Chapter 94

Carter

The obsidian abyss consumed me, a bottomless pit of void that stifled any hope or beam of light. A silence descended, a stillness that declared itself as the sovereign of this realm. Was this where the deceased reside? A daunting idea, but one that crept into my thoughts like an unwelcome specter.

“Carter!” A voice echoed towards me, its familiar tone just barely audible in the sea of nothingness. The words appeared to have been submerged under water, struggling to reach my ears. “Help me, Carter.” The voice reverberated around me once again, stirring the impenetrable void.

I took a cautious step forward, extending my hands before my face, searching for any obstacles in the darkness. With a few strides, the void dissipated somewhat, and the voice became clearer. Recognition dawned on me when I heard that voice. I stopped in my tracks.

“Lily?” I asked, the word echoing around me. “Please, Carter, help me.” Lily's voice sounded desperate, and it compelled me to venture forth. The opaque darkness gradually cleared, leaving me standing in a hallway with black doors lining both sides. Lily's voice seemed to emanate from each of them. Which doorway should I open? Did I even dare to open them? What horrors might await me on the other side?

Closing my eyes, I braced myself and grasped the icy handle. It felt like it had been frozen solid, like the blood in my veins. I twisted it slowly, wincing at the deafening screech of rusty hinges that echoed around me.

When I opened my eyes, four young boys stood huddled together on the river bank. They looked so small against the backdrop of the murky, churning water. "We will be friends forever," one of them said, turning to the others. They looked to be around eight years old, all wide-eyed and innocent. He held out his hand, palm down, and the others placed their hands on top of his. "Forever and always," another boy said. My heart swelled with bittersweet emotion in my chest. It was us - Kingsley, Bryce, Elijah, and me. The day we swore to always be there for each other, no matter what.

The salty sting of tears threatened to spill over as I reflected on our youthful naivety. We were so certain we had witnessed everything the world had to offer, that we had an unparalleled understanding of its secrets. But the suffering we had already witnessed paled in comparison to the horrors that lay ahead.

“Carter!” Lily cried out, her voice resonating through the air. “Help me!” Stealing one last glance at my younger companions, I turned away and drew the door shut, knowing that this moment would remain forever imprinted in my memory, preserving a cherished place in my heart.

I stood in the dim hallway, my senses attuned to any sound. Patiently, I waited for the sweet voice of Lily to call out to me. With closed eyes and a clear mind, I focused on the task at hand. And then, after what felt like an eternity, she called out again. "Carter!" Her voice echoed through the empty corridor, leading me to my destination.

With my eyes still closed, I followed the sound, letting it guide me ever closer. And when I finally opened my eyes once more, I was standing before a door unlike any other. It blazed a bright red, standing out like a beacon amongst the dull surroundings. My heart raced with anticipation; this was it, the moment I had been waiting for.

I stood staring at the door for awhile. Wondering what lay beyond its freehold. Another memory? Or perhaps my friend? I hoped and even did something I hadn’t done since I was a little boy. I prayed that Lily was on the other side.

The door handle seared my skin, agony lancing through my palm. I hissed in pain, yanking my hand back. But Lily's voice sliced through my agony, urging me to focus. "It's all in your mind, Carter," she spoke in a hushed whisper, as though we dwelt in a realm where sound dared not intrude upon. I screwed my eyes shut, straining to shut out the searing heat, picturing the briny tang of the ocean. The frigid, salty splendor of the waves cleansing my hand. When I dared to peek once more, the door handle had cooled beneath my fingertips. I twisted it gingerly, taking a hesitant step forward.

The air in the darkness beyond was as chill as ice, raking through me with bone-deep claws. A glacial wind that smacked of death's own embrace. The silence was all-consuming, save for the staccato thrum of my heart pounding double-time like a regiment's march. My heart. The thought hit me like a jab to the gut. As long as it beat, I remained alive. "Lily!" I shouted out into the pitch black void, my voice vanishing into the storm of silence.

With each step, I ventured deep into the enigmatic void. The obscurity dissipated, revealing a room adorned in white. Seated at the center, Lilly knelt on her knees, her familiar red tresses trailing down her back.

"Lilly!" My elation reverberated in my voice as I rushed towards her. She appeared vulnerable and adrift, her delicate hands cradling her face. As I drew closer, I fell to my knees and spoke in hushed tones, "Lilly?" She slowly uncovered her face, her hand grazing my cheek. "Cater?" Her gentle whisper resonated in the stillness.

"It is I," I said, placing my hand over hers and grinning at her.

"Carter? How did you arrive here?" she exclaimed, surprised. For a moment, I couldn't remember how I got there. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. "Um, we were in the Forest of Lost Souls, and we were attacked by wolves. Oh my goodness, I'm dead."

Lily chuckled softly. "Carter, you are not dead. Your heart is still beating. I can hear it, and your blood smells different."

Oh, no. I remembered that Lily was now a vampire. I backed up a little, just out of her reach. To be cautious, she might decide that I'm not her friend, but a meal.

"Then why am I here?" I asked, confused.

"Perhaps it has something to do with how you smell. There's a hint of death about you," she replied, inhaling deeply.

"I died," I stated, swiftly telling her the story of my demise and how I became the Deliverer of souls. I still needed to learn what that all involved.

When I finished, she gazed up at me and whispered, "It may be too late for me." She lifted her hands and started to turn translucent before my eyes. "I'm fading," she whispered.

"No!" I yelled, springing to my feet. Lily followed suit, and I grabbed her shoulders. "Hang on, stay strong. We're going to save you. We're almost there." I filled her in on what Yoogni hoped Renee could assist us with.

A haze descended upon my mind, and I clutched at my throbbing head. A searing agony tore through my skull, unrelenting in its assault. "You are summoned back to the realm of the living," Lilly murmured, her voice a soothing balm amidst the chaos.

I gritted my teeth against the pain, "Don't leave me." Lilly whispered.

"We shall not forsake you," I vowed, her eyes lit with determination. My body convulsed as though it were being torn asunder, but her unwavering gaze kept me anchored to reality. "I promise, we shall save you."