Wonder Struck

Chapter III: Wonder Struck

Shania felt something shoot through her. It was strong, powerful, and surging with energy.  She was lifted off of her feet and suspended in midair above the gala. Her heart was beating so fast in her chest that she could hear it in her ears. "What is happening to me...?" she thought to herself. She lifted her arms to her face and her veins were glowing and it began to burn.  She clenched her teeth. Power surged through her body and her eyes began glowing. Tears rolled down her face as she whimpered in agonizing pain. She didn't know how much longer she could take this.

In a few seconds, the spell broke and she found herself plummeting to the ground. Everything went black as she hit the ground. The crystal slipped out of her hand and went sliding across the lobby floor. After a few minutes, she woke up.  She blinked slowly as the smell of smoke filled her nose and the sounds of frightful screams filled her ears. A second shock wave fired throughout the lobby, hitting the support columns of the lobby. Thats when the large crowd started moving towards the front doors.  The six masked men made a run for it as well. Before they leave, the leader scoops the crystal off of the ground and disappeared. 

Shania sat up and looked around franticly through the cloud of debris. She saw her friends struggling to their feet as well. "Shania!" Janette called out. Shania pushed herself to her feet. Her heels were gone, and her feet were pressed against the cold lobby floors. Janette ran to her friend; with Manny trailing behind her and grabbed onto her arms. "We have to get out of here. The whole place is coming down," she said. "I know-- Before Shania could even finish another blast erupted from the gate, taking out the ceiling. Shania looked up in time to see a massive slab of concrete heading down on her and her friends. Janette screamed loudly and Manny   crouched down and pulled her in, covering her head. Reacting out of instinct, Shania threw her hands up above her. Unbeknownst to her, she held up the huge concrete slab up above her shoulders.  Manny and Janette looked up in shock. "Sh-Shania?" Manny called out.

Shania took a deep, quivering breath and threw the slab off to the side. She tumbled to the side as a lightheaded feeling washed over her, and everything went black.  "Nnngh..." Shania's breath became shallow as her head began spinning. Her friends' voices suddenly sounded very far away. She then felt herself lose consciousness and she slipped away. "Shania?!" Janette exclaimed as she crouched down to her friend. Just then Joseph approached the three quickly. "We have to go," Joseph began. He stopped talking instantly as he saw Shania lying unconscious. "What happened to her?!" Joseph asked as he pressed his fingers to her pulse. "W-We came over here and she was already out," Manny told him. Joseph crouched down and lifted her up in his arms. "We have to get out of here. Now!" He spoke. The three ran out of the building before more debris fell. 

Shania's eyes opened slowly as she was set down on a stretcher. Her vision was a bit blurry, but she could depict voices. There were flashing lights and dozens were gathered in big groups. There was pain all over her body and she had a massive headache. "Ma'am, do you know where you are?" The Paramedic asked. "A gala..." Shania mumbled. "Thats good," The paramedic asked as she stuck an IV needle into her arm. "Ma'am?" The paramedic called out. Shania was slipping away slowly but surely. "Hey, can you stay with us?" The paramedic asked.  Shania mumbled something before she passed out again.

Janette and Manny made they're towards the parking garage as soon as they finished their checkups. "Are you going to the hospital too?" Manny asked. "Yeah. Wanna carpool?" Janette asked. "Wait up you two," A voice behind them called out.  They turned around and saw Joseph approaching them. "The more the merrier, hop in." Janette said as the three of them made the way to her car. They all got in and made their way to the hospital.  Janette pressed down the gas petal as she got closer to the hospital. She parked the car and the got out quickly, rushing into the lobby. They walked into the lobby in their battered banquet attire, getting a few sideways glances from staff and other patients. They sat in the lobby and waited.