My Sister, The Chosen One

Red Hot Chili Peppers- Scar Tissue Sasha: The only sound echoing in the darkroom we've been trapped in for who knows how long, is my panting. The images of the loop are playing in my head repeatedly and I don't know how to cope with them. My body functions are returning, the numbing feeling of the spell is wearing off and I have to think of a way to help the others. There is no way in hell I am going to let them die. It is a miracle that I even made it out of that thing. I sat up feeling sore. I reached for a medical pack in my bag to get some water and an energy boost. As soon as I was able to move, I went over to Rey. "Come on, baby. You're okay. You're okay," I whispered as I began to prepare a medical pack for him. If Rey dies, Aldrich is King-less. My best friend will be gone and life will be so much darker without him in it. I have to tell him that. I need him to open his eyes so that I can tell him how much he means to me. I looked over at our backup who is laying on the other side of the room. If anything happens to Elias, my sister is going to eat me alive. She's been in love with this i***t since he moved in across the hall and has never looked at another fairy the way she has at him. Not even when he's been with other girls. "Okay, Sasha. Calm down. We've got this," I shook my head, trying to get my head in order. I don't know the protocol for loop spells. No one has ever broken out of one before. Not once and I'm going to have to do it two more times. I went over to Elias and pulled him over to Rey. I sat them both up and began to set up an I.V. for all of us. Once they were ready, I stood up and began to draw protection wards all over the area. I doubt anyone will come down here, but I need to make sure we live. I can't call for help, we're too far from Aldrich and too deep in enemy territory. We have a saying in the Aldrich Guardian's court. Deadmen tell no tales. Which roughly translates to if you get caught, sorry. You're on your own. We can't risk official political affairs to save one team, even if this team is the Realm of Aldrich's Royal trio putting in the work and experience for the fate of our realm. I've only done this spell a handful of times. It's a working theory my sister has pinned to the unsolved cases board back home. The theory is that if we can get to the victim under the spell in time without being possessed by it first, dream-jumping into the person's mind to help them break out of it should work. However, it's never been tested. No one has ever been able to break away from the spell's effect. The spell around us is officially broken because I woke up but they're still under it and I can't move two bodies at the same time. I have to do it here. Breeze has been working to help Aldrich advance any and all military defenses. She's done weapons, spells, wands, crystals, and not once has she failed us. Her gadgets work out on the field. I testify to them every single time she brings me home. She has a gift I could never have predicted. My parents knew that the moment she was born. They asked me to protect her and I swore I would. I can't do that if we die here. She can't lose us. Not me, not Rey, and sure as hell not Elias. We're all she's got left. When she was little, she had nightmares. That's not right, she would dream about things that happened when she was just an infant. I tried to convince her that they were just nightmares but we both always knew I was lying. So, I learned a trick to silence the nightmares. A trick I got from the former Guardian of the Realm. It was his negotiation technique. Dream- jumping. I would go into her memories and I would change the outcome, becoming the hero of her night terrors. After a few times, she stopped having nightmares and we both got some well-deserved sleep. I've never told her that but something tells me that if we do make it back, it won't be long before she knows all the things I've done to ensure her safety. I'm okay with her knowing I sucked at being a teen mom after my parents disappeared. As long as she's fine. I am. The first thing I need is a talisman. Something that will tell me that I'm back. That this isn't a dream. I didn't find anything lying around, so I grabbed a piece of chalk and wrote her name on the wall in front of me. I wouldn't be able to do that in the loop. It was like being stuck in a scene and I had to let things play out. My actions weren't my own for some time and I was well aware of it towards the end. I don't know how long we've been there. But I feel comfort in the ache in my chest. The fear rushing through my body. My ability to make a decision and instantly start rationalizing it. I couldn't do that there. "Okay, Rey. You're the strongest of us three. Waking you up first is our priority. I need you to keep me and Elias alive long enough for us to get the hell out of here," I sat down next to him. I took his hand in mine and let out a shaky breath. "Okay, Breeze, my little Blueberry. I know you're right. You're always right. There isn't a fairy of any kind in the Fae World that can match your level of intellect. We're going to be fine." I plugged the I.V. into my arm and sat back as I began to whisper the spell without taking my eyes off of the name on the wall. The chances of this working are fifty-fifty. I've done a lot more with a lot less. Breeze is waiting for me. She's probably been worried sick about all of us. I can do this. We can do this. I believe in that. Whatever I find, I'll be fine. I always am. I shut my eyes and slowly began to fall into Rey's mind. I can hear his voice. His laughter. This will work. It has to. - Breeze: It's been three weeks and three and a half days since anyone has heard from them. It's hell having to live like this. Knowing that the only family I have left is out there risking their lives and for what? I don't even know what it is they're fighting for anymore. Every time they step off Aldrich, it's for something ridiculous. The Elders sent them out to locate the flame crystal that was stolen from the fire fairies. What the hell do the fire fairies have to do with us? They're in a completely different realm. Air fairies have no business meddling in fire fairy affairs. "Lady Airstorm?" "What?" I bit out frustratedly when some i***t approached me, interrupting my thoughts. "I'm sorry. Is this a bad time?" he asked. I put my tablet down and turned to face the pour soul that is standing in the way of me thinking about all the ways my sister and the guys are getting themselves killed for something that doesn't even