She bent over and slipped through a hole in the fence that was nearest to her. The building looked even scarier up close. The wind howled around her, it whipped her hair up and caused it to smack her face, as if taunting her decision to inspect the building. The front door was boarded up as well, with thick bolts and two by fours. No one was meant to enter or leave this place, apparently.
There’s no way in, where do I get in?
The basement,
the voices said together.
Shade gulped. It would be dark in the basement and whatever was in there would not welcome her. She had no flashlight to use in the pitch-black interior. She walked around the building towards the rear, inspecting for any openings.
There it was, a small, dusty and rusted window near the ground. She knelt down, the rocks crunching under her feet and they dug into her knees. She frowned, as she lowered and leveled herself with the window. The dust and earth stuck to her jeans and fingers.
E
www!
The window was small, probably just big enough for a small person to fit through. She sighed.
Just like me
, and she cringed at the thought. It would be a tight fit but she thought she could probably make it. She pushed on the pane but nothing happened. It was years since anyone had moved this frame, and now it was stuck.
Maybe, I should give a good hard push?
Shade scooted onto her bottom and got closer to the window, pressing her feet into it. She gave it a good push and heard a loud screech as the metal frame screamed its protest as it opened to the world. The dust bellowed around her in a cloud, causing her to go into a coughing fit. She dusted her clothes as she groaned, and there was no doubt that she would need a shower tonight. She looked inside but it was a deep void of darkness.
Oh boy, this is gonna suck
, she thought to herself. She shimmied into the frame and heaved herself through the opening.
She crashed into the floor.
Ouch! That’s definitely gonna leave a bruise
!
She rubbed her arms and scanned the room for signs of movement; there was nothing but dark and dust to greet her. She stood up and dusted her jeans off again.
There was a dim light coming from the now busted window; but her eyes had begun to adjust to the darkness of the room. The small room was basically empty, except for a worktable at one end of the basement and an old bicycle, in pieces, at the other end. There were also a few pieces of junk strewn across the floor. Even in the poor light she could see there was a staircase in the middle of the room. She walked to it and grabbed the thin metal banister. She placed one foot on the bottom step and heard a sound that made her stomach tighten.
The footsteps were fluttering above her but then faded, she felt like they had stopped to listen for something or someone and were probably listening for her movements. She didn’t move for what felt like a millennium, her heart pumping quickly and loudly in hears. She held her breath because she feared being heard.
The time ticked on, but Shade didn’t hear any more noises. She slowly ascended the stairs to the door at the top. Her hand gripped the old brass knob as she paused, still listening for anything that might be waiting for her beyond the door. She gulped back her fear, praying that no one was waiting on the other side.
She turned the knob as quietly as she could; the slow creaking moan of the door echoed in the silence. The wind was still howling outside the basement window, shaking the glass until it shook closed. Her stomach tightened as the window slammed shut.
Claustrophobia must feel like this
, thought Shade.
Shade opened the door and looked around the gloomy building. Some light streamed in through the boarded up windows, as she peered into the long hallway that was just beyond the door. The place was vibrating from the forces outside; everything creaked and sighed, like a ship tossed about in an angry sea. Shade wished more than anything to be home, snuggled in her room, safe. She stepped out into the hall and closed the basement door behind her, as quietly as she could.
Now what? Which way do I go?
She hated having to listen to the voices for an answer. At least she knew if she had to ask them something, they would answer her, guaranteed. She just hoped it wasn’t an answer she didn’t want to hear.
Upstairs, follow the stairs on your right; take them now
, the voices commanded in unison
.
Shade turned to her right, the hallway ended by a small banister that could be seen near the wall. She could see another window frame at the end of the hall. The light came through the glass and lit the bottom of the staircase. The dust particles swam in the rays and danced all around.
Here we go,
thought Shade.
Please don’t let there be a crazy person up there!
She swiftly walked to the stairs and looked up; she heard nothing but the wind that made the walls creak and moan. She moved slowly over the loose floorboards that were driving her mad with fear. She reached the landing quickly when she heard a crash. Her eyes widened and she fought the urge to fly right back downstairs.
Something’s up there. I can hear it moving…it sounds strong and very big. I don’t want to meet that.
She couldn’t move and listened again but nothing else banged around upstairs. She craned her neck to hear better
, it definitely has stopped
. She took a breath and continued up the stairs.
Don’t ever ask me to do this again!!
She muttered under her breath as she reached the landing and peered down to her left. There was another hall, and it opened into a big room, that must have been the warehouse’s office area. There were cubicles and papers strewed everywhere on desks, with old chairs turned over, as if they were thrown across the room.
Um, not pretty.
She looked around, whatever had been up here might still be here, lurking and hiding from her. It wouldn’t be too hard with all this furniture upturned and scattered throughout the room.
Shade didn’t have to wait too long before she was diving for cover. A bolt of lightning shot across the room to her left, smashing into one of the bookshelves that lined the wall. She had ducked under a desk with the top still intact, covering her from the flying debris.
What was that?
She tried to pace her breathing. She was having a heart attack right there. What if she died and no one would ever find her? Her remains would be there for years in this desolate place.
Shut up, s
he told herself.
Now, voices, come on, why am I here, to get killed? You better tell me soon, cuz I am about to hightail it out of here!
She peaked above the desk to look around the room. A boom knocked her onto her back and debris flew all around her. The sound had come from a different direction than the lightning.
Is there more than one person here,
what the hell?
She stayed down and prayed they didn’t notice her in this mess.
“You can’t hurt me Jack. I know all your tricks, and they are pointless against my magic. You can’t break through with your light and fire power; my magic will always endure against you.” The woman cackled with a spine tingling voice. She sounded like the Wicked Witch of the West.
