Penumbrae: The origin

CHAPTER 11: CLOSE CALL

Why is everyone hell bent on killing me? Is this Minecraft? Will killing me produce diamonds? I am sick of people wanting to kill me or eat me. Can’t I be left in peace for even a day?

“Hold your horses. You can’t just demand for my death like that. We just met. Or do you know me from my past or something cause unfortunately I can’t remember my past.” I said shrugging calculating my chances against them. Just because my opponents were human this time, I could use the most common trick and that trick is to busy them in talk that will buy you time to think simultaneously.

The vision I just saw had drained me completely. I don’t even know how I am standing on my feet right now. All I can do is dodge but for how long? There are two Homo sapiens who looked extremely experienced swordsman and I was weaponless. Yeah, my chances were looking delightful right now.

“Who are you to decide who gets to live and who gets to die?” the boy and the girl started circling me making sure I couldn’t escape them without any fight. They knew that if they engaged in a fight, they will certainly win against me.

“Umm excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?”

“What am I talking about? You thought we wouldn’t find out?” the girl said l*****g her blade. I shuddered at her action and continued to follow all their movements with my eyes. Didn’t the blade cut her tongue? This world is so confusing.

“Find what out?”

“Maybe she is a clueless dumb damsel.” The boy said to the girl.

“but she isn’t blonde.” The girl replied. They weren’t even replying to me. They were talking amongst themselves making me feel invisible.

“Hey! You don’t have to call me names.”

“We know you are meddling with the timeline. We know you see future and you saved a kid’s life. It changed the whole course of time, which should be impossible at this time” The boy said extended his sword my way and slashed while I jumped up dodged his attack.

“WHAT? I didn’t do that. I swear!”

“We already know. You can’t hide anything from us Lysander.” His voice was deep. It was too unnatural. Would it be possible if they were being brainwashed or something?

Although they weren’t wrong if I really put my thoughts on this topic, I do see future. I don’t see vision, I see future. Future of people all around me. Why didn’t I realize this before? How did I change the timeline? Would I still be under attack by those dark watchers and these teenagers if I had let Alexander die?  It was a scary thought that you see someone's death and you can’t do anything about it. That’s why Ophelia didn’t want me to go inside. That’s why I was getting distracted so much.

“I didn’t know I was that famous. Four days back people at my university rarely knew me and you are telling me you already know my last name. Someone is stalking me.” I said trying to buy time to think of a plan, but my mind was blank. These were humans. There was nothing in the chaos book about them. I don’t know their weakness or any pattern to kill them. I was even doubtful about killing them cause the possibility of them being brainwashed or possessed then it would look like I killed innocent people. I am also against killing people at all. I already have a lot of people behind me I don’t want to police in that list.

“Can I kill her already?” The girl looked over my shoulder and asked the boy who was behind me and the girl was in front of me. The girl rushed to attack me, but I sidestepped her and stood facing the boy and girl. The girl had some amazing power, she had already intercepted my moves so she knew I would dodge her if she rushes towards me. Her intellectual led her to Knick my arm with her blade. I was careless and she was smart. She had angled her sword in a way that she was able to scratch my left arm. You know there is a difference between cutting yourself with a razor and glass. With glass it hurts more. For me it felt like glass had pierced my skin. The wound may look small and not Lethal but this tiny wound was hurting a lot. Like some drained half of the blood from my body. I don’t know how it’s possible for a metal looking weapon to damage me like it’s made of glass.

Now that I could see both properly, I unmistakably knew I couldn’t win. The amount of survival scars they had was concerning. Even if I tried to attack them, I wouldn’t get much chance as they were great swordsman and their strategic minds were outmatched. I can’t do multitask, and I certainly don’t trust myself to get me out of this situation. Their only downfall could be their over confidence. Their attack will be long ranged whereas to hit them or to get the weapon out of their hand would involve me getting close to them and getting close to a sword wielder was suicide. Sorry but I am not trying to die today.

