Aqua Jewel

Chapter 9 - Hope Is Lost

I could barely make out Lae's blurry form a few feet away through my tear-filled eyes.

"We're not going."

Another burst of misery and hopelessness pumped through my body, affecting my chest – namely my heart – the most. This was deeper and more painful than the previous bursts of sadness. If we did not do as Dennek asked, my mother would be gone. Permanently. And Lae had just declared that we would not.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around my chest, as if I were shielding myself from anything that might hurt me more – physically and emotionally.

Nika put her arm around me. "It's not that we don't care," She spoke softly into my ear "It's just ... " Her voice trailed off. I thought she might break into tears as well.

I heard Rennoc's voice somewhere to my left. "Well, I've never even met your mother." Then, perhaps realizing that his statement had sounded harsh, he quickly added, "I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but ..." He trailed off.

But I knew what he'd been about to say. I could tell that he did not wish to sacrifice his necklace to save another human being – even if it was my mother. My sadness was tinged with anger.

I read each of my friends' faces, desperately trying to believe that someone agreed with me. In Nika's expression, I could see stress and a touch of sympathy. Rennoc, too, appeared sympathetic, but I could also detect a hint of shame in his eyes. Haras's face was full of sadness and sympathy as he stared directly at me, but when he realized I was looking at him, this was replaced with confusion and anxiety. His eyes darted around, and landed on Lae, as another emotion was added to the mix – one that I couldn't quite place.

Alyk's expression confused me. The strange aloofness I'd noticed before had returned, and it seemed to be messing with his emotions. It looked like he wanted to feel sympathetic, but something kept pushing the sentiment away – either another emotion or ... something else. Also in his expression I could see fear, desperation and ... need? I really had no idea what was happening inside my friend's head.

I looked over at Lae finally. If she felt any sympathy, she was hiding it well. She was indeed quite skilled at hiding her emotions, as I was just noticing now. The only thing I could make out was maybe slight annoyance, or impatience.

"Please, I don't want to lose ..."

"It's a trap Lexa! Why can't you see that?" I tensed at Lae's sudden outburst. "Who knows if Dennek will even keep his part of the bargain? Think for a moment; this man has been turning children into ghosts for no apparent reason. Do you really think he wants our necklaces to do good?"

The small spark of anger inside of me burned brighter, the flame building with each word. Of course I didn't think Dennek would use our necklaces to do good, but how else could I get my mother back?

"Think of all the terrible things he could do with the power of all the elements in his hands. Just one of these talents alone is probably more powerful than any other. What damage could they cause when used together?"

I could now barely contain the angry flame in my chest.

"The thing is Lexa, some things just aren't worth the risk."

Something snapped. The anger surged through my body like electricity. It wanted out, one way or another.

My cheeks got hot, my hands clenched into fists. My whole body tensed as if I were readying myself for a fistfight.

Then I started screaming uncontrollably, words leaving my mouth before I'd even processed them in my mind, but I honestly didn't care. My mind was too fogged by horrible angry thoughts to be able to think straight.