Mind Games

Emotional beings

“Hey, Marlene…”

I almost crack at this. I dart forward and skid to the floor next to Mark, my skirt ripping and my knees burning against the carpet. I hardly care.

“Mark, what did they do?” I ask, gently picking up his head and resting it on my lap.

“Ganged up on me… Dirty bastards.”

Mark coughs weakly. Blood trickles from his lips with the motion as he slumps back into my lap. I tear off my glove and hold my arm out to him.

“Mark, quick.” I say, holding my wrist where he can bite it.

“No, it’s too late.”

“It’s never too late!” I whine. “Mark, don’t you leave me here!”

Mark laugh very faintly at this.

“You’re smart, and feisty as hell. You can still win this.”

“Not on my own.” I whisper.

“Then let’s hope I can spectate.” Mark rasps. “I’m rooting for you, Marlene.”

Gnawing my lower lip, I lean down and press my forehead against Mark’s. He gives me a very weak smile, nothing like his usual megawatt grins. I watch Mark close his eyes slowly, feeling one of his hands curl around the wrist I offered to him.

“I’m rooting for you.” Mark whispers again. “See you after the game.”

Mark’s breath slips without returning. A cold, leaden weight settles in my gut. He’s gone. I’m all on my own. How do I do this without my clanmate?

I slowly pull away from Mark, taking his hand from my wrist and standing up. I stare at the blood sticking to my hand for a moment, then lick at it instinctively.

“There she is!”

“The animal even drinks from her own partner!”

Murderers. How could you?

“How could you kill him? How the hell could you do this?!”

I twist around and swing my wrist, sending six bolts of blazing red energy at them. The woman in green is with her companion, a tall man. They both swing in retaliation, destroying my beams and hurtling three more green streaks at me. I swing again, rage boiling my blood.

Thirteen. Thirteen bolts of iridescence soar at my assailants. The three they fired at me are intercepted. They watch in horror as the ten unused bolts crash into them.

I fall to my knees. I feel dizzy, cold and startled. I don’t know how I was able to cast a frigging thirteen. I don’t know how to progress, how to defeat the others on my own. They’ll gang up on me, they’ll kill me. How can I win?

I guess I just try.

I stand up as the three remaining people dart into the room. Blondie swings his wrist, glaring vengefully at me. I swing in return, three red bolts colliding with three blue. The other two unknown men both swing in unison. Eight yellow bolts fire at me. I swing again, frantic now.

I manage to destroy five. Three bolts of white-hot pain lace through me, nearly burning me out. I look down at the fresh wave of blood staining my dress. Shit; I’m bleeding out all my reserves.

I swing again, desperate now. Six red bolts fire from my bag. Iridescent blue and yellow intercepts my attack and rockets towards me. I scream as they hit, burning deep into me.

I’m staring at the ceiling now. Everything’s muffled by a dull ringing in my ears. I let my head loll to the side. Everything I see is hidden behind a smoky haze, like I’m not wearing my glasses. Blackness encroaches my vision, numbing the searing pain.