The Fate Of The Marked

Chapter Twelve

I was locked in complete darkness. The air smelled putrid, rotted. Light danced in the far distance, but it was red. Blood red, instead of black. A voice, the woman, spoke urgently to me. It took me a short eternity you concentrate on what she was saying.

"Puer." She whispered. "Puer, you must listen to me. Quickly now, there isn't much time. I must hurry."

"Hmh," I said, trying to get control over my mind.

It was as if I was stuck underwater. My movements were slow and delayed. I shook my head, trying to focus. It was the first time I had been able to move while this had happened. A thousand questions came to my tounge at once.

"You must leave where you are. They are planning an attack within the next few days. I am doing my best to delay them, but I cannot distract them for long." She said hurriedly. "You must leave, and quickly. Use your powers to protect yourself."

"What-"

"You must remain safe, at all costs," She said, and her voice softened. "Go with the Donavans'. They can protect you. You got lucky, child, very lucky, when he found you."

"Who are you?" I whispered.

"There's a woman coming to help you. She holds the key to you remembering everything. Be careful of who you trust."

I managed to move my arm a little. My fingers brushed against something cold and wet. I knew without seeing it what it was. The woman grabbed my wrist and I got the feeling of another blade, a sharper one, being pushed through my stomach. At once, I knew more than I had before. More than I wanted to. I flinched and she let go.

I knew she was dying. I knew that she had known me before I had woken up. And I knew that she was a demon.

"Wh-What am I?" I stuttered out.

I couldn't seem to make myself ask anything else. My throat felt tight, and suddenly, I didn't want the answer.

"When the time comes, make the right choice," She said. "You're my shining hope, Elliot. My sweet angel boy with the heart of gold. Never forget that."

There were shouts in the distance. Something slammed far away and I tried to reach out for her. Something small and hard was pressed into my hand. I closed my fingers around it, on impulse.

And then I was falling.

When I came around, I could feel my muscles shaking and twitching. I laid still, too tired to move.

I didn't cry. I couldn't get the tears out. I sat on the frozen ground in shock. There was no blood on my fingers. I tried to tell myself that it hadn't really happened.

But I knew it had.

Go with the Donavan's. They can protect you.

I pulled the small piece of paper out of my pocket, and held the tiny rock in the other. I couldn't see exactly what it was. I put it away and stood up, legs shaking. I walked back into the light, numb. My feet burned and my heart hurt. A sour feeling had settled in my stomach.

I walked back through the city until I found the convince store I had overlooked. I walked up to the sleepy looking teenager behind the register.

I straightened and cleared my throat.

"Can I use the phone?"

He stared at me for a second, mouth open awkwardly, and nodded. He shoved it under the plastic barrier without a word.

I dialed the number and waited, trying to push down the nerves in my stomach.

"Hello?"

I cleared my throat and tried to find the right words. What was I supposed to say, I need you to take me home with you so I wont die? The cashier leaned forward, trying to hear what I was going to say.

"Can you come get me?" I asked quietly. "I don't know where I am."

It sounded lame, even to me.

"Are you okay?" Derek asked. "Your not hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm-" I stopped. "I'll be okay. I'm in a convince store off the highway."

"Forbbies?"

I glanced around for a sign.

"Ya."

"I'll be there in thirty minuets. Don't go leave and do not go outside," He said. "We're on our way."