by Sarah Swan
Liz sat slumped against one wall, her head down and her hands behind her back. It took me a second to realize her limbs were bound. She was facing the crystals, her profile to me. From my vantage I could tell she was in rough shape. Her hair was a mess, and her upper lip was swollen, as if she had been hit there. I moved my head a bit to see better, and suppressed a gasp. Her face was bruised. She had a swelling black eye that would disfigure her for weeks.
Chris was on the other side. He was pacing up and down beside the crystals, too preoccupied to notice me. He looked like he had seen better days, too. There were four parallel gashes on his cheek, stretching from just under his eye to his chin. I took a little solace in that. It looked like Liz had fought back, and scratched him with her nails.
Suddenly he jerked his head toward me. I instinctively pulled away. My heart jumped to my throat. Had he seen me? Had I given myself away? I waited a few seconds and dared another look around the corner. Chris had resumed his anxious pacing. I sighed with relief. He hadn’t noticed me.
Somebody pulled on my arm. I looked back, and found Ashley standing beside me. She motioned for me to step away so she could take a look. I shook my head. “Too risky,” I mouthed, and pulled her back. When we were a good ten feet away from the corner, reunited with Eve and Madison, I relaxed.
“What is it?” Ashley asked. “What did you see?”
“It’s not good,” I told them. “Liz is tied up. She’s alive, but in pretty bad shape. And Chris was just across from her.”
“What was he doing?” Eve asked. “Was there anyone else?”
“No, just him. And he was pacing back and forth. He looked… nervous. He has a cut across his face.” I drew a line along my cheek. “Like that. I think Liz managed to scratch him.”
“Atta girl,” Eve said.
“So, now what do we do?” Madison asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered. “I have to think.”
“Who died and made you ringleader?” Eve asked. “I say we all take a look. We need to know what’s going on.”
“Fine,” I replied. “Just be careful.”
“Of course,” Eve said dismissively. She walked to the corner. Ashley, helping Madison along, followed after her. I went with them. Eve was the first to look around the corner, and then Ashley, and finally Madison.
“The crystals,” Ashley breathed once she turned back. “They’re… beautiful.” She turned toward me, and I heard the longing clear in her voice. After a few seconds, Eve and Madison turned back as well. They both had the same look of dumb desire plastered on their faces.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Madison breathed.
“Focus!” I snapped at them. “We’re here to save Liz, not admire the crystals!”
“Right.” Ashley shook her head and blinked a few times to regain focus. “You’re right. Well, we’re here. Now what do we do?”
“We have to let Chris know we came,” Madison answered. “And we have to make sure Liz is safe. Then we need to get her away from here quickly.”
“And what if it’s a trap?” Ashley asked. “What if he’s expecting us to come, and just wants to do the same thing to us as he did to her?”
“There’s four of us,” Eve said. “Even he wouldn’t be dumb enough to try something like that.”
“No, there’s more to it than that,” I said. “We need to be careful. Chris knows something about the crystals, otherwise he wouldn’t be here.”
“What could he possibly know?” Ashley wondered aloud. “Only females can use the crystals, and no one else knows about them.”
“But he brought Liz here for a reason,” I answered. “And we have to figure out what that reason is.”
“Simple,” Eve said. “He wanted to exchange her for you.”
“And then what?” I snapped. “What does he want from me?”
“Beats me,” Eve said breezily “He’s your friend.”
“Was my friend,” I corrected. “Besides, if it were that easy, he wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of kidnapping Liz. He’s up to something, and it has to do with all of us. And the crystals.”
Suddenly a small gasp escaped from Madison’s lips. She had snuck back to the corner, and was peeking around again. She turned to us. “There’s something in his hand!”
“What?” I came up to her, and poked my head around the side. I couldn’t see it at first, but then I noticed that something he held reflected the light. It was long and slender, and had a silvery gleam. A blade?
I pulled Madison away. “He’s got a knife,” I told the others.
“Great,” Eve said sarcastically. “Now what?”
“Well, he wants me. Maybe you were right. Maybe I should just go down there.”
“No way.” Ashley shook her head vigorously. For some reason, after her failed attack against me, she had become very protective of me. “If we do that, we give away our biggest bargaining chip. Here’s what I say we do. Madison, why don’t you and I go there? Tracy, you stay back with Eve. That way, you two can keep watch. Maybe if he thinks you didn’t come, he’ll let up on this madness.”
“I will not just sit back and wait!” Eve exclaimed.
“You’ll have to,” Ashley spoke right over her. “You’re the only one of us with a crystal. If anything happens – well, maybe you’ll be able to use it. You’ll do better keeping watch. Besides, I’m more… diplomatic… than you are.”
Eve sniffed loudly, but didn’t protest.
“Tracy, you’ll need to stay back as well. I don’t know what Chris has planned for you, but I don’t think any of us wants to find out. If Madison and I can get Liz out of there without involving you, it’ll be better.”
“All right,” I agreed reluctantly. I didn’t want them risking themselves for me. I was the one who had caused this, somehow. If I shied away now… well, to say I shared Eve’s sentiment about being left behind was an understatement.
