Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (37 page)

“Close the door!” The intensity of Benson’s scream shook me from my shock.

“What?” I was incredulous.

My usually lightning-fast brain couldn’t grasp what was happening, the drowsiness still heavy on me. Understanding his plan before I could, the men carrying Benson ran towards the door.

“Close the portal, Everett. Do it now!” he yelled. “Hurry!”

“No… but...what about—”

So many thoughts rushed through my head that I couldn’t get the words out right. The men would get to the door before I could close it, trapping Benson with the horrible creatures there.

“Everett! Don’t think. Just do it. I’ve already caused enough damage. Please! It has to be this way. Do it now.”

My heart fell. Benson knew what he asked meant his demise. Everything was happening too quickly. Benson was getting farther away and the swarm of creatures was all-out running now.

“Rett, close it now!” Benson screamed, immediacy in his voice. I sprinted to the heavy steel door’s ancient pulley system. Pulling, it groaned to a start, the portal door slowly closing. “Faster! Do it faster.”

Benson seemed to have regained some energy and struggled now, falling limply to the ground with a hard slap. But the men didn’t desist. One ran towards the portal door, pushing against it to keep it open, as the other two grabbed Benson’s legs and dragged him. Benson screamed and clawed, leaving a bloody trail in his wake.

I cranked as hard and fast as I could — muscles burning, head aching like it was cracked wide open. The tainted air stung my lungs with every labored breath, forcing tears from my eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Rett. Forgive me. I’m sorry,” Benson cried, clearly penitent and terrified as the men pulled him over the threshold.

With supernatural strength, they gave his legs a hard yank, hurtling his body away from the entrance and into a wall. He screamed as he made contact with the bone-and-brick wall before falling to the floor. My stomach twisted in anguish at his moans of pain.

I then watched in awe as, one by one, grotesque creatures, same as the one’s running down the tunnel, emerged from the men’s bodies. They had been inside of the men, possessing them. The muscular men crumpled into sniveling heaps, totally devoid and unaware of the stature and great strength they possessed. The creatures hissed and bared their teeth at the men causing them to whimper like frightened children.

Will Benson end up like those men? Is his fate to forget his identity, his calling, his strength?

But there was nothing I could do. I was furious that I was forced to leave Benson and tried to think of another option, but I was severely outnumbered and there simply wasn’t enough time.

I cursed myself for not reporting Benson to headquarters earlier. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and the chance to make the right choice, but in the process, had only enabled him to do the wrong thing, putting himself — and our world — in danger. This was my fault as much as his.

The sight before me mixed with my troubled thoughts and ailing muscles caused me to slow, and I caught wind of Benson’s voice one last time. “Faster, Everett. They’re coming.”

“Shut up!” one of the creatures bellowed, jumping on him.

Benson gave a tormented screamed, struggling to free himself of the monster.
What is it doing to him?
But I couldn’t think about such things now. I willed myself to shut the door.

I gritted my teeth and worked harder, pulling and pushing the pulley system faster now. The mob of oncoming creatures realized what was happening and quickened their pace, driving my resolve. I gave it my all.

Take care of yourself.

Benson’s words from earlier in the day now made total sense. He was saying goodbye. He’d betrayed me — poisoned me — all part of his plan to open the portal door. I struggled to keep going as my sorrow grew. Drops of liquid ran down my face, and I couldn’t tell if I was sweating or crying.

“Take care, Benson. I’ll find you,” I yelled.

The portal door shut with a monstrous slam before the click, click, clicking of the many mechanical locks within the door secured into place. Deafening silence filled the room, the only audible sound being my gasps for air as the toxic stench of the tunnel dissipated. All was as it had been before I’d blacked out. Quiet. Peaceful.

Except Benson is no longer with me. Gone! He is gone.
I slumped to the floor, depleted. Weeping.

“I’ll find you, Benson. I swear it. I’ll find you.”

I stated it out loud. It was my oath. I would find him if it was the last thing I did.

Growing increasingly light headed, I grabbed my cell phone from my pocket and texted Sal, “9-1-1.”

