The Goddess and the Golden Sunflower

Se-Ra-Tis

Anthony’s heartbeat hammered in his ear. A dull pain resonated in his body. He looked at Angel and Blond. They, too, were astonished by the sudden declaration.

“What? You’re serious?” Anthony stared at The Queen.

“Do you see me laughing?” she asked.

“What’re you talking about? Uh… why?” he asked, his anxiety level at its maximum.

She took a moment. “Something came up. We have to leave this city as soon as possible.”

“What thing? You can’t do that. You can’t just leave,” he argued, his head moving in jerks.

“Yes, I can. I do not see how you have a say in this matter.”

“What the hell? What do you mean I don’t have a say in this? What about…? What about…?” His brain groped for a convincing reply. What about me? What about my life that you messed up? What about my heart that can’t feel anything toward anyone but you?

“What about the research?!” he shrieked. “Huh? What about the research? I can’t find someone else to replace you now. You can’t just leave like that,” he pressed, willing her to understand what he truly wanted to say.

“Don’t worry. It will be finished by the time we leave,” she muttered.

“And what about school? No college would accept your admission now, and even if you find a place that will take you, it can’t be that fast. You have to, at least, finish the semester.”

“Would you stop worrying about me?” she taunted. “I’ll manage.”

He wiped his hand across his burning face and shut his eyes for a second. When he opened them, The Queen and her entourage were on their feet, about to leave.

“Wait,” he said, his voice choking. “This’s just not right. Please, think twice. I know you can stay if you want to. You can do a lot of things if you want to, but you just won’t.”

She sighed in sorrow. “For the record, I don’t want to leave.”

“Then don’t.”

Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment before she stepped back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

****

Anthony drove back to Tommy’s apartment dragging his torn dream along with self-loathing thoughts, torturing himself with questions that would never find answers. He kept thinking about what The Queen had said about leaving. Was it something he had done? Or was it bad karma for what he did to Claire?

He knocked on Tommy’s door, hoping to find some shelter in there. As John opened, Anthony entered tiredly and shut the door behind him.

John hurried back to his videogame. Tommy and Claire were still cleaning and arranging furniture.

“Hey, guys. I’m back. Why don’t you both rest and I’ll take care of everything?” Anthony said.

“What? You don’t have to study anymore?” Tommy taunted.

Unable to take any more pressure from anyone, Anthony closed his eyes and fought the urge to burst into his best friend’s face. “No, I don’t,” he said.

“Knock yourself out.” Tommy threw the broom he was holding on the floor. “Let’s get some rest, Claire.” He joined John’s game. Claire followed without looking at Anthony.

Anthony was glad they had accepted his help, but not because it would make them forgive him for his behavior earlier. The only thing he was glad for was the outlet he found for his rage.

After three hours of continuous work, the apartment was clean and ready. Everything was set in place: furniture, equipment, and luggage.

“This is so cool, Tony,” Tommy said as he took in his new home. “You didn’t have to do all that by yourself, you know? I wasn’t that mad at you.”

Anthony grimaced. “I didn’t do it because you were mad at me. Now, what else do you need?”

“Nothing! Tony, it’s perfect.”

“All right, I’ll play a game then.” He walked toward the couch. “John, scooch over.”

“What? You’re still gonna play? Aren’t you tired or something?” Tommy asked.

“No, I’m not,” Anthony replied robotically.

“Well, I am. Let’s call it a night. We all need some rest. It was a long day. And Claire needs a ride home. She came with you, remember?”

Anthony’s hopes of staying away from his self-pity thoughts were crushed. He knew he had to drive Claire home, and she shouldn’t be staying out or up any longer after such a day. She shouldn’t suffer any more for his sake.

He noticed the reservations in Claire’s eyes. It was obvious how upset she was that she would have to endure him all the way back to her place.

“Okay. John, I’ll give you a ride, too. Let’s go,” Anthony said.

