CHAPTER FOUR

"What is going on with jewels and stones right now?" I thought, staring at the strange blue rock Isla was holding out to me.

"I found it in your jacket the day of your accident," she said softly, her eyes searching mine.

I blinked, confused. I had no recollection of such an item. My jacket? That day? Everything about the accident was a blur.

"I'm sorry I didn't give it back after you woke up," she continued. "When I found it on you, it was glowing—brightly. But it hasn’t glowed since. I don’t know why I kept it. I just... felt like I should. But I think you should have it now."

I hesitated. Isla was my best friend, but I didn’t tell her everything. The only person who knew everything—every nightmare, every scar, every secret—was Lex.

"Thank you. I thought I’d lost it." I lied, taking the stone from her and slipping it into my pocket.

As soon as I touched it, my scar began to itch. Then burn.

I made an excuse and left quickly, my mind spinning. The burning intensified as I walked home. I wanted to rip off my scarf and scratch my neck raw, but I couldn’t—not in public. Not with people watching.

The moment I got home, I called Lex and ran straight to the garage. It was the only place that offered privacy. Thankfully, he was already home and joined me within minutes.

"Lex, what’s the matter?" he asked, rushing to my side.

I had already yanked off my scarf and was dabbing my neck with a wet rag, trying to soothe the pain.

"It’s itching. It’s burning real bad," I said, tears streaming down my face.

Lex’s expression twisted in panic. "Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll get your meds and the salve. Just hang on."

He raced back into the house. I sat on a stool, trembling, resisting the urge to claw at my skin. The pain was sharp and relentless. I felt like something inside me was trying to break free.

Lex returned, breathless, carrying the salve and a bottle of pills. "Take off your jacket," he said, already unscrewing the lid.

I peeled it off slowly, wincing. That’s when he froze.

"What is that?" he asked, pointing at my jacket pocket.

I looked down—and nearly screamed.

The blue stone Isla had given me was glowing. So was my Lexi necklace.

I hadn’t worn the necklace to Isla’s place. I’d taken it off and stuffed it in my pocket before leaving. Now both were pulsing with light, like they were alive.

"Don’t touch it," I whisper-yell, backing away.

Lex reached out carefully and picked up the jacket. As he brought it closer, the burning in my neck stopped. Just like that.

He pulled the necklaces from my pocket, holding them up. "Where did you get these? And since when does your jade necklace glow?"

"Don’t bring it any closer," I said, stumbling backward. "I got the Lexi necklace in a package this morning. Isla gave me the blue gem. I have no idea why they’re glowing."

Lex set them down gently on the table. We both watched in silence as the glow faded.

"It stopped," he said, eyes wide with excitement. "Lexi, this is insane."

"You know what this means, right?" I said, pressing myself against the far wall of the garage.

"What?"

"We have to throw them away. And make sure Mom never finds out."

Lex shook his head. "No. What we have to do is figure out why they glow in your hands. What their connection is to you."

"This isn’t a game, Lex. I felt like ripping my neck apart," I said, pulling my hair aside to show him.

He gasped. "Lexi... the mark. It’s bigger."

I spun toward the mirror hanging on the garage wall. He was right. The scar had expanded. It looked darker, deeper. Like it was evolving.

"What in God’s name is happening to me?" I whispered, tears spilling again.

I grabbed both necklaces and shoved them into a small box. I slammed the lid shut before they could glow again and ran to my room.

I locked the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed, curling under the covers.

"Lexi, please open the door," Lex said, knocking softly.

"Go away, Lex. I just want to be alone."

"I promise I won’t talk. Please."

I broke. I could never stay mad at Lex. I dragged myself to the door, still wrapped in blankets, and opened it.

"Thank you," he said, stepping inside.

"Want to share a bed?" I asked, pointing to the mattress. I needed something—anything—that felt normal.

"Sure," he replied, climbing in beside me. He pecked my forehead, just like he always did, and wrapped his arms around me.

What would I do without you, Lex? I thought as sleep pulled me under.

I drifted off almost immediately, slipping into the familiar fog of my dreams. But this time, everything was clear. It was like the jewels were a key to my hidden memories or should I say locked memories.

I found myself back in a familiar past, a scary and haunting past but familiar nonetheless.

The yellow eyes. The blue eyes. My jade necklace. The blue gem.

They were all there.

I began to thrash in bed, moaning, making sounds I couldn’t control. Lex stirred behind me, whispering softly.

"Lexi, it’s just a dream. Please wake up."

His voice sounded far away. Like he was calling from the other side of a tunnel.

"Lex... Lex... help me..." I tried to scream, but no words came out. My body was frozen. My mind was trapped.

I pushed harder. Fought against the weight of the dream. And then—

I woke up with a scream.

Lex sat up, startled. "Lexi!"

"I remember," I gasped, drenched in sweat. "I remember it all."