Coming Clean
Chapter 3: Follow your Heart
Hey there! Thank all of you who have reviewed; I am humbled. I now believe in my writing so much, that I entered a Literature competition at my school. Sorry for the wait, guys. I went on vacation for spring break before I could upload this chapter, and it was impossible to get my hands on a PC, until now at this hotel. Enough said. Enjoy!
I was so zoned out with my music that I didn't snap out till a really loud thunder broke the barrier between me and reality. I jumped up to a sitting position on my bed. Then, I yanked my headphones off and turned to look at my window.
The rain was pelting furiously against my window panes. It looked like a light show outside. The lightning and thunder came one after the other. Suddenly, the electricity flickered in the Brownstone. Atlanta!
I turned on my PMR to look at the hour. It displayed '9:30 pm'. How long was I out? Had she returned already? I then dialed her number and felt like such an idiot when I heard the familiar ringtone coming from the black book bag besides the door in my room.
I stood up, stepped out of my room and sprinted downstairs to the living room. Odie and Herry were sitting on the couch playing video games.
"Guys! Have you seen Atlanta? Did she come back?" They paused their game to look at me.
"She hasn't gotten home, now that I think of it." Odie said thoughtful.
"Sorry, buddy." Herry apologized and quickly resumed the game.
Oh no! Just what I suspected. I went back upstairs and knocked on Theresa's door. She opened a few seconds later.
"Archie?" Theresa asked surprised when she saw me.
"No. Jay." I replied in a sarcastic tone. She'd like that.
"Ugh. Look, if you came here to disturb my peace, you can leave." Theresa started to close the door, but I quickly grabbed it.
"Listen! I need your help." I entered and closed the door behind me.
"Is something wrong?" Dumb Theresa, always asking the obvious.
"Atlanta hasn't returned, and I'm really worried. I want to know if she is safe, and thought that maybe you could try to 'see' her."
"I knew this would happen. Okay, let's see." Theresa sighed, closed her eyes and put her hands on either temple. I observed how her eyelids moved around, and her face twitched. Suddenly, her eyes bolted open as she gasped out. Then her eyes rolled back somewhat and she swayed to the side. My reflexes kicked in and I grabbed her by the shoulders before she tumbled to the floor.
"Hey! Easy." She looked drained. I gently backed her up to the bed. "Sit." I ordered and then sat beside her. "You, okay?" I asked. Yeah, yeah! I admit I worry about the Drama Queen.
"Fine. Thanks." She whispered as she rubbed her temples.
"Did you see her!?" My attention returned to my main preoccupation.
"Yes. Archie, you have to hurry. She is in danger." She turned to look at me her eyes filled with desperation and anguish.
"Where is she?" I demanded, altered.
"In the woods." Ugh how useless.
"Theresa, these woods are huge! Where in the woods!?" The volume of my voice was starting to escalate. She closed her eyes again and grunted.
"She is in a small clearing surrounded by trees." She stated and opened her eyes to look at me.
"Surrounded be trees!? In a lighting storm!?" My worry reached a whole new level, now.
"Hence the need to hurry up." Theresa said matter of factly, but with apprehension apparent in her tone.
"All right, but the woods has thousands of trees. How am I supposed to find her?"
Theresa shut her eyes tight, briefly again.
"Follow your heart." Theresa said simply. She really is crazy.
"W- what? Are you sure, Theresa?"
"It is an intuitive guess." Such junk.
"Is that even reliable?" I questioned completely unconvinced.
"Arch, you might not realize, but you and Atlanta, you share this strange connection. I can feel it, but it is hard to describe. It is strong and lively, so personal." What came out of her mouth sounded like complete gibberish to me, but somehow, I understood perfectly and was able to identify myself.
"Okay, you sold me. But if I get lost, it is totally your fault." I joked.
"What, how is this my fault!? It's because of you, Atlanta ran off in the first place." Damn, Theresa. Great way of making someone feel like shit. I turned away, slightly hurt, at being reminded that it was because of me that Atlanta was in danger.
"Sorry." She whispered. I sighed and turned to looked at her again.
"Never mind. You're right, anyway." I assured. All right, enough with the time wasting. "I gotta go, now!"
"You do!" Theresa exclaimed as she pushed me off her bed. "But, wait! We're coming with you, right?"
"Umm, I think it's best if I did this on my own. But I'll call if I need back-up." I promised. How was I supposed to 'follow my heart' with everyone hot on my heels and breathing on my neck?
"Yeah, you're right! I'll tell Jay. Be careful, Archie!" Theresa warned. "Oh, and when you find Atlanta, you should apologize." Yeah, without a doubt.
I simply nodded and ran out the door, downstairs, where I met with the guys, again.
"Odie, Herry! Stay alert. I'm going to look for Atlanta in the woods." I hollered at them as I took my rain jacket from the hanger and put it on.
"Wait!? What?" Odie started, but I didn't have time to explain.
