She screamed as they kept hitting her but no one stopped, it was as though no one heard her except me. I tried moving, tried to save her but I was rooted to the ground. Sweat trickled down my forehead despite the cold wind and everything got even clearer. As the supposed sandballs hit her, I could see the spirits too. The peculiar spirits that gave power to its host. To name a few, I saw
"Arghhhhhhhh" I screamed as I was pulled back and the whole forest disappeared in a whirl like water going down a drain.
"Marcello, you saw it right?" Aiofe asked as she wiped my sweat with a napkin.
"Marcello?"
"That doesn't matter. Did you see the vision?"
"Yes. The-"
"Shhhhhh, not a soul must know about this. You can't casually spill this out"
"But-"
"Walls do have ears darling." Aiofe said cutting me off. "I told you because you were chosen. You are the right person."
''I'm so confused. Why are you suddenly being so fidgety and speaking in parables"
"Why don't we meet at the Garr- Richards Court tomorrow?"
"Garrisons Court?" I asked with a cocked brow. "You aren't Aiofe are you?"
"Look, it's complicated. We'd talk when we see tomorrow" I checked the time 9;27pm. I honestly don't have time for this.
"What time tomorrow?"
"Let's make it 3pm,"
"Until…"
"It's quite a story. 5pm"
"4:30"
"I'd make do with that." Aiofe replied. It better be worth it. I thought exiting the room. It's just two minutes until half past nine. It won't be good if Jo wakes up to an empty bed tomorrow and I don't want to think about stuffs that could go wrong at night.
Speaking of wrong, what's the deal with Aiofe? First, she called me by my middle name which is only known by a few people and she mentioned Garrison's court instead of Richard's court. The court was named after Garrison Richard. He was burned alive for stealing one of the precious and sacred jewels of Hendrix. He pleaded innocent but all evidences pointed to him. After some time, it was later confirmed that he was framed by one of the people in authority. The court was named Garrison court but doing renovation and the likes, the name inscribed on it was Richard so only a people know this and according to Lilith, Aiofe is not from Hendrix but another underworld branch.
I opened the door to the infirmary and I saw Iaso walking towards me. 9;59pm
"I was just about to lock the door." Iaso begun
"Thank goodness I made it in time" I replied and she chuckled. "Sleep tight. If there's any problem, call me, okay?"
"Yeah sure" I replied entering Jo's room. I stared at her peaceful being. She currently lay on the bed clad in one of those clothes patients were forced to wear. Iaso must have changed her as she wasn't wearing this before I left earlier on. I adjusted the blanket so it could cover her then made my way to the other bed. Not until I gave her a small peck on her forehead.
JUNO'S POV
A small yawn escaped my lips as I stretched on the bed. Turning to my right was Ryker and geez, the morning look does something to me. His hair was all over the place, way messier than usual but still good looking. His eyes were shut and his long lashes looked even longer than I remember. His lips were chapped and my dirty mind thought of the various ways I could moisturize it. Damn, this thoughts need to be stopped.
"Good morning to you too darling" Ryker said and holy molly the raspy voice. Take me home.
"Uh, good morning,"
"Since when do you stutter?" He asked his eyes glimmering in amusement
"Oh shut up. Was just clearing my throat"
"Indeed" He replied and we kept quiet thereafter, just looking at each other.
"I could kiss you now, you know?" Ryker said out of the blue. Well, not really. It's Ryker so I expected it.
"I could use some food now, you know?" I replied stretching
"Aren't my lips enough? They could sit in yours the whole day baby."
"Shameless idiot" I replied, a little grin playing on my face.
"What's your plan for today?" Ryker asked as he poured me a glass of water.
"Eat" I replied before drinking from the glass.
"Well, you can consider my proposition."
"I need something else."
"Ouch" Ryker replied, placing his hand on his heart in mock hurt.
"Cut the crap honey, I actually am hungry."
"I told Jude to bring your breakfast over"
"When? I mean I woke up before you."
"About that, when I got up to pee, I chatted Jude, stared at your sleepy face for a few minutes then went back to sleep."
"In that case, I don't know if I should be flattered or creeped out."
"Both actually." He replied pulling me off the bed.
"Shut it" I said, tying my hair into a rough bun as I entered the bathroom.
My eyes met with that of the girl in the mirror and I'm speechless. She looks so lifeless, so dead, unhappy and… that is me. Fuck it. I brushed my teeth with the new toothbrush I found in the drawer and made use of the shampoo for my hair. It smelt like lavender. Not bad.
Standing under the shower, I thought of Jude and her words rang in my ears once again.
All of this indeed is my fault. I messed things up back at home and at school. Hendrix was meant to be my second chance. An opportunity to loosen up but look. Anne is gone, my fault. Harper is goodness knows where, my fault. Ryker hasn't had good sleep for a week, still my fault.
