Chapter 13—A New Instructor

It was already morning when I broke free of my nightmare. An overwhelming sense of accomplishment had washed over me, and I couldn’t help but smile because I’d never defeated my nightmares before.

I yawned and stretched to prepare for the day. The sun was barely peeking over the sky. The wind still had a cold bite to it, but the weather should start getting warmer as spring came nearer. I couldn’t wait for the season to change. I love winter, but I was tired of covering myself up with layers and layers of clothing to stay warm.

Poking my head out of the tent, the first thing I saw was Eden sleeping peacefully, while snuggling his sword. He must have fallen asleep while making sure Asher or someone else didn’t come searching for me. I wonder how late he stayed up and if Rory had ever returned from his walk.

I rubbed my eyes to scratch away the sleepiness that called me to go back to sleep. When I moved my hands out of my line of vision, I thought I saw someone standing a few yards away. I tried to focus my eyes in the direction I had seen the figure, but there was nothing or no one there. Regardless, I still had an uneasy feeling overcome me.

But I was too tired to think any further into it, so I got up and started walking around. I grabbed Eden’s shoulder, shook him, and called his name.

“Eden, wake up!”

He jumped to his feet, alert. “What happened? What’s going on?” he asked, confused.

I laughed at his reaction. “Calm down, commando. Nothing is happening.”

He let out a long yawn. “What are you doing up so early?”

“Just got used to us getting up around this time to train, I guess.”

“I think we can afford you to have a day off,” he replied as he walked toward his tent.

“Oh…Ok…” I replied, slightly disappointed. “Well, did you happen to notice if Rory came back?”

Eden was already in his tent, tucked away as he murmured, “I haven’t seen him.” His words were then followed by snores.

What was I supposed to do now? Rory would be furious if I walked off searching for him with all of the dangers out here, mostly speaking of Asher and some of Silas’ followers. But with Eden sleeping, I had nothing to do and no one to keep me company. How long does it take a guy to calm down? I wondered as I sat down on a tree stump and began playing with a stick in the dirt. I soon lost track of time as I receded into myself, only coming back to reality when my stomach roared with hunger.

There was no point in waking sleeping beauty in there, so maybe I should find Rory or Ruth? What if Asher and Ruth left after the conflict all the boys had with one another? Either way, searching for someone, even if it be my abductor, would be an improvement over the boredom I’m feeling.

I left Eden a note so he wouldn’t think someone snatched me while he was asleep. I would say I did this to let him know that I was all right, but after I leave camp, something as random as me falling into a hole could happen or me inadvertently crossing paths with a bear or a wolf was also a possibility.

As I walked, the feeling of uneasiness I felt earlier still haunted me. I thought I could hear footsteps behind me as I journeyed the forest, but whenever I looked behind me, there was no one there. It could just be a deer or rabbit, I thought to myself, trying to keep my mind off of dangerous animals such as bears. Soon I became spooked as my imagination started to conjure terrible scenarios.

A shadow darted between trees. The shadow was of a humanoid figure, but no person could move as quickly as this thing was. All I could do was hurry and pray that I either ran into Rory or find Ruth and Asher soon.

I started to jog, my footsteps falling heavy on the leaf-strewn ground. With every step was a loud crunch followed by a thud. Soon I stopped in my tracks when I thought I heard a faint whisper that called my name. I turned to look behind me, squinting to see if anyone I knew was there. Nothing…

Taking a deep breath, a sigh of relief came over me; relief that had me believe that I imagined the whole thing. I turned to continue forth when my heart almost gave out. My chest began to tighten, my mouth dried, the palms of my hands started to sweat, as my body started to shake from fear, and I could not take a breath. The cloaked shadow man was standing over me.

“Silas!” my voice broke as I silently uttered his name.

He chuckled. “Yes, it is me, Sarai.”

“But how?” I asked in astonishment. “You’re powerless.”

