CALEB
I blinked. "We're going where?"
"The human world." He repeated.
"What? I - Isn't that against the rules or something? I mean I've seen it in movies and it always check out." I was as excited as I was terrified.
"Firefly," Damian cupped my face. "Shut up."
His warmth. Why was it… Why were there butterflies in my stomach? He's supposed to be the bad guy here. Where is everything coming from?
Then he patted my face heavily and the butterflies died and the warmth disappeared.
Great. Just great.
"Get ready. You've got 5 minutes." He said, this time as a totally different person.
"Is he ready?" I heard someone say. It was Vincent's twin. Valentine, was it?
"Who knows when the slob will be?" Damian scoffed and turned to glare at me.
I turned to the direction of the bathroom wondering what's with the sudden change in attitude? He called me Firefly seconds ago now Slob? I hate my life.
I repeated those same words when we arrived no, not in New York where Mom and I lived but in Goddamn Australia where the weather was cold enough to freeze a lake. I'm just kidding. It was just cold.
Apparently, the 'Council' as they called themselves, always had a weekend getaway in the human world and the country chosen this time was Australia.
"W - Why are we here?" I asked, trying to stop my teeth from chattering.
"Here to have fun." said Brynn with the curly hair.
Fun? In the cold?
Okay. I'm going home.
I turned to leave but bumped into a wall.
"Where do you think you're going?" The wall said.
Nope. Walls don't talk.
"My face is up here." He lifted my chin and I met his eyes.
Dominic.
****
"Aren't you scared Mr. Grumpy won't punish you again?" Dominic laughed as he passed me a glass of hot cocoa.
"Grumpy… you mean Damian?" I asked as I take the cup.
"You didn't hear that from me." He winked and I laughed.
"Well, if he tries to do anything, I'll just run away." I said, taking a sip of the cocoa. God, I miss mom's.
"You won't run to me?" He asked.
I almost choked.
"Oh my gosh… are you okay?" He asked, reaching for me.
"I — I'm fine." I said even when I was still coughing.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he said, patting my back.
His warmth… it wasn't the same as …
"Thanks. I'm good." I cleared my throat.
Dominic scratched the back of his neck. "I just wanted to say that if you need me, I'll be there for you like I was before."
"Thank you," I nodded then it hit me. "Wait. Like before?"
"Nothing. Forget I said anything." He tried to stand up from the log but I clutched the hem of his jacket.
Silence stretched between us leaving just the crackling of the firewood and the rest of the crew giggling and splashing each other in the pool.
The herbs given to me… The voice… Those warm hands…
"Did … Did you save me yesterday?" I asked, my heart thundering wildly in my chest.
"Caleb, I…" he hesitated.
"Just answer the question!" I don't know why but I yelled.
Was it him?
Or was it someone else?
"It was me," He finally said, still scratching the back of his neck. "I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to…"
"You didn't," I looked down. "Thank you."
"Caleb?..." He called out, reaching for me.
I let him touch me. I felt his warmth but… why didn't it feel the same?
"Caleb," I heard a loud giggling. "Come join us!"
It was Valentine. God, no.
"Wanna join them?" Dominic asked, startling me.
"S - Sure."
We joined the rest in the pool house.
They had just finished swimming and now sat together on the floor. I looked around the place. Where was Damian?
"I know it'll sound like an old, boring thing to say but who wants to play truth or dare?" Lauren asked, giggling with excitement.
"I do." The room chorused.
"Majority carries the vote. Let's begin, shall we?"
The rules of the game was : Those who couldn't do their dares or reveal their truths will either drink a full bottle of champagne or take five laps in the freezing pool. I have a low alcohol tolerance and cannot swim so this game is a no-no for me.
"Can I skip this —" I had barely finished my sentence before Valentine shot me a loud "NO!"
The game started and Vincent went first and he chose truth. I'm glad he's playing safe.
"Truth : How many guys have you hooked up with since this semester started?" Lauren asked, burrowing herself in her boyfriend's arms.
Vincent pretended to think hard for a second before replying with a "Don't know. But should be half of the dorm."
My jaws dropped. Holy shit.
