Double Trouble

Thane and I quickly head for Oasis as I silently hope and pray nothing bad has happened. When I can finally see the back of the last truck, I push myself to go faster. Something's wrong... something's really wrong.

Thane picks up on my unease and quickly picks up the pace. As we reach the last truck, we hear screaming and gunfire. I use my wind power to pick myself up and over the truck. What I see in front of the first truck has my heart sinking.

The Ghoul's large mouth opens and starts devouring the truck as Valen and a few others onboard unload their guns on it. I grit my teeth and quickly look to Thane. We share a knowing look before both of us lock onto the Ghoul.

We know that coming in contact would probably suck us back to the other world but we have no other choice. I will go back a thousand times before I allow my family to go to that hellhole. As Thane and I fall towards them, I yell out "I'm sorry!" as I send a strong gust of wind at Thane.

He yells out and flies back with a roar of rage. I can't let him go back... he barely made it out the last time! I didn't think my words to my brother earlier would have been so on point but as I fall, I ignite myself in flames.

I feed the flames with as much oxygen as possible, turning the flames a vibrant blue. Valen does a double-take and nearly drops his gun as his mouth falls open. My Mom screams out in horror, smacking my father with her hands. I'm not sure if she's screaming at me or the large Ghoul... maybe both.

I build my speed up at the last moment and crash straight into the Ghoul. A part of me fully expected to be swallowed whole but something happens that surprises everyone, including myself. The Ghoul screeches out in pain, releasing the truck and thrashing.

These things are never fazed by weapons or powers but this thing is now thrashing in pain. The fire around me threatens to take my breath away as I attack the Ghoul again. A large, blue lightning bolt tears through the sky and hits the Ghoul.

The Ghoul nearly splits in half as black blood flies out and hits me. The people behind me scream out in pain as small drop lips of blood touches them. I look back in surprise before looking down at myself. It hurts them?? Thane lands on top of the Ghoul and rips it in half, covering himself in the black blood. I've touched the black blood before though and it didn't hurt then either...

He throws the pieces away before turning on me with rage burning in his solid black eyes. Shit... I lift my hands up and say "I couldn't let you go back!" He growls at me and stalks towards me with rage as he says "You don't get to decide that!"

He backs me up until I hit a tree. He glares down at me, his chest rising and falling with his anger and swirling emotions. I swallow hard, guilt eating away at me before straightening my shoulders and meeting his glare. I lift my chin in defiance as I say "I'd do it again if it means you'd never go back there."

He bares his teeth at me, angry with me and my words but as he leans in even further, we hear everyone break out in cheers. I blink in surprise as Thane continues to stare at me. I lean around Thane to see them cheering us both on.

From their angle, it looks like Thane is kissing me... I glance back up to Thane before quickly standing up on my tiptoes and giving him a light peck. I lean back and give him a small smile as I say "I just don't want to lose you."

His face twist in anger, sadness, and conflict before he grabs the back of my head and pulls me to him. His lips crash into mine with aggression, showing me his anger and displeasure but it soon turns soft and delicate. As he breaks the kiss, he painfully bites my lower lip.

I suck in and pull back as he leans back and says "We'll finish this later." I lift a hand up to my lower lip and lightly touch it before glaring at him. That hurt! He turns around and walks over to the trucks as I struggle to collect myself.

Valen glares at Thane as he runs past him and stops before me. He goes to reach out to me but I quickly pull back and say "Don't! The black blood will burn you." Valen looks at me from head to toe with confusion and fear before slowly lifting a hand and pointing at his lips and saying "You have a little of the black blood... on your lips."

I lift my hand back to my lower lip and feel the familiar pain from Thane's bite. I quickly lower my hand to wipe it off on the back of my pants before quickly touching my lip again. I lower my fingers and look at it with shock. It's black... My blood is black...

As if realizing the same thing at the same time, Valen sucks in and looks at me with wide, shock filled eyes. He lifts both hands to his mouth before quickly moving them to the back of his head. He opens his mouth to say something before snapping it shut and turning around.

His eyes dart around in panic as I continue to stare down at my hand in disbelief. Was it just my blood that was black? I think back to Thane and the gunshot he took to the leg but no matter how hard I try to think about it... I can't remember.

There was so much happening at that time and there was so much water. Thane was covered in the blood of others as well so... Valen quickly turns back around and says "Don't tell anyone, got it!?" I blink in surprise before struggling to pull myself together.

I use my power to heal my lips with ease, causing Valen to say "Ooooh no no no... You've got to be kidding me!" He quickly looks around again before looking back to me and biting out "All of it! Just hide all of it!! Don't let anyone else know about this... ANY OF THIS!" He hisses out in a hushed voice while waving his hand around in front of me.

I lift a shaky hand and wave him off as I say "This is only the start of it. Don't worry, I won't let others know." Valen's eyes grow even larger as he does a doubletake and blinks several times before saying "Excuse me? Only the start of it!?? What else is there Valerie!??"

I shake my head and look over my brother's shoulder to see my parents approaching. I smile at them and step back further as I say "Careful. I need to go clean off real quick. See if you can save the first truck. I'll be back in a bit."

Valen gives me a knowing look as my parents nod their heads in worry. It's like they want to ask but they somehow know not to.