Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (8 page)

Growing up, Mom often called me “a deep well.” It seemed the same with Sophie. She was multidimensional, having many layers that she hid from the world, showing me we had something in common.

I’d stay up at night wondering what type of person she’d fully reveal herself to. What sort of person would she trust enough to show that she wasn’t totally healed from the tragedy in her life, wasn’t all sunshine and butterflies like she expertly portrayed?

Every evening, Sophie would make dinner and set the table before Evyatar got home. Like in the mornings, they would talk and eat and laugh, later clearing the table for a game of cards or retiring to the TV room.

Watching this was bittersweet for me, reminding me of my family and how we were before we lost Benson. Memories would play in my head like long lost movies: laughing over inside jokes and stories at the dinner table, long card games with Benson where our competitive nature would take over, watching our favorite movies together in the large theater room Dad had concocted while reciting our favorite lines and laughing at all the same parts. It was little things like these that I missed, the little moments in time that had been stripped from me and my family.

Though, I found hope in seeing that Sophie and Evyatar enjoyed life despite the loss they’d endured, making me think,
Maybe we can be that way again. Maybe we can be some semblance of the family we used to be.
Though I knew things would never be the same again, I gained a newfound confidence that my family could be — no, would be — whole again.

We would one day laugh again, find joy again, and enjoy life again. The question was just a matter of when. How long would it take for us to heal? What would it take for us to finally get there?

The summer quickly passed, and my time with Sophie came to its dreaded end. I packed my things, flew back to Minnesota, and presented my final report to Agency Director Emmanuel Salvatore, known to me as Sal, and his board of twelve officials. Praised for the thoroughness of my research and my superior performance, they felt I was ready for more responsibility.

Death threats had been made on Sophie’s life, initially alerting us to her status as a target for Divaldo and resulting in my placement in Portland. Now, the threats were coming frequently, more sinister than before.

Divaldo’s operatives were closing in. Like so many times before, they had figured out where Sophie lived and were planning to assassinate her. In order to throw off the enemy, the decision was made to separate Sophie from Evyatar, relocating them to different places in an attempt to save both their lives. It was my job to inform Evyatar of our plans that very week.

I called him at his office and, using the guise of a student, told him I was transferring to his department from another school. He was excited to talk shop with me and scheduled lunch at a bistro near campus the very next day. I flew back to Portland and arrived at our appointment right on time.

A dedicated professor, Evyatar jumped right in, animatedly telling me about the fascinating Nuclear Physics program he oversaw. I eventually cut him off, regretting to tell him the bad news that was sure to shatter his world.

I revealed who I was and was surprised when he didn’t seem shocked. He then explained he and his wife had once worked for the agency, and that he’d been in cahoots with Sal to stay a step ahead of Divaldo, explaining why he and Sophie had moved every few years or so. Horrified to find his daughter in such danger now, he agreed to the proposed plan with great sadness. He thanked me profusely and, promising that he’d immediately call Sal to discuss travel plans, we went our separate ways.

Upon arriving home that night, I got a call from Sal. Per his instruction, we met the next day and he offered me the job of Sophie’s protector at Brightman Academy. He disclosed that he’d known of her predicament for some time now and had placed Benson and me undercover at Brightman two years ago with the intent of eventually charging Sophie to our care. He briefed me on a prophecy Sophie’s mom had made about her and the possible powers she’d receive upon being awakened, finally illuminating me to the full reason Divaldo hated her so. According to him, Sophie was the only saving grace the agency had left and the assignment was a great honor.

Discouraged by how hard it would be not to come into contact with Sophie while attending the same school, I told him I’d need time to think about it. What Sal told me then came as a shock: interaction was allowed. I would be given liberty to operate the mission how I saw fit, allowing me to befriend Sophie if I wished.

The mere thought of it made me sick. First off, I was clearly infatuated with the girl and genuinely cared for her. What if she didn’t like me? Would I care? Would I be hurt? Would I be able to handle it? Either way, it would undeniably affect the mission.

