Chapter 28 The Fifth Wheel

Silence is the most powerful scream

 - unknown source

 

Sky

 

I’ve called Rain from the airport to tell her I was coming. Part of me is glad to go back, Toledo may be Emma’s home, this is mine. I patiently wait in line until my suitcase rolls by on the conveyor belt and make my way towards the exit. A familiar face greets me the moment I step into arrivals. It’s just not the face I had expected. Patt grins at me cheekily. “Hello Dragon girl. Long time no see.” I squeal in delight and run up to him where I’m enveloped by two strong arms. “Patt! What a surprise!” Patt chuckles. “Rain said you were coming and asked for me to pick you up.” Good old Rain. I smile. “It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you.” “Yeah I reckoned from the way you greeted me.” A blush spreads across my face. Have I been too forward? I study his face, the masculine structure of his cheekbones, his grey eyes and short dark hair. He is handsome. I shake my head. All that talk about taking a partner has confused me. “What is it?” Patt asks while taking my bag from me.“Nothing,” I hurry to say and I make for the parking lot.

Patt chuckles softly as he follows me. I smile. It’s good to be home.

Rain rushes out to meet us the moment Patt parks in the driveway. She hugs me tightly and then holds me at distance. “You don’t look sick to me.” “What she means to say is ‘welcome Sky. It’s good to see you.’” Storm says behind her. Rain gives a sheepish smile. “Of course. Sorry Sky. I’ve missed you. I was just concerned. You sounded worried on the phone.”  She smiles at Patt who took my bag from the trunk of his car. “Hello Patt. Thanks for picking up Sky.” There’s a conspiring look in her eyes. “It was my pleasure,” Patt answers and I feel a blush coming up again. And a knot tightens in my stomach. ‘No. Not again.’ “Maybe you should join us for dinner tonight,” Rain says, “you can catch up.” “That’s very kind of you,” Patt says, “I’d love to.” “That’s settled then,” Rain says, “I’ll put up an extra plate.” Patt turns to me with a smile, but drops it when he sees my face. “are you alright Sky?” “Yeah,” I say after my stomach has settled again, “probably just jetlag.” “Okay,” Patt nods and he places a hand on my shoulder. I flinch. I can’t help it. I didn’t mean to, but I can see the hurt expression on his face and I feel terrible about it. I don’t want to upset him. He’s one of my closest friends. And he might become more. Without warning, that mysterious boy pops in my head again. There’s no pain this time, but I feel something else. I feel like crying. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I’m tired. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.” “Perhaps I should go home then,” Patt says, “we can catch up tomorrow. I’ll let you get some rest and maybe you can have Storm take a look at you. We wouldn’t want you to fall ill.” “No please stay. I’ve missed you. I promise I’ll have Storm check me up after dinner.” “Alright,” Patt smiles, “if it makes you happy I’ll stay.”

***

“We haven’t seen much of you, Patt, since Sky moved to Toledo,” Rain teases. Patt smiles apologetic. “I know. We’ve been patrolling a lot lately.” “Patrolling?” Storm asks confused, “what for? There haven’t been any lawbreakers since we took over Earth.” “It’s probably nothing,” Patt assures us, “some Souls have reported strange events, like their door being open when they remember having closed it before leaving. Food missing from the kitchen cabinets. Those things are easily misplaced though. But our Calling demands for us to look into these matters. I wouldn’t worry.” Rain sighs relieved and I nod. “So tell us, Sky, how are things in Toledo? Have you found a Calling yet?” Patt turns to me curiously after Storm’s question. “No,” I say, “not yet. I wanted to dance, but Emma wasn’t really good at it. I do want to perform though.” “How about acting?” Patt asks. My eyes grow wide and I smile. “Really?  You think I could? I haven’t really thought about it, but I think I’d like it.”  I will sure try it out. I don’t know why I haven’t thought about it myself. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Patt smiles. Rain glances at us amused and starts to clean up the table. “Let me help you,” I offer, but Rain waves it away. “Don’t be silly, Sky. You are our guest. Besides, you’re supposed to go with Storm. I heard you promise it.” Storm nods in agreement. “Yes Sky. Your health is very important. Please come with me.” I glance at Patt. I don’t want to say goodbye yet. It’s been so long since we last met. “Let Storm look at you,” he says, “the sooner he knows if you are ill, the sooner you can get better. You need to take good care of yourself.” I nod and smile. “Yes, you are right. I just don’t want to say goodbye yet. Will I see you again tomorrow or do you have to patrol again?” “I’ll be off the clock in the evening,” he says, “I can pick you up and we can go somewhere. I want you to meet someone.” “Who?” I ask curiously. It’s always nice to meet new people. I like making new friends. Patt chuckles. “No, it’s a surprise.” “That’s not fair,” I pout, but it only makes him laugh harder. “Now you have something to look forward to,” Patt says. I sigh. “Okay, I’ll wait.”

