Unholy Mary

Long Hikes

"It looks like things are finally going our way, Fleur!" I giggle as we get out of the cab that helped us escape Paris.
"We didn't even have to look for them, they came straight to us! Isn't that neat?" Fleur slams the car door shut with a big smile on her face. We're standing in front of the Verrière forest, just south of Paris. The sky is growing dark already, and it's getting colder. It might freeze tonight.

"I wonder why the Cross has business here. Don't you, Mary?" She asks.

"I wouldn't be too surprised if they lived here." I say jokingly, which wouldn't be  too weird considering i live in a bunker under the ground.

"Just like you, chérie!" She laughs and bumps my shoulder. I push her back in a playful way and smile at her. She smiles back.

We head into the forest. It's dark, but Fleur's handbag (thank god) contains a flashlight.

"I've been here before, you know." she says "My parents and I used to hike here early spring. When the tree starts sprouting and the grass smells delicious. The air smells healthy. Maybe we should do it some time."

"I'd love that, Fleur!" I say, thinking about the last time my siblings and i went to the woods together and Cornelius discovered his gift. I shiver at the thought of the burned woman and her baby.

"My parents were amazing people, you know. She says after a short moment of silence. "Especially my mother. She was too kind for this world."

"You must take a lot after her then." I say, meaning every word that comes out of my mouth.

I can feel her smiling although it's dark.

"I feel like it's time to tell you what my unholy gift is, Mary, now that we've become so close over the few weeks. It will enhance our teamwork for sure. God knows we'll need it."

"You don't have to if you don't feel comfortable doing so. You know that, right?" I ask her with a frown on my face.

"But i do, Mary! I do feel comfortable around you! You're my best friend, and we've been on so many adventures together. I dare to say that i trust you with my dear life!" 

The fact that she decides to share her gifts with me warms my heart. She never told anyone else about her powers. I get a warm feeling inside. She makes me feel safe and sound.

"To be honest I've been wondering for quite some time now, Fleur. I'm glad you decide to tell me."

"Well, Just as your brother Adam I have the gift of Clairvoyance. "

I act like i'm not surprised.

"That's why you knew the angels would enter in our hotel room!" I giggle. "I should've known!"

"Or that the staircase would be full of angels too, thats why we took the elevator! You didn't think i was that much of a barbie doll, did you?" she grins.

We laugh together.

"My blood is not as pure as yours or your siblings, though." She continues "And because Lucifer is not my direct father I have not inherited the gift in it's full capacities. I am only allowed to look a couple of seconds in the future at a time. I do have those short visions a lot though, and it has helped me to get succesful in life."

"I understand that. You can manipulate conversations that way."

"I once stopped a robbery from happening before it happened, too." she smiles. I can see a sense of pride on her face. She has all the right to be proud. She's an amazing person, and my closest friend.

"You know, I really hope my students are here. I don't even dare to think what they might have done to my poor little souls."

"I'm sure they're doing fine, Fleur. Don't worry, we'll find them." I grab her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

She blesses me with one of her warm smiles, but i can sense her doubt shining through.

To be honest I'm not sure what to expect. Look at what they've done to the academy, or how they've invaded that hotel. It's enough to rule out that they're having tea with the students while nibbling on some biscuits.

I takes halt and gesture Fleur that she needs to turn her flashlight off. She does just that. I can feel Fleur looking at my face. She's not sure what's happening.  I heard something in the distance. Once i see a light flash some place before us I take her arm and sneak off the road , placing ourselves behind a bush.

Two angels walk by. It looks like they're patrolling the road. We must be getting really close to our objective. I crouch, and she does the same, scared to make a noise.

I wonder if we made a mistake coming here. For all we know this might be their headquarters. I should've contacted my siblings for help first. We've been way too desperate too find the students.

Once the two angels are out of our sight we go towards the direction whence they came from by the side of the road, to stay invisible.

I spot

"Mary-" Fleur pulls the sleeve of my jacket. I hush her. She should know it's dangerous to make noise now. "Mary-" she whispers I give her an angry look and stop.

"What is it?"

"They're not here, Mary, we need to go! We need to-

Fleur throws an anxious look behind me, and shoves me to the ground.

I let out a surprised cry when i fall backwards, into a thorny bush. The branches scrape my skin.

"Hey why did you do that?"

 I hear a wooshing sound.  Fleur  ducks. She flinches her head. It looks like she's in pain. She throws a scared look at me, mouths the word 'RUN' and collapses to the ground. I wildly look around me. Nothing to see but darkness.

"Fleur, are you alright? Fleur-"

 I hear another wooshing sound, followed by a sharp jab in my neck. I let out a moan of pain and pull the thing out of my neck.  I have just enough time to  examine the thing that  hit me from behind before my eyelides drop.

A dart.