As soon as we were outside, Madison leaped out of the forest. Trish let out a little scream. Leo and I laughed. Griffy soared down, coaxing another scream from Trish. I jumped on to Griffy. Madison bent to allow Leo to climb on. Leo held his hand out to help Trish on.
"It's ok. She's harmless." Leo said, glancing at me. I remembered the first time I saw Madison. She certainly wasn't harmless then.
Trish got on slowly, ignoring Leo's offer to help.
"Warrior clearing?" I asked.
"Ok. Easy enough to find. Go east." He replied.
"Griffy can find it easily, can't you boy?" Griffy snapped at Leo. I laughed, remembering the time he bit Leo. Leo rubbed his nose, scowling. He remembered too.
"See you there." I said and took off. I waited for the Madison to go before heading to the clearing. They went immediately.
For Griffy, it was a 3 hour journey. We landed in the clearing silently, expecting an attack. I was sure we were in the right place. A silver katana lay to one side of the clearing, splattered in dried blood. My blood. I touched the scar on my cheek. I looked down at my clothes. They were ripped and had about a million holes in them. I sighed, wondering absently how far my house was from here. I sat down by a tree at the far edge of the clearing, opposite from where Trish and Leo should come in from. They should only be an hour. My previous sense of dizziness returned. Griffy sat down next to me. I lay my head on his back and closed my eyes…
In my dream, I was hanging off the cliff again. But this time, both Leo and Luke stood above me. They were fighting, Leo with his mallet, Luke with a wicked double sword. I called out for them to stop. I tried to pull myself up. No luck. Leo seemed to be trying not to hurt Luke, Luke was doing his very best to kill Leo. Leo finally whacked Luke upside the head, reluctantly. He ran to me. He helped me up and pulled me into a fierce embrace. At that point I woke up.
The dark sky had no stars visible. I looked around. Leo and Trish were at the edge of the clearing, getting off of Madison. I stood up and waved. As I walked closer, I noticed that Leo was bleeding. I started to run.
Leo was pale and weak from blood loss. He leaned on Madison, who walked slowly to the tree I had slept under. Griffy woke up when I helped Leo sit down.
"Trish, what happened?" I said, examining the foot long slash on Leo's arm.
"Some of the Zian warriors caught up with us." She said, breathless.
"Zian?" I asked.
"The men that attacked us here before. They wouldn't come any closer to the clearing, though." Leo said, his voice strained and cracked. I told him not to talk.
"Trish, can you take care of Leo for a while. I'll go find some bandages and some new clothes. For all of us." I said unwillingly. I didn't want to leave them here, unprotected, but Leo needed bandages and medicine, badly. And we all needed new clothes. Leo's jeans were ripped in several places and his top was too small. He would probably fit into Luke's clothes, I thought. Trish's clothes consisted of a ripped red dress. She would defiantly fit into some of mine.
"We'll be fine. Madison will protect us." Trish said, patting Madison, who had lay down next to her. They seemed to like each other. I got on Griffy and took to the air, silent.
"Go up high. We need to go back to my house." I said quietly to Griffy. He flew high into the night sky.
When we landed in the garden, I heard a voice coming from Luke's room. Had he gone home?
I steered Griffy to my window. He hovered there as I climbed into my room. I scanned it. Nothing had moved. Or so I thought. Then I noticed the photo. It was a picture of me and Luke when we were little. It brought a tear to my eye, which I ignored.
I grabbed a small bag. I opened my draw and packed several pairs of leggings and jeans. Many different tops. Somehow they all fit in. Then I changed into a pair of jeans and a turquoise striped top. I put on an old pair of boots and headed to the bathroom.
I had to go though four cabinets before I found the medical bag. I shoved it into my bag, which felt surprisingly light. I looked down at it. Inside, I could clearly see everything I packed, easily fitting in. Magical bag. Ok then. I also grabbed some painkillers.
I paused outside Luke's room. I knocked lightly. The door opened immediately. Luke stared at me for a second, and then pulled me into a tight hug. I couldn't breathe. This was a complication. With him distracted by my arrival, I used my powers to pick out some jeans and tops for Leo. They looked about the right size. They folded themselves and landed in my bag. I shut it silently.
