forth. Dusk was approaching, and I swallowed. The shadows would be coming out. They would join with the creature inside me and have their merry way with my heart. Filling my head with lies and destruction…
Soon my legs took over , and I began running.
My fingers tightened into fists. Callon had thought I was going to attack Nakari. He probably thought I’d already hurt Andre. A few tears escaped , and the beast growled at my weakness. I wasn’t weak. I was hurting. I was hurting because I just couldn’t let go. Why did I still want to hope even when I was so willing to give up?
I was out of control, spiraling into that black vortex , and I didn’t know how to climb out.
I stopped running and threw my hands out to the sinking sun. I began twisting them above my head like a conductor directing a symphony. I closed my eyes and felt the crimson-eyed beast creep to the surface, but I kept it from coming out.
The anger, rage, fury at what was taking place around me tightened its noose around my heart, trying to crush it further. This wasn’t me, I knew , but I couldn’t find my way back, not without help. The only help I wanted was Callon’s, and he kept abandoning me every time the seas became turbulent.
My hair was now whipping against my cheeks , and I pulled the winds in tighter so it felt like it was suffocating me, draining the life from my limbs, but I held on, pushing more out until finally I couldn’t breathe any longer.
I fell to the ground, gasping for air.
“Are you done now?” Koda asked as he knelt beside me.
I couldn’t reply.
“Daniel, start a fire,” he ordered.
I remained limp on the grassy meadow, staring up at the darkening sky, wishing Colt were here with me. Wishing I had something to bring me comfort. Words were worthless . I needed his touch, and that could never be.
The fire crackled and its light began to chase the shadows away. Koda sat across from me and began stoking the flames. Daniel sat beside me.
“I won’t run away from you, Chey,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do that would be so awful that I’d leave. Nothing.”
“I like the power I feel, Daniel,” I whispered, vaguely aware of what I was saying. “It makes me strong.” I sat up, and he tilted his head. Surely this would open his eyes. “I don’t feel weak anymore. I just feel angry. Angry at everything that’s been dealt to me.” Yes, this was it. Strength from anger.
“It’s alright to feel angry, Cheyenne,” Koda said, “but using that anger to have power is wrong.”
“No, it’s a gift. It’s a way for me to grow stronger.”
“No, it’s a way for your destruction,” Daniel argued. His shoulders sagged, and he lowered his head. “You used to love everything, and now…”
“And now I hate.” I finished the sentence , feeling his pain. “Run away while you can, Daniel, and forget about me. Forget the old Cheyenne.”
He shook his head , and his weary eyes met mine. “I won’t give up on you—ever.”
“You should. I’ve given up on myself.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” Koda snapped.
I sat up straighter. “Easy for you to say. You haven’t felt half the pain I have! You haven’t had the ones you loved ripped away from you!”
The beast burst forth, and I stood twisting my wrists, turning the small fire into an inferno. Koda leapt back, his stance growing wider, ready for battle.
“Cheyenne, no!” Daniel yelled and leapt for me. I thrust my hand out and sent a burst of air, toppling him over.
I pushed the flames higher, but kept them tight within my hold, ready to move them when needed. Koda dodged to the left, and I moved the inferno, but suddenly he changed direction. Before I could react, he had knocked me to the ground. The fire dispersed.
He and Daniel stood towering over me as I caught my breath.
“Why are you fighting Koda?” Daniel pleaded. “You’re supposed to be friends. You’re breaking this family apart,
Soon my legs took over , and I began running.
My fingers tightened into fists. Callon had thought I was going to attack Nakari. He probably thought I’d already hurt Andre. A few tears escaped , and the beast growled at my weakness. I wasn’t weak. I was hurting. I was hurting because I just couldn’t let go. Why did I still want to hope even when I was so willing to give up?
I was out of control, spiraling into that black vortex , and I didn’t know how to climb out.
I stopped running and threw my hands out to the sinking sun. I began twisting them above my head like a conductor directing a symphony. I closed my eyes and felt the crimson-eyed beast creep to the surface, but I kept it from coming out.
The anger, rage, fury at what was taking place around me tightened its noose around my heart, trying to crush it further. This wasn’t me, I knew , but I couldn’t find my way back, not without help. The only help I wanted was Callon’s, and he kept abandoning me every time the seas became turbulent.
My hair was now whipping against my cheeks , and I pulled the winds in tighter so it felt like it was suffocating me, draining the life from my limbs, but I held on, pushing more out until finally I couldn’t breathe any longer.
I fell to the ground, gasping for air.
“Are you done now?” Koda asked as he knelt beside me.
I couldn’t reply.
“Daniel, start a fire,” he ordered.
I remained limp on the grassy meadow, staring up at the darkening sky, wishing Colt were here with me. Wishing I had something to bring me comfort. Words were worthless . I needed his touch, and that could never be.
The fire crackled and its light began to chase the shadows away. Koda sat across from me and began stoking the flames. Daniel sat beside me.
“I won’t run away from you, Chey,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do that would be so awful that I’d leave. Nothing.”
“I like the power I feel, Daniel,” I whispered, vaguely aware of what I was saying. “It makes me strong.” I sat up, and he tilted his head. Surely this would open his eyes. “I don’t feel weak anymore. I just feel angry. Angry at everything that’s been dealt to me.” Yes, this was it. Strength from anger.
“It’s alright to feel angry, Cheyenne,” Koda said, “but using that anger to have power is wrong.”
“No, it’s a gift. It’s a way for me to grow stronger.”
“No, it’s a way for your destruction,” Daniel argued. His shoulders sagged, and he lowered his head. “You used to love everything, and now…”
“And now I hate.” I finished the sentence , feeling his pain. “Run away while you can, Daniel, and forget about me. Forget the old Cheyenne.”
He shook his head , and his weary eyes met mine. “I won’t give up on you—ever.”
“You should. I’ve given up on myself.”
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” Koda snapped.
I sat up straighter. “Easy for you to say. You haven’t felt half the pain I have! You haven’t had the ones you loved ripped away from you!”
The beast burst forth, and I stood twisting my wrists, turning the small fire into an inferno. Koda leapt back, his stance growing wider, ready for battle.
“Cheyenne, no!” Daniel yelled and leapt for me. I thrust my hand out and sent a burst of air, toppling him over.
I pushed the flames higher, but kept them tight within my hold, ready to move them when needed. Koda dodged to the left, and I moved the inferno, but suddenly he changed direction. Before I could react, he had knocked me to the ground. The fire dispersed.
He and Daniel stood towering over me as I caught my breath.
“Why are you fighting Koda?” Daniel pleaded. “You’re supposed to be friends. You’re breaking this family apart,
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