A Breath of Death: Life & Death Saga, #1

Chapter-One

Kate

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Reoccur nightmare;

One eye opens to see a flickering light seeping under the door. With my heart forcefully beating against my chest. I hunker down, holding my arm tight to my side to prevent it from moving and causing a fresh rush of pain. Exhaling through pursed lips I attempt to will the fear away. Getting out of here while she’s running errands is mandatory to prevent me from ever being locked in this musty smelling closet again. Every day, I have the same dream of escaping. Only now, I’ve stopped believing that dream will ever come true, since here I sit in the same position, in the same place. Locking me in here is her pattern, one she utilizes when she’s not using me as her tool, or beating me.  

Right before she sends me off to do her demands. She stands behind me whispering, Breathe and kill. After I finish her command, my body is exhausted, even breathing hurts. My mind whirls with ideas of escaping as I feel this light feathery air being pushed my cheek. Although I’m unable to see anything, breathing is a little easier. That's when I realize Ella is here with me. Slowly, little by little, I feel it happening, my lungs ease accepting a little air at a time. 

Oh, thank goodness, I can breathe easier now, I think to myself.

This time I refused to help her and she violently struck me, forcing me to the floor. She continually stomps my chest, stealing my breath. Thoughts swim in my head of killing her each time I hear the whoosh or cracks when her foot connects with my ribs. I want to beg her to stop, but there isn’t any air left in my lungs for me to form the words. Every stomp brings more and more tears. Therefore, I wait, I wait for the blackness to embrace me, taking me away, releasing me from the pain. Each time I wake in darkness, I’m no longer afraid. Now, the darkness is my refuge when I am here because I know nothing, or no one can hurt me. In the blackness, the only thing I see is a glowing set of blue eyes.

I start to get anxious, wishing to just open the door and run, yet fear envelops me knowing that she still might be out there. I know my arm can't possibly be able to handle another twist or turn. I’m positive it’s broken by the way it lies limply against my side.

Oh no! I can hear her; she’s coming. Slapping my hand over my mouth, mentally praying she doesn't hear me, panic rips through me. Please don't hear me, please don't see me, and please do not open the door.

Ella, shhh, don't move. Don’t even flutter your wings.

She’s closer ... click ... sked ... click ... sked ... click ... sked.

She’s here!

***

Waking up gasping for air much like every other morning before, and it takes several heartbeats to realize it's just a dream. At least I pray it’s a dream. I’ve lost twenty-two years of my life somewhere and haven’t been able to find them. Two years ago, I started living my life as if it had just begun. I climb out of the bed, heading for the bathroom. Looking around my room. I still cannot believe that Bridget took me in without question. She explained to me that she was my nurse in the hospital, and after I had started reacting to her only, she felt it was her job to take care of me. She took me home when I was released, and I’ve been here ever since that day.

We’ve tried to search for my family, however, neither one of us had any idea where I came from or who I was.  Two years ago, the police found me next to a cabin that had burnt to the ground in Carmel, New Hampshire. The town had no hospital, that’s how I ended up at Lakeland Hospital. Bridget told me it was the weirdest thing she has ever experienced. There was only a note with a twenty-two-year-old female written on it. We know my age and nothing more. Bridget gave me the name Kate Miller; of course, Miller is her last name. She gave me everything, telling me she’s always prayed for a child, and now she’s been given a daughter. So, here I was with only two things from my previous life, a crumpled piece of paper with my age and a birdie. It hung out on my hospital room window sill then followed us here. Bridget searched online trying to figure out what type of fowl she is, but like me, she couldn't find any information. The only thing we know about this beautiful feathered creature is that she’s all white, tiny enough to fit in my palm, and has a strange beak. Her beak is azure, like the blue that dances inside the flames of a fire.

One morning after waking up from a nightmare, I was yelling for Ella. By the time Bridget made it to my room, the bird was going crazy banging against my window pane. Bridget finally opened the window, so it wouldn’t break; that’s when something amazing happened. She flew in and landed on my pillow beside my cheek. Gently it started rubbing my face, relaxing me a bit with each swipe of its beak and letting the fear roll right out of my stomach. Since that day, the magical flying feathers became Ella, making a home with me in my room and my heart.

Now fully showered and dressed, I head for breakfast. I can smell the bacon as I pass down the hall, which leads to the kitchen. Bridget’s wearing a big smile as I walk in.

Why are you all smiles today? I question.

I’m just pleased life brought me, someone, as special as you, she announces with joy.

I grin back at her, but mine doesn't last. Not really sure if I’m special. If I am, why am I so alone in life? Although, I can never share that with her, after all she has given to me. Bridget, I think it’s time for me to get a job and pay you back for all you’ve done for me, I inform her, stifling my pity party.

Oh no, dear, don't be silly. You don’t need to do that. I’ve told you, you were the answer to my prayers, she smiles, shaking her head.

