by Mika B. Coit
"Tell me about it!" Iliana muttered under her breath.
"What are you doing with those people?... And I am sure I saw Kazuki Williams get in that car?"
"It..." Iliana started.
"It is... not what I think?" Chloe finished raising her eyebrows.
Iliana bit her lower lip not really knowing what to say to that.
"W-who are those flowers for?" She asked swiftly turning the conversation round to a different topic.
"Supposed to be for Victoria and Claire. I went round their house after the cancelled party to drop them off and to see how they were feeling. However, they both growled at me and slammed the door on my face... strange I know. But since they are unwell I am willing to forgive them for that... so I thought I would give one to your Mother and the other to Mrs. Rawlins, because I am nice like that."
"Victoria and Claire growled at you?"
"Yep!... But that is not the only strange thing I have encountered this evening. On the way here I decided to have a quick latte at Rosy’s Café shop, and I swear I saw them again with the rest of their family."
Iliana frowned not understanding why that was strange as if Chloe had read her mind, she explained in more detail.
"Okay, that was not the strange part... they were all heading to the County Hall with crowds of other people. I wanted to go after them but they all kept grabbing other people on the way and... now this is the strange part... they kissed them!"
Iliana’s eyes widened.
‘Victoria and Claire... are amongst them?’ She thought.
"They were kissing anyone they could find... an old man, a young boy... whoever came close to them. And whoever they kissed just went and followed them." Chloe continued then let a sigh. "What is going on with these people?"
Looking at Chloe Iliana frowned then asked her...
"That night at Lucas’s welcome back party... did you shake Lord Baddesley’s hand?"
"After hearing what I had just said, you ask me that?"
"Please... just answer my question."
Chloe squinted her smoky made-up eyes whilst looking up the evening fresh sky as if struggling to recall what had happened that night.
"Hmm... I think so... oh, actually... no, Victoria or Claire always jumped in front of me when he or Lucas appeared at least ten yards in view of us!"
‘Chloe is not affected... thank god.’ Iliana thought with a sigh of relief.
"Chloe... I want you to take Yuki and go inside the chapel room in the hospital. My Mother and Father are there... oh, and so is Mrs. Rawlins. Stay there until I call you."
Iliana headed towards Yuki, undid the simple knot she created with the lead which she had tied to the bench and took it off Yuki’s neck. Yuki shook her body as if relieved to have it off. