Chapter 24

The time has finally arrived. The moon is angled high in the sky and the darkness of the night reigns. I waited for the sounds of life to quiet before making my move.

I fit my pack on my back, and grip my bow in my hands. These past few days, I’ve gotten comfortable enough to leave my bow in the room. At last I’d also started sleeping in the bed instead of leaning against the door all night. The bath had become a daily thing as well, letting my guard down enough to strip down and clean up.

And now I’m leaving. All because they find little old me a threat. I suppose I’d feel the same way if I were them. If a girl with unknown origins suddenly arrived in my home village, I would be cautious. I can’t fault them for that.

Still, being on the receiving end of it hurts more than I want to admit to even myself. But, there’s no use crying over it. I just need to move on before I lose my life. I try to tell myself there’s a small chance they were referring to some other girl, but my gut knows that’s not true. I made my decision, there’s no use going back on it now.

I place my ear against the wooden door and listen for any sign of movement in the hallway. Once I’m sure the coast is clear, I slowly peel back the door from the frame. I peek my head out and look both ways before sprinting down the hall and out the building. I make my way to the gate I first arrived in. This part of the plan is iffy. I have no idea if there are guards posted around inside or outside the walls. Luckily, I still haven’t spotted a soul as I trace my path to the exit.

As soon as I arrive at the invisible entrance, I scan my surroundings for any sign of life. Seeing and hearing nothing, I move my hand to the wall, unsure of how to get out. I wait for a few seconds before the door suddenly swings outward. I startle back a step, holding in my gasp. Relief washes through me at the sight of the pitch-black forest I know is just directly ahead.

I hike my backpack higher and grip my bow tight. I take a few deep breaths and release them slowly.

The longer I delay, the higher the chance I get caught. It’s now or never.

I rush out the gate and reach the tree line in seconds. I can only hope I don’t smack into a tree while I run. Luckily, my eyes have adjusted slightly to the moonlight and I see vague outlines of the forest around me. I manage to avoid all trees for the next couple minutes and pull to a stop. I pull my flashlight and map out of my pack, using the light to guide me in the right direction.

I debated all afternoon on where I wanted to go. The idea of going home was still not an option until I was stronger, but I could start making my way in that direction.

During this journey, I will work on harnessing the energy on my own. It shouldn’t be terribly challenging now that I understand the basics. Once I’m more comfortable with my manipulation of the flames, I’ll make my way There. Only problem is, there’s no telling how long it will take for me to hone my skills and if He will still be There by the time I arrive. There are so many “what ifs” about this plan it’s unnerving. But I don’t have a choice.

I double-check the map before slipping it into my pocket. I head south and turn off the light, afraid to be noticed. Goosebumps prickle my skin and the hair on the back of my neck rises. It feels like I’m being watched and it’s nerve wrecking. I tell myself it’s all in my head and push forward. But try as I may, the feeling doesn’t abate. If anything, it rises. I fight the shudder seeking to overcome my frame.

To help ease my anxiety, I pull to a sudden stop and listen to the sounds in the night. After waiting a short while and assuring myself it’s nothing, I trudge forward. There’s nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it’s eerily silent. The sounds of the nightlife are completely void. That thought draws me to another abrupt stop.

A forest at this time should never be this silent. Something isn’t right. My body fights with my mind to flee or fight. I’m not alone, I can feel it now. Something is hiding in the darkness, waiting for me to show weakness.

A twig snaps behind me and I whip around, scanning the darkness before my common-sense kicks in. Clicking the flashlight on, I shine it into the night. I keep my eyes trained in the direction of my flashlight, but I hear the snapping sound again—it’s coming from behind me. Whipping around once more, I call for the energy inside me. It responds with a roar in my center.

Why can’t I see anyone? What in the Hellvian is going on? Is it Abel’s brother, or someone else? Before I get a chance to demand who’s there, a hard smack to the head brings me down. Darkness descends instantly.

*******

I wake with a start. I wince and grab my head, it’s pounding. What happened?

