by J. A. Areces
***
FLASH!
Beifar and Lord Alex materialized back in the garage. Blood streamed down the stiff man’s nose. His arms pinned behind his back and his legs crossed. His wand lost, left behind at the intersection. Next to them laid the driver, his huge body motionless like a sea lion sunbathing, still under the effects of the Ligo spell, and suffering from a pounding headache.
Lord Alex breathed heavily, defeated and restrained by Beifar. The wizard’s side ached from the fall off the bus, but he stayed clear, focused, and fully aware. The result of intense training a wizard endures to become an agent. Losing focus could also mean losing a duel or worse, one’s life.
Beifar drew close to Lord Alex. He felt disgust for his foe. The animosity ran very deep and was the result of an ugly, long history. “Where is he? Where is Raven Fidgewidge?”
Lord Alex forced a wicked smile.
Beifar let go, and Lord Alex’s head hit the pavement hard. With his free hand, Beifar grabbed Lord Alex’s broken nose and squeezed it. Blood gushed out, as Lord Alex screamed in pain. His driver squirmed.
Beifar let go. “Where is Raven Fidgewidge?”
“I don’t know.” Lord Alex cried. His white shirt stained with his blood.
The wizard gestured to squeeze Lord Alex’s broken nose again.
“I don’t know!” he yelled. His voice echoed through the garage over the deafening car alarms. “I don’t know! I don’t know!”
Beifar squeezed the broken nose again. More blood gushed out from Lord Alex’s nose as he yelled louder.
The familiar chime unexpectedly announced the arrival of the elevator as the doors began to slowly open. Beifar quickly turned and pointed to the doors with the top of his staff causing them to slam shut before anyone was able to exit. The people inside were stunned and bewildered. They pounded on the door, desperate to be let out, as they shouted for help and rang the emergency bell.
Beifar was running out of time. In a few moments the garage would be full of security and an emergency crew to free everyone trapped in the elevator.
“I won’t ask you again.” He threatened his foe. “Tell me where he is or I’ll rip your nose off.”
Beifar fought against the urge to squeeze his nose again. “Mily Breezy.” Lord Alex whimpered. “She is Raven Fidgewidge’s girlfriend. She helped him escape from jail. She might know. You’ll pay for this…”
“I can’t wait.”
FLASH!
The wizard Beifar was gone.
The elevator doors opened. Its passengers rushed out impatiently and relieved. To their surprise, they found two men on the floor unable to move. Their arms pinned behind their backs and their legs crossed. One of the two bled from his nose demanding to be set free.
