Trying to fend off what seemed inevitable, Zachary kept the insane Vincenzo engaged in conversation. Hoping if he bought them some time, his friends would come up with a rescue plan.
"I am befuddled." Zachary baited his captor.
"How so?"
"Why am I not affected by your spell?"
"I would assume the dark magick you possess won't allow such a spell to take over your mind. The benefit of being a son of the darkness."
"Alas, if I have all this dark energy, I should be able to break this chain you used to bind me. And yet?”
"Clever. I'm not naive. You thought I'd just give up my secrets, or rather, yours. You have so much to learn. Maybe one day you'll figure it out, but that's a worry for another time."
Zachary yanked on the chain, struggling to gain his freedom.
"Damn your blood. Let Alex and the rest of them go or I swear, when I do comprehend what I am truly capable of, you will be the first to experience my wrath."
"Says the boy chained to a wall," Vincenzo laughed.
"Kyle. Take everyone and leave this place. Remember the pattern and head for the gateway. Use Leon to help you open it. We have to stay, but the rest shall be safe," Zachary demanded.
"No! I won't leave. Alex, you must hear me. I'm right here. Don't give in. You brought me out of it. You can do it yourself. I know you can. You're so much stronger than that prick. Fight!" Margaret sobbed.
"Kyle, please save them," Zachary yelled.
Half-heartedly, Kyle shimmied into solid form and clutched Margaret’s hand. Yanking, he pulled her through the threshold and slammed the door. She collapsed onto the dusty surface of the wood planks that serviced as a porch.
The rest of the group had regained full consciousness. The spell dissipated once they were on the other side of the cottage, just as Alex had hoped. Ophelia clutched a frightened Haven to her waist. She had finally gotten her little sister back, and she wasn't about to lose her again.
Margaret wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Ophelia. Get Haven out of here. The rest of you go too. Leon, I hope we can trust you to do the right thing and get them home."
"You guys could have left me. After everything Roger and I did, you still rescued me. I'll open the portal and they'll be safe."
“Kyle, keep your promise to Alex, lead them out of here. I'm staying." Margaret glared.
"Like hell you are. That promise included your safety too. I'm not going back on my word."
"You won't. I'm safe if I'm with him. Whether it's back home, or here in this damaged world, we stay together."
"Margaret... " Kyle pleaded.
"Go. Now. Don't let Zachary and Alex's sacrifice be for nothing," Margaret demanded.
"Stop arguing, the both of you. We need another plan. None of us are leaving anybody behind. Right?" Amry asked.
The teens nodded.
"Hey. Who is that?" Ophelia pointed.
The group turned and saw a figure emerging from the shimmering pool at the base of the black waterfall. Ophelia shuffled Haven behind her.
"Oh shit. Is that what I think it is?" Margaret questioned.
"It looks like one of those things that Zachary described." Amry backed up.
"A Kappa." Bethany's voice trembled.
"Leon you're with me. Margaret take everyone and hide." Kyle instructed.
"Why do boys always think they have to be a hero? Besides, I'm capable of taking care of myself," Margaret snapped.
"Like you did with the Soul Gatherer?" Kyle said sarcastically.
"That was fucking different and you know it."
"Can we please save this for later? After we don't get murdered." Kyle huffed.
"No. Margaret's right. We stay together. We're stronger as a whole," said Amry.
"Okay, I'm done arguing. If you want to risk your existence that's up to you. But let's get ready. Find anything you can use. A tree limb, a rock—anything. Margaret, we need you to understand, any one of us could teleport to another location in this garbage dump. But we stay for you and Alex. Don't do anything stupid to risk your life, and make this all for nothing," Kyle warned.
"I get it. I'll be careful."
The beast grew larger with each step closer. The friends armed themselves with whatever they could find, and Ophelia hid Haven on the side of the cottage, behind dead vines creeping up a blacked-out window. Leon had come to his full senses while the other three unknown souls were still groggy. Amry handed them each a large rock and pushed them further back, towards the edge of the property and instructed them to stay put until they were needed. Hopefully giving them more time to regain full consciousness.