"No time! Ask Theresa!" I grabbed a few other things like Atlanta's rain jacket, which I tied tightly around my waist and a big ass flash light. I also made sure I had my weapons before walking out the door.
I quickly got my bike from the driveway and started it. The tempest was so powerful, driving over the speed limit was extremely difficult and dangerous, even though the streets were empty. All I cared about, though, was reaching Atlanta in time.
I got to the woods in about five minutes tops. I yanked my helmet off, tossed it somewhere, and left my bike leaning against the chain-link fence at the wood's entrance.
I wasted no time and started running through the woods, having no idea of where I was headed. First of all, it was dark, and you could barely see anything across the thick wall of rain. Second of all, I had no freaking idea how to 'follow my heart'. The only thing that guided me was the light of the lightning and my flashlight, and the thought of what would Atlanta do. Maybe that was what it meant to 'follow my heart'.
I was running as fast as I could, which wasn't as fast as Atlanta, but enough to at least rival her. Also, I was making sure to mark every other tree with my whip to find my way back afterwards.
Suddenly, I saw the tree right in front of me being struck by lightning. It was too late to stop or turn, so I just ran even faster. Just as soon as I passed by it, I felt something heavy fall on my shoulder and knock me down. The next thing I saw was my face headed straight for the mud in the ground.
I lifted my head from the mud and gasped for air. I felt this agonizing pain coming from my left shoulder. With my right hand I wiped the mud off my eyes and face. Then I could see what had happened. A large branch from the tree that was struck, fell on my shoulder and was now pining it against the ground. I also saw that my flashlight had shattered from the fall.
Well it is not like I need it, anyway. The lighting was so consecutive now that I was only in the dark for intervals of a second. I had to get free fast. I tried to simply lift myself up, but was immediately seized by a sharp pain in my shoulder and slumped right back down. I was filled with desperation and frustration, and an involuntary sob escaped me.
All of a sudden, I heard a voice calling my name. I'm sure it was Atlanta's, but somehow it felt distant and surreal, but strongly desperate and pleading. It came from somewhere to my right. Then I heard another voice, but only this one came from within my head.
'Follow your heart.' The voice I instantly recognized as Theresa, reminded. The branch must've hit me in the head as well, because now I'm hearing voices. Or maybe, she was trying to reach me telepathically so that I would follow Atlanta's voice. I became overwhelmed by a strong courage, and I pulled myself up again. This time, ignoring the huge pain I felt. As my arm broke free, I let out a cry and a few tears, but I was free and able to stand up. It's probably just dislocated.
I slipped my hand into the pocket of the jacket and clutched my arm against my torso. I heard Atlanta calling to me again.
"I'm coming, Atlanta." I shouted back as loud as I could, but I wasn't able to hear my own voice over the loud roar of the storm. Wait! If I can't hear my own voice shouting, how can I hear Atlanta's, when hers is not even a shout? This was a bit creepy, but at least, now I knew in what direction to search.
I started walking towards where I heard Atlanta, and I entered a small clearing. Unintentionally, my eyes fell on something red on the ground. It was Atlanta siting there, and I nearly tripped over her.
"Atlanta!" I called out to her feeling extreme joy that I had found her, all thoughts of anger and remorse far beyond forgotten. I saw her face slowly lift from her knees.
"Archie." She mouthed. My heart fell as I examined her closer. Her face was paler than mine, and that's saying a lot. Her lips looked chapped and purplish. I kneeled down beside her and wrapped my one good arm around her and pulled her close. I could feel her trembling violently, but she still managed to hug me back.
"Atlanta, you're freezing!" I told her concerned as I sat down. Then, I remember that I had brought along her jacket. I was able to untie it from my waist. "Here." I said as I helped her put it on.
"I-I knew y-you would c-come." Atlanta mumbled. This was so heart wrenching, to see her like this, and knowing it was my fault, that I did this to her, harm her not only mentally but, physically also. I couldn't keep it in any longer and broke down in tears.
"I'm so sorry, Atlanta!" I bawled. "I'm sorry I did this to you." I noticed Atlanta's eyes start to fill up with tears, and I turned away.
"It's m-my f-fault too." She stammered out as she grabbed my face and forced me to look at her.
"What do you mean? No! This was my fault! I am the jerk!" I said, looking straight back at her. How could she ever believe this was her fault?
" I l-love you t-too, Arch." She whispered as she shed another tear. Did I just hear right!? Did Atlanta say she loved me? Not liked or crushed, but loved?
"Y-you do!?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Always have." She admitted. I knew it! All the signs I had picked up; it was all true! A huge, and probably goofy smile was plastered on my face.
"Oh, Atlanta! You have no idea how long I've waited, and dreamed to hear those words." I told her excitedly. Then, something unbelievable happened. She pulled in closer to my face, and I saw her view quickly flash from my eyes to my mouth and back.
It was like the doors to heaven finally opened up for me. I cupped her face with my hand and planted my lips on her cold and rough ones. I didn't mind. I was making out with Atlanta, and that was all I cared about.
