Phoenix's Secret

Chapter 3

"Are you ready?"

"Definately." Tarryn replied.

"This plan is crazy. I'm in!" Summer answered.

I grinned at them both." Then lets do this!"

                                   *

"Kelly!" I strolled confidently into the room, trying to ignore the surge of feeling being here brought on. The Seer's room in the old Community hideouts was badly burnt but, unfortunately, still standing.

Kelly span around, turning her back on the line of prisoners tied up behind her.

A sudden laugh erupted from her, so evil and twisted it valued barely be classified as one. I could feel her mental shields sliding into place, protecting her from my freeze attacks.

"Phoenix, you actually came." She shook her head. "You always were a loyal idiot."

Behind her one of the prisoners sat up. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? RUN! Yves' voice slammed into my head. I shut down the connection, focus on Kelly.

"Let them go, Kelly. It's me you want."

Now the rest of the prisoners were waking up, their voices joining the telepathic stampede trying to break through my barrier. STOP! SHE'S TOO POWERFUL!

"Hmm," Kelly thought aloud."I could do that. Or I could just take you too."

As her gaze focused on me, a searing pain stabbed my heart. I fell to the ground, struggling to breathe as another knife stabbed into my leg. I could hear a high pitched screaming, feel my body rolling on the ground, but it was distant, as if someone else was controlling my actions. A squeal of delight accompanied the deafening noise, and I suddenly realised the scram wasn't mine. It was coming from Yves.

As abruptly as it had started, the pain stopped. I lay gasping on the ground, too weak to move. I knew Kelly's torture was all in my head, but that didn't seem to stop it from being the most painful thing I'd ever experienced. It almost made miss the simple pain of a broken bone.

I struggled my feet, determined not to show how much her power scared me.

"Back for more, Phoenix? You're stronger than I remembered."

I glanced at Yves. He was staring at me in such an agonised way. He looked like his heart had just been ripped into pieces, which I guess it had.

"Listen Kelly," I tried. "They haven't done anything to you. Let them go."

"Haven't done anything to me?!" she repeated, a crack showing in her shield. "They took away everything I had. The Community was my home, and now, thanks to them, I'm all alone." Her wicked grin returned. "Nice try Phoenix. But I'm not fooled that easily."

She turned around, pointing to a blackened sofa. A scream split the air, and Tarryn collapsed to the side, head visible around the side of the couch. Summer rushed to her side from her position behind a little side table.

Kelly positioned herself so she was facing them. As her mind patterns focused on Summer, she let out a wild laugh and ... froze.

Summer, untie them quickly! I can't hold her for long!

From the corner of my eye I could see Summer sprinting out of sight, but I couldn't move my gaze from Kelly. She was fully aware of what I was doing, and fighting back tooth and nail. I hoped I would be able to hold her for long enough.

One by one, my friends positioned themselves into a ring around the girl who had brought them down, expressions varying from wary to furious. I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around my waist, sending me strength and confidence.

I can't hold her much longer, I warned.

Don't worry, I've got this. Victor stepped forward and touched two fingers to Kelly's head, not bothering to be too gentle. She collapsed onto the floor.

I relaxed, massaging my head. I was going to have a major headache tomorrow. Yves' arms shifted as he took over my massage. I immediately felt ten times better.

"You brave, crazy girl." he whispered into my ear.

"Love you too."

He kissed me, and I smiled, because I knew everything would be alright.