After plunging
gracefully from high above, the water crashed and bounced wildly into a giant
pool, splashing in different directions with optimal force. The waterfall raged
in my ears. Sprinkling my arms, legs, and face in a scattered frenzy, tiny
droplets tickled my skin and revitalized my senses. Rocks and small pebbles
sparkled like diamonds, while ferns and other greenery glistened like emeralds
in the fine mist that embellished the basin.
Jason stepped
closer and said loudly over the roar, “There’s something magical about
encountering nature’s voice in a magnificent waterfall.”
I leaned in
close to his ear. “It’s breathtaking. It’s like a well-kept secret hidden away
from the rest of the world, and once you find it, you don’t want anyone else to
know about it.”
“Well maybe one
other person,” he said with a meaningful look.
I smiled, bit my
lower lip, and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“You’re
welcome.”
“I could stare
at the falls for hours and never get bored.”
“Yeah, it has
that mesmerizing effect.”
“The deep, green
pool is beautiful,” I said. “I’d love to just jump in and play, like a little
kid without a care in the world.”
“We’ll do it
sometime,” he promised. Then he grabbed my backpack and set both our packs on a
dry boulder several feet away. On his way back he bent down and reached into
the shallows of the pool. “Check out this cool rock,” he called out. Holding it
up to the light, he said, “Looks like quartz.”
While he was
talking, I spotted something sparkling under the pristine surface. I dipped my
hand into the chilly water and pulled out a rough, jagged rock. Smiling to
myself, I approached him. He was completely absorbed, digging around in the
rocks. I nudged him with my elbow and said, “How ‘bout this one?”
He opened his
hand, and I placed it in his palm. “Nice,” he said. “I like how it’s two sided.
One side dark and mysterious with tiny glimmers of hope, and the other side
light and pure with obvious beauty.” Rolling it around in his hand, he looked
up and said, “Definitely a keeper.” With a grin, he stuck it in his pocket.
“Hey,” I cried
out.
“What?” he asked
innocently. “You handed it to me. You’re not gonna take back a gift, are you?”
I shook my head,
made a face, and said, “Your audacity astounds me.” He seemed to like that
comment, so I waved him away and searched some more. For awhile, we tried to
outdo each other by finding the most unique rocks. Like children, we couldn’t
resist picking up larger stones and throwing them into the pool, watching them
“ker-plunk” before disappearing into the depths. Eventually though, he
determined we should head back down so we’d have plenty of time to catch up
with the Nelson siblings and Laci.
After a final,
wistful look at Sholes Creek Falls, we turned and clambered back down the
gargantuan boulder and into the masses of fallen logs. For the most part, the
hike down was much of the same, only more treacherous. I slipped a couple times
and managed to get my shorts fairly wet, but Jason bribed me with more
salmonberries around every turn.
At one point he
stopped and pointed at what he termed “the perfect fishing hole.” The current
ran gently through a quiet, little tide pool off to the side of the creek.
“Fish are probably hiding over in that corner. That collapsed tree offers great
cover for them,” he said.
“What kind of
fish are you talking about, and how big?”
His eyes lit up.
“This creek would have small trout, maybe six to eight inches.” He scratched
his chin. “Not very big really, but fun to catch.”
I teased him.
“You’re obviously overwrought with knowledge. Wouldn’t be surprised if you
could build a fishing pole out of a long, thin branch and a fern.” He rolled
his eyes and chuckled. I continued, “Yeah, something tells me you could survive
out here for weeks in the dead of winter. Don’t suppose you carry a hatchet in
that backpack of yours,” I added with mirth.
“Ah ha,” he
mused. “You’re familiar with Gary Paulsen?” As I nodded, he said, “I like a
woman whose well read and comes with a sense of humor.”
Looking at him
with uncertainty, I said, “My dad did read aloud to me and my brothers when we
were little – even when we were older,” I admitted.
“I’d like to
meet him sometime.” He looked at me with unwavering eyes. “Your mom and
brothers, too.”
Suddenly shy, I
said, “I’d like that.”
