Deception

Prolog

The dark clouds came into a swirl in the sky above the castle in the woods. Lightning crackled across the sky screaming as it flew. Elizabeth stood in her art studio at the top of the castle taking in the scene of the field below her. Several trees were scattered and the field was surrounded by a thick forest. Ashton and Jack were downstairs running around like headless chickens as they try to uncover the reason for the harsh atmosphere being created. They are thinking that this has something to do with Liam, that he is going to attack. But, Elizabeth knows the real reason. She saw it already in a vision yesterday but she dare not mention it to Ashton.

The dark swirling mass of clouds seemed to be right above the castle and Elizabeth knew it was time. She raced down the steps, her light brown hair trailing behind her. When she reached the bottom, she proceeded to scurry towards the door that lead to the outside. Ashton looked at her questionably, wondering why she wants to get outside so quickly. Elizabeth was pulled to a stop as Ashton gripped her wrist.

"Elizabeth, what are you doing? It is not safe to go outside." He asked the green eyed beauty. She sighed deeply and looked into his blue ones as a hidden emotion ran throughs hers.

"Ashton, I saw it coming yesterday." She sadly spoke.

"Saw what? Elizabeth, what do you mean?" He asked her, now becoming quite worried. She looked down at her long, flowing dress. Elizabeth then tore her wrist from Ashton's grasp, turning to run out the door. She pulled open the door and instantly the harsh wind nipped at her face.

"Elizabeth! Tell me what you are doing!" Ashton demanded. She looked into his eyes sadly.

"I vision told me that I have to leave." She whispered quietly. If Ashton was a mortal, he wouldn't have heard what she spoke. Ashton furrowed his eyebrows, still questioning what she is saying.

"Why are you leaving? Where too?" He let go of her wrist and she fiddled with her fingers.

"I cannot explain it, Ashton. It just has to happen." She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly, Ashton doing the same. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead.

"I want you to know that I will always love you, Ashton. No matter what happens, we will find each other again." Elizabeth whispered, tears threatening to spill over. Ashton held her closer, he did not know what she was going on about. He loved her and to hear her say this nonsense brought confusion and concern to him. Elizabeth cleared her throat and let go of Ashton, him letting her. The two jumped when a boom of thunder shook the ground and Ashton looked back to Elizabeth many emotions running through his eyes.

The wind picked up and Elizabeth turned, running to the line of trees that surrounded the castle. She did not know how she is going to leave but her vision showed her running so she did. Jack appeared at Ashton's side as Ashton began to run after her not wanting her to just leave like that. A clap of thunder and lighting zipped across the sky. As if in slow motion Ashton saw the lightning strike a vast tree just as Elizabeth was running by it. The lightning truck toward the root, causing the tree to break and tip over; falling straight onto Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth!" Ashton screeched, his scream rattled the leaves at it's volume. Elizabeth cried out in pain as the heavy tree toppled onto her, crushing her small frame. Ashton raced over to her, whispering over over.

"No, no, no, no. Elizabeth!" He cries out, tears now freely flowing. Jack runs after Ashton as they finally reach the tree that poor ELizabeth is trapped under. The sky thundered and screeched as the clouds darkened, becoming an eerie grey. Ashton broke off pieces of the trunk, panic dwelling deep within. Elizabeth was trapped underneath the tree, her life slowly slipping away from hers and Ashton's grasp but Ashton holding on tighter than she is. Jack helped Ashton to lift off the trunk, their abnormal human abilities helping in that part. Elizabeth coughed and spluttered, holding onto her stomach weakly.

"Elizabeth, please." Ashton begged her to be okay, he begged that she would just be okay. Jack shook Ashton's shoulders and when Ashton looked at him, he pointed to the sky. Ashton stood up dazed and confused alongside Jack. The swirling clouds now created an even bigger and darker swirl, the wind picking up immensely causing the trees to dance a deadly dance. Elizabeth yelled out in pain and took in sharp breaths. They two boys snapped out of their trance and Ashton immediately jumped to her side. He pulled her into his lap delicately as if she were a fragile butterfly.

"I-" Elizabeth was stopped as she winced in pain. Ashton shushed her and told her that everything will be fine, or was he telling himself that? Jack sat on the other side of the two, tears silently filling his eyes. Elizabeth was like his sister, an

d he knew how much she meant to Ashton.

"Elizabeth, please." Ashton begged once again but it's too late; it's already past the too late mark. Elizabeth took in one last breath and it seemed that the cold hands of death has dragged her with him. The wind picked up even more while tears flowed, panic quickened, and pain pulsed through Ashton and Jack's veins swifter than their beating hearts. A gust of wind blew and as it traveled past Elizabeth, she fell into butterflies and the butterflies flew away with the wind, going somewhere that not even the boys could imagine. Ashton sat there, frozen as the butterflies flew into the sky and forming the shape of Elizabeth in the sky. A ghostly figure formed, connecting the butterflies like a game of connect the dots. Ashton still sat on the cold ground, shock and awe filling his emotions and Jack stood reflecting the same emotions.

"I'm sorry, but it had to go this way. Do not worry for long, I will come back." The figure, Elizabeth, smiled. Ashton and Jack were at a loss of words.

"It is up to you, my love, to find me once again. I must be on my way now." Elizabeth waved and shown her beautiful smile, then she was gone with the wind. Her butterflies disappearing into the now lifting, grey sky.