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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Teens
- Theme: Action & Adventure
- Subject: Courage / Heroism
- Published: 05/10/2012
Into the Moonlight (Finale)
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Melody stopped at the end of the hallway. I looked at her questioningly. She raised her hand and pointed.
Guards she mouthed. I nodded. Then, an idea popped into my head. I dropped into my wolf form. I walked past my staring group and sat right in the middle of the floor. The guards turned at looked at me. I started to trot towards them. I stopped in front of them and looked up at them. I smiled. They smiled back at me.
I changed back. They looked really surprised.
“This is for locking me, along with my friends.” I punched both of them right in the face. They fell like bricks. I stepped over their bodies and motioned to my group. Marcus came first, followed by Jayco. Melody followed him and Rose followed her. Trinity, Pix, and Jace brought up the rear.
“Nice punch,” Marcus said. “Did you learn?”
“No,” I laughed. “Instinct.”
“Ah.” He grinned. I went serious and we went on. I led them down the corridor to a small brick room. It was a dead end. Pix and Marcus brushed past me. They started feeling along the walls. Marcus pressed his ear up against the wall.
“Right here.” I was swift to get over there. Marcus looked at me and moved away. I put my hand up against the wall. The bricks were loose, but one felt really loose. I pushed my hand on the brick. It started to go into the wall.
Suddenly, a door appeared. I smiled at my group. Marcus grinned and opened the door. He walked through. Pix, Trinity, Rose, and Jayco followed him. Jace hesitated, looking at me, and then followed them in. I started to walk towards the door.
Suddenly, if be some invisible force, the door shut.
“NO!” I shouted, slamming my hand up against the door. It wouldn’t budge. I threw myself up against. “Come on!”
“It won’t open.” I whirled around. Robin was standing in the center of the brick room. I hissed at him. He grinned at him. He started towards me.
“What do you want from me,” I cried.
“I want your powers.” He said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world. I tried to stay calm.
“You have to open that door.”
“No.” Suddenly, the ground rumbled. It shook, it crumbled. A shape appeared floating out of the ground. Austin Velverand.
“Hi, Tara.” He smiled at me. I just gaped at him. As if on cue, a bunch of shapes flew out of the ground. Hunter, Fange, Nightshade, Lightning, Sebastian, Kaye, Aelix, Luna, and all of Fange’s pack.
“Need help,” Hunter asked sarcastically. I grinned. Robin didn’t seem fazed. He whistled a high two note whistle. Suddenly, a bunch of guards surrounded him. I could see Jason among the group. They outnumbered us. I hissed under my breath.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled again and a wall broke down. When the dust cleared, I could see Jeremy. Jeremy! What was he doing here? Then, I looked behind him. He had brought a horde of elves. I could see the young boys who were at the dance with me. I smiled. Kaye ran over and hugged Jeremy.
Now, Robin looked surprised. He whistled and more guards appeared. I heard Hunter swear.
“How many warriors does this guy have?” Suddenly, the door behind me blew open and I saw Trinity step out. Jayco, Jace, Rose, Melody, and Marcus stepped out.
“Man, it is dusty in there,” Trinity said. “I think you should clean.” I heard Jason actually snicker. Robin whirled around and grabbed him. Jason looked surprised. Robin threw him to the ground. That was it for Jace. He sprang at Robin. His howl of rage started the entire battle. It was time to battle it out. I drew my sword and plunged into the battle.
I swung at the nearest guard. My sword cut deep into his stomach. He swung his sword at me. I dodge it and drove my blade in deep. He gurgled and fell to the ground. I looked around. Blood wet the floor. Bodies fell to the ground faster than the blood. I could see Nightshade tearing at a guard. I saw Trinity throwing everything she had at ten guards. Melody’s eyes were as white as her hair as she torn guards apart. Jayco had drawn a gold sword that was as big as a pole and it had a white fire around. Every time he swung it, the fire reflected into my eyes. Luna threw spell after spell at the guards. Kaye drew her bow and was shooting arrows fast. Jeremy was fighting beside her.
I peered around the crowd for Marcus. He was fighting guards. A guard had snuck behind him and was getting ready to throw his sword down. I didn’t even think. I ran at the guard and drove my sword right into his back. The guard’s head fell back and his eyes stared sightlessly at the sky. Marcus turned to look at me.
“Thanks,” he said.
