cave. So ignoring weemery it was then. Just great Emery scoffed as she slammed the car door shut. She ran after Ari. Wait seriously A I want to know what do you mean dangerous she shouted as she ran up the three steps out of the cave. Emery's will to argue quickly vanished the moment she walked out of the cave and onto a small wooden dock.
She was immediately encompassed in a thick wall of fog. The frigid wind blowing in off the sea made short work of her clothes. As it quickly cut through them chilling her to the bone. The smell of saltwater was slapping her in the face and invading her sinuses. If Emery had been half asleep before she was completely awake now. Although she was chilled by the touch of the sea air and the cold mist in the air clung to her desperately leaving her wet and damp Emery felt invigorated all of a sudden.
Her whole being felt awake for the first time in months. Ari was waiting for her impatiently at the end of the dock on either side of her were torches mounted in iron brackets that were anchored to the railings that ran the length of the dock."No dawdling Emery. We're on a strict timetable.'' Ari snapped as she stepped into what looked to be a much smaller version of a Viking longship.
Emery thought it weird that instead of a dragon carved into the front of the boat it had an owl. The owl's body made up the front of the boat it clutched onto a fish as if it was pulling the fish out of the water. Its wings were open and pulled back each wing making up the spars of the boat. There was a mirrored image making up the other end of the boat as well. Emery knew the curved ends of the boat was meant to keep water from getting in the boat and to cut through the waves.
The boat was bobbing up and down violently into the dock. It's my mom's boat. A replica from the medieval period Ari shouted to be heard over the wind. She's kinda a history buff. Emery looked around curiously she couldn't see much. The moisture created by the fog swirled around her almost as if it was beckoning her to play with it. The fog was so thick she couldn't see anything past the boat but a white wall. Emery followed the wall of white up until it felt like it touched the gray and turbulent sky. It felt like an impenetrable barrier to Emery.
Emery looked back at the mountain she just walked out of but all she could see was the black hole of the cavern she just stepped out of. The black opening quivered and rippled letting off an arctic chill. The only reason she could still see the opening to the cave was because she was still standing right in front of it. Are you sure it's safe to go sailing in this weather A Emery shouted? What I can't hear you, Ari shouted back. Emery hesitantly walked to the end of the dock and yelled I said are you sure it's safe. Ari flung herself at Emery grabbing her by the arm and practically threw her into the boat.
I said get on the damn boat Ari snapped angrily at Emery. Ari reached over and untied the boat shouting something in a language Emery didn't understand. The boat's sails filled with air causing the boat to lurch forward and the oars propped on either side of the boat began to move by themselves. The boat lurched forward at lightning speed. Knocking Emery off balance causing her to fall backward over a leather-padded bench seat. She clung onto the set to hold herself upright.
Ari stood at the bow of the boat with her back to emery her feet were apart and her arms crossed. The boat was moving at such a speed that Emery had to hold onto the bench seat desperately trying not to get toppled over by the pressure of the wind slamming full force against her. Emery glared at Ari angrily. Ari stood there scanning their surroundings vigilantly for what felt like an eternity to Emery. By this time Emery was freezing cold and her fingers were so stiff from her death grip on the boat set she couldn't move them even if she wanted to. Finally, Emery couldn't take the awkward atmosphere anymore and screamed to be heard over the sound of the wind and waves, "You should have added seat belts. Though I like the automated oars." Ari's only reply was a sort of half-laugh.