"I'm okay, Harvey. We need to go." Ahana tried to stand up but immediately fell down. "I'll call the police-"
"NO!" Ahana yelled before she passed out. Ahana quickly woke back up and just focused on her breathing. Harvey looked around confused and just sat next to her. "My…brother…is…is coming. You can..you can leave me if you want."
"Are you kidding?! I'm not sure what friends you've had, but there's no way I'm leaving you behind. I'll wait here until he comes!" Harvey waited and noticed Ahana began panicking. (A panic attack?!) Harvey put his right hand on Ahana's head and rubbed his fingers gently through it. He used his free hand to hold one of her hands. He noticed her breathing started to slow down, as Ahana began to take deep breaths. "I've never…held someone's hand before." Ahana said as she managed to catch her breath. Joey leaped down from the roof of a nearby building and rolled when hitting the ground. "Get away from her!!" Joey yelled. Joey pushed Harvey away, knocking the boy on his back. "Don't touch him like that." Ahana said as Joey helped her up. "But he-"
"He didn't do anything wrong. So don't…touch him like that…brother". Ahana said as her aura surrounded her body and her voice slightly deepened. (I don't even know who the hell this kid is, but it seems…Ahana cares already? That's…unusual.) Joey made sure Ahana was fine and immediately went over towards Harvey. "Sorry about that. I'm Lucas, Isabella's bother." Joey had said. "I-it's okay! I completely understand. I'm Harvey, a classmate of Isabella!"
"Nice to meet you. Again, I truly am sorry for that. I just get protective of my little sister." Joey explained. "Let's get you home." He added.
******
Joey flung open the door and tossed his book bag onto the old couch. "You're….such a fool. What were you thinking, Ahana?! Why would you possibly put his life at risk?! All to see what's inside of his bag?"
"I didn't actually take him to see a jinn. You really do suck at listening."
"NO! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DOESNT LISTEN!!!" Joey yelled. He grabbed Ahana by the head and pulled her in forcefully to touch his head against hers.
"You don't think! You don't care for anyone's feelings! You don't even try to damn listen to simple…SIMPLE instructions!!" Joey yelled. Ahana pushed him away and looked at him with disgust. "You wanna know something? I didn't do much…not today or tonight. But I truly…I truly enjoyed living today. I-I had fun. I finally…finally got to be a kid. That's all we are. Are kids." Ahana said as she walked past Joey and opened the door to her room.
"That…that should mean something to you. You need to get out there and try to live your life. You always…you always have yourself inside of this-this deep hole. It's like you want to be at the bottom and not let ANYONE get close. Hell, even try to let anyone pull you out! Just…know that I'm here for you. I don't know what goes through your mind and I know your hurting. I can sense it, Joey. You're supposed…you're supposed to be my best friend. You're all I have left." Ahana shut her door quietly and locked it behind her.
Joey left the abandoned house and ran off into the nearby forest. Memories flooded his mind of Lily, Jodi, and Jackson. (Everyone!)
Joey began punching at a tree with incredible force and speed. (Astor!)
Joey kicked the tree, knocking it down and running over to the other one. (Natalia!)
Joey punched over another tree. (Amber!)
(Rock!)
(PEPPER!!!)
The entire area was blown away from Joey's jinn energy. He slammed both his fist onto the ground repeatedly and began to cry. "Curse it all! Curse me!! Curse my life!!" Joey pulled out his blade and held it to his neck. "There's no need to give everyone back their memories..right? I could just en my suffering right here! Right now!!" Joey yelled as he pressed the blade against his neck.
Joey knew…even in death, he wouldn't be accepted in hell or heaven. Joey would simply…see darkness for eternity. That's what he believed.
Joey yelled and tossed the blade to the side. "I can't…I can't give up yet."
******
The next day, people all over the school campus talked about this massive snow storm that's gonna hit by Sunday over the weekend. Ahana ignored everyone and just looked out of the window. She could think of nothing else but of how Harvey touched her hand.
(That feeling…I've never experienced that before. Why do I…keep thinking about it?) Ahana thought to herself as she looked down at the hand Harvey had touched.
"Hey there new girl!" A boy yelled over as he walked towards Ahana. "What do you want? Ahana asked in a cold tone.
