A/N: Okay here it is the next chapter. I'm sorry this is later than I said it would be. Well the thing was, that when he was editing it, I realised it didn't really match up to the standard of the previous chapter. So I rewrote several parts of it and made it a bit longer. And the rewrites took longer to the do than I expected.
Still here it is right now. And let me confirm this chapter is more optimistic than the last (although only in certain regards) I hope you enjoy reading it. And I'll try to make certain the next one doesn't take me so long to write. But I can't make any promises.
Chapter Thirteen: Friends Reunited
Sheldon eyes flickered over the surroundings, before once again declaring he could see nothing that would help them what so ever. Amy let out a sigh; the two of them had been searching the city since seven this morning, it was now almost twelve. Neither of them had gotten enough sleep, but that didn't matter, they had to start searching, there friends were in serious danger.
As it was day time, it was too risky for Sheldon to search by air; as such they were forced to walk around the city. It was much slower, but the dangers of what might occur if someone was to spot a man with white wings flying through the sky made it too hazardous to attempt. As he possessed the superhuman eyes and ears, Sheldon did most of the searching. He had wanted Amy to stay at the apartment and wait for him, but she had insisted on coming.
It was a hot dry day and in the Texan heat the clothes they had bought in Canada were making them both sweat. They had discarded as much as there modesty would allow, but they were still too hot. And the constant hurrying through the area searching for any sign of their friends wasn't helping.
Amy mopped her brow for what seemed the thousandth time. This was exhausting, but she knew they couldn't stop, they had to find them. Despite her brave words the night before, truthfully her own encounter with the demons had scarred her in ways she didn't want to think about. Even now every time she undressed she couldn't help but shudder and she was even more modest now than she had been before. Right now that made her feel very uncomfortable, but she couldn't bring herself to take off any more and she doubted she ever would. If a few hours could do that to her, she didn't want to think what damage several days could do to her friends.
They had stopped for a moment and Amy took a long drink from a bottle of water she had bought a short way back. The water was of course hot, but it still provided relief in this climate. How anyone could possibly learn to adjust to this, she had no idea, especially considering it wasn't summer. The feel of the blade by her side was also uncomfortable.
As it was possible for danger to strike at any moment, she had decided to take one of the three iron daggers Sheldon had got to face the demons. Although it seemed a good idea at the time, she was now regretting it. The blade felt so hot against her side, the metal proved very good at quickly transmitting the Texan heat into her. Her sweat was building up against it and it was heavy, seemingly getting heavier by the minute. And onto of it all Amy wasn't even sure if she could bring herself to use it if she needed to. She had never intentionally hurt another person in her whole life, she had never desired to either. Even when she was bullied and beaten, she never wanted to hurt her tormenters; she just wanted them to leave her alone.
Looking up at Sheldon, Amy once again noticed the worrying look in his eye. It was a sort of mix of fear and obsession, she knew he was desperate to get his friends back and for good reason, but Amy couldn't help but worry how far he would take this and how far was too far. Beyond human or not, he was still only one man, if he pushed himself to hard, it could leave him unable to do anything to help, even if he did find them.
Amy also couldn't help but worry about how this was affecting him mentally. She had noticed his mood had gotten more sporadic and uncertain since all this had started. He had always been prone to sudden mood swings, but recently they had jumped to an all new level. It was clear the stress of all this was affecting him badly, he was taking a lot of responsibility onto his shoulders, and Amy wasn't sure how much he could carry before it crushed him. He had always had a slightly unstable mind, up to recently she had always seen this both a positive and negative, but now she knew it was simply natural for him to be like this. Though what that really meant she honestly had no idea, though it did make kind of to examine his brain, as a neuroscientist her curiosity was peaked.
Sheldon had started to move off again, Amy groaned slightly and before following after him. As she walked down the street, Amy couldn't help wonder if Penny was okay. She was worried about all of them. But Penny was her best friend; she wasn't sure what she would do if something happened to her. She sighed as she thought about her best friends beautiful blond hair and flawless skin. So distracted was she by her thoughts that she walked straight into her boyfriend causing them to stumbled slightly.
"Why did you stop so suddenly?" Amy asked.
Sheldon didn't reply, he just pointed ahead of him. Amy looked where he was pointing and there lying on the ground, underneath a cover for shade was Penny. She looked exhausted like he hadn't slept a wink, and was covered in dirt and sweat.
Amy didn't even hesitate; she let out a slight squeal before charging forwards at top speed. Penny looked up started by this sudden figure charging at her. She barely had time to get to her feet, before Amy dived at her. She grabbed hold of her best friend and wrapped her arms around her, while shouting in one of her happiest voices "Penny."
Frantically Penny pushed her back, "get off me," she screamed.
Confused Amy stumbled backwards. Sheldon quickly closed the gap between them and stood behind Amy. Amy stared at her friend in confusion. "Penny what's wrong?" Amy asked worried.
Penny stared back at Amy, "who are you?" she asked, "and who's Penny?"
Silence fell, Amy just stared in confusion. Eventually she broke the silence. "You are," Amy mummed, "you're Penny. Penny, it's me, Amy,"
Penny just continued to stare blankly.
"You know your best friend, your bestie, come on Penny, you know me, Penny?"
"Look I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are."
Sheldon stared in confusion, "and you don't remember your own name?"
Penny looked up at him, "no," she replied.
"What do you remember?" Amy asked.
Penny paused "Not a lot," she admitted.
Sheldon's eyes stared at Penny; slowly he walked around her, never taking his eyes off her head. And then he spotted something. Reaching forward, he picked a yellow crumb out of her fringe. He crushed it between his fingers before turning to Amy. "Sulphur." He mummed "we're clearly too late."
"What happened to her?" Amy asked bewildered.
"She's been mind wiped, they've erased her memories."
"They can do that?"
"Apparently they can,"
"Why? Why erase her memories?"
"I don't know,"
"Can you undo it?"
"I don't know, I didn't even know you erase them outside of sci fi."
"Um listen," Penny said, she was feeling somewhat uncomfortable based on what the two of them were saying in front of her. "I'm sure your very nice people, but I've got to be going so goodbye, nice meeting you." She turned to leave.
"No, wait you can't go, we've been looking for you." Amy frantically said. She rushed forward besides her.
Slowly Penny turned to face her. "You've been looking for me?" She asked, her voice made it clear she felt uncomfortable, but it flew over her friends heads.
