The Broken

9 - Seek

A brief moment with The Broken –

“Don’t you think it’s time we do it? It’s been months and we can’t find her. Who knows what they could be doing to her? They’re probably turning her into a weapon!” Ray stammered.

“We’re not letting that happen,” Oliver said. “They’re on their way – they’ll find her, and we’ll return her where she belongs.”

“Wait…” John hopped into the conversation. “You were actually considering returning her to her mother?”

Everyone sat in silence for a moment until they heard the door open. Four figures were dressed in blue, red, green, and the last one was dressed completely in black – with a red glow to their eyes.

“We’ve received your requests,” the one in black said. “I’ve gathered information in the meantime. She’s a Tempus.”

“You’re kidding me. That wretch Korah actually converted her? Great!” Ray raised his voice at the last word of his sentence.

“Sir,” the one in blue said, calmly. “We’ll handle the situation quick and clean.”

Oliver stood up. “Good. Bring them back here. Elise AND Korah. Alive. Payment will be given in advance.”

The four figures bowed in respect and vanished.

-----

Korah and I were taking a walk. It’s night, but the night is still young, about 8pm. The cold feeling in my body has mostly gone away. It’s not very cold outside, so that helps. We were walking a while in silence, so I tried to make conversation.

“Korah?” I said. She looked at me, ready to listen. “What’s it like being a Tempus? Do… do you like it?”

“Well… let me elaborate on your question thoroughly.” She thought for a few seconds. “The first time I was caught by the Tempora agents, I was scared to death. I was still a kid, and they took me away from you, and just… you know,” She paused. “It’s not all bad, though. I get an advantage on enemies, and it helps a lot when trying to keep my friends alive. So, I’m used to it. I can’t say I love it, but, it’s definitely not an awful gift to have.”

I let all the words sink in. Maybe it won’t be bad. I mean, the thought of bending time is mind-blowing, and being able to do that is not something to be taken lightly.

“Do you—” I was cut off by Korah. She put her hand on me and looked over my shoulder.

Korah cursed under her breath, “Ellie, get a move on. Let’s go!” she shouted.

“What- what’s going on?” I asked, confused. We were running, and she did not answer. “Korah-!” I was tripped by something. Korah slid over next to me and helped me up. The sky started to fade from a dark gray to a red-purple. Thunder crashed and it started to rain. Barriers of wind surrounded us. We were greeted by a figure in black.

“Your time in hiding is over, Tempora,” the black figure said. “There is no escape from this.”

“Ellie, remember what I taught you! Stay alive!” Korah shouted. She ran toward the figure. A sword fell from the sky and Korah caught it. She rose from the ground up to the sky, where the figure was floating. She swung several times at the figure but nothing happened.

“Pathetic!” the figure shouted. “The little girl down there? You wanted her to be with you?”

“Stop!” Korah shouted. “Say no more… or I’ll kill you! I’LL KILL YOU!” Rage built up in her. She swung harder and harder.

“She’ll never want to be your daughter! She’s not even helping you fight! She’s weak! Hopeless! She should have just stayed with her family!”

A loud, ear piercing scream came from Korah. She became the exact same shadow being as when I first confronted her with The Broken.

“Occidere!” Korah shouted. A very thin, sharp bolt shot out from her hand and flung toward the black figure.

“Reflectunt!” the figure shouted. Two more of those same bolts flung toward Korah. They struck her and she looked weak. I was in desperate fear. She’s dying! I tried to think of some of the phrases Korah taught me.

I waited a few seconds then focused. Everything around me slowed down. I ran over toward them. They were both slowly falling out from the sky. I looked over at the figure dressed in black.

   I focused all of my energy to think of how to stop the figure. I shouted with rage and used my Tempus gift. Time returned to the present and the black figure was sent flying. I ran back over to Korah. She was no longer in her form. I was in complete shock when I saw her lying on the ground. Both of the sharp bolts struck Korah in the heart.

   “No! No!” I shouted. “NO!” She was laying on the floor, lifeless. I cried for a few minutes. The storm cleared as well as the wind barrier. She started to move.

   “Ellie…” she said faintly.

   “Speak! Speak! You can’t die! I have so much more to learn!” I panicked, heart rate rising and blood flowing.

   “I won’t die,” she said, with more life in her voice. I was confused – what did she mean? “Find him. Kill him… go. Go!” I stood up and stared at her. “GO!” she shouted. I ran away from her, in search of the figure in black.

   “Where are you?” I screamed. “Where the hell are you?!”

  “Come.” A voice said, from the shadows. I went to it, instantly having second thoughts.

  “Seize her.” the voice said. Three figures jumped out of the shadows. I reacted quickly and dashed backward, with my Tempus power.

   “Propius modero!” I shouted. Time stopped and the figure in black appeared in front of me, looking weak. I made sure it would not be affected by the time slowing. I remembered to bring my butterfly knife with me, so I pulled it out. I grabbed the figure’s hood and pulled it down, holding the knife to their neck. I could not believe my eyes.

   It was Kaylee.