Chapter 21: Resurfaced

Running down the hall, I remembers all the other times I had been running through it, through similar halls, for similar purposes. I remember my first day. I remember chasing after Mitch and Jerome after their 'hazing' of wrapping everything in my room in tinfoil. To welcome me, they said. I was mad then, now I'd rather go back to that time. Those first days when nothing happened. When I questioned about the decision I made to join them and leave my life behind. Running down this hall, I could help but wonder how long I'll be running.

I slowed, seeing the open doors of the pool. Even from a distance, I could see Dawn standing on the pool's edge, head lowered. She appeared impossibly still, frozen in time. My footsteps were gentle as I approached her, hoping not to startle her. I stepped up behind her, debating what to do. I wasn't sure if this was a trap or not.

"What…did you do to me?"

Her voice was softer than before, shuddering under its own weight, almost as if it was first time it was being used in a while. She lifted her head, and I heard her take in a deep breath. She looked over her shoulder. Her eyes seemed clear for the first time, looking to me, glittering with tears.

"What did you do?" she whimpered.

"Cliff gave you a cleansing potion…you were under some kind of spell, I guess," I offered, stepping closer. "You know that now, right?"

She nodded softly, looking around. Her head lowered again, eyes drifting to glance at her reflection in the pool. "We went swimming and I…"

"I'm sorry," I gulped, not sure what else to say.

"Oh god…what have I done?" she sobbed, covering her mouth. "Adam…everyone…this is all my fault…"

"You didn't know." I placed a hand on her shoulder. "And don't underestimate Sky's comeback ability."

She lifted her head, quickly turning to me. Her eyes seemed wide, mouth opening as if she remembered something important.

"Jane!" She gasped, grabbing my arm. "You don't know! He's going to do something awful and there's this whole prophecy thing and you are…"

The doors of the pool slammed shut. We both turned to face a quite torn up squid clone. It looked as if most his disguise had been ripped away, bleeding and revealing blue scales. His eyes were blackened as they stared at us. I pushed Dawn behind me. The clone grinned, cracking his neck.

"Well, well, well," his voice was twisted with a hint of Quentin. "What have you been up to?"

"Back off, squid," I hissed, reaching to where my holster would typically be. Empty. Right, unarmed.

"Who's gonna make me?"

Dawn peered around me, holding onto my arm tightly. "I am your queen! Leave this instant!"

The double paused, tilting his head and looking over Dawn. He didn't seem convinced, chuckling slightly.

"Not anymore…"

The doors suddenly kicked open, pushing the clone to the ground hard. Husky stood, foot still in the air from the end of his kick. He looked down, slightly confused at the presence of his double. He then looked up, staring at me and Dawn. He shrugged. I shrugged. He lowered his foot, walking around the clone.

"Sorry about this," he mumbled, kicking the clone in the head. "You really shoulda locked it." He looked up to us. "You two okay?"

I looked over my shoulder at Dawn. Her grip was tight on me. I smiled lightly, looking back to Quentin, nodding. He grinned.

"Good, everything seems to be wrapping up," he hummed, stepping over. "But we could still use a helping hand."

He tossed me a blade. After some time of practice, I was luckily able to catch it by the handle. I glanced at Dawn, and she released me. Quentin nodded, turning back to the door. I followed him, Dawn stepping closely behind me.

"I'm not sure it's safe for you to follow me," I mumbled to her. "You're kind of…in shock, I think."

"I can't be left alone!" she gasped. "These things no longer trust me. Once he finds out I'm no longer under his spell, he'll kill me! I'm not safe!"

"She's got a point," added Quentin.

I sighed but agreed. She was a priority mission now. Instead of capture, it was a matter of protection. Sky will be happy to hear she's recovering from the dark magic or whatever was controlling her. I couldn't help but smile. I felt like I was reuniting two lost lovers in the mist of war. Like Romeo and Juliet. Wait…that's probably a bad example.