Sorry for not updating for over a week! Unfortunately, I had to erase this entire chapter to restart after chapter two, and later took away more than half before I complete it! Another big deal was I had to study for a test which if I pass and pass the secondary testing, will allow me to get into a really good high school, and my current school's trimester just ended, meaning tests and I had to write the rough draft of a five-page paper! So yeah, I was a bit loaded, but things should be easier from now on!
Enola's P.O.V.
Its late morning when I awoken. My stomach grumbled, but I ignore it in favor of trying to take a nap. I guess I thought I was dreaming, and by going back to sleep I would wake up in reality. It didn't work so well.
Sighing, I rise and try to ignore my pounding head. Last night was just too much. Rubbing my head, I hear voices from outside. The boys were obviously training. I wander the ship, trying to keep away from any other human beings. These were the times when I resented the curse I held. Eventually, I did run into Lloyd. Remembering the previous night I decide to find out something.
"Lloyd?" He turns to face me. "Um, I know this may be random, but who is your father?"
Surprisingly, Lloyd sighs. "My last name is Garmadon. My father is Lord Garmadon." Small wonder he was able to speak to me! "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious." I insist before leaving the hallway. Once out of sight I sprint to my room, locking the door and sliding down the wall in terror. Was I truly supposed to be on the side of darkness?
No, it can't be! I've never done anything dark! I tell myself.
Is that so? A crackling voice in the back of my mind asks. Last I remembered, you traumatized a poor man. He still can't speak.
He deserved it! He was going to kill me! I respond.
You could've run. You could've just used your physical strength. The voice sings, torturing me.
I didn't mean to! I swear! I shout.
You did it, and we both know that's what really matters. The Lord of Darkness was right to try and get you to go to your true side. The voice persists.
STOP! JUST GO AWAY! I find myself screaming into the wall, sobbing. Good god, why me? Why do I have to be the one the shadows chase?
My sobbing increases with time, and when I finally stop, its late afternoon. The shadows, the voices, and the people here- it's all so much to deal with. Again, I remember the asylum and it feels like a paradise, even though they tortured me. God, when would life give me a break?
Groaning, I flop onto my bed. The shadows, as always, are blaring away in my head. I've perfected tuning them out, though, so its not as bad.
"Enola?" Nya pops her head into my room. "What's wrong? You haven't left your room for almost an entire day."
"I'm fine." I mutter into my pillow in an attempt to conceal my tone, but it fails.
"You can talk to me. Look, I know my brother and the other ninja besides Lloyd don't trust you. But that doesn't mean we all hate you." Nya reminds me.
"I told you, I'm fine-" I gasp as my senses heightened. Nightmares, abundant and strong. Nya gives me a weird look as I grab my cloak and quickly fasten it around my neck.
"What are you doing?" She asks.
"I have to go. Leave if the others badger you or if necessary, but I have a job to complete." I answer, flicking on my hood. I won't abandon the people who need me. I exit the room, leaving Nya shocked before she tries to run after me.
I reach the deck and before the ninja can try to ask what I'm doing, I jump over the railing and sprint away faster and faster until I reach my destination. A town in slumber, plagued by nightmares. My boots click on the sidewalk as I approach the source. A small inn, and once inside, I understand why.
Stone Warriors are there, spreading a black dust/mist that resembles a raw nightmare when once I have removed it. The shadows, thankful I am fulfilling my duty, hide me from them until they leave, out of dust to spread. I spring into action, moving as fast as I can to remove them. Several, strangely enough, are the exact same. Perhaps it was instilling one fear rather than several. I think as I'm taking away the nightmares.
"His Lordship was correct." I spin around to find the Stone Warriors back, blocking my exit. "She did come. This makes things simpler." The one speaking is garbed in red, with four arms each holding a sword. "You will come with us."
Instead of wasting time replying, I flee. They run after me, and it's not long before I'm cornered in an alley. I'm near panicking when the leader speaks again. "Run and you die." He growls.
Let us help you! The shadows insist, and based on the situation, I make a terrible choice-
I agree. Do it.
Black pulses, like the ones from when I was twelve, erupt from my hands, shattering the Stone Warriors on contact. All that remains is dust. My knees grow weak as my stomach churns, but what's worse is the blackness of my hand begins to spread, going past my wrist to my lower arm.
"No! Stop! Stop!" I scream, squeezing my arm. It doesn't until it covers half my lower arm.
This was your choice. It will never be reversed. The shadows chant before becoming silent.
In tears and huddled in the alley is how the ninja find me. Nya helps with me up, and brings me to the kitchen where she puts a plate of food in front of me I don't touch. The others look at me expectantly but not a word leaves my lips until Nya speaks. "Enola, we need to know what happened or we can't help you."
