Chaos Unleashed: Chapter Twenty-One

Erin's POV

I looked back over the main notes on inter-dimensional travel I'd collected again. There were many different theories about the potential locations of portals in our world, but one thing in particular I remembered reading was that the location and stability of those portals depended on the power source of the transportation. If it was happening through an object of great power, than the portal would be able to remain open for a longer amount of time and possibly open up in a designated spot. However, if the portal was being opened by a weaker source, the opening would be very, very short, and it would happen at a random point beyond the user's control.

I looked down at my ring. Obviously it wasn't that huge of a power source, so the portal that got the Fellowship here would've probably been something that was, in theory, a common point in the household. Didn't it give a list of common places in our house that could be potential portal opening sites? Where was that list? My scrolling became a bit more frantic as the gears in my head started turning faster. I'm so close. I have to be.

oOo

Boromir's POV

I braced myself against the dashboard as Legolas swerved again. "Be careful! We are on a highway!"

"I know, I know!" he said. "I am trying to get back to the house as fast as I can!" He quickly moved around another car again, and I cringed as they honked loudly at us for cutting them off. Legolas was indeed the better driver of the two of us, but that didn't mean he was incredibly good to begin with. As long as no one calls the police on us, we should be fine.

"Make sure you're not speeding," I said. "And take a left here!" I nearly fell over as he almost missed the turn, cursing as we swung around to the exit. "Legolas!"

"Sorry!" he shouted back. "I am more focused on staying on the road!" Thankfully he still had enough sense to keep us from hitting anything (though we had nearly hit someone else twice). I was in charge of giving him the correct directions to get back home, and that was plenty of stress on me as well. "When is the next turn?" he asked.

"Not for another minute or two," I said. "Once we reach the spot that overlooks the river, then we'll turn somewhere else." I for one was just glad that we had made it this far in one piece. We had been driving for about four or five minutes, so we were nearly halfway there. All we needed to do now was find our way back into town, and we both knew how to get home from there. I looked over at the elf for a brief second. "Are you alright?"

Legolas was staring straight ahead, eyes wide with fear. His knuckles were white from gripping the wheel so hard, and he was concentrating more than I'd ever seen. "I am fine," he said shortly. "Just nervous."

I nodded. He had every right to be. "You're doing well. Keep going." Looking out the window, I stared at the horizon. The sun was soon going to set, the first few licks of color beginning to paint the sky. I hope the girls will at least give us a chance to explain ourselves when we get home. We swerved slightly again as Legolas dodged a small animal trying to run across the road. If we get home, that is.

oOo

Kaia's POV

God DAMN it! I slowed my pace again, gasping for breath as I bent forward, cars flying past me. "N...no...no, we can't stop..."

"Kaia...Kaia!" I heard the thudding of feet as Aragorn ran up to me from behind. "Kaia, we cannot catch them. Boromir and Legolas are long gone."

I lifted my head, looking down the highway, and clenched my fists. "FUCK! NO! It'll take us at least twenty minutes to make it back on foot!" I stood up again and looked behind us at the hobbits, who were making there way over as well. I grabbed a rock the size of my fist and chucked it as far as I could out into the wilderness to vent my frustration.

Aragorn waited a moment until I'd calmed down. "What are we to do?"

I groaned. "I don't know..." The hobbits plodded up to us, each sucking in sweet air while they had a moment. "...I mean, we don't have any other choice but to run it back home. We don't have the stuff to stick it out overnight or anything."

"Do you have your phone?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I do. I'll send Kathryn a text or something to let her know what's up, but we really shouldn't stop for any longer. It'll be dark soon." I could see the defeated, confused looks on the hobbits' faces, but we had to press on. "C'mon. Let's go." Slowly, we started off again, running through the grass on the side of the road. I tapped away at my phone as we went, trying to run through other options we had in my head. Could we hitchhike? Is there anyone that would even have room for all five of us? Oh my God...what are we gonna do?

oOo

Erin's POV

"Blah blah blah...people use various techniques to find portals in their homes..." I squinted at the screen, focusing in more. "...Temperature sensations, changes in energy patterns..." Then my eyes went wide again as I straightened up. "A mirror or window is often suspected to be a common opening for a portal. Mirrors! Mirrors and windows! That's it!" I jumped up from my seat, a huge grin plastering itself across my face. "Kathryn! KATHRYN!" I yelled, running out of the room.

oOo

Boromir's POV

"How close are we?" the elf frantically asked as he pulled around another corner. We were over the speed limit now, but I didn't care.

