Life After Chapter Six

Leo

"Why?" Leo asked, his own form starting to darken.

"Why what?" I asked, nerves completely on alert.

"Why did you agree?" He shouted.

Faint lights shown through the windows. We'd managed to wake up the houses next to us.

"Answer me!" he demanded, his eyes turning completely black.

"I'd...I'd always felt something about Nathan." I tried thinking of the right words. "I mean, I've always admired him. He was kind and easy to relate to. I kinda thought that he was wasted on our school. But...things have changed."

I felt the heat rising with Nathan behind me. I'd apparently said something that had made him slightly more emotional.

The darkness started spreading, fear sending a shiver through me.

"Since we left New York, My feelings changed. I don't know what caused it...but I can't just ignore the feelings..." I began to feel panic rising in my chest.

Leo snapped. His shadow launched at Nathan, pinning him against the wall. I could hear Nathan having trouble breathing. I ran at the shadow, trying to pull it off of Nathan, but my fingers went right through the dark being.

"Leo! Stop it!" I screamed.

The shadow now covered most of his body. Nathan was trying to fight off the shadow, kicking and clawing.

"Dammit, Leo. Cut it out!"

I moved to stand in front of him, and I slapped him. The shadow stopped and receded back within himself. His half solid shadow lost its form, releasing Nathan. Nathan had a look of shock and confusion, looking back and forth between Nathan and myself.

"What...did I..." he stammered, then fainted.

I caught him mid-fall, and looked at Nathan. His hands were shaking at his side, whether from anger or anxiety, I couldn't say. I laid Leo on the ground, then quickly moved back to Nathan.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

He didn't answer, just cupped my cheeks and kissed me. Maybe as a way of reassuring himself. I kissed him back, grateful that he wasn't too badly hurt

"We should get him back to his room" he stated, seeming to have calmed down.

"What are with going to do about him?" I thought aloud.

"We'll have to hope tonight's explosion was the worst of it."

I looked down, doubting it would end so simply.

The doorbell rang downstairs, repeated dings making me realize it had been ringing for some time now.

"You get the door, I'll take care of him" Nathan smiled.

"Yeah" I nodded and started down the stairs. Erin stood outside the door, wearing Winnie-the-pooh pj's and a mask of boy concern and annoyance.

"What's going on?" She demanded.

"There was a fight. But, it's under control now" I told her.

"Leo, right?"

"H-how did you-"

"It's a trait that all recorded shadow elements have. May I come in?"

I nodded, stepping aside for her.

She moved into the living room, noticing the burned and freeze marked couch.

"So... anger is normal for people like Leo?" I asked.

She turned to me and said "More like saying all of their emotions go to a deeper, darker place than others. It's the pain reason that shadow users are so rare. More often than not, they end up being put down."

My ice clawed to get out; the thought of Leo being put down filling me with my own anger.

"There's got to be a way to handle those emotions. What are we supposed to do?"

"There is. Whatever was done to bring out his anger, it has to stop."

"What?!" I paled.

"Something that triggered this response, maybe a rejection, or something" She gave me a knowing look "It can't happen again."

My fists clenched at my sides, my nails digging into the palms of my hands.

"T-there has to be another way" I pleaded.

She shook her head "There is no other way."

"So, what? I'm not allowed to date anymore?" I snapped.

"I..." she paused, trying to find the right words.

"She's saying you either have to go out with Leo or prepare for him to be killed." Nathan stepped down the stairs.

"I-I can't" I stammered. "I admit that I still have feelings for him. But how I feel about you is different from him."

"Kim. There aren't any other options" Erin stated stiffly.

"No! No! There has to be another way. What if we tried distancing me and Leo. Put him with another girl who...who can return his feelings" I suggested, panic rising in my voice.

"That won't work. Shadow elementals don't change like normal people. They attach themselves to only one person."

"Ice people are supposed to be cold and uncaring, but you don't see me acting like that" I argued.

"That's a stereotype. Not proven like the shadows." Erin pointed out.

My shoulders fell, my legs barely holding me up.

I looked between Nathan and Erin, and asked "Am I expected to give up my own chance at happiness?"

"If I can assume correctly, you would have been willing to find happiness with Leo, back before the other shadow wielder rose up. There's no saying you can't find happiness with him now."

I looked to Nathan, pleading for him to say something to argue. He wouldn't meet my eyes, red magma at the corner, threatening to fall.

