Earth's End

Salvificim Manos

"Come on, let's go!" Elena practically shouted into my ear. She grabbed my wrist, her nails shredding the first several layers of my skin, and dragged me down the stairs and out of the library. Out of the corner of my eye, Bianca was running to keep up with us, book in hand.

I didn't know where we were going. Again. Seriously, does anybody know how to communicate around here? It would literally take two seconds to tell me where we were going. But no, I have to be the one left in the dark and the one bringing people back in time with the magic that I just found out that I had yesterday. Don't I at least deserve some explanations? I barely even know what I am.

After pulling me around several corners, long hallways, and at least three sets of stairs, we finally reached an arched doorway. The arch was engraved with some sort of symbols and runes that looked like an ancient language that has long since died out.

"It means 'For Caherita we protect against the evils brought forth from the depths of Somnum'. It's basically our version of Hell. Somnum, of course deriving from Somnum Exterreri, which is Latin for Nightmare. And Caherita, while based on contexts seems like it might be some sort of 'God' or 'Heaven' is really just the city we all descend from that was destroyed centuries ago. " Kelly said. Apparently, he had noticed me looking at the designs.

I nodded, admiring the intricate details put into the art. But then realized that something was missing, "Is that all that it says? There seems like there would be a lot more words than just that sentence that could fit on that big arch." I replied, pointing along the entire thing.

"As a matter of fact, no. That's just all we've been able to translate. We were going to ask Kelly's mom when she got back from her hunting trip. Unfortunately, they haven't returned in quite some time. That's why we sent Allison to get you. It was because she told us that if she were to ever not return home or send word that she was alright, we were to find you, bring you here, and hopefully with your help, bring all of the ghosts to Eternal Peace." Alex replied.

"You know, I think that was the first mention of an adult living here. And here I thought that you guys were a bunch of rogue kids," I said sarcastically. There was some muffled laughter coming from the corner across the room. I looked over to see that it was inhabited by Madison and Amirah. Huh, I didn't know that Amirah could laugh.

"There's a reason why we keep certain things to ourselves," Kelly responded, sending a glare Alex's way. "We just need your help bringing the ghosts to Peace. That means when we're done, you are no longer needed and can go back to your regular life if you want."

"You don't know me very well if you think that I'm gonna go back to my old life after finding out that all of this exists. This is the reason why I write stories because it's an escape from the real, boring world. Besides, don't we have a world to save? We should probably be focusing on that." I told them.

"Oh shit, you're right," Bianca practically shouted and began rushing around the room, rummaging through drawers and opening cabinets, trying to find stuff - probably for the ritual. "We have to hurry! Everyone gather around! We have to do the spell before midnight or we can't do it again until next year!" She hurriedly began laying the ingredients out on the table and began mixing the herbs in a bowl.

"Why does it have to be done by midnight?" I asked before being pushed by someone to the front and center, directly in front of the bowl and full of magical herbs, giving off a nasty aroma. Bianca grabbed a picture from on top of the buffet table behind her and threw it upside down over the herbs before answering.

"Because it's the anniversary of your birth today. That means your powers are at their peak and you will have just enough power to get there with three others," She replied. I blinked and just stared at her quizzically. It was my birthday? I had gone the whole day without realizing what day it was? But then, I reasoned that I was probably dealing with the fact that this magic thing is real and it was taking all of my energy to get a grip on that.

"Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday Izzy? We could have baked you a cake and ate it while we were studying!" Elena said, disappointed. I just shrugged my shoulders. It's not like I wanted anything anyway. I didn't particularly like mine because it just reminded me that I was one step closer to death.

"Hold on your hand," Bianca ordered. I held my hand instinctively, not even caring to notice what was in her's. I gasped in pain as she sliced into it. "Sorry, I'm tapping into your magic to assist you by doing some of the work for you." She closed my hand into a fist and squeezed it, allowing for more of my blood to drip into the bowl. There was a whimper from behind me, coming from Elena. She was probably one of those people who hated the sight of blood. As if on cue, she sprinted from the room and in the distance I heard muffled gagging and the flushing of a toilet.

"Hold hands, now," Bianca ordered us again, after bandaging my hand. I felt two hands clasp mine on either side. Looking from side to side, I saw that it was Kelly and Alex's. I also noticed that on Kelly's other side was Allison. Now, why did she have to come? Before I could come up with an idea or even ask, Bianca told me to close my eyes, clear my mind, and repeat the words, "Salvificem Manos," three times.

"Salvificem Manos, " I heard the wind pick up slightly, "Salvificem Manos," My hair was whipping my face now, "Salvificem Manos!" I shouted the last one just to be heard over the strong wind. And then, just as fast as it came, it was gone. I opened my eyes.