"Yes, we're your friends. We want to help you."
"Look I think I would remember you if I knew you."
"You don't even remember your own name, what makes you think you would remember us?" Sheldon asked.
Penny didn't reply she just began to slowly back away.
"This probably seems quite scary, but we can prove it." Amy said.
Quickly she turned to Sheldon, "how do we prove it?"
"Do you have a picture?"
"On my phone, but I left it back at the apartment,"
"Then we have to take her there."
"Take me? Take me where?" Penny asked worriedly. She began to size them up, neither of them looked physically imposing, the man was tall, but he was also thin. And although she didn't know much, Penny had concluded she was in pretty good shape. She should be okay, but could she beat both of them at once? She wasn't sure.
"We have proof that we know you, we'll going to take you to see it." Amy said, she gently took Penny's arm and tried to lead her away.
Penny frantically pulled free, "you're not taking me anywhere."
"Penny please we're just trying to help you." Sheldon said, he moved forward towards her.
Taking this as a confrontation and already worried by this point, Penny panicked; she swung and clobbered him straight in the jaw. She let out a slight yell and reeled back in pain; his jaw felt like it was made of solid iron. Sheldon continued to stare at her, bewildered by this sudden resort to violence. Now really panicking Penny clobbered him hard as she could in the nose and then in the neck. The blows met with a similar response, Sheldon didn't even flinch. Each time however Penny was forced to recede in pain, by now her knuckles were stinging.
Realising she had greatly underestimated her opponent and not knowing what to do next, Penny backed away. Uncertain how to react to this situation Sheldon decided to just follow her. This just worried Penny more, as he got closer it became increasingly clear to her, just how much taller than her this man was. And looking at him up close, Penny realised he had a strange desperate look in his eye, one which made her shudder. Unable to think of anything else Penny just continued to back away, but she simply walked into the wall.
The figure was getting continually closer to her, panicking Penny one final assault. She kneed him hard in the groin. The only response to this was her pulling back once again in pain, her knee now throbbing. Running out of options, frantically she tried to run for it. But she made the mistake put too much pressure to quickly upon her hurt knee, and instead escaping she simply fell forwards on her front. Startled Sheldon quickly bent down to help her. Amy just watched these events, shocked and worried by all this, unsure whether she should interfere or not.
Not giving up yet, Penny tried to crawl away. Still unsure Sheldon just followed her. "Please leave me alone," Penny cried.
"Penny, please stop, I'm only trying to help you," Sheldon replied. He reached down for her again.
Penny tried to dodge, but ended up just rolling over on to her back, so now she was left looking up at him. Feeling behind her, Penny's fingers brushed over a loose brick which had been left there by the wall. Not thinking straight, she carefully wrapped her fingers around it and held it tight in her hand. His eyes fixed on her face, Sheldon had not noticed this. Taking her lack of movement as a sign of capitulation he leaned in closer to her to help her up. Penny didn't think, summoning all her strength she swung the brick round into his head.
Sheldon was knocked to the side, his jaw let out a loud snapping sound and he fell to the ground. Penny jumped to her feet and tried to run, but Sheldon recovered faster than she expected. He began to leer up. Penny tried to hit him again, but Sheldon moved fast. He casually knocked the brick out of his hand, and then grasped her with both hands. He held her there for just a second, before pushing her backwards into the wall. Staring at her, his eyes had narrowed and the look he gave her was enough to make Penny shiver.
Penny tried to break free, but he was far too strong. Then with a sudden movement he hoisted her about two feet into the air. By this point Penny was too far gone, it was to much; he lifted her as if she was sack of feathers. Looking down at him, Penny stared as she watched his jaw snap back into place. He opened his mouth, and starched his muscles before speaking. "Never do that again," he snapped angrily.
Penny could only stare in horror; this was impossible. What on earth was this man? How could he be so strong and durable? It didn't seem possible, how could anyone be this powerful? And as she thought this, the terrible truth finally became clear to her. There was no way she could ever defend herself from him, she was completely at his mercy and she had just made him angry.
This was all too much for Amy, she had watched Sheldon overpower multiple people and beings since this had started, but this wasn't a fight or against a monster, this was her best friend. And he looked like he was trying to hook her onto the wall. The look of fear on Penny's face was too much for Amy to bear. She rushed to Sheldon's side, "put her down, put her down, you're terrifying her." Amy snapped.
Caught by surprise at this, Sheldon didn't have time to think, his only thought was "Down." It wasn't until he let go that he realised what he had done, he had just dropped Penny. Not expecting this and terrified by this point Penny hit the ground badly. She fell to the floor. So scared she just huddled there. Looking down at her, Sheldon found himself unsure how to react. "Sorry," he murmured sheepishly.
Amy looked down at her friend huddling there on the dry ground, covered in dirt and sweat and scared out of her wits. It looked unnatural to see her like this; Penny shouldn't be afraid, she was strong, she tough. Amy had never seen Penny like this; she looked so timid, so vulnerable. The way she looked reminded Amy far too much of herself during her school days, those were horrible times.
Slowly Amy knelt down beside her, "it's okay," she said softly, "we only want to help you," she stretched out her arm. Penny didn't move, "I know this seems scary, but I promise you we mean you know harm. Just give us a try, please." Reluctantly Penny took Amy's, Amy helped her back up. "Come on lets go," Amy said, she began to lead Penny away. Penny did think about trying to run for it, but if he was that strong, who's to say he wasn't just as fast? If so she would never get that far, and she would probably lose the right to walk the way then.
She also thought about trying to attract attention, but decided that would probably just make it worse for her. So she just followed the woman as she led her to where ever they were taking her. Sheldon stayed close behind Penny the whole way, just in case she decided to run for it. The two of them finally arrived back that apartment they found. Sheldon took out his lock pick and quickly opened the door.
Penny watched worriedly. Amy led her in and they closed the door. Now they had her inside, where was this going to go? Amy turned to Penny "Before we do anything, do you want to have a shower first? The bathroom is right over there?"
Penny gulped, she hesitated, although the thought of undressing scared her somewhat, she was also hot, sweaty and dirty, and the idea of washing in cool water sounded too good to pass up. "Okay," she said, "but let me undress in there." She quickly added.
Amy nodded, "it's that room right there." She pointed. "Take as long as you want." Penny ran in.
"I'll go see if I can find some of her clothes, this has all been a bit too much, letting her freshen up and get into some clean clothes will help calm her down, and if she's calmer it will make it easier for to trust us." Amy said.
