Chapter 24: In Your Dreams
Reid's eyes were slightly glassy from the emotions. He tried to blink less so that the tear wouldn't escape the bottom lid. He looked away. He didn't want Browen to see. It was not like he wanted to hide weakness. He just wanted to hide how he felt, about her. Reid knew Browen would freak if he showed invested feelings. She would push him away. He said to her bedroom door, "Bye." It was a strange farewell. What was said so little caused more questions in both their minds.
Browen rested with a heavy body and an equally heavy head. There was nothing she can do about it now. Talk to him later. She couldn't deny the odd interaction. Browen remembered how she called out his name under the water. A dependence that newly emerged. She needed him. Does she want him? It was a difficult answer. They were friends, like siblings even, but there was there more? She left it at that when she receded to the back of her mind in sleep.
It was Thursday. Browen went to school and acted as normal as she could. The Sons and the girls were on full alert for Chase Collins. He still remained on the outskirts wherever they are. Chase was calculating his next move. He knew they were guarding. He wasn't waiting for timing. He just liked to see them squirm in paranoia. Reid and Browen brushed off their issues because of the Chase ordeal.
It was the night of the formal. They were hoping at least the dance can distract them from their worries. The Spencer Academy students were dressed, smashed, excited, and gleeful for the night. Reid and Browen showed each other off on the dance floor. Reid was having fun BEFORE the formal was over. After the formal, they all were heading to Caleb's house for post party. Chase thought it was the perfect time to strike, unexpected. He had one of the cars swerve and nearly crashed. The other cars stopped.
"Tyler, what happened?" Caleb asked. "I don't know. I saw something and made me lose control for a second." Teresa was frantic. Pogue and Alexandra were in the back seat. Pogue said, "I saw it too." "Saw what?" Browen questioned. She was ignored and Caleb sad, "I think it's him." "That Chase guy?" Elliot caught on. "Yeah," Reid answered. They all got out of their cars. "What should we do?" Alexandra asked. "We get out of here," Caleb stated. "Brilliant plan leader, run with tails between our legs," Reid was frustrated. "We don't know what we're dealing with. We can't risk the girls being here." "You're acting like we're defenseless," Browen spat.
"We can't risk it," Caleb repeated. "Well, hello everyone. Oh, I'm impressed that you all dressed up for me," Chase appeared walking on the double yellow lines on the road towards them. Reid took a step before he was held back by Pogue. "What do you want?" Caleb interrogated. "What? No hello? I mean our last encounter wasn't exactly friendly. In fact, you were the one who sent me blasted off somewhere. You at least owe me manners," he taunted. "Chase!" Caleb hissed. "I've been awhile actually for a few months. Looking about. See who's here and who's gone. Whatever happened to Kate and Sarah? Couldn't cut it? Pity. They were my favorite pawns." Pogue nearly leaped except Tyler held him back.
"Those girls were just pawns. These girls, on the contrary, are more special. Interesting fact, not only do they possess the Power, their children will have the Power as well. And I want to invest in that particular detail to keep the Pope line alive." He walked closer to them. "No worries. I just would like one. Although I have my preferences, any one will do." "In your dreams, asshole," Browen countered. "See that's what I like about you, dear Browen. Your tenacity overrides fear. I'm surprised that Garwin hasn't, how you say 'tapped into that?'" Reid breathed heavily and his nose flared. He didn't like Chase's attention on Browen.
Reid couldn't contain his hatred and sent an energy blast at Chase. Chase was hit but not as much damage as Reid would hoped. Chase stood up, "Well, you do have an Achilleas' heel, Garwin." Caleb stood in front of the group. "Leave," he demanded. Chase pretended to consider, "Um no." He sent an energy blast to Caleb. Caleb blocked. He turned to the others. "Everyone go now!" "No!" Elliot replied.
"Chase, you're outnumbered, even with your father's power." Pogue said. "That's what you think," Chase smirked and sent an attack on Caleb again. Caleb was forming a blast and Browen stood next to him and contributed to the blast. They sent it to Chase but he was able to block. Chase then doubled himself and again. There were four Chases. The rest of the group's eyes darkened as they ready to attack. Blasts of different sizes and power flew all over the place. Caleb and Browen paired up. Teresa and Tyler paired up. Pogue and Elliot were together. Alexandra and Reid were together. In the battle, occasionally energy blasts ricocheted and damaged the cars.
The girls aren't as strong as the Sons. After a period of time, Tyler was getting weak. He saw a blast headed to Teresa and took it for her. Teresa ran over to his battered body. She cried hysterically. His eyes were glazed and blood trickled from his mouth. "I love you, always," he said as he choked on his last breath. The blood seeped onto her dress and spread like a raindrop on a window pane. She was shaking "I love you, Tyler." One of the Chases walked up to the defeated Teresa. "Better him than you. So, you have a choice. Join me, will me your power, or die." Teresa sobbed and looked around. All the others were battling and couldn't help her. There was an unnerving silence. She couldn't bear the thought of joining him and willing him her power. She sent a blast as hard as she could. It barely scathed him. "You made your bed, I see. Now you must lie in it. Cliche saying for a cliche ending." He finished her. She felt deaf until a wave of pain struck her. She let out a cry of pain and collapsed onto Tyler's form, like the ill-fated Romeo and Juliet.
Alexandra saw Teresa screamed and screamed herself. The lone Chase combined the other Chase against Reid and Alexandra. Alexandra couldn't attack well because the overflow of emotions for Teresa. Alexandra started to charge at Chase (one of them). She didn't care if she could stop him or not with or without Reid. Reid couldn't attack Chase because Alexandra was in the way. Chase then had a hold on Alexandra. "You lost two already. I don't think you want anymore casualties. So, Alex right? What will it be?" She struggled with no success. "So Garwin, save a pretty face and give me your power." "Don't do it Reid!" Alexandra answered. Before Reid could react, she threw all what was inside of her and attempted finish him.
"Another no? I don't take rejection well," Chase extracted her life and dropped her body on the hard pavement with a splat. Browen and Caleb were able to defeat their Chase. There were two Chases left. Pogue, Elliot, Browen, Reid, and Caleb survived thus far. The two Chases reformed to the original Chase. "I didn't expect you to be strong as you are. Yet, your dead friends made up with their weaknesses." It struck a nerve in all of them. The meek and tender Teresa and Tyler and the bubbly Alexandra were ached in their hearts.