Traveler - The Premonition(book 2)

By L. Steffie

Josephine continues her journey with her friends, trying to find out the truth about what happened to the world. They learn on their way that Jo is the key to bringing everything back to normal. A premonition, which says that she is going to die at the end of the mission, is turning their plans upside down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. Steffie
• Release date: May 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370275496

Book preview

Traveler

The Premonition

L. Steffie

The feelings born in the middle of the chaos are the most sincere because that is the moment when people show their real faces. Sometimes you need strength to feel what you feel and other times you need time to understand the time. The clock is ticking without stop, and it never waits for anyone. If you lose the train because you want to stay more than you need in one place, it is possible to remain stuck there forever. Missed chances, unspoken words, and feelings hidden in the soul are things that can't be recovered once they are gone. Sometimes we are afraid of what we think, other times wait too long for the right moment, and finally, we hope that the fate will work things out. The question is: is it truly written somewhere our destiny or everything depends on our actions?

CHAPTER 1

The courage doesn't mean the absence of fear. The courage means to realize when you are afraid, to get over any obstacle and move on. I had met the courage when I had met Eva. I felt free after I had done the thing that I was so afraid of doing. I had never been prepared for the biggest act of courage of my life, but I had to do it anyway, without knowing how it was going to end. I had learned that I couldn't let the fear to decide my future.

We were driving to nowhere, without knowing what future had planned for us. We felt finally free. The Transporter was our home. We were the family.

We had a break of a couple of days on a field. We had found a shop with drinks and food, and we were staying on the grass. Exactly what we needed to enjoy ourselves.

I admire your courage says Kate after some drinks.

Be careful what you say! Julia notices her. You don’t want to regret it in the morning.

I admire her, she continues. To wake up every morning and start all over again, to face the same demons, the same troubles, to not let yourself damaged by all of these, but more, to manage to change the people around you in better people, to make them love you, even those who hated you, all of these, my dear Julia, means to have courage.

I smiled. Kate had changed. She was a better person, but more, I started seeing her as a part of the family. She considered me the main reason for that change.

Jo, I admit. I hated you when I first heard about you. But when I saw you, something changed. I don't know why you have this impact on people, but they just can't say that they don't love you.

Look over there! I laughed and pointed at Aaron.

My brother may be a cold person, but he has a good soul Julia defends him.

I know, Julia. I think that under that mask of a bad boy is some gentleness.

I can’t imagine Aaron romantic or gentle laughs Kate.

I haven’t seen him like that, but I want to! says Julia.

I was looking at them, and I was feeling good after a very long time. I was laughing. I was living.

I realized something tonight I said.

What? they ask at the same time.

The most beautiful things in life are not things. They are people. People who make you laugh, live and feel. These people are you.

I had finally said it. It was about time. I was thinking it for too long. They stopped laughing and hugged me.

I don’t want to ruin your moment grumbles Aaron. People are trying to sleep around here, and you're making too much noise!

You’ve already ruined it! says Kate rising her eyebrow.

Do you want to join us? I ask smiling.

It’s clear. You’ve had too much to drink. You can’t stand me, remember? says Aaron laughing.

He showed again that beautiful smile, white like in the advertising, which made him another person. He put the blanket on his head before I could say anything. Maybe I can try to get along with him, I thought. But tomorrow, I continued. I was too tired.

In the morning, I woke up with an awful headache. Julia felt the same. I could tell by sounds she made. Kate was all right. She was probably used to drink a lot more than us.

You got along very well with Kate last night says Andy.

Good morning to you too! I said ironically.

Morning he smiles.

Of course! She’s my sister, after all! I say with a smile in the corner of my mouth.

So, you are over everything?

Andy, what she did was not because she wanted to, and you know that. Maybe it’s time for you to accept that too.

I have considered it…

And?

Kate from now is the Kate I had known before she met Helen.

This is a good thing I say.

After I saw you two getting along… it's like I'm looking at the old Kate, the first time I met her…

I smiled, and I went to drink some water. Kate deserved a chance just like the rest of us. I saw the way she was looking at Andy. I knew she loved him. She was still in love with him. I was feeling strange because I was in the middle of it, but I was going to talk to her about it.

You’re awake says Aaron walking by me.

Yeah I respond ironically.

Oh, and I thought that we buried the hatchet last night, he laughs. I got scared for a second.

I had a thought last night, but I’m thinking different now I said with a fake smile.

That man had something that was sending me up the wall. Maybe it was the way he was talking, walking or chaffing. Maybe it was the way he told the truth. He was too direct. A lot of people are disturbed by someone that keep saying what is on his mind because it can be painful. Maybe he wasn't bad, just sincere.

