Parade murder

Another Seeker extract. It's the last one for tonight I promise!

Bethan xx

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Ben growled, moving out of the way of a huge guy dressed up in brightly coloured paper. The booming of drums crashed around us and some men were chanting along in sync. The air smelled of hot dogs and popcorn. Laughter and singing mingled in with the raucous celebration and I had to catch by breath, fighting the disorientation created by the parade. A huge dragon head suddenly filled my vision and I bit back a scream, stumbling back a step into Ben’s chest. He placed a protective hand on my shoulder and his touch helped me to relax a little.

I gulped. “What now?”

Now we need to find David Blackburn. You’ll feel him Lauren. You’ll sense his presence – he’s an old and very powerful Seeker, so whatever you do...don’t let go of my hand.

Ok.

Ben shoved into the crowds, ignoring the yells as we pushed in the opposite direction to everyone else. We skirted around some floats and a couple of cars and then plunged back into the crowds again. There were so many people here. How on earth would we be able to find one man?

Ben glanced back at me and squeezed my hand.

Crazy huh?

Too crazy.

He’s got to be here somewhere, Lauren. Just hold on...

I am, I promise.

Flexing my hand in his, I realised how safe I felt with him. Safer than I’d ever felt with...anyone, even Luke. It was nice. Very nice.

As we passed people melting under the baking sun, caked in heavy makeup and costumes, I was glad of my light shorts and t-shirt. Looking around at the sweltering crowds and dehydrated people, it didn’t seem like fun. Not that this was –

What the...?

Ben’s hand tightened again. You feel that?

Yes, I replied, turning my head this way and that, checking the crowds. What is that?

Ben drew to an abrupt halt, pulling me to a standstill. He groaned. This isn’t happening.

What? I eyed him apprehensively, before following his gaze through the parade.

There. He nodded his head and I squinted in the bright light, trying to see what had caught his attention. Focusing, I searched the energy that  had felt a few moments ago, and with my Seeker senses, I zoomed in on a young couple both wearing skin-tight, dark suits, contrasting with their brightly coloured surroundings, in a corner by an alleyway. They were both very beautiful, with clear, olive skin that glowed in the hot sun. Both had black, satin hair; the man’s cropped short, but the woman’s falling halfway down her back. There was a similarity in their features that suggested that they could be siblings, but something wasn’t quite right. There movements were too...animalistic and flowed much more smoothly than a normal human’s would.

Titans, Ben thought.

No way...

Yes way, and not just any titans. He looked down at me now, his eyes hard. Independent titans, ones that can think for themselves. They have a master, but they are used as assassins by very powerful Seekers. They are specifically hired for large, complicated missions. They’re very rare and very, very dangerous.

My stomach flipped at the thought of independent, assassin titans. I hadn’t even known that such titans existed, but they didn’t sound good, especially if they were as dangerous as Ben claimed.

How do they kill? Do they have specific powers?

Ben’s face twisted into a frown. Extremely beautiful to lure their prey, superfast and strong and they can use magic like us...

Not much then? I thought sarcastically in an attempt to quell the fear rising in my chest. Why are they here?

Not to enjoy the parade, that’s for sure. Ben’s forehead crinkled in concentration and concern. Lauren, I have to stop them. I can’t just stand by and let them murder someone here, when I know that I could have done something about it.

I know, but I’m coming with you.

No.

Yes.

Lauren, I don’t have time to argue about this.

Neither did I. Tugging out of his grip, I began pushing through the crowds towards the alleyway. Feeling the heat of Ben’s growl on my back, I looked over my shoulder defiantly. What do we do?

You do nothing. Just stay out of the way.

Not even given time to roll my eyes, I gaped as Ben shot by me in a blur, disappearing into the dark of the alley. Panic suffused me at the thought of one of the titans hurting him and I dashed into the alley after him. The smell of garbage and vomit flooded my nose and I swallowed back the bile that was rising in my throat. Stepping into the mouth of darkness, my gasping breaths sounded overly loud and I clamped my hand over my mouth, willing my eyes to adjust to the light.

A yell suddenly pierced the air and I dove forward, the sounds of glass smashing and loud rustling setting my heart to pounding.

“Jesus Christ!” a man cried out in fear, his voice reaching me only seconds before he stumbled out of the dimness, blood seeping from a fleshy wound on his lower arm. Pale and weak, completely disoriented by fear, he fell past me out into the main streets.

Stuff this!

Petrified, I strode into the alley, the shapes of overflowing bins and liners bulging with sickly rubbish spilling out onto the dirt-infested space formed before my eyes as they adjusted. Stepping tentatively over a puddle that could have been anything from water to urine, I wrinkled my nose, trying to hear past the pounding of blood in my ears. My eyes widened at the sight of a bloody hand lying limp on the ground and as soon as I saw the blood, the coppery smell overwhelmed the stench of rubbish, filling my head. I couldn’t help gagging; the damage must be extensive to produce that much blood, and I didn’t want to look to closely. Hurrying forward, I was just about to fall to my knees and inspect him when a gust of wind blew past me, carrying Ben in it. He slammed into the wall beside me, his head cracking against the bare brick, a few rubbish bags breaking his fall. I bit back another scream, but yelled out his name instead, my voice shooting up three octaves.

