Chapter 12

Jane's~point~of~view

So this is just great, because of my stupid brother and his idiotic group of friends I had to leave my home and all my family and friends to go on the run with them. I looked up from the patch of grass I was laying in to see that the sun starting to raise. It had been five hours since we arrived in the middle of the wilderness and made a makeshift campground. The entire time the rest of us were setting up camp Rory didn't move more then an inch away from Benny, once I had made a fire and Ethan and Erica finished making a small wooden hut. Sarah returned with small cups she had carved from the base of a tree which she filled with water from a stream a mile away from camp. Rory laid Benny's still unconscious body in the small hut sitting right next to it just looking down at him.

Erica and Ethan had travel out in search of some food for the three of us who didn't feed on blood and Sarah was carving out some more water cups. I sat close to the fire since the air in the woods seemed to be even colder then at the beach. I was deep in thought when I felt someone sit next to me, hoping to see Ethan had returned I turned but was stunned to see Sarah sitting next to me. She gave me a smile before putting her hand on my shoulder. "Hey Jane how are you holding up?"

I turned my gaze to the ground finally no longer being able to hide the hurt I was feeling behind sarcastic remarks I looked back up to her. "You know a little more then a week ago I had no idea I had this power inside of me. I mean I always knew you guys were tangled in all this weirdness but I always hated the thought of all the supernatural stuff and hoped to not to get involved with it, so I would have the chance to live a normal life. But as so as I started my training with Grandma Weir she made me realize something, I saw that the magic inside me was not a curse of having to be a part of the supernatural world, but instead a gift that allowed me alter the world in ways that others could not, I mean having this amount of potential for change inside of me gives me more happiness then anything else. And it was only because of Grandma Weir that I now realize this. And I never even thanked her for showing me." I looked back down to the ground not wanting Sarah to see the tears coming from my eyes.

"Jane listen to me. Grandma Weir was an amazing person and I have no doubt in my mind that she knew how much she changed every single one of our lives. I also think the only way to thank her now is to push ourselves harder ever day to become a stronger version of ourselves then the day before." Sarah noticed the fire was starting to die down so she gave me a hug before sitting back up. "Will you be okay if I grab some more wood for the fire?" I nodded my head yes and she raced off.

After I sat by the fire for a few more minutes I figured I had to do something so I wouldn't go crazy waiting for the others to return so I stood up and walked over to where Rory was sitting next to Benny. Sitting on the other side of Benny I stayed silent for a few seconds trying to find the right words, but before I had the chance Rory let out a small fake laugh and turned to face me. "You know Jane it's funny how life is, I remember two weeks ago when Benny had fainted from overusing his magic. Now Ethan says he has enough magical energy in his body that if it were to completely take control of him for an extended amount of time he would almost be unstoppable."

I stayed silent letting the situation we were in fully sink in. When Erica and I arrived at the fight to help Rory I could sense the tremendous amount of energy coming from Benny, and to find out that he wasn't even at full strength scared me greatly. I mean I am the only other caster on our team and I'm barely a novice level caster so I knew we had no chance against Benny's uncles if they found us and Benny was still unconscious. Rory interrupted my thoughts when he spoke again. "I'm so scared right now that I hurt him to much in the fight and he might be unconscious for a long time because of me."

I reached over grabbing Rory's hand in mine I gave him a small smile. "Listen I have an idea that might help Benny but I need Ethan's help with it."

Rory didn't answer just nodded his head showing that he trusted in my plan even though he had no idea what it was. I heard some twigs snap behind us and saw Sarah walk over to the fire throwing some random pieces of wood into the fire. She waited to make sure they caught on fire before walking over to where we were sitting she sat next to me giving both Rory and I a kind smile.

The three of us sat in a comfortable silence for another hour before Erica and Ethan returned with arm fulls of different plant life that Ethan must have recognized as safe to eat. They set the food on the near the fire before walking over and standing in front of us. Erica looked to Rory and Sarah. "Hey guys we need to head out and get us some animal blood."