I pressed my palm into my recent cut and backed away to get some space to think of my moves and possibly for easy escape. Yes guys, I am coward. Although, I am only trying to survive so I don’t think you can call me names. The swords wielding people were advancing slowly, and I think I saw the glint of hunger in their eyes. Hunger for my blood? Hopefully, no. I was backing away and instantaneously I heard a twig snapping behind me. I didn’t have to look behind to know what was behind. The sudden darkness and slight howling of the wind indicated the arrival of the invisible force, the dark watchers. They caught up faster than I thought. Now how the hell will I survive with dark watchers on my back and two snobby swordsmen to my front? Wait. Can I use the invisible force of dark watchers against these swordsmen? How will they attack these sword wielders though? Aren’t they behind me? I need to try something as crazy as my idea right now or I will be dead. Although, I might just end up dying if I do something wrong. Something is better than nothing. Right?  

Always being watched by these dark watchers have made me understand their nature. Whenever they moved the wind howled in the path they were moving on. I laid on the ground completely flat, trying to dodge one of the dark watchers flying directly at me.

“What are you doing?” the girl screamed at me. Her voice was annoying me now. If you keep listening to high pitched music your ears will start to complain after some minutes however this lady voice was not music, it was worse than high pitched music.

“Dodging dark watchers. They caught up to me. You should save yourself. I have heard they are vengeful spirits and they can’t be seen by everyone. Doesn’t the saying go like 'if you can’t see it you can’t fight it'?” I informed the teenagers in hope that they would leave me alone and safe themselves, but they were dumber than I thought they were.

“She is probably lying. A newbie can’t know dark watchers and get them to follow her. You can’t fool us.” The boy said looking around cautiously.

“Really? Didn’t you say I am Lysander and aren’t I supposed to attract creatures like dark watchers because of the deeds I did?” I said getting ready to duck as I kept hearing things behind me. I could tell the dark watchers were being gathered at my back, I waited for them to move.

The teenagers were confused and looking at each other. I heard the wind pick up behind and I got ready to jump far away from this area. I bended my legs to give me boost and waited. I stood there calmly so even if the swordsman believed about dark watchers my expression would fool them into thinking that they are nowhere here. As soon as I heard a swoosh sound I leaped out of the way. I landed quite far because of the wind and I saw the teenagers being thrown away. Mission successful, I guess.

I never knew that dark watchers would attack those people but thank god they did. Now I wanted to get a little ahead of these dark watchers and that could be possible if I became invisible or if they couldn’t see me for some time. I remembered seeing a spell about being invisible which is a heavy spell and I don’t think I could do it. I unlocked my bag and brought out my book of light. I opened the page that I marked yesterday. I scanned through the marked pages quickly. Cold temperature. Cold temperature brought fog making it hard for people to see thus, I can still travel while following the ley lines.

Determined and confident with my decision, I tried reading the spell, but I couldn’t get it right. The sound of battle behind was closing in, distracting me and making me too hasty. I read the spell 5 times already and nothing happened. My pronunciation was very wrong, and every passing second made me believe that I would 100 percent die today, right here. I looked up to see the dark watchers had busied themselves with the swordsman while I prayed for this to work. My first intentional spell.  “Believe in yourself cattus and it will happen.” A voice in my head said and I closed my eyes knowing Ophelia was cheering me on. My breathing slowed down, and I became more aware of my surroundings. I could hear the howling wind behind me and sound of every breaking twig in the nearby forest, instantly recognizing a threat coming my way. I calmed down instead of panicking and recited the spell again.

I kept my palm flat on the ground and repeated “Sicut frigus nivis in Frigidior glacie fac cella temperies stilla subtus.”  5 times. After every repetition I could feel cold energy pulsing out of my palm into the ground and spreading. “YES!” I exclaimed jumping up and closed my book rushing out of there remembering the threat is still alive. I didn’t have time to celebrate my first spell, but I did a victory lap internally. The dark watchers kept their distance from me while I was performing the spell. Another weird behavior I witnessed.