Hope flitted through me as “Message Sent” flashed across the screen before darkness again encumbered me, and everything went black.

Chapter 43

Home

I watched the sun slowly break over the horizon. Against the stark white of the snowy fields, it was a magical sight — the whitewashed fields a perfect canvas for the sunrise’s bright, beautiful colors. The citrus skyline of yellows, oranges, and pinks slowly spilled into the room in a tie-dye of colors, giving me a much-needed shot of optimism after the unsettling dream I’d just had.

For the first time since arriving at Brightman, I’d had a dream that didn’t revolve around me. It instead centered on Everett and Benson. I marveled at how my brain made up features for Benson although I had never seen him, and how the very story Everett had told me before I fell asleep played out so vividly, as if I was there.

I smiled to myself recalling the night. I knew it would be an evening to remember the moment I stepped into the nightclub with Mia, but never did I imagine this. Everett saving me from Hagen, whisking me away to a magical, old train station, then proceeding to admit his feelings and the story of Benson. It was the stuff of fairy tales — unbelievable and undeniably romantic.

I silently sat up and peeked at Everett, admiring him in peaceful slumber on the couch opposite me. He was beautiful. I knew it wasn’t the most masculine way to describe him, but there was no better way. With dark, tousled hair, tan skin and chiseled features, yes, he was beautiful, indeed!

I wondered how he rested so tranquilly, how he slept at all after what he’d been through and witnessed. Though, I definitely preferred the pacified expression he wore now versus the heartbreak that colored his face while recounting the dark night of Benson’s kidnapping.

The story was more awful than anything I could have imagined, though Everett’s face was more telling than his words: bewilderment upon discovering his twin brother — his best friend — had drugged him, horror as he described helplessly watching Benson’s brutal beating, and remorse at finding he had no choice but to leave the person he loved most behind — with a hoard of demons, no less.

Everett then spoke of his regrets: that he should have reported Benson before it was too late, that he shouldn’t have drank the poisoned coffee, that maybe he could have saved Benson if only he’d tried a little harder.

He admitted he often played that night over in his head, reliving the nightmare again and again in an attempt to figure out a different ending. But what was done was done, and he’d done everything he could. I assured him of that much.

What a terrible decision to have to make. What would I have done in his situation? Say Dad had made a horrible decision with even more horrible consequences. Could I sacrifice him for the greater good, for strangers I would never meet?

How brave and honorable of Benson to sacrifice himself and of Everett to respect his brother’s wishes and help him right his wrong. I was proud of them. They were heroes.

“This was your doing wasn’t it?” I whispered to Dio as the thought dawned on me. How else could I explain my quick turnabout — all that had worked itself out in only one night?

Emotion flooded me as I reflected on my sudden change. How had I gone from a depressed, hopeless mess who was entertaining the idea of taking her life to this fulfilled, hopeful girl? Relinquishing control to Dio, I suddenly found all the puzzle pieces falling into place and all of Divaldo’s bankrupt lies falling to the wayside.

I’d thought I was alone, and Dio revealed how many people loved me. I was convinced my relationship with Everett was forever ruined, yet now we were dating. I’d accepted that Everett would never open up to me, only to find him whisking me away to this sacred place and spilling his heart and soul.

There was only one possible explanation: Dio! He had orchestrated it all.

“Thank you,” I whispered, gratitude washing over me like the sunrise about me. I sighed, surrendering to its warm embrace, savoring the feeling that everything was going to be okay.

Now, for the first time in a long time, I anticipated the future. The world was suddenly a place where dreaming and reaching my potential were possibilities. And while the road ahead might be perilous, I trusted Dio to fulfill me and care for my every need and had peace that everything would work out as long as I walked in the power he gave me.

Hope. What a beautiful thing.

Sitting up and stretching, I saw that Everett was awake. Or was he? His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Everett? Are you awake?” I whispered. It seemed like a stupid question, but considering all I’d recently learned about PORTAL and Everett’s true identity, a secret agent trained to sleep with his eyes open wasn’t so far-fetched.