Rory looked to her with a look of disagreement. "I will not leave Benny right now!" He argued

Sarah jumped into the conversation. "Rory all three of us need to eat to keep our strength up in case Benny's uncles attack." Rory gave a sigh in return and reluctantly stood up.

Ethan stood up giving Rory a hug. "Don't worry dude I promise to take care of him while you're gone." All three of the Vampires leapt in the air landing on a tree branch high above us the zipped away.

I turned to Ethan. "Hey I have an idea that might help Benny wake up."

"And what would that be?"

"You said you couldn't access Benny's thought because the dark magic blocked you out correct." Ethan shook he head yes. "Okay so what if I loaned you some of my magic while you tried again. In his weakened state it might just be enough to get you in."

"It's worth a try." He agreed placing on hand on Benny's forehead then then I then placed both of my hands on his other one. I concentrated as hard as I could trying use the magic transfer technique Grandma Weir had taught me. Ethan closed his eyes

Ethan's point of view.

I was in a state of pure concentration I was going to add to Jane's idea by trying a very powerful and rare Seeir ability Melinda had me work on while we trained, I was going to try Astor planeing. I knew it was a very large risk since I was still new at it and a lot of things could go wrong but with Jane's magic I had a stronger anchor to this world so it would be easier to come back. But right now it was the best way to get deep into someones mind and right now we needed Benny.

I pushed all of my thoughts into a small bubble and let that bubble escape from my body. Once it was out of me I let it pop and I knew my consciousness was out of my physical form. I looked down to see my body had fallen to the ground and Jane was leaning over me with a worried look. I knew I had to quick with this since the longer I was out of my body the hard it was to find my way out of Benny's mind.

I let my mental self become a bubble again and sent it into Benny's head. I felt the resistance I had felt before but much weaker, but I was still not able to push through until a pink mist surrounded my body and I found the power to break through the invisible wall. Once inside Benny's mind my vision left me and I was left in pure darkness and as if my body was floating in nothingness.

I returned into normal be and focused even harder until a small white line appeared out of nowhere leading a path through the darkness. I stepped onto it balancing myself as if it were a tightrope. It felt as if I had been walking for forever until the path came to an end at a shiny black metal door. I reached for the handle but was surprised when there was not one. I tried to think of someway to get in, but came up with nothing. Out of frustration I kicked at the door, and heard it crack. I kept kicking at the door another ten times before it finally crumbled into pieces as if it was a gingerbread house door I had kicked down. I was blinded by white light as bright as the sun. I ignored everything anyone had ever told me and walked into the light.

Once my body was all the way through I was astounded by what I saw. The darkness had been replaced with a grassy meadow with the sun shining in the sky, not a cloud in sight but somehow it was the perfect temperature out. My mind was hit with an overwhelming sense of calmness. I looked down at the soft grass forgetting why I was here but just glad that I was. The grass looked so comfortable I laid down in it and my nose was filled with the smell of fresh flowers and rain water. I breathed in heavily and my heart was filled with pure joy.

I laid there for a while until heard the sound of sweet music playing from afar and fought my strong desire to keep laying down. I stood up and started walking in the direction the music was coming from. I reached the edge of a forest feel a sense of safety being admitted from the forest I walked right into it I walked into it. Once inside I was now in the shade from the tall trees above me that covered me from the sun with there branches full of leafs of every color I could ever imagine. I looked up at them staring at their beauty but kept walking toward the sound of the music. I walked slowly through the forest for another few minutes enjoying the breath taking wonderfulness around me. I came to the end of the forest and saw I had reached another grassy meadow, but instead of being empty I saw what looked like an old time record playing with a group of people dancing in circles around it.

