A couple of days have passed by, and my aunt is rarely home. She is with Sandy day and night getting the bakery shop set up. They want it up and ready by the end of the month.
Daddy has just come back from seeing the shop. It's about 8 pm, and it's raining. It rained every day for almost three days. I love it because it's so soothing to me.
I am sitting on the porch drinking a glass of lemonade.
"Hey, kiddo," Daddy says as he groans in pain, trying to sit on Mom's old, wooden rocking chair. He loves that thing!
"Hey! How's the shop coming along?" I ask, taking a sip of lemonade.
"It's coming together. Well, sort of, I think! They just installed the lights, so now the walls and everything else can go up. Mrs. Castor was upset because there was a delay, and the wrong lights were delivered. They had to stop construction for two days. Something about the lights being imported from Italy."
I scoff. "Rich people problems."
Daddy looks over at me. Concern spreads through his face. "You've been very tense lately. Do you know that? Is everything alright?"
I am putting the cup to my lips when I stop. "Yeah. Um, it's that time of the month. You know how it is." I lie.
"Oh, okay! I thought it might be about a boy," Daddy says as he carefully watches my reaction. When he sees that I am unbothered, he looks away.
It is! It's Leviathan Castor. He's odd, and I'm almost sure he's a demon. But I will not tell Daddy that. He'd throw me into a looney bin.
"No, Daddy." I force a laugh. "But it's time for bed. I'll see you in the morning."
I stand and hand Daddy the rest of my lemonade. He gladly takes it. I turn to look at the sky one last time when I see the glowing light again. It was a little blurry due to rain and clouds, but it was there. "Daddy, do you see that? In the sky?"
Daddy squints as he looks up. "Where?"
I point. "It's right there. You don't see? It's traveling upward."
"Umm." He stands. "I don't see anything at all."
This is killing me! I have to see what that is.
Almost every night for two weeks, I keep seeing this light. "Can I borrow the truck? I just want to go for a ride." I try and sound as relaxed as possible. I don't want him thinking anything is up.
Daddy furrows his brows. He knows something is up but fishes into his pocket, retrieving his keys. He cautiously hands it to me. "You be careful. Understand me?"
"Yes, sir! I will." I smile and hug him.
I run to the truck and get in. I turn the vehicle around and head toward the main road.
It suddenly begins lightning and thundering. I scream and swerve when a massive bolt of lightning strikes the right side of the truck. "What the-!"
I regain my composure and continue looking for the light. I spot it quickly to my right. It is still climbing.
The rain comes down heavier and angrier. It is hitting the truck so hard that I can't see anything, even with the wipers on the fast setting. I can't put it on the highest setting because it will get stuck.
Damn this old truck!
As I look towards the sky and back on the road, I suddenly realize how stupid my decision is. I am going to die. All because I am curious.
I look up at the sky again and see the light beginning to fall, the tail end of it on fire. I am getting closer to the golden light when it begins to take shape and color. I swerve as another bolt of lightning hits left to the car. Screaming, I weave side to side once more and ultimately gain control!
When I think it can't get worst, the car window begins to fog.
I turn the defrost button on in the car, but I don't feel any air at all. Not hot nor cold.
"This piece of crap!" I yell at the dashboard, and I smack it. "Why doesn't anything work?!"
With my hand, I clean the window. I look up at the sky at the golden light. I squint and see the object is white, but golden hues surround it. What the hell is that? I swerve a little when I notice I am on the opposite side of the road.
I continue down the road when the falling light is now to my left. I stop the truck and lower the window. The wind and rain begin to dance into the vehicle, followed closely by the sound of rolling thunder.
Putting my hand up, I squint to get a better look. I can't. I roll the window back up and decide to make a left into a clearing.
I speed up as I drive onto the grass and mud. The rain and thunder don't let up. I continue through the clearing, rethinking how stupid this is. I have a death wish!
Continuing, I notice I am approaching a dead end. Well, for the truck, at least. There are a bunch of trees in front of me huddled close to one another.
I look around. The only light source out here is the headlights. Behind me is total darkness.
Rummaging through the glove compartment, I grab a flashlight. I jump out of the truck and run in between the trees.
It is so dark, and within seconds I am drenched. The only sounds I hear are heavy winds and my ragged breathing. Again, not a good idea. How am I going to see the falling light with the trees blocking it?
I look up and see illumination peeking somewhat through the top of the trees. I make a right and continue when I find myself staring at a wall of shrubbery.
"What the hell?" I say as I flash the flashlight from left to right. I see an opening to the left and run towards it. I am about to walk in when I freeze.
Wait! Is this the other side of the Castor maze? I look up and see a ball of fire. The heat from it is immense that I have to duck.
It disappears into the maze, and I hear what sounds like crashing waves. I exhale deeply as I step into the labyrinth, praying and hoping whatever that is, is still intact.
I then realize the storm has let up. I turn back towards the trees and see it is still raining. Hard. The wind is even blowing. Furiously! But from where I stand, nothing. I put my hand out to make sure it was real. The droplets hit my hand, and the wind is so mighty that it's moving my hand around.
It's sort of like when you stick your hand out of the window of a moving car. The wind hits your hand backward, and you try to counteract that force.
I'm stunned! I slowly put my hand to my side and feel no wind or rain from where I stand. How is it even possible? Why isn't it pouring inside the maze? My heart begins to race due to how scared I am.
"One mystery at a time, Emery," I tell myself as I turn and continue into the maze.
Making several lefts and rights, I hit a dead end. I backtrack and continue until I see the opening.
There is a light shining through the opening. I turn the flashlight off, not wanting to tip anything or anyone of my position.
I slowly peek my head around the corner with my eyes closed. The thought of not knowing what I might find terrifies me.
I open my eyes slowly and see nothing. Suddenly, light illuminates the water fountain. Taking a couple of steps forward, I'm suddenly blinded by a figure stepping out of the fountain.
Oh my god! Did that thing fall from the sky?! Is it a UFO?!
My hands go up, trying to shield my eyes when the figure's glowing light starts to dissipate. I can see legs and ahead. I take a step back and see what looks like a man. His back is towards me, and he is panting. What the hell is it? Did this person beat me to go the UFO?
The glowing light slowly disappears into something on its back. My heart continues to race. I squint my eyes, and my mouth falls open.
Wings? Oh, god, it has wings! The bottom half of its white wings are on fire!