A/N: I know last chapter ended at an awkward place, but I felt I was about to start rambling about boring stuff. So be glad that I stopped where I did. I probably would've actually had this chapter done much earlier, but geez, Goldeneye 007 (for N64, I know it's old school) is so addicting. Plus, it's basically impossible when you suck at it like me. Please review!
Disclaimer: Ooh something new: I own Sarah in this chapter (kind of - read on, I'll explain at the end), in addition to all previous OCs.
(Flashback)
"Hey, thanks for the ride, Lana." Sarah was probably the most polite person Lana had ever met.
"You only live three houses away. It's not like I'd strand you at school."
"Still, thanks."
"You're welcome." There was a pause. "Do you still like Riley?"
"Why? You didn't tell him, did you!"
"No, of course not! I was just asking becau" Lana stopped as something large hit the car.
"What was that?" Sarah whispered, a bit nervous.
"I don't knowOH MY GOD! Get out of the car!" Lana screamed, unbuckling her seatbelt and diving out of the car without even putting it in park. Sarah did the same.
"What're you d" Sarah began.
"Shh! Make no noise! Head for those bushes over there," ordered Lana.
"What's happening?"
"NOW!" Sarah didn't protest this time. She still didn't know what was happening, but she could tell it was serious. She headed for the bushes Lana had indicated, but stopped once more as a figure loomed over Lana.
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine, I can handle this. You need to get into the bushes NOW! It's for your own protection. Please, I'm begging you!" Sarah saw the tears in her friend's eyes and knew that something serious was happening, though she still didn't know what it was. She quickly hid between two bushes. Lana turned to face them, and as if by themselves, the bushes sprang together, effectively sheltering Sarah completely and hiding her from view.
Lana knew she had to think fast. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pressing her palms together in front of her.
Steady. Center your power. Feel the storm.
Clouds began to gather. Lana thrust her arms out to the sides. There was a streak of lightning, a crash of thunder, and the rain began. A figure stepped forward. Lana tensed.
"Be a good girl, and come with me," said a slow, menacing voice. "You really don't want to struggle. That will just make it harder."
"For you, maybe." The storm raged, but Lana hesitated to attack. She didn't want to unless it was absolutely necessary.
The figure suddenly jumped and aimed a kick straight at Lana's chest. She dove out of the way just in time, landing hard on her right side. Lana got up and readied herself as the figure paused. She held her hands in front of her about a foot apart, palms facing each other, feeling the electricity crackling between them. She let it build for a few moments before pushing her palms straight out, releasing a bolt of lightning. It hit right on target, but the figure's chest seemed to be cover with some sort of armor, reflecting it right back. Lana again found herself diving for cover, but the bolt grazed her shoulder. She felt the sting, but took no time reacting.
There was a scream from behind. Lana, once again on the ground, turned to locate the sound. The bolt that reflected off the figure's armor had caught on fire the bushes behind which Sarah had been hiding. Lana quickly levitated the bushes away from Sarah, and generated a small tornado which combined with the rain to form a waterspout, and put the fire out. Sarah was now exposed, but she didn't seem to mind. She grabbed a large stick and jumped in front of Lana.
"You won't get her!" Sarah screamed at the figure, running forward and swinging the stick. The figure held out a hand toward Sarah. She gasped for breath before falling to the ground.
"No!" Lana watched helplessly as her friend fell. It seemed to take ages for her lifeless body to hit the ground, and when it did, Lana could have sworn the entire city heard the sickening thud.
Lana launched herself forward toward Sarah's body and fell to her knees. She pulled the limp torso onto her lap and began to cradle Sarah's head, sobbing and stroking Sarah's hair. Lana then heard Riley's voice on her communicator, and pulled it out of her pocket.
"Ri...I need help. I need so much help," she choked out between sobs, before dropping her communicator and reverting back to stroking Sarah's hair. "It'll be all right," she told Sarah's limp form. "We'll get through this. We'll bring you home, and you'll sleep for a while, and you'll wake up with a headache and a head cold, but you'll be all right." Lana kept trying to reassure Sarah, even though she knew it wasn't true. She was the one who needed reassurance, because Sarah was dead.
In loving memory of Sarah Krause 1988-2004. She was the nicest person I have ever known, and loved by all who knew her. I am sorry to say that I was never very close to her, something I regret nowmore than ever. But her death still had a terrible impact on my life, just as her life touched mine in a beautiful way. This chapter is dedicated to her, as the character of Sarah was named after her. She will be deeplymissed.