I ran closer wanting to join in the fun. I got close enough to finally see the people who were dancing and was happy to see it was all of my friends and sister, I jumped into their circle and started to dance along with them. We were all having such a blast while we danced around without a care in the world. Until Jane's body started to glow pink as did all of my friends except for Benny. I looked at the pink light escaping all of their bodies and all of the fake joy that I was filled with left my mind as reality came back to me. I stopped dancing and ran over to Benny. "Benny you need to wake up!" I shouted while I shook him.

"But Ethan why would I do that everything here is perfect why would I want to go back to the real world if I could stay here. Please stay with me, will you?" My grip on Benny loosened as his words effected me. Why shouldn't we stay here? If we go back our lives would suck again, but in here everything was so perfect.

I felt someones hand on my shoulder and turned to see Sarah standing behind me. "Ethan why would you want to leave us?"

I kept looking for the pink light again but couldn't find it. My mind clouded again with the desire to stay in this paradise. "You guys are right why should we leave this utopia." I said as I started to dance again. We all danced for what felt like days but every second of it was better then the last and the more I danced the more my body never felt tired.

Finally something else caught my attention when I saw on top of a small hill near us was a picnic table full of amazing looking food. Suddenly I felt as if I hadn't eaten in days. "Come on guys let's eat." I waved for my friends to follow me.

I looked at the table to see it was Benny and I's favorite foods all in one place. I went to reach for some marshmallows in a bowl, but my hand was slapped away from it by Jane's hand. I looked up to see her eye's were glowing pink and had a look of rage. "Hey stupid I'm only able to piggy back on your magic with mine for a couple seconds. You need to get Benny and both of you need to come back to the real world." Her eyes lost their glow and returned back to normal she gave a quick giggle then spoke again. "Silly me always joking you and Benny need to stay in this perfect place."

She picked up a marshmallow and handed it to me. I looked down at her but saw that I could see her heart though her chest but for some reason it was giving off a pink glow I could see though her skin. I kept pushing the fog from my mind as I remember what she had said before that.

I threw the marshmallow to the ground and jumped over the table tackling Benny to the ground. I was on top of him. "Benny snap out of this! We need to leave this place and wake up." I shouted at him.

He just laughed. "Ethan I already told you I'm not leaving."

I made a fist and punched him square in the jaw. "Yes you are we're going to wake up!" For a second the grassy meadow faded out and was replaced with a forest full of dead trees.

"Why would I want to go back to that Ethan?"

I threw another punch at him and the scenery around us phased again but this time the tree were full of leaves and I could see a small fire in the distance. "Benny come back with me we need you! If your uncles find us right now we have no chance and they will kill us."

This time part of the meadow stayed as the forest when it changed back. Tears cascaded down Benny's cheeks. "Ethan if I go back I'm going to have to face that fact that I may have lost the only family I have left."

"Benny that will never be true the five of us are your family and you will never be able to get rid of use. But right now you need to wake up so that you can protect us."

Benny let out a ear piercing scream and disappeared form under me. Everything suddenly turn dark again and next thing I knew I was sitting up letting out the same scream as Benny. I felt two pairs of arms wrap around me and opened my eyes to see Sarah and Jane had me in their embrace. I looked over to see Benny had sat up and Erica and Rory hugging him as well.

I reached my hand over putting it on top of Benny's after more hugs were shared and Benny and I had found out that we had been unconscious for three days Erica was the first to speak. "Okay so now that we have the other two nerdketeers back Sarah, Rory and I are going to go hunting again." The three of them gave Benny and I another hug and Rory gave Benny a passionate kiss on the lips they rushed off to hunt.

I turned to Benny. "Hey buddy you sure you're okay?"

Point of view- Benny

Of course I wasn't okay. I felt as if I had just spent a five year vacation in my own personal paradise just to escape reality. I let all of my friends down by first attacking them then even worse retreating into my own hideout like a coward.

"Yeah it's just nice to be back with you guys." I lied giving Ethan a smile.

"Okay well I'm going to use the bathroom. So Jane stay with Benny and holler if you need anything." Was Ethan's skeptic response.

