Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
They watched Jerry disappear around the staircase “I think he wants us to follow him.” Alex said after the group turned to each other awkwardly.
They began walking up, following last was Alex, who Kevin stopped “Alex, you look a little tired, maybe you should go rest in Ann’s room.”
She shook her head “We’re all tired Kevin, I don’t need to rest. I’m actually a little curious to know why that mother Akrone followed my orders.”
Before she had the chance to continue, he stopped her again “But you never liked this mumbo jumbo, do you seriously want to listen to what Jerry has to say?” he rolled his eyes dramatically “If you ask me, I think he’s the traitor.”
Alex laughed, “Don’t be ridiculous, he’s blind. Now stop being paranoid, I want to know why I can control those things!” Pulling him by the hand, she dragged him into the room with everyone turning to them “Wow, did I walk into a funeral.”
“Alex.” Ann began as she waved her over with a ghastly look “Come look.”
“What is it? Hey, how did you get the book out without me?” she found it in Ann’s hand.
Jerry sighed, “It loses its power to retrieve after the curse is broken. It will no longer answer to the call of the traitor.”
“I…I don’t get it.” Alex turned to Kevin for an explanation but he onely lowered his head quietly “You’re saying that I’m the traitor?” she turned to Jerry with wide eyes. The rest lowered their heads. Her eyes welled with tears as she felt her heartbeat quickened “What does that say?” she pointed to the book.
“Alex, no!” Kevin pulled her back as he blocked her way over to Ann “It doesn’t say anything. Don’t believe him!” he shook his head vehemently.
Her tears dripped slowly down her face “Kevin…what do you know?” she asked hesitantly.
“Nothing!” he insisted “Don’t listen to them. Come on, we’re going home. This was all a hoax anyways.” He took her hand only to be yanked away.
“No!” Alex cried, “You’re lying to me. Why?” she demanded. He still refused to explain as she turned to Christian “Please, I want to know.”
His eyes saddened as he shook his head at her “I can’t…”
“What’s the matter with you people?!” she cried angrily “Tell me now!!” she pushed Kevin out of the way and stomped over to Ann. Her hand reached for the book but it was quickly protected by an aura of electricity that shocked her. She yanked back painfully.
“Alex!” Kevin tried to stop her “You…you can’t touch the book anymore. It recognizes you.”
She spun around at him with hurtful eyes “You knew all this and you didn’t tell me?? Weeks ago, I was the only one that could touch it, now you’re telling me I’m the only one that can’t touch it? What the hell is going on? I have the right to know, tell me!”
The group was quiet but it was Jerry who filled the silence with a sigh “She might as well know.” He raised a hand to beckon her over. Alex reached for his hand looking dazed “Alex, you are the traitor, the one that lifted the curse. During your unconsciousness, you read out loud the curse. The books talked about it.”
“In my sleep?” she was in disbelief.
“Close your eyes.” Jerry instructed. “I’ll show you.”
She did as he asked and felt a warm feeling entering her hand and eventually filled her body. A picture popped into her head. Darkened room, only one light shown on the bed, it was her sleeping. The reenactment happened before her eyes as she witnessed herself mumbling words that she could barely comprehend. A chill ran through her spine as she opened her eyes and was returned to the same room.
“How…why? But the monk said that we would find the traitor and kill the person and a replacement would be sent…why would he tell me that??”
“He was talking to me.” Kevin spoke up. The group turned to him “He already knew who the traitor was. I didn’t want to believe it that’s why I pushed for Alex to come, to prove it wrong. But that night…when I was sleeping on the couch and witnessed it. I panicked, I didn’t want anyone to find out that’s why I insisted on reading the books. I didn’t want you guys to push Alex to her death. But I guess I underestimated Jerry.”
“Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I can’t read. One of the books was written in Braille.” Jerry informed.
“So you acted like you were trying to find a spell to break the curse, but in truth you just wanted us to be distracted.” Mila guessed. Kevin nodded “Sneaky…but brilliant.” She snickered.
“So what will happen to Alex?” Christian asked the question everyone dreaded “Do we really have to kill her?”
“Will that lift the curse?” Kyle asked.
“So what if it does? We can’t kill her.” Kevin looked at the group with disgust “How could you guys even say that?”
Christian turned to Alex, who had never looked so pale “I was only concerned.”
She pushed her lips into a small smile “I know. I’m not mad.” Alex turned to Kevin with a smile “I guess I have no choice but to believe this mumbo jumbo huh?” she let out a short throaty laugh “Jerry, what do I have to do to lift the curse?”
“You will give up your life?” he asked, sounding a little surprised.
“One life in exchange for billions, I think its fair.” She shrugged carelessly “What does the book say?”
“It says you must die under the beak of the cursed mother beast.” Ann replied.
“Which is practically impossible because it is meant to protect her.” Tammy shook her head “It won’t kill her.”
