Touched by Darkness (Young Creator Trilogy) (2 page)

I walk over to Aunt Tisi, asking,
“Why does it seem like no one is aware of Kia’s dead
body?”
“It’s one of my gifts, I can changehow humans see the things around them.”
“Wow, that’s really neat! Canyou teach me how to do that?”
“I don’t know, Trish. We can definitely try,but I don’t know the full scale of your
powers. However, it does seem that you bringing Keagan back cost you,” she says while picking
up a strand of my hair.
“What do you mean,Aunt Tisi?”
“This black streak represents the darkness that you pulled from Keagan and will now
forever be a part of you.” Her words scare me.
“How is this going to affect me?”
“I’m not sure, we will have to see. Prepare yourself, for darkness can show its face in
many ways. Now that you have it inside of you, it is going to try to bring you down and make
you weak.” No longer wanting to talk about it, I change the subject.
“Any idea why I wasn’t able to bring Kia back?”
“You are the only person I know that has that ability, so I have absolutely no experience
with this. We will have to experiment around with your powers when we get back to camp. I
have a feeling this will not be the last we see of Allecto and Haddie, and this battle definitely
surprised me. It was completely out of control and shows that we really need to be prepared for
anything. I was overly confident, and it cost us.”
“Aunt Tisi, no one could have ever guessed that Kia was going to turn on us. Please,
don’t blame yourself for what happened.” She gives me a sad smile and I decide to change the
subject. “So we’re going back to the rebelcamp?”
“For now, yes. Once we get there,we are going to have to figure out what to do next.”
What to do next
. I have no idea what they have planned for us, but am glad thatit’s
something that they are dealing with. I don’t want to make any decisions; instead, I’ll leave it up
to the adults. With reassurance that a plan is underway, I decide to go looking for Keagan. I see
Chelsey standing by herself and join her.
“Chelsey, let’s go find Keagan.” She smiles at me, following me in the direction that I
saw Riley and Keagan walk. We make our way through the crowd of tourists who are busily
snapping pictures of the crumbling Golden Gate Bridge. It seems now that people are realizing
the immediate danger has passed, they are amazed by the destruction. Stopping, I stand on my
tiptoes, trying to find Keagan. When I can’t spot him in the crowd, I decide to go for higher
ground by climbing one of the fallen bridge pieces. Chelsey tells me to be careful, but I wave her
concern away, steady on my feet. I smile and point in his direction when I finally spot him. His
back is facing me, and he’s talking to Riley a few feet away. Jumping down, I grab Chelsey’s
hand, pulling her toward Keagan and Riley. I stop in my tracks when I hear the words coming
out of Keagan’s mouth.
“I’m telling you, Riley,I don’t have anything going with that chick. For you to say that I
have some sort of thing going with a Young Creator is disgusting. It’s not like they are human.
Not only that, but even though I know not all of them are evil, I could never truly trust any of
them. I don’t know why you’re insisting that she means anything to me.I’m telling you, I have
no feelings whatsoever for that thing.” I’m completely crushed; his words feel like a knife to my
back. What does he mean, he has no feelings for me and hecan’t trust me? I thought that we
were past the no trust issue; him kissing me earlier this morning sure doesn’t coincide with what
he is telling Riley.
Riley must have spotted us, because her eyes got really large as Keagan was finishing his
rampage and began shifting around nervously on her feet. Keagan notices the change in Riley’s
behavior and spins around. His eyes land on Chelsey first and he gives her an unsure smile, but
when his gaze shifts to me, his smile turns into a scowl.
“
What
?” he shouts at me, throwing his arms up in frustration. As I stare at him, my eyes
start to water, tears threatening to spill forth.
“I don’t understand.” I forget that Riley and Chelsey are watching us. Taking a step
toward Keagan, I feel crushed when he steps back, a look of disgust crossing his face.
“What do you not understand?I don’t want anything to do with you! Your kind is the last
cruel joke that the ancient gods decided to play on us. I’m not interested in having anything to do
with you, or anyone like you. You need to leave me the hell alone and stop bothering me. Do you
understand that?” He says the last sentence slowly, enunciating the words likeI’m a small child
that has a hard time comprehending the meaning of what he said.
I don’t understand what is happening. I justcan’t deal with anything else today. It was
supposed to be a special day, it’s my 18
^th
birthday after all, but instead of celebrating I get stuck
having to fight for humanity. Now,I’m being completely crushed by the guy that holds my heart
in his grasp. Chelsey decides to try to save me from this horrible situation, and guides me away.
While walking away, I glance over my shoulder for one last look at Keagan. He is standing with
his arms crossed in front of him a look of disgust on his face.
When I turn back around, I notice a couple of girls giggling and casting glances in my
direction. I figure they must have overheard what Keagan said to me. Whatever, I don’t care.I’m
too miserable, everything just seems to keep rolling downhill. Seriously,don’t I deserve a break?
