I couldn't possibly express the level of my pensive sadness at losing my voice. We had reached Gran's cottage with Casper's powers and I went across the door filled with dread.
"Oh, sweethearts! You must be tired!" Gran dropped the book she was supposedly reading on the rocking chair and smiled warmly, approaching us.
"Yeah, but 'tired' may not fill the space completely," Clay whined as he dragged himself inside, later collapsing on the couch, spreading his legs on top of it. Well, I couldn't blame him either.
The others groaned in pain and I assisted Austin all the way since I was the least to get wounded. I supported him with one hand over his shoulder and my palm on top of his.
"You know Austin's spirit could carry him," Casper grunted.I resisted the urge to laugh and braced Austin down on the smaller couch. I looked down at the right, an upper side of his head which once looking swollen and red, then darkened to a shade of blue. The way he lessened activity with his left leg seemed like it had gone tingly or numb and the sword fight left serious damage to his arm muscles, while my nostrils were filled with the smell of blood from the cut in his arms, which caused a lurching of my stomach. Pitifully, I looked up to face him but saw another stain of blood at the edge of his lips.
That sharp, bitter pain in his ocean eyes attracted most of my attention and my heart detected the fragility of his agony- as if I felt all of his bruises and cuts. My head hurt in confusion at the question of me being a generous fellow or a new, tingly feeling in my heart.
"Earth to Beca. Hellow? " I snapped out of my bizarre thoughts and glanced up at Gran who had a suspicious look plastered. But then she dropped her eyes down with force and looked up again which indicated me to the transparent plastic box she was holding.I mouthed an 'o' before going to receive the first-aid kit to take out some bandages and an absorbent cloth to stop Austin from bleeding.I forwarded to him just when I sensed a hand snatching those from me to hanging in the air. The unmistakable touch made me aware of Casper's presence.
"Casper, what are you trying to do?"
"A phantom from our race assaulted your poor Austin, some being a spirit can do it far better."
"But wait. You are going to bandage Austin's injuries?"
"Oh, leave it to the experts, Reccy."
I shrugged and decided to let him do whatever on earth he wanted to do. Even though Austin gulped with an excruciating look on his face, making me reluctant. I simply turned my gaze to Gran with a pleading mien for a group conference meeting. She blinked purposely to tell me about things not being at the right time.I turned my head to check how the two boys were doing and well- that was a tangled-up disorder. Austin squeezed his eyes shut, backing his head, nudging the body away from the imperceptible Casper whose invisible hands provided an uncanny aura, making it look like the antiseptics gauze with the cream bottle floating in the air by ghosts.
"UGH fine!" I heard Casper groan aloud in irritation and his obscurity slowly got formed into visibility as I spotted him sitting on his knees with the bandages on his hand. I was unaware of the reason but he looked pretty well in a temper by the look on his face.
"Now will you stop behaving cramped?" He dangerously glared at Austin, who now sat back upright and mumbled, "Will you stop being in a frenzy?"
"Woah! HOW DEVILS- WHERE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT? I-you...you were the one fighting that witch in...in Beca's house right? And are you a phantom-like her? Though you look more of a beau..."Casper instantly altered his persona just as he turned his head towards Addy to answer her question. He gave a bright beam, unlike the behavior he was portraying right before, with Austin. My eyebrows creased as to his improbable demeanor but he kept an admirable impression on Addy, starting with a seductive chuckle.
"Oh no, beautiful. I did come to your rescue, while some other ignorant people didn't care to notice," He turned to me with narrowed eyes and a threatening vehemence, but eventually turned to face Addy with a smile, "But nevermind that, belle." He placed Addy's hand in his and gave a kiss with his other hand at the back like the formal. I was taken aback by his gesture- which was totally normal- but it spread an itch in my veins which gave me a jolt of rage.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Casper." Addy would have returned the kind gesture except hearing that name made her tremble. She gulped and choked on her breath, breathless by the second.
"Wha-what's wrong?" Casper cringed back and switched to his invisible form but I could feel his eyes burn through me which didn't offer any positive energy. I rushed to hold Addy by the shoulders and she looked up at me.
"UM, is he your spirit?" She asked me, exhaling a long breath at last. I widened my eyes, confused, "Ho-how did you...what are you talking about?"
"My brother Quill. Do you remember him?" I gently nodded and she continued, "He died. And came to me in the form of an airy spirit."
I heard a thud noise at the end of the room and pivoted round to see Gran dropping her mug, rooted to the spot where she stood with wide, shocked eyes.Within a few seconds, she turned around so fast that in a millisecond she reached the other end of the room where we stood and gave us a stern, worried look. She held Adeline by the shoulders and shook her, "YOU MEAN YOU HAVE THE SEVENTH SPIRIT?"Addy has shaken herself so could not utter any word. Gran left her, turning around and massaged her temples, panting vigorously. She perenially stuttered what we could barely make sense of, "This can't happen. It can't. No...no. There can't be the seventh spirit. It's impossi-" She paused and gazed up at an empty area beside the couch where Clay lied down on.
