Dark Connection

Chapter Seven

A large crowd gathered outside the large stadium as Annabelle walked out. She looked out into the crowd, beamed, and began to sing. The crowd became silent as her soft voice drifted across them. Robyn smiled.

She looks so at ease. Unafraid. Like she's at home on the stage.. just like me.

"She's amazing!" Bloom exclaimed.

"Good enough to draw out that guy!" Stella whispered, and Robyn's eyes narrowed.

This isn't fair.. it's almost like they're using Annabelle as bait.. and I have a really bad feeling about this..

"Let's stay on high alert!" Bloom urged. "He's got to be here somewhere!"

Their eyes rested on a figure with a yellow hoodie who has their back facing them. Flora and Musa moved in.

"Sighting of possible suspect." Musa said into her watch.

Robyn gave the person a swift glance.

That's not him.. He had a crocodile pattern on the back of his hoodie.

The girl turned around. Musa and Flora laughed awkwardly as they tried to act casual. On stage, Annabelle finished her song and the crowd was silent. A look of surprise and anxiety crossed her face, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Joy flooded into her eyes as the crowd roared. Meanwhile, Robyn still felt uneasy.

That man has to be somewhere right? I'm almost positive it's his presence I've been feeling nonstop lately, so why now out of all times is he nowhere to be found?

"Wow! Annabelle's dream is about to come true!" Bloom gasped.

"And it's also thanks to us!" Stella exclaimed proudly.

Everyone immediately began to vote, and the green bar filled to the top while the red shot to the bottom, indicating Annabelle had made it to the finals. The Winx suddenly closed their eyes, as if in a trance as new power radiated from them.

Did they all just level up..? Robyn wondered, tilting her head slightly to one side.

The moment faded, and the girls quickly opened their eyes and looked around.

"Did you all feel.. what I felt?" Bloom asked in awe.

"Yes! It happened as soon as Annabelle's dream came true!" Musa exclaimed. "Do you think there's a connection?!"

There doesn't seem to be an official level system here. Robyn thought. The more adventures I go on, the more my level increases. Completed adventures increases level cap. Same with defeating enemies and reaching key points of a journey. My level is 149, and I cap at 150. Every ten levels a new skill slot opens up too. This must be their version of that.

Annabelle smiled as she sat in her dressing room, gazing at her reflection in the mirror as the crowd chanted her name outside. As she reapplied her lipstick, a shadow loomed behind her, and she gasped and whipped around as one of her earrings fell.

Outside, a shape grabbed onto the power handle for the stage, pulling it down quickly, causing the lights to flicker before shutting off. Robyn froze, dread oozing into her veins.

It's happening..!

"Is anyone with Annabelle?!" she demanded, and Stella shook her head.

"Annabelle could be in danger!" Bloom said urgently.

"Come on!" Stella yelled, and the girls took off towards Annabelle's dressing room.

Fools! Robyn thought furiously. If they wanted to use her to draw out the talent thief why would you leave her unguarded?!

Calling on her high leveled agility ability, she quickly drew ahead of the girls.

Please make it in time!

Meanwhile, Annabelle gazed around in bewilderment, the room almost pitch black. She reached up, noticing one of her earrings had fallen off, feeling around for it as a shadow loomed over her, and her eyes widened. Robyn threw the door open, and looked around frantically. Taking advantage of the darkness, Robyn blinked slowly. When she opened her eyes again, there was a green glow in them, replacing her normal violet color as she scanned the room quickly.

No one's here..! she realized with a jolt. Does that mean..!

"Annabelle! Are you here?!" Stella cried as they burst in behind her.

Robyn blinked again as the green glow in her eyes disappeared. Bloom looked baffled at the empty room, and the girls hurried into the hall as a dark shape darted past them.

"Annabelle!" Bloom exclaimed. "Annabelle wait!"

They gave chase, and Robyn frowned.

I don't think that's her.. she wouldn't just run from us. But who is that then?!

"Don't run away!" Bloom called.

"She's probably scared!" Flora replied.

"We have to reach her before it's too late!" Musa said.

Robyn couldn't shake off the sinking feeling that it was already too late. If Annabelle had been nearby surely her search skill would have picked up on her.

"This could be an ambush by the talent thief!" Bloom guessed.

But I don't feel his presence.. What is going on?!

They cornered the girl briefly, and Robyn's eyes widened as she caught sight of the girl's face.

Louise!

Louise launched herself into one of the big vents and fled, the Winx hurling themselves in after her. The lights came back on as they ran backstage, one of the lights flashing blindingly. Robyn and the girls shielded their eyes as Louise fell over the rail towards the rocks. Robyn froze for a moment before lifting her hand, but Aisha beat her to it, sending a beam of light towards the girl. It formed a bubble, carrying her back to the stage. Stella lifted her finger, causing the stage light to return to its upright position.

"Louise?!" Bloom exclaimed.

"What.. happened..?" she murmured in a daze.

"What are you doing here?! Where's Annabelle?!" Aisha demanded.

"I'm sorry.. I-I just.. couldn't stand Annabelle grabbing the spotlight like that.." she sobbed.

So she was jealous.. Robyn mused.

"False alarm.. We have to go find Annabelle." Aisha growled.

"Last year.. I tried to become a star.." she whispered. "I envied Annabelle.. I tried to smother my anger.. but then tonight.. I couldn't bear to see Annabelle living my dream.."

Robyn felt a wave of sympathy. While Louise trying to sabotage the stage wasn't right, she could understand her feelings to an extent. Bloom however, was less sympathetic.

"It's her dream she's living!" she retorted, and Louise lowered her eyes. "Let's go find Annabelle! And fast!"

Louise starred dejectedly after the girls as they ran off, but Robyn lingered a moment.

"You don't need to destroy someone else's dream you know. You can make your own dream still. You hold your Fate in your own two hands. Don't lose sight of that." she said softly, then went to catch up with the Winx.

Blinking back tears, Louise stared at her quivering hands, folding them and holding them against her chest.

Author's Note:

I found this story posted on this site under my name.

novelhd.com/tac-gia/robynmizore/

I'm still investigating but it might be a potential story thief. The only other option is it was a bot that posted it. This is my story and I will not tolerate stealing. I did not make that account and I did not consent to my story being posted. Take it down before I take you down. 😊