by Bryan Cohen
Chapter 39
Ted gleaned as much as was possible through the hood covering his face. He could tell there were at least three people in the back with him, judging by their distinct breathing patterns. Given the multiple punches he'd received in the stomach, he thought that Tank was in the back with him, providing retribution for the textbooks to the face. After hearing a familiar sneer or two, he realized the Torellos had been turned into dark souls by Nigel and his gang. The same way they turned Sandra against him.
"Did you like how we played possum earlier?" Jason asked.
"Very convincing," Ted said.
"Sandra told us to hold back, but the whole time you had us spinning, we were thinking about killing you," Phil said.
"Good to know."
"Finley, this reminds me of sixth grade," Jason said. "Except there aren't consequences anymore. I get to hit you as much as I want."
Another punch to Ted's sternum made it hurt to breathe.
"Seems like I survived longer," Ted said.
"We'll see about that," Jason said.
Ted wondered how Sandra died. Nigel and the others obviously wanted to use her to trick Ted. He cared for Sandra deeply, and there were many other people he loved who could be at risk because of him. Dhiraj, his parents, his sister and even Natalie. The thought of Natalie truly upset him. In the hubbub of everything at the school, he hadn't even considered her well-being. If Natalie was ever turned into a dark soul, Ted wasn't sure he'd ever be able to fight her, one of the reasons being that she'd probably destroy him in a confrontation. He supposed his life as the living soul would be in jeopardy from now on, constantly worrying about who to trust and from what direction the next attack would come. That is, if he could figure out a way out of Nigel's clutches. Ted decided to try to seek out more information.
"I hear you're fighting a losing battle," he said.
Ted could feel the air move as Tank wound up to hit him again. But there was no punch. He assumed Nigel must have stayed his hand.
"Everybody loses during a war, Ted."
Ted had heard enough stories from his grandfather to know the truth of that statement. He doubted the nobility of Nigel's cause would stand up to his grandfather's efforts to stop the Nazis.
"Tell me about your war."
"Shut up," Tank said.
"He's a teenager seeking out knowledge, Tank. Let's give him what he wants."
Nigel drew out each syllable.
He really has the evil villain thing down, Ted thought.
"This war is like any other. Pointless. Your grand protector–"
"Erica," Ted said, half making sure that's who he meant.
"Erica is a drone. She's not here to save you, she's just a cog in a machine. She's controlled by a hive mind willing to do anything to get its way."
"Like murdering innocent humans?"
That got Ted punched again.
"Killing a human is like stepping on an ant for us," Tank said.
Ted thought about how Erica had told him he was the protector of all the worlds. He wondered how Nigel and Erica's world compared to theirs.
"If we're ants, why do you want to take over our puny, insignificant lives?"
Another blow to the stomach sent Ted to the floor of the van. The pain lingered and Ted wondered if the last punch had broken a rib. He reminded himself never to take up boxing as a hobby.
"According to the stories, our world was once a peaceful, breathtaking place," Nigel said. "It provided us with everything we could have ever asked for. When my people asked to let us expand our joy to other worlds, the war began. Now our world is a barren place for everyone."
"Because you overreached," Ted said.
Nigel ignored him.
"We have the power to start anew in your world or any of the others. If you were trapped in a wasteland, wouldn't you do anything to liberate your friends and loved ones?"
Tank pulled Ted back up to a sitting position. He wondered if he could use his powers to mend cracked bones.
"Not if I was killing someone else's loved ones," Ted said.
Nigel laughed.
"We'll just have to agree to disagree."
Ted had just one more question to ask.
"And how do I fit into all of this?"
He'd seen this dream on multiple occasions. He just needed to know it was true.
"Erica never told you? It's so hard to find good protectors these days. When we kill you, all the barriers break down between worlds. It'll be as easy as walking across the border. Minus the paperwork."
In Ted's dream, one stab of the ancient-looking sword caused all his friends to become dark souls. Both times he dreamt it, the same result occurred. Erica, Dhiraj and several others were there to help him. Both times he was killed and the world as they knew it came to an end. Ted hoped against hope that the dream was more a possible future and a warning than anything predestined.
The vehicle turned onto what sounded like a gravel path. Every minute or two, Ted had used his mind to reach outside the car in an effort to knock something down. A post office box, the light from a lamppost, a parking meter or whatever else he could feel nearby. Even though he couldn't see any of these items, he knew exactly what they were when he knocked them down. With any luck, his friends would be able to follow the signs to the start of the gravel path. He knew there wouldn't be many items like that off the road, so he considered other options. A few moments later, he heard a familiar sound. Ted grinned underneath his hood and concentrated on moving the airborne object toward the vehicle.
"Almost there," Tank said. "It's time to start thinking of your last words."
If Ted's plan worked, his friends might just get to him in time to keep anything he said that day from being his final phrase. As long as they could get out of the school, he thought.
