Two Forces Align

Chapter XXIV

{Hallucinations} 

"Aeryn" someone spoke softly "Aeryn" my head felt a daze, my name was repeated again as I came too. The room was a blur, but once my vision cleared I noticed I was situated in a chair, strapped down by my wrists and ankles. The room was small and round, surrounded by long lights and grey walls. A separatist ship. What is this? It doesn't feel real at all. "Aeryn, your awake" I knew that voice, but it was less like the voice I know and more darker and bitter. He finally came into view, dark attire from head to toe and a black cap. All that darkness to the face of my closest friend. Even his green eyes had darkened, the only thing that looked the same was his bright orange hair.

"Cal?" He smirked "What's happening, why we here and why are you dressed like that?" he shook his head and focused on his task "Cal? What's going on" I finally notice what he was doing, a machine was attached to my arm taking my blood "Cal?"

"Don't look at me like the Aeryn" he scoffed "Did you really think I actually cared about you" What? "You see when we rescued you I knew you was special I just needed to find out how special, bid my time and get close enough to you for you to show me the full extent and then you stupidly gave me a vial of your blood. It worked you know, it was stronger than any stem BD gave me. So that led me to question how strong you were and how strong you could make me. With our powers combined I'd be unstoppable" he chuckled to himself.

"This isn't real" last I remember I was on that planet with the toxic fog, but it felt too real. The blood exiting my arm I could feel it. My inability to move was strong. If this isn't real is sure does feel it. I turn my gaze away from him, the feeling of confusion, pain and betrayal seeping through me. "I thought you was my friend" my voice came out in a whisper, my eyes lowered to the floor, holding back the tears pricking at my eyes.

  "Friends?" he sniggered "You are so naïve, Aeryn. I mean it worked out for me, you fell for everything I did and said and now here you are. Life isn't fair, I learnt that a long time ago and I have learnt that the only way to be powerful is to use everything to your advantage, including you little water spirit" he laughed, gasping a hold of my chin, he forced me to look into his eyes "Your weakness is your empathy and it will be your down fall, the only way to survive in this selfish world is to be heartless" the tears fell from my eyes, he watched them fall down my cheek and drop off my chin "Don't waste your strength on pathetic tears"

  He dropped my chin harshly, looking down at me in all his glory "Go to hell, Cal" I spat, my last remaining breath. I could feel my body becoming numb and weak from the loss of blood. I slumped back in the cold metal chair. He crouched down to my eye level, the cocky smirk plastered on his face.

"Don't be so disheartened, Aeryn" he placed his finger under my chin again and turned me to face him "Your sacrifice will lead to a new beginning, thank you this" a tear fell from my eye and he wiped it away "Goodbye Aeryn" my vision blurred and I fell back into the black abyss.

~~~

  I shot up on to my feet and scanned my surroundings. I was back in the cave again, but it felt so real. I needed to get back to the ship and that became my goal. Only issue was I didn't know the way back to the ship. I jolted to my feet, but my legs shook. I braced myself against the cold wall, taking in a shaky breath, I pushed off the wall and stood up slowly.

"Aeryn, are you alright?" Cal jogged back into the cave. I nodded slowly, refusing to look at him "If your feeling better we should head back to the ship" he gathered his things from the floor "BD says there's a way back to the ship through the caves" he pointed, I nodded again. He expressions turned to a concerned one as he approached me "You sure your okay?" he placed his hand my shoulder and I flinched, he opened his mouth speak but I cut him off.