Landed Wings

chapter 27: FEELINGS



OBSIDIAN

“You’re not thinking. A feeling is not verifiable, Ob.”

“I know, but it just seems like something they would do.”

“How would you know that? You don’t know anything about Ash’s mom or the VWP.”

We lapse into silence. My mind is made up. Ash is important to me, but I can’t live without Raven. Not feeling that itch at the back of my head is almost unbearable.

“Are you going to do it Obsidian?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Yes. You do. I know you think they that they have Raven…”

Ivory hesitates.

“Ob, I know you’re not going to like what I’m about to say. But you’re in way over your wings. Ash is our friend, and if you supposedly love her, then why would you do this? Why wouldn’t you let her be? And if they really are using Raven as leverage, then they’re not going to kill her. The whole thing feels wrong. You are being used, and I think you know it. Don’t do it because you feel like you have to be brave. Don’t do this. It’s too much, even for you.”

“Ivory, you keeping telling me what I shouldn’t do, but that doesn’t change the fact that Raven is not here. You don’t

understand. How could you? You’re not a twin, you don’t know how it is. I have to find her so what do you suggest I do?”

Ivory put her hand on my arm.

“What do I suggest you do? Nothing. Because doing

something may make it worse.”

“So you suggest I don’t do nothing because doing something might make it worse.”

“Yes, because honestly? I don’t think you are prepared to deal with it if the worst happens. Just think about it okay?”

She leaves and closes the door gently behind her. What she is suggesting is stupid and cowardly. How can I do nothing? And I am prepared to deal with the worst, whatever Ivory may think. I am prepared. I call Ash’s mom back. This time, I was put right through.

“I’ll get Ash for you, so what do you want me to do?”

“Go to the West Side Sky Park at 4pm this afternoon. You will see a green bench right inside of the entrance to your left and a garbage can next to the bench. There will be a yellow garbage bag in the can. Take the bag and go home. It has all the information and items that you need. You can’t call this number anymore, so if you have questions, ask now.”

“Will you promise to tell me the truth?”

I hate myself for sounding like a whining kid.

“No.”

I hesitate because I already know.

“If I give Ash to you, will you return my sister?”

“I already told you Obsidian. We don’t have your sister.”

I don’t believe her, even if she doesn’t have my sister, she knows how I can find her.

“Then I’m not doing it. I have no reason to help you, and if I don’t have to, then I won’t. Ash can be with the rebels if she wants.”

There is silence on the other end.

“You had better listen to me closely then Obsidian. You want to know where your sister is? Fine, I’ll tell you. We have her and I can assure you she’s not having a good time. She is maybe three or four days from a complete breakdown. Your sister is strong, I’ll admit. I’m rather impressed by her ability to hold her tongue. It took one our best agents some time to get her to tell us about your special Valentine to Ash. After that, we couldn’t get her to stop talking. I’m sorry to hear how hard it’s been for the two of you without your parents. It would be almost unbearable for you if you lost your sister, too.”

Her point made, she hangs up. It was just as well because I might have dropped the telephone. I was cold, so cold, in the absence of my other half’s warmth. Ivory walks in.

“Obsidian, I think-”

She stops talking and looks at my face. I know I am pale. Even my dark skin can’t cover that.

“Ob, what? What?”

“I just talked to Ash’s mother.”

I laugh, a crazy hollow sound and swallow the urge to laugh again.

“I was right. They have Raven. They’re hurting her.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t lying?”

“I’m sure.”

By now I’m howling, but it doesn’t sound like laughter. It sounds like a battle cry, or the shriek of some demented bird.

“Obsidian! Calm down!”

“Obsidian, I won’t tell you its okay because its not. You’ve got to go get Ash but you don’t have to go alone. I’ll come with you.”

I don’t say anything. Everything seems distant. I can’t respond. So I don’t.