Where All My Hope Is

The Fallen Stars

I glanced at Aurora and Asher. Aurora was looking back at me, a sympathetic smile making her face look old. Asher kept his head turned away, with Aurora's hand on his back.

"I'll go after him," I said. Aurora smiled at me thankfully and turned back to Asher.

"Ezra! Ezra!!" I called chasing after him, but I was still dreadfully out of shape and I soon lost him. I wandered around trying to find him with no luck. I finally asked a girl if she knew where Ezra Killian's room was and she led me up a flight of stairs and through several corridors, until we stopped in front of a blue door. I could hear Ezra sobbing inside.

"Thank you, I can take it from here," I told the girl. She smiled, bowed, and then retreated back the way we had come. I entered Ezra's room. He was kneeling on the floor, his head bowed and his eyes closed.

"Hey," I said. He kept his eyes closed.

"Go away. I didn't ask for you to follow me like an older sister." I didn't move.

"I'm sorry about your mom. I really am."

"It's fine," he said, opening his blood-shot eyes and glaring at me.

"You're from Zyanya, aren't you?" I asked. I don't know why I said that. It was probably the worst time possible to ask about that, but it came out anyway.

Ezra looked at me as he quickly rubbed a tear from the end of his nose. "Yes. Aurora and I came over it together. But we became separated."

Obviously changing the subject, he smiled slightly. "Thanks for coming after me. I needed someone to talk to."

"Anytime," I replied.

We stared at each other, basking in a joyful silence. For once he wasn't snipping back at me or making bad jokes. He just smiled softly. No one else made my heart skip like he did, and even now, my throat ran dry of words to say. I assumed that this moment wasn't going to last forever, soon Ezra would go back to being his old self. It made my stomach drop thinking that. I wanted to share this moment with him forever. But life doesn't always give you that option. The door was abruptly flung open by the boy who had crashed into me earlier.

Ezra shot to his feet and quickly exclaimed, "Ethan, what's wrong?"

Ethan breathed heavily for a moment, "You have to run-" Crash! The sudden sound shattered throughout the underground base like a lone glass breaking in a ballroom. Loud screams arose and I felt a cold chill run through my body. Ethan hastily shut the door. "They found us!"

Ezra's mouth hung open in disbelief. "I can't believe the Fallen Stars would dare come here! Not again," was all he muttered.

I was perplexed. Ezra had never explained to me about the Fallen Stars. But there wasn't time. Ezra grabbed a nearby sword that was draped over a chair. I was about to grab him by force to get the answers out, but I didn't have to.

Ezra turned around and commanded, "Fae, I need you to find Asher and Aurora and hide with them. We can't let the Fallen Stars discover that you're here!"

"Why not?"

Ezra shook his head. "Aurora will explain." He gently grabbed my hand. "We don't have much time before they break through the crystal cave. Will you do this for me?"

I felt my cheeks flush but I calmed my insides down enough to stammer, "I will."

Ezra nodded and followed Ethan outside his room. For a second I was dumbstruck. What just happened? I thought. I knew I couldn't stay there though, I had to do what Ezra told me. Another crash, louder than the first, echoed across the cavern. And that was all it took to send me running.

I dashed around the corner and quickly shuffled up the stairs. I had to take time to be careful so as not to trip over the soft folds of my dress. By the time I reached the top of the stairwell, there were more crashes and screams. They sounded far away though, for the moment.

My shoes click-clacked as I bolted across the smooth tiled floors. I brushed past numerous people disturbing their set paths towards the commotion. They were probably confused why I was running away from it. Thank Adonai that I was able to find Aurora and Asher as speedily as I did. They basically ran into me. Quicker than a leaf floating down a raging river, I relayed every piece of information to the siblings. Asher appeared frightened but Aurora gently pulled him closer.

She looked at me strongly, "I know the perfect place for us to hide."

***

Two minutes later we found ourselves crammed in a small closet that was located behind a fake wall. I was surprised to see how prepared they were for such an emergency as this. All I desired were answers to my burning questions but I could see that Aurora was not in a state to answer them. The only thing she said was, "Fae, do you believe in Adonai?"

I smiled slightly back at her. "Yes, I was even preaching about Him before Ezra-" I stopped, my words caught in my throat as I thought about Ezra and where he might be.

Aurora nodded, "Would you mind praying out loud for us then?"

I fumbled with my hands but agreed, "Dear Adonai, we need your strength right now. Even though we are confused I ask that you protect us from the Fallen Stars and that your presence would be with the warriors. Amen." And with that we didn't say anymore.

***

Three hours later, a small but rhythmic knock sounded on the fake wall. Aurora smiled and flung open the door.

"Aaron," Aurora said, squeezing his hand. He smiled at her.

Asher fiddled with his dagger that hung from his belt, "Are they gone?"

Aaron nodded solemnly. "We were able to drive them out before they found you."

I butted in, "Where is Ezra?" Aaron didn't look at me, his eyes stayed transfixed to the floor. Aurora looked at him, fear in her eyes as she let go of his hand. He sighed as I placed my quivering hands on my hips and asked again, almost afraid for the answer. "Where is Ezra?"

Aaron started in a small voice but soon got louder, "He was taken captive by the Fallen Stars."

"No," was all that fell from my startled lips.