Chapter Six Lost

These heightened senses sure are a kick. I thought to myself as I continued to sprint into the forest. God I knew I wasn't going to be able to fight this forever!

I told you!

Shut up! I yelled back to myself. Great now I'm talking to myself.

Not exactly we aren't the same person

Damn right we're not and you're not even a person.

The voice laughed. Not so fast I am just saying that you're not really talking to yourself, well what you call yourself. But I am your true self! I am what you really are!

No! Your not! You're just a disembodied voice trying to convince me to be what I'm not!

Or what you are.

I was quiet for a second.

What no witty comeback?

Your right.

Now the voice was quiet for a second. You're really going to finally accept what you are?

Not exactly. You are right thought this is what I am and I will never escape it I know that now. But I will also always have a choice on which to act on.

NO! NO! NO! NO! That's not right! God! Why wont you just accept your fate! Your destiny! You are to be the strongest, fastest and most powerful being there ever was but you continue to deny it over this misplaced belief that this wizard cares for you and gives you more strength then what you would have if you were not involved!

But I don't want to be a monster.

The voice was quiet again as I continued to sprint through the trees.

What you believe that if you accept your true self you will become a monster?

I wouldn't be?

You would only have been able to embrace your full potential rather than fearing what wont be.

I stopped in my tracks. Really?

Suddenly a wisp of wind flew by. I turned my head to the side at the same time as the most delicious scent I could ever imagine enveloped me. At that moment everything that was me seemed to be paralyzed I could see everything happening but still seemed to only be able to focus on one thing. To feed.

I leapt across the root sticking out of the ground and ran across the forest floor. I didn't make any noise as I moved. That was new. I then came to an abrupt halt. The smell was so close now, just on the other side of this tree. I crouched down prepared to spring and tackle my meal. My throat was burning in anticipation. I froze as I built up my pounce. I leaped out from behind the tree and tackled the creature. I sank my teeth into its neck as its life rushed down my throat. God this thing had the best taste of anything I ever had! I drank in eagerness almost choking many times, not wanting to wait to have it all. Its weakness was amusing to me; the weakest thing I have hunted has the best taste? That was very interesting. The creature's fight began to become slower and weaker. Eventually it stopped moving. I finished draining the creature and stood up. I wanted to know what this creature was so I knew what to look for from now on. But what I saw I could never have guessed.

A person.

I stared in horror at a face gazing up at me frozen in terror. If I could have I would have thrown up. I was frozen and couldn't even think, except about one thing. I finally lost.

Well now that's a monster but you didn't even embrace anything yet so you can't blame it on that

I screamed in anger. The cry pierced the night as I saw birds fly above the trees. Once I stopped I had an idea. I began to run again to a place I knew could help.

I looked ahead and saw a baby centaur in the clearing. I crouched down and wound up for my spring. Once I had my shot I leapt out from the darkness and tackled the young centaur. It screeched in surprise. I pined it to a tree with my hand. I looked at it in its eyes, it was full of fear and it broke my heart knowing I was causing it but there was no other way. I pushed on its throat making it give out a choked screech.

"What are you doing out by yourself little one?" I asked in a cold menacing voice.

The young centaur whimpered.

"Well if you're all alone, imagine what could happen," I said.

The centaur shrieked then seemed to look past my shoulder and it seemed relieved. Suddenly I was charged from the side and sent crashing into a tree causing it to crack and fall to the ground. I looked up and saw that it was Pierce. Just who I was looking for. I stood up in one swift movement and smiled at Pierce.

"Algamer should have known that you couldn't be trusted" Pierce said his voice full of hate.

"Well I did try to tell him" I replied mockingly

"Silence you monster" Pierce said in disgust.

"Fine with me why don't we get to business?" I asked as I lowered into a crouch.

Pierce looked at me with hate, as he seemed to brace himself. We stared at each other for a second or two as I saw more Centaurs make their way out of the darkness.

"Khlar! Go to your mother now!" Pierce commanded. The young centaur rushed to one of the centaurs in the dark.

Pierce and I began to circle each other. I continued to smile mockingly hoping to god that this would push him even more. In an instant Pierce charged at me and I jumped towards him and we crashed into each other. I reached out and swiped my nails across his face leaving cuts in their path. He huffed in rage and took me in his hands as he lifted up one of his front legs and kicked me in the gut. I groaned as I lost some of my stature. Pierce then threw me to the ground and backed up to charge at me. I got up and pretended to stumble injured like. Once Pierce began to charge I readied myself. Once he was close enough I stepped to the side as I slashed his side with my claw like nails slicing his flesh. I heard him yell in anger and some pain. Some of the centaurs began to get antsy.

