Of the Lost

02

Irune was in some building within another quadrant of the city. At least, that is what she thought. She was standing by a medium-sized window with foggy glass panes. The frame’s white paint chipped, and black splotches covered the lock--what they were, Irune had no idea, but she doubted that it was part of the original paint job. Without much thought, she grasped at the small switch, and ignoring the grimy feeling between her fingers, she forced the lock loose. With an audible click, the bottom half of the window swung open.

Sticking her head out, Irune gazed down at a busy street that zigzagged around restaurants, a market, a theatre, and other constructs. Cars grouped like blocks along curbs and bends while people appeared like black marbles scattered about a gray map. The scent of cold air and fresh rain was sharp; the skies wore passive gray robes. It just rained some time ago, Irune realized as fat drops of water clung to the window. A few seconds passed as Irune leaned against the window while a breeze caressed her face. For a moment, a smile appeared on her visage before she sighed. Clack went the window as it closed.

Afterwards, Irune surveyed the rest of her surroundings, only to find the rest of the room in shadows. As Irune breathed, a small puff of smoke escaped her mouth. Shivers ran laps on her spine as Irune began to walk forward, her eyes noticing the old wood beneath her feet. Perhaps, long ago, the wood used to gleam with a rich luster of dark brown. Now the floor boards laid, stripped of their youth. With each step she took, they creaked and moaned. Irune strode through an empty doorframe with warped hinges and no door. As she continued on her way, a sense of anxiety bloomed within the pit of Irune’s stomach. Urgency and wonder clouded her brain as she trekked on, weaving through halls and doors.

She was waiting for something.

As the thought crossed Irune’s mind, the anxiety increased ten-fold. Tightening a fist over her chest, Irune took up a faster pace before she broke into a run. More walls appeared before her as she continued.

“Here…it’s here,” Irune muttered her voice thick and hoarse. “Right…here.”

Screeching to a halt, Irune stared into a lit room. The walls had a coat of pale blue paint with the floor littered with papers and other junk. Cardboard boxes went up in piles within. Stepping in, Irune found a desk against the right end of the compartment. Hills of papers sat on its dark red surface. A tin can squatted beside the stacks of papers. Irune reached out as she approached the desk, her nails running along the desktop. There, behind the desk sat a dull gray filing cabinet; the metallic furniture stood against the right corner of the room. Upon the uppermost plane of metal was a calendar. As Irune scanned through the dates, she ignored markings and scribbles from an anonymous hand. Finally, her eyes widened. The 13th day of October was marked. Imaginary fingertips began to travel along the back of Irune’s head as she felt recognition. Today was October 13, and that meant…

Shuffling noises crashed into her train of thought, making Irune whirl in place. Startled, Irune’s breathing went ragged as her heart contracted within her chest. Across from her was another room, its door swinging.

Someone is there…

Irune broke into a cold sweat as possibilities flew through her brain. Then she stumbled into the other chamber, a pulsing need of assurance rushing through her whole form. Pausing, she held her breath as she waited for another sign. More shuffling and then a bang urged Irune to turn a corner until she entered a miniature maze of lockers. Following her instincts, Irune passed by a strip of lockers, turned to the left, and then stalked by another set.

Taking a turn to the right, Irune stared at another expanse of lockers. There, crouching by a low locker was a young man wearing ash sweatpants and a swamp green sleeveless shirt. Dark short hair jutted out in pieces at his skull, barely brushing the base of his neck. Irune’s eyes traveled down his neck, recognizing skin that was a shade darker then her tanned complexion. Wide shoulders worked in silence as the man continued to stuff clothes into the open locker. Sparing a quick glance, Irune noticed the beat-up duffel bag, ripped open as clothes spilled out.

Now what, Irune thought to herself. Earlier she wandered around this run down building, and then she freaked out over a date. Then she allowed her feet to go off on their own as she relied on her emotions, and now that she arrived at their destination, she became lost.

Before Irune could berate herself, her mouth moved on its own accord as words fell out.

“Hey…”

Once those syllables entered the air, her confusion dispersed. In its place was a myriad of other sentiments: excitement, happiness, relief…anxiety, dread, sadness. What is wrong with her?

The man before her tensed, his shoulder hunched, until he exhaled slowly. Afterwards, he turned his silhouette towards her. A slow nod, and then a low reply followed.

“Hey…“

The waterworks came on then, and Irune found her eyes stinging from unshed tears.

“You’re back… I missed you so much, so very much… God, I missed you so much,” Irune whispered. “Now you’re back…” Her vision blurred until she felt wetness on her cheeks.

