THE DREAMSCAPE : THE EMBERS OF CHANGE

Chapter 17 - ARIZONA

They know your mind…They can get inside your head and make you do terrible things. They are formed from corrupted fairies but they can affect everyone else. They speak in riddles. They twist your deepest desires, your longings, and fears. All they want to do is see the world burn.

As I remember my Mama’s voice, the Shadow looms over us. Its head almost touches the ceiling of the cave as it walks in, regarding us. I don’t think it is angry or hateful. It…It looks amused. Like it’s having a good laugh out of seeing us together like this.

“Two little helpless things.” It says. “Do you know how many people have thought the same thing as you two? Do you honestly think the ideas you have of love and peace are a novelty? I feel sorry for you two…I do.”

Before I can even process what it is saying, Adrian steps in front of me. “Whatever the hell you are, do not call me naïve for NOT killing a child. And don’t you dare call the child who was brave enough to decide NOT to kill others to live an i***t either.”

The thing laughs. It was a truly awful thing to hear. It wasn’t evil or anything. Just blank. Utterly devoid of feeling. “Oh no…You two are truly noble. The thing is, how long can a noble person last in this world? How long before kindness gets you killed? Or gets you betrayed? How long before you end up like Rosa, awaiting her death in the basement of the Academy?”

“WHAT!” Adrian looks at the thing, the defiance of the previous moment slowly draining away. “We…”

“You were hopelessly sitting around while she was locked away in a basement and her charges were handed over to Eric.”

“ERIC! That’s the-“

“Ah yes…Every single thing you heard about the Golden Guardian is true. Also…”

Before the thing even said it, I know. All of a sudden, the thought of my impending death seems the least horrifying.

Adrian’s eyes fills with tears as she sinks to the floor. “No…Fi…”

“The human spy sent to infiltrate Dreamscape. She is locked up in Siren’s palace and the Golden Guardian is in charge of her interrogation.”

“NO! NO! NO!”

“Has your sister ever hurt anyone knowingly, my dear?”

Adrian seems not to hear. She sinks to the floor, her hands over her face. Her shoulders shake  in silent sobs. I move over to her and envelop her in a hug.

“LEAVE ADRIAN ALONE!”

“Ah…Maybe since you have a replacement sister now, you don’t need your own anymore. Is that it Adrian?”

“I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!”

“And how long do you think you can comfort her and hold her and tell her that everything will be alright? How long do you have, little Witch? Unless…”

“I am not…”

“Think about it…Is it noble or foolhardy to give up on your own life because you don’t want to hurt anyone else? Do you think any of the fairies would do the same for you?”

“I…”

“And even if they did…Is it fair to ask them to die for you? To risk everything for you?”

My thoughts are a whirlpool inside my head. I didn’t know. I didn’t even think of anything beyond the fact that I can’t live with myself if I hurt someone.

“It is unbelievably stupid to expect nobility in this world. It may exist but sooner or later it is wiped out. Like Rosa, who will die at dawn.”

“How can we save her?” Adrian’s voice is hoarse. “She shouldn’t…And Fi…”

“I thought you’d never ask.” I can feel the sinister smile in its voice. “It’s truly her luck that two noble souls like you want to help her, isn’t it?”