Andria Andromeda Rivera and The Chalice of Belief

Replacing Candles

You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.

- C.S. Lewis

***

"But why?" Andria had asked, "Why are you so scared of dark places?"

"I... I was trapped somewhere dark, once. A cave, I think. We were allowed to go outside, but the space was limited, and whenever you tried to look up, your- your head would start spinning-"

"Shh..It's okay. You don't have to talk about it."

"I think I want to.." Eava let loose a sob, "There was a cliff, maybe, located somewhere near-"

***

Andria swallowed. Her throat was dry. Lee came jogging up to her.

"Lee." She said, "I think I might know where Eava is." That was truly one of Eava's worst fears, and while she didn't know why Eava had suddenly gone there, she was quite sure she had.

Lee gave a nod, called to Mathew, and after briefing them on the location, together the three of them teleported away.

...

As they flickered into existence at the clifftop, Andria had to admit she hadn't expected to see this.

Sarah was sitting on the floor, head in her hands, and Chad was pacing across the cliff with something like worry and pleasant surprise. James, who was supposed to be part of this group, was nowhere to be seen.

Her heart clenched tightly.

"Chad." Andria said softly, in case Sarah was doing something that required concentration, "Where's James? Are you guys fine?"

Chad whipped his head around to see them, then, gaze softening, said, "We're fine, Andria. James is...somewhere..." his voice trailed off, and he grimaced, knowing how not reassuring that sounded.

"What do you mean by somewhere?" Mathew prompted in a delicate tone, though slight sarcasm that couldn't be helped was evident.

"He means," Sarah said, looking up slightly cross-eyed, "That he disappeared over the edge of the cliff."

"He what?" Mathew's jaw dropped.

Exactly what I would like to know, Andria thought fervently, He what?

"Okay..." Lee whistled, "It's probably not as weird as you're making it sound, so how about we start over?"

"It's exactly as we told you." Sarah sighed, "James was trying to recall some memories-"

"-and we were keeping watch on him!-" Chad added at their pale looks.

"Yes, and then he just...suddenly.." Sarah rubbed her hand on the back of her hair nervously, "Well, he disappeared over the edge of the cliff."

Andria waited. When it seemed like no one was going to speak, she let her disbelief color her voice, "And you... took to pacing and what were you doing again?"

"Oh. Right." Chad said, with an air of forgetfulness, "He did give a disclaimer earlier: Don't worry if I disappear off the cliff."

Lee hid a smile. Andria wanted to strangle Chad. She wasn't even sure if he was joking, at this point.

A pause. "Are you... serious?" Mathew said.

Chad nodded solemnly. Sarah barked out a laugh.

Right...