Chapter Twenty-Five

 

I stumbled back to Lulu’s house, more drained from that journey and the Fire Essence’s fusion with my body than I’d ever been before in my whole life. After stripping off my sweat-stained clothes and taking a much-needed shower, I slipped into a clean pair of pajamas and crawled into bed, shutting the shades against the bright light of the morning. Even lying still, I could feel the trickle of perspiration against the back of my neck, as if my shower didn’t really take. So I kicked off the sheets and stretched out beneath the overhead fan, letting the gentle breeze cool my skin and seep into my core.

My heavy arms and legs sunk into the mattress, my muscles clumsy and inoperable from overuse. I lay, incapable of movement until sleep quickly found me. And I dreamed refreshing thoughts in an attempt to soothe the burn.

In my dream world, waves quietly lapped the shore as the sea breeze lifted my hair and brushed my skin. No longer in fear of the water, I waded into the shallows, eager to revisit the beauty of the coral reef. As I drifted through schools of striped and spotted fish, Liam suddenly appeared by my side. A gasp of surprise escaped my lips, trapped underwater in a bubble that swelled between my hands. My eyes grew wide, marveling at my achievement. Liam smiled proudly and slipped his fingers into mine. With a gentle tug, he lifted me toward the surface and said, “See? I told you it just took some practice.” He congratulated me in a way that spoke louder than words and swept me into an amazing long, deep kiss, bordering on magical. I felt the blush rise high in my cheeks, warming my skin, my heart, my soul.

I crawled out of bed, the image of Liam kissing me in the shallow water replaying in my mind. I staggered into the kitchen to replenish my depleted reserves, wondering if reality would match the expectation of my dream.

I grabbed some food from the fridge and noticed the answering machine light blinked red. I glanced around the empty house, wondering where Lulu had gone. Puzzled, I pressed the button to play the message, excited at hearing Liam’s voice. “Hi, Jordan,” he started, before slipping into a long pause. My initial enthusiasm quickly faded when I detected a note of worry in his tone. “I stopped by earlier to see you, but Lulu said you were still sleeping. Are you feeling all right? Anyway, I need to talk to you. It’s really important. I’ll pick you up at six, okay? See you then.” A loud, obnoxious beep concluded the message before a computerized voice declared, “Saturday, four-fifteen p.m.” Another annoying beep followed.

Suddenly, I forgot all about my meal. Four-fifteen in the afternoon? How long had I been sleeping? I peeked at the kitchen clock, startled to discover that not only had I slept the entire day, but forty-five minutes had already passed since his call. Though my body seemed lethargic and sore from exertion, my mind whirred at an incredible rate, infusing new energy into my weary limbs.

I replayed Liam’s message, trying to remember his every word. The second time through, his voice seemed to carry a different tone. Perhaps it wasn’t worry after all, I decided. Maybe he sounded a little nervous about asking me out over the phone, especially when Lulu could hear. And maybe he’s simply anxious to see me again, I concluded, my heart fluttering with anticipation at the thought.

I flitted around the room in a daze, unable to believe how much my life had changed in such a short time. Sure, I had an irritating first encounter with Liam when I broke his nose. But now Pele had confided some valuable secrets about the history of the Elementals, the Fire Essence had taken me inside the Earth, and Liam had officially asked me out. Overwhelmed with my good fortune, I wanted to tell Lulu I’d be gone for the evening.

Strangely, she wasn’t anywhere in the house, so I ventured into the backyard, barefoot. I soon spotted Lulu perched quietly on a lava rock by the side of the koi pond, tossing handfuls of pellets across the surface. She wore her long gray hair loose, letting it fall around her shoulders, like the weight of the bun upon her head was more than she could bear.

“Lulu?” I called, but she didn’t look up. Instead, she peered at the water with a vacant stare.

A part of me felt a sense of personal accomplishment as I gazed upon the yard. Where weeds and leaf litter had previously stood, a thick carpet of grass now lay. The faded pink exterior shone in its fresh coat of that ridiculously named paint, Luscious Lilac. Piles of porous red and black lava rocks lined the wall of her koi pond. And neat corners trimmed the hibiscus hedge, covered with full blossoms.

Despite all the work I’d completed, the other part of me felt like I’d disappointed her in some way. Was she sad that I’d spent so much time with Pele and Liam? Or was it something more?

I neared the pond, gazing across its surface, wondering what worries preoccupied Lulu’s mind. Leafy water plants—like floating heads of lettuce—bobbed on the surface of the pond, agitated by the hungry fish. Piebald orange and black heads broke the surface as their large gaping mouths gulped down the pellets of food with vigor. Their scales gleaming in bright splashes of ivory, black and gold, the koi skimmed the surface, anxious for Auntie Lulu to scatter another handful of food across the water.

“Lulu? Are you okay?” I asked and crouched beside her.

She paused in a contemplative way while the fish clustered right below the surface, eagerly awaiting another handful of food. Yet she didn’t answer.

Maybe she just wants to be alone, I thought and decided to leave her in peace. But I only made it a few steps before I heard her faint, withered voice. “I had a dream that one of my friends was in danger.”

I turned around, my voice reassuring. “But I heard Marvin was feeling better from his surgery. Gerard even said he expected his brother to be back at the store by the end of next week.”

Lulu slowly titled her head to face me. Her grave brown eyes gazed into mine. “A different type of danger,” she whispered grimly. “I’m afraid my friend might get hurt…or worse…die.”

I blinked, surprised by the severity of her words. I recalled how many nightmarish dreams I’d experienced, none of which ever occurred as I’d foreseen. Gruesome scenes of mass destruction and unnecessary death, all figments of my imagination. “Oh, Auntie,” I said with a lighthearted sigh, “it was only a dream.”

By the wilt in her shoulders, I could tell she didn’t believe me.

“Come on, let’s get you inside.” I said, coaxing her from her spot. “I’ll make you some tea. It’ll help you feel better, I’m sure.” Still, a sorrowful look filled her eyes when I took the bag of pellets from her hand and led her into the house.

As I fixed Lulu a cup of tea, I glanced up at the clock, noting its hands read just before six. Despite Lulu’s unease, a small smile crept across my lips. Liam would be picking me up soon and I had to admit, I could hardly wait. I ran back to my room to get ready, certain that nothing—not even Lulu’s worry—would spoil my cheerful mood.