He sneered at me. “I am not powerless, you stupid girl! I have all the power I need to find you, torment you, and make your life a living hell until you join me.”

Suddenly, I remembered Asher saying that Silas was going to take Ruth. Anger started to rise from my stomach and burn in my chest. “You cannot be here,” I demanded. “You are not real.”

“I am as real as you are, Sarai,” Silas replied with a chuckle.

“You need to leave! Go back to your own realm!” I yelled desperately.

“Sarai?” a familiar voice called me.

I turned around to find Rory staring at me confusedly. “What are you doing, my love?”

I looked back to discover that Silas had vanished!

“Are you all right?”

“No…Silas…” Tears started filling my eyes. “He was here.”

“That’s not possible…” Rory began before noticing the look on my face as tears started flowing down my cheeks. Then, he quickly came to comfort me.

“Where were you?” I asked through sobs.

He held me close while playing with my hair. His voice was calm and soothing as he explained his whereabouts. “Last night, Asher really got to me…I was afraid of his motives, and I foolishly left you behind. Some things that he said, what he thought, just didn’t make sense. He left his mind unlocked like an open book. I waited for Eden and you to leave then just watched Asher, waiting for him to take an opportunity to drag you to Shanaledge…But he never did. I expect he may be waiting to gain our trust before he strikes.”

“How did you find me?”

He looked into my eyes and smiled. “Sarai, you should already know the answer to that. No matter where you are, I will always be able to find you.” Rory kissed me before continuing, “Where is Eden?”

My voice had returned to normal, and I felt at peace once again. “Sleeping in his tent…I think he stayed up all night keeping an eye out.”

Rory smiled more brightly knowing that his friend was there for me when he wasn’t. “Why isn’t he with you now though?”

“Because I went searching for you…”

He looked at me sternly. He gave me the look parents give their children when they are caught doing something they’re not supposed to. “You know you shouldn’t be wandering around alone my love.” His voice remained calm but there was a hint of severity in his tone.

I looked down at my feet, feeling as though I had disappointed him. “I know…I’m sorry…I just wanted to find you…”

“It’s ok.” He grinned. “Nothing happened so there’s no harm done.”

I suddenly felt anxious when my mind went to Ruth. “Have you seen Ruth?”

“Yeah…She’s fine. She and Asher stayed out by the fire most of the night.”

“Can we go see her?”

Rory’s expression changed as well as his demeanor. “I can’t say no to that. But please try to keep your distance from Asher.”

I smiled at him, happy to know that he wouldn’t keep me from my loved ones. On our way to find Ruth, I told him about my nightmare and how I escaped. Rory was proud of me and told me that I have never been able to break free of Silas’ hold before. He was even shocked to learn of fifteen-year-old Silas.

“Well, it is true that you cannot kill your former self…Your past will always be there. That’s something that he will carry with him forever, no matter how far he tries to bury it. I’m sure you’ll find it again in time.”

After this, I told him about Silas presenting himself in front of me before he had found me. Rory was at a loss for words, apparently because we never encountered this in our previous lives.

We were silent for a few minutes as Rory thought of different possibilities where Silas would be able to do this. “He cannot physically leave his realm. And he cannot leave Shanaledge with one of his followers because when the king took his ability away from him, it left him severely weak to travel…There’s only one other way he could manifest himself to you which would be something he learned with his telepathy.”

I looked at him strangely. “I don’t follow.”

“He found a way to link himself to you years ago, but he could only do this through your dreams. While you were sleeping, he could create a whole world filled with creatures and scenarios that he knew would scare you. As he continued this connection, he gained the ability to cause you physical harm. He knew these things because this link he created gives him access to your memories…Somehow he has strengthened this connection to you.”

“But you didn’t see him standing in front of me?”

“No.” He paused to think back. “I was walking back to our tent when I felt your presence. The sensation got stronger, and then I just happened to catch a glimpse of you out of my periphery…But I really believe he could not be here…It’s just not probable.”

