Awakening The Storm

KASSIDY

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They actually pulled it off. He’s actually back. The man above me had ear-length dark brown hair littered with graying pieces. His blue eyes were dark, but sweet. His beard seemed a bit rough but other than that, he was here.

“Daddy?” I need to know if this is real or not. It’s too good to be true.

“Yeah, it’s me, baby,” he chuckled heartily from his chest. He crouched down and held a hand out. “I’m not gonna bite ya.” He reassured as I eyed his outstretched hand warily.

“Okay,” I nodded. I placed my hand in his larger, course hand, and let him pull me back onto my feet. “Where did you wake up?” I ask curiously, my eyes roaming all over him to find if anything’s out of place.

“I woke up on the field. They actually had the decency to bury me.” He scoffed in disbelief.

“That’s good,” I sigh under my breath, “I guess.” I didn’t really know what to think of him being back here. I mean, I’m ecstatic he’s here with us, but something about him feels different.

I just can’t seem to put my finger on it.

“Ehem,” someone cleared their throat. A pair of shuffling bare feet reached my vision, I looked up.

“Anais,” I breath with relief. She smiled and shuffled closer.

She was still in the black oversized T-shirt, her skin, littered with dirt and blood, maybe something else. Her wasn’t as full and lively as it used to be, but she was here.

“Hey, girly. You look like shit,” she chuckled warmly. I smiled with her and pulled her into a hug.

“Hey, language!” Dad reprimanded her. She just giggled and leaned into the hug more.

“It’s good to be back,” I confess. She hums and rubs my back.

“What does it look like out there?” She asked pulling out of the hug. I huff under my breath and drag a hand through my hair.

“It’s freaking nuts, man,” I paced around.

“We’re gonna fix everything, you don’t need to worry so much, Kassi,” a hand grasped my shoulder, stopping my movements. I turned my head to the person the hand belonged to.

“Kash,” I breathed out happily, “are you good?” I asked him. I know about all the crazy mind games he had to endure in Purgatory, I just need to know he’s gonna be alright.

“Yeah,” he sniffled, “I’m all good,” he smiled. The smile didn’t reach his eyes like it used to. I guess being put through physical and psychological torture can really change a person.

I looked around the rest of the cave, stepping in further to get a feel for things.

“What’re you doing?” Dad asked walking around him, Kash, and Anais.

“Just looking,” I responded walking in further. I spotted two bodies just a ways behind everyone else.

Ben was leaning against the cave wall with his arms crossed, Isaac was standing silently in the background, but there was something off about him.

And there was one person missing.

“Uh, where’s Wren?” I ask turning towards Ben. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. The quiet man wasn’t telling me something.

So I stared harder at him.

I walked up closer to him until I got into his personal bubble. He looked down at me, and boring his eyes into mine. He was calm, he wasn’t gonna give up anytime soon and my eyes were already beginning to water. I guess he noticed too since a ghost of a smirk met his lips for a moment.

“You know I can do this all day, Kassidy,” he pointed out with a shit eating grin. It’s weird because it’s the most I’ve ever really gotten out of him.

He’s so closed off and serious all the time compared to Wren.

They’re total opposites.

“You’re stupid to think that I’m not gonna stop bugging you about this, Benjamin,” I pressed with a smile. He returned the smile back and slouched on the cave wall some more. “Come on, man!“I pouted and stomped my foot on the ground. He smiled and coughed a laugh away behind his hand.

“Oh, Kassi, you should know better than to try to take on the big man,” Anais pat my shoulder and began to turn me away from Ben.

“I’ll be back for you,” I stabbed a finger into his clothed chest, “I’ll be back,” I hissed and let Anais walk me away.

“Wow, that almost hurt,” he feigned pain, “try again next time, sweetie,” he winked.

“That’s it!” I fought to be free from Anais’ hold on me. “Let me at him!” Chuckles and laughs filled the cave as I tried to attack the elder brother. He just shook his head and held an endearing smirk on his lips.

“What the hell. . .” A voice filled the cave and interrupted my screams of vengeance and Ben’s snorkels of laughter.

I paused my attempts and turned my head slowly to where the voice came from.

Noah was leaning on Stylo while Wren was a couple steps in front of them.

“I’m not even gonna ask,” Wren shook his head and stifled a smile. Ben winked at me and looked over to Wren.

“Yeah, shortstack over here was askin’ where you were,” he laughed ruffling his hand across my hair.

I swatted his hands away and let out a frustrated growl.

“Oh wow, the little one is gettin’ angry,” Noah cackled. I hugged out smoke and brought a flame to my index fingers. “Whatcha got there, little bud?” Noah nervously laughed. I shot a small ball of fire at his butt. His screams of embarrassing agony filled the cave.