“No problem.” I grabbed the guard’s sword and handed it to him. “Let’s see if you have some instinct.” He grinned, just as twelve guards surrounded us. We stood back to back. The guards charged at us. I hooked my arm through Marcus’s. I had my sword in my right hand, his arm in my other. I swung at a guard.
“Flip!” I swung Marcus around. He kicked out, knocking five guards unconscious. I stopped swing him. More guards advanced on us. I bent down low, a growl ripping through my throat.
Suddenly, a flash past in front of my eyes. Jason landed lightly in front of me. He had a blade of gold. He swung it. Three guards dropped. I looked at him in surprise.
He saw it. “I can’t let them hurt the only family I have.” I smiled. Marcus snorted and I turned around. More guards were advancing on us.
“I have had enough,” I hissed. I dropped into my wolf form and sprang at the guards. They were surprised. I ripped, torn, bit, scratched, threw, hit, and clawed at them. I saw another wolf join the fight. This wolf was as white as I was. Did Jason lie? Was he a real werewolf? All the guards were finished. I padded up to the other wolf.
Who are you? I asked.
I can’t believe you don’t recognize me, a familiar voice said.
Marcus??? You’re an Angel Wolf too???
Yup. He transformed back into a human. I did too. We both just stared at each other until we heard someone call.
“ROBIN IS DEAD!! RETREAT!!” All the guards dispersed. I walked around. Marcus and Jason joined me. We walked around, looking at the dead bodies, trying to recognize anybody we knew. I heard a cry of pain and whirled around. Kaye was running across the room to a body. She bent down and pulled the blond head into her lap. It was Jeremy. A sword wound was on his stomach. It was deep enough to kill him. And he was dead. I started to walk around the room. No tears came, at all.
I saw the limp shape of Lightning. Nightshade sat down next to him. He looked up at me with sad eyes. Then, he looked back at the body of his fallen comrade. I spun slowly around the room. I saw a familiar face, lying on the ground, his eyes wide in death.
“NO!” I cried, and ran over. Hunter’s eyes stared sightlessly at the sky. I fell to the ground next to him. Now tears came. I saw the wound that killed him. A swift jab through his heart. Jason came over and knelt beside me. He hugged me and whispered something in my ear. He stood up and walked away. I took my two fingers and pulled Hunter’s eyelids over his eyes. It looked almost like he was sleeping, but I knew he wasn’t. I hated to, but I had to go around and see if I knew anyone else.
After recognizing many faces, I sat down against the wall. 9 people. 9 people I knew are dead. Rose was dead, Jeremy, Hunter, Luna, Pix, pack members Marn and Rembel, Fange, and Lightning. All of them were dead. I couldn’t believe it. Kaye was crying, Aelix was hugging his sister, Sebastian just stared at Fange’s body, and Jason looked around.
Suddenly, I realized someone was missing. Jace. Where is he?! I stood up and ran out into the hallway. I didn’t see him. I sprinted down the hallway into the room they had me in. He wasn’t there. I went to the room where I knocked out the two guards. Not there. My heart was pounding painfully in my chest. I ran back to the brick room.
“Where’s Jace,” I yelled as loud as I could. Everyone turned and looked at me. Melody’s eyes were still white. Jason looked surprised and a bit embarrassed. Sebastian sprinted past me and into the hallway. He looked around and headed the opposite way that I had looked.
“Tara,” he called. “You might want to come see this.” I ran out of the room and headed towards Sebastian. He was looking at someone against the wall. That someone had golden hair.
“Jace.” My voice was so low. Sebastian looked at me with sad eyes. I stopped in front Jace. I knelt down next to him. His eyes were closed. I placed my hand on his chest.
Suddenly, I felt movement. Like a slow rise of his chest. I gasped. He was alive!!!
“He’s alive,” I breathed, “but the pain must be terrible.” Sebastian came over and picked him up. He ran to the brick room with Jace in his arms. I followed slower. A familiar face caught my eye. I turned and walked towards the body. It was Robin. He was torn, ripped, and bloodied. Jace must’ve killed him fast. I walked back to the room.
Everyone, including Nightshade and Jason, was surrounding Kaye. Her fingers were moving fast and swift as she fixed up Jace. Marcus was bent down next to her. I was surprised. He didn’t even know Jace that well.
