The Prophecy (The Guardians)

Chapter SIX



Faint voices. Blurred images of familiar, but unrecognizable faces. An overwhelming light that fades to darkness. Gabe was convinced this must be heaven, or perhaps the path to get there. Maybe the journey in the afterlife was like a quest you had to go on and he was about to embark on his.

Gradually, however, things became clearer. He became more aware of his surroundings during his brief stints with consciousness. He could tell he was in a bed, his torso tightly wrapped in something. His face ached and throbbed, though he didn’t know why. Opening his eyes hadn’t seemed like an option until this moment. At this moment he was lucid enough to know his eyes were something he could control. Focusing his energy, fiercely concentrating on the small task, Gabe pushed his eyelids upwards; the light streaming in caused him to pull back a little. The light made him realize his head was pounding, a pain he hadn’t noticed before. He felt like he had literally been hit by a truck.

Gabe struggled to grab hold of his memories. They seemed to be lost in his mind, a sea of confusion. A few pieces came back to him and he began to patch it together like a quilt. He had gone to Baynar, he saw Clarite, and he had crawled back to the valley so he would not be detected.

Detected by whom? Gabe wondered. Then he remembered the Wintoks he had fought, the injuries. Worse than that though, an immense sadness rushed over him as he remembered his friends in Baynar and their deaths. Gabe ran his hand along his arm and side feeling the numerous bandages. The areas still throbbed with pain and he wished he had some of Sophie’s healing teas.

Draped across his ankles he saw the chestnut hair of Rachel. Her face hidden by her locks, he could tell from the heavy breathing that she was fast asleep. It dawned on him then that she had done this, found him, cleaned up his wounds, taken care of him. He was in complete shock that after he had treated her so gruffly she could show such compassion.

Gabe shifted his legs slightly and Rachel began to stir. Looking up, expecting to see her patient still asleep, she gasped when she saw Gabe staring back at her.

“Hey Doc.” Gabe groaned, realizing just how dry his mouth was.

“Gabe? Oh my God, you’re alive!” Rachel shrieked.

“I didn’t know that was in question,” Gabe replied jokingly.

Leaping forward, Rachel wrapped her arms tightly around Gabe’s neck. In that moment, Gabe realized just how tender his wounds still were.

“Ugh! Ouch, okay tiger; slow down, a little too soon.” Gabe cried.

“I’m so sorry,” Rachel replied, coiling back into herself. “I didn’t think— I just can’t believe you’re alive. You have been out for three days. Honestly, with how much blood you lost I’m surprised you woke up at all.”

“Gee, thanks sunshine.” Gabe said, smiling with gritted teeth as he shifted his weight.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” Rachel stopped herself. She did mean it. He should not be alive.

“I know, it’s fine.” Gabe replied.

“Actually, it’s not.” Rachel added.

“I’m sorry?” Gabe asked puzzled.

“You should not be alive. Do you have any idea how much blood you lost? You were blue for Christ’s sake!” Rachel squealed.

“Yeah, I probably should be dead, Rachel. But you have to remember, I’m not all human. No matter how small a portion it might be, I have the blood of the once immortals running in my veins. One of the perks I suppose. I heal more quickly than others. Comes in handy when you get your ass kicked by a couple Wintoks.” Gabe reassured her.

“A couple of what?” Rachel asked, completely puzzled by the word.

“It doesn’t matter,” Gabe added dismissively. “What matters is you were right.”

“I was?” Rachel asked, still confused. “About what?”

“My friends, they’re dead. I do get the people who care about me killed.” Gabe continued solemnly.

“Oh, Gabe, I shouldn’t have said those things.” Rachel protested.

“Why not? It was the truth. Maybe it’s about time I start facing some.” Gabe reaffirmed.

“No, I was just angry.” Rachel added. “I didn’t mean any of it.”

“They are dead, Rachel. The people who helped me when I first left Rampart, they were killed just because they helped me. Raimie died believing me to be something I’m not. I let everyone around me down.” Gabe confessed.

“I’m sorry.” Rachel whispered, unsure what else she could possibly say.

“Don’t be. I was broken. Hell, I’ve been broken my entire life. I don’t really know what I’m looking for, or for that matter what I’m missing. I know what I have here is not what I want, not anymore. I know, I probably sound crazy. I guess what I’m trying to say is — well, thanks.” Gabe said looking down.

“Oh, it was nothing, just a few stitches. You may not thank me after you see the scars, a seamstress I am not.” Rachel added with a chuckle.

“No, no— you don’t understand,” Gabe began. “I mean, of course thank you for patching me up. You did so much more than that though. Jesus, thinking about it pisses me off even more.”

“I’m sorry, I’m confused. What exactly are we talking about?” Rachel asked.

“Your honesty. It made me realize what a fool I have been. How much of my life I have already wasted. My hiding doesn’t change anything. If I am here, all alone, but alive, what kind of life is that? I might as well be dead. My hiding doesn’t seem to help the people in my life; they are still being hunted and murdered.” Gabe explained.

“I get what you’re saying, but I don’t think it is something you need to thank me for.” Rachel rebutted.

“Even if you can’t see what you have done for me, I can. It’s rare to have someone be so brutally honest with you. I guess it felt like a wakeup call for me. I mean it when I say thanks.” Gabe insisted.

“Umm— okay. You’re welcome, I guess.” Rachel replied, uncomfortable by the conversation. “So what happened to you? What did you call them, Wintoks?”

Gabe took a drink from the glass of water Rachel handed him. He retold his story, blow by blow, Rachel hanging on every word. A new beginning for their friendship, bathed in the bloody tale of his recent battle. He didn’t know a lot of girls who would be so engaged in war stories, but he was thrilled she was.