We're almost finished.

"If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever."

--

When I was six years old, I broke my arm. My mom and dad had taken us kids to a carnival while we were visiting my grandparents in Texas. It was one of those carnivals built in a church parking lot with an adult's only tent and a game tent with overpriced cheap prizes and only a few rides. There was a baby ferris wheel with a few children on it, a giant, blow up obstacle course, a pen with two ponies and one of those teacup spin things. In the middle of it all was a giant rock climbing wall. I remember pleading with my mom to let me try it, but it was a resounding no from both parents. Even Justin was denied. It's not safe, my parents said.

It was just my luck that evening that Max had eaten one too many swirls of cotton candy. His never-ending vomit came at the perfect moment. As mom and dad ushered him away into a port – o – potty, Justin and I were being ordered to stay right outside the door and to not move a muscle. Justin, they said, was in charge.

As soon as the door to the toilet closed, I made my move. Justin reached out to grab my wrist before I could run away but I was too fast for him and he was too clumsy to even make it a few steps before falling. There were four sides to the wall, and only one was out of view of the toilet and completely empty of people. With a quick look to my left, and then to my right, my wand slipped from my pocket and I tapped the wall three times. I thought I was so wise and wonderful when the harness attached itself around my small, slender body. Never did it occur to me that I was too small and too slender to fit properly in it. I was in it, and that's all that mattered.

I climbed up and up until I reached a good half way. No one was looking. I looked over to my right, but still no one joined me on my side of the wall. I could hear the giggles and chatter of the older children on the opposite side. Then, I looked down.

And I barfed.

A lot.

The height astounded me. It scared me. It took me by surprise. With one slick movement, I fell backwards and down, spiraling towards a yellow patch of grass and the surrounding dirt. Instead of people hooked into my harness properly, I slipped from it and as I hit the ground, all I could hear was the cracking of my bones. I already knew that my parents were looking for me by now. As tears cascaded from my eyes and watered the grass, I could hear them shouting my name and the groans of little Max from his stomach ache. Justin found me first, and, stifling a laugh at the puke in my hair, he picked me up and looked at my arm. We spent the rest of the night at the hospital. Mom and dad yelled at me for weeks after that.

And now I'm doing it again. I'm running away from Justin and going to do something on my own, even though I know it's stupid. The only thing that's different this time is that I know that I'm not wise or wonderful. I don't have spectacular magical abilities that will help me this time. All I know is I'm climbing up a rock wall and every rock is getting smaller and more slippery. The car doesn't seem to be going fast enough as I drive through the streets. My phone is ringing, but it's my mom's ringtone. I ignore it and press down harder on the gas. Someone beeps their horn and gives me the finger as I pass them.

When I pull into studio parking, the guard doesn't give me a second glance. They know who I am. When I turn left, however, instead of right, I silently pray they don't notice that I'm going to a different studio. As I flick past the lots into the construction zone, I can't help but keep looking in my mirror, waiting for a security officer to pull up behind me and ask what I'm doing in a restricted zone. And the more nervous I get, the stupider I feel. I pull the car into a spot and put it in park. When I get out, I don't bother to lock it. Behind this building, there is nothing but half built studios that were abandoned after money fell through. I toss the keys into my back pocket and grab my bag from the back with my wand, spell book, and wallet rest.

The note is still in my pocket. It feels like it could burn through the material of my jeans and permanently brand my flesh. I let my fingers graze over the paper in my pocket. Something feels so wrong. I take one last look at the car, grab my phone, and begin to walk towards what would be Studio 32B. Gravel crunches under my feet with each step. Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch; it's all I hear. There is a bird sitting at the very top of the roof, but he just stares at me with two beady black eyes, as if following my every step. A shiver runs up my spine as he takes flight; he flies directly into a top window of 32B. One last deep breath and I dig my nails into the crevice of the door and pull as hard as I can. Surprisingly, it squeaks open easily and I stumble backwards a bit. I walk in, and the door shuts behind me by itself. Now, it's dark.

