In Embers (The Ember Series Book 3) (25 page)

I opened his window and sat along the edge of his bed, slowly running my fingers along the sheet below me. I reached out and scooped up his pillow, bringing it up to my face and breathing in its scent. Unbelievably, Max’s smell was still all over it. My heart came alive in my chest and I felt the tidal wave of sorrow rushing up my throat. I threw the pillow behind me and pushed my head out the window, breathing in the island air as quickly as possible. This was too much. I wasn’t ready for this. Urgently, I ran to the door to leave but my foot snagged on one of Max’s old concert T-Shirts, almost tripping me.

“Damn it,” I cursed. I jerked the shirt from the floor and readied myself to throw it across the room, but stopped myself at the last second. I held it to my chest instead and felt Max’s presence or a very faint version of it. Slowly, I let a small tear escape my eye and reached down and picked up another shirt. Then another piece of Max…and another…

Twenty minutes later I had packed up almost all of his room. There wasn’t too much to do in the first place
, but I was surprised how easily it happened. The numbing sadness faded enough for me to actually enjoy the tiny victory, at least for a moment. That’s when I decided to pick up his guitar and place it in its case. As I reached for the case along the corner of his room with one hand, I supported the black instrument with my other hand, and accidentally knocked over the case. It crashed to the floor with its insides spilling to the floor. Some packaged guitar strings and a couple guitar picks. A few small pieces of paper that had lyrics scribbled along them were the first things I reached for. Swiftly, I set his guitar on the floor and read some of his lyrics out loud, awed by Max’s way with words. His handwriting made me miss him more, if that was even possible.

Shockingly, staring back at me from the floor was my fire whistle. The one I had left for Max years ago. He kept it all that time. Carefully, I picked it up and placed the cold chain around my neck.

“I should have never let you go,” I whispered. The wind spun through the room sending the papers across the floor and startled me. The lid to the guitar case propped itself open all the way as if by remote and I studied the inside of the case some more. In the center of the case was a small storage compartment, most likely the place where all this stuff belonged. It’s little door was opened just enough to see one more piece of paper. I reached down and opened it all the way with my fingers wrapping themselves around the single piece of paper. My hands began to shake uncontrollably as I read the two words written along it…

“Always Sam.”

Underneath the paper lay a small red box, but not just any kind of box…a jewelry box. My heart exploded in my chest and the room felt like it was spinning. I took a deep breath and leaned down closer to it, afraid to touch it. Finally, I picked it up in both of my hands and pulled it to my face. My tears were already falling onto the outer shell of the box, staining the red cover darker with my emotions. I knew what was in it before I opened it. I could feel it in my soul. I could see it in my heart.

As I slowly pulled the box open, time stopped. Shining up at me like a mirror was an engagement ring. One crystal clear diamond surrounded by small rubies reflected my love back at me. They seemed to glow and call to me as if the ring was the missing part of my life. I took the ring into my hand and traced every line, every detail with my fingertips. I wanted to scream. I wanted to implode. I wanted…Max.

“Max,” I whimpered, and I thought the sound of his name leaving my lips would surely break me forever this time. The world was a blur and I wasn’t sure if I could take this for much longer when one of my fingers slid along something engraved on the inside of the ring. Quickly, I brought the ring up to my eyes and read the words. Everything was clear when I did.

“Forever and a day.”

Me. Max chose me. He was going to marry me. My eyes found themselves in the mirror attached to the back of his bedroom door. At that moment I was shocked. I was complete. I was healed.

“Forever yours, Max,” I whispered to the reflection in the mirror.

I slowly placed the ring on my finger and settled the empty box back into the small compartment in the case, and then tucked the guitar back in its home. With a dull thud, I closed and locked the case. I grabbed it by its handle and carried it out of the room with the biggest smile I had ever had in my life.

* * *

~ Elastic Heart: Sia ~

Saturday - 1:03 p.m. - May 31
st

Madi Lee: Age 15

My dad was special, at least that’s what everyone seemed to say the most about him. I didn’t have too many memories of him, but the ones I did have were extremely vivid. The way his warm hands felt on my cheeks. The sound of his voice when he sang for me or my mom. The impossible temper he struggled with in his short life. Unfortunately, I had inherited some of that temper.

As I walked through the double doors of my summer destination, I let my father’s memories give me strength.

“Just breathe…” I whispered, through tight lips. Greeting my arrival was an exotic fountain of water that filled almost half of the foyer. Staring at the details of the fountain I became entranced. A dark and smooth statue of a beautiful woman standing inside a small pool that seemed to disappear into the floor. The water fell from an opening in the ceiling above and trickled down her back as she looked over her shoulder at whoever walked through the front entrance. On her back were large wings that reminded me of ice, and the falling water crept and caressed the lines etched inside them. The water angel’s eyes seemed to follow you if you moved. I leaned from side to side just to prove my point. I was right.

“Wow. That’s cool,” I said to her. Without thinking I reached out with one finger and pushed it into the thin wall of water that streamed just below the angel’s wings. I expected the water to be ice cold
, but I was wrong. It was warm, very warm. It made me think of my dad’s touch. Quickly, I removed my small backpack from around my shoulders and placed it onto the floor. Then, with a pop of the building tension in my neck, I rubbed my hands together and closed my eyes.

“All right, angel of paradise, check this out.”

With a puff of hot air from my lips, a ball of fire spun to life inside my entwined palms. It glowed yellow and white with orange and red highlights. As my eyes pulled together even tighter, the ball of fire morphed into the shape of a small vortex. The tornado twisted for a moment before flattening into a disc of fire. It looked like a Frisbee-of-death. Extending my palms out flat to mirror the new flying saucer shape, I began to bounce the flames up and down. I opened my eyes to watch my magic. I loved pushing my abilities.

