Chapter 8
Do you remember me?
She crouched as she jumped from the boat. The island was large, but she could manage. Looking around she saw that the sun was starting to set. "Sorry Patrick, but even I have to rest," She whispered softly. Looking down she saw her bandaged ankle. With a sigh she removed the cloth to see it had healed completely. Nodding to herself she folded up the bandage putting it in her pack before she moved into the forest. Making a quick makeshift campfire she shivered. The loneliness got to her.
"Why Patrick, if you're in love with someone else why did you choose me to return? Why not Thomas?" she asked quietly. Looking up at the stars she smiled. So many nights they had spent under similar stars talking about everything. She giggled as she wondered if he still stargazed.
"I guess I'll find out sooner or later. But for now I think I'll stay in the shadows. I don't want to interfere directly and merit your girlfriend's wrath," She sighed. She slowly traced circles in the dirt when she heard twigs snap. Instinctively she hid in the bushes.
"Looks like someone's been here recently," Came a low voice dumbly.
"Look I don't care how recent it's been. The person is going to have to come back, and with this camp so close to our own we're going to have to nab them. Probably place them with the brat and the trio. Eric isn't going to like it, but we'll need to nab them," Came a more intelligent cold voice. She shivered at the though that the voice had no trace of compassion.
"Streaker stay, you go Draken," The lower voice said.
"No, I'll stay; you go tell Eric that a complication has arisen and that I needed to take care of it. If he asks for anything more then tell him about the camp," the voice belonging to Draken said.
"Ok, bye Draken," Streaker's voice said, as she heard him go away she watched the clearing she had made as Draken stepped into the moonlight. She got a good look at him. He had long white hair that went down to his shoulders and his clothes made her shudder. She recognized the whiteness of the bone armor he wore. Human bone armor to be exact, she drew the sword she had stolen carefully making sure not to let it glint in the moonlight.
"Stupid giant, I'm sure he's already messing up the explanation. Figures, but at least it's better than him finding whoever this is and not capturing them, the last three were a disaster in themselves. Though I do admit the white haired one was rather good looking. Too bad they have to die; maybe I can try to reanimate her." Draken said casually to himself. She went sick as she realized what this man was. The word slowly came to her mind, 'Necromancer.' Not someone to be trifled with that was for sure. She crouched low.
"Who's there?" Draken asked as he heard a twig snapped. She knew her element of surprise was ruined but she could still strike. She leapt forward slashing at the man.
"What the." Draken screamed before putting up his wand. It expertly caught the blow before he backed off. "Who are you?"
"My name is Samantha Anne Carlton. I'll be your killer for today," Samantha replied coldly. She didn't like the way the guy looked at her. It was like he was eyeing a prize. She quickly slashed at him. "And while I'm at it you can stop looking at me!"
"I'm sorry I've always had a fault for the beautiful. Now what were you saying, something about being my killer?" He said mockingly. Samantha grew angry and tried to calm herself down.
"Du im rah!" Draken said as slowly a skeleton rose from the ground. Samantha went cold as she realized what was going to happen. Taking a step back she focused her hatred of The man. Raising a hand she fired a stream of flame at the skeleton reducing it to ashes. She smiled as she stepped forward at the stuttering necromancer. She cleanly placed the tip of her blade under his throat. "What are you?"
"I already told you my dear deluded fool, I'm your killer for today," She smiled before her face grew cold. "Now take me to this Eric person!"
"My pleasure," Draken said gulping as he began moving the point never stopping from being lightly against his back ready to insert should the occasion arise.
~*~
Diss sighed. This was getting nowhere. They were stuck at the mercy of a man and the only one that could hold the key to their eventual escape was locked in the next room. Even more intriguing was the complaints by Karsh and Zoah to Belthazar. Apparently water wasn't working anymore and they wanted an explanation.
"EHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Paul shouted as once again he tormented his own body by thrusting his shoulder into them. The bars began to groan under his weight as he backed up again.
"DAMNIT PAUL STOP!" Shaun said as he tried to stop him. Paul shook his head as he ran again. Diss jumped in the way but Paul was to fast to stop his momentum. He crashed into Diss and they broke down the cell door.
