Elimination

After everyone is ready, we load up in the truck and head off to the next base. We need to move as fast as possible if we want to destroy them all before Thane's father finds out and puts a stop to it. Well, try to put a stop to it.

I lean back and enjoy the cool breeze as the bright sun above warms my skin. Fall was on the way... CheeChee Rides on the top of the truck with his tongue practically hanging out. Titus and Cruze are down in the truck cab as the rest of us ride in the back.

The truck speeds down the dirt roads at speeds that even I have a hard time fully relaxing at. We needed to hurry, yes but... we also need to get there all in one piece! Thane and I both look up at the same moment to see a large bird fly over us.

It's large wings slowly flap as it glides through the air with little effort. It looked so free... Suddenly, the truck jerks to the left and all of us are airborne! CheeChee screams as he flies with his hands and legs flailing all around. Thane and I quickly lock eyes before each of us reach for Troy and Conner.

Thane pulls Troy to him in a protective manner as I try to do the same for Conner. Glass shatters as metal whines against the impact! I quickly use my wind magic to grab everyone but I can't get everyone. I try to lessen the blow but it happens too quickly.

We hit hard, rolling and tumbling through the metal and glass with gritted teeth. Conner's weight makes it so much worse but I refuse to let him go. I want to take the brunt of the hit so I can just heal myself but it doesn't go as planned.

Conner was fighting me! He was trying to protect me like an idiot! We roll straight into the bottom of the truck. When my back hits the hot underside of the truck, I cry out. Damn! That's hot! Conner tries to lean up but his arm hung from his shoulder like it was dislocated.

Blood flows down the side of his head as he tries to stand and fails. I try to push myself up as well but my elbow wasn't working. A quick glance showed me that it was sticking out so I switch arms and strain to stand up.

My head spins as I look around for the others but when I see the truck catch fire, I quickly run over to the front. The truck was on its side with glass and blood everywhere. I climb up and reach in to help Cruz out first since he's the closest. Cruz stumbles from the truck and falls to the ground as I reach in and yell "Give me your arm, Old man!"

Titus's eyes struggle to stay open as I reach in and yell "Keep your eyes on me and take my hand!" He struggles to reach out but as soon as our hands connect, I pour my power into him. The awareness in his eyes come back to life as the fire threatens to burn us both.

Conner grabs my waist with his good hand and yells "It's too late! Get back or you'll both die!" Using my messed up arm, I grit my teeth as I try to control the raging fire. Why was it so strong!? I Grit my teeth and start pulling Titus out with a strained yell.

Titus struggles to climb out of the truck but as soon as his top half is out, I release his hand and slam it down on the truck. Powerful ice flows out, threatening to cover the entire truck but the fire fights back like it has a mind of its own!

Conner helps pulls Titus out as all of us fall back and take several steps away from the truck. My heart races as I start looking around for Thane and Troy. I look to Cruz, Conner, and Titus before saying "Stay here. I need to find the others."

Before anyone can say anything, I turn and run off. I use my nose to find Troy and Thane but when I do, my heart skips a beat. Thane was currently trying to hold his hands against Troy's bleeding chest but it wasn't enough to stop the bleeding.

He had been impaled by a tree branch, right in the middle of his chest! I run over and slide to a stop with shaky hands. I slip my hands over Thane's as I say "Let me help him. Thane nods and quickly steps back as I focus on Troy. I quickly break the branch and pull him down, instantly causing him to shudder at the pain.

His gasps of air were short and sounded wet, it didn't sound good at all. His eyes meet mine with pain and sorrow but he still tries to smile at me. Blood pours out of his mouth as I whisper "You aren't going to die. I won't let you.."

I pour my magic into him and nearly fall to my knees from the pain that hits me in the chest. I look into his eyes to see the shock and surprise but I manage to give him a shaky, reassuring smile. I struggle to breathe as the pain in my chest grows.

I continue to pour my magic into him as my head starts to spin but I refuse to stop. I can feel the blood slowing and I can feel the wound starting to heal. My legs become so weak, I fall to the ground, practically sitting on him but I don't stop.

I glance back to Troy's eyes, giving him another weak smile. He returns it with a bloody smile of his own but suddenly, the smile freezes. A new kind of pain hits me in the chest, taking my breath away. Time seems to slow down as Troy looks up at me in horror.

His eyes slide over to behind me with rage burning deep within them. I slowly look down to see long, black nails sticking out of my chest. When the long nails are ripped from me, I fall back, grasping at my chest and the black blood that came flowing out.

I look back to Troy in confusion and worry, hoping that my blood had not gotten on him but there was just too much blood to tell. Troy struggles to lift his head as I slowly turn around in confusion.

Long black hair, solid black eyes, and long black nails... When I look up at his face, I freeze. I gasp out "Why? How..." Cruz cocks his head to the side as he says "I'm sure you know the why and as for the how? I wonder. How did you and him not notice at all?"

My eyes flash past him to see Thane laying on the ground, unmoving. Tears start welling up in my eyes as I struggle to stand. Cruz cocks a dark eyebrow at me as I hold my chest and stumble past him. When I reach Thane, I cry out. His heart had been ripped out from behind!

I collapse next to him and lean over him as I raise my shaking hands up to his chest where his heart should be. Cruz tsks at me as he says "Are you looking for this?" I slowly look over with tears running down my face as I beg "Please... Please give it to me."

Blood continues to pour from my chest as Cruz slowly lifts the heart up and says "You want this?" I struggle not to cry as I nod my head and hold my shaky hand out. He gives me a dark smile as he lifts the heart and takes a bite of it!!

I scream in rage, sending my power out at him in a deadly blast! It hits him head-on but when the dust clears, he lifts up a bloody finger and wipes at a small cut on his cheek as he says "That wasn't nice Valerie. It's time to go."

I bare my teeth at him and growl as I say "Screw you! You sick freak!!" I lift my own hand up, my claws growing as I try to take my own heart out but Cruz is there within a second. He grabs my wrist and snaps it.

I scream out in pain and rage before trying to blast him again but he dodges it and stabs me in the heart with his own claws! I gasp as I feel my lungs filling with my own blood. He reaches out and grabs the back of my neck as I fall back.

I can feel his claws in my heart... and every time it beats, it feels as if it's being shredded. I look up to him, my eyes filled with my hatred and rage as he watches me with an eerie calm and says "Don't worry, Valerie. I'll take care of you no matter what. You'll forget all of this in time. Trust me, I know."