Wither Sickness Book 5: Legends Remembered

Mind Games

"J-Jane," I stammered quietly.

This is way beyond bad. Our allies aren't even on are side and I'm positive the others don't have a clue about it!

"Oh," Genesis said sounding rather disappointed, "This isn't Jane at least not the real one anyway."

Wait... What!?

Genesis put her arm around the red eyed woman's neck and smiled proudly.

"The real Jane is dead," She said bluntly.

"What," I said, shock evident in my tone.

"She died a couple years ago, but no one noticed a thing, not even her closest friends. I'm sure you recall at least one of them, Elaine, Nathan,  Alana."

I didn't know the last two, but Elaine I definitely knew.

Jane seemed uncomfortable and firmly pushed Genesis away before swiftly dusting off her clothing.

Genesis hastily rolled her eyes and then glanced at me.

"How do I know you're telling the truth," I asked skeptically as I raised my brow.

"I don't have to prove anything to you little one," Genesis stated earnestly, "You either believe me or you don't it's that simple."

Olivia Pov:

I was sitting in the order hall, holding a map.

Ivor was sitting beside me, gazing at the slightly tattered map while gently stroking his ebony beard.

"Well if we advance here," Ivor pointed to a contour line and dragged his finger across the map, "Then the ascendancy will be prominent!"

"Um," I began softly, "Just one problem, how are we going to get there? On foot it'll take too long and who knows what could happen-"

"Oh please!" Ivor exclaimed as he clasped his hands together, "We have horse's y'know."

I nod slowly.

"Hey you two," A voice said gently.

I glanced up and gasped slightly.

---

Jesse Pov:

"I know you're worried about your friends," Genesis says earnestly as she puts her hands behind her back.

My eyes widen slightly.

"Oh and right now you're being replaced my dear," Genesis says as a smug smirk grows on her face.

"What? What do you mean replaced," I ask, faintly.

"You're being replaced. It can't be any simpler than that," Genesis says, giggling manically afterwards.

A feeling of unease settles in my stomach and my thoughts begin to swirl with worry.

"Ha, I can sense your nervousness young one," She says as she tucks a strand of her thick hair behind her ear, "Although, you're friends are being deceived at this very moment."

I listen carefully, as my anxiety increases the more she talks.

"You see, I made a clone of you," Genesis says, "It looks like you, talks like you, acts like you. It's completely flawless in every way, shape, and form."

"T-They won't fall for your lies!" I shout, gritting my teeth.

Genesis laughs as if I told the best stand up joke of all time or something.

She suddenly stops laughing and says, "They already have. If Jane's close friends can't even tell the difference what makes you think that your friends will?"

Olivia pov:

"Jesse!" I exclaim, standing up and rushing to give her a big hug, "Where in the world have you been!?"

Jesse hugged me back and smiled sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"I went to a neighboring town and got a few things," Jesse said calmly.

"And you told no one?" I asked, flabbergasted.

"Uh yeah sorry about that. I didn't think the trip would take as long as it did," Jesse said regretfully, "I just got held back by a couple of things that's all."

"Oh it's ok at least you're back," Olivia said then exclaimed, "We were worried sick! A warning next time please!"

"At least apprise us next time before you do something like that," Ivor commented sternly, "This is a war y'know, you can't just disappear like that."

Jesse nodded and put her hands on her hips as she muttered a faint apology. 

"Where are the others?" She asked softly.

"Lukas went looking for you and Petra and Axel went to get some supplies."

"Oh," She muttered then asked, "Well what are you two up to?"

"We're just trying to figure out our next move," I say as Ivor nods in approval. 

"Nice, mind if I help out?" Jesse questions, tilting her head to the side.

"Sure thing," I say and sit back down. Jesse sits beside me.

"As I was saying," Ivor begins hastily, "If we progress there then advance we'd have a better chance! It's splendid!" 

"Do you have a backup plan?" Jesse asks faintly.

"No," Ivor says and I watch as Jesse nods slowly, "This is guaranteed to work Jesse. I've calculated all possible scenarios and this will implement our desired goal."

Jesse didn't say anything but she shifted slightly and furrowed her brow.

"Is something wrong Jesse?" I ask, sensing her discomfort.

"Oh, I'm fine," Jesse says dismissively, "I'm just thinking about this plan of yours that's all."

I nod.

Jesse pov:

"Oh how lovely!" Genesis exclaims, fake enthusiasm in her tone, "Not even a back up plan... Tsk I really expected better from your naive group."

I grit my teeth. How could she deceive them like this!?

I grasped the rusty bars and Genesis smiled, contently.

"I've basically already beat you guys. After all, I can destroy that plan before it's even initiated if I wanted to, but that's no fun now," She says maliciously, a dangerous gleam in her eye.

My friends are being lied to and the worst part is that they don't even know it!

This woman... Is clearly sick and as I glare at her icy eyes I wonder if we'll win the war, because currently she has the upper hand and she's well aware of that fact too.