Worlds of Darkness
Chapter Nine
By GirLX2
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Wilson flew at the creature, and could almost feel his fiery heart beating in terror. House was helpless in this thing's grip, weak and fatigued (not to mention hurting and in the early stages of an involuntary vicodin detox).
"LET HIM G-"
Wilson's roar cut off as he came to an abrupt stop.
The change that rippled over House as he passed through the light wasn't a hellish decent into slimy monsterdom, nor did he start screaming in unimaginable pain.
House, now hanging from the creatures hand, kicking and twisting with all his might, had been reduced to a child.
The creature dropped House unceremoniously onto the ground, where he lay whimpering. He couldn't have been more than four years old. He held his cane out with both hands, as if to ward off the creature.
"House." Again, Wilson's voice was back at a burning whisper. House didn't look at him, but lay trembling on the ground.
"If you want him to remain in one piece, I suggest you do as I say." The creature laid both sets of eyes on Wilson. "Come to me. Slowly."
Wilson did so, eyes never leaving House. Once, House glanced at him, but his eyes returned immediately to the floor.
A cold thought struck Wilson. How much of House's adult intellect remained after he had changed? Did he know where he was, or even who Wilson was?
"Good." The thing sounded pleased. "Now, you will listen to me very carefully. As long as you do what I say, he will not be harmed. Step outside your bounds, and--"
He snapped his fingers.
"I will have to repeat this."
Instantly, the shadow beings were back. They wavered for a moment, then formed quickly into toothy, jagged creatures. House whimpered and jumped to his feet. Instantly, he was running, the creatures on his heels.
Wilson wasn't even aware he'd attacked until one of the creatures was wilting before his flames. It seemed that even though he couldn't harm the leader, he could still take the minions down a peg. The thing was yelling something, but Wilson didn't care to listen.
The other creature had gotten House against a wall. He was using the cane like a bat, but his blows didn't derail the creature. One clawed paw knocked the wood from his hands. Wilson blazed forward, watching as House faked right, dove left after the cane, and took off running again.
Wilson swept past him, straight into the shadow. It easily forced him backwards--the fighting was taking it's toll on the oncologist. Blows didn't seem to affect this creature, and his flame was rapidly dwindling.
Locked in what was likely a to-the-death battle, Wilson found himself wondering 'What does the flame of a candle look like after the candle is blown out?'
A cry took his attention from his opponent. The leader--king--thing--had caught up to House. He'd taken the cane away, and pinned House to the wall with one strong arm.
Somehow, he managed to blaze away from the shadow, setting fire to it as he went. The black flames burned the creature away instantly.
"Let him go." Wilson was to weak to roar at this point.
"I may have, if you'd obeyed me." The thing replied grimly. "But you couldn't even stand still while my guards gave him a small fright."
His hand moved off House's chest, to his neck.
"I could kill him. Easily. His neck would snap like a twig."
House's frightened blue eyes strayed from the creature's face to Wilson's. He didn't look away this time.
"Jimmy--"
The plea was cut off as the creature tightened his grip. "I've told you once to be quiet. I won't tell you again."
It didn't matter that Wilson's flames melted away as he tried to tear the creature from House. All that mattered was the distraction. If he could give House the smallest chance to escape, it would be worth it. Even as he tried to grapple with the creature, Wilson could feel his flame vanishing.
What would happen if it dwindled to nothing?
'Let's find out.' Wilson thought, wrapping around the creature.
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To be continued...
