Just Checking Up! Part Twenty-Five: The Memory of a Bell!

Silks:

Cursing at all the failed bells, nothing worked. Recent missions bore fresh gauze, the lack of a bell injuring me every single time. Not to mention the traveling nightmares, a long groan escaping my lips. Stress flared up my flames, ice becoming my savior. Remembering Liz’s smile, her bell clanged in my ear. Sliding down my cabinet, early rays of the sunrise blinded me. Shielding my eyes, Bookworth’s voice had me smashing my head into the counter.

“What the fuck!” I half whispered and shouted, Linz carrying him in. “You can’t pop in on people like that, you dimwit!” Darting that one eyeball in my direction, sheer panic shut down the searing pain on the top of my head. Pushing over Avery’s stuffed raven, muddy sludge had me on my bare feet. Stuffing a bag with cleansing supplies and weapons, a tug of a thick burgundy winter coat over my thick heather gray sweater dress and sleek black winter boots had me ready to go.

“Take me to the part of purgatory he is.” I demanded stiffly, shoving a change of Avery’s clothes into my bag. “Please. Get Rip to yank us back. Linz, let’s go!” Bounding to my side, Bookworth flipped open to a portal spell. Letters floated into the air, a bright light threw us into a sea of muddy green fog. Landing clumsily inches from a crumbling colonial home, a sense of sorrow haunting the otherwise gray world. Adjusting the worn leather bag, Linz scratched at my leg. A sullen teenage boy with gentle eyes whipped his head in my direction, his shoulder length hair emphasizing his frilly Victorian blouse. Rubbing his bell sleeves on his tattered dark pants, a glow humming to life on his translucent form. True power swirled off of him, his bare feet bounded towards me. Blocking him with my elbow, orange flames kept him at bay. Searing off the gauze, nasty scars alarmed him.

“You need a spirit guide. Injuries will keep haunting you if you don’t pull yourself together.” He pointed out bluntly, an unimpressed expression finding its way onto my features. Leaning forward real close, his icy breath twirled with mine. Cocking my head to the left, his eyes betrayed the way his mind worked.

“Wow, way to point out the obvious. Thanks for that. Of course I need a new one. Today’s trip isn’t for that. Avery is the key reason for me being down here. Someone called him down here, my ass is here to bring him back home. Understand now?” I snapped back icily, his expression softening at my clear strife. “Clearly you do. That kid is getting yanked around like me. Unlike him, he doesn’t have Flamios to rip him right back to his body. How about you help me out for the chance to bounce out of this hellhole? All you have to do is become Avery’s spirit guide. Please protect him from the nightmares at night, especially when I can’t be there.” Waiting with baited breath, mixed emotions flashed in his eyes. Knowing if he gave into my request, his powers could be used to track him down faster than I ever could.

“Alright. Count me in. His safety is guaranteed under my watch.” He agreed kindly, his hand resting on his hip. “Those burns aren't as bad as you think. Avery must be one hell of a healer if he can bring them to that point. What an honor. Perhaps we can find my sister haunting about. Protection would come in a heartbeat, our family becoming complete.” Seeing his dream, not one cell in me wanted to deny it. Folding my arms across my chest, my devilish grin had him shrinking back slightly.

“How about a summoning spell to bring her to us? Family reunions make your day after all.” I suggested sincerely, his features brightening visibly. “One thing for that, a physical item or location would prove handy. Provide me that, your wish is my command.” An abrupt embrace threw me off, dead hair tickling my cheek. Lowering my hands into an awkward hug, wet eyes met my nervous smile. Floating back while clenching his fist, an apology rested on the tip of his tongue. Raising my hand, Avery’s scream sent me crunching into the Colonial home. Horror rounded my eyes, the lack of souls sending chills up my spine. Skidding up to my side, my new friend shivered away.

“Everyone is born with a name. What is yours?” I inquired brightly, my attempt to calm him down failing in the best way ever. Mumbling out the name August Short, a ruffle of his hair stunned him into a state of numbness. Wondering if I broke him, a single tear danced down his cheek. The corner of his lips quivered, the logical side of me hoping he would snap out of it. Wooden floors giving out underneath did the trick, Linz swelling in size to catch us. Dust blew up, cold dirt built up around his claws. Picking on certain details, fright descended upon my features. Sliding off of his back, masked figures dashing past us. Avery struggled at the end of the chain, a boot sticking out tripped the guy holding him. Scooping him up, his pale face stared up at mine incredulously. Snuggling into my shoulder, shouts erupted in front of me. Stumbling back, a demon trapped him on the day his parents were murdered. Cursing under my breath, the demon had to be here somewhere.

“Howdy, Kiddo!” August introduced himself cheerfully, Avery shooting him a distrustful glare. “How about you make me your spirit guide and I can help make all this go away.” Disbelief dropped my jaw, his delivery coming off a bit cold. Clearing my throat, the reasoning drifted into my lap. Placing Avery at my feet, a couple of carved wooden spikes materialized in my palms. Thanking Flamios internally, his nod in my soul pleased me more than he knew.