Are we still going to school? I need to take my GED test, right? I ask.

Of course, She replies as she takes another bite.

We finished our eggs, bacon, and toast. After that, I start to clean up the kitchen when Bridget tells me she’ll finish, and I need to go grab my jacket, so we can leave.

Chapter-two

Price

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Price, you have to mate with her or she’ll kill everything within her path, Leo demands, sounding a little irritated.

"Mate? Do I look like an animal, Leo?! I refuse to mate with someone I don’t know. So just stop with the orders."

"You’ll both die then. Now go! Go find her, she’s moving, I can feel her." He becomes anxious and points to the door.

I’m beyond angry as I stomp out of the room. Who is he to tell me to take a mate? Does he want me to start barking too? Ha! I got news for him before I start barking. He better toss me a bone.

Grabbing my jacket, I storm out of the house, or cave as I call it. We live in a hole in the mountain. It’s a home, but who lives in a cave? Leo says it’s for my protection, but I have my doubts. I can’t count how many times that he’s told me how he built the entire home with his own hands. The door alone is as wide as the mouth of the cave. It has everything a traditional home would have, a kitchen, living room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a training room, and an office. There’s even a secret exit in the back if we need to leave in a hurry.

I pull out my keys, getting in my Jeep. Once it starts up, I have to let it run for a little bit, so it doesn’t stall. As I’m waiting, I sit there rubbing my hands together blowing on them to keep warm. Once the Jeep is heated up, I pull out of the drive and head into town. Leo hates when I go by myself, he worries I’ll hurt someone else. Last year, I beat up a guy for hitting his girlfriend and left him lying in a hospital bed for three months. No, I’m not proud of it, but I lost control when I walked around the corner and saw the dude smacking a girl half his size and then turning on me when I warned him to stop. Leo says I have no control, I disagree. I did advise him to stop; He chose to keep hitting her.

I’ve been living with Leo since I was three after my parents passed away in a car accident. Maybe, that's why I run around chasing this girl I’ve never met, just because he says so. He sends me out every time he feels her moving and each time, I’ve failed to find her; someone or something is blocking her from me. For some reason, Leo thinks my blood will lead me to her. But that has not been the case yet. As I drive through town, I try to let my blood guide me. The problem is, I have no idea what it feels like, so I need to concentrate, or I’ll lose her again. I know that I have to protect her but I’ve got no idea who I’m protecting her from. I’m just a little worried it might be from me. Leo’s sure that my natural instincts will kick in, and I won't even need to stop and think about it; I’ll just protect her. I hope Leo and his crazy theories are right, and I won’t want to kill her instead.

Coming into town, all I can see is dim lights, lying deep in the fog. This morning is crisp. Snow is sure to fall today. Daylight usually comes around seven-ish, the sun should shine through within minutes. I find a parking spot and pull in. I’ll walk the streets to see if the inner-radar thing that Leo is so sure I have will actually work. Grabbing a scarf and wrapping it around my neck, I take off on foot.

I’ve been walking around this small town all day, now finding myself back on Main Street, deciding it is time to get something to eat. I stop by a small cafe, grabbing a seat at the counter. I hang my jacket on the back of my chair.

The grey-haired waitress stands in front of me with a smile. What can I get for you today?

Looking up from the menu, I reply, I’ll have a number three: eggs over easy with coffee.

A man who knows what he wants gotta love it. She winks at me before she walks away.

After Marge, as her name tag says, returns with my food, I thank her winking in return. I see her cheeks turn a slight pink as she lets out a breath and walks away telling me to enjoy. Staring down at my food, I begin to feel a little uneasy. I lift my coffee, and my hand starts shaking. The cup rattles against the counter when I try to set it back down. What the hell. I spill a little coffee as I try to set it down. That’s when I feel the tingle throughout my body. Knowing something is wrong, I pull out my cell to call Leo.

Hello? Leo answers.

Leo, what is going on with me? I fight the queasiness.

I have no clue what you’re talking about, Price, but you better be watching for the girl and not messing around! he seethes.

Leo, listen to me, my body is having spasms. Tell me what to do. I press the phone closer to my mouth and angrily whisper.

It’s the girl! Go find her! He shouts and I’m sure the entire restaurant heard him.

I jump out of my chair and start turning circles looking for her. I don't see her anywhere, Leo.

She has to be close to you, Price, or you wouldn't be experiencing this. Now, go and find her, please. Once your blood senses her, hers will sense yours, too, becoming active again. Your bond is the only thing that will break the river witches finding a spell that Agatha had them placed on her years ago, Price. However, it will also lead them to her once it’s broken, ultimately placing her life in danger. And yes, before you ask, I’ll explain all this to you after we get her to safety. Make sure you bring her here ... and nowhere else. He orders.

I hang up, grabbing my jacket. I pull a twenty-dollar bill out laying it down on the counter and leave. Stepping out on the sidewalk, I