Thanks to anyone who reviewed this story thus far. I know i am quit slow on updating but this chapter was hardest one to write since it was quite hard for me to connect events i wanted to put into it. Now on to the story itself.
4. Evil that I now carry.
Will dropped her sight on the clock that was hanging on the wall, 6:46 - a cold spring morning; it was still dark behind windows, but sun already started to rise and most people already started to wake up to prepare for job or school. Will walked up to the window and thought about her next move, she wanted to go to her home, at least for little while, but she was slightly afraid to go there because of Hallinors warning. "Your friends will be played against you" the phrase that couldn't leave her mind, and yet she still refused to believe it. Moments of hesitation pass and Will clenched her right fist and concentrated. Moments later Cassidy turned her head towards window where Will stood and wanted to say something to red haired guardian, but place at the window was now empty.
Will didn't wanted to say farewell to the former water guardian, since saying it would mean she is prepared to not see her ever again, without saying goodbyes she made silent oath to live through everything and meet with her again. Although it was no more than simple superstition, guardian was wiling to take any chance no matter how insignificant.
Several rooftops and sunrise on the cloudless, blue sky appeared before Wills eyes as she stood on rooftop of her former home. It was for first time in more than ten days, that she sees bright sun before her eyes and she can take her time to enjoy sight of the dawn and for first time in last days she felt somewhat relaxed. Teleporting herself across city drained another slight portion of her powers, but she still was confidant that power that still coursed through her veins would allow her to live comfortably for at least several more days.
Will was watching sunrise as time slowly passed. She knew that her mother leaves house for job at exactly 7:50. She was still working as an accountant and Will knew that even if her schedule was changed due to her disappearance and even if Suasan was taking break from work, she should be back working after such long time. After all it was nearly two weeks since that fateful event. Will presumed that her mother is most likely grief stricken for her disappearance, but what could she do? Will couldn't just appear home and explain everything that happened. How could she explain her mother that she is supernatural being and now she is hunted by god knows who, after she murdered her own friend? Even more, Will knew that even if she could explain everything to her mother, it would place her in unnecessary danger, for now it would be better if she just thought that she is missing.
Will dropped her sight on her left wrist where she had her watch just to remember that she burned it when she released chaotic streams of electrical energies that she had accumulated in her hand. She had no way to tell exact time, but she knew that her mother would very soon leave the house and Will would be able to return to her home, even if its only for short while, but that may be last time Will can get chance to be there.
Soon she noticed woman in brown leather jacket leaving home and walking towards parking lot. Will turned around and started to walk towards roof access and examined door. Doors were locked, but Will charged slight charge of energy on her fingertips and melted lock open. She descended few floors downstairs until she reached doors of her flat. Will slowly unlocked doors and stepped inside her former home. Despite that Will left her room in mess when she left her home, it now was tidy and well cleaned. It seemed that Susan to at least somehow calm herself, cleaned Wills room. That thought pushed Will into even deeper depression and she wanted to at least somehow give her mother hint that she is alive, but she knew that she should keep everything secret, at least for now.
Will walked into kitchen where she stumbled upon stack of week old newspapers, her own photo and doused candle. Intrigued she picked up some of them and checked several headlines. "College student found dead" " Student missing", "Police still searching for missing girl" and similar headlines.
It seemed that her mother had collected every newspaper that would contain any information about her or Cornelia. Will picked up one of the newspapers that were dated day after that fateful encounter in cave and quickly laid her eyes over the text..
"Police reports that a 18-year-old woman was found dead outside city limits, near the beach of Heatherfield lake. Police identified woman as college student Cornelia Hale. While police can't comment on exact cause of death, they stated that girl's body didn't have any signs of violent death or struggle."
Will felt as if current ran through her body" didn't had any signs of violent death or struggle" phrase that seriously puzzled red haired girl.
"How, impossible, there is no way they could miss wounds I inflicted on Cornelia, her body was mutilated" Will thought about what happened in cave and tried to understand what might have happened afterwards.
"No there is no way they could overlook it unless girls, or someone else with magic power took their time to cower it to retain secret"
Will picked up another newspaper issue and looked at her photo" College student still missing"
"Police is still searching for college student Will Vandom who were reported missing three days ago. She was last seen with another student, Cornelia Hale, that later was found dead near the Heatherfield lake. While police still don't know exact cause of death, it has been confirmed that it is most likely accident as there were no signs of violent trauma. While police is still searching lake and area around it, police can't confirm if these cases might be connected.
If you have any information about miss…."
Will carefully placed newspaper back on the table. It was painful for her to read anything like that and she decided to not waste any more time and take things she originally came for.
