Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The sunlight filled the room through the small stone cracks the Akrones made from the attempted break in. Christian reached his arm lazily around to where Alex was next to him, except it was met with the cold bed sheets. His eyes automatically popped open “Alex?” he sat up and looked around worriedly “Alex!” she wasn’t in the room.
On the roof of the castle was where she stood most of the early morning. She couldn’t sleep. She only pretended so Christian would fall asleep. Spending most of the late night staring at him, she couldn’t help but feel sad that she would no longer get to see his face “Fate.” She whispered to herself while watching the Akrones circle the sky above her. None of them dared to come near her for fear of the mother Akrone would kill them.
She had witnessed when one came charging at her but was immediately pierced from the mother beast's beak. The small ones didn’t know who she was. Her eyes tired but the sun felt good beating on her face, warming her cold body. The weather was changing, she could tell. The sky was still beautiful but the air was crisp and very cool.
In the library was a very tired Kevin, who had dozed off only minutes before Ann entered with a cup of coffee freshly brewed by Howard. She shook her head sadly, he had spent the entire night looking at the books for clues on how to help Alex. She placed the cup down gently but the dish and cup clinked together making an audible sound which woke up Kevin “Go back and rest, you’ve been here the whole night.” she coaxed while rubbing his neck affectionately.
He covered a yawn but stubbornly shook his head “No, I’m not resting until I find something.”
Ann let out a sigh as she sat down next to him “Kevin, you’ve been searching through hundreds of books, you need a rest.”
“I can’t let her die!” he cried harshly but quickly came to realize it wasn’t her fault “I’m sorry-”
She covered his lips with her right hand “Shhh, don’t…I understand. Drink this coffee, I’ll keep looking. Your eyes need a rest even if your body doesn’t.” she said wisely.
He took the cup gratefully “I don’t know what I’d be without you, Ann. Thanks.”
“Don’t be so polite with me.” She scolded playfully. Immediately, she turned to the book he was reading and began skimming through.
“You guys are still here?” Mila walked in with a muffin in her hand “Did you find anything?”
Kevin shook his head before wincing at the bitter black coffee “Nothing yet.”
“Maybe there isn’t a way?” Mila offered.
His eyes turned cold as he stared at her “How could you say that? You really want Alex to die?”
“That’s not what I meant.” Mila said offensively “I mean, what if this is all written in the stars? What if her fate was meant to be this way? Could we toy with fate and try to save someone that maybe should die?” she pressed with logic reason.
He didn’t want to admit it but she made a striking point “I don’t believe it.” He said quietly and turned back to the books. The ones they did not find anything were thrown on the ground.
Jerry walked in the library with his trustworthy cane when it hit an object. He bent over and picked up a book “Now who would throw things around like this?”
“Get out.” Kevin said without turning to him.
“What’s with the animosity?” Mila asked with surprise. Kevin seemed to be the most friendly until that minute.
“No, he has every right to be angry.” Jerry agreed, “I was the one that let the secret out.”
Mila rolled her eyes “So you think Alex wouldn’t have eventually figured it out? When the book suddenly turns on her? Don’t be naïve Kevin, this was bound to happen.”
“Stop saying that!” he barked suddenly.
“You out of all people believe in this crap but when it suddenly hit your dear friend Alex, you have suddenly turned. Why are you so against it? Huh? Is it because you’re in love with her?” Mila pushed.
“No, it’s because he’s Alex’s replacement.” Jerry replied wisely.
Mila turned to the blind man “Oh. Okay, then you have every reason to be in denial.” She nodded at Kevin.
“I don’t want to hear anymore. Get out, both of you!” Kevin cried suddenly.
Ann’s face brightened as she began tapping on Kevin’s arm “Hey, I think I found something.”
Instantly, he forgot about the two nuisance and turned to the book “Where?”
“Right here. It mentions about a spell to revive the dead.” Ann recapped.
Mila shook her head “What kind of book is that? Can we believe it? Spells, we’re not witches. Well, sometimes I can be…but the meaning is not the same!” she insisted.
“I don’t care, I’ll try anything.” Kevin said desperately while skimming through the potions “We can do this…” he didn’t sound too confident “If we can gather all these things together, we can do it.”
“Let me see.” Mila said suspiciously as she reached for the book. Her eyes widened with each impossible artifact “The sand from the bottom of the ocean? A cursed beast’s heart? 10 year old earthworm? There are over fifteen things we have to get.” she shook her head at Kevin “This is more impossible than me acting normal for one month. Which reminds me, I need to go find my spleen.” She handed the book to Kevin and skipped out of the room.
Tammy walked in while Mila was skipping out, she smiled “You’re in a good mood.” She grinned but continued to leave. Tammy greeted them with a smile “Have any of you seen Christian or Alex? I went to their room but I didn’t find them anywhere. Usually she’s the first at the breakfast table.”
