I step to the podium and unfold the words I had prepared to read. I wasn’t sure I was actually going to follow through, but all I had to do was think about my friend Mel and the fact that she just “disappeared” into thin air while the world moved on. The fact that Damon Underwood and Daria North were feeding people to the Vessel is unforgivable. But there’s something worse about leaving everyone to wonder what happened.
I take a deep breath and try to will the butterflies in my stomach to settle down. I look out at the audience, seeing faces with every expression you can imagine. Some friendly, some curious, and some dark and closed. I look at Marco, then Angus. Their smiles and their faith in me rise from them like a beacon, giving me strength. I know I’m doing the right thing. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming. As you all know, this year a dark secret has been uncovered here at Blakeborne University that most of us would prefer never to mention again. But ignoring darkness doesn’t send it away. Only light can do that. Blakeborne University has a storied and rich history since it was founded, but it also has a legacy of darkness that must be reckoned with.” I glance out at the audience again, and there aren’t as many faces with dark and closed expressions as there were when I started speaking.
I take my time, reading the list of hundreds of names of students who were called runaways, or had simply disappeared. It takes the better part of an hour to get through the list, but I don’t waver. Even though my voice falters at times, I am determined to give each name the proper respect. Through it all, no one in the audience moves. No one says a thing. I don’t even think the air is moving. Everyone here, everything around us is still, bound as we are with the weight of all that has been taken from us.
When I finish the last name, I stop, and turn to look at the covered statue behind me, then back out at the audience. “It is in their names, in their honor, that we dedicate this statue today. It is our hope that it will mark not only the new beginning we are forging for all of us and for Blakeborne University, but also to ensure that the past stays in the light.”
I nod at Professor Gilvray and he tugs on the string holding the white drape in place. The silky fabric falls away, revealing the new statue. Ooohs and Ahhhhs waft through the crowd as they take in the sight. After a moment everyone stands and gives their applause.
The statue features a group of male and female students, all of them gathered together with their arms around each other. All of the faces are looking up toward a white crystal that catches the sunlight and reflects it out like a thousand tiny sparkles. It’s like a sparkler, with each glowing spot representing all of the students whose lights were snuffed out before their time.
I step down from the stage. Angus takes my hand and we walk back toward our friends.
A woman’s voice calls from behind me. “Joely?”
I turn and pull Angus with me. “Mom?”
My mother smiles as she approaches. She’s dressed for the memorial. I don’t know why I didn’t think she would be here, and yet I am still surprised.
“Can I have a word with you? It will only take a moment.” She nods nervously and waits for my answer.
Angus kisses my head. “I’ll be right over here.”
“Okay,” I whisper, holding his hand until we slip apart.
My mom clutches her purse in front of her like a shield.
“Joely, I wanted to…”
“Mom, I…”
We laugh as we start and stop. Clearly we’re both nervous.
“I wasn’t myself when you came to the house,” she says. “Your father placed a charm on me and made me say those terrible things to you. I hope you can forgive me.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Now that we know… I just…”
My mom grabs my hands. “Joelle Evangeline Everstar, what I know is that you’re my baby girl and I love you. Nothing can take that away from us. I am so very sorry that this was done to you. It was a wicked and unforgivable thing. I can only hope that no matter what comes, that you know I would never hurt you. I love you, and you’ll always be my daughter, and Kate and Eliza’s sister.”
I look around then. I didn’t expect to see Eliza, because this is not fiery enough for her, but I haven’t seen Kate, either. That surprises me.
“What about Dad?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I kicked him out. He isn’t welcome in our home anymore.” She squeezes my hand. “Your friends are waiting. I won’t keep you. We missed you over the holiday. Please, just promise that you’ll call.” She smiles. “We’re going to figure this out. But we don’t need to do it right this minute.”
I nod and try to smile but I feel like I am going to break into a thousand pieces. “Okay,” I say.
“Kate wanted to be here, but I knew we needed to speak first,” Mom says.
I nod. I can’t speak. This is so unexpected and I hate that my instinct is not to trust it.
“Call me. Call us. It’s going to be all right, honey,” Mom says. Her eyes glitter with unshed tears, but her smile doesn’t waver, and her grip as she gives my hand one more squeeze is strong and firm.
She turns and walks away, her steps measured and sure.
I feel him before I see him. Then he’s behind me, and Angus wraps me in a hug, his warmth wrapping around me as well. “Hey. You all right?”
“Yeah. Let’s go home.” I don’t want to get it into
