WITHOUT

Heading Back.

The drive home had started well, after eating and drinking - I had gained some strength.    Clark had gathered us well as a group, and once Ethan had been assured he wasn't going to be tampered with (No webbing, no numb hands) We didn't have any issues with him for the ride back.           Clark stayed close to him, talking to him....Telling him how good he was being.   I looked at her a couple of times (He's not a child)      But, then the back of my neck would sting a little.

I guess in a way, a few compliments wouldn't be a bad idea, wouldn't go amiss! (Ethan kept grinning at her. He was being good)

New to this life of being an Other.

He'd been human, dead....Now, he had wings.

They had a spirit-like look to them, they fooled you into thinking they were just elaborate illusions of smoke (One could be tempted to walk right up to him, and wave a hand about. Make them just disappear!)      But. If you managed to get close enough, Ethan could hurt you with them.    He could cut you up into ribbons of flesh.

I'd never read of The Others being cannibals, or drinking blood.    I only knew of power struggles, the Archangels having to be the most dominant of all the angels.    All were to bow to them (You may wonder why?   I, a witch needed to know so much about angels.  Well, we all have "origin" tales.   Vampire's from Lucifer. Witches from Lilith.....Werewolves, well....Cursed magic cooked up by Lucifer and Lilith.     There's more details, to that tale. But, that's for another time)

Because I was little more "knowing" than your average witch, I was pushed to read.    And, not just the "required" school list of witch books, but the black books, the green and blue....And, to have a good understanding of the Red books as well.    Gran was excited for me (That may have been the first time ever, I thought my lovely gran was "crackers")        They were blood red, and felt oddly damp. And they smelled!

Clark had directed Ethan, EB and Hector to the backseat of the car (She wished to sit in the passenger side) She was very intrigued by a moving tin-can on wheels.

At twelve, we stopped for a break....Clark pointed to a park, she felt it looked suitable. It was empty, over-grown.....Had a forgotten feel to it (I guess, being on a back road it wouldn't be the first you would see, if you needed to stop a minute) It was perfect for my three creature-people. Ethan stood by a bench, spread his wings right out....Looked around

He frowned, scratched his head....Pulled thoughtful faces (I suddenly sensed trouble. I wasn't sure what. Maybe it was having Ethan in a public place....I couldn't pin-point the feeling) EB went and stood by him, she kept touching his arm....She was getting small sparks of power from him (Clark could handle her) But, with me only feeling half energised, and Ethan oddly intoxicating to all (Clark really didn't stand a chance)

Hector sat beside Clark. He really was a strange young man. The surgery that had been done to him, had altered him in the oddest of ways. He was bendy/agile. He looked normal, then you would see his teeth/tongue. His hands were screwed....I knelt down in front of him, he grinned (Tongue fell out of his mouth)

He had such an innocent look to him.   I sensed at some point, he may have forced to do things.   Horrifying things.

He then, gave me a pained look...Looked down. It was almost like he had spoken when not permitted, and was now bowing his head - To show he knew his place. A dark shadow loomed over Clark and I, I looked up - Ethan (And, his mean-girl Exie!)    Ethan immediately wanted to know what I was doing to Hector (Was I mistreating him in some way?!)      Hector's collar was grabbed, Hector was moved away from me.