I glance around. I’m in a cell much like the one Lori rescued me from all that time ago. There is no window, only three solid stone walls. The ground is compacted with dirt, and there’s nothing but a tattered blanket in the corner. I grab the bars and try to peer through. No luck. All I can see is an empty cell across the wall with a small bundle towards the back. I stifle a gasp as the bundle shifts. It’s not empty after all.

I watch cautiously as it uncurls and a tiny human child emerges. She looks like she’s six years old, and she’s caked in dirt and who knows what else. Her blond curls are matted along her head and her dress is in tatters. Even from here, I can see she is thin and brittle. She slowly moves to lean against the bars as she peers at me.

She doesn’t seem surprised by my physical appearance. She’s met talnarins before. If I have to guess, they are the ones who brought us both here.

In a soft and cautious voice I ask, “Child, what is your name?”

After a long pause, a tiny, weak voice replies. “Ginger.” She looks so sad and lost, it hurts my heart.

“How did you get here, Ginger?”

“They took me. Put me here.”

“Who did?” I lean in further to hear her thin voice.

“You did. Ones who look like you. Are you going to hurt me too? I’m scared.”

So, they did take a child. Why? Just as I’m about to ask more, I hear footsteps to my left. “It will be okay, sweetie,” I whisper to the child before facing the newcomer.

I back away from the bars as a tall figure steps into view. He is talnarin alright. His brown hair is pulled tight into a tie at the back of his neck. He is stocky, and his violet eyes are shadowed by the darkness under them. He glances at Ginger before perusing me more thoroughly.

He sneers as he says, “Well, I’ve never seen eyes like yours before, but it matters not. Your energy will still be useful regardless. I’ve had too many failures lately. Don’t disappoint me, filth.”

I narrow my eyes, a scowl etching across my face. I’m tempted to spit on him, but I don’t want to somehow bring his wrath upon the child. I could try to burn him—he won’t be expecting it. If my eyes are so unusual then he’ll have no idea what my affinity is—or so I hope. I could use that to my advantage.

I reach for the energy inside me, but come up empty. It’s now I notice a strange hollowness in my stomach that leaves me gasping for air. It’s gone. My energy is gone. What happened? I need it. I glare up at the asshole in disgust. He took it. I’m not sure how, but he did, and for that he will pay.

He nearly spits. “Don’t look at me like that, filth. I’ll have you beat senseless. Don’t bother using your affinity either, you’ve been fitted with a collar. It’d be pointless to try.” He smirks, his face twisting into something absolutely hideous.

“What did you do? What collar? What do you want?”  I’m still holding the bars to my cell door, and I shake them a few times. I have to put up a fight somehow.

He merely laughs, like I said the funniest thing. “I prevented you from attacking back. You are powerless now.” He takes a moment to smirk before moving on. “I want your blood. That’s all you are useful for anyway.”

Blood? What does he want that for? I don’t understand. And why is a human child here? None of this adds up.

A sinking feeling makes its way into my gut. I’m missing something. It should be obvious, but my mind refuses to work. What use would the talnarin have for human children? Not even children, humans in general. Even Craforian had them. What’s the purpose?

The sense of dread deepens and the pieces click together in my mind. It’s the only explanation that makes sense. But it’s not possible. They were the only ones, They said so. There shouldn’t be any more of Them. This is wrong, all wrong.

I’m drawn from my inner despair at the sound of more footsteps making their way in our direction. I glare at the talnarin as the breath hisses out of me. If it’s what I think it is, they are all going to die. I’ll slaughter them all. Energy or not, they’re going to burn to ashes, one way or another. These scum will die screaming in pain, I can promise that.

Five talnarins, dressed in various states of combat gear, unlock the cell across the way. They roughly grab the child and pull her out of sight. Her pitiful screams echo around the walls and cause my ears to ring.

A weak voice shouts from my left, demanding they release the child and take them instead.

Unable to stand it anymore, I scream, “Let her go, you sick fuck, or so help me, I will kill you all.”

He appears unfazed and gestures for the remaining guards to unlock my cell. I patiently wait for the cell door to open and a pair of hands to reach in. I grip the hand closest to me and yank. I expected the guard to fall forward, but instead he merely stumbles. He flicks his glare in my direction and yanks my hair. I yelp in pain, twisting and turning to try and break free. My arms are gripped painfully from behind and I’m dragged forward.