A tear escaped my eyes as one of my greatest fear was really coming to pass. I was hurting everyone around me, one by one and to make matters worse, I can't do shit but watch my life fall apart in front of my very eyes. I don't even belong here and in the two months I've spent here, I have directly affected two people. And I have no idea what else could go wrong.
I took a deep breath in and stepped into the shower as the hot water trailed down my body. With shaking hands, I switched the temperature back to cold. I promised myself not to go back to this shit no matter what and I wouldn't. After a long shower later, I dried my hair with a spare towel and changed into a clean gown that had Hendrix Infirmary in caps sewed unto it.
Just as I opened the door, Alan walked in with two brown paper bags.
"Jude couldn't come" Alan said as he sat on my bed. The one Ryker already made. He gave one of the bag to Ryker and the other to me. I mumbled a small thanks to him and started consuming my burger in silence while the boys talked about stuff.
"""
I was currently in my room laying on my bed as Sia's breathe me played in my ears with my headphones. A small bead of tear escaped my eye as I sang along.
"Ouch, I have lost myself again Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found."
Yes, lost is what I feel. I'm so confused, I don't even understand what's happening. The door creaked open and I closed my eyes trying to fake sleep. I know I shouldn't be avoiding her but this is my best solution until I think of something better. I heard a sigh escape Jude and shortly after the door opened and closed again.
I hate this. I hate all of this. I sat up and checked my locker for my journal. With a little smile, I picked it up and wrote about everything that was going on and mostly how I felt about all of this. Honestly, I felt better but the void is still there.
My phone started ringing and I tapped the side of my head phone to pick it.
"Hey" Ryker said from the other end.
"Hi" I replied. "Anything?" I had told him earlier I was just going to stay in my room as I needed some time alone so why did he call?
"Veronica is going to be released today. Are you coming?" I let out a yawn.
"Tell them I'm on bed rest"
"Ohhh okay"
"Wait" I said after a long pause "How long would the meeting and everything last?"
"Forty five minutes max. We don't really know if she's alive."
"Oh. Are you okay?"
"Yes. Yeah sure, I'm fine" Ryker replied a little bit too soon.
"it'd be okay. I'm coming."
"okay thanks" Ryker replied and hung up.
Lazily, I got up from the bed and threw on a black long sleeve shirt and fitted denim jeans. I adorned myself with a three piece set of silver necklaces, three silver bracelets and rings on each finger.
"""
"Not to waste anytime" Klaus the head of the disciplinary committee begun "Juno Black has finally woken up. As a result of the inhumane treatment towards one of her fellows, she was cast into the hole. Quite Unfortunately, she couldn't make it alive and I hope this would be a lesson for the others to learn from. When it comes to bullying, Hendrix is not lenient at all but rather fair and square to everyone no matter their class, family, status or contributions. You are dismissed."
I squeezed Ryker's hand and rubbed it soothingly. Not gonna lie, I'm not a big fan of Veronica but this is different because this girl happens to be Ryker's ex.
"It's fine, I'm fine" Ryker said as he removed my hand from his. "I need to use the bathroom. Wait here. Okay?"
"Okay" I replied with a tight lipped smile.
A few minutes later, two girls I could vaguely remember walked towards me.
"Juno, how are you feeling now?"
"I'm good. Thanks." I replied still trying to remember. Then it hit me, Becca and Chlorine, Veronica's Barbies.
"I know we're the last people you want to see but we came to apologize"
"Yeah, we have been real bitches in the past and we promise to change for the better." Bitches? I couldn't agree more. Ryker swung his arm round my neck and turned to them.
"Oh. We received your letter and if you're willing to put effort and try harder, we'd also do the same."
"Thank you"
"Yeah thanks" Chloe said and they both walked away. I let out a yawn and dug my hands into my pockets.
"I need sleep"
"You were asleep for a week."
"Well, you can never get enough of food and sleep."
"And you baby" Ryker said with a wink.
"Fuck off" I replied with a small chuckle as I headed towards the infirmary, Ryker by my side. I still had about two hours but since I didn't have any useful thing to do, I'm back here. I removed my crocs by my bedside as I lay on the bed.
"So, fill me in on everything that happened."
"I don't know. Anna's dead, Aiofe, Jadis and Viatrix helped revive you, Veronica's gone, Chloe and Becca sent a letter of apology to us, Jude is feisty, don't tell her I said that though and Alan is just, you know, Alan."
"Hmmm" I hummed.
"How was that one week for you?"
"It felt like just one day, a very long day cause everything was on repeat. People from the dark side pulling me and touching me while creatures, angels I suppose were fighting them. It is so complicated you know?" I said with a sigh. "People dressed in black claimed to be my ancestors and the supposed angels said I was living a lie blah blah blah"
"Oh…"
"Besides, we sent this girl. I don't know if you saw her."