Finally, Kaye stood up and walked over to me. Her eyes were rimmed with pink from crying. She looked up at me with really sad eyes. My gut twisted. That wasn’t a good sign.
“I’m sorry, Tara,” she said slowly and carefully. “Jace… he’s, um, he’s—”
“He’ll be alright. Right?” From the look on her face my gut twisted more.
“He’s dying, Tara.” I howled and ran over to him. I knelt down next to Jace.
“Jace, can you hear me?” His eyes fluttered open.
“Tara?” He looked at me. “I have something to tell you.”
“No, save your energy—”
“No this is important. Ever since I saw you in that alley, I’ve been in love with you. When I got taken, I was broken hearted. I protected you in that cage by not telling him the truth.” He coughed. My heart twisted. “When you showed up, I thought that you loved me too, but I thought wrong. I’m sorry our acquaintance was so short. I wish we could have gotten to know each other better. Marcus,” –he beckoned Marcus down— “You must take care of her, Marcus. Promise me you will.”
“I will.” Even Marcus sounded choked.
“I have spent my time on this earth,” Jace said, closing his eyes. “Now it’s time for you to spend yours. Farewell, Tara Werlac, I hope to see you again.” His eyes closed slowly and with his last bit of strength, he touched his hand to his lips and held it out to me. Then, he fell silent for eternity.
My ears turned off. Just like that. He died right in my arms. Sebastian came over, said something in my ear, and tried to pry my hands away for Jace’s body. Funny. I didn’t think I was holding on that hard.
Finally, he gave up and went over to Marcus. As if by magic, my hearing switched back on. I was able to hear what they were saying.
“… She will be devastated.” I looked up. Marcus looked down at me.
“Are you okay?” I nodded. He held out a hand. I took it and he pulled me up. As soon as I was up, I hugged him. He was surprised for a moment and then he hugged me back.
He whispered in my ear, “I’ll take care of you.” I smiled.
“You better keep Jace’s command.” He laughed. Kaye stood up and walked over to me.
“We better get going,” she said. “This is sure to draw attention from the village that’s near here.”
“There’s a village??” She nodded.
“Yeah, we walked through it when we were looking for you. It’s really close.” Draven looked over at me with sad eyes. I had forgotten that Jace was his brother. Someone tapped on my shoulder and I grabbed my sword. It was Jayco. His wings were spread wide.
“Come with me. It’s a full moon.” He turned around and walked outside. Melody, Trinity, and Kaleb followed him. I started to follow, wondering. We walked all the way to a stream with the moon’s reflection on the pure water. It was close to the edge, so easy to touch. Jayco bent down next to the reflection and touched it. I watched as it changed from silver to white and gold.
“Kaleb will you go first,” Jayco asked. Kaleb comes over and hugs me. I looked at her surprised.
“Thanks for risking your life to save mine,” she said. She let go and walk over to the now white reflection of the moon. She turned around and I thought I saw her smile as she stepped back into the moonlight.
She was gone. As if by magic, she was swept up. Tears sprung up in my eyes. She was nice.
“Trinity, you next?” Jayco looked at Trinity. Trinity walked over to me and hugged me.
“Goodbye, Tara Werlac. My time on this earth is over. It’s time for you to spend yours. Marcus will take care of you.” I hugged her back, not wanting to let her go. She unhooked my arms.
“No, Trinity, don’t go!” I reached my hand out to her. She brushed it away.
“I have to.” She walked over to the reflection. She turned around and smiled at me as she stepped back in the reflection. This time I could see what happened to her.
Gold flecks were running up into the moonlight. I could almost hear her saying “Goodbye, goodbye!” Finally, only Jayco was left. He walked over to me.
“Well, Tara, I guess this is the last time I’ll ever see you. Like Trinity and Kaleb, I have spent my time on this earth. You have to spend yours.” As if on cue, Sebastian, Kaye, Aelix, Draven, Melody, Nightshade, Jason, Austin, and the rest of the elves and werewolves came over.
“You guys have to go too?” I choked out. Slowly, they all nodded sadly.
“We were sent here to protect you while Robin was still alive,” Aelix said. Jayco smiled a kind and sad smile. He walked over to the reflection. The pack and group of elves followed him. My friends were the last ones to go. The first one to go was Draven. He walked up to me.
“My brother has died. It is time for me to follow him. Farewell, Tara Werlac.” He walked over to the reflection and stepped back in it. As soon as he stepped back, a gust of wind blew through me. I could hear his voice.