Reaching over,
he pulled a twig out of my hair. His eyes penetrated mine, and he said in all
seriousness, “Alex, no matter how the rest of this day goes or what you think
about me, about all of us by the end of it – I want you to know I really
enjoyed being with you today.” Speechless, I stared at him as he continued
talking. “I like your sense of humor, your curiosity, your optimism, and the
way you draw upon things you’ve read and bring them into your life.”
By now I’d gone
completely still. I figured my face was brighter than if it had been sunburned,
because I could feel the heat scorching my cheeks. I looked down into the quiet
pool. “Umm…”
“Alex, look at
me,” he insisted. “I’m not trying to embarrass you. I just want to be honest,
for once.” Hesitantly, I raised my eyes and gave him a slight nod. “Better,” he
continued. “Mostly, I appreciate how you let me be myself.”
I was
tongue-tied. He’d never been so openly forthright. Knowing I couldn’t say any
words as meaningful as his, I smiled and whispered, “Thanks.”
He nodded, but
his smile seemed almost melancholy. He tapped his watch. “Let’s get going. This
is where we leave the creek and head back through the forest. We should be back
to the truck in about 20 minutes.”
We’d been hiking
in peaceful silence for about five minutes when I thought I heard voices. I was
completely surprised since we weren’t on a main trail. In fact, we weren’t on
any designated trail at all. “Jason? Did you hear someone talking?” I asked,
accidentally bumping into him.
He’d stopped and
was standing absolutely still, like a statue. His arms were out in a defensive
position, and he looked ready to execute a few Jiu-Jitsu moves. Every muscle in
his body appeared tense, and the veins on the side of his neck pulsated. He
never answered me, just turned and put a finger over his lips.
We stood there
not moving for about a minute. I strained as hard as I could to hear a voice,
or footsteps, or some kind of rustling in the trees but heard nothing. The
woods were eerily silent. I had no idea why he was acting so strangely, but
since he’d proven to be an experienced outdoorsman, I followed his lead without
question. Something was definitely wrong, and I had reason to be concerned.
Suddenly, he
whipped around with his finger still upon his lips, grabbed my arm forcefully,
and pulled me the other way. Eventually, he hauled me to the far side of a
thick Douglas fir tree. I had the distinct feeling he was trying to hide me. He
pulled his hands away and shook them with frustration. Then he wrapped his arms
around me, without really touching me, and placed the palms of his hands
against the bark of the tree. He encircled me like I was in his protection.
Leaning in close
to my face, his expression was even more deadly serious than when he’d attacked
Mr. Beady Eyes. I couldn’t read his thoughts, but his face indicated he was
feeling something between total panic and raw violence. His unrelenting
countenance and rigid body had me completely terrified. With my body producing
extra doses of adrenaline and my heartbeat racing uncontrollably, I tried to
imagine what could possibly be worse than Mr. Beady Eyes pointing a gun at
everyone.
In a strained,
chilled voice, Jason said as quietly as possible, “Alex, you will not
understand what is about to happen. But I need you to trust me. Do you trust
me?”
With my lips
trembling and my eyes round with horror, I nodded sharply and said, “Yes.”
“Good. I need
you to follow my instructions. I want you to stay hidden behind this tree, and
don’t make a sound. Do not come out and reveal yourself unless I specifically
tell you to do so. You are going to hear and see some things that don’t make
any sense. You need to open your mind to new possibilities, just like you did
when Jessica told you about your Essence. Picture yourself in one of your
fantasy books where the supernatural exists, and try to find some comfort
there. What you see might scare you, but I don’t want you to interfere.” He
stopped and waited.
“Okay,” I
whispered, frightened beyond belief.
“You know how we
keep referring to you as an Amethyst?” I bobbed my head once, and he continued,
“There are others like you, but different. They have unusual abilities, and
there are small groups who abuse those abilities and use them against Innocents,
I mean ordinary humans. These people are dangerous, Alex, more so than the men
in the bank. They are evil. So I need you to stay hidden; it’s imperative they
don’t find you. I will try to hold them off until Max and the others get here.
No matter what happens to me, promise you’ll stay hidden.”
I’m sure my face
drained of any remaining color, and I said, “I can’t—”
Shoving his
finger against my lips, he said angrily, “You will.” He removed his hand and
said, “I have to go now. Stay here and stay quiet.”
