Chapter 11

If he listened close enough, Pogue knew he could hear the sound of his heart crashing to a complete halt.

His state of shock was so severe it seamed like all of his senses where on fire. He was aware of everything around him, the sound of the fire cracking loudly behind him, the soft chiming of the grandfather clock on the other side of the room, even the breathing of the man in front of him.

"Caleb?"

His voice broke as he spoke. It couldn't be...after all of this time...Caleb was standing less then ten feet away from him. The fire cast a dark red shadow across Caleb's form, making his deep brown eyes glow as he stared his former best friend down.

"Hello Pogue." Caleb replied, keeping his voice soft, his lips curving into a small grin. "It's been a while..."

Something dark started probing around the outside of Pogue's subconscious as he gazed in awe at the other boy. Pogue immediately recognized the familiar feeling of the evil presence as it tried to invade his mind once again. He repelled it easily and bravely took a step forwards.

"Caleb what's going on, where have you been? It's been three months since you disappeared and–"

Pogue stopped speaking when he heard a cold laugh come from Caleb's throat.

"Well, you of all people should know what I've been up to. I know you've been keeping your eye on me– or should I say..." Caleb paused and tapped the side of his forehead with his index finger. "Keeping a mindful eye on me."

Caleb laughed again and Pogue felt a deep chill run down his spine. Something was wrong...this wasn't the Caleb he knew.

"An Empath huh, the ability to feel others emotions through a subconscious wave form. Must be interesting, that would explain how you first found me..." Caleb stated in a cold even tone, looking at Pogue with a dark gleam in his eyes.

Pogue felt something like an invisible hand brush against his mind once again.

"Caleb what's going on?" Pogue's voice squeaked as he felt the hand against his mind once more.

(What the hell...?)

He forced his mental shields up once again. The hand halted for a short moment before it withdrew fully.

Caleb growled and spoke again. "You think that's really going to stop me? I thought Gorman would've trained you better."

This time the hand violently jabbed strait into his mind, tearing right through his mental defenses. Pogue yelped from the sensation and tried to repeal it. He felt his knees buckling under him and he fell onto them a moment later. Caleb swiftly withdrew his powers but Pogue was ready for it and fought back, latching his own powers against Caleb's. The attack caught the other boy off guard and Pogue used it to his advantage, forcing himself into the other boy's mind.

Countless images flashed through his mind...Caleb waking up and seeing the Darkling near his bed... Caleb sitting with Pogue in the park...Caleb and Sarah kissing... They all passed through his mind quickly but his mind locked on one particular image...

Caleb was standing outside of Putnum Barn battling with Chase. Both boys where throwing shreds of their powers wildly at each other. Then a voice spoke in the back of Caleb's mind, willing him their power. Chase charged at him and Caleb used his new powers and threw a large wave at his attacker, knocking Chase back into the swarm of fire behind him. Caleb stared right into the blaze for a moment before turning his back and walking away. Then something happened...the burning fire roared loudly and Caleb wailed painfully as something dark grabbed a hold of his mind. It burrowed deep inside of his subconscious, laughing madly.

"You can't destroy me that easily..."

The pressure on Pogue's mind increased painfully and he was forced to withdraw his powers. He collapsed back on his knees, panting deeply. Caleb stood a few feet away from him, hunched over and also breathing heavily. Pogue used this moment to recap what he saw. What did it mean? Was Chase still alive somewhere?

(Wait...)

Pogue's breath hitched as he slowly started to piece everything together. It couldn't be, Caleb said he destroyed Chase...Gorman even said he did! They couldn't find his body but Gorman clearly stated that he couldn't feel any trace of Chase's powers anymore...unless.

(Oh god, no...it can't be...)

Pogue raised his head and stared at the weakened body standing a few short feet away from him. It couldn't be...

"Chase?"

Caleb's head jerked up and the boy gave a dark laugh once again.

"You finally figured it out, huh."

Pogue slowly staggered to his feet, still in shock.

"How?"

"William decided to be fatherly in his last few minutes of life and willed his powers to his only son. However his little act of heroism left Caleb's mind and body completely open and defenseless." Caleb wheezed as he willed his body back to his feet. "When Caleb and I fought, he destroyed my body, so I thought it was only fair for me to steal his."

Pogue just stood there. He couldn't believe it. The dark presence that held his friend captive -that made Caleb attack people- it was Chase!

"Why? What the hell do you want?" Pogue's breath was coming in short bursts as his anger started to rise.

Caleb was quiet for several minutes before he answered.

"I want my body back." A cruel smile spread across the boy's lips and he slowly raised his hand in the air.

Pogue didn't have time to brace himself before a wave of Caleb's powers came crashing against his chest, throwing him backwards into the wall. His back hit the stone wall hard, a painful yelp tearing from his mouth. He recoiled and fought back, sending a large ball of his own powers at his attacker. Caleb dodged it with little effort and sent another one right into Pogue's chest, sending his body crashing against the wooden floor. The impact was painful and it took a long time before Pogue could pull his body together enough to roll onto his side.

The sounds of footsteps rang in his ears as Caleb circled him around him. His foot slid under Pogue's shoulder and rolled him over.

"Pathetic. If the boy wonder couldn't defeat me with his father's help what makes you think you can?"

Pogue glared up at him. "Fuck you!"

Amusement flashed in Caleb's eyes as he lifted his foot and pressed down on Pogue's throat, choking his air supply. The lights in the room started dancing around Pogue's eyes and he tried to lift Caleb's foot off. Caleb only pushed down harder, clearly enjoying every minute of Pogue's struggling.

The room's shape started fading in front of his eyes. He was running out of air. He needed to do something, quickly!

His eyes moved to Caleb's face, his brown eyes where filled with malice and sadism as he watched the life slowly fade out from Pogue's green eyes. Pogue stuck his hand out, positioning it right in front of Caleb's face and forced all of his mental strength to gather and sent it forcibly into Caleb's mind. It worked; Caleb howled as Pogue's powered attacked his mind and stumbled back a few feet.

Immediately Pogue gasped and tried to suck a few large gulps of air into his lungs before he turned his attention back towards Caleb. The other boy was panting deeply and glaring down at him with dark, hateful eyes.

"I see now that you're going to be a problem." Caleb kept his voice even as he raised his hand again. "I guess I'll have to find a way to deal with you...and the rest of the little Ipswich boys."

Anger once again flared inside of Pogue's body.

"If you fucking touch them–"

"You'll what? Kill me?" Caleb stalked closer and leaned over him. "I don't think you're in any position to threaten me."

Pogue didn't say anything; he just glared up at Caleb and tightened his throat. He could taste blood from the corner of his mouth and spit a large glob of it at the other boy's face. Caleb simply blinked and whipped it off.

"Wrong answer." Caleb said coldly.

Pogue glared up at him and didn't even flinch when Caleb swung his fist downwards and smashed it into the side of Pogue's head. The impact sent Pogue's vision into a white haze before the never-ending darkness was waiting for him.

As it engulfed him he heard Caleb's voice whisper inside his ear.

"Now let's see if I can find a use for you."

--

Gorman startled awake as the sound thunder clashed outside of the old colony house windows.

He blinked his eyes a few times and gathered himself. His mind was reeling and his body felt like it was being tugged from three different angels. His senses were running a mile a minute and they were all screaming the same thing.

Something was wrong...