The Dream Weavers Collection Part 2, K.R. Gomlok [best summer reads of all time TXT] 📗

The Dream Weavers
Collection Part 2
By K.R. Gomlok

Chapter 5: Karis

Zachery Ember stepped out of the car and squinted into the streetlight-saturated fog. In Zach?s humble opinion, Fostor had not been updated since the early twentieth century and was long overdue for some restoration. On the other hand though, watching his breath come out in visible clouds at noon had never been quite normal for him so he was already a little biased against the place.
?Bring back any memories yet?? Samuel asked, giving him a sly side-glance, and walking partially into the fog, his arms outstretched in welcome of his home, ?Finding snow angels, being stubborn, and it was just around the corner that we found Karis half frozen.?
?Yeah? And then Rue dragged you into our noble little quest to save her instead of going to the authorities,? Zach recalled, pressing his lips into a tight smile. He was almost sure they were purple by now? they certainly did not have any feeling at the moment. ?Now if you don?t mind, could we head indoors?? he inquired eagerly, ?I?m not used to frostbite.?
?By all means, sir Ember,? Sam agreed with mock formality, ?Though ?round these parts we just refer to it as ?a slight chill?.?
Zach gave him a flat look in reply and waited for Sam?s grin to fade and seriousness to set in. ?You didn?t bring me up from Dremoor just to ?chill?, did you?? He asked after Sam did not follow the cue. ?I feel cold enough as it is.?
?And yet you?re heart still beats warm.? Sam answered, his grin becoming rather impish. ?But come, we?ve strayed too long on trivial matter. Let?s get to miss Rusiu?s house and discuss the plan of action.?
Before Zach could protest, Sam turned his back and started off down the street. Still a little annoyed with the Scot, Zach followed slowly on the frigid sidewalk, going just fast enough to keep Sam in sight but slow enough that he could think to himself without interruption. About seven years back this place had seemed so dull? But now it almost seemed, well, suspicious in some respects. It could easily be credited to the Flytwind incident but Zach still felt there was something beneath the worn exterior, just waiting to be found. In many ways, he reflected, it was that aspect that made it the perfect residence for Rusiu.
Rusiu Akatsuki, or Rusiu Ember as she was more commonly known, was Zachery?s cousin. Though Zach had never really seemed to be her favorite, he had connected with her nearly seven years back during an incident involving a girl named Karis Flytwind. The whole thing had been a little too crazy at first but over the course of events that followed, Zach had gained respect for his seemingly oblivious cousin as they faced the challenge together.
Sam abruptly turned and stopped in front of the house where Rusiu now resided, a quaint old building with stone fences and large bay windows. ?How much does she pay for rent?? Zach asked absently as he caught up to the Scott, running his hand along the fence as Sam opened the wrought iron gate and ushered him in. ?An antique place like this would cost a fortune in Lorenville.?
?Well,? Sam explained, leading the way through the snow-laden courtyard. ?She gets reduced rates for the upkeep of the place. She doesn?t seem to mind the task and she?s become an excellent housekeeper through such activities.?
?Of all the things she might do? I never imagined her as a maid,? Zach mused, admiring the ancient style of the residence. Rusiu had always escaped his predictions but still? he had to admit this was something of a surprise, ?I guess some things change with time, huh Sam??
Sam only smiled and continued indoors, whistling a highland tune to himself. Zachery followed him into a cozy entry room with beige walls and deep red-brown carpet. A desk and chair of dark red wood sat at the far end of the room by a window and Zach could see a glimpse of a dining hall beyond it. On the desk sat a small bonsai pine tree, its gnarled branches reaching toward the soft light of the window, welcoming the blessing of life amongst the snow.
?Come along then!? Sam called to him the dining room. ?In here!?
Zach sighed and moved on, following Sam up a flight of stairs to a hall of doors. Going into the first door on the right, they found themselves in a well-kept room with a bed, nightstand, dresser, bookshelf, and desk sat neatly dusted and gleaming in the light that came through the window. ? I thought you said people lived here.? Zach said incredulously, giving Sam a hard glance, ?We didn?t stumble into a magazine photographer?s room, did we??
?Rue will be along in a moment, have some patience.? Sam reprimanded softly, settling himself against the wall. ? She said she was expecting another visitor as well.?
?That would be me,? A man with dark red hair interrupted, coming in behind Zach. Zach spun around and took a few steps backward, trying to discern the intent of the new comer. He was dragging something behind him, it appeared to be a person wrapped in coats and scarves to the point where Zach could not see much more than a pair of sleeping eyes. ?We ran into some trouble on the way. Thanks to Rossot, we got out but it was only after that we realized the second target was with them too. They have her, Samuel. If we don?t act fast she might choose poorly. ? The man continued, putting his load on the bed and looking at Zach and Sam with frustrated eyes.
?Is it? dead?? Zach asked slowly, staring in horror at the bundle of clothes. Whatever it was, it wasn?t moving. Was Sam suddenly having under the table dealings? He had always seemed a little too noble for such things? At any rate, he obviously was not disturbed by this event which could either mean it was okay or Zach was in the middle of a psychotic underground group of killers. In which case he would have to jump out the window since getting past Hinter was not going to be an option.
?She is NOT dead!? The man declared, glaring at Zach. His gaze softened though and he began to pace. He was tense, Zach could tell that much, and with his current record in people skills Zach decided it was best not to try and press the matter, especially with his current impressions of the man. ?Not yet any way,? The man continued softly, ?We need to dispel the soporial in her veins. Perhaps if we all try together??
?Rue will tell us what to do when she gets here, Hinter.? Sam said softly, gazing curiously at the sleeping person. ?Will your assistant be alright??
?You tell me,? Hinter replied, grimacing in concern, ?How soon before we can expect Miss Akatsuki??
?Present!? Rusiu Akatsuki announced, entering the room with her usual energy. She had a tired smile on but she was still the Rusiu Zach remembered. Her black hair was put back in a ponytail with some stray bangs messily arrayed around her face. She was dressed in a long plaid skirt with a long sleeve white button up shirt and a sleeveless burgundy jacket over it. ?Good to see you all made it. Who did you bring, Hinter??
?An old acquaintance of yours,? Hinter explained, gesturing towards the bundled person. ?Unfortunately, reunions will have to wait; Gelligok got to her. I?m afraid you?re the only one with enough understanding of the poison to save her.?
Skipping over to the bed and pulling back the scarf and hood of their sleeping guest, Rue raised her eyebrows in question. ?Does she look familiar to you Zach?? She asked, a strange tone in her voice as she addressed her cousin without taking her gaze from the sleeping person?s face.
Zachery did not answer her. Even after seven years, he still recognized the face of Karis Flytwind. Walking slowly over to the bedside, he stared upon her, wondering where the time had gone. In his mind, she had always been that little girl they had found in the snow nearly seven years ago now. Reaching out, he paused for moment before brushing long golden hair away from her face. ?It?s been a while, Angel.? He murmured. ?Angel? had been a sort of code name for the girl but now it felt more like a term of endearment. She had brought them together once, now it seemed she had united them again.
Karis stirred in her sleep but would not awaken. ?What?s wrong with her?? Rue questioned, her voice holding a more serious note than usual. And if Rusiu was serious, Zach mused to himself, something was definitely up.
?The same stuff they gave to Chimera,? Hinter said gravely, ?Except a stronger dose. She?s trapped until someone of your caliber stops the poison.?
?Alright then,? Rusiu stated in a business like tone, getting up and facing them all as a commander reviewing her squad. ?There are two empty rooms down the hall. Hinter, take Zach to the room across from me, Sam and I will use the other room and meet up with you once you?re in. The goal is to get in, find Karis, and remove her from the restraining area of the Soporial Upkeeper. Let?s go, Weavers.?
?Wait, what?s this about weavers and an upkeeper?? Zach asked, more than a little confused as Hinter pushed him towards the indicated room. Not quite ready to give up yet, Zach braced himself against the door way and struggled as Hinter increased his thrust. ?What?s going on, Rusiu?!? He called to his cousin as she disappeared down the hall.
Suddenly, Hinter got smart and got his arms over Zach?s in order to bring them back on the inside of Zach?s elbows, effectively ending his resistance and forcing him into the room. Inside was a bunk bed, dresser, and a window over looking the yard outside. ?What are you doing?? Zach demanded of Hinter, trying to get a good look at the man as he ushered Zach to the beds.
?You?ll see soon enough.? Hinter muttered, pushing Zach onto the lower bunk, and staring deep into his eyes, ?Now settle down and close your eyes. You?re about to enter another world.?
Zach was about to protest when an overwhelming dizziness came over him. Seeing the room spin around him, he fought to sit up as darkness seeped in. It was a disconcerting sensation of weightless insubstantial existence. What was? making