After a dull silent drive, Anthony reached home. Lugging what was left of his strength along with the laptop, he found his parents sitting together watching the silver, sixty-inch TV hanging on the living room wall.

“Hey, guys,” he said.

“Hey,” Kay crowed. “How did it go?”

The inexplicable thrill in her voice unsettled him. “Yeah … it was fine. The apartment is all set now,” he said. As he was about to retire to his room, he saw Kay nudge his father.

“Come hang with us for a while. We miss you,” Robert said with a grin.

Their plan to lure him into a parental trap made him smirk. “I wish, but I’m really exhausted. I helped a lot with the apartment. I need to rest.” He climbed the stairs. “Maybe tomorrow, okay? Night.”

He slogged up to his room, closed the door and threw his laptop and himself on the bed. He squeezed his eyes shut, begging sleep to swallow him. But the only thing that swallowed him was despair.

Two hours later, he wrenched himself erect and went to the balcony. His gaze spread to the sparkling bay and traveled amidst the surrounding hills. He breathed in and let the smell of the bay refresh his senses. Instead of repeating questions, he started to think of ways to discover the secret behind The Queen’s devastating decision.

First, she had an argument with that douche. Then she interrogated me about my intentions, he recalled. He must have filled her head with lies about me. His Adam’s apple bobbed. Nah. That can’t be it. She believed me. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have said she didn’t wanna leave. He tapped his fingers on the railing. “It must be something else … something…” He gasped. “I’m such an idiot.” His hands balled into fists. “She’s protecting me.”

He hurried inside and grabbed his laptop. “What is it that you’re hiding? What could be so dangerous, Majesty?”

He opened the research files and read every detail. He believed that Her Majesty’s mystical family legacy and exposing her ancient books to him had something to do with her decision. He knew how valuable those papyri were, and how some people would kill to have them. That could be the danger she was didn’t want him to face with her.

As he read the paper draft, a particular paragraph drew his attention to something else.

Unlike what others might think, not all the ancient Egyptian gods are known to us nowadays. In fact, till this day, there are gods that were never discovered as rulers ordered their priests to write over all the documentations those gods had left behind, erase all their trails, and destroy any proof that showed they had ever existed.

If those gods were never known or documented, how did she know they existed in the first place? he wondered.

He kept reading until his eyes burned, hope slipping away fast. Although the paper was fully detailed, he didn’t find anything that could relate to his theory. Fidgeting, his fingers twitched around his laptop. “Let’s see what they’ve done with my laptop. Maybe Angel hid some secret file that has everything I need to know.” He laughed at himself as he searched the laptop for hidden files.

“What the hell?” He shifted in his seat, staring with bulging eyes at the screen. He found a file titled “Open privately.” It was hidden in the same research folder. The first line inside was a warning: Don’t share with others. It’s only for you.

Anthony’s eyes devoured the lines. As soon as he had finished, his jaw dropped. “Oh my Gosh,” he whispered, his fingers rolling back to the beginning of the file. He read the file one more time. “Gosh!”

****

The Queen watched the first light of dawn streak the night sky with palest blue and send shimmering rays over the placid ocean. She wondered, again, if she should just leave. She had come to Berkeley to find peace, but with Maestro’s uncontainable jealousy and Basel’s trails, peace seemed to be something she could only experience in her dreams. Perhaps not even there.

She plunged her fingers in the sand and let the nascent rays soothe her as they touched her skin. This cover-up was harder to pull off than she thought. She could never lead an ordinary life. She could never know again what it meant to be normal. But if that was the case, what would be left for her to try? She was tired. She was lonely. And above all, she was bored.

“Majesty,” Maestro began. She looked at him sideways. “Has Your Majesty reached a decision yet?”

She shook her head. “All I know is that I am going to miss this place.”

“Me too,” Angel muttered.

The Queen tilted her head backward and gave Angel a comforting smile. Then she glanced at Blond. “You are eerily silent. Aren’t you going to tell me what you think about this, Ed?”

