Root Bound

Chapter 3

This chapter does describe in greater detail what happened the night the characters ran. Be warned the details may be unsettling.

"Magic?" Cisco asked. He looked at her like she was insane.

"Yes magic. It's what I have." Amina said. She looked at her clothes and saw the blood covering them.

"At this point if she said she could transform into a massive beast, I'd believe her." Det. West said. Amina looked at him and said nothing.

"Well I doubt that is possible. I want to run a test on what she can do. Think you'd be willing to undergo some tests?" Cisco said getting a tablet in his hand. Amina nodded.

They walked down a hallway leading into a medium sized domed room. Amina gently placed her hand against the wall feeling the cool metal. She turned to look at the 2 scientist setting up the test.

"Is there anyway I can change out of my current clothes?" She asked. Caitlin walked out and was gone for a couple of minutes and came back with a white and blue sweatshirt and sweat pants.

"Yes. This appears to be close to your size." She said handing Amina the clothes and turned to go back to Cisco.

Amina not knowing where anything is walked to a corner to change. She had removed her peasant top when she briefly heard an audible gasp. She looked over her shoulder and saw Caitlin have her hand over her mouth.

"What happened to cause that scar?" She asked. The scar was three deep gashes that went from her right lower shoulder and went down at an angle to where her spine was.

"I was facing a large beast when I turned and it barely grazed me." Amina said pulling the sweatshirt over head. She began to undo her belt.

"Wait! Caitlin please take her somewhere to change." Cisco begged not wanting to see the girl in a vulnerable state of undress more than he already had. He was uncomfortable with the fact this unknown girl was just willing to change in front of them.

"I am about to go talk to the group she is with. There is more going on that I'm not aware of." Det. West said. He looked at Cisco still typing away.

"What do you mean?" Cisco asked looking up at him.

"She was with a group of 5 adults and 8 children excluding herself. She was standing and watching the kids from what witnesses reported. A small red haired child was taken hostage just before I brought her here. She quietly and quickly took down the would be threat. She punched him once and broke at least 2 of his ribs and shattered his nose with her knee. She backed off as soon as she was asked to. She cooperated and only asked to comfort the small child and left her jacket with the kid. She showed no outward appearance that she was annoyed or angry at being taken into custody." Det. West stated. He still couldn't place why this girl seemed familiar.

"Sorry about the delay." Amina said as soon as she walked in. Caitlin followed shortly behind.

"No problem. So you said you use magic. Can you please elaborate for me?" Cisco asked.

"Before I do so, I have to get permission from someone. May I make a phone call?" She asked.

"Um sure. Let's use this phone here." Cisco said walking to a semi hidden door.

"Hello my name is Det. West. I'm calling on behalf of Amina Vormund. She said she needed to make a call and speak with someone." Det. West said speaking to whomever answered the phone.

"Please put her on the phone." The authoritative voice said. He dreaded the call.

"Hello First I'm seeking permission to explain how and what I can do to the people that are concluding if I am a danger. If given permission may I also explain the how and why we are gathered together." Amina's monotone came through.