“August means well, even if his delivery could use some work. Trust me.” I pleaded while cupping Avery’s cheeks. “I apologize for being blunt, suffering plagues me on a daily basis without Miss Liz. Spirit guides protect you in the best way. Hell, they rip you back to your body. Try him out and if you don’t like him, we cast him away. Deal?” Flitting my eyes between the approaching figures and him, a brisk fine tumbled out of his lips. Hoping that bonding worked well between them, time would tell. Shaking hands behind me, golden chains swirled down their arms. Yanking them close to their souls, a key locked them into their contract. Cutting my palm on a jagged piece of wood, a roll of my stakes woke up orange flames. Crafting them into dual blades, Linz growling whipped me out of my train of thought. Considering the pattern, a pocket watch had to be somewhere, Avery having to be the one to break the curse. Stress wore on my features, that level of magic breaking Rip.

“Protect him while I cut our way out.” I requested politely, August nodding his once. “Avery, try not to be too scared.” Shutting down enough of the fear, swings brought down the puppets. No clues presented themselves, a dull moon bathing us through the myriad of holes in the walls. Scanning the floor for a hook, the center of the trauma generally proved to be the way out. Flipping through the crime scene photos in my head, none of them would ever be the main prick of agony. Creaking echoed behind me, a chill running up my spine. Color drained from our cheeks at the same time, a rusty steel door paralyzing Avery. Rotten stenches sickened me, rocks forming in the pit of my stomach. Be courageous! Be courageous for my son, damn it! Spinning on my heels, an icy bluster tickled my exposed skin. Hovering in front of the threshold, a faint ticking noise provided little to no relief. Crossing over in the front, a snow covered warehouse groaned in the middle of a blizzard. Clinging to my leg, vats of dark magic supplies bubbled on either side of me. Find the pocket watch and get out of here, I repeated in my mind to maintain composure. August shoved my shoulder, hundreds of pocket watches ticking away overhead drew an annoyed huff. Fake ones shattered, the real one faltering with magic. Digging at the snow, hoof marks spoke of another goat demon. Deeper dread boiled to life in my gut, ivory fur leading to a most horrid conclusion.

“Revenge will taste so delicious!” A male voice bleated gleefully, an ivory goat demon charging into view. “Try to find my pocket watch before good old death sweeps you into her loving arms.” Cocking my brows, fur danced on his muscular torso. Muscular goat legs kicked up into my face, a rough block prevented fresh bruising. Devious milky horns curled towards the Swiss cheese looking metal ceiling, cold wintry blue goat eyes glittering in my direction. Bloody fangs hung over the bottom of his snout, a shove into August’s arm birthed a bit of hurt in Avery’s eyes.

“Help him find the damn watch.” I hissed loud enough for them to hear, Avery’s protest falling on deaf. “Listen to me! No one is going to hurt you with me around! Please do as I say!” Tears dripped onto his face, true fear showing in his eyes. Agreeing readily, a snap of my fingers placed them in a cage of orange flames. Standing on the outside, a small silver spike captured my attention. Silver feathers drifted into view, the corner of my lips beginning to tremble. Slender hands curled around mine, Liz’s aura bathing mine.

“Sorry, I can’t stay for long. Being an angel doesn’t permit you to see me. One last embrace, and one last bit of protection. Nothing more, nothing less.” She wept openly into my ear, her lips brushing against the top of my head. “I love you, Silks. Thank you for the gift of being with my family.” Silent tears welled up in my eyes, a chorus of bells announced a flurry of silver spikes piercing the demon a million ways to Hell. Fading away before I could say anything, a numbness washed over my features. Bowing my head in shame, anger boiled in my veins. Pocket watches shattered behind me, a rusty pocket watch bouncing off of Avery’s palm. Dropping my spikes, the cage fizzled out. Sinking to my knees, grief crippled me. Pent up sorrow splashed onto my hands, orange flames cooking the silver feathers into ash. Gone as my patience, uncontrollable orange flames roared up my arms. Flesh burned underneath, the searing agony becoming a background situation. Avery shouted out the difficult spell, his words fading in and out. Rip skidded into the chaos, Bookworth channeling more energy into Avery’s palm. Cracking the pocket watch, the skin of the demon bubbled before exploding in a cloud of ash. Shivering in my spot, horrible flames roared hotter and faster. What the hell is going on?

“Make it stop!” I cried out desperately into the roof, the edges of the dimension fraying into my kitchen. “Fuck! This hurts!” Hoisting myself to my feet, running my arms under cold water did nothing. Grumbling under my breath, burnt flesh woke up my morning sickness. Furniture tripled, silver feathers taunting me. Exhaustion weighed down on my eyelids, a rough darkness stealing me away.

