Hope

Chapter Twelve

(Double update :))

Harry walks in slowly, his eyes scanning the small room before landing on me.

My heart skips a beat in what I thought was affection but I discover that it is fear.

I suppress a scream as I press my back harder on the cold wall, hoping it would swallow me up.

“Kathryn...” he says.

I whimper.

“Let me explain,” he pleads. He looks tired, his eyes drained of emotion. He looks like he'd break any moment.

I want to run up to him, touch his skin and restore the warmth in those jade eyes that were once my refuge, my safe haven.

The image is quickly replaced by one where he welcomes me into his arms but later wraps his cold hands around my neck, tighter, tighter...

I find myself doubled over and gasping for air.

“Kathryn? Kathryn?” I hear him call, fear and worry in his voice.

He's faking it. He must be. Why would he be worried about me? If he is, why isn't he saving me?

I straighten up and notice that he has taken a step towards me, his arms outstretched as if to help me.

I sink to the floor, wishing that the wall would swallow me up already.

“Kathryn, let me explain. Please.” He lowers his arms.

Do I have a choice?

He seems to notice that I won't talk and carries on. “I never wanted to do this, I would never purposely hurt you-”

But you did.

He stops talking and there's a vague emotion behind his eyes. Pain.

I realize that I said that out loud.

“I know. I know. I know you won't forgive me, but I still ask for your forgiveness. It wasn't my intention, wasn't my plan. It was-” He takes a deep breath.

“Who?” I croak, pressing my knees to my chest.

“My father,” he says.

“But you said-”

“I was requested to lie. He's alive, and he's the one who wanted you-”

“For what?” I interrupt. I can't wrap my head around this, I already have a headache trying. Or that could be because I haven't eaten in approximately four days.

“He can explain better than I can. Would you please follow me?” He reaches out his hand and I sink lower to the floor.

“Please. I promise I won't hurt you and I won't let them hurt you,” he whispers.

I slowly stand up and he leads me down the corridor he appeared from.

“Jeff?” I whisper.

He understands immediately because he says, “He's fine. Well, physically at least.”

What have I got to lose? As long as Jeff's safety is guaranteed, I have nothing to lose. We climb up a flight of stairs that have me wheezing before we reach the top.

We then walk into a high ceiling room with a wooden floor that creaks as we walk on it. On either side of the room are violet curtains in front of what appear to be paintings. In the middle of the massive room stands a long and dark desk and behind it is a man with dark hair. As we walk closer to him I notice that he has green emotionless eyes. He stands up.

“My son, I see that you have brought her,” he says to Harry. He locks eyes with his son before bringing them to me. He smiles but it looks more like a grimace. “Kathryn.”

I shudder.

“Please, take a seat.” He nods towards a chair in front of his desk and I hesitantly sit down.

“You can leave now, son,” he says, sitting down before me.

“I'll stay,” Harry says.

“No, you have done enough,” he says authoritatively.

“I don't intend to do more, father.”

Harry's father shakes his head. “Do not defy me, Harold.”

“I am not defying you, father,” Harry says, his voice icy yet calm.

Harry's father takes a deep breath. “Very well, then.” He turns his attention to me. “Kathryn, I am Victor Acutus, Harry and Gemma's father. I believe you and my daughter have met.”

I nod.

“And you are a Pacceaus child, the strongest and most powerful of the Pacceaus clan.”

I raise my eyebrows. I must've heard wrong.

“Now, I know this will come as a surprise to you. Your parents took you away, the day you were born, hiding you from the dangers of our world,” he says, his voice held a hint of excitement.

He must be crazy, there is no other logical explanation. He continues when I don't say anything, “Element Controllers, the ones who have the power of nature in the palm of their hands. That is what we are. That is what you are, Kathryn. That is what your parents were. We are only born with the power to control one Element and an extra ability or gift, although that is rare. I can control the Earth, the strongest and most passive of the four. My son can control Fire and he was lucky enough to be gifted. He can manipulate or influence a person's feelings and thoughts. My daughter, too, is gifted. However, she controls Wind. But you, Kathryn, are more than gifted. You can control every element! That is Earth, Fire, Wind and Water. You are indeed powerful, but you are oblivious to that fact,” he sighs, concluding his absurd tale.

I blink at him, fighting the urge to laugh. “So what you're saying is that I'm part of some mythical... clan?” I ask incredulously.

“If it was mythical than it wouldn't be real,” he says calmly.

“So what am I doing here?”

“Did you not hear what I said? You are extremely powerful, Kathryn.” He sounds crazy now, insane and I am starting to slowly lose my focus...

Someone yells my name in panic.

“Oh dear! I forgot she has not eaten in days...!” Victor's voice drifts to a whisper, to a vague sound. I feel my cheek press against the cool floor.

Someone removes me from the floor and carries me in their arms.

“Hang on...” Harry whispers in my ear.

I tried, but failed.