"I don't reside in your mind. Describe the girl."
"You actually stay in my head rent free" Ryker said with a wink "But this girl is thin, blonde and like really small. Also, she talks older for someone her age and her name is Harper"
"Oh, I did meet one Harper…" I began then trailed off as I remembered the scene. After narrating the whole thing to Ryker my countenance changed as the voices in my head began to take advantage of my vulnerability, blaming me.
"It's fine love. Why don't you take some rest?"
"K" I replied as I pulled the blanket up to my shoulders. Ryker sat at the foot of my bed and put my feet on his laps. He adjusted my left sock then began giving me a much needed massage.
"Thank you" I said to which he just smiled and carried on leaving us both in silence. Soon enough, I got pulled into a dreamless sleep.
RYKER'S POV
It was a sunny day and being dressed in black wasn't helping at all, I let out a sigh and took one final turn towards Richard's court. Walking in, I pushed the small gate open as I examined the place. It was quiet, just birds chirping in the sky and a whooshing sound as the wind blew. I ran a hand through my hair as I rested my back on a tree's bark.
One thing I despise with every bone in me is waiting. I hate the word, I hate the feeling that comes with it, I hate keeping people waiting and I hate waiting for peo-
"Ryker" Aiofe's voice said pulling me out of my line of thoughts that just happened to be carefully adorned with hate.
"Aiofe" I replied, retaining the voice as I dipped my hands into my pocket.
"My child, how are you" Aiofe begun but I shook my head.
"We don't have all day, cut to the chase" I replied as I walked towards one of those things. It was like a swing set attached to the branches of strong trees and the seat was made of fine wood painted white. I've never really cared enough to learn its name.
"Where should I start from?"
"Anywhere"
"How much do you know?" Aiofe inquired with a sigh.
"I don't know" I replied honestly. "Start from wherever you want."
"Okay. My real name is Laraine Black, wife of Vance Black and Jo's mother. About seventeen years back, I was sent to Earth to kill this guy but hello, no one told me he was going to be good looking. Anyway, I got there with the intention of seducing him then killing him right before we had sex but the more time I spent with him, the more difficult it became. He somehow messed with my head and pushed my buttons until he stole the key to my heart. As the days went by, he crept in and started living rent free, clouding my thoughts with desire until I didn't have it in me to actually kill him." She paused for a moment to perhaps, catch her breath then carried on. "Drex, the leader at that time sent me a letter to complete the mission in seven days but how could I stab him in the chest? Stab the same heart he said beat for I alone? How could I? So, I did the only sane thing I could think of. I used a spell to weave an exact replica of myself so when Drex came and took me away, I was relieved."
"He didn't touch Vance though?" I asked to which Aiofe clicked her tongue. "I don't know why he didn't but it's such a relief."
"Carry on with your story, anyway"
"Alright. About two months later, I gave birth and that caused a lot of chaos in our home. Vance kept wondering how I managed to give birth to a healthy little baby girl in two months. So, I had to explain to him that I'm from the Underworld and you know the story. Indeed, we had our first argument right there, Vance is like a really religious person and telling him I am a witch was like thorns in his ear. Eventually, we came to the conclusion that he was going to bring up the child until I no longer have to run anymore. So, for the first two years I was with her."
"She told me something about you dying in a BM?" I inquired with a scrunched nose and cocked brows.
"I was getting there. Anyway, I was with her for about ten years, ages five through fourteen but when the people from the Underworld began trailing me, I had to fake my death. I figured out they planned to kill me so I went ahead and wove a replica of myself. Eventually, they killed fake me and now I go by this face."
"Hmmm" I hummed out as I adjusted my position on the swing set stuff. "What about the vision?"
"What about it?"
"An interpretation wouldn't hurt, you know?"
"Oh, so basically those things been thrown are like fragments of different powers and I feel like she might have several powers."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Not when it becomes too much to handle"
"Ohh. Ohhhh" I replied.
"Also, I see you fancy my daughter"
"Well, she's attractive"
"Of course she is, I made her." Aiofe replied as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. I let out an amused chuckle and shook my head. I was about to say something but she beat me to it.
"What exactly do you like about her?"
"Personality, wits and appearance." I replied as a soft smile played on my lips.
"We'd have this conversation later. Did you ask Jo about Harper?"
"Yeah, she said something about her being captured by an angel"
"Our hypothesis was right."
"So what happens now?"
"It becomes a theory" Aiofe replied with a playful smile. For a moment, my eyes shone in amusement then I shook my head.
"Are we really going to give up on Harper? We owe the girl"
"I still need to think about it." Aiofe replied and as if on cue my alarm went. I turned to her for permission as a sign of respect.
"Oh, you can go now. We'd talk later." Aiofe, well Laraine said and I nodded exiting the place.