The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (11 page)

‘Well see Lib’s
, Draven is actually in Hell, so me and an Oracle are trying to come up with a way to bust him out’ …umm I didn’t think so! So, as I found her nursing little Ella in the living room, I sat down near her.

“Hey, you ok?” She said shifting the baby
, getting ready to wind her.

“Yeah
, but I wanted to speak to you.” I said dreading the next part that was until she interrupted me.

“Yeah
, I kind of wanted to speak to you too.” She said so I decided to see what she had to say first.

“Well
, you know Frank’s mum and Dad have that cabin they vacation at?” I nodded for her to continue.

“They asked if all of us want
ed to go and spend two weeks with them, they invited you as well of course and I know that college has wrapped up for you, so I wanted to know what you thought?” She must have seen my face because she frowned.

“What is it?”

“Well, I was just about to tell you about my plans for travelling, I was asked to go with the rest of the gang and well, I really want to go.” I was surprised when I saw her smiling.

“I think that’s great Kazzy, I mean you could do with some fun, ever since that ass…”

“Libby don’t.” I warned just like I did every time someone tried to turn Draven into the bad guy.

“Why do you bother defending him…
? You do remember what he did to you. I mean you should have seen what you were like…I…”

“Trust me, I remember Libs
, but it’s over now and I don’t want to hear his name being dragged through the mud just for not wanting me.” She looked like she was about to argue her point further but something in my face stopped her.

“Fair enough. I am glad you’re having some fun though and Jack’s going
, right?” She waggled her eyebrows at me and I groaned while rolling my eyes.

“Not this again
.” I muttered making her laugh, one that jiggled Ella. Not that she minded much as she had fallen asleep slumped over my sister’s arm. We both laughed and she cradled her. I had been hearing from my sister none stop lately on her thoughts about how she thought Jack and I should date and every time I would stop her mid flow.

“So
, when are you going, ‘cause I hate to spring this on you but you know how Frank’s folks leave everything to the last minute…?”

“Why, when are you going?” I asked hoping for sooner as it would make my plans much easier.

“Tomorrow.” She winced as she said it but I smiled.

“That’s fine Lib’s
, I won’t be here long before I go either.”

“But I will miss your birthday
.”

“Libby it’s fine, it’s not like it’s an important one or anything and I won’t be on my own, I will no doubt be celebrating it in some bar somewhere, having one too many and then being carried back
to my room by…

“Jack
.” She giggled when I groaned.

“So
, you guys go tomorrow for a couple of weeks, and I fly on the 5th, but I think we will be gone for most of the summer.” She already knew this from when I first started talking about going to Europe travelling and this was where Jack would come into my plans.

“I can’t believe I won’t see you for ages
.” She complained and I gave her a little grin.

“I know but hey, we did it before, remember when you turned to the other side and married a Yank
.” I joked and she gave me a beaming grin which I copied.

“You will too
, one day.” I walked away smiling and whispered under my breath,

“I have a thing for old Persian
Kings,”
as I took the stairs two at a time.

The next day consisted of me running round helping Libby get ready for their trip and as we brought stuff downstairs
, Frank loaded it into their car.

“Remember the days when we could just pack one bag and drive of
f?” Frank complained light heartedly.

“What happened to those days?” He asked me and I patted him on the arm as I handed him another bag loaded with baby stuff.

“You had a baby, Frank.” He looked down at me with a massive grin and then looked over to where Libby was feeding Ella. He beamed at them both and then said,

“Yes
, yes I did.” Then he walked out of the door whistling.

When
they were all loaded up and after an emotional goodbye from both sides, I was soon waving them off. I hated the thought of not seeing my niece for so long but I knew that what I needed to do next was one quest in life I had to take alone.

I was just getting out
of the shower later when I heard my phone ringing. I made a mad dash dripping water all the way downstairs to get the phone. I picked it up and when I heard the dial tone I replaced the phone down with extra force. I hated it when that happened and was just about to go stomping up the stairs, when I heard something being pushed through the letter box. I spun round and saw the letter emerge and I ran over to the door, but by the time I opened it, whoever had delivered it had gone.

