Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (31 page)

Nobody loves you. There’s no way to mend your wrongs. You are destined to be alone. You could die and no one would notice. No one would care. But doesn’t that sound nice? Reprieve from your misery? Escape from this awful nightmare called life. Do it. End it now!

“No!” I refused. I barely hung on. I felt so weak and powerless, numb and worn down from the monotony of the voices. I was crying again, thinking about Dad, Mom, Everett, Mia, Maddy, and Victory.

They don’t care about you! You’re damaged. You’ll never be good enough. They’ll never love you.

“No, I won’t hurt them like that. They love me and I love them,” I said aloud.

I then screamed, for the voice took shape, appearing from thin air. It wasn’t an It but a Them — five of them to be exact.

Fear rushed through me as I realized it wasn’t my heavy burdens weighing on my shoulders, but the hands of the actual demons pushing me down. They were just tall enough to look over the edge of the tub, giving their long, gangly arms perfect leverage.

Realizing their plan, I shook my head, unable to scream or beg. My horror only fed the sick smiles on their shriveled, leathery faces, fueled the anger in their beady eyes. Then I was submerged, held underwater by what could only be supernatural strength from such little creatures.

I’m going to die!
I thrashed and fought, not knowing how long I could last.
No! I want to live. I have to live!
I made it to the surface long enough to draw breath before I was plunged under again. I clawed and tried to move, but the demons’ immense strength pinned me to the bottom of the tub, the soapy water burning my eyes.

My body’s instinct took over and my mouth involuntarily opened for air. Water flooded my lungs. My chest burned like my organs were disintegrating. I panicked.
This is it. I’m dying!
I was suddenly so tired. The burning sensation dulled as my vision clouded. Everything grew quiet and still.

There comes a time when you finally stop running and choose to fight!
The thought subtly drifted through my mind, like a floating feather. It was something Everett had said the last time I saw him.

Fight,
I mused. I couldn’t get the word out of my head.
Fight. Fight? I need to fight!
Forcing my eyes open, I then knew what to do.

“Dio!” I mouthed, finding no breath in my lungs to scream. “Help me!”

I shot to the surface, choking for air. Rubbing water from my eyes, I frantically looked around, shocked it was that easy. The demons were gone and Dio’s warmth and peace flooded over me.

“Thank you!” I sobbed, relief taking over. Dio had saved my life! Even after I rebelled against him, he still cared. “Thank you for saving me,” I cried.

A knock came at one of my doors. Not bothering to dry off, I threw a towel around me before instinctually rushing to the adjoining door. Sure enough, there stood Mia. I threw my arms around her, bawling uncontrollably.

“Sophie! Are you okay? What happened?” she asked, startled.

“Demons… and the dreams… and… I’m so sorry,” I sputtered through sobs.

“You’re okay,” she said, wrapping her arms around me. She held me tightly as I cried into her hair, even though it meant soaking — most likely ruining — her pretty clothes. “You’re safe now, Sophie,” she repeated again and again. “Everything is going to be okay. You’re safe.”

Chapter 37

Making Amends

“Are you okay in there?” Mia called through her bathroom door.

“Yeah,” I answered. I was a mental wreck, but knew that wasn’t what she was referring to. “I’ll be out in a sec.”

Not wanting to be alone, I was Mia’s shadow for the night. Where she went, I went, which meant reluctantly joining her at a Minneapolis nightclub holding a “high school night” in celebration of the semester’s end.

After rehashing the incident with the demons, Mia soothed me for but a few minutes before snapping into action, shuffling me into her bathroom and telling me to shower while she “did the rest.” As much it scared me to be in a bathroom after what had happened, I was more fearful to emerge and learn what “the rest” was.

I’d gone to school dances before, but a nightclub seemed out of my league. I knew this to be true the moment I exited the bathroom to find Mia in a strapless floor-length gown that made her look part goddess, part beauty queen. Her hair fell in long, raven curls down her back, her face was exquisitely made up, and a mass of bracelets jingled on her dainty wrist.

She smiled largely upon seeing me, the usual mischief in her eyes. “I just got off the phone. All our friends will be there tonight.” She motioned for me to sit in front of a large, lighted vanity mirror.

“Besides you, I don’t think I have any friends after acting like such a freakazoid this past month,” I admitted.

