The Shadow Man

Twelve

I feel a magnetic pull in my body, something drawing me towards it.
The chains clink as I pull against them with what little strength I have. 
Than I hear it.
Her voice.
It almost brings me to tears.
I can barely open my eyes.
Even in my own head, her voice soothes me, and makes me feel like all will be well.
"Donnie?"
"I'm here."
I hear her sob.
"Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm alive. It's good to hear your voice, Alice."
The voice I use in my head is richer than the voice my throat musters.
In front of my eyes I see grey light like steam rise from the ground.
It rises until it's eye level with me, than it takes a shape.
A face appears just in front of mine.
Before I can say a word, it grabs my head, covering my eyes in darkness.
It burns like fire being branded into the sides of my head, and all I can do is scream internally.

I hear his screaming.
I cover my mouth, fresh tears falling from my eyes.
"Donnie? Donnie stay with me!"
I shout.
"Donnie please! You said Forever! Don't you remember? You promised!"
A form takes shape from my bedroom floor.
It's big, bigger than me and it takes up almost my entire room.
I'm too blind by anger to let fear set in.
"If you hurt him I will destroy you! Do you hear me!"
I shout.
It grabs me, it's palm wrapping around my chest in a single grasp.
I'm slammed back against the wall.
"Now hear me."
It speaks.
It's hideous voice screams like a thousand voices talking all at once.
"Now is the time for fear, Girl."
It's white eyes stare into mine, I'm completely at it's mercy and there's no one to help me.
"I gave you a choice. I told you, they are to come to me or I would kill him.
It is not my desire to harm you. My quarrel is with them. Not you.
But if you contact the Shift once more, I will rip him apart without a second thought."
He growls as he speaks.
His grip on my throat tightens as to emphasize his point.
I grasp at his hand only to find my palms going strait through.
"What are you?"
I choke out.
His grey eyes focus on mine, and then they vanish.
The pressure on my throat dissipates as I'm dropped from my ceiling.
I land on a dresser before tumbling to the ground.
I lay there in pain and fear.
My door explodes open.
Finley and Mason rush in, guns at the ready.
"Are you okay?"
She asks.
I reach up to her.
"We have to stop this guy."
I mutter.
"Did he do this to you?"
Asks Mason.
I nod, my eyes still misty.
"I'm calling Rone. That's it."
He says, holstering his weapon.
He leaves the room.
"We're gonna get him back, Alice. I promise. We will find him. And we'll bring him home to you."
I nod.
One way or another, this is going to end.
Either we win, and he comes home to me, or we're too late or we're not enough and he dies.
Either way my life will never be the same.
I hear Mason out in the hall, talking to Rone as fast as he can.
Minutes pass.
"Rone says he already knows. He says he's got an edge that could give us some kind of advantage. He's here, in Anchorage."
I look up.
"Did he say what it was?"
I ask.
"No. he just said it's going to help us find him. Lets go, he's waiting for us."
He says.
I stand up, and grab a jacket from my closet.

We stand side by side, waiting for the rest of my old team to show.
Kaleo stands next to me, holding the Nolite Light Rifle as if it's his destiny to wield it.
He's taken the liberty of exploring every feature it has.
It uses his energy as apposed to ammunition. The stock is made from the hilt of a broken Nolite Staff, allowing any Nolite to change its shape should they run out of energy mid fight.
The barrel charges with energy as each round of hard light escapes it, making it useful as an effective explosive.
Along with the rifle, Larson made grenades. Each one in the shape of a circuit breaker, complete with a small switch which acts as the trigger.
He charges it up with energy just before the toss.
Larson really decked him out.
He has his staff, split in two, each half strapped to his forearms ready for battle.
Glowing neon green flows through it, igniting the symbols.
Kree's Corvette drives into view.
It slows to a stop.
They get out and for the first time in almost a year I look at them.
A smile comes to my face, though it's concealed beneath a helmet.
Kree steps forward, wearing a leather jacket and black jeans with a pair of boots.
Xander stands next to him along with Finley and Judger.
Alice groggily walks forwards.
It's 2 in the morning, I can't blame her for being exhausted.
"So, this is it?"
Asks Xander.
I step forward, pulling off my helmet.
"It's good to see you Kree."
I say.
"All of you. I've missed you all dearly."
Everyone looks at my accomplice.
"Is this the one whose gonna help us find Donnie?"
Asks Kree.
"His name-"
"My name is not important. Do you want to find your friend?"
He asks.
Alice steps forward.
"Whatever it takes."
He looks down at her.
"Then lets get started."