Did I not just do the world a major service by kicking some Allecto booty?
We head back toward Tisiphone and find her with Maximus. He has his arm around her,
and they are talking and laughing intimately, I feel bad for having to interrupt their moment, but
am ready to get out of this place.
“Can we head back to camp now?” I ask with a shaky voice and trembling lips.
Aunt Tisi looks at me inquisitively, but I stare at the ground to avoid her gaze. I don’t
wanther see how much pain I’m in and have to answer questions. I see her and Maximus
exchanging a glance and then separate. Aunt Tisi walks toward me and gives me a quick hug.
“Everything all right,Trish?” I want to say no, nothing is all right, and to be honest everything
sucks. My world keeps spinning out of control and I’m tired of it. I don’t want any more worries,
or to have my feelings hurt. I need a break, some good luck to come my way. Instead of saying
any of this, I just give her a weak smile and say,“Yup, everything is just peachy.” I can tell by
the look on her face that shedoesn’t believe me, but thankfully decides not to push me…
something that I’m immensely grateful for.
“Sure, Trish, we canhead back.” She glances around, looking for the rest of our group.
Whenshe realizes that Riley and Keagan aren’t around, she returns her gaze to me, searching for
answers. She eventually accepts my unwillingness to tell her what is bothering me, and next
thing I know Keagan and Riley are standing next to me. I make sure not to look at Keagan, and
instead pretend that I’m fascinated with something that some tourists are doing. Aunt Tisi
instructs us once again on how to prepare for travel, and in the blink of an eye we are back in the
camp.
To my astonishment, all of the residents of the camp are in the clearing, waiting on our
return. They immediately start cheering and clapping when we appear. It is amazing and a little
overwhelming when everyone wants to talk to me and introduce themselves. I had met a few
people previously, but my group mainly stayed to themselves before tonight. I smile and get
caught up shaking hands and hugging everyone for the next hour; meeting some amazing people
and hearing some heart wrenching stories. For the rest of the night, I talk, laugh, and am
constantly swarmed by people. Luckily, it makes it easier to forget the events of today, and my
current heartbreak.
My favorite moment is when everyone gathers around Mom, who has not left my side
since my return, and me. ThenKeagan’s mom approaches through the sea of people, holding a
chocolate cake with eighteen candles on it. Everyone sings happy birthday, and then we each
enjoy a delicious, homemade piece of cake. There is laughter and chatting all around me.
Sadly, the night comes to a finish and I find myself alone and heartbroken in my tent.
Now thatI’m not surrounded by people, the events of the day seem to slap me in the face. I break
down and cry into my pillow. Eventually I fall into a restless night of sleep, tossing and turning
from constant nightmares of Keagan dying all over again.
When I wake up the next morning, I have a pounding headache that seems to have
originated at my temples. I apply pressure with my fingers which instantaneously, even though
just momentarily, gives relieve. My eyes hurt from crying all night, and I just want to hide in my
tent and not face the day. As I bury my face in my pillow, I realize that being by myself is not
going to take the pain away becauseI’m left alone with my thoughts, which are not good at all. I
decide to brace myself for the day, and in my opinion there is no better way of doing so than
with a nice hot bath. I head over to the cave to do so in the hot springs; hopefully that will ease
some of the strain from my body.
The cave is empty, which I could not be happier about. All I want right now is some
peace and quiet. It is so relaxing in here, Ican’t help but close my eyes and completely relax.

I guess I dozed off because I wake up to a raised voice.
“I don’t think that we should be
involved in this, Helen.I don’t want anyone in my family to be hurt.”
Helen replies in a soft, gentle tone,“My love, you have to understand why I want to do
this. You remember how it was for me when I first got to Haven. I almost gave up on life
because of all the misery I was experiencing. If it weren’t for your love and kindness, I would
not be standing here today.”
There is a part of me that wishes I was not here listening to their private conversation. I
feel like I’m being rude by eavesdropping, but at the same timeI’m intrigued to find out what
Keagan’s parents are talking about. I decide to hunker down and listen.
“I remember those days, and that is exactly why I do not want us to be involved in this. I
can’t fathomhaving to watch anyone in my family be hurt or killed.” I can hear the pain in
Markus’ voice.
“That is exactly why we need to stand up to them and do the right thing. I remember the
night that you came to me in that dungeon. I was laying on that cold, wet floor, praying for an
escape from this horrible life, begging God to end my life so that I would not have to suffer
anymore. I was done, there was no fight left in me. Then you came and carried me away. I cried,
and I know you probably thought that it was in relief of leaving that place, but honestly I was
crying because my prayers hadn’t been answered.” I take a quick glance over the rock formation
that shields me from their view, and can clearly make out Helen and the pain the memories are
causing her. Looking at Markus, I see nothing but shock written across his face, and I wonder
what he is going to say to all of this. Apparently he was not aware of how his wife and mother of
their children felt so many years ago.