"Hello, Alexandra." It seems so cliché. I've watched enough horror movies to know that when the creepy door closes behind you and the mysterious voice that summoned you here knows your name, it's time to run. But I've never been a smart one. So I stay, turn slowly, and squint to try and make out what's talking. The lights flick on though. In the distance, I see Sonny lying sprawled on the ground, unconscious. My feet react before my brain, and I take off running towards her. As soon as I reach close enough, though, I hit something and I fall backwards. I stand up, and walk slowly to her again with my hand outstretched. Instead of being able to touch her, though, my hand stops in mid air, as though something invisible is blocking my way. I knock against the air, and sure enough, a noise echoes back. I walk around and around her body to feel for something break in the shield. "You can't touch her, Alex. You can only help her."

"How can I help her if I can't get to her?"

"It's quite simple, really." The voice says nonchalantly. "Just give me your magic." I don't even hear footsteps but the voice is standing behind me now, speaking in my ear. "That's all you have to do." I can't turn around before he is gone again. "You're extraordinary, did you know? You really are. You've no idea the power you possess, and you don't even care!" A cold hand snakes around my waist and holds me in place. My body is paralyzed. I can't move my head or twist my body. Not even my fingers can bend. "The things you could do," he hisses. "The things you could have," A sharp intake of breath. "And you waste your time charming your way onto a television show."

"I didn't charm my way onto anything," My lips are stiff and sore. It's difficult to talk, and my words come out in a jumbled mess. "I got onto the show because of my audition."

"Whatever you'd like to call it," His arm leaves my body and I fall down to the ground, now able to move. Despite the burning in my arm, I turn every which way to catch a glimpse of whoever is speaking. There is no one but Sonny and I. "Would you like to know who I am?"

"No. I'd rather continue playing hide and seek,"

"That's going to cost you." Pain rips through my body and I fall back on the ground clutching my, what was, uninjured arm. Sticky, goopy blood soaks my hand and the sleeve of my shirt. A fresh gash runs from just above my elbow and up a few inches. "I don't appreciate your snarky remarks, Russo." I take in a deep breath hoping to push the pain out of my mind. I lean against my right knee and push myself up to a standing position.

"You want my magic," I cough and a tiny cloud of dust puffs out of my mouth. "Why mine? There are thousands of Wizards in New York alone. What's so special about me?" That's when I see him. In a sultry saunter, his dark hair sleeked back with gel, he walks towards me: Jay, Sonny's step-brother. I look at Sonny on the ground. I should have listened to you, I think.

"You look surprised," he smiles. I actually find it sort of charming, that lopsided grin. "It's like you didn't even see this coming. I find that hard to believe," Jay kneels down closer to Sonny than I am allowed to get. His hand, so large and rough, skims Sonny's cheek. "She warned you about me, I'm sure. How before our parents met, I lured her away during the homecoming football game. How so naïve and childish she was to walk away with someone like me, someone older and more experienced. And like the freshmen she was, she stepped right into the empty locker room with me. Did she tell you that, Alex?" I gulp. No, she didn't tell me that, I think. "Did she tell you how I locked the door behind me and backed her into a corner?" His hand runs down her face and onto her neck. "What about that I kissed her, and she screamed, Alex. She screamed as I pulled down her jeans. Did she tell you that?" I cry one tear. Just one. "And then when I was through with her, the little slut cried. She cried and cried beautiful tears." Two more tears. "And you know the best part?" His hand slips under her shirt. My entire body shakes. "On the night of our parents wedding, her mom left her with us at my mom's house. And all night long, she cried, Alex. All those tears."

"Don't touch her," I croak.

"And right now, Alex. I'm going to make you watch."

"Not her," I wipe away any stray tears. "Do whatever you want with me. Just please, stop hurting her."

"Don't get me wrong, Alex." His hand pulls off Sonny's shirt, exposing her plain blue bra. "You're attractive. Beyond so, really. But this is going to hurt you more than anything I could do to you. You could give me your magic right now,"

"Take it," I hiss. "I don't want it. Just let us go."

