Don't Say a Word

Twenty One

She stirred awake, having not slept comfortably with the book under her arm. Groaning a little as she stretched up to her feet. She was surprisingly hungry again. Sometimes healing made her burn through food too fast. She thought she remembered the way to the kitchen so she slipped on her shoes and headed to the door. "Ouch, Mother lover what the hell?!" she pulled her hand quickly front the door as she noticed the same symbols from the walls yesterday. What do these things mean? Why are they on my door? They weren't here yesterday. She thought as she raised her hand up slowly watching them glow threateningly at her.

Her frown deepened as she walked around her room, hand inches from the wall, to see how much of her room was covered in the symbols. Trapped like a rat, she grumbled in her head as she returned to sit on the bed. Okay apparently floor and probably ceiling was the only thing not charmed. She thought for a moment and gathered her strength aiming a fireball at the door. It didn't catch on fire but it did make the symbol dim slightly. All right she thought, I can do this, beside her own fire hasn't hurt her before if she has to burn this place down she would.

She threw fireball after fireball at the same location then wondered something. Since she's absorbed magic before, what if she just absorbed the magic from the wall. She was sure it would hurt like hell if the first time was any indication but it was worth the try, besides she had weakened it some. She walked to the door biting her lip as she reached slowly forward. She clenched her jaw as she pain hit her and pulled back when she couldn't handle it. She couldn't focus on drawing power through the pain. She sighed and tried to focus, slowing her breathing and relaxing her body. She focused on drawing power before she placed her hand on the door again.

Tears streamed down her face, eyes clenched shut, as she slowly absorbed the power from the door until finally the symbol was gone. She gasped as she lowered her hand, seeing it for the first time. It was raw, skin having burned off and blood was trailing down her arm. "great" she mumbled as she opened the door. She yanked the pillow case off her pillow and wrapped it around her hand cursing under her breath as she did.

She moved quietly along the hallway finding the stairs they had passed before, making a point not to touch the walls. As she reached the lower floor she peeped around the wall. She saw the exit, but wasn't sure if it was charmed or not. She tried to wait it out, hoping someone would open the door. When she saw light come through the door she hurried forward holding her hand close to her chest.

"Trapped bird, coming through" she held her head low to keep anyone from recognizing her.  "Oh no, is it okay?" a young blonde girl asked, true concern in her voice as Nic passed her. "Will be once it is set free. Thanks for the door, I got this." "Your welcome!" she called out before turning and heading on inside. Nic didn't look back as she continued down the street. She wondered if she caught a cab to the Elysium if someone would pay the bill and keep her safe. No she'd go to Robert, he would help her. She waved a cab down with her good hand and gave the address as she got in keeping her covered hand low.

Please be home, please be home, she pleaded in her head on the way there. She glanced back at the building the witches lived in and wishes she had burned it down on her way out. Scowling she leaned back against the door holding her arm to her chest. It throbbed so badly and she couldn't stand the pain much longer. She glanced out the door watching the building pass quickly by, her eyes fluttered closed and she drifted off in pain.

Robert was standing at his truck loading supplies for the night when the taxi stopped in front of his apartment.  He looked inside as he approached the car. "Nicolette?" Opening the back door slowly to keep Nic from falling out, the driver was griping about getting paid but Robert was all ready throwing money over the wall between them. He slipped his arms under Nic gently lifting her from the back seat. "What did you get yourself into?" he grumbled as he pulled her into his arms to rest against his chest.