Chapter 14

Return to Sender

Heatherfield

Cornelia was having a great day. School was over, summer had begun, and she was enjoying a great dinner with friends. The four people in front of her, however, were not the smiling faces she usually ate with. This group was not lead by Will, but instead by Timothy Derringer, son of wealthy industrialist George Derringer, and who was quickly becoming close friends with Cornelia. The two had known each other for only a month, but Cornelia already considered Timothy her best non-Guardian friend. She had forgotten how good it was to talk about something ordinary with people. School, family, even the weather were better alternatives then the Shadow Walker or Kandrakar. Timothy, for his part, had no problem keeping his sights on Cornelia.

Meals with her new friends had quite a few perks. They ate only at the finest restaurants, and were treated to the finest service. Before she had met the Guardians, Cornelia had lived her life in this type of luxury, and she had to admit, it felt good to be back. It should have been perfect, and yet behind everything was this flash of guilt, one she couldn't seem to get rid of. It wasn't right, her mind told her. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. This wasn't who it was supposed to be. She had tired to keep these doubts hidden, but Timothy made it clear that she had failed.

"Is everything alright, Cornelia?" The young boy asked, sliding closer to Cornelia. "You seem rather distant today."

"Oh, just thinking." Cornelia replied absentmindedly.

"Nothing wrong with thinking." Timothy said with a charming smile. "Anything you want to tell me about."

"No, definitely not." Cornelia said with a laugh, but Timothy's face went serious.

"Cornelia, I hope that we can trust each other with anything." Timothy said solemnly.

Timothy reached over and gently placed his hand on Cornelia's. Another wave of guilt, the biggest yet.

"We can, of course we can." Cornelia said, quickly but politely pulling away her hand. "It's nothing big, don't worry about it."

"As you wish." Timothy said with a smile, retreating for now.

Cornelia laughed at herself internally. 'Nothing big'. She didn't believe it for a second. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. She wasn't doing anything wrong here, she told her conscience. She wasn't going out with Timothy, she was going out with friends. Besides, she hadn't spoken to Caleb in a month, and the last thing he said to her was that they weren't right for each other. She should just relax, and enjoy the meal. And yet, there was that feeling again…

Balsilide

The Shadow Walker fazed effortlessly through the lone wall that separated him the Heart of Balsilide, but what he found on the other side was not what he expected. The world around him was red. In whatever direction he looked, the Shadow Walker found nothing but pure red. It took him a few moments to comprehend his situation. The R.E.G, in their desperation to protect the Heart, must have filled the room with what appeared to be lava. In his intangible form, the Shadow Walker was not affected, and could not feel the heat, and was therefore safe. He quickly moved to the center of the room, where he found the Heart encased safely behind fireproof glass. If the Shadow Walker tried to break the glass, not only would his hand burn, but the Heart would likely be destroyed.

The Shadow Walker pondered for a few moments on his situation, then calmly made his way back out the way he had entered. He was not surprised to find the R.E.G waiting for him, weapons raised. He paid them no heed, as he was still intangible and therefore could not be harmed. Balken was swinging desperately at the Shadow Walker with no avail, when he saw the Shadow Walker raise his fist. At first Balken tried to protect himself, until he realized that he was not the Shadow Walker's target.

"Back! Everybody back!" He shouted, sprinting away from the Shadow Walker.

The Shadow Walker shattered the wall with a single blow, causing molten rock to flow down the hallway. The Shadow Walker stayed intangible and was unaffected, but the R.E.G, along with Orube, did not have that luxury. Frustrated, Balken led his team in a retreat.

"Grimm, cool it down!" Balken barked at his magician.

"As you command, but it might be some time before…"

"Just do it!"

Grimm began but it was clear that his work was in vain. The Shadow Walker had disappeared inside the Heart room, which was now quickly empting of lava. The top of the Heart was just barely peaking above the lava level, and the Shadow Walker eyed it with glee. Carefully, he removed the protective glass casing, acting quickly to avoid getting burned by the surrounding heat. Once done, he cradled the jewel in his hands gleefully. Balken and Orube could only watch as the Shadow Walker made his way through the outer castle walls, and in the night, Heart in hand.

Heatherfield

Irma was becoming quite good at washing dishes, and she wasn't quite sure how she felt about that. On one hand, a skill was a skill, but it was also a reminder of the countless hours she had spent in front of this sink. The menial labor did give her a chance to think, but while normally she enjoyed such chances, she was finding it harder and harder to conjure up pleasant thoughts. Between unknown exam marks, her parents, or Selna, she'd rather not think at all.

"Back in the clouds, sky-girl?" Her co-worker Josh asked, handing her another plate. "What's in your head today?"

