The Loved and Lost

Chapter 15 - He Lives

“…Calia, no!” A way too familiar male voice screamed. I jerked open my eyes just as someone swooped under me and caught me bridal-style, and my arms locked around his neck, and I felt myself rising higher and higher. I recognized the voice, but it couldn’t be true. I haven't heard the voice since… since…

I looked up at the figure and gasped. He was my age with longish blonde hair, blueish grey eyes, tall, and very masculine. Cylak.

We reached the top of the cliff and he flew me inward, far away from the edge. He placed me on the ground gently.

“Calia…” Cylak trailed, wrapping his arms around me.

“Cylak!” I screamed joyfully, wrapping my arms around his neck, almost smashing my lips into his. Cylak’s alive. I didn’t know how, but he was. I thought I was now in Heaven, dead from the worlds I once lived in. I didn’t feel dead, but I didn’t know the feeling. “Am I dead?” I asked him, breaking my lips from his.

“No, Calia. You’re not dead.” Cylak assured me.  “And neither am I.”

We kept our arms wrapped around each other for hours, eventually lying back, with me resting my head on his chest, and Cylak stroking my head soothingly.

“Why didn’t you come find me sooner?” I asked out of the blue.

“Why did you try to kill yourself?” Cylak asked, changing the subject.

“Because both worlds are screwing me over at the moment.” I replied, tears falling from my eyes. "But you're somehow alive, and that's all I need."

“Calia…” Cylak whispered worriedly. “Why?”

“Long story.” I replied. “Now tell me how you’re alive.”

“I told you…” Cylak said, placing his lips on mine softly. “You’re uncle couldn’t hurt anyone.”

I thought back to six months ago. He was right. Uncle Talamaki couldn’t hurt anyone. Well, family, at least. But he bled out in my arms. I watched him die. Something wasn’t right.

“Calia, I am Cylak. I’m alive. Stop doubting it.” Cylak soothed. “You believe me, right?”

“Of course…” I trailed unsure.

“Now, please.” Cylak pleaded, intertwining my hand in his. “Tell me everything.”

I spilled everything. From the fire at school, to Drake cheating on me. Cylak listened intently the entire time, and I didn't know what he knew, so I just said everything.

“He did that to you?” Cylak asked worriedly. “That bastard.”

“I know.” I replied, now breaking into more tears.

“He was so good to you, though.” Cylak replied, confused.

“I was stuck in Tanyela for over a month. I guess over a month he assumes I’m gone.” I replied sadly. “I don’t belong anywhere, Cylak. I really don’t.”

“Yes, you do.” Cylak replied. “We just have to make a stop first before going there.” Cylak wrapped his arms around my back and legs and lifted me up, and started flying. I wrapped my arms around his neck. We flew into a housing track.

“Cylak, someone will see you!” I whispered loudly.

“Relax, Calia.” Cylak soothed me. “It’s Halloween.”

I took a moment and thought about it. Everyone was going to be in costume, anyway. Nobody was gonna care unless he was flying or using Magic. Cylak flew to the ground away from all the trick-or-treaters, and landed. I knew where we were headed. Drake's house.

Cylak grabbed my hand and we approached Drake’s door. Drake answered, thinking it’ll be trick-or-treaters. His smile soon disappeared.

“Calia…” Drake trailed. “You’re alive!”

“I know. Shocking.” I said furiously. Cylak rubbed his hand on my arm, soothing me.

“Do you like treating her like you did?” Cylak asked. “Treating her terribly?”

“I didn’t.” Drake said. “I love her.”

“You used her.” Cylak hissed. “She almost killed herself because of it.”

“You don’t think I know that!?” Drake screamed furiously. “And what do you know?”

Cylak realized he didn’t recognize him. “I’m the one who actually treats her well.”

Drake’s mouth dropped. “Colton.”

“Cylak frowned angrily. “Drake.”

I realized where this would be going. Another fight, just like the one that happened six months ago.

 “Calia, what are you doing with the stupidly dressed pixie?” Drake asked laughingly.

“Oh, we came to have a little talk.” Cylak said, hand ready to punch him.

“Well, Halloween isn’t really the best time…” He said as another girl in pajamas approached him and stood behind him.

“Drake, come back to bed.” Maddie said, wrapping her arms around Drake’s neck. I felt tears fall from me face. Maddie's eyes landed on me, and backed away from Drake. “Oh, hey Calia.”

“Hey, slut.” I greeted angrily.

“Enough is enough.” Cylak said as he punched Drake in the jaw, knocking his head back and hitting Maddie’s.

“Ow!” Drake screamed painfully, both of them bleeding. I wasn’t watching this fight either, no matter how much I wanted to see them both in pain.

“Come on, Cylak.” I gestured, pulling on his arm. “He’s not worth it.”

Cylak nodded and followed me. He soon took the lead as he led me to Oakwood forest, where he picked me up and flew to the sky. A short time later we arrived back at the Windy Plains again.

“Um, Cylak?” I questioned, but Cylak put a finger on my lips.

“A promise is a promise.” Cylak replied as we landed.