Chapter 17—The Shadow Man Returns
We spent many days in search of a new hideout. The four of us walked through the forest, crossing many obstacles in our journey. For the most part, no one really spoke unless they needed to rest or eat. Unfortunately, the peace could not stay this way forever. Asher started complaining about how long we had searched for a new location when we should have stayed and continued to train. Meanwhile, Rory and Eden fought with Asher about his complaints, how annoying he was being, and finished the discussion with how Asher was being a child.
It was nearing nightfall on the fourth night of our journey. Tired and aggravated, I decided to tell the boys it was time to set up camp. They nodded in unison at my request and proceeded to unpack and scout the area. We were no longer in the dense forest we were originally inhabiting. During our journey, we walked through two forests, crossed a river, passed by a lake, and even crossed through an empty field. Now we were in a different wooded area, that was not as densely populated by trees and set up our camp next to a river. This place was very peaceful with a cool breeze and the sound of flowing water. It seemed almost effortless to fall asleep.
During my sleep, I dreamt I was back in the desolate city that Silas always tortured me with. This time, I walked the streets fearlessly as I now am only angry with Silas. There are many questions I have for that monster, and I am determined to get answers.
I stopped in the middle of the street. “Silas! Come out here and face me you coward!” I yelled out into the shadows. “I am not playing your stupid games anymore!”
A dark black mist appeared in front of me and transformed into a humanoid figure. Laughter escaped the cloaked man standing in front of me as he took in my angry outburst. “What makes you think you have a choice in the matter?”
I glared at him, restraining myself from going to him and hurting him. Deep down I knew that Silas has complete control over this world and would not allow me to hurt him. He is stronger here, stronger than he would be in the real world. “What makes you think that I don’t?”
“I can make anything happen here. Your life can be destroyed, your family and everyone you love can be tortured and killed over and over. I could have you run through an endless maze. I could even kill you if I desired.”
“Then go ahead. What’s stopping you?” I countered. “Oh, that’s right, you need me.”
“Yes…It is a shame that I have to put so much stock in a person like you, but the truth is, I could kill you, wait for you to return and begin this lengthy ordeal yet another time, but I have become weary of this, so you will just have to do…for now.”
“What have you done with Ruth?”
There was a sneer in his voice when he said, “You people…All of you are always more concerned about others when you should be more worried about what is coming to you.”
“Well, isn’t that a shocker! You have never cared for anyone in your life but yourself. Why don’t you tell me something that I don’t already know?” I asked sarcastically.
“Don’t pretend to know me, Sarai. You know nothing of me. Like I told you before, caring for people makes you weak. There is nothing more pathetic and more of a waste of time than caring for someone else.”
“It can make you strong as well. But that’s something that you would know nothing about.”
There was an angry yell of rage that came from the cloaked figure as he rushed towards me. He was inches from my face, glaring at me. I stared back at him, not feeling intimidated by him. My bravery caught him off guard and seemed to infuriate him even more.
“Where is Ruth?” I asked again as his warm breath washed over my face.
“She is safely tucked away in the prisons,” he replied coolly as he walked away from me.
“Why did you feel the need to take her?”
“To get to you of course.” He turned back to look at me. “Why else would someone take something so precious from someone else?”
“Why not just take Rory?”
“He is banished from my realm! He cannot return…It is also no secret that he would make too much of a mess…”
I had to laugh. “You’re afraid of Rory.”
Suddenly, there was a pain in my face, and I was on the ground. Silas was standing over me, “Don’t you ever suggest that I could be afraid of someone so pathetic! He is nothing more than an ant compared to me! I could squash him right before your eyes and nothing would change! Hell, I already have a couple of times!”
I finally realized that Silas had struck me. “He is more than just a bug to you! He is stronger than you could ever be!”
“I could make him squirm just by taking you away from him.”
“I would love to see you try!” I replied angrily, getting up. “You have already come for me, and you left without me.”
“Did I?” he responded challengingly. “I successfully took someone that you cared about away from you right from underneath your nose. All you care about is trying to get her back without a single hair on her head being harmed. And you know the only way to save her is to surrender. I’ve got you right where I want you, Sarai.”
“You think you have it all worked out, don’t you?”
“Why would you think otherwise?”
“What if I were to not come to rescue Ruth?”
“Please.” He began laughing. “As if you would make your friend suffer the consequences from your disobedience.”
I stared back at him, confused. “It’s not like I am defying anyone’s orders. I am not giving in to your demands.”
“No, Sarai, you are trying to offset something the universe has been wanting to happen for a very long time. You are the key to everything.”
