Forces Beyond The Grave

Chapter Fourteen

The field was bigger than Lennox remembered. She and Skye had walked through it first thing, soaking up the early morning sun before Skye had to head off to her classes. The forest was of life during the summer, and thanks to the all the extra time she had after dropping out of college, Lennox had discovered dozens of new areas of the woods that she had never explored before. 

"I hate that you have no classes. Do you know how badly I want to be able to do this?" Skye spun as the two girls walked, Lennox letting out a laugh. 

"It is beautiful." 

"I bet you never get bored." 

"Well, you know, going on these walks with you are always the highlights of my days." 

"I'm flattered. How's Jay doing?" 

"I don't know." 

"Really? He still hasn't called?" 

"Nope. But I'm sure he's doing okay. He said he'd be back soon. It just sucks having to stay all the way out here to wait for him, you know?" 

"Well I hope he comes back sooner rather than later." 

"Me too, I miss him. I can't wait to see him." The girls reached the edge of the forest and Lennox stopped by the trail gate. 

Skye sighed as she turned back to hug her. 

"See you tomorrow." 

"Get back safely." 

"I will." She waved as she walked over to her car and got in. 

Lennox watched until the car was out of sight before beginning her walk back through the woods. It'd been a while since she imagine the college campus and what it was like to attend classes; the reminiscing caused a warm feeling to bloom from the memory, but before long, the image began to flicker. The picture of the campus turned to one filled with smoke, dullness, and the screams of scared students as they ran for safety wherever they could find it. She stopped, wincing from the echoes of screaming as the noise overwhelmed her mind. Within seconds, her serene mindscape was replaced with the visions of Ekaterina's destruction around the town. She closed her eyes, hoping to gain some control over the visions as they ambushed her all at once, reminding her that the calm of the world was nothing more than a mirage to keep her at bay. Her eyes opened after watching Ekaterina consume the souls and spirits of innocent townspeople, and as if by some magic trick, saw the priestess standing in front of her.