Darkness Betrayed (Torn) by Christine Hughes Page B

protest but I interrupted her before she could get out the words. “I’ll be okay. I’ll bring my sword. If I’m not back in an hour, you can send the cavalry. I just need to be alone.”
    Before she could challenge me, I ran up the stairs, threw on a sweatshirt and sneakers, grabbed my iPo d and headed out the door.
    I took off at an unreasonable pace, challenging myself from the first stride. Turning up the music, I was tempted to go for angry but settled on heavy beats and fast music. My breath fogged in the crisp fall New England air and my footfalls crunched on the fallen leaves.
    When I finally settled my stride, I was vaguely aware of my surroundings. The path was worn and scenic but I didn’t stop to enjoy the view. I just ran and ran and ran; clearing my head of everything – trying to get back to that girl I was not so long ago: the girl who was content to have fun, who shied away from confrontation. The girl who existed before her best friend betrayed her and her secret crush kissed her. Before her father died and Sebastian tried to kill her. Before Damien.
    His name jolted me and, tripping on a root, I tumbled into a small pile of leaves. Instead of getting up, I rolled to my back and just lay there trying to catch my breath. I focused on emptying everything out of my head. And it was bliss, watching my breath fog above me, removing the messiest parts of my life, even if only for a little while. I stared up at the towering trees that blocked out most of the rising sun and contemplated change. Again.
    I was sick of the indecisive whine of who I’d become. The fact that I couldn’t make a decision, that I couldn’t control myself made me ill. I didn’t want to end up a stereotypical lead in one of those cheesy, my-life-sucks-everyone-hates-me YA novels.  I needed to demonstrate strength. I needed to demonstrate leadership. The kid gloves everyone wore around me needed to come off and be burned. Light and dark needed to coexist inside me if I was ever going to be of any use, if I was ever going to do what was expected of me. It wasn’t enough to think it or to say it – I needed to do it. If every other part of my training came so easy, why wasn’t I able to master that? God, it was frustrating.
    My playlist switched to calm and I allowed serenity to alleviate any misgivings and doubt about what I could and could not do. As I began to drift, light and dark swirled around me.
    “Samantha.”
    A winged girl with a beautiful gossamer dress floated in front of me, bathing me in light and warmth.
    “Samantha. You are losing your way.” Her soft words floated to me.
    “I’m trying.”
    “No. No you aren’t. We need you.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You aren’t trying hard enough. You are allowing emotion to dictate your actions. You’ll never be able to make the decision if you continue on this path.”
    “It’s so hard.” I looked to my hands, wringing them until they tangled.
    “It isn’t meant to be easy. It’s a path of difficult choices and events. You will be betrayed before you will succeed. ”
    I cocked my head to the side. “You said that before.”
    “And it needs to be said again and again until you understand.”
    “But Lucas betrayed me.”
    “It isn’t Lucas’ betrayal that will define you.”
    “So you’re saying someone else will turn against me?”
    “It must be this way.”
    “Who?”
    “You must trust wisely. The sacrifices others have made and will make in your name must not be forgotten. They must not be taken lightly.”
    She began to fade.
    “Wait! Who are you talking about?”
    “I have to go. We will be watching you, helping you when you need it.”
    “Who are you?”
    “All will be revealed when the time comes. For now, please try harder. Think more clearly. Weigh your options and actions. Make the right decision. That is all we ask.”
    “Damn it! I thought I made a decision! I fought Sebastian. I decided to fight against him.”
    “Sebastian is