The Destined Queen

Chapter 18

Such Greenery is splendid. Soft grass. Soft like blanket. The sky above was clear and blue. Trees after Trees. Flowers after flowers. Strange. There were lilies, roses, hydrangea, tulips, marigolds. It's like every flower in the world, bloomed in this land. " Where am I? " My voice seemed strange, too. Sun was burning so bright above that I couldn't even squint at it. Then, a person appeared out of the light. A crooked stick in hand, but he seemed young. He smiled at me and walked towards me. " Hello, child. " He said. " Are you talking to me? " I looked around. The land was empty. No other human beings were present." Yes. Do you see anyone else? " He asked, smiling. Doesn't his face hurt? How can he smile so much? " Is this heaven? " The man chuckled and shook his head. " No. It's a dream. " " A dream? Then how come it feels so real? " " Well, it is a dream but real. I can't make you understand. " The man chuckled lightly. He was wearing white robe and his face was so illuminated that it seemed like it poured light. " Who are you? " I frowned up at the man. " I am your spirit guide. " The man answered. I laughed. I laughed, placing my hands on my stomach. Man, it is a funny dream. I laughed and laughed until the man raised his hand and I halted. " I have come to tell you to stay with the damned soul. Your friend. You two have to fight battles that are ahead of you. " " Have you gone mad? What battles? Earth is safe and sound. It isn't some action movie. Wake up, Winter. You are having weird dreams." I pinched myself again and again. But I didn't wake up. What in the name of everything holy? " Until you listen to me, you won't wake up, Winter. " The man said. " Stop your nonsense, Old man. " I said, although the man was not old at all. " Fine. Don't believe me. Then, believe your eyes. " He said and waved his hand in front of my eyes. And the beautiful nature was gone. Destruction laid in front of me. The whole city burnt down, infact the whole planet burnt down. Humans screaming with agony. Clawing at their chests. Damned souls were slashing them, lashing them and crushing them. They are tearing humans apart. I screamed. I screamed at the top of my lungs. " Let me out. Let me out. " I shouted and scratched on the ground. " Please let me out. " I cried. And then someone pulled me back from that horrifying scene. I gasped for air and gulped down gallons of air. " That is what will be left of earth if you do not do or believe anything I say. " " Why did you do that? That was horrible." I cried, my hands flopped beside me. " You needed to see those things. Now, do you believe me? " He asked. I nodded, rubbing face. " Come on. Get up. " He offered his hand. I didn't take it, I shoved it and stood by my own. " Some spirit guide. Throwing me into dead places. " I grumbled. The man only chuckled. " How can you laugh and smile like that, knowing that we will die like that? How could you? " I asked, scowling. Seriously, now I can not sleep one bit. It is stamped on my mind. " Because I know that it will be saved. " He smiled. Again. This dude is crazy. " Hey man, I would really appreciate you telling me how am I going to save our planet from destroying. Just how? " " Stay with your damned soul friends. That's all you need to know, for now. " " But.... " Before I can utter another word, I was jerked back to darkness. Then there was nothing.

I woke up the next day and Emerson was sitting at the edge of my bed. I didn't back away this time. " Good morning, sleepyhead. " He said, half turning towards me. " Good morning. " " I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. But you were screaming at night. You stopped screaming after a while. But I couldn't do anything. And I also couldn't leave you. So, I decided to stay. " Emerson said, biting his lips now, and then. " Thank you. " I murmured. Emerson nodded his head. " Umm. I am sorry about the way I behaved previous night. " I apologized. " It's okay. I have asked Jacob about the matter. But he didn't tell me anything. I think he is hiding things from me. " Emerson said. " Really? But I thought he was your best friend. " " He is. And he always will be. But I think he is hiding things to protect me. I think there's something going on between our realm and earth. " " Can I tell you something ? Promise you won't laugh? " I said. " I promise. I am a damned soul. Why would I laugh? I am totally weird and unbelievable specie, myself. " Emerson shrugged, and gave me his handsome grin. " I met with my spirit guide. " " What? " He snapped and jumped away from the bed. " Yes. Why? What's the matter? " " You met your spirit guide? But You are so young. Human beings don't see spirit guides. How can you? Tell me what are you hiding." Emerson sat back on the bed. " Nothing. He came in my dream, and told me he was my spirit guide. And he showed me the destruction of earth. And also told me to stay with you. But he also did say your damned soul friends. I don't know. It's all so confusing. " I shook my head, and then brushed my hair back." Destruction? That means something is really going on. And Jacob is hiding things from me. " Emerson said, frowning. " Can you find out what is happening? " I asked. " I won't ask him. I am going to ask someone else I know. Now, what do you want for breakfast? " " I am going to cook. " I said. " I am not going to poison you. " Emerson's body shook with chuckles. " I know. I just need to grow up and cook by myself. " Emerson nodded, sighing. " I will see you later, then. " He said and disappeared.

I showered and cleaned up as fast as I could. When I was dried up, I checked my phone. " 7 missed calls from Ashten? And 2 missed calls from Rose. That too at night? I should call Ashten first. Maybe it is important." I called him back, he picked up after third ring. " Winter, I want you to come early today in office. " " Why? " " Just because. " I sensed him shrugging. " Okay. " I hung up, and called Rose. But she didn't pick up. Maybe it wasn't that important, and she is busy now. Shrugging, I went downstairs.

I hastily ate fruit bars and ran to my car. And drove my car to the company.