“Cool,” I said, proudly, and focused my powers. The burning disc fell back into the familiar shape of a ball and I cautiously extended my hands into the rolling water. The fire hissed as it fought the rushing waves
, but never went out. I pushed harder and thick trails of smoke danced up to the ceiling. The water tried its best to penetrate my flames, but they couldn’t. Eventually the water fell along the sides of the fire with tiny embers of wet sparks popping from its sides. The fiery orb grew a little bigger before changing one last time.

As the shape of a heart burned before my eyes, I said, “Perfect.” The angel stared down at me with her intense gaze and I shot her a quick wink and placed my arms at my sides in triumph. From behind me came a voice…

“Not bad, Madi Lee. You really are a light, aren’t you…”

“Aunt Asia!” I squealed, and barreled into her, squeezing her with all the strength in my arms. Her cool arms wrapped around me with a comfort I hadn’t felt since my dad.

“Neat trick, little lady. You’ve been practicing,” Asia said, admiring the burning heart.

“A little.
” I smiled. I loved visiting my Aunt Asia…well…she wasn’t really my aunt, but since my dad died she’s been there for me in any and every way possible. Her and my mom have had a bit of a bumpy history together, but recently they have supported each other, just like family.

“So, an entire summer here on the island…what will we ever do to keep ourselves occupied?” she teased, and a ear-deafening crash of thunder rolled over the top of us. It shook the walls and extinguished my heart of flames within the water fountain. We both laughed and hugged each other again.

“I’ve missed Maui,” I said, picking up my bag. “I’ve missed you.”

“Madi, you’re welcome here as long as you like. You, my little firecracker, are home,” she said, absolutely.

“Where are the girls?” I asked, with a curious eyebrow raised.

“Your sisters are out practicing their surfing skills, among other things,” she teased. “Now, come with me.”

With a bounce in my step, Aunt Asia showed me to my room. It was located on the third floor of her enormous house and decked out in simple, but classy furnishings. With another squeal I dove onto my bed and inhaled the fresh scent of the bedding. It smelled like cherry blossoms. Everything around Asia did.

“This is going to be the best summer ever!” I cheered. Asia leaned against the doorway with her arms folded and watched me for a moment.

“Of course it will be. Now, call your mom, you know how she worries about you,” she smiled, wickedly. “When you’re done, come see me on the terrace. I have a homecoming present for you.”

“Really? Okay, I’ll call my mom after I unpack.”

Two minutes later I was calling my mom, assuring her this was going to be the perfect summer. I was safe, I was loved, and I’d be back home in sixty days. She made me promise to Skype with her every night before bed and to have a good time. When I was done talking to my mom I ran out of my room and raced for the house’s unbelievable terrace.

As my bare feet touched the soft stone-made terrace, I saw Asia immediately. She was leaning against the railing staring out over the island. Rain was anxiously waiting to fall from the swollen sky and drench us, but she wouldn’t allow it to fall just yet. Next to her was my gift wrapped in a large red bow. I ran up to her.

“Is that mine?” I asked, wild-eyed.

“Yes,” she said, softly.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, noticing the serious look in her eyes. Aunt Asia only had that look in her eyes when it came to one thing, my dad.

“Was this my Dad’s?” I asked, gently. She nodded yes, and it looked as if she was about to cry. “I love it.”

“Me too,” she whispered. Slowly, she leaned in and kissed me on my cheek and walked past me. It was painted on her face how much she still missed my dad. Just before she disappeared around the doorway of the terrace she turned back to me.

“I love you, Madi Lee.”

“Love you too.” I smiled.

Quietly she entered the house leaving me with my new gift. It was one of the few things that connected me to my dad. With care I reached out and removed the ribbon loosely tied around it. I pulled the gift closer to me, placi
ng it in my lap as I admired its sleek and perfect shape. Gently I let my fingers fall along the strings of the electric guitar, strumming it to life. The sound of the chord whispered along the terrace, awaking crackles of lightning in the darkening sky. I let my hand trace the outline of the black and blue instrument as a sadness crept up my ribcage. My hand slid over my heart as it doubled its pace in my chest. My fingers wrapped around the trinket my dad had given me when I was a baby. I spun the charm inside my fingers gently and the theatre masks felt cool against my skin. Touching them always centered me. Heat radiated from my core, settling my emotions.

“Love you, Dad,” I sighed.

With a small smile I stood up and placed the guitar’s strap over my shoulder and tucked the gift behind me. It dangled from my back as I made my way into the house and raindrops chased my every step.

Time for my adventure to begin…

THE FIRE LIVES ON

“Thank you for experiencing the final act of my emotional series. I couldn’t have finished this roller coaster ride without your help and support. It has meant the world to me that you have followed my words this far. One day I’ll find a way to repay you all. Until then…

Read on. Rock on.”
~
Mads

Madison Daniel has finally gotten a decent grasp on this whole “writing thing” and he plans on continuing as long as the voices in his head demand it. As always, he uses music to help the reader get lost in his worlds. Many amazing adventures are on the horizon and he cannot wait to share them with the literary landscape.

This is only the beginning…you’ve been warmed.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Every book in my series has ended with a special thank you to someone who has helped shape the series, whether they knew it at the time or not. I write because I have to. I create because it is a part of me. I am and always will be, an artist. This shout out is for a fellow dreamer, a brilliant and wild spirit…

Thank you, Allyn.