Julia Lelieveld and the fifth element

~35~

When I realized I was sitting there on the floor, I gathered my strength. I got up and let my instincts take over. Somehow I felt how the energy started to grow again, how I became stronger again.

I looked around, Rob had to be here somewhere. I walked to his office and looked through the glass window.

I felt a nauseous feeling begin to grow in my stomach. No this couldn't be true. Rob lay face down on the floor. I tried to open his office, but it was locked. I started yelling and knocking, but he showed no response. I looked around for something to smash the window with so I could open the door. I saw a copper candlestick standing there just for decoration. I was walking to the table next to the large doors when suddenly I heard a loud scream in the hallway. I recognized the voice immediately.

"What have you done? How could you?"

"It's in my blood, Lorenzo, just like it's in your blood! Only I'm open to it and you're not!"

"No, it's a choice we have, Lucas. And I made mine!"

"A choice? Do not make me laugh. Tell me you're not attracted to her, like you should be with her. I can't resist not going up to her and wanting to take her out, so neither can you."

"You're wrong! Once you've made the choice, which I did, you can!"

"What now? You're not going to tell me you're going to fight me because you'll never, ever win. I've always been stronger than you!"

"How do you know that? All you've done over the years is get me to go to jail because you're afraid of me!"

"Watch out brother, otherwise I want to take you out too."

"Then you're not the only one, because I've had it with you!"

And with those words I heard a big bang. I couldn't afford for anything to happen to Renzo. I opened the big doors and there I saw Lucas and Renzo standing opposite each other. Lucas stood with his hand over his face and Renzo was ready to deal another blow.

"This is the biggest mistake you've ever made." Lucas pointed his finger at Renzo.

"Don't you feel it then? The evil! It's coming. And it's on my side and not yours! You're all alone!"

"No, he's got me." I didn't know where I got the courage from, but I stepped out into the deserted hallway and walked over to the two brothers.

I saw a glint in Lucas's eyes and he got that evil bad boy grin on his face again.

"No Julia, don't!" This time it was Renzo, I could hear panic in his voice.

"Too late."

Before I could do anything, Lucas rushed toward me, grabbed my throat and dragged me toward the wall behind me where I landed with a bang.

"You really shouldn't have," Lucas said, looking straight into my eyes and tightening my throat. I couldn't say a word, I felt myself breathing harder. I saw the triumph in his eyes. With difficulty I brought my hands to his, but he held me so tightly that I couldn't get them off my throat. I wanted to summon the fire element again until I saw Renzo standing behind Lucas who gave him a big blow to the head with the fire extinguisher. I just saw Lucas close his eyes and loosen his grip as he fell to the ground in front of me. I looked startled at Renzo, who looked at Lucas with a combative look in his eyes. When he looked up and looked me straight in the eye, that look had instantly changed to a protective one.

"Come on, we've gotta get out of here before more come."

"More?" I asked Renzo.

"I'll explain it to you later."