Chapter 34: The past 4

Emily never understood how it felt to be heartbroken, she only hears Courtney talk about it but never fully understood it. At least not until yesterday.

To say she was heartbroken was an understatement. She felt like her soul had been crushed. It wasn't only because of the betrayal, it was because of her being so dumb, being so stupid to believe that Chris could like her. 

'What would he even see in her?' She wondered. As usual Courtney was there for her friend. She lent her shoulder for her to weep on and comforted her. 

Her first experience in a relationship turned into a nightmare. She couldn't let that happen again. She wasn't going to let any guy play her for a fool again.

'I'm never falling in love again'

Now, over a year later, she found herself nursing the same feelings she promised not to feel. Although she wasn't too sure about them yet.

She didn't want another heartbreak. She might have gone out on a date with Jake, but that doesn't mean she was ready. Jake was just a friend and it was just a friendly outing. 

She was still trying to stick to her rule. But the ice surrounding her heart had started to thaw. And maybe she might just be ready. But she wasn't going to let her guard down. But with the way things were with the both of them, she doubts if anything could ever happen between them.

Present day;

"Thanks for coming with me, Emily. I'm going to need a lot of help with this."

"No problem Karla. I do need the distraction." We were in her small car, heading to the mall. I stared at the bogus list.

"A chandelier? As far as I know, you already have many."

"Don't ask me, ask Kevin. He has an obsession for a certain type of chandelier. And of course we can't use the previous ones."

"The guy ought to be a girl." Karla's eyes widened as she tried to stifle a laugh, but she failed.

"Oh my God Emily! Kevin mustn't hear this." I laughed along with her.

"But it's true. I mean, even we girls don't obsess about things like this. It's pure craziness."

"You said it yourself. We're here." She parked carefully between two cars and we alighted from the car.

She took a deep breath. "My favourite part of throwing a party, shopping."

"For clothes, or for party supplies?"

"Of course for clothes. Shopping for gifts and party stuff is stressful. But we have no choice." She said with pursed lips. We strolled into the mall. I knew I was in for a long shopping day.

****

A woman in a long coat walked through the busy streets of the city. Her brown flowing hair made her look almost ethereal. Her charming facial features made men pause to take a glance at her. Although she was trying to conceal herself, it was proving to be difficult. 

She scanned the streets, looking for a place to take cover. She's come a long way, following a bunch of clues to get what she wanted. Actually, who she wanted.

She wasn't too sure yet, but she knew she was getting close. And apparently the person was in this city. 

She got to a quiet street, a place she considered to be an estate. She strolled the streets, looking left and right to look for a particular house.

"My visions never fails me. The house must be somewhere around here." After walking half a mile, she stopped at a cream coloured house. But apparently, no one was around.

"This is the house."

Now that she knows where the person lives, it makes her research easier. 

If her intuition was right, then she needs to keep an eye on this person 

She walked further, trying to sketch an imaginary map. She then felt a shiver run down her spine. Her reflexes sprang into action. She hissed in annoyance. She looked around and realised that everyone that was around her stood motionlessly. 

"You followed me here?" The brown haired woman questioned. In front of her was a woman with medium red hair. Her brown striking eyes held an evil glare.

"It wasn't that difficult. I do know you."

"I can't believe you're doing this? How could you stoop so low? Betraying your own kind? Disgusting!"

"You won't understand. You haven't seen what I've seen. You can't win. And I'm not going to be at the losing party."

"So you'd rather sell your soul, stab your coven in the back, your family?"

"Me and 'my family' will not be alive when this is over. Lucifer is preparing his return and is thirsty for blood. He won't stop until he wins."

"And you're helping him to. If all of you lower witches detest from rendering him any help, he will only have his dumb demons to control. We'll still have an advantage."

"Oh save the prep talk. Sooner or later, you'll understand what I mean. You'll see the great power we've acquired."

"What power are you talking about?" The woman asked, confused.

"Power that was lost during the last great war. A power that we can now lay our hands on."

The woman laughed. "There's no power like that. Like you said, that power vanished when the war ended."

"You can't fool me Catalina. I know that's why you're here. You've somehow connected the dots. You've always been smart, but it won't help this time."

"Is that power you piling up dead bodies around this city? What have you become, some sort of scientist running random experiments? You're pathetic." Said Catalina.

"You fourth grade witches are so gullible. You believe whatever the demons tell you. Even if that 'power' exists, none of you will know how to make use of it."

"And that's where you're wrong. That power is not an item, but a person. And people can be controlled." Catalina's eyes widened in shock.

They did know. They knew what she also just figured out.

"Well you're completely clueless. Piling bodies around the city? What for?"

"That is for another side 'experiment." There was an evil smirk on her face.

Stay out of my way. I can't kill you because of ethics, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

"I won't waste your time. It was nice to see you, first grade witch" She cackled and then disappeared. Time went back to normal and everyone was able to move, not knowing about the encounter between two creatures of the same kind.

"If I'm right, then I'll have to keep an eye on whoever this person is. But without letting our enemies know." But she knew that it was going to be nearly impossible, for there were unseen traitors around her.