Chapter 1 Earth's Crying
I haven’t been able to hold back my emotions since yesterday. I've been a mess since this whole Abyss thing has started. It started out slow, with just a few pockets here and there of dark veined roots. Earth that wasn't quite healthy. Then the animals started dying. Then a whole town was gobbled up into darkness, with only one survivor. But whatever this is, it's been growing.
Yesterday morning, I was out in the garden before the sun came up... and everything was dead! My flower garden I spend hours in. The vegetable garden. The trees. The grass. The birds and squirrels. Everything was dead! (At least I think it was.) I ran to Mom bawling my eyes out. I'm not sure I made a single coherent word. It was all blubber and snot and tears running down my face. Not my finest moment, but I couldn't stop myself! I was in so much pain.
My brothers heard me crying and came to see what was wrong. They went out to inspect the gardens as well. Then I heard twin curses. I have no idea why this is effecting me more than my brothers, but it is. That doesn't mean they can't feel it, but it isn't as crippling for them. Maybe it's because they are on the Guard and their magic works differently than mine does?
Fox and Colt called everyone and had them meet up at Knox’s place before school. They were not as freaked out as I was, which was good because someone needed to stay level headed. I was a lost cause, but they didn't punish me for it. They just held me and promised they'd find out what was going on... Or at least help me find out what was going on with Mother Earth.
They rushed me to Knox's place. I couldn't bring myself to look at anything along the way. I could feel it deep in my soul, and no matter what I did, everything was sick or dying. I didn't have the power to heal all of this right now. I'm not strong enough, or I would've done it by now.
Calliope, Nadia and Selene had all been comforting me when Phoebe and Levi walked through the door. I needed their support. They promised to do anything they could to help me. Cal had already gone in search for the darkness and came back with a broken rock. Nadia had literally died and Knox brought her back to life after releasing the dead animals from their bonds. Only Selene and I had not been selected by the Council to go out and report our findings.
But the moment the new couple came in everything seemed to stop. Phoebe looked flushed and slightly embarrassed. Levi looked smug and completely relaxed. But they did look so happy together, and that's all that matters.
I have to admit, I’m surprised! I could smell them. I’m not going to deny I’m a little envious that they found each other... I just wonder what took Levi so long? If he had known she was his, why wait so long? Unlike Trey and Knox, Levi didn't wait around forever, or try dating other girls to get over the one they wanted. He just went for her.
Everyone fawned over Phoeb’s lovely mark. It really is stunning. It looks just like Leviathan! They did the same thing when Calliope got her star bracelet mark and Nadia got her lightning mark. Each one is stunning and unique. They are special and connected to the person receiving the mark. Maybe someday I'll get a mate mark and have a special someone who can take my pain away...
I’m really happy for them... but at the same time, I’m hurting. Why does it seem that whenever there is good news, it always comes along with bad news. Does the bad news always have to outweigh the good? It shouldn't! It doesn't seem fair! And right now, the weight of the world is pressing down on me, and I can't seem to breathe. I wish I had someone help me carry it.
The second Phoebe saw me, she pulled me into her arms. Phoeb is like my sister. While she's all flame and hot-tempered, I'm calm and level headed... Normally. I can't say the same for the moment. Right now I'm a wreck!
Most of the time, the girls tease me about how passive-aggressive I am. They say I need to stand up for myself, which I do. But I like to do it with as little conflict as possible. I like peace and happiness. I think there must be a way for all of us to work together and then everyone can be happy... Well, maybe not the Abyss. Which brings me back to the reason I'm acting like a dumpster fire with my emotions all over the place.
“Chlo! What’s wrong?” she demanded. I can feel it. She's worried about me. She cares about me. She's not just asking to be polite. She really cares about what's wrong with me. And I appreciate that she's not being a fake friend.
“Phoebe... Nature is dying!” I sobbed. I couldn't control it anymore. Everything was just crashing down on me and I needed someone to support me.
We really didn’t have a lot of time to sit and talk. We had classes to get to... Well, except for Phoebe. She was suspended for two weeks. I’m still pissed at Teagan for the whole thing! She totally didn't deserve any of that, and I'm still planning on punishing her for setting Phoebe up like that.
On the other hand, Phoebe probably needs a little more rest from her big adventure of wandering around in the dark smoke. (If nothing else, it gives her some alone time with her mate...) She had been exhausted just the other day. She walked into a cave and some cursed stone was stealing her phoenix fire from her. It could've killed her. But Levi- or rather Leviathan- was not going to let it happen. I'm glad he was there for her.
Funny thing, the smoke is gone now. I’m hoping that means that when Levi killed the rock thingy he also killed the smoke surrounding the town. I have no idea how they are all connected. But I know Kody and I couldn't get through the dark smoke fog. It was like pressing up against a wall, and yet it let her through.
