At The Edge Of This World

7 - Why Not to Start a Fire

Water.

You can find it anywhere. The ground, in our houses, the sea. The only place I wasn't expecting to find it right now was on my face and my clothes.

I woke up surrounded by my friends and a short guy that I was working in the fair, guessing from his t-shirt.

"Vie? You okay?" Scarlett's voice echoed in my head. I tried to sit up.

"Do I look okay?" I really didn't want to hear the answer. I knew I looked awful. I mean, I fainted out and now I'm covered with water. "Why am I soaked?"

Chris was on my side, helping me stand "It was Scarlett's idea. She said she saw it in a movie."

"Well, it worked didn't it?" She saw the anger creeping in my face and backed away from me and his behind Marcus.

"We better head back home. It's getting late and you must rest." Chris said looking at me specifically.

"I'll come with you."

"Marcus, you don't have to..."

"Yes, I do. I'm your friend and that's what friends do. Help each other." I was about to try convincing him that I was all right, but he interrupted me before I could say a word. "Come on let's call it a night."

∆ ∇ ∆ ∇ ∆ ∇

We reached the front of my house and Marcus let go of my arm. He wanted to make sure that if something happened to me again, like losing consciousness and falling, he would catch me immediately before I get hurt.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you inside?"

I unlocked my door and stepped inside. As I looked behind me I caught the expression on his face. He was worried.
"I'm fine, really. Thanks though." I gave him a reassuring smile and went to close the door.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Bye." At the clicking noise of the door locking, I sprinted towards my room.

I had to remember what Maze told me. He mentioned a note. Where fid he said it will be?

Maze! Where is it??

Why isn't he answering? Dammit.

I went to look at my nightstand when I caught a pale yellow flicker out of the corner of my eye. I turned towards it and saw a small wooden box on my desk that wasn't there five seconds ago. With three big steps, I was on the other side of the room, ready to answer some of the questions that bug me for the last half an hour.

On top of the hand-sized container, a purple ribbon was tied around a piece of paper. I took the nice folded letter and opened it.

Dear Violet,
In the box, you will find a necklace that will allow you to expand your abilities.
As it is made from magic, it will activate at the touch of your skin.
I can tell you everything you need to know up close.
Meet me near the forest behind your school at 5 tomorrow.

I folded the parchment and put it in my pocket. Having in mind that a stranger sent me this package, I opened it with caution. As the letter said a short, but lovely necklace was folded inside the box. A simple transparent stone was attached in the jewellery, inside a metallic hexagon.

It was elegant but simple at the same time. There wasn't anything magical about it.

Well, that's what I thought before it touched my skin. At the sudden contact, the colour of the stone changed. The once clear surface that looked like glass now altered to a dark purple. Excitement ran through my entire body, as I put on the necklace and when to the mirror to see my reflection.

My eyes fell on my hair. They were still wet from the water and looked like I haven't brushed it in days.

Under other circumstances, I would immediately brush it and make it, at least, presentable. But tonight I was so tired I just wanted to lay down and not think about anything.

Why is this happening?

∆ ∇ ∆ ∇ ∆ ∇

I woke up to a buzzing. I searched around for the source of the sound until I found my phone. I checked for messages.

I had two missed calls from Scarlett and 24 unread messages.

Hey Vie!
Just checking
You better?
Vie?
VIOLET???
V
I
O
L
E
T
?
?
?

Stop spamming me...

THANK GOD YOU ARE ALIVE!!!

Two years ago I came to the conclusion that staying in bed longer than I have to is the best way to avoid human interactions. Also, standing up would imply physical exertion. That conversation is the best possible example of why I'm not up yet.

But, unfortunately, I didn't have a choice.

I checked the clock and realised I had slept over both breakfast and lunch and it was almost 4 o'clock. School is 5 minutes away from my home so it wouldn't take me long to go there.

I stood up and walked towards my mirror. The girl in the reflection was wearing the same clothes from yesterday, her hair was a mess and black circles starting appearing under her eyes.

Being overwhelmed by the whole situation of a new unknown past life and super tired from... Well, I'm always tired... I took my phone from the bed and headed downstairs to grab something to eat before I head out.

∆ ∇ ∆ ∇ ∆ ∇

I walked to where the mystery boy from Esmond wrote to meet him. At first, no one was there.

About 5 minutes after our meeting hour, I heard a familiar voice coming from behind me.

"Violet?"

"Chris?"

⧋

Now it's getting interesting...

Let me just say now (early in the story) that not everyone is who we think they are.
Except for Maze. Maze is an angel. And I live him.