"Very well, but try to get through this as fast as possible, if she remembers anything, anything what so ever it might help us find out where the demons were holding the others."
"What I can't understand is why wipe her memory and then release her? If the demons were done with her, why not just kill her?"
"There sadistic, perhaps the idea of leaving her to spend the rest of her life living on the street, with no idea who she was appealed to them more than a quick death."
Amy didn't reply she just left to go see what she could find, in the background the sound of water began to run. Sheldon paced back and forth across the room uneasily. Amy quickly found what she was looking for, gathering them up she walked over to the door and knocked on it.
"Yes," Penny called, her voice betraying a tone of worry.
"I've got some fresh clothes for you to wear, I'll leave them outside." Amy said.
She returned to Sheldon in the front room, in the background they heard the sound of the door opening and then quickly closing. "Sheldon, sit down" she said, "pacing won't make the time go quicker; we just have to be patient."
Sheldon signed, before sitting down next to Amy. "Do you think she will be much longer?"
"She's been sleeping on the street, for up to two or more days in the heat and the dirt; she can take as long as she wants."
"I suppose your right."
"It's okay, I understand you being eager. I also want to get the others back, but we mustn't push her to hard. She clearly has no idea who we are, we need to prove to her that she can trust us or else all we're going to do is scare her again."
"Okay." Sheldon paused as if he could hear something Amy couldn't. Then suddenly he called out, "Don't bother, that window is locked and if you break the glass I'll hear it and be there before can get through."
There was a pause then the water turned off. There was silence for a few moments and then Penny emerged out of the room, now wearing her new clothes. Hesitantly Penny eyed around the room, these clothes they had given her fit her perfectly. Why did they have clothes that fit her perfectly? Had they been planning this for a while? What was this exactly? A kidnapping? A reunion? It was all so confusing.
"Why do these fit me so well?" She asked uneasily.
"There yours," Sheldon replied quickly.
Penny stared at him in confusion, "why do you have my clothes?"
"Cause they were already here in this apartment when we got her?"
"Why?"
Sheldon was about to speak, when Amy interrupted this, "perhaps this would go better if you let me handle it. Just leave us for a little while."
Sheldon gave Amy a look of bewilderment, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. I trust Penny."
Sheldon signed and getting his feet walked out to one of the other rooms. Amy turned to Penny, "Okay can I get you anything, a drink perhaps?"
"I'm fine," Penny said, she eyed the door it wasn't far; if she ran she might make it.
"Look I understand your afraid, I would be to if I was in your position. But I can prove to you what I'm saying is true." Penny began eyeing up Amy, of the two Penny the bigger and although she was slightly podgy, Amy still looked scrawny. She could probably easily take her down.
"I'll show you," Amy got to her feet and walked over to the mantel piece, she picked up her phone. Penny contemplated jumping her, but then just because she looked scrawny would she be? After all her male friend looked like was and he clearly wasn't. What if she was the same as the man? If she was then what would she do to her? Images of broken bones and managed positions filled Penny's head, giving her more than enough reason to abandon the idea.
"Just give me a minute." Amy said as she went through her phone's pictures. Penny eyed the door, running it seemed was her only hope she might just make it out of here. But if she was going to then she would have to do it now, before anything else happened. Penny tensed herself, ready to break into a spring.
"Here, see." Amy suddenly said, she handed the phone to Penny. Immediately Penny's thoughts of running dissipated. She stared down at the picture. It was of the two of them standing outside a café on a brightly lit day, she stood back to back and had clearly posed for the picture.
"That's me..." she gasped, "…with you."
Amy nodded, "we took that picture together a few months ago. It was a beautiful day."
Penny looked up at Amy, her face conveying shock and bewilderment. "Why is there a picture of me, with you on your phone?"
"I told you, we're friends. I know you can't remember it, but we are."
Penny racked her brains for some other explanation.
"Here, here's another one." Amy flicked through to another picture of her and Penny, and then another. By the time she had finished, all thoughts of escape had vanished from Penny's mind. She just slumped back down in confusion.
"We really are friends," Penny mummed, "But I don't remember you."
"Well what do you remember?" Amy asked,
Penny paused, and started to think. Then she began to recant to Amy everything she knew, it just all seemed to spill out of her. Celebrity gossip, trivia, basic education and facts, all these sorts of things, Penny spent the next forty minutes talking, not once in that time did she say a single personal detail, not once did she mention anything private or to do with her herself or anyone she individually knew. As she talked it became more and more clear in Amy's mind that Penny honestly didn't remember anything, she hadn't just forgotten, she had literally had every important thing wiped from her mind.
Penny waited for Amy to reply, she was honestly quite thirsty after having talked for so long, and this heat didn't make it any easier on her throat. "Can I get a glass of water?" Penny asked?
"Sure," Amy replied, her mind still somewhat distracted. Penny got up to get a drink. Sheldon casually walked back into the room and sat down beside Amy.
"She really doesn't remember anything."
"I heard," Sheldon replied.
"What are we going to do?"
"There is only one thing we can do, I'll have to find a way to break the demons spell and restore her memories."
"Can you do that?"
"I don't know I've never had to break a spell before. I honestly dislike the use of spell that would imply magic." He paused and then got to his feet, "Well I guess I best get started. I'll see if there is anything in those notes we gathered, if not I guess I'm going to need to examine some more blood. Well I've got a lot of reading to do; in the meantime keep her company, try and see if you can jog her memory or something. And if she remembers anything that could help us, let me know immediately."
Amy nodded; Sheldon turned and walked off into the back room. Penny returned, she had heard the last bit of the conversation and it had reawakened her dulling suspicious.
"I thought you might be thirsty. What was that about?" she asked, as she handed Amy another glass.
"What?"
"About curing me, how? Why?"
"So you remember what you've forgotten?"
"But why the hurry?"
Amy paused; she knew as a neurobiologist that putting pressure on someone suffering from memory loss was never a good idea.
"Oh we just want to help you, it's not that important."
"He made it sound like it was important."
"Well he's a bit paranoid and bit neurotic."
"And a bit inhuman."
Amy almost dropped her drink. "What? What would make you say that?" she asked a bit shocked.
"Well let's see: he he's able to hear through walls, lift me like a feather and it took a brick to the jaw to cause him feel pain. I may not remember much, but I'm pretty sure there are no normal people who can do that."
