Chapter 4: A New Beginning
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Summary: Gemma is still reeling after her encounter with Pippa. Will she finally realize she cannot win on her own?
Suggested Music:
Paragraphs 1-26: You're Beautiful by James Blunt
I finally remember my dream. Now if only I could forget it. I stumble out into the courtyard and scan across a sea of girls to find Ann and Felicity. I finally spot them talking fervently near a secluded area in the forest. As I make my way over, Ann sees me coming and walks quickly towards me.
"There you are Gemma. We've been so worried about you!" Ann says with a pained look on her face.
"Yes, we were," Felicity adds coldly. I can tell Ann was truly worried, but Felicity's tone gives me doubts.
"I'm dreadfully sorry. Things have been so complicated lately. But that is not the point. I've had the most disturbing vision… you most likely will not be overjoyed to hear what I have to say."
"What is it? Have we gone to war?" Ann asks, her eyes wide, no doubt contemplating a strategy she has already planned out for this situation.
"No, but I have discovered the leader of the black riders… Its Pippa."
"Liar."
I knew it was coming, but I had hoped it wouldn't. "I know you don't believe me Felicity, and I wish it were not true. But Pippa came to me in a dream. She has been fully corrupted and has become the queen of the Winterlands. She said that…"
"Don't talk about Pippa that way! She was the most wonderful person in the world! She would never betray us! You were always jealous of her. Just like you're jealous of me! Aren't you? Admit it!"
Felicity's words cut through me like a knife. "Felicity! I am not jealous of you! I value your and Ann's skills more than anything! Why would you…"
"Because you can't stand the fact that I have to protect you! That I'm stronger than you! You have to be able to control me. Not letting me into the realms without your permission, telling me how to use my magic; Its all a ploy to keep the power all to yourself!"
So that is what she truly thinks of me. That I'm some power hungry egomaniac who's only desire is to control her and the magic. "Pippa said this is why we are losing our strength. Because we do not have trust in one another. You do not believe in me… and your lack of faith in me has led me to mistrust you. This cannot go on!"
"You have taken everything away from me! My power, my talent, Pippa! All of it is gone because of you! I should just take the power for my…"
SLAP! The sound echoes deafeningly throughout the trees. Felicity holds her hand to her face, dumbstruck. No one is more surprised than me however. Ann is standing over Felicity, hand following through after that devastating hit. "Do not speak to Gemma that way! You forget who has given us this blessing! Gemma could have never told us about the realms! We could still be floating along with the current, never questioning our true purpose in life! You would have never learned your gift for archery, or that you could stand on your own! I would have never experienced the thrill of knowing what it's like to be someone… to be loved."
Tears begin to flow like a river down my face. Ann's dedication has touched me. I have always felt guilty for taking them into the realms. I believed that I had placed an unneeded burden of responsibility upon Felicity, that she was to protect me at all costs. I also thought that it had lead to Ann's heartbreak. In my mind, I had dragged them both into my own problem and I feared that they would resent me for it forever.
"You mean, you don't hate me for taking you into the realms? Neither of you?"
"Of course not!" Says Ann, walking over to me and placing her hand on mine. "Gemma, you have opened my eyes to the real world! You have shown me that I can change my life. I don't have to do what is expected of me. I can find happiness."
"But I always thought I was the cause of Tom breaking your heart… if I had never taken you into the realms, we would have never of thought to lie about your identity and you could have avoided the whole affair!"
Ann's eyes cloud over for a second and I fear I have made her cry. But she just looks at me and smiles. "Tom did break my heart. But if I had never taken the chance, I would never have had the courage to turn my life around. I finally feel confident with myself… as if I have a purpose. To help you protect the realms. That is what I have sworn to do and I will stand by you no matter what."
I throw my arms around Ann and cry pitifully into her shoulder. I never realized how much support Ann has given me over the years. I will find a way to repay her. I promise.
Finally, I turn back to Felicity. "Felicity, I'm sorry. I have placed a great burden upon you asking you to be my protector. Honestly, I am not trying to take the power away from you. I'm just trying to think about the consequences of our actions so I can protect you in return. You both have helped me so many times, but I feel I have done nothing to help you. So just trust my judgment, please. I would never try to hurt either of you. And I will find a way that both of you can enter the realms on your own. I promise."
Felicity gets the strangest look in her eye. At first I fear she is going to hit me. Instead, she places her head upon my shoulder and begins to cry. "I'm sorry Gemma! I just got so jealous when I saw you hit the bull's eye! Then I got scared that if you could protect yourself, then you wouldn't need me anymore! Then I wouldn't be able to go into the realms and I would lose you like I lost Pippa! I just couldn't bear that! I'm so sorry!"
I gently pat Felicity on the head, shocked. It is definitely unlike Felicity to apologize. She must have been terribly upset. "It's alright Felicity, I understand. I'm sorry you have felt that way. No one could ever replace you and Ann in my life. No one. I value your friendship more than anything. And it is this friendship that will help us win the war in the realms." Ann embraces both of us. I finally feel like we are truly friends. That the three of us can stand up to anything. Even the riders.
After she cries for a short while, Felicity lifts her eyes to look at me. "So… Pippa really has turned against us?"
I nod my head gravely. "I'm afraid so."
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I feel a renewed sense of vigor as I walk up the steps to my room. My friendship with Ann and Felicity has been restored and strengthened by my terrifying vision. Perhaps I should consider it a blessing in disguise.
I open the door and find another note upon my bed.
Kartik.
I hurriedly open the letter, hoping deep down that he is begging to see me again. I am greatly disappointed, however. Apparently, there is a young girl staying in an apartment in London who wishes to join the new order. An address and room number is scrawled upon the parchment.
Perhaps I cannot repair the damage I have done.
I wait for Ann and Felicity to come to my room and tell them our trip to the realms will have to take a rain check. They wish me luck on my search and hurry off to prepare for a possible battle tomorrow night. With a heavy heart, I close my eyes and teleport to London.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I climb up the stairs of the musty motel until I reach the fourth floor. The girl I am supposed to meet is in room 450. Millions of questions begin to race through my head. How did this girl know about the order? Can she enter herself, or does she just want free passage into the realms? Could this be a trap?
I find the door to room 450. It is slightly ajar, immediately raising my suspicions. You've come too far now to turn back Gemma. I take a deep breath and fling the door open. Slowly, I walk into the room. No one is there.
"Hello?" I shout, hoping she is merely indisposed at the moment. No answer.
Suddenly the door behind me slams shut and a powerful arm grabs me from behind and its hand covers my mouth.
I have been captured!
Oh nooooo! Will our heroine survive to see her beloved Kartik again? Has Mcleethy finally caught up to Gemma? Will Pippa rule the realms? You'll just have to wait for the next chapter! Remember, please review!