I felt like my
heart was being ripped out through my throat, and I had no idea why. As he
withdrew his arms and started to move away, I grabbed him. I pulled him towards
me and crushed my lips against his. His eyes widened in total shock, and his
irises flared, but I persisted. Clasping his face firmly, I slowed my movements
and traced every inch of his soft, supple lips with my own. Daringly, I nibbled
on his upper lip, savoring the sweetness I found there – traces of salmonberry.
His eyes fluttered closed, like I’d rendered him helpless. A flame ignited in
my belly – spreading outward in a rush of heat waves until my fingertips
tingled. The world ceased to exist; there was only him and me.
My mouth on his
mouth was fiery hot. I’d never felt more sure of anything in my entire life.
Abandoning the slow, leisurely kiss, I tilted my head and forced his lips open.
When I found his tongue, I ravaged it with my own. I demanded his surrender,
yet begged for his acceptance. Deepening my kiss, I devastated him with weeks
of pent up passion and longing. I provoked him until his body was shaking. With
my hands clasped around his neck, I held on for dear life.
Our kiss became
even more frenzied and urgent, like we needed it, depended on it for
sustenance, for survival. His velvet-soft lips and hot, moist mouth almost
undid me. His Essence was intimately familiar – the heat between us sweltering.
Rapturous. I felt like I was on fire in a way I’d never been before. I wanted
to consume him, and I wanted him to consume me. I pressed myself against his
strong, sturdy body until I could feel his heart beating. Still, I couldn’t get
close enough, so I ran my hands through his hair, down his arms, and over his
face. Shock waves of desire surged through my entire being as my tongue danced
with his.
Suddenly, he
jerked, and a moan escaped his mouth. He gasped for breath, wrenched away from
me, and staggered backwards. My eyes shot open, still burning with need. His
aqua-marine eyes stared at me, completely stunned. He backed away slowly,
shaking his head unhappily.
In a whisper,
barely audible, he said, “Oh, Alex…you shouldn’t have done that.” Then he
stepped into the sunlight and walked several paces away from my hiding spot.
Trembling, I
touched my lips and drew a shaky breath. I’d never experienced a kiss like that
before – one that invaded my senses and my logic, and consumed my soul. I
placed my hand over my heart like that would stop it from pounding so loudly.
Crouched down at the base of the tree, I pulled myself together as best I
could. Eventually, I peeked through spiky sword ferns and listened intently. I
didn’t see anyone except Jason. His very still figure stood alone in a circular
clearing under the tree branches. Streaks of sunlight shot down sporadically
over the forest floor all around him. Everything was quiet. Then I heard a
voice – an unforgiving voice that left me panicked and horrified.
Maliciously
deep, it leered, “Well, well, it looks like we’ve found ourselves a
Guardian
out here in the woods. Guess we’re in for some fun and games after all. What do
ya say guys?”
Guardian?
What
the… As I strained to see who was talking, I dug my fingers into the dirt to
stop myself from tumbling into plain sight.
“You got it
Kieran,” responded a raspy voice. “Let’s see how long this fool can hold his
own before he becomes lunch.”
Loud, sinister
laughter followed by piercing shrieks erupted through the woods and echoed
harshly through the timber.
Raucous laughter
claimed the surrounding forest, chilling me to the bones. But that was nothing
compared to the shock waves ripping through my body as I stared at the back of
Jason’s unyielding form. I realized, with unmistakable clarity, that they were
talking about him. My Jason was a
Guardian
! And he’d been right in front
of my face the whole entire time!
The big secret,
the big reveal, was out of the bag. I was momentarily overjoyed. I closed my
eyes. My friends were not vampires or psychotic closet killers; they were
Guardians who had visions of the future like me. Except, I was still a Seer.
Only now, I’d be able to link, and I could get their help with the mountain
lions. Tidal waves of relief flooded over me, carrying my worries back out to
sea – until I remembered Jason was standing out there alone, facing…facing who?
My eyes shot
open. What had Grandma Rose written in her journal? Stewart had called them
enemies of Guardians. Oh no! The Ray-pacs.