chapter five

I woke up in a panic, looking at my gut. The wound was gone, barely a scab, yet I felt like I did 200 sit ups. I noticed I was shirtless and laying in water too. 

"Hey man, drink this," Andrew told me.

It was the same glowing water as before when he healed Alex, and I did. It was cool, refreshing, and it filled my body with a well-rested feeling as if the past few days never happened or had any effect on me at all. I sat up.

"What happened?" I asked.

"They took my brothers." The tone in his voice was terrifyingly angry. And that smile that seemed almost permanent was gone. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," I sat up.

"That dream you had, what was it?"

"I was you, wearing a black coat, at night. Running, looking for Jack. There was some kind of danger, you had no clue what you were charging into and regardless of the consequences you pushed past your limit just to fight for your friend."

"That was a long time ago," he said grimly, "back before I knew so much about demons, before I knew so many secrets about this world. In fact, that was my first real attempt at fighting the paranormal, a first mission."

"So, even from the beginning you didn't give up easily."

"I've had my struggles, but when it comes to my friends, I don't back down. Speaking of, I'm sure you won't need me. You're in charge. Tell the others to meet up in Auburn, I have something I need to do." 

"Are you sure you can handle this on your own?"

"I always hold back on my enemy. But friends and family is when they cross a line. Especially my brothers."

"I understand, I'd do the same for mine. Go, I can handle it."

He handed me a walkie talkie, then proceeded to jump through the trees like he had a pair of rocket boots, to find them and get Alex and Nick back. It started raining, too. But the weird part is there wasn't a cloud in the sky. 

(Alex's perspective) 

So, we were kidnapped thanks to the enemy occupying Andrew with healing one of our own. But if we know our friend, he's coming and he's not slowing down. The five that kidnapped us stopped and we met up with, like, 7 more of them deeper into the woods. 

"So," the leader said, some guy in a red hoodie. "We are the red hoods, elementals and force users. And you two are?"

"Not important," Nick said, "our brother isis gonna kill all of you."

"You mean that kid in the flashy coat? He was nothing, only a well trained swordsman. We know he can't do much."

"You're wrong," I said, "but in the meantime I'm Alex, this is Nick."

"What are y'all doing?"

"Well since the apocalypse started when we were in Florida, we've been trying to get back to our hometown, get supplies, and go back to our new camp."

"Ok. And the location?"

"Six flags."

"Why are you saying all this?"

"Because it won't matter soon. Soon you'll all be dead, captured, or on our side. I'd suggest that last one, because right now we aren't planning on taking any prisoners but that's if he's not mad enough to kill everyone the second he's here."

"So cocky," he pulled an arrow out of my quiver, "so you're his number one archer and marksman. And you're only a couple of kids, how sad."

Just then, I felt the rain, and with it, his presence.

It felt as if he were next to me already. I looked up. No clouds. Just how in the hell, I asked myself. "So, what's your name? Not that its important as you'll be dead soon, just interested in knowing."

"I'm the Fire King you, you rat." He said, slapping me across the face. 

"Get your hands off my brother!" I heard Andrew yell as lightning came crashing down in a circle around the whole area, yet no thunder.

"Holy shit, he's pissed. Well, you just sealed your fate."

"Very nice of you to join us," the Fire King said, "Andrew is it?"

He didn't waste time talking. In fact, as the leader finished that word I saw what can only be described as an orange blur fly between me and Nick as the thunder finally hit. I also saw what looked like an orange lightning blast strike next to the King.

Andrew was suddenly standing behind the King (who seemed unaffected by the lightning, facing the other way and standing as if he'd just cut something with his sword. Weirdly enough he was completely dry, yet we were almost soaked from the rain. A red line appeared around the King's neck, and his head fell clean off. The second it hit the ground thunder rumbled. The others looked at him, ready to fight but too surprised on how he moved so fast. To be honest, I was too.

"These are my brothers," he said, drawing his other blade, "they are the edge on my blades and the beat of my heart. So, if you wish for even the smallest chance of living, run." The second thunder strike sounded.