The Prophecy
Fighting Soldiers

Clear yellow light streamed throughthe open windows as I opened my eyes. A faint breeze was coming through themand I could smell the fields outside. I could hear the birds that flew in thedistance singing a melody. It was a nice way to wake up from such a horriblenight. I looked over at what had been burning candles: now just melted wax. Icouldn’t hear anybody downstairs, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Iwanted all of them present when I askedabout Lilith.

I turned over in bed and noticedthat Alex was already gone; his pillow still indented where he slept. I reachedover and grabbed the pillow to smell it. It smelled just like him: Irish Springsoap and Cool Water cologne. As I placed the pillow over my head I could feelthe hunger in my veins starting to throb and the pain deep within my stomachstarting to turn. When was that last time I fed?

I got up and walked to the mirrorto see what my restless night left behind, but it wasn’t what I saw thatbothered me. It was what I didn’t see. I didn’t see the face of a tired woman.I didn’t see restless eyes that are always left behind from sleepless nights. Ididn’t feel tense muscles from all day fighting. I saw beauty. Somebody who hasslept for days and was refreshed, my hair even fell into place perfectly. Agirl could get used to this.

I walked over to where my clotheshad been left from the day before. I really didn’t want to put them on. Notonly were they filthy from rolling around in the dirt, but putting them onwould mean that I would be practicing my fighting skills today once again. Butthey were the only clothes I had. As I slipped them on, I could feel the gritof the dirt rub against my skin. I put my hair up in a pony tail and walked outof the room, ready to start a long and tiring day.

I walked downstairs, but as I gotabout halfway down, I heard the guys sitting in the living room talking as ifthey were in a meeting. I walked slowly and quietly, trying to hear what theywere saying, but they stopped talking as if they had sensed me getting close. Iguess it should be obvious: if I could hear them then they could hear me,regardless of how quiet I was trying to be. But why wouldn’t they want me tohear what they’re saying? I mean, isn’t everything they have to say about meand what I am here to do? So wouldn’t I have to hear all of it anyway? Why dideverything have to be a big secret?

Before I could reach the last step,Marcus greeted me. “Good morning, Trinity. I hope you slept well.”

I have to say that I was a littledisappointed that he heard me so I rolled my eyes as I descended the last fewsteps. “And why’s that, Marcus? Do you have another full day of fightingplanned for me? Or another day of secrets?”

I rounded the corner of the stairsand walked into the living room. The men sat in a circle, as if they had assignedseats, and Marcus was seated in the center. But Mary wasnowhere in sight. The mood was tense, even scary. They were deep in thought andthe somber tone would have continued if I hadn’t interrupted.

“What are you talking about!?”Jessup said, standing up in a somewhat defensive position.

Alex looked at me seeming confused andconcerned. But I had finally gotten their attention and I would get them tolisten to me no matter what. Maybe that’s what they were used to: people takingauthority? Maybe I needed to act this way from now on, especially if all theycould talk about was my being ‘The One.’

“Who’s Lilith?” I said, raising myeyebrows and crossing my arms.

I knew it was just a dream and I knew it was agamble to mention her name but I had to replace out who she was and what shewanted with me. I mean, maybe they didn’t even know who she was. Or why she wasfeared. What was the meaning of our relationship? Why did she hunt me?

Marcus’ eyes narrowed the minute Ispoke Lilith’s name. Alex looked away andthe others kept their eyes on Marcus, waiting for him to say something,anything that told them what to do or what emotion to feel.

“And why am I dreaming of her?” Isaid, determined to get an answer.

“You dreamt of her!!?”

Marcus stood up in horror and thensuddenly looked betrayed. “When?”

I began to worry about what mydream had brought to us all. Would it bring a bigger war? How could a name beso fearful to vampires? How could a dream bring… anything? “Last night. Why? Who is she?” I questioned.

They looked at one another, butnobody said anything. I felt like they were reading each other’s thoughts…something I didn’t think I could do. I tried to read their faces but they wereblank. Maybe you have to be around each other for as long as they have been forthat to work. Either way, I felt that they were thinking something that theydidn’t want to tell me.

Alex finally looked at me thenlooked at Marcus, and they both shook their heads. What the hell did that mean?I was tired of being left out. I was tired of them thinking I couldn’t handleit. Whatever it was, whatever this stupid dream brought to us, it hadeverything to do with me and I had every right to know what it meant.