Irune felt like an idiot. The whole ordeal was a paradox--she knew she had nothing to do with this man because she did not know him, yet here she was, crying in relief to know that he came back for her. Her lover came back for this, Irune’s throat began to tighten as she reached out to him.

Yes, he is here before me. Now I can show him how…

Before she could embrace him, his outline began to break away--a shadowy figure disappearing into cold air…

Irune’s eyes opened as she rose in bed, her blanket entangled with her legs. Suddenly, she became aware of the breath trapped in her throat, so with a quivering sigh, she released it. A hand clutched her neck while the other smoothed out the bangs from her eyes.

“Just a dream, it’s just a dream…”

More droplets of water escaped her optics as she pounded the side of her bed. Frustrated, bewildered, and shaken, Irune fell back against the bed as she lay on her side. Hugging herself, she curled up into a ball, willing the tumult of resentment and confusion to vanish.

---

“I’m stupid, aren’t I?” Irune asked timidly as she crossed her ankles.

She was back in Minerva’s, visiting Abbi. Rather than being in a room similar to her grandmother’s, Abbi resided in a space coated in a pale yellow color. A small pot of Lilies of the Valley peeked at Abbi’s side on a drawer as she listened to Irune’s recount of her dream. With an amused smile on her face, Abbi shrugged nonchalantly.

“I don’t know. Do you think it’s a sign?”

“A sign of what? That I was a nervous wreck last night?” Irune crossed her arms over her chest as she slouched in her seat.

“Maybe that was another factor, but I was also thinking about…you know…”

“Hm?” Irune raised an eyebrow as she waited.

“Getting laid,” Abbi ended, biting her tongue. She watched as shock registered on Irune’s face before indignation settled in.

“Bull! Geez, Abbi, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not ready, and I have too much crap to deal with as is.”

“Oh shut up, Irune, you’re just saying that because you’re scared.”

“Abbi…” Irune growled warningly as she locked eyes with her best friend. The two women glared at each other before one of them lost control. Soon, peals of laughter bounced off the walls as they shook their heads.

“Stupid…maybe I should be the one stuck in bed. I may be the one losing it!” Irune gave a dramatic gasp as she wilted in her seat, making her friend roll her eyes.

“I swear all of my friends are weird… Or maybe you’re the only one weird.”

“Then you’re retarded. What the hell do you think you’re doing hanging out with me?” Irune retorted. Again, more laughter followed until Abbi spoke quietly.

“I’m serious, Irune. You need a boyfriend or something--and don’t brush me off.” For once, a harsh demeanor replaced Abbi’s sweet disposition

“You’ve been avoiding the subject for years now. The last time you had a boyfriend was, when… high school? Come on! You’re twenty-four, live some! Don’t try to wiggle away with that same excuse--’I’m not used to living out of the shell’. If anything, you’re not making any attempts to adapt.”

A heavy stillness fell over them as Irune looked away.

“Dating was out of the question after high school--I couldn’t afford myself to get distracted. You know that, Abbi. After that, I…just got too busy with my own personal projects. ‘Sides, I’m surviving now, aren’t I? I don’t need some man.”

Abbi shook her head as she plopped a hand on her forehead.

“You’re hopeless, Irune. It’s sad, really…”

Irune shrugged. “What can I say? I’m complicated, selfish, high-strung--the works! If I dragged some guy into my so-called life, he wouldn’t stand a chance with me. Rather than letting some poor soul suffer, I rather float on.”

“Bullshit.” Blue eyes narrowed at brown eyes. “You know you’re not like that, all though yeah, you can be a bitch at times…” Abbi paused as her eyes softened. “But you can be generous, over-bearing, and hyper-sensitive. You can be a bleeding heart, a philanthropist. Don’t lie to me, Irune, I know you well enough to know that you’re lonely. You’re just not voicing it out.”

Irune bit the inside of her cheek as she winced.

“Touché…” Irune gazed down at the floor as she followed small cracks.

“Look, I’m just worried Irune. One day, you have to settle. Say, didn’t your mom tell you about this?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Irune feigned concentration before she replied. “Fine…I’ll try,” Irune stated, resignation strong in her voice. “I’ll find some swell guy and we’re going to be all honky-dory…Whatever will get you off of my back.”

“Say what?”

“Nothing,” Irune rose her hands up in surrender. “Anyway, glad to see you’re getting better. Hopefully they’ll release you tomorrow, right?”

“Ah…right…” Abbi’s eyes glazed over as she placed her hands on her lap. “Did you…visit Grandma?”

Irune had to wait for a moment until she understood what Abbi said--the blonde’s voice became too low for her.

“Not yet, but I will,” Irune rushed out.

“Think she’ll get better…?” Abbi whispered. Irune stared back at her until she put up a smile.

