Before you read this, you should know that I really like The Dark Is Rising series and I think Susan Cooper is brilliant. This fic is about my own views and I realize that the series is supposed to be about the battle between good and evil. Please don't flame me.
Disclaimer: Sorry, but I have no talent for writing funny disclaimers. I own nothing.
He stares at Merriman. "I can't believe it," he hears himself say. Merriman turns, a look of surprise on his face.
"Can't believe what, Will?"
"Can't believe you're doing this," he says, and perhaps Merriman sees his feelings in his eyes, 'cause he steps back. "One goes alone, eh? What a lie."
"Will-"
"You don't care!" Will yells, and the others turn away. "You won't be alone- you're going off with all the others. It's me who's alone! The last Old One on earth!"
"Will, it was necessary-"
"Why?! Your stupid religion, against the Dark- ha! You're against the Dark, but you're not for real people! Instead of endlessly fighting over some stupid reason, why don't all the Old Ones use their powers to help the millions of people dying from war or disease or starvation? The Dark have never hurt anyone but the Light! They may be your enemies, but they're not men's. They're not mine. You can go away and take my Old Oneness with you! Will the Watchman. What a joke." He sees the pain he's causing Merriman, but he doesn't care. Merriman never cares about him.
And everyone turns to look at him with incredulity on their faces, but he doesn't care about that either. John Rowlands is the smartest person I know, he thinks. He saw through this stuff. "And if it's so necessary, why can't someone else stay? I have family and friends here, and I'll have to stay and watch them grow old and die! You've been an Old One for centuries, it's not the same for you, but I'm still human! I'm still only twelve! You have no right to take that from me!"
"What are you saying, Will?"
"And what about them?" he asks, pointing at his friends, at the children. "They helped you, and for what? So you can take their memories?"
"Will!"
"Don't worry. I'll obey. I'll do whatever you want, because I don't have a choice. But I don't have to like it. I hate you!" he yells, and he runs down the hill, away from their stupid, hurt faces, and his words are almost true.