"Please..." I begged "don't make me do this."

"The choice is yours" Erin said, with a warning tone.

I had grown so happy being with Nathan, even before he'd confessed earlier. He had seen through my act and was right there to support me. He made my heart race, my mind fuzzy with strange emotions. And I was just told that I had no choice but to give that up. If I didn't choose Leo, It was extremely likely that he would turn into a being just like Mother. Erin had basically said that I didn't have a choice, knowing I would never agree to killing Leo.

Then, it hit me. There was a third option. It would probably hurt just as much, but it would mean that everyone would be safe. I had wanted to stay with Nathan, to hold onto the fire that he was lighting inside of me with every touch. But I couldn't let Leo die.

"I need some air, to clear my head, and a moment to think" I said, rushing past Erin and Nathan, going outside.

A night gown wasn't exactly outside wear, even though there didn't seem to be any snow in this town. It was still on the end of winter, but I wasn't even fazed by the cold around me. The cold in my heart was worse than any winter weather. I would have preferred proper clothes, but then I'd be much too obvious. I took out a breath, letting out my wings.

"Kim?" Amber stood in front of her own home, across the dirt path.

I smiled at her, stretching my wings as calmly as possible, then started moving them to lift me up.

"Kim?!" I heard Nathan running out of the house.

I couldn't stop. Couldn't look back at him. I knew I wouldn't be able to do this if I'd seen him. Instead, I lifted higher and faster, going in any direction I felt like. I wasn't a human compass like Kyle, and I didn't even know where I could go. I just needed to get away.

At the top of a peak in the mountain, I finally looked back. Lighted windows shone all over the small town.

Ice fell from my cheeks, knowing that I could no longer be with the family I'd made. Things would never go back, knowing how Nathan made me feel, knowing how extreme Leo would be if I didn't respond positively with him.

I couldn't look any longer, turning away and flying off into the darkness.

I didn't know where I was going, or what would even happen, but I didn't stop flying until the sun started to rise, sure that I'd made enough distance to be safe for a while. I flew over what seemed to be an abandoned city, landing in the stained streets.

There wasn't much in the city, if you could even really call it that. A couple larger brand stores, several small novelty stores, and a 3 or 4 dozen houses and apartment buildings. It had probably once been a tourist town, but now all that remained were body parts and blood. I was bare foot, so I went straight into one of the larger stores. Walmart held clothes and shoes, which I took easily, but most of the food had gone bad and had already started turning to smelly sludge. Thankfully the canned food was preserved, so I just at a bunch of that. I considered bringing some food with me, but that probably would just weigh me down. And I needed to keep moving. The farther away I got, the safer everyone would be.

I found a small generator in the back room, though it hadn't been turned on in a while. I still had to try. Lights flashed on its side as it rumbled to life. Lighting only about half of the store. I was tired, both physically and mentally, and I knew that I needed sleep, but I was too on edge. So, instead, I wandered around the store, picking up a few small items to keep me entertained until my wings were strong enough to fly again. Even with all my years of training, flying for 7+ hours would tire anyone out.

I snacked on canned food while flipping through a book. It wasn't the best option, with my inability to focus, but I didn't really know what else to do. There wasn't enough power to charge any electronics, and there was no internet or phone towers. Finally I gave up on reading, pulling my legs up against my chest, sobbing loudly. I couldn't hold back anymore. The emotions overwhelming me.

The jeans I had snagged were freezing against me, as was the white t-shirt. It made me thankful that I wasn't a water elemental. Though, if I had been, maybe things would have gone different.

As I had partially expected, I regretted leaving. A big part of me was wishing Nathan would show up and drag me back. But, I knew that if I went back, I would be forced to decide between Leo's life or his death. This way, maybe I could prove Erin wrong, and Leo would move on. When that day came, maybe I could go back. Until then, I was on my own.

I considered at least grabbing an iPod, thinking that maybe music would help, but it was best to assume that it wouldn't survive the cold winds of the sky. Neither would any other electrical devices. It just wasn't worth the effort. I grabbed a jacket, mostly for comfort and not really for the cold. I grabbed another can of fruit as I walked back out into the street. I looked around, the silence haunting me as I avoided stepping on what remained of any of the people. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. Everyone was safe in the Appalachian town, and I hoped they could all stay that way. Besides, this way I wouldn't have to play leader or mother anymore. I was now completely free.

