Chapter 22: Surfacing Secrets

Still trying keep to open his sleep-heavy eyes, Jonathan removed the whistling kettle from the stove. He added the hot water to the two mugs on the counter. Although he hated instant coffee, it was all that was left in the apartment. Since he had class soon, he knew he had to make do or do without. And doing without the much-needed caffeine wasn’t an option.

It had been another sleepless night for both him and Celeste. The nightmares plaguing her were becoming more disturbing, leaving her in shaking sobs when she awoke. He was always able to get her back to sleep eventually, but he was spending much of the night watching her sleep, wandering what she was seeing.

‘Why won’t she talk to me?’ he fumed, forcing the bitter coffee down. The sleeplessness was taken its effect on both of them, pushing them to their breaking points. Something was going to give soon. And he was afraid it would be her sanity.

“Man, you woke up on the rough side of the bed,” Mara greeted as she headed to the fridge.

Jonathan took another drink of the awful coffee. “Good morning to you, too, Mara. Ready for school?”

She attempted to nod as she drank straight from the juice carton. She stopped when she noticed his look. “Celeste knows not to drink the juice, okay? Want us to buy you your own carton, too?”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “I think I’ll stick with the coffee.” He glanced up at the clock. “You’d better hurry. The bus is going to be here any minute.”

“Okay, dad,” she replied sarcastically. “Just remember I’ll be playing at Sofia’s house after school today.”

Again, he laughed. “I wasn’t trying to be parental, Mara.”

“All right.” Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, Mara returned the juice carton and closed the fridge. She grabbed her bookbag off the table as she headed for the door. “Don’t forget you have class yourself.”

Shaking his head, Jonathan watched the girl close the door. However, she did have a point. He would have to get moving if he was going to be on time for his first class.

At that moment, Celeste entered the kitchen. Although she had put on make-up, Jonathan could still see the purple rings under her eyes from lack of sleep. She merely smiled at him in greeting as she accepted the mug of tea.

“Mara’s already left for school,” he said, finishing the last of his coffee.

Celeste nodded. “I thought I heard the door. I guess we should leave soon ourselves.”

“Yeah, we should.”

She took another sip of tea, studying him over the rim of the cup. She frowned thoughtfully as she set it back on the counter. “You looked tired, Jonathan.”

“So everyone keeps telling me,” he replied dryly. “Although you can’t say much yourself, Celeste.”

“I’m fine, Jonathan.”

“Like hell you are,” he growled.

“I said I was fine, Jonathan,” she retorted, her face flushing.

“How can you be fine if you wake up screaming every night? That the nightmares leave you shaking and in tears? What do you see, Celeste, in your sleep?”

“I don’t do want to talk about it.” She rose from the stool, turning slightly away from him. She was trying to hide her face, her emotions from him.

“I think that you’re going to have to. You can’t go on like this. God, I know that I can’t.”

“Then leave.”

For a moment, Jonathan merely gaped at her. “What?”

“I said you can leave.” Celeste appeared calm and deliberate as she turned to face him. “If things are that bad that you can’t take it, you should leave, Jonathan.”

“I don’t run from problems.”

“Really? I think moving to the other end of the country from your family because of an argument is considered running away from a problem.”

It was a low blow. He ground his teeth together as he fought for self-control. He wouldn’t let her steer the conversation away from her nightmares.

Celeste kept the counter between them. “I don’t run from my problems, Jonathan.”

“No,” he said slowly, trying to check his temper, “you merely ignore them. You put up walls. You hide. Anything you can do instead of face it.”

“I do not! I think you should leave! Now!”

He circled the counter to stand near her. “Or you push people away.”

“I said leave!” she cried, trying to turn away again.

He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. “Why, Celeste?”

“Please, just leave, Jonathan.”

“Why?” he demanded. “I’m not leaving without a reason.”

