Wonder Lost

Surgery

The pain was worse than in the kitchen. She thought—no, she knew that death would be less painful than this. Couldn’t they just call in Liam to put a sword through her chest instead of this? She would take anything.

But then Isabella thought of Leo. And Simon. And Will. And all of the people who needed her to live. The thrashing of her body that she was vaguely aware of slowed, and the screams quieted. She felt a needle going into her arm and some of the pain disappeared. Isabella fought against the pain, unable to control her body, but the doctors had a grip on her. Four of them were holding her down.

The heart monitor was going crazy, beeping at an unnatural speed. She turned her head away from the blood and looked out of the one-way window, where Leo was holding his head in his hands. No doubt he must have heard her screaming. For fifteen minutes she lied there, drenched in blood and sweat. It felt like an hour had passed. After ten minutes, Gait had started on her arm, and another surgeon got her foot. When the incision was made in her foot, a cloud of green gas escaped her stomach and she felt the air being knocked out of her lungs as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Isabella’s father stood in her vision. His eyes had an expression on them that she had never seen before, and she wished that she could place it. He smiled, the large dimples showing over the short hair growing on his cheeks. Stanley Jacobs, a man who she had almost never seen smile, was smiling at her.

“Bella,” he said, with a rich voice. It pained her. “I’m so proud of you.” Isabella waited for her tears to come, but they couldn’t. She was stuck in a void: she wanted to cry, to let out her sorrows, but nothing came. “You came all this way, sweetheart, with no one but that Leonardo who seems to be inseparable from you.” He chuckled. Isabella quietly sighed in relief: he accepted Leo and the fact that she had a boyfriend. And he was calling her sweetheart?

“Am I dead?” she asked.

“I would hope not,” he answered. “You wouldn’t be able to live your life. Bella, you still have a long life ahead of you. With Leo, Simon, Rose, George, Tim…” his expression became pained. “I’m happy for you. That you found a man that looks at you that way, and protects you from harm, and loves you like I loved your mother.” She smiled.

“Is he okay?” she asked. He nodded. “And Simon? And Will?”

“Simon doesn’t know about the surgery, and I suggest you keep it that way. He might get distraught. Will… just give him some time. I’ll talk to him for you.”

“Thank you, Fa- Dad,” she said. He smiled when she called him Dad. “And, just to be clear, you’re okay with my having a boyfriend?”

“Yes, Bella,” he chuckled. “And I wouldn’t worry about your brothers. Or your privacy, for that matter.” She smiled. “And, Bella, about your ring, if you flick your wrist, you can make the bow disappear and reappear. It’s helpful if you want to keep it on.” She nodded.

“Where’s Mama?” she asked. His smile wavered.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t found her yet, but she might be in a trial. I’m sure I’ll find her.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, my beautiful girl. Good luck.”

“I love you more, Dad,” she said as the dream faded.

When Isabella woke up, she found her stomach covered by the papery gown. Her arms were still covered in tubes and her stomach hurt from the operation. She looked at her arm, which had a long scar, extending from her wrist to her elbow. She could barely feel the pain.

Isabella saw Leo next to her, sitting in a chair. He was looking at the heart monitor. She couldn’t see a clock, but she guessed it was past midnight. Her cheeks felt wet. She inhaled, grateful that breathing didn’t hurt anymore.

“Isa?” he breathed. She smiled. He tried to kiss her forehead, so at to not hurt her, but she stretched her neck up and his lips met hers. He wiped her tears with the side of his thumb. Isabella cleared her throat.

“How long?” she asked.

“You’ve been asleep for five days. It’s September 21st. How are you feeling?”

“Much better. It doesn’t hurt to breath and my stomach only stings from the operation.” They talked for the rest of the day, nurses coming and going to check on her. The next morning, she was able to stand.

“We had to avoid operating on the heel of your foot, only so that you would be able to walk today,” a nurse said, helping her up. “You’ll see that you have no stitches, because your body heals very fast. Just take it slow; I would recommend not running for at least three days, or until the pain goes away.”

“Thank you,” Isabella said. She walked to the bathroom and changed out of the gown. She saw another scar to the right of her navel. It was much bigger than the one on her arm. She changed into her clothes and walked out of the bathroom. The nurse had left. She wrapped her arms around Leo.

“Why were you crying before? When you first woke up?” Leo asked.

“I saw my dad,” she explained, smiling. He grinned.

“So you guys made up?” Leo asked. Isabella nodded. “I missed you,” he said. “Let’s go back to the Oasis. I think Simon just came back.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he wrote on a piece of bark: bring her back, NOW. It was funny, really.” Isabella took his hand and they left the hospital. She sat in the car as Leo started the engine.

“Leo?” Isabella said once they got onto the road.

