InvaSUn

30

[James]

"Riley?" He limped over to her casually. Riley stood there awkwardly and didn't answer. Her eyes were glowing red, and red veins glimmered across her skin. Why was she still using her abilities? "Riley? Are you okay?" He waved his arm in front of her face.

"James!" Su came back to reality and choked for air as she came out of her transportation to the other realm. "Get away from her!"

"What?" James glanced over his shoulder at Su. "What did you say?"

"THAT'S NOT RILEY! Get away!" Su stood up quickly and extended her arms, but it was too late. Before James could dodge it, Riley swung her arms forward, creating a force field that shoved him far back.

He grunted and fell onto his back before skidding against the dirt. His side hit the wheel of his car. Su held her palms outward and created a gleam of light to block Riley from getting any closer. It was to protect James from any further harm.

James laid there as there was a loud ringing in his ears, and he tried to fathom what just happened. Did Riley just.. attack him?

Once the ringing stopped, he sat up carefully and brushed himself off. "What.. just.. happened?" He heaved and held himself up by his knees as he stood. He had to push his weight onto the hood of the car to stand completely.

"My sister just sent me a warning!" Su pushed Riley back with a ball of light. "The Criebeasts have decided to go against her command and go awol! They're posing as her to get to Riley."

"What?" James huffed. "What exactly does that mean!?"

"She's locked in a trance. The Criebeasts have decided to use her to kill you! To kill everyone!"

"Shite." James pressed on and rotated his wrists. "How can we stop her? Get her out of the trance she's locked in?" James didn't want to fight with Riley. He was hoping that there was another way that didn't involve inflicting harm on her to stop her.

Before Su could reply, she was knocked back by another force field Riley put out. James dodged the force field and swiped his fist at Riley's torso, shocking her. She screamed in agony and collapsed next to him.

"Crap! I didn't mean to hurt you—" James was thrown back again by another shield. Riley stood up immediately and charged at him. James rolled over slightly and studied her. Back after back, Riley continued to use her ability. It kept shoving James further away.

James skidded aside again for the 10th time and rested his head against the dirt. He had to great for a moment to think. Riley's ability had limitations, so even while locked in a trance, she could only go on for so long.

Riley strolled over to James and raised her foot over his body. He dodged right before she could stomp on him, and kicked her other foot before using his voltage to shock her again.

She screamed, and the louder she screeched in pain, the worse James felt. He genuinely didn't want to hurt her.

"Riley! Come to your senses!" He snapped at her and kicked her back. Riley got up and tried to punch him. She was very adamant about trying to kill him. Whoever was controlling her was doing a darn good job at it.

Su blocked Riley again and held her down with a larger gleam of light. James wiped the blood from his lip and jogged over to Su with heavy breaths. "What happens when she runs out of energy?" James puffed.

"When she runs out?" Su barked. "Her ability may be limited but it is not good if she continues to try and force them out." Su blocked Riley again with a wave of her arm. "She will die."

"What!?" James shrieked angrily. "Not while I'm here she won't!"

"We have to get to her so she can try and control whatever is overtaking her. This way she can try to come back to fully control her body and actions."