Margaret stiffened as the vision became clearer. The creature looked just as Zachary described it. A large hairy ape, with man like mannerisms, resembling drawings of the elusive creature, Bigfoot, which supposedly resided in the North-West states back home. The obvious difference was the bowl of water matching the circumference of its head, and the ear piercing shrills escaping its jaws.
Readied for battle the friends stood shoulder to shoulder. Margaret's heart thundered alongside her veins like raging rapids, the roar was deafening. Squeezing her fingers around the solid piece of tree limb she was able to scrounge up, the only breather in the Kappa's path had no idea her hand had grown numb from the intensity of her grip.
"I thought Zachary said they trick you. This bastard is right out in the open. I don't get it," said Amry.
"We can worry about the why's later. Right now, " Kyle swiftly turned around.
Creeping up from behind them, it's belly low to the ground, was a creature one could only describe as an escaped convict from hell. Large, thick horns pierced the scaly skin of its forehead, as they coiled upward, and ended in two points. The glow of its green eyes against fiery red skin could only hold the attention for so long, before it's razor sharp teeth, splintering through dry, cracked lips, stole the show. Moving in a giant lizard motion, its path was laid straight for the Kappa. Following several steps behind the crawler, was a young girl about seventeen or eighteen. A black strap clung to her left forearm, tethering the teen to the thick collar around the creature’s neck. She kept the leash taut with a firm pull, as the beast tugged forward. Her blonde hair cascaded down both shoulders and halted just above her hips. Her body shimmered between the dimensions of whole and spirit, drawing attention to the sparkle of her limpid green eyes.
"Get out of my way! You're not gonna want to be in his path when I release the leash," the girl shouted.
They all scattered. Ophelia went to check on Haven and the others, while the two boys, Amry, and Bethany, took refuge by the front door. Margaret huddled by one of the four wooden posts holding up the roof of the porch.
The Kappa picked up momentum, breaking out into a full charge. Raising her arm, the girl released the strap, freeing the hellish beast. With the speed of a twisted dark spirit in the nightmare of your worst horror movie, the crawler skipped along the ground on all four limbs thriving in perpetual motion.
Ophelia rounded the corner with Haven and the other two spirits. Closing in with her friends at the front door, she reached out and took hold of Margaret. Tugging on the back of her hoodie, she pulled her into the circle. The dead surrounded the only breather, keeping her from harm’s way, as best they could.
The two creatures collided creating a sonic like boom on impact. A fierce wind thrashed, claiming everything in its path. Fighting to hold on to each other, the teens anchored themselves to the framework surrounding the front door. Tightly closing their circle with Margaret in the center. The stranger was unaffected. She watched the battle from a large boulder at the base of the mountain, never once looking away.
Ripping at each other, their strength equally capable, the Kappa gripped one of the horns protruding from the hell creature’s forehead, and bearing his long, razor-edged canines, he slowly tore the keratin away from the flesh. The creature's shrill roiled the acids in Margaret's stomach, send
ing them surging up to the back of her throat. Scorching the pipeline, she struggled to swallow and push the burning liquid back down.
With long claws, the hell creature struck back. Plunging them in to the gut of the Kappa, it lacerated its belly before gashing open the wound from button to sternum. The Kappa took hold of the loose flesh on the nape of its opponents’ neck and wrenched its head backwards. Wrapping its fingers along the row of bottom teeth, the Kappa cracked the creatures lower jaw, unhinging it. The cries of pain might have softened the heart if they weren't originating from two nefarious beasts.
Margaret held her hands to her ears, trying to block out the screams.
The stranger slid off the boulder and with the intensity of a steam powered engine, she raced toward the dueling demons of the Underworld. Twirling the black leash like a lasso, she rushed by the Kappa and let go of the leather strap. Shooting through the air, the noose found its intended victim. Wrapping around the Kappa's neck, it squeezed tight as the stranger pulled to secure the hold. Struggling to free itself, the Kappa was distracted and didn't see the hell creature circle around behind and reach for the bowl atop it's head. Using the tips of its claws, it sawed through the skin which bound the bowl to the Kappa's scalp. A thick, moss colored liquid gushed out like a geyser, covering the creatures face, and blinding it. With one last slice of its razor-sharp claws, the hell creature sheared the remaining slice of tissue and pulled the bowl from the Kappa's skull. Lifeless, the hairy beast fell to the ground.
