Rebel Land

Roses' True Motives

Over a month had passed since Marnis’ encounter with ‘Bill and Bob’, and she had been getting stronger and stronger in terms of both her magic and physically (she had taken to going to the gym every morning before school). She hadn’t heard anything else about the ‘suspicious people’ the guards had mentioned, but there had been a lot of different riots recently. People who hated the guards and current way the world was being run.

“Hey, Beka?” Marni asked, as Beka walked into the lounge, where Marni was watching the news “How come there’s been so much about these riots in the news recently? Normally they forbid it being broadcast about…”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Keep your eye out Marni. I think there could be a full scale uprising one of these days.” Beka paused “Marni, don’t get involved, OK? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Marni frowned. “I can take care of myself, Beka. You know that. I’ll stay out of it though. I don’t want to be involved and end up with someone I care about getting hurt.”

Beka chuckled. “You’re wise beyond your years, Marni. It’s a little scary… I think you may be more mature than me!” Grateful of the subject change, Marni laughed.

“Beka lets face it. Being more mature than you isn’t an achievement. A two year old is more mature than you sometimes! Being less mature than you, now that,” Marni paused for effect “is an achievement.” Beka laughed and sat down next to Marni. “Rose is coming over later” Marni added, once they had stopped giggling. “We’re going to practice that level 9 spell she’s trying to master” Beka nodded, staying quiet. “What’s wrong? You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden?”

“Nothing, well something. Rose. Something’s still wrong about her, and it bugs me that I don’t know what it is.” Marni nodded, agreeing. From the moment they had met something was off, and they still hadn’t been able to figure it out. The two settled into a comfortable silence. Beka rose and walked out into the kitchen, to cook dinner, Marni assumed. Left alone again with her thoughts, she started to think about Rose some more.

When we first met she hated me, until she knew my name. Normally if it’s going to be a character change it’s out of fear because of me being a full witch, but there’s no sense of fear around her, ever. Everyone is scared of something, but she seems fearless. That in itself is slightly terrifying, it means she’s not scared of getting hurt and maybe even hurting others. She seems to be hiding something at times, but then it’s like she forgets it and is fine for an hour or so, before remembering again. I wish I knew what that something was. Could I just be over thinking this? Maybe someone told her something about full witches, and she doesn’t want me to know? No. She wouldn’t keep something like that from me. She knows I just want to help people with my magic, not hurt anyone, and I’ve been nothing but nice to her, so she has no reason to suspect me of anything…

Rising from the sofa, she walked to the cupboard under the stairs, opened the door and climbed down the stairs inside to her underground room. On seeing her, Chloe charged over to Marni and jumped on her. Marni smiled and fussed her dragon, completing forgetting her worries about Rosie.

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Rose ran, trying her hardest to get away from the beasts chasing her. She had heard of the beasts that the guards shifted into when pursuing someone, but ever seen one. Now she wished that she never had.

The thing was big, as big as an elephant, but unfortunately for her as fast and surprisingly as graceful as a gazelle. It had red eyes and its mouth looked like a black hole with dozens of rows of teeth. Each razor like tooth was drenched in black-as-night salvia at the thought of its next meal.

Rose pushed her legs harder. One more block and she would have immunity. He wouldn’t let her get hurt. He loved her. He needed her as much as she needed him. When he first asked her to do this one thing, she thought he was joking, but he wasn’t so she was doing it. Gosh, she wished she had turned him down. Then she wouldn’t be in this situation. Her legs were starting to tire and her side was in agony from the stitch she had. Run; just run she thought as she gave herself one last boost. Damn it! If only I could use my magic, but I can’t reveal myself. Not yet. Come on Rose! One more step! Rose stopped and turned herself around as she watched the beasts’ crash into the barrier. She smiled to herself, before turning and walking through the front door.

“Hun, I’m home! Where are you?” She called. Hearing movement in the kitchen, she snuck in and hugged him from behind. “Hey babe”

“Hey Rose. How’d it go?” She nodded.

“It’s done, though those guards are scarring” She shivered. He turned with a concerned look in his eye.

“Did they get you? You’re not hurt, are you?” She shook her head. “What’s tomorrows’ job then?”

“You’re not gonna like it, but the client is paying really well… You know that witch you’ve been gaining the trust of, what’s her name, Mary? Anyway, he wants you to take her out, preferably by making it look like an accident” Rose nodded.

“Marni? Sure!” Rose smiled “mmmm… dinner smells good. What is it?”