Disclaimer: Does not own WITCH
Love is a Hearts Child: 3 – Two Halves of Dark Hearts
Chapter 9
Will awoke to find herself already on her feet. "What happened?" She said to herself, looking around to take in her surroundings, Irma was nearby appearing just as confused as she was, while the pair of them seemed to be standing in the old abandoned carnival of Heatherfield. The years had passed but no one had bought the land to put into a better use. "Will what's going on, how did we get here?" Irma asked stepping over to her. "I don't know. I think I brought us here." Will answered a feeling in her gut told her it was the truth.
"That is indeed correct guardian." Voices seemed to echo from all direction, but mostly from above them. Looking up at the source of the Omni-direction voice, they saw a round blackish orb of mist floating from above them. "The collector!" Irma shouted raising I hand about to unleash a torrent of water, but stopping herself and not knowing why. "Remember." The voices choired towards them and images filled the pair's mind.
Images of standing in darkness, and making a bargain. Agreeing to retrieve items from Meridian, in exchange for Brigitte's life. Something that dawned on the pair they had just done without even realising. "Your subconscious led you to do as we agreed. Without memory you acted without even realising why." The orb explained. "Now if you wish for the child to live, we will make a new deal." The voices told them, as the orb floated closer to the grown, and covering a small pile of assorted items on the ground they hadn't noticed before.
"That isn't fair." Irma shouted back. "We already did what you want." She continued, turning to Will for back up. "What do you want?" Will said, concern for her daughter too great to resist. "You will allow me to possess you, and your child will safely enter the care of the water guardian." The orb told the two of them. "No way, you can't believe him he evil." Irma shouted at Will. "Plus if you need a body why not just possess someone else." Irma pointed out. "The heart, Irma why else. He couldn't take it but if he took me over." Will explained stopping realising the rest of the implication would be figured out.
"Will you can't agree there is no way you can trust him." Irma shouted at Will again. "Give your word under truth spell that you will not harm my daughter, or any of my friends and family." Will ordered the darkness. "Will you can't" Irma said grabbing Will's shoulders. "Fine guardian." The orb said and magic filled the air, the spell of truth that Yan Lin and Phobos had used in the past. "I will not harm your friends or family, I will return your child to your friend here and she will look after her. Under vow unbreakable I give that word." The voices twisted together. "Take care of Brigitte Irma, and tell Caleb I love him." Will said, spreading her arms. "Will NO." Irma shouted trying to get her to see sense as the orb surrounded her, and melded into her skin.
"Hello Irma." The twisted voices came from Will's lips. Irma took a step back from Will fear filling her, as Will's eyes cracked with energy. "You can't hurt me, you can't hurt me. You have to give me Brigitte like you said." Irma shouted trying to reassure herself that was the truth. "You will not be 'Harmed' and 'I will', a shame that you will merely be a vessel now sleep." Evil Will replied and Irma passed out, dread filling her completely, as nightmares filled her mind.
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The three other guardians alongside Caleb, Cedric and Steven reappeared in the bookshop that had left early that day. "What the big idea you two, you didn't even wait for Elyon to agree." Cornelia said angrily glaring at Steven and Cedric. "And you didn't give us a say either." Taranee pointed out. "I apologise guardians but I'm sure you realise time is of major importance. Wouldn't you agree Caleb?" Cedric turned looking at the worried looking man. Caleb glared at Cedric not answering the question, his mind on was on what Cedric had said before they had left meridian. "Then stop wasting it, how can I find my family?" Caleb demanded to know stepping up to Cedric.
"It is quite simple, if the girl disappearance and guardians' action are down to the collector. Then someone with say, some of the collector powers should be able to find him, if he was in the right 'State of Mind'." Cedric explained. Steven face turned pale. "No way Cedric, no efffing way." Steven shouted at the other man starting to head for the stair. Taranee and Cornelia moved to cut him off. "What is he talking about?" Taranee asked as she prevented Steven from leaving. Caleb moved up behind Steven and turned him around violently by the shoulder. "You can find my family and you won't do it?" Caleb growled at him.
"It ain't that simple man, so got off my case." Steven replied shoving Caleb away from him as hard as he could knocking him to the ground. "Why isn't it?" Hay Lin asked Steven, helping Caleb to his feet. "Because of the risk involved. Steven could end up not only bodiless like the collector, but his mind could fade away." Cedric explained. "We all know that the collector and Steven with his powers can move one person mind into someone else's body. The collector himself though could literally exist as mind without body. If Steven was to do the same, he could probably connect with and lead us to the collector. However his mind could just as easily be unable to hold together and fade into nothingness." Cedric elaborated.
Disheartened looks passed between the group. "Did you have another plan Cedric?" Cornelia asked Cedric breaking the silence. "No, I do not. I wouldn't suggest the idea unless I did not foresee a different option." Cedric replied taking a seat in one of the basement chairs. "Please Steven?" Caleb said with a tone close to pleading. "You can't ask that of me, I didn't sign up to put my life on the line." Steven replied again trying to get up the stairs by pushing pass Taranee and Cornelia. "Will and her daughter aren't the only one in trouble remember." Cedric stated nonchalantly as Steven tried to leave. Steven feet froze on the spot. "That isn't fair." Steven replied. "I am merely pointing it out, it however it is your choice." Cedric told him.
Another moment of silent filled the basement, Steven still halfway from leaving. "God damn it." Steven shouted at himself turning round and walking back down the stair. "But if this doesn't work, I hope you lot can live with it." Steven stated. "As I told you before Steven, I will be here to try and prevent that outcome." Cedric told him. "I would suggest the rest of you wait up stairs and not disturb us. Distraction may lead to unwanted outcomes." Cedric explained to the rest of the group. "Thank you." Caleb said plainly to Steven. "This isn't for you, so shut up and eff off." Steven snapped back. Caleb and the three other guardians left heading upstairs to the rest of the book shop. "Are you sure Steven? The risks are great and I can't promise that they will go as hoped." Cedric asked one last time. "Just tell me what to do." Steven replied pulling one of the chairs so it was opposite Cedric and sitting down.