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  Cradled

        Darkness

        Jessica

        Rister

Gems of the goddess series

Unleashed

Dual Karma

Cradled Darkness

Coming Soon

Withered

Lenora

Invoking the Goddess

 

 

         Fire blaze

            Fire burn

      Fire singe

      Fire turn

               Casting and Blasting

               Incinerating coals

      Casting the judgments

      Upon your souls

 

 

 

                   Chapter 1

 

Again, it happens. Why does life have to be so cruel? What did I do wrong this time? He spends days, sometimes weeks, away from his family, and he gets mad at me for spending a few hours with my friends. That’s it; I had it. I can’t; I won’t take this kind of treatment anymore. I have to leave this man. I have to leave Hank.

Oh, who am I kidding? Here I am in the freezing cold, pushing a stroller, with a five year old. Even though Castle Rock looked beautiful this time of year, with the leaves changing, red, yellow, and brown, you can only stand it for a few hours. During the winter months she wouldn’t even be able to get away with that for long. Then there is the matter of the twins. How was she going to explain to two sixteen year olds that mommy took their younger sister, but not them, from the cruel confines of their father?

Natasha Krill turned her daughter, Lizzy’s stroller around. It was time to face the music. She dreaded what he might say since she has been gone so long. How long did she walk? She was so upset she didn’t even realize it was just about dark. Great, now she was going to be really in for it.

During the autumn season, Castle Rock wasn’t so busy with tourists. It was actually kind of quiet. Well, most of the time. Every now and again, a hoot or a holler could be heard from a neighbor for various reasons. Other than that, not much goes on in Castle Rock. During tourist season, the spring equinox to around the end of the summer solstice, is when things started getting a little on the bizarre side. Everyone was so drawn to that old castle at the beach end of town. Why? She may never know.

Natasha peaked in on Lizzy. Fast asleep. She unbuckled her daughter and slowly crept inside. Her small trailer felt like a tuna can and she was the fish trapped in it.

“Where the hell have you been?” Came a voice from within.

She laid Lizzy on the couch, “I took Lizzy for a walk.”

“Uhh huh. Your other two got hungry while you were gone. You need to start planning better.”

Natasha didn’t say anything else to him. She just unburied herself from the many layers of clothes she had to wear.  When she didn’t feel like a Dutch oven, she grabbed Lizzy and headed towards her bedroom. Lizzy still had to share a bedroom with her and Hank. The price for a four bedroom house was outrageous.

The twins shared a bedroom, even though they were of the opposite sex. The room was a decent enough size that Hank managed to put a wall between them, with two separate entrances. That was what Natasha admired about him. He was really good with his hands.

“I think she’s going to be out for the night.”

“Did you eat?”

“Yeah, we ate at Big Burgers.”

“You did? Well, where the hell is ours? What about your other two kids and me?”

“Oh, I ordered you guys something,” she got out two bags of burgers and fries, “Here you go,” she said, handing the bags over.

“Well alright then.”

Hank relaxed in his recliner, watching his favorite zombie movie, with his son, Nicholas. The guys in the Krill family could watch anything, while they ate. While, the girls preferred to dine in the kitchen. Mason joined her mother in the small dine in.

“How could they watch that stuff?” Mason asked, “It makes me gag watching it without my food looking like mashed brains.”

Natasha chuckled, “I don’t know, sweetheart.”

“Mom, where did you go tonight, really?”

“I took your sister for a walk. I just needed to cool down.”

“For two hours?”

Natasha’s eyes widened, “Yes!”

The phone rang. Hank answered it. Natasha only heard half of the conversation, but knew it was about pills.

“Sup.”

“How much?”

“How many?”

“Hell ya, I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Later.”

The Krill’s had no family car. All they had were bikes to get around. It usually took them hours, if not all day, to get from one end of town to the next. Natasha mainly stayed home and watched the kids.

“Be back in a few.”

Hank gave Natasha a peck on the lips and out the door he went. Natasha knew he would be gone for more than just a few hours. He was probably going to be gone all night. She hated that he was never around, but at the same time loved that he wasn’t there to bitch at her all the time. She also liked the extra time to herself she had, after the kids went to bed.

Natasha shut off the gruesome zombie movie and put some rock music on instead. The kids, especially Mason, didn’t mind the change.

“Mom, why do you let him go out like that?” Mason asked.

“It’s better to let him be, then to lose him, dear.”

“If you say so.”

