Chapter Seven: Two Teams
Part Two: A Settling of Scores
"Tell me again what exactly it is we're doing?" asked Tessa as she sat behind the wheel of her brother's jeep, expertly driving in downtown L.A. "And don't give me the sad excuse of going shopping."
Riley sighed, leaning backwards in the passenger's seat, "The new mall is supposed to be a hotspot for Followers. Jimena wants us to check it out." It was true, at least, partially true.
"That doesn't explain why Imy or Aria aren't going." She eyed her, "What's going on Riley?"
Riley groaned, "The truth?"
"The truth."
"Twiggy was in a car accident this morning." She stated bluntly.
"Is he ok?" Asked Tessa with a neutral tone.
"Aria was able to heal him. He should've been dead Tessa," She paused, "He should have been dead."
"So what, Aria used her powers up? Big deal. You, Imy, and me have battled Followers without her help before." Her eyes were intently focused on the road as she said this.
"Imy was in the same car accident as Twiggy. So was I."
There was a sudden jerk in the car, as Tessa shook herself from her momentary lapse of attention from the road, "You're saying-?"
"I'm saying that if it weren't for the Daughter powers, Imy and Twiggy would be dead now." There was a silence before she spoke up again, "But fortunately for us, Imy was able to teleport out of the car instead of sailing through a windshield, and Twiggy was capable of recovery from his hemorrhage."
"Then why the hell are we going to fight Followers!" Exclaimed Tessa as she got in a turning lane, "It can wait until everything's sorted out."
Riley pursed her lips, "No, it can't."
"Riley, you're not making any sense," Replied Tessa, exasperated.
"Tessa, it was my mom and a Follower who were driving the car that hit us." Spoke Riley softly, a dangerous edge to her tone that made Tessa slightly unnerved.
"You're saying that your mom-"
"Tried to kill me." She chuckled bitterly, "Yeah that's about it."
Tessa looked over her shoulder and slowly pulled to the side of the road. "Riley, what are you going to do?" She asked quietly.
Riley once again slumped against her seat, "I want answers Tessa. I'm tired of being left in the dark." She swallowed, "I'm tired of having to look over my shoulder all the time, I'm tired of never being able to close my eyes, tired of passing out, tired of fearing my own mother who raised me, of being constantly paranoid, and I'm just, I'm just-" She exhaled, realizing she had been babbling on hysterically, "Tired." She finished weakly.
Tessa had been gripping the parked car's steering wheel so tight her knuckles were whitened, "I understand where you're coming from, but do you really think it's smart to go charging into a Follower cesspool to talk to your mom, especially when there's only two of us?"
There was once again another silence between the two girls as each mulled this over. Riley stared vacantly out the window, looking at the now darkened sky and the sliver of waxing moon.
"I have to do this." She muttered, more to herself than to Tessa, "I can't keep living like this. I just can't." She turned her stress-strained glance to her fellow Daughter, "You have to understand Tess, I'm doing this with or without your help."
She absently drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, "I can't let you go in alone, Riley." She muttered.
"Then you're with me?" Riley asked, her tone flat and to the point.
There was a pause as Tessa finally, and begrudgedly, answered, "Yeah, I'm with you."
The eerie stillness once again fell over the car, as both Tessa and Riley looked out of the windows and into the foreboding night ahead of them.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
When the Jeep Cheroke pulled into the new mall's almost empty parking lot, Riley stopped Tessa before she jumped out of the car.
"We need a plan." She whispered.
"Oh," stated Tessa, rolling her eyes, "Now she wants a plan."
"I'm serious," Riley said, narrowing her gaze, "We can't just go barging in there entirely unprepared."
Tessa contemplated the scenario, "Well, fearless leader, what do you suggest?"
"One thing's certain. If my mom is there, Tymmie will be there as well." Said Riley.
"You take on your mom, and I take on Tymmie? Fat chance, I'll be knocked out before I can even summon a half-decent illusion." She replied bitterly, "We need Imy and Aria."
"Well, they're not going to be showing up anytime soon." Retorted Riley, "And no. Tymmie's just as strong as all four of us combined, perhaps stronger. And I doubt I can fight my own mother." She considered her next words carefully, "What we need to do is go in there, not picking a fight, but trying to resolve an issue."
Tessa huffed, "That's a great idea Riley, but what kind of bullshit can we pull to make a conversation with a Follower sound convincing?" She collapsed in frustration, "This whole thing is pointless."
