Whispers of Death (21 page)

    Mark looked at Hunter, who then looked at me.  I stood in silence.  I didn't know what they were supposed to do.  I knew that I couldn't hide them from Fear.  He would always find them no matter where they were.

    "
Vanessa, what do I do?
" I thought, pleading for her help.

    She walked forward, letting her fingers trace the pictures on our wall; stopping at our family picture, she looked at me, her eyes focusing on me. "
You do what you have to do to protect your family
," she replied.

    I thought about that for a moment.  What did I have that could protect my family?  What talent would save them?  Instantly visions of my life flashed before my eyes.  Everything that had made me happy.  I focused on a few memories here and there, but I mainly just let the happiness rush over me.  It felt like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.  The joy filled my soul like that of a warm summer sun.  I had to do everything in my power to protect my family.  I would have to stand and fight.  Fight against an evil that would do everything he could to kill my family and take away my happiness.  I couldn't let that happen.

    "I need you to turn on our family movies," I said excitedly.  "All of them.  Every TV in the house should be playing something," I told Hunter. "I also need as many pictures placed around the house as you can find."

    Hunter looked at me curiously. "Why?"

    I smiled and bent low so I could see in his eyes. "Because we are going to fight Fear together as a family."

    He still didn't seem to understand, but he relayed my message to Mark and Olive.  They had the same look as Hunter, but quickly moved around the house doing what I had asked.  Peter jumped in to help, and Abby started pulling pictures from the photo books and placing them all over the house.  James arrived a few minutes later, and without asking why, began helping with Mindy.

    Within minutes every television and computer filled the house with laughter and sounds of happiness.  Every surface of the house had some type of picture there.  Our wedding, baby pictures of Hunter and Abby, pictures of Olive and me and our parents.  James had even placed some of his own pictures around the house, which made me realize that they had become just as much my family as anyone else.  I smiled and walked from room to room.

    Abby's laughter ran throughout the house as Hunter tickled her and chased her around the playground.  Hunter's first Spelling Bee, his first Christmas, and our wedding video blared through speakers in different parts of the house.  My heart monitor beeped calmly in our bedroom.  I was happy.

    "How is this?" Mark yelled over the commotion of the videos.

    "She said it's perfect!" Hunter yelled back, relaying my message.

    I watched each video for a few seconds before focusing on the pictures.  I could feel Fear's presence as it became stronger and closer to my family.  He would be here shortly, and I needed to make sure I was strong enough.  I quickly went to my bedroom, unsure if my plan would work, but I knew that I had to try.

    Hunter followed me around the house, watching me.  I pulled the hood of my cloak down, revealing my face and hair.  I had no idea what I looked like, but Hunter gasped.

    "What?" I asked. "Is it bad?" I quickly tried to smooth my hair.

    "Mom, you look just like an angel," he said quietly. "You're glowing!"

    I smiled. "Thank you." I reached to tousle his hair, but remembered that I couldn't touch him, not yet anyway.  "I need you to go tell your dad to make sure all the videos are set to repeat," I said. "Shut the door as much as you can behind you please." I knew that the door wouldn't shut all the way.

    After Hunter had left, I walked over to my body lying on the bed.  I knew that this was the only way, but I wasn't sure it would work without the help of Apollyn.  I quickly looked back at the door to make sure that no one was watching through the gap where it wouldn't close and then placed a hand on my body.  I instantly felt the sensation I was hoping for.  The pain seared through me as what felt like bolts of electricity shot down my veins, causing my heart monitor to blare annoyingly in my ear.  I could feel my heart as it beat rapidly in my chest.  As my soul reconnected with my body, the air rushed into my lungs, and I gasped.

    I lay still for a moment so my body could adjust to being moved again.  Vanessa smiled from across the room when I looked at her.  After a few minutes, I sat up, disconnected all the remaining wires that I hadn't pulled out before, and went to my closet.  I wasn't sure the last time my body had had a shower or bath, but I didn't have time for that now. All I knew was I didn't want to go out to see my husband in a hospital gown.