Blond sighed. He took a look at Maestro’s face and then stared down. “It’s Your Majesty’s call. I shall follow no matter what.”

A bitter smile curved the Queen’s lips as she returned to gaze at the ocean. “I will speak with Maestro alone.”

Blond and Angel rose and disappeared in a heartbeat.

“If I decided to leave, do you know why I’d do it?” The Queen asked.

“To protect… him. With the trails starting, we do not know when Basel is going to strike,” Maestro replied.

“You’re wrong,” she said softly and stared at him. “I’ll leave to protect you.”

He narrowed his eyes. “From what?”

“Yourself.”

He tore his eyes from her gaze. She could feel his pain without even trying. His energy was dark and menacing. Jealousy blazed inside him like a wildfire, filling him with blinding rage.

He looked up. “I can’t help it,” he whispered, his black eyes tortured.

She sulked. “I wish I could love you the same way you love me, Quinn. It would have been easier for all of us. But I just cannot.”

He squeezed his glistening eyes shut as his fists dipped into the sand. “I know my place, Majesty.”

“Don’t Majesty me.” She sighed. “It is not because of status, Quinn.”

“Then why?” He asked under his teeth. He could no longer hold his tears.

Tears filled The Queen’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.” She took him in her arms. His breaths became sobs. She held his head in her hands and leveled her gaze with his. “Oh, Quinn. I can’t see you like this.”

“I can’t stand the way he looks at you, or speaks to you … and those feelings.” He groaned. “Oh, I want to rip him apart.”

“Maestro, calm down, please. You can’t think like this.”

“This is all I can think about.” He stared at her. “That’s why we have to leave.”

“This needs to stop. Leaving is not the answer to your problem. You need to…” Her voice trailed off.

Maestro sniffled. “What is it? Another trail?”

She frowned. “Berkeley again.”

Blond and Angel appeared before them. The Queen and her companions held hands. “Let’s find out what he is after this time.”

They landed on Blake Street. The Queen and Maestro hid in the shadows between Victorian houses. Blond and Angel did the same on the other side of the street. The early morning hush made the street look deserted. It was not.

I’m sensing two sources of abnormal energy. They must be the trackers, The Queen mind-signaled the group.

I can’t sense them, Maestro said.

Neither can I. They must be blocking each other, Blond said.

It’s a level-five blocking. That’s why I’m the only one who can sense them, The Queen explained. Do you see them anywhere, Blond?

Negative. I’m getting on top of the house behind me for a better visual.

The Queen watched Blond climb onto the roof. He moved like a dancer, every step almost soundless.

Last time, the trackers only used a level-two blocking. Maestro’s voice came in her mind.

Basel must have known it was us who diverted his trail. He’s sent better men this time, she said.

Good thing he doesn’t know Your Majesty can sense up to a level ten now.

Let’s keep it this way. I’d rather not update his information.

Your Majesty thinks this is the purpose of this trail? To get Intel on our powers?

I do not believe it is his sole purpose, but I will not rule anything out.

I see them, Blond said. One is lurking six houses from here, and the other is on the rooftop of the house around the corner.

Nobody moves, The Queen ordered. I want to know who they are stalking. Then we’ll take them for interrogation. She paused. Blond, on my signal, block me.

But Angel is already blocking all of us.

It’s not enough. When I go after them, I’ll be using a good sum of powers.

Maestro jerked his head toward The Queen. You are not going anywhere. He glared at her. I will go.

Not today, Maestro. Emotionally, you are not fit for this mission, she told him.

He leaned toward her, bending his head down to hers. I’ll be damned before I watch you fight while I stand idle.

She moved closer and stared at his smoldering eyes. I said no. She paused and tilted her head.

Maestro narrowed his eyes. What?

I’m sensing someone else. It’s so faint, though. A flicker.

I see a man coming out of one of the houses. He could be the target, Blond said.

