The Darkness Inside of Me

How are you so strong?

Rosette:

"Chrono! Rosette! Wait for me!" a voice cried from behind us. Chrono and I stopped and turned to watch our petite friend catch up to us. Her long, silver hair trailed behind her like a shining cape. She came to a sudden halt in front of us and paused, doubled over, to gasp for air.

"What is it, Az?" Chrono asked.

"Jeepers, you look tired! Where were you running from?" I asked, resting a hand on her rigid shoulder. She popped up again, a big smile on her face.

"I've been looking all over for you two! We have a mission," Az managed to gasp out between heaving breaths.

"Has Sister Kate summoned us?" Chrono asked.

"I've got the report right here. We're ready to go," Azmaria replied, holding up a vanilla envelope.

"Alrighty then! Let's go kick some devil butt!" I cheered as I took the envelope from her. I slipped out the paper inside and held it forward so Chrono could read it as well. I skimmed through it, only picking out the important bits: devil activity outside Brooklyn, attacking civilians, located at an abandoned farm...

"An abandoned farm?! She's sending us to some small fry devil at an abandoned farm?!" I exclaimed.

"It makes sense, Rosette. I mean you did destroy three buildings last time. She probably figured it'd be better if you worked out in the country this time," Chrono explained. I gave him a harsh glare that caused him to shy back slightly and give me an apologetic smile.

"We might as well get a wiggle on, then. We should be back before the evening meal," I said with a sigh. I spun and started heading off towards the lot where we kept our cars.

"Shouldn't you visit the Elder first?" Chrono asked. I waved my hand dismissively.

"Nah, not for a puny guy like this. Sounds to me like I could take him with my bare hands," I replied. I heard Chrono sigh behind me.

A couple of hours later we were driving home, all of us covered in dirt, dust, and grime from our battle with the barn dwelling devil.

"Some small fry," Chrono muttered to the window.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault, okay? Nowhere in the report did it say he had friends!" I retorted as I gave him a hard punch in the arm. He winced but continued to gaze unenthusiastically out the window.

"Actually, Rosette, it did," Azmaria murmured from the backseat.

"If you'd actually read the report once in awhile..." I gave him a bonk on the head that cut him off. This time he glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

"I hope Sister Kate doesn't get too mad about the barn..." Azmaria mused quietly.

"Or the forest..." Chrono added. I took a sharp turn, causing both of them to fly into the right side of the car.

"Are you done now?" I asked, my voice hard as nails and almost a yell.

"Yeah, we're done," Chrono answered apologetically, rubbing the side of his head. I pulled into the convent. It was already beginning to grow dark and lights were turning on in the windows of the building. The three of us headed inside and marched straight to Sister Kate's office. We received several curious glances and seemingly unsurprised whispers as we walked through the halls. I gave a fierce knock on Sister Kate's door and opened it before even waiting for a reply. After the annoying car ride back and the unexpected trouble at the farm all I wanted to do was shower, eat, and sleep. But first I had to get through Sister Kate's fury. I left Azmaria and Chrono outside the office, knowing that Sister Kate would want to speak with me alone. Before I closed the door, I caught Chrono's eye. He was watching me with pity as I faced the wrath of Sister Kate on my own.