“Well, I don’t believe in destiny or fate. I do not act on something that says my life is predetermined.”
Silas laughed. “It doesn’t matter whether you believe in it or not; it chose you.”
“I also don’t believe in your fortune cookie nonsense.”
He stopped laughing. “What do you expect the outcome of all of this to be?”
“So what did you ever do with the faceless man that you placed in my dreams?” I asked, completely ignoring his question. “Did you ever kill him, or is he going to make an appearance here soon?”
“How dare you speak to me that way!” Silas answered in angered disgust.
It was my turn to laugh as I knew this topic made him uncomfortable. It seemed almost too easy to get under his skin. “The king took away your abilities, which makes you vulnerable. That’s why you have that faceless man walking around trying to torment me. It was a scare tactic that just shows how sad and pathetic you really are. You like to talk about soulmates being weak but in reality, it is you who cannot do anything without the help of your followers…” I paused before adding, “I cannot understand why they would brainlessly follow you nor why they would even fear you. You cannot do anything.”
“That’s enough!” Silas yelled in outrage. His hand flew up, causing me to fly backward landing hard against a concrete wall. He lunged toward me, placing his hand around my throat and squeezing. “You know nothing of my reign, the old king, nor my abilities! All you know of me is what that Rory told you.”
Struggling to catch my breath, I added, “No, I also know who you truly are from Asher’s mind.”
Silas let go of me as he processed what I had just said. He spoke to himself as he said, “You have grown more powerful.” He seemed to have been excited yet scared at the same time.
I grabbed my throat as I started to breathe regularly. “I will never use my abilities to help you.”
He turned back to look at me. “Oh, you will. You will whether you like it or not.”
Before I could continue the conversation, I was suddenly woken by a very concerned Rory.
“My love, are you ok? Wake up!”
“I’m fine,” I replied, slightly annoyed, as I sat up. There was a pain that started from the back of my head and radiated to the front.
“What did Silas want?” he asked, examining every inch of my body for injuries.
“He wanted to scare me as usual.”
“But what did he say?”
“He has Ruth in the prisons and knows that I am much more powerful this time. As usual, he said he was going to make me do his bidding.”
Just as if my night couldn’t get any worse, Asher came barging into the tent in a huff. “And what exactly possessed you to tell Silas that you broke into my mind? Do you have any idea how stupid and reckless that was? Have you any idea the danger you have put yourself and me into?”
“Could you not speak so loud?” I questioned angrily. “I have a headache thanks to your king.”
“I don’t care what he has done to you! If he hurts Ruth in any way because of your dumb actions, you should be more worried about what I’ll do to you!” Asher responded louder.
“And what exactly is that?” Rory chimed in as he stood up. “Do you think you will be able to get to her before you get through Eden and me?”
“It’s been done before,” Asher replied, glaring as he stood closer to Rory threateningly.
“Oh cut it out the both of you!” I began as I stood in between them. “Asher he isn’t even worried about you. All he could even think about was how powerful I had become. So don’t get your panties in a bunch; he isn’t concerned about your actions, nor is he even concerned about Ruth.” This took him back in surprise. “Besides, he knows that I’m not just going to leave Ruth there, but I don’t exactly see a plan where I sneak in, rescue her, and come back.”
“You are not going!” Rory stated.
“Why not?” I asked in shock and anger.
“Because you are not ready!”
“She needs to go to him, Rory,” Asher said. “There is no other way.”
“If you are so concerned about your soulmate, why don’t you go and save her?” Rory replied. “I don’t see why anyone would even suspect you as the person who allowed her to get out.”
“You know that wouldn’t work because Silas has guards around her 24/7. Not to mention he would suspect me as the one to spring her, seeing as how I am the only one who knows her in that realm.”
“Asher, you need to leave,” Rory responded. “Sarai has been through enough in one night. She doesn’t need you filling her head with your dumb, careless ideas.”
I didn’t say anything in response.
Asher looked at me longingly before walking outside.
“Why’d you make him leave? I’m going to have to go to Shanaledge regardless of whether or not I’m ready,” I pleaded with Rory.
“You will not go until you are ready,” he responded coldly before leaving the tent.
I didn’t call after him, nor did I try to fight what he was saying. I knew what I needed to do, but the only question that remained was: could I leave with Rory’s disapproval? And to be completely honest, I couldn’t. I knew if I did, he would be extremely disappointed in me, and it would just remind him of the other times I ran off to Shanaledge. Do I really want to make him relive those painful memories? This would only devastate him, and I just couldn’t bring myself to do this.