Sighted

Chapter 34: It Feels Good

Owen

     If the syringe in my back pocket is what I think it is, how real does Bowden need to make this fight look?

     Fight is the wrong word, this is out and out assault. I can only look on as the demon's super-concentrated wind blasts toss Gin roughly. Her face is cut and bleeding already and the way Rosemary used her lightning manifestation to drop Gin like a sack of flour is on replay in my mind.

     I haven't had a chance to speak with Alex or Dylan, all of us deeply engrossed in how the scene in front of us play out. I had to hold Alex back earlier, but I hadn't been able to form any words of comfort, my own fear high in my throat. Dylan is pale and I can tell he's forcing himself to watch, especially as the atmosphere grows more intense.

     The most intensified is Rosemary herself. I've been keeping one eye on the dangerous woman and its clear she's less and less inhibited. Every time Gin collapses to the ground makes her wicked smile widen more. Her eyes seem to be larger and more frenzied, devouring up the loss of Gin's strength.

     Bowden said I'll have to be the one to do it. Does he really mean attempt to... vaccinate... Rosemary? She could strike me down at a distance, and powerfully. It might be a trick, but I can't see why he would bother, there's nothing to be gained from us in this moment. Pulling my gaze away from Gin's trembling climb to her feet yet again, I unobtrusively try to stare at the small woman across the mat.

     When I don't believe she's looking, I step behind Alex, nudging him over to change places with me. Looking back to Rosemary she doesn't even glance in this direction. Looking back over my shoulder, I only meet with the unstaring eyes of the other humans. If they noticed me, I'll never know.

     I look over at Dylan, catching him in the act of flinching away from display in front of him. The poor kid seems to be at his brink, but when he sees me looking he's still able to jut his chin out determinedly, even if that determination doesn't quite reach his eyes. I double-check across the mat again, before moving behind as he takes a small step into my place. We both look around, but our move doesn't seem to have been spotted.

     I plan to around the mat, along the outer edge of the room, away from all the action Bowden is causing. I don't want to wait anymore, I don't know how well Gin's condition is, but Bowden told me to wait until Rosemary is completely distracted. Right now, the woman does seem intensely focused on the two in front of her, even turning her body to follow them as they move around. I take a fleeting look at the menacing figures behind me

     Then I turn back again, taking a closer look. One of the humans, a man standing next to the one directly behind me, is blinking, his eyelids slowly opening and closing over still unseeing eyes, in a doll-like manner. Looking at Rosemary, she's practically completely turned away. Has her omnipotent concentration broken?

     Running my gaze down the rest of their line-up, I notice that he's not the only one with that trait. Also, others seem to be tilting just slightly, unsteady on their feet. This might be the best sign I'm ever going to get.

"This is it! Finish her, Bowden. I know it's what you want!" My head jerks back to the mat at Rosemary's words. Gin is slumped on her knees and hands at Bowden's feet, down at the center of the room. Rosemary has taken a couple of steps forward, practically salivating. For a cold, heart-stopping minute I watch Bowden take a stance I've seen before. I can only see his back as he stretches his arms outward and I remember how eyes will be glowing. Little flames spike up and grow over his arms, flickering brightly.

     I instinctively take a step forward, fear confusing me more about Bowden's intentions, when suddenly, the flames are extinguished. Bowden turns, now face Rosemary, and I can see the demon's profile. Like a breath of air, his face relaxes into a gentle expression that I long ago associated with Bowden. My doubt clears up and I know that this it is.