The Prophecy (The Guardians)

Chapter EIGHTEEN



A fog rolled in across the grounds, like a heavy, pillowy, blanket, concealing the faces of the people milling around outside. Gabe preferred it this way; it was easier not to look at all the sad, pathetic faces of the individuals who had been displaced by this war.

It didn’t help that Gabe had delusions that everyone recognized him. He was sure the whispers he heard as he passed the strangers were about him. The paranoia began after the harsh conversation he had shared with Sophie. Gabe kept imagining everyone staring at him, thinking things like, “There goes the coward of Rampart,” or “And he was supposed to be the chosen one? What a disappointment.” In the fog his face was hidden and the imaginary voices quieted.

Rounding the corner, entering the great hall, Gabe slowed only for a moment. His thoughts were now consumed with Sophie’s words from the day before. He had dreamed about her remembering their love since leaving Rampart, imagined how he would feel, how he would react. Now that the day had arrived, the one thing he had wanted to happen more than any other, did not stir the emotions he had always envisioned.

It’s been years since we were separated, Gabe thought, and she’s the one who chose to leave me in darkness. What does she expect from me? How could I ever be with a woman who could do that to me? She knew I was in pain, she didn’t care.

Gabe’s thought shifted to Rachel. She loved him, she made him want to be a better man, to be worthy of her. He couldn’t imagine her ever wanting to hurt him like Sophie had.

Gabe strolled to the end of the long row, where he caught sight of Uri standing, talking to someone. Quickening his pace, Gabe closed in on Uri’s position and as he did, Rachel came into view. She was sitting up and talking, his heart ached. All he wanted to do was scoop her up into an embrace. “Rachel.” Gabe called out.

Spinning around on the cot, her chestnut hair flaring out around her face, Rachel stopped to catch a glimpse of Gabe as he neared. He watched as her eyes lit up, her face beaming with joy after catching sight of him. In that moment, he want to run to her, tell her everything, all the things Sophie had told him, the way it made him feel tied in knots. After confessing everything, he would lay his head in her lap while she made it all drift away with the delicate twisting of her fingertips in his hair; but he couldn’t, he couldn’t imagine the pain it might bring her. Instead, he simply smiled, coming to rest at her side, perched on one knee.

“Oh, Gabe,” Rachel squealed, throwing her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m sorry, Rachel, I wanted to be here when you woke up.” Gabe offered.

“It’s ok,” Gabe found comfort in Rachel’s voice; she exuded warmth and goodness, one of the many things that drew him to her. “Uri was nice enough to hang out with me while you were gone. Oh, and I met Dina. She is exactly as you described her, well—“

“Save for the hair? Yeah, that was a surprise for me, too.” Gabe replied.

“She is absolutely delightful.” Rachel smiled.

“I’m glad you like her, I kind of thought the two of you would hit it off.” Gabe added.

“Did you talk to Michael?” Uri asked with a grin, clearly pleased with himself and the mischief he caused with the mention of the wedding.

Gabe glared up at his friend. He wanted to throttle him for bringing up the engagement in front of his old mentor and worse, in front of Sophie. Refusing to give him any satisfaction, he responded, “Yeah, went great.”

Gabe’s flat and short response puzzled Rachel. “Uri said Michael wanted to talk to you about us. I don’t understand, what would he want to talk about that concerned us?”

Gabe sighed, still unable to shake the conversation he had with Sophie. “Umm, well, he wanted to talk about a few different things, actually. The council has decided the safest course of action for us would be staying on the move for a little while.”

“Wait, what? I thought they wanted us here; that we would be safer here, surrounded by everyone. Right?” There was a panic to Rachel’s voice that set Gabe on edge. She was always so calm and collected; it unsettled him to see her rattled.

“I promise, my love, there is nothing to worry about; Michael and the elders are right. He’s going to send Uri and Haim along. Between the three of us, you will be the most highly protected woman in the world. How’s that feel?” Gabe reassured his bride to be.

“You think this is what’s best?” Rachel asked, peering into Gabe’s eyes, seeking his honesty.

Gabe stared into her oversized, beautiful brown eyes. He didn’t want to tell her that her chances were slim if she were protected by him alone, or about the doubt Michael expressed in his abilities. Instead he wanted to know she believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she would be safe. “I do. Oh, and I have some other good news. Michael has offered to let us have the wedding here, before we leave.”

“Here? You told him about the engagement?” Rachel asked after a moment’s hesitation.

Sensing the discomfort in the conversation, Uri turned to walk away, over his shoulder muttering quickly, “I’ll be right outside if either of you need me.”

