Rekindle the Darkness

1.5

I kept tossing and turning that night, unable to sleep. My mind kept replaying what Marcus had told me about Kit, my fingers thoughtlessly twisting the ring on my finger.

The only logical reason that they'd taken Archie was that they could experiment on him. He was a half-fledged and even if it worked on him, there was no guarantee that it'd work on the full-fledged, but in some sense, it was halfway there. My stomach dropped whenever I thought of the smiling child and the first time we met him. If they'd even so touched him, I didn't know what I'd do. My fists were clenched together, just thinking about it.

After hours of tossing and turning, I managed to close my eyes and as soon as I did, the sun had risen, waking me from my torturous slumber. Attempting to fix the bags under my eyes, I packed a little suitcase. The length of our departure was not determined.

I ran into Eli in the corridor. "Marlow-" He began, but I ducked under him, my bag swinging behind me, walking down the stairs.

"Marlow, listen to me-" He followed me down the stairs.

I whipped around. "I've got nothing to say to you, E."

Hurt flashed in his eyes. "I wasn't myself. I don't know what came over me. I wouldn't ever intentionally hurt you, you know that-"

I chewed the inside of my cheek, looking at my best friend. My anger melted away. I couldn't stay mad at him. "It's okay, E." I mumbled as I was crushed into a hug.

"Eli!" I squealed, my voice muffled in his chest. He laughed, pulling away, kissing my hair. I flinched at the sudden gesture, pulling away. Marcus appeared in the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"It's 7 am, get back to bed."

I laughed. He wasn't a morning person. "C'mon Marcus, we've gotta leave."

"Mum's gone out to grab us some stuff." Marcus informed me.

"Leave where?" This question came from Eli.

"We've got a trace on where Archie's being kept." I responded, not even being able to finish my sentence as Eli started shaking his head.

"I'm coming with you."

"No, E-"

"I'm coming with you and that is it."

"E listen to m-"

"Marlow-"

"Both of you, just shut up!" Marcus growled. "Marlow and I, are going to look for Archie. You're staying here, looking after my mum, and you are to let us know if anything happens."

Eli glared at Marcus and I could feel some negative emotion evident. Finally, he sighed, dropping his eyes to the floor. "Fine."

Marcus grumbled something under his breath, before heading back upstairs to get dressed, which left Eli and I alone once more.

His lifted his head, his eyes locking on my ring. I hid it, hastily, but he saw it. His mouth gaped open.

"Did Marcus-"

"N-No!"

"I swear if you're lying to me, Marlow." He took a threatening step forward and I took one back, shaking, terrified of my once best friend.

I knew he was going to hit me again, even before he lifted his clenched hand. I saw the hatred in his eyes, the deep dark hatred.

Marcus walked in then, his eyes trained on the buttons on his sleeves as he attempted to do them up. He grunted in frustration. Neither Marcus had noticed the current situation I was in, and Eli hadn't noticed Marcus for he had his back to him.

A dark wall formed, although it was much, much lighter than my shadows, throwing him back. Eli hit the island, hitting his head, unconscious once more.

I looked at Marcus, who seemed as surprised as I was, before looking around, only to see Freya standing there, holding a few filled plastic bags in each hand, observing the situation. I wondered how long she had stood there, watching.

"I think he's hit his head one too many times." Marcus mumbled, walking up to his mum, giving her a kiss on her cheek. She didn't react. Instead, she looked over to me and I realised I was mirroring her actions.

Plainly, I was in shock.

"I bought some breakfast." She snapped out of her trace-like state, placing the plastic bags on the counter. I gulped.

"I think it's best if you leave before he woke up." She spoke firmly, using her matter-of-factually tone that no one argued with.

We ate quietly, quickly, then, writing down the instructions to Brecon, Marcus headed outside, to start up the car. I turned to Freya.

"There's something wrong with him, isn't there?" I asked, referring to Eli.

Freya bowed her head momentarily before looking back up at me. "He's being influenced at times, but he's unaware."

I caught my breath. The Resplendent. "Since when?" I asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"Since they took Archie."

"Has he been giving them information?" I asked. That meant they'd know we were coming after Archie.

Freya shook her head. "Not that I can gather anyway. I've asked Eliza to come over, to check."

I nodded. "We can't get rid of it?"

"Not yet. They'd know something's up, and besides, if they can influence him, there's always a way to reverse that. Use it against them." Freya smiled a little sadly. Spoken like a true Necromancer. Making use of their resources.

I nodded, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. Marcus honked the horn and I turned to leave.

"Nika?" Freya spoke my name for the first time. I turned.

"Please get them back." She said, almost whispering.

I just nodded. Behind Freya, Eli stirred, groaning.

"Go."

And we did.