Once he was out of sight I looked back at the empty fire place, the sun was high in the sky so it must have been the middle of the afternoon. I thought about how much of a coward I truly was to hurt my friends so badly. I made my mind up right now that I was going to be the strongest version of myself from here on out. I would never be the fun loving Benny who just wandered his way though life, no I will be the Benny who charges forward though life pushing himself to the limit then pushing harder.

Four weeks later

It's been a hard month on all of us, every single day has been a challenge upon challenge but we've made it through it. Most of our time is spent training or making our camp better. All of us have become stronger in every way.

It was the middle of the day and Sarah Erica and Rory were out hunting animals. The only thing that hasn't gotten stronger is Rory and I's relationship. Other then the occasional peck on the lips there hasn't been much physical contact and it seems the only time we talk now is either small talk or if we need something. I really wish I could work on repairing our relationship but right now I need to concentrate on becoming a powerful caster.

Jane was taking a water break from our lesson today. She has really become a mighty caster herself. By far surpassing where I was at her age. Every day we would spar with each other, Ethan would have to help her by giving her hints of my next move with his visions.

I heard a noise come from behind me and turned to see that our fire place had started on it's own. I went straight into defensive mode ready for an attack. I took a fighting stance when I saw eleven people standing around me forming a circle to stop any chance of escape.

Seven of the people where wearing black robes with a symbol that looked like a ball of fire with three swords going through it. The other four of them had black vests with the same symbol on it with their fangs out and eye's glowing yellow. I knew I was out numbered so I had to wait for them to make the first move so I could counter and try to get to the others so we could get out of here together. One of the non vampires was the first to speak. "So here's where you've been hiding this whole time. You know it's a shame you chose to run away you've missed so much now that your uncle's have almost completely taken over the supernatural community."

I didn't responded I just kept channeling magic into my hands. Another one of the men spoke. "Yes you truly have missed some great things, your uncles are now in charge of both the vampire and werewolf council as well as every other supernatural creature and other then a few Casters and Seeirs who have chosen to go rouge are now part of their following. Which means your best bet is to come with us since there is really nowhere for you to run."

I saw motion behind one of the men in robes and a leaf from the trees above fall which meant my all of my friends were in position to attack as soon as I gave a signal. I took a deep breath. "You know me and my friends becoming my uncles prisoner sounds and all but I have a counteroffer for you." With that I ducked to the ground slamming my hands to the dirt shouting. "Natura, in adiutorium meum intende!"

Large flat stones shot from the ground forming a barrier around my body. I raised my arms and shot my hands out sending flat boulders in all directions around me. I jumped into the air and saw all but two of the robed men had dodged or canceled out my attacks as did all of the vampires. The two that did not though had their bodies pinned against trees knocked out.

I twisted my body yelling out "Ignis spiritus!" Causing a massive stream of fire to come from my mouth and head straight at two of the vampire. One of them dodged the attack but the other wasn't so lucky and when the fire cleared I saw a pile of ash on the ground. I landed on the ground looking over I saw Jane holding her hands up forming a pink shield around her and Ethan as Ethan had his eye's closed and looked to be trying to access one of the Casters throwing fire balls at Jane's shield. Seconds later he dropped to the ground screaming in pain then his eyes shut and he looked to be asleep.

I turned the other direction to see Sarah and Erica had taken out another one of the Vampires and were fighting off a Caster. Ethan and Jane were fighting off one of the Vampire and I couldn't find the forth one While Rory was dodging attacks from the last two casters. I ran toward him but was thrown to the ground by a punch to the face by another Caster. I quickly jumped to my feet ready to take this guy out in hand to hand combat. I heard Rory yell and saw one of the Caster's fire spells had hit his leg and was already getting ready for another one. I panicked knowing there was no way he could get out of the way in time with his leg. Both casters stood next to each other getting ready to throw their attacks. When the other Vampire who had come with them came up behind them. He took two daggers from pockets his legs then proceeded to stab both Casters in the back then kick them their dead bodies to the ground.