“Of course. Well then, I’ll go visit Grandma now. Can you survive without me?”

“Oh shut up--that’s my line.”

Irune laughed as she gathered her stuff, and with a small salute, she left Abbi. Closing the door behind her, Irune stared down the hall--the room that Abbi’s grandmother was in was five doors down.

“All right…I can do this,” Irune assured herself. “It’s not dark and stormy like it was last night, so things should be A-OK.” With soft clacks on the floor, Irune ambled off until she stopped before grandma’s door. Sucking in a deep breath, Irune knocked onto the thick wood until she heard a feeble voice.

“Who is it?”

Opening the door, Irune poked her head through the doorway.

“Morning, Grandma.” Once she fully entered, Irune took a seat, making sure the chair was a good distance away from Grandma’s reach. The wizened woman on the bed slowly blinked at Irune before a slow smile spread across her face.

“Ah…Irune, how nice of you to drop by…especially since…” Abbi’s grandmother frowned as she swiveled her head to the side as if she heard a distant sound. Irune kept silent as she kept wary eyes on her.

“Especially since he comes,” Abbi’s grandmother finished, her voice dying in her throat. Blank, blue eyes stared up at the ceiling as tears leaked out. It wasn’t until Irune heard her whimper did she rise from her seat. Of course, Irune was still terrified from last night, but now, concern brushed fear and uncertainty away with a strong swipe. Clasping the older woman’s hand, Irune leaned over her form.

“Grandma…tell me what’s wrong. What happened?” What made you this way?

“He dons a mask, child--cold metal that keeps his true face away. With only a small opening a single, amber eye sees the damned.”

“What…?” The cold hands in Irune’s grip began to shake.

“He is the first follower, the closest one at his feet…”

“Grandma, you’re not making sense--”

“--Listen to me! It is important for you to know, Irune…”

Irune’s eyebrows furrowed as she forced back all questions that threatened to come out. The only thing she could do now was to wait and listen; if she did, she might find out what ailed the woman.

“All right, Grandma. I’m listening. Tell me, who is…this masked person, and what does he follow?”

“The first follower…the Right Hand of the Devil himself. He is the Jackal, Irune--he tracks and kills those who are unforgiving in His realm. Now, however, he’s hunting for the others… He’s hunting for the others, Irune.”

“The others…?”

“Yes, the other souls--the 13 souls that will open the gates: Juggernaut, the Great Child and the Dire Mother, the Hammer, the Pilgrimess, the Torn Prince--”

“Grandma, not too fast, I can’t--”

“--The First Born Son, the Torso, the Angry Princess, the Withered Lover, the Bound Woman, the Merciless Child, then…the Lost Soul.” Abbi’s grandmother peered up into her face. “The Fallen Angel wishes to break away from his hold, child…without any drawbacks. That’s why…” Curled fingers stroked Irune’s cheek as Abbi’s grandmother gave a sad smile, sitting up. “He’ll have you killed.”

Irune jerked away from her.

“Grandma, do you know what you’re saying?” she heaved.

“The truth. My visions, Irune--they were never wrong…no, never.” Abbi’s grandmother began to babble under her breath, muttering prayers and other things that Irune could not discern. Clinging onto a small piece of determination, Irune regarded her with a set face, willing to make sense of everything.

“If what you say is true…then what did you mean the night before? You said that he comes for me…just as he comes for you. Are you one of the souls?“ Irune whispered.

The babbling stopped then as Abbi’s grandmother contemplated her before she closed her eyes serenely.

“I am the 5th soul--the Pilgrimess.”

“What does that mean to the Fallen Angel?” Irune forced her chin up as she silently challenged the older woman.

“A foreigner whose gifts were ridiculed and scorned, a woman with the third eye…persecuted. No doubt he seeks my aid,” the grandmother remarked bitterly. A dry chuckle rattled her throat. “My time is coming up soon…but before I go…”

The grandmother suddenly appeared before Irune, her blue eyes shining eerily.

“Something…different,” Abbi’s grandmother stated, “Something is different about you though…” Fingers flattened themselves against Irune’s forehead. “Odd…very odd… The lost soul.”

“Grandma?”

“The other half is missing. How strange, how very strange… Very strange indeed…” Slowly, Abbi’s grandmother stepped away from her until she sunk onto the bed. “Yes, how odd… Two halves separated in two forms.” Then her mouth gaped open as she began to chuckle. Afterwards, her shoulders shook until she shrieked with laughter, clawed hands dragging nails down her face.

“A twist! Your mate--how twisted it turns out to be,” Abbi’s grandmother mumbled. “How twisted… Soul mates? Haha!” Irune slowly backed away until she turned. With a set jaw, she stalked out slamming the door behind her.