The Deadly Trials

34.2 | A Wish on a Flower

    Mari buried her head in my shoulder and squeezed me tightly. "I can't believe you're off to protest unfair practices around the world."

    I laughed. "I'm starting off at a much smaller scale than that."

    Evette shook her head. "And you're off to protest with some boy. I thought you were above all that." She cast me a teasing smile.

    "She's secretly a romantic." Mari rubbed my arm.

    "Well," Evette said, hooking her arm around my neck, "our old Belline is back, and that's really what matters. We were worried for a long time there. But now it seems like you're back to your old self. Obviously this activism thing — and this guy — are good for you."

    Mari held a fist up, trying to look intimidating — a look she would never achieve."Speaking of this guy, he'd better treat you like a queen, or he'll have to answer to us!"

    I laughed in spite of myself.

    Donovan sidled up beside me and nudged me. "Liar."

    "What?"

    He shot me a lopsided smile. "You said you didn't meet anyone at camp."

    I lifted my index finger. "Technically, I never said that."

    "You also said you were going through with the college thing."

    I shrugged a shoulder. "I sucked it up and dealt with the lecture."

    With a playful growl, he chased after me, and the four of us played an impromptu game of tag. It soon turned into a tour of our old haunts: the high school, a couple cafés, the mall, several parks. By the time we looped back, the sun was setting, painting the sky a candy orange.

    We sat in the grass, watching the sunset against the horizon. Mari laid her head on my shoulder, and Donovan tapped his foot to mine. Evette settled on the grass, face to the sky.

    "I can't believe you leave tomorrow," Mari said into the still air.

    "It's surreal, isn't it?" Donovan said, glancing between us. "Our lives are changing directions, whether off to college or careers or into the vast unknown."

    A smile tugged at my lips. "It's exciting though, taking the next step."

    After a brief silence, Mari asked, "Hey, Belline? Will we get to meet this mystery guy you met at camp?"

    "I'll make sure of it."

    As the sun dipped behind the trees, I imagined Prince Rune among the sights of Portland. Even in my imagination, he stuck out like a sore thumb. I chuckled to myself.

    When the sun arose next, I would be wishing on a flower. I would return to Eternity, to explore what I'd left unexplored, to bring hope to a despairing land, to thrust myself outside my comfort zone to finally live my life.

    I couldn't stop smiling.

    "Simply hold the flower and make your wish, and it will obey," I whispered to the air, electrified with anticipation. I sucked in a deep breath, heart pounding and toes tapping. I lifted onto pointe, lowered, on, off, joints popping.

    While the note did come with instructions, they were vague, apropos for Prince Rune. I had no idea how this worked. Would I immediately be transported to Eternity, or would Guide's bus materialize outside the house?

    I held the note between my fingers and the black rose in my other hand. I glanced about my room. It surprised me how empty it didn't look. My bed was still made, my dresser still half-full with clothes. I thought when I packed up and left, I would leave a bigger hole. But a part of me would never truly leave. I had too many memories, too many loved ones here.

    I lifted the rose to my lips and closed my eyes. Petals soft against my lips, it smelled like spring: mowed grass, blooming trees, a recent rain.

    I tried to recreate Eternity the best I could. I envisioned the castle, the gardens, the sun and moon. I imagined Eika, Kit, Jack, the King, and Prince Rune.

    I pulled in a heavy breath. And on the exhale, I whispered, "I want to go home."

    My eyes fluttered open. Nothing. No flash of light, no dizzying sensation, not even a splash of rain. Just my bedroom and a sunny August day beyond the window.

    My shoulders fell, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. Did it not work? Was the flower a ruse, a final twisted trick?

    But a strange rumbling sounded outside, like someone bringing their trash cans to the curb. And the noise got louder, deeper, as the sky darkened. Black clouds caused an imitation of nightfall in midday, and a clap of thunder rattled the house.

    I gasped. "Rain. The bus stop."

    In a flurry, I gathered my things and raced downstairs.

    Rain assaulted the roof and windows, and Mom remarked, "I have no idea where this storm came from. I was hoping you'd have better weather while you traveled."

    "I like the rain."

    At the front door, Mom fumbled over me. She tugged on my raincoat, counted my bags, constantly asked if I had enough bus money for the trip.

    Finally, we all embraced. We shared teary smiles. This goodbye was hard, but the pulsing of my veins reassured me that I had made the right decision.

    I opened the door and grinned at the deluge.

    "Call us when you get there." Mom's voice cracked.

    "I won't have service for a while. But I'll make sure to tell you I got there safe. I love you."

    There was a chorus of "I love you."

    And then I stepped into the rain.