"No one can help me." I murmur, my head down.
"We can, Enola. I promise." Nya insists.
"Can you help this?" I extend my arm, showing them the black skin. The others gasp, and Nya touches my arm.
"I thought you said you were born with a black hand." She said slowly.
"I was born and looked like anyone else. But when I escaped, pain took over. The shadows offered me closure, more times than one. I accepted on one occasion, which made my hair and right hand black before I realized what I was doing and stopped it." I explain. "When I was cornered by Stone Warriors the shadows offered to 'help' me. What they did was the same I did to a murderer when I was twelve, but went further, disintegrating them. Now, would you say can you help me?" I lift my head, and each of them have the same expression, a mixture of pity and complete loss of what to do. "No one can, or will ever be able to help me."
I can. Lord Garmadon's voice echoes in my head, but like the shadows I ignore him. When the silence in the room continues, I rise from my chair and walk to my room, removing my cloak and huddling in the sheets. Maybe the shadows were right... Maybe I'd be better off as one of them...
A knock on my door brings me out of my thoughts. I mutter, "Come in", thinking its Nya, but instead Kai enters. "What do you want?"
Kai shifts uncomfortably. "I wanted to apologize for holding you at sword point."
I raise my eyebrow. Nya probably asked him to. "You were protecting your sister. It's logical."
"That doesn't make it right." Kai counters. "I know I've been a jerk to you, and I am sorry." He leaves the room, so I curl up in bed and try to sleep.
This ultimately fails, since my body is screaming for food. Finally, I give in, sneaking back into the kitchen after nightfall and eating an apple. Sleep continues to elude me, so I go out onto the deck. A soft breeze runs through my hair, and I sigh. I would give anything for it to return to its original brown, even though when it was I thought it was ugly. After an hour, my eyelids become heavy and I gratefully go to my bed where I slip into slumber.
It's only a few hours later that a soft noise awakens me. Opening my eyes, I sit up and look around to find the shadow of a young boy. Queen, can you help me?
I groan- Not again! I'm sorry, but I'm not a queen.
Please Queen. I need to find my mommy and daddy. The boy insists as if he didn't hear me.
What do you speak of? I am queen to no one, and I can only see nightmares. I try to explain but he won't listen.
Mommy and Daddy were helping me ride my bike. Then they were gone. Queen, I need to find them. Please help me. The boy insists. I go pale- Either this boy is a. a nightmare or b. the soul of a dead boy, both of which aren't pleasant.
I-I think you're just a nightmare. I reply slowly.
What do you mean, Queen? The boy asks, confused.
You're a nightmare of your parents. You only exist because your parents miss you. I tell him carefully.
Oh. The boy looks down, then looks up as if he brightens. Okay. That explains a lot. Thank you, Queen! He yells before disappearing.
Unfortunately, his appearance does nothing but conflict me. Now it isn't just Lord Garmadon saying I'm Queen of Shadows, but a shadow itself. What if I am? What if I'm evil and I don't even know it? I worry.
Morning comes as slowly as possible, but when it finally shows its face, I run out onto the deck, basking in the sun's warmth. I know if I become a shadow, than this might be one of the last times I am able to feel the sun's light on my skin. Finally, I grow sick of wondering and go to Sensei Wu.
"Enola, is something wrong?" He asks.
No, I just came to say hi- No shit, Sherlock! I mentally cuss. "When you told me of the title people gave me, you mentioned Mistress of Nightmares. But recently, a shadow called me by another name." I explain. "He called me Queen of Shadows. Should I be worried?"
Sensei looks at me strangely. "Who told you this?"
"The shadow of a young boy." I wasn't about say it was Lord Garmadon, the Lord of Darkness.
"Then perhaps it is merely a title you have been given among the shadows and most likely nothing too concerning." Sensei Wu says. But leaving outside of society for two years makes a person observant so his true worry underneath the mask of calmness. In simpler terms, this was definitely something to worry about even without the fact it was Lord Garmadon who named me first.
Leaving the room, I run a hand through my hair and sigh. Nya spots me in the hallway. "Listen, I'm really sorry about last night. We were just surprised." She says apologetically.
I shrug. "It's fine. Besides, I doubt anyone on this plane of existence could help me. It's just become a part of my identity."
"Enola, no one should have to deal with something like that." Nya insists. "Especially with my brother and the other guys besides Lloyd being jerks to you."
Wait, Nya didn't make Kai apologize? I wondered. Pushing aside the thought, again I shrugged. "It's better than being in the asylum." Yeah, now that I thought about it, absolutely NOTHING could be worse than the asylum.
"Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'll listen." Nya insists before walking away.
The ghost of a smile creeps up my lips. Maybe being here isn't so bad after all...