The Hunter Games
Part 8
Xxx
As the alarm sounded through the hunter's complex, Lexie and the others ran up the stairs to the holding cells. It was only a matter of time before the hunters were upon them, so they had to free the captive witches to make it a fair fight. She just hoped they weren't too late to save them from being burned at the stake. As they reached the right floor, they discovered the large metal door had been automatically locked due to the alarm. Lexie told the others to stand back and channeled all her telekinetic power at the door, tearing it off its hinges before falling to her knees. It was the heaviest thing she had ever lifted.
"Are you okay?" Liam asked.
"That just took a lot out me." Lexie admitted while gasping for air.
"Liam, help her up." Izzy said. "We've got company."
Lexie looked over the edge of the stairs and saw a group of hunters getting closer. Izzy threw several light darts to keep them at a distance, though they started firing back with tranquilizer darts. Liam managed to block their darts by replicating her power, though it was a losing fight. Lexie struggled to get on her feet and nudged Liam to follow her lead. She began lifting the heavy metal door and Liam supported her. Together, they managed to throw the door down the staircase, blocking the path of the hunters.
"That should hold them for a bit." Lexie noted. "Let's keep going."
"Are you holding on?" Izzy asked.
"I don't have a choice." Lexie replied. "My family is up ahead, just like all of our friends."
"You won't do them any good by exhausting yourself before we reach them." Liam said. "Izzy and I will take the lead from here. You stay back and catch your breath."
Lexie wanted to argue, but realized Liam was right. If she kept pushing herself, she would be left without powers when it mattered most. She needed to trust her friends to get them to the cells, so she simply nodded in agreement. The group made their way forward and encountered several more hunters. However, Izzy and Liam were able to quickly take them out by combining their powers. Eventually, they reached another metal door and Liam telekinetically slammed the last remaining hunter against it, knocking him out.
"We're almost there." Liam said. "According to the floorplan we saw, the holding cells should be behind this door."
"Great, how are we going to open it?" Izzy asked.
"We'll just use the key." Lexie said as she noticed a security card on the hunter's belt.
Lexie waved her fingers and the card flew into her hand. She walked over to the door and tried the card on the security panel, which worked. The metal door slowly opened to reveal a long hallway with several smaller doors. Each of the doors had symbols drawn on them that blocked the use of magic inside the cells. These had to be the cells holding the witches. Lexie quickly ran to the first cell and looked inside. She saw Maddison sitting on the floor with her head buried in her knees.
"Maddison!" Lexie called out as she slammed her fist on the door.
"Lexie?" Maddison called out in shocked as she looked up. She quickly crawled up and ran toward the door. "Oh my God, how did you get here?!"
"We don't have time to explain." Lexie replied. "Is everyone here?"
"I think so." Maddison replied. "At least they used to be. A group of hunters came by a little while ago and took five witches with them."
"Oh no." Liam said. "That means they are getting ready to burn them. How long ago was this?"
"Just a few minutes." Maddison said.
"Did you see who they took?" Lexie asked.
"No, sorry, I was afraid to look." Maddison replied as tears formed in her eyes. "I saw so scared that I just hid in the corner and prayed they would skip me. I feel horrible."
"It's alright, Maddison." Liam said. "Anyone would be scared in that situation."
"We need to hurry." Izzy noted. "Setting up the stakes takes time, especially if we rushed them by setting off the alarm. We might still make it in time."
"We need to free everyone here." Lexie said.
Lexie held the security card against the panel of the cell door, but it was denied. She tried again with the same result, leading her to realize the hunter didn't have authorization to open the cells. She angrily threw the card away.
"I need to break the cells open one by one." Lexie said determined.
"I don't think we have time for that." Izzy said.
"Also, I think all the cells are connected." Liam noted as he studied the door and the security system. "I'm worried that if we open one of them, the others might have security measures."
"What kind of security measures?" Maddison asked nervously.
"Could be anything." Liam admitted. "I doubt the hunters would take any chances."
"Then what do we do?" Lexie asked.
"We need to open all the doors at once." Liam said. "I think that if we apply enough pressure on the locks, we might be able to break them open."
"I don't think I have the strength for that." Lexie admitted.
"Not alone, no." Liam replied. "But you will once I use my powers to augment yours. I'll be able to supercharge your telekinesis so you can break the locks."
"Are you sure that will work?" Izzy asked.
"Pretty sure." Liam said hesitantly. "I can't think of another way."
"Wait, what if the security measures are triggered anyways?" Maddison asked. "I don't want to die in here."
"Look Magic School Barbie, It's either this or the stake." Izzy noted coldly.
"Alright, just do it." Maddison replied as she stepped to the back of the cell.
"Lexie, are you up for this?" Liam asked. "You will need to focus on all the locks at the same time and tear them out."
"Like you guys said, it's the only way." Lexie replied.
"Alright, I'm ready when you are." Liam said. "Last time I used augmentation, I was left completely drained, so I don't think I'll be of much use after this."