"CASPER! STOP HIDING! COME HERE INSTANTLY! COME WITH ME WITHOUT A HASTE! IN A FLASH!" she demanded hoarsely.Without speaking any further, she stomped to her room and slammed the door which made me jiggle up a bit.We waited for the latest news and had a breather as well to utilize the given time.
"So now there's a seventh? I thought we were all six, yeah?" Clay said but not in his usual let's crack this joke mode but in a pondering self.Involuntary we exchanged glances and all our eyes switched to Travis, "Don't look at me like that! My parents are not anything evil!"
"We didn't say that, did we?" Joey shot a suspicious glare at Travis and folded her arms.If I took it into account, then she wasn't wrong. All of us were supposed to contain a single spirit. And since Travis's two points added to six, we were never bothered about it. Until now. Now when Addy appeared with a spirit. And it wasn't even coincidental. All of us met with the matter of destiny and fate. But Travis's matter was really paid attention to right now.He looked more anxious than he normally was.
"Then why are you looking at me like it is? I'm...I'm not even the main character in your stories so why should I be brought into the spotlight? I...I don't know anything okay?" With his amount of excessive reasoning and panting, things got more suspicious. But fighting by ourselves wouldn't help either.
I clapped my hands and signed a statement, which probably no one comprehended judging by the questioning look on their face.Until Addy spoke up, "She means that we should wait till her grandma arrives and declares stuff herself, rather than making irrational decisions and judgments."I smiled softly, taking in the fact that she did remember our code languages, excluding our recent misunderstandings.
"Oh. But how do you know? Not like you both are soulmates and can read each others' minds? And well not her but if you can?! Oh lord, she is the one with the evil, viscous spirit, I tell you guys!" Clay muttered, getting his adrenaline pumped up each second. He looked very much enthusiastic about ousting Adeline of which, a theory came into my mind which I decided to ignore for the moment. I mean, getting two of my best friends fighting would not be a very good sign.
"Oh, stars and garters! It has been our own vibe to learn various code languages among which sign language was major. And oh spare me, is he always like this?"
"Like what?" Clay instantly caught her back and Addy sighed heavily, "Like...dumb trash trying to be the stars shining brightly in the sky whereas they belong in the dustbin, and well, in the end, they end up there. What a happy ending!"
Clay looked like he was about to blow up like a volcano as his face grew red but resisted, in order to continue the debate, "Get a life sister. I've seen rubber balls sharper than you."
"Oh yeah. Might as well start up a contribution center where you can contribute the rest of your brain since your head is burning too red to handle due to all the disease. And wait, what was its name? Oh yeah, jealousy."
"You pesky chipmunk!"
"Oh shut up! You minger!"With that, Clay paused and lowered his gaze. I realized the comedy-drama had altered to melancholy reminisce and it took me a while to get hold of my little giggles of their fight. Addy presumed she won but Clay had stopped only because of her sister's memory. Not that he couldn't talk to her but things weren't normal and goodlier than they used to be. And that worried me as well.-The doorknob turned round from the outside and stepped out Gran with an expressionless face."Ms.Adeline is one of you guys. Just like you, she has her own spirit, as she mentioned, "she trailed off solemnly in a deep tone, "I was mistaken about the number range. With Travis's two spirits, Adeline's one extends the six spirits to seven. Which is also a firm reason for La Llorona to launch an attack on her."
She then turned her eyes to Addy, "You, my dear, are going to experience more than these little games." The way she empathized on the title for these attacks made not only Addy but every one of us feel a fit of burning anger. I mean all those painful traumas, inexperienced fights, and wounds? Were those all some little games?
However, the menacing look on Gran's face was enough to quiet us all, which was not at all in the trait list her. What had happened?
"Well, children. You wouldn't want to make your new team member feel any uncomfortable with any of your hostility? So Clayton, why don't you take the pleasure to explain everything, every rule, every information necessary for her to know? And also a trip around my house, including the training room, library, and the kind." She put her hands behind her back nonchalantly and started to move forth towards her room.
"Wait. So, now. Are we not safe anymore in this city, world, universe- anywhere except this old abode? Will we get ambushed every day?" Joey asked, not in her usual sassy tone but in a melancholic disposition, "Now we can't literally even exit this place for our so-called safety? I mean, think about it. You never know when you are in the washroom and these apparitions come and bushwhack you."I nodded, slightly tilting my head. I sank in her words for a while and carefully detected the meaning. She was totally right with every logic and that one wasn't any different. It was definitely not like we were clones of Mary Kom and Bruce Lee to save our bacon ourselves just the instant these descendants come to pounce on any of us.
I raised my head to face Joey who was reclining on the wall beside the glazed door. She stood upright and pursed her lips before opening the door and moving to the lawn. She sat on the bench and I narrowed my vision as if to zoom in on her actions. She gently sat on the bench and placed her palms on her thigh with an expression, on the verge of an emotional breakdown. We didn't have any other option. If these paranormal events could turn a strong, bold, short-tempered girl such fragile as Joey, then I could only imagine what would the others felt. But I could also place myself in their shoes since I wasn't assaulted any less. I mean, I literally lost my voice, and only God knows when it may come back.