“Mhmm?” He was driving with one hand again, holding her hand with the other.

“When are we going to attack Liam? We have to stop him and the Cosmos.” Leo sighed.

“Well, before we can confront the Cosmos, we have to defeat Liam. And to do that, we need a lot more training. And a plan.” Isabella straightened, devising a strategy.

“I have a plan. What if we disguise ourselves and get a tutoring service for Ruby. Then, we might be able to find some of Liam’s plans. And we might be able to find his new weapon.” Leo had slowed his speed to twenty five as he thought it over.

“We would still train, of course,” Isabella continued. “Just in case. And I’d keep my ring on. My dad said that if I flick my wrist with it on, the bow can appear and disappear.” He slowed down to ten.

“Really?” he asked. She nodded.

“So, will it work?” she asked.

“Maybe. It depends though. We would need some form of communication with Tony. Maybe an earpiece…” his voice drifted off. Isabella laughed.

“I survived,” she said as they parked in front of the Oasis.

“Yes, you did.” Leo smiled. “And I only kissed you once.” Leo grabbed her face with his soft hands and started kissing her passionately. Isabella lost her focus, and could only think about his lips: the ones that led the kiss, the ones that tasted like mint, the ones that loved hers. It felt like she hadn’t kissed him in a decade, even though it had only been a day. Then again, it was a short kiss. Isabella focused on the fragrance surrounding her. Had he always smelled faintly like vanilla?

Leo inhaled the scent of strawberries, the sweet aroma of his Isa. He pulled her closer to him as he leaned forward. Her fingers were tangled in his hair, pulling him closer and he was glad that she felt the same way. He didn’t want to pull away, but he felt a tugging on his arm. It was mental: Simon was writing on the piece of bark. WHERE ARE YOU? He shaped the bark into an answer: Two minutes away.

Isabella didn’t want to pull away. In fact, she tried to keep the kiss going, but Leo resisted. Her fingers were still laced into his hair, their foreheads together as they breathed in unison.

“Simon’s waiting,” he whispered. She groaned.

“Of course he is.” She got out of the car and steadied her breathing before opening the front door.

“Where the hell have you been?” Simon demanded, waiting in front of her. “You’ve been gone for five days! And after everything I’ve said? I told you that you weren’t allowed to leave, and yet you go who knows where with him. What were you doing for the past few days, hmm?”

“Simon, calm down,” Isabella said. “What has gotten into you lately? Nothing happened at all between us, okay?”

“Except for like three kisses,” Leo added. Simon looked at him in disgust.

“You aren’t helping, Leo,” Isabella said.

“No, Bella, nothing happened between you two, by the looks of your giddy faces!” She groaned again.

“Simon, stop!” she commanded. “I talked to Dad and he said that he was okay with me dating Leo.” Both Simon and Leo’s expressions turned into shock.

“Father… is letting you date?” Simon repeated. She nodded. “But he never let any of us date… he didn’t even know about Meg! Does he even know who he’s talking about?” He looked at Leo with judgment in his eyes.

“Yes, Simon!” she complained. “He said that he’s happy for me. And that he’s glad that I found someone who loves me the way he loved Mama.” Simon’s wet eyes reflected the image of Leo’s arm around her.

“How do you know it wasn’t your imagination?” Simon asked. She glared at him.

“Hold on, I can actually prove that.” She took out her grandmother’s ring, putting it on her ring finger. The black bow appeared in her hand, with a quiver around her shoulder. “Dad said that if I flicked my wrist, then the bow will disappear.” She flicked her wrist, the bow and quiver instantly disappearing. She did it again, and they reappeared. Simon stared in shock.

“Yeah, I don’t think it was my imagination,” Isabella said, grinning. Simon only walked past them, leaning away from Leo, and out the door. Isabella made the bow disappear and spun around to face Leo.

“I have a question for you,” Isabella said. “Who called you… six days ago, and what was it about?” Leo smiled.

“They got information on Liam’s partner. That’s why it took so long: I was trying to pretend I didn’t know anything.” Isabella nodded. “Also, about your plan, how about instead of a tutoring service, how about we get some other job? Like a soldier? This way we have access to the whole place.” Isabella grinned. She wanted to destroy his palaces, and burn the remains. She wanted him to feel the pain of losing a home, losing so many family members…

What is she thinking? What has gotten into her? She had never thought of this before. She always thought that Liam had some good inside of him. Why did she suddenly want him to feel pain and torture him?

“That’s great, Leo,” she said. “Is everyone else here?”

“The children are still in hiding, but Tony and Gray are here, with a couple of other members. Come meet them.” Leo took her hand and guided her through the Oasis, opening a door she didn’t recognize. Inside was a dimly lit room; its walls lined with bookcases, its floors littered with papers. At a desk, Tony sat on a leather chair, talking on the phone. Behind him were three men and two women whose faces were masked in shadow.

“I’m going to have to call you back. Yes, she just came. Okay, thank you… You too.” Tony hung up. He smiled at Isabella and nodded at Leo. Was that disgust in his eyes?

“Hello, Isabella. We’re glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“Gray couldn’t join us. He had… unfinished business to attend to. But there are a few people I’d like you to meet. This is Caleb Hyte,” Tony said, gesturing to a man who stepped into the light. He had a young face, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. His expression was lighthearted and as he scanned her from top to bottom he smiled, grinning from ear to ear. Leo wrapped his arm around her waist. “This is Caleb’s brother, Michael.” Michael stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Caleb’s neck. He was at least a head taller than Caleb, with the same blonde hair and playful, hazel eyes.

“Older brother,” Michael specified in a booming voice, holding his hand out to hers. Isabella had to step forward in the small room, to avoid stretching, in order to shake his hand.

“This is Roy Russel.” Roy stepped forward, his piercing green eyes popping against his chocolate colored skin. His hair was slightly darker than his skin tone.

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said with a clear voice. She shook his hand, smiling at him.

“You, too,” she said.

“This is Amanda Carle,” Tony said as a brunette approached, taking Michael’s hand. She didn’t speak, only appeared to look at Isabella’s outfit with disapproval. She noticed Leo’s arm around her waist and Isabella’s eyes reddened. She hoped that Amanda wouldn’t notice the change in her eye color.

Amanda had golden brown hair with lips that seemed permanently pursed. Her outfit seemed expensive, a gray sweater, jeans, and a purse; but Isabella didn’t recognize any of the brands. Amanda forced herself to smile at her.

“And this is Vanidia.” Vanidia stepped into the light. Her black hair shone in the dim light, and her cocoa skin matched her eyes. She wore clothes like Isabella: a plain sweater—she didn’t recognize the brand—and some jeans. She wore a wedding ring, a large, circular diamond on a silver band. Vanidia smiled at her, a real, pleased smile.

“Hi!” she greeted. “You can call me Via.”

“Hi, Via,” Isabella said.

“Isabella, Amanda used to work with Liam, before she discovered that he was… a murderer,” Tony said. “Via and Roy had been attacked a few days after their wedding. Mike and Caleb also wanted to help. They left Liam for the same reason as Amanda. All of them want to help us destroy him, but we don’t have a plan.”

“Actually, Tony,” Leo said, “Isabella came up with a very good plan.” Tony looked at Leo with anger that was hardly noticeable to anyone except Isabella. She immediately recognized it because it was the look of her father when one of her siblings, or herself, did something wrong.

“Well, what is it?” he asked, controlling his tone. Isabella decided to answer.

“I said that if we could get into the castle, disguising ourselves, we could get information. Leo said we could get a job there, because then we would have full access to the castle. Maybe if Amanda, Mike, and Caleb go back and say that they see why he’s attacking us, Liam will let them in. Then we can apply for a job, as assistants or soldiers or something, and we’ll be in.”

“Why do you think I left in the first place?” Amanda said, her voice filled with anger. “I’ll never go back there. If you really think that it’s a good idea to go in there, then I won’t be joining you. I lost my best friend to that monster. Do you even know how that feels?” Isabella didn’t know what to say, but Leo answered for her.

“Are you serious?” he said. “Isabella lost her parents and two brothers because of Liam, and he kidnapped her two-year-old sister. And yet she’s still going in there.” Amanda’s face became red.

“I-I’m sorry,” she muttered.

“That’s okay, Amanda,” Isabella said. “And I’m sorry about your friend.”

“Isabella,” Via said, grabbing her attention, “if we go with your plan, what would I do? I know how to create disguises. Can I help with that?”

“That’ll be great, actually. Thanks. Tony, are we doing this?”

“Er…” Tony began. “To be honest, it’s dangerous. What if Liam recognizes you? Or sees your eyes?” The five newcomers looked at her eyes. Isabella looked down.

“I could… wear contacts. And I could style my hair in a different way.”

“I can help with that!” Via suggested.

“If you’re sure, then we could do it. Mike, Caleb, what do you think?”

“I’m game if she is,” Caleb said. Leo tightened his grip around her.

“And there’s no way my little bro’s going alone,” Mike said.

“Okay, cool,” Tony said, looking at a paper on the desk. “Then you can get some dinner and get lots of rest. We have a long day of training tomorrow. Isabella, a word?” The newcomers left the room and closed the door. Leo stayed with her and Tony quietly sighed in annoyance.

“Are you going to be okay to do this? I don’t know if you’re strong enough to train tomorrow.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry, I’ll take it slow.” She smiled. “But thank you.” He nodded.