Amy sighed, she was a terrible liar, so she might as well be honest, but at the same time she knew she couldn't put too much pressure on Penny.
"Okay, I admit it there is more going on there where telling and it is important for you to regain your memories."
"Why what is going on."
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Look your just going to have to trust me on this, it's better for you if you remember for yourself."
"How can I trust you, I don't remember you? Why won't you tell me?"
"I know it's hard but you're just going to have to. I can't tell you simple because you would never believe me even if I did."
Penny stared at Amy suspiciously. "How can you possibly know that?" she asked.
"Because," Amy said sadly, "I remember every single detail and I still have trouble believing it myself." Amy paused before carrying on, "it's like one of those stories you see you read about in old books, the ones you throw away after the first chapter due to the sheer unrealism of the tale. It's exactly like that."
"I need more information," Penny said.
"I can't give you any more."
"In that I'm out of here," Penny got to her feet.
"You can't go." Amy said frantically.
"How do you plan to stop me, have him carry me back in and tie me down?"
Amy gulped; she could never watch that happen to her friend. Seeing Penny afraid was too much, seeing the events she described would break her and she couldn't watch that. And Amy had a feeling that Penny could tell this. She weighed up her options, there had to be another answer, but by now Penny had gotten to her feet and started to walk for the door. Faced with no other choice Amy capitulated. "Fine I'll tell you more," Amy said sadly.
Penny turned; she nodded and returned back into her chair, "thank you,"
"You won't believe me," Amy said,
"How about you tell me and we see."
Amy sighed, and began to recount of the events that had occurred over the last month or so.
Bernadette hung there exhausted; she swore her arms were now longer than they were when the chained her in. She had barely slept at that night, but right now that was not important. Once again she pulled and tried to squeeze her arm out. In a rare case of luck, last night when it had brought them back the demon had chained them up in different places. And these chains were clearly made for a person with slightly larger wrists. Through a night full of wriggling and pulling she had managed to get one of her arms loose. She now heaved trying to pull the second one free.
In the dark room, neither Howard nor Leonard had noticed. Leonard seemed to have sunk into a trance since he was put back last night, Howard had spent most of the night trying to sleep, still hoping in vain that this would all turn out to be some sort of nightmare. Struggling Bernadette managed to pull her hand through the slight gap. It had scratched her skin and she had dislocated several of her fingers, but that wasn't important she was now free.
Groaning slightly, she felt a great relief at finally being able to relax her arms. But that wasn't important right now, she had worked to do. Frantically she rushed over to Howard. Both men looked up at the sight of her free from her chains now staring in shock and surprise.
"Bernadette! You're free? You're free! How did you get free?" Howard gasped.
"I managed to slip my wrists out, it hurt but it got me out," Bernadette replied.
"Never mind that, run, get out of here, quick before you're caught."
"I'm not going without either of you."
Rushing over, Bernadette futilely tried to help her husband to get free, but his chains weren't going to budge.
She paused, she needed to think. "Okay I'm going to look for the keys; I'll be back as quick as I can."
"Okay, but be careful there are demons everywhere." Leonard said.
Bernadette nodded; she ran over to the only door. It was a big grey door, covered in scratches and what looked like…blood? Right now that wasn't important, getting it open was. The door looked very old. Cobwebs were around the sides and the hinges seemed rusted. It occurred to Bernadette that as the demons could move from room to room with thought, it was doubtful anyone had opened this door in years. But she couldn't let that deter her. Grasping the handles with both hands Bernadette heaved with all her might.
And after a while it began to work, the door began to creak loudly; slowly it pivoted open ever so slightly. Bernadette paused to gasp for breath. Bernadette wasn't very strong and the door was very heavy, but she was determined. Groaning she pulled at it again, and again it opened slightly more. Bernadette took a deep breath and gave a final tug with all her might. And this time the door creaked open.
Bernadette paused for a moment to regain her breath. Having recover she turned to rush forwards through the door, only to stop dead in her tracks. Standing right in front of her was Azazel. Smiling coldly the demon shook his head, "I was wondering how much longer it would take you." Suddenly he backhanded Bernadette and she shot backwards across the room.
As he walked in the room suddenly got brighter. Howard and Leonard's eyes opened in horror as they saw him standing there. "Still," Azazel continued, he slowly walked up so he was standing in front of Bernadette. She lay there winded. "Now that you've finally done it, what do you say we move on to the fun part?"
Penny shook her head in disbelief, "seriously demons? Angels? Spells? You honestly expect me to believe any of that is true?"
Amy sighed, "No, no I don't. I told you that you wouldn't, but that is what happened, it is the truth."
Penny paused; groaning she got up again and began to pace back and forth, thoughts and disbeliefs simmering in her mind. As she paced, something fell out of her pocket onto the floor.
"What's that?" Amy asked curiously.
"I don't know," Penny said, she bent down picking up item, as she lifted it up a small amount of yellow powder fell off it onto the floor.
Amy's eyes opened wide. "Sheldon!" she screamed.
Her boyfriend practically knocked down the door as he ran through it, "what's the matter?" he asked.
"That paper, it's got sulphur on it." Amy shouted pointing at the paper Penny was holding.
Before Penny could reply, Sheldon snatched it off her and began to unfold it. It was a small map, one of the area they were presently in.
"Hey," Penny said annoyed. Sheldon ignored her, he handed the map over to Amy.
"What does it mean?" Amy asked.
"It evidently marks something of importance for the demons."
"How did Penny get hold of it?"
"I don't know, she must have grabbed it before they mind wiped her."
"Sorry mind wiped?" Penny asked. But Amy and Sheldon were too busy coming over the map to worry about her. Four sets of eyes scanned over the map trying to figure out its secretes. Initially it didn't seem to be anything but an ordinary, albeit quite small map. But it only took the two of them a few seconds to notice something wrong.
"That's not there," Amy said pointing to one part of the map, "I spent all morning looking at that map we bought this morning and that building isn't there, there's nothing there. I'm sure of it."
Sheldon nodded, "your right that should be an empty space of street. There is no way this could be a mistake. There must be something there, something crucial to them."
"And if we find it then maybe it will lead us to the others."
Almost as one person they ran for the door. Penny just stared in bewilderment. "Wait, where you going? What is it?" she practically shouted.
"We'll be back as soon as we can." Amy called, "just stay here."
"But?" Penny asked bewildered.
