Amethyst (15 page)

“Look kid, I
said you need to move. NOW!” Ash yelled at the boy.

The boy looked
up in fear and astonishment, but I couldn’t hear what he said. Ash shook his
head furiously and leaned over the boy. That’s when I became aware the boy’s hand
was caught under the steel rails.

“Oh no!” the
girl exclaimed. “He’s stuck. They’ve got to get out of the way. The train is
coming. I’m going back—”

I grabbed her.
“Oh no you’re not! They’ll make it,” I shouted but was equally worried. The
train was smoking, steaming, and approaching fast, and Ash and the boy were
directly in its path. The train whistle blew profusely, like it was screaming
profanities at them to get out of the way. Ash worked determinedly, trying to
shake the boy’s arm loose. As the girl sank to her knees, I dropped down with
her, our bodies trembling together.

My eyes shot
between the racing train and the guys spread out over the tracks. Ash’s mouth
was moving, but I couldn’t read his lips. I suspected he was screaming the same
words the train was unable to voice. He shook his head furiously and glanced my
way, resignation frightfully evident on his face. A sudden sickness swept over
my body. As I held his gaze, I read only anguish and hopelessness in his
expression.

“Stay here,” I
shouted at the girl and took off for the tracks. When I appeared at Ash’s side,
he yelled at me to get back, but I ignored him. Leaning down, I worked
frantically to loosen the boy’s hand, but it was wedged good, already looking
red and mangled.

My eyes darted
up at the train. We had 15 seconds – maybe, before the train plowed over us. I
glanced at Ash. He shook his head and mouthed the word “sorry” before pulling
me to my feet and shoving me off the tracks. Caught off guard, and totally pissed,
I rolled down the gravel, screaming all the way. When I came to a stop, I stood
up and looked back in time to see Ash give the boy one last gigantic heave.
Miraculously, that tug wrenched the boy’s hand free, but the momentum sent them
both flying backwards over the other side of the bank. The train rolled loudly
and supremely over the exact spot they’d been standing.

The powerful
wind created by the rumbling train hit me like a small twister. I slipped my
feet deeper into the rocks and stood, bracing myself against the forceful
airstream. I welcomed the blast – accepted it as a challenge; nothing could
uproot me. My windbreaker fluttered madly as my hair whipped wildly around my
face. I felt invincible.

That’s when the
realization hit me hard and fast. I didn’t want to die. I felt so alive. My
decision to act upon the snapshots and Ash’s persistence had allowed the boy to
live. Together we’d cheated death. And really, it felt extraordinary. Jason was
right. Every day lived was a miracle. My future flashed before my eyes. If I
could build my life and career around the premonitions, I could give the quiet
gift of miracles for the rest of my life.

Fear suddenly
overtook me as I remembered my days were numbered. I still had to deal with the
mountain lions. I was going to have to fight for my life. Literally.

The last of the
tankers and box cars zipped past. Still standing, I was cold and covered in
goose bumps. But more importantly, after months of despair and self-pity, I
suddenly felt resolute and in control. I pulled the girl, who’d crawled up next
to me, onto her feet. Immediately, she found her own resolve and bolted
forward, clamoring over the rocks.

Ash’s head
appeared over the top of the rails, and he flashed me a cocky grin. Never
imagining I’d welcome that grin, I found myself completely taken in. I offered
him a genuine smile in return. He’d earned it. He dragged the boy up behind him
just as the girl reached them and flung herself at the boy.

I walked up to
Ash and encircled him in a huge hug. My cheeks brushed against the rough
stubble on his cheek as he lifted me off my feet in an even tighter hold. With
the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game, who wouldn’t want to
hug the hero? His virile scent exuded self-confidence and courage, and for a
moment I closed my eyes and indulged in the pleasure of his embrace.

“Wow!” he
exclaimed. “I thought saving a life from a speeding train was an adrenaline
rush, but it doesn’t even come close to the rush I’m getting from having you
wrapped around me. I’m gonna want you around every time I save someone.” He set
me down and kissed my forehead.

I released him
and punched him in the shoulder. “Let’s hope you don’t have to make saving
people a full time job,” I rebuked. Although, having someone around all the
time to help would be awesome. Could he be the right one?

He leaned in
close. “If you consent to hugging me a little more often, I won’t have to.”