But it didn’t stop the earth from crying out to me. I can feel her. She’s mourning. Nature is dying and Mother Earth can’t do anything on her own. She needs us to do things for her. And whatever it is that is happening right now is unnatural. None of this should be able to happen! If it continues, everyone will die, not just the plants and animals. The entire planet will become a wasteland. That is why we have to stop it.
Here I am, sitting in my botany class I share with Nadia, learning about plant cells and all I can focus on is the dead bushes outside our window. They are not just sic, they are infected... Maybe they are not quite dead yet because I can still feel them. Their roots are filled with sludge or poison or something... But it is making my stomach contract. I haven't been able to eat anything in 2 days! The best I can do is drink water.
Dia gives me a sympathetic smile beside me. She can feel it too, but in a different way that I do. She's been looking a little pale, which is bad. She's already fair skinned and she almost looks bloodless right now. Her pretty blue eyes don't quite sparkle as brightly as normal. But other than that, you can't tell anything is wrong with her.
Fairies are connected to nature just like nymphs and sprites. We all share a special sort of bond to help the earth grow. It's our job as nature nurturers to keep her safe and healthy. So when something comes along and tries to destroy it, she cries out to us for help. Some of us are gifted with a special healing ability that works on nature, but unfortunately it doesn't work on people, or I could heal myself.
By the end of class, I haven't learned anything! Maybe I'll have to borrow Dia's notes. My mind is mush and my soul is aching. Maybe I should've just stayed home instead? I'm sure Mom would've given me a pass.
We enter our Creative Writing class together, and Knox comes up behind her and holds Dia like he hasn't seen her in hours. Not that I'm upset. I'm actually glad Knox has finally stopped playing around. They really are perfect together.
Calliope is sitting by Trey, who technically isn't part of the class, but because he's her guard, he can stay with her. Most of the guard are already graduated, like Fox and Colt. Levi and Jaxx are also graduated, but still end up around lunch time just to check on us, which is nice as long as Jaxx keeps Cassie away from us.
Selene is trying to avoid Maria, and sitting with Kody... Which, if she wanted to avoid her sister, she might want to think about sitting with a different partner. Maria is practically climbing in his lap, and because he's trying to be nice, he's trapped between the two.
I've noticed Kody is a flirt. I think he had a thing for Phoebe, but that might because she saved his life. I think its totally natural to be drawn to someone who saved you. But then you end up with a hero worship problem. So I guess it was for the best Levi claimed her.
Class starts and I still can't pay attention. My stomach is sick, like the sludge that is infecting the plants is directly infecting me. My head is dizzy, and I'm feeling a bit warm. I want to tell my teacher I'm sick, but I feel guilty leaving everyone.
My friends each came up to me and asked if I'm okay. All I could do was grin and nod my head. I'm not sure I can explain everything to my friends and I'm just too tired to try right now.
"I'm fine. It's not me that's sick," I promise... even though I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure I am getting sick. Whatever is infecting the earth is affecting me too. But I don't want to cause a scene.
By the end of school, I'm exhausted. All I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep for the next 12 hours. I'm starting to ache in places that should not ache! I'm only 17, not 75! My entire body is drained of energy. Is this how Phoebe felt when the red rock pulled at her magic?
"Hey buttercup, how are you?" Fox comes up and gives me a hug. I love my brother's hugs.
"Hey, Foxy. I'm gonna just go home. I'm a little tired," I admit.
"You want us to come with?" Colt offers.
I smile at my brothers, "And take you away from your chance at Selene?" I giggle. "And she's been waiting for you all day long," I tease.
"Well," Fox blushes, running his fingers through his curly brown hair.
"Now that you put it that way," Colt chuckles and winks at me.
"I guess we'll see you at home?" Fox asks with a smile.
"You guys better not hurt her or I'll sink your cars in mud!" I threaten.
Both boys laugh, knowing I'm very passive aggressive. I won't physically hurt them. Mine is more of an emotional punishment. But they love their cars!
"You know we would never dream of hurting Selene... or any of your friends!" Colt argues.
He's right. They are very protective of my friends. And if Selene is cool with the guys, then I'm cool with it. I know Selene has been lonely for awhile, even if she won't admit it. We're in the same boat actually. But if she's with the guys, maybe she'll be happy.
Fox and Colt give me a kiss on the cheek before I turn around and walk home.
But before I can make my escape, I catch Kody's eye.
He is surrounded by a bunch of girls. No surprise there. He's a cutie and he's charming... and new. Of course all the girls are gonna fall for him.
I send him a small smile and turn away. I really can't deal with this today.