I closed the door after searching for a good few minutes and when I was sure no one was going to jump out at me and say, ‘yep it was me’ I closed the door. I grabbed the letter and followed a familiar pattern by going to my room to read it. I wrapped the towel around me tighter and took off the one I had wrapped round my hair like a turban. I sat on the bed
and opened the letter with shaking hands.

The emotions that would come barrelling my way whenever I would get another letter were heart pounding and breath stealing. It was like every piece of paper was another step taken towards Draven and this was my driving force.

‘Those with eyes can easily see the changes one makes for the journey ahead, but no matter what the looking glass holds, it is our souls that don’t ever change colour’

It was a tiny scrap of paper that held these words and I re-read them over and over until like usual, it clicked. She wanted me to change my appearance before I went anywhere.

“Ok, I get it.” I said out loud and as soon as I did this, the words blurred and changed into something else,

‘A Lion can’t smell the other Lioness when she turns into a moth, even one burnt by the flame’

And then suddenly it started to burn in my hand from the inside outwards.

“Shit!” I said shaking it free before it burnt me. It floated in the air as the paper turned into tiny black pieces and then disappeared. So
, what she said this time, she didn’t want anyone knowing about. Well that was fine, but if I was going to change anything then there was first one place I needed to go and that was back to the beginning….

Back to Afterlife.

Chapter 11

Breaking Afterlife Law

When I heard Jack’s truck pull up outside
, I was pumped and ready to go. I was even wearing all black for my mission. I had everything I needed in my bag and I could feel the coin in my pocket where it always was.

I walked out of the house, locked the door and ran over to Jack. He was such a gentleman, he even leaned over and opened the door for me.

“Hey you” He said and I smiled at him as I climbed in.

“Hi Jack, how are you?” I asked with a grin.

“I’m all the better now for seeing you.” He said winking at me and I laughed. I don’t think there was ever a point where Jack didn’t flirt with me, so it would have been weird if he ever started acting any different. It was just one of those relationships we had and had never thought to change. It caused no harm and even the very few times he had seen Draven, he had been nothing but respectful around him. Jack was a good friend and this was the reason I had asked for his help.

“Hey, I like your hair that way, never seen it like that before but it suits you.” He complimented
, making me blush. I had never worn it like this, out of the house before but tonight was different. I had tied it into a low ponytail and then plaited it, tying it at the end with one of the purple ribbons I got from Draven that he used to tie around a rose left on my pillow. It had grown longer since then and the end of my hair swung past my waist to my behind.

“Thanks, and hey, new T-shirt?” I asked looking at his ‘Black Sabbath’ T-shirt that had some sort of brown helmet with a gas mask on the front which also had ‘U.S TOUR ‘78’ underneath the picture.

“Yeah RJ got me it, it’s the one Tony Stark wears in the Avengers movie.” I knew he was a big comic book fan and his favourite was Ironman.

We were just chatting about everyday stuff when he pulled into our dingy dinner that had become a quick favourite
, thanks to the laugh we had in there every time when doing our ‘people watching’.

Once inside and as comfy as you were
ever going to get in one of those hard booths, Jack put his menu down and said,

“Ok Kaz, what’s up?” I took a deep breath and placed my menu down ready to explain my crazy plan.

“Jack, this is going to sound insane, but I need your help with something.” His eyes widened for a second and he nodded for me to continue.

“You can’t tell anyone though, not even RJ. You cool with that?” I asked first and he laughed.

“Well that’s a given, tell that girl anything and then wait five minutes for it circle the town’s ear for it to get back to you. Gotta love Facebook!” He said shaking his head smiling.

“Yeah
, but we love her.” I said before ordering a coke from the less than happy waitress.

“Ok
, so we have established me not telling anyone but question still stands…are you gonna ask me…you know like some time before I need a walking stick?” I rolled my eyes and threw my menu at him.