“Because I don’t want you to die,” she cried. She took a shaky breath as she fought back tears. “That’s what I see in my nightmares. Instead of just Emily, Eurus kills you, Mara, and Sofia, too. And I can’t do anything to stop him.”

So that was it. The pieces fell into place, and Jonathan could understand why the nightmares were so upsetting. Guilt tore at him as he realized that he should have forced a confrontation sooner.

He hugged her fiercely to his chest, pressing his lips against her hair. “I’m not going anywhere, Celeste,” he assured her. “Neither are Mara and Sofia. Neither are you.”

“I wish I could believe that,” she mumbled after a moment of silence.

His grip tightened slightly as if he trying to protect from the dark thoughts. “What’s stopping you?”

“I don’t know.”

“I think you do.”

“We’re going to be late for class, Jonathan.”

“Don’t change the subject, Celeste.”

“We’ll talk later,” she said, reluctantly pulling out of his embrace. She quickly turned and left the room.

Jonathan watched her leave. He had gotten some answers, made some kind of breakthrough. Yet, he wondered if it had been enough.

* * * * *

“Sofia, hurry up!” Tomas bellowed. “You’re going to be late!”

However, the bellow quickly turned into a howl as his mother whacked upside the head. “You’'re as loud as a donkey,” she scolded. “More eggs, Diego?”

He shook his head. “No thanks, Mama. I really should be heading to class myself.”

“Good morning, Mama,” Sofia greeted as she rushed into the kitchen.

“Morning, hija,” her mother replied. “You’re running late. Something wrong?”

Sofia shook her head as she grabbed a piece of toast. “I just woke up late.”

“Well, you definitely need your beauty sleep,” Tomas said, earning another whack from his mother. He rubbed the now tender spot. “Ow, Mama, that really hurt.”

“Then maybe you will learn to think before you speak,” she replied.

Diego stood up, drawing everyone’s attention. Although Tomas was a few inches taller, Diego’s larger frame gave him more presence. “Come on, guys, or we’ll all be late for school.”

The siblings each bid their mother goodbye as they filed out the door. Sofia promised that she would remember to pick up homework for Marissa, who was staying home sick. The boys discussed baseball on the way, as Sofia silently followed.

She was meeting Mara after school and they were going to scout the city after sunset to see if there was any trouble. For what seemed like the millionth time, she wondered why were their enemies waiting. What did they have to gain by the delay?

“Hey, Earth to Sofia!” Tomas shouted, waving a hand in front of her face.

She took a hasty step as she snapped out of her thoughts. “What, Tomas!”

“We’re at school, idiot,” he replied.

He turned and raced up the steps before she could act out the impulse to beat him with her schoolbag. Diego merely watched the scene with a slight smile on his face. Fighting back her anger, Sofia began to enter the building, too.

She wasn’t paying attention as she walked and tripped over an uneven piece of concrete. However, Diego’s reflexes were faster and grabbed her left arm and waist to catch her. His grip was tight on the injured limb, making cry out in pain.

His dark eyes stared at her in suspicion. Sofia began to tell him she was all right but his gaze robbed her of her voice. When she winced as he jerked her sleeve up, taking the bandage with it.

Even days after the battle, the cut was still deep. With a look of horror, Diego dropped her arm. She quickly tried to put the bandage and her sleeve back in place, afraid to meet her brother’s eyes again.

“How did that happen, Sofia?” he demanded.

“It’s a just scratch,” she said, tugging the sleeve of her shirt back over the wound.

“That’s not just a scratch,” he hissed. “How did it happen? Was it that Mara girl? Has she gotten you involved in something dangerous?”

Sofia surprised them both by laughing. She wondered if her brother would ever know how close to the truth he was. However, she didn’t ever want to that to happen. “Honestly, Diego, I tripped and cut my arm on some metal as I fell. That’s all.”

“I don’t believe you.”

She glared. “Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it?”

“I forbid you from seeing that girl again, Sofia.”

“Get a life, Diego, so you will quit trying to run mine.”