Making towards him, I was surprised to be stopped by a large hand wrapping round my throat. Clawing at the hand, I was lifted off the ground, my feet dangling helplessly as I struggled to draw a breath. My captor turned me around so I was facing him and my stomach flipped in horror. It was one of the titans – the male assassin – strongly built and wickedly beautiful. Despite my current predicament, I couldn’t help but admire his perfect features, even as he boldly clutched my throat. He squeezed tighter and black spots danced over my vision. Biting my nails into the titan’s hand, I raked them deep and the titan winced, just before I lost consciousness.

 

Ben pounded a fist against the invisible enchantment the titan has placed around him, while it choked the life out of Lauren. Before it’d caught Lauren, Ben had been able to think. The titan was more powerful than it should have been, almost as if it had been drawing energy from somewhere. When the barrier went up around him, his eyes had zeroed in on the trinket around its neck. A Seeker’s charm – it was drawing power from it. His only thought had been the talisman around the titan’s neck and how he had to destroy it...until he was unravelled by its attack on Lauren.

The emotions had almost consumed him as he kicked, punched and spelled the invisible wall that was keeping him from her, was nothing like they had described. There was no moment like this. There was terror and fury and panic and helplessness. It was unrelenting and agonising as it clawed and cloaked all rationality and coherent thought, reducing him to a slavering animal, desperate to obliterate the titan who dared to hurt what he was bound to protect. What was his.

When Lauren’s eyes rolled into the back of her head, Ben stilled, staring in disbelief as the titan released her; its hand unwrapping from around her throat. Lauren’s body hit the concrete with a thud as she collapsed. Sprawled out on the filthy ground, her limbs were limp and her hair spread out like a pillow around her head, her throat raw from strangulation. Ben waited in agonising stillness for the rise and fall of her chest to start again, and when it did eventually come, the tension eased, rationale seeping back into his thoughts.

The titan took a few steps towards him, a smug smile on its perfect face. Ben was filled with fury, and felt it build up, preparing to be unleashed.

“I’ll deal with the girl after I’ve gotten you for good. Intervening children. But you showed some skill. What say I release you so we can fight it out like real men?”

Ben growled deeply, the sound so animalistic, he surprised himself. Muscles coiled and ready to spring, he let the magic and adrenaline seep into his body and flood his limbs with strength. A strength Lauren so obviously lacked at the moment, he considered as he glanced at her, his stomach twisting sickeningly at the sight. Blood had started to seep from the back of her head as a patch of her hair darkened to a deep red and he felt sick. Hatred flooded his veins and fuelled his anger and strength. The titan raised a hand and suddenly Ben felt the barrier dissipate to nothing and launched himself forward without hesitation. His foot flew towards the titan’s head at blurring speed, but somehow it managed to catch his ankle and swing him off course, moving unbelievably fast.

Ben crashed into the opposite wall and spat blood from his aching mouth, scrambling back to his feet again.

“Boltflare,” he hissed, pushing the flames towards the titan. But again, it deflected his attack and the flames dispersed instantly.

This is getting old, Ben thought, hissing in frustration. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an amulet, shoving the string over his head.

“Jetwing, attack!” he yelled and felt the instant release of energy from the amulet. Jetwing appeared; talons already curled outwards and tore at the assassin’s face. The titan screeched in pain, his hand batting the air to fend off his attacker. Not wanting to lose an opportune moment, Ben yelled “Surgir”, sending the assassin tumbling in the dirt and splitting a bag of rubbish. Filth oozed from the split liner, revealing rotten food and the titan’s head emerged, a filled nappy on its head. Disgusted, the titan ripped it off and let out a growl of anger.

“Filthy Seeker child!” the titan screeched, his eyes bulging as he lunged to grab Ben’s throat.

“I’m not the one with baby poop in my hair,” Ben quipped as he dodged the attack, darting to the left. The titan snarled in anger, swiping again and his foot connected with Lauren’s still body. She let out a groan and choked, her fingers twitching. Ben’s eyes immediately flashed to her, leaving him open. The titan took advantage of his distraction and blasted Ben off his feet, sending him crashing into a wall. Ben groaned and shook his head, trying to dissipate the black spots in his eyes. Suddenly the titan’s head filled his vision; its perfect face twisted into an ugly snarl of rage. Its hand shot out, gripping Ben’s throat tightly and lifting him off his feet.

“STOP!” a voice choked and Ben shuddered in relief at Lauren, who has managed to pull herself to her feet. Her face was bruised and her neck swollen and his stomach twisted again at the blood that was trickling down her hairline. She was badly hurt, but conscious. “I command you to release him.”

