The Anomalies

Chapter 6

Zoe gathered her few remaining strength and mentally created a circle of protection that joined the tips of a pentacle, a five-pointed star, visualizing a white light gradually expanding from it, enveloping her and the Rat.

A light, almost invisible drizzle began to fall. The smell of damp, soil and wet moss immediately filled her nostrils.

The autumn wind joined the fall of the small drops of water that were thickening and tickling her face.

She rooted herself by centering her attention on her breath and let the smells of nature permeate her, drawing strength from them and fostering a connection with the energy of the earth.

Kieran and his companions must have, at this point, sensed the presence of the Anomalous; therefore, there was no longer any reason to avoid using his powers. In no time at all, they would pounce on her. The only way to save herself was to try to neutralize the madman in front of her and hope to have time to escape.

Shielded inside the protective dome, she and the Rat felt the sick feeling diminish until, a few moments later, its total disappearance.

<<Get ready!>> she told him, without looking away from the staggering silhouette that was getting closer and closer.

The Anomalous, now, his eyes were wide with rage.

He must have realized that I blocked him, she reasoned.

Well, I won't be easy prey, I feel sorry for you.

A faint smile of determination surfaced on her lips.

<<For what? >> the Mouse asked noticeably shaken, with a tone of voice at least an octave above his usual one.

<<The attack will be stronger. Stay behind me and do not under any circumstances leave this circle unless I tell you to>> and so saying she drew, with a broken branch, a circle around them so that the boy could see it.

<<Do what I tell you without hesitation>> she warned him in a grave voice.

<<All right. I won't let them tell me twice>> he asserted.

The Anomalous began to run discomposedly toward them, then stopped abruptly, looking at them but not really seeing them. His mind was totally clouded by desire, by the need to seize Zoe's powers. The expression was that of an invader, similar to that of an Apostate. These people had the Gift, but they rejected it and, to nullify its effects, took a substance created by the Agency named 'Normalaiser,' called by many just 'Norm,' which made them, however, addicted and sometimes insane.

Zoe charged and resisted the force of the impact of the magic cast by the Anomalous. The attack was so brutal that she staggered and had to rest her right foot a step behind her left foot to resist and maintain her position.

The Rat promptly extended his hands to support her.

<<All right, now it's my turn>> she affirmed fiercely.

I can't stand here still hoping only to block him, she reflected.

<<I didn't want to go this far, but you deranged fool leaves me no choice>> she shouted at him oblivious to every precaution taken not to be intercepted by Kieran and the Hunters working with him.

Zoe closed her eyes for a moment, gathered into herself, concentrated her power, visualized it, and snapped her eyelids open again.

The air electrified, then, she moved as fast as an invisible arrow, plowing, by power, across the ground in the direction of her attacker. She should have flung him far away and stunned him enough to escape, but he launched yet another attack at the same moment.