"If this works, we'll have an army of witches." Izzy noted. "We've got your back."
"Okay, I'm ready." Lexie said.
Lexie took deep breath as she stepped to the middle of the hallway. She counted the number of cells. She needed this to work, she had to make sure her mom and brother were safe. She needed to be strong for them. As she nodded, Liam held out his hands and bathed her in a blue glow. Lexie immediately felt a surge of magic coursing through her, as if she had been struck by lightning in a good way. The power she felt was almost overwhelming, so she needed to focus. She formed an image of the locks in her mind and then unleashed all of the power inside her.
All of the locked doors in the hallway trembled as the locks were torn out, leaving holes in the doors as they swung open. Lexie thought she would feel exhausted again, but she still felt the strong magic inside her. However, as she turned around, she noticed that Liam had collapsed into Izzy's arms.
"Is he alright?" Lexie asked.
"He will be, I think." Izzy replied. "You just took all he had."
"Lexie?" a familiar voice sounded.
Lexie spun around and saw Charlie running at her, wrapping her in a tight hug before she could react. As she looked around, she saw other witches emerging from their cells as well. Lexie was relieved to see them all, especially her little brother. As they hugged, Lexie saw Izzy reuniting with her cousin Delaney, while Margot hurried to the unconscious Liam. Maddison and Zev embraced each other and kissed, while a middle-aged man rushed to aid a pregnant girl.
Despite all the happy reunions, Lexie soon realized that someone was missing, her mom. A horrible though occurred to her. Of course Makayla would want her mom to burn at the stake first. She hated her most of all and blamed her for what happened to her brother.
"They have mom." Charlie said.
"I know, we'll get her back." Lexie said determined. "We need to get going before the hunters hurt her and the others."
"Who else are we missing?" Izzy asked.
"I saw the hunters take Professor Marks and Professor Forbes." Harry said.
"They also still have my friends, Macy and Sabine." Anne Maria added. "We have to find them. Once I reunite with them, we'll show the hunters what the Chosen can do."
"I don't care what all of you do, I'm getting my daughter out of here." The middle-aged man said.
"Dad, no, we can't abandon everyone." The pregnant girl said. "We're in this together."
"Rebecca, no!" Her father counted. "Your safety and your baby come first."
"Excuse me, its mister Callaway, right?" Kyle said. "I'm a Whitelighter. I can orb your daughter out of here, but the other witches need all the help they can get."
"Alright, if you take my daughter somewhere safe, I'll help fight these damned hunters." Mister Callaway said. "They should pay for what they've done."
"Is there anyone else that can't fight?" Kyle asked.
"You need to take Liam." Margot said. "He used up all this magic to free us. I'll stay and help."
"I'm not much of a fighter, but I can't leave my cousin." Simon said in a somewhat uncharacteristic display of courage.
"Aunt Dawn is in danger as well." Delaney added as she conjured a baseball bat. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Alright, I'll orb Rebecca and Liam to safety." Kyle replied. "Take care of each other. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Kyle held out his hand to Rebecca, who reluctantly accepted it, and then walked over to Liam. The three of them disappeared in a column of orbs, leaving the group of battle-ready witches behind. Although she felt confident with the support, Lexie was still scared for her mom.
"Don't worry." Charlie said. "Mom is tough."
"I know." Lexie replied. "Let's go get her back."
Xxx
Makayla stood on the balcony overlooking the five witches tied to the stakes. It was supposed to be a glorious moment of justice, but she was forced to rush it. As part of her duty as a hunter, she was meant to give the witches a trial and opportunity to confess their sins. However, with the threat of more witches looming over them, she had decided to skip all ceremony and pretense. All she wanted was to see these witches burn, especially Billie, who was tied to the stake in the middle.
"Ma'am. We've got a huge problem." Garrett said as he rushed over to her. "The witches have broken out of the holding cells and are on their way."
"Good." Makayla replied. "They'll only accelerate their own demise."
"Ma'am, I don't think you realize what we're up against." Garrett said nervously. "There are too many of them for us to capture."
"Then don't capture them." Makayla replied. "The time for a fair trial has passed. Switch to regular ammunition and take them out. Permanently."
"But only fire will cleanse them." Garrett noted.
"We're at war, Garrett." Makayla said. "It's us or them now. These witches are out for blood. Call every hunter that's left standing here."
"Yes, ma'am." Garrett replied. "As you wish."
Garrett relayed the orders through his walkie-talkie and headed down to change weapons. Makayla took her own gun out of her holster and looked at it. She remembered how her father had given her the gun after he started training her. It was after Jake had left them. Should all else fail, she would use the very same gun to put a bullet in Billie and her damned offspring.
"Ready the fire!" Makayla ordered. "It's time for these witches to burn."