"It's hard to explain." Irma replied, putting a smile on her face.

"Try me."

Irma thought about it for a second, wondering if there was a way she could explain.

"Well, I'm writing a story." she lied.

"A story? I didn't know you were a writer." Josh replied.

"It's not professional or anything, just for fun." Irma quickly said, adding to her lie. "Anyways, it's about these five girls, who can control the elements and travel to other worlds to fight monsters."

"Sounds like a bad Sailor Moon rip-off." Josh said frowning.

"It is not!" Irma protested. "It's got it's own unique story, the characters are better and… you know what, never mind."

"No, no, I'm sorry, that was insensitive." Josh said genuinely. "Please, I'm interested. Continue. Who are they fighting?"

"Well, it's this Shadow like creature called the Shadow Walker."

"It's a walking shadow called the Shadow Walker? Bit on the nose, don't you think?"

Irma glared at Josh.

"Right, right, sorry. Keep going." Josh said quickly

"The Shadow Walker can turn intangible, which means things can go through him…"

"I know what intangible means." Josh interrupted again.

"Right. Sorry."

"So how do the girls in your story defeat this creature?" Josh asked.

"That's the problem, I don't know how we… I mean they defeat him." Irma said gloomily.

"Well, if you're asking my advice…"

"I am."

"Then I would suggest that there are things that can harm someone without using physical force." Josh said.

"Like what?" Irma asked. "Think we should call him names?"

"Not quite." Josh replied with a smile. "But his other senses, his eyes and his ears still work, don't they?"

"Light and sound!" Irma said excitedly. "We could blind him, or stun him with loud noises! It might just turn him solid long enough to trap him! You're brilliant!"

"It's been said. And by we, you of course mean the girls in your story." Josh said eyebrow raised.

"Of course." Irma said, with a smile. The first genuine smile she'd had for a long time.

Balsilide

"After him!"

The R.E.G moved quickly at the sound of Balken's voice. Only one person, Orube, did not move.

"If you do not plan on helping apprehend the Shadow Walker, then I suggest you stay out of the way of those who do, foreigner." Balken said through gritted teeth.

"I wish to stop that creature as much as any of you." Orube replied calmly. "Which is why I'm talking to you."

"Talking will not bring that monster down." Balken said.

"And seven men with swords will?" Orube replied. "Your best defenses barely slowed him down."

"Hastily built defenses." Balken said.

"Be that as it may, even with an army, you won't be able to touch him." Orube countered

"What do you propose then?" Balken snarled.

"Call the Guardians."

"Never."

"I know you don't trust them, or even like them, but they can help." Orube said. "Whether you admit it or not, you need them."

"What makes you think I would ever call upon those girls for help?" Balken snapped.

"Because you're a soldier." Orube replied. "And a good one at that. And because no matter who the enemy, or who the allies, the only thing you care about is protecting this city and the people in it. And you know that this city is safer when the Guardians walk its streets."

Balken glared at the warrior woman, but said nothing, so Orube continued.

"If you truly think you can defeat the Shadow Walker without the Guardians, then by all means, go ahead. But if you value your city more then your pride, you'll make this call."

Heatherfield

Will didn't eat much at dinner. Nor did she say much, or do much. Naturally, this made Susan Vandom concerned for her daughter, but Will had earned the benefit of the doubt from her mother. Thanks in large part to Orube, Will had managed to study hard the past few weeks, and she had come home confident about all of her exams, a feeling Dean Collins could justify. She had also made a concerted effort to spend more time with her mother, and for once Will's home life was safe and secure. This meant that her mother didn't bother Will much this night, which only gave Will more time to dwell on her thoughts.

Matt, the Shadow Walker, Balken, and Orube. Hundreds of names, ideas, thoughts and emotions raced around Will head like a cerebral tornado as she lay in bed. As soon as Will thought she had focused on one problem, another pushed it out of the way. She was both relieved and concerned when her ringing phone jolted her back to reality. The phone was Cornelia's old one, used to replace the one that Will had loaned to Orube on Balsilide.

"Hey Taranee, what's up?" Will answered, recognizing the number. As soon as her friend began talking, Will bolted upright. "What? When? Oh no. They do want our help? About time. Yeah, round up the others, guess we better go. Me? Yeah, I'm fine. Just… don't worry about it. Yeah, see you soon. Bye."

Will allowed herself a few moments to slump back in bed. Sometimes, Will could tell exactly what type of day it was going to be just from a few minutes of it. Sometimes it was the feel of the air, or the way she rolled out of bed that let her know whether it the day was going to be good or bad. Other times, it was less subtle. The Heart of Balsilide was gone, stolen by the Shadow Walker. No doubt about it, today was not a good day.