belong to us. He's not from here. An earth fairy. Here, in my lab. Interesting. "No, no. I'm sorry. I've got a lot on my mind," I apologized. "Uh, yes. I am Lady Airstorm. You can call me Bre," "Bre?" he smiled and extended his hand out for me to take. I've already insulted him enough and as soon as he's out of sight, I can douse my hands in sanitizer. I shook his hand, firmly. The way Sasha taught me to. "My name is Doctor Alston Peabody," "You're kidding? The Alston Peabody? The guy who replicated the Elder Tree seed?" I asked. "That's me," he laughed. "I am very humbled by you knowing that," "Are you kidding me? If you can c***k that thing open and keep a newborn elder tree alive you can change fae history. We wouldn't be a dying race anymore. How can I help? Are you here for me or maybe Princess Airstorm because I'm not the princess? That's my sister," "I know your sister. She saved me last year when someone tried to steal my elder tree seeds before they were even complete. She also has black hair," he pointed at my not black hair. "I am looking for you, Breeze Airstorm," "Okay," I nodded. "Okay," he smiled going over to my desk. He sat down and tapped the desk motioning me to sit down. I laughed and took a seat across from him. He does know this is my office right? He kind of has crazy eyes. "How much do you know about Eldertrees?" "A lot. Originally, I got into science for the botany but no offense, there's no money in that unless it's pharmaceutical," "Right," he laughed. "No, there isn't. At least, not yet. A few years ago, you worked on a wind crystal core to power our homes and you were successful. There is not a single house or business in Aldrich that isn't powered by a wind stone. I have three. They power my mansion and it's safe. The safest source of energy since the invention of fae energy drinks," "I love those things," I laughed loving his energy. That's not a good thing. Crazy people make me crazy and we end up doing crazy stuff I usually don't remember the next day and it says a lot because I literally remember everything. "I created a small seed. A few and I've been trying to find a way to keep them alive for a very long time with no success. However, I think I found the reason why and it was a total accident," he took out his tablet and placed it on top of mine. I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose and pressed play on the video he wants me to see. It's a video of him growing a tiny elder tree. How cute! As he turned around to get something he accidentally knocks over a wind stone that is floating in its base next to him. The crystal falls into the pot and the tree lights up. It grows a little taller before leaves begin to sprout. However, I think the stone is too strong because the tiny elder tree instantly withers away before Dr. Peabody could notice. I looked up at him stunned running what I just watched over and over in my head trying to come up with a conclusion. "It needs a stable core," I concluded. He laughed. "Your mind just jumped right into that? No other data?" he asked excitedly. "What? Yes, I thought about all the reasons why it would react like this but this is the only thing that makes sense. Dr. Peabody, you're a genius," "Me? Oh, no sweet face. I'm just the guy with the seed. You have the core to my seed," he exclaimed like a mad man. I am this close to matching his insane energy. "Is that how you flirt?" we both looked over at the guy standing next to us. Now, it's gone. "Falcon? I thought you went home already," I shook my head. "I did but I forgot my phone here. Who is this dude?" "You're Falcon Malory," Dr. Peabody looked between us. "Yes, Dr. Peabody. This is my assistant Mr. Falcon Malory. Mr. Malory this is Doctor Alston Peabody," I introduced them. "Whoa," they both exclaimed sizing each other up. I will never understand men. "Well, I will get out of your way. You two chat. Let me know if you need anything," he walked out of my office. "I am sorry about him. Falcon is such an extrovert and he is always talking but he is brilliant," I turned my attention back to the good doctor. "I didn't peg him for one of us. I mean he's a celebrity. What the hell is he doing here?" "Well, Mr. Malory didn't come from a wealthy family. He had to pay for school himself. His credentials are outstanding and he is incredibly insightful. I brought him on as my assistant so he can show us what he's got. I love everything he brings to the table. He's great," "Hm, that's very interesting," he smiled. "I want to cut to the chase here. I only have a few more minutes on Aldrich. I would like to offer you a job at High Rise. I need your help to stabilize the birth of a new elder tree. If we get this right, we can finally rebuild, Bre. We don't have to hide what we are anymore. We can save all fae and go back to more traditional ways of killing each other," "Wow, I don't know what to say. I mean I-" "Don't say anything right now. I know you are on a military contract here at Aldrich University but I think if we talk to the council and show them what we've discovered, they'd let you come over and play with me," he mused. He is way weird but I am oddly digging his crazy vibe. "Okay, if we can convince the council I'll go. As soon as my sister gets back," "Your sister is gone?" he asked. "Yeah, she's been on a mission," "Oh, when will she be getting back?" "She was supposed to be back two weeks ago," I sighed. "Oh," he stood up and came around the desk. "I am so sorry, Lady Airstorm. Take as much time as you need," "What? She's not dead. She's just-" the look on his face told me he didn't believe me. Missions don't take this long. Why hasn't she come back? Why hasn't she sent some sort of sign? "I will pitch this to the Elders in the morning and I will contact you with what they decide," "Very well," he nodded. "Here is my contact information. I will wait for your call," "Thank you for this, Doctor Peabody. I am very excited to see if we can pull this off," "Me too," he nodded. "Have a good night. I hope you get news about your sister soon," With that, he left me. Everyone has been walking on eggshells around me for days now. I know the protocol with things like this. Them not returning can only mean one of two things. One, they got caught. That's the worst-case scenario. Two, they're dead. They're all just gone and there is no way of us knowing how or why they're gone. I can't think like that. Sasha is the strongest soldier in fae history. Everyone knows who she is and everything she's done for our realm. She's alive. She's coming back. I believe that.