“Ok
, but please don’t judge me.” At this he held up his hands and said,

“I am never one to judge, you know that Keira
.”

“I know but this…well… you
’re gonna think I am crazy.”

“I already do if that helps
.” I laughed with his teasing and we went silent as ‘happiness’ brought over our drinks.

“So what is it, you’re not joining the circus are you,
‘cause you know you need a bit more stubble for the next bearded lady?” I laughed and this time flicked my ice at him.

“You would know…didn’t you date her last week
?” I hit back at him making us both crack up.

“Ok, serious time…I…”

“Just spit it out, I mean jeez, it can’t be that bad.” He said so I did just that.

“I am going to London to find Draven
, but no-one knows.” I blurted out and his face dropped.

“Why?” Was the only thing he said after minutes of stunned silence.

“Let’s just say we have unfinished business.” I said and shrugged my shoulders.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea
, Kaz.” His face got serious and I felt even worse for including him in this.

“It’s been decided and
my flight has already been booked.” I wanted him to know how serious I was about this, but I hated seeing the spark in his eyes die out, knowing I had done this.

“On your own?” I simply nodded at his question.

“And he has no idea?” Well this part I didn’t need to lie about.

“No-
one does but you and the friend I am meeting there.” He seemed to relax a bit at hearing this.

“So you won’t be completely on your own?” He asked as it was clear he was worried about me.

“I guess not, but now for the part where I need your help.”

“What do you need me to do?” He said not having to even think about it.

“I hate this, but I have no choice and I know it isn’t fair…I wish there was another way…”

“Keira
, look at me…I am your friend and I know anything you have to do is because you are most likely trying to spare the feelings of others.” His words touched me and I reached across the sticky table and said,

“Thank you Jack, that means a lot to me
.”

After the dinner I asked Jack not to drop me off
at home as there was something I needed to do. He raised his eyebrow at me, but didn’t comment. We had just pulled up outside and a deep sigh released from me.

“It looks so barren, so empty
.” I said looking out to a building that had become a part of me and seeing it this way hurt something deep inside me, making me feel as empty as the place now looked.

“That’s because it is
, Keira.” Jack said in a quiet voice that was full of meaning.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” His q
uestion took me off guard. I knew he only asked because he cared, so I turned to him fully, shifting in my seat.

“Because if I didn’t try then I would always
have regret and I couldn’t live like that. Just like you tried everything in your power to find Celina, I have to do the same, before I reach that point where I know I have done everything and still I walk away with the same answers I started with. Only then, I know it won’t have been in vain…do you understand?” I asked softly.

“I think I do. But Keira, can I give you some advice?” I nodded for him to continue.

“Don’t lose who you are in the answers. Sometimes, no matter the outcome and how much we tell ourselves it will just be better once we know, sometimes it doesn’t work out like that. Sometimes…things are better left without an ending, that way it is easier to make a new one, one that makes us smile…sometimes…” He looked like he was about to get choked up so he turned to stare out of the window, not looking at me but his next words cut deep, without him even knowing it,

“…t
hings are better left…dead.”

After I said my goodbyes to Jack, his words kept repeating round in my head as I walked up to the front entrance of Afterlife. I had told Jack that I would call Frank for a lift back as I hadn’t told him that they had left already. I didn’t need another person worrying about me and I had told him too much already. But I knew someone in the world needed to know the truth in case something happened to me. I wanted my family to
at least have closure and I knew that Jack was the key.

I asked him
, if the occasion ever arose, to back up the lies I had told my family. I needed them to believe I was travelling with them to Europe, when in actual fact they were taking a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and then on to California. I told him what to say in case anyone ever called him and we made up our different excuses together. I said I would call him and keep checking in with him at least twice a week.

By doing this I was trying to cover all bases. I had even found out the address for ‘Tran
sfusion’ in Germany, being surprised they actually had a website. I had written down all the addresses, email, website and town, telling him if he didn’t hear from me in over a week to get in contact with someone called Judas and tell him that Toots was in trouble, to then tell him everything he knew and that would help. Jack had been dying to ask questions about it, but when I started shaking my head, he got the hint. The one thing I did tell him was,

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that
, but if something ever does go wrong, then know that is the one guy who will definitely be able to help.” After telling him this, he didn’t looked relieved but more worried. It was at that point that I hugged him goodbye and told him not to worry about me, I had all bases covered. I just hoped I was right.

