Sleep Keeper (8 page)

I turned over and saw Mitchell sound asleep. The early morning light meant it was close to dawn. I closed my eyes tight and tried to fall back asleep, but it was no use. After twenty minutes I gave up and sat up in bed. My entire body ached from head to toe. I stretched my sore muscles and struggled out of bed. The moment I put pressure on my feet, flashes of pain shot through the joints of my ankles and knees. I buckled from the pain but caught my fall. I straightened back up and took another step. It felt like I was walking on bruised feet and damaged legs. I hobbled to the bathroom and dragged myself into the shower… again.

Unfortunately, the shower did not give me any desperately needed energy. I turned off the water and stepped out onto the cold tile floor. Water dripping, I walked across the bathroom, scoured through the cabinet and draped a towel across my tired body. I towel-dried my sopping wet hair and flung the towel on the floor, attempting to cover the trail of water leading from the shower. Usually, I would jump to wipe up the wet mess, but today I just stared at the towel and walked over it, leaving it on the floor.

I threw on some clothes and dragged my body across the hall. The aching knots in my stomach summoned me to the kitchen. I grabbed a bowl from the cabinet, milk from the fridge and poured some cereal. I pulled out a spoon from the drawer and flopped down at the breakfast bar to eat. Every bite took effort as I ate with my left hand, using my right hand to hold up my head. The puffy skin around my tired eyes burned and began to twitch from exhaustion.

I forced my head upright, trying not to slouch over so much. The sun shone through the kitchen window, casting a faded rainbow across the counter. Thinking some fresh air might help, I sauntered outside to the courtyard. The flowers were in bloom and the trees covered with leaves, but it all looked dull and faded. I sighed and walked back inside.

The rest of the summer flew by in a haze. Each night I visited Orion’s world and each day I dragged myself through mine. As time went on, I felt more energized when I was with Orion and more exhausted when I awoke. We explored different regions of his world and shared many stories from our lives and dreams for our future. He loved to sit outside and play the guitar and I loved to lie on the grass and listen to the soft melodies, lost in his music. He taught me about farming and gardening, although I had yet to test these new skills out at home.

Mom was doing a little better, but was still distant. Mitchell was immersed in his studies, which I didn’t mind so much. His growing concerned with my constant exhaustion and, in his words, my ‘pessimistic outlook on life’ was more annoying than endearing. He insisted I see a doctor but I refused, brushing him off with random excuses. I knew I was running on fumes, but it was worth the price to venture into my other world. Besides, even if I wanted to take a night off and sleep, I didn’t have a choice. Unbeknownst to me, I continued on this unknown path, hopeful its reason would soon be unveiled.

I sat on the beach with my feet partially buried in the warm sand. Gently waves danced against the shoreline, bringing me peace. I watched Orion through a window in his house for several minutes before rising to join him. I started to cross the beach, when I felt a sudden urge to stop. An invisible pull from the left of the shore called me closer. I turned toward its direction and spotted a cave carved into the cliff. I never noticed it before, although I had never been known as observant. Curiosity or maybe something else, urged me forward.

Its dark mouth was damp and narrow, with shallow waves rolling in. The opening was barely tall enough to fit inside. Using the nearby rocks to steady my balance, I climbed into the waist deep water and waded into the darkness. Normally, you couldn’t pay me to poke my head into a dark scary cave, but this time, I wasn’t scared at all. I was drawn into it.

I stretched out my arms and used my hands to feel my way through the water for roughly fifty feet, when I stumbled into a ledge and scraped my knee against its rocky composite. I winced as it tore a gash into my skin. It was much too dark to inspect the damage, so I ignoring the throbbing pain and glided my hands up the ledge. It ended at my chest. I hoisted my torso over and climbed out of the water. It was tall enough to stand and the cave tunneled in farther. I could see a dim light in the distance. My brain finally kicked on and warned me to go back… but I headed toward the light. My body pushed forward like a drone.

The tunnel narrowed until all that remained was an opening so small that I had to get on knees to squeeze through. I slipped carefully in and entered a large cavern with beams of sunlight breaking through the cracks above. The cavern walls were covered from ground to ceiling in beautiful crystals that bent the light into countless rainbows. Fascinated, I watched the brilliant colors dance about. It was amazing that something so beautiful could be buried underneath some place so dark and dank.

I heard murmurs from nearby voices. I following them to the edge of the cavern and I peered around the corner. Three figures occupied the next room. A brawny man was standing in the middle. His shoulders were carved with muscles that protruded angrily through his soiled gray shirt. Their definition continued down the ivory skin of his arms. His hair was long and dark - pulled back and pinned behind his neck. His face held sharp features with a hard expression that looked like it was permanently imbedded - yet at the same time he was quite handsome. He looked to be in his mid-twenties. He towered over another guy, who was kneeling on the floor. The guy crouched on the ground appeared younger, maybe eighteen, and diminutive. His head hung low; his sweaty blonde hair was stuck to his forehead. The third figure stayed hidden in the shadows. I couldn’t make out anything, just a phantom outline that blended into the darkness.

