Chapter 16

It felt like I was fighting my way through quicksand; the air was so thick. The room I was in was definitely a study, but a study I knew I had never seen before but, for some reason, had familiarity with. The walls were dedicated to books except for the fireplace that the executive desk was facing. The desk itself was clean, not a single piece of paper or pen to be found. I managed to make it to right before the desk before my feet were rooted in place and the once empty fireplace roared, a new thriving fire warmed the room. It calmed down to a satisfied crackle, almost like the fire was happy to be welcomed in this particular place like it loved the caster.

I knew I wasn’t supposed to be here, but it felt like I had no choice in the matter. I was meant to be here regardless.

The door opened gently, and one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen entered. His face was wrinkle-free, but his salt-and-pepper hair gave his older age away. He was wearing a suit; it was pristine, and I may not be able to tell brand names, but it was obviously expensive. His cold brown eyes scanned the room as if he knew I was there before walking through me to reach his desk. When he walked through me, it felt like my entire body was doused in cold water, but I managed to hold in my gasp, afraid if I made any noise, he would know for sure I was there.

His back was to me, but he turned his head slightly, so I saw the profile of his face, revealing the smirk plastered on his face. He placed a thumb in his pocket, pushing the suit jacket out slightly, and straightened his posture. Sitting in his chair, he pulled out his cellphone, a single strand of hair falling in his face as he dialed a number.

“Bring him in.”

As soon as the sentence left his lips, he hung up and pulled out the paperwork he had stashed in a desk drawer along with a single pen. He started to write, and I was dying to see what he was working on, but I still couldn’t move.

I didn’t have to wait long before the door opened and a body was pushed through. The body was a young boy and he was quick to curl in on himself on the carpeted floor. The kid had to be younger than ten but definitely not as young as five and he was tiny. Like he hadn’t had a decent meal in a long time

“Ah, Jordan. I’m glad you could come, ” the seated man said as the person who had thrown Jordan closed the door, leaving the man, Jordan, and me alone.

“Please, sir. I promise to never touch an element. Please let me go.” Jordan sobbed absolutely breaking my heart.

The man tsked.

“You know better than that, Jordan. I can’t guarantee you won’t and I can’t guarantee you won’t tell what I’ve done here.”

“Please don’t.” Jordan whimpered, backing himself in the far corner of the room, hitting the wall so fast a few books that were placed above him on a shelf fell clumsily to the ground nearly hitting his head.

“Oh yes.” The man purred. “What a shame, I always hate this part. So much wasted potential.” He sighed.

He clapped his hands, “Oh well! It was a lovely meeting you, Jordan. Say hello to your parents for me; they’ve been practically frantic looking for you.”

With that, he made a grabbing motion with his right hand in the direction of the frightened kid. Jordan gasped, holding his chest like he was trying to keep his inards in. With a sharp tug from the man, Jordan arched forward, eyes wide and a choking gasp on his lips before he tumbled to the side. I could feel my own panic as I realized the kid wasn’t breathing.

“I know you are here.” He said, his voice sweet like honey. He wiped his hands on a white handkerchief then dabbed at the corners of his mouth.

“I don’t know who you are but I know what you will become. You can’t run from me forever. Now that I know you exist, I will do whatever I can to hunt you.” He said then tilted his head to the side. “You can’t be older than Jordan here, there hasn’t been any whispers about you yet.”

He gave a chuckle, “No matter. I know how to find you, I hope to meet you soon.”

I realized where I had seen him before. He was President Klaus Russling. He looked different than he did in the media. He looked younger here, while in the media, he looked much older, with fully grey hair and wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. It was then that whatever stuck me to my place had me fall into the floor into complete darkness.

I shot up in bed grasping my mouth to try to muffle the scream that was spilling from my depths in vein.

A warm hand was quick to rest itself on my shoulder to still me. I swung my other hand in complete instinct and another hand caught my fist.

“Woah there. Its just me, Mara!” Silas’ voice echoed in the room, bringing reality back to my fight or flight. My eyes frantically landed on Silas’ concerned face hovering over me, and I threw myself onto him. Which was counterproductive since he ended up falling on me with an ‘oof’.

“You’re okay, Mara. It was just a nightmare.” He said from his new position buried in my hair.

I clutched at him tighter before forcing myself to take a deep breath.

“Yeah, you’re right. It was just a nightmare,” I said, forcing myself to believe the finality of the statement.

“Come on love, you’ll feel better after you eat some breakfast.” Silas said, pushing the covers away from my body.

I shook my head, chuckling. President Russling killing kids? It must be just a stupid dream. An unnerving dream, but a dream none-the-less. I really have to stop thinking of horrible visions in Divination, especially if President Russling was starring in my nightmares.