Awake - Book One of the Spinner's Curse

Chapter Sixteen: Spells Unbroken

 

Chapter Sixteen:

Spells Unbroken
　

　

          I stepped toward the sound and my whole body hummed. The tune was so sweet and perfect it made tears spring to my eyes. The objects nearest to me began to glow, drawing me closer. I walked, unable to look away, my arm instinctively rising. If only I could touch one... I knew, with every fiber of my being, that if I felt the grainy wood beneath my hand the music would become a part of me; it would meld with my soul and I would be happy forever.

          "Rory," the sound of Jack's voice needled its way through the music, stabbing at the happiness, “Rory, please snap out of it!” I shook my head: its okay, Jack, if I touch one, everything will be okay. I moved closer to the wheels, my heart thudding faster and faster with each step. I reached out a finger, eager to feel the tip of wood sticking out from a side of the bobbin.

          Jack's body smacked into mine and I tipped, my hand still trying to reach the pointed end. "Rory," Jack was screaming into my ear. I continued to ignore him while the music played louder around me. I shoved Jack off me, finding a strength I didn't know existed. He rolled off me, grabbing at my ankles, "Rory, no!"

          I jerked my legs, trying to shake him off. So close... Spark's body soared through the air and toppled into me. My head hit the ground with a terrible smack and for a moment the music released me—the throbbing in my head made me lucid.

          Spinning wheels

.Even as my brain named the wretched things, the music began again and I was powerless to resist. I struggled against Spark, throwing him off only to find his body replaced by Jack's again. I growled at them; they didn't understand the need. I must touch it!My whole body screamed with the need, until I realized I was the one screaming.

          Spark wrestled with my shoulders while Jack handled my legs, gaining until he was perched on my chest. A small, tiny, part of me wanted them to succeed because I knew what would happen if they didn't. Tears spilled from my eyes and I could feel myself going insane with the insistent pounding of the music. Spark's strong hands grabbed my jaw, forcing it open. Jack poured the contents of his flask down my throat. I spit and gagged, the cursed part of me resisting. There was nothing but the need now.

         I clawed at Spark and his grip loosened, giving me the opportunity to buck Jack from my chest. I rose and stumbled back toward the piles of spinning wheels, dread filling me even as my heart fluttered with bliss. The glow had grown brighter; it hurt my eyes and filled my vision until I could see nothing but white. The music twisted and turned in my head. My hands reached blindly in the light, searching for the feel of my destiny. I searched and searched, but my fingers came up empty.

*        When I opened my eyes it was still light out, but it was no longer the white blinding light from before. Sunlight. We'd made it through the caves. My body swayed beneath me and I realized I was strapped to the horse. I turned my head and came face to face with Ben. His eyes widened and he began to struggle against his bonds; he moaned through his gag.

          "Again, Ben, really, you must have the world's smallest bladder..." Ben frowned at Spark's words and all I wanted to do was touch the lines on his forehead, to prove he was real. Spark walked over and blocked the light as he looked down at us. The horse stopped although the swaying motion stayed with me. "Rory, you’re alive," Spark immediately untied me, ignoring Ben's angry grunts.