:::Chapter 20::Four Funerals:::
Death was inevitable for everyone at some point in life. Where there was a way in there was always a way out. Immortality came at a price. Nature had intended life had to end in death. It was the ways of the world. Yes she knew there were the rare exceptions like Abhay, vampires living forever. How could nature be so cruel to take a young life. No, 4 young lives. They weren't the best of friends but Pia wished nobody had the same fate as these 4 teen lay deadly still in their caskets. Pia could remember their lifeless eyes. Guilt, helplessness ate away at her. If she had been there earlier then maybe she could have saved them. Maybe if she wasn't so wrapped up in her own world, then she could have stopped death in its tracks. Abhay was her strength. He'd tried his best to console her but it made no difference. How could she forgive herself? Her ego got in the way of protecting her coven.
It was tearing Abhay to see Pia in such a delicate situation holding herself responsible for something she had no control over. No amount of cajoling, reasoning nor his caresses seemed to do the trick. He saw the ferocious tears streaming down her cheeks only fueling her anger at whoever did this juxtaposed some contradictory emotion within Pia confusing her by becoming so consumed with anger at herself stripping her away from feeling love. He had to ensure Pia held on to her human emotions. He felt it in his gut. A change was clearly evident within Pia. The past 3 and a half months they'd spent together was just the calm before the storm. Abhay stroked Pia's back while she merely rocked eyeballing Diana, she was bandaged up, her arm in a sling, her neck in a neck brace. Abhay felt Pia pull away.
Pia was suffocating in here. She saw Adam's, Dad, then oer to the other 3 lost parents she'd done this to them-I can't do this Abhay. The eulogy, the pretense, the truth is i never liked them and they never liked me, this is all fake. Its all wrong, my being here, It should have been me in the coffin not them. Something wants me and i am hiding behind U.
The mourners all looked back watching Pia run out in tears. Grams got up to meet Abhay's topaz eyes filled with concern-Pia mustn't be alone Abhay. This is happening too fast. We can't let them prevail in their ghastly unceremonious plans to rob my Grandchild of her Powers for their own use.
Abhay took note of Gram's revelation but remained composed raising his voice enough for her to hear-I want the full detail later right now i have to see to Pia.
Grams fiddled with her ring on her left finger looking down holding Henry's hand-What have i done??? I thought i was keeping her safe from them. What insolence? Their audacity to return to this place after what we did to them. We have to strengthen our family somehow.
Henry's weary old eyes agreed giving Grams a tight squeeze wincing at her very words-Its time isn't it?
Grams wished she could be here forever but they would take away the seed of love within Pia filling her with hatred-This must end before all is lost. Our love to save the future. Our souls will save her, guide her to the light.
Henry kissed her forehead then gazed into her eyes in bewilderment-I'll always be with U. Always. I just fear she'll learn about our deception. We all covered up the truth to protect her from them and now they are back to take her.
Grams gulped recollecting her thoughts shrinking back in her chair-The fraud i have committed is nothing compared to what they have planned for Pia. We should have seen them coming for them. They should have been together.
After surveying Pia's surrounding, Abhay could breathe a sigh of relief. No sight of humans in sight but the sound of the animals that resided in this place. It was momentarily too quiet until the winds howled. There was a sudden cold front paving the way for Abhay to find Pia. He always sensed where she was like a magentic force had kept them attached to each other attracting them to stay together. The powers emitting out of Pia was simply beautiful. Scary but beautiful. On the bright side she was using her powers constructively than destructively. Pia was surrounded by a mist, her hair was flowing in the tempestuos breeze. It didn't take long for Pia to register Abhay's presense, she slowed down her venting out using her powers to exhaust her out. Pia staggered to Abhay, it let him know she was ready to communicate with him.
Pia slammed straight into Abhay's chest letting him scoop her into his arms. Abhay gave the warmth she was seeking by gently flexing his strong arms around her, soothing her with his wise words-Pia!!! Don't run away from this. Face it head on. I'll always be by your side. I'm team Pia. Remember???
This made her glare at him, she felt his hand go under her black shirt pouting at him, then let out a half hearted smile-Mmm U always know how to loosen me up. I'm sorry i took off. I just...
Abhay rubbed his nose with hers staring into those baby brown eyes-U needed space. Its overwhelming, a loss will always make a huge impact but to witness what you did, to know the dangers headed this way, its understandable.
Pia squinted at Abhay trying to avoid the dust in the air while he moved any stray hairs from her face-I know i'm erratic at times but all i see are their eyes haunting me, they want retribution, something is taunting me to react, in retaliation i just want to...(Pauses for a few seconds before collecting her thoughts)...go all vigilantly...The coffins, their pale faces may have no life in them but the mark is there.
Abhay kept a firm grip on Pia listening to her pour out her heart-So what's the next step?
Pia held Abhay's icy blue eyes and revealed her plan-I want to retrace this from the beginning. I have to see what went wrong.
This made Abhay stiffen tightening his grip on Pia sounding very protective-Pia!! No way. It could be dangerous and on my watch..
Pia was adamant on following this through sofly stroking his hair in a fearless tone- I'm not going back to this moment when they died Just into my past. I must see who is behind this. Right now we are fighting blind. I promise U will be with me every step of the way.
