A Tale of Traitors

Willow: Escape

          "I'm sorry, Ms. Aredhel, but we really don't have time for such questions," Professor Cain was methodically placing dozens of items in his suitcase, packing it so tightly that even air had no extra space. She watched the tools he placed inside, and she realized she had never seen any of them before. One or two, perhaps, she knew the purpose of, but there were multicolored metal disks, and what looked like lipstick containers. Small boxes and cylinders containing yet smaller objects were gently arranged, each with its own place and purpose. She thought it was funny that the professor didn't just take a bigger bag. Apparently, a briefcase was less suspicious to the enemies following them. She certainly hoped this was the case. He reached for more tools that had been hidden behind the stories on the bookshelves.
"I've finished it," Bob rushed into the room with a huge syringe and grabbed my wrist.
"No way," I shot back, eyeing the needle in disgust.
"This is a temporary Seeker; the professor brought back certain memories from multiple places in Realm Two so that you would remember how to fight, sneak around, whatever." Bob held out his hand. "Arm, please?"
I slowly rolled up my sleeve and grimaced when the needle pierced my skin.
"Good. Take a seat until the headache goes away." He walked away and my world spiraled out of control. Memories that were certainly not mine flooded my brain. Colors, movement, pain, joy. It was only a few minutes of horror before I came crashing back to reality.
"Whose memories are these?" I asked as soon as I was able. I had a quick summary of this person's life--their death was horrifying and the memories stung like a fresh wound.
"Probably one of your Elvin warriors caught by the king. The guards kill them however they like, if the king doesn't specify. Think you know the person?"
"No idea," I said sadly. I noticed then that Queen and Dalia had disappeared. The boys hurried down different corridors I didn't know existed. I was left alone for a solid ten minutes of wondering whose thoughts lived on in my head, and which ones were truly my own.
          The professor came flying into the room and started yelling as if he was having a heart attack. All of the teenagers came running with their backpacks slung over their shoulders.
"Why do you carry so much weight? We'll be back when we can," the professor mumbled as his eyes landed on the sagging bags. "Oh, well. Let's get out of here. Rumor has it the Assassin is already in our neck of the woods, and he could be here within the hour. We can't let him get to Willow."
"How are we going to hide?" I asked.
"We all look like humans, and we'll just stay in public areas until we can cross over," Queen added, with a condescending laugh.
"When do we plan on crossing over?"
"We'll know," Dalia whispered to me. She was trying to help, and I appreciated that. I hated being left in the dark about my own life. We left the hide-out around five in the morning, because the professor wanted some sunlight for his journey. He hoped that our movements would be less suspicious if we left in the morning, so we could blend in.

I wasn't sure we'd be such an impossible target for an experienced assassin.

          At least now I was starting to remember basic training. I couldn't stop wondering who my thoughts truly belonged to, and I felt my heart sink as I imagined the pain they went through. I had to shake away the sadness. I thought about all seven realms, and which one I figured we would end up in.
"We must strategize before we set out," Professor Cain spoke, "although we don't have much time."
"Assuming Tormod hasn't sent the spirits after you yet, there will be one in each realm. No matter where we run, he'll have someone there who can track us down. We could try to get our hands on some Shadow Catchers," Bob offered.
"That's really dangerous, but probably our only option," Queen responded.
"What's a--" I held my tongue. They'd probably tell me eventually, right?
"We could try Realm Two--that's the more direct way, I guess--but that's ultra shady." Bob said.
"I agree," the professor nodded. "We could go straight to Realm 5?"
"No," Dalia's voice was the loudest it had ever been.
"It's been so long, Dalia--" Queen raised her voice.
"NO."
Silence.
"Fine, what about we get the maps first?" Bob sighed.
"We need the catchers before the maps, or we're dead meat," Queen face palmed.
"Dee," the professor said quietly, one of those joyous smiles spread across his face, "it's not going to be easy. But look how close we could be! We've been waiting for this moment, have we not?"
Dalia didn't look anywhere near him, but she nodded.
"I know you don't want to. I wouldn't make you if there was any other way."
Dalia didn't respond.
There was a slight tremble in the earth. Maybe a pebble fell down a crack.
"Guys," I said, before I realized my lips were moving, "something's not right."
"Give us a second, Willow." The professor responded.
"No, seriously, something's wrong," I said again, looking all directions now.
"Yeah, she's right," Queen turned around and addressed me. "Elves are extremely observant, and we're very connected to the earth; we can detect the slightest movements that could bring us danger. The earth likes to warn us."
"Do you think it could be the assassin?" Bob asked nervously as he readjusted his backpack.
"Probably," Professor Cain headed for his car and we followed. "I have a catcher in my bag; give it to Ms. Aredhel first. If the spirits have been unleashed, they will most certainly hunt her first."
"That's nice," I climbed into the back seat.
"Hang on a sec," Bob dug through the professor's briefcase until he found what he was looking for. "Put this behind your ear."
I took it from him and held it behind my ear. Nothing happened and I glanced doubtfully at him. He merely nodded.
"Hear that?" He smirked.
"Hear wha--" I started.

Three.

Two.

One.

Click! The little disk popped out of my hand and sucked into my skull. I gasped and almost clawed it back out.
"Chill," Bob chuckled as he watched my face change from confused to horrified.
"What is this thing?"
"Shadow Catcher, keeps the spirits away from you," Queen rolled her eyes.
"Can the assassin still hunt me down?" I asked.
"Yeah, but it'll be harder for him to detect you. The catcher makes you seem even more human to those around you. Take a look in a mirror--you haven't seen your human self yet, have you?" Bob asked.
"No, guess not," I realized I should have fastened my seat belt already. The professor continually sped and then slammed on his brakes, which forced us all forward and back in our seats.
"Here," Queen shoved a mirror into my hand and I looked at the wild reflection staring back at me. My hair was short, black, and wavy. Clearly hadn't been brushed in a while. I had emerald green eyes, and tan skin. I didn't recognize myself in the least. It was as if I could remember who I was without really being able to grasp the image properly, like a song that you hum but can never remember the title of. I watched my eyebrows raise in surprise when I saw myself, and I noticed the confusion in my eyes as I looked upon my features. High cheekbones. Small nose.
"What'd ya think?" Bob asked.
"You're right, it's definitely different being human," I said.
"You wouldn't recognize me before I crossed over--I was super--"

The rear window of the car broke,  a cylindrical object falling in between us all. Smoke rapidly seeped through the car, obstructing our view. Everyone started coughing.