Rise of the fallen

Chapter Eight

My dreams are just flashes, and none of it makes sense. The smell of wet leaves... A gold coffin sitting amongst the darkness... Flying in and out of trees as the branches thwack my face and arms. A flash of light wakes me from the dreams, and I cant breathe... Smoke is filling my lungs, and I can hear commotion from downstairs. Placing my shirt over my nose, I open my front door to peer down the stairs. Men in all back are coming up as smoke bellows from the shop. What am I gonna do? My heart is pounding as I grab Lizzie, put her in my shirt, and run to my window, hoping there is a way down. An unfinished fire escape hangs by a thread as I climb down and an explosion from upstairs tells me they are now in the apartment. Rushing down the stairs, my feet hit each step like a ton of bricks.

"Be quiet. They will hear you!" A voice in my head speaks in an urgent tone causing me to falter in my steps. My foot slips, and I tumble down the last flight of steps sending Lizzie flying out of my arms and onto the platform above my head. Scooping her up once again I cant stop long enough to figure out what the hell that was. This is nuts.. What is happening? Why did they burn down the shop? I hope frank is ok... I'm not sure where to go, so I start running. Where do I go?? my feet pull me forward, each step bringing new questions and more confusion. I decide to hide out at the park down the street till morning, pulling Lizzie closer with each noise that bumps in the night. My hands shake as I descend the ladder to the tunnel I slept in, my body shivering from the morning's cold dew that lingers on the poles.

The past few days have been crazy; how am I supposed to process this all?

"Head north," the strange voice speaks again.

"What the f**k is that? Who is that?" I look crazy, talking to myself in the middle of this park.

"Just head north," the cryptic voice demands.

I don't know why but I listen; thankfully my phone was in my pocket when I ran from the apartment. The compass was on the home screen, how weird. I must use this a lot. Flashes of a man laughing as we climb a mountain, trekking through the thick forest, the sounds of birds singing as the sun shines on his face. Who is he? Why do I keep seeing him? One problem at a time..

I stop by the apartment and creep around the corner checking to see if there are any lingering men from last night. The smell of burning wood still lingering in the air burns my nose. Smoke still rising from the singed building as it creeks and crumbles at the slightest gust of wind. Each step towards the apartment sends my hair on edge; the feeling that someone will see me or find me at any moment is slightly exhilarating. The smell of burnt hair and flesh allows the noodles from last night to come back from the depths of my stomach. f**k Frank. you didn't get out. Poor guy. You didn't deserve to go like this. A single tear escapes and rolls down my cheek. Why am I crying? I barely knew the guy.

"You knew him better than you realize. He's been here your whole life," the voice returns.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I'm screaming now; the people around me are now staring, a few on their phones, I assume with the police.

I quickly run over to the ash-covered cash register and grab whatever cash is left inside. I'll need it if I'm going to follow this mysterious voice on this crazy quest.

In the deep forest, I walk for hours. Each branch I push away scrapes my hands and arms as they swing back and wack me. Each step feels like a million miles, my heart weighing heavier and heavier. Visions of frank, the mysterious man, the mysterious woman, so many different people, emotions, and memories play through my head sending my head spinning. I approach the edge of a cliff, not able to cope with the screaming going on in my head.

I cant do this, I cause Frank's death, probably my parents, and I definitely caused Matt's disappearance. What is wrong with me? Why cant I remember anything?! maybe then I could help him. Matt is missing, Frank is dead. Why?!?!?! What is wrong with me?!?! What is happening?! Who were those men!? Why are they after me? What did I do? What did I get myself into!? At least if I'm dead then I won't be able to hurt any more of the people around me.

Stepping closer to the edge, my heart leaps in my chest setting Lizzie onto the ground next to me. I need to do this. I cant risk anyone's life anymore. I have to do this. Hurling myself off of the steep cliff, more memories flood my head. The sound of laughter coming from the mystery man, the feelings I had for him. The moment I got Lizzie. Every memory before this moment floods back to me as I am suddenly thrusted back into the air. Shining light comes from within me as the swirling wings from my memories fling me back up above the cliff, above the rushing water below, past the trees of the forest in up into the clouds. 

"You're more important than you realize," the voice calls out.

Looking around to find the source if begin to feel just as crazy as the people around me think I am. Realization hits me.

"Lizzie! Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot you!" I pull my wings in and dive down toward the cliff edge that she is patiently waiting on, scooping her up and thrusting myself back into the clouds above.

"I need to find the princess. She needs to know the Nephilim is awake and after her. Where do I start? Where do I even begin to look for her?" Questions swirl my mind as I fly through the air not even sure where I'm going.

"Head north. That's all I know, I heard Frank talking about murders up in Texas when he came to feed me while you were gone. He said there was a woman who witnessed one of them. We start there and investigate." Lizzie says as she nudges to climb onto my back like always.

"I guess we are off to Texas." setting us down on the ground, I can't help but feel like maybe we should stay hidden in the darkness of the forest.