Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Author's Note: This chapter was so hard to write! I don't know why, it just was. Anyways, be kind, please!
Trapped!
If anybody's eyes hadn't been on me before, they were now. "Erin, you are going to be the death of yourself and your friends!" I muttered under my breath as I realized what had happened. I met Mrs. Franklin's startled gaze with one that screamed of self-hatred, fear, and most of all determination. Whatever happened here today, it was not going to go quite as smoothly as Allanon had planned, but I was going to do my best to complete the task he had set me.
"Erin Warford, what is going on?!" demanded Mrs. Franklin.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before I began, then stood and walked to the front of the class. I studied the faces before me in the room, letting my right hand slide to the hilt of my sword. "They are coming, and there is only one person who can stop them. It's not me." I said, then paused as I grappled with what I should and shouldn't tell the class. How much of the legend should be leaked out? I had heard of the perils of an untimely whisper, and did not wish to bring them upon my friends or myself. My classmates stared in shock at me, at how changed I was, at the sword and bow that I now carried on my back, and I returned their gazes thoughtfully.
"Who is coming?" said Mrs. Franklin finally, confusion plain on her face.
It was time to let the cat out of the bag. "The Skull Bearers." I answered. Mona gasped and I wheeled on her, saying, "Have you read of them?"
"Well…yes…but they were just in books…how…" she managed, shock etched on her features.
"I know, I know, but somehow they have appeared in this world. I do not know how. Allanon came to me this morning and warned me. You must explain to the class after I leave." I replied urgently. If I leave, I thought, but I kept that to myself. My voice became haunting, my eyes piercing as I surveyed the room. "There are four Skull Bearers in this school, two upstairs and two downstairs. They search for the Heir of Shannara. But neither they nor Allanon know exactly who that is. It has been narrowed down to two people: Elissa and Amanda Kana. Because of this, they seek to destroy these two girls here and now."
I let my words sink in, waiting for Mona to acknowledge what I was saying. She nodded, but before I could continue, Amanda exclaimed, "What does this mean?! I don't even know what these Skull Bearers are!"
"You will shortly, as there is one headed right for this room." I replied, and the fear that engulfed her face and shone in her eyes was as plain as day. Pity stabbed at my heart, but I forced it away. Concentrate on the task at hand, I told myself. You must not fail today. I faced Mona. "The Warlock Lord and his army have also appeared. They prepare for war somewhere in northwestern Canada, although only Allanon knows exactly where. No buts, Allanon has told me all of this, and he would not lie." I silenced the words that hovered on her lips. Forcing my voice to become commanding, I directed my words at the class. "As you can see, I have the means to hold the Skull Bearer off long enough to let Amanda escape. However, I cannot keep it for long, nor do I have the power to destroy it, so she must be ready to run at any time." A girl named Emily sat in a seat right next to the door. Turning to Amanda, I said "Switch places with Emily, so that you will be closer to the door." I watched as they complied, and then addressed the class again. "Everyone, do exactly what I say, no matter what. Your lives could be in danger if you do not. Skull Bearers are powerful creatures of magic, and as far as I know only another magic can completely destroy them. That is why you, Amanda, must get to the parking garage as quickly as you can. Allanon will be waiting for you, and you must send him here. I will hold off the Skull Bearer for as long as I can."
"But what if it isn't enough?" Mrs. Franklin asked, recovering.
"It will be." I said with determination, not allowing my face to show the fear that was creeping through my spine. "If that Skull Bearer gets out of this room alive before Allanon comes, it means I'm dead." I got a few gasps and a few more shocked looks, but I had already reconciled myself to the possibility. "It approaches. Not a word from anyone, not even you, Mrs. Franklin. These are matters that only I can handle." I said hauntingly.
My face arranged in a carefully prepared mask of infallible determination, I strode to a table at the back of the room that contained extra highlighters, paperclips, and a basket for turning papers in. From that point in the classroom, I had three solitary desks on my immediate left with the door beyond. A pathway led from the door between the group of three desks and another, larger group of about 15 desks to an open space in the center. Beyond that was Mrs. Franklin's desk and a tall cabinet. At the back of the room was a chalkboard spanning the length of the wall. Along the right wall were several rows of desks that ended at a pathway to a large bookshelf with extra textbooks and such piled on it. The carpet was a deep blue, the desks tan with sky blue chairs attached and metal baskets underneath for books. I took a deep breath, then said "Erin." and shape-changed into my normal form. Everyone stared in awe and some in fear as my whole appearance melted and sculpted itself back into what I had always been seen as, a fourteen-year-old teenage girl. Then heads turned towards the doorway as it creaked open to admit the Skull Bearer.