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  I looked back at him, still holding my calm expression.

  “Do you see anything else in this room?” he asked in a voice just above a whisper.

  I moved my head slowly from side to side, holding his gaze. “I can’t see past you,” I whispered.

  An innocent smile spread across his face. “Progress,” he whispered.

  I looked back at Aden, but he wasn’t paying any attention to us; he was playing with his phone.

  “I’m sure this would be a good time for you to tell me to go – but Austin just texted me and said that he’s at the door and asked should he use that one or another one,” Aden said raising his eyebrows.

  Draven’s eyes moved to me, then he quickly sat his guitar down and ran down the stairs.

  I looked at Aden. “Should I go?” I asked, confused.

  He shook his head no and blushed. “Draven just wanted to make sure he used the front door.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows to question him, but he just looked down at his phone and started texting.

  Thunder and lightning erupted all around the house; I jumped at the sound of it.

  “It’s getting too bad for you to drive anyways,” Aden said in a concerned tone, looking up at me.

  I looked out the window and watched the trees fight the wind – I was terrified of what I’d face on my drive home. The shadows were furious with me for coming here, and I could only imagine what price I’d pay for staying this long.

  “Charlie,” Aden said quietly.

  I jumped out of the thought I was in and looked at him. He stood slowly from behind his drums and walked to me. “Don’t worry about what’s outside – it can’t hurt you, and it knows that.”

  I tried to smile and act like I knew what he was talking about, to pretend that I wasn’t fighting this war on my own, but it was clear that he could see the emptiness behind my expression.

  “I hope you’re right – it sounds dangerous,” I said as the thunder crashed again.

  “Listen…I don’t agree with the slow, revealing path Draven is trying to take to reach you – if it were me, I wouldn’t have the patience – I’m asking you to let him in….let him see what you’re fighting so he can protect you, so I can protect you.”

  I furrowed my eyebrows as I heard his words; I knew he had no idea what he was asking me to do. “I’m really messed up inside… and right now, I have to figure a lot of stuff out before I let anyone in.”

  “You’re wrong…it’s not safe for you to be alone.”

  “I’ve been alone – and I’m still standing,” I said in a timid voice.

  He stepped closer and looked tenderly down at me. “I want you to imagine that you haven’t been – open your mind to the possibility – that you’re missing a part of yourself.”

  “You know, everyone keeps telling me that, but no one has bothered to tell what it is I’m missing…it must be bad.”

  “It’s not bad…at least, you never thought it was…no one’s telling you because you have to find a way to remember the Charlie you were…we can’t teach how to be yourself– you have to unlock your memories. I promise you: as soon as you do, your eyes will be wide open.”

  “Tell me how…were we friends before?” I asked, daring him to confirm that he and Draven were in my life before now.

  “Listen to your soul – it commands your body – what is your body telling you? What emotions do I have around me?”

  “I feel safe – like I’m at home,” I answered, staring into his eyes.

  “Would you feel that way with a stranger?” he asked.

  Slowly, I moved my head from side to side as I tried to grasp how messed up I really was.

  “Then you already know the answer to your question.”

  Draven came in the door at that moment. He looked sternly at Aden, as if to judge what he was talking to me about. Aden raised his hands as if to say he knew his boundaries, then made his way to the couch.

  With Draven was a young man, maybe twenty-two. He was tall and lean, and he looked so pure, but not in a weak way; I mean, he looked like the anguish of life had never touched him, yet he had conquered more than I could imagine. He was dressed in black from head to toe, and the color seemed to bring out his angelic hazel eyes.

  I studied his eyes as I remembered Britain asking me if Draven’s eyes were hazel – glowing. Even though this stranger’s eyes were that color, they were too dark for anyone to describe them as glowing. Even if it was the same guy Britain seemed to fear, I had no fear of him – peace emanated from him.

  “Austin, this is…Charlie,” Draven said, nodding in my direction.