She entered her room and opened table drawer. It revealed two books – One was her diary, another was her photo album. Will presumed that most likely her mother and possibly police have already studied her diary, but luckily she did not included anything that would suggest that she is anything but a teenage girl. Still both of those items were dear to her.
Will placed both books on the table and opened her diary to the last entry dated same day as tragic encounter about two weeks ago: " Irmas birthday is just few days away and I still don't have any idea what should I give her for birthday. As a leader I should have best idea what to give yet somehow I feel that everyone except me knows what to give to her. I already to told T that I bought gift but said that it will be a surprise. Lying to a friend is not something I like but still I didn't wanted to be last one that buys something for her. Today I will go to Cornelias place to discuss how we should organize her surprise party and maybe she could throw me any ideas what could I buy for her."
Will slowly slid her finger across word "leader". It was the only word inside her diary that at least somehow suggested that there is more than meets the eye. Also it was word that pained red haired guardian, after all as a former leader and most zealous member of guardians, she was now set against everything she believed until now.
Will closed her diary and turned her attention to the photo album; she opened it and walked to the mirror. Will invoked slight amount of energy and tried to mimic several of faces that she saw on the photos. She knew that she might have to use appearances of her acquaintances or friends to freely walk around.
Suddenly she felt unpleasant shivers across her body. Something was wrong; she could feel it, something unnatural. Will gazed towards window. Sky that was cloudless just an hour ago was now somewhat dark. Seconds later she heard familiar voice in her head "Will, I told you not to go back to your home"
"I had to Hallinor, it may be last chance I get to return here again"
"No matter now, you must get out of there at once. It seems that they have more forces than just your friends. You just put yourself into great risk by coming there, and I also take great risk by warning you"
"Who are they?" Will answered and quickly stood up from her table and put both books into her old school backpack and put it onto her back.
"Don't know exactly, but you must get out of there as fast as possible. Don't trust anyone you encounter for now."
Will took a look outside of window. Near her house was parked police car. Will quickly tried to invoke her powers to open fold to her hideout, but her fingers left only pale, blue line across the air. Something was blocking her attempts to teleport effectively trapping her inside her house. She looked up and noticed that clouds are particularly gathered right over her home. "What is it "Will thought for a second "some sort of veil?"
"Hallinor they are somehow blocking my abilities. What should I do now" Will tried to ask her new mentor for advice.
"So they have that much power. You must get out of your flat at any cost. Barrier that is blocking your ability to open portal shouldn't be too wide if you could get outside of it you could instantly escape. They are probably using magic that is hardening borderline between realities.
Will ran towards flat door, but she heard footsteps coming upwards. Will was scared possibly more than she ever was in her life. She carefully backed away from door into kitchen and looked around. Her attention was drawn by kitchen knife. Will quickly took it and while still gripping its hilt, slid it into sleeve of her shirt.
Will quickly though about escaping. If she could exit room before her pursuers reach her, she could reach rooftop from where she could escape with fire escape stairs. Will took deep breath and quickly exited her flat. She tried to run upstairs when she heard female voice behind her back "Stop right there"
Shivers ran over Wills back and she stopped, and turned around. In front of her stood two detectives, with long coats and badge on their chest. One was male with short black hair, while second one was female with blond hair. Will stood still and increased her hold on knife she held in her sleeve.
" Will Vandom. You must come with us." Male detective started. Will still stood still and remained silent. Female agent took out handcuffs and started to approach Will, while male detective pushed his coat aside revealing gun inside holster. Guardian increased her grip on the weapon she held in her sleeve. "Hands where I can see them" male detective shouted and reached for his gun noticing odd way Will is holding her right hand.
"Cops and barrier at the same time? They also don't act like cops should. Who are they?" Will thought at herself. "Are they even human?"
Will knew that if she is captured even if they are just regular police, she would lose fight she is fighting now. Cops that now approached her left her effectively cornered and with limited options. Will shrugged and before he could pick out his gun, will revealed her knife and lunged towards female detective. Knife entered into the leg of the female cop and while wound seemed deep, there was almost no blood nor did she shown any signs of pain. Instead her right hand started to glow with red light and she shouted: "Pathetic human" .She waved her right hand towards Will sending powerful wave of red, sparkling energy that knocked guardian back to the wall.
Female effortlessly pulled knife out of her leg and dropped it near Will, wound that was in its place already started close before Wills eyes. Energy wave that hit guardian left her dazed and disoriented, staggering against wall. She never experienced anything similar before, and she felt that energy she was hit by, drained her life energy out of her. Will tried to regain balance as she looked at her adversary, noticing that her eyes and left arm glow with an unnatural red glow. Female cop lifted her left hand but black haired cop shouted at her:" Stop it, we were ordered to bring her alive. By killing her we won't achieve anything."