"WE DID IT!" Paul said triumphantly. Diss groaned rubbing his back.
"Oh man I think you broke my back!"
~*~
"One bottle of fizz on the wall, one bottle of fizz. You take one down, pass it around." Miguel sang. "No more bottle of fizz on the wwwaaalllll!" Steena and Christy both rolled their eyes as Eric nearly ripped his hair out.
"GOD DAMMIT SHUT UP BEFORE I KILL YOU ANYWAYS!" Eric roared at Miguel causing him to hush up quickly.
~*~
"Here we are," Draken said dryly. Samantha kept the point against his back to avoid treachery until she saw Patrick. He was standing there nearly ripping his hair out as some man sang a song.
"Patrick?" Samantha said in disbelief.
"No, Eric," Draken said annoyed that this girl wasn't paying him any attention.
"That's Patrick." She said walking up and hugging him tightly.
"Sam?" He said confused returning the hug. Christy nudged Steena so she would look at the two. Eric looked at a loss for words. "I thought you were dead," He said softly hugging her back tightly. Christy had never seen this side of Eric before. It almost made him appear human. She didn't like it at all. More so she didn't like Samantha being here in the first place. She was always a threat to what she and Diss had.
"What's going on? Who's the girl?" Steena asked quietly.
"Samantha, Diss' ex girlfriend," Christy replied quietly.
"I was dead, but somebody brought me back, do you know who?" Samantha asked quietly.
"No idea, but I'm glad you're here," Eric said hugging her tighter. Samantha was in heaven. It had been too long since she had been with him.
"Looks like they really had something," Steena mumbled.
"I'm hoping that doesn't pop up again. She almost took him once," Christy whispered watching them. Focusing quietly Christy looked in Samantha's mind. They were in a room together with a small table between them.
"What do you want?" Samantha said coldly.
"That's not Patrick you're hugging," Christy said softly. Samantha in the real world only hugged him tighter.
"He feels like Patrick, talks like Patrick, and I don't seem him as anything but-"Samantha was abruptly cut off.
"His real name is Eric, he represents the part of Patrick that was alive before the Invasion," Christy explained.
"Then how do you explain how he remembers me?" Samantha said coldly.
"Kiss him and find out why he's not Patrick," Christy began. Samantha looked Eric in the eyes a second before kissing him deeply.
He slowly returned the kiss hugging her closely. "Oh my god, It's not Patrick at all. Who is this?"
"I told you this is who Patrick was," Christy returned. Samantha held out the kiss for a little longer before pulling back. "Keep up the charade; we might be able to use this to our advantage."
"Alright but I'm saying this here and now, 'I'm not sleeping with him'!"
"I never wanted you to. Just keep his mind off of me," Christy replied.
~*~
"Lets try this again, I ask a question then you give me an answer. If I can prove your answer is wrong I get to cut you with my axe," Karsh said in mock happiness.
"I got a better idea, how about you unlock these chains and fight me like a real man?" Patrick said copying Karsh's tone.
"Where is Riddel?" Karsh asked abruptly.
"Is this a trick question?"
"Why?"
"I'm just wondering why you keep asking me. I mean I never give you the right answer."
"Well try an answer and I'll see if it's right or wrong."
"No idea."
"Wrong answer," Karsh said taking his axe and slashing his chest.
"Told you I never have a correct answer."
"You get a question," Karsh said slowly.
"What does Riddel look like?"
"Purple hair red eyes, wears a blue dress a lot that hugs her body," Karsh said quickly.
"Purple haired girl with red eyes wearing a blue dress, hmmm."
"You've seen her?" Karsh asked hopefully.
"No."
Karsh sighed," Your question again."
"How long before you guys feed me again?" Patrick asked.
"Another hour," Karsh said tersely, "My turn. Do you know who has her?"
"Yes," Patrick replied. Karsh went wide-eyed.
"Who?" Karsh asked rapidly.
"My twin brother," Patrick replied casually.
"You're twin brother is in a cell," Karsh said feeling he was being had.
"Ever heard of Triplets?"
"They all have identical powers?"
"We're from a different area."
"I still don't believe you."
