Hiya!
I'm back again. Hopefully, now that mid-term is here (thank the lord!) maybe I could post more stuff up.
Anyway, as always – read, enjoy and review!
P.S.: PLEASE read my A/N at the end of this chapter! Thanks!
Disclaimer: Hmm, let me check... aww man, still don't own Power of Five.
'So, what exactly are we going to do?' Scott asked, his eyes focused on the woman in front of him.
The Gatekeepers had known for a while now, because the war was over, they would soon be heading back to continuing some form of a normal life. They had grouped together in the kitchen with Richard and, on a quick visit, Susan Ashwood. They were having an informal meeting on what plans Miss Ashwood had in mind.
Matt stared at the elderly Nexus member, his eyes flicking from her to Richard, and back again. He still couldn't believe that the doors made them skip ten years, but the evidence of it was quite obvious. Susan looked much older than she had, and with Richard beside her almost exactly the same age he had been when they first met, it was almost scary to see.
Richard noticed the boy's furrowed brow and smirked. He winked at Matt and he saw his blue eyes narrow in suspicion. Richard hadn't questioned Matt yet about what had happened earlier. He was looking forward to it though. Really looking forward to it. Matt had told him once that he always wanted to know what it would be like to have a sibling. Now that Richard planned to pester him, maybe Matt would change his mind.
'Well,' Susan began, 'the Nexus have been discussing this over the past few days. London is still in a state of chaos,' (all the teens shivered at the mention of 'chaos') 'but a few buildings were saved, as you can guess. The government has set up some temporary schools and hospitals across the UK, so that services will still be available. Luckily enough, a secondary school about nine miles away was saved and is reopening quite soon. We've put your names down for it…' she paused. 'Well, almost all of you.'
'What do you mean?' Scarlett asked.
'You, Pedro and Matthew will be heading to that school. However…' she glanced at the twins. 'Scott and Jamie have decided to be home-schooled instead.'
Scott nodded solemnly. Jamie just stared at the floor, not paying any attention. Scott gripped his brother's hand and squeezed it gently. Jamie gave him a small smile.
Scott had noticed that Jamie was upset about something, but hadn't asked, since he had to deal with his own problems first. But last night he had cracked. Jamie told him, after much questioning, that Holly had left two days ago. Scott knew about Jamie and Holly having a relationship; he'd walked in on them kissing once. He had tried to be supportive, but he still wasn't the same person he was before and Jamie knew that. Jamie was thankful for it all the same.
'When will that start?' Pedro asked curiously.
Richard decided to speak. 'In the next two weeks. The books are on their way too. Pedro, you'll have a special teacher with you to help translate and understand the work. Matt and Scar, you already know the drill. You'll all be repeating or starting the GCSEs.'
Matt groaned. 'Not more Dickens.'
Susan sighed. 'Yes, Matt - more specifically, Oliver Twist.'
Matt cursed under his breath.
Don't use such dirty language in the house! The twins chorused in his head. He shot them a dirty look before calming down.
After the meeting, Richard walked out, determined to talk to Matt. He found him out on the rock, where Matt had begun to use as his 'hangout'. He watched him silently for a minute before walking up to him.
'Matt?' Richard said. He had, for now, forgotten about his promised questioning. His friend looked quite forlorn. 'Are you okay?'
'Yeah. I'm fine.'
'You don't look it.'
Matt sighed. 'I just… I don't know if I want to go back to school again.'
'I know you don't like school, but - '
'That's not why I don't want to go back.'
Richard stared at him suspiciously. Then he realised.
'You were bullied, weren't you?' he said quietly. Matt hung his head.
'Matt, why didn't you tell me?'
'Because, I didn't want to make a fuss!' he exclaimed. 'I nearly killed him! My power was out of whack!'
'What?'
Matt realised what he had said. 'Crap.' He hugged his knees and began rocking back and forth. Instinctively, Richard wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders. The ever-curious blue eyes studied him for a minute, before looking at the ground once more.
'His name was Gavin,' Matt whispered. 'He was an ignorant big-headed little-' he stopped himself. 'Let's just say he wasn't the nicest.'
Richard nodded. He understood that Matt probably had a few choice words to say about that kid. Richard felt the strange urge to go and find Gavin himself. Then he'd be sorry he ever messed with Matt.
Richard decided to change the subject. With only one other thing on his mind, he went with it. 'So... what's this about Scarlett Adams?'
'Hmm?'
'You like her?'
Matt stared at him as if he was off his rocker. 'What the hell are you talking about?'
'Don't try that with me.'
Matt sighed, smiling ever so slightly. 'Okay... maybe... just a little.' Richard grinned triumphantly.
'So...' the blond haired man began, his eyes glinting with mischief. 'Tell me everything.'
Jamie glanced wistfully at the lake from the tree and inhaled again. He tried again.
Holly... Holly... Answer me!
'Damn it!' he muttered, punching the trunk of the oak tree. He should have never been so soft - he should have made her stay. God knows where she was and what had happened to her. There were cannibals out there, and people who were out of their right minds. She could be dead already. He buried his head in his hands.
Please answer me, Holly. I need to know you're okay. Please.
He received no answer. He bit his lip and clenched his fists to keep the tears in. Crying wouldn't bring her back. Nothing would.
He settled back, resting on the rough bark. If something was wrong, he'd know. He'd feel it. He'd -
Help me!
He heard the scream and he shot up.
Someone please help me!
Was he imagining it?
JAMIE!
'Oh no,' he whispered. 'Holly.' He leaped from the tree and began to yell.
'Aaa!' Holly flung the knife at the creature, but it missed. She crouched, searching desperately for another weapon. She was out of bullets and that had been her last knife. She felt something long and cold. A crowbar. Perfect.
She held it out in front of her like a sword, her hands trembling. 'St-stay away from me.'
'Oh, sweetie, you can't stop me,' the voice said in a honeyed tone of voice. Holly's eyes widened. She recognised that voice. No, no it couldn't be.
'Hello, Holly,' the policewoman whispered. She had tried to catch her, the Traveller and Jamie in the village, and then down the canal. She had failed. Now she whipped the crowbar out of Holly's hands. Holly stared at her in horror. Help me she thought. Wait. Would Jamie hear her? He would help her!
The policewoman pinned her to the wall. 'Now I've got you.'
Someone please help me!
'Let go,' Holly hissed, trying and failing to kick the woman in the stomach. The woman laughed.
'No help for you now, little one,' she said menacingly. Her hand curled around Holly's throat. Her breath hitched and she began to choke. She couldn't breathe.
JAMIE!
I'm really sorry if you don't like cliffhangers, but I need to make it interesting!
Thank you all so, so much for all your support. I'm getting new readers and reviewers all the time, and all my old readers are still reading too. So, thank you.
I've been getting this idea for a while, and I want your opinion. I know that Anthony Horowitz mentioned a few things in the story that were never described in detail (i.e. The Accident, Matt's first cigarette, the time Scarlett pushed the teacher into the swimming pool, etc.) and I also know that some authors have already written their versions of these scenes already... but I was thinking of writing my own versions. What d'you think? Would you read them? And, if yes, what scenes would you like to read? I'll probably write them up soon, if many people want to read them. Please leave your opinions in your reviews!
So, with that lot out of the way, I leave you once again.
Farewell,
CharmedGatekeeper xx