Do we know him? The Queen asked.

No, but he looks familiar. Tall, early twenties, black hair, blue eyes. He’s just jumped into a red Mustang. Blond paused. I know where I’ve seen him before. He goes to Berkeley with us.

And the trackers?

A second later Blond’s voice came. The trackers are on the move. They are following the Mustang.

I’m going— Maestro didn’t let her finish and blurred away.

Damn it! She gritted her teeth. Blond block this i***t.

Already did, Majesty.

In a flash, the Queen crossed to Blond’s side. She patted Angel’s shoulder and waved for her to move. They ran together up the wall and onto the roof like cats, and then they flipped and landed next to Blond.

The Queen peered at the two figures in black suits running with preternatural speed after the Mustang. She took a long breath to gather her powers. I’ll put them to sleep before Maestro does something stupid.

Focusing on the trackers’ energies, she dove until she reached a soft spot in each of their minds and then grasped them. You’re mine now, she thought. The trackers froze for a split-second. Sleep. Then they collapsed.

Maestro emerged two blocks away. He spun and stared at The Queen.

She threw her head back. Don’t ever oppose me again, she spoke in his head. Get them.

****

Anthony rubbed his eyes and washed the exhaustion of this sleepless night away with a cold shower. According to his watch, it was 6:52. He put on a gray cashmere sweater and a clean pair of blue jeans, packed his laptop and bolted to the Beetle.

As he placed his backpack on the passenger seat, he saw the last thing he needed to see at this particular time. The red Mustang glided to a halt next to him.

He swore and jammed the key into the ignition.

“Anthony, wait,” Brandon yelled as he jumped out of the Mustang, almost throwing himself in Anthony’s way to make him stop.

Anthony swerved and sped away, disregarding the dying shouts of his nemesis.

When he reached the campus, he parked his car and waited for the snarling bikes to show. He jammed his fists in his pockets as the notorious Mustang appeared in his way—again.

He walked in the opposite direction. However, Brandon intercepted his way with the car and dashed out of it. “Anthony … Hey!” he yelled as he put his hand on Anthony’s shoulder. “You can’t just leave every time you see me.”

Anthony ripped Brandon’s hand off his shoulder.

He clenched his teeth. “At least look at me. I can’t take it anymore.”

Anthony whirled to face him, contemplating punching him in the face. “You can’t take it anymore?” He scoffed.

“Anthony, you have to listen to me.”

“I believe I made it clear that I don’t want to see you ever again. So, no. I don’t have to listen to you.” Anthony turned his back on him.

“You can’t ignore me forever. At some point, you’ll have to deal with me. You can’t just erase me from your life.”

Anthony’s nostrils flared as he turned to face him again. He saw Emma climbing out of the car and walking toward them. “You know what? You’re right. Her…” he pointed at Emma, “…I can erase, and I have. It was so easy … but you … I can’t erase you. You’re right about that, br—” he pressed his lips, “—Brandon.”

Brandon gulped and shut his eyes.

“But I can ignore you for the rest of my life,” Anthony added. “Just watch.”

Emma went to pat Brandon on the shoulders, but he pushed himself away so that she couldn’t reach him.

“What are you mad at me for? You gotta stop blaming me. You gotta stop blaming yourself. He’s moved on already. He’s with someone else now. The princess freak who’s trying to steal my role in the play,” she shrilled, her cheeks reddened.

“Who are you calling a freak?” Anthony shrieked, jabbing his finger in her face.

“Hey, calm down,” Brandon said.

“You tell that to your girl.” Anthony glared at her from head to toe. “Apparently, she’s jealous.” He smirked.

“Me?!” She gasped. “Jealous of that—?!”

“Enough, Emma,” Brandon yelled, his brows hooked.

The peerless roars of the motorcycles thundered behind them. Anthony darted toward The Queen’s ride and waited for her to dismount.

She unbuckled her helmet; her face scrutinized Anthony and the other two spectators.

