Shadows Rising

Inner Darkness

{Andy's POV}

     Ashley, CC, and I arrived at the F.E.A.R prison in record time. Ash and I pushed on the door, but it seemed to be locked. "CC, can you break it down?" I asked, in a rush as the endless possibilities of what could be happening to Jake and Jinxx ravaged my mind. CC didn't even respond, just yanked off a glove, stepped to the door, and reduced it to ash. 

     "Nice job, CC. Let's move! We need to find Jake and Jinxx, fast." I said. The others nodded in agreement before following me into the prison. I followed the path my vision had led me down earlier. 

     "You sure this is the right way, Andy?" CC asked skeptically. 

     "Definitely. The stairs to the sub-levels should be right down...here. We're here." I replied as we turned a corner and ran down the stairs into the dungeons.

     "Jake has to be in one of these. Come on!" I said. We ran down the corridor, checking each of the cells. I stopped at the sound of heavy breathing and a cry of pain. "Jake." 

     I ran towards the sound and peered into the cell, then looked back up at CC and Ash. "Found him." I said in a low voice. They looked into the cell. The sight was painful, to see the least. Jake was lying on the floor, his chained hands curled up near his chest. Choked sobs passed his lips, and his eyes were squinted shut. 

     "CC-" I started, but he was already on it, removing his glove again and pressing his hand up to the lock. After a second, it crumbled to dust. As soon as the door was unlocked, I threw it open and rushed to Jake's side. I tried to lift him to a sitting position, but he cried out in agony as soon as I touched him, choking on his own screams. 

     "Jake! Oh my god, what did she do to him?!" Ashley asked in shock and rage. 

     "I don't know, but we need to help him. We still have to find Jinxx," I said. I leaned down towards Jake's face, stroking his cheek. He hissed at the contact, flinching away. He opened his eyes a bit, and was surprised when he saw me. 

     "A-Andy?" He gasped, looking at the three of us. "A-Ash. C-agh!" He cried again, curling further in on himself. 

     "Jake, listen. You're going to be okay. What did she do?" I asked. 

     He looked up into my eyes, his filled with pain and sadness. "Every...th-thing hurts," he answered, ignoring my question. His body was shaking horribly. 

     "I'm going to kill her when I find her!" Ash said, his hands turning into fists at his side. 

     "Jake, listen. I need you to stay strong, get up. We need to find Jinxx," I reminded him. As soon as he heard Jinxx's name, something seemed to click in his mind. He slowly unfurled himself and, with help from the three of us and a lot of screaming, got to his feet. CC took the chains in his hand and destroyed them, grabbing hold of Jake when he fell forward. 

     "Let's...go," he said quietly. I could tell he was still hurting badly, but he led the way out of the cell and down the hall, moving slowly and limping slightly. "Jake, let me take the lead. My vision can lead us to him," I said. Jake looked like he wanted to argue, but remained silent and stepped back. He almost fell over, but Ashley grabbed him, throwing an arm around his shoulder. Jake smiled, silently thanking him. 

     I closed my eyes, concentrating on Jinxx. My eyes flew open. The path we needed to take to get to Jinxx was illuminated with gold. I could feel Jinxx's magic, but the feeling was fading. "Jinxx..." I gasped. 

     "What? What about him?" Jake asked tiredly. 

     He cried out again, before falling against Ashley. "Jake, you with me?" Ash asked.