Ben’s eyes flickered back to the titan, who had paused, its face torn with loyalties. Even Ben felt the power in Lauren’s words; the cool authority underlining her command as it washed over him.

“Now!” Lauren choked and coughed deeply, her face twisted in pain.

Suddenly the titan’s grip released him, letting Ben fall to the ground with a thump. He shot up quickly and pulled the titan’s hands behind its back, restraining it.

“Ropebind,” Ben muttered and instantly the magical ropes emerged from the ground, capturing the titan in an iron grip.

“Everfight,” Lauren whispered and Ben saw some of her bruises fade and she stood up straighter, strength back in her limbs. She touched her neck, wincing, before drawing those eyes of hers to meet the titan’s.

“You ok?” Ben asked quietly, wishing he could just grab her and hide her somewhere where nothing bad could ever hurt her again.

“I’m fine,” she reassured him, taking a few tentative steps towards him, her hair falling into her face. She tucked a few strands behind one ear with a trembling hand. Pressing her side up against his, it took everything within him to resist putting an arm round her. She coughed, tears of pain pricking her eyes before throwing her shoulders back determinedly and grabbing the titan’s neck.

“Why are you here? Who sent you?” she demanded, her eyes bright with anger. “Why did you attack us?”

“My...master” the titan gasped, eyes wide and staring. “We were sent to capture you.” Ben’s hand curled into a fist, his muscles tensing. Lauren’s eyes flashed to him, wide with panic, trying to cover the depth of her fear.

“Why?” Ben growled, leaning closer. “Who’s your master?”

“Zafir Cronin,” the titan hissed, its expression strained. His loyalties to his master must be strong.

“Why did he want you to capture us?” Lauren continued, her voice steely.

“I...don’t know mistress. Forgive me.” The titan whispered and Lauren swayed, her knees trembling. Ben placed a tentative hand on her shoulder to steady her and she shot him a grateful smile.

“Where’s your sibling? There were two of you here,” Ben demanded.

“She’s gone. I don’t know where.”

I don’t think we’re going to get anything else out of him Lauren’s voice whispered in Ben’s mind and he nodded.

“Go back to your master and never come near us again.” The titan blinked as the force of Lauren’s command seeped into it. It nodded once and then disappeared into nothing.

They stood in silence for a few seconds, staring at the spot where the titan had been.

That is some seriously wickedly creepy power she has going on, Ben eyed Lauren, not sure what to say. Catching his look, Lauren shrugged wearily.

“I know, it’s creepy.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “A little.”

“It worked though right?”

“It sure did.”

Frowning, Lauren whipped back around, her eyes falling on the body of the guy. “We should help-“

“He’s gone Lauren.” Not wanting her to see the mess the man was in, Ben caught her arm, pulling her back.

“But-“

“He’s dead.”

Hating the way her lip trembled with confusion and distress, Ben wished that there was something he could say or do, but there was really no way to comfort someone during their first experience with death, especially a violent one.

“We need to get out of here,” he told her quietly, trying to draw her gaze away from the young man. “We need to get out and find David. You ok to do that?”

 

 

 

 

New chapter

Accepting that there was nothing to be done for the man was harder than I could have imagined. Numbly, I followed Ben out into the crowd again, disappearing into the main street just in time. Two policemen were approaching the alley with cautious and sober expressions. Feeling sick at the thought of what they might find, I turned away, gripping tight to Ben’s hand. That garish costumes and masks – some seriously freaky – as well as the thumping music and oppressing crowds felt difficult to manage after what had just happened. I was quiet, not even speaking to Ben telepathically and he shot me a few concerned looks, which I ignored.

Impossibly, the main street seemed to be busier than before and people crushed us from all sides. I grimly held onto Ben’s hand and he gripped mine just as tightly. If we lost each other in this mass of people, then I doubt we would have found each other again for a long time.

Circling and searching the crowd again, I began to lose my patience. Where was this guy? Why did there have to be so many people in one place at the same time?! Sensing my frustration, Ben paused and looked down at me.

We will find him Lauren -

But how? This is impossible!

Just as he was about to reply, I felt a strange tugging sensation in my gut and my eyes widened in alarm. Looking up, I saw Ben’s face had twisted into a satisfied smirk.

There we go... he said, searching around. With renewed determination, we ploughed further into the crowd, until we came to a stop outside a café just off the main street. Surprisingly it was rather empty; the metal tables set out under large, brightly coloured umbrellas, plastered in advertisement logos. A few couples were seated and one family, who argued in Spanish, the children noisily slurping their drinks. But just off to the side, was an old man, with bright white hair and fierce, grey eyes which stared intently into the crowd.

Despite the colour of his hair, there seemed to be an air of youth about the man, like he was much older than he appeared. From the description Ben had given me of him, he’d seemed very old indeed, but he was by no means frail. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be in his mid-sixties, but Ben had made him seem much older.

