Forsaken

time. The only greeting I received this time was the seaweed swaying below and tiny silver fish weaving around it searching for food. As I was about to go back up, I heard a faint song. Or melody. No, that wasn’t right either. More like several melodies all intertwined into one. I glanced around trying to place the sound, when I noticed my turtle flying back towards me. But this time he wasn’t alone. Four more turtles flanked him. All different sizes and colors, they each stopped in front of me, nodded their head, and then began circling around me. The five massive turtles continued their laps, encasing me in somewhat of a whirlpool. I began to spin as the current became stronger, but I didn’t try to fight it. Within the turtle tornado, I knew without a doubt that the melody was coming from them. Each had its own tenor, harmonizing with the other turtles to create a thrumming vibration that resonated throughout my entire body. I closed my eyes and just listened.

Once they were done spinning me around, my sea turtle swam up beside me again and nudged my left hand with his head. Very carefully, I reached out and ran my fingers along his shell. Before I could register the stone-like texture, I was instantly berated with images, as a slide show of epic proportions took my vision hostage. Completely caught off guard, I panicked and kicked to the surface. Heart racing and gasping for air, I headed toward shore. I noticed Phoebe popping up out of the corner of my eye, but I was already on my way to the beach.

I collapsed onto the sand next to Willow and Carmen, trying to catch my breath. Phoebe wasn’t far behind me and she’d already started calling to Carmen and Willow.

“The sea turtles…swimming…so many…unbelievable!” She was breathing so hard, I couldn’t understand anything she was saying. Or maybe that was just the ringing in my ears. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. What had just happened? The images were flashing through my mind so quickly; I couldn’t even register what they were of. I think I remembered pictures of other turtles and random beaches, but I couldn’t be sure. Was I seeing into the sea turtle’s mind? That shouldn’t be possible, right? Someone pulled me to my feet, while I struggled to regain my balance.

“You okay Stasia?” Willow was beaming at me, “I’m so proud of you! You dove right in like nothing even happened yesterday!” I tried to smile convincingly and decided to keep the images to myself until I could sort it all out. Somehow, I found enough strength to walk back upstairs to our suite before falling in a heap of exhaustion onto the couch.

I was outside of the building Kira had taken me to that first day on campus. Feeling compelled to walk inside; I opened the heavy wooden door and quietly made my way down the main hall. I stopped when I heard voices and pressed my back against the wall. A sliver of light was coming from underneath a door near the end of the hall. I inched my way forward and listened.

“…don’t know that for sure though!” someone said.

“But what if she’s really who we think she is?” another voice asked.

“We’ll just have to take care of it,” hissed the first voice, a woman. “We will watch her closely to see if we have reason to worry. In the meantime I want you to talk to Kira. Get as much information about her as you can. Do whatever it takes. We’ve come too far to have this orphan girl ruin everything.”

My heart jumped into my throat. Orphan girl?

Chairs scraped and I crept back down the long hallway. I was completely out in the open with nowhere to hide when the door opened. Frozen against the wall, I held my breath. Two people exited the room, coming down the hallway at a fast pace. One woman had somewhat of a glow about her; the golden hair cascading down her back enhanced the effect. The other woman had long, curly brown hair falling down around her shoulders, bright green eyes and gave off a certain air of status. Even though I was in plain sight, they never so much as looked my way. They continued down the hallway, out the door, and disappeared into the night.

I began to follow them, but the hallway dissolved, halting my progress. I found myself standing on a large platform. Water surrounded me in every direction, but the platform rose high above it. The moon glimpsed in and out of the clouds, but it still provided a good amount of light. I heard something to my left, so I turned and saw two guys circling each other in the center of the platform. Both wore black clothes and easily blended in with the night. I moved slightly closer with soft steps, hoping not to announce my presence.

They continued circling and suddenly lunged forward at the same time. Someone collapsed as one of the punches connected. He was up again in less than a second, picking up the other and slamming him down hard on his back. More punches were thrown and blood splattered around them.

One guy recovered slightly faster than the other and was more fluid in his movements. He had strips of leather wrapped tightly around his forearms, wrists and knuckles, creating a kind of glove. Before his opponent realized what was happening, he picked him up and tossed him onto the platform again. He was on top of him immediately, holding his neck with one hand, as he reached into a sheath on his back with the other. He pulled out a double-blade axe and my veins turned to ice as fear paralyzed me. As if he’d done it hundreds of times, he swung the axe around his head and down toward the other guy’s neck in one swift movement. I screamed and ran forward hoping to prevent what I was about to see. He stopped mid-swing and whipped his head around. He looked directly at me and the pale moonlight was captured in his deep blue eyes, dancing wild with anger. One was beginning to swell and the other had a nasty gash just below it. Recognition hit hard and everything suddenly disappeared.

“Stasia! Wake up, you crazy turtle girl!” Phoebe stood over me with a big, goofy grin on her face. “Good, you’re awake! It’s brownie-thirty, plus, our class schedules came a little while ago!”

She ran off and I closed my eyes, head full of confusion from the dream I just had. Was that real? Or was it a really just a dream? It sure felt real. And what if it was? Who were those two women? What were they talking about? My heart rate spiked again as I remembered the second part of my dream and who was a part of it.

The smell of brownies dragged me out of my own thoughts and I sat down clumsily on one of the stools at the bar. Carmen handed me an envelope.

“Happy new school year” she said sarcastically and dug into a fudge brownie. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Willow was trying to fatten us up. I opened the envelope and took a look at my schedule for this semester.

1st period: Stark Bldg/Room 232 Greek Literature 2nd period: Lassiter Bldg/Room 134 Geometry II 3rd period: Elan Bldg/Room 220 History of the Orders 4th period LUNCH 5th period: Harlow Bldg/Room 312 Marine Biology II 6th period: Elan Bldg/Room 126 Oceanic Experience

“What’s Oceanic Experience?” I asked whoever might be listening.

“Is that on your schedule?” Carmen ripped the paper out of my hand, “That’s an advanced level class! How’d you get that if you just got here?”

“I have no idea,” I insisted, “So, what is it?” Before she could answer, another hand grabbed my schedule.

“You have Greek Lit with me and Carmen!” Phoebe bounced up and down. “Hey Willow, don’t you have History 3rd period?”

“I think so,” Willow looked up from her brownie.

“Thank goodness, because I have no idea how to find these buildings.” I had been secretly hoping my roommates would be in some of my classes for that very reason.

Phoebe put an arm around my shoulder, “Don’t worry, we won’t let you get too lost.”

“Just a little bit lost, right?” I teased her.

“Right. I take no responsibility for rogue hot guys that cause me to veer off course, or the occasional stampede in stairwells. In those cases, you’re on your own.” She gave a salute and went back to her brownie.

“Comforting.” I smiled and shook my head.

Chapter 10