Page 50 of Elemasters

His veins pulsed with light; weak, but noticeable as the green grass slowly crept outward, spreading tentatively throughout the forest. He could feel his energy beginning to return as he struggled back to his feet.

The forest hadn’t miraculously healed. Neither had James, not really. But in the distance, he could’ve sworn he heard something; the first time since he arrived.

The soft, peaceful song of a solitary bird.

Chapter 19

Piece of Me

As the dead forest around the group slowly regained its life, Dustin immediately made a mad dash for James.

Being forced to watch him cry, puke, and panic alone felt like some kind of cruel fucking trick. All he wanted was to hold his boyfriend close and let him know that he hadn’t been alone then, and that he wasn’t alone now.

Their eyes met, and James’s eyes flashed with a mixture of excitement and anxiety; likely understanding that Dustin and the others had seen everything, just like he had during Dustin’s trial.

Dustin pulled James into a hug, and they both instantly started sobbing.

“I’m so sorry baby. I wish I could’ve done something to help you,” Dustin sputtered and sniffled, pulling James closer.

“You don’t need to apologize baobei. I’ll be alright it’s just… a lot to process,” James tried to assure him, though his voice was still trembling.

“I hate to break up the touching reunion, but we need to get this shit over with,” Chris cut in, “the next trial should be starting, right?”

Dustin shot eye-daggers at his brother, releasing James from his grip as he stood to face him.

“The fuck is your problem?! I know you’re in a shitty mood, but do you have no empathy at all?!”

“Empathy for what? James faced his shit and got through it! Fuck am I supposed to feel sorry for?!”

“For causing the accident in the first place! You never even apologized to him! Or me! Even though I’m the one who took the fall for your ass!”

Chris’s irises briefly flashed with red light, and the veins in his neck and arms did the same.

“I thought brothers were supposed to look out for each other. That’s what I’ve been doing for you all these years. But the one time I need you to cover for me, you act like it’s some huge fucking deal. Well I’m sorry I’ve been a burden on you. Guess that’s why you heard everyone’s voice but mine in your trial. You’d probably be happy if I just disappeared, huh?”

“One time? You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” Dustin started, stepping closer to Chris… before Bailey got between them.

“Enough! Cut the shit, both of you!” she forced them apart, gently but firmly, “look around! Everything’s different now!”

Dustin exhaled sharply, putting his seething anger aside for the moment to take stock of their surroundings. Bailey was absolutely right; the forest they’d previously been standing in was suddenly gone, and they were now standing in a beautiful sparkling atrium of some sort, with glass panel walls and pristine titanium floors.

“Wait, where’s Chloe?” James asked, finally standing to his full height, “shit… we must be in her trial now,”

An intercom chimed overhead, getting everyone’s attention.

“All attendees please take your seats at the main runway. Tailoring the Pacific Northwest: The Alicia Moore Exhibition begins in ten minutes,”

If there was one thing Chloe knew, it was that this Lotus Garden shit was getting real old, real fast.

Between the shifting landscapes, trauma showcases, and getting mud all over her untouched white Air Force Ones, she was nearing the end of her fucking rope.

“Alright, breathe. Let’s get through this,”

She closed her eyes, took a single breath, and then scanned her surroundings.

Clothing racks surrounded her as far as her eye could see. Whatever liminal space she was stuck in didn’t seem to have any walls, or a ceiling, or fucking anything really. Just a vast expanse of fashion.

Of fucking course. At least the garden had a sense of humor.