The Loved and Lost

Chapter 18 - Trying to Escape

“Okay, this way.” Ezami motioned as we moved stealthily in the shadows. We were making our way over to the Fire Exit, the most unsociable Exit. Ezami led, Nick was second, and I was third, making sure no one was following us. I was still wracking my brain on how Ezami would explain all of this… or would she? But how would she get Nick to never come back…

We arrived around the area of the Fire Exit, but swarms of guards were around. Ezami gasped as she threw down Nick in the field.

“I’ll go ask what’s going on…” I informed as I flew to one of the guards, who I noticed right away. “Vinnagon!” I yelled to him as he turned around.

“Hey, your Highness.” Vinnagon greeted with a respectful bow. “What brings you out here this late? Riveredge might be worried.”

“Oh, I was just passing through, getting home from Ezami’s…” I explained as I waved to Ezami, who waved back spastically. “What’s going on here?”

“There’s an anonymous source who says that this human is real.” Vinnagon explained. “Guards are guarding every Entrance and Exit.”

“Oh, that’s smart.” I complimented. “Keep up the good work.”

“Thanks, your Highness.” He bowed again as I walked off to where Ezami was again.

“Well?” Ezami asked impatiently.

“There’s guarding at every Entrance and Exit.” I explained, glaring at Nick. “Because of you.”

“Oh, come on! It’s not my fault!” Nick whined, and some guards glanced over.

“Okay, let’s just move somewhere else.” Ezami said as we started hurrying back.

~~~~~~~~~~

“There’s gotta be some way!” Ezami exclaimed as she landed on her bed, and Nick comfortably put himself back in the closet.

“I don’t know, Ezami!” I whined to her. “I don’t know.”

“Look, Ez.” Nick said, fluffing a shirt of Ezami’s. “It’s not your fault. Turn me in if you want, I don’t care. Not like I belonged in the other world, anyway.”

“Nick…” Ezami had tears forming in her eyes, but shook her head. “No. We will figure this out.”

“Elizabeth!” Nick screamed, using her human name. Don’t know why. “If they find me here, they’ll hunt you down, too. I don’t want to see you go through that.” He approached Ezami slowly as he placed his hand on the back of her head and drew her closer to him. “I won’t do it.”

“Ezami…” I started as their lips met. “I don’t want to get hunted down either.”

“No one’s getting hunted down!” Ezami screamed as they broke apart abruptly. “We will get him back, somehow.”

“Think of something.” I yawned as I placed my hand over my mouth. “I’m heading home. Goodnight, human.” I glared at Nick again.

“Goodnight, faerie.” Nick laughed as my cheeks flushed and slammed the door behind me.

“Ugh, for the love of God!” I hissed to myself furiously. “Can’t he ever shut up?”

I approached Riveredge in much exhaustion. The guards pushed the doors open for me as I stumbled through, and glared at the massive staircase. I fell to my knees and rolled to the side, and even the ground felt comfortable. I shut my eyes, and waited to drift away… just wanting to get the most eventful day of my life over with…

~~~~~~~~~~

“Calia.” Ezami greeted as I arrived in the cloudy white area, although it seemed somewhat different, I could feel a breeze and the sounds of birds chirping... but I yawned so much I couldn't really focus on the scenery.

“Damn, I thought I was actually gonna get some sleep.” I murmured. “I’m still tired.”

“I bet you are.” Ezami said. “I know how to get Nick through.”

“Oh, really?” I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms. “I thought you wouldn’t want to take him back.”

“I don’t.” Ezami admitted. “But I can visit him any time without Earth hunting me down.”

“Okay, yes, true.” I agreed. “But he’ll follow you again! And what about somebody else who might just happen to walk through? Something bad is gonna happen, and I'm finding it somewhat inevitable.”

“Nobody will walk through again.” Ezami said with determination. “He should’ve listened to me when I told him to stop.”

“And what Entrance was this?”

“Water, what else?”

“Oh, too true.” I uncrossed my arms, but my glare never left her. “So tell me about this master plan you have brewing in your head.”

"I'm a faerie, not a witch." She growled, and I smirked humorously. “Okay, you’re in Theatre, right?”

“Of course!” I exclaimed and launched my arms up dramatically, showing off.

She smiled evilly. “Good. You’re overdramatic, right?”

I took it rather offensively, but I shouldn't have. Only a Theatre kid would understand. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Good, because we need a distraction.” Ezami smiled. “And I know just how, too.”

The conversation stopped short as I was forced away from Ezami, the area going black fast, and she was gone. I was abruptly woke up to someone shaking me. I shot my eyes open and found Dad, knelt down beside me.

“Are you okay?” Dad asked, helping me stand.

“Oh, uh…” I stammered, finally realized I was on the floor. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?" He asked, concern in his voice. “You were on the floor.”

“Yeah, I just got back late.” I assured him.

“From where?”

“Ezami’s.”

“Ah. Okay.” Dad said as he helped me up the stairs and I settled into bed. “Get some sleep.”

“I already was.” I mumbled as he kissed my forehead and shut the door. I couldn't fall asleep after that. I had my mind set onto whatever I was going to do to distract whatever guards were going to be at an Exit. Get fake ran over? Fake arrow to the wing? Set something on fire? … Aha! Fire!

I was up and out the door right as the sun crept through my window. I soared over to Ezami’s without any conversation to whoever tried to talk to me.

“I got it!” I exclaimed as I burst through the door. Ezami was making pancakes and Nick was nowhere to be seen.“Closet?” I asked, pointing to it.

“Oh yeah.” Ezami said unimpressed-like.

“But I know what I’m gonna do now.” I smiled evilly at her, brushing the tips of my fingers together.

“Oh my God, did you kill someone?” Ezami laughed sarcastically.

“What? No!” I laughed nervously, trying to throw her off.

“Oh yeah Calia, you would so do that.”

“No, I’m serious!” I was getting focused and unfocused and refocused. “I’m going to light something on fire.”

“Oh really, what?” Ezami asked. “The plains?”

“If that’s what it takes.” I ignited my hands, and the flame spread to my arms. “I got this.”

“Okay, if you’re so sure.” Ezami said, opening the closet door. Nick scrambled from his sleeping position to a stand. “We’ll go now. No one is out there yet.”

“Fine.” I said with determination as I doused the flame. “Let’s go.”