The Game We Play

Chapter Four

The fiery bird glowed blue through it's flames before burning up, extinguished.

"Astonishing..." mumbled Dr. Anderson as he took readings from a small screen and furiously scribbled them down. "I've never seen a phoenix before. It doesn't look like it's all that powerful considering how small it was and the little energy it was releasing. The measurements show it shouldn't have even been strong enough to take a form, but it seems it has."

The doctor gathered his papers. "As beautiful as your feral is, I don't think it's strong enough to get you anywhere. I don't think you'd be strong enough to enter the game."

Ash felt crushed. There was no way that through everything she had gone through she had a weak spirit. Yes... her feral was small. But he himself had said it was unique.

"Are you sure...? There's no way the readings could have been wrong?" she asked, staring at the bright light on the ceiling to stop tears from welling up.

"The test never lies Ms. Ashley. I'm sorry but I cannot recommend that you go for your own safety. It's already a dangerous place, but with an inability to fight you wouldn't make it." Dr. Anderson said sadly.

Whatever happened next was a blur to Ash, but the next thing she knew she was in Conner's car with his hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay Ash, I promise. Laurence, Charlie, Maia and I will still go in for you. We won't let Nigil stay the way he is." he tried to reassure.

"I'm going anyways Conner." Ash said quietly. "I'm not going to let you all risk everything while I sit on the sidelines."

"No you aren't." Conner said sternly. "I'm not going to let you get yourself killed."

"It's not your decision." Ash said coldly, "I have to do this for Ni."

"Everything's not all about him Ashley! Yes, he's important, but you can't just throw yourself in danger for this. Think about yourself for once!" Conner yelled heatedly.

A stabbing quiet settled in between the two, Ash refusing to reply. After a while, Conner sighed and turned the car on.

"Ash you're important to me... I... I can't watch you get hurt." he said, looking down at his lap.

"I know." she said, ending the conversation.

They drove in silence until he stopped at Maia's house. Ash lived there, but it was still hard to adjust to thinking about the place as her own. Three years and she didn't feel like she belonged there.

"Bye." Ash said as she opened the door.

"Bye Ash..." Conner responded.

She walked up her driveway trying to ignore how bad she knew Conner felt. After all, if he wanted to treat her like a child, she'd act like one. She opened the front door and was immediately bombarded by a hug attack from Maia.

"That was definitely Conner's car and you're going to tell me everything." she stated.

"Uh... I don't really want to talk about it right now..." Ash said sadly.

"That bad huh? Want me to get Titanic up and fix you some chocolate ice cream?" she asked, only half joking.

"No, I'd just like to take a nap." Ash replied, turning to walk up the stairs.

"Ice cream it is. You're telling me everything when you're cheered up, though. Ooh- wanna watch a horror movie instead? Those seem to take your mind off everything." Maia ran into the kitchen.

What was Ash going to do with that girl.

~~~~~~

Will Ash still go through with it knowing that even a professional thinks she isn't strong enough? Stay safe everyone! <3