Free Betrayal by Mayandree Michel Page A

jubilantly. She leaned closer to the chaise lounge where I lay, still staring up at Evan’s immaculately chiseled face. All the while they peered at me with the curiosity of little children who’ve made the sudden discovery of a brand new toy.
    Bethany turned to Nikolas with a radiant smile, and said, “It's time. We must prepare to make our return.”
    “Yes, of course, except what does she remember? Perhaps we should determine that first. She looks to be in shock.” Nikolas was the voice of reason at that particular moment. He stepped closer to where I lay, and towered over me.
    “I must be dreaming.” I said to myself.
    “No, you’re not dreaming.” Bethany said, responding to what I hadn’t realized I said out loud. I searched her flawless face for answers, for an explanation, for an escape from the hysteria gradually taking over what remained of my sanity.
    “Beth, what’s happened to me? How can you see… wait a minute… is he … real ?” I said. I had finally found my voice, and blurted out the words in haste. They tumbled out in a staccato jumble like marbles out of a bag. All the while I eyed Evan suspiciously and tried to sit up.
    Their faces revealed the same sudden despondency. The dead silence in the room made me tremble. I waited for an answer but Bethany said nothing, Nikolas shifted his eyes from me, and found something quite interesting with the lamp on the nearby table. Finally Evan answered, well sort of.
    “Yes, Cordelia, of course I’m real, and we are all together now... once again.” Evan’s voice was gripping. Every word he spoke held me like a vice, which I couldn’t free myself of. I could only shake my head in bewilderment.
    “I’m real…we are all together now … once again.”

    “Once again?” I asked, and then swerved my gaze to Bethany in despair. “Beth…please. What’s going on?”
    Evan reached out his hand to help me sit up comfortably. How is it that he can feel me? “I know you are confused and drained from everything that has transpired.”
    “See, here’s the thing,” I said, in the weakest whimper, void of any genuine conviction. “I don’t understand what happened or is happening.”
    “Your memory, particularly the memory of who you are, has not returned but will – soon.” Evan said, with an unwavering gaze.
    “I know who I am.” I said, this time with enough conviction to spare. “I don't know who or what you are, and how it is that you can see me.
    I am dead aren’t I?” I sat up straight and swung my legs off the chaise, demanding an answer. My words reverberated around the room as if they swung at them with invisible bats. I had to know how they were aware of my presence.
    “Yes, you are… dead... but….” Bethany said, trailing off, and looking to Evan for guidance or to be rescued.
    “But?” I would be choking right now if I was still able to breathe.
    “I will do my best to answer all of your questions, in time. In the interim, I only ask for your patience since we are running out of time,” Evan said, as he was about to begin stroking my hair. I pulled away abruptly, and his hand was left hanging in midair.
    “You’ve got to answer one,” I demanded, staring him straight in the eyes – the allure of their depth hadn’t any hold on me for that moment.
    Evan sighed, but it seemed out of desperation, and not frustration. “Yes, of course, one.”
    “Am I dead?” I asked, already knowing the answer
    “Yes.” He said, eyeing me cautiously. I guess he was expecting me to be overcome with sobs or something.
    “Who are you?” I asked, as I watched the corners of Evans lips sag. I presumed that I had offended him by my inquiry. Maybe I was annoying him for going over the limit on the questions, but at this point, I didn’t allow whatever he may be feeling to deter me. “Please tell me.”
    Sadness flooded Evan’s face as he answered me. “My name is Evander, and I have come a long way to guarantee your secure