The Solar Flare (35 page)

     Ava cou
ldn’t hear Lizeth from the beach, shouting for Ava to forget about the board and to come to shore. The sky darkened and more waves came, sending her further away from the beach. Ava started to realize that she was in trouble and gave up on the board and put her energy towards getting back to the shore. She swam as hard and fast as she could, but it was hard to keep her head above the water. She gasped for breath, moving her arms, and kicking her legs the way that she was taught, but she was caught in a current that was dragging her away from the beach. She tried to call to Lizeth, but she couldn’t even see her anymore.

     Lizeth recognized th
at Ava was in trouble immediately and raced towards the dock and James’ boat, sending a message on her PCD to her family that she was in danger. She reached the boat and powered it up, her energy expanding all around her, giving her an ability to sense where Ava was. She only hoped she would not be too late.

     Ava continued to swim and tried to keep her head above the water. She wasn’t making any progress towards getting to the shore. She sucked in breaths as best she could between the waves, but she was tiring. Despite her best efforts, water seemed to make it into her lungs ca
using her to cough relentlessly. Her arms and legs felt like they weighed a ton and weren’t moving as effectively as they had been. Lizeth had been right, this was a bad idea, and now I’m going to pay for it Ava thought fleetingly. She was overcome by a sinking feeling that this was it. She was free. She would no longer have to choose between her feelings for James and for Wesley because this was the end. She had been foolish and careless and this was the price. She continued to try and swim, but it seemed like everything was slowing down, even her thoughts seemed to slow down.

    
Bright spots appeared in her vision and her eyes grew heavy. Her lungs burned from saltwater and ached from coughing. Somewhere in the distance she heard a boat engine, but she knew her time was up. The next wave pushed her hard under and she could not find the energy to fight back. Her body went limp and started to sink.

     James
received the message and raced down the beach faster than he even thought was possible, with Melanie and Lucas in pursuit. He could feel Ava; he could sense her surrender to the ocean. As he ran he released his energy in full force and lifted his arms. He couldn’t see her, but he could sense her. The energy found her and wrapped around her. He lifted her out of the water and she soared through the air, closing the gap between the sea and the shore in seconds. He caught her and laid her on the beach, checking her pulse and for breathing. He quickly ascertained that she had a weak pulse but was not breathing. Lucas arrived first and took over. He tilted her head back and gave her a breath; Melanie arrived and monitored her pulse.

     “Blayke is
notifying the paramedics,” she announced calmly.

     “Why isn’t she breathing!” James exclaimed, unable to conceal the fear in his voice. He was practically shaking, grasping one of Ava’s hands as if he was holding on for dear life.
The others ignored him, continuing to issue rescue breaths. His energy surged all around them like a nuclear explosion had gone off, penetrating everyone and everything around them and beyond. The Asterions flinched around him. He had never been so afraid for anything in his entire existence.

     “Come on Ava, please! You can’t die, you’re too young to die!” James voice waivered as he continued to try and hold himself together.

∞

     The Captain and crew of the Principia decided that their search should continue towards the east. They had been travelling through space peacefully while remaining on the alert for anything. Since they were now in an unknown galaxy, no one knew for sure what could happen. Ash once again came to relieve Wesley from the overnight shift.

     “Anything interesting?” He asked in passing.

     “Nothing other than a few meteor showers, but that’s about it.” Wesley replied.

     “Get some rest, maybe we’ll see something today,” Ash said thoughtfully.

     Wesley, who was already at the doorframe stopped, took a deep breath and abruptly leaned with both hands on the door frame, closing his eyes.

     “What is it?” Ash
asked, alarmed, getting up out of the chair.

     “What’s going on?” Andre asked, coming from the other side of the doorway that Wesley was blocking with his stance. E
veryone had their eyes on him.

     “I feel something
,” Wesley said slowly.

     “Something? . . . Is it Ava, Wesley?” Naomi asked.

     “No . . . it’s him. I can
feel
him.” He paused for a few moments with his eyes closed. Suddenly he opened them. “Turn the ship around! Turn around now, we need to head west!” Wesley commanded sharply. Ash ran to the controls and did as he was told.

     “What are you feeling?” Naomi asked eagerly, hoping she may also be able to tap into her ability to feel others and assist with the search.

     “Fear . . . he’s afraid of something,” Wesley said softly.

     “What would Xavier have to fear?”

     “I don’t know . . . unless . . . unless something has happened to Ava,” he said breathing heavy with his voice wavering.          

∞

     Lizeth beached James’ boat and raced to the scene. “Are the paramedics on the way?” She asked as she too came to crouch at Ava’s side. The others were so focused on Ava that they ignored her. “James, I’m so sorry! We were just doing some boarding and we were about to come in,” Lizeth’s voice broke as she began to cry. James glared at her for a split second before turning back to Ava.

     “There’s too much water in her lungs, we need to try and get it out,” Melanie instructed. “James,
she needs you, . . . you can do this.”

     James looked up at Melanie and then down at Ava and placed his hands
over the center of her chest. He closed his eyes and focused. As he took a deep breath he used his ability to compress Ava’s lungs. Water instantly came pouring out of her mouth from the force on her lungs and she reflexively started coughing. He released her and they all moved together to turn her on her side as she continued to cough and pant violently, trying to get enough air.

