"Sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters."
-Rick Riordan
I was at the forest edge when I felt a presence behind me. Pausing, I sighed and blinked away the tears I knew would come if I gave them the chance. Hannah was dead...and I didn't know who to blame for it: Ezra or myself. He may not have been there, but he's still part of the creatures community who killed Hannah, so I can hate him too.
Right now, I just want to go home and see my mother and father, I don't want to be alone in my room tonight or any night for the rest of my life. I don't want to think what nightmares this event will bring up. Maybe Hannah will come alive in my dreams as some old hag as well? Maybe she'll come back as a ghostly child like Misrey? Maybe she won't come back at all...maybe she's in Purgatory like the old hag said earlier.
I was upset at Ezra for making light of the situation that was my worst nightmare. Hannah shouldn't have gone to the gate last night. I warned her...told her it would be dangerous...that there were creatures beyond her imagination there, just waiting to kill. But she doesn't listen to the important thing I have to say, never has, and now never will. I wonder what her brothers will think or do. I wonder if they'll try and get revenge or if they will move on like normal people.
A hand touched my shoulder and I shivered at the coldness of it. I pulled away from it and continued towards my dormitory at the college, not wanting any monster near me right now, no matter who it was or what it was. I had a harsh feeling towards the whole species beyond that gate! The hand grabbed mine about halfway down the block and I slowed, realizing I was unable to lose them. So I let them hold my hand while we walked to the college.
I felt their fingers link with mine, their thumb brushing over the top of my hand, the hand pulling me closer to them gently as if to look like a happy couple, though I'm sure I didn't portray happiness. I wondered why they couldn't let me grieve in peace without having to come to harass me themselves. I honestly didn't see how the old hag and the dragon were scary, but maybe I'm crazy? The wolf and the Geryon were supposed to scare me as well, and that didn't happen.
"Why are you going home, Nicole?" his dark voice asked as we neared campus. I stayed silent if only to keep my secret away from him and not break down. Ezra's hand squeezed mine tightly. "Answer the question."
I stop walking and look down at our hands. His was pale and large compared to my tan and a small one. His were calloused and rough while mine was soft and delicate. His were for fighting, while mine was for...what? "You're cold," I murmur.
"And you're like an inferno," he hissed. "Answer my question."
I step back and look at him, trying to pull my hand out of his but he wouldn't let go. "Because I need my family, I need people that are familiar to me."
His gray eyes didn't soften much and his grip didn't loosen. "And, when will you be back?"
"Why?" Ezra raises his brows in question. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because, technically, you're supposed to be as dead as your friend. Yet, you're not."
I don't react to this because I had that feeling already and now it was confirmed. Shrugging, I finally release my hand from his and cross my arms. "I'm not coming back. If I do come back to this city, it isn't to stay."
He glares at me like I have done something wrong and against the rules. "You're leaving over your friend dying? How is that logical?"
"You wouldn't understand," I whisper.
"Don't pull that shit with me, human!" he growls. "I may be a monster, but I certainly have feelings!"
I raise my own brows now. "You, Ezra the non-human have feelings?" This makes me giggle. "No monster has feelings!"
He gives me a dark smile that never reached his eyes. "Why do you think some of us are ugly? Why do you think some of us are pissed? Why do you think ghosts are always found alone, like the Ato-oi-kozo spirits? They appear as children and follow travelers, just like Misrey. Why do you think Qiqirn is so stupid yet aggressive? Every creature beyond that gate has a feeling that trumps all others, but we all have feelings, Nicole. Normal Earth species are not the only beings with feelings."
Now I glare at him. "Are you trying to get me to sympathize? Because it isn't working!"
Ezra gave a low growl and balled his fists. "Little human, selfish as the rest of them! Only thinking about your species and never about any others!" He stepped up so close that I had to strain my neck to look into his eyes. "If you do ever come back and I see you at the gate, you're dead!"
Before I could say anything, I heard sobbing from nearby. Momentarily forgetting Ezra, I look down the street to see a woman holding a little girl in her arms who was pale and sickly. The girl was obviously having difficulty sleeping because she was coughing uncontrollably and there were beads of sweat running down her face. I widened my eyes at the sight, unable to contain the horror of the situation. Ezra was staring at the girl as well, with something like satisfaction in his eyes.
"Help! Anyone, please help me! My baby girl, she's sick!"
Ezra straightened and looked down at me, pointing a finger and hissing, "If you want to live until old age, then I suggest you get on the next flight out of here and do not return. This is my one and only warning to you, Nicole. My threat will hold if you return and I catch sight of you." With that, he storms away, past the woman and her girl, and towards the forest. He doesn't look back once, doesn't offer any more words, and I'm left completely vulnerable.
"Please, Miss!" the woman cried. "You must help me save her!"
I give her a sad smile and point to my left. "Hospital is just down the street, ma'am." She nods and starts running. After a moment of watching her, I walk on campus and into my dorm. This time, I don't worry about nightmares because I know they'll come. I know I cannot be saved from them.
