FORBIDDEN

CHAPTER 9

Cass looked around. It was night. She looked up. The stars were hardly visible. Angry clouds were blocking them from view. The moon had a slight glow. She sighed. She hated when she couldn't see the stars. They were her only friends for years before she met Jared and Esmé. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Jared.
She walked closer to the trees. She got an odd feeling. The air was cool for this time of year. She walked onward. A rustling in the trees got her attention. She moved closer. The rustling continued. It got louder. She waited. Cass realised she had nothing to protect herself with. She looked around. Nothing. She shook her head. This was stupid. Just then someone emerged from the trees. She backed away...and stopped.
"Jared?" She asked.
"Cass? This is good. I made it then."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain later. Have you seen anything yet?"
Cass shook her head.
"I was about to head into the forest. Care to join?"
"Sure. Better together than go alone. Let's go."

They started walking. The trees blocked out even more of the already limited light that they had. They walked along with Cass tripping a few times and Jared righting her every time she did.
"I sure do wish we could see better," said Jared.
"Yeah, these tree roots are quite a pain in the dark," said Cass.
"We'll just have to be more careful," said Jared.
"If only we had some light," said Cass in frustration.
Just then small stones lit up making a pathway. She stared at it.
"Um, Jared?"
"How did you do that?"
"I...I'm not sure. I don't even know if it was me."
"I'm guessing it was. We can worry about how later. Let's follow the trail."
"Okay."

They moved forward keeping a close eye on the stones as they blinked in and out slowly. Cass wondered how the stones knew where they wanted to go. Where were they going? What were they even looking for?  She thought about it as they moved through the trees. It was something important. Something she had to do. Jared looked at her.
"Are you okay?" Asked Jared.
"I can't remember where we're going or why," said Cass.
"We're going to find out what's coming, Cass," said Jared.
"Oh. Wait, what?" Asked Cass.
Cass woke with a start, followed by Jared.

"Are you alright?" Clarissa asked Cass.
"I think so," said Cass," Jared was in my dream. But I was confused."
"You did it, my boy,"said Nick.
"Yeah, but Cass couldn't remember what she was supposed to do," said Jared.
"It happens the first time," said Andrea.
"It will go better next time," said Nick.
"What are all of you talking about?" Asked Cass.
"We needed a Dreamwalker to help you but Jared was the closest we could get seeing how the two of you are connected. So, he went into your dream. When did you get confused?" Asked Andrea.
"Right after he joined me," said Cass.
"Ahhhhh, it happens," said Nick.
"Don't worry sweety," said Jace,"You'll See what you need to know eventually."
"It's frustrating," said Cass.
"We know,"said Jared.
Cassy sighed. Everything felt so wrong. So confusing. So...surreal.
"Maybe you should try resting?" Clarissa suggested.
"It's all I've been doing but okay. I'm going to bed. Jared, you can come whenever you're ready. I'm going to try getting some sleep in. Night," said Cass.
"I'll be up soon," said Jared.
"Okay," said Cass as she left the room.
"We need to help her," said Andrea.
"Yes, but how?" Asked Clarissa.
"I don't know,dear. But we have to try something. The Visions are taking their toll. She's become tired. Confused,"said Andrea.
"And the dream walking didn't help either," said Jared.
Jace sighed. His daughter had gone through so much. He wished he knew how to help her. To make it easier for her. To have her back as the girl that was always smiling, never having to worry.
Just then a scream sounded and a loud thump followed. Jared and Jace were first up the stairs, followed closely by the others. They found Cass in the doorway of her room. Why wasn't she in bed? It looked as if she were on her way there when she fell. A glass lay next to her. Its contents soaked into the carpet.
Jared knelt down. Cass was covered in droplets of sweat. Her hair was soaked. He touched her skin and yelped. He looked at Jace.
"She's burning up," said Jared.
"How? That fast? It's not normal," said Jace.
"Let me have a look," said Andrea pushing them aside.
She Looked at Cassy's aura. It was dim. Too dim.
"She's exhausted. Her energy is fading fast. Clarissa, we need someone with her energy line to transfer some to her. Without it, I fear she will not make it through the night. Even if we do it, her chances are slim. She has taken on too much," said Andrea.
"Do it," said Clarissa in a panic.
Andrea nodded. She Looked at the other's auras. Half of what she needed was in Jace's and the other half in Jared's.
"I need the two of you," she said pointing at them.
Clarissa knelt beside her daughter.
"Wait," said Clarissa as she Felt for her daughter's signal.
"What is it?" Asked Andrea.
"We can't do it now," said Clarissa.
"Why not?"
"She's having a Vision. We can not interrupt. She has to get through this first."
"What do we do now?" Asked Jared.
"Move her to the bed. She has to finish this Vision. Then we can do the Transfer."