Chapter 12—The Faceless Man

After telling my parents and brother that I was going to be spending a few weeks with Ruth, traveling to see a relative of hers, and promising to return before Andrew’s wedding, Ruth, Asher, Eden, Rory, and I went south. After we made it a good distance south, I think we were somewhere in Georgia, we found a secluded, dense forest and set up camp.

As we sat down in front of the fire to eat, the tension from the day continued to grow. All of us ate in silence trying to avoid eye contact and forget about the situation altogether, the only noise coming from bugs and chirping frogs. I became annoyed so I decided to try and kick off a conversation.

“So, Asher, since everything is out on the table now, where did you go in January when we were investigating that abandoned building? Remember, you came out with that strange locket?”

“I had been in Shanaledge after high school because I had already had every detail I needed about you for Silas, so there was really no point in staying until you were twenty-one. By now you should know that it wasn’t an accident that I happened to ‘bump’ into you that day. The reason you were originally attracted to that building was that Rory was somewhere around there. While you were on the phone, I went inside to find him, but he was no longer there. At that moment, I decided to jump back to Shanaledge to let Silas know that Rory was near, but to my surprise, he already knew and ordered me to hurry with the plan. That’s when I found you on the sidewalk freaking out. I had to calm you down before giving you the locket because it would have reacted to your emotions.”

“How could it do that? Why is my age so important?”

“When you turn twenty-one ,your powers are at their maturity. Even though you cannot control them, your abilities are at their prime. The locket channels your capabilities, no matter what age you are, helping to control them, then the amulet works to your advantage. But if you are not skilled, then it feeds off your emotions, which can lead to some devastating results.”

“Is it like magic or something? Can Sarai only use it?” Ruth asked.

“It’s not exactly magic…Other people could use it, but it wouldn’t be as effective because it was only meant for Sarai,” Rory explained.

“You see, it was my job to try and convince you to wear it, Sarai. But with your emotions running high, you could have destroyed the whole universe or created catastrophes.”

“Why do I need it, though?” I asked, concerned, especially if I could collapse all of reality.

“It will help you travel to different dimensions, mostly because you are not exactly from our realm, you are not born with the ability to travel. Right now, the locket will only take you to Shanaledge and if you’re there, it will only take you back to Terrah. But because it will help enhance your abilities, Silas believes that you can give him back his powers plus some. He also believes you can and will make Shanaledge more powerful.”

I didn’t respond. There was nothing that I could think to say to this. The shock had overcome me as fear consumed my body.

“Why have you suddenly had a change of heart?” Rory asked in disgust. “It cannot just be because you found your soulmate and Silas has threatened her as bait. He wouldn’t harm her. He would only make it seem as though he was just so he could get to Sarai.”

Asher didn’t say anything at first. He let out an aggravated sigh before stating, “I’m doing this for Ruth…She didn’t ask me to do it; I didn’t have to explain any of this to her, but I did…”

“So just because you found your true love, you think you are doing a good deed? I don’t buy it. I don’t even think she is your soulmate with how you’ve treated other soulmates in the past. Murdering them in cold blood because ‘it’s impossible for two people to be connected,’ and because they always cause a ‘liability,’” Eden broke in angrily.

Guilt and shame were now displayed on Asher’s face. Ruth looked horrified while Rory and Eden kept eye contact with Asher.

“I didn’t understand…” Asher began. “I’m not here to harm Sarai. I’m only here to help because of Ruth. Despite everything I have done, I now truly understand all the wrong I have done…Especially to you, Rory.”

“There’s one thing that you DO NOT understand, and that is the fact that someone that you love can bring out the best in you. They make you brave and a better person,” Eden responded.

There was a slight silence as everyone’s words sunk in.

“We’re not making amends, Asher. You burnt that bridge a long time ago, so don’t be surprised if that bridge can never be rebuilt.” Rory stood up and walked away.

When Rory was out of earshot, though we all knew that it really didn’t matter, Eden started again. “You may speak smoothly, and hell, you could probably run for president in this world with your lies, but you don’t have me fooled. If you try ANYTHING to harm Rory or Sarai or Ruth, or if I even find out any ulterior motives you may have, believe me, you will wish you were never born son,” he told Asher without blinking. He turned towards me as his voice changed. “Come on, Sarai, you need to get your rest…and Rory wouldn’t want you staying alone with this traitor.”

As I stood up to walk away with Eden, Asher started talking again, “Sarai, I can help you hone your skills. Other than Silas, I am probably the only other person who has seen all of them.”

“I don’t know about that…” I said slowly.

“With your birthday just around the corner, I would think that you would want to learn and master as many of your abilities as you can.”

“How do I know you’re not lying?”

“Sarai, please give him a break,” Ruth pleaded emotionally.