  Austin smiled slightly as if to say hello. I stared back at him as I replayed the conversation that Aden had had with me. I listened to my body – to my emotions. When I saw Austin, I felt… relief, like he was an escape, not only for me, but Aden and Draven – even Madison.

  “Nice to meet you,” I finally said.

  Austin’s smile fell, and I saw concern fill his eyes. “Pleasure is mine.”

  “We just saw Wesley; he looked happy – are they leaving with you?” Aden asked Austin.

  Draven nodded for me to take a seat in the chair. When I did, he sat on the arm next to me.

  As he sat down next to Aden on the couch, Austin’s eyes looked back and forth between me and Draven. “No…not yet…I,” he looked at Draven, “I need to talk to you so I can make sure I know my boundaries,” he said politely.

  “I’ll stop you,” Draven promised.

  “I have a few of my people with me – but I guess you guys aren’t up for traveling,” Austin said, looking back at Aden.

  “Your people?” I asked, trying not to sound offended.

  Austin blushed as his eyes moved back to me. “I guess that did sound rude… sorry… I really didn’t know how to put it – I just mean people from the place I live.” He leaned forward. “I have people from Chara with me, Charlie…they’re eager to meet all of you.”

  My eyes grew wide as he spoke, and relief swarmed over every part of me…but it was an empty emotion…somehow, I knew that wanting to see this place, Chara, or even meet people from there would be dangerous…not for me, but for them. I felt purity, almost a heavenly respect for this place Austin spoke of … I didn’t want to bring my demons there. I looked up at Draven; his eyes were studying my every move…he was waiting – waiting for me to remember something, but I couldn’t explain the emotions I was feeling.

  “It was dangerous for you to come here…the storms,” I mumbled as I looked down. Somehow, I knew the storms weren’t weather – more like violent energy. I could hear echoes of Austin’s voice as he told us stories of what he faced on his path…I could see…I could see something called a string – a divine light kissed by colors. My heart started to race, and my vision began to blur; without warning, my body trembled.

  Austin raised his eyebrows as hope spread across his expression. “Do you remember me telling you about my home?” he asked.

  I leaned forward, buried my head in my lap, and told to myself to breath. As I moved my head from side to side, I felt Draven’s hand gently move across my back – the energy that his touch always seemed to provide slowly allowed me to compose myself.

  “I mentioned it last night – vaguely,” Draven quietly said.

  He was giving me an escape, allowing me to pretend that my memory hadn’t been robbed. I pulled myself up and locked gazes with him. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to his side. I dared to look at Austin and Aden; in their beautiful faces I found fear, and concern.

  “Is Landen here? Is he gonna help us?” Draven asked.

  Austin shook his head no. “I traveled with his brother, Brady, about a week ago, but I didn’t bring it up. I know he’s not as open-minded. I just can’t seem to be home at the same time as Landen. I know he’ll want to help you – that’s just the kind of person he is….the travelers with me are more than capable of helping me bring you to my home…or wherever else you wish to g
o….we want to help you master your gift – you have it for a reason.” Austin’s eyes moved to me. “That’s the core belief in Chara…we all have a purpose, and it’s more than clear that the gift each of you share is a valuable one.”

  “Is Landen a musician?” I asked, wanting him to tell me no – wanting them just to tell me what they were all waiting for me to remember.

  A deep concern filled Austin’s expression. “No… Landen has the gift of truth and intent…he can see further than any other in my home – he truly is an old soul.”

  “Intent? Truth?” I repeated as I furrowed my eyebrows.

  Austin nodded. “There’s no way to lie to him…and he can see every intent you may have.”

  My eyes grew wide. “Is that what ‘seeing’ is?” I asked, looking up at Draven. “Can you do that? Is that what all of you aren’t talking about? How can that Landen guy do that – is he human? What are you not saying to me?!”

  “Shh…,” Draven whispered as he pulled me closer. “We all see differently…I promise, I’ll show you.”

