Sandabury Academy

Back on Your Feet, Soldier

Looking at Jaheara's unconscious face in my arms, a million thoughts run through my head. Well, more of my own questions than just random thoughts like how did Jaheara do that? Is she getting more powerful? Does it have something to do with what Jacques warned me about?

Needless to say I was anxious to talk to her once she woke up again. In the meantime, I carried her bridal style over to the least dirty looking floor of the ruined chapel that I could find. Laying her down gently, I ruffled through the small pack of provisions that I brought. Unfortunately, my pack consisted more of bagged blood, not clothes. Right now I'm regretting not packing more instead of relying on the portal taking us to that inn with supposed fresh supplies waiting for us. For all I know, we could be on the other side of America, or in a different country altogether!

With a resound sigh, I take off the small cape-like thing attached to the back of my combat uniform, drape it over Jaheara's exposed body and then plop down right next to her. Knees up, legs crossed at the ankles, arms wrapped around my legs pulling them closer, and head down. Yup, I'm in full wallow in self pity mode. I suck.

I feel a presence next to me and listen as Terry sits down by me without bothering to look up. As if he can read my mind, he addresses me with a soft tone.

"Hey, don't be like that Val. It's not like you could have known we were going to be ambushed."

"But if only I had been more cautious..."

"It's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for this."

"I should have never even had us approach the chapel. It was fishy as fuck. I mean, who the hell puts a chapel in the middle of nowhere?"

"Oh yea, I was meaning to tell you this before I got side tracked by a Doppelganger that there's some sort of magical seal on the chapel."

I slowly lift my head and turn to look at him, my face completely passive.

"You know you really creep me out when you do that," Terry says, looking like a puppy being scolded.

"Good. Now show me."

A minute later we are outside the chapel, staring at the cracked surface. Terry starts to feel around, apparently searching for the seal's exact location. I hear a hushed "ah-ha!" followed by him pulling his hand back quickly as if he was stung. I look at him with my eyebrow raised when he goes to take a step back towards me.

"Be careful, it burns when you touch it for some reason." Accentuating his point, Terry sticks his hand in his mouth and then flicks it around. I roll my eyes and walk towards the now glowing wall.

I stare at it for a solid minute before Terry's hovering really starts to piss me off.

"Know what it says?" He asks right by my ear for the millionth time.

"Haven't got a clue. But, I'm going to try something."

Without hesitation, I reach my arm back and punch the wall full force. The impact causes the wall to completely crumble to the ground. I turn back to look at the shocked expression on Terry's face.

"What did the wall do to deserve that?!"

"I was pretending it was your face. Very satisfying."

Terry's pout was short lived before his gaze shifts from me to the chapel behind me. I turn around to find the chapel spazzing out like an old-school TV with a bad signal. It looks distorted with parts of it bending in random directions. Then as soon as it starts, it stops, leaving behind a whole new building. Terry and I circle around to the front where a half torn off sign hanging from the side of the building reads The Wanderer's Lodge.