How old is he Ben?

I’m not sure, Ben frowned. A lot older than he looks though… He was so unhelpful sometimes.

Now what do we do? We found him; what now?

Well…we go speak to him I guess.

I pulled Ben back into the crowd so that we were hidden from the man’s view. Are you nuts? I gasped. We can’t just walk up to him and start talking?!?!

Why not? Ben countered, challenging me with his gaze. We glared at each other for a few seconds, neither of us willing to break away.

I caved in first. Fine, do it your way. But I think this is a really bad idea. Ben rolled his eyes at me and walked back into the open again. Tentatively, I followed, not sure what to expect. I mean…we were about to meet the oldest and most powerful living Seeker in the world – a living legend. This could go all of both ways…

“Mr Blackburn?” Ben asked quietly as he approached the man, his eyes wary. Very slowly, the man turned his head towards Ben, his eyes steely and focused on him. He didn’t say a word at first; he just stared. Then he took a sip of his tea.

“Who wants to know?” he muttered, placing the cup carefully back onto its saucer. His voice was smooth as silk, but his tone icy. His aura pulsed out towards me and brought goosebumps to my skin; I shivered. I could feel his power – not physical, not anymore. But his knowledge – it just seemed to ooze out of him – envelop him.

It occurred to me just then, that if I could read his power, then he could read mine. What would he think of it?

“You’ve got a lot of potential, young one,” the man spoke, addressing me. I looked up and met his gaze, awestruck and astonished.

“Y-you read my mind?” I gasped, shocked. “I thought only a few Seekers could do that, and only if they deliberately shared their thoughts.”

“For most people, yes,” Blackburn agreed softly, taking another sip of his tea and then carefully placing the cup down on the saucer once more. His smile was almost smug. “But as you have already discovered, I am very experienced in advanced magic. Someday, if you work hard - and stay alive – you too will be able to.” He held my gaze, pinning me in place so I was unable to look away. I struggled under his look, but it felt like I was being pinned up against a brick wall. I couldn’t move.

“We need to talk to you sir. Discuss an important…issue…” Ben continued warily and at last Blackburn released me. I let out a huge breath and sucked in fresh air, my heart pounding. My skin was prickling with goosebumps and I was desperate to run away. My knees wobbled and I felt weak, struggling to stay upright.

“It sounds like you had a nasty run-in,” Blackburn chuckled, raising his cup to his lips, ignoring Ben. “You were very lucky. But your power of commanding the titans – you managed to convince it to release your friend…did you not?”

“Get out of my head,” I hissed, narrowing my eyes.

“Lauren! Don’t speak to him like that!” Ben reprimanded me – the cheek – shooting daggers in my direction. I stared right back, unflinching. I didn’t trust this guy at all; there was something seriously off about him. Underlying dark intentions flickered in and out of reach as I tried to read his thoughts – I could get a grip on them. God, this man was as slippery as an eel.

“You should listen to your friend, you know,” Blackburn intervened as I continued to glower at Ben. “You don’t want to make an enemy of me.”

“Maybe not,” I murmured, breaking out of the staring contest. “But I know not always to trust the storied people tell me. Because after all…it could just be a lie. Couldn’t it Mr Blackburn?”

The man chuckled humorously, and lent back in his chair. “Ah, I see you are referring to your fateful brother, Ms Hayden. An unfortunate occurrence that was…a terrible misfortune. Such potential, lost so young…” he trailed off, staring at the crowds. My stomach twisted at his casual dismissal at my brother’s death and my blood heated up in expectant anger. I looked away, struggling to control my building temper.

As I glanced away, Blackburn tutted. “Now, now Lauren…we don’t want to lose our temper now do we?”

I glowered at him, feeling my hands curl into fists and magic dance across my fingers. Was he trying to make me hurt him? But as I spotted the spiteful glint in his eyes, I knew that he was testing me. He was testing my power, but also my control. He wanted me to lose control…

Well I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. Taking a deep breath, I pushed down on the angry lava of magic-induced anger that was threatening to rise up. Squashing it down, I felt it settle and cool like a hard lump of rock in my stomach.

When I met his gaze again, I saw his raised eyebrows and a glimmer of respect.

“How long have you been a Seeker young one?” he asked, his eyebrows still raised.

“About four weeks,” I muttered and he chuckled.

“I’m impressed. Even the most advanced Seekers would struggle to contain that level of power so early on. And you have an even greater challenge than most.”

“Sorry?” I frowned in confusion, and I felt Ben’s hand settle on my arm.

“We just need –“ Ben started, but Blackburn let out another low chuckle.

“You mean you haven’t told her?” His eyes were wide in mock shock and he leant back in his chair, trying to hide a smirk behind his hand.

“Told me what?” I asked, turning to Ben. He was glaring at Blackburn with intense anger and hatred. If I had been in the direct line of his glare, I would have shrivelled up with fear. But Blackburn didn’t even seem to notice. He just laughed harder.