“You don’t think…” Ann didn’t want to suspect the worse.
Kevin frowned “She better not.”
*********
“Go back inside Christian, it’s dangerous!” Alex pushed him away. He had found her and was trying unsuccessfully to get her inside.
“I don’t care, you come with me and I’ll go. Come on.” His eyes darted above where a few Akrones cried out to each other. They were well aware of Christian’s presence.
“See, they know you’re here! You need to leave!” She urged.
He was a stubborn mule with a vehement shake of the head, he held onto her arms and gave it a hard shake “Alex! Listen to me. I will not leave, get it through your thick scull. If you die, I die.” The brown eyes so penetrating that it hurt her to hear him say the words.
“You can’t…” she whispered.
“And neither can you.” He urged with intense eyes.
They were too involved in their emotional stage that they didn’t see an Akrone charging at Christian with full speed. Her eyes widened as she pushed him to the ground, the beak barely missing her by a hair. They turned to see another coming at them. Christian rolled her over as he covered her body with his.
The sharp pain came too quick that stopped his heartbeat for a few seconds “Christian!!” Alex yelped.
A gunshot startled her, the Akrone’s beak pulled away from Christian as it fell to the ground lifeless. Kyle dropped his shaking hand as he rushed over to them “Let’s get him out of here.” He pulled Christian’s arm over his neck and picked him up with all his strength. He moved closer to the exit and turned to see Alex not moving “Alex! Come on!” he urged.
She shook her head “No, I can’t. Take him inside. Please, don’t let him die.” She pleaded with tearful eyes.
“Alex…what do I tell him when he wakes up and doesn’t see you?” Kyle asked desperately “Please, just come inside. Kevin’s looking for a way to help you. Just give him more time.”
“But the world doesn’t have time.” She pointed to the sky “See…it’s spreading fast.” The transparent glow of the barrier was growing faster “By nightfall, we won’t be able to see it with the naked eye.”
Kyle felt his arm soaking with blood as he looked down at Christian, they had to get him help “Take care!” he blurted before disappearing down the stairs. Using his feet, he kicked the door shut. His arm was burning by the time he reached the nearest room. He found Mila inside sitting in the corner of the room, her legs crossed and her eyes closed “Mila, thank God!” he settled Christian on the bed and flipped him over on his stomach.
“I’m not Mila.” She replied with a dark tone and deeper voice “I’m Marlioen, king of Akrone. How dare you disturb my slumber.”
“Stop playing! He’s dying!” Kyle cried.
She snapped her eyes open and stood up “Oh my, what happened?”
“Can you get the others?” Kyle asked hurriedly. He covered Christian’s wound but the blood continued to pour out.
“Of course!” Mila replied brightly as she walked towards the door and put her fingers to the corner of her lips and let out an ear piercing whistle “Yo! Christian’s dying! Any last words?”
The four came running down the hall “What happened?” Tammy asked with genuine concern.
“He was playing too close to the Akrones.” Mila shook her head sadly “Let’s say a silent prayer.”
“Mila! Stop it. He’s won’t die if we do something.” Kyle urged “Tammy can you get me some hot water? And find me a lit candle.”
“Okay.” She nodded and rushed out of the room.
“Ann, I need a needle and thread.” Kyle continued. She nodded worriedly and left to find what he needed.
Mila’s head bounced up and down “Not bad. It’s like a scene out of the hospital. Since when did you learn how to be a doctor?”
“I have a PHD in Science.” Kyle answered with ease “Kevin, Alex is on the rooftop. I got up this morning and found the staircase lighted, I walked up and heard Christian trying to get Alex to come inside. But she wouldn’t listen, when I got up there they were attacked by an Akrone and everything else is history.”
“I’ll get her down.” Kevin promised as he raced out of the room and up the one way up to the rooftop “Alex!” he cried, his eyes moved to the sky. He didn’t want to take a chance at getting killed. He needed to stay alive to save her.
She spun to the familiar voice “Kevin! Get inside now! Didn’t you see what happened to Christian?”
“Don’t you want to see how he’s doing? Come on! He needs you right now!” Kevin begged.
Alex turned away instantly “No. It’s my fate, I have to die.”
“I found a spell that can revive the dead!” he blurted out, hoping it would bring her back.
“Really?” she asked unsurely, not positive it wasn’t a scam to get her into the castle. She had made up her mind to stay outside.
“Yes, but I need you to stay alive until I figure how to get the spell brewing. Please, come inside.” He raised his hand desperately.
Her heart softened as she wondered maybe there was a way to get out of cheating death? Thinking of Christian only added to the tugging in her heart. She gave in and jogged towards Kevin, who was smiling with relief.