It's me the author! : Hey guys! Just wanted to tell you how excited I am about this particular story it's my first multiple chapter story! Woo! Right, enough of that, more story!
Myka kept thinking about that vacant look on Pete's face, he just seemed hypnotized. She and Claudia were moving quickly but quietly in the direction of Artie's office. The plan was to inspect the three artifacts on Arties desk. If this isn't a vibe then I don't know what is, she thought. Claudia threw her arm out in front of Myka. They stood there for a second listening. It was quiet; all Myka could hear was her and Claudia's breathing until…
"There!" Claudia whispered pointing back the way they came. It didn't sound like anyone was too close but the were defiantly on their trail. They speed up, winding their way through the maze like warehouse.
The entity followed the women silently; occasionally it would step louder to spur them on. The entity was impatient; it sent part of its consciousness into Pete and Artie to see if they were ready. In this state the creatures mind was split between three people, it could see everything its slaves saw and feel everything they felt and control their every actions. Of course its hold wasn't as secure when it did this but contact was crucial to maintain control. Pete and Artie were already set to intercept the women it was time to make its presence known. It smiled as it pushed its mortal hosts body as fast as it would go.
Myka and Claudia were just reaching the end of the canned food aisle, as Pete called it, when they heard pounding footsteps from behind and before they could react there was Leena bounding towards them with a cruel smile on her face. Myka ran pulling Claudia with her. They were running at break neck speed when, in the gap between aisles, Pete sprang out and crashed into Myka. Myka scrambled up and shoved Claudia forward out of Pete's reach. She tried to run but fell as Pete clutched her ankle. She yelled at the frozen Claudia to get to Arties office, before rolling on her back and kicking Pete. Freeing herself from the stunned Pete she heard a muffled scream behind her. As she turned she only just saw Artie carrying a squirming Claudia around the corner, his hand clamped over her mouth. She yelled and ran but was stopped as Pete grabbed her from behind.
Claudia screamed as a hand covered her mouth and dragged her into another row. Artie spun her around to look her up and down. His eyes looked so strange, it was like it wasn't even him looking at her. She was so struck by his odd eyes she didn't notice the handcuffs he pulled out till it was to late. Artie leaned close to Claudia's face giving Claudia a good view of his eyes; she could only describe them as foggy.
"I know you." He said searching her face.
"Yes! Yes Artie it's me! It's Claudia!" She all but yelled at him feeling slightly relieved that he was in there still. But he still looked uncertain. "Come on you know! I'm the clumsy girl who always calls you old man and gramps and geezer!" She nodded her eyes pleading. She shifted her weight and accidentally bumped into a tiny porcelain ballerina figurine, Artie watched it wobble twice before falling to the floor and shattering. Something clicked in Artie's mind, as he was overwhelmed with the urge to reprimand her.
"Claudia? Oh God. What's happened?" He said quickly letting her go when he saw how tight he'd been holding her. "And be careful!" He couldn't help acknowledge the broken artifact at his feet. He put his hand to his mouth in shock when he saw the handcuffs. He would have taken them off if an extremely angry Leena hadn't just stepped into view.
'You will be punished.' A cold shrill voice said in Artie's head. He shouted and yelled, as sharp pain seemed to stab his mind and up and down his spine. 'Get her!' the voice ordered and Artie's hands shot out and clamped down on the young girls arms. She yelped, it felt like her bones would bruise. Looking into her mentors' eyes Claudia's spirit plummeted when she was meet with a glazed over expression. She started as the Leena puppet put a cold hand under her chin and made her face it.
"Lovely, but I'm afraid you'll have to be punished too." It smiled widely.
'What a pretty thing.' The creature thought then winced as it felt a pin prick in its mind. The pitiful women whose body it had inhabited was trying to fight back. The entity drowned her consciousness in pain but as soon as its attention was occupied she resisted again causing its head to ache slightly, nothing crippling. The monster ignored it.