Movements in the shadows, and my own trembling hands had me on edge, my mind playing tricks on me as I walked. It was unnerving. Probably because it had been months since I'd been on my own. Everyone had either moved in or visited regularly, meaning that there was always someone around.

I pulled my wings back out, the ice cutting through the fabric of the shirt and jacket, and I started lifting. It didn't take long before I was above the buildings, getting away from my paranoia and delusions. I flew in the direction of the sun rise, looking down so I didn't blind myself. In direct light, my ice hands glistened, turning almost transparent among the clouds.

I shivered, the memory of Nathan's hand in mine, already drifting farther and farther away. I simply let the memory go, knowing it would never happen again.

I shook my head, brushing the thought away.

I heard what sounded like a large bang from the ground, and another. I was over the housed part of the city, where I saw people. Another bang rang out and pain shot through me as my right wing shattered. My left wing flapped wildly as I fell, screaming. The ground grew closer and I fought for control, growing my right wing back in just in time. The wind picked me up just inches from the ground, pushing me forward and I crashed into a large red van. Both of my wings fell apart and I hit my knees, the van keeping my top half up.

"I got this one" a male voice laughed behind me.

"No way!" another male argued. "It was my shot."

The world spun around me and I felt a hand grab my hair, pulling me off of the van.

"Will you 2 shut up" a female voice demanded. "We have to get her caged."

I panicked, hearing the words and feeling the ground moving beneath me. I struggled and the hand tightened around my hair.

"S-stop!" I yelled "What are you doing? Let me go!"

I clawed at the hand, feeling thick gloves blacking whoever it was from feeling the cold. A kick hit my side and I saw the source of the female voice. She was a petite woman, with muddy brown hair, and her hazel eyes stared at me in disgust. Her left arm was gone and 4 lines marred her right arm. Scars from claws.

I could see one of the guys standing near her, with his back to me. He was tall and lanky, with light brown hair that could use a good cutting.

I couldn't see the third man, but, judging from the size of his hand, he had to be rather large.

The man that was dragging me stopped and I heard a car door open, followed by by grinding metal, and the sound of a rusty gate opening;. In my short moment of freedom, I saw a white van that was a total cliché of kidnappers.

The hand tangled in my hair again, dragging me up a metal ramp, into the van. I was thrown back, hitting what I assumed was a steel grate. My head hurt, dizziness paralyzing me. The gloved hand grabbed my right hand and wrapped something cold around it, lifting me up to my feet. He did the same with my left. I was stuck hanging from to large chains, with steel cuffs holding me in place. He then closed a gate, locking me inside a tight fighting cage.

I could see them all now. The third guy was a beefy ginger. All muscles, with bright red hair, green eyes, pale skin and freckles. They were all dressed similarly, Dark blue shirts, and matching pants. Kind of what you would see a pest or animal control employee wearing. The woman wore hers with short sleeves, while the guys had long sleeves. Her heeled boots made her seem almost more dangerous than either of the guys. All three had thick red gloves, clearly made for hunting what I could only guess were for Genoms.

I grabbed the chains and pulled, digging my shoes into the hard metal flooring, ignoring the pain that shot through me with every moved I made.

The woman laughed, cold and hard "Don't bother. That chain can hold up to any freaky things you monsters can do."

I glared as the large man backed out and closed the van doors. I screamed in anger and fear, pulling and fighting against the chains. Scratch marks covered the walls and floor, and there were stains of multiple colors, that I guessed were from previous injured captives. I felt the vibrations of doors opening and closing, but didn't hear anything, telling me that the walls were most likely sound proofed.

The ice spread around my feet and I tried kicking the floor to maybe make a hole, but only got more pain. I screamed again, holding back the ice that stung my eyes.

The sound of grinding gears drew my attention to the ceiling, where a palm sized vent was releasing a white gas. I took in a sharp breath, holding the air in my lungs until the pain forced a release. Whatever toxins they were releasing, I didn't know, but my longs couldn't hold enough air to protect me from the sweet floral gas.

My vision started to blur and I pulled on the chains, panicking. I didn't know if I was dying, but my mind began thinking that maybe it would be best if I died. My friends would mourn at first, but, at least I wasn't risking anyone else's life. A sense of peace came over me as my consciousness faded.