“We don’t want to spook him either by all showing up at once. Madison’s got a limp, so she won’t seem a threat.” Madison smiled weakly. “Hopefully, I can get Chris to release Liz just by talking to him.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” Eve pondered.
“We’ll deal with that when we get there,” Ashley said.
“It’s not much of a plan,” Eve said sarcastically.
“I know. But it’s the best we’ve got. None of us has ever faced something like this before. We have to be as cautious as we possibly can.”
“All right. Fine,” Eve said. “Let’s just get on with it, shall we? The anticipation is killing me.”
“Right.” Ashley stood up, and looked at Madison. “Come on.”
The two girls walked toward the cavern. After they turned the corner, Eve quickly dragged me after them. “Come on!” she said, “We need to be able to see what’s going on.”
I huddled at the corner and peeked out. Ashley and Madison were walking toward the middle of the cavern, but hadn’t been seen yet.
“Hello, Chris,” Ashley said in a cool, clear voice. Madison limped beside her.
Instantly, Chris turned to them. “There you are!” His voice was vicious. “Did you bring her?”
“Tracy? No, I didn’t see the need for it.” Ashley examined her fingernails casually. “The way I see it, you took away one of my friends. I’m here to get her back.” Off to the side, Liz was staring wide-eyed at Ashley and Madison. She looked shocked to see them there. “Well? Don’t tell me I came here to waste my time, Chris.”
“You’re lying!” he hissed. “She is here, and I know it! How else would you have known where to go?”
“Are you really so arrogant as to think you are the only one to have explored the unground caves?” Ashley asked. Her composure was truly astonishing. She was standing there, staring down somebody who was clearly not well, and she was as calm as if she was discussing the weather. “Besides, I don’t like when demands are made of me.”
“You stupid bitch!” Chris s
creamed. “Do you know what you have done?” Abruptly, he started laughing. So far Liz hadn’t said anything. Then I realized, somewhat belatedly, that Liz’s mouth was gagged. She couldn’t speak. “You didn’t bring her. That means she gets it!” He pointed the knife toward Liz.
Ashley took a step toward him.
“Stay back!” he warned, waving his knife at her. He was positioned between the two girls and Liz. “Don’t take another step!”
Ashley froze. “Chris,” she said softly, “put the knife down. Nobody needs to get hurt.”
“Nobody needs to get hurt,” he repeated. “Nobody needs to get hurt? That’s what you think!” Again came that maniacal laugh. Who had he become? “Well, I’ll tell you what. If she—” he pointed at Liz, “—does what I say, nobody will get hurt.” Liz started to squirm under the bonds. “But if she doesn’t listen…” his blade flashed. Madison let out a scream. The knife stopped mere inches from Liz’s face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“We need to do something!” I hissed at Eve.
“Just wait. Ashley knows what she’s doing.”
“Chris,” Ashley spoke again, though her voice quivered this time, “put the knife down. We’ll do what you want.” Madison snuck an anxious peek back at us.
“Will you? Swear it!”
“I promise!” I could hear the tension in her voice. “Please, just leave Liz alone.”
“And what about her?” Chris pointed at Madison.
“I will,” Madison said in a tiny voice.
“Hmm. You might do as well. Maybe better than Liz, even.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a ruby the size of his palm. It was wide and flat. Its red face was carved into three perfect planes. With the ruby, he pointed to the crystals in the middle of the cave. “There. Do you see them?”
“The crystals?” Ashley said slowly. “Of course I do.”
“I want you to use them! And don’t play dumb!” He motioned to Liz’s bruised face. “That’s what it got your friend.”
Ashley gulped, then nodded. A savage smile spread across Chris’s face. He really was deranged. He had become somebody else entirely. Why? And how?
Ashley took a small step in his direction, toward the crystal. Madison stayed where she was. He nodded in anticipation.
Ashley took another step, then stopped. “You have to let her go first.”
Chris frowned, considering the request. “Hmm…” he mused. “No deal. But I can give you my word that no more harm will come to Elizabeth if you do what I ask.”
Behind him, Liz had taken to squirming wildly, desperately trying to get free. She started making a warning sound through the gag, and was shaking her head vigorously.
“Shut up!” Chris roared at her. He turned back with an upraised arm. She flinched and huddled into a ball. He didn’t hit her. Instead, he let his arm fall, and turned away. Then, just as she relaxed, he whipped around and backhanded her viciously across her cheek.
Madison cried out at the same time as Ashley. “You bastard!” Ashley screamed. “What are you doing?” Liz had fallen to the floor. Blood was spreading on her face where her lip had broken anew.
“Nuh-uh-uh,” Chris intoned, waggling the knife in front of his face. “Remember who’s in charge here. I can do much worse than that.” Casually, he fingered the hilt of the blade.
Liz was on the floor, completely distraught and sobbing now. I couldn’t stay back any longer. “We have to do something!” I hissed at Eve.
Eve’s face was strained. She was obviously struggling with standing by and watching as her friend was hurt. “Another minute,” she said. “Ashley knows what she’s doing. I know that look.”
“Chris has gone mad!”