I walked up to the front door
, but it was all locked up tight as it was last time. But the one thing I noticed that was missing was the note that I had hit with my fist, smearing my blood on it. It had me wondering who took it down?

I decided to play at detective once again and take a look around. I decided my best bet was trying the access door on the side of the bu
ilding close to the bins. This was one door that led straight through the back and then into the bar area. I walked up the few metal steps and entered the code I knew from memory. When the thing beeped at me I tried again.

“Oh come on!” I shouted as I realised someone had changed the code. Well
, what was I going to do now, that was my only idea at getting inside? I stood back and looked up to the balcony higher up, which I knew was the one attached to the VIP area. Now, if I could just get up there somehow. I went through the most obvious options that came to mind at a time like this and the first being the quickest to cross off the list. Even if I had a ladder at home, I didn’t have the truck to get it here. Big blue was still with Eddie and because I chickened out talking to him, I had Frank ring up and ask about it.

He was told that there were a few more things to fix than he first thought and it would take a little longer
, as he’d had to order a part. As it turned out I wasn’t going to need my truck for a while anyway. Now a ladder was another thing, I thought as I moved back a few more steps.

I looked around and then a crazy idea formed in my head. Could it really be done? I stood to the side of the bins and saw that the thicker part of the ivy was within reach if I stood on them. I knew this was more than a little risky
, but it wasn’t like I could just call someone to let me in. I knew from bumping into Mike one day while out with the rest of the guys that everyone, including Jerry and Gary the twins that managed Afterlife, had been given the summer off and been paid well for the time. He told me how he couldn’t complain about having a paid holiday, but what was weird was that Jerry had to hand over his keys, something he had never been asked to do before.

Of c
ourse, I knew why, but I faked my confusion to Mike the best way I could. So knowing this, it left me little option than the crazy one I was considering right now. So I did the unthinkable as a person scared of heights. I put my bag over my head across my body, climbed onto the massive bin, using the metal on the sides as a foothold. Once I was up, I heard it groan in protest.

“Oh shut up, I’m not that heavy
!” I said as I reached up and grabbed one of the thicker bits of ivy. I pulled at it to test my weight but it was so thick and old that it was almost as though it was welded to the building. I looked down and saw there was a perfect part for my first foot and I took three deep breaths, told myself I was crazy, and heaved myself up.

I had closed my eyes as if waiting to fall backwards with the ivy coming with me
, but when it didn’t I let out a breath. I opened my eyes, saw a wall of green, lush leaves and took in the scent of earth into my lungs before reaching up for the next piece. If anything, it was easier than I thought it would be, as it was just like climbing a netted rope wall. I just had to keep my eye on that balcony ledge and I knew I would be fine, just fine. It was only when I reached out for the next bit that the pain I sometimes got in my hand had me slipping. I gripped on tighter with my other hand so I wouldn’t fall but it took me a minute of panicking to get over the pain and near drop to my death, to carry on.

By the time I could reach out and touch the stone balustrades my hand was causing me a lot of pain, enough for tears to spring up. I just kept telling myself, not far now, just a little bit f
urther, which was the only thought moving me forward. Finally, I was high enough to haul my leg over the side and I kind of collapsed onto the balcony in a heap. I pulled my sore hand to my chest and when I moved my fingers I cried out. I knew the first thing I would be doing when I got home was downing some pain killers and raiding the freezer for a bag of peas.

I got up and looked over the edge to see how far I had come. I couldn’t believe I
’d managed it but then, given my situation, there was nothing more motivating than a vision of Draven in Hell. I looked down at my hands that were scratched and grazed from the rough treatment I had just put them through, but I didn’t care, I just rubbed them down my black jeans.