“Ash,” I scolded
with a laugh. I certainly didn’t want to think about hugging him all the time.
I could already feel the flush of heat crossing my body.

“Hey man, thanks
a lot,” the boy said, his brown eyes open wide. “That was the scariest thing
ever – having that train blasting towards us and not being able to get out of
the way. Thanks for sticking with me.”

“Look at your
hand,” the girl said with revulsion.

We inspected the
grease stains and red marks as he held out a fist. He was still shaking from
the experience. “Crap! It looks gnarly, huh? Doesn’t feel so great either,
probably sprained.”

My eyes popped
open a little wider. This was definitely why fate had brought Jessica into my
life. If she really could teach me how to utilize my Essence, and I’d be able
to help people with these kinds of injuries, I’d be unstoppable. I just had to
let go of the guilt and pull myself together.

Rotating his
hand, the boy slowly uncurled his fingers. A simple silver ring lay in the palm
of his hand. “Next time, screw the ring,” he said as he slid it back on her
finger. “We should take off,” he added.

“You should have
that hand looked at,” Ash said. “And listen; don’t hang out on the tracks. I
know that feeling – the one where you think you’re invincible. Next time, think
about this day and remember you’re not.”

“Got it,” the
boy said, flipping his long bangs out of his eyes.

“Do you need
help getting home?” I asked.

“Nah, I’m not
hurting that bad, and I only live a couple blocks from the park.” Holding his
injured hand close to his body, he tugged the girl forward with the other.

“Thank you,” she
said, her eyes still brimming with tears. With a final wave they set off. Only
this time they hiked along the rocky beach, as far from the tracks as possible.

“Do you think
he’s okay?” I asked Ash.

“Of course. His
hand is a little banged up, but mostly he’s scared, and he should be. I’d guess
he’s about 15 years old and this was the first time in his life he experienced
real fear. He’s lucky to be alive.” Ash’s tone was solemn and his brows were
bunched. Emotions washed over his face in waves: anguish, sadness, and what appeared
to be downright anger. His rigid body and blank stare had me wondering if he
was reminiscing about a tragedy from his past.

Worried, I
gently touched his arm. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Obviously
surprised by my question, he snapped out of his trance and gazed down at me
with a grave frown. Gruffly, he said, “I don’t talk about it, Lexi. Not with
anyone.”

Letting go of
his arm, I nodded. Instinctively, I took a step back. “Sorry,” I said.

He gazed west
over the horizon. “This is a great spot to watch the sun set, but we should
jam, too.” We trekked along the shore, and he held my hand. If Jessica was
right about me, maybe my Essence was easing some of his pain.

When we pulled into
the driveway, Ally came running out. “I was getting worried,” she spoke with an
elevated voice over the hum of the bike. “Next time take your cell phone, will
ya?” She looked at me pointedly.

“No worries.
We’re fine,” I said as I pulled off my helmet and handed it back to Ash. We
exchanged solemn looks, but I smiled at him gratefully. “You were amazing by
the way.”

“Thanks,” he
said.

Ally’s jaw
dropped. “Amazing how?”

Kai and Ben came
strolling out the door. “How was the ride?” Kai asked.

“Actually,
the
ride
was awesome,” I replied.

“I don’t know
how he does it?” Kai shrugged. “He’s totally obnoxious, but then after some one
on one time, the ladies always fall victim to some mysterious, hidden charm.”

I tapped Kai’s
shoulder. “Don’t worry about me Kai, I’m not his victim.”

Kai looked
suspiciously from me to Ash but threw his hands in the air and said, “There’s
no insight to be gained from those faces. So…good for you guys, I guess.” He
turned back to Ben. “Don’t forget next Friday night. Come on over and listen to
our band practice.” He grabbed my arm. “Lexi, of course you’re invited too.”

“Thanks,” I
said. “But I don’t know…” I paused and looked over at Ash.

“Oh, he loves an
audience,” Kai said. “You gotta come; then I can introduce you to my girlfriend
Laney. Oh and Ben, thanks for the CD’s. I’ll get ‘em back to you then.”

Ben nodded. “No
problem, man.”

Kai hopped on
the motorcycle and grabbed his helmet from Ash. “Later guys.”

Ash looked over
at me with piercing eyes. “Remember, Lexi – any suspicious guys hanging out in
the parking lot at work, go back in the store and call me.”