They laughed like it was nothing and moved on to the next round.
To my surprise, the empty bottle rolled to a stop in front of Dominic.
"Ah, the obedient prince," Vincent muttered as he reached for a glass of wine.
Prince? Wait. Dominic is a prince too?
"Truth or Dare?" Lauren giggled as she asked.
Dominic didn't even blink. "DARE."
"Whoop!" The V twins cheered for him.
Why'd he choose dare?
Lauren smirked when her eyes fell on me. "Okay. I dare you…"
Dare him to what?!
"I dare you to … send the last picture on your phone to your mother." She said.
I heaved a sigh of relief. That wasn't a terrible dare at all.
The room burst into laughter.
Or was it?
"You went through my picture gallery, didn't you?" Dominic hissed as he whipped out his phone.
Lauren pouted. "That's a huge accusation, Dom. I didn't do anything."
I believe he sent the picture when he finally set down his phone. What did he send?
Immediately, his phone rang and he picked it up immediately.
"Mom, I can explain…" he said as he walked away.
Oh. So that's what he sent.
"Now, who's next?" Lauren said, rolling the empty beer bottle till it fell in-between Valentine and Vincent.
"Bummer. Let's try again." She rolled it again and it fell between me and Cameron.
"Come on!" Lauren frowned.
"Leave it to me, babe." Cameron leaned forward and rolled the bottle and it worked like magic.
The empty bottle moved slowly and slowly till it stopped right in front of me.
"Oh. It's Cubby's turn." Lauren clapped her hands while laughing.
Okay. Who the hell told them about that nickname?
"The name's Caleb." I corrected with a frown.
"Don't care," Lauren scoffed. "Truth or —"
"Leave this one to me." Valentine said, her cold, red eyes locking onto mine.
Uh-oh.
"I dare you to strip naked or jump into the pool." She said.
"But I didn't even —"
"Dude, it's just a simple game," Cameron gave a careless shoulder shrug. "Pick one."
"But —"
"Which one will it be?" Valentine asked, smirking this time.
Why was she doing this?
"I —" I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off.
"Pick one!"
"I - I'm not stripping!" I said aloud.
"Then swim."
"Fine!"
I took off my shoes and stripped off my jacket. "I — I'm going in."
I stepped closer the pool, feeling the cold seep into my skin. If I stay in this pool for more than 5 minutes, I'll die.
"Swim! Swim! Swim!" Lauren began to chant and soon, everyone followed.
Their chants grew louder and I had no choice but to jump into the pool.
The second my foot hit the water, I knew I'd screwed up.
It was cold and not the kind that sent a shiver down your spine but the kind that sank its claws into your lungs and squeezed, hard. The kind that stole the air from your body and replaced it with ice.
I gasped for air but nothing came.
"Help!" I called out. "Please, help!"
"It's a dare, Cubby! You have to swim!" Lauren called out.
"Dammit," I cursed under my breath. "Help!"
The water began to drag me under and I panicked. My arms flailed, my legs kicked, but it was like fighting quicksand. Every movement I made was useless and even pulled me deeper into the water.
I couldn't breathe.
My chest burned and my vision blurred.
I was going to die and they would all watch me die.
Memories crashed into me like waves : Dad before he died, laughing at my terrible jokes over dinner. Mom gifting me my first polaroid camera on my 17th birthday. The honk of yellow taxis, the scent of coffee and roasted pretzels, the crisp autumn air.
Home.
I hadn't thought about it in so long. Now, I wanted it. I've never felt this homesick in a long time.
I want to go home.
Home.
Damian's face flashed in my mind and I almost scoffed.
Why does Damian Silvermist of all people have to fill my head when I think of home?
I almost laughed. Bitterly. Hysterically. The person who had made my life a nightmare in this world, the one person I couldn't stand. And yet, he was the last thing on my mind before I—
A hand clamped around my wrist.
Strong.
Unyielding.
That touch felt so familiar.
A second later, I was yanked upward, air slicing through my lungs as I broke the surface. I choked, coughing, water stinging my eyes, but through the haze, I saw him.
Damian.