The Last Hope

Chapter 3~ Rae

Everything is ready for tonight. Out and prepared. But no one is supposed to show up for another three hours. Knowing Nura, she probably invited many more people than she said she would, so I made extra snacks and stuff. She's gotten more popular lately, and I guess I have too. She thrives in the attention though. Where I prefer to be more quiet and unnoticed, but always there, and very protective. Everyone feels safe when I'm there, but still respects my space.

Auna and Alec were the first to arrive. Always early to get to us, she is definitely my closest friend. Both of them are. They have always been there, right from my earliest memories. They have the same view of other people as Kota and I; 'they're okay, but only once and a while'. This party will be fun, though! Auna and I love to dance, and haven't gotten to for a while, mainly because our diploma exams were coming up and we were both busy studying and preparing for it. Tonight is the night after exams ended, and everyone gets to celebrate with being done with high school. (Hopefully).

Not long later, everyone else started showing up and we got the music going. Soon, my house was filled with people dancing and talking with each other. I was having an amazing time. Auna and I danced together and kept trying to get Kota and Alec to join us, but they got too tired too easy. They don't know how to just let the music move you. My home became so crowded that people were going up the stairs, and out both my front door and back door, just to fit in. I locked the bed room doors so no one would sneak in there, and also to put my valuables and breakables in there; I only know maybe a third of these people.

I was planning on wearing my white dress I got, but something about the black and red one drew me to it. Every time I looked down, it reminded me of the day before. It was an enjoyable day- But I don't see myself doing anything like that again, or even seeing her again, which made me sadder than I thought it would... "Look at me." I heard in a whisper, but it would be impossible to hear such a small sounding voice over the blaring music, especially with the clarity it just had. "Behind you, Echo, look at me." I swung around quickly to see the woman standing there, against the wall, so dark she blended in like a shadow. The corner of her mouth turned up when I looked at her with my shocked expression. "Follow me" The voice said again. I saw her mouth form the words, but even if there was no one here, and the music was off, it would be extremely difficult to hear her from this distance. I turned to Kota, Auna and Alec excusing myself with hand motions. Before I could move or anything, Kota reached his arm around my back, pulling us together to kiss me. I smiled before saying "I love you" With a sweet smile that was inaudible over the music. I turned away and she was still there. A hard expression across her face. She turned and walked through the door way next to her. I followed as fast as possible through the thick crowd in my kitchen, and once I reached the door, she had crossed the long main room with unbelievable ease. Thoughts rushed through my head; what is she doing here? How did she find me? Did she follow me here? How did I hear her voice as though it was only in my head? I followed her further waiting for her to stop so I can question her. Now that I'm not dancing with all the other people in the room, it is like they're moving against me trying to stop me from perusing.

Through bobbing heads taller than me, I could see her as she passes through the open front door and out of sight again... I stumbled out the door, holding myself with the doorframe only to see her finished crossing the lawn and on the sidewalk facing me with a stupid, smug look on her face.

I am too angry that she blatantly disregarded my request to never see each other again, and irritated from shoving through the sea of moving bodies that seemed to try hold me back.

I didn't notice the van idling, paused on the other side of parked cars on the curb...

Out on the lawn, the music was less intense and the people were easy to pass. Just as I reached the stranger who I was so close to chewing out, but I was interrupted by Kota yelling my name from the door. I turned and looked at him, and watched his expression change from confusion to shock and fear looking just beyond where I stood. Before I could turn to see what it was that shocked him, there were two rough hands gripping my elbow and forearm of the other arm, and Guy's set of gentle, but forcible hands on my shoulders in front of me. All in one moment, my body was tipped over and was falling into the road. His hands that were on my shoulders were on my knees lifting me from the ground and into the van still waiting there. I had already had quite a few drinks, so everything just spun as I grasped at the reality of what is happening. I screamed as Kota raced towards me. I fought and clawed at the man pulling me in and holding me. With momentary weightlessness, I was tossed and released into the van, but landed on top of someone who tried catching me. I moved away, facing him and trying to get more space between us, I pulled my fist back and punched him with all my might right in his cheek. He fell back, but recovered quickly enough to grab me and keep me in the van. The man who tossed me into the van walked around to the drivers seat.

Now I was facing the door and watching Guy beat on Kota. She was clearly a lot bigger and more built than Kota, and easily left him a lump on the side walk as she walked towards me. I screamed, but all the students just looked at me with blank or fearful faces. She pulled a cloth from her pocket as she stalked towards me. Looking past her, I met Kota's eyes, part of me giving up when I saw his thwarted expression. "I lov-" I began, but the door slammed shut in front of me, sparking an explosion of anger and anxiety within me as I thrashed against the man behind me. The van jerked forwards, sending him and I troubling. I sat up, but before I could fight away further, Guy had climbed over the front seat and was perched above me. Just as I saw the cloth draped over her palm, she had hold of me, slipping a hand behind my neck, the other with the cloth over my nose and mouth in a smooth, snap of a moment. She brought her face close and whispered "I'm sorry it's like this, you'll understand in time..." And everything faded to black...