"Well that's all I have to say. I have a twin brother who has kidnapped your girlfriend I would hope you would actually have the intelligence to check something out before you dismiss it. Just ask the other twin about Eric," Patrick said with a sigh.
"I might just do that," Karsh said getting up and leaving.
~*~
Miguel and Steena were both contemplating the meaning of their lives. They were being dragged by Streaker to get over to the Viper Manor because Eric wanted to kill Pat.
"Once we get to Viper Manor we will be able to eliminate Eric." Eric said coldly. Samantha nodded.
"Good, then maybe you and I can catch up. Where are Paul and Shaun?" She asked.
"Oh those two?" Eric asked stupidly. "Um they died, I'm alone here," Eric replied unsure. Samantha smiled.
"Good, they were both annoying anyways." Eric smiled. Samantha was buying into his garbage. The more she believed that he was Patrick and not Eric, the better off they would be. He glared at Christy who was sleeping in the back off the cart he was dragging behind him.
"Draken, stay away from her!" Eric grumbled. Draken sighed and trotted up to Miguel and began to mumble harsh words. Out the corner of Draken's eye he spotted a small squirrel running up and down Steena's back.
~*~
"So you do know of this man named Eric?" Karsh asked slowly.
"Yeah, he is an evil representation of me." Diss replied. Paul shifted a little and looked at Marcy.
"This clown named Eric likes to cause hell with Diss. Mostly fighting for the rights to who controls the body, messy details." Paul explained. Karsh nodded.
"Okay, the story checks out. Hopefully this whole thing will be resolved in a day or so. Till then, just stay where you are and try not to break the door open again." Karsh said leaving.
~*~
Patrick sighed leaning his back against the wall. Life was drastically unfair, he thought bitterly. He had to sit here rotting in a cell while Eric got to play around causing the usual amount of havoc and destruction. He tilted his head back and let out a deep sigh.
"Sounds like you're in a tough spot."
Patrick jerked his head back to looking in front of him. Standing there was Thomas still fully dressed in his usual garb not unlike Patrick's usual clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd drop in on my pupil," Thomas said casually. Patrick watched him as he seemed to look around.
"Yeah well you can stop calling me that; I am a Master after all," Patrick snapped.
"Still cocky and arrogant as usual," Thomas sighed looking at him as if studying.
"Still overbearing and assuming as usual," Patrick mocked in an imitating tone.
"What's wrong Patrick?" Thomas asked picking up on his agitation.
"Gee what should I list first? I'm stuck in a Dungeon with no possible escape, my mentor has decided to show up knowing damn well that he can't help me from beyond the grave, somewhere out there my fiancée is running around doing god knows what, and to top it all off I still am not dry yet!"
"Sounds like a personal problem to me," Thomas said sternly.
"What the dryness?"
"All of it, you know that you could just walk out of here if you wanted. You also know that while I can't help you I can still offer you advice. As for your fiancée you can always try hoping for the best since she would definitely know about your plight."
"Oh ye of overconfidence, you forget that she may know my plight but not my location!"
"Oh ye of little faith, she's psychic she can track you down."
"Enough of the crap, just say what you're here to say and let me go back to dying in peace!"
"You failed," Thomas said softly.
"Failed your little decision?"
"You went for the dream," He sighed.
"Oh I see I was supposed to be a good little automaton and stay with my friends. I'm dead, no need to kill them too!"
"You are now obviously, because if you believe something you'll make it happen. You just made it happen," Thomas retorted.
"You getting a little too pushy, you aren't the Thomas I remembered, he was only this pushy when I stepped in it real bad!"
"Well maybe I should have gotten on your case a little more then. You obviously aren't keeping true to your roots; instead you're hiding in your past rather than your present."
"Cheap shot," Patrick mumbled. He stood up stretching as best he could with the chains.
"Life's not fair, you have to face it head on if you expect to get anything in it," Thomas replied.
"So I've been told," Patrick mumbled before finally sitting back down.
"You have another choice now, your present or your past. You must choose whether your past will guide your actions or your present will be free of the haunting of your past. Choose your next crossroads carefully, not hastily like you have last time," Thomas said. Patrick began to rush his mentor before he shimmered and disappeared. A low growl issued from his throat before he sat back.
"Bro, now I know why you wanted to kill him."