Gabe did not acknowledge his friend’s exit; instead he was consumed by Rachel’s reaction. Pausing a moment, he examined her stare before finally asking, “Rachel, are you having second thoughts about agreeing to marry me?”

“God no!” she exclaimed.

“Then what is it? I thought you would be excited.” Gabe inquired.

“It’s just— well, I thought when I got married my family would be there, now I don’t even know if they’re —” Rachel began, flinging herself forward, unable to contain her sobs.

“I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t even think about it. God, I can’t believe I could be so insensitive.”

“No, I know you didn’t mean anything by it, don’t be silly. I’m fine.”

“You need to know there are people searching the ruins as we speak, they’ll find them.” Gabe offered as little relief.

“I just can’t imagine them being gone.” Rachel cried, heaving with every couple words.

“Shh, it will be alright. We don’t know anything for sure yet, you can’t give up hope.” Gabe said in an effort to comfort, holding her tight to his body with one hand and using the other to wave at Dina.

Catching sight of Gabe’s gesture, Dina approached quickly. “Is something wrong?” Dina questioned.

“Dina, can you give something to Rachel to help calm her?” Gabe asked.

Pulling away from Gabe, Rachel shook her head, “No— I’m fine.”

“Rachel, you’ve been through a lot—”

“No, I said I’m fine.”

“Rachel, listen to me, you experienced your first transportation spell and you are under a lot of stress about your family. I think you need to rest, Dina can help you with that.” Gabe insisted.

“Really, I’ve already slept, I’ll be okay.” Rachel pleaded.

“Sweetie, he’s right. You could probably sleep for a week and not be your old self. With worrying about your family on top of that, well, I just can’t imagine. I’ve got a sleep potion right here, guaranteed to get you a good six hours at least. You’ll feel much better by morning, I promise.” Dina urged.

Rachel stared intensely as Dina unclipped a small bottle from the cluster of tiny vials she had latched to her belt. “I don’t know.”

“Trust me.” Gabe assured her, reaching out and taking the bottle from Dina, twisting the top off and handing it to his beloved.

Rachel looked to Dina and then to Gabe. With a big sigh she threw it back, draining it of its contents. Turning and lying back on the cot, Rachel was asleep before Gabe could finish tucking the blanket around her body. Gabe lingered a moment, staring at her peaceful face.

“Don’t worry, Gabe, we’ll take care of her.” Dina added, touching him on his shoulder, before turning and walking away.

Gabe stood and turned to exit the building, there was no time to waste. Gabe intended on planning a list of possible places for the group to travel to in their attempt to outrun Baal. Rushing out the door, Gabe headed in the direction of the room where he had spoken with Sophie. He remembered the room had been littered with maps and decided it would be as good a place as any to start.

“Hey! What’s the rush?” Uri called out behind him.

Spinning around to face him, Gabe halted. “Oh, sorry, I forgot you said you were coming out here.”

“Is Rachel alright?” Uri asked moving forward, coming to a stop next to Gabe.

“As much as she can be, I suppose.” Gabe answered.

“What do you mean?” Uri inquired, clearly concerned.

“She’s upset about her aunt and brother, and who can blame her? Talking about the wedding just made her remember about High Point. Damn it!” Gabe yelled, kicking the ground and swinging at the air. “I’m supposed to keep her safe from all this bullshit.”

“What are you talking about? You were somehow supposed to protect her brother from an attack that nobody could have ever dreamed would happen?” Uri argued, trying to point out the fault in his friend’s logic.

Gabe twisted, then began to pace. “I don’t know. I can’t stand her feeling like this. She trusts me, I’m supposed to protect her and keep her safe from everything.”

“That’s insane, there was nothing you could do, so stop beating yourself up.” Uri reiterated.

“What’s going on?” Haim asked approaching the two men.

Uri rolled his eyes before answering, “Oh nothing, just watching Gabe martyr himself.”

“Huh?” Haim asked, confused.

“Rachel’s brother, Haim!” Gabe snapped. “She is completely torn up about him, alright?”

“Huh? Why?” Haim inquired.

“Oh, I don’t know— because she loved him! Damn it! I should have protected him. I don’t know, somehow.”

“How are you supposed to keep track of some college kid while you’re protecting Rachel?” Haim asked.

“Exactly!” Uri exclaimed.

“Wait! What did you say?” Gabe exclaimed.

“Who, me?” Haim asked pointing to himself in disbelief. “About you protecting Rachel?”

“No, before that. You called him a college kid. Why would you call him that?” Gabe pressed.