"Not far!" I said. "About two minutes away from town!" The sun was touching the horizon line now, and my pulse was racing. I wanted desperately to be home before dark, because neither of us trusted Legolas' abilities to drive without light. I twisted around and looked out the back again, singing praises to the Valar above that we had somehow made it all this way without getting stopped by the police. A chase with the authorities was the last thing we needed right now.

I faced forward again as Legolas made the turn onto the road that led into town. We were so close...

oOo

Kathryn's POV

I looked up to the ceiling as I heard Erin's muffled yelling from upstairs over the episode of Seinfeld I was watching. She was running around like crazy up there, yelling and laughing over something. "That's great!" I casually yelled back before returning my focus to the screen. I looked down at my phone a moment later, reading over Kaia's response. She'd texted me a few minutes ago saying something about Boromir and Legolas coming home and that she was running back along with everyone else. I, of course, had been completely confused, and had sent her an obligatory 'what the fuck are you talking about' text in response. She hadn't replied yet, and I was kind of worried. What's going on out there?

My thoughts were interrupted by footsteps coming up our front porch, followed by loud knocking. I frowned a bit. It sounded like several pairs of heavy feet...were they back already?

I stood up, preparing to go to the door, but stopped. Something felt wrong. After a few seconds, the knocking came again, louder this time, and was accompanied by a booming voice. "This is the police! Please open up!"

I froze. The police? Why are they here? Slowly, I walked over to the front door and opened it. "...Hello?"

Sure enough, three police officers stood in front of me, uniforms and all. The one in front, with a thin layer of grey stubble and a bloated gut, looked down at a piece of paper held in his hand. "Is this the household of Misses Erin, Kathryn, and...Kaia?" He stumbled briefly on her name.

I nodded. "Yeah, it is. Why?"
He looked back up at me, holding the paper up so I could see. "We've been issued a warrant to search this house, under suspicion of criminal activity."

"Criminal activity?" I asked. "What criminal activity?"

"There have been reports of a potential kidnapping and holding individuals hostage, ma'am," said the officer behind him.

I looked at him, utterly confused. "From who?"

"That is classified information."

I stared at him for a moment. "What..." And then it clicked. No...Holy shit, no. "It was Jared, wasn't it? Jared Heiss? He put you up to this?"

There wasn't so much as a flinch from any of the three men, but it was obvious to me at that point that I'd guessed correctly. "Again, that is not information you need to know."

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying not to get angry. "Officer, I think there's been a huge misunderstanding here. Jared has been causing us a lot of trouble lately; he thinks that-"

"Miss, I'm sorry, but we have been issued this warrant and are required by law to hold to it," the first one cut me off. "Now, if you would please step aside."

I didn't do anything for a minute. ...Should I let them in? Oh fuck, but we never cleaned up the Fellowship's makeshift bedrooms and stuff! Would that make them more suspicious even if the guys aren't here?

The policeman shifted his weight and looked down at me with a more stern expression. "If you resist, it will only make this more difficult for all of us. Now please. Step aside."

My stomach twisted in knots as I leaned back a bit. I was scared now, and I noticed one of them reaching for something at his side. "...Erin..." Oh God, no. I don't...I can't let them in! I can't! What do I do?!

"Miss, I'll give you one last warning before we take actio-"

Suddenly, the loud squealing of tires pierced the air as a car came flying into our driveway, then continued on past it out into the backyard. There was screaming coming from the vehicle, and we all turned to watch as the van continued off our driveway and went careening past the side of the house into the backyard. Immediately, two of the officers gave shouts of alarm and went running off towards the car, guns at the ready. I, on the other hand, was in complete shock. What...what the hell did I just see?

