Hey, Butterflies! I'm back with Chapter 4! I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter. Aren't you all glad the story has started to pick up speed? I know I am! Also, I am moving soon, so I might not be able to publish as often as I want. This move is very stressful for me, but once it's done and I'm settled in, I'll be able to write and publish more frequently. Here's Chapter 4: Bound Flame
Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.
Trigger Warning: Self Harm mentioned. May be graphic for some. Reader discretion is advised.
Where on Earth are we going to find to Drew's firesword? Better question: how on Earth are we going to find her firesword? It was vaporized moments before Drew, so unless we are supposed to somehow turn the air particles, which are probably scattered all over by now, back into her sword, then finding the firesword will be very difficult. Unless, Drew was not using her own firesword the day she died. But why would she do that? Ugh. I slide my fingers in my hair, stopping when the heels of my hands press firmly against my temples. None of this makes any sense. How can I even be sure that this isn't just a scam? I mean this letter came in mail with no information about the sender. Or what if it's Dr. Beeman trying to trick me? I already know that he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, but even this seems bizarre for him. No, this has to be legitimate. But does that mean that Drew is not actually dead? But why would she fake her own death?
I bang my head against my desk. Stars, why doesn't any of this make sense?! Why can't anything in my life ever just be normal?! An overwhelming urge to slice open my skin washes over me. No, I tell myself. No, I will not give in. The more I fight the urge, the stronger it grows. It grows and grows until it is as if I am no longer able to control my body. I walk into the bathroom, pull down my jeans, sit on the counter, and I place the cool metal blade of my razor to my skin. No, I don't want to do this, yet somehow I have to.
I move the blade closer to where my thighs meet. I press down on the blade and in a single motion slice open my skin. The blood comes slowly. Still, I don't feel better. I repeat the action several more times. I feel better, for now. Next, I clean the wounds and stop the bleeding with toilet tissue. It takes a while, but the bleeding eventually stops. Then I bandage the wounds and clean up. If anyone knew I still do this, I don't know what they'd do. I just wish they could understand. I wish I could tell them and not be ashamed, not be judged. I wish they could understand that I don't choose to struggle to deal with the urges. I wish I could ask for help without anyone thinking I'm either going to commit suicide or go on a murder rampage. I just don't understand why others can't understand. Maybe that's what's wrong with society today; we lack the ability to truly understand each other. We fear anything different from ourselves, and we are too preoccupied with ourselves and our own problems to truly get to know the problems of others and to help them.
But nevermind that. I have to figure out where I can find Drew's firesword. Maybe going back to the place where Drew and her sword were vaporized is the best place to start. Silently, I collect myself and get dressed in my winter clothes before heading outside. The snow has stopped falling for now; the sun is shining bright. I slip over to the place where Drew died. It's easy to find because we put together a little memorial for Drew shortly after she died. The memorial isn't complicated, but it feels like enough.
As I look at the spot for a few minutes, and I wonder if there is supposed to be a shadow or not where Drew was vaporized. Part of me doubts that there should be a shadow, but I'm no expert on vaporizing people. I should hope no one is an expert on that, but Dr. Beeman has sadly proven himself to be one. I remind myself that I am looking for clues and need to focus, so I draw my attention back to my search. After almost an hour and a half of searching, I find nothing and return inside. Today is the last day I can tell Anonymous that I have found the firesword, yet I have been unable to even begin looking. Unless a miracle happens, there is no hope of finding either of my mothers now.
Zak comes running out of the house, his coat only halfway zipped; he was in some kind of rush when he left the house, that's for sure. He runs over to me, panting as he tries to catch his breath. His breath forms a visible mist with each exhale.
"Lily, Dad told me about everything. Could it be a museum?" I stare at Zak in disbelief. Of course! Everything in a museum was once used. But with so many museums on the planet, how will we ever find the right one? I ask Zak my question, to which he responds that the Secret Scientists have a museum. With a nod, Zak and I race back inside to inform Doc of Zak's idea.
Inside, Doc listens carefully to Zak as he explains his idea. The more I listen to it, the more I understand it. Once Zak finishes, Doc nods and says it could be a possibility. However, the only problem is the person in charge of guarding the museum works for Dr. Beeman. I sigh. It's hopeless. Still, I tell the others that I will let Anonymous know our thoughts. Stars, I hope it buys us time. We really need it. I scrawl the letter and let it go outside. If Anonymous really is as all seeing and all knowing as xe claims, xe will have no trouble finding the letter.
In the dead of the night, I wake to a flashlight in my face. I steal a glance at my clock; it's almost seven at night. It's Zak with the flashlight. He tells me Doc found a way in the museum; we are going on a fieldtrip.
When we arrive, we find the place looking practically deserted. Doc mutters something about the guarding Secret Scientist probably being off with Dr. Beeman rather than here. Quickly but cautiously, we make our way inside. We agree to stay together.
Eventually we find something of interest.
So that's the end of Chapter 4! I'm sorry it was a tad short, but hopefully you all enjoyed it nonetheless. Thank you all so much for reading! It means a lot to me! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review! I love you all so much!