James

Chapter 22: Sarah

I put up the shield after hearing James and not being able to talk to him again. The building fell back down and collapsed inward, but the shield held firm and Dakota and I launched out of the debris as soon as the debris stopped rumbling. 

"Can you sense him anywhere?" I asked Dakota. 

"You know I can't. He's gone, I'm sorry." Dakota said. 

I sat down and then the tears came and the world was slowly turning black. I fell asleep at some point and dreamed about everything I had ever wanted with James, kids, peace, and love. We were lying in the grass outside a beautiful mansion, side by side. We pointed out funny shapes in the clouds and every so often I would look over into his stormy-gray eyes and think that something was wrong with the picture I was seeing, but I didn't want this moment to pass so I ignored it. The sky began to darken and rain drops started to pour down and we rushed into the mansion. Thunder rang out like a voice, the thunder was saying 'Wake up, Sarah, it's time to go. Come on, let's go.' My body started to sway and I awoke from the dream and thought James was the one above me but the one leaning over me had red eyes, like fire. 

"Dakota? Where's James?" I asked. 

"He's dead, remember? He crushed the church building on top of himself to stop the evil influence of his mother and her followers from spreading." He said. 

"That's not possible. He can't be dead, I need him. I...I never even got to say goodbye." I said, the tears forming in the backs of my eyes once again. 

"I'm sorry, Sarah. I don't know what to tell you and I can't even imagine how you feel, but we need to keep moving. James may have stopped the evils of my parents, but there is no way to stop evil from rising, there will be others who want us dead and I have to find Casser." Dakota said. 

"Casser survived?" I asked. 

"Yes, I saw her flying away on Viserion, James's dragon." Dakota said. 

"How? James never lets anyone ride his dragon, not even me." I said. 

"Maybe he knew she would die otherwise, remember my mom rushed the cellar?" Dakota stated. 

"Right. Well, lets go." I said. 

"Wait, you're coming with me?" Dakota asked. 

"Yes, I am. You're the closest thing I have to family now. My parents were killed by Leon, James was just killed, I never had any siblings and all of my other relatives died in the Denver assault." I said. 

"Denver assault?" Dakota said, entirely confused. 

"Yeah, Leon and his gang went into Denver and destroyed all signs of magic about eight years ago." I explained. 

"Oh, I know what that is but i was taught that its name was the Denver massacre." Dakota said. 

"Oh, well, yeah I guess that name makes sense as well." I said. 

We grabbed our equipment and I climbed onto Aurora's back as Dakota whipped out his dark brown wings. We shot into the sky and almost immediately afterward Aurora changed course and headed Northeast, towards England. 

"Aurora? What are you doing? Viserion went to the West, not the East." I said. 

"Follow her! She may know exactly where Viserion is!" Dakota yelled. 

Aurora flew Northeast and once we got over the english channel she dove right for the water. I tried to scream, but the sound wouldn't come. The instant Aurora hit the water, I felt as if something had thrown me into a dryer, the tossing and turning slamming me all over the place and then I fell to a solid rocky surface with Aurora standing in front of me. I stood up only to get knocked back down when Dakota stumbled through. 

"Dakota? Its you! It seems like forever since I was able to to see you or touch you or give you a ki..." A girl started and broke off. 

"Casser! Oh my gosh, I thought I'd never find you, and I wouldn't have if it hadn't been for Sarah. Come on lets get out of here." Dakota said, striding over to Casser and hugging her. 

"I'm so sorry, I know you lost so much and here, Viserion!" Casser yelled, "He was that James guy's dragon wasn't he. I saw James crush the church on top of himself, I'm so, so sorry." Casser finished. 

Dakota, then, created a portal that took all of us back to New York. 

"I thought that only James could create portals." I said, confused. 

"Nope, all crafters can create portals, its pretty handy when you're in a pinch, you know?" Dakota said trying to make me laugh. 

He failed. I said goodbye against their wishes and I walked back to where James and I first stayed the night together and saw all the times he laughed near me, every time he kissed me or hugged me or even held my hand. I thought about the day we first met and no matter how hard I'd try I wouldn't be able to make him look me in the eyes and how he stammered when he said 'hello' or compliment me in any way, like there could be someone else that I would like eventually. Then I thought I had heard his voice, but deemed that impossible and left my thoughts. I took off the ring and put it in my pocket then called out Aurora and flew to my home town, leaving behind all of the memories that were left in New York and when I got there I entered my house, put the ring on my dresser, and went to bed.