Chapter 11

Arkarian

We've been walking two weeks before the Order decides to make an appearance. But when they do, we're ready for them.

One of them sees this and laughs. The rest of them join in. We are all confused, but don't let our guard down.

The one that seems to be the leader says, "Look at this! They've come prepared for a fight! I wonder if there's a traitor in our group?" He says this sarcastically. "I hope you all know exactly why you're here."

"Of course we do," Matt says, though I can hear uncertainty in his voice. "You were planning to ambush us."

The Order members laugh some more. Matt looks at me and I shrug.

"No, that's what you were lead to believe. You see, the only reason that Marcus Carter lived is because of us, his true group. We rescued him from the demon pit and found a way to control the demons so they'd do our bidding. Then, once Carter thanked us all continually, we went under-cover for a year, trying to come up with a way to bring the Goddess back to life. The plan worked, but unfortunately for us, you Named were whole again, thanks to the Goddess's no-good traitorous brother. For it was he who brought back the last member of your little group, and since she never revealed to anybody that this is so, she is still able to live."

We all look at Rochelle, who's looking kind of nervous. If I say it's true, does that count as telling anybody? I hear her frantic thoughts. Better not take any chances.

"So since you were whole again," the Order leader continues, "we went down. We needed a new plan. Thankfully, Carter came up with the plan, using Chloe's skills of overshadowing to his advantage."

"Yes, we already know about that plan," Matt says irritated. "Chloe told us when we stopped it."

The Order leader shakes his head. "No, you only think you know that plan. You see, what Chloe said to you all was a lie. A little 'red herring' to throw you off our trail. We got Chloe to do what Rochelle did almost three years ago; make you all trust her, while she was really on our side. Chloe pretended to love Dillon, and told him all about our fake plan. When you 'foiled' that plan, we knew that you wouldn't think there'd be more. But there is."

"And…this is it?" Dillon asks. "Some really long, lame speech that explains everything that's happened in the past 10 months or so?"

The Order's leader grins. "Nope. This is just a distraction. The real plan is already in motion back in Angel Falls."

Right then, Neriah's voice echoes in my head, and from the looks on the faces of Rochelle and Matt, in theirs too.

Matt, Rochelle, Arkarian! You have to come back, NOW!

What happened? Matt asks.

Isabel and I took Ophelia to the park, but Chloe showed up with Carter behind her.

Did they take you anywhere? I ask, fearing the worst.

Yes, We're in some sort of dungeon. Well…Isabel and I are.

Dread fills me. What about Ophelia?

It takes a while for Neriah to answer. We…don't quite know. Isabel's in hysterics.

Her voice gets cut off, and she screams, I'm assuming both out loud and in her head.

Neriah! Matt cries out to her.

It's no use, Matt, Rochelle says. I think they're torturing her.

"Oh, and that's supposed to make me feel better?" Matt snaps out loud.

Rochelle doesn't back off. "Yes, because at least, if she's being tortured, you know she's not dead! And isn't death worse than torture?"

"No, no it's not! It death is better because then I wouldn't have to see her being tortured!"

"Two problems with that statement, Matt. One, you already don't have to see her being tortured, since she's all the way back in Angel Falls. And two, she's Immortal! It's impossible for her to be dead, unless one of the Order members that's there is also Immortal, and as far as I know, Lathenia was the only Immortal in the entire Order."

Everyone is silent, even the Order members. Suddenly, Matt runs back the way we came, shouting Neriah's name as he goes.

We watch him go, and Dillon remarks, "Wouldn't it be easier for him if he just turned into a bird or something, and flew away?"

Rochelle shrugs, and I run after Matt, since my wife and kid are back there too. I look back as I'm running, and see Ethan, Rochelle, and Dillon running as well. I only hope we're not too late.

Wow! A plot within a plot! Let's go check in with the girls, shall we?