"Leave her be! She is mine!" Pierce said angrily.

"Really think you can take me Pierce?" I said mockingly.

Pierce yelled in rage as he charged at me again I smiled as I leapt towards him again but this time he was ready and grabbed me as I jumped towards him. He then threw me into a boulder close by with all his might. I cracked the boulder with my collision on it. As I began to get up Pierce knocked me down; he had been ready yet again. He kicked me with his hooves multiple times then punched me across the face even more. He then picked me up and swung me around then let go as I flew into a tree hearing it fall. This time I got up slowly actually injured and weak but I would live so I had to keep going to end it. Once I got up I spit out blood from my mouth. I could feel a wound on the side of my head and blood running down.

"Is…is that all you got-Pierce?" I asked coldly again and laughed lightly. I then saw another centaur make their way to the clearing and when the moonlight shone on him I recognized whom it was. Algamer. No! This was already hard enough but I wasn't sure I could do it with Algamer here! But I had to. I turned away from him as I regained my posture again. Pierce scraped the ground with his hooves again I saw him pick up a shard of the boulder and he began to charge again. Suddenly Algamer jumped in-between us.

"Algamer!" Pierce exclaimed in shock.

"That is enough Pierce" Algamer said calmly but sternly.

"Are you mad?! She tried to kill Khlar! I saw it with my own eyes!" Pierce replied in rage.

"Yes Pierce I am sure it seemed that way but sometimes our own eyes can fool us" Algamer said.

"What are you talking about?" Pierce asked in frustration. Algamer turned towards me.

What was he doing? Why wasn't he letting Pierce kill me?!!!

Algamer turned back to Pierce and replied, "Go to the herd Pierce I will finish this" Algamer said calmly. Pierce stayed in place. "Now Pierce" Algamer said again this time more firmly. Pierce finally began to walk over to the herd limping slightly.

Algamer turned towards me. "Well come on Nicole. Fight me" Algamer said. I heard all the centaurs gasp. As Algamer walked towards me more I backed away into the clearing to get more space. "Surely you can kill me Nicole if you can kill Pierce. I wont even fight back if it makes it easier" Algamer said somewhat mockingly. I stood tall again.

"You think I wont?" I asked trying to keep my voice strong and steady.

"It doesn't matter I will always care about you" Algamer said.

"I'm a monster Algamer. I can kill you. You don't need to care about things that will kill" I reply.

"I know but I care about you and if you have to kill someone," Algamer said as he walked towards me again and came so close I could feel the warmth of his body radiate onto mine. "Then start with me. But no matter what you do, I will always care about you" Algamer said warmly.

I stood in place for a few seconds silent. I then spun around and beat into the boulder behind me. I punched into it over and over and sent shards flying around while turning the rest to dust. I continued to do it for a while till the boulder was less than half of what it used to be. I slid down the boulder and hid my face on the boulder. I sat like that as I began to scream. Some of the centaurs jumped back. I screamed a few times till I was almost about to lose my voice. Then I lowered my head down looking at the ground leaning my head on the semi-formed bolder. I soon felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I slowly turned towards Algamer not looking up at him. I felt him place a finger under my chin and tilted it up. He was so graceful and handsome.

He smiled and sighed. He then pulled me into his arms and held me close. I wrapped my arms around his torso.

"Algamer-" I began as he stopped me.

"Nicole, I'm not going to let you do this. You can't give up," Algamer said softly.

"But I am already too late" I whispered

Algamer pulled me away and in a split second I was on his back and we were running through the forest. Before I could ask where we were going we had stopped. After he helped me down he turned me around and I saw the person I had killed on the ground.

"Why did you bring me back here?" I asked.

Algamer didn't say anything he just walked over and reached down towards the body and picked something up. He walked back over and placed it in my hands.

It was a Death Eater mask.

I gazed in surprise.

"So you haven't done anything wrong Nicole" Algamer said

"Algamer it doesn't fix everything. What if this wasn't a Death Eater? They are still human and so they will have the same blood as one of the good people" I replied.

Algamer didn't know what to say. I looked Algamer as I walked past him and over to the Death Eaters body. I looked at the Death Eaters face. I didn't recognize him. I continued to walk past their body and looked to the side as I saw some sort of glowing come from the side. It was very bright but slowly I began to notice it was a figure of a person. They began to walk towards me, once I could make out their face I went wide eyed and dropped the mask. I then fell to my knees. I couldn't believe it.