The intense light from the sun couldn’t be seen or felt anymore as clouds covered the sun. I saw the glimpse of teenagers who were also looking up. I could already see the fog manifesting around me. I released the breath I never knew I was holding and the air that I breathed out came out in form of water vapor.  

I was jogging away yet still looking back making sure there is no one behind me. I touched my legs and whispered “salire terrea” and jumped. This spell helped me jump further away. If you can imagine a rabbit hoping away from his prey, then you can imagine me too. I hopped away from my attackers and I was sure I got quite far away from them after hoping for one hour but now I couldn’t hold two spells at a time. I could again see the dark spots dancing and I was stumbling after every jump. The cold spell was draining me and hoping was making my side burn. I stopped those two spells by a simple command and sat on the pavement drinking water. Let’s just pray I am not attacked anymore at least not till I have a weapon because then I wouldn’t be embarrassed to cry out loud and throw a tantrum.

I switched on my phone and dialed Carter’s number.

“YOU LEFT ME WITH MR ARROGANT AND ARROGANT JR!” Carter screamed through the phone and I had to move my phone away from my ears cause him screaming is worse than a wailing lady.

“Well I am sorry but by staying there I was causing trouble for them and you. Where are you?” I was relieved to hear background voices when Carter was on call. I did not like the idea of him staying with Alexander longer than required. I don’t trust the kid.

“No, I am not done with you missy, so you don’t get to interrupt me!”

“Carter, I don’t have a lot of time to sit and chat. I am on the run remember?”

“Right.” Finally, he wasn’t screaming at me. I hated that I had to leave him without talking to him and now he was so angry. At least he understands. Harper and Lincoln would freak out if they figure out anything about me.

“So how are you feeling?” I asked still feeling guilty about leaving him with Alexander.

“Like a whole new person! Don’t be guilty about anything. You had to leave me for my safety and yours. I am not blaming you for anything. I just want you safe kitty. Oh, and I am out with Harper and Lincoln.”

“Hey Isabelle! Me and Lincoln visited your house, but Walter and Courtney wouldn’t even recognize you then we decided to call you, but you didn’t pick up your call. For a while I actually thought that you were just an illusion.” Harper said without taking a break for breathing. This girl is something. I laughed at her excitement and proceeded to listen.

“Good thing I called Carter.” Lincoln said.

“Yeah”

“Are you okay though? I thought you were supposed to rest.” I heard Harper ask and I quickly came up with something to tell them instead of ‘oh I am on the run from moving shadows and people who want me dead.’

“I am fine guys. I am on the hunt to dig out my biological parents so pray that they are not douche bags like my adoptive parents.” Well I didn’t completely lie. That was the half true. I just left out the vicious part of my journey.

“Amen sister”

“Alright I will go now guys. I have time limit. I just wanted to call and inform you all that I am fine.”

“Wait I want to talk privately. You won’t tell them the truth?” I heard Carter move places and he started talking in a small voice.

“No Carter. I have already put you in risk by telling you. You also know how superstitious Harper is. She will lose it if she finds out I am not a normal human.”

“Are you really okay? I got healed with Alex’s help, but I am sure you didn’t ask them to do you a favor by healing you. You were in the bad condition.” Carter really knows me well. When the university started, I didn’t get along with Carter much because he was the happiest kid in our class. His energy would always push me away from him as I would always think ‘what is he so happy about? Why can’t I have that?’ But now I realize he is the only one that gets me and believes in me. Thank god I have good taste in friends or else I would be shedding crocodile tears over toxic people.

“If you know me so well why even ask?”

“Because I care. How are your wounds? Don’t they cause you trouble and make you think if getting hurt is worth it to make small movements like stretching?” Now that I think about it, stretching does hurt. Thank you snobby girl for nicking my arm with your amazing sword.