“Yeah,” he answered, his voice wavering just so.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just had a bad dream about Benson.”

I gaped one moment and was by Everett’s side the next. “I can’t believe it!” I breathed, realizing the miracle that had occurred. Everett groggily frowned at me. “Did you dream about the last time you saw Benson? At the portal door?”

He sat up. “Yeah. Maybe it’s because I talked about it last night, but I dreamed about what happened the night he was taken. It was crazy. It all felt so real. It was like—” He stared out the window into the distance. “It was like I was really there on that very same night. I lived it, moment by moment, all over again.”

“Me too,” I said, hardly able to stand it.

“What?”

“I dream shared with you!” I laughed, so happy I could cry. “But this time, instead of you looking in on my dream, I was in yours.”

“Fascinating!” Everett whispered, a smile on his lips. “I wonder what changed to allow you to see into my dreams, or what it is that allows me to see into yours.”

“I don’t know, but it’s exactly as you said. I saw and felt it all. Benson, the portal, the men in suits, the demons.” I sobered recalling the image of Benson’s bloodied body being dragged away. Snuggling next to Everett, I wrapped my arms around him. “I’m so sorry. Hearing about it was terrifying enough, but actually seeing it… ”

“Thanks,” he said, hugging me back. “After enduring such scrutiny over what happened, it’s nice to know someone truly believes me.”

“Thanks for trusting me enough to share what happened with me. I was told you witnessed what happened to Benson, but I never imagined it being so gruesome. It’s a miracle you came back from it as quickly as you did.”

“It was a really dark time,” Everett agreed, studying the sunrise a while before adding, “Dio helped me a lot, and so did you.”

“Me?” I looked at him. “How?”

“Seeing you in Portland illuminated my world. I had never experienced depression — darkness — quite like what I felt after losing Benson. I was drowning in it. I couldn’t shake it.” Everett then smiled. “But then I accepted a mission in Portland, Oregon, and met a miracle named Sophie.”

“A miracle, huh?” I could hardly breathe.

He broke his gaze from the skyline to face me. “Suddenly the world had color again, and I had joy again. You helped me realize there’s life after tragedy, and while it might not be the same, it can be just as good.”

I smiled. “So this is just as good?”

Leaning in, Everett put his forehead to mine before whispering, “Maybe better.”

Then his lips were on mine, soft and sweet. I closed my eyes and let him kiss me.

“Okay. Definitely better,” he whispered against my lips.

I laughed and we kissed again, this time a little longer, more passionately. I surrendered to the moment, allowing myself to be fully present, entirely experiencing the gentle warmth of his mouth on mine and the soothing sensation spreading through my body, like warm honey coating every last insecurity, every last care.

Pulling me closer, Everett tenderly kissed my forehead before looking me in the eyes. “I love you, Sophie.”

The words sounded normal, like I’d heard Everett say them to me a thousand times, like I’d known them all this time. “I love you,” I replied, surprised it was as easy to say as it was to hear.

Sighing, Everett rested his cheek on my head. I relaxed into him, relishing the comfort of his strong arms around me. There was a death threat on my head and my world was turned upside down, but in Everett’s arms, somehow none of it mattered. Nothing could touch me. I was safe here, havened away in a stronghold for just us two.

Again, I thanked Dio, for after feeling lost and misplaced for so long, I had finally found the place where I belonged.

I was home.

Chapter 44

The Alphas

“Haven’t you heard of a cell phone?” Mia shrieked, hands on hips. “Where. Have. You. Two. Been?” Her angry expression quickly changed to one of relief as she grabbed Everett and me in a tight embrace. “I was worried sick.”

“We’re fine,” Everett laughed.

Then Mia grimaced, looking us over. “What are you wearing?”

Everett and I were quite the pair, I still clad in his navy blue sweat suit with puddles of fabric around my bare feet and he in grey sweats, accented by his expensive dress shoes — not that anyone besides Mia would notice his mismatched attire for the distraction of his handsome face and disheveled bedhead.

“I took Sophie to the old train station last night,” Everett explained. “It was the only comfortable clothing I had there.”