That Summer

Chapter 6

I scuff my feet along the mossy path. I still can't quite figure out what happened at the pub. I know I wasn't drunk from one glass of wine. Nothing rational explains what I saw. Maybe it was the jet lag. Lost in my analytical thoughts of the evening, I look up and realize that I'm off the path. I freeze in the silence, straining to hear anything that might point me in the right direction. Murmuring reaches me and I make my way towards the sound. I stop short of a clearing where two people are arguing.

"The prophecy will be fulfilled. There will be a Keeper among us."

"It's gone Louis. Destroyed even! All the Keepers are dead. There is only war ahead of us."

Louis looks off, "Micah, you don't understand. The prophecy cannot be destroyed. You know as well as I do that the Court can only stay ignorant for so long. The Outkast-"

"The Court is not ignorant," Micah grabs Louis by the throat and lifts him above the ground. "I would gladly enjoy taking your life for that blasphemy alone." I gasp and quickly cover my mouth. Both of their heads turn in my direction at the sound, though I am far off. They moved so inhumanly fast which scared me as much as this war they discussed.

"Are we alone?" Micah sneered.

Louis struggled to speak, "I came alone. I swear! The Dark court honors their word."

I huddle down behind a large bush. I slow my breathing until it is almost silent.

Micah throws Louis onto the ground. "Hope you do. We will not be blind-sighted by spies."

Louis dusts himself off as he stands. Staring Micah in the eyes tiredly, he says, "I will deliver your message to the Dark Prince. We do not dare treachery in a time like this. Especially with the Outkast Lord upon us. Please Micah, we are brothers."

Micah scoffed as his plea. "We have never been brothers. The Courts may believe in unity, but that is foolish. As is the prophecy. It is your kind that slaughters. You are just as bad as the Outkasts." Louis crumples to his knees in despair as Micah disappears behind the tree line.

I sit back on my haunches in wait. Shit just got real and I am not about to put myself in peril. What are they even talking about? Courts? Outkast Lord? None of that makes sense. I squeal in fright as this Louis appears in front of me. I watched him run but there was that inhuman speed once again. I didn't have time to think much less move.

"Who are you?" He booms. The power of each word forces me to the ground. He hasn't even touched me and I am pinned to the undergrowth.

"My name is Amaryllis! I'm here on vacation, and I wandered off the trail. Please don't hurt me," I cry.

Instantly, the weight off my chest is lifted. "I-I am sorry miss," Louis looks confused. "Are you alright?"

I glare at him. With his sudden change into kindness, I gain confidence and find myself yelling my frustrations," Are you serious? I just listened to two crazy people talk about courts and war and slaughter. Watched a guy lift you up by your throat, throw you to the ground, and saw you run faster than humanly possible to where I am clearly hidden behind the trees. You somehow forcibly pin me to the ground without touching me and you dare to ask if I am ALRIGHT?!" I shout the last word with as much force as I can. Much to my surprise and pleasure, he stumbles back. I continue my rant with more passion, "I am trying to enjoy my summer here in England and the company of my friends. But, I can't even go out to listen to local singers without having a fucking hallucination! I just want to go home and forget all of this!"

Louis warily eases towards me as I cool down. "Go home and forget," he repeats. "Getting you home, that is something I can do." I nod my permission for him to guide me as he leads me by my elbow.

"Ouch!" I exclaim as I jump away from him. I protectively grab my forearm where I felt a burn. He looks more surprised at my knowledge of him burning me than the fact that he actually burned me. "What the hell?"

"You shouldn't have felt that. What are you?" Louis takes up a defensive pose.

"What do you mean what am I? You burned me!"

"Amaryllis," he says tentatively. "I didn't burn you."

I start to back away. "Yes," I stammer, "Yes, you did."

"Look at your arm. There is a black mark, no?"

I glance down. A black line was snaking around my arm burning hotter as it began to form an intricate design. I scream at the pain and scratch at my arm. The black line continues it's path. My panicked eyes meet Louis's. "What is happening to me!"

"The burn you felt should have cleared your mind and you would not have remembered anything you just saw. Something is not right."

I whimper, partially in shock but mostly in pain. Louis shushes me, closing the gap between us before I can flee. "Amaryllis," he grips my arm tightly, "this is going to hurt. But, you have to trust me."

I nod as tears slip down my cheeks. I have never felt such intense heat in my life. Fearfully, I let him take my hand as he pulls out a red, crystal blade. Locking eyes, he says again, "Trust me." The last words I hear as he plunges the blade into my arm and I faint.