The Glade and Its Glitch: Book 2 Allies or Enemies

Chapter 30

Skye stood in the doorway of the King's treehouse. She'd finally convinced Kiki to go to bed in her own room. When Skye had taken her down to the lower floor, she noticed that TJ was not in his room. Because of the rain, she decided not to go looking for him, so instead, she kept a lookout for him from the treehouse.

Pulling her coat tighter around her, she squinted as she tried to see through the downpour. It wasn't much of a barrier against the rain, but the coat at least kept Skye warmer than she'd be without it. She hoped to herself that wherever TJ was he brought his jacket with him.

At that moment, TJ stepped through the trees. He used his power to light his path and it flickered as he caught sight of Skye. She didn't see him immediately, which he was thankful for. His power was affected by his mood and feelings, and right now he was a little taken aback.

Her hair was down since she had been sleeping. And she didn't usually have it down. Skye was known for her twin buns, and it was extremely rare to see her without them. If you were one of the few lucky enough to see her without them, she'd most likely have her hair pulled back in a sloppy ponytail. But never down.

TJ didn't know if he liked it or not. She didn't look bad, in fact, TJ thought she looked quite nice. But it didn't look like the Supernova he knew. He smiled and pulled a bit of light away from the ball he held. Shooting it at her to get her attention, he let out a quiet but sharp whistle.

When she heard the whistle and saw the light, she looked down in TJ's direction. Skye dashed back to get to the ladder to meet him. "TJ?!"

He laughed and put out the light in his hand. The moon was high enough to light his path, yet it was still fairly dark out.

Skye dashed out into the pouring rain once she reached the base of the tree. "You're all wet."

"Well it is raining," he laughed as she reached him. "But now you're all wet too."

She shrugged, "It's fine, I don't care." Pushing wet hair out of her face, she looked up at TJ in curiosity. "Why did you leave?"

"Carrie had left. I was following her."

"Where'd she go?"

"I don't know. She just left. I asked her and she said she had something to do. That was all I could get out of her."

"Why would she leave? She has to lead the Glade!"

"I-uh... I'm in charge of the Glade now." TJ stuttered. He was nervous. Nervous because he was now king of the Glade, and talking to Skye always made him a little nervous.

"Oh. So is she not coming back?" Skye continued to look up at TJ. The height difference made it so she had to, but she also wanted to keep eye contact.

"I-I don't know." TJ sniffed and tried to avoid eye contact. "And I'm just so... Agh-" TJ muttered a curse word.

"Hey, language." Skye reminded him. She, Carrie, and TJ made a pact to not curse in general, especially not around Kiki. The 'language' reminder carried on into other conversations.

He let out a breathy laugh, "I'm so helpless."

"TJ, I-"

Just her saying his name was enough for TJ to break down. Skye said it so softly and drew out the syllables to make it longer. It made TJ think of his mother, and that made the whole thing worse. "I-I don't know what to do. I'm supposed to lead the Glade now, but I can't. I don't know what I'm doing and without Carrie helping me I'll be completely lost."

Skye reached out to touch TJ but pulled back when he shuddered and buried his face in his hands.

"And my mom...my mom. I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so lost. And watching my dad makes it worse. He's so sad. And I feel like I have to fix-"

"TJ." Skye grabbed his shoulders. "TJ it's ok to be sad."

"But I'm king of the Glade now. I have to be perfect. I have to make everything right. Do everything right. Make all the right choices. Stop Glitch."

"TJ no. No. No. That's not what that means. The king, or queen, of the Glade doesn't have to be perfect. Was Carrie perfect? Heck, was Protector perfect? No, they made their mistakes. And they both have their own lives. Protector served with the elemental masters while also leading the Glade. Carrie's dealing with her brother and family issues at the same time too. You can do both. But, you don't have to do it alone."

TJ looked down with sad eyes. "But-"

"Carrie doesn't do it alone. She has you and me. And she will come back and lead again, you're not on your own forever."

"But what if she doesn't?" TJ's voice shook as he blinked back tears.

"Ohhh, TJ." Skye had nothing else to say. She was at a loss for words as she watched TJ cry. He and Niko both seemed so strong, but it was all an act. An act put on to show a brave face for Kiki most likely.

Grabbing some of TJ's wet jacket, Skye pulled him closer. She didn't think he even noticed. "Breathe TJ. Breathe."

TJ took shuddering breaths as Skye pulled him in for a hug. She was right. About just about everything. He didn't notice her pulling him closer, it took all of his concentration to just listen to her words. She was right about him and his dad putting on brave faces. Once Niko knew TJ and Kiki were safe in bed he'd lie down and cry himself to sleep. TJ did the same.

A howl sounded from behind TJ. Anxiety and panic shooting through his chest, TJ instinctively pulled Skye closer to him. Skye looked up at him in surprise.

"Who's there?" TJ called, "Carrie?"

A wolf burst out of the trees. But it wasn't Carrie in wolf form, it was Rider.

Skye pushed lightly against TJ's arms. Just enough so that her face was no longer pressed to his chest. "Rider? Oh my gosh, he's bleeding!"

Rider limped forward whining softly.

TJ released Skye and they both walked over to the wolf. "Rider, where's Carrie?" He looked at Skye, "She's in trouble."

"Carrie's strong, TJ. She knows what she's doing. I bet she's got a plan."

"But I can't lead without her!"

"Yes, you can. Carrie chose you to lead for a reason. You're Skylight. Elemental master of light and darkness. Son of Tai and Niko King. And now, king of the Glade. Let's get Rider to Dani, she can heal him."

"But-"

"TJ. I believe in you. Now stop being your self-decrepitating self, and listen to me. Carrie wouldn't have chosen you if she didn't think you could do it. You can do this. I trust you."

"I-" TJ tried to speak.

"I even trust you with my life. Now let's get going, I can't carry Rider on my own."