My eyes fluttered open before the sun graced the sky. Kian slept soundly next to me. The weakness from the day before dissipated, leaving behind a stiff soreness. The house creaked as I made my way downstairs. Coffee and food beckoned me. We had a journey ahead of us, and I needed to plan. The cramps in my muscles called my memories from their depths.
Flashes of the first time mom used her ability on me filled my mind. The intrusion, the betrayal, the aftermath. Holding onto the wall, I paused to catch my breath. Her hands on my head confused realities. The pressure pushed through, and I braced myself for the imposition.
The hallway was no longer the hallway but my bedroom. It was no longer now but then. The searing pain jolted behind my eyes. The floor broke my fall, and tears rushed down my face intermingled with screams. My screams.
Sucked into the chasm of the past, a hand on my shoulder threw me into a frenzy. Golden eyes decorated an unfamiliar face. The energy around him reached me, and I stumbled backwards. His mouth moved, but words never reached my ears above the ringing. Slowly, the past dissolved into the present.
"Cassidy, it's me. It's Kian."
He held his hands up in surrender. My body trembled while my mind was static. Just as quick as it happened, it was gone. A wave washed over my body releasing all the fear and panic. I picked myself up from the floor and dropped my head in guilt.
"I'm sorry."
"There's no reason to be. Are you ok?"
"I am now."
The mountains rose from the horizon, capped with white and faded into a winter brown speckled by evergreens. Sunlight streaked across the sky, peeking from behind the clouds. Butterflies went crazy in my stomach as we turned onto the highway. The radio played in the background while my mind wandered. Three deer in a field lifted their heads, looking towards the road. Birds circled high above, searching for their next meal.
Fields and streams gave way to slowly rising hills. Taller trees dotted the landscape the higher we traveled. A dense, thick forest sprung up on either side of the road. Silence permeated the air between us. So many words flew around my mind, but my voice refused to cooperate. Apprehension snuck into my belly, fostering a growing nausea. The steep, winding road narrowed like my windpipe.
Four hours later, we arrived. The wood building at the bottom of Mount Wolfisle stood out against the stark contrast of the snow. Ski lifts shuffled up and down steel lines above our heads as we pulled into the parking lot. After the fresh snowfall, the slopes teemed with people. Small toddlers waddled through their parents' footprints. Kids laughed and ran, throwing snowballs at each other.
A delightful bell signaled our arrival. Our suitcases rolled frictionless on the polished wood floor. Above us, a crystal chandelier draped down, cascading us in soft light. Greeted by a young man behind a cherry-oak desk, my eyes inspected each face, expecting Victor. Kian checked us in while I checked out the taxidermied bears, wolves, squirrels, and birds that lined the walls.
After settling in and checking out our room, we chose the bunny slopes. Several times I tried; several times I fell. As soon as I started gaining speed, my arms flailed at my side, and a scream erupted from my mouth. One more try, one more fall. I laid on the ground staring at the sky.
"Try again. This time, don't freak yourself out."
Kian appeared over me with an outstretched hand. Ignoring it, I picked myself up stubbornly. Frustration prickled under my skin. It shouldn't be this hard! He went back to the top and effortlessly sailed down. Before he could say anything else, I trudged to the hill.
"You can do this," I told myself one more time.
Clumsily making it back to the top, his encouragement evaporated. I inched closer. I felt myself slide forward before I could change my mind. Panic rose steadily as the speed increased. The skis glided over the surface while I maintained my shaky balance. As I reached him, he tackled me into the powdery fluff in celebration, filling my ears with his whooping and hollering.
Hours passed as we conquered progressively harder slopes. My fingertips, numb with the cold, held onto the ski poles with little efficiency. My legs trembled with fatigue as we made our way to the cafe for a break. I grabbed a table in the corner while he acquired the hot cocoa. Feelings for him were undesired, but there was little avoiding I could do.
The magnificence of Bearclaw Lodge imprinted in my mind. Even in the little cafe, the beautiful stone floor and wooden support beams appeared brand new amongst other ancient architectures. The frosted glass gave a perfect view of the slopes. Watching the people come down with ease, embarrassment blossomed in my core.
"I told you you could ski. You just had to swallow your fear."
"I know. You were right. What more do you want? A public announcement?" I winked.
"That might be necessary."
"Oh?" I smiled at him, maintaining eye contact while I purposely climbed onto my chair.
"Dear gods, Cassidy, what are you doing?" He loudly whispered. He swiftly put his arms up against my legs, guarding me against falling. Ignoring him, I cleared my throat. Using the knife from the table, I clinked the glass. He gently pulled on my arm.
"Ladies and gentlemen-"
"What the hell?" He said, grinning ear to ear.
"I would like to say that my boyfriend was right, and I was wrong."
He stood up and pulled me into him. We collapsed into a laughing heap on the floor between our two chairs. Several older couples around us were smiling in our direction when we gathered ourselves. I thanked the gods that no one complained. Reaching for my drink, a plain white envelope stuck out from under my napkin. Kian picked it up and opened it.
"What is it?"
"Please join me for dinner this evening. I will send someone at 6." He read the message aloud.
"That has to be him. That has to be the guy your mom was talking about."
Excitement poured from his words. I smiled back, but fear and terror crept up my spine and settled in my bones. We retreated to our room and crawled into bed for a nap before dinner. Still gaining my strength from mom's ability, rest was required. Kian's warm embrace chased the turmoil from my mind.
YOU ARE READING
Surviving the Dark
FantasyThe ceremony naming Cassidy as her family's heir glimmers on the horizon. Her twin was clear; he planned to prevent her ascension and decimate any chance of the family surviving. As the violent possibilities danced across her mind's eye, her stomach...
