Destiny Rising

Chapter 12

I must have been lost in my own little world, going over everything that had happened in my mind, because I didn’t realize anyone had gotten home until a cold hand touched my shoulder. Yelping in surprise, I fell right off the bench and onto the deck and looked up at the person.

“What was that for?” I asked as I yanked my headphones out and I got a good look at the person. It was Dante Flame.

“My apologies Sapphire. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He said in a voice that seemed so cold, that despite the bright sun and heat, I actually shivered.

“Whatever, I thought you all went out for brunch?” I asked while moving to stand up.

“I had a headache, so I came back early to rest for a while.” He replied casually, “Oh, here, let me help you.”

“No thanks, I can get up myself,” I said as I scooted back from him a bit.

“I insist Sapphire, which was quite a fall.” He said, reaching towards me, but his fingertips brushed my arm and I felt that cold shock again. But this time, it paralyzed me briefly and I saw something glimmer around his form. Like it was an illusion or something. It unsettled me right to my very core and I just knew I had to get away from him. Standing quickly, I managed to give myself a head rush and reached out for the deck railing to steady myself. “Oh dear, are you alright?” He asked, reaching towards me again.

“Don’t touch me. I’m fine.” I replied and backed away from him and hightailed it down the stairs to the beach. I was surprised I didn’t slip and fall on my way down from running on them. When I had reached the bottom, I stopped to catch my breath and collapsed onto the bottom step. Placing my head in my hands, it really sunk in just how far out of my league this was. I had no idea how I was supposed to be a Guardian if one man could creep me out this much. I only lifted my head when I heard gentle and soft steps coming down the stairs. Turning slightly, I saw it was only Jasmine. She didn’t say a word as she came down towards me, then sat beside me on the steps. She was dressed in cute white shorts and a blue/green/yellow colored block sleeveless shirt with a black belt showing off her slim waist. Only Jasmine could ever pull off a look that screamed sophisticated and still looked young and fresh.

“Hey.” She finally said quietly “Everybody’s been worried about you.”

“Ya, worried about what people will think when they learn my parents have a freak for a daughter. Especially after having two perfect daughters.” I responded snidely,

“That’s not true and you know it. They love you just as much as they love Crystal and Jayde.” She replied as she placed a hand on my shoulder and I felt an overwhelming calming sensation flow over me. Shaking off her hand, I stood and stared out across the sand at the water that glittered like diamonds in the sun. Something about Jasmine was bizarre. I mean, I always got this calm feeling when I was around her. Now that I think about it, it started last April when she had just turned 16. I had to talk to Michael right away and frantically patted my shorts pockets to check for my phone. Damn, not there, which meant I probably had left it charging in my room.

“I’ve got to go,” I told her as I turned and bounded up the stairs to the deck. Luckily, Dante was not anywhere on the deck as I made my way across it to the sliding door. I wasn’t so lucky when I let myself into the dining room through the sliding door. My entire family was gathered around the bamboo dining table arguing about something, but when I entered, all 5 pairs of eyes swiveled toward me.

“Ah, Sapphire, there you are.” My mom said, folding her hands before her on the table. “We need to talk.”

“I don’t really care what you have to say.” I shot back as I headed towards the kitchen door.

“Sapphire, you will listen to your mother right now.” My dad said as he slammed his fist on the tabletop.

“Why?” I challenged. “Why should I listen to her? Or any of you, for that matter? You never listened to me.”

“You ungrateful child. We’ve given you everything you could ever want, and this is how you treat us?” My dad yelled as he stood from his chair.

“Why not? You and mom ignore me half the time, and the other half you’re always trying to control my life or getting me to do stuff I don’t want to do.” I screamed at his face and I crossed my arms over my chest.

“We did what we think is best, child.” He said through his teeth.

“Ya, well I want nothing to do with what you two want. I want my own life!” I hissed as my anger boiled up to my breaking point “And I am so out of here. I’m going back home for the rest of the weekend.” With that said, I spun around and intended to move through the kitchen and into the main hallway that led to the stairs.

“Stop right there child.” My dad boomed as I had just made it to the doorway of the kitchen. “Where do you get off thinking you can speak like that to us?” I looked around the dining room at my mother, sisters, and brother-in-law all sitting around the table silently, looking anywhere but at my father and I. Lot of help they were.

“You know what, how about the fact that you and Mom only ever cared about what your precious Crystal and perfect Jayde did?” I scoffed.

“We gave you the perfect lifestyle and paid for everything you wanted.” My dad answered, his face red with rage.

“Sure, you paid for it, but you never actually saw me compete at my swimming meets or skating competitions. Did you ever once congratulate me on the trophies or medals I brought home? Or even ask me how my day was? No, you didn’t. Nothing I did was ever good enough to merit your attention.” I seethed and jabbed my finger in his direction. My dad opened his mouth to answer but was stopped short by a loud squealing noise from the kitchen and a burst. Turning, I saw that the tap on the kitchen sink had burst off and a fountain of water was gushing out over everything.

“What the hell,” My dad said, coming up behind me, “Odette, go grab a mop and bucket.” He yelled over his shoulder at my mom. I took his momentary distraction and scooted towards the other doorway. Once through that doorway, I bolted up the stairs to the sounds of yelling and crashing from the kitchen.

Thankfully, I hadn’t unpacked yet, so I just had to grab my bag, phone, and keys. I then crept quietly down the stairs and out the front door. I tossed my bag and phone on the passenger seat and tore out of the parking area. I held my breath until I reached Bridge Street, the main street of Port Stanley, for fear my phone would ring and it would be my mom or dad. Also, I was still feeling shaken up over my encounter with Dante Flame, so I was repeatedly checking my rearview mirror to see if I was being followed. I turned my radio on just to avoid the silence and let the music take over my mind and drown everything else out as I drove back to St. Thomas.

Once I pulled into my parent’s driveway, I felt a little better. But I was still on the edge and needed something to do, physical activity to calm myself. I don’t want to go anywhere near water right now, the accident yesterday is still fresh in my mind. I let myself in the house and turned off the alarm, then trudged slowly up to my bedroom. I didn’t look at anything when I walked in, I just went straight to my bed and flopped face-first into it. I was exhausted, upset, and scared all at the same time. I dragged up my head and propped my chin on my arms that were folded across the pillow with the New York Skyline at Twilight printed on them. I wanted to talk to Michael, but I was afraid of bringing him here to talk. Mostly due to the idea someone was watching me, which meant that I couldn’t tell Michael what I had figured out without putting the others in danger. I also realized that staying under the same roof as my family would put them in danger too. Since it was doubtful that this coming darkness would attack anyone else on its quest to claim the elemental powers from the Guardians. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my closet door had opened just enough to see a peek of my figure skates sticking out of their duffle bag. That’s when the idea hit me. My mother sold the owners of the Memorial Arena on Wilson Ave their summer home on the cliff overlooking Little Beach in Port Stanley. Then the owners became friends with my parents and gave us a key, saying I could use the ice for practice anytime I wanted to. I hopped off my bed and changed into yoga pants and a long-sleeved shirt and yanked out my duffle bag with my skating gear. Quickly bounded downstairs with my bag and phone in hand and the Arena keys off the hook in the kitchen. Then I was out the door and gone.