Colorless

Chapter 9

I wake up with a splitting headache. I can't believe the things I've gone through in these last couple of days. It's all just too surreal. I sit up and take a look around the room. I am still not used to waking up in these places; places that aren't my room. I keep imagining that I might wake up to my mom making breakfast. Ryan talking about the depth of the color blue. Marcus staring at his wife in amazement. Izzy snapping crayons in half. Her boyfriend of the week making love eyes at her. Hell, I even kind of miss Mr. Lanson.

But here I am, on the run. Trying to break some kind of ancient curse with a guy I hardly know and can't stand. After last night I understand him a little more, but I still don't think he has the right to drag me around and act like I'm the greatest inconvenience of his life.

"Tyler. Get your ass down here, we don't have all day!" And there he is. I get out of bed and throw on some shorts, then head down to meet him. He is sitting on top of the table, about five books spread out in front of him. "Look here. It says something about the trials here in this one. And over here in this one," he says as he picks up another book, "and this one says that-"

"Elijah, I haven't even had breakfast yet. Please." I say, dragging my feet towards the kitchen.

"It's 12 in the afternoon Tyler." He says standing up.

"Well I don't care what time it is. I'm hungry, so I'm going to eat." I pull out a box of cereal and some milk. "Wait, where'd we-"

"I went to the store," Elijah grunts. "Now can you focus please? This is kind of important."

"Okay, fine. What were you saying again?" I say scooping the cereal into my mouth, some milk dripping onto my chin.

"Very lady-like," he mutters under his breath. I roll my eyes and take a seat at the table. "Okay, so this book says that the trials must be completed before the curse can be broken."

"We already knew that, stupid."

"It also says you have to have True Sight."

"We also already knew that," I say finishing up my breakfast.

"Tyler shut up." He sets the book down and reaches for a glass. "Simon mentioned a Petro descendant, right? Well, we need to find him; he is the other key. Whoever took Simon and Cal is obviously trying to get to him and you. They know we will go to them, and that's one First down. It's the other First they are worried about. And now they have Cal and Simon to help them find him."

"That makes sense, but where do we even start?" I say crossing my legs.

"Demos. That was the name Cal left on the note. We need to find Demos."

"Ah yes, so we run down the street screaming out the name?" I say bitterly.

"Yes, that's been the plan all along." He rolls his eyes and stands up. "Now let's go."

"Really? I was kidding about the-"

"Oh shut up." Elijah grabs me by my upper arm and leads me into the next room. "Now," he says releasing me, "Demos. Have you heard that name anywhere?"

"Now where in the world would I have heard that name?" Elijah stays quiet but then his eyes light up.

"The guy that tried to take you."

"What, the giant dude trying to date rape me at the club?"

"Yeah. He did know all about the descendant names. He could know something about this Demos person." Elijah looks out the window and I just shrug.

"I suppose. How would we even find him?" He doesn't answer. I toss one of the books on the table at him and he looks at me angrily.

"Quit."

"Elijah, What is the next move?" Elijah gives me a little shrug and picks up the book. I sigh loudly and he chuckles.

"We should look up his objective for the whole thing. Who he is affiliated with." I'm staring at him, my face unchanging.

"Ugh, what?"

"We need to know how he knew about you. How he knew where you'd be." Elijah looks up at me but I'm still just staring at him. "You are useless." He stands up and walks past me. As fast as I can, I turn to punch him and land on the back of his shoulder. He turns around and stares at me.

I don't waste time drawing my fist back and throwing it one more time, but this time he dodges it easily. I go to kick him but he catches my leg between his hip and his arm. I throw another punch and he drops my leg, catches my fist, and twists my arm behind my back. I can feel his breath on the back of my ear.

"And what do you think you are doing?" He says with a hint of humor.

"I told you not to talk to me like that," I say between my teeth. He laughs and it only fuels my anger more.

"So what? You are trying to beat me up? Nice try. Tyler I'm trained in hand-to-hand combat and you what? Fought off a bully when you were six?"

"Shut up!" I squirm but there isn't a point to it.

"Now I'm going to let you go. Try to keep your paws to yourself." He lets go of my arm, but I use my other to throw back a hard elbow. This time I landed it perfectly on his lower ribs. "Tyler," he hisses in pain.

I whip around and throw another fist. Miss. I kick but he jumps back. I throw a fist but Elijah uses the palm of his hand to deflect. I throw my other fist but he ducks. Anger boils in me. I throw my fists harder and more kicks but I land nothing.

"Tyler stop!" I throw my fist again but he grabs my wrist, turns me around, and grabs my other wrist. I am now locked, back flush against his body and my arms crossed over my torso. "I have got to give it to you though, you've got fire."

"Elijah let go of me," I say angrily.

"Hey Mittens, you hit me remember?" He says, still laughing.

"Mittens? Just let me go." I try to step on his foot, but I miss that too.

"Promise to behave?" I don't respond, but he releases me anyway and I take a step forward. 

"There is no need for you to treat me like this."

"Tyler, I don't care if I hurt your feelings okay? That's not on the top of my priorities list. Cry yourself to sleep for all I care."

"Oh sure, act like you don't care about a damn thing. Like none of this matter to you, typical." I roll my eyes. Oh if looks could kill, I'd be dead right now.

"Do not misunderstand me Tyler. I care very deeply about this, I just don't care about you."

"Bite me," I say, my words laced with contempt. Elijah stares at me and for a moment neither of us speaks or moves. Then the frustration just gets to me. "How is it that you could go from being calm and nice to acting like a complete ass?"

"You caught me in a moment of weakness, but trust me. There is nothing I want more than to get rid of you."

"Well then find the Demos guy so we can find the Petro guy so I can fall in love, and we can finish this thing. Because there is nothing I want more than to get the hell away from you."

Elijah smirks and takes a step back, then turns to exit the room. I watch his figure retreat and I can't help but to think back to this morning. One moment we are alright and the next? This. I can't stand this. After all this is done, everyone will see in color. Then it hits me. After all this, I will have True Sight. I would have found my true love.

Light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on that.