“Come on, Isa, let’s go get some food,” Leo said, opening the door for her. Tony saw that Leo was facing the other way and let out a scowl, a grimace, and a low groan. His fists clenched and he looked down at his paper, trying to control himself.

“Bye, Tony,” Isabella said. Without looking up, Tony waved goodbye. Leo closed the door.

“What’s with him?” Isabella whispered.

“I yelled at Beatrice when you were in the coma, and apparently he hasn’t gotten over it yet. It’s nothing. I don’t mind.”

“Why not?” she asked, curious.

“Because if it were me, I’d be mad, too.” They walked in silence for a while.

“What did you say to her?” Isabella asked. “If you don’t mind me asking,” she added.

“Well, Beatrice said that you went deeper into the coma, and that she found out a month ago. I was kind of mad and I shouted at her. It’s just that I was worried about you, and I didn’t mean to yell at her, it just all came out and I’m sorry—” Isabella put a finger to his lips.

“Leo, don’t worry about it,” Isabella soothed, caressing his face. “I know what it’s like, not being able to control your anger. You were there, with Simon. I regretted it immediately, because I thought you were horrified by me. And that happened twice. And here you’re worrying about something that I didn’t even witness!” She stood up on her tiptoes and briefly kissed him.

They walked into the dining room where everyone was already eating. Nobody paid any attention to them as they walked in five minutes late. There was a lot of conversation, everyone talking about the plan and training…

“Isa?” Leo asked, placing a hand on her arm.

“Yeah?” she said.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about my plan.” Isabella finished her plate of rice and stood up, dropping her dishes off in the sink. She checked the time: it was 9:50 PM.

“Oh, it’s late! Gray’s going to kill us!” Isabella said to Leo, who hugged her, placing his arms around her waist.

“Gray isn’t here,” he said. “And anyway, everyone else is awake. And the previous leader of the Oasis is here, knowing that everyone is awake.” His lips were close to her ear, resting below her temple. Her hands went up to his neck, right under his jaw. She could smell vanilla more clearly, it was almost as strong as the cinnamon. Leo traced his lips across her jawline. When he got to her lips, Isabella tried to focus, but failed miserably. All she could think about were his lips, and his steady heartbeat.

“Oh, of course,” Amanda groaned as she opened the door. Leo pulled away from her in surprise. “Get a room!” She went to the sink and dropped her dishes inside.

“Sorry,” Isabella muttered. She was starting to really dislike Amanda. Leo took her hand and led her upstairs.

From Leo’s perspective, Amanda was very rude. And they were only kissing. Surely she had kissed Mike, right? Amanda wouldn’t have wanted to be interrupted like that. Speaking of Mike, Leo felt a surge of anger overpower him. His brother was awed by Isabella, and that was obvious. Of course, Isabella was beautiful, but Caleb was in love… Maybe he didn’t know she was taken. He probably thought she was single. But didn’t he see his arm around her, a clear gesture?

Leo found himself leaning on Isabella’s bed, waiting for her to finish brushing her teeth. He got up and went to his own bathroom, quickly putting on his gray t-shirt and pajama pants. He brushed his teeth and washed his face. Entering Isabella’s room, he found her sitting on the bed, her legs dangling off the edge. She smiled at him as he walked to her. She put her hands on his biceps, tracing his muscles.

“I missed you,” she whispered. Leo smiled at the sound of her voice against the silence. Her pure, sweet voice. Her beautiful voice. The one he hadn’t heard in five days.

Leo cupped her cheeks with his hands, slowly kissing her. After a short moment, he deepened the kiss. His nose filled with the scent of her hair, the new smell of oranges and vanilla. Leo pulled away after a while, pulling her into bed.

Isabella hadn’t realized how tired she was until she lied down in bed, feeling the warmth of the blanket and the softness of the pillow.

She curled up next to him, resting her head in the spot between his neck and shoulder. Her hand was caressing his cheek. He kissed the top of her head lightly.

“Leo?” she whispered. He tilted his head to look at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“About what?”

“It was when Will died. I… said that I hated you. It’s just… I feel so bad,” she said. “I thought that that was the reason why you were so… distant after I woke up from the coma.” Leo laughed, and then shut his mouth with his hand. Isabella listened for footsteps. When she only heard soft snoring in the background, she looked up at Leo. “Why are you laughing?”

“Because of what you said,” Leo chuckled quietly. “I was keeping my distance from you because I thought you were… uneasy around me. I kind of forgot that you said that, actually. Sometimes I think of it, but I know you, Isa. You wouldn’t really mean that. I was just holding you back and you couldn’t think at the moment. That once happened to me, too.” She smiled, grateful at his understanding.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you, too,” he whispered. They fell asleep, trying to forget about the upcoming week of practice and training for their battle with Liam.