The stranger knelt beside the wounded creature who had collapsed at her feet. Gently, she stroked the top of its head, until her soft hum lulled it to sleep. Straightening up, she walked toward the bewildered friends.
"Who are you?" Kyle called out.
"I'm a friend," the stranger responded, "Or wasn't that obvious?"
"Sarcasm. I like her." Margaret smirked.
"How did you all get here?" the stranger asked.
"It is a very long story and we do not have time to explain. Our friends are prisoners of Vincenzo. We are trying to rescue them, but they're chained up. He has threatened to kill us if we interfere—it's our fault they are still in there." Ophelia curled her bottom lip.
"No. It's my fault. Everyone's here because of me," Haven whispered.
"Listen. It's no one’s fault except for that weird lunatic in there," Amry argued.
"Amry's right. Let's just break down this door, get our friends, and boogie." Kyle huffed.
"That's your plan?" The stranger baited.
"It's the best one we got," said Kyle.
"No, it's not. It stinks. You're gonna wind up getting yourselves obliterated. And the breather here will become his pet. I've got a better plan."
"Who are you?" Kyle repeated.
"No time. Here's what we're gonna do. The three zombies are more hindrance than help, we leave them, and the kid out here. Put them in the tree over there, they'll be safe. None of the creatures here can climb, not even the Kappa. Strange, I know. But that's how it is. The four cheerleaders will be a distraction. You knock on the door. Plead with the bastard to let you in, especially the breather. He'll be drawn to her life-force. Which by the way, it surprises me he let you go."
"My boyfriend's in there. He's a breather, and has paranormal abilities," Margaret explained.
"Ah. I get it. Okay. But still, you'll be enticing. You, Kyle is it?"
Kyle nodded.
"You and the other guy... "
"Leon."
"You and Leon come with me. There's an entrance around back, between the base of the mountain and the foundation. More like a crawl space. It leads to the basement. It's tight, but being spirits, we'll have no problem. I wish we could just materialize in the house, but you might have noticed you can't. The old man has a protection spell around the property. No shimmering in or out."
"Then what?" Kyle inquired.
"Then we split up. You two go for your friends. I'll get the crazy soul steeler. There's a silver dagger in a wooden box on top of the mantle of the fireplace. That is the only thing, beside Vincenzo, that can break the chains that bind your friends. Get it, free them, get out."
"And what about you?" Kyle asked.
"Don't worry about me. I'll restrain him as long as I can with my leash. My companion should be waking up soon fully healed. He'll find me if there's any trouble. You just get out of here. When you're safe, I'll find you."
Everyone agreed.
"Okay ladies, you're up." The stranger nodded toward the front door.
Margaret was the first to put her fist to the door. Pounding relentlessly until Vincenzo spoke up.
"You are trying my patience. I've been nice enough to let you leave. You should really go before my grace runs out."
"I'm not leaving without Alex. So, you either take both of us, or I'll find a way to knock this door down."
"Oh, very well.”
Margaret stepped back when she heard the click of the latch unhinge. Amry glided in front of her and Ophelia and Bethany stood on either side. She was cocooned in a circle of false safety.
"This is really noble of you to protect me, but who's gonna protect you? He can steal your energy just as easily as he can mine," Margaret whispered.
There was no time for a response. The door waved open and Vincenzo stood in the archway with a wide smile on his face.
"Oh, how delicious. You've all returned. Where's my little lamb?"
"You will never get Haven again. But we are here of our own will," Ophelia snapped.
"Hmm. I guess that will be satisfactory. Although she is so young. Her energy is pure light. I'll miss it.”
