Chapter 23 - Disaster Strikes

"OHMYFREAKINGOD!" Carmen yelled, rushing up to me once the concert was over. "You will never, ever, ever believe where the band just got invited to play."

I was afraid to ask because she'd almost knocked me over with her excitement.

"Where?" I winced.

"Have you heard about the Kalamazoo Castle?"

"Duurr, of course. Everyone has. Why?"

She seemed genuinely surprised. "Then you've heard about the annual Zombie Prom hosted at the castle every year?"

"Yeaaahh...aaand?" Did she think I'd just crawled out from under a rock? "What's your point?"

"Ever been?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's a party for Seniors...not Freshman."

She grinned. "Wanna go?"

I gave her my best, I think your crazy, look. "Hel-lo, did I stutter? We can't."

"Oh, quit being so dramatic. I guess another band had been lined up, but they cancelled at the last second, so now my brother's band is going to play." She squealed with delight. "Isn't that unfreakinbelievable?"

"It's something alright. That still doesn't mean we'll get in," I cautioned. "The Zombie Prom is an exclusive private party - strictly invitation only. It's the stuff legends are made of. You have to know someone, who knows someone, to even get in. And..."

She put a hand up to interrupt me, undaunted. "Look, if my brother's going, then I'm going. And if I'm going, that means you're going. I refuse to take no for an answer."

Uncertainty must have been plain on my face.

Carmen gave me a nudge. "Would it make any difference if I told you Skylar offered to be your date?"

My eyes lit up like the 4th of July. "Gee, when you put it like that, how can I say no?"

"Absofuckinlutely," she grinned.

"Wait. How do we get there? Kalamazoo's over an hour away."

"My brother said he'll drive."

I frowned. "What should I tell my mom?"

"Just tell her you're spending the night with me. I already told my parents that I made plans to spend Halloween with Nick. As long as I'm with my big brother, they know I'll be okay." She gave me a wink. "We'll be by to pick you up tomorrow around three o'clock."

As I watched her leave, I knew in that moment that I'd go just about anywhere with her, if it meant I could see Skylar again.

Instead of hanging around outside to help my mom and the volunteers clean up, I headed back to the house in a daze. For some strange reason, I no longer worried about being attacked. In fact, as I climbed the stairs to my room, Skylar completely consumed my thoughts. So much so, in fact, that when I opened my bedroom door, I didn't even notice Thomas sitting on my bed.

Before I knew it, he was all up in my face.

I swallowed hard as the small space between us filled with static. It reminded me of being together in the barn. For the first time, I realized I was hopelessly drawn to him. Like we were two pieces of a puzzle that fit together. Except that I couldn't touch him. Couldn't wrap my arms around him, bury my face against the warmth of his neck, or feel his body pressed up against mine.

When it came right down to it, the depth of my feelings for him disturbed me. The fact that he stood so near, yet so far, far away, was a definite problem. Not that we were ever going to wind up together, I reminded myself. An angel of light was never going to be stupid enough to fall for an angel of darkness, so it was kind of pointless to worry about it. And even if he did, fall me for me that is, it was a relationship doomed to fail.

 "I know you're attracted to Skylar," he accused, voice broken.

My head snapped up. "I never said I like Skylar."

"You don't have to get defensive." Narrowing his eyes, he added, "I just don't want to see you get hurt, that's all."

"I'm not being defensive." My frown deepened. "And anyway, I never said I liked anyone. Besides, I don't allow people to get  close to me. I live in the shadows for a reason."

 "Have you ever stopped to consider why that is?"

"Why I live in the shadows?"

He shook his head. "No. Why you don't allow humans to get close to you."

For some reason he took a step forward. Probably to test my limits. I resisted the urge to back away, deciding instead to hold my ground. Heart rate spiking, my chest tightened painfully from his nearness. I dropped my head and looked away, avoiding his piercing hazel eyes that stabbed me while waiting for an answer. 

"I don't allow people to get close to me because I absorb everyone's feelings. And, if I'm being totally honest, it creeps me the hell out."

"That's because you are an intuitive," he explained, voice soft. "You possess the ability to sense the emotions of others. In truth, all angels have this ability. Because you are part human, you have a hard time separating your feelings from those around you. In order to protect yourself, you built a fortress around your heart to keep people away. Now you are a prisoner of your own making."

Cupping my chin, he raised my head until his penetrating stare found mine. "The one thing I've learned since I came here is that everyone will hurt you. The only way to combat the pain they cause is to purposefully seek out someone worth the suffering." I started to shake my head, but his otherworldy energy held me in check. "I know you're scared. But, if it's love that you want, take down the walls and save your heart for someone who is worth dying for."

 It took me a moment, but I finally think I figured out his angle.

 "I'm not in love with Skylar."

 The look he gave said he wasn't convinced. I should know if I'm in love with someone. Shouldn't I?

 Thomas tried hard to get me to understand, but, as usual, I didn't make the connection. Unfortunately, the spark between us – that magical moment we shared – was gone.

Poof!

 And it really pissed me off.

He let go of my face and stepped back. "I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go to the Zombie Prom."

