Journey Called Life

12

 Amanda, you failed me once again. All I asked for was the child, and what did you do?" Lues asked, chuckling dryly. 

"I'm sorry aunt- I really am. Ashley. She can freeze time now. She's got her powers." Amanda whispered. Lues rolled her eyes and walked out the room, trying to hatch another plan to trap Ashley. Amanda's eyes started getting wet, as she thought about all the things she had done for her aunt, and yet there was no sign of happiness or appreciation. "Is it all right? Whatever I'm doing, it's all for our benefit, right?" She asked herself. "No," said a voice from behind. Amanda turned around to see Mr. Oland. "Father!? H-how are you-"

"Shush," he signaled as he neared the cage. "I'm going to get you out of here. I promise. There's something you need to know."

"No father, don't. She'll know you're here. She'll torture you, aunt will. Besides, I've done horrible, horrible things! I went against my own sister!"

"You very well know it wasn't you, don't you Amanda? You also should know that she isn't your aunt." She stared at him in confusion, when Ashley came running in. 

"I GOT—sorry! I got it-" She muttered an apology, since she had shouted first. She unlocked the cage with the key in her hand. "Ashley? Why are both of you assisting me? What about Jason and Claire? Are they fine?" Ashley hugged Amanda and said, "Let's get you out of here."

"No one, I repeat, no one, leavessss." When they peered at the door, they only saw Lues standing there. Mr. Oland's expression changed. "Kara..." He muttered. "Oh, Ellis, I see you're still doing well. Have you been content lately?" She went on scoffing, "You have, of course! I don't need to ask. Like a coward, you bolted. You left me alone, and I assume you were content with your decision. Now," She said, "It's time for me to start working on mine. And I've decided to increase my power. Become stronger. While people like you stay weak! And all of this is thanks to Kara." She said, smirking. She had imprisoned the three in the room by muttering a tiny spell. "I told you, father, I was terrified this would happen." Amanda muttered as she knelt in the corner of the room.

Amanda sat down in the corner of the room, bending down for fear of hurting someone. Anyone. "It's all right, Amanda. Look at me, look at me, look at me." As she sat alongside her, Ashley said. "It's not your fault in the least. Nothing is the case. It's also not my mother's. She's been possessed." "Wait a minute, mother?" Amanda cut her off, staring at her with scepticism. 

Ashley nodded, "Mhm. It's her," she explains. "Dad and I met in a little cave. Jason took Claire and me there. They're safe, don't worry. We expected something like this to occur, so we asked them to remain in the cave. "Dad? What exactly do you mean when you say that's mother? Didn't you and she manage to get away from... whoever this person is? I saw it with my own eyes, and it is unmistakably not my mother. I've been here long enough, stuck with her. She doesn't seem like the mother I know." Amanda confirmed. 

"Amanda, Ashley.." Mr. Oland started, "there's something both of you should know. I knew this would happen." He said, taking a deep breath, "Kara wasn't like this, Amanda knows very well. This all started when we were discussing how an old friend of ours, who was sick, desperately needed help. Kara vouched to help her, but it wasn't a small favor, you must know. Katniss, Kara's friend, was in need of a new body, all because she was struck by a disease. And Kara, being the pure soul, finally decided on helping her.  And no one and nothing could stop her. She knew it was help, I knew it would cause trouble. And I was right. Katniss was first pretty good, but soon, she got greedy. She had actually lost her powers when unwell, but when she got Kara's body, she wanted her powers too. Eventually, she got them. And now, she wants more."

Both the girls looked wide at their father, extremely shocked at what they heard. "So, by possessed, you meant mother having another soul within her?" Amanda asked, which was responded with Mr. Oland nodding his head. "And is there any way we can save here?" Ashley asks, looking at her sister, who was just going to ask another question. "Do you know anyone related to Katniss?" Amanda asks. "I don't think so Amanda. She was all alone." He continued. "And Ashley, I've tried several ways. So many that I've hurt myself," He said, showing the scar on his hand. "What are her powers to be exact, dad?" Ashley asked. He replied somewhat vaguely, "I haven't  much idea of her or her powers. Kara and Katniss just knew eachother very well. But as far as I can remember, it is related to visions."

"But if she already has a name, Katniss, why call her Malam?" Ashley asked. Amanda responded, chuckling, "You know. Typical evil name for typical evil people-" 

"Father, do you know Katniss' surname, by any chance?" Amanda asked, looking at Ashley, both having the similar thought.

"Katniss. Katniss Everdeen."