  I shook my head no and pulled from his embrace. “Explain,” I said, looking at Austin, knowing he’d given me more insight in the last moment than the others had given in days.

  Austin looked nervously at Draven, as if to ask for permission. “Tread carefully,” Draven mumbled.

  “NO! Don’t tread carefully, Austin – tell me everything - if you know me – tell me –tell what I am – what this Landen guy is – what are we!” I demanded.

  Austin let out a deep breath as he laced his hands together. He lowered his head, then raised his hazel eyes to look at me. “You are very human…in all my travels, I have never met the mythical creatures this world references…I assure you.”

  “Then how? How does he do that?” I looked up at Draven, then to Aden. “What do you see?” Aden’s eyes were locked with Draven’s, and I felt his body tense against mine. Aden’s eyes fell away, refusing to answer me.

  “There are some things in this universe that cannot be explained or understood,” Austin said, breaking the growing tension in the room. “In Chara, we watch the skies…let the stars speak to us….it’s believed that Landen’s insights exist because of the time he was born – A Pisces with a Virgo moon – the blood in his family reaches back to our beginning – we all expect great things from him.”

  “What is he, like a king? The stars? Are you serious?” I asked as calmly as I could, but sarcasm was heavy in my tone.

  Austin shook his head. “There are no kings, or queens – we believe each are gifted….Chara truly is a place for peace and love.”

  “Then you don’t want me there…I promise you that.” As I said those words, my memory was cruel to me. I heard the violent whispers – I saw the shadows form into dark images. I knew without a doubt I was right. I couldn’t let this follow me anywhere…not to Chara.

  Tension built in room, and I felt guilty – ungrateful for what I’d said…for the way I was acting. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m just…I’m just a little overwhelmed and confused right now...I – I didn’t mean to make fun of your beliefs – I’ve never been a fan of the Zodiac…not like my friend Madison is, anyway.”

  Austin smiled slightly. “Madison, my Scorpio friend,” he said, leaning forward. “I’m sorry…I pushed your memory tonight – and that was not my place.” His eyes moved to Draven. “What can I do to help you? I can’t explain how concerned I am about all of you.”

  Draven looped his fingers through mine, and I looked up at him to find eyes fighting with anger and patience. He let out a quiet breath as he looked back at Austin. “These are uncharted waters – but we’ll make it through this – we’ve survived worse.”

  “Have we?” Aden said shortly.

  Draven didn’t argue with him; he just let his eyes fall to the floor and pulled me closer.

  “I want to recommend leaving – now – I can hide you from this. I know I can,” Austin said.

  Draven’s eyes moved to Austin’s. “I’m not making this choice on my own – we’ll be fine. By the time you make it back here, everything will be clear again, and I’ll tell you if we’re ready…”

  Austin looked at Aden. “You feel the same way?”

  Aden looked between me and Draven before he answered. “I think we have a lot to figure out before we go – I don’t wanna bring anything to your doorstep.”

  “Listen,” I said, standing. “I think I should go – I don’t understand what you guys are talking about, but I feel like I’m holding you back – and – and that’s just not right.”

  Draven stood and put his arm around me and whispered, “Please stay,” in my ear.

  I felt a warm sensation rush through every part of me; even if I wanted to refuse his request, I was powerless to do so at that moment.

  “I should go,” Austin said, standing. “I’ll be back in few weeks to check on Wesley; before that, if I manage to talk to Landen.”

  Draven glanced up at him and said, “Travel safe.”

  “Always,” Austin said, then he looked at me. “I’ve never taken you for a person that holds anyone back…it was good to see you.”

  I smiled faintly and nodded.

  “See ya, Aden,” Austin said, waving behind him as he left.

  Aden waved as he stood and stretched. “I think I’m gonna disappear now.”

  “No, you’re fine,” I said, holding out my hand to stop him. “I really should go – it’s late.”