“Morning,” Anthony said.

“Morning,” she said. “Have you been waiting for me?”

“Yes, I have.” He swallowed as he watched her bodyguards go off to park the bikes. “We need to talk.”

She glanced at Emma and Brandon, who were regarding her with angry eyes.

“Oh, please ignore them,” Anthony demanded.

“Okay,” she said, her eyes still pinned to Brandon.

“We need to talk … alone. It’s important.”

“We should be in class in twenty minutes, and my companions will be back any minute now, so I don’t think I have the time,” she said, detached.

“Then make the time!”

Her neck twisted toward him. “What did you just say?” she hissed.

“I’m sorry, but you really have to listen to what I gotta say. Please … since it’s your last week here, anyway.”

She swept her hair back from her face. “Okay. We cannot talk now, though.” She lifted one brow. “But you can walk me to class, since it’s my last week here.” She winked at him.

He smiled. “Thank you.”

Her three escorts returned and took their usual positions around her, waiting for their orders.

“Majesty,” Maestro said as he prepared himself for her to jump on his shoulders.

“I’ll walk.” She started.

As he strutted beside her, Anthony glanced at Maestro over his shoulder. Maestro’s face was white, and his eyes were engorged. He adjusted himself and followed The Queen along with the other escorts.

“You look like you haven’t slept at all, right?” The Queen asked Anthony on their way.

“Um… kinda… yeah.”

“It must be a pressing matter, what you want to say to me, that it kept you up all night.”

“It is.”

“Well, I hope I can put you out of your misery.”

“I know you can. You just won’t do it.”

She rolled her eyes and exhaled. “Who’s that boy?”

His brows knit. “What boy?”

“Blue eyes, walks with a redhead, stares at me in shock every time he sees me?”

He lowered. “Who doesn’t?”

She chuckled. “He’s very good-looking, you know?”

“What? You too are gushing on him?”

She giggled. “I don’t … gush, Anthony.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was outta line.”

“Never mind. I was just teasing you. Why do you hate him so much?”

“Because he’s a jerk. Brandon just couldn’t bear to see someone happier than him. He had to steal her away from me.”

“The redhead?”

He nodded. “Emma and I were high school sweethearts, Prom King and Queen. We were happy. I know I was.” He let out a heavy sigh. “When I was accepted into Berkeley and she wasn’t, she made her father donate a huge sum to the school to get her in, too. I thought she was doing it for me, so we could be together as we had planned, but … it turned out it was all for him.” He entered the classroom. “Apparently, they were going behind my back for a while before I found out.”

She gazed at him tenderly. “I’m sorry.”

He pursed his lips and took his seat.

“I have a feeling that there’s more to the story you’re not telling me.”

“If you change your mind and stay, I’ll tell you the whole thing.”

She chortled and sat down.

Anthony fought his sleepy eyes and listened to the professor; he was passionately describing an obelisk located in the Karnak temple. Anthony kept himself motivated by reminding himself of what was waiting for him after the lecture. He gathered his thoughts together and organized his speech in his mind.

When the professor dismissed the class, Anthony whirled toward The Queen.

“We’ll meet at four as usual,” she said as she left her seat.

“I know that we’ll meet at four as usual, but this is not what I asked for.” He trailed behind her.

He didn’t get a reply until they had reached the hallway. She stopped and addressed him as privately as she could. “You wanted to talk. We’ll talk at our regular meeting. Isn’t that what you asked for?”

“No, I asked to talk to you alone, and that doesn’t happen at our regular meetings.”

“Is that so?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, may I know what this is all about?”

He focused his eyes on her and summoned his courage. “I know who you are.” He pushed the words out of his mouth. Although he kept his facial expression composed, anxiety was eating him up underneath.

She stared at him, expressionless. “You know who I am. That’s interesting.” She gave him the phantom smile.

“Yes, very interesting actually.” He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Does the name, Se-ra-tis, ring any bells?”