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A Hard Day’s Night “I thought that you might want to know that Mara’s turned in,” Jonathan said, closing the balcony doors behind him.
With a guilty start, Celeste turned around to face him. “I’m sorry. I just needed to think. Is everything all right?” “I was going to ask you that. You’ve been out here so long we were beginning to get worried. Is about the battle? Mara?” She crossed her arms and disregarded the questions. “You know you shouldn’t be up on that ankle.” With a sigh, Jonathan obediently sat down and rested his injured ankle on the opposite chair. He knew he was lucky that he had no major injuries. However, he still felt like a walking mass of bruises. Right now, though, he was more worried about Celeste. He had never seen her like this after a battle. Something major had happened and he intended to find out what it was. “Come here, Celeste.” Reluctantly, she crossed over to him. When he gestured for her to sit on his lap, she shook her head. “Jonathan, you’re hurt.” “My lap is fine, I promise,” he assured her with a grin. With a weak, answering smile, she sat down. Yet, it felt good to be held, she thought, as he wrapped his arms around her. When she was with Jonathan, she felt like she didn’t have to analyze everything before speaking. “I’m sorry you got hurt today.” He shrugged, ignoring the twinge through his shoulders. “Well, since I can’t protect you, I thought I would do the next best thing.” “You did the better thing, Jonathan. We have to protect Mara, especially now.” “What happened tonight, Celeste?” She sighed and buried herself deeper into his chest. What should she tell him? After a few moments of deliberation, she finally decided on the truth. “Zephyr was defeated tonight,” she began. Jonathan nodded. “I know. Mara told me that you defeated him. How did you do it?” “I didn’t.” She could feel him stiffen underneath her. “Mara transformed before I got to her. She was the one who defeated Zephyr. But after she changed back, she didn’t remember fighting and assumed that I had defeated him.” “She transformed? Transformed into what?” “Zephyr and Boreas were right. Mara is Hecate. She called herself the Mistress of Shadows. She was dressed like a Senshi and called herself a Sailor. But, it didn’t feel right, Jonathan.” He was quiet for a moment, digesting the information. “Do you think she’s the one from your dreams?” She remembered the curved blade ripping through Zephyr’s throat and the blood coating her hands. It was almost exactly like her dream but something was nagging at her. It wasn’t exactly her dream, and it made her hesitate. “She could be, but I’m not sure.” “So, what do we do now?” he asked slowly. Gently she turned in his lap to face him. “I know,” she replied, pressing her forehead against his, “but I’m glad you said we.” “Mara, are you okay?” The girl nodded but didn’t avert her gaze from the window. Worried, Selene padded across the bed to her. She rubbed herself against the girl’s leg. For a moment, Mara did nothing. Then, almost reluctantly, she reached over and scratched the cat behind the ears. “I’m so tired,” Mara groaned as she collapsed backward on the bed. “I didn’t do anything, but I’m exhausted. What’s the deal?” The cat curled on the girl’s stomach, facing her. “It’s probably just emotional exhaustion, Mara. It’s not like it was just a normal day around here.” “Are we allowed to have normal days?” “Every now and again,” Selene replied, matching the girl’s wry tone. “We wouldn’t know how to handle boredom.” “Maybe someday we would at least get a chance to try.” The cat nodded. “Yeah, maybe, someday.” “Oh, your wonderful project, it’s ruined.” Sofia managed a smile as they placed the unsalvageable pieces in the dumpster. “There will be other projects, Mama. Besides, I have a few weeks before the repeat of the science fair.” The older woman shook her head. “You worked so hard on it. Now, you’re also back to the beginning.” “I’m still better off than some of the other students. Please, let’s not talk about it anymore, Mama. It’s late, it’s cold, and I’m tired.” As they headed back to the apartment building, Sofia reflected on the ruined science fair. Everyone assumed that Peter had gotten in the way of the monster, which caused the minor injuries he sustained. Although Jonathan had suffered a beating of his own, they had been very lucky. ‘And just how long do you think the luck will hold out?’ The negative thought jarred her. With both Boreas and Zephyr gone, how many were left? There couldn’t be that many more, if any. Something told her she couldn’t be sure. “Sofia, you looked troubled,” her mother said, pulling the girl from her thoughts. “I was just thinking,” she replied. “I will be late coming home tomorrow. I’m going to the library after school to help some friends with homework.” “Well, don’t be out too late. You know how I worry. Diego, too.” The girl nodded. ‘Oh, Mama, if only you knew.’ |
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