“I’m sorry, Ruth, but you haven’t seen the things I’ve seen. You haven’t seen anything this person is capable of.”

“In return, I will tell you about Silas. I will tell you where his followers are, what their plans are, and help keep them off your trail,” Asher replied, trying to get on my good side.

I looked at him skeptically. “And how do you know that Silas isn’t already on to you?”

“He cannot leave his realm, so he has no choice but to rely on his follower’s information. He may still have his telepathic ability, but he cannot break into my mind; I made sure of that. He will believe me, no matter what I say.”

Something fear-gripping took hold of me when he said this. There wasn’t anything malicious in his tone nor anything sinister about the situation, but something deep down made me uneasy.

Eden grabbed my hand and led me away from Asher. “Are you all right?” he asked, concerned.

“I’m not sure…”

“Do you feel like you can trust him?”

“There’s something about his last remark that was unsettling…”

“Well…Don’t read too much into it right now. You will figure out his intentions soon enough…hopefully…”

“Hopefully,” I replied mindlessly until a thought occurred. “Have you ever had a soulmate?”

Eden laughed. “Why do you ask?”

“Only because of how adamant you were when speaking to Asher about all those he killed.”

“No, honey. All I’ve ever had was lustful nights. I’m not the type to only have one person meant for me for all eternity. I just like to have fun,” he replied with a smile.

“Then why did you get so emotional?”

“Because I care about you and Rory. He is like my brother and you, my sister. He is deeply in love with you, and I get the whole soulmate thing, but he never gets the time he deserves to spend with you.”

“Where is he now?” I asked.

“He’s probably off somewhere trying to cool off.”

“Someone who has betrayed him more than once just happens to show up and he leaves me when all he talks about is protecting me?” I blatantly asked.

“It’s not exactly like that, Sarai. He just needs to calm down. Besides, you have me here to keep you company. And Rory knows I wouldn’t allow anything to happen to you,” he said with a smile as we reached our tents. “Now go get some rest. I’ll stay out here.” Eden kissed me on the forehead. “Sleep tight.”

***

As soon as I fell asleep, I was instantly in my nightmare with the same old shadow man. The familiar desolate city streets and dim streetlamps ushered me to designated areas where Silas would try to scare me. But this time, I refused to run away. I refused to be frightened by this evil man.

The shadows were moving as he watched me, but there was no malicious laughter escaping him. My lack of emotion must have angered him as the ground began to quake. But I remained calm and walked at a steady pace. I tried to keep my mind clear as Silas followed behind me.

Finally, I came to the intersection where the cracked pavement showed my only option was to turn right. Walking towards the flipped-over car where a being was moaning. I took a deep breath and moved toward it. The ground shook angrily as the entity turned towards me.

My bravery faltered for a moment as I took a step back. Hysterical laughter surrounded me which reminded me of my strength. I took a deep breath and stared at the faceless creature that stood before me. It made a horrendous screeching noise as its face, or where its face should have been, got close to mine. I stood my ground as the being tried to intimidate me.

I was insistent on conquering this challenge that was presented before me. As I stared at this monstrous individual, I felt deep down that there was something more to this “person.” But how could I figure it out?

Slowly, unaware of my action, I gripped its shoulder with my right hand. Instantaneously, I found myself somewhere completely different. No longer was I inside an uninhabited city with a featureless being accompanying me. The place was dark, making it hard to see. I began feeling around for a wall or something to help guide me along. Eventually, I would have to find a light or run into something, right? But as I struggled, I saw something move, something moved quickly past me. I stopped, squinting my eyes to search for whatever or whoever was moving.

An abrupt, loud, boom, noise broke my focus as I jumped out of shock. A blinding light surrounded me without warning. It took a minute or two for my eyes to adjust to the new lighting, to discover that I was inside, what appeared to be a cell. It figures I would be locked inside a jail cell right now…

A figure was slumped over in the corner whimpering. Even though I stood behind it, I could tell that this was not the disfigured person standing next to the flipped-over car. This person wore clothes, really shabby and unkempt clothes, and he had hair, messy and dirty.

“Hello?” I announced myself, hoping for an explanation of what just happened or a reason for why I was in here.

The boy jumped at my voice, obviously startled. “Who—who are you? What are you doing here?” he questioned with a shaky voice.

“My name is Sarai, and to be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I’m doing here. I have no clue how I got here nor how to get out.” Although I was pretty confident that this boy was the key to my escape.

“You really shouldn’t be here. You will anger him…”

“Who?”

The boy didn’t respond as he let out a large gulp of fear. He stood with his back facing the corner of the room as he looked down at his feet, trying his damnedest to avoid making eye contact with me.

“It’s alright, sweetie. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to…So how did you get here?”

“He locked me in here a long time ago. I don’t even remember how long I’ve been here.”