“What is he talking about Ben?” I asked, putting myself in Ben’s gaze. As his eyes met mine, his gaze softened slightly and he looked apologetic.

“It’s not my fault, Lauren, I was told not to tell you…the board and Owen and…” I glared and him and stepped closer, so we were nose to nose.

“Just tell me,” I hissed through clenched teeth and Ben sighed.

“Your heritage.” I raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean, my heritage?”

“Well, you’re a direct descendent from the First Seekers. You are the last true Seeker in the world.” He paused as I took this in.

“And you’re the one that has to kill Cronus.”

Fire

Heya guys,

I'm going to post a little thing I wrote while I was on holiday. It uses the characters from my book 'The Myth Project' (well the main character) and is based on that storyline.

The main character Rachel has the power of telekinesis, which means she can move things with her mind. She has made many enemies during her time of working with the Myth Project and in this extract, she meets a new one

I know it is long, but I hope you like it.

Love beasle95 x :)

I looked up, my hair falling across my face.
He was watching me again; I could feel it. Flicking my hair out of my eyes, I looked up at the man.
He was holding up a newspaper – The Times – supposedly reading some of the latest sport headlines. But I could see his eyes peering over the top of the pages, zoning onto me. I cleared my throat and threw a pointed glance in his direction. The man coughed too and shook his papers, holding them up a bit so I could no longer see his face.
Turning my back on him, I grabbed some more books and headed over to shelf ‘R’. Quickly finding the right placement for the book, I groaned inwardly at the surnames of the next three authors of the books in my hands. ‘Fleming’, ‘Dickens’ and ‘Ackerman’. All in the same area. All within a few feet of the man.
Over by the M’s to Z’s I was safely out of sight. But the earlier letters were right near him and I was feeling more than uncomfortable by his presence.
I had filed a book under Dickens before and two under Fleming as well, so I could put the books straight on the shelves and walk away again. But the place for the book by ‘Alice Ackerman’ was taking me ages to find. My eyes scanned the shelves again and again, trying to find the exact place to put the book. My fingers twitched as I got more and more agitated. My side burned under the man’s gaze until I thought I might explode with tension. I was so scared that I could feel my control over my powers slipping. The recent months had proved to me that keeping control wasn’t easy at all.
I saw two leaflets flutter slightly, but they were sitting right by an open window, so I hoped that no-one would take any notice of their movement.
Breathing out a sigh, I at last found the location for the book and placed it on the shelf. It took so much will and self control to calmly stroll across the room to the trolley which was out of sight instead of sprinting there like Usain Bolt.
When at last I got behind the shelf out of sight, my shoulders sagged and I exhaled heavily. David walked up beside me, his face kind and smiling, holding a pile of books.
“You alright Rachel?” he asked sympathetically. “You don’t look very happy.”
I shook my head. “I’m not – that crazy man over there keeps staring at me and it’s freaking me out!” I ran my hand through my hair. “I just don’t want to be rude by saying anything, but it really is making me feel uncomfortable.”
David frowned and peered around the bookshelves. “Grey hair and stubble, black t-shirt with the newspaper?” he asked, turning back and I nodded. “I’ll go and have a word with him then.” David said and I threw him a grateful smile.
“Thanks.”
I hid behind the bookshelf and watched through the gaps between the books. David approached the man by walking casually across the room. The man stared over the top of his newspaper to where I was hiding. I flinched back, feeling his gaze burn my face.
“Hello sir,” I heard David say quietly to the man. Turning back around, I peered through the books again so I could see them both.
“Alrigh’?” The man replied, flashing two blackened teeth at the front of his mouth. I grimaced, imagining the smell from them – they must be rotten.
“You are making some of our employees feel uncomfortable with your...staring.” David stumbled over the last word but kept his tone polite. “Would you mind...not staring or I will have to ask you to leave the building.
The man frowned – his eyebrows knitting together and his face crinkled. “I ‘aven’t been starin’” he stated angrily.
“Mr...?” David asked and the man shook his head.
“I ain’t tellin’ you ma name mista!” The man growled and got to his feet. David held his hands up.
“Well then that’s fine sir. I just wanted t make that issue clear.” The man glared and sat back down again.
“Good. Glad there ain’t any more problems.” He rustled his paper indignantly and started reading again. David walked back over to me.
“Sorry Rachel.” He frowned. “I’d just stay away from him from now on. You get all sorts of people coming in here.” I nodded and thanked him again gratefully. David smiled and walked off to continue stacking books.
I was very selective about the books that I chose to stack for the rest of the hour. Anything before M in the alphabet didn’t come into my hands so I wouldn’t have to go near the man again. I could still feel his gaze on me for a while, but after 40 minutes, I looked over to the chair where he had been sitting and saw that he was gone.

