Disclaimer: I do not own Ice Age.
AN: Thanks to IceAge Mutant, englishtiger and Guest for reviewing...sorry for how long it took to get this up, school's currently trying to kill me...
Chapter 9:
Diego felt better after talking to his sister. Granted, they might have had their fights, but they were the only thing left of their mother's side of the family. On the contrary, their father's side held a lot of additions.
He sighed, flopping down on his bed, before his gaze fell to his bookshelf. Few books were scattered on it. He looked around, with the only light source being the one from the lamp on the desk across his bed, and the darkness never felt so scary.
Even as a child, he knew of the power he wielded, and knew how to use it, even instinctively, to defend himself.
But murder was going a bit too far.
He walked over to his bookshelf, eyes and ears alert, and he picked up a book, heading back to his bed and flipping it open, turning the light on at the same time.
The book opened in the middle of a text.
'…after which, White was never seen again. Many suspect that he might have practiced witchcraft, but the rumours were firmly quelled by his second-in-command, Brigadier General Alec.'
Diego shivered, suddenly looking around.
He sighed, leaning against his bed's backboard as he continued to read. He wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
Diana rubbed her eyes tiredly. She should sleep soon, before she collapsed because of exhaustion.
She closed the book she found shut.
Any information she found about Derek weren't useful in finding any mythological beings.
She turned, closing her laptop, before moving over to her bed.
A sound caught her attention, and she instantly became alert. It was a habit associated with the results of her profession.
She turned, hand out, as she reached under her pillow to draw a blade.
Nothing happened.
Turning around, she feigned to get onto the bed, before turning suddenly and stabbing a man in the stomach with the knife.
She cried out suddenly as a taser struck her from behind.
The last thing she was aware of was a cloth filled with chloroform getting forced over her mouth.
Diego sighed as school ended. Something had happened. He was not sure where, who, or how, but he knew it all the same. He looked up as the Vice-principal (now Principal) called to him, gesturing to his office.
Following, Diego entered the pristinely neat office (another one, the police were still going through the old one).
"What's wrong?"
The vice-principal looked at him regretfully. "I'm sorry, Diego, but the School Board has made a decision."
"Already?" Diego asked, frowning. He was sure that Diana would handle it. Any promises she made, she would keep. And with her circle of influence-
Cold fear gripped his heart.
Did something happen to Diana?
"You're being expelled. You are to leave campus and never return."
Diego swallowed, his mind on other things other than his expulsion. The vice-principal read his face wrongly, thinking that he was worried about being expelled.
"I informed your guardian, but she was not at work, and wouldn't answer her phone. I've left a message to your aunt, instead."
Diego nodded numbly. "Can I go now?"
The vice-principal nodded.
Diego walked out of the door, before he went o his locker, quickly stuffing books and stuff into his bag, and then sprinting out of the school, ignorant of the stares he got from the usual bus that left.
Ellie saw him, her eyes wide as she shook Manny, who turned, eyes wide now as well.
Diego ignored them, sprinting to his house, before he went inside, locking himself in, going up to his room, and pulling out his phone.
He dialled the familiar number.
Ring…ring…ring…
Please answer.
Ring…ring…ring…
Please…she couldn't end up like Benito again. She just couldn't.
Ring…ring…ri-"You've reached Diana Bennett. I'm currently unavailable. Please leave a message after the beep."
Without hesitation, he hung up. He swore violently under his breath.
As he put down the phone, he realised his hands were shaking.
He turned to the window, where the sun was starting to set.
Diego looked down, before clenching his hands, and unclenching them. He thought about it only for a brief moment before tugging out a larger bag, dumping in his passport, some cash, his phone, his laptop, his charger, and some sets of clothes. He grabbed the book he was reading yesterday as well, before zipping the bag.
He turned to leave by the door, but thumping up to his room stopped him.
His eyes went wide. Only he had the key to the house.
Quickly, he turned, only catching a glimpse of a bearded man, before leaping out of the window.
Summoning his magic, he managed to land softly on all fours, though he groaned as he stood up, cradling his now broken left wrist to his chest.
Great.
Well…at least it wasn't the ankle.
He sprinted down the street, the bag hardly slowing him down.
Instinct had him duck before a dark red sphere of…something smashed ahead into the lamp post. The lamp post exploded, and Diego winced, before turning back, thrusting his hand out, palm spread, at them.
Out of the five people now following him, two were knocked down by the spell.
A bullet whizzed through the air, narrowly missing Diego's ear. Even so, he could still feel the heat of the bullet, and automatically let go of his left hand.
Diego turned back, colliding with something nearly solid.
Two strong hands grasped his wrist and covered his mouth.
He let out a muffled groan as his left wrist was twisted even more.
At this rate, he might need to get pins inside it.
Thinking quickly, he bit down, sinking his teeth into meaty flesh, and feeling the bitter tang of blood fill his mouth. The man swore as he pulled his hand away. The men who had been approaching started sprinting again, a metal bracelet in his hand.
Diego recognised it.
And he sure as hell didn't want that thing on his wrist.
He continued sprinting, knowing that he would soon reach Shira's place.
C'mon…just a little bit more.
The house was brightly illuminated, as were all the other houses, but the streets were empty. As expected, the house was at the edge of the street, near the cemetery.
He blasted any spell at them, barrelling them over, before aiming a spell to freeze them. He then ran up to the door, pounding loudly. "Open up!"
The door opened, and Manny stared at him, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
Diego didn't answer, shoving past him and slamming the door shut.
"Diego! What the hell is going on?"
"People are hunting me down."