Without another glance back, she headed toward the school building, jogging to get to her class on time.


Surfacing Secrets Still trying keep to open his sleep-heavy eyes, Jonathan removed the whistling kettle from the stove. He added the hot water to the two mugs on the counter. Although he hated instant coffee, it was all that was left in the apartment. Since he had class soon, he knew he had to make do or do without. And doing without the much-needed caffeine wasn’t an option. It had been another sleepless night for both him and Celeste. The nightmares plaguing her were becoming more disturbing, leaving her in shaking sobs when she awoke. He was always able to get her back to sleep eventually, but he was spending much of the night watching her sleep, wandering what she was seeing. ‘Why won’t she talk to me?’ he fumed, forcing the bitter coffee down. The sleeplessness was taken its effect on both of them, pushing them to their breaking points. Something was going to give soon. And he was afraid it would be her sanity. “Man, you woke up on the rough side of the bed,” Mara greeted as she headed to the fridge. Jonathan took another drink of the awful coffee. “Good morning to you, too, Mara. Ready for school?” She attempted to nod as she drank straight from the juice carton. She stopped when she noticed his look. “Celeste knows not to drink the juice, okay? Want us to buy you your own carton, too?” Chuckling, he shook his head. “I think I’ll stick with the coffee.” He glanced up at the clock. “You’d better hurry. The bus is going to be here any minute.” “Okay, dad,” she replied sarcastically. “Just remember I’ll be playing at Sofia’s house after school today.” Again, he laughed. “I wasn’t trying to be parental, Mara.” “All right.” Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, Mara returned the juice carton and closed the fridge. She grabbed her bookbag off the table as she headed for the door. “Don’t forget you have class yourself.” Shaking his head, Jonathan watched the girl close the door. However, she did have a point. He would have to get moving if he was going to be on time for his first class. At that moment, Celeste entered the kitchen. Although she had put on make-up, Jonathan could still see the purple rings under her eyes from lack of sleep. She merely smiled at him in greeting as she accepted the mug of tea. “Mara’s already left for school,” he said, finishing the last of his coffee. Celeste nodded. “I thought I heard the door. I guess we should leave soon ourselves.” “Yeah, we should.” She took another sip of tea, studying him over the rim of the cup. She frowned thoughtfully as she set it back on the counter. “You looked tired, Jonathan.” “So everyone keeps telling me,” he replied dryly. “Although you can’t say much yourself, Celeste.” “I’m fine, Jonathan.” “Like hell you are,” he growled. “I said I was fine, Jonathan,” she retorted, her face flushing. “How can you be fine if you wake up screaming every night? That the nightmares leave you shaking and in tears? What do you see, Celeste, in your sleep?” “I don’t do want to talk about it.” She rose from the stool, turning slightly away from him. She was trying to hide her face, her emotions from him. “I think that you’re going to have to. You can’t go on like this. God, I know that I can’t.” “Then leave.” For a moment, Jonathan merely gaped at her. “What?” “I said you can leave.” Celeste appeared calm and deliberate as she turned to face him. “If things are that bad that you can’t take it, you should leave, Jonathan.” “I don’t run from problems.” “Really? I think moving to the other end of the country from your family because of an argument is considered running away from a problem.” It was a low blow. He ground his teeth together as he fought for self-control. He wouldn’t let her steer the conversation away from her nightmares. Celeste kept the counter between them. “I don’t run from my problems, Jonathan.” “No,” he said slowly, trying to check his temper, “you merely ignore them. You put up walls. You hide. Anything you can do instead of face it.” “I do not! I think you should leave! Now!” He circled the counter to stand near her. “Or you push people away.” “I said leave!” she cried, trying to turn away again. He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. “Why, Celeste?” “Please, just leave, Jonathan.” “Why?” he demanded. “I’m not leaving without a reason.” “Because I don’t want you to die,” she