Secondly, it seemed wrong to befriend Sophie after learning so much about her. Was it dishonest? What if I slipped and said something tipping her off to the fact that I knew more than I should? For any other mission, I wouldn’t bat an eye at the instruction, but I couldn’t do it now — not with her. She was too special. I refused to deceive her.

Thirdly, what if she recognized me? I had gotten too close that day in her father’s class, and she’d possibly seen me at the grocery store or an ill-fated stoplight. Then again, being too lazy to partake in grooming rituals, I had sported shaggy hair and a beard over the summer. In fact, my mom probably wouldn’t have recognized me, and I’d since cut my hair and shaved.

I still hadn’t given Sal a straightforward answer when I got the call from Dr. Smitherson. Begrudgingly agreeing to help him, I waited for Sophie’s arrival and was utterly shocked to spot her in my mom’s car of all places.

I was greatly irritated by other’s failure to stick to the plan. I was told Sophie would arrive in a taxicab. How was I supposed to keep Sophie safe if no one else followed the rules? But at first sight of her, my anger dissipated, leaving one thought remaining:
She’s so beautiful.

I saw Sophie’s dumbstruck face through a small patch of frost worn away on Mom’s car window — all flushed cheeks, big, dark eyes, and gaping mouth. Sound ceased to exist as I came to a mental standstill.

Over the past three months, I’d found the light at the end of the tunnel. Sophie was that light — that brightness in the midst of the darkness of my grief, depression and doubt — unintentionally and unknowingly pulling me from the pit of despair. It was my mission to protect Sophie from harm, but so far, it only seemed like she had been saving me — yet another glaring reason not to accept the mission to protect her at Brightman. But in that moment, seeing her look so helpless — like a scared little girl who needed a guardian to defend her and show her the way — helped me to see that she needed me just as I needed her.

It was then that I accepted the mission and that being assigned to her was no mistake. It was meant to be. Dio must have known it was exactly what I needed, but did he know she’d end up meaning so much to me? Did he foresee how I would grow to deeply like her, maybe even love her? He must have, for I’d been taught that there were no coincidences where Dio was concerned.

I’d been so distracted deciding whether to accept the mission or not that I didn’t put any thought into how to conduct myself upon accepting it, forcing me to decide on the fly. Confused and disarmed, I put the charm on too thick and overcorrected by shutting down before experiencing a near meltdown while escorting Sophie through the crowds of students at Brightman’s headquarters. For the grand finale of my royal freak show, I repeatedly snapped at her, which she understandably took to heart, giving me a tongue lashing all her own.

While I did my best to make amends later, I feared the damage done was irreparable. I’d panicked, lost control, and made a complete fool of myself. I could only imagine how relieved Sophie was to be rid of me after I left her dorm tonight.

But thankfully, the upside of choosing to protect her meant that now, there would always be a tomorrow with her. I’d redeem myself then.

Chapter 10

Dark Glory

A pounding noise pulled me from my sleep. My eyes shot open, blinded by the sun pouring into the windows flanking my bed. Looking around, it took me a moment to comprehend that I was in my new room at Brightman. And then a recollection:
Didn’t I close the curtains before going to bed last night? Strange that they're open now.

The noise came again. Someone was at the front door. I groggily got up and pulled my robe on. Running to the door, I threw it open to find Hagen in all his glory.

“Hi, Sophie.” He flashed his perfect smile.

“Hi!” I was surprised to see him. “It’s early. What are you doing here?”

“I came to get my jacket,” he replied, his dazzling blue eyes sparkling in a way that made coherent thought a challenge.

“Oh! Wait here. I’ll go get it.”

Entering my room, I noticed the weather had abruptly changed. I could have sworn it was just sunny out, but now the sky was dark. Rain pounded the window with a nerve racking clatter and an ominous current of lightning lit the air, its loud crack making me jump.

I continued to my closet. Grabbing the jacket, I quickly turned, running into something hard. Stunned, I looked up into Hagen’s face.

“So I lied,” he said with a smirk. “I didn’t come for the jacket.” The way he looked at me did funny things to my stomach, yet I didn’t know if I liked it. Was it attractive or just plain creepy?

