Chosen Chapter 8: The Trial of Billie Jenkins
Part 4
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Jake Porter opened the door to his storage unit and headed inside. He looked around and saw the cage he used to lock up Duncan when he was infected by the Wendigo. It was that encounter that had led him to Billie. As long as he had tried to deny it, he had feelings for her, and he could not let his sister hurt her or her friends. It was strange, as back then, he was willing to kill them himself if he needed to. Focusing on the present, Jake opened a cabinet and grabbed a small crossbow and darts that were dipped in a stunning poison.
"So this is where you keep your weapons?" Someone suddenly asked.
Jake spun around and reached for the athame in his belt, but stopped when he saw it was his sister. How did she find this place, had she followed him?
"What are you doing here?" Jake asked.
"I think you know." Mac replied. "I was hired to kill the witches, but they seem pretty powerful. I am not taking any chances. I'm going to need some bigger guns."
"You're not getting mine." Jake warned her.
"You never did like to share." Mac remarked dryly.
"I won't let you hurt her… them." Jake said.
"Wait a minute." Mac said with a skeptical look. "What the hell is going on here? Why are you so protective of them? Don't tell me you actually like them."
"That is none of your business." Jake replied hesitantly. "I already told you…"
"You do." Mac interrupted him. "But not the way I thought. I know you, and I recognized the way you looked at the file of that pretty blonde. You like her."
"Mac, drop it." Jake warned her.
"Oh my god." Mac replied with a frown. "You're in love with a witch. Have you lost your mind? Do you know what will happen if father hears about this?"
"That is not going to happen." Jake said as his grip on the athame tightened and he took a step toward her. "Because you are not going to tell them."
"Are you threatening me?" Mac asked with a glare. "Your own sister? You would kill your own sister to protect a witch?"
"I would never kill you." Jake replied. "I just can't have you hurt people I care about."
"You can't stop me." Mac said determined. "Unlike you, I care about my heritage. Witches have no place in this world. So stay out of my way."
Mac turned around and started walking out of the storage unit. Knowing he needed to stop her, Jake ran after her and grabbed her by the shoulder. Mac quickly spun him around, slamming him against the wall and causing him to drop the athame. Jake quickly dodged a kick and extended his leg to trip her. They both fell and rolled over the floor to get back up.
Mac charged at him and leaped up, grabbing onto a hanging lamp as she kicked Jake across the chest. He stumbled back in the unit, though he grabbed her leg as she tried to kick him again. He then spun and threw her against the cage. Mac screamed angrily and tried to punch him, though Jake grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back. He then started dragging her to the door of the cage. However, as he opened it, Mac broke free and pushed him inside instead. Before Jake could get out, Mac locked the cage and smirked as she held up the key.
"You can't do this." Jake said angrily as she slammed his fist against the cage.
"Don't worry, big brother." Mac replied. "I will come back for you once the witches are dead. Maybe you should use the time to train, you've gotten a bit soft."
Mac turned around and picked up the crossbow and the stunning darts. Jake yelled at her to let him go, though she ignored him. She headed to the cabinet and grabbed some amulets that would repel magic. She then headed to the door and winked at Jake before shutting the storage unit. As the door slammed shut, Jake screamed in frustration. He was trapped, the cage was designed to hold creatures much stronger than him. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone, but there was no reception in the unit. He was stuck, without a way to warn Billie.
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Back in the court room, Billie stared at the empty seat where her sister had just been. After her testimony, she realized Christy could not be saved, she was just too far gone. Deep down, Billie had to admit she had known it all along, though she could not help but wonder.
"Do you see now?" Mikelle asked.
"See what?" Billie asked upset. "That my sister was a lost cause? Does that mean I should just accept that and move on?"
"Of course not." Mikelle said. "You can mourn her, you can miss her, but you need to realize you cannot blame yourself. Christy could not be saved."
"I know." Billie admitted.
"Are we ready to proceed?" The judge asked. "Let's call the next witnesses."