"What happened to you?" Luke said against my hair, still not letting me go. I didn't know what to say.
"Luke, I have to go. Please, let go…" I said. It hurt to say it.
Luke didn't understand at first.
"You aren't going anywhere without me." he said, tenacious.
"Griffy wouldn't be able to take your weight. You can't Luke. You just can't." I said. Griffy wasn't really an excuse, but I had to go. I pulled myself free. "Bye." I disappeared, invisible to Luke. I ran back to my room and flung open. Reappearing for Griffy, I climbed out, landing gently on his back. Luke appeared in the doorway, gaping.
"I'm so, so, so sorry Luke. Bye. I'll see you again. I promise." With that Griffy flew into the clouds, leaving my bother standing awestruck in my doorway.
I landed in the clearing carefully. Trish was sitting next to Madison, still stroking her head, humming. Leo looked worse. I ran to him. Opening my bag, I found the medical kit an opened it. I took out bandages, anti-inflammatory, an anti-infection ointment, some water and a pair of scissors. I cut a bit off the bandage and soaked in water. I cleaned the wound as gently as I could, but Leo still flinched every time I touched the soaking bandage to the cut. When I was done, I applied a fair amount of ointment. I wrapped the wound in bandages, making sure they would pad it. I grabbed the pain killers out of my bag and gave Leo a dose.
"How much do you have in that tiny bag?!" Leo moaned. I grinned. Then the smile disappeared.
"We should go. I know a place we might be able to stay. Leo, you take Griffy, he'll follow me and Trish on Madison. Ok?" Leo nodded. I thought for a second. Then I dug into my bag and pulled out some belts. I tied them together to form a makeshift rope. I walked over to Griffy and tied it round his chest. Then wrapped it round his neck. I tied an extra two belts on. Leo came over to see what I was doing.
"Get on." I commanded. Leo listened without complaining. I tied the belts round his waist, barely thinking, then used another belt to make a sort of sash to keep him on Griffy securely if his arm starts to hurt again.
I walked over to Trish and Madison, who jumped up. I mounted Madison before she had the chance bend down. Trish jumped on when the metalfang bent for her. She held onto my waist as Madison ran into the forest at full speed.
We reached the cottage in no time at all. I guess we weren't as far as I thought. Trish was asleep behind me. I gently got off, waking her. She stared in awe at the trees twining together to form the cottage. I walked over to Griffy and removed the belt rope, stuffing into my bag. Leo smiled as I helped him off. He looked a lot better. He looked at the cottage and frowned.
"Are you sure it's safe?" he asked anxiously. I smile, remembering all the spirituals here. Safe! What an understatement.
"Depends on what you consider safe." I said; just to be annoying. I walked straight to the door and rapped lightly. The doors swung open to reveal Lottie, flanked by Stephanie and Whitney. Lottie was grinning. The girls started grinning when they saw me. They pulled me into a group hug.
"Luke has been worried sick, you silly thing!" Lottie said with mock anger.
"Well, I've been very busy. Got attacked by the Zian, captured twice, and knocked unconscious I don't know how long!" I grimaced. Lottie released me.
"Well it looks like you need a place to stay." She said. I smiled. She looked behind me at my friend and the animals. She grinned when she saw Madison. "A metalfang! However did you find one?"
"I'll tell you inside. Oh! Do you have any healers here?" I asked. I looked back at Leo. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm.
"You don't have to do that." He whispered.
"Yes I do. I need you Leo. You may not like it, but I do." I whispered back. A slow smile spread on his lips. He stepped back, still smiling.
"Of course we have healers here!" Lottie said, looking back and forth between me and Leo, trying to figure out what our little exchange was about.
Lottie pulled us in to her huge house. My friends gaped.
"Lottie, where can I leave Griffy and Madison? The animals." I asked. Lottie looked at Madison and Griffy. Whitney said she'd take them to the stables and walked out, using some meat to get the animals to follow her. They both paused at the door and looked back at me. I smiled and gestured for them to follow Whitney. They did. But it was still nice to know that they did actually care.