    I quickly dressed in my favorite black full-length skirt and added a black blouse that I had purchased at my sister's insistence. Once I’d gotten it home, I knew that I would never wear it.  Not that it wasn't a beautiful top, just a little fancy for my taste.  Most of the blouse was a thick black silky material, but the sleeves were a long thin see-through fabric.  As the fabric reached my elbows the sleeves tapered out slightly, giving my arms a much longer look.  I brushed my hair and teeth, put on a little make up and red lipstick and a black and silver beaded necklace with matching earrings before walking back to my bedroom.

    "How do I look?" I asked Vanessa, twirling.

    "Black?" she said amusingly. "Very fitting for your new role. You are definitely a bombshell." She winked.

    I smiled back and turned the door handle.  I could hear all of the televisions in the house blaring a different little voice.  I walked quietly down the hall; my legs were a little wobbly and weak from being in bed for so long, but I didn't care.  My family sat around the TV in the living room.  They were all watching as Abby opened a gift on her second birthday.  Her eyes sparkled as she pulled out her first little doll.  Its blonde hair and green eyes looked back at her.  She wouldn't open any other gift that day.  She walked around with the doll everywhere she went, pointing to it and calling it Mommy.

    I smiled and walked into the living room. "Hi," I said.

    "Amelia!" Olive screamed.

    Abby and Hunter were the first to me.  I wrapped my arms around them and hugged them tightly.  I kissed them on the cheeks and on their foreheads.  I ran my fingers through Abby's long beautiful hair and ruffled Hunter’s.  Olive cried and held Peter, who seemed completely in shock.  James and Mindy watched smiling from the armchair. I looked around the room. Mark stood near the TV, his eyes wide and tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

    I stood up and faced him, smiling. I decided to twirl. "How do I look?" I asked him.

    He crossed the room in one bound and swept me off my feet.  He pressed his lips to mine.  My heart leapt into my throat, beating wildly.  I had missed him so much.  This was what I needed.  This was the strength I
needed
to defeat Fear.  I needed my family.  I couldn't fight Fear as Death; I needed to fight Fear as their mother, sister, friend, and wife.  I needed to be human to fight him, not an eternal being.

    "I love you," Mark whispered in my ear, placing me back on my feet.

    I didn't let him go. I just held him.  Abby grabbed hold of my leg, and Hunter wrapped his arms around my waist.  I laughed, and we held each other.  After several long minutes I pulled away and walked to my sister.

    She glared at me from under Peter's arm. "Thank you," I said, "for taking care of them."

    "How could you leave without saying goodbye, twice!" Olive sounded hurt, but she also sounded relieved.

    "I'm sorry," I apologized. "I didn't have much time."

    She threw herself at me then and wrapped her arms around my neck.  She smelled like lilacs and lavender, two of my favorite things.  She cried on my shoulder, and I stroked her back.

    "I'm sorry. Shhh, it's okay." I consoled her.

    "Ms. Sable?" I heard a small sweet voice.

    I looked down. Mindy stood at my side, her sweet little face watching me.

    "Oh Mindy, you beautiful little angel.  What would I have done without you?" I picked her up and twirled her around.  She giggled as I did.

    "Ms. Sable, is my mom still here?" she asked after I stopped spinning.

    James looked at me with hope-filled eyes.  I looked toward the hall. Vanessa stood there, smiling as she watched my interaction with her daughter.

    "Yes," I said, smiling.

    I put her down and grabbed her hand.  I walked her toward Vanessa and held my hand out.  Vanessa looked at me curiously before reaching for my hand.  As my hand touched hers, I felt her pain run through my veins, but I kept calm.  I heard the room gasp as Vanessa's spirit came into view.

    "How are you doing this?" Vanessa asked, the happiness clear in her tone.

    I blinked; holding the connection was more difficult than I had anticipated, but I knew that I had to do this.

    "I am giving you a part of my soul so you can say goodbye to your family the right way." I struggled to maintain my composure as I spoke.

    Vanessa seemed to sense my urgency.  She quickly bent down and looked at Mindy. "Oh my sweet angel.  I miss you so much, but I am so proud of you.  You will always be my baby, do you know that?" she asked.

    Mindy cried but nodded. "Mommy can you come home too?" she asked.