"I don't remember asking you," I shot back.

 He gave me an intense stare with a damaged expression on his face. "If you go, I won't be able to protect you."

 "Protect me?" I repeated, voice going high. "What makes you think you can protect me? You can't even catch me when I fall. Or did you forget that you dropped me on my ass in the barn?"

He looked hurt as if I'd slapped him. Oh well, he'd get over it.

Realizing I still clutched the blanket given to me outside, I tossed it to the floor. Next, I shook off Skylar's jacket and threw it on my bed, resisting the urge to torture myself by pressing it to my nose and inhaling his sweet scent. I still couldn't figure out why he smelled like a bakery.

Wearing only my costume, I turned away from Thomas. "Can a girl get a little privacy?"

"What is that on your back?" He practically spat the words.

I craned my neck to look, but it was no use. I wasn't that bendy. "What's the matter with my back?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I remembered. Grim.

"You mean, besides the gaping flesh wound like someone Freddy Kruegered you, or all the blood seeping through what's left of the material of your costume?" he replied, sounding snarkier than I'd ever heard him before. Maybe I had been a bad influence on him.

I tried to think up a good lie to get me out of trouble, when he added, "Or maybe it's the holes."

I gasped. "Holes? What...holes?"

"The ones on either side of your shoulder blades where your..." His voice trailed off. "Never mind. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"No?" It came out as more of a question than an answer. I cleared my throat. "No, I don't have anything I want to tell you."

He frowned as his eyes raked over my body from top to bottom.

I glanced down for the first time, and that's when I saw it. My costume, burnt to a crisp, and hanging on my body by a thread. I guess it was a good thing I put out the flames when I did. Otherwise, one false move and the birthday girl would've attended the concert  in her birthday suit.

Note to self: Google fireproof clothing.

"You were attacked, weren't you?" Thomas insisted. "Admit it!" 

I didn't appreciate the attitude. "Yes," I said, sharply. "While you were off playing Ghostbusters, another zombie attacked me. Happy?" I held out my arms to show him that I was still in one piece. The movement made me wince. "See?" I hissed through the pain. "Still have all my fingers and toes."

"We've already gone over this. They're not zombies!"

"Whatever!" I shouted. "My point remains the same. I handled it, so thanks for nothing. You can go now." I didn't know why I was being so mean to him. I just couldn't stop myself.

His eyes went a touch wide. "Are you dismissing me?"

I nodded. "Yes. That's one way of putting it." I waved him off with a flick of my hand. "You're dismissed. Now, if you don't mind...I need to get some sleep." Got a party to go to, and you're not invited.

"I'm afraid you are not taking any of this seriously, Chaos," he began, voice unusually harsh. "You don't have time to go to a dance. Now that you've turned sixteen, the remaining power that has been lying dormant inside of you, will be released. This is exactly what the Dark Ones have been waiting for. I cannot allow you to fall prey to them too." As soon as the last words escaped his lips, regret flashed on his face. He finished lecturing me by adding, "The fate of the world rests in your hands."

The anger I'd been trying so hard to control, opened up like a fire hydrant.

If he was looking for a fight, he just found one.

"I'm not tryin' to save the world!" I yelled. Just then, the door to my room slammed shut with such force, the entire room vibrated from the impact, rattling the old-fashioned windows that spanned from ceiling to floor around my room. That couldn't happen too many more times to the brittle glass before they burst.

Thomas hesitated. "Chaos, calm down..."

Big mistake.

"Don't tell me to calm down!" I screamed. My entire body began to pulsate with a fierceness I'd never possessed before, heart now pounding in my chest like a trapped thing. Consumed by heat as blood pumped violently through my veins, the power that was suddenly there had me feeling like I was ready to blow.

Suddenly, I heard a sound like a massive bass drop, and then my bed, dressors, tables; everything in my room began to levitate in the air. Everything, with the exception of me, of course. Startled, I sucked in my breath which somehow caused an explosion as every single window in my room, including the giant antique light fixture overhead, shattered simultaneously – sending thousands of razor sharp shards of glass raining down all over me.

I don't know how long I'd been holding my breath with my eyes scrunched shut, but when it was finally all over, I couldn't help but scream when I opened my eyes. My exterior bedroom wall had been completely blown off, leaving exposed wires sizzling as electric blue sparks shot off in the darkened sky like an absurd fireworks display. The damage to the wall made the gaping hole I'd put in the barn roof look like child's play.

As I took in the devastation, something landed with a splat on my arm. I glanced up expecting rain, but the roof seemed  mostly intact. I looked back down and that's when I saw it.

My eyes bulged with terror as crimson droplets of blood blossomed all over my body. Within seconds, the blood started to pool at my feet like I was standing in a puddle of red rain.

"Chaos!" mom cried, bursting into my room. Her voice sounded high and shrill. Not only that, it hurt my ears. "What happened?"

My head snapped up. I opened my mouth to reply, but no sound came out.

I watched her closely as she surveyed the damage, following her gaze to my bed which, thankfully, was no longer levitating, until her eyes landed on the dagger sized shards of glass that had pierced the wall right next to my head. Finally, her terror-filled eyes came to rest on me and her mouth fell open.