She crouched as she jumped from the boat. The island was large, but she could manage. Looking around she saw that the sun was starting to set. "Sorry Patrick, but even I have to rest," She whispered softly. Looking down she saw her bandaged ankle. With a sigh she removed the cloth to see it had healed completely. Nodding to herself she folded up the bandage putting it in her pack before she moved into the forest. Making a quick makeshift campfire she shivered. The loneliness got to her.
"Why Patrick, if you're in love with someone else why did you choose me to return? Why not Thomas?" she asked quietly. Looking up at the stars she smiled. So many nights they had spent under similar stars talking about everything. She giggled as she wondered if he still stargazed.
"I guess I'll find out sooner or later. But for now I think I'll stay in the shadows. I don't want to interfere directly and merit your girlfriend's wrath," She sighed. She slowly traced circles in the dirt when she heard twigs snap. Instinctively she hid in the bushes.
"Looks like someone's been here recently," Came a low voice dumbly.
"Look I don't care how recent it's been. The person is going to have to come back, and with this camp so close to our own we're going to have to nab them. Probably place them with the brat and the trio. Eric isn't going to like it, but we'll need to nab them," Came a more intelligent cold voice. She shivered at the though that the voice had no trace of compassion.
"Streaker stay, you go Draken," The lower voice said.
"No, I'll stay; you go tell Eric that a complication has arisen and that I needed to take care of it. If he asks for anything more then tell him about the camp," the voice belonging to Draken said.
"Ok, bye Draken," Streaker's voice said, as she heard him go away she watched the clearing she had made as Draken stepped into the moonlight. She got a good look at him. He had long white hair that went down to his shoulders and his clothes made her shudder. She recognized the whiteness of the bone armor he wore. Human bone armor to be exact, she drew the sword she had stolen carefully making sure not to let it glint in the moonlight.
"Stupid giant, I'm sure he's already messing up the explanation. Figures, but at least it's better than him finding whoever this is and not capturing them, the last three were a disaster in themselves. Though I do admit the white haired one was rather good looking. Too bad they have to die; maybe I can try to reanimate her." Draken said casually to himself. She went sick as she realized what this man was. The word slowly came to her mind, 'Necromancer.' Not someone to be trifled with that was for sure. She crouched low.
"Who's there?" Draken asked as he heard a twig snapped. She knew her element of surprise was ruined but she could still strike. She leapt forward slashing at the man.
"What the." Draken screamed before putting up his wand. It expertly caught the blow before he backed off. "Who are you?"
"My name is Samantha Anne Carlton. I'll be your killer for today," Samantha replied coldly. She didn't like the way the guy looked at her. It was like he was eyeing a prize. She quickly slashed at him. "And while I'm at it you can stop looking at me!"
"I'm sorry I've always had a fault for the beautiful. Now what were you saying, something about being my killer?" He said mockingly. Samantha grew angry and tried to calm herself down.
"Du im rah!" Draken said as slowly a skeleton rose from the ground. Samantha went cold as she realized what was going to happen. Taking a step back she focused her hatred of The man. Raising a hand she fired a stream of flame at the skeleton reducing it to ashes. She smiled as she stepped forward at the stuttering necromancer. She cleanly placed the tip of her blade under his throat. "What are you?"
"I already told you my dear deluded fool, I'm your killer for today," She smiled before her face grew cold. "Now take me to this Eric person!"
"My pleasure," Draken said gulping as he began moving the point never stopping from being lightly against his back ready to insert should the occasion arise.
~*~
Diss sighed. This was getting nowhere. They were stuck at the mercy of a man and the only one that could hold the key to their eventual escape was locked in the next room. Even more intriguing was the complaints by Karsh and Zoah to Belthazar. Apparently water wasn't working anymore and they wanted an explanation.
"EHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Paul shouted as once again he tormented his own body by thrusting his shoulder into them. The bars began to groan under his weight as he backed up again.
"DAMNIT PAUL STOP!" Shaun said as he tried to stop him. Paul shook his head as he ran again. Diss jumped in the way but Paul was to fast to stop his momentum. He crashed into Diss and they broke down the cell door.
"WE DID IT!" Paul said triumphantly. Diss groaned rubbing his back.
