“Benji.”
“Benji?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, remember me? Rachel’s boyfriend.”
“Yes,” Sarah said, sobbing into her hands.
“What happened?” Benji asked.
Then all of a sudden, before she could even open her mouth to reply he saw her face and body was covered in blood and he knew exactly what had happened.
“I can’t tell you,” Sarah said.
“You don’t have to tell me. I already know,” Benji said, down at her and putting his hand on her shoulder.
“You have no clue,” Sarah said.
“You’re one of them,” Benji said.
Sarah stood up and looked Benji in the eyes.
“Help me! Please!”
“I’ll try my best to help you but you’re part of the evil coven. The Greslins and our people do not get along.”
“What do you mean Greslins?”
“You were turned. Don’t you know that?” Benji asked in confusion.
“I don’t remember,” Sarah said, still sobbing.
“It’s not your fault. They’re turning everyone in their paths. You did nothing wrong,” Benji reassured her. “You just have to learn the ways to escape Violet and her people.”
“Violet?” Who’s that?
“Oh gosh. You really don’t know anything do you?” Benji asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Have you gone mad?” Sarah said.
“Listen, I’m here to help you,” Benji said, picking her up from the ground.
Then, out of nowhere came loud sirens and the voice of the police over their car loud speaker.
“This is the Syracuse Police, stay inside. Lock you doors, there is a predator on the loose. Keep your kids inside. This is not a joke. I repeat this is not a joke.”
Then, the police car stopped, and Benji heard the doors shut to the car.
“Quick, we have to get out of here!” he said.
“But how? They’ll see us running!” Sarah said.
“We can’t escape by foot. We must fly!” Benji said. “Ready?”
“Um, I don’t remember how to…”
Benji grabbed Sarah by the hand and whisked her up into the air on his back giving her the speed to launch her own wings and fly by his side.
“Thank you,” Sarah said, as they soared above.
“Be quiet. Fly smooth. You don’t want to be spotted,” Benji said.
The two flew quietly and quickly until then landed on a remote island off the coast of Montauk, New York. It was a deserted island with nothing but burnt down trees from an old forest fire. There was no signs of life on this island except for the two of them, and that gave Benji a sense of calm after what they’d just been through.
“Benji, I don’t know how to thank you,” Sarah said, taking a deep breath.
“You don’t have to thank me. I will always be here for you,” Benji said. “But maybe you can help me with something. I need to find Rachel and time is running out.”
“Running out?” Sarah asked.
“Yes!” Benji said, looking up at the moon. “See that?”
“What?” Sarah asked.
“The moon,” Benji replied.
“What about it?” Sarah said with concern.
“On the next new moon Violet is going to destroy the Vladdicus people and take over the universe. She will hold complete power and we will all be dead!”
“Dead?” Sarah said in horror.
“YES. DEAD!” Benji yelled.
Sarah let out a laugh.
“This is not a joke, Sarah,” Benji snapped at her.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what you’re so worried about. It’s not like we are going to war or anything.”
“This is worse than any war we have ever been in. This is the first time in thousands of years where anyone has been in control of the Varithian Bracelet and thus able to perform the Varithian Ritual and gain control of the universe,” Benji stated again. “I know this might now sound serious to you right now, but let me tell you, if it does happen and don’t stop her, she will destroy everything with her evil ways. That I promise you!”
“OK, OK. How can I help?” Sarah said.
“I need to find Rachel. Do you know where she is?” Benji said.
Then, as if by magic, he watched Sarah morph out of her body and float overhead chanting the old ancient hymn of the people:
“He who was lost must now be found. He who is lost must now be found. Come out come out and reveal yourself.”
“He who was lost must now be found. He who is lost must now be found. Come out come out and reveal yourself.”
Then, he watched her take form back inside her body again as she opened her mouth to speak, “I know exactly where she is. I just saw her!”
“WHERE?” Benji asked.
“She’s in New Orleans right now. She’s walking up the steps to our grandmother’s house as we speak. She’s probably down there for a visit but I can’t say for sure. We haven’t seen our grandmother in years after her accident.”
“Thank you, Sarah. I must go now,” Benji said, as he got up to leave.
“Wait! Please don’t leave me here like this. I don’t know what to do next. They’re going to get me.”
“Don’t worry. You will be fine!” Benji said. “You will be safe here, just don’t leave this island. Once I get Rachel, we will come back for you. Stay put!”
“Can I come with you?” Sarah asked.
“No! It’s very dangerous what I am about to do. If you came we’d both surely get caught and killed. It’s way too risky. You must stay here. Do you hear me?” Benji demanded.
“Yes! I will stay here, but please hurry back.”
Benji reached out and patted Sarah on the shoulder.
“We will meet again.”
And with that, he rose into the air, his wings spread wide as he flew south to find his beloved Rachel.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Rachel walked up the front walkway towards her grandmothers front door. It was breaking dawn and the sun was peaking up over the tall stalks or corn on the neighbors farm. She looked down at her watch and it was nearing five in the morning. She remembered her grandmother was an early riser, but she didn’t know if she’d be up this early.
As she approached the large front door her heart began to beat faster and faster. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous to see her grandmother, but she did. She couldn’t explain all the emotions that were running through her head, but she knew she was here for a purpose and that was to find out answers about her family. She had to get to the bottom of what was happening to her and to her family and her grandmother was the only person in the whole world who could help her now.