Elisa woke up to the feeling of being trapped, like she was encased in a solid block of concrete. She tried to suck in a breath of air but there was none to breath. Panicking Elisa struggled as hard as she could in an attempt to escape. Slowly, her limbs feeling like lead weights, she felt whatever had her trapped beginning to give. As the shell crumbled Elisa was finally able to take a deep breath and pushed as hard as she could shattering whatever was holding her to pieces.
Disoriented Elisa staggered back against the wall, one hand messaging the side of her face. "What happened?" she groaned looking up at goliath, "one minute I'm standing there feeling like I'm about to doze off, and the next I feel like I've been covered in cement".
Goliath hesitated before speaking. "When the sun rose" he said carefully, "you turned to stone, we both did".
"I what?" stammered Elisa not quite believing what she had just heard. It just seemed so impossible, but then everything about her current situation seemed that way.
"You don't remember?" asked Goliath, growing more worried. Just what had happened to do this to her anyway?
"I don't even know how I knew to come here" she admitted. Now that Elisa really thought about it she had no real memory prior to waking up in that tank, like something had tried to erase them. She knew they should exist and yet there was nothing. "He must have done it" she growled, mostly to herself.
Goliath's eyes narrowed when she said that, he had a feeling he knew exactly who she was talking about. "Who" he asked, "who did this to you?"
Elisa looked back at Goliath, somewhat reluctant to say anything, but the same feeling from the previous morning was still there, telling her she could trust him. "I don't know who he was" she admitted, "but he had a thick accent and was wearing some sort of lab coat".
"Sevarius" growled Goliath, "I thought as much". Whatever that man was up to nothing good could come of it, then again little good ever came from Sevarius' schemes. Forcefully pulling himself out of that train of thought Goliath turned and headed for the balcony. "Come" he said, "we can't stand here talking all night, and the others will wan't to see you".
Elisa opened her mouth to object, she wanted to track Sevarius down and make him reverse what he had done to her. However before she could voice the thought an image of her close escape came to mind. So instead she just shrugged and said "lead the way".
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Sevarius winced in pain as he slid the X-rays of his arm onto the display screen. "Wonderful" he growled to himself looking it over. The bones in his upper arm had been completely pulverized and several fragments were lodged in the mussles. He would have to amputate it before he ended up with a lethal infection.
Turning around he signaled to one of his assistants. "Prepare the operating room" he ordered, "and arrange for a suitable replacement".
"Yes doctor" said the other man before heading away.
Adjusting the sling that held his crushed arm Sevarius frowned. "I suppose I'll just have to find a way to grow a new one" he grumbled.
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Goliath watched Elisa out of the corner of his eye as they flew. She hadn't spoken much since they had left the apartment, appearing almost lost in thought. So Goliath kept his mouth shut not wanting to disturb her since she likely had a lot on her mind. However he did speak when they rounded a corner bringing the eerie building into view. "There it is" he said pointing up at the castle.
Snapping out of her thoughts Elisa was awestruck when she looked up at the tower. It seemed impossible for such a thing to exist, even in this city. And yet like so many other things it felt so familiar when Elisa looked at it, but unlike the rest of the city it also sent a small chill down her spine.
Elisa was so fixated on the bulding that a sudden updraft almost sent her tumbling out of the air. Letting out a surprised noise she struggled and eventually righted herself again.
"Don't worry" reassured Goliath gliding up next to Elisa, "you will get used to it eventually".
"This is one thing I wouldn't mind getting used to" admitted Elisa, a small smile creeping onto her face as she looked down at the streets far below. Catching another updraft the pair glided up to the castle.
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The others had long since went out leaving Hudson alone at the castle with Bronx. Glancing down at the beast the old gargoyle smiled sadly when he spotted Elisa's cat napping on Bronx's back and, not for the fist time, prayed she would turn up unharmed.
Hudson was about to go back to watching TV when Bronx perked up. Letting out a happy bark he shuffled over to the door. "Oh shut ur mouth" muttered Hudson even as he hauled himself out of his chair, "what is it ye smell, did Goliath return".
Bronx barked happily several more times before taking off down the hall dislodging a very irate Cagney in the process.
Picking the cat up Hudson calmed the poor animal down before following after Bronx. "Let's see what has him so exited" he said idly scratching the cat behind the ears.
Reaching the battlements Hudson spotted two figures land on the tower opposite him, one was definitely Goliath but the other. Hudson squinted trying to get a look with his good eye before shrugging. It was probably just Angela, she had likely found Goliath and followed him back.
Hudson opened his mouth to call out to the pair but the words died in his throat when Goliaths companion came into full view. The other gargoyle was Elisa, it seemed completely absurd but there she was standing only a few yards away. Finally coming to his wits Hudson spoke. "Elisa" he stammered, "what happened to ye lass?"
Elisa's gaze shifted from the exited Bronx to Hudson. "Do I…know you?" she asked hesitantly.
Hudson opened his mouth to respond but Goliath cut in before he could respond. "I think it would be best if we waited for the others to return" he said.
Hudson hesitated before nodding in agreement.
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Ok bit of a short chapter considering the wait but I have reasons. First of my dad works overseas and he was in town for a couple weeks. Second I was doing job interviews all week, though I have a good feeling about the most recent one so that hopefully will change from interviews to actual job. Finally I had a touch of writers block. Finally I had a touch of writers block which I have hopefully worked through so hopefully chapter 4 will be out within the week.
Also I would like to thank niner, shadow high angel, worker72, battlestar, time, midnightdragoness, and A.R.E. for reviewing.
Finally it is now exactly one week till April 30…which is my 20th birthday. WHOOO! Anyway I need sleep so goodnight and see you all later.