Riley couldn't help but pick up the numerous strands of irritation that were spurting from her like a fountain, "Maybe it is, but I have to end these nightmares and visions, whatever the Atrox wants from me, I'll give it to them provided they leave me alone." She bit her lip, "I want my mother out of my life forever."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Riley realized true they were. Her mother had raised her, fed her, clothed her, maybe on some level loved her, but now that she had discovered she was this cruel, heartless thing there was nothing left but malice where pity and affection had once been. If her own mother wanted her dead, why should she want her to play a role in her life? She had a new family now, the Daughters, and Jimena.
"But Riley." Spoke Tessa hoarsely.
"But what?"
"What if what they want is you?"
That idea had been recircling Riley's head ever since the hospital. Trysten had called her Lecta, Tymmie had hinted at things, and her mother was the dominant figure in her nightmares. It was a very real and frightening possibility that the Followers were after her, but the main question was why. And Riley intended to figure that out tonight.
"If they want me, they'll have to fight hard." She said softly, "I'm not going to be pulled around like a puppet anymore."
Tessa gave a grunt, "Then what's the plan?" She asked.
"I'll tell you when I think of one." Riley said hopelessly.
"Let's be proactive, shall we?" Tessa began crisply, "Obviously, a full-frontal assault is out of consideration, and I seriously doubt the simple walk and talk method you have will pan out." She slumped back against her seat, "Have two Daughters ever gone up against so many Followers?"
Riley shook her head, "No, not since-" Her sentence froze when she absent-mindedly stared at the moon pendant around Tessa's neck, "Not since Imy and I attempted to rescue you." She trailed off dumbly.
"What do you mean? There were three, you, Imy, and Aria."
"Yes, but-" Said Riley, beginning to get enthused, "But we hadn't expected Aria to come along, she was a complete-"
"-Surprise." Finished Tessa, getting the gist of where Riley was going, "Are you sure? I mean, that's extremely risky."
Riley nodded, gripping the handle of the door, "I'm positive. I have to face them alone, you hide out in another section of the mall, and be there at all times." She gave a small smile, "If something happens, throw an illusion and we'll escape. It's that simple."
Tessa moaned, "You're crazy."
"Completely." Agreed Riley.
"Did you forget that I'm not exactly in control of my powers?" She questioned.
Riley bit her lip, "It's a risk. But it'll have to work."
Tessa exhaled in irritation as Riley stepped out of the car and onto the pavement of the parking lot, a horrible nauseating feeling settling in the pit of her stomach, "Just be careful Riley, and don't do anything stupid." She muttered, turning the key in the ignition to start her car."
"Wouldn't dream of it," She replied meekly, shutting her door and watching as Tessa's yellow jeep pulled off into the distance.
She numbly felt the area of her chest where the silver necklace had hung, and mentally cursed herself for not wearing it. She had the gut instinct that she would need it tonight. Shrugging off the horrible feelings of foreboding panic and fear, she heard the soles of her worn sneakers crunching against the pavement, moving in an almost mechanical way.
Taking a deep breath and clearing all thoughts of Tessa from her mind, she approached the plexiglass revolving doors of the mall, and entered it.
The chill of the night receded into cheap fluorescent lighting and obnoxiously loud teenagers as she stood in the entrance. She took a few moments to survey her surroundings. Everything appeared normal, a food court down the hall, some retail stores, a music place, not exactly the environment you'd expect to find hopeless incarnates of an evil demi-god.
She walked forward however, because unlike the normal spectator, Riley could sense the emotions and feelings that floated in this place the way rain still clings to the air after a storm. Sure, there were the normal emotions of the average human being, but at the core of it, there was this gnawing undertone of despair that was the calling card of a Follower.
She avoided the stares of people, and kept her head down with her hands in her pockets. She tracked the trail as it pulled her along, through various places and even stores that the Followers had once frequented, until she could feel such a strong overwhelming sense of it that she knew she was close. She looked up from her feet when she felt she was near, and the first thing she noticed was a very smug looking Tymmie from across the food court.
Shuddering the way she always did when she saw him, she began to feel the instant urge to run away and cower. He was sitting on a bench, his arm lazily around a scantily clad blonde teen who was totally enthralled with whatever it was he was talking about. When Riley noticed the smug constant grin he always had, her fear was replaced by her anger. This, and those like him, were responsible for the almost death of her two closest friends.
