Chapter V

They all looked at me. "What?" "I think David should lead. He's skilled with a sword, and he's a born leader. No one better to be followed." David smiled. "Alright. This way?" he asked, pointing. Cossette nodded. "Yes, David. Let's go."

David led the group, with April and Jalil behind him, Cossette and Christopher behind them, and I brought up the rear, ready for anything. Christopher dropped back, and looked at me. "Afni? Let me ask you something. I remember one time, in English, the teacher was talking, and going on and on about something we were supposed to do, and I looked around, seeing who was actually paying attention, and you were twisting your pencil lead into your desk without touching the pencil." "Yea.?" "And at lunch you didn't even touch your sandwich to take the plastic off it. How did you manage to do that?" he asked. "Sorcery. I am a sorceress, Christopher. I can do things with my mind, and make things happen as I wish them to happen, but I guess I never earned the title of 'sorceress' until I came here. And, do me the favor of not asking me to explain because at times, it gets very complicated, and I do not enjoy explaining things." He nodded, and kept in step with me.

We walked for three hours before David stopped. I didn't notice, and bumped right into Jalil, who stumbled and fell. I reached out, helped him up, and looked at David. "Problems?" I asked him. "Well, we've been going north for a while. Do we just keep going?" he asked, turning to look at me. I glanced at Cossette. "We go north till the tree's form a doorway." I shrugged, and motioned for him to keep going, but he sighed. "Anyone else wanna lead? I feel like dragging for a while," he said. I smiled, and nodded. "I'll lead. And don't worry, I won't go too fast for you."

I lead them through the trees, past a little stream (where we stopped for a drink), and hopped across rocks before we reached a clearing. I looked up, and realized the sun had set. "Wow.I didn't even notice that it was late." Cossette smiled. "Perhaps we should rest now?" I nodded. "Unless we have reason to keep going, then we shall make camp. Let's make it over here." I walked off a little ways, and looked around. "Why here? It's just like all the other places around here," April said, coldly. I shook my head. "There is more wood over here," I said, and piled it together for a fire. April shrugged, and sat down. The others sat, too, and the fire began to blaze in a matter of minutes. In it's light, David looked a little ghastly. I sighed, and created a box drawing in the sand. I raised my hand, making a box raise, and carefully opened the lid. They all tried to peek inside, and my hands got in the way as I withdrew some dates and wine. Christopher reached down, rubbed his stomach. "You know what I would love to have right now?" I lifted my eyes. "What?" I asked. He smiled. "I would love a McDonald's chicken sandwich." I shook my head, closed the box, and ran my hand over the top. Then I pushed it down, hiding it back in the dirt. "Maybe next time. My magic is limited to things I've seen before me, and I've honestly never seen anyone order one of those." He nodded. "That's alright. So, we stay here tonight?" he asked. I nodded, and so did Cossette. "But remember: if we have to wake you up in the night, don't give us any bullshit about not getting to sleep enough. If we have to move, we have to move, no second thoughts."

They had eaten, and laid down. I looked over, and saw Cossette getting ready to sleep. David looked at me. "You sleep. I'll take first watch." I looked up at him. "You sure?" "Yea." I smiled, and laid down on the pillow I made, and was asleep instantly.

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I looked around the highway, waiting for a taxi. "Afni? Am I going to be alright?" Ciniya asked. I turned my head. "Of course. At most, you just sprained your ankle. It'll be fine." She shook her head. "I'm scared, Af." "Of what?" "I had a dream that something happened to me. I was taken away from here, from you.but I was in a place that dreams are made up of. Dreams and nightmares. It had gods, and goddesses, and nymphs.it was beautiful, and yet, and the same time, frightening, and dark and alone.I was scared when I woke up, but when I saw you, I knew it was okay.but I'm afraid again, now, Af." "Everything will be fine, Cin." I turned my head, and gave her a reassuring smile. She smiled back, faintly. I turned back, shielding my eyes. It was dark, and the headlights were bright, but I could tell it was a taxi, and began to flag it down. Then I laughed. "Hey, Cin, this is gonna be your first taxi.Cin?" I turned around, and she was gone. One minute she was sitting on the bench, and I could hear her mumbling about her ankle, and the next she was.gone. I froze. Horror and panic pulsed through me as I realized I'd lost my sister. But how? I didn't hear anything. ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

I sighed, and rolled over, opening my eyes, looking at David. He was drifting. "David, you lay down. I'll take over." He nodded, and walked over, taking my place on the ground. I leaned against the tree, sword on the ground, against my thigh. I felt the darkness around me, and sighed. Opening my hands, I looked into a mirror. "If only wishes could be dreams, and all my dreams could come true there would be two of us standing here in front of you. If you could show me that someone that I used to be. Bring back my baby, my baby to me.Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall, you don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all." I sang softly.

The sun was up, and I was still against the tree, staring out into the open plains ahead of us. Cossette opened her eyes, first, and sat up. "Time to get going?" "Yes." We woke the others, and I chose to lead first that morning.