When we kissed, somehow, warmth spread throughout her entire body, and her lips soon became warm and soft, like I always imagined them. The world was slowly disappearing around us, along with all of our worries, and our past problems. She made me feel like none of that mattered, anymore.
I honestly never knew a kiss so innocent could be so intimate and electrifying. Her lips were moving in perfect sync, and I felt them smile as we broke apart. We stared at each other for a while before hugging again.
I then noticed it had stopped raining. I was not exactly sure when in this whole time it had stopped, but I was simply happy that the night was now clear and illuminated by the soft light of the moon. I heard Atlanta cough. It sounded loose and wet, and I didn't like it one bit.
"I have to get you out of here and to Chiron. You are not well." I said as I stood up.
"Arch, I don't think I can't walk. I hurt my knee pretty bad. I don't have the energy either." I noticed her knee for the first time and felt more urge to get her medical help.
"That's okay. I'll have to carry you then." At this, she looked like she was about to protest, maybe out of habit, but her face softened and she just smiled.
"All right." She whispered. I kneeled back down to pick her up when I remembered. My shoulder! How am I going to be able to carry her all the way out of the woods, which was about two miles away?
"What's wrong?" She questioned noticing my hesitation.
"Nothing." I assured her. Well, I guess if I could ignore the pain once, I could do it again. Right? I slipped my right and good arm under her both arms. Then I slowly pulled my left arm from where I had it clutched and placed it under her knees. I took a deep breath to prepare myself mentally for the pain I was about to feel.
Without further thought, I quickly lifted her from the ground and bit my bottom lip hard, in attempt to not cry out. I tried to balance her, so that about ninety percent of her weight was on my good arm, and the other ten, on the battered one.
When I finally reached a point where the pain was barely tolerable, I started to power walk in the direction I came from. Despite the piercing pain, I was thrilled to be holding Atlanta in my arms, and I knew she was too when I saw her nuzzling to my chest.
I was thankful that I had marked the way back with my whip, because out here in the woods, everything looks the same. After a few minutes walking, I got a strong feeling we were being watched.
I couldn't help myself from becoming tense with fear. Then I saw it. About a yard in front of me, a very large wolf stood, staring at us with its menacing red eyes. It started to advance towards us, and I froze.
"A-atlanta!?" I whispered to the half-asleep girl in my arms.
"What?" She grunted.
"We have a situation." Thinking on the flight, I bent over and ignoring the pain, laid down Atlanta against a tree behind us. I stood in front of her, protectively, because I was not letting anything harm her further.
I clutched my left arm to my body, and with the other, I pulled out my adamantium whip. The black wolf was now feet in front of me, and I started to slash the air in front of the it in attempt to scare him off without having to hurt it.
This wolf didn't even flinch, and just kept advancing. After that, I was obligated to show more force. I looked behind at Atlanta to ask her permission. I saw she was scared too, but nodded anyway. I slashed my whip and cut the wolf across the chest. Where another wolf would've cowered and ran away, this one didn't even yelp, but re-healed itself. What!? How could a wolf…? Wait!
"Cronus!" I roared at the wolf. This one was surrounded by flames as it transformed to the familiar figure we knew as Cronus. I looked back at Atlanta again, and saw her astonished and frightened expression.
"Ah! Very good, Archie." Cronus started, but I just dove into my pockets searching for my PMR. "Looking for this?" Cronus mocked. I looked up at him and saw he was holding up my PMR.
"But h-how?" I ask as he crushed it in his fist. How the hell did he get it?
"Don't make a fool out of yourself, boy. You should know better." Cronus spat. "Have fun!" I heard his maniacal laughter as he opened a portal and disappeared through it. As soon as he was gone, the ground started to shake.
"Giants!" I heard Atlanta gasp behind me. Then about eight giants came out from the trees all around us. Oh no! I can't fight all of these alone! Agnon came up to me and threw me a kick. I doubled over to dodge it, and grabbed his leg with my whip. I pulled it out from under him, and knocked him down.
Out of the corner of my eyes, l saw a bright purple flash. I turned around and saw Atlanta shooting at a giant with her laser crossbow from where she sat. When she saw me looking at her, she gave me a cocky wink. She is so fearless; it never ceases to amaze me. From her blind side a giant was reaching out to grab her.
"Leave her alone!" I screamed rage filled at the green giant and threw one of my ninja stars at his one eye. The giant yelled in pain as he covered his socket with his large hands, and then ran off. That's what you get when you mess with Atlanta, Shrek!
"Archie! Look out!" I saw Atlanta's desperate expression as she pointed towards something unknown behind my back.
I turned around just in time to see a giant hand whack me of my feet and send me flying. The last thing I remember was my body colliding against something solid before the world became pitch black.
Cliffhanger! What's going to happen with Archie and Atlanta now? And what about that fluff scene? Hot, right? This turned out a whole lot longer than what I had planned. Oh and originally, there was no place for Cronus in this story, but you know him. He has a way of crawling into every story. XD Keep up the reviews!