The Rift

Chapter 10 Part 2

Darkness had settled onto the earth and everything it touched by the time Elsa and Marie entered Small Falls. They had spent the day exploring The Mall of America, and Marie enjoyed seeing Elsa react to all the stores and commodities it held. Elsa had even bought some new clothes and accessories for them both along with the day's meals upon her insistence.

As Marie parked her car in front of her apartment building, her heart fluttered when Elsa reached over to grab something from the backseat. Every time they accidentally brushed hands in the mall, Marie could feel herself turn a deep shade of red. There was not a second that went by that the previous night's events had not played out in her mind, and not a moment where her body and heart had stopped pounding. Elsa's hair brushed Marie's arm, and Marie could not help but think of how soft it felt. It had felt soft the previous night as well. Focus, Marie! she thought to herself. She cleared her throat as she fiddled with her keys. "Is there anything you want for supper? I could make some spaghetti."

Elsa's arm brushed Marie's side, causing her to shiver. Marie swore she saw Elsa crack a small smile. "That sounds great," Elsa said, purposely lingering near Marie. Marie shot out of the car and bit her lips when they throbbed.

They grabbed their luggage and made their way to the apartment. As they were climbing the long and narrow set of stairs, one of Marie's neighbors, a middle-aged woman who consistently smelled of cigarettes, was making her way down the flight of stairs. "Ugh, these will kill me one day," the woman grumbled upon seeing them.

"No kidding," Marie replied humorously, flinging her luggage on her shoulder.

The woman stopped. "You're in 203, right?" Marie and Elsa nodded. "You left all your lights on. I tried knocking last night but you must have not been home."

Elsa and Marie exchanged glances. "Yeah, we just got back," Marie said. She dipped her head. "Thanks for letting us know." Her neighbor grunted and continued down the stairs. They continued climbing as Marie turned to Elsa. "Did I leave any lights on?"

"Only a nightlight for the birds," Elsa responded. Suddenly they heard screeching ringing out in the halls, and Marie felt her stomach drop. She bolted for her apartment. It was her birds, and even though they were always making some kind of noise, this screeching was different. They were in serious distress.

"Look!" Elsa pointed to the bottom of Marie's apartment door as they reached their destination. Light was beaming through the crack, a familiar kind of light that Marie immediately dreaded. Fury burned inside of her, and she unlocked her door as Elsa raised her hands, ice forming in her palms. They nodded at each other as Marie shoved her door open with her shoulder.

Countless balls of light were hovering all over the apartment. Twamley was on top of the bird cage and was emitting a shield of darkness over it, protecting the budgies within. The birds called out to the two women when they heard the door open. Marie growled in pure anger. "Leave them alone!" she yelled out as she dove towards the cage.

"Wait!" Elsa called out. Marie stopped. Elsa stepped forward and outstretched her arms. The light flickered and made its way towards her, and Marie tensed, bracing herself. A smile formed on Elsa's face as the light moved over her body like water in a stream.

Marie blinked rapidly. "It's not hurting you?" To her right, Twamley lowered his dark shield and puffed up in utter exhaustion.

"No," Elsa replied. "But I'd check the rest of the apartment just to be safe." Marie flicked her arms to the side as she conjured darkness, and she checked the inside of the bathroom and bedroom. They were clear.