After and amusing lunch where David and Ross had been doing impressions of Catherine Tate characters, I looked at my timetable and saw that I was scheduled to do shelf checks for an hour that afternoon. It wasn’t one of my favourite parts of the job, but I had to do everything I could.
I started off in the main section of the library, searching for books on musical history, biographies, baby names and children’s novels. I was very selective and quite tedious.
After 20 minutes of my endless searching, Gemma approached me. “Hi Rachel, have you seen David anywhere? He’s supposed to be helping me upstairs and I haven’t seen him since lunch time.”
I frowned. “What was he supposed to be doing now?” I asked.
Gemma answered almost instantly. “Shelf checks, like you.”
I nodded. “Well he might be in the basement. Some of the older books are down there right?” Gemma nodded and smiled.
“He’s probably down there. Could you please do me a massive favour and check if he is down there? I’ve got a ton of work to do upstairs and I shouldn’t waste any more time.”
“Sure,” I nodded and put my pen and clipboard on the counter.
Walking across the library, I headed for the staff door and typed in the code, shielding the buttons with my body. Even though there wasn’t anything particularly important in this section, I still felt nervous about anyone seeing. Then they would have access to everything out back.
Door unlocked and opened, I walked through, making sure the door shut behind me. Typing in the code for the next door, I strode quickly down the stairs to the basement, passing the staff kitchen and meeting room on my way.
The basement was really dark as I walked into it. It was full of hundreds of records over the last century or so. Documents, newspapers and priceless books that were full of wear and memories. To some people, this stuff was just overdue rubbish but there was so much information and value despite the age of it all.
I grimaced at the cobwebs which hung from the ceiling, mixing with the shadows to create spooky patterns in the dim light. One of the bulbs flickered ominously and I shivered. It was cold down here. The place reminded me of running through the tunnel-like corridors in Keller’s headquarters – desperately trying so search for a way out.
“David?” I called and my voice echoed, resounding of the walls. “David are you down here?” I called again, my voice catching in my throat. I coughed and then swallowed. But I got no answer. I guess that I’d have to keep looking.
I wandered through the shelves, packed to bursting with old papers. I brushed my fingers gently over them, feeling the ancient paper skim my fingertips.
“David? Hello – are you down here?” I called again and again, but I still got no answer. I was deep in the basement now and there wasn’t much light at all.
Suddenly I heard a crash from somewhere off to my right. I froze, terrified and my eyes widened. My heart was beating so loudly, I was sure that it would be a beacon to my whereabouts.
“David – is that you?” My voice sounded hoarse and I cleared my throat again. All the stupid dust was clogging up my lungs. I started walking again, each step noisily echoing off the walls. I tried to walk more quietly, but I was too scared now.
David could be anywhere down here – it was probably just some rats or something. I hoped the ‘or something’ wasn’t an option, or at least, better than rats.
I looped back around and started walking back towards the entrance. A sound of muffled shuffling and grunting suddenly reached my ears and I stopped again, listening. My eyes roamed around the dark room, picking out the details from the shadows of the shelves.
“David?” I whispered, too scared to shout. I heard a muffled shuffling again and warily stepped forwards towards the place where I thought the sound was coming from.
I wandered through the shelves, searching. My heard was pounding inside my chest and the sound filled my ears, making it difficult to hear anything else.
As I turned the next corner, I gasped. David was on the floor, his hands and feet bound and a gag in his mouth. I rushed over to his side and immediately started undoing the knot in the cloth in his mouth. After a minute, I managed to pull it free.
“What happened to you?” I gasped, undoing his hands.
“That stupid man who was staring at you earlier tied me up. He told me he had a job to finish and that I was getting in his way. He knocked me out and tied me up. I’ve only just woken up to be honest – I heard you calling.” I shook my head in disbelief and pulled back David’s hair off of his forehead. Sure enough, there was a large welt there. The skin had split and there was blood crusted around the edges.
“Is the man still here?” I asked, working the knot in the rope lose again.
David shrugged. “I’m not sure. I heard a crash a few minutes ago, but I thought it was you.” I froze, my hands hovering over David’s.
“It wasn’t me. I thought it was you.” Realisation dawned on both of us and my blood turned cold, goosebumps shooting across my skin.
“Let’s get you out of here quickly.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say and furiously continued unpicking the tight knots. My fingers ached and were rubbed red raw from the tough rope.
David sniffed and then frowned. “Can you smell that?” he asked, his eyebrows knotting together.
“What?” I replied absentmindedly. I was busy concentrating on the rope.
“That...burning...” David said slowly and my eyes shot up to meet his. I sniffed and sure enough I could smell the mild, but distinctive smell of smoke.
I worked even more quickly and with more desperation to unknot David’s hands and at last managed to do it. We started working on his feet together when suddenly there was a whoosh from behind me. We both jumped and I whirled around to stare at the bookshelves.
About three rows away from where we were sitting, a large tongue of flame shot towards the ceiling and crackled.