"Slow down," he smiles pleasantly. "Let's take this a step at a time, yes? You don't want to leave just yet, do you? We're just getting started. It's a beautiful day out, Alex. Let's not waste it." His finger unbuckles a single hook of his belt. My stomach churns and flips. Behind me, the tinkling of shattered glass meets my ears. A stream of light highlights a side of Sonny's face. Jay is no longer by Sonny, but across the room. My eyes bulge when I see who he is standing next to. Justin, with his wand in hand, stares defiantly back at Jay. In a split second decision, I charge towards Sonny. During the minute of distraction, Jay's charm broke. I lean down and touch Sonny's face, whispering in her ear.

"Sonny, wake up." I shake her shoulders a little bit.

"She's not going to wake up, you moron." Jay hisses. A wand is in his hand as well. "She's under a spell."

"Who is this guy, Alex?" Justin yells. I don't have time to speak. In an instant, Jay's body melts to the floor. He then turns solid and, with a very loud thump, falls into a similar position as Sonny. Where Jay was standing before, however, a woman is standing. She is very recognizable, and to my horror, Justin didn't even seem surprised or shocked. Our Aunt Megan stood with a wand now. Justin only held his up higher. "Nevermind." He yells again. Sonny is still not stirring. I leave her for a moment, bring out my wand, and walk closer to where Megan and Justin are. "Alex get Sonny and leave."

"No."

"Alex,"

"I'm not leaving you. We're a team, remember?"

"Oh this is adorable," Megan laughs. "I mean, really. You two are cute. It's hard to believe you're my brother's children." She stops her laughing and turns to me, but keeps her wand on Justin. "Come on, Alex. Give me the magic. Just give it to me."

"This magic?" Justin reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gold chain with a gold locket on the end. "This is what you want, right Megan?" I watch Justin from one eye, and out the other, Sonny. The locket glints in the sun and waves back and forth from Justin's index finger. "Alex doesn't have it. I do."

"You have the locket," she sneers. "You don't have the magic. It kills you, doesn't it, Justin? That your little sister will win the Wizard competition. Alex is going to win, and she will get all the powers, and you will have nothing, not even your life." My head jerks to look at just Justin now. A thin layer of perspiration paints his forehead. I don't understand what they're talking about. Megan seems to have forgotten about Sonny and I, now, and I back up to kneel down next to her. "You're a smart boy. You know how this goes down. Just give me the locket and leave. Don't you see, Justin? You could at least keep some magic for a little while. Max is no competition for you." I crack the spell book open and quietly flip through pages, but I keep glancing up at the two. "Just give me your sister. It won't last very long. She'll barely feel a thing." A quick jolt runs up my arm, and through clenched teeth, I suck in air. My eyes shut for a moment, but I shake my head and try and focus on the spell. "You know how this ends," Justin glances over at me. I know he's telling me to hurry up and find a spell. We can't carry Sonny out unconscious. She's too heavy. My fingers slip from page to page, until I finally find what I'm looking for. Quietly, I recite the spell. "Give it to me,"

"Now, Justin!" Sonny's eyes burst open, but she's weak. Justin, with one quick, swift movement of his elbow, emits a red glowing ball from his wand, which soars into Megan's stomach. Her own wand moves just as fast, despite the pain I know she's in. Justin dodges a spell and rolls to the side. "Sonny, we have to go." I pant. My head feels light and dizzy. How much blood have I lost today? "Come on, let's go." She can't speak yet. It comes out in all grumbled garbles. Her eyes are heavy and they open and shut. "Sonny, please." I can't pick her up. Justin and Megan are still fighting, and spells are bouncing off incomplete walls. Dust clouds fill the air. I grab Sonny under the arms and drag her closer to the door. "This is really important, Sonny. Can you hear me?" Her head bobs once. "Take these keys," My hand takes the keys from my pocket and stuffs them in Sonny's hand. She doesn't clench her fist, so I clench it for her. She's too weak, I think. "The car is around the building. Don't stop until you get to the car, okay?" I leave her, running towards Justin. I don't turn around, because I know she's still there. I know she couldn't understand and I know that she's too groggy to get up and run.

