Fading Like A Dead Star

Last Resort

Dom had been sitting for too long. His legs ached with pain, but he knew he couldn't leave his place. He had to watch Silver. Her breath was coming in short, shaky gasps. She sounded like she was barely breathing, and Dominic occasionally put his ear near her lips to make sure she was still alive. He stared blankly at the door, hoping it might open so he could try to escape and take Silver with him.
"Dom...inic?"
He spun around to face Silver. Her eyes were open, wide and confused. They glowed purple.
"Silver! Why... Why are your eyes purple?"
She smiled sadly. "They always were. It's... A side effect of my magic. Since my magic is so strong... It affects me. I usually keep a spell on them to deter suspicion of anything. I'm lucky that it was just my eye color, and... Well, it's like a tattoo."
Dominic looked at her questioningly. She pulled the back of her torn shirt down to reveal a tattoo on her left shoulder blade. It was the same electric purple as her eyes. The design was like a vortex, with a circle in the middle. Slightly curving lines swirled together, bunching up near the middle. It was only about as big as the palm of Silver's hand.
"That's so... Beautiful."
It was the only word Dominic could think of. It was the only word that would describe it.
"Dominic... What have they been doing to me? Why do I feel so weak?"
He froze. How could he tell her? She would be devastated. An expression of understanding dawned on her face.
"I see. They're trying to turn me..." She didn't need to continue.
"Did you read my mind?"
She shook her head. "I didn't need to. I had a feeling that they were using their magic to brainwash me. But I needed to be sure."
She smiled weakly. "They have you here for a reason, Dominic. They want me to become a twisted, evil being like them. And then... They want me to control you."
Dominic gasped. "Why can't they do that themselves?"
Silver's eyes were sad. "Because I put a protective spell on you."
"WHAT?!"
She chuckled. "I knew that Tom had been taken during our mission. I didn't want to scare Chris, so I decided to speak to Lee by myself. He was too fast, though. I knew Lee was going to take me, so when I discovered that you didn't have magic, I placed an irreversible spell on you to protect you from any magic that would harm you. I suppose Lee thinks that only I can reverse it, and they can use you."
"What would they use me for?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think they want to repeat the procedure that was performed on them eons ago. They want me to infuse you with magic, and use it to control you. It's like you would be a puppet... And I would be your handler."
Dominic couldn't move. His mouth hung open in a massive O. Silver continued.
"But they would be controlling me too. So it's like Lee would be my handler, and I would be yours. We're all puppets to those stronger than us."
He shook his head. "Is there any way to stop this?"
She turned to look at one of the walls, her gaze cloudy.
"Dominic... We're all just shadows passing on. But for some of us, the sun moves a little faster."
She let that sink in. Dominic didn't understand. What on earth was this girl talking about?
"The only way I can escape this... Is if I die."
Silver's explanation wasn't tolerated for more than a millisecond.
"No! I won't let you die! You're only a teenager! You don't deserve to die! We need you. Don't do this!"
Silver sighed. "I don't have a choice. Also, I'm not a teenager. But we can come back to that. I can't leave you here in this place. If I die, maybe they'll set you free."
"And what if they don't?"
She sighed. "Then I just hope my brothers are okay."
Dominic was about to ask what she meant when the door slid open, breathing in a puff of icy air. Lee stood in the doorway, towering over them.
"Ah, Silver! You're awake."
She frowned, her eyes burning with hatred. "What did you do to them? My brothers?"
He smirked. "They're fine. They found their way out of their prison. You two, on the other hand, will be staying right here."
He turned and briskly walked away, slipping out as the door slid shut.
"Who are your brothers? Will they be okay? And how old are you?"
Silver nodded. "They're smart. They'll be fine. And I'll just say that my magic has kept me alive for some time now. I'll tell you specifics when this is over. As for who my brothers are, you already know them."
Dominic frowned. Silver chuckled.
"My brothers are Tom, Chris... And Matt."