This made no difference to Abhay. He was dead against it and let Pia know-Why do U have to be so stubborn? Take me with U.
Pia had no reservations with taking Abhay with her but changing the course of the past was something she couldn't do.
This very night Pia held a seance with Diana in the basement of Diana's apartment. Diana's father was with the mourners discussing the dangers of magic. They had to ban both Diana and Pia from ever using this again.
Abhay used an athame knife to cut the palm of his hand flexing the blood until it spilled while Pia, and Diana did the same placing it in a cup. They all looked at each other before rubbing the red liquid into their cuts. Abhay was strictly off of human blood so this was the best way for him.
Abhay advised the others-Whatever U do, don't die!! U don't want to come back as a vampire.
Pia could care less about coming back as a vampire. If anything life would be...She caught Abhay's cold stare. Then gulps-U read my...
Abhay muttered in annoyance holding her eyes for ransom-I have your blood on my hands, while U have mine, this circle we are in must be paving a way for us to tap in each others thoughts. U better not...
Diana was beginning to heal with Abhay's blood rejuvenating her back to health-Don't worry Abhay we won't do anything stupid. We won't have a family left if we turned now would we?
Pia scoffed in retrospect-Stop dawdling and start chanting. Its daunting enough not knowing if we'll...
Diana finished-Come back.
In unison they chanted the spell together closing their eyes to concentrate fully. Abhay smelt the air was cleaner, he opened his eyes to see a white flash. Pia was still in her meditative form as was Diana. He saw and heard the room change, the colours changed, the sounds were less noisy, the air less pollutant.
As soon as they'd opened their eyes Pia got up feeling dizzy, her head had done some rounds or what???? Trippy!!! Very surreal. A little subdued if it weren't for Abhay holding her she'd had landed on the floor whilst getting up. Abhay gave Diana his hand to help her up.
Diana's eyes opened wide in amazement sounding very excited-Woah!!! Are we really here or is this all in our head?
Abhay responded quickly-This is all real. Its not a figment of your imagination. Does this mean U still live here?
Diana was unsure of the decor or what year this was shrugging her shoulder-Who knows? I guess the proof is out there huh??? I wonder of Mom is still...
Diana lead the way out of the basement up the stairs making as little noise as possible, then again somebody was creating such a racket. It was her parents arguing over the dissoluteness of their marriage. It was her mother. She was screaming at her husband. Her parents wanted no reconciliation. They were together when she was a kid so when was this?
Abhay noted down the calender-Its 1995, June 26th
Diana murmured softly-Before i was born.
Pia knew this could spell trouble if they got caught gesturing with her eyes to get out of here heading for the door-Diana!!!
Diana desired to put an end to her parents woes just like she used to as a kid but this would create even more problems so left them to it stamping out of this warzone-This is absolutely crazy. Did U see them? They wanted to break up. Why?
Pia sympathized with Diana-I get it but we can't meddle in the past to ensure we don't screw up our future. We only came for answers.
Abhay was impressed by Pia's leadership skills. While Pia took pride in Abhay's new perception of her wasn't all about her being delicate as he'd put it-Pia I don't see U as a china doll. I'm just naturally protective of U.
Pia mused holding his hand-A little too protective of me U mean. Don't worry i find this quality in U quite endearing.
Abhay carried Pia in his arms while Diana was having a piggy back ride on him as he raced towards Pia's home. Pia was taken back by what a difference 17 years would make. This town was different was an understatement. From the cars to the people. For starters there were more leaves around this place, more trees, greenery. Henry was younger, Her Mom seemed normal, her Dad appeared to be content. The swing was broken. Pia always imagined this place would seem more alert. Magical.
Abhay guarded the girls while following the young teens. Pia's parents were being followed by Adam's parents, Erins's Mom and Dad into some wait a minute this was where Pia and Diana did their magic. Toby's folks were already present and so were Jakes.
A man emerged out of the shadows cloaked in black-Glad U can all make it. So this is our homage to Pure magic. We can change this world and mold this into a greater, purer one, by uniting our powers and ensuring our legacy continues on. We can't lose sight of our goals. There are other covens just waiting to take over, to overtake us, we have to beat them to it, show them we are the most powerful coven ever to rise from generations of disappointment. They will come to challenge us but we must unite and show our strengths in numbers.
Coraline sustained from such conflict voicing her concerns-U expect us to march over there and fight back? Some of us are pregnant!
There was a laughter in the air-Good! It means your powers will increase ten folds. (In a condescending tone) U have no powers without your progeny. It will make U see how how weak U are without power. A taster.
Charlotte agreed with the cloaked man-So this meeting is to confirm one thing. Our children would be the next big thing in the world of MAGIC.
The dark figure merely nodded-Yes! The Witch hunters will be powerless against us and so will the other covens. We must nurture this magic.
Abhay sensed chaos evoking from this dark source. Something eerie, evil lurked inside of him. Something sinister. Something unholy resided inside of him.
Abhay, Pia and Diana were ripped out of this time frame and straight into some other time frame.
Back to the present,
Preet felt this was the time to head back home. The Raichands sensed their father was not in this world. It drove Khushi restless, Vedhant tried not to worry but his sister had already unsettled him. Time to leave all the fun and games and head back to normalcy.
Edited by matwamango - 13 years ago