“You wanted to die?”
“Markus, I know that it is hard to understand, but I was just a young girl, sheltered all my
life. Then, all at once, I find myself surrounded by cruel, hateful people that have nothing on
their mind except how to hurt me next. I was not strong, and I wanted a way out. You were so
sweet and gentle with me, but deep down I was waiting… waiting for the next painful blow or
punishment. You know what changed my mind,though?”
Keagan’s dad just shakes his head, clearly having no idea.
Helen walks over to Markus, taking his hand in hers. He unfolds his arms and pulls Helen
to him; the tension that I had previously noticed leaves his body as he stares into her eyes. “Do
you remember when we ate our first meal together and I refused to eat? You said to me,‘Helen, I
know that this has been hard on you, but you have to remember that the things worth anything in
this life will never come easy. You have to fight for them. It is often a lot harder to do what feels
right versus what everyone else wants or expects, but that is what makes it so much more special
and worth fighting for. I believe that hardship and tragedy makes you a better person, who
appreciates life so much more.’” She gives him a gentle peck on his cheek. “That is exactly why
we have to do this. It may be easier to look the other way while women and Young Creators get
treated horrible at Haven, but it’s definitely not the right thing to do. Maybe the reason that I had
such a hard time at Haven was so that I could find the strength to stand up against them. Living
in Haven has made me stronger, and also gave me a wonderful, loving husband and two sweet
children. Well, most of the time they are sweet.”
“Talking about children, what is going on with your son?”
“Oh, so now he is my son, since he is acting like an alien has invaded his body?
Honestly, Markus, I have no idea what is going on, but I’m going to find out. Ever since he has
come back from San Franciscoit’s like he is the same egotistical, hardheaded, stubborn boy that
we sent to Dalton. I don’t understand what happened.”
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but he has me worried, and I have a feeling it has something to
do with that girl he brought over for dinner that one night.” My heart is pounding madly in my
chest; I can’t believe that they are talking about me while I’m right here. Holy crap.
“You mean Trish, my love. I’m worried, too. There is definitely something different
about Keagan and I haven’t figured it out yet. I’ve tried to talk to Maximus and Tisiphone about
what happened out there, but they keep evading me. Something is going on. We need to get to
the bottom of this and soon. He is our child!”
“What about Riley, has she said anything to you?” Marcus is scratching his eyebrow
while contemplating everything, and a deep scowl has now taken over his face.
“I haven’t had the chance to catch up with her. She has been stuck toKeagan’s side and it
seems like they just want to be left alone.”
“Okay, so why don’t you talk to Trish? You two got close while she was here and I know
that you trust each other. I think if anyone will tell you about what happened she might be your
best bet.”
“You’re right. Plus, I want to check on her anyway. Make sure that she’s all right, I know
that she has been through a lot. Do you still remember that Sunday Keagan came over for dinner
and told us all about the girl that had stolen his heart with a scowl? Said he was so thrown off by
her hedidn’t know what to do.” Helen and Marcus share a smile, which only moments later is
replaced by a sober look. “I really hope that everything works out for them.I don’t think I have
ever seen Keagan so… I don’t even know how to describe it.”
“Cheerful is how I would describe it. A description I wouldn’t have ever thought I would
direct my son’s way. Always so serious and focused. I agree with you, Helen, I really hope that
they will work whatever has come between them out.”
I’m leaning forward, trying to get a look at Markus’ face and end up slipping on the
rocks, falling backwards into the pool of water. I can’t believe that just happened! How in the
world am I going to get out of this situation?I don’t have the courage to face it head on, so I
imagine myself with a pair of gills so that I can breathe underwater. To my amazement, it
actually works and I can breathe. I sink to the bottom of the pool and sit cross-legged, thinking
that I’ll just have to wait it
out, when I notice a shadow fall over the water. I just hope that the
pool water is hazy enough to make it impossible to see the bottom of the pool. Just in case, I
decide to take it one step further and imagine myself in a stylish black bikini that I remember
seeing in a Victoria Secrets catalog a while ago.
While I wait at the bottom of the pool, I decide to run my fingers over my newly acquired
gills.I didn’t have specifics in mind when I imagined them, and to my surprise they ended up
running up my ribs. I graze my hand over my left side; where smooth skin once covered my
torso, I now have deep fissures. I wonder how they enable me to breathe. I decide that it’s time to
get up when my skin starts feeling like a prune. It must have been at least thirty minutes since I
fell into the pool.
I slowly start swimming to the surface, and when I breach the water I glance around
quickly.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” I say when I see who awaits me at the bank of the pool.