Crossing my
arms, I shook my head but promised I would. After they’d gone Ally, Ben, and I
settled into the living room. Ben turned off the TV, stretched back, and
plopped his feet onto the coffee table. Ally sat directly next to me,
practically in my lap, like she was afraid if she sat too far away she might
miss something exciting.

For the next
hour, I filled them in on my adventures with Ash. I omitted the part about the
snapshots, but Ally caught on immediately. Ben had tons of questions about the
train incident, and he seemed to gain new respect for Ash after my recount.

Ally had also
learned a few details about Ash from Kai while I’d been gone. I wasn’t
surprised to find out that he liked living on the edge and participated in tons
of extreme sports. Apparently, he wasn’t always the most dependable person.
He’d disappear for days without telling any of his roommates where he was going
or when he’d be back. Reluctantly, Kai had told Ally that when Ash was younger,
like 10 years old or something, his parents and older brother had been killed
in a car crash. For some reason, Ash felt responsible, but he wouldn’t talk
about any of the details. Kai didn’t know much more than that.

Ash had lived in
Bellingham for a couple years. He’d moved to the area so he could attend
Western, but he didn’t seem dedicated to his classes, nor had he chosen a
major. Kai said he’d never seen Ash work or apply for a job, but that was
because he’d inherited a huge trust fund and was financially set for life. Kai
thought Ash was basically a good guy who just hadn’t found his purpose in life
yet. I could relate – only now, I felt confident I had one.

“But more
importantly,” Ally burst out, “is that he’s single.”

“Not for long,”
Ben teased and tossed a pillow at me.

I just shook my
head but wondered how, in only a matter of days, I’d managed to find two
totally different but equally intriguing guys. My team had two, hot new
rookies. And now that I was back in the game, it was going to be interesting to
see if either of them could take my heart all the way to the Super Bowl. Of
course, I had to get myself there, too.

Over the next
few days, I thought a lot about saving people. If that truly was my calling, then
I needed to view the premonitions as a gift not a punishment. I needed to stop
trying to escape them and instead, start molding my life and future around
them. I had to stop worrying about making mistakes and know that giving my best
was enough. The daily disruptions would always be a challenge, but the
victories would be momentous. They would always mean life instead of death –
especially if I was an Amethyst. Of course, everything hinged upon me becoming
an Amethyst. As an Amethyst, I had a chance…a chance to fight fate and possibly
survive a mountain lion attack.

Jumping to my
feet, I stomped around in the grass. “This is never gonna happen,” I
complained.

“Lexi,” Jessica
laughed lightheartedly, “Give yourself a chance here. You weren’t born talking
and walking, were ya?”

I stopped moving
and shot her a dirty look before slumping back down beside her.

“Of course not,”
she answered for me. “And what you’re trying to accomplish here will take time
– weeks, maybe even months, so give yourself a break. Or at least give me one,
because you’re driving me nuts with all the theatrics.” She whacked my leg with
her orange juice bottle.

We were sitting
on the grassy bluff, a good 10 feet above the abrupt, rocky shoreline at Boulevard
Park. The park stretched along the waterfront overlooking the marina and the
islands. Walkers and joggers utilized the paved boardwalk behind us. Frisbees
and soccer balls flew through the air in the open expanses of grass beyond
that. Sitting in the shade of scattered trees, people picnicked while kids ran
freely in play.

My training had
officially begun. The goal was for me to recognize, and then tap into, my own
personal Essence, which was proving near impossible. Jessica couldn’t
understand my frustration or my sense of urgency, either. I’d told her I was
anxious to start helping people as soon as possible, and while that was true
enough, I had to be alive in order to do that. Therefore, surviving my upcoming
encounter with the mountain lions was paramount.

Unfortunately
for me, unless I could acquire the healing abilities of an Amethyst before
then, I was likely to be mauled to death. That, in and of itself, was highly
motivating, and for the first time in ages, fear hovered over me like ominous,
thunder clouds. On a more positive note, at least I was experiencing fear at
the thought of my own death instead feeling relief. Conveniently, the
hallucinations from the bus accident had stopped and the headaches weren’t
quite as bad, so I had to be doing something right. While I was resolute in my
decision to spend the rest of my life devoted to protecting others, I was still
working on forgiving myself for ignoring a premonition. I needed to release my
inner demons and focus on the future, as well as gear up for the fight of my
life.