“I have taken away your sorrows and made room for new.” Kaye now walked up to me.
“I have spent my time on this earth to protect you, now I have to protect myself. Farewell.” She kissed my cheek and stepped into the moonlight. Just like with Draven, a gust of wind blew through me. “I give you a way to always find peace.” Two down, six to go. Melody walked up to me and dipped her head. Then, she walked into the moonlight.
“I give you a way to open the toughest locks in life.” Tears started to spring up in my eyes. Only five left. Nightshade walked up to me.
“My leader lost his life in that battle, as did my best friend. I am sorry that we got you turned into a werewolf. Goodbye, Tara.” He walked over and stepped into the moonlight.
“I give you a way to overcome your fears and angers.” His voice rattled through me. Tears started rolling down my face. Aelix walked up to me.
“Not you too!”
“I must.” He caressed my forehead. “Marcus will take care of you now. I have to leave.” He walked into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome sadness and deep depression.”
Next was Austin. He smiled ruefully. “I haven’t known you for long, but I wish I could have known you better. Goodbye, Tara.” He disappeared into the moonlight. “I give a way to figure out the toughest mazes in life.” I started crying. Two people left. Jason walked up to me.
“I am really your brother. Just as a notice. I wish we could have been together for a longer time. Goodbye, Tara, see you in another life.” He walked into the moonlight. “I give you a way to love everyone. Like you loved your parents.” Only one left.
As Sebastian walked up, three shadowy figures appeared next to him. I gasped. It was Jace, Fange, and Hunter! They had come to say goodbye. Sebastian didn’t actually notice the ghostly figures that were beside him.
“Goodbye, Tara, I hope we meet again,” Sebastian said. He stepped into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome hatred towards friends that have made you angry.” I smiled. I knew he was thinking of Jace. Fange stepped forward.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t have a proper goodbye. Goodbye, Tara. I hope to see you again.” He disappeared into the moonlight. “I give you a way to lead people even through tough times.” Hunter walked up to me next. I started to cry because he died. He wiped away my tears with a ghostly hand.
“Do not grieve over my death. It was just protecting you.” He looked at me with sad brown eyes. “I’m sorry that I cannot spend more time with you on this earth. But like the others, I have spent my time. Goodbye, Tara.” He stepped into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome grieving in the saddest times and move on.” I smiled.
Jace was the only left standing next to the stream. Literally, no one else was there. Everyone had gone into the moonlight. Jace was the last one. I was really in danger of crying. He walked up to me.
“Do not cry, Tara. This is how I wanted it. You to be alive. I have done my job. Marcus will keep my promise.” I looked around.
“Why isn’t he here? I thought everyone was supposed to leave.” Jace sighed, an exasperated sigh.
“He was drawn too close to you to leave. Plus, we need someone to protect you while all of us are gone.”
“You sound like you will only be gone for a short time.”
“You know we aren’t going to be, so stop believing it.” It sounded just like old times.
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye?”
“You sound like you want me to leave immediately.”
“Well, I don’t but everyone else has.”
He grinned at this. He fell silent for a second. “From the first time I saw you, I knew that we had to be together. But when I got captured, all of those dreams were over. Now I’m dead. I wish that I could stay longer, but I have to go. Goodbye, Tara. I hope we meet again.” He walked up to the reflection and sighed.
“I give you a way to have strength through sad times, compassion for the wounded, and a whole heart in times of fear. Goodbye, Tara.” He turned around, smiled at me, a sad smile, and faded into the moonlight.
Marcus came out of nowhere and put his arm around me. “This is how they wanted it.”
“I know.”
I knew that for thirteen years. Marcus and I got married when I was 16 and he was 17. We now have one kid. His name is Brad. What’s funny is that he looks exactly like Jace and Marcus put together. I am now 29. Brad is thirteen years old. He’s… a werewolf too. We figured that out when he was three. He got mad and he transformed into a white wolf. We lived in my adoptive parents’ old house in Las Vegas. It was very roomy.
Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door. I looked at Marcus. He shrugged. I walked over to the door and opened it. Standing, right there at my doorstep, was Kaye, Sebastian, Hunter, Aelix, and Jace. They all looked the same age they did when they disappeared. I gasped.
“Tara,” Jace’s voice was breathless. “You’re in really big trouble.”