"How do you even have magic?" I scream, casting a defensive spell I only learned two days ago. "You lost your magic. You didn't get the family magic! Dad did! And he gave it to Kelbo."

"It's easy to steal what you need." Her orange burst of light flickered as it neared me. Jumping to the left, it only brushed my arm. It burned like a cigarette, and then cooled quickly. With only a second to look behind me, I see the orange crash into a support beam. It shakes and crumbles.

"Uh, Justin?" I yell. Another spell hits another support beam. I look at Jay's motionless body, and then at Sonny, who is slumped against the door. "Justin!"

"A little busy here, Alex." I run over to Sonny.

"Alex?" she mumbles, stirring her feat a little bit. "What's going on?"

"You need to get yourself out of here." I say quickly. "Go, please. Sonny, go."

"My throat," Her voice crackles. "I-" Sonny's scream is silent. I don't have enough time to reach out and grab her before she is swept, almost poetically, into the air. Megan has one armed firmly looped around Sonny's waist, and her other holds onto a ceiling beam. My eyes flicker back and forth between Justin and Sonny, who is now fully alert and awake. She's wriggling and kicking her legs back and forth. I kick up from the ground and run to be next to Justin, who I shove out of the way. My knuckles turn white as I hold my wand in my hand, pointing it directly at Megan's chest.

"What are you going to do?" Megan slurs. Her grip loosens on Sonny's waist and she slips a little, but not enough to fall to the floor. "You hit me with a spell, she goes down too. It's a long way down. Concrete hurts." Panic is stricken across Sonny's face. I snatch the locket from Justin's hand and toss it across the room. It skips across the cement like a stone over water. All three turn their heads turn towards the locket, but I keep my gaze on Megan.

"Go ahead." I say. "Take it."

"Alex, what have you done?" Justin whispers harshly in my ear. The corners of Megan's mouth twitch but it's not quite a smile. Her arm opens and Sonny falls. Neither her or I have time to scream before Justin pushes me back and stands directly under Sonny. The two fall backwards together, miraculously unharmed. I kick off my shoes, though, and let me socks slip off with them. My jacket falls to the side and I start to run. Megan is faster than I am, but as she dropped Sonny, she also dropped one more thing, thinking she wouldn't need it: her wand. With my own securely in my right hand, I wave it three times then slash the air. A thick rope spews from the tip of my wand and narrowly misses Megan. It trips her, though, and now we're neck and neck, racing for the same small, golden trinket. I cast another spell, letting a stream of yellow light crash into yet another support beam, which crumbles to peices. The building groans a little. I can hear Justin behind me yelling. And then I dive, as though off a diving board into a swimming pool, and let my body slide across hard cement. My hand clasps around the locket just a second before Megan, who lets out a bloodthirsty scream. My elbow digs into her ribs, while my head clenches around her throat. She tumbles down to the ground with me, and with a single, low punch, I dig my fist into her stomach.

"You bitch," I mutter. Long, manicured nails scratch into my arm, creating three long, shallow gashes. She struggles under me, and finally flips me off to the side. My head crashes against the pavement. "Why did you take Jay? Why did you use his body?" I ask, regaining my balance. We're circling each other now.

"It was perfect. My entire plan all along was just to use Sonny's body. You two were getting so close," The words sting. "When I saw how you reacted when I made the light fall, well, I just knew how much you cared. It wasn't the same way you cared about Harper or your parents or your brothers, it was special. I knew she was special to you, Alex. I started watching her, waiting for an emotionally weak point so I could enter her body. Then Jay came, and I got curious." Her eyes look over to Jay, who is still unconscious. "Sonny was so upset over his appearance. It was the perfect time to do the spell I could control her, but I decided to wait. I wanted to know why she was so upset. And that's when I found her precious little diary stashed in a drawer." My memory flashes back to when Sonny and I were cleaning her room. The pink notebook. "I read everything. The story of the rape, and the repeated rapes after that. How curious that someone's family was more screwed up than ours. I knew then that I had to control Jay. It wasn't easy, you know. But you helped. After your guys smooch in Sonny's room, his emotions were all wacky. Easiest spell I've ever done."

