Paradise

Chapter Eleven

I awakened, somewhat disorientated, with my mother hovering over me, her hand on my forehead. She muttered something under her breath, but I couldn't understand what she'd said. My face and body felt excruciatingly hot ... yet at the same time, freezing. I wanted to be buried beneath my quilt, but I also wanted to escape it.

There was no winning here.

I closed my eyes again, because the world felt too chaotic and bright. I didn't think about missing school, or my bullies, or Ms. Albert and Yvette, or even the portal. Sleep was the only thing on my mind now, and it would serve as my protector. Sleep wouldn't hurt me or misjudge me. It would only cater to my needs. And now my needs were to get well, because I seriously felt sick. My stomach was in a tangle of burning knots, like I'd swallowed a hot coal.

Then I felt myself distancing from the world, from the shuffle of my mother's footsteps, from her cool touch, and from the light of my room.

Everything sank into a comfortable darkness: a place reserved solely for me. Yes. A place where I'd forever be safe, where nobody could ever find me.

Somewhere where I was finally free.

* * *

I blinked in sunlight; it streamed in through my curtains. My room was cheerfully bright ... and the house was so quiet. This wasn't something I was used to, but I definitely liked it!

The clock read 12 pm.

That was the time I usually got up on the weekends.... Well, unless my father was home. In that case, he'd yell at me and bang on my door until I came out of my room. This was usually around 9-10 am, which was much too early for me ... especially on the weekends. Those were supposed to be my "sleep-in" days, but I only got to take advantage of that when he was at work.

I sat upright, expecting to feel lightheaded or a flood of sickly sensations that would send me sprinting to the bathroom again, but, thankfully, that didn't happen. Actually, I felt fine. Relaxed. Well-rested. Nearly energized.

"And hungry!" I concluded, getting out of bed, and going into the kitchen.

I rummaged through the cabinets and fridge, finally deciding on a turkey sandwich with mustard, cheese and vegetables. I had it with a tall glass of diet coke and a handful of chips. It hit the spot.

After that, I switched on the TV, and watched some reality show. I liked to call these kinds of shows junk-food television, because I could almost feel my brain cells dying off each time I watched them. It was all good. Sometimes I needed that escapism of mindless entertainment.

Not today, though.

I lost interest midway through the show, and began to channel-surf until I found something better to watch. Then I did it again ... until I eventually decided to turn the TV, and go back into my room to play a video game.

Nearly 20 minutes later, I was in the zone: my character equipped from head to toe in armor and weapons. I tore through hordes of zombies, explored old buildings, and even ventured into some very creepy woods. Just as I sprinted up an abandoned railroad track, I heard a noise behind me ... in my room, that made me jump, and nearly caused me to drop my controller.

I stamped the 'start' button to pause the game, and whirled around. My heartbeat was racing like mad!

There, on my floor, lay the crystal necklace ... just inches from Ms. Albert's opened satchel. My mouth suddenly felt very dry as I stared at it. My heartbeat was a painful thudding in my throat. I tried swallowing, but there wasn't enough moisture in my mouth, so I chose to take a deep breath instead.

I needed to organize my thoughts, because, clearly, I remembered stashing her satchel underneath the chair in the corner of my room ... but somehow it had just been moved (and opened!) to the center of my floor. How was that even possible? Was I going crazy, or something?

Not to mention the crystal was pulled out of the satchel. My mind pointed out. You know that doesn't just happen by itself.

Nope. Most definitely not.

Just as I was staring at it, trying desperately to analyze the situation, a sheet of paper pulled itself free from the satchel and flew through the air, landing on the bed, right in front of my feet. I leaped back, letting loose a high-pitched yelp that made the crystal flash with color.

Breathing hard, I took the sheet of paper, and looked it over.... It was the same piece of sheet-music I'd used to open the portal.

Somehow this thing had its own intentions, or else Ms. Albert could communicate through the crystal to me. Either way, it didn't set well with me.

I threw the paper at the crystal, and shouted, "No!"

I felt very indignant about the whole thing. This was my day off, and I wanted to relax and enjoy being in the house by myself. Not traveling through that stupid portal again!

Anger raced through me, piping hot.

The last thing I needed was to be confronted by cold, mean Ms. Albert. She wasn't going to stay in there forever. I wasn't that horrible of a person.

Still, it didn't mean I wanted to waste my last day home bailing her out of the other dimension. I had better things to do ... like killing zombies, and rescuing the captain's daughter.

I rolled my eyes, unpaused the game, and busied myself on the next level. I was about half an hour into the game when the same sheet of paper landed on the bed again. I didn't jump this time, but I did feel annoyed. Almost to the point of tearing the blasted thing in half, but I stifled myself. That wouldn't have been the smartest move, after all.

I moistened my lips as I looked from the page of sheet music to the crystal, and then back again. I had to wonder ... what was it about my voice that attracted this thing?

Why had my voice changed so drastically?

And had I really shattered all those light-bulbs in auditions?

There were so many questions going through my mind. I just wish Yvette or Ms. Albert had answered some of them.

Maybe Ms. Albert would ... if I went back?

My heart-rate quickened at the thought of going there by myself. Of going back at all. With this new fear going through me now, I had to wonder if I had ever planned on going back at all. Surely, I wasn't just going to leave her there forever, right? Was I really capable of that?

I sighed.

When had I become a stranger to myself?

Who was I ... really?

If I went back ... maybe I would find out?

Out of curiosity, I let out a rounded note that sounded strangely operatic. At the sound of my voice, the crystal glowed brightly, the brightness increasing as my voice rose to a crescendo.

It really did feel good singing this way. There was no strain of any sort. It just flowed freely out of me, my vibrato pulsing in the most thrilling way. Somehow it felt relaxing. I just wanted to close my eyes and sink into the notes.... Just let them rush through me until the breath faded from my lungs.

It was at that moment when I truly realized how much I loved singing. Sure, I had always felt fondly for it, but this was different; it was deeper, more meaningful. This was who I was: a singer ... someone with a unique talent.

Yes.

It was a talent not everyone had, so I guess that kind of made me special.

The note ended, and I couldn't stop smiling. Indescribable joy radiated around me. It was close to the feeling I'd gotten when Robert noticed me ... right after my audition, but it was stronger. I think it was pride, but I couldn't be too sure, because it was a feeling that was alien to me.

Whatever it was, though. It felt amazing, and I never wanted it to end.

I leaned over the edge of my bed to turn off my TV and game console, the paper still dangling in my free hand. I had no time for this now.

Nope.

I was about to go on an adventure.