There was more shouting. The remaining officer turned back to me. "Miss! Step aside!" he barked.

"N-No!" I stuttered. My heart was pounding as I stepped in front of him, and I screamed as the sound of gunshots rang out from the side of the house. The shouting was getting closer, and one of the other officers came running back over, shouting to the man standing in front of me.

"KATHRYN!" I heard Erin yell from upstairs. "Kathryn, are you okay? What's going on!"

I looked up at the policeman again, who by now was looking furious at this point. "I will give you to the count of three to move!" he shouted. I gulped. "One!"

"KATHRYN!"

"Two!" I stared back at him with wide eyes. What do I do what do I do what do I do...The back door slammed open, and I heard Erin running around upstairs.

"JONES!"

The officer in front of me turned his head. "What is it?" Kathryn, you have to do something!

"Jones, there's people back here!" Anything, god damn it! Just DO IT!

"What-"

He was cut off by me doing the stupidest thing I could've ever done: clocking him hard in the side of the face.

I don't know how I had it in me, but his cry of pain and stumble to the side was all I needed to snap out of my momentary shock and slam the door shut. I bolted it, took a step back, and screamed again when I felt a hand grab my shoulder. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" I spun around wildly, preparing to throw punches again.

My hand was stopped in midair by another closing around my wrist. "Kathryn!"

I thought my heart would give out from this many surprises at once. "L-Legolas? What the-"

The elf shook his head. "No time to explain. How did you do that?" He cocked his head a bit in surprise, then ran past me as Erin came flying down the stairs.

I stared at her as she looked to the blonde in shock. "What...WHAT? Legolas, what the hell are you doing here?!"

"He's not alone!"

I was at a loss for words for the millionth time that day as Boromir ran past me to help Legolas. "B...You, too?" Erin asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes, we're here!" I turned to watch as they both grabbed a tall, heavy bookshelf set nearby and dragged it in front of the door.

"What are you doing?" Erin cried.

"Buying you time-" Legolas grunted as he started pushing our large recliner in the way of the door as well "- to make a plan!"

"What...I-I don't..." Erin blinked, standing on the bottom step like she'd lost her brain for a moment. Then she snapped her head up. "Oh! OH! OH MY GOD, YES!" She faced them, a determined look in her eye. "Finish that blockade and get up to the studio! Hurry up, we have to make this quick!"

"Got it!" Boromir called, running back towards the back of the house. He paused for a moment to grab my arm. "Kathryn, snap out of it! Get upstairs with Erin!"

"How...How did you evade those gunshots?" I was still trying to process everything.

"Not important!" the Gondorian called over his shoulder as he ran to block the back door.

Legolas also brushed past me. "Follow Erin! Go!" I stared after them for only a second longer before jumping at the sound of a loud bang against the front door. I glanced behind me in fear, then bolted upstairs like I was told. Oh God, please let the guys get up here quickly. That stuff won't hold for long.

oOo

Kaia's POV

I looked over my shoulder, panting as I ran. "Come on, guys! We gotta hurry!"

"We...we're coming!" Merry choked out from behind me.

I faced forward again, breathing heavily. I should've been the one leading, but Aragorn was a bit further ahead at this point. We'd decided to just run it until we came to a store or gas station of some sort where we could try talking to the owner, explaining our situation, and calling Erin or Kathryn to tell them what was going on and to come get us. But the sun was setting quickly at this point, and I was worried we'd be stuck out here all night, not being able to get anywhere before everything closed.

"Kaia!" I lifted my head weakly to look at Aragorn. "Keep going!"

I groaned and pushed myself to run faster. Fuck. Fuck fuck FUCK. I need to get into shape.

oOo

Erin's POV

I slid into the studio, just barely avoiding a faceplant on the floor, and grabbed the small table I'd used before. Using all the limited strength I had, I lifted it up and moved it to the center of the room, plopping it on the floor and shoving all the stuff I'd had on top of it off to the side. Kathryn came running in shortly after me, and I met her gaze. "Grab the map and stuff!" She nodded, and I ran out of the room and down the hall again to reach the bathroom for matches. I nearly jumped out of my skin as I heard the loud banging continue from downstairs and shouts from the police as they continued trying to break through Legolas and Boromir's barricade. My mind was spinning over trying to figure out how they'd gotten here, where everyone else was, and what in the name of God the police had to do with all this, but I shoved it to the back of my mind and focused on the task at hand instead. I've got one shot at this, I thought, rummaging through the drawer under the sink and grabbing the small box. Only one.