My heart sank and I could feel my face becoming warm, tears were starting to stream down my cheeks as I tried and failed to keep the lump in my throat down.

“My love, what’s wrong?” Rory questioned, stopping me in my tracks. The more attention he paid me, the harder it was for me to calm myself down. “Baby, I believe you,” he asserted me before he looked into my mind. “Hey…” Rory said sweetly as he placed his fingers under my chin, gently raising my head to look me in the eyes. “I did not say it was impossible—only that it was improbable.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better…” I replied sadly.

Rory let out a long, drawn-out sigh, not out of aggravation, but out of lament. “Well, baby, we are going to see Ruth anyway…So let’s see if Asher has any clue about this alright?”

I nodded, trying to take control of my emotions.

“Ok…” he replied soothingly as he grabbed my hand. Rory kissed my forehead. “We are going to figure this all out. Just remember, I will always be here to protect you, but Silas will try to deceive you and try to break, including destroy your mental state. He entraps what he wants or desires to make you feel alone. It’s easy to grab what or who you want when you alienate them by making them feel alone.”

“I know…”

***

The distance from our tent to the fire we built yesterday seemed to be further than what I remembered. I knew the reason why the time seems to drag on was mostly due to me being trapped in my thoughts instead of being caused by the interruptions during our journey. Rory remained silent during the rest of our voyage because he had a lot on his mind as well. But he also stayed quiet out of respect for my privacy. He probably thought if he spoke again, I may start crying. Whatever the reason, I was glad when we reached Ruth and Asher; not that I disliked the unspoken walk we shared but I do hate being trapped inside my mind.

Ruth jumped up from the sleeping bag she was sitting on to run towards me for a hug. “Oh, Sarai! I thought I wouldn’t see you again!”

Letting go of her, I looked at, her puzzled. “Why would you think that?”

“Asher filled me in on everything—how important you are—and the thought crossed my mind that I may never see you again,” she explained with sorrow coloring her voice.

“Nothing is going to happen to me,” I reassured her as Rory stood motionless behind me. “I initially came here to see how you were doing, but on our way here…something unusual occurred and I need to speak to Asher. Maybe he would be able to answer some of our questions?” I explained, scanning the area to notice that Ruth was alone. “Where is he?”

“He went to Shanaledge an hour or so ago…There are times when he has to leave since Silas wants to have the latest information as soon as possible.”

“Wait,” Rory began with anger. “He left you here all alone when just last night he was frightened that one of Silas’s followers would take you?”

“He didn’t have any other choice!” Ruth said defensively. “Besides, if you must know, I made him go so he wouldn’t be in trouble. There is no one out here!”

“Ok, everyone, let’s just calm down,” I said, stepping between them. “Why didn’t you come to find me or Rory for that matter?”

“Because last night was a disaster when he was simply trying to confess his wrongdoings.”

Rory didn’t respond as he fumed.

“Well, Ruth, you can’t forget: Asher and Rory have known each other before we were born, and their feud is older than us. A sudden change of heart isn’t enough for someone who has lost as much as Rory has,” I stated as delicately as possible. “No matter how you or I perceive it, we cannot fully comprehend everything that has happened to them. They may work towards a common goal, with a common enemy, but you know there is no chance of them getting along or forgiving. You can’t expect them to be all buddy-buddy after this is all over.”

Ruth understood these words to be true and dropped the lengthy counterattack she had prepared. Instead of becoming emotional or angry, she took a deep breath before saying, “He should be back any minute now. Rory, you are welcomed to stay, although we both know even if you weren’t, you’d stay anyway.”

“Ruth, I have no problem with you. So why do you find one with me?” Rory asked curiously.

“I don’t,” she said simply. “Ok, I just feel like I have to defend Asher. You both say terrible things about each other. Sarai is like my sister, so our boyfriends not getting along definitely won’t work in our favor. We will probably end up being the siblings that can’t stand each other because of the spouse they chose,” she elaborated.

