Legacy's Ghost

Episode 47: Here We Go Again [Final Episode of Season 1]

There's a backpack waiting for me when I get to the room. It's the same color as my charcoal-colored robe.

I take off my moccasins, and for a few precious moments, walk around in bare feet, reveling in the sensation of cool grass prickling my skin. Next, I take off my gloves, running my hands along the coarse boulder located in the corner of my room, and then in the grass.

Being confined to the robe is suffocating. I can't feel anything around me, my vision is stunted by the stupid hood, and even scents are muted by the fabric of my face covering. There has got to be a better way.

I stuff the meager belongings I possess into the bag. Toiletry items, a spare robe and under robes, a pocketknife, that I shove into one of the many interior pockets of my compression shirt, the tablet and school supplies, and the glass orb Magga gifted me last night with the blue lighting inside.

Even as I handle the tiny orb, attached to a chain, the electricity is drawn like a magnet to my fingertips.

There's a tap at the door, and it flings open before I can respond. Trina and Oliver storm into my room. Well, Trina's storming. Her brows are furrowed, lips puckered like she just swallowed a lemon, and she's stomping over the grass toward me. Oliver's pretty much just following her, his eyes wide.

I stare at her wide-eyed, feeling practically naked without my shoes or hood on. But it's not like she gave me a chance to cover up.

When she and Oliver reach me, she throws her long red braid over her shoulder and taps a finger into my shoulder. "I just heard. Were you going to leave without telling us?"

"What did you hear?" I say, glancing at Oliver too.

"That the Ghost is taking you out of TAGS and you're not coming back," Trina says, folding her arms over her chest. She juts out her jaw. "Is that true?"

My shoulders sag and I nod.

Oliver shoulders around Trina. "But why? I thought after what you did to the Swarm they'd be tripping over themselves to keep you."

"They do," I say, not meeting their eyes. Without my goggles on, I know they see that my eyes are purple. They see my white skin, and white hair. It's gotta be weirding them out. "All three of the Trinity want me. I chose who I'd go with."

Trina gasps and Oliver's mouth pops open.

"And you chose the Ghost?" Oliver says, looking insulted.

This time I look up, ignoring the way my body wants to shrink away from them and hide. "Well yeah. That's what I am. A Ghost. Why wouldn't I want to learn to be a better Ghost?"

"So you can fight the Swarm," Oliver says, straightening.

"There's more to it than that," I say, rubbing my hand against my neck, and still gripping the glass orb in my other hand.

Trina places a hand on my arm. "What is it then?" she says in a low voice.

I shake my head, my shoulders drooping. "I don't think I'm allowed to tell. Maybe you can ask Edmond. He was there when it all happened?" I look up into her blue eyes, then look away before muttering, "I'll miss you guys. You were my only friends."

Oliver doesn't say anything. He drops his chin in a silent 'you're welcome', then he glances over his shoulder, straightens, and grabs Trina's arm. "The Ghost is here. We'd better go."

Trina pulls me into a hug. "I hope I see you again. Good luck!"

I freeze when she touches me, unable to react. But when she pulls away, I seem to thaw. I shove my hand with the globe in it at her and open my fingers, revealing the necklace. "For you."

Trina's eyes bulge.

"Gamma gave it to me last night, but I don't think I can take it with me wherever I'm going," I say, feeling my face warm. "I want you to have it."

Trina's mouth pops open and she slowly reaches out, taking the chain from my hand and lowering it over her head until the two-inch globe with lightning dancing inside is resting on her chest.

She looks up at me and fingers the necklace. "It's beautiful, Atan. Thank you."

I nod and Oliver grabs her arm again. "We've got to go," he says.

When Trina turns to follow Oliver, she glances over her shoulder at me one last time, smiles, and waves. Then she and Oliver disappear into the hallway.

By the time the Ghost reaches me, I'm already pulling on my mask, hood, and goggles. Then, with a sigh of resignation, I pull my shoes and moccasins on, closing my senses off from the rest of the world again, and insulating myself from everyone.

The Ghost grabs my backpack and looks around. "Is this everything?"

I lift a shoulder. "I think so. Edmond said he was bringing food for our trip."

"I already have it in my pack. You ready?" the Ghost says. He hands me my pack and I heft it over my shoulders.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I say.