Ok, here goes Chapter 2! Enjoy!
Nathaniel
Nathaniel suddenly flew backwards, no longer holding the staff. While he was in mid air the staff exploded, sending Nathaniel hurtling violently backwards. He landed on the ground hard on his back, sending shock waves and pain through his entire body. He wanted desperately to close his eyes and sleep, but then he saw literally tons of broken glass fly towards him. He closed his eyes and put his hands over his head. The glass landed on top of him and he felt the cold sharpness of them bite into his already damaged skin. He felt some pieces land on his side, which hurt like hell. He wanted to scream but he was too tired to open his mouth.
He opened his eyes, seeing that there was glass everywhere. In that moment he realized three things: 1) He couldn't see as well and his vision was blurry because he didn't have Bartimaeus's sight, 2) Speaking of Bartimaeus, Nathaniel couldn't hear his annoying voice in his head, 3) Nouda was nowhere to be seen, which mean they had succeeded. Kitty would be—
Wait! Kitty! Where was she? He looked around furiously. Suddenly he spotted a dark figure moving through the dust and debris. It was coughing. Nathaniel struggled to get up. He coughed as well. It didn't seem to hear. Maybe he was a ghost after all. He finally succeeded in getting up and he stumbled towards it.
The dark figure fell to its knees. "So much for your promises," She (it was definitely a she) said. Nathaniel hoped he wasn't in hell with this being a nasty old trick from the devil. He stumbled towards the figure.
"I keep my promises. Well, at least I kept this one," Nathaniel said, his vocal cords aching.
The figure turned around. Nathaniel stumbled back. It was the devil. He gasped. The figure stood up.
"Hey, I'm not that ugly!" Kitty said, then stepped forward and threw her arms around him. He sighed in relief. She was covered in dirt, her once black hair gray. Her face was covered in lines and her eyes were bagged and teary. Her clothes were in rags and she had several blisters. It was no wonder he had mistaken her for the devil. He put his arms around her. Then fainted.
Kitty
Kitty watched as Nathaniel fell, almost being brought down with him. He was also covered in dirt, and he had glass that sparkled on his skin like frost. His side was covered in blood and tiny specks of glass.
"Nath- John!" She said in worry, kneeling beside him. She noticed that there were tired magicians all around her. She glared at them.
"Well, what are you going to do, just stand there?" Kitty asked, disgusted. "Go get Mr. Mandrake a doctor!" The magicians hurried to do her bidding. Kitty looked at Nathaniel.
"Just make it through," She said, wiping her tears away and hugging him.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel was having a wonderful time. Away from all the magicians, Nathaniel didn't have to worry about politics or government duties. He was happy now, in a small car with Kitty, driving who knows where. They were talking, sharing stories, laughing.
"Hey Kitty?" Nathaniel asked after a round of hysterical laughter which should have seriously disrupted his driving.
"Hmm?"
"Have you ever thought of getting married?" Nathaniel asked, a bit nervous.
Laughter exploded from the back seat. Nathaniel almost crashed the car into a truck. They both turned around, which is seriously unadvisable while driving. There was an Egyptian boy in the back seat, cracking up.
"'Have you ever thought of getting married' HAHAHA! Nathaniel, you are hilarious! Never thought that would come out of your mouth to anyone but Farrar!" Bartimaeus said, making Nathaniel blush.
"How the hell did you get there Bartimaeus? Kitty, did you summon him?" Nathaniel asked. Kitty shook her head.
"I am invincible!" Bartimaeus said, jumping out the window.
Nathaniel crashed the car into a lamppost.
Kitty
Kitty sat in a chair, next to Nathaniel, who was asleep. He had two cracked ribs and an injured shoulder. He had broken glass all over him thanks to the building until the doctors removed it all. His skin was damaged and would heal, they said. He had been asleep for three days straight, lying in the hospital. Kitty had been next to him as much as she could, despite the doctor's suggestion.
Nathaniel opened his eyes wide. Kitty smiled and held his hand. They looked at each other for a long time. Then Nathaniel spoke.
"I just had the weirdest dream ever," he said.
"What was it about?" Kitty asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Driving a car to who knows where and lampposts," Nathaniel said, then fell asleep. Kitty grinned, then pushed Nathaniel aside and laid down next to him. She fell asleep soon after.
If you're wondering where Bartimaeus went, just wait till the next chapter. Or the one after that. He will be back. The part with Nathaniel in the car was a dream, BTW. Ok, so review and tell me how it was!
Have a nice day!