  The thunder clapped again, and the wind charged against the house. “If you really wanna go -I’ll have to take you – it’s not safe,” Draven said.

  I nodded to agree. I figured that would be faster than waiting for Kara to come and get me or waiting on the storm to pass.

  “I’ll see you soon,” Aden said as we left the room.

  Draven looped his fingers through mine as he guided me down the steps.

  “Do you need anything out of your car?” he asked.

  “Just my phone; I’ll get it,” I said, letting go of his hand before he could volunteer. I didn’t want to explain to him why I had two – why I still had two.

  I opened the door just as lightning illuminated the sky. I ran as fast as I could, getting completely soaked. I had to search in the dark for where I threw them earlier; once I found them, I tucked them under my shirt and ran back inside.

  “Sure you wanna go?” he asked.

  I nodded.“It’s getting late.”

  He opened a small closet door in the entry hall and reached in and grabbed the black hoodie with a Celtic cross I saw him wear yesterday, then slowly reached to take the one that was drenched off me. A warm chill danced down my spine.

  “This one’s dry,” he whispered, holding it out for me to put my arms through.

  As I pulled it around myself, I smelled the addictive aroma of his cologne and smiled. It made me feel safe and warm. As he looped his fingers through mine and pulled me through the hall to the kitchen, I grabbed my bag from the corner, slid my phones inside of it, then followed him through the garage door.

  His Hummer was backed in next to another one that was solid black. I wondered for a second if that was Aden’s. He opened the passenger door and helped me climb in. As I waited for him to walk around to the driver’s side, I told myself to just breathe – it was just one short drive home. I wasn’t driving, and I was strong enough to ignore the shadows and whispers - no matter how violent they were.

  He slid in and pulled his belt around himself, then smiled at me as he pressed the button to open the garage door.

  “I really did feel like I was holding you back in there,” I said, glancing to my side at him.

  “Did Aden say something to you while I was talking to Austin? Are you OK? Did Austin scare you when he was talking about his home?”

  I didn’t even want to try and understand where Austin was from – what place would be that peaceful at this point in history…or even that passage I remembered – the string. It all seemed su
perficial compared to the other memories I’d lost…the ones that I hoped had Draven in them.

  I hesitated before I answered. “Aden was telling me to listen to my soul – to let my emotions unlock what I’ve managed to forget.”

  He reached for my hand and carefully laced his fingers through mine. “What emotions do you have right now?” he asked as ours eyes met.

  “They’re out of control,” I whispered.

  “Mine, too,” he said as he tried to smile.

  “Would you tell me if I knew you before?”

  “I’ve already told you that I did.”

  “That’s not what I mean – what are you patiently waiting for me to remember?”

  “Just…how strong you are,” he answered as he let his eyes fall from mine. He let my hand go and put the Hummer in drive. I looked forward into the darkness at the wind and rain thrashing in every direction. I reached for the radio just as he did, then he smiled slightly as he turned it up, reaching for my hand again as he drove to the edge of his driveway.

  An overwhelming fear came over me; I felt like I was leading him into some kind of pending doom – I had no doubt that this evil I was fighting would take anything I cared about away from me – I didn’t want them to see us together.

  “Maybe I should just stay here until the storm passes – then I can drive myself.”

  He let out a quiet breath and reached for a switch on his dash; at that moment, lights beamed from the Hummer so bright, it was hard to see the night. He then turned the radio up just a little bit more. “Please, just let me make sure you get home safe,” he said, glancing at me.

  As I nodded and focused on the music that was playing, he reached for my hand as he pulled forward. I swear, I could see shadowed figures dodge out of the light that the Hummer was projecting. As we got closer to my house, I started to fear his drive home – convinced that they’d attack him. I let go of Draven’s hand and reached for the radio to turn it down. I closed my eyes and focused on every sound I could hear. The whispers were faint, but I could make out words. I could swear I heard, “Draven, Charlie” and the word “Come” overlapping with one another. I was terrified for the both of us.