31 The Backlash

Waze gritted her teeth as her vision danced with black spots. She was worn out, and there was pain flaring from her hand and foot. Mostly her foot. Waze felt herself being hauled up and heard Cassidy banging on the door.

"Hello?! Please open the door!" Cassidy's voice was desperate and rugged. Waze could tell she was at least as worn out as Waze was. Those guys were no joke, they had had decent abilities. Not only was the fight difficult, but sprinting the entire time home would take a toll on anyone. If the two didn't have such incredible stamina, they would've collapsed before they made it home.

Waze heard the door creak open before Josh cursed loudly and called for Waze's mom.

"Oh my god, Waze, honey what happened?" Waze's mom Carol rushed over to help Waze up from Cassidy's shoulder.

"And you might be...?" Carol looked at Cassidy with concern and confusion. Josh looked downright suspicious.

"I'm Cassidy, Waze and I walk home together. We were attacked at the convenience store, we ran all the way home.

"Attacked...?" Carol looked confused, but helped a limping Waze inside and ushered Cassidy to follow. Waze strangled out some words.

"It was those Ebony people, I'm pretty sure. They were a bitch to deal with, we're lucky we made it out." Carol dumped Waze on the couch and told Josh to grab the first aid kit upon seeing Waze's bloody hand. Cassidy was frowning at the ground, on the verge of tears. She wasn't hurt, mostly just worn out.

"That organization we saw on the news?! But I heard they're really powerful... How did you two even make it out?!"

"Story for another time. For now, I'm pretty sure my foots broken. I think I need to go to the hospital." Before Carol could say anything, Cassidy rushed forward.

"Norris knows a healer! I broke my toe during training once and she took me to them. The healer's really good. She'll fix you up in no time.

"Do you think Norris is even still around?"

"I'm sure she is, I mean she ought to have some idea of what happened. She's probably waiting for us right now." Waze nodded, Cassidy was right. Carol talked as she wrapped Waze's hand.

"This Norris is the one doing your meditation training, right? How would she know about this?"

"She's a clairvoyant, mom. And I really think we should get going to see her, she's the best person to ask what to do about this."

"You've been training with a clairvoyant?! What the hell, why haven't we heard anything about this, Waze?" Of course Josh would fins a war to turn the situation against Waze.

"Honey, calm down. Not now. If this Norris person can really help you then we'll leave right now. I don't know much about healers but I'll have to trust you. You seem to be in a lot of pain." Carol rushed to the kitchen and gathered her purse and keys.

"Josh, honey, help Waze into the car. Cassidy, why don't you come too? We'll need your help finding the place, Waze is in no condition to do much." Waze merely let out a strangled groan in response. Cassidy nodded and helped Josh carry Waze into the car. In matter of minutes, they were on the road.

Cassidy directed Josh to Norris's shop while Carol helped soothe Waze in the back seat of the car. Waze felt herself starting to lose consciousness as her mom stroked her hair. She couldn't, though. Not yet. The pain in her foot was incredible, who knew a broken bone would hurt this much. Not only that, she had taken hits all over her body. Everything ached.

They pulled into the lot and Josh picked Waze up out of the back of the van, he was the best candidate to carry Waze in.

"A tea shop...?" Carol tilted her head in confusion as they walked up. The door was locked, so Cassidy merely pounded on it and yelled for Norris.

"Why the hell are we at a tea shop? And it doesn't even seem like anyones here. Screw this, let's just go to a hospital." Josh opened his mouth to say more, but at that moment Norris threw open the door and walked out.

"Follow me." Norris didn't even say anything more as she walked toward the passenger seat of Carol's van.

"Just listen to her, mom. Please." Carol nodded and unlocked the car, instructing Josh to drive to wherever Norris was directing them. Waze sat in the middle seat with Cassidy on one side and Carol on the other, both of them comforting her. Cassidy wasn't in good condition herself, though.

They drove for a while, Norris occasionally giving directions until they came to a large, intimidating looking house.

"It's pretty late, shouldn't we just go to a hospital instead of bothering this person? Healers are expensive anyway." Josh frowned as he helped Waze out of the car once more.

"She owes me some favors. A lot of favors. Come now." Norris gestured for them to follow and they trudged up the path to the dark house. Norris banged on the door then stepped back and waited.

"Who the hell-" a tired looking, rugged woman stepped out. She was wearing pajama pants and an oversized t-shirt and looked worse for wear.

"Oh shit, Norris... what do you need at this time of night? And Cassidy too! It's been a while kid." Cassidy gave the woman a strained, unenthusiastic wave.

"Amelia, this is one of my students. She's injured." Amelia, who Waze suspect was the healer, ushered them inside. She turned on the lights to reveal a sloppy household. Tossing blankets and chip bags off the couch, she spoke to Josh.

"Put her on the couch. I'll get started right away."

"Thank you so much for helping my daughter. I'm so sorry for the trouble." Carol stood nervously around as Amelia scanned Waze's body.

"I'm not doing this cause I want to. Only cause it's one of Norris's students." Amelia nodded and rubbed her hands together before giving a chilling smile.

"Alrighty, let's do this."