Elvirund | ✔️

Chapter Twenty Two

"Can I have a word with you? Privately, if possible." Calphys fidgeted in the doorway.

I glanced back at Chip to see him pale and shaking his head. I pressed my lips together, sighing slowly. I'll be fine, I mouthed, and I turned back to Calphys. From the corner of my eye I caught the gesture he gave me, but I dared not acknowledge it.

"Let's go. Same field as before."

They jumped down the driveway and walked toward the edge of town, with me following not far behind. If this ended up being my capture, so be it. If this was just a conversation, so be it. I had nothing left to do; Chip had skill enough to run the clinic, and Cas and Fay would learn quickly. There was nothing else for me to lose anymore.

"Speak quickly and let's be done."

"Why? We have so much time."

"Because I have a clinic to run and you are a waste of time and space."

Calphys looked hurt and I laughed dryly. This was no time to play around, and I was not in the mood for casual conversation anymore. Not after the other times. I was tired. I had little patience for those who wanted to destroy my life again.

"Don't play with me. You may have committed genocide but I can do much worse." I smirked.

"Fine. So be it."

"Now spit it out. Either you're here to insult me or you're here to drag me back to the Elders. Which will it be?"

"Why do you always have a bone to pick with me?"

"Because you're on Earth to take me back to a group of old cranky men who despise me. Why shouldn't I have a bone to pick with you?"

They shrugged and shoved their hands in their pockets. Their expression was one of confusion and division, as if they were making some big decision in their mind. Decisions, my ass. The only decision to make was whether or not to provoke me, and that should have been a clear enough decision.

"I don't hate you."

"Well, I hate you. Moving on." I brushed the stray dirt off my sleeve.

"I'll have to bring you back at some point. I don't want to, but I have to."

"Then just do it."

"Well, the thing is, I like you. I don't want to see you get hurt and whatever. I'd rather leave you alone."

I smirked and faced them with a tired sigh. Leave me alone. Was this some kind of reverse psychology? Even the lousiest of bounty hunters wouldn't have told that lie.

"Listen. If you need to take me back, knock me out now and do it. I have nothing left to do here on Earth anyway."

Calphys looked vaguely uncomfortable and I nodded, correct in my assumptions. If they really didn't want to, fine. I would die on Earth as a human. I was done here.

"Alright. Time to go finish my human life then."

I turned, confident that I was going to be left alone and that Calphys was no more than a pebble in my shoe. In all honesty I should have seen it coming. My hands were yanked behind me, a cloth shoved between my teeth. I fell backwards against a strong pair of arms. When I winced, the grip loosened, to my surprise. The chemicals, probably some angel inhibitor, seeped through the cloth and down my throat, and as I lost consciousness I heard Calphys' growl in my ear.

"What a fool you are, Alethia. I'm not as harmless as you thought I was."

Calphys cackled hesitantly, dragging Alethia's body onto her shoulders. She had some explaining to do, but the Elders would be satisfied enough. At the very least, she had gotten the job done. Pulling out a tiny bottle from her pocket, Calphys tipped the single pill back down her throat. Immediately she felt a burning sensation in the pit of her stomach, and Earth dissolved around her. How convenient.