The Witch's Tool (The Witch's Tool #1)

Caught-Up

Zelenia

Darkness, as black as the night. And it was all around me.

I struggled to move, to even twitch a toe or move my head. But I couldn't, I could only blink my eyes and wished for the light to return. It was as if I was bounded to the hard cold ground, and I was to stay here forever. I prayed that wouldn't happen because that would suck. I missed my Mom, oh Mom. Dad's death had devastated her more than anything. I did not want to imagine what this would do to her. I was the only one she had left.

The call. The wait at the hospital. The doctors telling us he had died immediately upon impact. And of course, how very sorry they were. Those words, would forever be etched into my mind. I never believed it, sometimes I still don't. Not even at his funeral, did it sink in. it was a closed casket and private. Yes persons cried, like my mom and everyone in attendance but I never did. Because if I cried then I would finally be accepting it and I never would. I couldn't. Because I still felt like he was still here, and I would always want him to be.

But what if I was already dead? No. No way could death feel like this, so painful and there was still that thing out there. Somehow I knew it was responsible for me being here, I could feel it in my bones. The air was thick and heavy with the scent of blood and-

A sudden burning in my chest caused me to cry out! And for sure my back arched off the ground. It started out as hot and agonizing but just as quickly the pain stopped and it turned to a soothing and cool feeling. I opened my eyes and stared down at my chest, what I saw nearly left me breathless.

There was a glowing iridescent light beaming from my chest, tears streamed down my face and my chest heaved. I couldn't do anything, only watch as it spread outwards to the rest of my body. When it reached my toes I screamed as I felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside-out.

When my eyes fluttered open, the first thing my brain registered was the face of Jace. His eyes were closed and his head was tilted down. His face was set in deep concentration. I looked down on my chest and his hands were there pressed there. Finally I inhaled and he quickly removed his hands and looked wide-eyed at me, while I stared with confusion.

He moved quickly from beside me and went to the door. My heart protested at his absence causing my chest to ache. But before I could dwell on it, the door burst open and my mom rushed in, tears in her eyes and arms as wide as the wings of an eagle.

She hugged me but she did it precariously, as if I might break. I closed my eyes and breathed her in. I almost feared I would never again get the chance and I almost cried. When she released me and stepped away I saw a doctor and a nurse who both looked at me with something akin to amazement.

Sensing another presence, I looked pass them to see Jace. He stared at me and I unashamedly stared back. The time I spent thinking I might be dead made me realize I had been taking time for granted. That was about to change.

"Zelenia." My eyes focused in the doctor, he had short dark hair and an easy smile. "How are you feeling?"

I opened my mouth to speak, to tell him that I was okay but instead of words; tears spilled from my eyes.

My mom grabbed onto my, telling me that it was okay, all the while as tears too streamed rolled down her face. "Zee, it's okay. You're here; it's going to be okay. I promise."

I nodded because I didn't want to give her anything else to worry about.

I wiped my eyes and muttered a sorry. The nurse told that it was okay and smiled; I immediately felt at ease.

"Can you tell us how you're feeling?"

"I'm okay, just tired." The nurse nodded and looked at the doctor, as he looked over my chart.