Synergy (See #3)(5)

“It’s like a human thing,” he said, grinning at me. “Have you ever thought of someone you hadn’t seen in a long time, and then you start seeing things that remind you of them -- then they just show up?”

“Um. No,” I said, furrowing my eyebrows. “But I keep seeing the same numbers over and over again, fives.”

“My mother always told me the easiest and fastest way for our spirit guides to talk to us was through numbers. If I remember correctly, five is a good one; change, I think.”

“So I guess it’s a good thing those plates had 5 on them, too?” I said, trying to smile.

“I’d say so. Get ready, Chara -- Charlie’s coming home!” Wesley yelled, looking at the sky before grinning at me.

“Tell me this,” I said, trying to measure my breath, “if you didn’t know me, how would you feel about bringing people that can do what we can do to your home? Should I even want this? Is it fair to your world?”

“Ah...Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Yes, you have to understand that you cannot hurt my world.”

“But why is that myth in place then? The one that says the world will reject you, that you’ll get sick and die if you’re not loved by someone?”

“Look, myths only have the power that you give them. We bring families from other dimensions to Chara all the time. I think that idea, myth, is there just to back up the foundation of the world. That it’s built by soul mates. Besides, even if it is true, I kinda see you like the little sister I never had - and you know Austin loves you guys.”

“Right, but I’ve been there every day. I’ve seen the sun, the lush fields, felt the peace. I just keep imagining showing up, then the clouds turn gray and the darkness that I am takes over that place. I don’t want to be selfish; I just want help with Draven.”

“What about Draven?” I heard Aden say as he ran up to my left side.

“Nothing.”

“Charlie,” Aden said, running backwards in front of me.

“How could I keep secrets if someone’s always with me? You see him more than I do. Remember. I’m just a part-time girlfriend.”

“Ouch,” Wesley said, elbowing me as he nodded to a guy in front of us wearing a T-shirt that said ‘Austin’s Bar,’ along with a phone number that had three fives in it.

“Ouch is right. He’s just trying to keep you safe; you know that,” Aden said, turning to jog at my side again.

“OK, well explain this. You’re a light, too, just like me and Madison. How come you get to write with him? How come you get to see him when he’s upset?” I sounded like a child but I didn’t care.

“Because I’m his brother and I’m strong enough to knock the hell out of him if his dark side comes out.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Whatever. Mr. Light. You’re the only one in the band that’s a quote-unquote ‘light.’ In a room for hours at a time with three potential Escorts, crossing the line of The Realm daily -- and yet you’re right here with me, jogging at my side in fear that someone might show up and have a conversation with me.”

“Are you telling me that you don’t want me to be with him – to be a constant reminder of what we were before all of this? And don’t play innocent, Charlie. I’ve seen you in The Realm just as much I’ve been there. He just doesn’t want you to get hurt.”

I bit my bottom lip. He was right about me being there. Madison and I would sneak into the top level of the auditorium and wait until it looked like they were gone, then see our way to where they were. We managed to stay at a distance, but my butterflies glowed there and usually gave us away before long.

What I’d figured out about The Realm was that it really was what you wanted it to be. A devil’s playground. If you wanted to see evil, you saw it. If you wanted to be on a beach, staring at a sunset, you saw it. You never really moved from where you were. It was like a dream; things would change around you, and things that didn’t make sense would happen. It was only when you decided to be a witness that you saw things as others did. Basically, you had to choose to share a dream or reality with others.

Madison and I would linger in the darkness and watch the others. What they created was a concert, a massive one, for thousands and thousands of shadowed images. When it was over, when Draven’s scream roared, the shadows would turn to smoke and drift into his guitar – all of the instruments on the stage. When they brought themselves out of The Realm, the shadows were released into the reality of the world, and at that point the healing would begin. The words that needed to be said were said, and the light that needed to come, came.

Half the reason that Madison was looking for folklore on protection was because of that act; we didn’t want any of that darkness to escape the school. Madison found lore on herbs that could be used to block spirits in a room, so the walls of the auditorium were lined in salt, herbs were put into the walls, and incense was burning throughout the room.

If anyone didn’t know any better, they’d think we were some kind of devil worshipers or something. Draven’s dad had the room that they played in sealed off for only us. They never brought the shadows back when construction workers were on site, or when anyone else was for that matter. During the day they’d write music, and after the sun went down the dark concert began.