“It couldn’t have been anyone here,Alexander…” Marcus suddenly said, his voice sounding stressed.

I walked over to where they werestanding. They were all taller than me, so I was forced to look up at them. Ididn’t know where the conversation was going. “What’s going on Alex? This… thisis getting weird.” I grabbed his arm and squeezed tight. At that moment,holding him made me feel safe. I felt certain he wouldn’t allow me to get hurt.But he also had to know that it was important that he talked to me.

Alex stood motionless. “Wait…” Helooked around. “Where’s Mary??” I could hear the growl in his voice.

I let go of his arm and followedhis eyes. Mary usually sat at the kitchen table minding her own business,writing in her journal, but now there was only an empty chair and a single penon the table. There was nothing other than that damn pen to show that she hadeven been here. Her clothes and her bags were gone.

Alex looked at Marcus; I could seehis eyes turn black. I remembered what he told me about when a vampire getsready to attack. I took a step back. Whatever he was about to do, I wanted tomake sure I was nowhere close to the fallout that would follow.

“How well did you know her,Marcus?!” Alex’s yell was fierce.

Without warning, he pushed Marcusacross the room. He flew to the wall in the kitchen, breaking a wooden chairthat was in his way, and slid down the wall, landing on his butt. He made aloud thud that shook the old wooden floor. I took another step back in shock.

Alex’s reaction didn’t seem tosurprise Marcus. He looked as if he knew it was going to happen. “Apparently,not well enough, Alexander.” Marcus was calm; he got up and dusted off the sideof his leg.

“Yeah, well, while you were out NOTchecking her references, I’ve been trying to save Trinity – and now you might havejust killed her! She’s had one day of training Marcus… ONE!” Alex’s eyes turnedback to blue.

Whywas all this such a problem? I thought. What had Marcus done? What wouldMary do that could harm us? She was just one little vampire that looked prettyin a dress. She didn’t look like she could harm a fly. Why would she be athreat? The only thing I could do was stand there like a lost child in agrocery store.

“I know, Alexander, and for that Iam sorry. What do you think we should do?”

Marcus walked over to where he had originally stood. I moved closer to Alex, back tothe only one of them that I could consider my protector. Suddenly, the room gotquiet yet again. Five pairs of intense vampire eyes stared at me as if I hadthe answer to whatever the question was.

“What??? Why are you all looking atme?” I was getting anxious. What had Mary done to me? What is everyone afraidof?

Jessup finally spoke. “You need tohide her, Alexander!”

“NO! All of you stop talking as ifI’m not here, damn it!” I walked into the middle of the circle, trying to putmy foot down. I needed to be taken seriously. I wasn’t a small child; this wasall happening because of me and I needed to know why! “Somebody better tell mewhat’s going on or I’m not going to do anything else you tell me to do… And Imean NOW!”

Marcus let out a sigh and relaxedhis shoulders. “You’re dreaming of Lilith…”

I cut him off. “Yeah. So?”

“That can only mean that Danielknows where you are.”

“But how?” I sat down on the chairbeside me, not taking my eyes off Marcus.

“You share the same blood, that’show. Once he knows where you are, he can come to you in your dreams. He’sconnected to you. But that connection only works when he knows where you are.”

“Okay that may explain how Danielknows where I ambut it doesn’texplain why everybody is so upset about Lilith. Who is she?”

“We don’t have time for thisMarcus. We need to move. NOW!” said Cyrus.

“It’s too late.” Alex said slowlyas he looked out the window.

I suddenly heard what he must havebeen hearing. I heard faint running steps of what seemed like several people.They were close – maybe a few miles away – and gaining speed. It was Mary; Icould hear her breathing heavily and I could smell her. Everything that Alextold me was happening. I could sense her just as Alex sensed the other vampiredays before. This was all happening and I was making it happen. I wanted to seemore. Mary was bringing many of her friends: friends who were much larger andstronger. When their feet hit the ground, I could tell how hard. I could hearthem grinding their teeth and snarling with every breath. I closed my eyes tofocus on my hearing.

“It’s Mary. She’s… she’s gettingclose and she’s being fueled by her anger.” I said, not realizing that I saidit out loud.

Alex moved closer to me and grabbedmy hands, holding them very lightly. “Can you see her?”

“Are you kidding me?! How can shesee her?” I could tell it was Jimmie’s voice.