But the newfound rage did little to quell the anxious butterflies in her stomach, "No way." She whispered to herself. Cascading feelings of panic began to flow through her, "No way!" she said a little bit louder. Turning quickly on her heel, she headed down an opposite corner. She absently felt the place around her neck where the chain for her amulet would've been.
Pressed against a wall, Riley sunk down until she was in a crouching position, resting on her knees. Inhaling sharply, trying to calm herself, her mouth drifted over the all too familiar words, "O Mater Luna, Regina Nocis, adiuvo me nunc." She muttered pitifully, a small surge of power coursing through her. Her thoughts became a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as she tried to regain control of herself. So engrossed was she, that she didn't notice the distant calling of her name.
"RILEY!" The ominous voice screeched.
She finally summoned up enough courage to look in the direction of the voice, and shock was barely concealed on her normally reserved face as she saw the flustered looking girl with curly hair come bounding up the halls. "Aria? What are you doing here?" She questioned, confused.
Aria ran up besides her, panting heavily, "Making sure you don't do something entirely stupid."
Riley simply cradled her head in her hands, "People seem to be saying that a lot lately," She mumbled.
Aria looked at her crossly, the air of superiority that always hung about her returning, "Maybe its because you're heading by yourself against immortal foes you halfwit!" She snapped.
Riley sent her a look of murderous rage, "You wouldn't understand." She stated coldly, glaring at her.
Aria felt herself shrink back for a moment but quickly composed herself, "What's not to understand Riley?" She spat, "Did you even think for a moment what you're getting yourself into?"
"I know what I'm doing." She stated gritting her teeth and trying to suppress an outburst.
"Obviously not." Responded Aria, "Otherwise you'd know that it's not just yourself that you're putting in danger!"
The froze Riley for a moment, "What do you mean?"
"I mean think about your friends! Imy's been going crazy worrying about you!" She cried, "You know how many times she's called me to see if I had found you yet? Huh? Twelve times in the past half hour! Twelve!" She paused.
"Imy will understand," Disregarded Riley.
Aria was now gnawing on her lower lip, "Think about Jimena then! She's going to go crazy once she hears about the accident and realizes what you're doing!"
Riley simply shook her head, her anxieties from before fading and being replaced with a new sense of purpose, "Jimena doesn't care about me." She muttered, remembering all the times she felt like some kind of burden or last priority to the Magna Mater, and the occasions when Jimena would regard her with fear and distrust, simply for being her mother's daughter.
"Bullshit!" Snapped Aria, "That's complete bullshit and you know it. Why else would she have you live with her?"
"To keep an eye on me!" Riley outburst, "To make sure I don't fade to the dark and cross over! To keep you, Imy, and Tessa safe! Why else would she give me the moon amulet of a former fallen Daughter?" She growled, "I'm tired of being treated like some vulnerable little girl who needs protection all the time. I'm just flat out sick of it! I can handle Followers on my own. I can handle Tymmie and my mot- Cassandra on. My. Own. I don't need your help!"
Aria could feel Riley projecting her emotions like crazy, and a sense of irritation and hurt came upon her as well, "Riley, face it, you need us! As much as I have hated to admit it, we're a team, sisters even, we're bound by this stupid destiny and because of that we have to work together." She rasped, she calmed down however, when she saw a few stares coming from the other passerby shoppers, "Let us help you Riley. You're not on your own."
Riley heaved a sigh, releasing all of her anger with it, and replaced her emotions with a cold, hard stare, "I'm sorry Aria, more than you'll know, but I have to do this."
Aria raised an eyebrow, "Sorry for wha-?"
But Riley using her empathetic powers to pull the emotion of fatigue over her, draining her ability to react, cut off her question, and Aria slumped down on the floor. Riley closed her eyes, willing the emotion of guilt to leave her as she carefully whispered over her, "You can't help me Aria, no one can." She paused again, "I'm sorry."
She sighed to herself, despite the feelings of remorse swelling in her chest from the use of her powers on Aria, she knew that it was a mandatory step for her to get to her moth- Cassandra. The Followers weren't likely to take her seriously when she brought another Goddess with her, and she could tell Aria was determined to not let her go on her own against Tymmie. It was inevitable, and she cursed herself for making a move so low, but it had to be done. The nightmares and paranoia had to stop, and she somehow knew that a singular conversation with her mother was the best way of ensuring that they did.