"Trust me," Amy said, "with any luck this will make a lot more sense when we get back." And with that the two ran out, leaving Penny alone in the apartment.
Penny considered just running for it herself, get away from these to. It seemed they were both at least somewhat mad. I mean that story Amy had told her was ridiculous, it couldn't possibly be true. But then how had she gotten all those photos with her? And they did have a point about her not remembering anything, it was entirely possible they were telling the truth and they were her friends.
Sighing Penny decided to wait it out, this was probably the only way she was going to get answers. And if they wanted to hurt her, surely they would have done it by now. As such any danger she might have been in was past. She slumped back into the chair and picked up a magazine form the destroyed mess of wood that used to be the coffee table.
Sheldon groaned, it had taken them far too long to get here, there lack of transport and his inability to fly during the day time had meant they had had to walk. But they were here now, of course here was really nowhere. They stood in the middle of an empty street, no sign of anything what so ever that would be important to either the demons or anyone for that matter, in any direction.
"Maybe it really was just a mistake?" Amy suggested.
"Can't be, it was the only thing on the map and why would the demons have a map if it wasn't of something important. It just doesn't make sense."
"Hey, Sheldon look." Amy pointed, in the middle of the street there was a manhole cover. "Maybe what where looking for is beneath us?"
Walking over Sheldon grabbed the manhole cover and heaved it off, putting it to the side they were both hit by the awful stench polluting out of the sewer. "After you," Sheldon said grimacing.
Amy let out a quick gulp, before beginning to climb down. Sheldon followed close behind. The sewer was clearly quite old and also quite large. A shallow level of dirty water flowed along the bottom. They were standing on the side of this channel. There was lighting, but it was old and covered in filth, as such the sewer was poorly lit.
"Can you see okay?" Amy asked, remembering the great difference she had experienced when she borrowed Sheldon's eyes over a month earlier.
"Yes," he replied. "So the only question is what's down here that is important to the demons and why stash it here?"
Amy however had noticed something else. "Sheldon," she said timidly, "why is the water red?"
Sheldon spun round and stared at the dirty water, sure enough it was red, dark red. As he looked at the water and his eyes worked out its contents he began to shudder, before suddenly turning and running down the sewer.
"What is it, what do you see?" Amy shouted running after him. Sheldon however didn't reply, he just carried on down the sewer. Amy was lagging behind having the shorter legs. Up ahead she saw Sheldon stop. Turning the corner her eyes were met with a terrible sight.
The sewer was dark, but even in the dim light she could see what was laying in front of her. The body of a young woman, she was short and had blond hair. Her body was mangled, her clothing was ripped and she all too closely resembled road kill. She was laying there her blood slowly trickling into the dirty water. It was disturbing to look at her. Neither Sheldon nor Amy could stop themselves from tearing up. It was Bernadette. She was dead!
Earlier
There was another great whack and once again Bernadette was knocked across the room. She hit the wall and was left there her eyes spinning. Azazel laughed coldly, the other two demons that had joined him, clapped approvingly.
Howard could do nothing but watch in horror as Azazel attacked her. Howard was frantically struggling and trying to pull himself free from his chains, but all in vain. Casually Azazel strode over to Bernadette. "You know, I'm honestly not sure what to do first, your just so much fun to hurt. What is they say? You're not a true horror villain until you brutally murder a cute blonde."
Bernadette looked up at him coldly, all her pain and fear mixing together into anger. "If you going to kill me, drop the dramatics and just get it over with." She spat "I'm not afraid of you."
Azazel chuckled "You know lying is a sin. How can you honestly say that and expect me to believe it?"
Bernadette continued to stare with the same icy eyes that hid her anger and hatred "Because I know the truth about you. You, all of you, your all just the same really, you can brag and bully all you want but at the end of the day all you are and all you're ever be is just a giant bunch of prideful idiots who are still angry at the fact you lost paradise because you let your selves get arrogant enough that you would agree to join up with one envious, prideful psychopath. It doesn't matter what you do that's all your ever be. You honestly think you're impressive? You're just pathetic!"
Azazel stopped smiling, the other two demons began to slowly back away, making certain not to draw attention to them. The hot room suddenly turned cold, Howard and Leonard couldn't stop themselves from shivering at this sudden juxtaposition.
Azazel looked down at her, before saying in a very cold voice "you really aren't that bright are you?" and with that he suddenly kicked her hard. Bernadette shot into the wall with a loud snapping sound; she laid there, her arm clearly bent out of shape.
"No," Howard screamed, finding his voice again, "No stop, stop; let her go, let her go, please let her go. Hurt me if you want, just stop! Stop hurting her!" He continued to thrash around desperately and futile, trying to break free. All Leonard could do was hang his head in guilt and sorrow, what had he done?
Walking over, Azazel grabbed Bernadette and with one hand casually lifted her into the air. He suddenly hurled her across the room, like a football straight into the other wall. She hit it with a loud smack, and left a dark red mark where she collided. Bernadette fell to the floor and laid there twitching in agony. Her nose was broken and her organs were making a sort of squishing sound when she tried to move.
"BERNADETTE!" Howard screamed, "Please no. Stop. I'm begging you. Spare her. Please!"
Azazel causally strolled over. Her anger gone and only fear left, Bernadette tried to crawl, but suddenly Azazel slammed his foot down on top of her leg. There was a loud crack and Bernadette let out a ear piercing scream.
"NOOO!" Howard shouted in horror, tears were running down his face, exhaustion had long since set in, but he still forced himself to continue to struggle, he had to do something, he had to.
Crouching slightly, Azazel adjusted Bernadette's head so she was facing him. Then suddenly he punched her hard in the chest. The blow instantly shattered several of her ribs. Bernadette let out a great gulp, unable to make any more noise. The pain was unimaginable.
Howard could do nothing but stare by this point, his voice hurt too much to scream any more.
Slowly Azazel hoisted Bernadette up, his hand clasped around her neck. "Go ahead," he said. "Say it; tell me, tell me that you're not afraid."
Bernadette tried to look at him but her eyes were slowly sliding closed. "Say it." He hissed coldly. With his other hand he grabbed a clump of her hair and violently tugged it out of her scalp. Bernadette screamed again.
Suddenly he flipped her over so she was now hanging upside down, the blood poured down Bernadette's face and body, it softly dripped onto the floor. Suddenly a bucket shot across the floor underneath her. Azazel gave it a look and the water in the bucket froze over.