“So we’ll come up with a plan? That’s not hard.” Alex said nonchalantly. She looked around at the solemn faces “Come on guys, perk up. It’s not that bad. Everyone is going to die one day. I’m just going a little earlier. And I get to be the unsung hero.” She grinned brightly.
Kevin looked painfully at her “You can’t die. I’ll find a way to break the curse without you having to be sacrificed.”
“Yes, I’m sure if we all look hard enough we could find it.” Ann nodded eagerly.
Alex smiled gratefully “Yeah and how long will that take? A month? Two months? By that time the world would have been destroyed. I couldn’t have that on my conscience. How long will it take for these Akrones to be destroyed once I die?” she asked Jerry.
“I don’t know…could be minutes, hours or days.” the book did not specify “There is no way to retrieve you, Alex.”
“I hope not! Could you imagine the huge hole in my body? Or a missing head?” she laughed but no one joined her “Oh come on! You guys are so boring. You!” She pointed at Kyle “Crack something. I know you never liked me to begin with. You should be happy.”
“I’m sorry I was mean to you.” Kyle said sincerely.
“You can’t even take a joke!” Alex threw her hands up in despair.
Mila narrowed her eyes “You’re one strange little girl.”
Alex raised her brows “Me? I’m strange? Okay, psycho woman that talks to herself and loves to blow up things and not to mention you signed yourself into the insane asylum!”
“You got me.” Mila cracked a smile.
Alex smiled “All this time I thought Kyle was the traitor.” She joked “Kidding.” She added when he looked offended.
“It’s getting late, let’s all take a rest before we plan the…well… you know.” Jerry nodded pushing for everyone to leave.
Kevin gaze lingered behind with Alex while Ann patted him on the shoulder “Go to sleep, you’ve got darker circles than a panda bear!” Alex urged. He nodded eventually and followed the group out of the room. Christian was in the same place he was standing “You’re not tired?” she asked with a playful smile.
Christian’s brows knitted together perfectly “Don’t…you don’t have to make me laugh. I know you’re scared.”
Her smile faded and her eyes moved away, afraid he could read her emotions “I’m not.” She said weakly.
“Who are you trying to kid?” he asked sternly.
She smiled while stepping closer to him “A cute ex cop that is so sexy when he doesn’t shave his face.” She flirted. He shook his head while she pouted “I’m scared.” Dropping her head, she felt his arms surround her as he hugged her tightly. She reacted immediately with her hands wrapping around his waist “I am so…so scared.”
“Shh…don’t worry. We’ll be in this together. I won't leave your side.” He hushed her while stroking her now short mane.
Her tears seemed to explode after he said the words “I’m glad you’re here.” Alex closed her eyes tiredly as she fell into the rocking motion. After a few moments of silence, she looked up at him with a tear stained face “You’re a good dancer.”
He laughed despite what they would have to overcome next “I’ll tell you a secret, I use to enroll in this cool dance camp when my mom thought I joined some soccer tournament when I was in high school.”
Alex pulled away with a mischievous grin on her face “I wanna see some moves.”
Christian looked around eventhough he knew the room only belong to them “Okay, don’t you dare laugh.” He warned with a wagging finger. Alex popped on the bed as she crossed her legs comfortably “This is the routine I had to perform for my final. I just want to remind you that I got an A+.” he winked before standing stiffly with his hands glued to the side “Give me a minute so I can remember it.”
She nodded with a giggle while watching eagerly for him to begin. His head bobbed to a silent beat he counted in his head, she covered her mouth to keep from laughing as he emerged into a choreographed routine that was corny beyond words. His neck was awkward and his arm movements were not flowing, his legs were out of tuned and completely out of control. With each laughter that erupted, he continued with even more energy and movements causing Alex to hold her stomach in pain. She raised a hand and shook her head “Stop…” she managed to spurt out while wiping her tears “I can’t…my stomach…”
Christian stopped as he pulled down his jacket “I’m glad you find my A+ final amusing.” There was a touch of sarcasm that she couldn’t miss.
“I’m sorry…that was really…good…and convincing!” she added while waving him over to the bed “I can sleep well now.”
“You want me to stay?” he asked.
“Always.” She added while patting the empty space next to the bed. Her face rested on the pillow with ease, her smile content “Thank you.”
He raised his brows “Why?”
“For making that up.” She breathed. Her eyes drooping away while she kept the smile on her lips “For making me laugh. I was in a dance group, that was an F grade.”
Christian reached a hand up to stroke her face warmly “I’d do anything for you. Even make a fool out of myself.” He grinned. It was probably the most outrageous thing he has ever done in his life.
“I’m sure you said that to Tammy too.” She teased.
He looked at her solemnly “No. I never did.” Her eyes melted away as she nodded “I’m serious.” He added.
“I know.” She whispered. Their eyes deepened until they both fell asleep from exhaustion.