Into the Moonlight (Finale)(Katie)
Melody stopped at the end of the hallway. I looked at her questioningly. She raised her hand and pointed.
Guards she mouthed. I nodded. Then, an idea popped into my head. I dropped into my wolf form. I walked past my staring group and sat right in the middle of the floor. The guards turned at looked at me. I started to trot towards them. I stopped in front of them and looked up at them. I smiled. They smiled back at me.
I changed back. They looked really surprised.
“This is for locking me, along with my friends.” I punched both of them right in the face. They fell like bricks. I stepped over their bodies and motioned to my group. Marcus came first, followed by Jayco. Melody followed him and Rose followed her. Trinity, Pix, and Jace brought up the rear.
“Nice punch,” Marcus said. “Did you learn?”
“No,” I laughed. “Instinct.”
“Ah.” He grinned. I went serious and we went on. I led them down the corridor to a small brick room. It was a dead end. Pix and Marcus brushed past me. They started feeling along the walls. Marcus pressed his ear up against the wall.
“Right here.” I was swift to get over there. Marcus looked at me and moved away. I put my hand up against the wall. The bricks were loose, but one felt really loose. I pushed my hand on the brick. It started to go into the wall.
Suddenly, a door appeared. I smiled at my group. Marcus grinned and opened the door. He walked through. Pix, Trinity, Rose, and Jayco followed him. Jace hesitated, looking at me, and then followed them in. I started to walk towards the door.
Suddenly, if be some invisible force, the door shut.
“NO!” I shouted, slamming my hand up against the door. It wouldn’t budge. I threw myself up against. “Come on!”
“It won’t open.” I whirled around. Robin was standing in the center of the brick room. I hissed at him. He grinned at him. He started towards me.
“What do you want from me,” I cried.
“I want your powers.” He said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world. I tried to stay calm.
“You have to open that door.”
“No.” Suddenly, the ground rumbled. It shook, it crumbled. A shape appeared floating out of the ground. Austin Velverand.
“Hi, Tara.” He smiled at me. I just gaped at him. As if on cue, a bunch of shapes flew out of the ground. Hunter, Fange, Nightshade, Lightning, Sebastian, Kaye, Aelix, Luna, and all of Fange’s pack.
“Need help,” Hunter asked sarcastically. I grinned. Robin didn’t seem fazed. He whistled a high two note whistle. Suddenly, a bunch of guards surrounded him. I could see Jason among the group. They outnumbered us. I hissed under my breath.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled again and a wall broke down. When the dust cleared, I could see Jeremy. Jeremy! What was he doing here? Then, I looked behind him. He had brought a horde of elves. I could see the young boys who were at the dance with me. I smiled. Kaye ran over and hugged Jeremy.
Now, Robin looked surprised. He whistled and more guards appeared. I heard Hunter swear.
“How many warriors does this guy have?” Suddenly, the door behind me blew open and I saw Trinity step out. Jayco, Jace, Rose, Melody, and Marcus stepped out.
“Man, it is dusty in there,” Trinity said. “I think you should clean.” I heard Jason actually snicker. Robin whirled around and grabbed him. Jason looked surprised. Robin threw him to the ground. That was it for Jace. He sprang at Robin. His howl of rage started the entire battle. It was time to battle it out. I drew my sword and plunged into the battle.
I swung at the nearest guard. My sword cut deep into his stomach. He swung his sword at me. I dodge it and drove my blade in deep. He gurgled and fell to the ground. I looked around. Blood wet the floor. Bodies fell to the ground faster than the blood. I could see Nightshade tearing at a guard. I saw Trinity throwing everything she had at ten guards. Melody’s eyes were as white as her hair as she torn guards apart. Jayco had drawn a gold sword that was as big as a pole and it had a white fire around. Every time he swung it, the fire reflected into my eyes. Luna threw spell after spell at the guards. Kaye drew her bow and was shooting arrows fast. Jeremy was fighting beside her.
I peered around the crowd for Marcus. He was fighting guards. A guard had snuck behind him and was getting ready to throw his sword down. I didn’t even think. I ran at the guard and drove my sword right into his back. The guard’s head fell back and his eyes stared sightlessly at the sky. Marcus turned to look at me.
“Thanks,” he said.
