The Pain Thief

Chapter 20

A LOSS OF CONTROL

The next day was more of the same, except Sarah kept stealing looks at Zoe and Jack, as if to confirm that they were in fact the same people that she saw with swords and shields the day before. 

She came over to them during lunch, but they both sat up straight, sensing the presence of a haze. 

"I'm coming with you," said Sarah. 

"You can't just skip school!" said Jack. 

Zoe sighed, noting the irony in the fact that they skipped some part of school at least  few times a week. "It shouldn't take long," said Zoe. "Besides, she could probably follow us if she really wanted to. We might as well make sure she's safe."

Jack conceded, but made sure Sarah rode with him on Reyna. 

Why are you so conflicted Young One? said Malachi in her mind so Jack and Sarah wouldn't overhear. 

I'm not quite sure Malachi, she said sadly. 

He hummed as he thought. I'm not great in matters of the heart, but I can feel that that is where you're confusion lies. 

Zoe said nothing, so he continued, Maybe you must remove your shield Young One. A shield is always good for defense, but sometimes it obscures what you are able to see clearly and prevents a good offense. 

Zoe bit her lip, her heart feeling heavy. Thank you Malachi, but...

Only time will tell if you are injured or uninjured when your shield comes down. 

They rode the rest of the way in silence, Zoe aware of the haze up ahead. 

***

They handled the haze easily, but Sarah seemed even more amazed. Something still felt wrong though as Zoe mounted Malachi again. 

"Do you feel it Malachi? Reyna?" she whispered while Jack was over explaining something to Sarah. 

We do, they said together. 

A shiver went up her spine and she made a fist over her heart. It was no longer her emotions that were bothering her. She felt like something had invaded her, but she didn't say anything, figuring it was nothing worth noting. 

***

A few days had passed and it was now Thursday. Jack had been teaching Sarah all about what he and Zoe did over the year, sharing stories and everything. She paled considerably when he told her why Zoe hadn't come over the week before, but at least she seemed to understand. She was taking it a lot better than Jack thought she would. 

That Thursday though, something was different. Zoe had gone home, saying she didn't feel well, so that night he went out alone to investigate an odd feeling. It wasn't dark yet, but sunset was getting close and the streetlights were flickering to life. 

He looked around, but couldn't see anything odd around. That odd feeling remained though, pestering him when he wanted to leave. 

Suddenly, a knife flew at him from the shadows. He turned and pulled a sword, slashing it away with a loud clang. It landed in the ground with a dull thud. 

Jack took a defensive stance, prepared to do battle. Someone stepped out of the shadows and his eyes went wide as his heart seemed to stop. 

She stepped out wearing her new pair of black cargo pants and her small gray sweatshirt over an olive green shirt. 

It was Zoe. 

*** 

Jack knew right away something was wrong with Zoe. For one thing, every time she fought, she would put her hair up with the pins he gave her, but her snow-white hair flowed around her gracefully, covering her right eye.