"Oh man I think you broke my back!"
~*~
"One bottle of fizz on the wall, one bottle of fizz. You take one down, pass it around." Miguel sang. "No more bottle of fizz on the wwwaaalllll!" Steena and Christy both rolled their eyes as Eric nearly ripped his hair out.
"GOD DAMMIT SHUT UP BEFORE I KILL YOU ANYWAYS!" Eric roared at Miguel causing him to hush up quickly.
~*~
"Here we are," Draken said dryly. Samantha kept the point against his back to avoid treachery until she saw Patrick. He was standing there nearly ripping his hair out as some man sang a song.
"Patrick?" Samantha said in disbelief.
"No, Eric," Draken said annoyed that this girl wasn't paying him any attention.
"That's Patrick." She said walking up and hugging him tightly.
"Sam?" He said confused returning the hug. Christy nudged Steena so she would look at the two. Eric looked at a loss for words. "I thought you were dead," He said softly hugging her back tightly. Christy had never seen this side of Eric before. It almost made him appear human. She didn't like it at all. More so she didn't like Samantha being here in the first place. She was always a threat to what she and Diss had.
"What's going on? Who's the girl?" Steena asked quietly.
"Samantha, Diss' ex girlfriend," Christy replied quietly.
"I was dead, but somebody brought me back, do you know who?" Samantha asked quietly.
"No idea, but I'm glad you're here," Eric said hugging her tighter. Samantha was in heaven. It had been too long since she had been with him.
"Looks like they really had something," Steena mumbled.
"I'm hoping that doesn't pop up again. She almost took him once," Christy whispered watching them. Focusing quietly Christy looked in Samantha's mind. They were in a room together with a small table between them.
"What do you want?" Samantha said coldly.
"That's not Patrick you're hugging," Christy said softly. Samantha in the real world only hugged him tighter.
"He feels like Patrick, talks like Patrick, and I don't seem him as anything but-"Samantha was abruptly cut off.
"His real name is Eric, he represents the part of Patrick that was alive before the Invasion," Christy explained.
"Then how do you explain how he remembers me?" Samantha said coldly.
"Kiss him and find out why he's not Patrick," Christy began. Samantha looked Eric in the eyes a second before kissing him deeply.
He slowly returned the kiss hugging her closely. "Oh my god, It's not Patrick at all. Who is this?"
"I told you this is who Patrick was," Christy returned. Samantha held out the kiss for a little longer before pulling back. "Keep up the charade; we might be able to use this to our advantage."
"Alright but I'm saying this here and now, 'I'm not sleeping with him'!"
"I never wanted you to. Just keep his mind off of me," Christy replied.
~*~
"Lets try this again, I ask a question then you give me an answer. If I can prove your answer is wrong I get to cut you with my axe," Karsh said in mock happiness.
"I got a better idea, how about you unlock these chains and fight me like a real man?" Patrick said copying Karsh's tone.
"Where is Riddel?" Karsh asked abruptly.
"Is this a trick question?"
"Why?"
"I'm just wondering why you keep asking me. I mean I never give you the right answer."
"Well try an answer and I'll see if it's right or wrong."
"No idea."
"Wrong answer," Karsh said taking his axe and slashing his chest.
"Told you I never have a correct answer."
"You get a question," Karsh said slowly.
"What does Riddel look like?"
"Purple hair red eyes, wears a blue dress a lot that hugs her body," Karsh said quickly.
"Purple haired girl with red eyes wearing a blue dress, hmmm."
"You've seen her?" Karsh asked hopefully.
"No."
Karsh sighed," Your question again."
"How long before you guys feed me again?" Patrick asked.
"Another hour," Karsh said tersely, "My turn. Do you know who has her?"
"Yes," Patrick replied. Karsh went wide-eyed.
"Who?" Karsh asked rapidly.
"My twin brother," Patrick replied casually.
"You're twin brother is in a cell," Karsh said feeling he was being had.
"Ever heard of Triplets?"
"They all have identical powers?"
"We're from a different area."
"I still don't believe you."
"Well that's all I have to say. I have a twin brother who has kidnapped your girlfriend I would hope you would actually have the intelligence to check something out before you dismiss it. Just ask the other twin about Eric," Patrick said with a sigh.