Cedric.

How?

Cedric made his way over to me. Once he was standing in front of me he smiled my favorite smile and my heart screamed in happiness. How I missed that smile. I was still on the ground and Cedric knelt down so his head was in front of me.

"Cedric?" I said weakly. I laughed once nervously as I raised my hand up. "Is it really you?" I asked

"Yes Nicole" He replied. His voice sent shivers down my body. Making me feel alive once again. I placed my hand on his cheek and it sent electric waves of happiness throughout me. Where I touched him some of his glow seemed to dull to where he looked real again. He lifted his hand and placed it on mine. I started to cry. "Shh. Don't cry" He said softly and wiped a tear from my eye. His touch set me on fire. I thrusted myself forward and hugged him. Cedric held me and hugged me tightly.

"Cedric I missed you so much!" I said my voice quivering.

"I miss you too Nicole. You have no idea how much I miss you" Cedric replied.

I pulled back and stared at Cedric. "What do you mean 'miss'? Don't you mean 'missed'?"

Cedric went quiet. "Nicole…I…I can't stay."

My eyes seemed to freeze and my heart stopped as it jumped into my throat.

"What…what do you mean?" I asked confused.

"I came to tell you that you're doing great and not to give up." Cedric replied

"Are you kidding me?!" I screamed as I stood up quickly.

Cedric slowly stood up. "Nicole, you know the dead cant come back"

"Well Christ then why did you come? You thought that I would be ok with this and not be in pain" I asked hysterically.

Cedric looked at me, "Nicole I came back to let you know that I am proud of you and that I love you and will always be there with you. You haven't done a thing that would disappoint me and I hate that you are beating yourself up so much. I had to tell you that"

I shook my head in disbelief. "I-…I don't know what to say" I replied

Cedric walked closer to me and placed his hands on each side of my face. "Nicole know that I love you with all my heart. Whenever your feeling lost or are not sure if you're strong enough remember that I am always by your side and I know that you are strong enough."

I looked into his eyes and everything came rushing back. Love and passion washed through me like a tidal wave as I reached up and kissed Cedric with all my might. I placed my hands on his cheeks pulling him closer and deeper into our kiss. Cedric placed his arms around my waist and pulled me up to him and kissed me back deeply and longingly.

Once I pulled back to look into his eyes he said what I was dreading.

"I have to go" Cedric said nervously.

"No" I said weakly my voice breaking as I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him placing my chin on his shoulder. "Its not enough time" as my voice cracked.

"I know" Cedric replied quietly.

"Why can't I be with you now?" I asked

Cedric pulled me back. "You don't want that" he said surprised.

"Yes I do" I replied as I kissed him again.

He pulled me back again. "Nicole…its not your time" he replied.

"Who says?! It's my life and I can do what I want with it! And I want to be with you now and forever!" I nearly yelled.

Cedric said nothing for a second. "What about Harry and the rest?" he asked lightly.

I looked into his eyes not knowing what exactly to say.

"And if you do this, he wins. You still will have given up and that's what he is expecting" Cedric said.

Tears filled my eyes as I looked down to the ground. "Its not fair" I replied quietly.

Cedric placed a finger under my chin and tilted it up. "I know. Time was taken from us. But we will get it back someday. Never forget what I said, I will always be with you and I know you're strong and I believe in you" he stated. He then looked behind him, "Its time"

My face twisted in sadness as I looked down then looked back up at Cedric as I kissed him with all my might. He did the same kissing me back as deep as he could.

I then pulled back and hugged him as tight as I could, closing my eyes. "I'll never forget. I'll never forget" I began to say over and over. Cedric seemed to squeeze me even tighter so it must be happening any second. "I'll never forget. I'll never forg-" I continued to chant when I saw a bright light slowly appear and slowly flashed behind my closed eyes. Then it was quiet. I opened my eyes to see me hugging…nothing.

I looked around me mindlessly and then looked forward. "I'll never forget" I said in a whisper. My face twisted in sadness again as I felt my tears fall and looked down at the ground. I then took a deep breath as I then turned my head up to the sky closed my eyes and screamed at the top of my lungs. As I did thunder cracked and roared. Once I was out of air I bent my head back down in anguish as lightning lit up the night and rain began to fall. I sat there in silence except for the occasional crack of thunder and the sound of the rain hitting the forest floor.

Soon I heard someone walking towards me. I recognized the sound. Algamer. I forgot he had been with me. I didn't know what I was going to say to him so I remained still; as he came close to me. I felt him place a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Nicole?" Algamer said in a soothing calm voice. "Are you going to be ok?"