“Go and get an extinguisher! Set the alarm off!” David yelled, taking over from my sore hands. I nodded and scrambled to my feet. Running forward, I dodged past two shelves and around the next corner.
The flames were spreading fast; down here was the perfect place. It was dry and cool normally with a little bit of ventilation from the ceiling so the fire had no trouble setting alight the crisp paper. Three bookshelves were alight already and the flames were licking at a forth. My eyes darted back and forth as I ran from the fire, desperately trying to find an alarm or extinguisher. But I could find nothing.
The air was filling with smoke and I coughed loudly, trying to clear my lungs. My eyes watered and I wished that there was a window or something to get some clean air in here.
I skidded around the next corner and groaned. Where the fire extinguisher had once been, was an empty bracket on the wall. I couldn’t see a point to set off the alarm, but I was sure that it would go off in any second anyway. Rushing as fast as I could, I made my way back to David who was still working furiously on his bonds.
“I can’t find anything,” I choked. “He’s taken the fire extinguisher.”
“Ok, don’t panic,” David said reassuringly. “Can you help me with these ropes again?” I nodded and got to work.
Suddenly David’s eyes widened. “Rachel!” he called out in warning, but it was too late. I twisted around to see what he was warning me about just as a large metal pole was slammed into my shoulder. I gasped and rolled away, springing to my feet.
The man was standing there panting; the pole in one hand. His face was dirty from the ash and he was sweating profusely.
“Who are you?” I demanded, trying not to inhale the smoke.
“My name is not important Rachel,” the man said. “But I work for an old...friend of yours.”
“Who?” I asked, taken aback by the man’s casual use of my name and tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling this created.
“Russell Keller.” His lips parted in a grimace – a pathetic attempt at a smile and revealed his foul blackened teeth. I shuddered and resisted the urge to look away – he might attack me again and I needed to be ready.
“Why has he sent you?” I asked just as David demanded:
“Who the heck is Keller?” I ignored him.
“What’s he told you to do then? Murder? Torture? Kidnapping? Am I being taken to see him face to face?”
The man didn’t reply, but instead lunged forward and grabbed my arm. Twisting my wrist, I tried to get away but his grip was like iron – it was almost impossible to escape.
Almost.
The man was still holding onto the metal pole that he had used to hit me with earlier. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him lift it up, ready to hit me again.
But to his surprise, the pole suddenly decided that it didn’t want to hit me, but it wanted to be free.
Spinning around, the pole whirled out of the man’s hand so fast I thought I heard it dislocate. I grimaced as he yelled in pain and automatically let go of me to hold his wrist. I twisted away and then spun around on one foot, bringing it up to kick the man in the stomach. His breath was forced out of his lungs and he doubled over, griping his middle and holding his hand into his body to protect it. I followed through with a sharp chop to the back of his neck and he dropped to the ground and lay still.
I rushed over to David who was gaping madly – eyes as wide as saucers and his jaw slack. “What the heck just happened?” he choked, partly through disbelief and partly because of the thickening smoke.
“Doesn’t matter – we need to get out of here!” I yelled over the noise of the fire. It crackled and popped and the flames had reached the ceiling now. And they were spreading fast.
At last I managed to undo David’s feet and the rope fell away.
Grabbing my hand, David pulled himself to his feet and we both started coughing. My eyes were watering so much now, I could hardly see.
“Help me with him,” I choked and a ragged cough cut through my lungs. But with each cough, I was inhaling more smoke so it only made me cough more. David grabbed one of the man’s arms and slung it across his shoulders. I did the same on the other side and together we half carried, half dragged the unconscious man towards the exit.
“I can’t believe you knocked him out!” David kept saying, the words gushing out of his mouth and flowing into each other. “You didn’t even hit him much and he dropped like a ton of bricks!” David shot me a questioning look. “What does he want anyway? And who is this Keller guy you were both talking about?”
I desperately evaded his questions. “I’ll answer them later David – we need to get out of here!” David nodded determinedly – I think he was in shock or something.
The flames had caught the wooden supports on the ceilings which were now glowing a deep red.
“Look out!” I gasped, automatically pulling myself backwards. David, taken by surprise stumbled a few steps forward and fell down. But the man fell backwards on top of me, his dead weight heavy. I gasped and pushed him off myself. A 6 foot long wooden support post had dropped down from the ceiling, smouldering and crackling manically, landing on the ground separation David from the man and I.
“Are you alright Rachel?” David called, desperately trying to bat out the flames on the log.
“I’m ok!” I called back and tried to get to my feet. But to my surprise and horror, a bolt of pain shot up my leg. I cried out and fell back down again, catching myself just in time.
“I think I’ve sprained my ankle!” I called to David, who was looking desperately from side to side.
“I can’t get round to you!” David yelled, fear written all over his face. “The log’s blocked the path completely.” Sure enough, as I looked up, I noticed that at this point in the basement, it had narrowed into a corridor, one bookshelf on each side lining the walls. But where the log had caught fire, it had fallen right across the gap where we were supposed to walk through. Which meant our only way of escape had been blocked. Panic gripped my heart, but I tried to stay calm.