"Do you know Harvey? Aaand….whats up with the eyepatch?"
Ahana rolls her eyes an turned her head to look out the window. "I want you to be completely honest with me. Did the girl send you over here or what?" Ahana asked.
The boy looked around and gave Ahana a fake smile. "Isabella, right? Listen…I-"
"I never told you my name. On top of that, you don't answer my question. Which gives me all the reason to have a little…chat with that girl. Tell her I wanna see her." Ahana said.
*****
The bell had rang and Ahana had walked into her second period class. She looked over in the corner to see Harvey looking out of the window. Ahana grabbed a desk and slid it beside his. Harvey turned his head and gave Ahana a confused look. "Why that face?" She asked him.
Harvey adjusted his glasses. "I uhh…dint think you wanted to talk again."
"Nope. I like you. So I'll talk to you all I want!" Ahana said with a smile. Harvey began to turn red as he quickly picked up his book to read.
"What are you…reading about today?" Ahana asked.
"This book is about how to enjoy the little things." Harvey replied. Ahana put her hand on top of her mouth and looked away. "Huh?!? Are you laughing?!" Harvey asked.
"N-no, of course not." Ahana lied.
Harvey smirked at Ahana and smiled at the end of it. "No, it's a really interesting book. I think…it's beautiful in a way." Harvey said.
"Beautiful, huh? Tell me…what little things in life make it beautiful? People die everyday. Kids suffer. Women and men go through lives they don't wish to live. Everyone in this world…is playing a role. I think if laws or rules didn't exist, I would like to think humans would literally show their true forms. Evil."
"You're creepy…but I like it," Harvey said. "But you have to alway think about the good in this world. Life is very beautiful and truly amazing when you think about it. Even if you are in a bad situation or going through something mental, there's beauty in life. The fact you can die one day…the fact that you feel sadness. The fact you love. All these make life a experience only one could dream of. You can walk…see good…hear good. That itsel is truly a blessing!" Harvey said.
Ahana's eyes widened slightly. "So you completely ignore th bad in your life? I mean…Harvey just look around. These people…they don't give a damn about you. When I look around here…I feel disgust-"
"Even though they've hurt me…I forgive them. Because that's what my savor would do." Harvey said with a smile. "So cheer up!" Harvey laughed.
Ahana didn't say anything. She just looked at Harvey with a glare in her eye. "Huh? Did I say something wrong?" He asked.
"No…not at all, Harvey." Ahana's face turned red a little. She turned her head and looked straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with Harvey.
"Harvey…you're truly an angel. And me…not so much."
******
Joey looked to the side an noticed a board covered in papers. "Spiritual club?" He asked as a yellow sheet of paper stood out to him. (The girl I'm looking for…is heavily involved with spirituality. Would she…be in the club? I must also wonder why it's so hard to spot her. And the other night…I shouldn't of blamed Ahana for the sudden energy spike. I'm pretty sure it was somewhere else in the world. The jinn slayers will handle it.)
Joey grabbed the sheet of paper and began to read it. "Spiritual party…next Friday. All who are interested in learning about their fate in this world or who just want a good party…should attend. Hmph." Joey put the paper back and remembered the location an day.
"She'll be there." He whispered to himself.
"Who will be where?" Rose asked as she was already behind Joey. "Yeah, that's not creepy at all." Joey sighed.
"You're always giving that sad look. Is everything okay?" Rose asked as she tilted her head slightly.
"Yes. I went to your game. You were doing really good, Rose. Are you going to college for it?"
"College? Hmm…never been in the picture for me."
"Who decided that?" Joey asked as he started to walk down the hall. Rose followed closely behind him. "It's just…I've never really…been able to ever do what I've wanted. It would feel out of place to make my own decisions." Rose said.
Joey stopped in the hallway. Rose did the same. She had begun to imagine darkness surrounding her and Joey, no one in the halls, no talking, nothing but just them. "Listen to me well, Rose. Learn to make your own decisions for yourself…and…to live for yourself. Screw what the people above you in your life have planned. It's your life…not theirs."
(Lucas…are you…in the Sam darkness that I am?!)