As we walked, I began to hum to myself, but April must have overheard me, because she walked up and smiled. "Why don't I like the girl I see? The one who's standing right in front of me. Why don't I think before I speak? I should have listened to that voice inside me." I smiled, and we sang together. "I must be stupid, must be crazy, must be outta my mind. To say the kind of things I said last night. Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall. You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror, mirror, I wish you could lie to me. And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me." "Mirror, mirror, lie to me. Show me what I wanna see. Mirror, mirror, lie to me, show me what I wanna see," April sang. "Why did I let you walk away? When all I had to do was say I'm sorry.I let my pride get in the way. And in the heat of the moment I was to blame," I sang. "I must be stupid, must be crazy, must be outta my mind. Now in the cold light of the day I realize. Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall. You don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror, mirror, I wish you could lie to me. And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me." The others smiled as we sang together, for it was the first time any of them had ever heard me sing. Except Jalil, who'd heard me that first night. I knew they were sick of April singing, but me, I was another story. Another story entirely. "If only wishes could be dreams, and all my dreams could come true there would be two of us standing here in front of you. If you could show me that someone that I used to be. Bring back my baby, my baby to me." "My baby to me!" "Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall, you don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror, mirror, I wish you could lie to me. And bring my baby back, bring my baby back. Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall, you don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror, mirror, I wish you could lie to me. And bring my baby back, bring my baby back. Mirror, mirror hanging on the wall, you don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror, mirror, I wish you could lie to me. And bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me." "Mirror, mirror lie to me. Show me what I wanna see. Mirror, mirror lie to me, show me what I wanna see. Mirror, mirror, lie to me." They applauded, and I laughed. As we entered an area of forest, I turned to see Christopher trip, and fall. We laughed again, and Cossette hushed us all. "You must be quiet in these woods." "Why?" Jalil asked. Cossette looked around. "It is said that there is a great warrior and hunter in these woods. If you cross her path, she will be tempted to kill you, and all who oppose you. So we'd best be on alert," Cossette said. "What is her name?" "Janet." "Alright. We're on alert for a warrior. Be careful about anything you do in the woods you do not know."

We stayed North for three hours, hoping that the heat would let up, and allow us a chance for breath. Finally, it became too much. April fell to the dirt, unable to go on. I stopped, and turned to see her. The others slowed, dropping down to the ground. Silently, I cursed the weather, cursed the walking.cursed Everworld all together. I stepped back, and kneeled beside her. "Are you alright?" "I don't think I can go on anymore, Afni.," she said, lifting her eyes to mine. They were pained, overworked. I nodded. "We shall rest here, and when we've regained our strength, we'll start out again." I reached into my pocket, and withdrew a bottle of water. April was the first to drink it, and I watched as it got passed around, and drank down to a little droplet. "You didn't get any, did you?" Jalil asked. I shook my head. "But that is quite alright, Jalil. I am not thirsty. But.are you guys hungry?" They shook their heads. "Alright. Well, you sleep. If you are hungry when you awake, I'll go find food for us. My powers have drained for the time being, but after a rest, they shall return." "Who takes first watch?" David asked. The others dropped to the ground, already asleep, leaving David, Cossette, and me to choose. "I don't mind watching first, but that's up to you two," I said. Cossette shook her head. "I'll lookout first. You have to regain your strength." I nodded, did what I could for pillows with the little power I had, and collapsed.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( "Mom?" "I'm in the kitchen!" I walked into the room. It was a faint blue patterned wall, with white tiled floors and counters. Our cabinets were a finely grained wood, with swirls stenciled in. My mother was at the table in the center. It was round and oak with a Precious Moments table cloth on it. She had a light up mirror sitting in front of her, and she sat, applying makeup to her already beautiful face. "What is it, dear?" she asked, looking up. She had a pale orange eyeshadow on her left on, and dark pink, almost red, lipstick on. Her right eye, however, was still bare. "Well, first of all, you should probably put the eyeshadow on your other eye. And David called. He wants me to meet him at Starbucks in a few minutes. Can I go?" Mom smiled. "Course. David's a sweet kid." I nodded, a little confused, and headed to the front door. "I'm taking my car!" I called, picked up the keys, and jogged outside without a response.

The car hummed quietly as I drove down the road in silence. "I wonder what's up.usually he tells me over the phone," I mumbled, turning into the parking lot. David stood out front, waiting for me. I pulled in, turned off the car, and got out, looking over at him. "Hey, David! What's up?" I called. He walked over, and led me inside without so much as a "Hello." I was so very lost.

He took me to a table, near the windows, where we sat before he started working. "David? Are you alright, you look sick." He sighed, and reached over the table, taking my hand. "Listen, Afni.I know you care a lot about this relationship.and I know how much you care about me, too." "David? What're you trying to say?" I asked, caressing his hand. He dropped his eyes to the tabletop. "We need to break........." ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

My eyes shot open, and I took a slow, deep breath, trying to remember where I was. I felt something against my back, and slowly looked over my shoulder. David lay beside me, sleeping, with a hand on my side. Carefully, I pulled away, and sat up. "Afni? You okay?" a voice asked. Christopher sat watch at the tree nearest my head, David's sword across his lap. "Uh.yeah, I'm fine, Christopher. How long have we been out here?" He shrugged. "Judging by the sun, I'd say about four hours. David and I switched about an hour ago." I sighed, and pressed my palm against my forehead. "You sure your alright?" he asked. "Yeah, Christopher. I'm fine. I just.bad dream, I guess. I'm gonna go get something to eat. You want me to bring back enough for everyone?" "You'd better. David went to sleep because he's hungry." I nodded, and stood up. "I'll be back in a bit.but if I'm not back by the time that the sun shines directly on Jalil's face, you'd better come find me." He nodded.

I wandered through the trees, trying to find something to eat. I was about twenty feet from where we'd made camp when I heard a trickling sound. As I moved closer, I saw a stream. Smiling, I dropped down and drank some water. It seemed clean enough, but I really didn't care. As I stood up, I felt a blade against my neck. "Move an inch, I'll kill you." Without thinking, I flinched. The person gripped my shoulder, and threw me, hard, into a tree. "David!! Christopher!!!!!" I screamed. The person slid over, and pressed the blade point into my stomach, threatening to push it at any moment.