Chapter 4

I charged towards Mrs Starch with the blade of grass in my hand. I told myself this was crazy. I was about to kill a Manticore with a blade of grass. This was all Grover's idea. Sometimes I do find Grover's ideas very absurd. But they work. Most of the time.

Anyway, as I told you before, I was about to kill a Manticore with a blade of grass. Grover was busy evacuating students fromt the burnt auditorium. I leapt into the air and did a tuck and roll. Without any problems, I was on the Manticore's back. I did as I was told and stabbed the Manticore with the grass.

To my astonishment, the Manticore started bleeding. I pulled out the blade and stabbed it again. More blood gushed out. Then I tried it the third time. I guess it is third time unlucky. Mrs Starch flung me off her back and charged through the stage. I watched her wings get caught in the curtains as I lay on the floor.

By now, I was worn out. Grover had realised that too. We had no hope of winning. The only way I could survive would be to train. Grover knew that. That's why he had come. That's why I never had the chance to fend for myself. That's why, after so long, I can't fight this Manticore.

We have to run, I thought to myself. But I couldn't just leave this Manticore in the school auditorium. At the very least, I had to change it back to Mrs Starch. Inside, I was in a dilemma. If I ran, there may still be a chance for me to survive. Besides, the Manticore may chase me and get away from my school. On the other hand, if the Manticore stays in the school, thousands would die at the hands of this beast.

As usual, my conscience took over me. I ran for the grass at the corner of the stage and slid past the Manticore. As I did, I sliced the Manticore's leg into a million pieces. Now, the grass was stained with a dark greenish liquid. It was blood.

The Manticore fell onto one side. Lacking a leg, it squirmed on the ground, trying it's best to get up. It's long arms grabbed at me but I was metres away. At that moment, Grover ran back into the auditorium. He stared at the Manticore in front of me. I wanted to deal the final blow but the table turned again.

The Manticore stretched it's scorpion-like tail and stabbed me. Initially, I didn't feel anything. My whole body felt numb. I wanted to cry but my eyes were extremely dry. A few moments later, the pain started to seep in. My throat felt dry and my lungs dying for oxygen. Grover pulled me away before the Manticore could stab me again. He hauled me over to a corner.

Upon chanting some words, the wound began to close. I would be temporarily healed but in due time, the pain would come back. Finally, I could move again. Grover told me, "We have to go now, Corrie."

"But what about the Manticore…what about my friends… what about…" I whined, as I was dragged further and further away from the Manticore. Grover turned around and glared at me. He had once told me losing me was like losing the world. If I died, it would be as if the world ended. I felt very much like staying. I wanted very much to see home again. Before I could do anything else, I was knocked out.

I was in a dream. If I wasn't wrong, I was in heaven. Heaven was beautiful. In a distance, a figure approached me. Instinctively, I asked, "Are you God?" Nearing me, The figure shook his head. He had a halo and was in full white. Behind him was a pair of wings spread out wide.

"Your'e the angel aren't you? The one Grover talks about?" I questioned again. However, the angel stayed silent. I was curious about who this angel was. Suddenly, I was surrounded by angels, angels and more angels. I was being lifted into the air. I was like their deliverer. I was Corrie Lattenice – leader of the angels.

While being lifted, I spotted an angel that stood out from the crowd. He stood aside. He didn't help with the lifting. At that juntcture, I understood. He was the angel.