ALMOST NOON
The island left the humans alone.
Their pain was too much; there was no reprieve.
Instead, the island focused on the four-legged creatures; it wielded its dwindling power in bursts, perfectly timed, purging the island of beasts, especially those that preferred meat. If the humans failed, if she failed—the one called Skye—then the island would be helpless to guide or sustain human life in the eons to come. The beasts here would be the least of their worries, but for now, the island wished to preserve as much human life as possible with the end drawing near.
In three weeks, the crescent moon would rise.
The end was written.
Noon arrived, powerful and alluring, and with the island’s help, a cat departed. His stay had been short, which was just as well. Still, three similar cats remained, all with glossy golden coats, one with a thick mane. They could be a problem.
The seam rippled with power surging from both sides.
It widened, and the island couldn’t resist the call to look. To see the world beyond the seam, fascinating and raw, full of electria pulsing and flowing, in ribbons crisscrossing like light.
But as usual, the island’s gaze was drawn to her, the other powerful female, the one beyond the seam. Her bond to her mate drew the island like the brightest of lights, and for a moment in time, the island paused, caught by the glow. Yes, the island thought. It would give her the chance for knowledge, and it would be up to her to pass it on.
* * *
Charley marched back up the steps to Rika’s house and rapped hard on the door.
Maaka had vanished. If he was still on the island, no one would tell her. No one would tell her anything. In fact, lately she suspected people were outright avoiding her.
But Rika, she knew things. Rika’s parting words gnawed at her heart.
The island will bleed, and people you love will be lost. That is the end you seek, child. Prepare yourself.
How can I prepare myself for? For the unknown? Charley wondered. She needed to know.
She lifted her hand to knock again.
The door flew open. Rika stood in the doorway, a slight smile on her face. “Come back for the pineapple muffins, did you, Charley?”
Charley found herself nodding. “Yes.” Among other things.
“Then by all means, come in.”
Charley walked in, absorbing the same bursts of color in the house, coupled with the same eerie feel of knowledge and truth. But this time Charley was prepared. She didn’t even flinch at the tray of muffins and cold bottles of Sprite waiting on the table.
“Please. Sit.” Rika gestured.
Charley sat. Slowly she opened the soda, took a sip, and smiled.
“Rika, thank you for having me, especially since I showed up unannounced.”
Rika tipped her head.
It’s a game, Charley thought. They’d both known she was coming. Charley cut to the heart of the matter; she had no time to play.
“You said people I love will be lost. What can I do to prevent it?”
“Nothing. They are there, you are here. If they are lost, they must find their own way. They must find themselves.”
Lost, not dead, Charley thought.
“So they can be found, right?” Charley had the sense they were talking in circles.
“Some,” Rika said. “Not all. Three will be lost forever.”
“Not Thad,” Charley said. “Please tell me Thad is not one of the three.”
Rika stayed silent.
Charley’s temper flared. “You can’t tell me, or won’t?”
Rika studied her. “A bit of both. The end is written, but the middle shapes it.”
“So basically you know nothing,” Charley snapped.
Rika’s eyes held pity. “You are so young, as they all are. I know the island will keep three. Which three, well, that may change.”
Charley closed her eyes. “There is so much I don’t understand.” Her voice ached with frustration. “I want to find something here to help them there.”
“Tell your friend to look, my child. Then she’ll find what she’s looking for, right, my child?” Rika’s half smile was sharp.
Charley gaped. Those were her words, spoken months ago. My nana likes to say that you’ll find what you’re looking for, she’d told Natalie. And somehow Rika knew.
Rika nodded in approval. “Your friend already has the answers she seeks; the riddle’s answer lies within. The end is written, but not the future. I will say no more. You can come back, anytime, for my muffins or my company. But I have no more wisdom to offer, no more insight to share. You already have the answers you seek, child, every last one. You know you do.”
She cocked her head at Charley. “Take heart, my child. All is not lost.” She flicked her hand. “Now go. You have somewhere to be.”
“I do?”
“It is noon, my child. There is always somewhere to be at noon. Or not to be,” she added.
So true, Charley thought. She left, thinking of Thad, praying that he could hear her.
All is not lost, she thought fiercely. Tell Skye that she has the answers. Tell her to look inside, that the riddle’s answer lies within. And tell her the end is written, but not the future. I love you.
As she ran down the steps, she knew she would not come back.
* * *
The seam narrowed, the island retreated.
In three weeks, all here would be lost. Time would declare a victor, as always.
It would be all that survived.