I tapped Clay's shoulder and gestured words pointing at word with easy indications that time and he took a while to comprehend that, "Are you talking about Joey, who is probably about to burst out in tears there?"I nodded.
"And that I should go talk to her since you can't." I nodded once more.
"OK, fine. As you say." That time, I shook my head and stopped him by grabbing his hand. I raised my hand towards my chest and formed a fist, doing further movements.
"So well...you are saying that I should not do it because you said it. But rather from my heart?"I smiled as he continued to question my gestures, "And I guess you're not wrong Beca. She does need someone. I'll definitely go to her." He smiled warmly, revealing his dimples at the cheeks.He literally hopped towards Joey on the bench outside which brought a contented smile.
Without making any sound, I tiptoed towards a tree just behind them to hear the conversation, which I would refer to as not eavesdropping but rather an in-case-needed-subordinate.From my angle, I spotted a single tear chasing down her cheek. I wanted to approach her instantly but I would not want her to get overstressed with trying to understand my signs.Clay swang his hands as he ran to her, standing in front of Joey. She jumped in surprise and wiped her tears, turning back.
"What do yo-you want?" she asked sternly.
"Oh hi!"
"Um, hi but bye. You can leave."
"Oh leave that, come sit with me." She was reluctant but Clay forcefully pulled her into sitting on the bench.
"Oh wow, were you crying?" He asked casually and I seriously wanted to either slap myself or him. God knows where he wanted to lead the conversation.
"Wha-what? Of course not! I-I don't cry. And can you simply cut to the chase?"
"But I did."
"Dude, please leave me alone. I'm a human and I need my privacy."He dropped his smile as well as his eyes, facing the ground, "Yeah I know. Whether I stay or not, you'll still be 'unprivaced.'"
"You know you could be less cryptic and have a meaningful vocabulary."
"Who the hell cares if my life starts to make the least sense? I won't literally look into my vocabulary list. It won't make any better sense."
"I know, right. It's just there's no one I can talk to this about. Nobody has been in my shoes, you know?"
"Not really. My life was perfect before, well, not exactly, but it was so better with things which I took for granted. Though Austin's more into making my life hell, guess it never really mattered with Beca with me."
"Yeah that girl's terrific. But you know I don't like any of you guys. "
"Of course you don't, woman." He uttered with a sarcastic chuckle."But my life is not even close to good, let alone perfect. I- I can't express how much this shit is affecting me."
I watched Clay take Joey's hand in between both his hands and stared at her sympathetically, "It doesn't have to actually, you know? It's just like a mathematical calculation-algebra or whatever. You always have a different section for all this pain, broken bullshit, and joy. Except you just have to wait for each one. And you know what Joey? Though I may have a lot of friends, a big reputation, wild dreams- I wouldn't choose me either. Everybody has hiccups and chavs but not just at the right time."
She looked straight into his eyes and chuckled after a big-time sink-in words progress, "Yeah, guess Beca's soul is in you, you know? She always looks more of a pep talker."
He rolled his eyes mischievously and listened to Joey's following words, "Didn't know I'll talk to jocks. Like ever. But seriously though, they say a boy will come into your life and fix all your broken problems - big deal." She took a deep breath, "But I just need a miracle."
"What if- what if this is the miracle?"
"Huh?"
"You know, these spirits, violence, and murderous paranormal events- what if these are those miracles you asked for?"
"Kid me not, Clay but really, these crap are the second reason why I want a miracle."
"Oh, c'mon! You don't see what is beyond the taste of bitter gourd, cause the taste outside already snatches your heed to see what's on the far unnoticed side, you know?"
"Nice but whatever."An eerie silence took over as both of them were lost at words, with sight in opposite directions. Even though Joey was gainsaying her contentment with having a friend with her, the corner of my mouth quirked up to an elated grin knowing that she felt better.I turned on my heels to go check the others but spotted Gran approaching me with a phial in her hand which contained lilac fluid.
"Drink this pronto. It's for your voice. "Without any sort of hesitation, I took a hold of the apparatus.
"After this, go home and take my car. Casper brought it back."
That time, I protested back with a sign, "Oh you don't have to worry. Casper will be kind enough to transport us there. Plus nobody's in the mood to drive."
"No honey, everybody needs some medicaments unlike you, who needs only but a big-time of rest. And rooms will be filled here, also I don't want you to get crowded in this state.I didn't understand what she exactly emphasized by 'in this state' but I agreed and poured the liquid down my throat. I cringed with goosebumps on my skin and shook my head. Just moments later, I had almost forgotten the taste but I felt a zestful sensation running through my veins.Suddenly, my chest throbbed and I blamed it on the wound from my first fight which was too obstinate to go. But the next second, it was gone. At the same time, the dynamic feelings came over me.It was like new energy arising.