Azazel smashed Bernadette's head through the thin layer of ice into the freezing water and held her under, before suddenly heaving her out. Bernadette gasped heavily for breath, her eyes wide open, her organs sloshing about inside. Azazel paused before dunking her again, this time he held her under longer. When he pulled her out she was left shaking.
He didn't even give her ten seconds to catch her breath before dunking her back in. He was going to drown her.
Howard couldn't bear to watch. He turned his head away, and just cried into his shoulder. His wife was about to die, and there was nothing he could do about it, he couldn't bear to watch. But Azazel had other ideas. "Make him watch." He bellowed to another demon.
One of the demons lumbered over, grabbing Howard, he forced his head round and made him watch. Howard tried desperately to close his eyes, but the demon just used his other hand to hold them open.
Bernadette was by this point flopping like a fish on a line. Azazel continued to stare down at her. Suddenly he pulled her out and threw her on to the floor. Bernadette collided hard and just lay there panting and gasping, her face was bright red and her non dislocated fingers were curled over. She sobbed and cried in the corner, withering agony, why wouldn't it just stop?
Azazel held up his hand and she just flew back into his grip. "Say it." He growled, his voice had gotten deeper. Bernadette could do nothing but stare in horror, to in pain to move anything, everything was agony.
Azazel let out great snarl, long black horns sprouted out of the top of his head and his eyes turned glowing red. Bernadette tried to look away, but his grip tightened. His nails were now elongated black claws. They scratched across the back Bernadette's neck. His skin was now dark grey like ashes. As Bernadette watched, they began to fall away from his face.
Long and sharp fangs were left where his teeth used to be. His tongue was long and serpent like. As the last of ash fell away, his true head was now visible and seeing it made them all want to throw up. It was so grotesquely deformed; it looked like a Ram's skull, that some had unceremoniously hit with a hammer, and there was a thin layer of old grey skin tightly stretched over it. All illusions cast away; Bernadette was left staring at the true face of evil.
"Say it!" he roared in a deep cold voice, one which sounded like nails on a chalk board with syllable. His grip tightened again. His claws were now cutting into Bernadette's neck, her blood began to trickle down her back. "Look me in the eye and say it! Say it!"
"I'm…I'm...not…afraid." Bernadette gasped, tears running down her face. "I'm…not…afraid. Please…end…this."
Azazel's face cracked in a smile, "that's what I thought you said," he said calmly. Suddenly he chopped his hand into her shoulder. There was final snapping noise, pain once again shot through her, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back. It was just too much for her to take, too much. Bernadette passed out, her eyes slowly slithered shut.
Azazel gave one final chuckle, before casually walking over to the far side. Bernadette hung there limply, in his hand, now she seemed empty. Casually he loosened his grip and holding her at arm's length dropped her down the hole in the floor, before happily brushing his hands against each other and walking towards the door.
His face shifted back to normal, he once again resembled a normal man. He paused in front of Howard and turned to face him. The other demon had let go and Howard had been forced to just slump there, he silently crying.
"If it makes you feel any better," Azazel said, "I was going to do that regardless of what she or any of you did. She was just too much fun to hurt for more to even consider passing off. The wonderful sound she made as I crushed her internal organs and shattered her bones. Squishing her like a cockroach beneath my boot heel. Besides didn't her hair turn a lovely colour when it mixed with the blood?"
Snarling Howard tried to lunge at him, the chains clanked and clinked, but they casually held. He continued to struggle, trying to get at him. Azazel just laughed. "I'm sure you have a lot to think about, so I'll leave you to your peace. See you soon boys, were going to have so much fun together." He stabbed Howard's side, causing him to rock back and forth. And with that he walked off, the other demons vanished and the door slammed shut.
Once again the room turned dark, Howard and Leonard were left in the darkness. "He killed her…" Howard finally managed, "…he killed my wife…"
Leonard didn't say a word; he just hung there, longing for the celling to fall on his head and crush him. What had he done?
The Present
Amy could do nothing but stare, before breaking down into true tears. Sheldon just stared in horror, his own eyes watering. Letting out a snarl he swung his fist into the wall. Where he hit the concrete cracked. Slowly Amy walked over; she kneeled down still crying to close her friend's eyes, nut as he hand brushed over Bernadette's face, she made a great discovery.
"Sheldon! She's breathing. She's breathing!" Amy cried.
"What?" Sheldon shouted, he spun round and ran over.
True to Amy's words, Bernadette was still breathing. Knelling Amy felt her pulse, it was faint, but she still had one. Her body was still warm.
"She's alive." He murmured.
"How is this possible?" Amy gasped, tears still falling down her face.
"These wounds must have only just happened. Somehow she's still alive." Sheldon said staring in awe, "it's a miracle."
However Amy realised they had no time for shock. "Sheldon, we've got to get her out of here, she's probably got minutes if not seconds left to live. Those wounds are leathal."
His eyes focusing Sheldon realised she was right. Carefully he bent down and lifted Bernadette up in his arms cradling her as if she was an infant. "Grab hold," he said quickly. Amy nodded, she grasped the side of his arm. Sheldon muttered some words under his breath; there was the sound of fluttering of wings and the three of them vanished.
Penny sighed as she put down her final magazine. How long had they been gone for? How long would they be gone for? Where had they gone? Why hadn't they told her? They were going tell when she got back, she would make them. Penny wasn't quite sure how, but she knew she would find a way. They had no right to keep her in the dark, she had to know and about everything, like what was really going on. Not some ridiculous story of angels and demons.
Suddenly there was a flutter and three figures appeared in the room. Sheldon and Amy shook slightly. Penny jumped to her feet shocked. "Where did you come from?" Her eyes fell on Bernadette, "OH MY GOD WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?"
Sheldon didn't bother replying; he ran over towards the sofa and laid Bernadette down. In the light the true damage of her wounds was revealed. Her left leg was broken, so was her right arm, her bones were split, her skin was torn, a clump of her hair was missing, she had a horrible cut down the left side of her face. She really did look like a road accident. Mangled and split, with blood everywhere.
It made Amy feel sick to look at her. Sheldon turned to her, "Get me some cold water and a kitchen knife," he shouted.
Amy nodded and ran into the kitchen. Penny's eyes had opened even wider at the word knife. What was he going to do now? Dissect the corpse? What was this man? What was wrong with him? How could he do this to any other human being? He was insane, it was the only answer; they were both dangerously insane.