The night went quickly for the kids. They whined and complained about going to bed, of course. Hours passed and still no Hank. Why does he do this to her all of the time? He wonders why she gets so mad at him. How could he be so inconsiderate?

Natasha looked at the clock. It was one in the morning. She had to take her mind off of him. She turned on the television. Her favorite show, Girls in Ivoria, was on.

Ivoria was such a beautiful country, with tall buildings that reached into the heavens.  Gorgeous two, three, even four story homes decorated the neighborhoods. All the famous people seemed to move there. Castle Rock had its moments of fame, but only small town people actually lived here.

When two in the morning rolled around, she tried his cell. She tried three times and he never picked up once. Natasha’s anger flared. He was probably out whoring around again. How could he be so cruel to her? Why doesn’t he just stay gone? She threw her blankets off of her. Pacing back and forth, of her small living room, she tried his cell again.

No Answer!

She tried it again.

No Answer!

“Why do you do this to me?” she screamed at the phone.

Tears welled in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. She wept for him once more. How much more does she have to suffer, before she listens to her daughter? She wasn’t happy here either. Lizzy was too young to understand, but Nicholas was a different story. He loved to be around his dad. However, she thought Hank was a bad influence on him.

Natasha laid back down on the couch. Her breathing became rapid. Tears flowed faster, soaking her face, hair, and pillow. Her abdomen cramped from tension. She cried herself to sleep that night.

Natasha woke up to the sound of toys going off. Lizzy was up, playing with her doll babies. They made cooing noises that sounded like real babies. She looked at the clock. It was around eight in the morning. It was a school day. The bus already picked up Nicholas and Mason. Lizzy’s bus didn’t arrive until a quarter after eight. She hurried and got her ready for school.

The bus honked as she rushed Lizzy out the door. The bus driver gave Natasha a dirty look. She ignored her and gave Lizzy a kiss on the top of her head.

“Have a nice day, sweetheart.”

“Bye, mama.”

Lizzy waved from the bus, as it passed Natasha. Natasha waved back. As the bus disappeared down the road, she turned and started walking back towards her trailer. She noticed that Hank’s bike wasn’t there, yet. Her blood boiled once more. He was going to be in a world of trouble when he got home. She would see it.

 

 

 

                             Chapter 2

“Castle Rock child was stabbed to death today, but her killer was a mystery. Mother catatonic, after neighbors called the police, when hearing loud screams coming from the family’s home. Father and son went missing, after the incident. Son is presumed dead. Living daughter, of the mother, was sent to custody of Castle Rock. The names of this tragic event has not been released to the public, until further review.”

Glenn White couldn’t believe his ears. He hated watching the news. What was the world coming to? Violence against a child is just wrong, even if it was by accident. People need to learn to be more careful. He would tell Cadence about this, but he didn’t want to interrupt her nap. Being a mother of a three month old baby girl was tough enough, without having Goddess duties to withhold. He wasn’t even sure if it was related anyways.

Glenn turned off the disturbing news. It was late in the afternoon. Caleb was going to be home in the next half hour.  He loved the little guy like he was his own. Caleb had a rough time after his father died. Luckily, he was, and still is, young enough for a full recovery. He made Caleb an afternoon snack of carrot sticks and ranch dressing, topped off with a glass of apple juice.

He heard the bus pull up. He ran outside and gathered up Caleb.

“How was school, kiddo?”

“Great, we made art,” Caleb said, holding up a hand-made spider, with glitter all over it.

“That’s great! Spoooooky! Are you excited about Samhain?”

“Yeah. Candy.”

Glenn laughed. Samhain was a wonderful celebration for dead loved ones. Treats and games for the kids was one of its youthful highlights. It was the one day a year you could be whoever you wanted to be.

Caleb busted through his mother’s bedroom door.

“Caleb, leave your mother alone. Her and your sister are trying to sleep.”

“Hey, sweetie,” Cadence said.

Cadence was holding baby Veronica, feeding her from a bottle. She just wouldn’t take to the breast, like Caleb did. She was probably too stressed out to relax enough to breastfeed. With school, work, and wondering who the four people were going to be, she was supposed to help, she didn’t have much time to relax at all. Add a newborn and a three year old into the mix and her stress cup overflowed.

Glenn has been great. He changed Veronica’s diapers and watched both kids, when he can, to let her have a few extra hours of sleep. It was a very big improvement from her previous relationship.

“Mommy, look what I made,” Caleb gloated, holding up his masterpiece.

“Wow, you should ask Glenn to hang it in the living room.”

“Really? It’s that good?”

“Of course, baby.”

