The Dimension Break

NINE

The gun was small yet lethal in my hand. Jagged metal twisted up its sides, locking securely on my thumbs. There were three bullets inside of it - special bullets, tjhe only one of their creation. They were bronze and circular, a red glint in their duotone light. They were only small beads in my hand... but capable of feats that could twist the universe into something dark and malicious.

I was not Emma, and it was not this time. I was Salt, and this was a long time ago. A time before Earth.

The target stood before me, unaware. Even more so, he was unaware of the opening on his neck, the chink in armor that a normal bullet would be stopped by. However, this bullet was perfect for the job, especially when such a talented killer held the gun.

Before I could pull the trigger, a new presence appeared behind me. I put the gun back in my belt, hiding the movement so that whoever was there would never even suspect that I'd been aiming to shoot at all. The target wandered off below me, causally kicking sand as he went.

"What are you doing?" demanded the newcomer. It was Carter, dirt blonde hair strewn across his face. As usualy, he kept no regard for his appearance. He impressed me with his body type, though. Thick muscles, lean frame, great attitude. Such a man would be a magnificent soldier.

I gave a curt smile. ""Just admiring from far away. I can do that, can't I?"

Carter sauntered forth to where I stood and leaned over the side of the building. His eyes met my target; a doubtful glance came my way. "Admiring Gan, sir? I thought your heart was occupied by Lord Ebony. Am I mistaken?" Though his tone was respectful, the suspicion was clear in his gray eyes. A heated glimmer caught me in their reflection, but I couldn't help but smirk.

"Oh," I said, "I'm hardly interested in him for reasons such as those. Gan is a superb fighter. It intrugues me how capable Croma's fighters can be."

His eyes narrowed. "We're better than Dark fighters." I did pose as a Croman, but when he brought up the Dark, there was a challenge. "I've seen you fight. You could really learn a lesson or two from us."

"I'm better with guns." I straightened my back and peered at him.

"Really?" The boy's lip curled. "Prove it. Shoot something."

With a casual shrug, I pulled out the gun. He recognized it, it seemed, and a panicked look flew over his face. "I warn you though, my capabilities added to this weapon's are fatal."

And I shot him.

I woke up cramped in between Ace and Mary. Sweat was thick and clammy on my skin, and silk clang to my body. My heart thudnered; my hody shook with each pulse. Behind me, my friend gave a snort in her sleep. Ace grunted and twisted over. My head was positioned in such a way that I could pivot myself to glance at the others calmly asleep. Caleb was curled against Mun, Oli, and Dillan, murmering in his sleep. The rest were quiet.

A long sigh escaped my mouth. That vision was only a dream... Carter isn't dead. There's no way it could be real.

But I'd been wrong before.

***

Side-by-side with Oliver, I paced in the back of the group. It seemed that no matter how far we walked, there was no change of scene. At this poiunt, we maight as well have been walking in place. Everything was the same, making us question the common sense of actually going foreward. Footsteps trailed behind us, and we were far away from old dens, but it still felt as if we were going nowhere.

I slouched and glanced over at my Apotropaic. He seemed worried; the expression was prominent by teeth nibbling his lower lip and his furrowed brow. Hands burrowed into his pockets. Even from this angle, he was handsome - well, really, more cute than handsome. His soft nose rounded felow whide eyes that shone with a compassionate light, and his lips were rosy pink and soft as petals. He was frail and small, just a collection of thin limbs. Behind his face was a beautiful yet tortured mind, and behind and innocent hand was the capability of fierceness. Fascinating, yet ever so simple.