We Faced a Goddess
Chapter Nine: Bonding

I didn’t want to worry Aunt Paige so I decided to wait until we got home to talk to Ambrus. Keres had the idea that she should spend a girls’ night with Aunt Paige and I could get some “fatherly advice” from Ambrus. In my opinion it was completely strange and being alone with Ambrus was just strange to me. Not uncomfortable, just strange. However, it was a good idea so I could talk to Ambrus about Nemesis since I was the one who was actually given the information.

Ambrus’ house felt like another piece of home at this point. It was comfortable and familiar. Ambrus was like another part of the family. We were all so broken, but we were together. We had each other.

“Ambrus,” I started, “I need to talk to you about something.”

“Anything you need Miss Bonnibelle.” Ambrus said as he settled on one of the couches. I sat in the couch opposite him so we could speak face to face.

“Keres and I went to Marie Laveau’s today. The shop that is and Firline pulled me aside for a warning.” My voice was shaking and it was obvious.

“Firline?” He asked. “Wait… a warning?”

“Let me start from the beginning. Keres and I have had visions of this masquerade thing. It’s a panicked filled event. We’re looking for something and then I get locked outside and Keres is attacked and I try to help her and it’s a big mess. Well, that’s going to happen on Halloween. Firline told me that the Loa warned her that Nemesis was planning to attack. Ambrus, I don’t know what you did but you ticked off a goddess.”

“There’s never a simple complication with us huh?” Ambrus almost laughed. “I don’t see what Nemesis would want with me. I mean, I lost my wife and almost lost my daughter and I’m a recluse due to the fact my neighbors think I killed my wife and such. The only good things right now are you, your aunt, and my book shop.” Ambrus gave a nervous laugh. Something seemed wrong. He knew something.

“Me?” I asked almost shocked.

“Of course. Miss Bonnibelle you are a blessing.” Ambrus leaned forward. “I’ve never seen Keres this happy. I feel awful for keeping her away from the world, but I just didn’t want her to get hurt. With her mother being gone and me being, well, me Keres had a lot for people to use against her. I know the world is a cruel place. I faced awful people growing up. My parents were both very religious so worshipping Hecate and Nyx was out of the question. The kids at school were worse. I hated myself and I hurt myself. I reached a point where I just didn’t want to live. I didn’t want Keres going through any of that.”

“How did it get better?” I asked.

“What?”

“How did you get out of hating yourself and wanting to die?”

“Oh,” Ambrus said with a smile, “I left home. I became a librarian in a new city. I was a lot happier. Then I met Chantale. We fell in love and eventually got married. Life seemed perfect for a while.”

“Then Chantale and Keres got sick?” I asked without thinking.

“Yes…” Ambrus’ mood shifted but he shook it off. “Keres got better and I was forever grateful. She the most important person in my life.”

“She’s pretty important to me too.” I stood up. “I’m going to protect you guys. Nemesis wants you two. I’m not going to let her have you guys. I know you’re going to try to stop me because I’m just some teenager, but I won’t be stopped. I’m not losing anyone else in my life. At least not yet. Something brought me here and I’m not going to let everything that had to happen be in vain.”

“You’re serious about this? You’d put your life on the line for us?” Ambrus asked as if skeptical.

“Look, I may have only known you guys for three months, but you are two of the nicest people I have ever met. Keres is my best friend and I will protect her. She may be a bit older and taller and stronger than me but I will protect her.”

“I’m very lucky that Keres has a friend like you.” Ambrus said beaming.

The rest of our time together we talked about Chantale and my parents. Ambrus was a very wise man and I was really happy I could talk to him. He told me about his life and how he opened his bookstore. All in all Ambrus was just a big dork who liked books and stories. I really loved listening to him.

It’s strange how conversation carries on. One minute we were talking about danger, doom, and death. Eventually we started talking about classic horror films. I guess we both just needed a distraction from what would happen soon.

Keres eventually walked in. I looked at my phone to see it was one in the morning. Ambrus and I had been talking for so long. He and Keres walked me to the door. Ambrus waited outside until I made it inside okay. Keres met me at by bedroom window.

“You know, it feels more natural coming in your window instead of your front door.” Keres said as she climbed in my room and onto my bed. “My dad really likes you. He said you’re a good pick.”

“Well, I feel special.” I said laying next to Keres on my bed. “My Aunt likes you too.”

“I like you too.” Keres stopped for a second before she popped up off the bed. I sat up and Keres started backing toward the window. “I mean… I like you… as a friend. Yeah, a friend. Heheh. I’m just gonna…” Her back hit the wall next to the window and she stopped. “I’m gonna go.” Keres tried opening the window.

“Wait!” I stood. Keres stopped and turned to look at me. Her face was flushed. I walked to her and took her hands in mine. We looked into each other’s eye for a second before Keres moved her hand from mine. I heard the window open and Keres slipped out. Damn telekinesis. Keres went to her room and I stood there for what felt like forever. In reality, I actually stood there for almost an hour but it felt a lot longer.

I thought about going to bed but I knew I wouldn’t sleep. I crawled out of my window and sat down. The air was crisp and cool. The stars were beautiful. Ambrus had said that his goddesses were Hecate and Nyx. Firline said that there were all sorts of deities… I wondered if they knew what was going on. If Nyx knew her daughter was after one of her worshippers. If Nemesis knew that we knew. I never really knew how deities worked. My parents were agnostic. I didn’t worship anyone or anything.

I started questioning if my parents were even out there. If different afterlives were real where would my parents be? They didn’t believe in anyone. Did that mean they just disappeared? Maybe there was some form of collective afterlife. What really irritated me is that I’d never know until I passed away.

I watched the night sky as it changed into day. When the sun started coming up I heard singing. Keres’ window opened but the curtains remained in place. I figured it was just the telekinesis. I listened to her sing until she finished then I went back into my room.

I sat on my bed and my exhaustion hit me like a train. I had been up all night and I could feel it. I knew I’d probably regret it Monday but I decided to sleep.

I was right about regretting it on Monday. I slept until three that day and stayed up that night. When school rolled around I was dead tired. Keres managed to drag me out of the house. We didn’t talk much. She seemed really distant. I didn’t even realize that until later because of how tired I was. By that Friday, Keres hadn’t said four words to me all week. I felt like I did something wrong…