The Necklace

Chapter 7

"Have a nice fall?", a voice echoed as my eyes shot open.

"What did you do to me?!" I yell, trying to find where the voice was coming from.

"Calm down Sierra. Look around you. Where are you? Don't you recognize your own bedroom?", Maldonious purred. He's right I was in my bedroom, I run to the living room to see Chase shaking my shoulders.

"H-How is this possible, how is there two of me? Wouldn't that rip a hole in the space time continuum?" Maldonious laughed in a deep rumble.

"That potion made you faint and once you did, your soul was released. You are still living and breathing. Just sleeping. As you sleep, you can see what is happening around you." I nodded like I understood, which I did to some extent, just not fully.

"If it helps. You are basically in a coma."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I told you I would throw test at him. Let's see what he does when you are fainted. What will he do without your assistance?" My stomach did flops, staring at Chase shake my limp body. His face was red with worry and he looked around frantically for something to do. I wanted to help him but I didn't know how. He picked me up and set me on the bed so I would be comfortable.

"He'll pass, no problem." I watch as Chase calls Lucky on the phone, at least he remembers how to use the cellphone.

"So he calls an authority, what will he do in the meantime?", Maldonious smirked.

Chase sat by the bed for a second then stood up, walking around the room. He had calmed down but was obviously confused. I couldn't blame him, this was all too sudden. He went to the kitchen and filled a glass with water before returning to the bedroom. He set it by the bed and stared back at my motionless body.

"Don't worry Sierra, I'll fix this." the doorbell rang and he rushed to the door letting Lucky in, he showed her to my room. Lucky kneeled by my bed and checked my limp bodies' pulse. I'm glad he called her, she's studying to become a doctor.

"She has a steady heartbeat, but I don't know what had caused her to just faint." They walked around the room trying to figure it out, when Chase accidentally kicks the glass bottle. He picks it up and observes it, his body went rigid and his eyes had gone dark. I swallowed down my worry as I watched, I turn and see Maldonious smile.

"Oh no, playtime is over. I will see you very soon, sweet Sierra.", Maldonious lifted my hand to his face, kissing the knuckles.

"But wait he hasn't done anything-" He snapped his fingers and my eyes grew heavy. I felt myself falling again and the floor broke beneath me. My eyes shut and I held my body tightly.

My eyes broke open and I shot up so fast, it made Lucky jump. Chase looked at me with the angriest look. I didn't know if he was angry at me for taking the potion or angry at Maldonious for giving it to me.

"Sierra! You are okay!" Lucky exclaimed, hugging me.

"Y-yeah. I feel fine." my voice shook weakly, as she hugged me, I didn't have the energy to hug her back. I look at Chase, he was still angry.

"Sierra. What is this?", Chase asked. His voice was quiet and weak yet somehow I could sense the tension.

"I- it, umm... I don't..... I'm not sure I can tell you. But, if it helps I am trying to set you free."

"Free...Free from what! Who did you get this from?", His voice was stern. I flinched, and sighed.

"I don't know if I am allowed to tell you that either. I just want them to know you aren't evil like they think, that you've changed. I- I don't want you to have to run anymore." I say quietly. Chase ran a hand over his face and through his hair. He looked at me like he wanted to get so much more angry then he was. What scared me was that for the first time, I knew he could.

"Sierra. This isn't your fight. Stop trying to help me. I've ran my whole life. You aren't my family. You can't protect me. I am your bodyguard, nothing more. Don't get a different idea." He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, closing the door. It isn't true. He couldn't only think of me as his master.... could he? I thought he had become my friend, somehow close... like family. I guess it was only me who was wrong. Lucky turned to me with sad eyes, I shook my head silently telling her I was okay. She hugged me again,

"Well, I told my mom i'm sleeping over." I gave her a weak smile,

"That's fine." We laid down on the bed, it was unbelievable how fast she is able to fall asleep. But it was very hard for me to do the same. I couldn't sleep all night, what he had said ran through my mind on repeat. I need fresh air, I got up from my bed and slipped on my sweater. Chase was asleep in the couch so I left a note on the counter in case one of them woke up, seeing I wasn't there. The cold breeze had blown in my face, my hair flying behind me, I walked the dark lonely streets to the park. I sat on the swing and played the day over in my head.

I saw movement behind a tree not to far from me. A boy my age, stuck his head out before pulling it back. Wait, was that the boy from the mall?

"Hello?", I called out. The boy perked up and stepped out from the tree.

"Hello..."

"You were there at the mall weren't you?" He seemed really shy.

"There are lots of mall and I've been to many of them in different time fragments." I laugh softly,

"I meant the day the store was robbed, you went after the robber didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. Why wouldn't I? He was a dirty rotten thief."

"Well, many people would be afraid to go after him. But I wouldn't judge the robber, I don't know his story."

"That is a weird way to put things. What's your name?" I give the boy a kind smile,

"My name is Sierra, what's yours?". The boy stared at me for a second before speaking.

"James."

"Nice to meet you James, what are you doing out here this late?" I ask.

"Exploring. You?" I shift my eyes to the floor as I swing slightly,

"I- I couldn't sleep. Someone important to me is upset because he thinks I am fighting his battles. I guess in a way, I am. But I also found out that he only respects me, tolerates me. The whole time I thought we were friends, but I guess I was wrong. Sorry, I don't know why I am telling you all this."

"No, It's fine. Why don't you leave him? He sounds pretty awful to me."

"I can't, and I don't really want to. He doesn't know how to take care of himself, and he- he's very important to me. He is honestly a very sweet guy." I smile at James. He frowns and sighs, removing a slip of paper from his pocket.

"Take this. You may not trust me, but you can call me anytime.", he handed me the paper and walked into the night. I look at the slip of paper which had a phone number scribbled on it. I guess it's time for me to go home, I walk against the wind and head back to my apartment. When I get inside Chase is sitting up on the couch, I go to the kitchen and make myself a bagel trying to ignore him. As the bagel is toasting I make a pot of coffee for Lucky and I. Chase walks into the kitchen and makes himself cereal. Lucky comes into the kitchen making herself a bagel, sensing the awkward, tense atmosphere.

"I'm gonna get dressed." my voice sounded tired but I didn't care and if she noticed she didn't show it. I walk into my closet and pull on my jeans and t-shirt, I pulled my brown curls into a ponytail and finished getting myself ready.