“She was hopeful and filled with peace, but when violence came this last time it had stripped her of those things. ‘Why run to happiness if it can get taken away?’ she asked. Julian understood for the first time that ‘The Walk’ was easier for some than others; there were souls that could not feel the inferno of hell or the glory of heaven. That would have made it too easy for them. They’d have to decide what they wanted most: peace or power. That was the only question that stood between heaven and hell.
“Julian couldn’t stop watching Femi go back and forth on the bridge. He thought about her constantly. He spoke to the other Guardians. They encouraged him to keep a distance and not interfere. They were certain she would follow whatever path she was destined to take.
“Souls had come and gone on the bridge, but Femi was still undecided. She’s so confused. Julian reasoned. She’s not evil, she’s just broken. So one day, unable to watch her suffer indecision anymore, Julian pointed the way to the light.
“Not long after, Atourum summoned the council and asked Omnis to attend. Once all of them had gathered, Atourum told everyone that, according to the Akons, Julian had broken the rules. Atourum was livid and demanded revenge.
“‘She was my soul. She would have gone to me,’ Atourum spat.
“‘You don’t know that. She has goodness in her,’ Julian responded.
“Omnis told Julian to approach. He addressed his servant warmly but firmly. ‘You have disobeyed me. I know your heart is true and you have goodness and purity in you, but you have yet to learn obedience. I will send you back to Earth as many times as it takes for you to learn to follow my directions.’ Then Julian was cast out of the sky.
“The council asked Atourum what he would like as retribution for the rule that had been broken. Atourum said: ‘I ask to know the location of the bridge.’ The council flatly refused. They knew that once Atourum found the bridge, there would be an invasion. All the souls would go towards darkness by fear or by force. That would more than triple the size of Atourum’s followers, enabling them to destroy all of humanity.
“Furious, Atourum reminded the council that they were supposed to be objective. He accused them of siding with Omnis. The council went behind closed doors to talk the matter over. When they reached a decision, all parties were once again gathered.
“Death, Time, and Fate all spoke in unison. ‘We, the council appointed by Omnis, have come to a conclusion on the matter of the bridge and the broken rule. While we will not give Atourum the location of the bridge, we will create a triplex that holds a map to the bridge. The triplex will then be placed somewhere on Earth every six hundred and sixty-six years. You, Atourum, will be given a chance to seek out the triplex.
“‘If the map is found before midnight of that year, you will be permitted on to the bridge to do with the souls whatever you wish. If Atourum does enter the bridge, all balance will be lost and the Earth will be plunged into chaos and fire. Therefore we are also granting the Guardians a chance to seek out the map and destroy it.
“We will hide it somewhere on Earth. Each side can go about seeking the map any way they choose. However, the same basic rules still apply: Guardians can not kill human beings. If this is done, they will be thrown down to the flames. Only the first Guardian can take a life; and although Akons can kill a human, they can not take a soul unless that soul is willing. Each side will be given a name with which to start their search.
“Only humans that are integral to the search can be informed of the mission. If humanity as a whole should find out about the search, the council will intervene and both sides will be punished. Humanity must remain, with a few exceptions, unaware of what is happening. We can not and will not tolerate exposure, as humans are frail and panic when faced with uncertainty.’
“And so, every six hundred and sixty-six years, Guardians and Akons come down to Earth to find the Triplex.”
Panic rises inside me as I say out loud what Jay won’t. “This is the sixth hundred and sixty-sixth year.”
“I’m sorry, Emerson, but we’re going to need that in the form of a question,” Reese jokes in his best announcer voice.
I ignore him and go on. “That means you guys have to find an object that could be anywhere on Earth? If you don’t find it, we will all die a fiery death?”
“That’s about right,” Jay chimes in.
My stomach feels queasy again. Maybe eating was a bad idea. Okay, note to self: news of the end of the world is best taken on an empty stomach. I’m fighting back bile. My hands are clammy and won’t stop shaking.