******
"That still doesn't answer my question. Why in the hell…did I feel so scared last night? That power…it was…it was as if a hint being was looming down at an ant. And I'm that ant, lost…lost in the dark vacuum of space being watched by a giant monster." Lily described. Jodi took a lick from her ice cream cone and rubbed his hand through his hair. "I agree." Jodi said.
"You don't see me worried though."
"There's no need, babe. You see, I believe…the clans have something to do with it."
"HUH?! But that energy was a jinn! Jinns haven't been as active in this area, I'm assuming because Ahana and the boy are in the same state as us. In other states, things get crazier and crazier. Even now…I can almost feel a large amount of jinns just lurking." Lily warned as she grabbed at her neck.
"You're so…damn pathetic…you know that?" Jodi asked with his back turned to Lily. "What…what do you-"
"Lily…LILY!!!!" Jodi's voice turned deep an demonic. He grabbed her by the neck and slammed her to the ground. Jodi's perfect face now turned pale, his hair growing in length. Jodi grabbed his face and began pulling it apart, his skeleton and flesh beginning to show. A giant locust bug head emerged from inside of Jodi's skull.
"ITS BECAUSE OF YOU!!!! I….AM….TRAPPED!!!!! LET ME OUT!!!! LET ME….OOUUUT!!!! I WILL…SLAUGHTER YOU AND THIS PUNK OF A BOYFRIEND!! YOUR FRIENDS!!! YOUR BROTHER!!!" The demon yelled and laughed.
"I…don't have a brother!!! Stay out of my head!! Get away! Get away! Get away! Get away! Get away!!!"
The locust grabbed Lily by the neck and forced her mouth open. "LET ME…TAKE FROM YOU!!!"
*****
Lily opened her eyes. Jodi was beside her, shaking her awake . "Are you okay?! You were having a seizure!" Jodi yelled.
Lily rolled over and ran her hand up and down across her face. (Why? Why are you back?! Are you kidding?!) Lily began to cry an she curled up into the fetal position. "Jodi…I-I don't know what in the world is going on! This…this stupid…stupid voice…in…my…" Lily passed out before she could finish. Jodi placed his fingers on Lily's neck, finding a pulse.
"What's going on here?!"
******
School was let out and Joey headed on his way home. He didn't wait for Ahana and didn't wanna see her.
"Lucas!! Wait for me!!" A voice called from behind Joey. Joey turned his head and locked eyes with Rose. "What're you doing here?" He asked, putting his hands into his pockets.
"Aww, don't be like that! I wanna talk to you about possibly going to the spiritual party together the Friday coming up?" Rose asked.
"The spiritual party? With me? Me with you? No thanks. I appreciate it though-"
"You reall are scared of finding another connection huh? I can tell by just looking at you, that you're scared to show affection or feelings to the ones who're close to-"
"You know nothing…Rose. I just wanna be alone."
"I understand. But I have a strange feeling about you. I'm not so sure exactly what it is…but I don't wanna leave you alone."
"Tsk. I'm going home."
"Then I'll come with!"
"Nope."
"Yep."
"No."
"Yes!"
"Nah."
"Yah!!"
"This must be illegal. Give me a damn break!" Joey sighed while looking up at the sky. (Why won't you all…just give me some piece and quiet already?)
"It's totally not illegal! It's legal. You need to let me give you a damn break! Live life! I can't stand the quiet boys. Here…let me get us some cake or ice cream at least?"
(Did this girl…just say cake?! Actual cake?) Joey thought. "Maybe…just this once…I'll go for some cake." Joey admitted.
"YAAY!!!" Rose cheered.
*******
"What's this place? I've never seen it before." Joey asked as he and Rose approached the shop. "It's a bakery store! They sell all kinds of cool cakes and cupcakes!!" Rose said as she jumped up and down.
Rose and Joey ordered their small cakes and began to eat. "This taste…amazing!" Rose laughed. She glanced over at Joey and noticed how he steadily took a bite of each piece and studying the cake.
"You don't like it or something?"
"It's not that…it's just," Joey began as he voice cracked.
"I've never…I've never gotten th chance to taste real cam before." Joey sai, trying to hold back his tears.
Rose's eyes started to get watery. "I…I completely understand."
******
Harvey an Ahana walked from school. Harvey was about to take his turn and continued his walk. "You're going home?" Ahana asked.
