Thistle and Stone [Chaennie]

Chapter 2

POSSESSIONS

Dark figures, hovering above her. Jennie blinked as images of Jungkook swam before her view.

"There we are, there we are," Jungkook murmured, gently lifting Jennie's head off the floor.

"Help, please," she groaned, letting Jungkook slowly help her into a sitting position. Her head was pounding in her ears, the pain intense. It felt doubled, thudding against her temple like a moth throwing itself against glass.

She felt Croaker's hand rest quietly on her shoulder, his eyes peering down at her. He and Jungkook exchanged bewildered glances.

"Alright, dear?"

Jennie raised her hand to press at the side of her forehead where it had taken the most impact.

"Yes, I think I'm—"

"Sir." Baekhyun Byun's clear voice—edged with anxiety—filled the room, cutting off Jennie's reply.

Croaker and Jungkook turned quickly at Byun's call. Jennie shifted so she could see past Croaker, catching sight of Baekhyun on his knees, cradling Roseanne's head between his hands. Her long limbs were arranged oddly against the floor, like she had merely crumpled where she stood. Her hair spread around her on the tile like a dark fan.

"Dear Merlin," Croaker breathed, rushing towards Roseanne, obscuring Jennie's view.

"Is anyone else hurt?" Jennie caught hold of Jungkook's hand, using it to pull herself upwards. Jungkook looked disoriented but shook his head.

"No, no, I'm fine. I think everyone else is fine."

Jennie clambered to her feet, dusting off her jumper and trying to refocus her eyes. She watched as Baekhyun and Croaker gently helped Roseanne to her feet as well, pulling out a chair and setting her down slowly.

Croaker turned to the gathered group, his face pale.

"Very dark magic indeed. Ms. Kim, I think you've managed to unlock something rather unpleasant. Byun, see if anyone else has been affected by this, please."

Baekhyun nodded, his hands resting on Roseanne's shoulders. Elbow on the table, Roseanne held her head against her palm.

"What in the bloody hell," she hissed, her eyelids pressed tightly closed.

"Indeed," Croaker sighed and gestured towards the chair beside Roseanne, "Ms. Kim, if you please, you should sit. We're yet unsure of what you've just managed to uncover."

Jennie did as he asked, waving off Jungkook when he reached out to steady her. The parchment and stones were still on the table, unremarkable but for a faint glow around the edges of each stone. Reaching out, Jennie pushed them off the parchment, watching as the stones faded and settled against the wood of the table. Baekhyun ducked back into the room a moment later.

"Nothing, sir. No reports of anything unusual. It seems the damage was contained to this room."

"Good, good." Croaker muttered and gazed down at the two seated women before him.

"Ms. Park, Ms. Kim, how are you both feeling? Any lasting effects?"

"Wicked headache," Roseanne said, her voice gravelly.

Jennie nodded in agreeance, her thoughts feeling scattered. She could feel her pain, without a doubt, but any attempt to centre it sent her mind reeling. Trying to hold down her thoughts felt like grasping at water.

"Just disoriented," Jennie noted, her breath uneven. She pushed her hair back from her face, damp at its roots where beads of sweat had gathered. She tucked her thick curls behind her ears in an attempt to calm herself. Panic was beginning to creep in. She couldn't focus.