“It doesn’t have to be fire. It can come in many ways, like a flood, earthquake, or tsunami. Most people think hell on earth would just be fire, but really, it’s a combination of things,” Miku says casually as if we were discussing where the best lunch specials can be found. We all stare back at her.
“What? It’s true.”
Rio looks at her dubiously. “You’re a creepy little angel.”
“So, what’s the name on the paper?”
Everyone looks at me as if to say “don’t be stupid,” but I had to ask. I need to hear it out loud. The look of sympathy on Miku’s face confirms my deepest fear.
“My name is the clue.”
“You, Ms. Baxter, have just gotten to the final round! Now, will you choose door number one or door number two?” Reese is getting on my nerves.
Apparently I’m not the only one. I feel a soft breeze beside me. I look over and Jay is still seated beside me. But I know he moved because Reese’s mouth has literally been taped shut. Jay leans back in his chair to admire his handy work. I look at him bewildered.
“How did you…?”
“Skills baby girl,” he smirks. Even as I’m hearing news of impending doom, I can’t get over how amazing he looks. And when he called me “baby girl,” I felt a warm feeling wash over me. Wow, he is so hot. Focus, Emmy. Focus.
Not one to be out done, Reese rips the tape off his mouth and “pops” up behind Jay. He holds him in a headlock.
“Where you gonna go now, speedy? Come on. I’d like to see you glide out of this,” Reese says triumphantly.
They wrestle back and forth, each trying to pin the other one down. Every time Jay gets the drop on Reese, Reese disappears. And whenever Reese manages to get the upper hand, Jay moves at an impossible speed.
Rio announces that he has dibs on Jay. Reese, offended, pops up behind Rio and pulls the chair out from under him. Miku howls with laughter. Apparently the end of the world is a light-hearted subject.
“Excuse me!” I snap, not bothering to hide my irritation. “Are you guys kidding me? Was this all a joke? I thought this was serious. You guys just brought me here as some stupid elaborate game?”
“No, it’s real Emmy.” Miku puts her hand on my shoulder. I shake it off.
“If this is real then why aren’t you guys taking it seriously?”
“We’re just tryin’ to be easy,” Jay says.
“How can you ‘be easy’? We’re talking about the end of humanity. Forever!” I am seething.
“Emmy, calm down,” Rio says gently.
“Don’t you get it? I can’t help you guys. I have no idea where your map is. Your council made a big mistake.” I look at all of them with a mixture of hysteria and disbelief.
Miku chimes in, “You’re the clue the council gave us. They’re never wrong.”
When I speak my voice is unsteady. “They’re wrong about this; I’m just some girl. I watch bad TV and spend way too much time reading about things that can’t possibly happen to me.”
I stand up and look into their all-too-calm faces. I’m so frustrated, I could scream. “If I’m your clue then we’re all dead. Do you understand?”
“Well, we’re already dead, so…,” Reese joked.
“Fine, you just sit there and keep making jokes. It’s obvious you don’t care.” I storm out of the kitchen. They all follow, with Reese heading me off.
“Stop popping out in front of me!” I shout.
“It’s called blinking,” Reese states matter-of-factly.
“Whatever. Knock it off.” I can feel rage welling up.
Jay comes from behind me and blocks my way.
“Move! I’ll fight you, angel or no angel.” The sheer thought of being confronted with violence by a girl who’s half his size and only a fraction of his strength, amuses him to no end. I ball my fist and speak through clenched teeth. “Move!”
He can barely keep from laughing. He holds his hands up as if to surrender.
“Alright, baby girl, it’s all you. I’ll just glide back to my spot, killer. It’s cool.”
He moves so fast that by the time his words hit the air, he is already out of my way. He looks like light reflected on a car window going 120 miles an hour. Now only Reese remains.
“Before you storm out, at least give us a chance to apologize,” he says as he silently appeals to Miku to intervene.
“We were just blowing off steam and we’re sorry,” Miku offers from behind me.
“No, you’re not. It’s not your life that’s coming to an end. It’s not your mother whose—”