GREY CAPS

Chapter 5: Counter Attack

   I heard a long shriek after Jude's scream of agony startled me. The scream faded away.

   I looked into the direction of the scream, trying to make out what happening to him.

   As humans stumbling upon a mystery peaks our interest, there actually something about the dark and mysterious part of reality which really sparks our curiosity.

   Such curiosity sometimes leads you to a place you never wanted be. We never wanted to be tied up to this life of secrets we only share and dangers we only face.

   I looked around in confusion, there was nothing I could use as a weapon against the wraith. Nothing at all.

   The land was dry and partially covered with dead vines, leaves and sticks. The tall trees were old and had dead leaves on them, which have not fallen for some reason.

   I picked up a stick, and drew the pentagram trap in a haste. Through all the panting and gasps for air, I got it all wrong. I cursed my heart out and drew the right pentagram.

   I run towards the scream as soon as I finished.

   I came up to the side of the road, some seven metres away from the car.

   I peered my head through the bushes, hearing Jude's mournful low cry.

   He was levitating just above the wraith, squirming in pain. He twitched in a wiggly manner.

   The wraith had it's right hand up in the air, in the direction of my levitating brother. It's fingers were trying to grasp something invisible. It was hurting Jude.

   Wraiths can telekinetically control living things. They reach into the soul and manipulate it, for a foul spirit that's the level it can successfully work on. Spirit to spirit.

   I crept out of the Bush slowly. I picked up and Stone from the curb.

   Jude levitated slowly towards it. His mournful cry my me sick to my stomach.

   I threw the stone at the wraith it barely struck any part of it, but it noticed. My head was partially spinning from all the falling.

   It dropped Jude on the ground and darted after me.

   I bounced back into the woods, running in any direction my legs took me.

   I was soon on the right track, towards the pentagram trap I have waiting for it. My arms were swinging carelessly in the air.

   I heard periodic multiple stomps at once behind me.

   I felt the vibration in the ground, drawing closer and closer behind me.

   I saw the pentagram in the distance. My speed intensified as I charged towards the trap.

   The stomping seized. I took a quick look behind me. The wraith was not there.

   My legs halted. I heard a crackling in the trees.

   I looked up and it was leaping from tree to tree ahead of me.

   I struggled to breath. The air was heavy and I felt my veins pounding in my head.

   It stopped when it was about 4 metres away from me and in front of the pentagram trap.

   It calmly climbed down the tree while it kept it's dead eyes locked to mine.

   On the ground, it took two steps and raised it's hand towards me.

   Nothing happened. I felt nothing.

   It stretched its hand more, moving its fingers in a grasping manner trying to levitate me at its will.

   It couldn't control me.

   I stood there stiff and confused.

   It gave up and run towards me.

   Arrows from nowhere dashed into it's head and chest. The force propelled it into the pentagram as it gave out a beastly cry.

   "Quick. Start with the incantations." A voice said. I know that voice.

   I turned to look at the source of the dull seductive voice. Minerva Creek, I could call her Silver Bane if we were as close and fond of each other like we were in the Academo.
  
   The Academo is a the Grey Cap program that trains selected individuals on how to combat metaphysical threat s, and also be equipped with enough knowledge to be able to investigate metaphysical activities.

   Every Grey Cap member has to pass through the Academo training to become a Grey Cap. The Akolyth is the lowest rank in the organization. It attained when you pass all class exams and demonstrations. The Capper is the next rank, attained when you pass field test and become a full Grey Cap. You can rise within the rank of Capper to Grand Capper when you show hard work and resourcefulness. Cappers answer to Grand Cappers.

   The patriarch is the highest rank in the Grey Cap organization. It attained from years of commitment to the course of the organization and be exhibiting strength, success and good leadership skills.

   Minerva is a capper now, and I don't have the luxury to rub shoulders with her, a simple Akolyth like me. We've been three years apart anyways.

   Without hesitation, I started chanting the incantations.

   The wraith growled in pain as it stood in the pentagram, struggling to move.

   She jumped and landed behind me. I could smell her Jasmine oil fragrance. She never changed.

   My mind was instantly filled with thoughts of her short white hair, and those clear grey eyes she hand.

   The wraith stopped growling and was becoming stronger in the pentagram.

   She moved forward beside me.

   "Nev! Concentrate." She said.

   Her eyes were fierce and her short white hair was long and wavy now. The moon made it gleam well in the dark. Three years is a lot.

   My mouth seized for a brief moment when I was I stared.

   She wore a Black leather shorts and a long sleeved crop top. She was showing a significant amount of shiny cleavage.

   The effects of the pentagram was weakened.

   It pounced out of the pentagram.

   "Concentrate!" She yelled.

   Gun shots propelled it back into the pentagram.

   Jude stood 5 feet away from me. His head was bleeding and he was shielding his stomach with is hand.

   Minerva had her around on her bow ready to pierce another arrow into the wraith.

   I started the chant once again, more determined and focused.

   We stood in front of the wraith as it struggled and morph it true self out of Tricia.

   All damage was done to the wraith when it was in her true form so Tricia will not be harmed after the wraith separates it self from her.

   In this glorious moment of victory and relief, a flood of thoughts ruin my peace.

   Why did the wraith fail in controlling me? Don't I have a soul? Or I was just lucky.