A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 28: A Promise Worth Keeping

I check the clock after waking from another nightmare—9:05. I only slept for a couple of hours. I rub sleep from my eyes and stretch out the exhaustion to find Pixie at my feet, but John's disappeared! I tear the blanket off me and drag myself out of bed; my knees aren't as wobbly, and my body isn't as sore as I walk down the hall. I don't need to use the wall or the Chimæra to support my weight. I'm stronger—tired—but stronger.

There's commotion coming from the Lecture Hall. Grunts, bangs, whirs, and hoots, and I wonder if it's because Nine's still training. I wonder if John is training with him. I try to stay away from the door just in case; I don't want to disturb him.

It's empty in the living room except for Marina and Eight flirting in the kitchen. Eight reaches for her waist and I see her blush before I look away.

As soon as the elevator dings, I step inside and press the button for the rooftop. I catch Marina and Eight glare at me as the doors close, and for a second, I worry that Eight will teleport in here with me. I hope he doesn't. I don't want to talk to him, or them, or anyone; I just want to be left alone.

It's odd. After spending so much time alone in my cell, wishing to be back with the Garde or home with my parents, suddenly being alone feels like the best choice for me. I know all they'll do is hound me about what happened and make sure that I'm okay, when the truth is: I'm not okay, and I can't tell them because they'll never understand what I went through in there. They'll never know what I really faced or what he's really capable of. They think they can handle themselves. They think that, because they have Legacies, they can win; they can kill him, avenge their fallen, and go home; they think it's that's simple. But they don't know the truth, the truth that he's too powerful. Even thinking of the sticky ooze he used on me... and the staff that so easily took away my pain and gave it back... it makes it clearer than it's ever been: We can't win.

I'm hit with a brisk wind and my hair flies back, and only then do I realize I'm no longer in the elevator. I'm outside on the roof of the John Hancock building staring out at the city skyline. It's almost pretty if it weren't for my wayward thoughts—my memories.

Lake Michigan glistens in the night, the blue-grey water almost seeming to wave at me, blessing me with some solitude and solace. Pixie whines at my feet before bounding up onto the ledge. I wrap my arms around her to keep the bunny in my chest so she doesn't fall, then look down.

I'm too high up to hear the sounds; the cars, trucks, and people seen, but unheard of. It's just me out here, me and my girl, and for once, I'm glad for that. But I still can't help but wonder what the future brings. I look up at the sky—at the moon specifically; it's a full one today. It stares down on me, shining big and bold like it's trying to show its magnitude, but all I wonder is why it had to sit back and send me through that. I don't believe in God, but if he is real, then why send anybody into any kind of hell? Is he intentionally fucking with us? I didn't think I'd ever get out of that cave. I thought for sure I'd die in there. What reason is there to make anyone go through all that?! What reason could there possibly be?! And what am I supposed to do now?

"Nice night for stargazing, isn't it?"

"Henri— Shit! You scared me," I jump. "I almost thought—"

He nods like he understands. "My apologies. John told me you were out here... and that you've been having nightmares." I freeze. "Are they about what happened in there?"

I nod. "Every time I shut my eyes."

"I'm sorry," he says again, though for what? I can't really tell. "You'll get through it, Emily; I know you will. I'm truly sorry for what you had to experience in there, and I'm sorry I couldn't find you or get you out sooner, but if it provides any comfort at all, the things you had to go through in there... they'll make you stronger." I don't know what he's talking about. But I don't want to be stronger. "Emily, do you remember what happened when we were in India?"

"What? Me and the cave drawing?"

"I believe there's more to you than just that," he says, nodding.

"But I told you; I'm human. I'm not like the Garde, Henri. I'm not even like you."

"I never said you needed to be. Being human doesn't mean developing Legacies are impossible."

"Wait, you think that's a Legacy? What happened in Eight's cave?"

"In Eight's cave and in West Virginia..." he explains. "It must be. I knew since the moment I saw you, somehow. I knew you'd be a valuable ally, and one that I could trust you. I'm sure even Pixie feels the same." He smiles, gesturing to the bunny balled up on the ledge.

"But—" I hate the way I cringe as I say it, knowing it's what I said to him. "I don't even know what I did..."

"That's ok. We'll figure it out, but there's something I want to ask you first." I eye him suspiciously, wondering what on earth he would want to ask. "You said you promised to protect me back there, which is fine and all, but I was going to ask if you could extend that further." He pauses, checking me, I think. But I say nothing, wondering what he's getting at. "Should anything happen to me, can you promise me that you'll keep John safe?"

"Of course," I say. "I promised myself I'd keep all of them safe. I'm not going to break that promise, you know? No matter what he—Setrákus—does to me..."

"I know," he says, smiling fondly. "Thank you. You did well by the way—answering his questions." He laughs a bit. "Especially in your situation, it was bold of you to lie to his face like that, telling him they're in New York City instead of Chicago, and everything..."

"It was the first city that came to my mind," I admit, raking a hand through my hair. "I didn't know enough about it to make it believable though. He still found out I lied, and it could've costed me your life. I don't know if I could live with myself if that knife... if I didn't..."

"Yes, that too was remarkable," he notes, clapping me on the back carefully. "But it's the effort that counts. I appreciate it. We can help you control that if you'd like; that is, if you're up to it."

My eyes shoot up at him. "Y—You can train me?"

He nods. "Of course. I've done it with John. I'm sure I can do it with you."

I smile, though I'm not too sure if I want to. I look down at my hands, remembering the blue world I saw whenever that... thing happened. "So, that means... You know what this is?"

He nods again. "I have a feeling I do."