Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(89)

In the distance, I saw a small shadow sitting on the curb, facing the football field. I walked in that direction, thinking it was odd for someone to be all alone way over there. When I got closer, I saw that it was a girl, and when I’d almost reached them I saw that it was Monroe.

“Hey,” I said as I got closer.

She didn’t turn at the sound of my voice, which scared me, so I jogged to her. When I put my hand on her shoulder, she looked up.

“Why are you over here all alone?”

She looked back to the field in front of her. “Listening.”

“To what?” I asked, wondering if she heard more in the whispers around me, beyond the honks of all the cars trying to leave at once; they were all I could hear.

She didn’t answer me; she simply held out the palm of her hand and showed me a single white butterfly that was glowing in the night. She blew gently, and the butterfly fluttered to the field; my gaze followed to see a purple haze in the distance.

Without knowing why, I crossed the parking lot and stepped into the field. The moment my feet landed on the dying grass, I heard silence and felt a calm come over me – a familiar calm. A few wandering butterflies drifted to the right, and I followed them.

Sitting on the stands, staring into the nothing of the night was Silas. I thought about turning away, running back to Draven’s side - but I had to speak to him; I had to make sure this was over.

When I reached his side, I let my hand rest on his shoulder. “I told you I would end it – save him.”

He looked at me, and I found myself falling into the alluring color of honey that his eyes reflected. “It’s just begun.”

“How? He fought it...I told you he’d fight it.”

He stood beside me and gazed down at me. “You pulled him from that moment, but not before he felt the power he had in another life. It may take him a while...a day, a week, a million years - but he will grow weary and come for your light to sustain his.”

“He won’t,” I promised.

Silas smiled innocently. “I wish I had your optimism. Truth be told, Britain is more than likely the reason you have it - but his day will come, too.”

“Britain?” I questioned, not understanding what he had to do with any of this.

“Your light was strong enough, powerful enough to maintain him for countless years – but now he’s growing weak...he will seek it again.”

“He has Madison,” I whispered, thinking I’d beat the demon that taunted Draven.

“Who does Draven have?” he asked as he reached for my hand. When I didn’t answer, he spoke again, “No one else. He has only two sources: you and the darkness.”

“Why are you ruining this victory for me?” I asked.

His eyes grew sad. “I’m sorry…I just need you to know what lies ahead. I need you to be strong – strong enough not to be na?ve.”

“I’m not…I’m not blind anymore.”

“There is so much left for you to perceive – worlds beyond this one. A darkness that knows no rest is now hungry for revenge.”

I didn’t know if he was talking about Bianca or the devil himself, but my chest swelled with pride. I would take any of them on in a heartbeat to protect not the only the ones I love, but all those that are damned.

“I’m ready for it.”

He smiled gently. “I believe that you are.”

Headlights flashed across us, and I looked over my shoulder to see Draven’s Hummer at the edge of the field. He got out of his truck and walked slowly to the front of it.

I squeezed Silas hand and said, “I have to go.”

He pulled me closer and leaned his forehead to mine. “I’m only a breath away...never forget that.”

I didn’t know if that was a promise or a threat, so I looked into his eyes and said, “I know,” to let him know that I’d call him when I needed to feel the hum of his energy – when I needed to breath – and that I’d never let my guard down when it came to Draven; I would defend and protect him to the end of my existence.

I pulled away from him and whispered, “Thank you,” then turned away from him and walked to Draven.

The closer I got to him, the louder the whispers grew - and for the first time, it made me smile. When I reached his side, he took my hand.

“Is this where you want to be?” he asked, holding my stare.

“This is my place: with you.”

A smile came across his face, enhancing his flawless features, taking my breath away. He put his arm around me as he glanced to the field. I didn’t look up to see the look in his eyes or look over my shoulder to see the look Silas was surely giving him; instead, I kept my head down and let him lead me to his passenger side door. My car pulled up behind him, with Madison driving and Monroe in the front seat.

“Where are we going?” I asked when he got in.

“My house. Nana has cake and stuff ready.”

I made a face, which made him laugh. “What?” he asked.

“I don’t care for the attention.”

“You looked beautiful in the spotlight tonight,” he said as he held out his arm for me to come closer.

We drove in silence, both reflecting on what the night had brought. I couldn’t believe how powerful he looked on that stage – how powerful I was in that world. Even though I was sure my time there would haunt my nightmares for months, I smiled.