“SILENCE, Jimmie! Allow her to useher senses,” Marcus said, using his authority.

“Trinity, can you see her? Forgeteverything around you. Focus all your energy on her. See through the blackness.Smell her, listen to her.” Alex tightened his grip on my hands.

I closed my mind to everything thatwas going on around me. I stopped listening to Jimmie pacing, I ignoredJessup’s anger, I stopped feeling Alex’s touch, though I wouldn’t have mindedfeeling it a little while longer. I saw fields of yellow, the fields thatsurrounded us. I saw the light shining on the grass and the birds flying in theair. I started to see legs running and arms moving.

I let out a breath. “I see her. She’s motioning for her followersto run faster.”

“Good, Trinity. Now try and see howmany there are with her.” Alex’s voice sounded more demanding.

“It’s hard to tell. I mean it’sjust coming in clips.” I tried to squeeze my eyes tighter. “Ten, maybefifteen.”

I couldn’t focus any longer. Mymind started spinning, my body became weak and my legs were losing the strengththey needed to hold me up. I fell into Alex’s arms and in the process I lostwhatever visions I had of her. But I knew it wouldn’t be long until I facedher. I felt the anger she had towards me and I knew she was running to get me.She didn’t care how many of us there were here, because she had more. Shedidn’t care how strong these five men beside me were because her men werestronger. She only cared about getting to me. I was the prize at the end ofthis game.

Jessup and Cyrus hurried to gettheir freshly-made swords and pack their pockets with things I couldn’t see.They moved so quickly that if you were to blink, you would miss it. Marcus andJimmie finished putting their shoes on and assembled their body gear. But Alexjust held onto me tightly, reassuring me that everything would be okay. Hisarms held me securely around my waist; the only thing I could do was bite mynails anxiously. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to my protectors. Wehad only spent a short amount of time together but I felt a different bond withevery one of them. Marcus, the apparent leader, who I knew I could count on tohelp me make the right decisions. Jessup, who might be the strongest, and who Icould count on to fight hard for me. Cyrus, who seemed to be the little brotherof Jessup. I new I could count on him to take Jessup’s place if anythinghappened to him. Jimmie, the joker. I knew I could count on him to make lightout of any situation, no matter what. And Alex. My Alex. He was more than myprotector. He was willing to die to save me.

I looked up at Alex and saw thathis eyes, once a beautiful shade of blue, were now an even darker shade ofblack, a black that was glowing with fierceness. I knew what that meant and Iknew I needed to get to that emotion as well. My body started to tremble, but Iwasn’t scared. I was preparing for the fight I had ahead of me. I felt Mary inme. With every inch that she moved towards me, I felt her need to kill me. Ifelt her excitement, I felt her thrill, I felt her need, I felt everything. Istiffened my body and cracked my neck. “They’re here,” I said and looked over at the door.

I didn’t know what I was going todo. They were here for me, not them. But it gave me courage to know that thesefive men, these five vampires, would die to protect me and ensure my safety. Irealized I would do anything to not let them down.

With her small army, Mary stoppedin front of the house. I could hear the leaves crackling under their feet asthey walked the grounds. I stood near the window and looked out. My calculationswere correct. Mary stood a few feet away from the front door. She didn’t looklike the woman I met the day before. She looked merciless, malicious. Even herposture projected her brutality. She wasn’t wearing the dress she wore the dayI met her. Today she was wearing battle gear. She wore a black tank top shirt,tight black pants with kneepads and calf-high black boots. Her hair was up in aponytail and her makeup was dark – just like her mood. She stood there,determined and ready to fight at any given moment. Her arms were now visibleand Daniel’s mark could be seen: she was a captain. My heart sunk when I sawhis crest.

All fifteen of her men surroundedthe property, each in a crouch, waiting for her to command them to fight. Whatwas she waiting for? She had more men than I did and obviously had more of theadvantage. Why did she want to prolong the inevitable? I was less than fiftyfeet away. What was she doing? I stood at the door in Alex’s arms, whileMarcus, Jessup, Cyrus, and Jimmie stood back, waiting.

“Just give us the girl, Alexander,and you and your men can go free.” Her voice felt like daggers down my spine.So that’s what she was waiting for. She didn’t want to harm the other men. Shejust wanted to harm me.

“You know I can’t do that, Mary. Iwill not do that.” Alex put his arms around my shoulders.