Caleb smiled from ear to ear. He closed the door and ran towards Glenn.

“Hey buddy. Your snack it ready.”

“Glenn, can you hang my spider?”

“Yup, where would you like it?”

“Mommy said, it can go up the living room.”

“Up the living room? Oh, you mean the ceiling?”

“Yup.”

Glenn got a screw in hook and hung Caleb’s artwork on the ceiling. Caleb smiled at it proudly. Cadence came out of the bedroom, with Veronica wrapped up in pink. Veronica snuggled closely, relaxing in Cadence’s chest.

“Aww, there are my two favorite girls? How did the two of you sleep?”

“Good, till she had a poopy diaper and she just wouldn’t go to bed after that. Besides I had the most horrible dream.”

“Dream? What kind of dream? Was it about Cassondra? You as Cassondra or you as Cassondra, Cassondra as you, oh forget it, you know what I mean.”

Cadence half smiled, “No. Fire.”

“What about it?”

“It was a nightmare, Glenn. Everyone was burning. Nobody could get out. The fire, I could feel the flames. It was like I was trapped too. We couldn’t get out. I saw a figure in the flames, but who or what it was, I don’t know.”

“Maybe it’s a sign.”

“That’s what I was thinking too. It could be possible that the first of the four people has the power over fire, like I have over water.”

“Do you think the others do as well, over the other two elements; earth and wind?”

“It most certainly would makes sense. The Great Spirit mentioned, Cassondra had all four elements under her control.”

“Wait, you mean, earth, wind, fire, and water.”

“Yes.”

“Cadence, that’s only four, including yourself. Who is the extra?”

“I don’t know.”

Glenn let out his facial cheek air. Just last year he had a rude supernatural awakening. Now, they had to search for four more people, who were just like Cadence. Some of them might even be in trouble. They could be hard to talk to. They may even not believe us when we try to tell them who they really were and why they have their powers.

“Glenn, I think whoever was the mystery person, which was in my dream, had ill intentions, which would mean that their power will overcome them.”

“Are you too late? Do you know if it already happened?”

“No, I don’t. Just that it might. I think the dream was meant to serve me as a warning.”

“What now?”

“We wait.”

“Wait?”

“Yes, only time will tell. When the time is right for us to know, it will reveal itself. We just have to persevere and have patience.”

Patience was something Glenn was running low on these days. He just wanted Cadence to live a life with him, where she was safe. He didn’t want her to suffer any more pain. She has already suffered enough. This destiny of hers scared him to death. She knew she was a strong woman and that she could probably carry her own, but all he wanted to do was protect her, and the children from any kind of harm.

“Glenn I’m going to lay back down. I just feel so exhausted, could you watch Veronica and Caleb for a little while longer?”

“Sure, honey. Please, go get some more rest. You look like you could use it.”

Cadence glanced at a nearby mirror. He wasn’t kidding. Her skin paled, her eyes reddened, and her long blond hair matted up into a rat’s nest. After, she rested she was going to take a long hot shower and make herself more presentable. Right now she could scare off any evil that entered her life. 

She opened the door to her bedroom. She cleared the bed of pacifiers, bottles, wipes, and clean diapers. This mama was tired. She didn’t fall asleep right off. She thought about who this new person could be that held the power over fire. How old were they? Were they male or female? Who was this extra person? Did they have any other powers? With that last thought, she closed her eyes, and within minutes, fell asleep.

  

 

 

Chapter 3

“Mommy, where are you? I’m scared mommy. I don’t know where I am. Mommy, why don’t you answer me? It’s dark. Please, answer me, mommy. Mommy? Mommy, help me. Mommy, I can’t see you anymore. Where did you go? Mommy, where are you? I’m scared, mommy. Please, don’t leave me, mommy. Mommy, come back. Don’t leave me all alone here, in the dark, scary place. Mommy, please, I’ll be good. Please, don’t go. I love you, mommy.”

“Cadence. Cadence, wake up.”

Glenn shook Cadence. She’s been screaming for the last ten minutes. Poor Veronica shook with fear from her suddenly loud room.

“Mommy hurt?” Caleb asked.

“No sweetie, your mommy just had a bad dream, that’s all,” Glenn said.

“Mommy, want my dino - warrior? He gets those bad dreams.”

“Sure, go get him.”

Cadence woke up from her urgent cries of her darling daughter.

“Is everything alright?” Cadence asked.

“Honey, you’ve been screaming for the past ten minutes.”

“I have?”

“Yeah, were you having one of your dreams, again?”