Billie's dark counterpart nodded and stood up. As she headed to the middle of the court, white orbs started to swirl in the witness seat and Billie's parents appeared. She wanted to run to them, but she was still trapped in her chair. Her parents seemed calm, considering the circumstances.
"Mom, dad." Dark Billie said in a cold tone.
"You're not my daughter." Helen Jenkins replied.
"Technically, that is not true." Dark Billie said. "I am very much part of her. She is the one who brought me here."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Billie asked Mikelle.
"This is your vision quest, Billie." Mikelle explained. "You're seeking answers because you're hurt and conflicted. She represents that conflict, your inner doubt. Like everyone here, she has a part to play."
"I get it." Billie said as she looked at her dark counterpart. "I guess I should have known."
"Order." The judge demanded as she hit her hammer on her bench. "Please start questioning the witness."
"Of course, your honor." Dark Billie replied. "Mrs. Jenkins, could you describe the relationship you had with your daughter? And please, be honest."
"I love my daughter. And I know she loves us." Helen said. "Though our relationship was difficult, to say the least. Billie was so young when Christy was taken, she did not understand. We did not give her the attention she needed growing up, and I can understand that she blamed us."
"No, I didn't blame you." Billie called out upset. "I just did not understand. I'm sorry."
"Order." The judge repeated as she hit her hammer again. "I will not tolerate chaos in my court."
"It will not happen again." Mikelle quickly as she frowned at Billie.
"Mr. Jenkins." Dark Billie said as she turned to her father. "Could you tell us what happened when you were finally reunited with Christy?"
"We were so happy." Carl said. "After all this time, our baby had finally returned."
"Did you notice anything unusual?" Dark Billie asked.
"She had been through a lot." Carl said. "She was distant, she seemed distracted. It did not even seem like she was happy to see us."
"Because she wasn't really, was she?" Dark Billie argued. "Both she and the Triad saw you as a distraction, a threat, so the Triad had you killed. But the only reason you were there was because Billie called you, right?"
"Yes." Carl admitted reluctantly.
"And then she left you alone to help the Charmed Ones with whatever mess they had gotten themselves into again." Dark Billie said. "So you were only in the city because Billie called you, and you were killed because she left you alone, isn't that right?"
"It was not like that…" Carl started.
"Only a yes or no, please." Dark Billie interrupted him.
"Well, if you put it like that, then I would have to say yes." Carl replied.
"No further questions." Dark Billie said as she walked back to her table.
"I can't deal with this." Billie whispered tearfully. "My own parents…"
"Hey!" Mikelle said as she grabbed her arm. "Don't listen to her. Your parents were killed by the Triad, not by you."
"Could we continue?" the judge asked.
"Of course." Mikelle replied as she stood up. "Mrs. Jenkins, you love your daughter, right?"
"With all my heart, both of them, no matter what." Helen said determined.
"Do you blame your daughter for what happened?" Mikelle asked.
"Of course not." Helen said. "She reunited us with Christy, even if was only for a little while. She could not have known what was going on. She is not responsible for what those demons did."
"Mr. Jenkins, do you agree?" Mikelle asked.
"Absolutely." Carl replied as he looked at his daughter with a smile. "I am proud of her. Although she was lost for a little while, she found her way and did the right thing, despite the unfair price she had to pay. Her sister did not deserve what happened to her, but neither did Billie."
"The only ones to blame are those demons." Helen added. "That is all."
"Thank you." Billie whispered.
Billie watched reluctantly as her parents disappeared in white orbs. Seeing them made her realize how much she missed them and made it hard to say goodbye again. However, she had taken their words to heart. Of course she knew the Triad were the ones who killed them, yet that had not stopped her from blaming herself as well. Her parents' kind words made her feel a little better.
"We're not there yet." Mikelle said.
"I know." Billie replied. "This was only the start. And I think I know what is coming next."
"Next witness." The judge ordered.