Lottie led us up a flight of stairs to a corridor with at least twenty rooms coming off. Dormitories for the kids. She led us to one at the end. She opened the door to reveal a lounge. Three sofas grouped together near a TV. Another one of Lottie's amazing space tricks. Two doors led off to bedrooms, both painted a light blue. In one room there was a single bed and small wardrobe. A single door was at the back, probably leading to a bathroom. Obviously for Leo. He sat down on the bed and smiled at me. I grinned back. We left him alone. In the other room there was a bunk bed, a large wardrobe and a door that led to a large bathroom.
"Do you treat all guests like this, or are we special?" I teased, genuinely curious under the mocking.
"Of course you're special, but I treat all guests the same. I saw your arrival." Lottie piped. Trish looked confused. I told her about Lottie's power. Lottie told us to ask if we needed anything. I thanked her. She left us alone.
I gave Trish a pair of jeans and a baggy red top. There were some trainers in the wardrobe. I left her to change. I went to Leo's room. He had left the door open.
I walked straight in. Leo was sitting on the bed still, eyes closed, thinking. I sat down next to him. He opened his eyes, smiling. I smiled at him. I pull out my bag and find the clothes I brought him. He took them, still smiling.
"Where did you get these?" he asked.
"I went home." I said quietly. Leo wrapped my in a fierce hug, reminding me of my dream. I wanted to tell him about it, but I stopped myself. I don't know why, but I felt that everything would be better if I didn't tell him. I should talk to Lottie about it, I thought. If anybody would understand, it would be Lottie.
Leo let me go and looked at me. He searched my face meticulously. I didn't know why I found myself holding my breath. When he smiled, I couldn't help smile back.
Leo started quizzing me again. He wanted to know about every insignificant thing in my life. Eventually Trish came and joined us. She asked any questions he forgot. Then we started quizzing her. Then it was Leo's turn. It was fun. Eventually, Leo and Trish fell asleep. I picked Trish up with my powers and took her to our room, leaving her on the top bunk. Then I went back to sort out Leo. I picked him up with my mind and sorted the bed out with my hands. I tucked Leo in with my powers and went back to my room, turning lights off and closing doors as I went. I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
In my dream, I was in a hall full of strangers, all wearing party clothes. They wandered around. I saw Leo. I made my way through the crowd, desperate to see a familiar face. When I got there, it wasn't Leo. Then Trish came up to me. She steered me through crowds, trying to get out. I didn't understand why at first. Then I noticed that everybody's eyes glowed red. I ran to the nearest window, pulling Trish with me. I looked down. I could see the ground, ten feet below us. I made an ice path to the ground. When I reached the ground, instead of grass, there were silver blades that swarm my feet, slicing. I cried out as I woke up.
I was still in the bed. Still at Lottie's. Still safe.
Trish was sitting at the end of my bed.
"Are you ok? You were thrashing and mumbling. Bad dream?" I was thrashing? Sleep talking? I wondered how Trish knew I had a bad dream. Maybe she got them too. I had just sat up when Leo burst into the room, wearing a pair of baggy jeans and Luke's Chris Brown top.
"Up, up, up, ladies! Breakfast in ten minutes!" Leo said in a singsong voice. His singing was even worse than Luke's! I couldn't help but laugh, despite the chill the dream had given me.
I stood up and shooed Leo away so we could get dressed. I changed into an outfit almost identical to what I wore the previous day, only with white jeans and a beige jacket on over the top. Trish changed into a pair of leggings and an orange top with a witch on it. It was really meant for Halloween, but I hadn't been paying too much attention when I packed this stuff. I shoved my feet back into my boots.
Leo was waiting impatiently outside our door.
"Come on! Apparently it's waffle day! I want to have a waffle!" he complained. I waved my hand at his shirt. The picture changed until it said 'I love WAFFLES!" in huge letters. A picture of a waffle appeared below it. Trish laughed at the new design. Leo just scowled.
When we reached the main hall, Leo perked up. Tables were dotted everywhere. In the centre of the room, there was a serving table, holding only waffles and various toppings. Not what I'd expected. I looked at Trish, who stood in the doorway, dumbfounded. I pulled her along to the middle table. She had calmed down enough to serve herself. I had to drag Leo away from the chocolate syrups before anything bad happened. We settled ourselves at a table.