“You can make this all go away ifyou want to.” She paused. “I give you my word. We will spare all your lives ifyou give me the girl.” She went silent, waiting for Alex’s response. She leanedon one leg and crossed her arms.

“Your word! That means nothing tome, Mary!”

I heard her followers move incloser, taking new positions. They werewaiting for us to say No. Then they would launch their attack. “They’resurrounding us. They’re going to attack. Please, just let me go to her. All ofyou can run,” I pleaded with them. But my mind wasn’t thinking clearly. Whatwould I do once she had me? I knew I would surely die.

Alex turned to me and put his handson my cheeks. “We can’t let you do that, Trinity. It’s all or nothing.” Hesmiled down at me, a warm and gentle smile. I knew he meant it, but just thesame I couldn’t let him die, not for me.

“What’s the plan, Alexander!?”Marcus was getting impatient. He started rocking back and forth and rubbing hisforehead.

Alex kept his hands on my face andturned his head toward Marcus. “No plan. We just need to win.”

“You said it yourself: she’s onlyhad one day of training,” said Cyrus as he walked toward us.

I felt the mood change outside.Mary was getting agitated. I could hear the snarl in her breath. She was goingto get what she came for… Me. Then a thought hit me. “I have an idea,” I said.“I’ll go out to Mary. I’ll be a diversion while you guys go and take theothers.”

Marcus didn’t seem surprised orupset over my thinking. “That’s a good idea.”

Alex turned on him in fury. Hisvoice was a searing snarl. “That’s suicide. That is not an option!”

“Alex, there’s no other way damnit! She wants me – only me! If I go out there alone, the others will think youguys gave up and the fight will be over. They’ll relax; they’ll never think youguys would go after them.” I argued with Alex to see things my way.

We scowled at each other insilence, waiting for the other to back down. I kept getting distracted by hislivid, gorgeous face. It was like trying to stare down a heavenly angel. Helooked like he didn’t want to cave in but I knew I had a good idea, even if itmight kill me.

The silence lasted for a long timeas Alex and I stared at each other. We were both wondering who would win thisfight. Finally, Alex broke the silence. His voice was worn and his face wasvulnerable. “Alright. But don’t be stupid! Don’t try and be a hero! You’re tooimportant to me – err – to the cause.”

Jimmie and Cyrus shared a smile. Iwas stunned and I could tell he was a little embarrassed by what he said. Ismiled at him anyway. “I promise. Nothing stupid.”

I walked over to the door, hardlyable to believe what I just planned. Apprehensively, I reached for the doorknob and turned it.

She was standing in the middle ofthe field, alone, motionless and smiling. Her smile was nothing less than eviland she looked at me like she had already won the battle. I turned back to lookat Alex but he was already gone. Even though I knew the others were out there,I felt that Mary and I were completely alone and I was going to lose.

I closed the door behind me andstood on the top step of the stairs. I didn’t know what to do or even what tosay. Should I let her come at me first or should I just run to her, hoping Icould make a dent in her perfect face? Would she just jump at me and take medown with one hit or would she want the torture to last longer?

Mary slowly walked towards to me.She walked like a cat, seeming like she might bend into a crouch at anytime.Her eyes where sharp, black and focused on me. “You give up to soon, Trinity. Iwould have enjoyed a chase,” her voice piercing my spine. “I actually thoughtyou would challenge me. That’s why I broughtso many.”

“I told them to let me go. I don’twant anybody to get hurt over me.” My voice was shaky.

“How admirable of you. It kindamakes me all teary. They’re all cowards.” Her voice changed to one moresinister than I could have imagined. “You’re just like your mother. And itseems to me that’s exactly what she said before I finished her.” Her smilewidened.

My mind stopped after hearing hersay that. But I tried to forget it and move on with whatever plan I could makeup in a moment’s notice.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She put herfingers to her lips. “Did I hit a touchy subject? Do we have Mommy issues?”

I tried to shift my focus on thefighting that was going on around me, but I couldn’t let it go. She was the onewho finished my mother; she was the one that tracked her down and ended herlife.

“Oh, don’t look so surprised. Shewas already dead when I got to her, honey. One of my soldiers must have slither throat before I could. I just sped up the process.” She laughed.

I felt my body tensing, ragebuilding inside of me, and I noticed that my body began to crouch, baring myteeth in anger. I understood this was what she wanted all along. She didn’tcare what her orders were from Daniel, she wouldn’t let me leave here alive.

