Witches in Training (#2 in the Witches Trilogy) [rewrites ongoing]

Chapter Thirty-Five: Attack at the Infirmary

VINNI

Normally, twelve year olds don't helm evacuation missions. But in case you still haven't figured it out, Kieran is not a normal twelve year old. He handled the operation like a pro, and I myself was stunned by the sheer number of kids tumbling out of the portal and into the fairy realm, where they were greeted by fifty or so members of Rayne's military division. Not entirely overdone, in the name of security.

"Please tell me this is going to end soon." I say, completely stricken by the endless flow of kids and teenagers.

"Nope." Kieran says. "Still got a looong way to go."

"Where's Vera?"

"Traffic controlling." Kieran replies.

"How long more?"

"I don't know. But enough to get everyone through."

"And you?"

"Oh, I'll have to stay and keep the portal open. It's fine. Once Ver, Shaun and Kami get through I'll get out."

Russell frowns. "I'm not entirely okay with that plan. A lot of things could go wrong."

"You mean more than the things that have already gone wrong?" Kieran says innocently. "I'll be fine."

So we watched a never-ending flow of people burst through the portal. Some were shocked. Some were astounded. Some were pleased. Others were downright terrified, especially when they saw the grim-faced guards. Some were even confused. They were herded away into a nearby hall to clear the space, but they just kept coming. Through the scrying screen, I could see that Kieran wasn't lying: there were lots more kids left.

The screen suddenly fizzles and blinks off about half an hour later, right after Vera started yelling at Kieran about something and he lost his concentration. It's lucky the portal didn't go out, too.

Russell scowls in frustration, but somehow, he can't bring it back. Some magic is interfering with it. We can only rely on the people coming through the portal to tell us how things are. I spot some of my friends at some point: Danielle, Beth, Alethea, as well as people I recognise from around the Community.

It strikes me just as the number of people started to wane. These people are all kids. Kids and teenagers. There are no adults to be found. I voice my concern. "You don't think they're doing this on purpose?" Eliz says worriedly. "Just saving the kids?"

"They might not have had a choice," says Rayne darkly. "If it was either the kids or the adults, who are possessed, if Kieran is right, then I'd have done the same thing."

"But they can't just leave everyone else to die!"

I'm thinking along the same lines, and wonder how Vera can stand it. She'd definitely want to save the rest. She'd want to save our mom. I suddenly feel a little guilty for not thinking of her first. I mean, even if she's been practically MIA in my life for the past three years, she is my mom. And she did bring me up.

Finally Kami, the Chinese girl, hurtles through, followed closely by the pegasus, Shaun. Then the portal closes. That's it. No Vera. "Where is she?" I exclaim, panicking. What happened back there?

"She stayed behind. Teleported her and Kieran out." Kami explains, panting. "Things started turning to stone... it was too fast."

"Did they get out?" I press. "Did they?"

I must have some scary intense look on my face, because Kami reels back. "Tell me!" 

A hand clamps down on my shoulder. Sher shakes her head warningly at me, eyes narrowed. I breathe heavily, staring at the two kids. The rush fades and Kami is a small, scared girl who doesn't know any more than I do, cowering because I look like I'm going to blast her to pieces.