“Good night, Sky,” Patt smiles an hugs me before walking out the door. I wait until I hear the front door close and follow Storm to a side room. He doesn’t have a Healing Facility at home, but he has enough equipment here for a quick examination. I sit patiently on a stool and let Storm check my pulse, blood pressure and lungs. “Your vitals are just fine,” he says after shining a light in my eyes. “You have a normal appetite?” I nod. “I don’t think I’m sick,” I tell him honestly, “I think my body is trying to tell me something.” Storm smiles. “That’s usually the case when you’re ill, Sky.” I sigh. I feel like a coward, but I can’t say it out loud. “So I’m healthy?” “ I can’t find anything wrong with you. Maybe you’ve been working too hard lately.” I nod, but recall the words Reads the Stars has spoken to me.

 “I’ve heard it happens sometimes, that something of the host lingers.”

 I bite my lip. Would it really be just a matter of time? “Thank you Storm.” “You can come to me any time,” Storm says and puts his gear away, “if it makes you feel better, I can give you another check up tomorrow.” “That would be nice, thank you.” I stand up and make my way to the bathroom. I glance at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t see anything strange. My eyes show the silver hue they’re supposed to have. I’m still me. This body is still mine. And it will always be mine. Emma is gone. “I’m in here now,” I tell my reflection.There’s no reaction.

***

“He’ll be here , don’t worry,” Rain laughs at me when she spots me with my face pressed against the window. “What time did his shift end again?” I ask. “I don’t know but he promised he’d pick you up so he’ll be here. He’s probably preparing that surprise.” I turn to face her. “Do you know who he wants me to meet?” “No,” Rain shakes her head. “He’s here,” Storm says from the kitchen. I let out a squeal and dash to the kitchen. Storm shakes his head amused and holds the door open for me. “Have fun,” he calls after me, but I’m already halfway cross the backyard. Patt barely has time to get out of the car. “Such enthusiasm,” Patt smiles and I smile back. “Just excited,” I say defensive and he laughs. “Good,” he says and takes my hand. I fight my conflicting emotions. I’m happy and resenting at the same time and it’s confusing. “Come,” Patt says, “I want to introduce you to someone.” I follow him curiously. So I’m finally going to meet the mystery person he mentioned yesterday. The passenger door opens and a tall dark-haired woman steps out. She must have been a supermodel when she was human. For a moment I can only stare. She walks up to me and holds out her hand. “Hi. You must be Sky. Patt has told me all about you. I’m Carmen.” A human name. “Sky?” Patt asks. “Huh? Oh yes. I’m Sky. Nice to meet you.” I shake her hand, but I’m confused. I look at Patt for an explanation. Pat walks up to Carmen and places an arm around her shoulder. He smiles at her warmly and then it dawns on me. “You found a partner,” I say softly. Patt nods and smiles. “Yes, we met shortly after you moved to Toledo. We’ve only decided to share this lifespan together a few days ago. I wanted you to be the first to know.” I’m not sure what to say. I should be happy for him. He’s one of my closest friend. Then why do I feel so… ‘Lonely.’ It’s a silent whisper in my head and I almost miss it. I might even have imagined it. If only it wasn’t true. I force a smile on my face. I’m a Soul. I should be happy for other people’s happiness. “Congratulations,” I say, “I’m happy for you. How did you two meet?” Carmen laughs and even that sounds like music. “I fixed his computer,” she says, “he completely ruined it, but I was able to save his hard drive.” “Computer?” I ask dumbly. Definitely not a Calling I would have pictured for her. “Carmen lived three terms with the Spiders,” Patt says lovingly. That explains it. The Spiders are great inventors. They have a lot of knowledge and every new generation is born with the knowledge of the previous one. They’re not curious creatures though and I’ve heard their world is black and white. I wonder why she chose a planet so in contrast with the Spiders, but it’s rude to ask so I keep silent. “You were a Dragon, right?” Carmen asks. I nod. “Yes.” I’m still a bit shaken with the news about Carmen and Patt. “Well let’s go, ladies,” Patt says, “it’s still light and you two will have time enough to get to know each other.”

The drive isn’t a long one, but I hardly pay attention to the scenery. Patt still hasn’t told us exactly where we are going, but I can’t find it in myself to really care. Patt has a partner. All my friends have found their other half. “Sky?” Patt’s voice is concerned when he glances at me in the rear mirror, “you’re so quiet. Is everything alright?” “I’m fine,” I say. There’s no need to worry him and I don’t want him to be sad. He’s so happy with Carmen. “We’re almost there,” Carmen says warmly. So she does know where we’re going. I smile at her and turn to look out of the window. And I tense. I know this place, but I’m sure I’ve never been here before. I frown confused and search my mind. It must be one of Emma’s memories. By the time we turn left and my eyes find the curve in the river, I know when I’ve been here before. This is where my life ended and a face becomes quite clear in my mind. This road leads to Emma’s mystery boy.