A Game Of Secrets

Season 5 - NINE

1987

"Nolan, this is crazy", Irene whispered, "we can't keep doing this". "What do you mean?" Nolan frowned. "Don't give me that look, Nolan", Irene said, "the voices, the screams...everything is too much. We need to stop this". "No! This was my grandma's dying legacy". "Yeah. A legacy for your Mom. Not you". "My Mom didn't hold her dead body. I deserve this". "No, you don't!"

Tatiana was checking for a book for her project when she heard the shout. She removed a book from the shelf to see who was talking. "To be honest", Sophia started, "you've been acting different. You're pissed off at everything, you walk around with this look on your face and it terrifies people". "That's the  subtle way of saying, why the hell did you attack Avery? She isn't even a student here anymore". Kimberly blurted.

Tatiana was very confused. Was this why Nolan pushed her away? What was going on? She thought. "I only did what I was supposed to", Nolan was nonchalant, "you do not wanna know what kind of disgusting being she is". "Really? So because she did something that you didn't approve off, you felt you had the right to torch her face?" Kimberly stood up angrily, "I don't know what the rest of you want but I'm out. What we wanted was a fun gathering where we conjure up nice meals and made jokes. I did not sign up for darkness".

"Are you sure you want walk away?" Nolan asked, "you do not want to make me an enemy". "Well then...it's good I have powers to stop you". Kimberly walked out. "Anyone else wants to walk away?" She asked. "Are you going to change?" Sophia retorted. "I am making the world a better place", she sneered, "we have the powers to command good behavior. No more bullying, no more discrimination, no more hate...isn't that a world where you want to live in?"

Sophia and Celine looked at each other. They knew she was referring to them. Sophia was Latina and Celine was an ABC(American Born Chinese). "Sometimes, a world with all these problems isn't such a bad place", Celine spoke up, "what matters is defining your values. And people with value would never torture the other to obedience". The two of them also went away.

Irene held Nolan's hands. "Just answer me this one thing and I'll decide too", she took in a breath before saying, "why did you push Tatiana away? Was it to save her from the powers?" "Tatiana betrayed me. She ended our friendship. There is no day that I don't miss her". A tear rolled down her cheek. "It's gonna be okay. I'm here".

Tatiana placed the book back and stomped out. She met the three girls discussing by the door. "You three are gonna explain what the hell is going on", she said sternly, "and I want the bloody truth".

Present Day...

"We can't just stand by", Jo told them, "at this rate, it could kill them". "What can we do to stabilize them?" Angie asked. "Well, it is possible to get into their heads to slow down the process". She suggested. "But?" Mitchell saw the uncertainty in her eyes. "It's also possible that tampering with their minds during this might block there access to the memories". "So they would have their memories but they can recall anything from them? Isn't that what is happening?" Lin was confused.

Jo shook her head, "not at all", she answered, "their memories were removed. It's not like amnesia but if we don't get this right, they will amnesia". "It's our best shot". Angie crossed her arms. "If this goes wrong, we're back to where we started",  Mitchell countered, "the past is needed in this fight". "Then we make sure that it doesn't go wrong", Lin sighed, "I would be miserable too if something ripped me of my memories". Angie gave Lin a smile and Mitchell caved. "What do we do, doc?"

Maggie went to the forest. She sat on the floor and closed her eyes. She fell into a trance. "You're back". The wind spoke. "I don't understand what I am supposed to do", she said, "the mystery of the gift of animal and the imbalance, it's troubling". "You hold the keys to nature. You have the answers".

"I don't. I came here for help. My friends...they can't win this battle alone".

"You have no fight in this battle. You were destined to keep nature and that is all".

"Please! Please! There has to be a way. My powers can heal and reveal for a purpose". The wind went quiet. "Margret, you have served nature well", it said, "are you willing to leave this world to still continue the work?" "As long as it helps them, I'm ready". "So be it. Go and bear the answers you need".

Maggie opened her eyes slowly. She saw a mark on the floor. A footprint. She nodded and  decided to follow it. She was going to help the light win this war.

Angie stood in between Tatiana and Sophia, Mitchell between Irene and Celine and Lin with Kimberly. Jo draw the circle on the floor. "Okay, on my mark, you move", she said, "I'll be reading the charts. Once I say stop, you stop. Not before, not after...got it?" The girls looked at each other. This was a chance to finally get an upper hand. They weren't going to miss it.

Suddenly, the women began screaming. "What's going on?" Angie was in a panicked mode. "I think it's getting worse", Jo said, "we have limited time to do this before doctors flood the room. We have one shot". Angie flicked her wrists. White tubes of light covered their heads. She  turned her eyes into slits and look up at the ceiling.

She shook her head and let out a cry. The images were like arrows. Angie tried to focus. She steadied her breathing. Her eyes turned to normal and she looked around the room. Jo was floating in the middle of the circle with a golden tirach. "You have to keep going, Angie!" She screamed, "we're losing them!"

Just a glance of the bodies almost made her a churn. They were bleeding from their eyes and ears. Angie closed her eyes. She was going to try a different method. She opened them to see herself in a white place. Everywhere was blank. She formed and energy ball and blasted a side open.

Certain orbs came pouring like the ocean. She quickly clicked her fingers and they all paused. 'Angie! What are you doing?! They are not breathing!' She heard Jo's voice in her head. 'Trust me, okay?' She replied. Angie surveyed the room. This was probably the storage vault.

Angie took in a deep breath. The place was a canvas to her. She had always loved painting. It was one of the things she gave up after losing Felicity. She stood in middle. One...Two...Three...now!

She opened her arms and the wave parted into two. Angie's eyes were red as she watched them take their rightfully place. The room became beautiful. The orbs were attaching themselves to the walls and spreading thickly. 'Get out of there'. Jo warned. She closed her eyes again and opened it to the real world.

They all turned to Jo. She floated down. "We did it", She smiled, "you guys would probably wanna stand here". They all entered the circle and watched as the nurses and doctors stormed in. "You were absolutely brilliant!" Lin hugged Jo. "It was a team effort". She said.

The medical personnel were confused as all their vitals were working again. "They just have to clean them up. Lucky guys". Mitchell chuckled. "What now?" Jo asked looking at Angie. "We get the damn answers we deserve". Angie answered.

They all walked outside still under the glamour. They were shocked to see a man waiting for them. "Mr Dhawnren?" "I figured you would be hear", He smiled at them, "I believe we were supposed to have detention together". "We are so sorry, sir", Jo launched into an apology, "we got a call and we had..." "No need for your excuses. I am fully aware. Despite having told the principal we had our detention session, I expect to actually see you all tomorrow". "Done sir". He nodded and walked away.

"He is so my favorite teacher right now". Lin wore a Cheshire smile. "Isn't it weird that he covered for us? I mean, how did he know we were here?" Mitchell raised her brows. "Not as weird as him seeing past the glamour", Angie was tensed, "something is definitely not right".