“Run David! Set the alarm off and get the fire brigade here now! Get everyone else out of the building!”
“I can’t...” David started, but I yelled.
“GO!” And he ran away.
I slumped on the ground, unsure what to do. I was finding it harder and harder to breathe. The smoke seemed to be thickening by the second.
I thought I should try and move the log out of the way – see if I could create a gap big enough to crawl through. I concentrated really hard on the log, feeling the substance and heat of it in my head. Very slowly, I tried to move it to one side, twisting it so that it ran the length of the corridor rather than the width. My breathing became more and more ragged until I thought I might pass out. And the log had barely moved a few centimetres. I guessed that I would have to wait for the fire brigade to rescue me instead.
I decided that I probably needed to find a more sheltered place to wait and hide under to protect me from the flames. I stared indecisively at the man. The flames on the log were licking at his feet and I knew that they would catch him if he wasn’t moved.
Crawling forward, I gripped his arms and dragged him and myself backwards; away from the flaming log. Unfortunately, for a while at least it meant that we had to travel past the larger fire. I could barely breathe at all now and I couldn’t concentrate long enough to use my mind to lift the man up. So I had to use the old fashioned method of dragging him with my hands. It was really hard work and by the time we were in a more sheltered and safer spot, I was ready to pass out.
The whole room apart from our little area was alight now and I could barely see anything through the thick black smoke.
I vaguely remembered that I should cover my mouth with a piece of damp cloth to stop myself inhaling so much of the smoke. But there was nothing damp in here anymore apart from the sweat the was running off of my skin from the intense heat. I ripped the bottom of my shirt so I had a strip of material and held it over my mouth and then curled into a ball.
I hoped that the fire engines would get here soon – I wasn’t sure how much longer I could take this heat. My skin was blistering and the hair was being singed off of my arms. My ankle was throbbing from where I had fallen earlier. I lay my head down on my arm, my face turned away from the fire.
Suddenly I heard movement from behind me – not the movement of the fire’s destruction, but something else. Something big and heavy. I summoned some of my rapidly declining energy to lift my head.
And gasped with amazement and horror.
The man – the man who had stared at me; the man who had tied David up and set fire to the basement; the man who had been unconscious...was now awake and standing in front of me.
With a gun in his hand. Pointing at me.
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered my voice hoarse from the smoke. The man’s bright yet freezing eyes bored down into mine. They were the coldest things in the whole room.
“Because I was paid to,” he replied. His skin was bright red and blistered badly on one side from the heat of the flames. I hoped my own wasn’t half as bad.
“But...why...” I couldn’t speak anymore. My throat was too full of smoke.
“But I have one question for you Rachel,” the man said and I nodded, indicating that he should continue. “Why did you pull me from the flames, when I’m the one who started it and hurt you?”
I pushed myself up with one arm and sat up. “’Cause,” I choked, pulling the cloth away from my mouth. “...’cause I think...people can change...” I coughed, my whole body convulsing with the movement. “...even...stupid criminals...don’t deserve...to die...like this.” I sucked in a deep breath, but it gave no relief to the burning in my chest. “So...I thought you...should have a...chance to...change...”
The man started at me, shock and disbelief written all over his face. His hand holding the gun shook and he lowered it.
“I can’t kill you now,” he muttered half to himself. “How old are you anyway?”
“Fifteen,” I replied breathlessly and resisted the urge to collapse on the floor.
“But I can’t go to the police,” he whispered. “I can’t.” He stared at the gun in his hand and lifted it up nearer to his face. Realisation dawned on me.
“Don’t do it!” I called desperatly. “That isn’t the solution and you know it.” I pushed my hair off of my sweaty forehead. “You can make a difference in the world. Taking your life out of it won’t help anyone.”
“It does,” the man replied determindly. He wasn’t going to have his mind changed. I had to stop him though – this wasn’t right. This man would have a family, and at least some friends despite his criminal lifestyle.
I grabbed the gun with my mind and pulled it from his fingers. It skittered across the floor and landed by the wall. He gaped back, open mouthed. “Keller told me you had special abilities,” the man said. “But I didn’t realise that you could do that.”
I nodded weakly, my own energy now gone.
“Tell me your name though,” I whispered. “Please.”
The man’s face softened. “Tom Jones.” His eyes were empty as he walked over and knelt beside me – I didn’t know how he could breathe with all the smoke. But as he came closer, I could see that he too was struggling.
“You can do great things Rachel,” he said and patted my head. I flinched away automatically and pressed myself against the wall. He smiled sadly, reached down and then stood up.
“No!” I called out, but ended up choking instead. Tom Jones threw me one last sad smile and walked into the flames.
I closed my eyes, tears pouring out of my eyes from sadness and the smoke as a single shot rang out. My arm gave out and I slumped onto the floor and drifted peacefully to sleep.