Scarlet

Chapter 12

Jay

Jay was still dazed. Misty's face had been literally inches from his. Inches. What's more, she had saved him, with one hand, from falling on his butt on the ice. He walked behind the group, processing the event that had just taken place.

Aside from that, he used the time to analyze his companions. He had figured out that every experiment had its special ability, and its fatal flaw. Liz was cunning and decisive, with the ability to turn into a lizard. He knew she was hiding something more extreme, though what it was, he wasn't sure. Misty was friendly and could easily trick anyone into being her friend. She could change her spear into a ukulele and sang more beautifully than anything Jay had ever heard. There had to be something behind that as well. Castor was a mystery. He was funny and smart, but aside from that, he wasn't sure what his ability was. Jay hoped that the devoratrix would bring out the abilities of these experiments. As for Jay, he was intelligent and plotted each move with care, knowing the enemies weak spots. He could tell what anything was, could see in the dark like it was daylight, and could change his watch into a metallic hand that cut through steel.

What were their flaws? He wasn't sure. Nor was he sure of himself.

"Holy-"

Darkness swept over them like a blanket. Jay looked around for devoratrix but found none. He concentrated harder, and thought he saw a dark shadow.

Castor yelled in the blackness, somewhere to Jay's right. "Hey, come to my voice!"

Jay could see perfectly. He scanned the area. Castor was squinting, trying to see. Liz was to his left, now a person. Misty, though, was nowhere to be seen. Jay narrowed his eyes, zooming in. He couldn't see her. Something, or someone was blocking his view.

"J-J! Where'd ya go, silly?"

A wave of relief washed over Jay, his eyes scanning once again for those familiar curls and that bright yellow dress. He saw none.

"Hey, I'm over here, mister!"

Jay spun around, desperate for that voice. He heard a giggle, and out of the darkness came a girl in a sweeping golden gown, her hair a flowing waterfall of chocolate. The curls swirled around her, her golden eyes glinting. Jay stood rooted to the spot. She spoke softly, her voice soothing and kind.

"Come now, J-J, its me. Just me..."

She moved towards him, looking as if she was gliding on the illuminated stone. Everything she touched turned to gold. Jay was mesmerized. Her face was now inches from his, her eyes more golden than the sun. She moved closer, her eyes closing, and then-

Screech! Her eyes shot back open, now with slits for pupils. Her face contorted, now sunken and hollow, and her teeth elongated into fangs. Jay took a step back, horrified.

"Lepidus!" said a voice, as a huge shadow lunged towards the monster. Jay fell back, blinking. The shadow turned, Jay realizing its body was full of glinting ruby scales. Its eyes were the size of bowling balls, golden specks in its red eyes. Its mouth opened and Jay saw 100 teeth sharper than swords. Colossal spikes arched out of its long neck, and its four feet bore long talons. Its magnificent wings folded delicately into its massive body. It's tail curled with a spike at the end. Jay could not speak.

It turned back and slashed the monster, the wall splattering with not blood, but a golden liquid. The blood of a demon. He should have known. He should've been able to notice. What was wrong with him? The dragon turned again, walking slowly towards Jay. He took a step back. It shook its enormous head and opened its mouth.

"It's me. Liz."