Harvey was surprised by Ahana's question. "Well…yeah. I don't-"
Ahana wrapped her arm around him and turned him the other way. "I wanna talk to you about…well, my life. If you don't min?"
"Hmm…sure!"
Ahana and Harvey turned around and began walking in the opposite direction. "My brother…why do you think he wants to avoid me? Or just seem to not care about talking to other people?"
"Is Lucas..depressed maybe?"
"I'm not sure." Ahana replied.
"Has Lucas…ever been hurt before?"
"I believe so. Our parents…died a while ago. I can't remember any of it, because i had hit my head too hard. It's weird…I can't read him. He likes to stay inside of this damn shell, afraid to come out of it or even let me in. I worry about him." Ahana admitted.
"That's the thing. You have to let the people who're fighting silent battles that you're their shield thy can rely on when they are too tired to continue th fight. Love him. Keep an eye on him. Treasure every moment with him. Hell, even in life, treasure any and everything. No matter how little it is." Harvey explained.
Ahana looked down at Harvey and just glared at him. "I have…a rather strange feeling about you, Harvey." Ahana whispered. She rubbed him on the head like a dog, messing up his hair in the process. Before Harvey knew it…he was alone with Ahana in a alley.
Ahana stopped as she could hear footsteps coming from ahead. "Wait." Ahana told Harvey. Harvey fixed his glasses and saw a figure walking towards the two.
"We should turn back." Harvey said. Ahana immediately felt the fear coming from Harvey. (Who is this girl?)
Ahana turned back to see a smile across the girls face. She stopped a few feet away from Ahana. "Oh, you must be Isabella? I'm Mandy." Mandy said with a large smile. Ahana didn't buy any of it. She could see right through the girl, thanks to her eye. "I…need to talk to Harvey. Mind if I take him off your hands?"
"I do. Me and him are hanging out for today…sorry, Mandy. The better question is, why didn't you come meet me at lunch? I would've loved to of had talked to you." Ahana said.
"Well, if you're a poplar and lovable person, you'd be pretty busy. I guess you wouldn't know anything of that, huh?" Mandy laughed. "You're right. Then again…I don't need validation from useless people who I know I won't even talk to in the next few years of my life. I guess you need that, huh?" Ahana asks as she sighed loud.
"Well aren't you just th smart one? Not smart enough to figure out I wasn't asking. I'm telling you that I'm gonna talk to Harvey." Mandy said in a now serious tone.
"Telling me? Ahaha! You're so adorable! You're like a damn rat…just waiting for my foot to squish you." Ahana said with her own smile.
"Isabella…I'd like to go with Mandy." Harvey said as he looked down at the ground.
Ahana quickly shot her head around. "What? No, you're supposed to stay with me!" Ahana grabbed Harvey tightly by his wrist. "You're not going with her. Are you insane?!"
Mandy tilted her head over. "Look at me, Harvey. Do you remember the last time…you tried to listen to someone instead of me? Now…I may not be smart, but I think you wouldn't want that to happen again…right?" Mandy asked.
"R-right."
"So come with me silly!" Mandy said with a smile.
"Isabella…please let go of me. Mandy…Mandy isn't your typical spoiled brat bully. I'm doing this to keep you safe…so, please, let go of me and let me go with her." Harvey begged. "If she hurts you…I'll kill her." Ahana said as she let go of Harvey. Harvey walked over and walked past Mandy.
"I'll be seeing you soon, okay beautiful?" Mandy said as she waved goodbye. Ahana smirked, her blood beginning to pump with excitement. (It's just as I figured! Harvey…is being cursed by a jinn that's connected with Mandy! We've got a cursed one on our hands! Possibly…a jinn user. Like the white lighting.)
A wide grin crossed Ahana's face. "This is going to be so much fun." She chuckled. "I'm just itching to kill you, Mandy."
******
"I'm sending you to the party. It's a massive party held every year fo the people in that town. I'm can't think of anyone better or stronger to send out of my students. This should be fun!" Obilisk said as he tuned around and walked away. "If things do go wrong…don't be afraid to shoot me a text, Kai. Whenever you're in the mirror state, you're probably stronger than me!" Obilisked laughed.
"As you wish." The boy said.
******
Next Chapter: Mandy Lionheart