Sheldon knelt down and adjusted Bernadette's position, lifting her head up slightly. He gently rubbed his hand over her, assessing the full extent of her wounds. Then his hands, he tried to hold the larger cuts closed, to slow the blood escaping. Seeing all this blood made him feel queasy, but right now that wasn't important. None of Bernadette skin had been cut; it had all been split as the majority of her wounds were internal. It truly was a miracle that she was still alive.
Amy rushed back holding the water and the knife. She handed them to Sheldon, he placed the water by her side, and then gathering a little sprinkled it over her forehead. As the water dripped down Bernadette stirred slightly. Penny couldn't believe her own eyes, she was still alive?
Sheldon grasped the knife by the hilt, and held it above Bernadette. Penny's mind was working to fast, if she was still alive then that meant... he was going to kill her. No, she couldn't let him do that, she couldn't. "No," Penny screamed she suddenly shot forwards. She dived straight into Sheldon; catching him by surprise she managed to knocked him over. The knife went flying from his hand. Amy looked shocked, Bernadette only had a few minutes left to live, there wasn't time for interruptions. She tried to intervene but she didn't get a chance.
Sheldon pushed back hard, easily knocking Penny off him. Rising up he quickly grabbed Penny with one hand and hoisted her into the air. There brief pause when the two's eyes met, Penny's fear collided with Sheldon's worry. And for a second there was clarity. And then now snarling angrily he threw her across the room. Penny crashed into the side and just lay there the blow had knocked her out cold. Amy rushed over to her shocked by this. But Sheldon had no time to worry. Grasping the knife he slit his palm.
He ran over to Bernadette before holding his hand above her. "Multus Deus placeo mitto minister Raphael ut sano hic innocens virgo!" Sheldon shouted he then blew on the cut. Sure enough his palm began to glow bright white.
Holding it up for a moment, he let a drop of his glowing blood drip onto Bernadette, before slamming his hand down on her. Bernadette began shake, as if an electric charge was being channelled through her. And sure enough her cuts began to seal, but suddenly it stopped.
Bernadette's cuts had vanished, the blood was gone there weren't even any scars. But her arm and leg were still broken, her chest was still flatter than it should have been and she was dying.
"What, what happened?" Amy shouted flabbergasted.
Sheldon didn't reply, he just looked down in shock.
Amy felt the side of Bernadette's neck; her pulse was even slower now. "Sheldon, we're losing her." Amy screamed.
Snapping back, Sheldon grabbed the knife up again and slit his other hand open. "Multus Deus placeo mitto minister Raphael ut sano hic innocens virgo!" he shouted again, this time blowing onto both hands. They began to glow, but it wasn't as intense as it should been. He pressed them down, this time nothing happened, the glow just disapated.
"What's wrong?" Amy shouted.
Sheldon turned to face her, "I don't have enough power to heal her, it must have been all that flying."
"What? So she's doomed?"
"Not if I can help it." Sheldon replied. He clasped his hands together; he took a breath before beginning to chant. "Multus Deus placeo mitto minister Raphael ut sano hic innocens virgo! Enim vos sunt Vita. Enim vos sunt Vita. Enim vos sunt vita. Lorem ipsum do tribune me in potestatem ego opus ut mea amicus. Princepantum Raphael. Princepantum Raphael!"
Silence fell; Sheldon just stared up at the sky. For a few moments there was nothing. Then suddenly a glow emerged from between his hands. A white glow, which began to intensify and as it did Sheldon's eyes also began to glow bright white, his skin was lit up bright and pale, so much so Amy found herself unable to stare directly at him. Pulling his hands apart, Sheldon slammed them down on Bernadette. Once again she began to violently shake; he concentrated both hands on her chest. As he did, Bernadette's body began to rebuild itself. Her arm and leg clicked back into place, her chest returned to is correct shape.
He was straining hard before suddenly being forced to pull back; he collapsed onto the floor gasping for breath, sweat pouring down his side. It had looking at her Amy could see Bernadette was mostly fixed, there was still some bruises left over, but apart from that she was healed.. Amy smiled, happily she leaned in to confirm her relief, only to pull back in shock, Bernadette's pulse was still slowing.
"It didn't work." She shouted, "She's still dying." Sheldon staggered back to his feet.
"That's not possible." He gasped, "Her wounds are healed, and the rest are to minor to be lethal."
"Well something must have gone wrong; something must not have been fixed."
"Amy I can assure you, that would have fixed anything, if she had lost an organ that should have been enough for her to regrown it."
"Well look for yourself then. Her pulse is still slowing and getting more irregular. Her skin is turning pale. She's still dying. What's wrong with her?"
Sheldon paused, "There's only one possible answer." He said in a scared voice. "She's dying because she wants to die."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Medical textbooks are full of cases of people who have died from incredibly minor wounds throughout the ages, simply because they gave up the will to live. Her last thoughts must have been welcoming death; she was taken to brink of death, if she's not fighting then she's still going to die reguardless if her body is fixed or not."
"But…but…but she can't, why would anyone want to die?"
"Presumably because she wanted to be free of the pain they inflicted on her. Now she doesn't know the pains over, her minds still caught in that last state before it shuts down, her last orders being, to make the pain go away."
Amy stared at him, "People can't just will themselves to death?"
"If put through the right circumstances they can. This case clearly qualifies."
"Well heal them."
"I can't, it's not a physical wound. And if it was, all I just did I did on borrowed power. I'm now in debt to heaven. I can't heal her anymore."
"Well there must be something you can do. You have the powers of an angel for crying out loud, isn't there any way to restore the will to live?"
Sheldon paused; he began racking his mind, she was right there must be something. There had to be something. There was always something.
Amy knelt down by her friend, she couldn't let Bernadette die. She may not have been her best friend, but she was still a good friend. She was important, she couldn't die, she was so young and pretty and talented and intelligent. She had her whole life ahead of her. She couldn't die now, she couldn't.
Sheldon gulped and in a solemn voice said "there is one thing I can try."
Amy looked up at him, a flicker of hope returning to her eye. "Then do it, hurry she's only got seconds left."
"You don't understand, there are risks and consequences, if I do it I can't be sure…" Sheldon tried but Amy cut him off.
"Sheldon she's about to die, please just do it. Whatever the risk, it's got to be better than her dying."