I concentrated on my fight again knowing somehow Rory was safe for now. I threw five quick jabs at the caster then dropped to the ground kicking his feet out from under him and finishing him off by drop kicking his chest.

I ran over to Rory already starting to cast the healing spell for him. Once I got to him the other Vampire came up from behind me Rory pointed to him. "Benny meet Phil he's on our side." Phil nodded to me then jumped over to help Jane and Ethan with the last Vampire. I finish healing Rory's leg once I was done I turned to see the rest of our group had finished off their enemies and were staying in a group in case one of the Casters came to.

After a few minutes of nothing happening Phil turned and addressed us all. " Unfortunately all of the things those Casters told you are true. Your uncles have search parties out after you and anyone else who has gone on the run instead of following them. Only a few of your grandmother allies have been able to fool your uncles into letting us into those search parties looking for you luckily I was assigned to this one."

I got a spark of hope at the mention of my Grandma. "Wait do you know if she's okay?!"

He frowned and I prepared for the worst. "I'm sorry son I haven't heard anything. But no one has heard from her since her and your uncles fought. Also your uncles have made the mention of that day forbidden. As you may have guessed you're going to have to find somewhere else to hide. I would recommend a big city as it's easier to hide and your uncles still believe in keeping the humans in the dark about the supernatural until they have enough power to take over in one big attack. Now hurry and get out of here I'm going to lay next to this tree and wait for the others to wake up."

Sarah spoke up. "No way Phil we can't just leave you here."

Phil gave her a hug. "Sarah don't worry about me, I have to stay so Derek and Damon don't suspect anything. I have to keep working for them so I can stay on top of what they will do next." Phil gave each of us a hug before walking over to a large oak tree. He swung his arm back then punched the base of the tree sending the part of the tree above where he had hit flying backwards. he laid down against the stump of the tree so that it looked as if he had crashed into it.

Ethan was the first to talk grabbing all of our attentions again. "I think we should listen Phil and go to a big city I think New York city will be our best bet if you agree put your hands up if you agree." Without hesitation we all unanimously raised our hands.

We all grabbed hands not needing anything from the camp since we didn't come here with anything personal and Jane and I would cast a rejuvenation spell on everyone's clothes each day. I used a picture of New York City I had seen on a post card once and cast the teleportation spell once the light faded away I saw we were in a dimly light stone tunnel which I guess was an underground subway.

The place was so crammed with people and everyone was so busy paying attention to their own things no one even noticed a group of six teenagers appear against a wall. I scanned the stone wall until I saw the sign for a restroom near one of the entrances. I pointed to the mens bathroom and the rest followed as we pushed our way through the mass of people. Once inside we checked to see it was empty once the last person that had been in there walked out while giving us a questioning look I turned to the door whispering a small barrier spell so the door could not be opened, I turned back to my friends with a plan. "Okay so I've been working on a spell just in case of this situation. It's a type of Glamor spell that once cast anyone not under the spell will see a completely different person when they look at us so only we'll be able to see the really us."

Ethan walked over to me giving me a high-five and a pat on the back. "That's my best friend." He let go of me and I walked over to one of the mirrors above a dirty looking sink. It took about five minutes to prepare the spell after I enchanted the mirror with the spell I had each of us walk in front of it. After each of us had done this I got their attention again. "Okay there is a down side to the spell Jane, Ethan and I will have two reflections in the mirror one of our new identity and one of our true self's so we need to stay away from mirrors in public. But Rory, Erica and Sarah you'll be able to see your new identity in mirrors but your vampire reflection will still be blocked.

The six of us stood there not knowing our next move. Finally Jane spoke. "Well I don't know about the rest of us but some of us need to eat actual food to stay alive. I'm famished what do you guys say we wait on a corner while one of the vamps super speeds into a store and gets some real food."

We all agreed I took the barrier spell off the door and the three of us walked out and up the stairs to get our first look at our new safe haven.