I think we owe you some acknowledgment I say.

For what? asks Aaron uncertain.

For you risked a lot taking the gun from that manananggal’s hand. That was the decisive moment, the one that saved us all.

I saw an opportunity, and I took it. It's a good thing that no one died.

You know how to fight I said.

I had to learn. When you grow up without parents, you are vulnerable, exposed. You have to adapt and to learn by yourself what is good.

Wow, you spoke almost like a mature man. Where are all the critics? I asked surprised.

They depend on my mood he said while he put his hand through his hair.

I started laughing. I couldn't believe that Aaron was the one who made me laugh. I took an apple, and I left chewing. Julia appeared. She heard some of our conversation.

I see you’re getting along she says.

I don't know what's with him today. He's in a good mood, and he's joking. Some of the jokes are nice. And he smiles a lot. It's weird.

I noticed that too. I haven't seen him feel this good for a long time.

Things started changing slowly, and we were getting close to each other every day. Crista and Stefan were euphoric. They were so in love, and they brought life in our group with their love. Kate and Andy started talking more, but I could see in Kate's eyes that she wanted something more, even if she wasn't doing anything about that. Deby attached to Julia, and she was trying to make her not to feel weird around us. Only Aaron was left without friends or without a person who he could trust in our group. He preferred to stay in his corner and not get involved with anyone.

CHAPTER 2

It was the time to move on from that place. We gathered our things and got into the Transporter. It was hot, just like late spring. I didn't know if there were seasons, but since we came through the portal, it was spring. I hoped that we didn't mix up the seasons as we did with the time.

There was a long road ahead of us, one that seemed it was never going to end. Suddenly, the car started shaking.

Stefan, what are you doing? asks Andy.

Slow down! says Crista.

I’m not doing anything! I just can’t control the car! screams Stefan.

We tried to open the doors, but they were locked, and we were stuck inside. We were going fast on that long road, without knowing exactly where. Stefan was pulling the wheel, but the car wasn't moving in any other direction. Then I saw it. The white light was in front of us.

Deby, are you doing something? asks Kate.

I’m not doing anything! she says.

We have a portal in front of us! screams Kate.

We can't get out of the car! We are going right into it! Hold on! shouted Stefan.

We went directly into the portal. We landed on a woodsy road, with high speed. Stefan couldn't control it in time, and we hit and stopped in the trees.

Is everybody all right? asks Julia, who got out on the window.

A dense smoke was coming out from under the bonnet. We all managed to get out, not very injured. Stefan and Crista hit their legs and heads, but not very bad. I felt my nose baggy, but I was okay.

What the hell was that?! asks Kate angry.

Someone forgot a portal opened? asks Aaron ironically.

Someone just threw us through a portal, without our will! says Deby.

And now what? The car is not starting! says Andy mad.

We walk forward; maybe we find someone or something to explain things for us says Stefan.

We were going through the woods, without a particular destination, when we saw a cave. Some of us were talking about surviving skills, the ones we used to watch on TV, joking about our actual situation.

It’s going to be dark soon. What do you say if we spend the night here? asks Stefan.

Great idea says Kate. Let's gather some firewood.

Kate, Stefan, Crista and Julia went to solve that problem, while the rest of us remained to search the cave.

I hope it’s not an animal’s lair! says Deby.

I hope so too. It's a safe shelter adds Andy.

I saw Aaron stuck in a weird position.

What is it? I ask him.

Shh! It’s something there. See? he points into the cave.

It was something shiny inside that cave.

Hey. It’s something there! I say to the others.

Let’s see says Aaron.

It’s not moving. Maybe it’s a bottle or something grumbles Andy.

When we got closer, we saw a pair of glasses. They were shining in a strange way as if they wanted to be found. I took them. At that moment, the shining disappeared, and I heard a voice.

Do you think that you can change the destiny? asks the voice angrily.

An old lady appeared behind us. She looked like the moraine from the gas station, the one that we had met some time ago. This one seemed to be a lot angrier than the other one.

Are you a moraine? asks Deby.

Exactly! I am here because you went off your duty and your track! You have arrived in inappropriate places. The world is always changing, and you're screwing things up!

We don’t know what to do! Maybe you can enlighten us! says Aaron.

You must fulfill your destiny. Stop deviating from your track. Stop making spells and stop bringing people back if they died! she yells looking at Deby.

We're doing what's best for us I say. No one tells us what to do! Why don't you say anything?

Because I am here only to guide you, not to tell you the future! If I say the future, I might change it. I only bring you back where you're supposed to be.

Nobody asked us if we wanted to be a part of this! screamed Andy.