cried. She took a shaky breath as she fought back tears. “That’s what I see in my nightmares. Instead of just Emily, Eurus kills you, Mara, and Sofia, too. And I can’t do anything to stop him.” So that was it. The pieces fell into place, and Jonathan could understand why the nightmares were so upsetting. Guilt tore at him as he realized that he should have forced a confrontation sooner. He hugged her fiercely to his chest, pressing his lips against her hair. “I’m not going anywhere, Celeste,” he assured her. “Neither are Mara and Sofia. Neither are you.” “I wish I could believe that,” she mumbled after a moment of silence. His grip tightened slightly as if he trying to protect from the dark thoughts. “What’s stopping you?” “I don’t know.” “I think you do.” “We’re going to be late for class, Jonathan.” “Don’t change the subject, Celeste.” “We’ll talk later,” she said, reluctantly pulling out of his embrace. She quickly turned and left the room. Jonathan watched her leave. He had gotten some answers, made some kind of breakthrough. Yet, he wondered if it had been enough. * * * * * “Sofia, hurry up!” Tomas bellowed. “You’re going to be late!” However, the bellow quickly turned into a howl as his mother whacked upside the head. “You’'re as loud as a donkey,” she scolded. “More eggs, Diego?” He shook his head. “No thanks, Mama. I really should be heading to class myself.” “Good morning, Mama,” Sofia greeted as she rushed into the kitchen. “Morning, hija,” her mother replied. “You’re running late. Something wrong?” Sofia shook her head as she grabbed a piece of toast. “I just woke up late.” “Well, you definitely need your beauty sleep,” Tomas said, earning another whack from his mother. He rubbed the now tender spot. “Ow, Mama, that really hurt.” “Then maybe you will learn to think before you speak,” she replied. Diego stood up, drawing everyone’s attention. Although Tomas was a few inches taller, Diego’s larger frame gave him more presence. “Come on, guys, or we’ll all be late for school.” The siblings each bid their mother goodbye as they filed out the door. Sofia promised that she would remember to pick up homework for Marissa, who was staying home sick. The boys discussed baseball on the way, as Sofia silently followed. She was meeting Mara after school and they were going to scout the city after sunset to see if there was any trouble. For what seemed like the millionth time, she wondered why were their enemies waiting. What did they have to gain by the delay? “Hey, Earth to Sofia!” Tomas shouted, waving a hand in front of her face. She took a hasty step as she snapped out of her thoughts. “What, Tomas!” “We’re at school, idiot,” he replied. He turned and raced up the steps before she could act out the impulse to beat him with her schoolbag. Diego merely watched the scene with a slight smile on his face. Fighting back her anger, Sofia began to enter the building, too. She wasn’t paying attention as she walked and tripped over an uneven piece of concrete. However, Diego’s reflexes were faster and grabbed her left arm and waist to catch her. His grip was tight on the injured limb, making cry out in pain. His dark eyes stared at her in suspicion. Sofia began to tell him she was all right but his gaze robbed her of her voice. When she winced as he jerked her sleeve up, taking the bandage with it. Even days after the battle, the cut was still deep. With a look of horror, Diego dropped her arm. She quickly tried to put the bandage and her sleeve back in place, afraid to meet her brother’s eyes again. “How did that happen, Sofia?” he demanded. “It’s a just scratch,” she said, tugging the sleeve of her shirt back over the wound. “That’s not just a scratch,” he hissed. “How did it happen? Was it that Mara girl? Has she gotten you involved in something dangerous?” Sofia surprised them both by laughing. She wondered if her brother would ever know how close to the truth he was. However, she didn’t ever want to that to happen. “Honestly, Diego, I tripped and cut my arm on some metal as I fell. That’s all.” “I don’t believe you.” She glared. “Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it?” “I forbid you from seeing that girl again, Sofia.” “Get a life, Diego, so you will quit trying to run mine.” Without another glance back, she headed toward the school building, jogging to get to her class on time.


Chapter 23: Desperation Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds