Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:42:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Silvenfox <silvenfox@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Chosen - 16

The following is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is
completely coincidental.  Please do not copy or distribute the story
without the author's permission.

Disclaimer:

The following story may contain erotic situations.  If it is illegal for
you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly
funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the
world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and
violence than this is not your type of story.


Chapter 16


When I came to it was days later and I was sick as hell. I couldn't
believe it. I had beaten demons, monsters, ghosts, and came out just
fine. Of all the dangerous things that could have done me in it was the
fucking flu. It was always me. Sigh. The way Ryan explained it was by
using so much energy I overexerted myself to the point of exhaustion,
causing my body to almost shut down. And with my immune system down for
the count, the damn winter weather punched me in the face and here I was.
Layed out in my bed like an extra off General Hospital. Ain't that a
bitch.

At least it was worth it. I destroyed Jakphrust and freed the world from
a fatal ice age. Where were my metals? My key to the city? My freaking
Prefect's badge?? Sigh. That's right, we had secret identities. Sometimes
that was a pain.

The world had explained away the light that cleansed the planet as, "a
worldwide phenomena of Aurora Borealis or a very large solar flare from
the Sun". Riiight. My favorite was how they portrayed the ice wraiths as,
"costumed vandals who took advantage of the extreme weather to commit
extreme acts of violence". Extreme alright. Freezing everything counted
as more than extreme. You would think those who were frozen would
remember being encased in a sheet of ice, I would, but apparently they
all suffered from cases of short term memory lose. Lucky them.

"How are you feeling, honey?"

I opened my eyes and blinked up at the blurry form of my mother. She was
smiling down tenderly at me and I tried to muster up a smile, but it took
too much energy to even muster. Damn this feeble, weak body of mine. I
hate being sick. I was feeling sluggish and there was a pain in my
stomach as if I had a large rock in it. My nose felt heavy, probably
filled with mucus, and there was a sting behind my eyes. Damn. I probably
left my contacts in. I blinked again and groaned at the sticky sensation
that accompanied it. Yep. Still there.

"I feel like I just got off a roller coaster," I answered, frowning at
the scratchy sensation in my throat.

She frowned. "Still that bad, huh? I'm just glad that Adam noticed you
weren't feeling well and we got some medicine in you quick."

I smiled inside. Adam told me he had snuck me back home and into bed
right after I passed out. It was soon after that he noticed that I was
getting sick and he immediately alerted my mom.

She squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry, baby, but I really have to go to work.
That freak weather and lightshow is still big news. I hate to leave you,
but Adam called and said he would be over to watch you."

I nodded, weakly. "Okay. If you have to go I don't mind. I'm not a
baby."

Mom laughed. "I know your not. But you're my baby. Go back to sleep. Adam
said he's on his way."

"Okay," I mumbled, sleepily.

As soon as my eyes closed I was asleep again. I had a dream of standing
on a mountaintop and looking at a rolling field of pretty flowers. My
foot hovered over the edge briefly and then I stepped off. I fell
headfirst to the ground. My eyes came open and I snapped awake. I looked
around my room disoriented and slightly dizzy. Adam sat in a chair beside
my computer engrossed in a novel. He looked up from his book and those
hazel eyes lit up when they saw me awake.

"Hey, Love," he said softly, jumping up and rushing to my side. "How are
you feeling?"

My throat felt scratchy and dry and it hurt to form words. Adam
immediately saw I was having difficulty and offered me some ice chips
from the cup on the bedside table. The ice melted against my sore throat
muscles and I felt a bit better as the water soothed the ache. I smiled
at him gratefully.

"Thanks, bright eyes," I said softly, my voice still coming out scratchy
and hoarse. "I feel better today than yesterday."

He grabbed my hand and ran his fingers over my palm. "Nathaniel called
again. He's worried that you're still under the weather. He expects to be
back by the end of the week."

I tried to nod but it was a strain. Damn sickness. "I hope he comes back
with useful information about the Lords in Shadow."

"Me too," replied Adam.

I suddenly went into a sneezing and hacking fit. Adam turned into a
miniature hurricane as he spun around my room looking for Kleenex or
something resembling tissue. I grabbed at the tufts of white thrusts in
my face and hurriedly blew my nose, coughing up phlegm, and sounding
distinctly like a broken blow horn. This was so ruining my image. With
watery eyes I offered Adam an embarrassed smile. I was feeling more like
road kill every time I took a breath. Oh man this sucked. He offered me
something to drink and I greedily gulped down the water.

"I bet I must look a hot mess, huh?" I asked him, my voice going in out,
sounding like a person who smoked for fifty years.

Adam quickly shook his head. "No!" He protested instantly. "You look
fine, Love. Down right gorgeous as usual."

"Really?" I asked him, feeling touched.

He nodded, beaming. "Promise."

"Gimme a kiss," I requested, puckering up my lips.

Adam's bright smile dimmed and I narrowed my eyes. I knew that look. It
was indecision. "Love, you got a little snot or something..."

I dabbed at the fluid running from my nose to my top lip. "Did I get it?"

"Yeah," Adam replied, weakly. His eyes kept darting to the door and back
to me. Adam literally looked like he was thinking how far he could get if
he sprinted from the room. The answer was not very far.

I stared at him hard. "I thought you said I looked gorgeous. Do I look so
bad you can't even kiss me? Tell the truth? I look like someone's vomit
and you know it!"

"No, you like fine!" Adam argued back, waving his hands around in
emphasis.

He sucked in a breath and leaned in, drew back, leaned in again and then
drew back. I glared at him harder. He smiled shakily and shrugged.
Abruptly he kissed his fingertips and then tapped them against my lips.
My mouth dropped and I gaped at him. Son of a bitch. He grinned at me
looking real proud of himself.

"What the hell was that?" I asked, watching him with wide eyes.

Adam cocked his head pretending to be really confused. Bullshit. "What do
you mean? You asked for a kiss..."

"You sorry sack of shit," I whispered, feeling my strength slowly leave.
What the deuce? I was suddenly feeling weaker by the second. My eyelids
grew heavy as a swift sleepiness took hold. "I should... revoke... your
boyfriend... pass..."

Adam nodded with mock seriousness. "Yeah. I know. Have a good nap
though."

A light bulb went off in my head. "That... water you offered me..." I
struggled to get off every word, fighting against the grip of tiredness.
"You drugged me."

"It was your mom's idea," Adam replied, sounding a tad bit guilty. I
wasn't buying it. "It's just your medicine. It's supposed to make you
really drowsy."

I snorted. Damn that meddlesome woman. "Well played, huge pecs. Well
played."

"My pecs are normal sized!"

I closed my eyes and murmured, "Yeah, right."

Then I succumbed to sleep.

When I woke back up the sun was still up and the room was empty. I
glanced at the clock on my table and it was a little after four in the
afternoon. I yawned loudly and scratched my head. I was actually feeling
a bit better. I wasn't in the mood to run a marathon but I think I could
get out of bed and walk around a bit if I had to. I looked around and was
surprised that I was all alone. I expected Adam to be on hand but maybe
he was off somewhere hiding after he conspired with my mom to drug me. I
chuckled. It was actually kind of funny but I wouldn't tell them that. My
door creaked open and I turned. There was no one there and yet the door
edged open more.

"Hello?" I called out, frowning.

"Meow."

My eyes snapped down and gazing up at me with quicksilver colored eyes
was a tabby cat. It looked at me and I looked at it. Our eyes locked and
we had a silent competition of wills. Time stopped and the cat took a
small step forward.

And I screamed bloody murder.

The cat paused and it stared at the ball of fire that now hovered above
my palm. I reared back my arm and the door was thrown open startling me
into losing concentration. The fireball vanished as my control slipped.
Morgan, Adam, and Kevin ran into the room looking like a knock off
Hermione, Harry, and Ron. I wanted to roll my eyes. Just my luck. Instead
of getting some real heroes like Superman and the Justice League, I got
the Pokemon gang. Somebody just shoot me now.

"What's going on?" demanded Morgan, looking around the room.

"Chad, you okay?" asked Kevin, simultaneously.

Adam joined me on the bed and grabbed me in a one arm hug. I leaned into
his body all the while not taking my eyes off the creature that still
stood in its same spot. Adam followed my gaze and everyone else drew
their stares down as well. There was a brief pause. And then Morgan and
Kevin both groaned and rolled my eyes. I glared at them.

Morgan scooped up at cat and glowered at me. "It's just a cat, Chad.
Honestly. You really need to go to the wizard and ask for some courage."

I raised my eyebrow. "I already did. He gave me magical powers instead."

Adam's grip on my shoulder increased and he gave me a questioning stare.
It clearly screamed "what are you doing". I just gestured at Morgan and
shrugged. She was rolling her eyes and looking exasperated. Of course she
didn't believe me.

"This is Isis," stated Morgan, petting the cat, who was still staring me.
I wanted to flick it off but I had a feeling I had already pissed it off
with the fireball. I was so not pressing my luck. "My friend, Krystal,
and me found her outside in the cold this morning. So I brought her home.
Mom says we're taking her to the shelter if no one comes looking for
her."

I nodded. Yeah. To the shelter you go you little, fur fuck. I was totally
not having a cat in this house. It was a comforting to know that Morgan
hadn't argued to mom that we should keep the creature. I probably would
have opened a can of act right on her. Act right was my politically
correct term for smack down.

"So... I guess you don't like cats?" asked Adam, slowly.

I turned to him. Blinked and then blinked again. My eyes took on a
haunted look. "It all started in darkness..."

Morgan disappeared from the room in a flash and Kevin groaned audibly. I
stared at him and he quieted down. I started my tale again and Adam
listened along in rapture. He nodded, gasped, and squeezed my hand at all
the right moments. Finally I took a breath and pulled down my collar.

"...And where the cat tore open my throat I now have this," I finished
dramatically.

Adam leaned in, examining my throat. "Umm... Love, there's nothing
there."

"Tell me about it," muttered Kevin, who was leaning against the desk.

I pulled up my shirt, frowning. "Well it's been years so I guess it
healed."

There was silence and then Adam pulled me into a big hug. I was squished
against his side and hugged to the point where I thought breathing was
going to be a problem. He pulled me away and held me at arms length,
gazing at me with pity.

"Oh, my poor deluded boyfriend," said Adam, concerned. "I knew you were
sick but this is just... Have you been having delusions like this all
day?"

I slapped his arms and glared at him. "No, you ass." I turned my glare on
Kevin who had fallen to the floor in a laughing fit. "And what are you
doing here anywhere, numb nuts."

Kevin recovered, jumping to his feet. "I heard you were sick so I came
by... to help."

Oh no.

Please God. No! NO! NO! Anything but this. Anything. I would rather watch
a Gilmore Girls marathon for a week straight! I watched in a sort of numb
shock as Kevin slipped on a white coat I had seen held in his hand, but
disregarded. It was a familiar, doctor's coat that I recognized from
previous occasions of being sick and...in my nightmares.

"No need to fear, Chad," said Kevin, striking a pose in the coat. He
slipped a stethoscope around his neck and winked at me. "Doctor Kevin is
here!"

I shook my head. A kind of unreal denial swept over me. "No," I muttered
in disbelief. "Not again."

A timer buzzed downstairs and Kevin brightened. "Your soup is ready! I'll
be right back in a minute. Just wait, I'll have you better in no time."

He dashed off downstairs and immediately I was out of the bed and at the
window faster than Adam could blink. He gawked at me as I threw open the
window and stuck one leg out. He shouted out and grabbed me around the
waist, hoisting me away from my escape. Damn, foiled!

"Chad, what the hell are you doing!" he cried, dropping me on the bed.

I looked up at him, fear dancing in my eyes. "Adam if you ever want us to
have a future..." I paused and met his hazel eyes. "You will help me
break out of here."

"Wait, slow down," Adam said, massaging his temple as if he was having
the biggest migraine. Tell me about it. "What's going on? I'm so
confused."

He didn't know. It boggled my mind that no one knew how dangerous that
demented individual downstairs really was. I waved my hand at the bedroom
door and it slammed closed. Adam flicked his wrist and the desk chair
wheeled in front of the door and wedged up under the knob.

"That help?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged. "Probably not, but thanks for trying."

Adam grabbed my hands. "You want to explain from the top."

I shook my head. "I don't even know how to begin. Whenever someone is
sick Kevin has this...urge... to play doctor. Just nothing ever goes
right. It would be fine if he was decent or even competent or SANE!"

"Why is your eye twitching?" asked Adam, subtly scooting away from me.

I growled at him, feeling my head pound with all the moving around I was
doing. Man I really needed to lay down. I did just that before I even
realized it. My body was draped over Adam who was looking at me bemused.
He chuckled and righted me on the bed. I sighed as my head hit the pillow
and Adam tucked me under the blankets. He sat on the bed's edge and ran
his fingers through my hair.

"He really can't be that bad, Love," assured Adam, shaking his head.

I just raised an eyebrow. "My room is arranged differently from a year
ago. Why you ask. Well I came down with a cold and it was Doctor Kevin to
the rescue." I shook my head. "He lit candles all around the room
claiming `the scented candles were therapeutic and helpful in my
recuperation'. My bed now covers a huge patch of burnt carpet."

Adam laughed, looking distinctly amused. "Sounds like an accident, Love."

I scoffed at that. "You don't understand" I shot back, making him raise
both eyebrows at my ominous tone. "Don't worry. You will."

The door jiggled and the doorknob twisted loudly. "Hey, who locked the
door?" asked Kevin, his voice muffled by the door. "Wait! I think I got
it."

Suddenly the door was thrown open and the chair went sliding across the
room. The wheel caught and it went falling into my dresser. The dresser
rocked and my laptop fell over the edge and crashed over the edge. I
stared at it, my mouth dropping open in shock and horror. My precious! I
almost dived from the bed but Adam stilled me with a hand to my chest. He
picked up the laptop, checked it over, and then placed it back on the
desk. He pressed the power button and it came to life with its usual
happy beep. I sighed in relief and turned my icy stare to Kevin who was
frowning at me.

"You should really be more careful with your stuff, Chad," Kevin scolded
me like a redheaded stepchild.

I gaped. "You crazy, psyc-"

Adam covered my mouth with his hand and smiled widely at Kevin. "What you
got there, Kevin? It smells good."

Kevin instantly lit up as if someone told him he won the lottery. "Oh
this. Its just a little something I put together," he said with false
modesty. "It's chicken noodle soup."

He bounced over to me carrying a tray containing a cup and a steaming
bowl. I watched him warily, immediately on guard for anything. He
carefully sat the tray down and I breathed a little easier when it was
positioned on the bed on its little hinged legs. I picked up the bowl and
looked into it. It was black. A black so dark, that I couldn't see what
floated in the dark liquid. This wasn't no damn chicken noodle soup. I
felt bile try and crawl up my throat. I swallowed it down and looked at
Adam who was gazing into the bowl with shock. He hadn't seen anything
yet.

I took a breath and looked up at Kevin, calmly. "Kevin? You said this is
chicken noodle soup?" He nodded and I showed him the bowls contents. "Why
is it black? This doesn't look like any chicken noodle soup or any soup
I've ever seen."

Kevin waved his hand dismissing my concern. "I took a little creative
license when it came to the directions but I think it turned out pretty
good."

"Riight," I said, shooting Adam an incredulous glance.

At their, yes both, of their urging I raised the spoon to my lips. I
opened my mouth and then took a second look at the black soup floating on
the spoon. I couldn't do this. I lowered the spoon and looked at Kevin.
And immediately regretted it. He looked so crestfallen and heartbroken
that I felt a wave of guilt drown me. I couldn't believe this. Here was
my well meaning, best friend trying to fucking kill me and I was the one
feeling guilty. This was like a bad episode of Friends. I summoned my
courage. I could at least try it. Adam was here. He wouldn't let Kevin
kill me accidentally. I hoped. I raised the spoon. The smile that broke
over Kevin's face could have lit up Brooklyn. I swallowed the soup.

Burning was the first sensation. Then a swift feeling a nausea. I felt
like everything inside my body was suddenly on fire. My eyes went wide as
I spewed liquid down my chest. Adam cried out, jumping up to help.

"Chad!" Adam yelled. He grabbed the spoon and took a sip of the soup.
Immediately he went into a coughing fit and blanched. "Kevin, it's too
hot and spicy. And how much salt did you put in!"

Kevin winced, frantically toweling dry my wet blankets. "I don't know. It
said a tablespoon but I figured that wasn't enough since he is really
sick you know." He grabbed my arm stopping me from moving. "Chad, just
hold still you keep making your blankets wetter."

"Maybe I should get this tray out of the way," said Adam cautiously,
sensing that having the tray near was just a disaster.

Kevin snapped his head up. "Wait let me get the drink off."

He reached just as Adam was moving. Kevin lost his balance somehow
knocking Adam to the floor and slapping the tray over. The soup bowl and
cup full of water went flying into the air. I rolled over and out of my
bed just as both liquids fell on the spot I once occupied.

"Shit!" Kevin swore, loudly. He jumped to the bed and snatched the
blankets and sheets off. "I'll put some new ones on for you, Chad. Don't
worry about anything, bro."

He didn't watch where he threw the bedcovers. They collided against the
dresser lamp. The impact knocked it against the wall, and then it fell
down hard onto the floor breaking into a spectacular mess. I looked at
the lamp and Kevin who was looking at me with those big brown eyes that
pleaded innocence.

"Man that lamp just came out of nowhere," he remarked, staring at the
broken mess in amazement.

Yeah. Out of nowhere all right. He left the room presumably to go and get
some dry bedcovers. I stared at his departing form shaking my head. I
plopped down on the floor with my back resting against the wall. Finally
a moment of assured calmness. I looked at Adam and just crossed my arms
with my head cocked. I didn't have to say anything.

Adam winced at my accusatory glare. "So I can see why you were a little
scared earlier."

"A little and who said anything about earlier," I retorted. "I STILL am
scared shitless."

Adam shook his head. "How about we do this. We just tell him the truth."

I snorted. "That would be like calling Tiny Tim a cocksucker. Even though
he is he won't own up to it."

"Nice comparison," replied Adam, dryly.

I chuckled and grabbed at the Kleenex on the floor to blow my nose. My
eyes landed on the cup that fell off the food tray. It was turned over
and laying on the stack of graphic novels that I got for Christmas. The
gift that Adam had given me. I batted the cup away and picked up the top
book. It was wet and heavy with water. I gawked at the book in disbelief.
I felt a well of tears press behind my eyes and I blinked hard to hold
them. Distantly I could hear Adam call out to me asking me what was
wrong. I opened my eyes just as Kevin appeared in the doorway.

"Hey Chad, I hope you don't mind but I just broke a window..." Kevin
trailed off noticing the storm that had taken over my face. "You
alright?"

I stared at him coldly. "I know you mean well, Kevin. I know your only
here because you care. But you just ruined something that I treasured and
I'm really trying not to yell and throw something at you. Please just
leave. I really need to calm down and having you here will not help."

"I'm sorry, Chad," said Kevin, softly. He looked dejectedly down at the
ground. "I didn't mean to."

He turned around and walked out of the house. I sighed feeling my
shoulders droop as the tension left me. I looked at Adam and he was
staring at me hard.

"He meant well, Chad," he began.

I cut him off. "I know, Adam. I know. I just need a minute to cool down.
I was really mad there for a second. I didn't want to say anything I
would really regret by going all New York on him. He knows that. It's
just that when I saw your Christmas gift you got me ruined I got pissed.
It's the first thing you ever bought me."

Adam smiled thinly. "Don't be mad at him over something material though,
Love. I can buy you other things. You two have been friends way too long
to let this bring you down."

I nodded. "I know. I guess I'm not really mad. It was just the heat of
the moment thing." I started to sneeze continuously and he dutifully gave
me a tissue. "Thank you." But with my nose all stuffy it came out as
"thunnq yuw".

"You need to lie down. Your bed's still wet though," stated Adam.

He didn't let that stop him. He suddenly turned into a boy scout. He
grabbed some sheets and blankets that Kevin brought in and left, and
formed a makeshift pallet on the floor. It was surprisingly really
comfortable and I didn't mind at all lying down in it.

"Do you mind going to talk to him for me?" I asked Adam, lying down in
between the blankets. "Just make sure he's not really upset. Tell him I'm
not mad at him. If you can, try and blame the sickness!"

Adam laughed. "Ah yes. Dam this rage virus of yours."

I pouted at him. "Ah come on, bright eyes. Work with me here."

He nodded. "I was going to go check on him anyway, Love. No, don't get
up." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss against my forehead. "Feel
better."

I nodded and watched him leave. I closed my eyes and sighed. I hoped that
Kevin wasn't at his house being emo boy. I would feel really bad then. I
think Adam could talk some reason into him. This wasn't as bad as some of
our usual fights. Arguments between Kevin and I were known to go into an
epic scale. Both of us were really stubborn which wasn't a good trait to
have in two arguing individuals. There was a time where we had gone two
months without speaking to each other. That had sucked but looking back
it had been a really stupid fight. I'm guessing this was one of those
times too. I wanted to talk to him myself but I didn't have the energy.
Kevin's brief visit had drained me of all energy I had gained from the
medicated sleep.

I closed my eyes and tried to call on that blissful sleep I had fallen
into earlier. I tossed and turned till finally I just gave up and opened
my eyes with an exhale of frustration. Looks like sleep wouldn't come
easily to me now. Maybe if I read something. That usually helped. I
looked at the graphic novels, soggy and still soaking wet, and pouted.
Looks like I couldn't read those. What could I read? I needed something.
Anything. I lost a sense of self racking my brain for a good title. My
eyes shifted back and the world went out of focus. I blinked hard to
reset my vision and started in surprise at the sudden weight that dropped
in my hand.

I looked down and frowned. In my hand was a long crystal. It was
completely clear and it was skinny, probably measuring a half foot. Did I
rob the set of Smallville and not even know it?? This looked like one of
those control crystals that belonged in the Fortress of Solitude that
Kevin always went on about. I was going to jail! I hurriedly started to
wipe the crystal on my shirt to get rid of the fingerprints. I held it up
to the light to make sure I got it good and clean. The crystal shined and
a set of scrolling glyph like numbers ran vertical inside the crystal. I
gaped at the scrolling glyphs. I don't think that happened on Smallville.
I swallowed and looked closely at the crystal. An unexpected sense
familiarity came over me.

"Videum Crystallus," I said softly, without meaning to.

Legacy Crystal, my mind whispered to me. This was mine. I clutched it to
my chest feeling like I had gained back something very important to me. I
brought it to eye level and went on instinct. I ran a finger down its
surface and a beam came from the crystal tip and hit my forehead. I
closed my eyes and called up an image of a book. I ran another finger
down the crystal and willed it to change form. The beam stopped as the
air around the crystal wavered and warbled. The crystal flared white and
in its place fell a heavy looking book encased in a blue binding.

On the cover of the book was my symbol. A five point star surrounded by a
circle. It was the same symbol that I wore as a pendent-clasp on the
cloak of my Chosen uniform. I opened the book carefully. Really
carefully. I was not in the mood for broomsticks to randomly go flying or
monkey's to get wings. I so didn't look good in green. The pages were
blue and the lettering was in glittering silver. And it was in Atlantean.
Fuck.

I wasn't fluent in Atlantean. I could randomly recognize a word but to
read this entire book was impossible. I'm sure Nathaniel could help me.
He could translate this or something. I flipped through it frowning.
Parts of it seemed like a journal and some parts read like battle
strategies. I came across descriptions of creatures and then suddenly it
went into portal harmonics. I couldn't really be sure but I'm guessing
the crystal was Prince Emrys's version of a grimoire. I flipped through
some more pages and caught a few words I recognized.

"My spells!" I gasped in surprise.

I eagerly scanned through the more familiar words and found myself
smiling. This was kind of cool. All those times I just rattled spells on
the fly they were here in writing. A word caught my eye and I stilled.

"Aequitus Inturimo," I whispered, tracing the characters with my fingers.

I knew this spell. Hadn't I just used it to save the Earth from another
ice age? I looked at the spell above it and recognized it enough to know
that it was the Hell Ground Zero spell. For some reason these two spells
grouped together made sense. I traced the characters at the top of the
page that stood out like a title or subject heading. I concentrated hard,
staring at the squarish, blocky characters.

"Giga..." I said slowly, translating. "Annihilation... Programs..."

Giga Annihilation Programs. That sounded... dangerous. And very familiar.
It was right on the edge of my memory but out of reach. I could suddenly
make out the words right under the Justice Apocalypse spell. TABOO.
LOCKED. ACCESS FORBIDDEN. The rest of the page was blacked out leaving
the script underneath unreadable. Wow. Spells more dangerous than Hell
Ground Zero or the Justice Apocalypse? Those spells had enough power
behind them to power the entire continent of North America for a year. I
had no desire to know what lay beyond them in term of power. Although I
did wonder how they became locked away. I guess there was a reason these
were called the Giga Annihilation Programs.

"Meow."

I let out a loud squeak and the book went flying from my hands in
surprise. The cat was back and it was staring at me like I was its last
meal. I scrambled backward and conjured a fireball again.

"Listen up you creature!" I snarled at it. "Back the fuck back!"

The cat hissed and I swear its eyes just flashed with a weird green
light. Holy shit! It hissed again and jumped forward. I screamed and
rolled away. The cat did a quick turn and it bounced in front of me,
hissing like I owed it money.

"Look man," I said quickly, backing up. "I will barbeque your ass. Now
leave me the fuck alone!"

I raised the fireball and I think it knew I was bluffing. I mean sure I
would melt it into steaming flesh but I wasn't going to send my room up
in flames in the process. If I was outside then there would be no
problem.

"Umm... Chad?"

I looked at the doorway and Adam stood there. I looked at the fireball
and then at the cat who was suddenly cowering in the corner looking like
a fake ass Puss and Boots. Son of a crack whore!

"Adam, you should have seen it!" I said, dissipating the fireball. I ran
into his arms. "That flea factory came in here and tried to freaking
attack me! It was insane."

Adam led me to the bed. "Riight. Chad, you know you shouldn't be moving
around so much. Your still sick, Love."

"I know," I admitted quickly. I pointed a shaky finger at the cat that
was blinking at us innocently. "But it tried to kill me Adam!"

"Okay so Isis is a killer cat?" he asked, obviously not believing one
word of what I was saying. "I think this flu has you seeing things. Here
take some of your meds and sleep some more. You'll feel better."

I took the pills in my hand but didn't swallow them. I'll be damned if I
took pills that knocked me out while a killer cat lorded around my house.
I didn't say anything more on the matter. I knew that Adam wouldn't
believe me. He hadn't actually seen it happen. I was really creped out
that the cat hadn't left the room yet. It stood in the corner just
staring at us.

"Adam, it's still staring at us."

Adam rolled his eyes and shot the cat an apologetic look. "Sorry
Professor McGonagall, looks like Transfiguration is cancelled. Morgan is
downstairs is you want someone to go talk to."

Damn that cat if it didn't do a little nod and silently pad out of the
room. I looked at Adam to see if he thought that was unusual but he was
too busy trying to tuck me into bed.

"Kevin said he understood why you got so mad," said Adam, fussing with my
sheets. "He's sorry and said he'll stop by tomorrow after you've had
enough rest." He looked at the clock on table and swore. "I have to get
home. I told my aunt and uncle that I wouldn't be out late. It's already
after ten."

I nodded sadly. "You really have to go, Adam?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Love," he replied, smiling.

He bent over and kissed me. It was a soft kiss. A brief touch of lips
that left me aching for me. But swapping spit with a sick person was not
something I would wish upon my worse enemy. So that means Killian your
safe. I waved pathetically at him feeling like I was trapped in a horror
movie. All I needed to do was go shower, get good and soapy, and wait for
my death. There was no way I was going to go down without a fight. I
needed to get some type of game plan or agenda together. I needed
options.

I fell asleep.

I was dreaming of clouds and then space. It went on and on and there was
nothing beneath me. I could reach out and touch the stars. I was
surrounded by the dancing jewels of light. I felt...cold? My first
conscious thought as I came to was why was it so damn cold. I groggily
opened my eyes and with a start realized I was lying on my back in the
snow. In my backyard of all places. Holy rusted metal Batman! I tried to
get up but I was tied down by my arms and legs. Was this some type of
joke? Was I some type of extra in kinky bondage film? The moon hung
silently in the air and provided just enough light to make out my captor.

"So you have finally woken up?" a silky voice whispered from the shadows.

What stepped forward was a creature that resembled a woman in body and
face, except this thing was covered in a short fur and her face had dark
markings. I was getting a real Thundercat vibe from her. Her dark hair
went down to her ass in a long mane, making her quicksilver eyes stand
out. I knew those eyes. I had those weird, shiny orbs trained on me for a
good portion of the day. This bitch was the cat. Isis was a damn
shapeshifter. This cat bitch wanted to kill me.

"I KNEW IT!" I shouted smugly, grinning like loon.

Isis didn't let my triumphant cheer detour her. Her steps were graceful
and silent. She moved with an otherworldly grace that no human could hope
to match. Not even the best dancers or performers.

"I was surprised when those humans took me in," she confessed, sounding
amused.

I smirked at her. "Did you become overwhelmed with strong, fuzzy feelings
and knew that the life of a family pet was just for you."