I continued to sit not saying anything. "Yeah" I said finally my voice rough. "I just want to sit here for a while, is that ok?" I asked as I turned and looked at Algamer.

He smiled weakly as he said "take as long as you like young one, but I don't want you to get ill out here in the rain" he said concerned.

I smiled slightly, "Oh you don't have to worry about that I don't get sick. Especially from the cold" I replied.

He smiled slightly back at me. "If you need me I will be over there in the trees, let me know when your ready" Algamer said caringly as he turned and walked a few feet away into the darkness. If it wasn't for my keen eyesight I wouldn't have been able to see where he was. He simply turned away from the tree and knelt down to the ground and lay there not taking his eyes off of me. I smiled warmly knowing that there was another strong being that cared about me.

I stood up and walked over across from me and sat back down leaning against a tree. I was beginning to get soaked but I didn't care it felt nice actually. I breathed deep as I smelled the wet earth around me it was very relaxing.

Soon after I faintly heard a voice but couldn't make out what they were saying. After a few more seconds I understood what they were saying. My name. Harry was looking for me. Still? From the sound of his voice he had to be about a couple miles or less away.

I waited for a moment, deciding what to do. With a sigh I raised my head up to the sky and my arm into the air and shouted.

"Periculem!"

Red sparks flew up and exploded.

I placed my arm back down. I slowly looked ahead again and waited. Within a few minutes I heard the sound of a broom flying overhead. I looked up in time to see Harry lowering himself to the ground. Harry stood still for a second, his face blank. He must have been scared to death seeing what I looked like. I mean I was bloody, roughed up, and just a total mess so I was pretty sure that Harry was not sure what to think.

After a few seconds passed Harry began to walk towards me. I began to stand as Harry increased his pace and began to run towards me. I stumbled back slightly worried, I didn't know if Harry was going to attack me thinking I lost control from the way I looked. Harry reached me and pinned me to the tree trunk

I then heard the heavy thuds of hooves sprinting across the forest floor. I looked to my right to see Algamer charging towards Harry. The next thing I knew Harry was being held up in Algamer's hand.

"What is going on? Put me down! I have no trouble with you" Harry remarked frustrated. Algamer grimaced and glared at Harry. Harry slowly began to reach for his wand. Before I could stop him Algamer threw Harry to his right. Harry rolled on the ground. Harry got back up quickly.

"Stop!" I yelled as I stood in front of Algamer. They both looked at me, Algamer more confused than Harry now. I turned to Algamer he looked down at me. "Algamer this is Harry he is my friend and means no harm. I was frightened because I couldn't read what Harry was feeling. I am just to scattered right now is why I think so I am sorry my reaction frightened you" I explained. Algamer then looked up at Harry. Harry looked back and forth between Algamer and I. "Harry come here," I said. Harry looked at me nervously then began to walk towards Algamer and I. Once Harry was in front of us he looked up at Algamer. "Harry this is my good friend Algamer. Algamer this is Harry another good friend." I introduced. Algamer slowly put his hand out as Harry slowly reached out and shook it. Harry then looked at me when they were done.

"What happened Nicole?" Harry asked concerned.

"It's a long story Harry I can tell you about it later, first I am really tired now so I want to get back and go to bed. But I promise I will tell you".

Harry sighed. "Well are you ok?"

"Yeah I think so," I said.

"Ok well did you want to get back now or what?" Harry asked.

"Yeah that sounds good" I replied.

Harry then turned back up to Algamer. "Well it was nice to meet you Algamer" Harry said politely

Algamer nodded his head once. "You too Harry"

Algamer turned to me and leaned down to hug me. I hugged him back tightly. Once he pulled away he kissed the top of my forehead. "If you ever need anything or are in doubt come to me ok?" Algamer said seriously.

I sighed. "Ok. Goodnight Algamer" I then kissed Algamer's cheek as I turned away with Harry.

"Harry? I'll race you back," I said playfully.

Harry looked shocked. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah why not?" I asked

"Well you don't exactly look like your up to it" Harry said honestly. I guess I did look a little less then strong.

"Harry this is me you're talking to. I can't ever be worn down really," I said.

Harry smiled. "Ok. Don't go easy on me now" Harry replied.

"Psh! I would never," I said sarcastically.

Harry rolled his eyes as he mounted his broom. I stood next to him getting ready.

"Are you ready?" I asked.

Harry looked at me smiling. "On Three. One…Two…"

"Three!" I exclaimed as we both shot off into the night