Will tried to regain balance and looked at her adversaries. Her pursuers were definitely not human. She had to escape no matter what. She placed her hand to the wall and charged her palm invoking energy of quintessence. Energy that she released charged wires that were inside the wall making lamps that were above their heads explode with bright light, dazing both her foes.
Will quickly leaned down and picked up knife female attacker dropped near her, and started to run upstairs towards rooftop of the building.
Finally panting and sweating guardian reached rooftop. She looked upwards and noticed that black clouds that were above her already started to disperse. Will instantly understood that energy that was blocking her means of escape is fading. She tried to regain her strength to be able to concentrate herself on opening portal to her sanctuary, but before she could, she noticed that one her pursuers are already behind her on the roof, and second one walked out of doorway following her.
Will knew that she was effectively trapped and even with barrier gone, she wouldn't be able to open portal while she is confronted by her enemies. She had to either fight or surrender. Realizing that she clenched her fist where she held knife. "Who are you" Will shouted to her pursuers.
"You are going to find soon enough human" Male cop answered as his eyes started to glow in similar way as female cops eyes glowed minute ago.
Will tried to analyze her options to fight her enemies. Male cop was standing near doorway Will walked through to escape, while female detective was standing near fire escape preventing Will from escaping. She charged her knife with quintessence and concentrated on position in front of the female cop that was standing near fire escape. She concentrated and invoked her powers to shift herself towards her enemy. Flash of light passes before her eyes as she founds herself in close proximity of her enemy. As soon as she emerged from teleporting, Will pushed her foe off from the roof sending her to fall from nine floor height. Will turned around to see her other enemy, but as soon as she turned around she noticed that female detective that guardian just pushed off the roofs edge was already there.
Will now understood that extent of her enemies' power is at least matching hers. Will concentrated and formed small energy barrier around herself in hopes that it would protect from energy attacks that her enemies possessed. Worst than anything Will knew that her power now is limited and last attack she absorbed drained considerable part of if, and to win she cant afford any more mistakes.
Will stepped few steps towards her foes and charged blade that she held in her hand and silently whispered" quintessence" Knife started to become agitated and seemingly moving by itself. Her enemies charged their hand with red energy, but before they could use any of it Will lifted her hand and threw knife against female enemy. Knife seemingly flew on its own will impaling guardian's adversary in her chest. She let out loud scream and hit left visible tracks of wounds and blood as she collapsed. Energy that wounded her seemingly left permanent wounds. Surprised by this revelation Will charged her arm with energy to send another charge of energy towards her enemy, but before she could do it she felt sharp pain in her left leg and screamed before she fell to the ground. She looked up and noticed that male cop is aiming his gun at her.
Even though she disabled one of her enemies she was now effectively trapped. Pain interfered with her concentration and she could barely retain consciousness. She musters last of her power and tries to shift herself away from rooftop. Flash of light passes before her eyes and she emerges in alley near her house, couple yards above the ground. As soon as she appears, she falls to the ground. Although cardboard boxes softens hit, Will painfully bruises her back. Wound in her leg and pain in the back was too much and she lost her consciousness.
"Miss, miss are you okay" Will heard female voice as she felt that someone was shaking her. She slowly opened her eyes and saw about thirty year old, brown haired woman that was trying to help her. Will noticed that she is holding cell phone in one of her hands.
"I will call doctors. You seem to be wounded" She continued with nervous voice.
"No, no need I am okay" Will tried to calm her down.
"What are you talking about" Your leg is bleeding, and your face seems to be burned. You need to see doctor" Woman still tried to convince Will that she needs help.
Suddenly she realizes:" Aren't you that missing student that went missing two weeks ago?"
Will shrugged; she knew that even if she escaped her pursuers for now, she was now only less than block away from her house and her pursuers will find her soon, but also that almost all of her powers were depleted not to mention that she was wounded. Also woman that was helping her now knew her identity and it was doubtful that she won't call cops and medics to take her in.
Will reach out her hand and asked" Can you help me get up?"
Woman instinctively offered her hand but as soon Will touched it, she felt sharp jolt of electricity through her and felt that her strength was leaving her body. "I am sorry" Will said as woman lost her consciousness and collapsed, while Will felt influx of power inside her body that almost instantly closed wound that was inflicted upon her leg. Will knew that wounds that were inflicted by natural, non magical means was quite easy to heal given that you posses energy for it.