I ran to Ashten's office and knocked on the door. After I heard a faint "come in", I walked in. He was lounging on his chair and he sat upright when I entered. " You are early. " " You ordered me to come early. " I huffed and puffed but sat down on the chair. " Yes. I just wanted you safe and sound here. " Ashten had glasses on his face and he was figuring out some papers. " I didn't eat breakfast, just some fruit bars, and ran to the office because you wanted me to safe and early to the office? " I raised both of my brows. "Yes." I groaned and stood up. " Let's go for breakfast. " Ashten said to me and stood from his chair. I glared at him. " Please? " He said, puckering his lips, and blinking rapidly. Sighing, I nodded.

* Gustin*

" The soul told me to run from here. " I informed Ashten. " Why? " " Because his KINGMAS wants to play with us. No more hiding. " Something shifted in Ashten's face. " What is a KINGMAS? " He asked. I shrugged. " No idea." " Can you ask some other soul what this is all about? " Ashten asked me. " It's hard now to find some soul and ask them. " Ashten just sat on his place and didn't move like he was thinking about something. " Winter can. She is friends with a soul. I am going to ask her to let me meet with him. Then, I am going to ask that soul about all these things. " " There is a chance he doesn't know. " " We should try at least. " " Let me do it. " Ashten shook his head. " No. I am going to do this on my own. "He said and then dismissed me.

I went outside for some fresh air. Ashten is worrying too much about nothing. Why believe those souls? He could have lied to me. Why ask anyone else about this? Nothing is going to happen. I sighed and walked down the street. I need pizza. Badly. I ordered pizza and coke and I sat in the park nearby, to devour my delicious pizza. The Kids were playing, couples were walking, and some old men and women were walking. This part of the city, has more greenery. I love to come here every night. Feels like home. I should bring Winter here, too. She would love here. And Rose. God, I miss her. Her red hair, her pink, soft lips. I want my hands tangled in her red hair, and her lips on my.... " Hey, give me the ball. " A boy shouted. I looked at the boy. " It's night. And you are playing? " I threw the ball at him, and he catched it swiftly. " We have school in the morning. " The boy said. I nodded. And turned to my pizza, and coke. " My mommy says you should eat healthy food else your stomach is going to rot. " The little boy said. " You should eat healthy food because you are a kid. I can eat anything I want. " I said and turned to my pizza. Then a little hand appeared in front of me. " Hi, I am Rus. " The boy said, grinning. I stared at the kid. Did I hear him right? His name is Rus? " Don't you know how to shake hands? " He asked, still offering his hand to shake. " Hello, I am Gustin. " I said, shaking his hand. " It was a pleasure to meet you. " He smiled and broke the handshake. And then ran away to his friends. I sighed, and resumed eating my pizza and coke. I may have heard him wrong.

* Rose*

Isaac called me today in the morning and invited me to a lunch date. I asked my mother and Father if I can go. They said yes. So, I said yes to Isaac. He took his car and came at my home to pick me up. " Please take care of her. " My mother said. " Yes, Ma'am. I will. " Isaac smiled. I entered his car after hugging my grumpy father. I knew he gave me permission to go because of my mother. Else he wouldn't allow me. But I am happy that my mother allowed me. She really likes Isaac. And I like him very much. He is polite, kind, cute, and smart. He pulled the car out of the driveway and started the journey. Miley Cyrus's " Wrecking ball" started and I started singing. Isaac watched me amusedly. But didn't tease me about it. And then my other favourite songs came on and I sang the whole way to Reinshart. Isaac gave me his charming smile the whole way, when trees turned to buildings, and grass turned to concrete. Then we stopped in front of a restaurant. It was quite elegant. I think Winter's company is near this area. And there are many restaurants in this area. But all of them are very different. Oh, I love food. Especially dessert. Isaac ordered his food. It is an Italian restaurant. I love Italian. But I love American food more. " Don't you like Italian? I am sorry, I should have asked you. " " No. I love Italian. " " Food is great here. I promise you. Order and you will not regret. " He said, smiling. I nodded and looked toward the menu. Such delicious food. But I am craving spaghetti and cumin spiced meatballs. So, I ordered it. Isaac ordered Skillet Chicken Piccata. Then we waited. " What dessert do you want? " Isaac asked. And then he entered. I saw him when I glanced at the door. But I ignored him. What is he doing here? He is going to make me a stuttering mess in front of Isaac. I don't want to see him. I groaned internally. I groaned more when he walked right to our table and greeted me. Thank Lord, I pretended well. And he didn't stay here for long. When he walked away, Isaac said, " Damn, why are you dating me? He is handsome. " No, he is not. He is scary. And you are special. Don't compare yourself to others. " I said. And did he blush? Oh my. I have to tell Winter. Red creeped into his face and he lowered his head. Seeing him, I giggled. " You are laughing at me? " His face turned fully red like a tomato. " I am sorry. It's just that, I blush a lot around guys. This is a first time when I made a guy blush." I said, giggling. Isaac grinned and nodded. " Well, I like you a lot. " He said. Now, it was my turn to blush. " What dessert do you want?" He asked. Right. It was the second time he asked me. "Sweet Corn Panna Cota with fresh blueberry compote. " I said looking at the menu. " Great. I will have Cherries Poached in Red wine with Mascarpone Cream. It's delicious. " He said, smiling. " I can't live without dessert after food. " I confessed. " Me too. I love dessert. " I smiled. I so have to tell Winter about our date. He is perfect for me. Maybe... Maybe he is the one.