The Fairy Queen

Chapter 9

Over the next few days, leading up to the end of the week, he no longer showed up in her dreams. Lilith seemed to have regained her soul and made little conversations with Meryl. Meryl was so happy, she wanted to cry.

And she did cry, shouting and cheering with all her might as the boys played. The sick Sheldon sitting with Shelia and Coraline all gave her strange looks. Coraline pulled her back down, shushing her.

“You’re embarrassing us!”

“My bad,” Meryl sheepishly said, sitting beside Coraline.

“Don’t be so harsh. They’re trying their best out there,” Jessie chipped in, her attention on the field.

“Are you concerned because you have a crush on one of them? Let me tell you, they’re all disgusting sweaty idiots…” Shelia said, poised to lecture Jessie. Sheldon pushed her face away.

“Darling, if you need a knight in shining armor, I can be yours.” He winked.

“Sis, your friends are weird.”

“Shush, don’t say it out loud.”

“Meryl!”

Meryl giggled, turning back to the game. She cheered loudly when they scored. Shelia leaned in closer and whispered to Coraline.

“She seems happier now, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah. She must've made up with them.”

“Who?”

“Her parents. It should be fine now. I’m not sure she’ll come for the after party though. You know how they are.”

“This is why we didn’t want to invite her to the club in the first place.” Sheldon poked his nose into their midst.

“Shut up dumbface. Get out of here.”

“Coraline, he has my face.”

“Sorry Shelia, I love you. He’s an idiot.”

“What are you guys whispering about? We’re going into the third quarter.”

“Yeah. Let’s go serve them up before they start yelling at us.”

As Coraline and Meryl descended, Coraline turned to give Sheldon the middle finger. Jessie and Shelia giggled while Sheldon turned to the side to sulk. The third quarter ended and they entered the final leg of the game. Even Coraline and the rest started to feel anxious.

The two teams were tied so closely in points. This meant during the final quarter, they were struggling to get points. Everyone was at the edge of their seats, waiting to see who would win. It was the game that would decide some of their futures after all.

The final whistle went off and Meryl bolted out of her seat, screaming. They won. She smiled so widely, it seemed like her face would split. She ran towards them, particularly Gus but he dodged her, going to hug Coraline behind her. Warren was surrounded by his teammates throwing him into the air.

She was left hanging in the end but she wasn’t deterred. She was truly happy for them, even if they ignored her. Sheldon came down and held her in a side hug. Looking up front, Shelia was being embraced by someone in the team.

“Let's curse people in relationships together.”

“Oh don’t be so bitter. He just wanted to hug her after a good game. She’s the one he like, not me.”

“You’re too soft Meryl.”

“You’re too bitter. You better be grateful I forgave you after that prank you pulled on my birthday.”

“I remember nothing of the sort. Did you get my gift?”

“Yeah. Thanks for it. My brother already got me a bracelet though.”

“That little- whatever.”

Meryl laughed. The celebrations came to a close. Meryl knew it was time to leave when Gus and Coraline were stuck in their little bubble, kissing. Lukas, Percy and Lilith were waiting for them.

Pulling up to their garage, everything seemed strangely quiet. The lights in her house were off and the front door was left ajar. Meryl had a sinking feeling in her gut and asked Jessie to wait in the car. She looked for a suitable weapon, an iron pole lying around and entered the house through the garage.

Meryl still wished till this day, she never opened those doors. The moment she walked in, the dagger came down, piercing Lilith’s heart.

“Mama!” Lukas screamed.

He was being held by two hooded assailants who had transparent wings behind them. It felt like a dream. Fairies weren’t real! There was no way they were real!

Her gaze trailed below and she saw Percy lying in a pool of his own blood, with a similar stab wound in his chest.

“Papa? Mama?” she whimpered, dropping the pole. The sound of the pole dropping on the floor was enough to draw their attention.

“Meryl! Run away! They’re after you.”

“Lukas… no, not you too…”

One of the hooded attackers elbowed Lukas causing him to keel over and vomit blood. They hit the back of his head and immediately went unconscious. All while this was happening, one of them rushed at her with the dagger, aiming straight for her heart.

“LET MY BROTHER GO!”

It felt like time stopped or rather, it slowed. Meryl’s brown eyes had turned a bright golden color, filled with murderous rage. The seed inside her grew even larger, extending more vines inside her veins. A halo flickered to life behind her, an outline of the second one forming.

When her hands moved, the earth rose and trapped the attacker coming at her. Her fingers moved like a blur, trapping the rest. As they were being covered up and dragged like they were sinking into quicksand, Meryl moved closer to see her family. Percy and Lilith were long dead. Lukas was unconscious. Jessie was still waiting outside.

Two drops of water wet the floor. She stretched a shaky hand to shut their eyes. She tore her face away, moving to carry Lukas. He was much larger than her but she was able to do it with ease.

She didn’t even want to think about it.

As she got closer to the garage, she heard a c***k. She turned, thinking one of the attackers had gotten free but they were still stuck, almost completely sunken. She heard again and this time, back searing pain accompanied it. Her body staggered, Lukas almost falling and breaking his head.

Her back felt like it was being split open. Her body trembled from the pain and her hands shook once more, her grip on Lukas getting tighter. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and bear the pain.

“Princess.”

There they were, those violet eyes, a reminder of when everything started to go wrong. He was perched on her windowsill, looking like a dark angel. He looked around and back at her.

“You must come with me.”

“Leave me alone!” her words came out in a screech, a magical attack heading for him. He dodged it, landing in the house.

“More would come for you. For them. You have to leave them and follow me.”

“That makes no sense!”

“They are following your trail and they won’t stop until you’re dead. Your trail is your magical signature, everywhere on those kids. If you follow me, I’ll erase it, get them to safety and you’ll be safe too.”

“Why should I trust you?! You’re the same as them!”

He was silent. He walked closer, taking Lukas from her hands. She had no way to resist, feeling that he was stronger. The pain was far too unbearable for her to fight him and find a semblance of a win.

“Your wings are growing out. It is best you return now. We have no excuse to want you back. After all we did, we don’t deserve you. We know that. But, if there’s a way to save us all, I’m sorry princess, I have to bring you back.”

Meryl looked at Lukas. She couldn't deny it. She was the reason her parents were dead, why Lukas was like this. If she stayed any longer, they would come after her till they were all dead.

She had to go with him.

“You promise they’ll be safe?” Her words were calmer, more detached.

“I give you my word.”

Before her very eyes, he disappeared with Lukas. Shortly after, she heard a surprised squeak from Jessie in the garage. There was silence again. She waddled to her parents once more.

“I’m so sorry papa… I’m so sorry mama… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

“Princess, it’s time to go.”

Casting one last glance at the house she grew up in, she held onto his hands. Darkness engulfed them and once it cleared up, they were back in front of the gateway, back where it all began.