“I’m disappointed in you Damien,” echoed the man’s voice, as he slowly circled the other.

“Draco, I tried,” pleaded the young man, apparently Damien.

“DON’T you dare speak!” scolded Draco.

My heart began to race. Damien cringed at his hostility and cowered down farther.

“A simple task… that’s all I asked of you and you couldn’t even complete one simple task! You are useless…” Draco waved his arm at Damien in utter disgust.

“Please, give me another chance. I can’t get to him with her there, he’s shielded,” the timid boy cried.

“Excuses! All I hear from you are excuses! You are a waste of life and a waste of my breath!” Draco shouted with a fierce tongue. Spit spewed as he shrilled.

He hovered behind Damien and stared down on him with piercing black eyes. The figure in the corner glided closer, but still remained in the shadows. A wave of immense hatred crushed inside my chest and I fell to one knee. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and my body quivered with excitement. Even though I knew nothing about him, at that moment I hated the boy, Damien. I more than hated him; I loathed him.

I stood back up as steadied myself. The unexplained rage boiled throughout. I liked it. I felt invincible. Powerful.

“Please Draco give me more time! I will get him alone, I…” Damien begged on his knees looking up at the man who held his fate.

Before Damien could finish his plea, Draco pulled out a long double-edged dagger from his belt. He yanked back Damien’s head with a fistful of hair, exposing the delicate skin of his neck. Even from this distance, I could hear the blood rushing through the artery of Damien’s neck. I felt the rapid thumping of his heart. It was in a strange melodic rhythm to my heavy breathing. He reeked of fear. I watched salty tears stream down his cheeks. Such a vulnerable boy, his weakness was taunting me to sever his life. I fantasized that it was my hand twisted in his sweat-soaked hair… towering above him… deciding his fate.

My mouth was parched. It ached for the satisfaction of his death. The anticipation of the kill was almost unbearable as I watched Draco slide the blade deep inside Damien’s neck. As much as my mind screamed for me to look away and run, I remained still, wide-eyed, watching… and smiling.

What’s happening to me?

Wet blood and air gurgled as they sprayed through the gaping slice in his throat. His lifeless body dropped to the ground with a soft thud. Draco stood over him, glaring down with a pleasing sneer.

Panic and excitement battled each other inside of me, and the same force that drew me into the cave subdued my instinct to flee. I walked closer to the body in a crazed trance; unaware I was moving. Draco’s head snapped forward at the sound of my footsteps. I heard a whisper from the otherwise quiet third figure. Luckily, I was still in the shadows and Draco didn’t appear to know the source of the noise.

There was three seconds of silence. In those three seconds my jumbled mind fought to gain back control. I felt the rage slip away, replacing it with fear as I snapped out of the trance. Without another thought, I turned and ran as fast as I could. My enervated limbs trembled, yet I managed to gain enough control to escape the cave and splash into the open water ahead. Crashing footsteps from the cave echoed from behind. Wading frantically through the water, I glanced back quickly but couldn’t see anyone in the darkness. Before I could turn back ahead, something grabbed my arm and I screamed in hysteria.

“Alexis, what’s wrong?” Orion cried.

“We have to get out of here now!” I wailed, flashing back and forth from Orion to the entrance of the cave.

Without question, Orion took my hand and led me the shortest distance from the beach to the forest. The water splashed from behind, but I didn’t waste any time turning back to look. We ran behind a large tree and paused. Orion pushed my back against its trunk and positioned himself directly in front of me, waiting for the threat to present itself. My ears throbbed in the rhythm of my pounding heart. My vision was tunneled with fear. I tried to collect myself enough to hold still without shaking profusely.

The crunching of dry leaves drew closer. I held my breath in horror. I wanted to run. I wanted to scream. Standing completely still was almost unbearable.

The air was suddenly eerily quiet; we stood poised and ready for our looming attack. We waited… until I couldn’t hold my breath any further and sucked in gulps of air. I heard nothing but my heavy breathing. Orion’s breath was steady and slow. I held my breath again; slightly abashed at my apparent panting, but that only made it worse when I had to start breathing again. Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead and I wiped them quickly with my shaky hand. A chill ran down my spine. Orion turned to our left, slowly peering around the tree to see if he was gone. I moved next to Orion, peaking across the brush… nothing.

