Hooray for everyone who read the last updates!
Getting on towards the end…
See all the zillion disclaimers!
The sounds of celebration were enough to wake the whole town. But… was it night? Jenny wasn't at all surprised to find that they'd been in the shadow world for a full twelve hours, but she did recall saying that she'd be back after school. Somehow, this escapade wasn't going to improve her relationship with her parents.
Still, if they were all alive and sane? Definitely worth it.
She leaned back into the seat, still not entirely recovered from her close brush with death. That was something she never wanted to do again. Looking around, she saw that there seemed to be a full-on party in Michael's car.
She smiled quietly, letting the realization that they no longer had anything to fear sweep through her mind. Julian wrapped an arm around her, looking equally relieved and calm.
And then they heard a cold, cruel laugh that was entirely different from the jubilance of their group.
Julian was immediately out of the car and on his feet. The tiny, withered thing that was watching them seemed to smile. "Well, there you are, young one. I must say I'm impressed. Not many can dispatch eight of us at our strongest."
Julian hissed, a feral sound that forcibly reminded Jenny that he was not, and would never be, human.
"What do you want?"
"Nothing but a small payment. You see, Julian, those were quite…useful to me."
With this, Jenny realized that this ancient creature was some sort of leader. It had power over the others. How, and how much, she had no idea.
"And you see," it was continuing, "there just don't seem to be as many opportunities. And as impressed as I might be… everything has a price."
"And what's yours?" Asked Dee, leaning into a crouch.
"Ah, perhaps the power I lost. Perhaps the lives that were stolen. It all depends on what can be… given."
The last word seemed to echo in the darkness. Given.
Suddenly, Julian straightened, a look of shock and fury rolling across his face.
"And if I decline?"
"Then…" the fetus-thing laughed a bubbling laugh. Suddenly, Jenny was on the ground, tied by bonds of shadow. She tried to scream, but the choking darkness fell into her open mouth, stopping the sound in its tracks.
"Then it'll be her who pays the price. And a very different one than the sort I have for you." The thing's hands slipped over her face – and down across her chest. Lower… Jenny struggled frantically, still bound.
Julian's eyes widened.
"No! I… I accept my price. On the condition…"
The thing stopped, looking up towards them.
"That you never come near us again."
It cackled. "Ah, yes. Agreed!"
And Julian crumpled to the ground.
So what's Julian's price? Review and it comes even faster!