Everyone was laughing.

Everyone was smiling, like how they’re supposed to be.

But now it’s time to exact my revenge on Ben.

I turned my body slowly towards him. His own laughs had sobered as he seen the burning flame on the tip of my finger.

“Go ahead, shortstack,” he taunted, “give me your best shot,” he pressed more. I gave him a twisted smile and let the ball of fire escape my finger.

He smirked back and winked before he turned into red sparks of lightning, then disappeared.

My jaw went slack.

“Where did he—” I paused dumbfounded by his disappearance. “Eek!” I yelped as I felt a zap on my lower back. Then more came.

I was dancing around like a leprechaun as the zaps of lightning attached my body.

“Quit it!” I cried. Ben’s somewhat of a laugh filtered into my head.

′Why should I, shortstack?′ He taunted through the link as the zaps covered me more.

“Alright, kids, that’s enough,” Dad laughed deeply. He made a calming gesture with his hands and then the zaps stopped.

“Oh, Goddess,” I painted leaning my hands on my knees.

“That’s what ya get for trying to mess with me, shortstack,” Ben rematerialized through the specks of left over lightning.

“How did you do that?” I panted. Ben just shrugged and walked over to Isaac.

“Alright, Stylo, everyone is here now. What’s next?” He crosses his arms.

I choked on my own spit.

“S-stylo,” I sputtered out. How could that be Stylo, when Stylo is over there?

“Oh, yeah,” Wren chuckled nervously, “The Other Stylo.” He gestured to Isaac. His eyes were glazed and looked as if they were rolled to the back of his head.

“Why is he in Isaac’s body?” I demanded. Wren sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“It’s a long story but he’s been helping us, and he’s a victim here too, Kassi,” he admitted exasperated.

“I’m confused,” I shook my head in disbelief, “we’re seriously gonna trust him? After everything?” This is bullshit.

They have to see that.

They just have to.

“Look,” Dad rested his hand against my shoulder, “I don’t have a lot of trust in his either but if what he’s told me earlier is the truth, then we need all the help we can get.” He bargained.

I mean, if Dad says it’s okay. . .

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes, “I’m in.” I have in with reluctance. I don’t think we should trust him so easily, but if he is on our side, we could use what he knows to our advantage.

“Kassidy,” he called out to me, “I know we aren’t on the best of terms, but I assure you that I am on your side.” The Other Stylo admits.

“Let’s not waste anymore time on apologies.” Ben cut in. “We need strategies on how to win this for once and for all.” He affirmed. Everyone murmured to themselves and spoke in agreements.

“Now that you’re here, Kassidy, we have everything we need.” The Other Stylo states.

“Dad,” Stylo called out and walked closer to Isaac’s body, “What’s that guy’s ultimate plan, huh?” He asked accusingly.

“Yeah, if he really wanted Kassidy and Wren, why did he kill us?” Noah gestured between himself and Stylo. “And then keep the rest alive and with him?” He demanded. “It just doesn’t make sense,” he stressed. Anais laid a hand on his shoulder in a comforting way, calming him down a bit.

“Alex wanted to get rid of every threat that he deemed serious,” The Other Stylo hung his head in shame,” and you seemed the best.” He confessed sadly.

“That still doesn’t make sense, he kept Kassandra, Jordan, Kash, Ben, and Anais alive and here, too.” Wren added. “So why didn’t he get rid of them?” He begged.

The Other Stylo sighed and shook his head. “The things he’s done to those girls is—” he cleared his throat and looked away from everyone.

“What has he been doing?” My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.

He stared straight into my eyes. “The things he did to those two girls beats what he did to you and your brother look like cotton candy,” his eyes were dead as he explained. “And I know you think that they were traitors, but the only reason they gave themselves up was to protect you all, they bargained their bodies to him as payment to keep the rest of you alive.” He revealed.

“This is so messed up, man,” Noah paced around the cave with his hands twitching at his sides.

“I knew what they did,” Kash interjected. “Right before we were placed under the mind control, Kassandra talked to me over the link explaining everything,” a couple years slid down his cheeks.

“Why didn’t you say anything before?!” Anais shrieked. “The worst we got was just killing people and having our powers used, but them—” her lipped quivered as tears sprung from her eyes too.

“Don’t worry,” I grabbed her and held her in a hug, “we’ll get them, alright? And then we’ll take back the pack and be happy again.” I assured her. She snuggled into my neck.

“Promise?” She whispered. I nodded and stepped out of the hug.

“Promise.” I wrapped my pinky around hers.

“So how’re we gonna do this?” Ben asked skeptically.

“I have a plan.” The Other Stylo avowed assuredly.

We will get them back.

We will have Raven’s Creek back.

Whatever it takes.

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