I'm waiting for the plane to take off, having just been seated and buckled in when my phone buzzes. Looking around for the attendants, I carefully take it out and look at it. Unknown Number. Furrowing my brows, I open my phone and the message. There is a picture of pale light on the left and the right, and two large eyes in the middle. I couldn't see anything past the three figures, but I zoomed in on one of the balls of light to see an old woman with no teeth, smiling at the camera.
Below the picture was another message. Misrey and Frogu begged me to send you this as a way of saying goodbye. Celiana wanted in as well, so please at least text back for them.
"Ma'am?" I looked up at an attendant woman who was smiling at me. "We're about to take off."
"Thank you." Quickly, I send a quick message back then shut off my phone and put it away. Resting my head back on the seat, I look out the window and watch the day turn into night. From above the treetops, I saw something stick its head out and glowing amber eyes looked towards me. I wasn't sure if the dragon could actually see me, but I could see it and leaned forward to show myself somehow.
The plane started moving and I put a hand on the window, trying to keep the sight for as long as I can. Before I could even begin to memorize his eyes, we were speeding down the runway, and then we're up in the air. Disappointed, I slumped in my chair and sighed. I hadn't realized how much I liked the creatures Ezra had shown me. They weren't as scary as I thought they'd be, even the Geryon.
A loud roar shook the plane, but no one seemed to notice but me. Sitting back up, I look out the window to see Frogu flying beside us, keeping the same pace and not afraid of the plane's engine. On his back was a figure wearing all black. I knew who it was before he turned and looked at me. Although his smirk was anything but reassuring, the hand he held up in a goodbye wave was memorable. I held up a hand as well, taking in his features one last time before Frogu dipped and sped towards the ground.
Halfway across the country and well beyond Ezra's grasp, I hopped out of the cab and took a breath of the warm, dewy morning. I was home. The pastures looked grand as always with our herd of horses grazing lazily in the pale morning sun, the barn was a vibrant red and standing tall, and our house was small and homey having stood strong all my life. It was a wonderful sight, yet a dreadful one too. Coming back here meant memories of my past would haunt me, even if all the "monsters" I had seen were just my brother.
I walk up to the front door and find the key behind the doorbell. I unlock the door and walk inside, smelling the fresh scent of baked bread. My stomach growls and I smile. I didn't warn my family I was coming, so I didn't expect them to be up and ready for me. This was also good since I wanted to spend some time in my room for a while without any noise. Beginning to unpack, I made sure everything was in place and put it away neatly.
I finished about a half-hour later when I see something move from the corner of my eye. I look, but nothing was there. Heart racing, I sit on my bed and take deep breaths. I feel as if I'm hallucinating and that would be bad because then my family would think I'm crazy...though after seeing Ezra and his friends, maybe I am crazy after all.
There is more movement and I gasp, trying not to scream at the sight before me. In the doorway of my room was a lone shadow, nobody attached to it like normal, and it looked somewhat 3-D like it wasn't just something you see on a wall. We stared at each other, silent and wary. I couldn't see its eyes, but I knew it was looking at me, I knew something was up. Taking out my phone, I look down at the number Ezra contacted me with earlier. When I go to take a picture, the shadow was gone.
I bite my lip and hover my fingers over the keypad, wondering if I should say anything. Maybe he'd think I'm crazy for saying I saw a shadow take a form, or maybe he'd just wave me off. I wasn't sure, but I wasn't going to find out. I didn't need this right now. I didn't need monsters right now. I needed my family, my home, and some peace.
"Evan, is that you?" my mother called out. She appeared in my doorway and blinked when she saw me.
"Hi," I whisper.
"Nicole?" she said and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"I came home."
"What about school?"
I shrugged. "Decided it wasn't for me."
"Honey, who are you talking to?" my father called out.
"It's Nicole, dear!" My mother came up and hugged me, her petite body warm and welcoming. "I can't believe you dropped out after a couple of months, Nicole. You were so bent on graduating."
"I know, but things change," I say and pull away. "Events take place and I learn something new about myself. College just wasn't for me I guess."
"Did you even try?" she hissed.
"Of course I tried!" I shake my head and smile at her. "I'm the child that is willing to try something, remember? It's Evan that doesn't"
She smiles. "True!"
"Nicole?" my father said from the door. "You're home already?"
"I know it's early," I say and go hug him. "But it's not for me."
"You dropped out?" he said, and I started the whole conversation again.
By the time my parents and I talked and finished breakfast, Evan appeared from his bedroom, looking worse for wear. "Is there coffee?" he rasped.
"It's in the microwave," my mother answered.
Evan nodded and went to the microwave to grab his cup, passing me. I let him take a sip of his drink then take a look around the room. His eyes finally land on me and widen. "Nicole?" I nodded, smirking at him. "Holy shit!"
"Hey, language young man!" my father scolded.
Evan ignored him and crossed his arms. "So, for once you're not the perfect child?"
"I was never the perfect child, brother. Just the better one!"
He snorted. "You dropped out. How is that better than me?"
"I tried. You sat here this whole time being lazy and watching our parents do all the work."
"That's enough, you two." I look over at my father and smile. "Evan go fix yourself for the day. I'm going to need your help today."
"Why can't Nicole do it?" he asked childishly.
"Because Nicole is helping your mother. Now, get to it."