Disclaimer: I do not own the Avalon: Web of Magic/Quest for Magic series, or the song "Within Me", they belong to Rachel Roberts and Lacuna Coil respectively.
There's something about you that makes me feel bad
I wasn't there when a thin line destroyed your soul
Emily ran blindly through the trees, her sneakers pounding on the ground, over and over and over again. Objects flashed in her peripheral vision until they became just a blur. She could feel it behind her again. That malicious, angry presence, chasing her, waiting for a weak moment to attack. She felt like a gazelle being hunted by a lion. Emily squeezed her hazel eyes shut, and didn't notice a large, fallen tree branch in front of her. Her right foot struck the branch, sending her flying. She landed on her hands and knees, panting slightly. She kept her eyes shut, feeling the presence coming closer...closer...
I search every corner there's nowhere to hide how I feel
Ignorance, sacrifice
Some days it's harder, let's face it, it's all about me
Deeply into your own
The presence abruptly halted and disappeared. Emily heard fast footfalls approaching, crunching through the leaves.
"Emily!" Adriane called, dropping to her knees and placing a hand on her friend's back. "Are you alright?"
Emily opened her eyes cautiously, and inwardly sighed with relief. She no longer saw the sorceress in the Warrior's features.
"Fine," She replied, standing up. Adriane shot her a disbelieving glance, standing up as well. As the dark-haired girl was a few inches taller than her friend, Emily had to look up at her. Adriane opened her mouth to ask her for the truth, but the Healer cut her off. "I'm just stressed. Really."
Adriane still looked like she didn't believe her, but didn't push it. "Come back to the cottage," she said.
Deep within me
Life's crawling and wasting my days
Another night gone and I know there will be another way
I'm leading myself to be free
In this eternal goodbye
Emily sat at the round, polished pine table in the cottage's kitchen, clutching a mug of hot tea. She raised the white glass mug to her mouth, taking a small sip and putting it back down quickly. Too hot, she thought. Dreamer lay at her feet, ears twitching back and forth. Adriane stood, leaning against the counter across from her. Her own tea had been placed on the counter next to her.
Something about you will make me stronger
Now I'm aware, when a man falls rebound
My fault
"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Yes," Emily replied, exasperated. The visions and exhaustion were getting to her. Her usually endless patience was running thin.
"It's just that--"
"Look, you're the last person whose in any position to ask about my mental state," The Healer snapped. Dreamer raised his head, looking at his pack-mate. She flinched, but remained where she was and didn't speak. Emily instantly regretted her words, but her face betrayed nothing. She pushed back her chair and stood. "I'm going home," she announced. "I'm going to clear my head and get some homework done. If you need help around here, call Kara." With that, she walked calmly over the front door and let herself out, back into the chilly winter air.
I search every corner there's nowhere to hide how I feel
Ignorance, sacrifice
Some days it's harder, let's face it, it's all about me
Deeply into your own
Emily sat cross-legged on her bed, head down, red hair shielding her face. The only light came from the soft glow of her computer moniter. She glanced at her healing stone, which would seem normal if not for the black edges. She could hear her mother and Ozzie in the kitchen just outside her bedroom as they cooked spaghetti. It was giving her a headache, something she really didn't need right now.
"What wrong with me?" She whispered, her words coming out as a small, desperate plea. She ran her fingers through her red curls, beyond frustrated.
Deep within me
Life's crawling and wasting my days
Another night gone and I know there will be another way
I'm leading myself to be free
In this eternal goodbye, goodbye
"My dear," A voice hissed as the image of the Healer faded in his mirror, "don't worry, when this is over, it'll just seem like a bad dream." He turned to a small gargoyle waiting patiently on a marble column.
"Setia!" The gargoyle opened her bright yellow eyes at her bonded's call. She raised her wings, ready to take flight.
"No, not yet, dear," The tall man patted the creature's head. "I just wanted to leave this place."
Setia nodded, but didn't speak. She took to the air, but stayed low in order to fly through the large wooden doors that Ruin, her bonded, held open for her.
"Soon," Ruin whispered, extinguishing the last torch in the room, "very soon."
Here I wanna be
No more lies!
Deep within me
Life's crawling and wasting my days
Another night gone and I know there will be another way
I'm leading myself to be free
In this eternal goodbye