“That’s right: get angry. It’llmake my job a lot easier.” She snarled.

The wind started to pick up andblack clouds formed. Thunder shook the ground and lightning lit up the sky. Hersmile faded gradually and she imitated my moves, preparing for my attack. Shelurched one step forward into a crouch and a wild snarl ripped from her throat.I crouched lower and jumped into the air toward her. She did the same. We metin mid air grabbing each other by the throat, snarls coming from both of us.

“This is what you wanted all along,isn’t it?” I yelled.

The sound of our snarls echoed inthe distant trees. We spun in circles; clawing at each other’s throats. Icouldn’t be sure how many times we circled before throwing each other off. Ilanded on my feet with my fingertips touching the ground.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Shelaughed.

I stood up and turned to see whereshe was. I found her almost fifty feet away with her back to me. I ran as fastand as quietly as I could. At the last instant, she noticed I was coming, butit was an instant too late. I jumped onto her back. She snarled in disbeliefand tried to grab my neck, but my hands were already around her head and mylegs wrapped firmly around her waist.

As my anger intensified, the rainstarted to fall more heavily, the thunder got louder, but the wind was dyingdown. My body felt like an inferno and I was trembling all the way to myfingertips.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Shewhispered.

I wanted her to feel my anger and Iwanted to taste her death. If Daniel could actually see me, then I wanted himto see me kill her. I wanted him to fear me.

Her voice ripped me from mythoughts. “Your mother was too scared to kill me. What makes you think you canfinish the job?” Her voice was strained. I could feel her body starting to getweak.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’mnot my mother!” I whispered in her ear.

I twisted my hands around her head,ripping it off her body. There was a cracking noise, one I’ve never heardbefore. I unlocked my feet and landed on the ground, holding her head in myhand like a trophy. Her body fell making a thump as it hit the ground.

I couldn’t believe I had just wonthis very short battle. I was walking away – not the enemy. My body was numbfrom amazement. A small shred of satisfaction came over me. I could only hopemy mother had watched me avenge her death.

The rain stopped and the cloudsdrifted away. The sun was bright and the sky turned out to be beautiful. Idropped to my knees in relief. This part was over. I looked up, trying to seethrough my blurry vision of blood, and saw five bloody figures walking towardme in the distance. They were my guardians, my defenders. They looked to beokay. They walked slowly towards me, confident – as if they were proud they gotthe job done. I hoped that, when they saw what I had done, they would be proudof me, too.

As they got within speakingdistance, Jimmie laughed. “Nothing stupid, huh?” He stopped, crossed his armsand put one foot over the other. He wasn’t as bloody as the others, in fact, hedidn’t have one stain of blood on him. Did he even have to fight?

“Hey! Who’s lying on the groundheadless?” I tried to match his sarcasm, but nobody laughed.

“I under estimated you, Trinity.”Marcus knelt down by my side, putting his hand on my shoulder. “You did well –better than we thought you would.”

“Well, then do I rank with the bigboys yet?” At least they laughed at that, but this time I was serious.

They walked away, leaving Alexbehind. He stood motionless by my side. Thank God he was okay.

“You didn’t know, did you?” Iquestioned his knowledge about my mother’s death.

“No. I thought that when I drankyour mother’s blood, she died. I never would have believed that she survived,only to be finished by Mary.” He knew exactly what I was talking about.

“There’s more you’re not tellingme, though. Like who Lilith is, and how this all got started. You’re going in circles andleaving important details out and I can’t go on like this. Every turn I make, Iget a new surprise.”

He sat down next to me and let outa sigh. “I know.”

“You can’t continue to keep secretsfrom me, not if I’m going to fight for these reasons. I have to knoweverything, Alex.”

He waited a brief moment. “There’sonly one place for you to replace out the truth, one place that has everythingyou’ll need.”

“Is that where it’s all written?”

“How did you know…? He wassurprised.

I cut him off. “My dream.” Hedidn’t argue. He understood.

“We’ll rest tonight and then I’lltake you there. It’s a long journey but you’ll understand everything once youget there. I promise.”

I felt relieved that I wouldfinally get some answers. Maybe I will finally understand who I am and where Icame from.

We got up together and headed backinside, holding hands. We walked slowly and in silence. Thoughts were runningwild in both our minds, but we were too tired to speak them.