Ophelia struggled to maintain her composure. The thought of his vile soul being anywhere near her little sister, stoked a fire in her belly that rose with every syllable that spilled from his lips. She bit the inside of her cheek to silence any words from slipping out. A breather trick she was happy to possess at the moment.
Vincenzo stepped aside, making room for the girls to enter. Alex was chained near the fireplace. Zachary was across the room in a simple wooden chair. Margaret glanced over at Amry, who had clearly spotted the same prize she had. Her wide eyes were fixated on the small wooden box, placed in the center of the mantle. The girls exchanged a slight drop of the chin to signify they were in unity.
“Mr. McKenna, I release you.”
Alex startled back to reality when the mental iron door abruptly flew open, freeing his mind from captivity. Dazed for only a moment, clarity flooded in when he saw Margaret in the room.
“What the hell are you doing here, get out.” Alex shouted.
“You stay, I stay.” Margaret tightened her fists at her side.
She swore if it were possible, Alex would have steam rising from his nostrils. The pissed off look combined with the confusion of desperation in his eyes, threw her off balance for a moment. She would explain everything once they got out of there—all of them.
"Now then. Why don't you three souls go upstairs. I'd like to have a moment with, Miss Margaret."
"We stay together. We're here, but we 're not gonna be your zombies. You'll have us, but as we are," Amry proclaimed.
"I don't know whether your obstinance is charming, or just a huge pain in the ass. Sit. All of you."
Margaret locked eyes with Alex. She hoped his spidey sense would pick up the real reason they were there. This was a rescue plan. No one was about to lay down for the diseased spirit of the Soul Gatherer. If he were to remain alone for eternity, it wouldn't be enough time.
"So how does this work? We take turns being your energy bitches. You cook dinner, and we sit around the table discussing our day? What the hell do you plan to do with all of us?" Margaret barked.
"Attitude, Miss Margaret."
"Stop referring to me as Miss Margaret. I'm not a debutante. In fact, I prefer you didn't say my name at all. Hey, you, will work just fine."
"I can see you're going to be fun. Full of energy." Vincent licked his upper lip.
>
"Oh, you’re so gross." Margaret winced.
"Gross? That's putting it mildly. If I could, I'd throw up. What about you Lia? You feel the stomach bubbling?" Amry glared.
"Bubbling and sloshing to nauseating levels of disgust." Ophelia furrowed her brow.
Amry glided next to Alex.
"How does it feel Alex? Margaret loves you so much she's willing to give up everything for you."
Margaret narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. Amry inconspicuously wiggled her hand indicating more. Confused, Margaret widened her eyes.
"Does it make you happy, Alex? The fact that her love runs so deep?" Amry coaxed him on.
"Amry stop it," Alex commanded.
"I mean, she was free. And yet, here she is, with you."
Alex's eyes grew dark, his complexion beamed like Santa's red suit at the Macy's Christmas Day parade. His nostrils flared, and both fists were clenched at his side.
Margaret's cheeks grew full of the wide grin sparkling across her face. It became clear that Amry's strategy was to get him angry enough to rile up his abilities. Alex's gifts ran on emotions. The stronger they were, the stronger he was. Maybe they could tap into his newfound use of telekinesis.
"And look at you. Chained up, and unable to help her if you tried. That chain looks damn solid. I bet there's no cutting through that," Amry egged him on, "So what's the plan Alex? Because the others you've had, worked out so beautifully. What was it you said? Oh, I remember. We just need to trust you. Look what that's gotten us. Eternity with this dreadful man, in a shit-hole world of desolation and torture. Great plan. I can hardly wait to see what else you have in store for us."
The words plunged into Alex's chest like a steel dagger. The fire in his belly grew to an inferno, as he heard Amry's insults repeat over in his head. Stealing a glance at Margaret, her eyes were like saucers and glued to the small wooden box on the mantle. Alex raised a brow and she ping-ponged her gaze from him to the box and back again. He wasn't sure of its importance, but it was enough to monopolize Margaret's attention.
Alex McKenna & the Academy of Souls Page 17