“You’d be surprised.” She winked. “No peeking until I’m done.” She swiveled the stool I sat on, putting my back to the mirror.

Mia spent the next thirty minutes blow-drying my hair, throwing in hot rollers, doing my makeup, and applying bronzer to my face and décolletage. Then removing the hot rollers, she simultaneously sprayed clouds of shine spray and hair spray until I coughed.

“Voila!” she said, eying me approvingly. “Take a look.”

Turning to face the mirror, I didn’t see myself, but the supermodel staring back at me was stunning. Much like Mia, my hair flowed down my back in long, beautiful waves and my face was done up with dark, smoky eyes and nude, shimmery lips.

“Enough ogling, Beauty Queen. Time to get dressed,” Mia said, dragging me into her closet.

Oh. My. Goodness. Her closet! Twice the size of mine, it looked like a clothing store filled with gorgeous garments of every color and cut. I fingered the countless pieces of jewelry displayed on an island in the middle of the closet while Mia muttered to herself, pulling dresses and putting them back before holding two mini dresses out for me to see.

“Zac Posen or Gucci?” she asked exuberantly.

One dress had an ombre pattern of pink, purple, and blue. The other had a large floral print of purple, navy, and peach.

“Umm. You are aware it’s winter, right?” I asked, eyeing the short dresses.

Mia rolled her eyes. “Posen or Gucci?” she insisted.

“I don’t know. It’s ten degrees out and sleeting. What do you think?”

“Gucci! I’m wearing Gucci too. We’ll match!” she gushed, thrusting the dress at me. Her dress had a graphic print of teal, electric blue, and white. Catching me staring, she spun, the airy fabric flowing around her. “You like?”

I smiled. “You look pretty, Mia. Very Grecian goddess.”

“Thanks. Once I’m done, so will you. Oh, and shoes! What size do you wear?”

“Seven.”

“Perfect! Me too.” Her face lit up. “I’ll pull some shoes while you change.” She approached the back wall covered floor-to-ceiling with rows of shoes.

I stared at the dress. It was beautiful and silky. But did I dare?

“Stop overanalyzing and get dressed already!” Mia barked. “My friend Derek is driving us and we’re meeting him in ten minutes.”

After isolating myself for the past month, I already felt overstimulated and we hadn’t even left yet. I woke this morning a little desolate, a lot depressed, and totally alone. My head spun at how fast my circumstances had changed. Though not about to take this second chance for granted, I snapped into action, quickly slipping into Mia’s dress.

I’d never felt anything like it. The cool, silky fabric felt luxurious on my skin. I ran my hands over the tunic dress, catching my reflection in a gilded full-length mirror. The billowy sleeves and body of the dress draped beautifully on my frame, though it was a little short for my taste, making me thankful I’d just shaved my legs.

“Now, to accentuate your figure,” Mia said, tightening a matching sash around my hips. “We wouldn’t want you looking like a grandma in a tent dress for your big debut.”

“I don’t see the point of going through all this trouble. I doubt anyone will be looking at me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Mia sang, rummaging through a drawer. She held out a pair of nude boy short underwear. “Never wear a short dress without thorough coverage. Slip into these. I just bought and washed them yesterday. And hurry! We’re leaving soon.”

I unthinkingly obeyed and met her in the living room where she sat on the couch buckling a super tall teal wedge heel. The other heel sat proudly on her coffee table like a work of art next to an identical pair the color of cream.

“Mia, those shoes are at least five inches tall. I’m going to break my neck!”

“When did you become such a party pooper?”

“A month ago,” I answered without thinking.

She groaned. “Sophie, they’re wedges — a.k.a. the training wheel of heels. You’ll be fine.” She patted the couch. “Sit.”

Within minutes, she’d buckled my shoes, adorned me with necklaces and earrings, and tucked me into a fancy coat before pulling me outside to meet her friend.

Derek and Mia instantly dived into a long queue of class-time horror stories while I stared out the window from the back seat. Not knowing what to expect, I already felt myself shutting down. It was my defense mechanism and I feared there was no stopping it as my thoughts flitted over miserable memories from the past month.

No!
I caught myself.
Your way was an epic fail. You will be open to new experiences. You will do everything in your power to have fun.
My little pep talk continued the length of the trip until I was interrupted by Mia’s squeal.