Strangely enough, my body wasn’tsore. It had been a long day. The sun was setting, bringing on another yellowmoon. There was one silver star in the sky that shone like a diamond. I thoughtto myself that it must be the North Star and it was shining for me. I had tosmile knowing that even through all the mess that was going on around me, therewas still something so small that was still shining.

When we walked into the house, theothers were sitting in their usual seats forming a circle. There was a vampirelying on the floor, clearly one of Mary’s men. He was still alive but justbarely. Blood was dripping from his neck and his body was twitching. He wasn’ta young vampire but neither was he old enough to have lived his life.

“What’s this?” I was taken back.

“Did you get anything out of him?”Alex kept his eyes on the half dead vampire.

“Nothing. He’s too far gone tospeak. We kept him around for Trinity.” Marcus looked at me.

“Huh?” My eyes circled the livingroom. “For me? What use could I possibly get out of him?”

Alex untangled his hand from mineand turned to me. “You’re hungry, right?”

I could feel that all-knowing painthrobbing in my veins. “Well, yeah but…”

“He has blood. Drink.”

“Huh??” It was all I could say.

“It’s kind of good that they showedup. There are no animals or humans to feed on around here and you need to eat.His blood will give you what you need.” He was very persuasive.

“We got our fill when we killed theothers. You need one too. Actually, I’m surprised you didn’t drink Mary’s,”said Jimmie as he looked out the window. He never looked my way and he neverlooked at the victim.

I didn’t have the energy to argueor plead with him. At least this one was on the verge of death. I wouldn’t betaking his life, just speeding up his death. And the fact that he was the enemydidn’t make it such a bad thing either.

When I was finished I was even moretired and bloodier too. His blood, the blood of a vampire, didn’t make me feellike a human’s blood did. His blood tasted like copper and felt very cold goingdown my throat. But I figured it would do the job. When I got my fill, I took ashower to wash off the day and headed to my room.

When I opened the door, Alex wasagain already asleep. I stood there for a moment and admired his beauty. Hischest wasn’t rising with his breathing and again he actually looked dead. I wastoo tired to continue watching, although, under different circumstances, Icould have stood there for hours. I walked across the room to my side of thebed and lay down next to him. Before I closed my eyes, I felt Alex wrap hisarms around me. It was nice and comforting, almost peaceful. Maybe I would get arestful night sleep tonight.

I was wrong…

In my dream, I was walking througha hallway. There was no furniture, and the carpet was brown. It wasn’t a normalhallway, and it felt familiar. I was in a house. The walls were white andpictures were hanging exactly five inches apart from one another. That’s how Iused to hang my pictures. I realized this was my hallway. This was my house. Ilooked closer to the photos; those were my daughter’s school pictures hangingon the walls, one for every year, and one big family portrait.

I walked further down the hallwayand noticed there should be three doors but there was only more wall. I turnedto look where the master bedroom would be and, to my surprise, there was a doorand it was open. I walked through the doorway but not another inch further andnoticed it was my room. All myfurniture was there just the way I left it. Nothing had changed; everything wasin its place.

I stood under the eve and lookedaround, remembering my daughter and my husband on the bed, watching TVtogether, while I folded laundry, smiling at them. I looked over at theconnected bathroom and remembered Michael and I brushing our teeth together, Icould imagine it so clearly: me smearing toothpaste on his check and laughing.As my eyes drifted back to the bed, I looked at Michael sitting on the bed withhis legs dangling off the edge, waiting for me. He looked as real as everythingelse in the room. He was wearing the jeans he always wore on weekends and thesports shirt I got him for his birthday. I wanted to say something – anything –to tell him I loved him and I missed him. But no sound would come out of mymouth. My voice wasn’t working.

The room started to get white, thefurniture started to disappear leaving only the bed visible. I blinked my eyeshoping that when I opened them, things would be the way they were, but the onlything different was that I was now able to walk. I didn’t hesitate. I went overto Michael and stood next to him, waiting for him to speak. But he just lookedat me, tapping the seat next to him, motioning for me to sit down.

“Sit down, Trinity. I don’t have alot of time.” He was demanding.

I slowly sat down, nervously. Iwanted to tell him that I loved him but still nothing would come out of mymouth. I wanted to put my hand on his leg but my arms wouldn’t move. It wasgetting frustrating. I felt paralyzed.