“Stop being my father Carter. I am okay. Nothing a night sleep can’t fix.”

“And where are you sleeping? Don’t say road.” I laughed out loud only to realize that Carter was seriously

“You are serious? Not on road i***t. I think after 1 hour there is a motel from where I am right now. I have enough money for renting a room for some hours. I will be fine Carter. Worry about yourself. Goodnight and take care.” As much as I loved chatting with this goofball, I wanted to call it a night. I was too tired to function and if I don’t find shelter then I think I would be sleeping on road without caring if I will be in the plain sight of dark watchers or not.

“Goodnight. Oh, and May you keep the peace between all realms.” Carter said laughing and his last line cracked me up to. I hanged up and kept moving forward wondering how many worlds there for me to keep peace between in. Just thinking of it got me scared about all the attention will be getting and the amount of people would be relying on me. I don’t want to be the one who carries the burdens of all the world on my shoulder. I don’t want attention. More attention means more monsters are attracted to you. At this age I don’t want monsters being attracted to me. Send me guys lord!

I kept walking and this walk gave me loads of time to think. I had scanned the notes I made in diner with Carter about being magical in my phone and I was just adding things to it. By now I had 36 pages and all of it were just questions and tips I had gathered in this journey. I chanted for my sight to watch the world clearly and I could see the colored energy getting brighter. I prayed that I don’t find a big monster like big foot or any monsters at all. I am done fighting for now. There was a sharp light that disturbed me while walking ahead so when I looked up irritated, I saw the motel and the sharp light was a vacancy sign. I jumped with joy and ran inside. Literally. I activated my magical vision to check for any monsters but till now nothing.

I can finally sleep in peace.

“Hello how can we help you?” the double voice startled me making me think I was again under attack by a monster but as I turned around, I saw twins standing in front of me. Phew no monsters.

“I would like to rent a room for couple hours. Single bedroom.”

“how many hours would you like to stay miss.....?”

“Lysander. I would like to stay for 8 hours.”

“Okay miss Lysander that will be $160”

One of the twins left his station to help me with my non-existent bag. “I don’t have any luggage for you to carry.” I said sadly thinking how at this time of the year people go to vacations with their families and have a blast while I am out here fighting monsters to look for my parents who are probably chilling and drinking tequila.

“It’s okay miss. I will show you to your room.” I followed the guy who gave me the key once we stopped in front of the room 333. Hopefully, the number doesn’t bring monster to me. I am not the superstitious person but who knows what can attract monsters in this world. I am just a beginner who barely know how to rein the rope of this magic world. In this moment I just want to rest for good 8 hours without any interruption.

 I opened the door and without much inspection I just dropped on the bed sighing. Last time I slept on bed was 14th of June and today was 17th of June. Even at Alexander's I fell asleep on desk and chair. No matter how tiny or squeaking this bed was it was heaven for me right now. I closed my eyes for some break then remembered that I must use the restroom. I groaned getting up and did my business. I hate to get out of bed just to use restroom.

As the sky changed its color my eyes started to drop but as soon as I got near my bed for the night, I was wide awake. Therefore, no proper sleep for me. If I wake up tomorrow and must run again then I will just ask the monster to kill me. Although I think I will request for an easier death. Not slow and painful like clawing me to death. Why is it so hard to find my parents? I opened the book of light and learned some more spells and read about the good people who could help me in the future. It was 12:30 when I got tired and remembered to get off the desk and sleep on bed and get an amazing sleep.

“Oh, Gods of the world here me out, please help me get a proper 8 hours sleep and I promise I will always remember you guys and I will even give you sacrifices. Not human bodies or blood or animals but any other things you want I will burn up their scrapes. Amen.” For a girl who is atheist is praying a lot to gods these days.

Yep I have officially gone crazy. Praying and talking to myself.