Legend

Twenty-Four

TWENTY-FOUR

BY WEDNESDAY, we’d figured out most of what the code had for me, and took many long looks at the old dusty map. I had created a decent strategy. Sneaking out of the house at ten on Friday night was not going to be very difficult, as long as I had Zxander coming with me. The rest of my family were very deep sleepers. Not that I had tried sneaking out very often; Zxander was often the one who caught me. This time though, he knew the importance of the mission, and insisted on coming along to help however he could. And so, in fact did Amandla. And Justin. These people would not take no for an answer.

We were to meet by the boulder in the woods, my and Amandla’s usual meeting spot, by ten thirty. Justin and Zxander were to scout out the place before Amandla and I went in. We were told by Viola that it was a requirement that the witch stayed in the cave during the Hope’s hour. It was a rule that even Atala couldn’t disobey. However, the witch would be very moody and to be safe she would keep Viola by her side the whole time. I had to get in without Viola’s help at that time, and catch Atala with the element of surprise.

I had already scoped out the cave for the vault and found it. Viola told me not to try opening it at that point – it would definitely not work, and I would lose my chance. The door of the vault was a smooth bluish metal that didn’t really fit in with the rest of the cave, making it easier to find. The cave was much larger than I figured it to be. Viola had to clear up all our footprints, in case Atala found out. Because Atala could sense the presence of a girl quite quickly, Zxander and Justin were to scout out first. I had to quickly open the vault with the power of my will (which I still didn’t entirely understand), take out the first Hope’s heart, and use its power on Atala… somehow.

This was the part that worried me the most. Viola said she could not reveal to me what I had to do to at this point, not just yet. This worried me so much. What if I chickened out? What if I just plain didn’t know what to do? But I had to have the courage. I had to try.

It was Wednesday evening and I had just gone through the plan once again with Amandla, Zxander and Justin. We sat there silently in my room, not sure what to say next. We were all nervous for Friday night, especially me.

Justin seemed to have caught hold of the whole idea unnervingly quickly, considering how he was sure before this that magic was pure fantasy. However, I did notice that when he thought I wasn’t looking, a flash of disbelief at something Viola said would play across his features. I wondered why he was even tolerating me and insisting to come along.

“So,” I puffed, “this is it. Two more days.”

We all looked at each other.

“Krissy,” Zxander said, probably for the millionth time, “this is really unsafe. You could become that witch’s slave. For the rest of your life.”

“Zxander,” I sighed, “you know I’ve got to do this. I can’t let Viola suffer any longer. Or those souls.”

“I know, but – ”

“Zxan, it’s her choice. We have to respect it.” Amandla hushed Zxander, though her face showed worry and doubt very clearly.

A long, stuffy silence hung itself upon us.

“If I, uh, fail – ” I began.

“Stop,” Justin piped up. “Don’t talk like that. Viola said that Atala would be more off her guard because she hasn’t encountered another Hope in thirty years. You’ll make it.” The same hint of disbelief still played on his face.

Oh, please, I thought in my head. This isn’t some cliché movie talk. It’s real life. But I just continued. “But, I mean, if I do, really, we have to consider the possibility. If I do, Zxander, tell mother I ran away. Or something. Please. I don’t want her to think I’m dead.” My entire body shivered when I thought of the word.