"I might just do that," Karsh said getting up and leaving.
~*~
Miguel and Steena were both contemplating the meaning of their lives. They were being dragged by Streaker to get over to the Viper Manor because Eric wanted to kill Pat.
"Once we get to Viper Manor we will be able to eliminate Eric." Eric said coldly. Samantha nodded.
"Good, then maybe you and I can catch up. Where are Paul and Shaun?" She asked.
"Oh those two?" Eric asked stupidly. "Um they died, I'm alone here," Eric replied unsure. Samantha smiled.
"Good, they were both annoying anyways." Eric smiled. Samantha was buying into his garbage. The more she believed that he was Patrick and not Eric, the better off they would be. He glared at Christy who was sleeping in the back off the cart he was dragging behind him.
"Draken, stay away from her!" Eric grumbled. Draken sighed and trotted up to Miguel and began to mumble harsh words. Out the corner of Draken's eye he spotted a small squirrel running up and down Steena's back.
~*~
"So you do know of this man named Eric?" Karsh asked slowly.
"Yeah, he is an evil representation of me." Diss replied. Paul shifted a little and looked at Marcy.
"This clown named Eric likes to cause hell with Diss. Mostly fighting for the rights to who controls the body, messy details." Paul explained. Karsh nodded.
"Okay, the story checks out. Hopefully this whole thing will be resolved in a day or so. Till then, just stay where you are and try not to break the door open again." Karsh said leaving.
~*~
Patrick sighed leaning his back against the wall. Life was drastically unfair, he thought bitterly. He had to sit here rotting in a cell while Eric got to play around causing the usual amount of havoc and destruction. He tilted his head back and let out a deep sigh.
"Sounds like you're in a tough spot."
Patrick jerked his head back to looking in front of him. Standing there was Thomas still fully dressed in his usual garb not unlike Patrick's usual clothes. "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd drop in on my pupil," Thomas said casually. Patrick watched him as he seemed to look around.
"Yeah well you can stop calling me that; I am a Master after all," Patrick snapped.
"Still cocky and arrogant as usual," Thomas sighed looking at him as if studying.
"Still overbearing and assuming as usual," Patrick mocked in an imitating tone.
"What's wrong Patrick?" Thomas asked picking up on his agitation.
"Gee what should I list first? I'm stuck in a Dungeon with no possible escape, my mentor has decided to show up knowing damn well that he can't help me from beyond the grave, somewhere out there my fiancée is running around doing god knows what, and to top it all off I still am not dry yet!"
"Sounds like a personal problem to me," Thomas said sternly.
"What the dryness?"
"All of it, you know that you could just walk out of here if you wanted. You also know that while I can't help you I can still offer you advice. As for your fiancée you can always try hoping for the best since she would definitely know about your plight."
"Oh ye of overconfidence, you forget that she may know my plight but not my location!"
"Oh ye of little faith, she's psychic she can track you down."
"Enough of the crap, just say what you're here to say and let me go back to dying in peace!"
"You failed," Thomas said softly.
"Failed your little decision?"
"You went for the dream," He sighed.
"Oh I see I was supposed to be a good little automaton and stay with my friends. I'm dead, no need to kill them too!"
"You are now obviously, because if you believe something you'll make it happen. You just made it happen," Thomas retorted.
"You getting a little too pushy, you aren't the Thomas I remembered, he was only this pushy when I stepped in it real bad!"
"Well maybe I should have gotten on your case a little more then. You obviously aren't keeping true to your roots; instead you're hiding in your past rather than your present."
"Cheap shot," Patrick mumbled. He stood up stretching as best he could with the chains.
"Life's not fair, you have to face it head on if you expect to get anything in it," Thomas replied.
"So I've been told," Patrick mumbled before finally sitting back down.
"You have another choice now, your present or your past. You must choose whether your past will guide your actions or your present will be free of the haunting of your past. Choose your next crossroads carefully, not hastily like you have last time," Thomas said. Patrick began to rush his mentor before he shimmered and disappeared. A low growl issued from his throat before he sat back.
"Bro, now I know why you wanted to kill him."