“Give it up Vange, you don’t have it in you; we are banging our heads against the walls. I can have reinforcements arrive in a heartbeat, give it up before I am forced to make you.” This was a voice of a man and it echoed with strength in the large room.
Ok, this is getting complicated
, thought Shade.
I hope they don’t know I’m here.
“Not so fast, Jack,” she said his name like she was speaking of garbage. “You trespass on my domain. I didn’t know you liked hanging out with ordinary folk now. You might frighten one of them as you speak. You should return to the forest and mountains, you claim as your great domain. The cities are mine.” Another boom and crash shook the room.
Shade held her breath.
Well, now I know she knows I’m here. Now he does too! Great!
“She is of no concern to me. You should stop right now before I hurt you. The queen wants you alive but I am sure that if you were wounded, she would understand that it was a matter of life and death. Or you could just give me the talisman back and we call it even.” Jack sent another lightning rod, or so that’s what it looked like, toward the left corner of the room and jumped from his spot. Shade peered over at him as he ran forward and ducked behind a large wooden beam. He glanced at her for a moment, now he knew just where she was.
What now?
Shade turned and looked down the hall to the flight of stairs.
If only I can get to the stairs, and get the hell out of dodge.
She glanced back at the scene before her. Jack had hunched down to the level of the desks and crept towards the woman. He paused periodically to listen and look for her. The woman was hiding quite well behind an office divider, if she was still there.
Don’t run,
the voices said.
What am I supposed to do, die?
Shade’s heart raced and sweat beaded on her forehead and neck. She gulped and felt lightheaded. What could she do? They would see her if she bolted. She hung her head down wishing to be small and out of sight. She heard Jack curse as another crash smashed a window on the north end of the building. Shade jerked her head up in time to see Vange smiling at Jack.
“I’m truly sorry, Jack, but this isn’t your day. My queen will love this little artifact. Its powers will truly add to our array of weapons against your precious queen.” The woman then sprinted toward the shattered remains of windowpane and jumped, no, she
flew
out the window and disappeared.
“We will finish this some other time, Vange.” Jack stood at the windowsill and stared into the light of the day. The cool autumn breeze wafted in and stirred up the stale air inside. He shook his head, sighing and cursing under his breath.
Shade stood and peered at Jack; he had yet to turn to her. She turned to leave when he suddenly caught her by her shoulder. She screamed and she was quickly spun around and forced to face him. His eyes pierced hers as his hands gripped her upper arms. “Let me go!” She wriggled around in his grip.
“Oh quit it. Who are you? Why are you here?” Jack questioned relentlessly as he stared at her with searing eyes. His grip did not falter but squeezed just enough to make her cry out.
“I don’t know, I don’t know! Let me go!”
He sighed and let her go as she pulled away, sending her crashing to the floor.
“Ow!” She grabbed her elbow; it was streaked with blood after scraping it on debris.
“You said ‘let me go.’” Jack turned and picked up some of his weapons from the floor. He had taken hold of his sheathing that hung on his belt and put his knife away. He then began dusting his clothes. He wore a tight black shirt with a leather belt tightened around his waist, multiple items strung onto it, including a sword. His face was strong yet portrayed a radiance of youth and looked about twenty-five. He had no stubble but did not look like a teenager. His dark black wavy hair was short by his neck; but his bangs covered some of his olive face. His eyes gave away a look of someone who had ancient wisdom and gave way the fact that he had seen too much for one lifetime.
He’s not bad looking though.
Shade stood up and dusted her clothes as well. She peered up at him, wondering if she should try to run.
“Who are you? Who was that or what was that woman? How do you throw lightning like that? How did she fly like that?” Shade couldn’t hold back the torrent of questions running out of her mouth.
He stared at her quietly. It seemed as if he were trying to decide whether or not to answer. His piercing grey eyes examined her, making Shade flush as she stuttered. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m Jack, and I can throw lightning because it’s what I’m made of.” He paused, watching her face go blank in disbelief.
What the…
“Okay then that explains you, I think, but what about her? What the heck, how did she fly like that?” She asked again. “What kind of a person makes the room explode in a sonic boom? What do you mean you’re made of lightning? Uh, that’s not possible.” Shade shook her head, squeezing her eyes closed, then, opening them and blinked nervously. This strange young man just stared at her and cracked a smile. He seemed amused just listening to her rant on and on.
“That was Evangeline. Vange is what everyone calls her; she’s an elemental fire witch, but not just any old witch, a hybrid offspring of a witch and a faery. She is a nasty fighter and she has taken something from my queen; I was sent to get it back.” Jack then started to walk towards the staircase, leaving Shade stunned in silence.
Okay, that was unexpected
. She watched him leaving.
Now what?
What was the purpose of her being here then? Why did she have to witness all that for,
The Voices?
Why oh why did I have to listen to the stupid voices
!
Why can’t they
leave me alone! All they have ever done for me is get me into a lot of trouble.
“Wait! Why was I led to you? Stop! Don’t walk away from me, I need answers here! The Voices told me to come in here, and this is what I find? You have to tell me why. Why did they do that? What am I supposed to see or do here? Stop already!” She cried out again. She scurried to keep up with him; he was already at the front door studying the nailed-in boards and about to tear one down with his hands. His muscles rippled as he held one plank and pulled. It crashed to the floor as he went for another one. She grabbed his arm to get his attention but he spun around grabbing her wrist instead and squeezed it tight. Shade whimpered, surprised from the pain.
“Don’t touch me, I might inadvertently electrify you.”
Her eyes widened as she stared at his hand squeezing her wrist. He let her go and sighed, his lips tight with discontent.