“I guess you could say that. It was a different one this time. I could hear this little girl talking, but all I could see was fire and blackness. She seemed so lost and scared.’

Glenn thought about the news broadcast that aired days ago. He didn’t know if it was related, but he thought if it was, it might identify what happened in her dreams.

“Cadence, I wasn’t going to tell you this, but I saw something on the news the other day that was pretty disturbing.”

“What?”

“Well, I don’t know if it’s related or not, but a little girl, about the age of five, was killed in a terrible accident. Her mother became catatonic after the accident. The oldest daughter is being held by Castle Rock. Also, the father and son are missing.”

“That’s terrible, does anyone know what happened?”

“No. The mother is being held at Castle Rock Asylum. Police are investigating.”

“That poor family. Well, until we are for sure, if this is related or not, we should just let them be.”

“That might be a good idea. I didn’t know if the two were related or not.”

Glenn turned on the television. It was on the news again.

“Local officials noticed a huge change in Castle Rock, today, after an earthquake. Waves are peaking higher by the day.  The Weather Broadcast has issued a high surf warning. Officials are worried for the town of Castle Rock. If these sort of quakes persists then waves could rise to terrifying heights, swallowing the small town of Castle Rock. The current earthquakes have been minor, but several more have occurred.”

“Glenn, turn that up.”

Glenn turned up the volume.

“Castle Rock residents are concerned with the old castle, being so close to the ocean. Stay tuned to News Channel 9 for updates on the quakes.”

“Oh my Goddess, it’s a sign.”

“A sign of what?”

“Don’t you see, Glenn? First, you saw the news report, them my dream, and now. Oh, Great Spirit, thank you for your guidance. We have to get to Castle Rock.”

“But honey, you saw what the news just said.”

“Glenn,” she put her hands on her hips, “If something happens, I might be able to stop it.”

“Or you could drown.”

“I don’t think I can drown. I am the Demi-Goddess of Water, Glenn. How could I drown if I control the water?”

“Half, Cadence, half. That doesn’t mean you could stop a wave that could swallow up a whole town.”

“Glenn, there is no way out of this. We have to go to Castle Rock.”

“Fine, I’ll call my folks, to look after the kids. Luckily, they live here in Ivoria. They still want to meet you, you know? We have been together for a year and you still haven’t met my parents.”

“I know, but we have just been so busy.”

It was decided; they had to go to Castle Rock. There was no way out of it, as much as Glenn wanted there to be. He knew this day would come, when she would get a calling from one of the four, which she was supposed to help. He just hoped that it wouldn’t be until Veronica was at least six months of age.

“Cadence, go ahead and get ready. I’ll drive the kids down to my parents. They said I could bring them there anytime.”

“Alright, sweetie. Thank you so much.”

She kissed his lips. Glenn, had to be the sweetest guy she has ever met. He was so understanding. Even when she disagreed with him or pushed him into doing something he didn’t want to do, he never once treated her badly. She was very thankful she listened to her mother that day, when her pipes broke.

The thought of her mother saddened her. She wished she was here right now, so she could see how happy she was. She would be so proud that she left Ray. The funeral was especially hard on Caleb.  Two deaths in the family at the same time.

Even though the guilt of having killed another human being weighed on her, she did not miss Ray. She thought she would, but really she just felt numb about the whole situation. In ways, she understood what the Great Spirit was talking about, how nobody’s life is worth less than another’s. On another note, Ray hurt her and intended to kill both her and Caleb. Doesn’t she have the right to defend herself and her children?

Cadence wasn’t sure if her power was strong enough to take on a wave capable to swallow up a whole town. Her power hasn’t failed her, yet, though. Gaining her power has put her through some troubles, as well. She knew Glenn didn’t want her risking her life. Even if it was to save others. 

She couldn’t just sit here and wait to see what happens. She has to at least try to find who this family was. It was surely related to one of the four people she was meant to find. It could even be more than that, she feared. She had to save all of Castle Rock. Guilt will surely take her over if she doesn’t at least try to help them.

She hoped and prayed that the Great Spirit would give her strength on this and guide her, and the rest of Castle Rock, to safety. She found it strange that they were having an earthquake to begin with. The only time when Castle Rock is even on the news is when a crime has been committed or during their special events. Usually, their weather was more of a tropical climate. Earthquakes normally occurred here in Ivoria, but even they are not all that bad.

Cadence started getting dressed for her new adventure. She wondered what the first person, she was going to find, was going to be like. She wondered how old she was going to be. Was she even a she?

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