"No. I planned to slaughter you all while you slept."

I swallowed. Oh. Well wasn't that just swell. "Where's Morgan and my
Mom?"

"The two females slumber in their beds," replied Isis, bending down to
run a clawed finger down my cheek. She cut skin and blood welled up. "I
care not for them. I have a prize far beyond their worthless spines. I
have the champion of magic."

I looked around, craning my neck so I could scan the backyard. "Oh my God
really? Where is he?"

She slapped me. Hard. My hand snapped sharply to the right. "Your
incessant chatter tires me."

My gaze turned ice cold. "That hurt, bitch. You wont live another night."

Isis laughed long and hard. "Oh, I heard you had a sharp tongue! Fates
sings to me today. I assumed you were just another family that I was once
again going to rip apart. When you conjured that fireball I knew you were
so much more. So much power I sensed from you. I knew you had to be the
fabled Warlock, leader of the Chosen."

"That's my name, don't wear it out," I retorted.

I called upon that well of power inside me and prepared to send this
bitch packing straight to hell. My magic lashed out and I screamed as it
suddenly inverted and rushed back into me feeding my body with an
unexpected shock of energy. My nerves screamed out as a feeling of white
hot knives stabbed into every part of my body. I looked through my pain
filled vision and saw Isis standing above me smirking.

She gestured to the circle that I just now noticed that was drawn around
me. I could make out foreign symbols and glyphs dotting the inside of the
circle. Runes went around the circles outside glowing as they nulled my
power, trapping it inside the protective circle.

"What is this, you crazy bitch?" I snapped at her, glaring.

Isis laughed again, those quicksilver eyes glittering with a malicious
glee.

"That is what we in the Ever After like to call a Saint's Cage. It
prevents humans from getting in or out, and renders them harm if they use
magic." She laughed again and kicked me in the leg. I bit back a cry of
pain. "When the moon is at its peak the witching hour will be at hand. I
will open a gate to the Ever After and deliver you to the Lords in
Shadow. They will reward me greatly for your severed head."

I faked a gasp. "Do you want to split the money? We can go halfies! 50/50
what do you say?"

"I say I think I will kill you now and take your mutilated corpse," she
replied, frostily.

Suddenly she went flying into the large, oak tree that stood next to the
old swing set. Omega floated down from the sky touching down on the snow
soundlessly. He stood between me and her, and I had never been happier to
see anyone at this moment than my entire life.

"I did some thinking on my way home," said Omega, not taking his gaze
away from Isis. "I realized that there was something strange about that
cat. Or should I say you. I came back when I realized I had never seen a
cat with eyes like yours. I had only seen them belonging to
shapeshifters."

Isis climbed to her feet and came at Omega in a run. "I won't go down
without a fight!"

If I had blinked I would have missed it. She leaped at him and Omega's
sword was out and ignited in one swoop. There was a cry of pain and then
two thuds as Isis body was cleaved cleanly in two, black blood spraying
the snow.

"I wasn't expecting you to," Omega said into the quiet, night air.

Her organs pooled out of her fallen, ripped body. Omega vanished Animus
Gladius back into subspace without a word. He ran to me and kicked at the
markings around the circle. There was a low hiss and snap as the circle
lost power. He picked me up and helped me to my feet. I leaned my
forehead against his shoulder breathing in his scent.

"You believed me," I said, my voice breaking with emotion.

Adam smiled down at me, kissing my hair and neck. "I'm sorry I didn't
believe you earlier," he apologized. "It just seemed so unreal and then
some things just didn't add up and I flew back."

I grinned up at him. "I'm glad you did. I knew making you watch those
reruns of CSI: Miami would pay off." I closed my eyes. "I think I just
want to sleep for like a week yo."

Adam kissed me again. "Go for it, Love. I got you."


And I believed him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aww poor, Kevin. He'll be alright. The guys are too close for bad
feelings. This chapter was fun to write. There are only three more
chapters to go! NEXT CHAPTER: Chad looks deeper into his new book and the
guys go into the past. Back to Atlantis! And then a decision is made.

I have created a message board in light of missing emails. My laptop and
yahoo are now mortal enemies. If you want to post a comment or drop a
line you can copy and paste this link into your browser.
http://www.quicktopic.com/39/H/fXmyJ3NcYt7Z  or if you want to email me
you can do so at Batmanhater@aol.com