When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A New Enemy, an Old Foe

"NO!" Maria screamed. A soft white light erupted from her hands that went unnoticed. Her ties tore and Maria fell on all fours into the water.

Though she was barely able to see through her tears, she heard him. Albert was still crying.

Maria wiped her eyes. Albert was alive. He was still reaching through the bars with his pudgy little hands. Maria had never before found his cries as beautiful as they did at that moment. He was safe-scared yes, and most probably hungry-but at least he was alive.

He was alive and unhurt. Charles hadn't fired his gun. So then, where had the shot come from? And her bonds, surely someone had cut her loose. Maria looked around her, but there was no savior in sight. This doesn't make any sense.

Then she heard it, shouting and fighting up on the cliffs.

"Something's happened up there," Charles said. "Silence and hide the child!"

The monster waved its hand in front of Albert. He plopped down onto the cage's floor, fast asleep.

This was her chance. Maria gritted her teeth and ran to Albert. She tackled the monster to the ground and tore the cage from the monster's grip. It was heavy, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Charles ran after her, but two large waves rose up from behind Charles and pummeled him into the sandy ground.

Maria continued running, huffing as she struggled to balance the large and heavy cage close to her chest. The monster growled and casted a spell that plucked her legs from beneath her. Maria screamed and fell onto her stomach. She felt a force drag her back towards the water. Albert's cage slipped from her grasp and wedged itself into the sand.

"No, Albert!" She shouted. "Let me go, you monster!"
Maria anchored her hands into the sand to hold herself down. The monster cackled and then lifted her into the air. Maria was thrown away from Albert and landed back on the water, a few feet away from Charles. Trembling, Maria stood up, but before she could steady herself, she was raised into the air once more.

Screaming Albert's name and cursing Charles', Maria was carried further down the beach. She struggled against the invisible force. Kicking her arms and legs around her. But it was no use. Maria was nothing but a rag doll to it. The monster's spell continued to carry her until she reached the shipwreck once again.

"You don't stand a chance against her," Charles leered.

A second gunshot pierced the air and the monster staggered. Dark red blood oozed from its shoulder. Maria was dropped as the monster began to try to heal itself. She screamed and once again fell into waves below her. The water swirled around Maria, cushioning her fall, and she floated up above, gasping for air.

"Robin!" She yelled, relieved at his familiar sight running out of the shallow cave.

With a gun in his hand, he aimed it at Charles.
"Let them go," Robin commanded.

Charles scoffed. "No."

"I'll shoot you," Robin warned.

"I don't doubt it," yet despite what he said, Charles looked unfazed. In fact, he looked amused as his eyes darted just over Robin's shoulder.

"Robin! I've got Albert!" William yelled as he caught up to Robin. He held the cage in his hands.

Charles smiled and turned his gun towards William and Albert. "It's your choice Robin, don't make a mistake."

Robin groaned. "Bloody hell, William! Didn't I tell you to stay in the cave?"

"And what? Have Maria think you're the only hero out here? Never! Albert will be safe with me. I bet my life on it-"