Chapter 6

Masen

Allie led me out the door and turned towards where I knew her house was. I was actually feeling a little bit nervous at finally being alone together. Even having had the training I had, nothing really prepares you for what happens when you meet your One and you realise it really is a mate-match. My body and mind were clamouring to get closer to Allie and yet I knew now was not the time. Or was it?

Allies phone chimed with a text message as we reached her pathway. I watched her read the message with a puzzled frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her. “Is it your family?” I knew Allie still went home every few months to spend time with her community. She was very close to her Mother and Father there. This doesn’t always happen for us because The Powers That Be send us to live where we will do the best job for them, whether we get along with our family unit or not. Case in point, Me. My family did the bare minimum for me until the Fairies came and took me away. Those few years of being mostly ignored made me stronger and warier of people. Even so young, I knew there was more to being a family than what I had. Luckily the Fairies made me feel included and taught me about fun, laughter and what true friendship and love is.

“No, it’s not my family, it’s Manny. I’m her mentor and her friend. She wants to meet at a coffee shop downtown. She’s pretty vague in her message though. Usually a short message from her takes ages to read.” Allie turned to me. “I’m actually worried. Something feels off about it. I need to go see her and find out what’s wrong.”

Allie started to jog towards the gate out in to the city. I caught up to her and grabbed her by the arm.

“Wait. Just stop and wait a minute. Something seems off so you’re going to go charging off in to the city, at night, on your own? Are you serious? We’ve just told you that you’re in more danger now and you are going to just completely disregard that?” I couldn’t stop the incredulous tone in my voice as I spoke.

“You don’t get to talk to me like that! I can and I will, do what I want, when I want. You better get used to that, Braveboy, because I’m not changing for you. Manny needs me. She is my priority right now, not your delicate feelings. Now, let me go so I can go meet her. You can come with me or stay here, I really don’t care!”

Allie wrenched her arm away and took off running full pelt. After a second of disbelief I ran after her. I reached her and ran alongside for a while.

“Tell me about Manny. I know the basics but tell me what you know and love about her. I do know how important she is to you and I apologise for my tone and my behaviour. I’m still coming to terms with how I feel finally being here with you.” I felt a bit uncomfortable talking about my feelings but Allie deserved the truth from me. “My main concern is, and always has been, you. Manny falls under that by extension.”

Allie stopped running and smiled at me. “Thank you. And where do I start with Manny? She is 15, funny, intelligent, sneaky, beautiful and still so vulnerable and insecure. Her community and family unit weren’t the best and she couldn’t wait to get to the compound. Unfortunately, the rules and regulations are taking her quite a while to get used to. She’s been here now for 2 years and I still have to take her aside her talk to her over infractions that shouldn’t be happening. But you know, she would help anyone, make sure others are safe before she looks to her own safety. She is so gentle with kids and animals. Other adults either intimidate her or make her become the worst version of herself. Just when I think I’m making headway with her something happens and we backslide again. I won’t give up on her though. Manny is special.”

As Allie stopped speaking we came up to the coffee shop where Manny should have been. All of a sudden, the air turned cold and darkness surrounded us. Allie reached out and held my hand tightly.

“Let’s give these new powers a go, shall we?” Allie laughed lightly and suddenly I could feel her in my mind. The Darkness was sending thoughts to us about how it would defeat us. It was insidious and vile the way it wormed its way into our thoughts. I pushed back against it and realised with Allie inside my mind I was a lot stronger than I had ever been. Still The Darkness kept at us. Sometimes it was pain thrown straight in to our brains, other times it used feelings of sorrow and despair to try to break us. I don’t know how long we stood there in our private battle when suddenly Allie was talking to me.

“Okay I’ve had enough of this playing. Hold on, Masen. Whatever happens don’t let go of me. I’m not sure what’s going to happen.” Her voice had a steely tone that I had never heard from her before.

All at once I felt a warmth start to emanate from Allie. I looked over at her and saw that she was beginning to glow. Well, there was something new.

“Pay attention, dumbass, stop watching me glow. I need your mind powers now so let me in.”

I was suddenly somehow not in control of my own powers. It was not a great feeling but even as I started to pull them back to me, Allie soothed me and yet still continued to pull my power to her.

“It’s nearly time.” Allie murmured. “Can you feel how desperate it’s becoming? Don’t let it worry you.”

“You know I’ve done this before, right? Stop talking to me like a child. It hurts my ego and my feelings. I’m only letting you do this crazy stuff so I can protect you.” I sent her a bit of a nudge with my mind as I spoke hoping to show that even though my words were said in jest I was still strong enough to hold my own. I wouldn’t let her think I was helpless in this fight. I started to magnify my powers with hers until Allie was a single beam of intense white light. Really, she was like this big neon sign radiating heat. It was kind of cool yet freaky at the same time.

“I’m not freaky, you idiot. Watch and learn boy, watch and learn.”

Allie finally let all that power go and it was like a sonic boom. The ground shook, glass exploded and The Darkness shrieked and fled. Allie turned in a slow circle making sure her light pierced any remaining Darkness. I had to turn with her, mind you, because after that show of power I wasn’t letting go of her for anything. I placed too much value in myself to risk it. I wasn’t scared…...just cautious. Really.

As soon as she stopped glowing Allie raced in to the café to find Manny. All that was there was a note pinned to the wall.

“We have your precious Manny. If you want her, come get her.”

The seal at the bottom was hideous. It was a mix of blood and saliva with ash mixed in it. The Darkness did like its vileness.

An ear-piercing shriek filled the air as Allie finished reading the note. She hadn’t finished freeing herself from my mind so I copped it both audibly and mentally. The anguish in her was unbearable. I wrapped my arms around her as she began to weep and shake.

“I need to get her back, Masen. She’s too young to survive for long. Please help me. Please!”

“You know I’ll do anything for you, Allie. We need to get back to the compound and get some help from Fadden and Jenny.” I tried to lead her away from the café and back to towards home but she wouldn’t move.

“No. We need to go now. There’s no time to waste. If you want to go talk about it then you go but I’m not. Manny needs me and she needs me now. So, you run back to safety and have your little chat with Fadden. I’ll see you when I get back.” With that Allie marched away from me heading for the edge of town. There was only one thing I could do right now and I stepped out on to the street and made sure I was alone except for a rapidly disappearing Allie. I threw my head back and yelled,

“FADDEN! I need you here now.”