    "No sweetheart, but we will be together again, I promise," Vanessa said. "You be a very good girl.  I am so proud of you."

    "Mi Amor!" James said, reaching for his wife. "Nes, I love you."

    "I love you too," she said. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

    "Never," he said.

    I gasped, my strength weakening. "I'm losing it." I strained.

    "I have to go now.  I love you both.  We will be together again," Vanessa said.

    "Forever," James whispered.

    "Bye mommy," Mindy said quietly, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

    I dropped my hand, releasing my hold of Vanessa.  I dropped to my knees and panted.

    "That was amazing," Mark whispered as he helped me up.  He kissed me softly, the pain disappearing and the power of his joy spreading through my body.

    "Thank you," James said, "thank you for letting my little girl see her mom again and for letting me see her."

    I smiled. "It was the least I could do.  Vanessa has been a true friend to me," I said.  My heart rate had slowed, and I could feel the strength returning to my body.

    "How did you do that?" Hunter said excitedly from next to me.

    I winked at him. "Because I am superwoman!"

    He laughed; this had always been something I had told him when I did certain things around the house.

    "Amelia!" Vanessa said. "Look!"

    I spun around; the sun had disappeared outside, and a dark black cloud had formed in its place.  I could hear the wind as it pounded on the walls.

    "Here he comes," I told my family.  "I need you all to listen to the sounds of the videos, and if something happens to them, look at the pictures. Do not be afraid, no matter what happens," I begged. "Abby, Hunter, Mindy, close your eyes and do not open them unless you have to.  Just listen to the movies."

"Mark, please keep our babies safe," I pleaded, kissing him one more time. The kiss sent goose bumps down my skin and filled my heart with pleasure.  I cleared my throat and tucked a loose hair behind my ear. "Everyone ready?"

Twenty

Darkness enveloped the house quickly.  Thunder boomed in the darkness, followed by a giddy deep laugh. It reminded me of a Batman movie I had watched with Mark years ago.  It sent chills down my spine as I remembered him trying to kill me at Apollyn's grave.  I wondered if I had made the right choice in fighting Fear as a human, instead of as an eternal being.  I knew that it had its risks, but I also knew I wouldn't have it any other way.  I also knew that my stunt to let James and Mindy see Vanessa had taken its toll on my strength, but I knew that I’d had to let Mindy see her mom; it could be the last memory she had of her if this didn't work.

    The wind picked up, and it pushed against the house like a raging hurricane.  The house creaked and moaned against the powerful gale.

    "Everyone get behind me!" I yelled over the sound of the raging storm.

    Mark didn't move.  He stood by my side and held my hand.  I looked at him; his eyes were determined and fierce.  I wanted to see what he was thinking, but I kept my mind closed.  He squeezed my hand and winked.  I smiled cautiously back.  Olive, Peter, and James had huddled around the kids and were protecting them as much as they could.  I couldn't help but feel that I had dragged my family into one of the most dangerous situations that they would ever face. 

    The darkness began seeping in through the windows and under the doorframe.  It pushed its way across the floor towards me.

    "He's inside," I said, knowing that Vanessa and I were the only ones that could see it. "Hunter, Abby, Mindy, listen to the sounds of those tapes.  Do not open your eyes unless you need to focus on the pictures instead. Do you understand?" I yelled.

    They all nodded, their eyes shut tight as they held onto one another.  Olive and Peter stood close to them, holding their hands.  Olive had a look of pure hatred on her face as she searched the room for the unseen enemy.  I almost laughed out loud as I watched her.  She was always up for an adventure, even if it could be the end.

    I felt the strands of time weaving in and out of my fingertips.  The electricity was heavy everywhere around us.  The air turned cold as ice around me.  My breath stuck in like a thick fog.  The black strands swirled in front of me, forming the shape of Fear.  I could clearly see him now.  His face was full of hatred.  His eyes black as coal, and to my delight, etched in surprise at seeing me there.

    "You can't fight me.  You are only a simple human."

    The dark raspy voice sent shivers through my body.  Mark felt my body tense and squeezed my hand.  His energy was contagious.