Stark

I don't know how long I lay sobbing with Zoey's body in my arms… it seemed like for eternity. I felt a small nudge on my shoulder and looked up through my bloodshot eyes to see Darius talking to me. I focused more…

"… and I really think that this is the path our goddess chose for Zoey, so try to think more positive. She will come back…"

"Maybe we should cast a circle so she has help from her elements, wherever she is," I heard Stevie Rae say. There were some nods and a vague rustling sound of people getting up. Shaunee, Erin, Damien and Stevie Rae took their places in the circle.

"You have to represent spirit for Zoey," Aphrodite said to me. I numbly got up and walked to the middle of the circle. I could hear voices asking the elements for their help, but it was all just a blur. I felt a tap, and someone tell me it was my turn.

"Spirit, I call on you to guide Zoey and protect her wherever she may be…" I whispered. I felt a strong surge of strength and support that flowed through my body. I could tell the others felt it too, because they gasped and a small smile lit their faces. What we weren't prepared for was the beautiful spirit that appeared before us.

"Listen closely my children…" the soothing voice I heard could only be assumed as Nyx. "As you already know, Zoey has left her body; though she may still be breathing. I ask for your help in keeping her body safe and protected. All will come together soon…"

"What happened to Zoey?!" Stevie Rae demanded.

"Patience my child, I cannot reveal all of my plan. Just keep Zoey safe…"

"Why are her markings gone?" Damien asked in a stressed voice.

Nyx smiled gently as she spoke her next words, "Sometimes, listening to your elders would be the best of choices."

"Grandma Redbird?" Aphrodite asked. Nyx just smiled and blew away with the wind.

"We must find Zoey's grandmother immediately," Darius said. "Stark, take Zoey to her room and make sure she is well protected." I nodded and started walking away when a warm hand touched my arm.

"Don't be scared Stark, she'll be okay. She's a strong girl," Jack said, his eyes tearing up again.

"I know Jack, I know," I said, turning around and bowing my head as tears leaked out of my eyes.

Zoey

"Zoey! No no no! Zoey, you can't be here! What happened?!" Heath yelled, running toward me. I struggled to remember how I had gotten in this place. Then it came rushing back…

"I… I saw Kalona kill you. I tried to stop him… but I was too late," I stuttered, starting to cry. Sobs racked my frame as Heath held me as if I was going to break into a million pieces.

"You can't be dead too Zoey, you can't!" Heath chanted.

"I… I don't think I am. I remember throwing my elements at Kalona and then… black. And I woke up here… is there any way to know what's going on with my body and stuff?"

"I have been here about two more seconds than you Zo, I have no clue," Heath said.

"I'm scared Heath…" I whispered into his chest.

"I know babe, so am I." After a few minutes of crying I felt the power of my elements within me. I gasped at the strength of my powers. As I closed my eyes I could see my body in the middle of a summoning circle. It was strange, like I was looking down on my body from someone else's point of view. Stark! I was in Stark's mind. I could feel the pain that engulfed his body as he looked at my body. Wait, something was wrong… Nyx had left me. All that was left of her on my body was an outline of the cresent moon on my forehead.

"She… left me…" I cried out, sobbing harder into Heath's shirt.

"Who left you?"

"Nyx!! All my sapphire markings are gone!"

"Zo, they're still here. Look at your hands!" Heath said, grabbing my hands and lifting them up. I stared at the sapphire markings that were still on my hands.

"But… they aren't on my body..." I mumbled.

"What are you talking about Zo?"

"I closed my eyes, and starting seeing from Stark's point of view... all my markings were gone except for the outline of a crescent moon! But… why?" I pondered out loud. Then it hit me! Grandma… she had said that Nyx doesn't really mark your body but my soul! My soul must have left my body when I realized Heath had died…

"Heath!! Nyx marks my soul, not my body! They don't realize that… they think I'm dead! I need to get back… but how?"

"Maybe Nyx knows?" Heath suggested.

"Good idea," I whispered as I called out to Nyx. I asked for her to bring me just a few answers and to start pointing me in the right direction. I grinned as she answered my pleas. Her warm voice filled my head. Zoey… my lovely child. You are the key to defeating Kalona. It is here that you must watch for him, he can go anywhere he wishes in this realm. But how do I get out? Find the thing you love most in this world. Hold on to it and remember what it's like. Embrace it, and let it fill you… the rest you shall do on your own.

"Zo?" Heath asked, shaking me.

"I have to do this on my own Heath, you have to stay here," I whispered, looking into his eyes.

"No, Zoey I'm staying here to protect you!"

"Heath, don't you get it? You can't help me here! Kalona can get to me any time he wants, and I'm raw here. I have to go back."

"But how?"

"I'm not completely sure…"

"Let me accompany you, my fair lady…" Heath said, bowing down and taking my hand. I giggled and accepted his valiant offer. "Where to?"

"I have to think of what I love most in the world… and then go to it I guess," I answered. He smiled and gave me a big ol' bear hug. So we sat on the bench and started thinking…