You’re part of it, either you want it or not! she shouts and grabs the glasses from my hand.

I don't want to be part of anything! I say.

You’ve changed too much already! So many destinies. I am here for that, not you! Stay away and let me do my job!

And this is where we’re supposed to be right now? asks Deby.

Yes, I brought you on the right path! she says.

Her eyes turned green, and the cave started shaking. She vanished into a green cloud, leaving behind falling rocks. I jumped aside to protect myself from them. When the dust was gone, I saw Aaron lying next to me. We got up, and we realized that we were stuck in there, behind the wall of fallen rocks.

Jo? Are you ok? I hear Deby from the other side of the rocks.

Yes, but I think we’re stuck.

We can’t move the rocks. It’s possible they fall on you says Andy.

We have a lane here. We will go forward. It may be another way out says Aaron.

Fine. We will let the others know about this, and then we will look for another entrance for you.

We started walking in the dark. I couldn't see a thing, and he kept stepping on my foot.

Seriously? I ask madly.

I'm not doing it on purpose! he says laughing.

What’s so funny? We’re stuck in here! Together! I shouted.

Am I such a bad company? he asked offended.

If I haven’t known him, I could have said that I hurt his feelings.

Fine! I'm with you in a cave that might fall over us, and we don't know if there's a way out! Excellent! It's the luckiest day of my life! I said ironically.

You can hate me how much you want, but later! Now, come on! This way.

We continued our way through the cave. I was hoping for a way out and faster. After a couple of minutes of walking in the dark, I heard a laugh. Before I could say anything, I heard Aaron.

Now what? he asks.

It wasn’t me I said.

It wasn’t me either.

We heard footsteps behind us. Someone was laughing louder and louder, a sign that it was approaching us.

Run! says Aaron and pushes me in front.

I wanted to say a few things to him because he pushed me, but I let it go. I ran how fast I could. Above us, there were some cracks through which the light came in. I was sure there was another way out. I could see around, enough not to hit the walls with my head. The running didn't last long because I heard a plump, then I saw Aaron dragged by a creature with red hair, who looked like a woman. He was struggling, but he couldn't free himself. He was leaving behind a track of blood. I took a rock, and I started running after them.

A couple of hours ago, I didn't imagine that I was going to chase a creature into a cave, especially to save Aaron's ass. I managed to grab his blouse, but I found myself dragged with him. I stretched, and I hit the creature with all my strength. I think I hit it in the head because she let Aaron go and ran forward.

He tried to get up, but her claws scratched his leg pretty bad and profound. He couldn't get up. I looked at him uncertainly.

Go! She’s coming back anyway, to get her tribute! he said.

How do you know? I ask.

It's a cave nymph, from what I saw. They are usually peaceful, but some of them go crazy and turn like this. I know this from fairytales, but it seems that lately, all the stories are true! he says irritated.

I got closer to him. I grabbed his shoulders, and I lifted him up, breathing heavily.

What are you doing? Aaron asks me.

What do I look like I’m doing?

I told you to go.

Since when do I do what others tell me? Do you think that I’m going to leave you here? I’m not the type of person who leaves others behind, in case you haven’t noticed!

How do you know I haven't left you here if you were in my place? he says.

Can you, for one second in your life, take off that mask that you wear? I asked irritated.

I helped him walk for a while, but at one point, I felt he was going heavy.

You have to help me too if you want to get out of here! I say.

I told you to go! I can’t walk anymore.

He sat on the ground and supported himself on the wall. He was losing a lot of blood, and he couldn't go on. I took my shirt off, and I remained in a sleeveless shirt. I ripped it up and tied a tourniquet above his injury.

This will help you until we get out of here I said.

Let’s be realistic. Only you are getting out of here.

Can you just shut up?! You’re not helping me at all!

His voice was extinguishing, and he couldn't keep his eyes open, so I knew he was about to faint.

Damn it, Aaron! You are not going to die in front of me! I shouted, and I gathered my strength.

I lifted him up and started walking. I felt the sweat on my face, and it was getting hotter. I had on my mind the faces of all the people I had lost in that year, so I was determined to save a life, even if it was Aaron's.

Help me, Aaron! You're too heavy! I can't carry you alone. Damn it! You're at least twice my weight!

I hear her he said.

I hurried to the light. I saw another way out from the cave, but it was too far. I imagined what supernatural power I needed to carry a huge man like Aaron. I was breathing heavily, and I felt like I couldn't go any further. He felt that too.

Jo, it’s coming. Run! he says.

Damn it, Aaron! Shut up! We’re both getting out of here!

After I had managed to walk another portion, my