“No problem.” I grabbed the guard’s sword and handed it to him. “Let’s see if you have some instinct.” He grinned, just as twelve guards surrounded us. We stood back to back. The guards charged at us. I hooked my arm through Marcus’s. I had my sword in my right hand, his arm in my other. I swung at a guard.
“Flip!” I swung Marcus around. He kicked out, knocking five guards unconscious. I stopped swing him. More guards advanced on us. I bent down low, a growl ripping through my throat.
Suddenly, a flash past in front of my eyes. Jason landed lightly in front of me. He had a blade of gold. He swung it. Three guards dropped. I looked at him in surprise.
He saw it. “I can’t let them hurt the only family I have.” I smiled. Marcus snorted and I turned around. More guards were advancing on us.
“I have had enough,” I hissed. I dropped into my wolf form and sprang at the guards. They were surprised. I ripped, torn, bit, scratched, threw, hit, and clawed at them. I saw another wolf join the fight. This wolf was as white as I was. Did Jason lie? Was he a real werewolf? All the guards were finished. I padded up to the other wolf.
Who are you? I asked.
I can’t believe you don’t recognize me, a familiar voice said.
Marcus??? You’re an Angel Wolf too???
Yup. He transformed back into a human. I did too. We both just stared at each other until we heard someone call.
“ROBIN IS DEAD!! RETREAT!!” All the guards dispersed. I walked around. Marcus and Jason joined me. We walked around, looking at the dead bodies, trying to recognize anybody we knew. I heard a cry of pain and whirled around. Kaye was running across the room to a body. She bent down and pulled the blond head into her lap. It was Jeremy. A sword wound was on his stomach. It was deep enough to kill him. And he was dead. I started to walk around the room. No tears came, at all.
I saw the limp shape of Lightning. Nightshade sat down next to him. He looked up at me with sad eyes. Then, he looked back at the body of his fallen comrade. I spun slowly around the room. I saw a familiar face, lying on the ground, his eyes wide in death.
“NO!” I cried, and ran over. Hunter’s eyes stared sightlessly at the sky. I fell to the ground next to him. Now tears came. I saw the wound that killed him. A swift jab through his heart. Jason came over and knelt beside me. He hugged me and whispered something in my ear. He stood up and walked away. I took my two fingers and pulled Hunter’s eyelids over his eyes. It looked almost like he was sleeping, but I knew he wasn’t. I hated to, but I had to go around and see if I knew anyone else.
After recognizing many faces, I sat down against the wall. 9 people. 9 people I knew are dead. Rose was dead, Jeremy, Hunter, Luna, Pix, pack members Marn and Rembel, Fange, and Lightning. All of them were dead. I couldn’t believe it. Kaye was crying, Aelix was hugging his sister, Sebastian just stared at Fange’s body, and Jason looked around.
Suddenly, I realized someone was missing. Jace. Where is he?! I stood up and ran out into the hallway. I didn’t see him. I sprinted down the hallway into the room they had me in. He wasn’t there. I went to the room where I knocked out the two guards. Not there. My heart was pounding painfully in my chest. I ran back to the brick room.
“Where’s Jace,” I yelled as loud as I could. Everyone turned and looked at me. Melody’s eyes were still white. Jason looked surprised and a bit embarrassed. Sebastian sprinted past me and into the hallway. He looked around and headed the opposite way that I had looked.
“Tara,” he called. “You might want to come see this.” I ran out of the room and headed towards Sebastian. He was looking at someone against the wall. That someone had golden hair.
“Jace.” My voice was so low. Sebastian looked at me with sad eyes. I stopped in front Jace. I knelt down next to him. His eyes were closed. I placed my hand on his chest.
Suddenly, I felt movement. Like a slow rise of his chest. I gasped. He was alive!!!
“He’s alive,” I breathed, “but the pain must be terrible.” Sebastian came over and picked him up. He ran to the brick room with Jace in his arms. I followed slower. A familiar face caught my eye. I turned and walked towards the body. It was Robin. He was torn, ripped, and bloodied. Jace must’ve killed him fast. I walked back to the room.
Everyone, including Nightshade and Jason, was surrounding Kaye. Her fingers were moving fast and swift as she fixed up Jace. Marcus was bent down next to her. I was surprised. He didn’t even know Jace that well.
Finally, Kaye stood up and walked over to me. Her eyes were rimmed with pink from crying. She looked up at me with really sad eyes. My gut twisted. That wasn’t a good sign.