“They choose to be uncivilized. Plus, most of them chose their spouse whereas we don’t exactly have the option,” Rory responded. “Trust me, I won’t ever stand in the way of Sarai’s happiness, nor her best friend.”

After this brief interaction, Ruth lightened up and we enjoyed our time together as we waited for Asher. From all the events, I forgot I was even hungry.

A flash of light came from behind the trees along with a sound that brought to mind a clap of thunder. Rory jumped to his feet quickly as he readied himself for what could happen next. Soon after, Asher came walking out from behind the trees looking emotionless. He stopped mid-stride when he had seen Rory and me along with Ruth.

There seemed to be a glint of hope spark in his eyes for a second, before returning to their natural cold state. Ruth ran up to him, giving him a kiss for a greeting.

“I told you I’d be all right!” she said gleefully.

He smiled back at her, but it quickly faded. “Why are they here?”

“Ask them yourself,” she replied playfully.

Rory was scanning the forest, keeping his guard up in case Silas’s guards showed up with Asher.

“It’s only me, Rory,” Asher began as he let go of Ruth. “I told Silas that I did not know where you went and that I haven’t seen Sarai nor Ruth in a few days.”

I could tell Rory did not believe him. The awkwardness grew as did the tension I could feel from Rory and Asher. They only stared at each other, not saying a word. Rory’s body was seized with his hands gripped and his jaw clenched, while Asher appeared to be a little more relaxed.

“Oh, honestly, you two!” I began, aggravated. “Asher we need to know why I just saw Silas in the woods not too long ago.”

He stared at me, as if I had just told him his best friend died.

“Well do you know or not?” I asked impatiently.

“Yes…But I didn’t think he would be able to do it…”

“Do what?”

“Because all he has left are his telepathic abilities, most of us would think that he would only be able to communicate this way, but telepathy is far more than just that.” He let out a great sigh as if he were getting prepared for a long-winded explanation. “He has never had to use this ability on you before Sarai because he was always successful in keeping you frightened in your dreams. He also always managed to keep you stuck in those nightmares until he released you. But you broke out of the dream last night I don’t know how, he didn’t explain, but he knows you are becoming more powerful. He knows that Rory has been teaching you new things. And to be honest, Sarai, whatever you did in your dream really got to him. Silas is definitely not happy with whatever happened.” I was about to interrupt so I could explain what I found out, but Asher quickly raised his hand. “And I honestly do not want to know. The less I know, the better protected Ruth and you are. However, we are all in danger because Silas is astral projecting.”

“What is that?” I asked. I knew in general what it was, but I did not know the mechanics or how it could possibly be useful.

Rory became even more rigid at Asher’s words. A wave of panic seemed to have washed over him.

“Astral projection is when your conscious mind leaves your physical body. It is an out-of-body experience that can be achieved while you’re awake, dreaming, or in a meditative state. When you astral project, you can travel to other realms and interact with the environment around you.”

“Can everyone see a person who is projecting?” I asked, intrigued by the concept.

“No. It depends on whether or not, said person wants to be seen or if the other person is sensitive,” he said slowly. “Which makes our current situation more dangerous, Sarai.”

“Why?”

“Because if he appeared to you in this form, then he knows where you are. He could also be watching us right now and we wouldn’t know it.”

A cold silence fell over the four of us as Asher’s words sunk in.

“Rory, we are going to have to teach her how to close off her mind. It’s too easy for Silas and his followers to find her this way. We need to move again also.”

Rory nodded in agreement.

“I will be more than happy to teach her,” Asher offered.

“Not a chance!” Rory responded.

I looked at Rory desperately. “Maybe we should let him…”

He didn’t respond.

“We could let him help me close my mind off from Silas under your or Eden’s supervision. It’s worth a shot! I mean, we are all in danger if I don’t…”

Rory didn’t like my plea, but he nodded and quickly added, “If you try anything funny to lose or kill her, you will wish you never met me.”