With pain gone Will stood up and looked around. She had to get out quickly. But before she could prepare portal she notices that coated figure entered alley. Unfortunately for Will her pursuers found her faster than she had hoped. Although Will just consumed life force it was relatively weak amount of power and mayor part of it was spent to heal Wills wounds. Guardian knew that she does not posses enough power to launch another attack that would be as devastating as one she made back on the rooftop. She quickly tried to hid behind corner, but found herself in the dead end. Once again trapped Will prepared to fight again, she prepared energy barrier around her body and charged her right fist with energy. Even though she now faced only one adversary she knew that her powers are weakened compared to ones she had while ago.
Will lifted her hand against corner and tried to hear incoming footsteps, but cities loud noise mixed everything together. She felt that her heart started to beat with incredible speed and her fingers started to shake. Minute passes but still no one appeared in front of her. It seemed that her enemy wasn't reckless enough to attack head on. Will started to look around to see if anyone is around. Suddenly she noticed her foe in front of her and guardian discharges her palm against him. But as soon as lighting streams reached it, they passed through him revealing that it was nothing more than a illusion.
Noticing that Will started to frantically look around , when she sees as her opponent appear on her left and sends red stream of energy towards her. Before Will could have reacted red streams of energy hit her, breaking her barrier and enveloping her body in red streams. This time hit was less painful and damaging than last time. It seemed that shield she conjured around herself absorbed portion of the attack. Before her enemy could muster strength for another attack Will discharged remains of energy she had left in her hand. Although far to weak to noticeably harm attacker, he staggered few feet's backwards from hit he just absorbed. Using the opportunity Will jumped at her opponent dropping him to the ground, and before he could react, Will placed her hands around his neck and invoked her powers to quench his powers.
Sparks appeared around her hands as energy from her enemy flew inside Wills body. As soon as first streams of energy entered Wills body, she felt that something is wrong. Energy she was no draining was not like one she was draining from crystals or from women back in the alley. Even more, Will felt that energy she was now receiving was completely different, she could feel that it even conflicts with life force that floats through her veins. Seconds later she feel sharp pain behind her left eye, and several visions appear behind her eyes.
Will find herself inside the burning medieval town where screaming people flee from some unknown attackers that are destroying the city. Another vision sends her to some big room where strange creatures with reddish skin are performing ritual and bowing towards highly decorated member of said race.
Will tries to cease draining of energy but when she finally takes her hands of adversary he seems to be dead and his body seems somewhat older than he was when he attacked. Energy that she just received leaves Will exhausted and weak. Will could feel that energy she just received not only didn't made her stronger, but to the contrary conflicted with guardians life force. She could feel as bloody tears appear in her left eye and she feels bloody taste in her mouth. Not only had her enemies' energy proved to have destructive effect upon her body, but Will could also feel that energy that now inhabited her body was somehow sentient vying to control body it now inhabited, yet she feels that any of its attempts to take control of her are futile.
Exhausted and wounded, Will musters remnants of her strength and opens portal to her sanctuary. Once she entered cave she quickly approach crystal that contained energy. Will placed her palm to it and quenched energy that resided in it. This time Will could feel that her body is more attuned to this type of power and she could contain even more energy than last time.
Exhausted Will approaches pool to wash her face but to her horror she notices that all left side of her hair have turned pale, and she could feel unnatural red glow in her left eye. Will washed her face when she noticed that although her vision in left eye is blurred she could see some sort of red streams running across her left arm. Shocked she back off from the pool and tries to contact Hallinor:" What's happening with me Hallinor?"
"I don't know. I already said I am unsure what we are against." Woman's voice responded.
"When I consumed their power I saw visions. I saw burning village and some strange creatures praying. I think those are his memories."
"Tell me more about what you saw"
Will starts to tell about images she saw to Hallinor and her experience she had when she encountered her enemies. When she finished Halinor responded:" I have studied Kandracars archives for third of my life and there is no mention of creatures you spoke of in your vision or encountered. I will try to get any information on creatures you saw, but you should rest now. You acted recklessly today. You could have gotten killed or captured."
"I already told you that I had to return there, and I am sorry that I unintentionally placed you in danger"
"You are too sentimental, but to tell truth I was much like you when I was guardian. I guess it can't be helped. I guess I don't have to be able to be able to read your mind to know what you want to do next"
"I guess no" Will replied and sighed.
"Well then I won't stop you. She is buried in Heatherfields cemetery. Just promise that you will be careful. "
"Ok I will"
Will walked up to the chair to get some sleep. Today she encountered her enemy and now she knew that they are not invincible. Even though her enemies' essence now flew in her veins, it was small victory that gave her something important – "hope"
TBC