“Because he is?” Haim answered in the form of a question, unsure if his response was what his friend was looking for.

“How do you know he is? When Uri took Rachel he hadn’t left for college yet. Rachel thought after she went missing, he probably wouldn’t go.” Gabe explained.

“Oh no, he went.” Haim confirmed. “His Aunt insisted. He enrolled at North Carolina; it’s about an hour outside High Point.”

“What?” Uri gasped, realizing the point Gabe was getting at.

“You told me to check up on the kid and his aunt every now and then, so I did. I don’t understand, I did what you told me.” Haim answered Uri defensively.

“That’s right, I did tell you that!” Uri leaped forward and slapped Haim on the shoulder.

“Haim!” Gabe began, “I need you to do me a favor, and this is important. Take someone with you and go get Rachel’s brother. Bring him back here, alright?”

“Really? A human, here?” Haim asked looking to Uri for approval.

Uri simply nodded. Without a word, Haim turned and he was off on his mission.

“Don’t say anything to Rachel until we know for sure. It will be hard losing her aunt, but if we can find her brother, I think it will at least give her something to hold onto.” Gabe confided.

Uri didn’t respond. He just stared at Gabe.

“What?” Gabe exclaimed, feeling Uri’s eyes.

“You really do love her, don’t you?” Uri inquired.

“Of course I do. What kind of question is that? What is with the people in this place?” Gabe added, annoyed.

“You know, I’m happy for you man. I guess I just never imagined you with anyone— well— anyone but Sophie. I don’t know, I always thought when the two of you saw each other again— never mind, it doesn’t matter.”

“You knew!” Gabe snapped.

“Knew what?” Uri inquired.

“You knew Sophie got her memory back and you never came to tell me. How could you do that?” Gabe could not conceal his hurt or his anger.

“What was I supposed to do, Gabe? She told me not to.”

“Did you know she still had feelings for me?”

“Of course, everyone knows that.”

“And you gave me no heads up?” Gabe snarled.

“I mean, really, it’s not exactly been all roses here either. Do you know how many nights I got to hear Miss Sophie bitch in her drunken stupor about how you two were written in the stars and meant to be?”

“Why would you have listened to her when she told you to keep it from me?” Gabe questioned, unafraid to reveal his outrage.

“Please, don’t give me a hard time. Your love life is not a place I want to stick my nose in. Honestly, I was surprised you stayed away. Two people don’t feel the way you guys did about each other and it just disappear. She may have crippled your relationship as much as you, when you left Rampart, but you chose to stay away.”

“What was I supposed to do? It didn’t look like she was going to get her memory back. I thought if I stayed I was standing in the way of you and her.”

“Now I know you can’t possibly believe that! You know there was never anything between Sophie and I.”

“Now I do! All I knew then is she didn’t notice me, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of you.”

“You really don’t love her anymore?” Uri asked softly.

“What?” Gabe was furious Uri could even ask him that question. “You know how I feel about Rachel!”

“I get that. I’m not saying you don’t love Rachel, but can you honestly say you feel nothing for Sophie? You risked your life for her.” Uri argued.

Gabe took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and seriously consider his friend’s words. Uri was right; he obviously felt something for Sophie. He couldn’t deny there were certain feelings that swelled in him when she confessed she still had feelings for him. There was also no denying that she was exquisite, her wild beauty still captivated him.

“You’re right.” Gabe answered.

“Huh? What do you mean I’m right?” Uri looked concerned by Gabe’s confession.

“I do still have feelings for Sophie. I think, if I’m honest with myself, I always will.”

“What are you going to do?” Uri asked, his mouth hanging open in shock.

“Nothing. What I feel for Sophie will always be part of my past. It can’t compare to what I feel for Rachel. I was alone for so long out there, part of me was ready for it all to be over. I think I even wanted Baal to find me in a way, to put an end to my misery. But then I met Rachel, and no matter how hard I tried to fight her, she somehow managed to pull me back from the ledge.”

“Are you saying you wanted to die out there?”

“I don’t know what I felt. I know I was miserable and then Rachel opened my eyes to the joy life still had in it. She makes me want to be more, does that make sense? When I’m not with her she is all I can think about. When I thought of a life without Sophie, I found a way to go on. It was hard, but I did it. I can’t even bring myself to imagine a life without Rachel in it. Just talking about it makes me feel like there’s a vice tightening around my heart. She’s my everything, man.”

“Then I’m happy for you, and Sophie will understand.”

“Yeah, I think you might be wrong about that part.”