The moment the storm starts, I realize that all hell is about to break loose.  I know where Charity is and what she’s doing… not that I really want to know what she’s doing. Then I realize I’m going to have to go soon, and I’m going to have to tell Poe, too. I rush over to her house, and Theresa lets me in. “Hey, Jake. Here to see Poe?”

          “Yeah. I really have to talk to her, Theresa.”

            “Go right ahead. I’m not stopping you,” she says, smiling.

“Thanks, Theresa.” I run up the all too familiar staircase to Paloma’s room and rush in.

          “Jake? What’s wrong?” she asks, sitting up in her bed. “You’re all wet.” Poe rushes around to find me a towel and hands it to me.

        “Thanks,” I say, taking the towel and drying myself off. “Poe, we need to talk. It’s serious. Otherwise I wouldn’t have come here right away.”

           “Okay,” she agrees, taking my hand. “What do you need to tell me?”

           “It’s Charity. She’s come into her full powers.”

          “She has? Whoa… so we know what they’ve been doing,” Poe says, winking. But I don’t smile, and she notices. “Okay, Jake, I’m sorry.”

          “No, no, it’s not you… but I have to go soon,” I tell her, sadly. “And I don’t want to, we’ve only been together a year and a half… I don’t want to leave you here.”

         “Then take me with you,” she suggests, stroking my cheek. “I don’t want to leave you either, and I can put my dancing on hold if you need me to.”

          “Prima, no. I know you love your dancing more than anything. Besides, even if you were willing to put your dancing on hold—“

          “Jake, I’d be more than willing, if it came to you,” she tells me.

          “You still can’t come. Believe me, I would take you if I could, but I can’t. I can’t risk your life along with mine.” I sigh and put my head in my hands, but Poe yanks my arm and forces me to look at her. “Did you say that your life will be in danger? Then I have to come with you!” she exclaims. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

          “It’s not that simple,” I say, stroking her hair. “Remember when I told everyone that Charity and I have powers?” Poe nods. “And I said…”

         “…that when Charity comes into her full powers, she’ll have to fight the evil,” Poe finishes. “So that means… you have to fight the evil… oh God, Jake, please be careful,” she says, hugging me.

        “Well, I don’t have to go yet,” I tell her. “Believe it or not, I have to come into my full powers too. Not that I’m going to get a lot more powers…” I trail off.

        “Like you don’t have enough already,” Poe says, grinning. She’s seen firsthand the things I can do, if I’m provoked. I only use my powers when I really need to, and there have been several times when I’ve had to. “But my powers are going to be a lot stronger than they are now.”

        Poe seems to be in thought. “Jake, I have to leave tomorrow,” she says, suddenly.

        “That soon?” I’m shocked. “I mean, I knew you were going to leave soon, but tomorrow? Can’t they wait?”

         “I’m sorry… I didn’t want to go either, but—“

        “I know, Prima. This is your opportunity of a lifetime and I’m not going to take it away from you.”

        “Jacob, you are so understanding. I still can’t get over it.” Paloma smiles, and seeing her smile makes me smile. “Well, believe it, because it’s true.” I kiss her forehead. “But Prima… you realize this may be the last time we ever see each other?”

         Her eyes widen in shock. “What?”

        “I mean, I’m going to be up against the forces of evil, Poe. With Charity, Noah, and Aunt Grace on my side, we’re going to be strong, but still, we may not be able to defeat them…”

        “No, you can’t let that happen,” Poe pleads. “Don’t let them take you.”

        “I’ll try,” I promise her. “I’ll do it for you.”

        Poe smiles weakly. Then we just sit there, in sad silence, until we both say, “I have something to ask you.”

          We both laugh. “You first,” she tells me.

          “I can’t ask you now. How about we meet tomorrow and I ask you there?”

          “Okay,” Poe says, nodding. “Meet me here and I’ll take you somewhere.”

          I nod. “Will do. Anyway, I have to go home and gain my strength. The world will be coming close to armageddon soon…so I’ll see you tomorrow, dancing queen?”

          “Yes. Jake, I love you.” Poe looks close to crying. “Be careful.”

          “I will be.” I kiss her gently. “I have to go now,” I whisper. “I love you.” With that, I walk out of her room, and take one last look at her. She’s collapsed on her bed, and I can hear her soft cries from where I stand.  With a heavy heart, I slowly walk away.

Chapter 5

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