I glanced over at Thomas. The broken look on his face said it all. I was in deep shit. I turned back to my mom. Her eyes looked like they were starting to glaze over.

"Mmm-om?" I said, struggling to keep my teeth from chattering. "I'm ca-ca-cold." Maybe it was because my room now had three walls instead of four. Maybe it was because the temperature inside matched the falling temperature outside. Or maybe, just maybe it was because the blood was draining from my body and I started to feel like a human ice-cube.

"Chaos," she breathed, "your face... Don't move, I'm calling an ambulance."

Too late.

As she raced from my room, I reached up to touch my face.

Everything began to move in slow motion. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thomas move to stand protectively beside me. As I lowered my hands, I couldn't tear my eyes away from all the blood. It looked like my fingers had been in a fight with a meat grinder, and the meat grinder had won.

"Please forgive me," Thomas whispered in my ear, voice full of sadness.

I suddenly felt very woozy. The feeling reminded me of floating in the air during a thunderstorm storm and the raindrops that fell like tears from Heaven washed away all the blood and pain.

Panic replaced anger as my eyes mirrored the pain I found in Thomas's watery stare. Before I could even speak, everything faded to black.

***

I woke up in a sterile hospital room, done up in white. Everything from the walls, to the decorations, even the TV stand was all white. The color hurt my eyes.

Did I mention I hate hospitals?

Alone in the room, I listened for voices out in hall, without success. Where had everybody gone?

"Mom?" No answer. Nothing but silence – like the place was dead. I tried again. This time, louder. "MOM!"

My voice sounded muffled. I reached up both hands to touch my face and stopped when I saw my hands completely covered in gauze bandages. Something pulled on my right arm and that's when I noticed the tube to the IV, disappearing under the gauge. More bandages shrouded my arms, continuing underneath a powder blue hospital gown.

Irritated, I tried to jerk myself free and that's when the alarms started going off. A nurse dressed all in white, rushed into the room. After pressing buttons on a machine next to the bed, thankfully, the noise stopped. Which was probably a good thing because my head hurt like hell, and I was just about ready to launch anything that made noise louder than a whisper, right out the window.

The nurse smiled and spoke in a thickly accented voice, as big as Texas. "Don't you worry. Everything is gonna be alright, Darlin.'" she said, sounding bright and cheerful.

Glad one of us was in a good mood.

More than anything else, she sounded loud. Like she was talking out of a bullhorn – loud. I knew right then and there that if she was dumb enough to come within an arms reach of me, she better be able to fly, because she was the one going out the window if she didn't shut the hell up. Not just for being obnoxiously bubbly, but for calling me Darlin'.

"Where's my mom," I croaked.

If possible, her smile...widened. "Your mother will be right back. She went to sign your discharge paperwork because the Doctor is fixin' to release you. Although I don't see why." She prattled on, scrunching up her nose. "I think you just set the world record for the most stitches given at one time."

"How many?"

"Fourteen hundred and ninety-nine," she beamed, proudly. "I should know 'cause I counted each one. The nursing staff took bets on how many stitches it would take to sew you back together. I guessed the closest, so I won." She smiled again.

I wanted to punch her in the face.

"I'm happy for you. Can I go now?" I gave her an epic scowl. Too bad she couldn't see it underneath the gauze. I wasn't thrilled about spending my birthday in a hospital.

She laughed heartily. "Yes, as soon as we get you unhooked." She took out the IV, and bandaged my arm. I caught a glimpse of myself in the glasses she wore on the very tip of her nose. I looked like The Mummy. The only thing visible was my eyes.

Good thing it's Halloween. At least I didn't have to worry about dressing up.

"Chaos, you're awake," my mom called, rushing into the room. She gave me a careful hug as if I would break.

Mom filled in all the blanks for me once she got me home and settled on the couch – tucked underneath my favorite quilt. She went on to explain that my forehead had been cut by a thick piece of glass that had required more than one hundred and fifty stitches to close it. Both cheeks, nose, and even my chin had needed stitches. My arms and legs were also badly cut up, but my back had required the most stitches, thanks to Grim. By some miracle, no glass had gotten into my eyes, however, the palms of my hands had taken most of the force. All ten fingers had stitches, several of which glass had nicked an artery, causing severe bleeding. Most surprising of all was the fact that my jugular vein had been completely severed and, supposedly, I practically bled out on the way to the hospital.

I wanted desperately to look in the mirror. but mom said mirrors were off limits. For now anyway. I needed to rest and not worry about my face. She told me the Doctor had promised there wouldn't be any scars, but I was pretty scratched up and, right now, it looked worse than it was.

I decided to trust her. What choice did I have?

I snuggled under the quilt as my thoughts drifted to Skylar. Mom said that everyone had asked about me, but she had forbidden anyone to visit until I felt better. She went on to explain that she didn't want anyone coming over to upset me, and get me all worked up for nothing. Doctors orders.

One thing's for sure, this not-so-sweet sixteenth birthday deserved a do-over. It sucked that I had to miss the most rad Halloween party of the year. I couldn't help feeling jealous of Carmen.