She looked at Aria and cursed, there was no way she could leave her lying there in the midst of a mall full of Followers. Grinding her teeth she managed to pull Aria by her arms and drag her across the hallway to a bathroom, where she propped her against the doors in one of the stalls and locked the door.
She sighed, "Sorry Aria, but I'll only keep you under for a few minutes, just enough time for me to get done what I need to get done." She stated, knowing full well that Aria could hear her, "Hopefully no one will try and use this stall." She muttered, "Tessa will be able to help you once you wake up."
She groaned and took the familiar position of slumping against the floor, "What to do, what to do." She mused to herself silently.
She tried to outline her thoughts correctly. Tymmie was in the mall, while she had not yet seen Cassandra. Aria was currently taking a nap in the mall bathroom and Tessa was nowhere to be seen but she assumed that she was around, detailing her every move and ready to jump in and help her if need be. Imy knew about her storming off, thanks to Aria, and most likely it would be only a matter of moments before Jimena discovered her whereabouts as well and came charging to her 'rescue', ready to ensure she didn't cross over to the dark. She had little time, and she had to move quickly.
Slowly standing up, her mind with a new sense of direction, she quickly tried to shield and hide any thoughts about Aria or Tessa in the mall with her, lest they became incriminating, and she simply replayed a thought in her memory over and over, the memories of her and Aria fighting. It was a feeble attempt, but hopefully it would misguide Tymmie if he tried to read her mind.
Her face set in a grim line of determination; she exited the bathroom and made her way over to the food court. It was a Friday night, so the mall was packed with a mixture of all walks of life from the Los Angeles area. It was so packed in fact, that Riley sincerely doubted that she would be able to find the person she was searching for; Tymmie.
As she carefully once again surveyed her scenario, she was relieved to find him exactly where she had left him, lazily stretched around some tart sitting on a bench near a large fountain. She repetitively told herself to not be afraid and pulled the feelings of intimidation away from her and tried to focus on the feelings of empowerment and rage. It took her a few moments to weave through the large crowds, for once not apologizing when she ran into innocent bystanders. She kept thinking about her mother's smug look as she pulled away from the car wreck, in order to fuel her rage. Anger was much more easier to cope with then the fear and queasy sensation in her stomach. Finally, she reached her target.
"Tymmie." She spoke coldly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Tymmie seemed too distracted tickling the blonde that was sitting next to him under the chin to notice, but the girl looked up at Riley and annoyance crossed her face, "Can I help you?" She stated saucily, as if help were the last thing on her mind and that she'd rather punch Riley for interrupting her obviously important moment.
Tymmie followed her gaze, wondering what could have possibly diverted her from him, but when he saw Riley his grin grew wider, "Hey Riley." He purred.
The girl looked between her and Tymmie and a defensive note crept into her voice, "You his girlfriend or something?" She demanded.
"Leave." Riley commanded, a sense of authority that she had never had before in her life surging within her, and she willed to the Moon Goddess to keep the sentiment about her.
"Excuse me?" The girl snapped back.
Tymmie withdrew his arm from around her shoulders and stood up, shrugging, "You heard her babe, beat it."
The girl once again looked frantically from Riley, who was eyeing her with obvious disgust, to Tymmie who was pretending she didn't exist. Embarrassed, she grabbed her small handbag and fled as quick as she could. As soon as she had vacated the bench, Tymmie sat down, and patted the seat next to him, "To what do I owe this wonderful surprise? Seeing your glorious presence twice in one day is a bit overkill, don't you think?" He winked, "Unless of course, this isn't about business…"
Riley didn't budge, and she remained as stiff as a statue, "I need to talk to my mother. Now."
Tymmie pouted, his lip ring jutting out at an odd angle, "Aw, didn't come to see me? I must say I'm slightly disappointed."
"Where is she, Tymmie?" She spat, trying to not get preoccupied from her goal.
Tymmie ignored her, as his eyes were searching around the food court, "As happy as I am to see you alone Riley, where's the other Selene cronies?"
"Not here. For the last time, where is she?" Riley replied through gritted teeth, her mind once again focusing on the image of her and Aria fighting.
Tymmie quirked a thrice pierced eyebrow, "I don't believe you."
Her eyes narrowed, "You have the ability to read my mind and find out if you don't believe me." She stated, hoping to provoke him.
He chuckled, "You know, this angry Riley isn't the one I'm used to seeing." He stood up and reared his face next to hers. They were so close she could feel the hot breath on her face, "I like it."