Turning and booking it back to the studio, I almost crashed into the elf and man as they came up the steps. "Go, go!" I shouted, pushing them forward.

Coming back in, I was happy to see that Kathryn had already spread the map out and set the stuff up on the table, and I pulled the shade up on my window, letting the last of the fading sunlight flood the room. "Do you guys have your stuff?" They both nodded, having their bags still slung over their shoulders and weapons attached in place. "Okay. Give me one more second!" I dropped the matches and ran out of the room again, heading for the closet.

oOo

Kaia's POV

I slowed my pace, stumbling to a stop a moment later. I can't...I can't keep running like this...oh...Oh God, my sides...

"Kaia!" I turned as Merry and Pippin started catching up to me. "Come on, Kaia!"

"I...I can't!" I cried after them as they ran past me. Shit...I need water...I leaned forward, hands on my knees. This is never gonna work. We can't run all this way. But I couldn't think of any other options at this point, either. Fucking hell! Is there even anything else we can do?

oOo

Kathryn's POV

"Where is she going?" Boromir asked as Erin ran off again.

"I don't know," I said. "But you two have some explaining to do. What are you doing here? And where's everyone else?"

They glanced at each other nervously. "Well..." the redhead started, "We...we left them."

I stared at him. "Left them...where?"

"I...I don't know. At a small store alongside the highway."

"WHAT?" I screamed. "And you...you just drove back on your own? Boromir, what the fuck?"

"I did not drive!" he said defensively, pointing to the prince beside him. "He did!"

I looked at Legolas and opened my mouth, about to let them both have it, but was stopped when Erin came running back into the room with a huge mirror in her hands. "Guys! Guys, I got it! Okay, get ready!"

"What are you doing with that?" Legolas asked as she propped it up against the table.

"Fixing this mess," she said. "Kathryn, light the candle." I nodded and quickly did so, and Erin ran back to turn off the lights, the warm glow of a tiny flame now set in the center of the table. "Join hands," she said, "and pray that this works." There was a brief pause as she took a breath, and then began reciting the dreaded words of the Ring.

"Ash nazg durbatulรนk. Ash nazg gimbatul..."

oOo

Kaia's POV

"Kaia!" Another shout from behind me, and I looked up to see little Frodo, the last one in our group, running along. "Kaia, you must run with us!"

I looked at him tiredly. "Dude...I can't...I have to rest..."

"You can!" He ran up to me and grabbed my hand, dragging me along with him. "Come on!"

"Frodo! Let go!"

oOo

Kathryn's POV

"...Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, I opened my eyes and gasped, as did we all, to see the text of the Ring glowing brightly. "Oh my God...it's working!" I beamed. "It's really working!"

Suddenly, the flame of the candle sparked and jumped up, glowing an eerie turquoise color that was almost blinding. I squinted as its brightness grew in intensity, until nearly all I could see was white. My hands buzzed with an unnatural warmth from where they were linked with Boromir's and Legolas', and the last thing I remember looking up to see was the grin on Erin's face before the white light completely took over my vision. "It's happening!" she cried. "It's really ha-"

There was a bang like a gunshot...and then nothing.

oOo

End of Part One

A/N: And that's it! Part One of this series is finished. :) Nothing like a good cliffhanger to leave you with, huh? ;D

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and hopefully your New Year will be just as great! :) And seriously, thank you all so so SO much for all the support you've given me with this fic, even though I've been a terrible author who updates sporadically and doesn't deserve it. I read every review I get, and they all make my day every time with the sweet comments you guys leave in them. You're all awesome. C: Stay that way, and I'll see you in a week or so with the first chapter of Chaos Unleashed: Part Two! :D

-Erin