Still, I continue to fight. I call to the heat inside my chest for help and only emptiness answers back. I want to cry for the loss and pain I feel in its absence. As I pass by other cells on my way down the hall, I notice all of them are occupied by talnarins and humans alike. But before I can get a good look, I’m wrenched away. Still, I don’t scream as pain radiates through my body.

I’m carted up a flight of stairs and down long, winding halls. My sense of direction is shot with my head angled down and body being pulled backwards.

Eventually, I’m thrown to the ground. I fight the yelp, wanting to escape and push myself up. Before I can get to my knees, a foot slams into my back and sends me back down. The breath escapes me in a whoosh, and I wince.

Pushing the hair from my face, I survey my surroundings. I’m in some sort of courtyard, with no exit visible from my position. The walls around the courtyard remind me of a fancy manor only seen in drawings. Judging by the sun, it’s mid-afternoon.

Someone tugs my head back until my neck is stretched taught. I fight to keep the pain from showing on my face and narrow my eyes into slits. The talnarin in charge, the one with violet eyes, crouches a few feet from me and spits at the ground near my face. I growl low in my throat and bare my teeth like an animal. This only seems to amuse him and anger me further. I snarl, “Where is the child?”

He smiles a nasty smirk that shows his teeth. “Oh, do you care what happens to the human vermin?”

I make no sound, refusing to answer this bastard.

“Hmm… I’ll take that as a yes. How interesting. Well, shall we make this more exciting then?”

What?

He motions to someone behind me as I stare in confusion.

A small body is roughly thrown to the ground in front of me. A pained groan escapes from the limp child, lying face down in the grass. I try to pull my body free to no avail. I glare up at the assholes laughing, silently plotting their deaths in my head.

The leading talnarin, or asshole as he will now be known, merely stands and motions to the child. A heavy weight settles in my stomach just in time for a foot to sail into Ginger’s back. A piercing scream echoes in the air. Once the scream tapers off, I start yelling profanities and curses at them all. Another kick lands in her back and pitiful sobs and cries make their way to my ears. I feel my own tears drip down my cheeks.

She’s only a child, this is cruel, how could anyone do this to a child? I need to save her, I promised her everything would be okay. I need to hurt them, I need them to burn.

Searching deep inside me one last time, I feel a faint stirring of energy. The instant relief nearly has me shouting for joy and smiling wide. I beckon the heat closer and close my eyes. Just like how I practiced, I will the strands to life and little by little, it expands inside me until it’s all consuming.

I move it throughout my body and feel it comforting me gently. I snap my eyes open and will the energy to set them all ablaze. It does. Sudden, agony-filled screams pierce the air and I revile in it. The foot holding me down and the hand gripping my hair suddenly release me. I push to my feet and watch as all but the child burn in a flurry of silver inferno. One by one, the talnarins drop to their knees and whimpers and screams escape their pain-filled face.

Before I can will the fire further, I gasp as white-hot pain shoots through my neck. My hands connect with burning metal and a yelp escapes me. My distraction is broken for a split second, but it’s enough for two guards to attack.

A fist slams into my gut and I kneel over gasping. Another blow hits my back and I fall over. The silver blaze crawls up their legs until their torsos are consumed. Their screams hit new highs and I fight not to cover my ears.

Movement from the corner of my eye draws my attention from the chaotic scene before me. I whip around to face seven new talnarins. I don’t know who they are or why they’re here, but it matters not. They will all burn for interfering in my fight. I will protect the child if it’s the last thing I do, and then I’ll set the others in the cells free.

They cannot stop me.

I raise my hands and feel a surge of energy build. I push as much energy as I can into the climbing inferno. I feel my fury expand with the flames. One of the talnarins steps forward with his hands raised in surrender, but I won’t be tricked. They could easily subdue me, why would they offer their surrender? I’m outnumbered and I’m not stupid enough to think this will be an easy fight, but I refuse to go down.

My fire builds more powerful than ever and I feel nearly invincible. Then, in less than a second, there’s nothing. My flames are gone. They just disappear. I panic as I notice the absence of heat within my body.

This can’t be happening again.

I was so close.