     Ava drew her knees up and continued to cough, but also started crying. She grasped James knees, clinging to him and placed her head upon his lap. He wrapped an arm around her and stroked her
head and back with the other, trying to soothe her anxiety. Other than being really shaken up she seemed to be all right. She barely had the energy to open her eyes, and she started to shiver as the sun had retreated behind the clouds.

     “We need to get her to a hospital,” Melanie said.

     “The paramedics are here,” Blayke’s voice announced through Lucas’ PCD. They could see them distantly down the beach at the house, hurrying towards them.

     James
carefully picked her up and rushed her towards them, then went on with them in the ambulance to the hospital. His family followed behind. At the hospital James had a hard time being separated from Ava while the doctors ran all kinds of tests and took some images of her lungs. It was certain that if James had not intervened she would have drowned. It was sheer luck that he had been close on his way home when the incident occurred. Much to everyone’s relief, there was no permanent damage done. The doctors mentioned that otherwise, Ava was in excellent physical shape. After an overnight observation and some intravenous fluids, Ava was free to go home the next morning.

Chapter 26
:  Party Time

     Ava walked slowly up the stairs back at the house. Melanie was on one side holding one arm and James on the other. She was determined not to be carried, even though she was entirely sapped of energy. The mild exertion left her breathing heavily, however she was motivated by wanting a hot bath. Even though the nursing staff helped clean her up at the hospital, she still had sand in places she didn’t even think was possible. Once inside the bathroom, she didn’t object to Melanie staying to make sure she was okay while she bathed.

     Afterwards, she put on the pajamas t
he Melanie had laid out for her. She sat at the vanity and allowed Melanie to comb out and dry her hair for her, like she was a child. She was so numb and in shock from what happened she just stared at the floor. Physically Ava was okay, mentally, she was a mess. In her mind she kept repeating to herself that she had nearly died . . . again. Near drowning was definitely more scary than the virus, she thought. James had saved her life and now she felt guilty for treating him so poorly over the last few weeks. She vowed this would change. He was no threat to her, he had not harmed her. She knew he never would. All she could feel was his constant love, just like Wesley, and she could sense him waiting for her in the bedroom. He was worried about her even now.

     Once her hair was dry, Ava stood up and emerged into the bedroom. James was standing near the windows, looking out at the overcast day. He immediately came to her, emb
racing her.

     “How do you feel . . . do you need anything? Are you hungry?” His eyes searched hers while his hands caressed her shoulders and back.

     “I just want to sleep, if that’s all right,” Ava responded softly. He nodded and guided her over to the bed and helped pull the covers over her as she settled. He kissed her forehead and started to pull away when she stopped him. “James?”

     “Yes?”

     “Please don’t be angry with Lizeth . . . this wasn’t her fault. It was mine. I’m the one that disobeyed her orders to stay on the beach.”

     “You should have never been out there in the first place with the weather like that. Lizeth knows better,” he said sternly.

     Ava grabbed his hand, feeling the electricity connect between them. “Please . . . Please don’t blame her.”

     He sighed and nodded in defeat. “Get some rest now, I won’t be far if you need me.” He kissed the back of her hand and everyone clear
ed the room after Melanie pulled the curtains, smiling warmly at Ava as she closed the door behind her.

     Ava slept the day away before awakening again. She eased up out of the bed and sat on the edge to steady herself. There was a small desk lamp illuminated on the other side of the room and a glass of water on the bedside table. She took a long drink before getting up. After a quick trip to the bathroom she left her room. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was eight thirty at night.
Even though she was still exhausted she wandered over towards the other hallway, looking for James. Seeing no one, she wondered where everyone was.

     She noticed
that James’ door was cracked and the lights were on inside. She pushed the door open and stepped inside his room. She had almost no time to take in the elegantly decorated surroundings before he came rushing out of the bathroom with his hair wet, wearing only his cross and a pair of dark linen pants; holding a towel. Ava couldn’t help but notice how sexy he looked coming out of the shower. It took him almost no time to reach her.

     “A
re you okay?” He asked, his voice full of concern, tossing the towel on the bed.

     “Yes, I’m fine . . . I’m sorry
, I didn’t mean to intrude, I was just wondering where you were,” she stated simply, reaching for his hand, which he seemed happy to give her.

     “There is no intrusion Ava,” he smiled contentedly at her.

     “James, there is something I want to say to you.” She hesitated and when he did not interrupt she continued. “Thank you for saving my life . . . words cannot express the gratitude that I feel.”

     “I would have done anyth
ing to save you, no matter what,” he said sincerely.

     “I know that. I also want to
apologize to you. I’ve treated you so terribly since the concert and I’m sorry.”

     “You don’t need to apologize for that Ava, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have pushed you . . .”

      “But you didn’t! I . . . wanted to kiss you. It’s just that you feel like him and I’m having trouble separating my emotions.” She brought her other hand up to her face, feeling ashamed of her admission.

    
He nodded in sympathy, sensing the struggle within her, noticing how exhausted she was, both mentally and physically. “Ava, you’re so tired. Please . . . let me help you.”

     “Help me how?”
She looked at him with uncertainty.

     “Come here,” he whispered, gently pulling her to him. She had no time to react as he
softly placed a hand upon her chest and felt the powerful sensation of his energy flowing into her. She held her breath as the heat enveloped her as she absorbed some of his life source. This was so different from feeling his energy expand around him, this time it was channeled directly into her. It lasted a few brief seconds before he removed his hand from her chest and she leaned against his naked chest, wrapping her arms around him, hyperventilating slightly.