“We’re here!”

Lights flashed up ahead and I could already hear music booming from the building’s front doors making me cringe at the thought of how loud it must be inside. I longed to be back in the solitude of my bedroom, but quickly banished the thought.

Mia turned to face me. “I can’t wait, Sophie. You’re going to have so much fun tonight.”

I mustered a half-hearted smile.

“I’ll drop you ladies off here,” Derek said, pulling up to the front of the club.

“Perfect. Thanks!” Mia said, gracefully exiting the car. I stumbled out and stood beside her, feeling every bit like a gawky newborn giraffe taking its first steps. “Wait! Leave your coat in the car,” Mia said, already pulling it off. The frigid wind gushed around us, sending a hard shiver through my body. “Come on, Gorgeous.” She slipped her arm through mine.

We approached a heavyset bouncer with a bald head and black goatee. He looked everything like I expected a bouncer should: hulking skyscraper height, bulging muscles, black leather jacket and probing sneer. He served his purpose. I was definitely intimidated.

“Hey, Evan! Long time no see,” Mia called, clearly unfazed by his daunting appearance. Leaning in, she whispered to me, “He’s with PORTAL.”

“Mia!” Evan exclaimed in a deep voice, the hard lines of his face melting into a toothy grin. “What a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen you in ages.”

Mia giggled and gave him a big hug, temporarily disappearing in his dark tree trunk arms. “How’s the family doing?” she asked.

“Never better! And yours? Your mom get any more work done lately?” He warmly smiled, his teeth stark white against his dark skin.

“You know her — ever the preservationist! Last I heard she was headed to Milan for a spa vacation. She raved about this lamb placenta facial she might try.”

Evan grimaced before nodding at me, asking, “Who’s the beautiful sidekick?”

“This is one of my best friends, Sophie Cohen. Sophie, Evan Cooper.”

“Sophie Cohen.” Evan nodded, openly showing recognition. “So nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” I said, shaking his huge hand.

“Well, you ladies have fun. The DJ tonight is all the way from London.”

“I can’t wait! It was good to see you, Evan,” Mia beamed, hugging him again.

“You too, sweetie. Pleasure meeting you, Sophie,” Evan said, opening one of the heavy front doors.

A spectrum of light and music filled my senses as we approached a lady at a podium. From her long blonde curls, sparkly dress, and shimmery cheeks and arms to the large, gossamer wings rising up behind her, she looked every bit like a fairy princess.

“There’s a fifty-dollar cover tonight for our ‘Have a Merry Fairy Christmas Extravaganza,’ ladies,” she said.

“No, Maureen. They’re with me,” Evan called. “But they’re underage, so be sure to stamp ‘em.”

“Okay.” Maureen smiled, stamping our hands. “Right this way.” She gestured to a stairway.

Making our way down the long set of stairs, what I saw next took my breath away. An enchanted fairytale forest, it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen.

The cathedral ceiling glittered with look-alike stars. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes hung from arching, willowy trees and flowering vines lining the walls, bathing club goers on tufted velvet couches in candlelight. A waterfall cascaded down a pearlescent rock wall into a pool visible through the glass dance floor in front of it. Flanking the waterfall were two bars that petite waitresses, dressed as fairies in sparkly, iridescent outfits, flitted to and from with drink orders.

I couldn’t help but smile as there was something tangible in the air — a magic that made anything seem possible here.

“I see our group!” Mia exclaimed. Shooting me a devilish grin, she pulled me down the stairs behind her.

“Careful, Mia! I’m not used to walking in heels,” I laughed, struggling to keep up with her experienced gait.

Making our way through crowds of gyrating people on the dance floor, we entered a little VIP nook suspended in front of the waterfall where many from Brightman already sat.

“Hi, guys,” Mia called. Many called back greetings. “Everyone say hi to Sophie.”

I was met with shocked looks as I moved from behind her. An array of haphazard hellos greeted me, but many whispered to each other. I timidly waved, shifting uncomfortably under the heat of their eyes, before meeting a familiar gaze that made my stomach flip. I couldn’t mistake those green eyes anywhere. Everett made his way towards us.

“Hi, Mia!” he said. Leaning in to lightly kiss her cheek, he paused at her ear. “This is your urgent emergency?”