Pity took over my emotions because I felt bad for the boy. I could tell he really didn’t want to talk about any of this as he was twitching his fingers, so I decided to change the subject to get answers, and gaining his trust would be a good start. “What’s your name?” I asked with a soothing tone.

“Silas.”

I felt as though my heart had just dropped to my stomach, causing me to become nauseous. “How…how is that possible?” I started to shake, backing away from him as I became nervous. “You’re fucking with me right?”

“No.”

I started pacing the room to free some of my nervous energy. “How is that possible? I’ve seen him through other’s memories, and you look nothing like him.”

“I’m the version of him before things went wrong…before the king took away his powers before he started learning secrets within the royals castle. I am Silas before his corruption.”

“But why?”

“I’m not sure…” he replied, hiding something that he obviously didn’t want to talk about. “Whenever he locked me away, he turned me into the monster you see today. And when the king took away his abilities, I became trapped inside that hideous being.”

“What is that thing?”

“It is Silas. It’s how he sees himself, it’s how he feels. When the king took away my natural-born gifts, he took away everything that personified me. That Silas is a prideful, vain creature, and the king not only knew but sought to destroy him.”

“But I thought the king was supposed to be kind…A fair and just leader.”

“He was…And he still would be.”

“How old is this version of you?”

Silas didn’t respond as he took a minute to think. “I was locked in here when I was about sixteen.”

My mouth dropped at his answer. “You were so young…What caused him—you—to be corrupted?”

Everything started to shake furiously before the young Silas could finish his story.

“NO MORE!” an angry voice bellowed from every direction.

I took one last glance at the boy before I suddenly realized I was laying on the cracked pavement next to a rundown building, in the city I knew all too well. I looked up to see a wide window displaying a dusty old room with dilapidated furniture and cobwebs filling corners of the room as well as every nook-and-cranny. This is where I witness Ruth’s death! I thought to myself.

Quickly, I began searching around the building for a way inside.

“You cannot get inside!” Silas’s malicious voice echoed.

The room lit up, as everything within the room changed. There no longer was dust or cobwebs, the furniture looked brand new, the walls looked as if there was a fresh coat of paint, which contained decorative portraits.

The door opposite the window opened as Ruth was forcefully shoved inside, falling. Instead of freaking out as I watched my friend helplessly search for an exit, I remained calm and attentive. I felt that it was important to take notes and examine every detail. The door flew open again, with Ruth on her knees, pleading for her life, and then, the glaring light that blinded me so I could not see how or who caused Ruth’s death.

When the scene was over, the room went dark and reverted to its original neglected state.

What is all of this? I questioned myself as I started walking. An angry roar from Silas filled the air and I realized he was standing in front of me. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, but I held my ground. I will not allow this creature to scare or bully me.

“You have been a naughty girl, Sarai.”

“How so?” I replied with disgust filling my voice.

“First, you interacted with my benevolent, gullible, and weak fifteen-year-old self. It was a pity really. I should have hidden him better, but I guess destroying him was ultimately the better option. Really, why should I have kept him around? It was foolish of me.”

“You…”

“I’m not finished speaking!” Silas’s voice boomed like thunder with anger from my interruption. “You also refused to react to save your friend…Tsk…Tsk…Very disappointing Sarai. How do you think she would feel to learn that her best friend did nothing but watch her die?”

“I’m sure that whatever that Ruth you conjured up is better off now. Seems to me that you gave her a mercy killing.” I knew that the scene with Ruth really wasn’t her and he couldn’t touch her since she was with Asher. My voice was harsh as I tried to convince him that killing Ruth, in reality, was a bad idea. Torturing would be pleasant to him, but killing her would ‘show’ an act of kindness, since she would no longer have to suffer.

The cloaked figure that Silas portrayed now stood an inch from me, his face level with mine. He moved so fast that if I would have blinked, I would have missed his abrupt movement. He stood there, examining me as I refused to jump or run. My body wanted to flee, but my mind encouraged me to stay put.

“And why did you keep your younger self locked up? You are hardly the type to be sentimental—ostracizing him and hiding him inside your true, personified self.”

“He was weak! A little boy who believed the world to be full of gumdrops and sweets! He had to be locked away where no one could find him…Unfortunately, you cannot destroy your past…”

“You just told me that you killed him…”

“Oh he is locked up somewhere I will only be able to find.” His voice trailed off. “You won’t be meddling anymore.”

“That’s too bad…I liked him better…”

“Oh look at you with some attitude!” Silas chuckled. “I like it when you speak like that.”

I could feel bile rising as I tried to keep myself from vomiting as his cloaked face grew closer to mine. “You need to back off!”

He chuckled. “Or else what? You are stuck here until I release you.”

“We’ll see about that.”