The People with Useless Power

Chapter Twelve

It was too easy.

Emma knew it was too easy. Either Mara was too distracted by her father's abandonment to work the guards, or she wanted to play mind games.

It had been a week that she had lived in the forest, too afraid to go back, which was totally understandable, she told herself, though Emma knew it wasn't. She was a coward.

With each second, Mara was definitely getting angrier. But, being the demon she is, she knew that Emma was going to go back to her, so she didn't send search parties. Not for her.

The search party for Emily was very unusual, though- the group looked like government officials.

Mara opposed the government, or so she said.

It's probably just a disguise, Emma told herself as she walked up to the concrete doors. Totally.

She placed a hand on the cold door and felt the rough concrete beneath her palm before knocking quickly. Emma's heart sped up quickly as the door opened, and she thought about running.

Mara appeared behind the door and she looked a mess, with her mascara running and her hair- well, still perfect. Still annoyingly perfect.

Mara threw her arms around her and sobbed. "You scared me, Emma, my god," she whispered, "but where's Emily? I checked her home and she wasn't..."

Mara sighed when Emma remained silent. "Let's go up to my office," she ordered, wiping her tears and walking to the uncovered elevator.

Emma smiled and flipped out her phone, texting her brother quickly.

...

"You know, you could've knocked," Emily grumbled. Emma's brother, James, shrugged as he sat down next to her on the couch.

"But what fun is that?" he snickered. "It's been a week, Emily, get over it."

James had pink hair, like Emma's, and gentle pink eyes like her, but his skin wasn't as tan. Apparently, according to what he had told her, James had come just to bring food, let Emily know when it was safe to leave, and to give her directions and a few bus passes. Emily still didn't know why Emma just didn't tell her about him.

"So, how do you know my sister?" he asked casually, shining his knife with a rag.

"She's my..." Emily furrowed her eyebrows and looked away. "Friend?"

James smirked maliciously. "'Friend?' Wow. You seem so sure. That must only mean one thing-"

His phone beeped loudly, cutting him off as he snatched it. He typed something and looked back up at Emily. "Well, even though the last week has been somewhat enjoyable, it's time for you to go home, so pack up and/or steal whatever you need and I'll take you there."

Emily watch him get up and look through his belongings, before looking up at her and barking at her to hurry up. She looked around and grabbed the lantern, Emma's jacket, and some food out of the cupboard.

"Is that Emma's jacket?" James asked, an eyebrow raised. When Emily didn't answer, he smirked. "It's Emma's jacket." There was a pause of silence. "I thought Mara had that."

...

Mara sat at her desk, across from Emma, and Emma could feel her eyes burn into her skull. "At first I thought my father took you too," she said quietly, her voice echoing through the silent room. "And you know what I said."

"It was my last chance," Emma mumbled.

The room was silent for awhile until Mara cleared her throat. "Emma, I apologize, but I have to execute you now. It's the law of word. My law of word."