Turning towards them, he nodded, Bernadette was going to die he couldn't allow that to happen. "Your right, we'll risk it for her." He looked straight at his girlfriend. "Forgive me, Amy for what I've about to do." He said in a sad voice.
Before Amy could ask, he spoke "Deus, sino in animabus salvum sua." The suddenly he pushed his left arm down hard on Amy's chest, pushing her onto the floor and holding her in place. He then knelled down and placed his right hand up on Bernadette's chest. Confused and startled Amy tried to get back up, but her boyfriend casually held her down. All she could do was just stare up at him, as he continued to press his hand against her chest.
Sheldon paused, "Deus, Sino in animabus salvum sua" he repeated, and this time something happened. His unusually red hands, turned pale, as if all the blood had been drained from them. "Deus, sino in amimabus salvum sua." Sheldon once again stated the strange phrase in Latin. And then he began to push down harder. Amy gasped as she felt the pressure against her chest building. It was actually starting to hurt now, and he continued to press down harder. What was he doing? He had to stop; he was too strong he was going to flatten her. But then she noticed something was wrong, he was pushing her down, but his hand wasn't resting on her chest. It was sinking inside of it.
Amy tried to speak, but suddenly her throat was dry, it was like she was frozen, unable to do anything but keep watching. Sheldon continue to repeat his spell, his eyes had begun to glow again by this point. They were once again white, but name the same pale white as before, now a kind of translucent white.
Penny who had been out was suddenly reawakened. Opening her eyes her first sight caused her jump to her feet in fear. Struggling Sheldon continued to push down hard. Amy was frantically gasping for breath by this point; it was like the oxygen was being sucked out of her lungs. It was horrible, she couldn't breathe, what was he doing to her? Why was he doing this? And then Sheldon pushed through.
For a moment there was nothing, it was like he broken through the layer of ice that was covering a pond. His hand was now inside of Amy's chest. But it didn't hurt, but at the same time she could defiantly feel something, it didn't feel like a hand though. More like a ball of clay?
And then Sheldon grabbed hold. He had grabbed hold of something inside of her. Of what exactly Amy neither knew or cared, all she knew was it hurt! It really hurt! She tried to scream, but she was unable to, there was no air in her lungs. Sheldon himself was clearly in pain, he looked like he was having a heart attack, straining heavily he suddenly began to pull and as he did Amy was overcome with agony. It felt like he was trying to pull her entire skeleton out of her. The pain was unbearable. What was he doing?
Sheldon was still repeating his spell over and over again. What did it mean? Her eyes moving frantically, Amy noticed something else. Little whitish blue lines where shooting up Sheldon's arms. What where they? Suddenly his shirt split open, his great white wings sprouted out of his black, they tore through the fabric. His wings were now blood splattered, but the blood was soon incinerated by their glare. They were now literally blinding. The blast of light was so much Penny could no longer look directly at them.
Suddenly Sheldon gave one final tug and pulled his hands out form inside Amy and Bernadette. Both girls screamed simultaneously. And then Amy was hit with true pain. It was like she had been forcibly ripped out from inside her own body. Sheldon was himself screaming; he shook like he was being electrocuted. His veins were pumping; his eyes looked like they were on fire. The intensity of the glow was now brighter than ever.
And then all her pain faded, in to nothing. Amy tried to comprehend this new feeling, but it was impossible, it was like nothing. She could literally feel nothing, no warmth, no touch, no air, no feeling, nothing what so ever. She tried to look round but her vision was now fixed in one direction. Frantically she started to wriggle trying to turn. With great effort she managed it. Her vision shot from direction to reaction. Until it fixe on one point and she found herself looking down at her own body.
It was incredible, there lying on the floor by the sofa was herself. Her eyes were shut and she looked like she was sleeping. Now that Amy looked she realised, that part of her was still touching her…the other her. She still had her legs; or rather she still had both Amy's legs. The two of them split off at the pelvis, it was like she was simultaneously sitting up and lying down. Amy couldn't continue watching, frantically she turned back to the front and looking here she was met by an even more shocking sight.
Out of Bernadette, Sheldon had partially pulled Bernadette, at least the top half of her. Her bottom half was still connected to her body. She was shaking and wiggling like she was trying to get free but Sheldon's hand was tightly wrapped around her chest not letting her go anywhere. But this Bernadette looked wrong, she was clearly still Bernadette but she was pale, whitish blue colour and looked like she was made of pure energy; similar colour sparks were shooting off her and it was translucent. What was this, what had Sheldon done?
And then it dawned on her. He had somehow, forcibly partially pulled Bernadette's soul from her body. No he had done more than that; he had forcibly partially pulled both of their souls from their bodies. What was he doing? How was this meant to help Bernadette?
But before she could make another thought. In a sudden movement, Sheldon began to push the two souls together. Straining he heaved them, it clearly wasn't easy, it was like trying to push two positive ends of the magnet together, But he did give up. Both Amy and Bernadette tried to pull free, both equally terrified of what was happening. But Sheldon's grip was far too strong. With one final heave, he finally succeeded and forced the two souls to touch.
In that instant there was a sudden great blinding flash of light. Sheldon went flying backwards straight into the wall. He collapsed to floor unconscious. Amy lay there on the ground out cold. Bernadette's eyes opened wide and she grasped for breath. She sat up quickly, too quickly; it caused her body to loudly click and her to yell in pain. Looking around she stared at her surroundings in confusion in confusion.
Turning she saw Penny standing in the corner, just staring at her, her eyes open wide in shock and fear. "Penny?" Bernadette said startled, her head still really hurt. Everything was dazed and confusing. "What happened? How did I get here?" she asked.
Penny didn't reply, she just fainted right there before her. Bernadette blinked several times in confusion. Staring around Bernadette stared in turn at the three unconscious bodies of her friends that were in the room with her. "What Just happened?" she cried.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed that chapter. Still I'm sure your tell me all your thoughts about it in your reviews. So, please review.
One other thing, I was wondering for how much longer should this story go on for? I've have never written a long story before, this is the first one. And I don't want it to go on to long as stories like that often begin to decline in quality.
As such I was wondering if you could tell me for how much longer you think it should go on. I've pretty much got the entire plot and ending worked out already, and with my present estimates it looks like there should be about seven or eight more chapters before I finish. However it may be longer, as a lot of these events I want to write about and include are longer than I expect them to be (point of example the previous to chapters and the next one, where all meant to be one chapter) so it could quite a big longer.
As such if you think that's going to be to long. Please let me know.