After a few minutes, we were surrounded by friends. Jay laughed as Leo shovelled two waffles into his mouth at once. Then he noticed Leo's shirt.
"Ali, did you do that? The pattern on his shirt?" Jay asked, amazed. I nodded, not used to having so much attention. Several times I had to remind myself that I could trust these people.
Lottie came over to me.
"Ali, Luke's here. I can stall him, if you don't want to see him." Lottie said quietly to me.
"Don't bother. He's my brother. He deserves the chance to say goodbye." I said back.
"You're leaving?" she said, pouting.
"Not yet, but soon. I've got a job to do." I looked at Leo. Lottie followed my gaze and nodded, running off to talk to Luke.
I ate the rest of my waffles. Luke came in just as I finished. He scanned the room. He saw me and looked away quickly. I couldn't leave like this. Not with Luke so sad. I stood up, excusing myself with a quick pretence about needing the loo. Trish made the same excuse and followed me. I ignored her.
Luke hadn't sat down; he was still standing in the doorway.
"Luke? Luke, I'm sorry. I couldn't stay at home. You don't understand. Please let me explain…" I said, the words gushing from my mouth before I could stop them. Trish was standing behind me; hand on my arm, as if she was afraid of Luke.
"Ali, this isn't your fault. But can you please come home? Please. Mum and Dad are worried sick. They have the police looking for you." He said pain in his voice. Trish let out a low hiss when he said that Mum and Dad were worried. Was Luke lying? What would Mum and Dad think? They would probably think I was at a sleep over with my friends and forgot to tell them. I'd done it before. Maybe Luke was lying. I decided to trust Trish.
"Don't lie to me. And I can't come home. I've got something to do. Something really important. I can't just leave." I said. Trish smiled at me and I smiled back. Luke looked back and forth at me and Trish. Then he sighed.
"I shouldn't expect any less from you, sis. You're a lot like me…" he trailed off. Trish smiled knowingly. What did she know?
I smiled at Luke. He grinned back.
"Just be careful," he paused for a moment, "we wouldn't want Baby Ali getting hurt." His grin widened. I sighed. Luke walked to our table and sat down, joining the conversation. Trish and I joined him, sitting on either side of Leo.
The conversation was about the Zian and Spirit Hunters. Trish had loads of information about they were doing. Apparently, the Zian and Spirit Hunters were working together. The Zian would capture. The Spirit Hunters used the most powerful spirituals to make weapons and facilities to make more. I shuddered at the thought. What would have happened if the Spirit Hunters found out who I was? I tried not to think about it.
Luke turned white when he found out about our encounters with the Zian and Spirit Hunters. Leo had to tell him everything twice. I didn't say much, but I did add in any details Leo forgot, or didn't know about. For example, he didn't know that my plan was set before the men even 'woke me up'. The others seemed impressed that we had survived on our own. Both Luke and I frowned when Leo brought up my comment about living in the woods before. We both remembered it too well. The huge fight, the wolves. I shuddered.
After breakfast, Jay and I cleared all the tables away with our powers. Now I was going to have some fun. Leo was going to be working with a teenage boy called Brennan to help him only change when he wants to. I hoped it would work. Trish went off with a young girl called Lizzy who claimed she could adapt Trish's power so she could see the truth behind the lie she was being told. So the lessons started where they left off.
I decided to steer clear of offensive powers. After all, many powers could be used in battle. I went off to enhance my fire skills. It was fun. I learnt loads of hot new tricks.
Next on the agenda was walking through walls. It was easy. So was everything else I tried. Suddenly, I had an idea.
When I was young, my imagination worked overtime. The smallest thing would send my brain reeling into action. One time, I had imagined what it would be like to be able to make a drawing come to life. I grabbed a pencil from a table nearby—Lottie loved to draw—and started.
The lines looked like nothing at first, but soon began to take form. Soon the baby phoenix was finished. I took a step back and admired my work. People had formed a crowd behind me while I was drawing. I pressed my hand against the flat wall I had drawn on, hoping. I closed my eyes…