“I’m sorry, Tara,” she said slowly and carefully. “Jace… he’s, um, he’s—”
“He’ll be alright. Right?” From the look on her face my gut twisted more.
“He’s dying, Tara.” I howled and ran over to him. I knelt down next to Jace.
“Jace, can you hear me?” His eyes fluttered open.
“Tara?” He looked at me. “I have something to tell you.”
“No, save your energy—”
“No this is important. Ever since I saw you in that alley, I’ve been in love with you. When I got taken, I was broken hearted. I protected you in that cage by not telling him the truth.” He coughed. My heart twisted. “When you showed up, I thought that you loved me too, but I thought wrong. I’m sorry our acquaintance was so short. I wish we could have gotten to know each other better. Marcus,” –he beckoned Marcus down— “You must take care of her, Marcus. Promise me you will.”
“I will.” Even Marcus sounded choked.
“I have spent my time on this earth,” Jace said, closing his eyes. “Now it’s time for you to spend yours. Farewell, Tara Werlac, I hope to see you again.” His eyes closed slowly and with his last bit of strength, he touched his hand to his lips and held it out to me. Then, he fell silent for eternity.
My ears turned off. Just like that. He died right in my arms. Sebastian came over, said something in my ear, and tried to pry my hands away for Jace’s body. Funny. I didn’t think I was holding on that hard.
Finally, he gave up and went over to Marcus. As if by magic, my hearing switched back on. I was able to hear what they were saying.
“… She will be devastated.” I looked up. Marcus looked down at me.
“Are you okay?” I nodded. He held out a hand. I took it and he pulled me up. As soon as I was up, I hugged him. He was surprised for a moment and then he hugged me back.
He whispered in my ear, “I’ll take care of you.” I smiled.
“You better keep Jace’s command.” He laughed. Kaye stood up and walked over to me.
“We better get going,” she said. “This is sure to draw attention from the village that’s near here.”
“There’s a village??” She nodded.
“Yeah, we walked through it when we were looking for you. It’s really close.” Draven looked over at me with sad eyes. I had forgotten that Jace was his brother. Someone tapped on my shoulder and I grabbed my sword. It was Jayco. His wings were spread wide.
“Come with me. It’s a full moon.” He turned around and walked outside. Melody, Trinity, and Kaleb followed him. I started to follow, wondering. We walked all the way to a stream with the moon’s reflection on the pure water. It was close to the edge, so easy to touch. Jayco bent down next to the reflection and touched it. I watched as it changed from silver to white and gold.
“Kaleb will you go first,” Jayco asked. Kaleb comes over and hugs me. I looked at her surprised.
“Thanks for risking your life to save mine,” she said. She let go and walk over to the now white reflection of the moon. She turned around and I thought I saw her smile as she stepped back into the moonlight.
She was gone. As if by magic, she was swept up. Tears sprung up in my eyes. She was nice.
“Trinity, you next?” Jayco looked at Trinity. Trinity walked over to me and hugged me.
“Goodbye, Tara Werlac. My time on this earth is over. It’s time for you to spend yours. Marcus will take care of you.” I hugged her back, not wanting to let her go. She unhooked my arms.
“No, Trinity, don’t go!” I reached my hand out to her. She brushed it away.
“I have to.” She walked over to the reflection. She turned around and smiled at me as she stepped back in the reflection. This time I could see what happened to her.
Gold flecks were running up into the moonlight. I could almost hear her saying “Goodbye, goodbye!” Finally, only Jayco was left. He walked over to me.
“Well, Tara, I guess this is the last time I’ll ever see you. Like Trinity and Kaleb, I have spent my time on this earth. You have to spend yours.” As if on cue, Sebastian, Kaye, Aelix, Draven, Melody, Nightshade, Jason, Austin, and the rest of the elves and werewolves came over.
“You guys have to go too?” I choked out. Slowly, they all nodded sadly.
“We were sent here to protect you while Robin was still alive,” Aelix said. Jayco smiled a kind and sad smile. He walked over to the reflection. The pack and group of elves followed him. My friends were the last ones to go. The first one to go was Draven. He walked up to me.
“My brother has died. It is time for me to follow him. Farewell, Tara Werlac.” He walked over to the reflection and stepped back in it. As soon as he stepped back, a gust of wind blew through me. I could hear his voice.
