The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Four

Chapter Four: Maya

I race as fast as I can to Talia's house when I see the latest of my visions. All I saw a few seconds ago was the trio attacking Talia, and I know perfectly well they will aim to kill. I run as fast as I can, and then I push myself to run faster. I feel as if I break a boundary around my speed, and then I'm flying along, gathering speed frequently. The buildings and streets are going by so fast they're a blur, and yet I can still make out every detail, as though I'm walking along extremely slowly. When I reach Talia's house only seconds after I left the park where I've been with Ethan- long story- I burst through the door and speed right up the stairs. I barely have time to stop before I crash right into her bedroom, and I nearly trip. I hear the crackling noise of the deadly lightning they have summoned to destroy her, and I open the door and run into the room. When I see what happens, I nearly fall over again. I've arrived just in time to see Talia throw up her hands, and to watch the bed fly into the air and crash into the wall opposite the door. The lightning freezes in mid-air and then disintegrates, and I see the three girls stand up in a daze.

"Maya!" gasps Ayla. "Did you do that?" I shake my head and look at Talia. Ayla turns to glare at her.

"You bitch," Talia says. "You tried to kill me! Did you not think of anyone else at all? You are so selfish!"

"Oh, let me assure you, I was thinking of everyone else. Unlike you, user."

"What are you talking about? Besides, did you not consider how upset Liam would be?" Talia asks.

"User, I told you. You're not even capable of loving someone, you don't even have feelings anymore. The only reason you're dating Liam is for sex. You want to know if that will bring your feelings back. Oh, and I forgot. You need him to be a part of the group." I see Talia freeze, her mouth slightly open, her shoulders rigid. We all turn when we hear the door being opened angrily.

"Maya, get out," says Liam. I nod and hurry out of the room quickly. Lucky I do, because then I only feel a tiny part of Ayla's pain, more intense than Liam has ever caused before. I feel my sensitivity to her pain fade, and yet I can hear her loud screaming continue. I open the door and peek in. I step into the room and see Ayla writhing on the floor in agony.

"You knew I would do this," he said to her. "If I did it when you just thought it, you knew I'd do it if you said it. This time will be different. After this, we will not make up and be friends again. I will never in my life forgive you. Did you honestly think I wouldn't care if you tried to kill the only girl I've ever loved? You are sick, and your mind is twisted. You ever heard that saying: 'Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely?'" Liam shudders, and I can see how much effort he's putting into the mental attack. He turns and sees me, then his eyes widen. "Maya! I must be killing you!" I shake my head.

"I think I finally found out how to turn off my power. I'm perfectly fine." I see him relax, and he sags and drops onto the floor. Ayla's screams abruptly cease, and the silence is amazingly overwhelming. Talia is still in her frozen position, but she hears Liam sigh, and then she moves. She crumples into his arms and they kiss hungrily.

"I thought... I'd never... see you... again!" she exclaims between kisses. He pulls her to his chest and she closes her eyes. Before long she's asleep, and Liam isn't far from drifting off himself. Ayla cannot stand, and yet I make no move to help her. I feel a dark fury and hatred cloud my vision when I attempt to lay eyes on her face.

"I can't believe you would try to kill someone, let alone your best friend's true love. And one of us too! Your jealousy amazes me, and disgusts me. I hereby cast you out from being my friend, and if you ever try and talk to me again, I will kill you." Ayla shudders with the power of the oath I have made. Because I absolutely meant what I said, it is now a binding oath that we both must uphold. Liam stares at me exhaustedly, and I give him a solemn nod. Ayla finds the strength to stand and furiously limps from the room without speaking. When she's gone, I help Liam carry Talia to bed.