"Don't make me vomit."
He didn't respond, though Riley could feel the odd sensations of tingles flowing through her head, but they soon vanished and Tymmie blinked. His hand delicately touched the skin where Riley's necklace once hung.
"No amulet today," He whispered, more to himself. Riley held her breath, hoping that her ploy wasn't discovered. In a minute that seemed to last forever, the playful look finally disappeared from his features and a grave one resurfaced, "I'll take you to Cassandra."
Riley didn't so much as blink, and resisted the urge to heave a sigh of relief, "Good." She said, stepping away from him, "Let's go."
The features in his face once again metamorphosed into mischievousness, "She's not here."
She froze, fear bubbling up inside of her, "What do you mean she's not here?"
He smirked, "I mean your…lovely mother isn't in the area at the moment." He looped an arm around her waist, which she struggled to get free of, but his grip was stern, "I can take you to her," He whispered in her ear, "But we'd have to leave now."
A million thoughts were running through her head as she thought of Tessa, their somewhat plan, and Aria lying on the bathroom floor sleeping, "Where is she?" She asked.
He put a finger to his lips, "Can't tell you, it's a secret."
She swore to herself. He knew, somehow, he was able to break her mind barriers and he discovered Tessa was waiting for back up and that Aria was bound to wake up in about five or so minutes.
"Is it far?" She murmured weakly, feeling the utter hopelessness of the situation.
He snorted, "Don't worry dea, people will be able to hear your screams."
"Why don't I feel reassured?" She commented.
He laughed, and squeezed her tighter against him, "Don't even think about running off, or I'll have those little friends of yours eliminated before you can even reach the door," he spoke quietly.
She swallowed, her mind trying to run through some backup escape routes, "Fine."
"Don't act all tense either, people will think I'm kidnapping you." He answered.
"As opposed to what you're actually doing?" She muttered.
His eyes met hers, and Riley had to resist the almost magnetic pull that beckoned her closer and closer to her dark side. The almost thread like feel of his emotions danced in the air between them, and none of them were exactly cheery.
"You came looking for us Riley," He stated simply, "Don't forget that."
She bit her lip, "Perhaps, but what was I supposed to do? You keep sending me nightmares, and keep calling to me."
The two had now left the food court, and were walking down the cheaply illuminated hallway to the opening doors, most likely towards the parking lot. Every step held tension and Riley felt as if she were about to burst.
Tymmie scoffed, "You could be like loverboy Trysten and deny our existence for five or so years." He replied rather bitterly, "Although, I have you to thank for his recent coming out."
She froze, "What did I do?"
He smirked, "Aw, c'mon Riley, can't you tell?" A look at her bewildered face and he laughed loudly, a genuine laugh, "No, I suppose not. Trystie's crazy about you. Why else would he break a vow he made to never acknowledge the Atrox? A commitment he's kept for most of his life?" His smirk grew to gigantic proportions, "Believe it or not, Trysten's given up more than you've realized."
She felt her face go extremely hot, and she tried to distract herself from meeting Tymmie's face again. Unfortunately, her brief hiatus of concentration suddenly opened up a barrage of emotions coming from Tymmie, all centered on the subject of Trysten. There were feelings of betrayal, anger, hurt, and the oddest of all, a sense of deep friendship. "How do you two know each other?" She asked shyly, her embarrassment forgotten.
Tymmie opened the door and sent her an odd look, "That's a conversation best saved for later." He said, closing the discussion.
The night was cold, and the stars glittered dimly above the electrical lighting of the parking lot. Riley noticed with some aggravation that his arm was still securely hooked around her waist, "Where's your car?" She asked, desperately wanting to get this over with.
He rolled his eyes, "Right. I'm going to take a car, to a secret location, so your little buddy Goddesses can follow us? Don't make me laugh." He turned his arm, so that now Riley was pressed against his chest. "Hold on tight." He spoke, before the two of them were dissolved into the shadows.
All Riley could think was that perhaps the others were right- maybe she was way over her head.
-0-
Hi ya guys. I'm back. I'm really sorry about being so long :( but I have a goal of finishing this before summer's out, and I will….oh, I will….
Next Up: Aria's rude awakening, and Tessa and Aria are forced to cope with rather untrustworthy characters in order to rescue their friend.
Review responses will continue after this chapter. : ) thanks to all who read this!
!Nym!