Laying on my side, clouds hugged my curled up form. Ivory silk floated over my form, fresh gauze covering more of my arm. Sitting up with a gruff groan, clouds ruffled as a pale Liz flew over to me with the most stunning silver wings. Fussing with her silver robe, a sympathetic smile haunted her lips.

“Sorry for cutting us off so abruptly.” She apologized honestly, mixed emotions trickling off of our chins. “Really had to pull some strings for this meeting. Considering all the cleaning up you have been doing, God decided to allow this short visit. I suppose I lied. Forgive me for I have sinned. That new one you are interested in is going to serve you much better than I ever managed. Bringing a family together makes spirits stronger.” Snapping her fingers, her hand dug around her robe. Presenting me with a bell shaped locket, quiet sobs wracked my body. Clicking it open, a picture of her smiled back up at me. Clutching it close to my chest, no words could be found.

“Must you be so stubborn?” I choked out through a wall of bitter sweet joy, my eyes averting to the soft clouds. “All I ever desired for you was for you to be with your family. At the end of the day, isn’t that all we want? I love you, too. Part of me felt guilty for not getting to say goodbye to the greatest friend in the world. Closure hasn’t always been my thing. Look at how long it took me to get together with Rip. Losing you hurts but time heals the heart.” Plopping down next to me, her slender hand clicked the necklace around my neck. Laying her head on my shoulder, our fingers intertwined. What a lovely thing to cherish for the rest of my eternity.

“Heaven is boring at times and then I think about the fun you gave me. Going after Avery today gave you brownie points. Heaven is possible and Linz can come too. Rip is permitted with Bookworth.” She assured me, the shaky voice hiding her emotional strife poorly. “Truth lies in my words. Your work carries you well. Time is almost up, my dear. Carry on strong! Do it for yourself. I love you.” Mouthing out the words love you, a clang had the edge of the dream fading away.

Rolling onto my other side, nastier burn scars poked out of the new gauze. Gloves would have to become a permanent investment, a glint reminding me of the locket. Smiling sadly to myself, cotton caught the hurricane of brokenness. Curling my fingers around the silver, grief found its way to my heart. Severing what once tore out a chunk of my soul, the damage seemed unable to be repaired. Theoretically, how much damage could a body take before it quits? Small hands cupping my cheeks whipped me back into reality, Avery’s sweet look of concern meeting my dejected expression. Warmth coursed through my soul, the damage dying down to a barely obvious scar. Ruby beaded in his nostril, a rip from the closest tissue box granting me a chance to forget my mental issues. Holding a tissue up his nose, pensive silence hung between us. Playing with my new necklace, his lips curled into a broken grin.

“Was it nice to see Miss Liz?” He inquired sweetly, his body snuggling into my offered side hug. “August told me that angels rarely get to visit their friends. So if I do good things like you, do I get to see her too?” Touched that he missed her as well, a kiss to the top of his head slowed his heartbeat down. Unsure of what to say, false hope could destroy him.

“Maybe, but be good for your own sake.” I urged in response, his features perking up. “Don’t worry about that. Thank you for healing me. No mother is luckier than I. How about I show you something?” Twisting a fresh tissue, a gentle guide had it up his nose. Opening it up, the corner of his lips quivered at her perfect picture. Sunshine hit her just right, her eyes shimmering in pure bliss. Not one part of me regretted the release of Liz, her freedom in Heaven proving to be worth it.

“Sometimes we have to let people go, buddy. Finding friends has been, well, difficult. When it broke the other day, a piece of my soul flew off with her.” I explained after snapping the locket shut. “Life is better cherished with a few good memories than a thousand okay ones. Trust me, you’ll come to learn that real quick. Avery, you make me proud everyday. I love you with all of my heart.” Poking his heart to emphasize my statement, his giggle warmed up the moment. Rip knocked on the door frame, a tray of hot chocolate and cookies clattered on his palm.

“Hot chocolate and snacks for my family?” He sang gleefully, his sharp eyes watching me for any signs of depression. “Perhaps a favorite movie?” Climbing onto the bed, a click of the remote woke up the television in our room. Picking out a movie with Avery, his genuine smile in the moment had my breath hitching. Rip’s parenting skills proved to be elite, a peck to each cheek bringing me back down to Earth. Soaking in the breathtaking moment, my boys had my heart. God existed, a couple of prayers were in order. First thing first, keep granting Miss Liz the bliss she is swimming in. Secondly, please don’t take away anymore of my life. Lord knows what scorn would follow after. For too long, life ran me over. For too long, people tossed me aside for what I did. Family had been found, Avery bringing hope back into my soul. Yet part of me felt as if I didn’t belong. Regardless, treasure had found its way into my lap and not one person or demon was going to take it away. Oh yeah, one final request. Please grant me the good fortune to keep fighting this endless war.