Xxx
Reaching the final door, Lexie waved her arm and telekinetically flung it open, revealing an army of hunters waiting for them. As planned on their way there, Delaney conjured a protective wall to give them cover, while Margot summoned fog to fill the entire room. Before everything went foggy, Lexie saw five metal stakes in the center of the room. Her mom was tied to one of them. She then looked up to see Makayla standing on the balcony, yelling orders at her men. She needed to get up there and take her down.
"The hunters switched to bullets!" Delaney cried out. "My wall won't hold for long."
"We need to get to the captive witches." Anne Maria replied. "Remember the plan."
"Right, I guess that's my cue." Harry said.
Harry projected several holographic images, creating perfect copies of every witch there. He sent them out from behind the wall, distracting the hunters and drawing their fire. Simon then orbed Maddison and mister Callaway up to the balcony, from which they could attack the hunters with energy balls and sparks to give the others some cover fire. The rest of the group made their way to the stakes, though the hunters quickly caught on to their plan, leading to a large-scale fight that prevented them from reaching the captive witches.
"Quickly, burn them before the witches reach the stakes!" Makayla ordered.
Lexie looked at the balcony and saw Makayla walked toward a man sitting behind a control station. His hand reached for the ignite button, though before he could press it, he was struck in the hand with a light dart. Lexie turned around and saw Izzy behind her.
"Get up there." Izzy said. "We'll free your mom."
Lexie nodded as she decided to trust her friends and called Simon, who orbed her up to the balcony. After putting her down, he orbed back down to join the fight, while Lexie charged at her aunt. She flung her arm to send a piece of metal flying at her, though Makayla ducked out of the way.
"Do you really think you can face me on your own, girl?" Makayla asked.
"You killed my father, but I won't let you hurt anyone else." Lexie said angrily. "I'll stop you."
"I'd like to see you try." Makayla replied. "You don't have what it takes. You should have never even been born. You're a disgrace to our bloodline."
"I don't care about your bloodline." Lexie said. "All I know is that my dad loved me. That is why I have this to honor him by."
Lexie reached into her shirt and revealed the necklace with her father's green stone ring. Makayla's eyes widened in anger when she saw it and pulled out her gun. She fired at Lexie, though the young witch managed to block the bullets with telekinesis and sent them flying back at the huntress. The bullets pierced her stomach and she collapsed onto the balcony. Lexie walked over, kicking her gun away as she looked her in the eyes.
"Why are you like this?" Lexie asked. "What have we ever done to you?"
"You took my brother." Makayla hissed. "Without him there, I was left alone with that monster."
"Who?" Lexie asked.
"Your grandfather." Makayla replied as she spit up blood. "Jake was supposed to be his heir, but he betrayed us, so I had to take his place. He was a cruel teacher."
"I'm sorry that happened to you." Lexie noted as she kneeled down next to her. "But that doesn't change what you've done. You could have made the same choice as my dad, but you were too blinded by hatred."
"Stupid witch." Makayla replied. "At least I know not to let my guard down!"
Before Lexie had a chance to react, Makayla grabbed her and threw her to the floor. The huntress then spun around and leaped to her feet. Despite losing a lot of blood, she managed to make her way to the control station and reached for the ignition button. Lexie attempted to stop her with a wave of her hand, but she was too late. Right before her power knocked Makayla over the edge of the balcony, her hand landed on the button.
"No!" Lexie cried out. "The stakes!"
Lexie crawled to the edge of the balcony and looked down. The witches and hunters were still fighting and hadn't freed the witches yet. The panels beneath the stakes began to glow and would erupt in flames in a matter of second. Lexie looked around and saw Charlie was closest to the stakes. He could stop it.
"Charlie!" Lexie called. "You have to stop the fire."
"What!?" Charlie yelled back. "No, I can't!"
"You have to." Lexie replied. "I know you can. Don't think, just do it!"
Charlie nodded and ran to the stakes. A hunter attempted to shoot him, though Anne Maria grabbed his gun and used it to knock him out. More hunters approached from the other side, but Margot blew them back with a powerful gust of wind. The final hunter between Charlie and the stakes was a man with slicked back brown hair. He aimed his gun at Charlie, but hesitated for a moment, allowing Zev and Harry to tackle him to the ground.
Just as Charlie reached the stakes, flames erupted from the panels underneath them. However, instead of burning the witches, the flames spread out away from the stakes and started circling Charlie. The teenager had his eyes closed as the flames danced around him. He managed to combine the flames into a powerful stream, which he sent shooting through the ceiling. He smiled proudly before collapsing.
Anne Maria headed to the stakes and freed the captive witches. While Billie ran to check on her son, Anne Maria and the other members of the Chosen cast a spell that sent a purple shockwave through the entire complex, knocking out all of the remaining hunters.
"It's over." Lexie said with a sigh of relief.
"Yes, it would appear it is." A voice with a strange accent said.
Lexie turned around and saw a woman in red standing behind her. She tried to call for help, but a red glow surrounded her, instantly draining her of all her energy and causing everything to turn black.
Xxx