I turned back around. Draco was standing directly in front of me. I let out a scream. Draco drew his bloodstained dagger from his belt, and with a roar, leapt toward me. I gasped. Without thinking, I held out my arms and positioned myself in front of Orion, as if to protect him. Orion yanked me by the waist, pulling me back and twisting his body in front of mine. This left his back exposed to Draco. I wrapped my arms around Orion to yank him away and squeezed my eyes shut. I wasn’t sure why, maybe from the thought of impending death, but with my arms wrapped tightly around him, my mind wandered to the first time I met Orion, near the creek. I had felt an intense connection to him from the moment we met. Maybe it was just the forest… whatever it was… but my thoughts went back to that peaceful serenity.

The air suddenly changed. The ferocious roar of Draco’s attack was replaced with the sound of rushing water. Still clutching Orion, I opened my eyes to a creek that lay deep inside the forest. Confused and still panicked, I flipped my head around, but there was no sign of Draco. I looked up at Orion’s equally perplexed expression.

“Where… are… we?” I stuttered, slowly sliding my arms down his chest, but making sure not to completely break his hold.

“You tell me,” answered Orion, staring back at me.

“I didn’t do this.”

“Well I certainly did not,” he stated. “How did you do that?!” he continued with wide eyes.

“I didn’t! I don’t think I did… I don’t know… I was just thinking of this place right before…” I was too confused to complete my thought.

“I never knew you could move here like that… interesting.”

Silence hung in there air while I stood there bewildered.

“You are my protector,” he smirked.

Embarrassment flashed over me. “Protector, don’t be silly,” I muttered, and looked down at my feet.

I looked back up to meet his gaze and my desires melted away the embarrassment. I studied the perfect features of his face and mouth. My fast breaths grew slower and deeper as my eyes focused on the contours of his rosy lips. How would those soft lips feel against mine… would they taste as sweet as his scent?

“Hey, you’re bleeding!” he exclaimed.

“Huh?” I muttered in a daze. “Oh, yeah, I know,” I shrugged and looked down at my leg to assess the damage.

Orion appeared baffled. He must have expected me to act more like a victim.

“Here, let me take a look,” he offered as he bent down to examine my wound. “Hmm, doesn’t look too bad, but we should get this clean this up.”

“I’m fine, just a little scratch,” I dismissed his concern with a wave of my hand.

Orion rolled his eyes at my obstinacy and stood up.

“What happened near the cave? Who was that?” he asked.

“Um, I’m not sure. The other guy called him Draco.”

“Draco…” he whispered, as if he recognized the name.

“You know him?”

His brow compressed and his expression became a distant stare. He let his arms fall to his side, releasing my hold and paced. “No…” his voice trailed off.

“You know something… He tried to kill me, I have a right to know,” I shot back, more aggressive than I meant to sound.

He let out a sigh, more out of reluctance than irritation. “Every living thing on this land is connected in spirit and we all share a mutual respect for the balance of life. If you close your eyes and clear your mind, you can feel the energy flowing around you,” he explained.

He closed his eyes and stretched his arms out toward his sides with his palms up. I followed his lead, closing my eyes and holding very still, concentrating on the energy. My fingers tingled intensely. The intensity slowly crept up my arms and through my entire body. I did noticed a strange energy flow every time I came to this world, but wasn’t sure what it was. I opened my eyes as Orion continued.

“Our people never had a leader because we never needed one. Everyone and everything plays a part in this world and the connection between us is what keeps everything in harmony. That is, until a great evil threw off that balance.

“About Three hundred years ago, a man name Erebus was born with a special gift. He could manipulate those energy forces and use his own energy to influence others. He wasn’t very old when he discovered he could use this for his own benefit…” Orion paused, eyes unfocused staring into the forest.

“By the time he was in his mid-teens, he decided he wanted to be a leader. Those he couldn’t control, he enslaved. Most people in the villages were peaceful and were never prepared for a fight, making Erebus and his early followers unstoppable. They wiped out dozens of villages, growing his army larger with every defeat.

“His growing power threw off the balance of the land and drowned out the sunlight. Darkness and destruction spread like a plague. Legend has it that a young maiden named Selena stood up to Erebus to protect her older brother from joining him. She had a special gift of her own and banished Erebus to another dimension under the Earth. During the chaos, Selena’s brother was never found. That night, Selena set out to find him and never returned. Some say that when the moon is full, you can see her spirit, searching the land and sky for her brother, Draco. Some say Draco was pulled under with Erebus, and they are still down there, waiting for a time when Erebus can rule again.”

“Wow. That’s a great story… but there is no way that’s the same Draco,” I huffed.

He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard to tell. I hear stories of people who have strong connections to the life around them and their spirit becomes suspended. Maybe that’s what happened to Draco? Besides, that name’s not very popular, for obvious reasons.”