Everyone in the sleeping area lay on their cots as night descended, enjoying the cool fabric against their skin. The soft rustling of blankets and whispers filled the room. A few coughs or the groan of a worn cot broke the stillness. A distant owl’s hoot added a haunting melody to the tranquil night, and a faint pine scent wafted in from outside where agents stood vigil, their silhouettes almost invisible in the moonlight.
Whispers of the sparring match between Carrie and Orchid buzzed through the base.
In her cot, Carrie replayed the fight in her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Orchid had held back, her actions too precise and controlled. She also compared her training sessions with the half-siblings. While Jago focused on martial arts and cognitive skills, Orchid’s tactics revolved around survival and adapting to changing situations.
“Is something on your mind?” Pemba asked through the telepathic link. The shapeshifter propped herself on her elbow, her chin resting on her hand.
“Just thinking about today’s sparring session. Was Ms. Orchid holding back? The way she moves was like she wanted to test me.”
“Perhaps she sees potential in you and wants to bring it out in small steps, much like Jago and I did when training you with your powers. Orchid has her methods, but the goal is the same: to help you grow stronger and more capable.”
“Maybe, but not knowing what she expects from me is frustrating.”
“True, but sometimes the greatest growth comes from the unknown. Trust the process, Carrie. Orchid’s methods may be unusual, but they challenge you in ways you may not understand.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s difficult to adapt two different teaching styles.”
“Well, that’s part of the journey. Experience, whether confusing or clear, shapes you into who you are. Get some sleep. Orchid mentioned she’ll show you more techniques tomorrow, and you’ll need your energy for that.”
Carrie sighed as she closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the night lull her to sleep.
***
Flickering lanterns cast long, eerie shadows on the crumbling walls in the abandoned church’s section B corridor. Cobwebs and dust obscured the corners, and the faint scent of aged wood and mildew hung in the air. The occasional creak of the floorboards added to the haunting vibe, as if the building whispered secrets from its past.
Jago moved through the corridor, his senses heightened as he scanned the area. His footsteps remained silent on the creaky floorboards. The flickering lantern light revealed glimpses of old, faded murals and forgotten relics, hinting at the church’s storied past.
This is where Peters encountered the paranormal. The monk took his time, aware that any sudden movement might disturb lingering spirits or energies. Once he found a corner, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing on the energy around him. Strange. I sense some psychic residue here, and it’s familiar. Is this from Carrie? How could that be? She had been asleep when the incident occurred.
In his mind’s eye, the monk pictured Peters on his patrol, walking these halls with the same cautious steps. Then, he imagined Peters facing the phenomenon between music, laughter, and screaming. As suspected, he couldn’t sense Carrie’s presence, but the energy remained solid and unsettling. Amid the piercing screams and cruel laughter within Peters’ comms, an eerie voice spoke the following words:
“They’re gonna laugh at you.”
Jago’s eyes snapped open, his heart pounding as the chilling words echoed in his mind. His spine tingled, and his neck hair stood. Despite his training and experience, the voice’s ominous tone unsettled him, forcing him to gather his composure.
YOU ARE READING
Killer Instinct: Carrie Unleashed
Fanfiction"Carrie had an ability, but she was a person, not a monster. She had hopes and fears, and we pushed her. You can only push a person so far before they break." A dark veil fell over Chamberlain, Maine, after tragedy struck the quiet town at the hands...
