Planet X Pandora

The Calling

Have you made up your mind? Artemis snapped.

I have. But most don't agree.

Don't worry about them. They'll come around eventually. Come with me.

But are you sure I have to kill myself? Kyle asked, a hint of mistrust in his voice.

Artemis sighed impatiently.
When you decide to come, you know what to do. We'll be waiting. But hurry, you're almost out of time.

Kyle looked at his friends, growing more agitated.

"Why are you guys wasting time like this?!" Kyle finally said.
Zia turned to him in a fury.

" Wasting time?! Kyle, get out of your messed up head and see what's happening. Instead of following a random voice that wants you to kill yourself, why don't you pay attention to what's happening with us!"

" And what exactly is happening?" Kyle taunted, much to everyone's surprise.

" Kyle, why are you like this? " Kash asked.

" Why?! I'll tell you why, kash. Because I am sick and tired of all these problems and living in this damned forest with no clue what to do next! I'm tired of obeying commands and having my hear-" his voice broke and he had to sit down.

" I'll tell you what, Kyle. Luke doesn't have a patron, dam it! " Zia yelled.

Kyle regained his senses and he straightened up, head hung low. "I know. I'm sorry. Luke I'm sorry man. "

" You should be! " Zia snapped, voice anything but soft.

" Guys, calm. " Ian said finally.

" You really shouldn't start arguing over me. It's fine. I have somewhere I can go. But for now, you guys should go to the Calling. Whatever that is. " Luke said firmly.

He walked over to where the circle was, and stepped on the inside.

" It's a tie. " Kash noted.

" It's not trustworthy. " Ian said, still making the same stand.

" But Kyle is right. We're as good as dead here. If we have a chance, we have to take it.

" We shouldn- Kyle? " Aaron said

He looked around frantically, searching for his friend.

" Guys, where did he go! " he said rapidly.

They searched around the premises, fanning out, when Kash heard a faint voice whisper, "He's here."

She ran to where she heard the voice, and gasped back in shock. The others caught up, and Aaron was the first to speak.

" No. "

Kyle lay motionless at the edge of the lake, his own knife piercing his stomach. Aarons eyes streamed with tears, and Kash's body shook with silent sobbing. Ian put a hand over his mouth, not trusting his mouth to speak. Zia was silent. Luke understood his friends grief, and let them deal with the death silently.

That's when Kash screamed out, "no!" She reached forward and grabbed Aarons hand firmly. Aaron was holding the bloody knife that he pulled out of Kyle's stomach.

Aaron looked at her with a tear stricken face, and whispered, "one for all. And all for one. He's my best friend."
Before anyone could react, he pulled the knife down, and fell to his knees.
Kash's body was shaking violently from reckless coughing, and sobbing. Her heart had a heavy hole filled with grief at the sight of her two friends.