“Then what did you come for?” I asked.

“This,” he said, pulling me close and bending down to kiss me.

“No, don’t!” I pushed away, backing into my closet. I’d never kissed a boy and, regardless of the fact that Hagen amazingly handsome, I wasn’t about to waste my first kiss on someone I hardly knew.

“Come on. I won’t bite,” Hagen laughed, walking me into a corner. “Well… maybe a little.”

“Please stop. You’re scaring me.” Hagen reached out for me. “No!” I said, my back bumping against the wall.

His demeanor changed as anger spread across his face. He sneered at me, his beautiful eyes suddenly glowing a terrifying blood red. “No?” he yelled. “Nobody tells me ‘no.’ Especially not you.” He lunged at me. I jumped out of the way, but not quickly enough, his hand grabbing a fistful of my hair. “Look into my eyes.” He tugged, yanking my head back hard.

“No! Hagen, stop. Please!”

I hesitantly met his gaze, scared of what I’d find there. My eyes locked in on his. I couldn’t look away. I marveled as an odd warmth coursed through me, a feeling that everything was alright though things were horribly wrong. The warmth was sickening yet mesmerizing, making me want to run yet stay.

Hagen lowered his head and kissed me hard. It wasn’t pleasant as I’d always assumed my first kiss would be. He was hurting me, grinding the delicate flesh of my lips into my teeth.

I cried, the acrid taste of blood in my mouth. As he held his lips to mine, a yellow light shined brightly from within my stomach. It glimmered, slowly moving up my body and from my mouth to his. I felt depleted of all strength as Hagen unleashed me with a victorious smile.

“Now you’re stuck with me — forever,” he growled. “I own you.”

“Own me?” I was confused and incredulous, finding it wearisome to stand.

“Come into your bedroom. We must finish the transaction.”

I blinked, my exhaustion increasing by the moment.

“Don’t make me force you. Trust me. I’ll do it if I have to.”

I shuddered at the realization of what he meant. What was I to do? I was trapped. Helpless. Why had I let this monster into my dorm?

“Hagen, no. Please, no,” I begged, tears streaming again.

“Fine. Have it your way,” he shrugged.

He again looked into my eyes causing my legs to involuntarily move. “What’s happening?” I cried, unable to fight the current pulling me to him. “Stop! Please stop!”

“Don’t fight it,” he purred. “It will be far more pleasurable if you give in.”

“No!”

“Stop it,” he yelled with a look of alarm.

“No!” I shouted again, realizing my resistance gave me strength.

Hagen then lunged at me. Before I could compute what was happening, my body was propelling towards a wall. I winced in anticipation of the pain I was about to feel when…

Chapter 11

Mixed Signals

I came to with a gasp. I felt my face and body. No pain. No blood. And thankfully, no Hagen. I sighed with relief. “It was just a bad dream, Sophie,” I told myself aloud, hoping the sound of my voice would pull me further into reality. I jumped then as a knock came at the front door. It took me a moment to realize I wasn’t imagining it.

“Coming!” I yelled, shrugging into my robe.

I raced to the door, but then stopped remembering my dream. I cautiously looked through the peep hole bracing to see Hagen there. Seeing no one, I flung the door open and stuck my head out. I peered down each side of the hall. It was silent. Empty.

You’re losing it,
I thought, closing the door.
Surely Hagen wouldn’t force himself on a girl or throw her through a wall when she refused him. It was just a dream.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

It came from the door opposite the living room — the one Dr. Smitherson said connected to the dorm next door. I eyed the door’s deadbolt warily. I went to unlock it, but hesitated. What if I didn’t like the girl on the other side? What if she didn’t like me? If I opened the door now, there was no turning back.

Flashbacks of my dream again raced through my mind. Irritated, I opened the door out of pure defiance.

“Ahhh!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

“Ahhh!” The green, slimy creature opposite me screamed back, taking on the same defensive pose I realized I held.

We both froze in horror, studying the other for a moment before simultaneously breaking into giggles.

“You about gave me a heart attack,” the girl laughed, clutching her chest.

“Sorry, but… your face.” I pointed.