Billie held her breath as a shadow started to rise from the witness seat and formed into a very familiar face. Her fears were confirmed when Taylor materialized in front of her. She looked the way she did when she was mortal, when she was still her friend, though Billie knew she was not.
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At the campsite, Duncan impatiently stared at Billie and wondered how long a vision quest took. It had been hours already and she had barely moved. He turned around and focused on the campfire, which was about to go out. He tossed some wood on it and a moment later, flames rose. Violet, who had fallen asleep a little earlier, woke up.
"Sorry." Duncan said.
"No problem." Violet said as she sat up. "I did not even notice. Was I out for long?"
"Just an hour or so." Duncan replied.
"Any change?" Violet asked.
"No, not yet." Duncan said.
"Why don't you try to get some sleep?" Violet suggested. "It could take a while."
Duncan wanted to refuse, though he suddenly got an idea. He could use the time to go see Nathan and finish their conversation. It had been bothering him all day. "Okay, sure." He said.
Duncan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He focuses on Nathan and felt his consciousness move from his body. His astral self reappeared in the hotel room in an orange glow, just as Nathan entered the room through the door.
"Hey." Nathan said surprised as he closed the door. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I know, I just did not like how we left things." Duncan replied.
"I know what you mean." Nathan said as he walked over.
"Look, I never should have doubted.." Duncan started.
"Wait." Nathan interrupted him as he grabbed his arm. "Before you say you're sorry, there is something I need to tell you. I wasn't completely honest before."
"What do you mean?" Duncan asked confused.
"It is like you said, some habits are hard to quit." Nathan replied. "Nick and I survived for years by stealing. We tried to stop, but…"
"You stole again?" Duncan asked as he took a step back.
"We didn't steal exactly, but we did use our telepathic link to cheat at the poker table." Nathan admitted. "How else did you think we could afford a room like this?"
"How much?" Duncan asked.
"Couple of thousands." Nathan said reluctantly.
"I thought you were trying to start over." Duncan said.
"We did, but it's not as easy as you think." Nathan replied. "All we have are the skills we picked up all those years on the run. What else are we supposed to do?"
"You could try doing the right thing and not steal." Duncan suggested.
"You think we didn't try?" Nathan asked.
"I think you took the easy way out, like you have always done." Duncan replied. "You spent your entire life balancing between good and evil, only looking out for yourself, so you're scared to make a choice, a real choice."
"You have no idea what you're talking about." Nathan replied angrily. "You really don't. You grew up with a family, money, friends. You have no idea what it means to survive on your own."
"I guess I don't." Duncan admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're still breaking the law to get what you want. I thought that part of your life was over."
"So did I, but what can I say, I guess it's in my blood." Nathan remarked.
"That's a cheap excuse and you know it." Duncan replied. "You should find out what it is you really want. Maybe then we can talk about it."
Nathan frowned as he considered his words, but Duncan was not going to want around for an answer. They both needed time. Without saying goodbye, Duncan astral projected out of the hotel room and returned to his body. When he opened his eyes, he noticed Violet was looking at him with a worried frown from across the campfire. She knew he had not been sleeping.
"Something you want to tell me?" Violet asked sympathetically.
"Not really." Duncan replied.
"I know you were not sleeping, just like this morning." Violet said. "So where did you go?"
"I am really not ready to talk about it." Duncan said.
"Alright." Violet replied. "Just as long as you know that you can."
"I do." Duncan said with a smile. "Thanks."
Both of them looked up when they heard a twig snap in the woods. They looked around, but there was nothing to be seen. Figuring it was probably just an animal, Duncan shrugged it off and turned to the fire, when suddenly Violet cried out in pain.
Duncan spun around and saw her falling down to the ground with a small dart sticking out of her shoulder. He held out his hand and conjured a bursting ball, though before it could fully form, he felt a sharp pain in his upper leg. He looked down and saw another dart sticking out of his leg. He instantly felt its paralyzing effect and fell down. A brunette in a motor suit appeared from the bushes holding a small crossbow and Duncan knew they were in trouble.
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