“It’s okay. You’re not supposed tomove or to speak. Just listen.”

I stopped trying to move andfocused on what he had to say. His eyes told more than his lips. I knew hewanted to say he loved me and I knew he knew that I wanted to say it too.

“You know I love you and that I’llalways love you.”

I wanted to shake my head inagreement. But again I couldn’t move my head. Nothing was working! Please just let me say something.

“You’re a smart woman, Trinity.You’re vigorous and charismatic and warm. You don’t give yourself enoughcredit. You’re strong and so much more powerful than you think. That’s what Ifell in love with: your energy. I know you’re struggling; maybe that’s why I’mhere. But the one thing I see is that you’re not giving all of yourself tothis. You’re not surrendering yourself.”

I looked into his eyes. What couldhe be talking about? All I have done since this all began is to want tounderstand why it was happening and to do anything and everything I could toreplace out the truth.

“You need to stop and see all thebeautiful things around you. You are blinded by anger and it’s preventing youfrom seeing the one thing that’sright in front of you that will help you.”

I was confused. What was he talkingabout? I just kept staring at him, trying to listen. I tried to give him all myattention but he was making it hard. He needed to start to make sense.

“It isn’t your life, anymore.” Helooked at me. “I’m not in your life anymore. I didn’t want to believe it atfirst but I understand it now.”

How could he believe that? He wouldalways be in my life, no matter what! How could he say these things to me?

“I know why I was brought into yourlife. I was there to help you grow into who you are today. Don’t be angry thatSierra and I had to die for you to be who you are. That’s just how thingshappen. People die everyday for reasons we don’t understand. All this… it wasalready planned before you where born. Having us die gives you the fuel youneed to make it through the worst of it.”

I wanted to cry, remembering theirdeaths. But I kept my composure as I leaned towards him, I wanted to feel histouch; I wanted to feel his kiss just once more.

“He loves you, you know. It killsme to say that but it’s true. I never would have thought that there would beanother man out there for you but again I was proved wrong. Move on, but moveon with him.”

I looked over at him, I waswondering who he was talking about. Who could I love more than him? He movedhis hand through the air and a picture formed. It was of Alex and me sleeping.

“Alexander. He loves you more thanyou would ever think possible. He’s your protector and your savior. His armswere meant to shelter you, Trinity, and his touch is there to fuel you. He wasbrought to you for a purpose: not just to help you, but to save you fromyourself.”

I didn’t need saving; I needed myfamily. No wonder this was a dream. None of it made any sense, most of all,Michael.

“You need to look beyond your angerand you need to look behind your heart, and you’ll see him there, waiting, justas he’s always been. Let him in your soul; connect with him on a deeper level.Let him love you more than I could.”

I wanted to tell him that Icouldn’t, that he was the only one I could love, but he knew what I was goingto say before I could even think it.

“Trinity, I know you love me, butthat’s what I’m here to tell you. You can’t hold on to me, or Sierra. It willdrive you mad and you will lose your battle. I will hold on to your past. Youneed to give him your future.”

How could he even know that I wasto have a future? Could he see me and Daniel’s battle? Did I have a future tolook forward to?

“Stay with him, trust him, believethat he knows what’s right for you. He loved you the day you were born; he’salways been the one. What you two have will bond you both for eternity. Youneed to hold on to that.”

He looked away. “I can’t come backto you; I can’t help you anymore than I already have. He’s here now and hewants to help you and to receive your love.” He looked at me. “I love you,Trinity. Fight this war and win for your family…”

Once more he was fading away, notjust from my dream, but from my life. I knew I would never see him again. Iwanted to reach out to him, to hold him once more, but I still couldn’t move.

I sat on the edge of the bed, forhow long I don’t know, thinking about what Michael had said. I would miss him;I would miss my life with him. But he was right: this was my life now and Ineeded to embrace it with everything I had. I needed to know that there wassome other force out there that would fight with me, not against me, helpingme.

But something was bothering me. Whyhadn’t he told me about my fight with Daniel? He said I had a future but hedidn’t elaborate. Every dream I had was to help me win my fight, not to help mefall in love! What was the significance? Why Alex and why now?

I was finally able to move. I stoodup and turned to look at the bed, but it was fading away. A mist started toform and got very thick within minutes. All went black. I opened my eyes, andto my amazement it was still dark out. I turned to look at Alex but he wasalready gone?