"How did you steal magic?"

"An old folks home in the Wizard part of the world. They're so loopy and out of it, they don't realize what they're giving up. You could learn things from me, you know. More than your dimwitted father could ever teach you,"

"If you're so smart, why didn't you get the family magic to begin with?" Her eyes narrow.

"I was smart enough to figure out why Jerry gave Kelbo the magic, wasn't I? I was smart enough to lure you here, and your brother, and smart enough to know how to steal magic, wasn't I?"

"Congratulations, you're a criminal. I'm sure Nonna is really proud of you."

"Oh don't bring my mother into this." She scoffs.

"You brought me into this! You brought my brother and my best friend into this!"

"You were born into this, Alex! God, do you still not see? Do you still not understand? You a-" From the corner of my eye I see Justin leap from behind. Sonny yelps as a bright of purple light streaks from Justin's wand and one more support beam falls. The blast from the spell flings me backward and, after hitting the ground, I scramble back towards Sonny. Sonny grabs my wrist and pulls me into her side. Justin and Megan are fighting, but as Justin is gaining the upper hand, he slips over a piece of broken glass. Megan, knowing this is to her advantage, doesn't waste a second.

Megan runs. She is now powerless, the stolen wand and magic left behind, and I have the locket. Her eyes meet mine as she turns around to take one last look. I know it's not over. What was Megan going to say before Justin tackled her? What don't I know?

The building creaks and shakes. I look at Sonny, whose eyes look bloodshot and tired, and at Justin who is slowly and carefully walking back towards us. And then it happens: every sway of the building can be felt. We all eye each other very carefully, but it's Justin who breaks first.

"Get out of here!"

"Jay!" I point to his body to the far right. I've never felt so much hatred towards someone, and the sadistic side of me wants to leave him here for the building to crush his body. But I can't do that. I can't be that person. And Sonny, who doesn't even know that I know about the rape, agrees. She can't do that to her step-father or her step-siblings. Justin rushes over, leaving me to handle Sonny. Her legs still shake as she stands up, and I sling her arm around her shoulder, lugging her body along with me. A heavy pain is coming from my chest. How many injuries do I have? I'm wheezing and panting, and both arms itch and sting. The building crackles again and I pull Sonny with me quicker. She's starting to regain her energy, and no longer are her feet shuffling, but rather a glide here and a step here. Justin is behind me, and soon we're all at the door.

Outside in the sun, I relax. Megan is gone, for now. The pocket is sitting loosely in my pocket, the chain falling down the side of my leg. I pull it out and toss it to Justin, who catches it clumsily in one hand, heaving Jay with his other arm. It's really funny, watching Justin drag Jay's body. The two are complete opposites; one, dark, mysterious, dangerous, the other… well, just Justin.

Sonny and I stop for a moment to catch our breaths while Justin goes ahead.

"Sonny," I whisper. "This all…"

"We'll talk later," she clutches her side, but then looks at my own injuries. Her hand falls to my left arm, where the deepest of all injuries lay. "Oh god," her face pales.

"It's not bad," I lie. "It's fine."

"ALEX!" Justin is screaming. I look up and immediately grab Sonny under the arm and run. The building, once sturdily built, is collapsing. The faster Sonny and I run, the faster it falls. Sonny is sluggish. The harder I pull her the more difficult it is. Thinking quickly, something I'm not even good at doing slowly, I shove her as hard as I can ahead of me. Her feet trip over each other but she gets as far as she can. Once more, I find myself tripping over dirt and stone, tumbling and pounding against hard earth. I roll and roll.

Darkness.

--

One chapter after this, then either an epilogue or a sequel. Let me know in the reviews what you want to see. I've finished the next chapter. I'll post it tomorrow. All I have to do is edit.

-Elise

Review please.