“I have taken away your sorrows and made room for new.” Kaye now walked up to me.
“I have spent my time on this earth to protect you, now I have to protect myself. Farewell.” She kissed my cheek and stepped into the moonlight. Just like with Draven, a gust of wind blew through me. “I give you a way to always find peace.” Two down, six to go. Melody walked up to me and dipped her head. Then, she walked into the moonlight.
“I give you a way to open the toughest locks in life.” Tears started to spring up in my eyes. Only five left. Nightshade walked up to me.
“My leader lost his life in that battle, as did my best friend. I am sorry that we got you turned into a werewolf. Goodbye, Tara.” He walked over and stepped into the moonlight.
“I give you a way to overcome your fears and angers.” His voice rattled through me. Tears started rolling down my face. Aelix walked up to me.
“Not you too!”
“I must.” He caressed my forehead. “Marcus will take care of you now. I have to leave.” He walked into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome sadness and deep depression.”
Next was Austin. He smiled ruefully. “I haven’t known you for long, but I wish I could have known you better. Goodbye, Tara.” He disappeared into the moonlight. “I give a way to figure out the toughest mazes in life.” I started crying. Two people left. Jason walked up to me.
“I am really your brother. Just as a notice. I wish we could have been together for a longer time. Goodbye, Tara, see you in another life.” He walked into the moonlight. “I give you a way to love everyone. Like you loved your parents.” Only one left.
As Sebastian walked up, three shadowy figures appeared next to him. I gasped. It was Jace, Fange, and Hunter! They had come to say goodbye. Sebastian didn’t actually notice the ghostly figures that were beside him.
“Goodbye, Tara, I hope we meet again,” Sebastian said. He stepped into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome hatred towards friends that have made you angry.” I smiled. I knew he was thinking of Jace. Fange stepped forward.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t have a proper goodbye. Goodbye, Tara. I hope to see you again.” He disappeared into the moonlight. “I give you a way to lead people even through tough times.” Hunter walked up to me next. I started to cry because he died. He wiped away my tears with a ghostly hand.
“Do not grieve over my death. It was just protecting you.” He looked at me with sad brown eyes. “I’m sorry that I cannot spend more time with you on this earth. But like the others, I have spent my time. Goodbye, Tara.” He stepped into the moonlight. “I give you a way to overcome grieving in the saddest times and move on.” I smiled.
Jace was the only left standing next to the stream. Literally, no one else was there. Everyone had gone into the moonlight. Jace was the last one. I was really in danger of crying. He walked up to me.
“Do not cry, Tara. This is how I wanted it. You to be alive. I have done my job. Marcus will keep my promise.” I looked around.
“Why isn’t he here? I thought everyone was supposed to leave.” Jace sighed, an exasperated sigh.
“He was drawn too close to you to leave. Plus, we need someone to protect you while all of us are gone.”
“You sound like you will only be gone for a short time.”
“You know we aren’t going to be, so stop believing it.” It sounded just like old times.
“Aren’t you going to say goodbye?”
“You sound like you want me to leave immediately.”
“Well, I don’t but everyone else has.”
He grinned at this. He fell silent for a second. “From the first time I saw you, I knew that we had to be together. But when I got captured, all of those dreams were over. Now I’m dead. I wish that I could stay longer, but I have to go. Goodbye, Tara. I hope we meet again.” He walked up to the reflection and sighed.
“I give you a way to have strength through sad times, compassion for the wounded, and a whole heart in times of fear. Goodbye, Tara.” He turned around, smiled at me, a sad smile, and faded into the moonlight.
Marcus came out of nowhere and put his arm around me. “This is how they wanted it.”
“I know.”
I knew that for thirteen years. Marcus and I got married when I was 16 and he was 17. We now have one kid. His name is Brad. What’s funny is that he looks exactly like Jace and Marcus put together. I am now 29. Brad is thirteen years old. He’s… a werewolf too. We figured that out when he was three. He got mad and he transformed into a white wolf. We lived in my adoptive parents’ old house in Las Vegas. It was very roomy.
Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door. I looked at Marcus. He shrugged. I walked over to the door and opened it. Standing, right there at my doorstep, was Kaye, Sebastian, Hunter, Aelix, and Jace. They all looked the same age they did when they disappeared. I gasped.
“Tara,” Jace’s voice was breathless. “You’re in really big trouble.”
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