“Not yet,” Eve said. “Just hold on.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“So?” Chris demanded of Ashley. “Are you going to stay true to your word? I want you to use the crystal right now. No more excuses or demands.”
“She can’t use the crystals!” I said to Eve.
“I know. Just hold on…”
Ashley nodded. She walked toward the crystal, and Chris took a step toward it as well. But he still positioned himself between Liz and the others. Ashley was right up to it now, and she reached out very slowly, very carefully…
Just before she could touch the crystal, Liz broke out of her gag. “Don’t do it!” she screamed with all she had.
“Shut up!” Chris hollered, but didn’t turn back. He was watching Ashley, and was nearly trembling with anticipation.
“We have to do something!” I pressed.
Eve looked at me. “You’re right. Here!” She shoved the small packet from her pocket toward me. “I’m not strong enough to do anything, but you are!”
“Your crystal? I thought only you can use it.”
“Anybody can use it,” Eve said brusquely. “Go!”
I hesitated for only a moment. Using the crystal was something I swore never to do. But, that was before the life of a friend was at stake. Could I live with myself if something happened to Liz because of my stubborn refusal? No. I snatched the crystal from Eve’s open hand. I didn’t know what I could do with it, but I still had to try.
“Chris? I’m here!”
Everybody turned back to face me. Ashley pulled away from the crystal. Madison gaped at me. Chris smiled savagely. His eyes darted from Liz to me. And, without warning, he lunged at Liz with the knife.
I drew power from the crystal—overwhelming, chaotic power. The light exploded from my hand, freezing everything. Chris hung in mid-air. Everything was covered in that symbolic blue, but there was an increased intensity this time. The crystal in my hand felt alive, as if it were being amplified by the large crystals in the room.
Danger.
Again came that unnerving feeling, but I deliberately ignored it. If I let up now, Chris would get to Liz. I had to do something. But what? I had no training, no idea what the crystals were capable of. All I had to go on was what little Ashley had told me the time I woke in the woods. Everything was connected, she said. The crystals allowed you to take advantage of that property. I set to it.
I pulled more power into the crystal. The connections flared to life. It was sudden, like the great swell of a tide. Immediately I could sense them. I could feel the connections between myself and the earth, between the crystal and the rocks, between all the elements.
Danger.
I was determined not to let up. I drew more power, vainly trying to expand my feel of the connections. It worked! My senses expanded. In an instant, I could feel everything in the room. I knew where everything was, from the smallest speck of dirt to the largest boulder, by instinct alone. I could tell exactly how far away Liz was. Without looking, I could feel where Eve was right behind me. It was an explosion of the senses. Everything in the cavern was linked, and I felt all the links.
But I was drifting. The more energy I pulled in, the more power I commanded, the less I felt like I was there. I was becoming thin, vaporous. It was the manifestation of the danger I felt.
Danger.
Without warning, the crystals in the middle flared to life.
Danger! Danger!
One minute they were dormant, the next they were filled with energy. I could feel them opening, like a flower blossoming, or a captive beast testing its muscles upon release. The energy they commanded was colossal. They fed on the power I was putting in my crystal, sucking it into themselves like a giant black hole. The light from my crystal flowed into the crystals in the middle, and I could feel my control slipping away.
I couldn’t let that happen. With immense concentration, I poured everything I had into the rock between my fingers. The flow to the middle crystals slowed, then ebbed to a halt. I had complete control again. The feeling of danger ceased slightly.
I had to do something to save Liz. I felt the connections again, the millions of links that made up the ethereal energies flowing between all the particles of the universe. I f
elt, and saw, the usually imperceptible ebb and flow of power through everything in the room. The inanimate rocks, the dirt on the ground, and even the very air around me – everything was connected from its origin at one common source. There was life to it, a sampling of the energy that was held at the start of all existence. Everything here was alive. The rocks, the air, the ground, all had that vital energy linking them to me and me to them. And I could tap into it.
Danger.
The feeling returned, but I ignored it, focusing instead on tracing the connections around me. If I knew what they were, perhaps I could figure out how to use them. I felt myself reach out, testing the boundaries of the crystal’s power. There were none. Anything I wanted to do, I could. I felt an ethereal mist come into being around my body and expand outward, connecting itself to everything in the cavern. I was there, and I could command the connections, shift and change them however I saw fit.
My mind raced. I could feel the ground, feel the tiniest of cracks, the smallest of fissures, any imperfections at all. I could see it all clearly in my mind’s eye, the structure of the entire cave. I knew the location of every bit of rock, every individual molecule, every infinitesimal atom. I knew how they connected to each other, knew how they lay in place in the world, and how they could be used.
I traced the rocks with the power. I was looking for a fault in its formation. There were many – hundreds, perhaps thousands— and with the right amount of energy each would quickly deepen and drive the earth apart.
DANGER!
The feeling flashed in my mind, but I couldn’t pay any attention. Liz was in danger, and I had to separate her from Chris. The only way was to move to earth, to create a fissure so wide between her and him that he wouldn’t be able to reach her. And I had to do it quickly, for as soon as I released the power of the crystal, reality would return to its proper speed, and Chris’s maniacal lunge would end Liz’s life.
