Burned

1.02: The Continuation

WITH THE FLAMES IN HER EYES, SHE BURNED.

From now on, I'm going to use Artemis's point of view, given the fact that only she fully knows what was going on at the moment the incident happened. Below I'll put Artemis's affidavit. I haven't changed a word from her declaration. Everything stated below is a direct quote from the subject herself.

"I was in total panic. I wasn't crying, I wasn't angry... I felt numb, but on the edge of hyperventilating, which is a really strange thing to feel. I just walked through the busy streets of New York. We had this portal back in the Community which went only one way and would take you anywhere you'd like. Of course some Witches can teleport, but it's a very advanced spell and I don't know how to cast that spell. That brings me to the next thought I had.

I had to know how to defend myself, in case the Witches would come for me, you know? And I knew they would, it was just a matter of a short amount of time before they would find me. Anyway, I had to learn new spells, not the basic things like a shield or illusions. I had to be able to transform myself into other things. I had to be able to fight back. I had to be able to teleport. Those things. So, I had to find another Witch who wasn't in the Community. The only problem was that those didn't exist.

But, I inherited my father's wisdom and gift for finding solutions. I had heard of the Avengers. I mean, who hadn't? Even if you didn't hear about the Battle of New York, which was very unlikely, you definitely heard about the Battle of Earth. Anyway, I had heard of the Avengers. I knew that Wanda Maximoff had the same powers every Witch had, I had seen her use them a few times. The only difference was that her powers were red, while normal powers Witches own are more transparant. But, it was a start.

Then there was the next problem I had to solve.

I didn't know where Wanda was.

But, I was in New York. And I knew that somewhere in the city an event was going on. I also knew that it was an event for high schools, so I could blend in with the kids there. Most importantly, though, was that I knew that that event would take place at a facility from Stark Industries, who, something I knew, too, were connected to the Avengers. So, all I had to do was get in there and have someone get me in contact with Scarlet Witch. An impossible task, I know.

I went inside the building. There was a stage where currently someone was holding a speech. It was Pepper Potts. She wore a blazer and a tube skirt. She had her hair tied back with a black ribbon. Beside her stood a girl I didn't recognise. She had soft brown hair that stopped right above her shoulders. She wore a denim jacket with a shirt from a Disney movie I didn't know. To complete her look she had simple blue jeans and black sneakers. On her wrist she had a black ribbon tied.

'Because, as I already said before,' Ms Potts continued her speech, 'technology is not just equipment. It's a way to change the world. And as Tony would tell you: don't let anyone tell you your idea is garbage, because it isn't. Now, time to split the groups. Midtown Tech, you're going with Morgan. High School for Math, Science and Engineering, follow me.'

I followed one group of students who went to the left side. The girl, probably Morgan, left the stage and told everyone to follow her. We did and walked through some halls. The were massive. The white walls gave me the feeling as if I was in a hospital, but soon enough the walls became more glass than concrete. Then we stopped in a big room with a few tables. People were forming groups. I decided to stand with a girl with brown curls, a dude with a flannel shirt and a brunet. I took my Book of Spells out of my bag and while the girl who led us here began to talk, I began to look for a spell that would currently get the Witches off my track.

'So, ehm, hi,' the girl began awkwardly. 'I'm Morgan, Morgan Stark. You're all here because you're clever. You're geniuses. So, I want you to build something using only the materials on your table. Good luck.'

'That's the assignment?' one guy yelled with mock in his voice.

Morgan turned to the guy. 'I'm sorry, when did I tell you to just yell and doubt my task?'

I admired how she was actually pretty shy, but once she was questioned, she wouldn't just let her be walked over. I knew that that was something Tony Stark also had, even if he wasn't shy at all. He would let people know he mattered to. I looked up to that, I really did. Oh, and I also loved how that guy suddenly felt really embarrassed. As he should, by the way, he was a total ass.

'I can't remember I did, either,' Morgan continued telling the guy off. 'Tell me, what's your name?'

'It's Flash.' The guy suddenly regained his confidence.

Morgan chuckled shortly. 'Flash? All right then, Barry Allen. Do enlighten me, Flash. What is wrong with my assignment?'

'He's just jealous, M, everyone would be.'

Another guy walked into the room, right to where Morgan was standing. He wore black jeans, Adidas shoes, a plastic watch and a grey hoodie saying "Have you ever tried chicken soup?" which was a very odd thing to print on a sweater. Morgan had a surprised look on her face, but she was more pleasantly surprised than that she hated this guy showing up. At least, that's what I thought. But I inherited my mother's gift of reading people, so it was probably right.

'Harley, what are you doing here?' Morgan asked the guy surprised.

Harley walked over to Morgan. 'Helping you out with annoying kids, obviously. All right people, back to work!' He theatrically clapped into his hands, causing all the students to erupt into murmuring.

'So,' the dark blond guy began while the other tables began talking, too, 'what are we going to do with a stick, tape, a pen, matches and three copper wires?'

'Cry,' the curly-haired girl suggested.

The dude with the flannel shirt was the only one who acknowledged me. 'Hey, girl, what's your name?'

'Artemis,' I simply responded, still frantically turning pages.

Aspis could be a useful spell, but definitely was a plan B. What was plan A again?

'Dude, that's such a cool name!' the blond guy exclaimed.

'Losers. So, any ideas on helping out, Artemis?' the curly-haired girl asked me.

'I wasn't planning to, actually,' I told the girl the truth. 'I'm more running away from seven women who are trying to kill me and such.'

'You're weird,' the girl responded. 'I like you.'

'Thank you,' I said, not paying much attention to her or the other two guys.

Maybe doru could be a plan C. But what in hell could be a good plan A?!

But, more time than that to think of a good plan A wasn't given this day. Because the window jumped suddenly, causing everyone to scream and hide under tables. I saw Morgan looking warily around the room, just as Harley did. The blond guy from my table put on some glasses, which was a really strange thing to do in this situation. The door opened, revealing seven Witches in tight black clothes. These weren't the Witches from the Council. These were the field operatives, the strong Witches.

God, was I doomed.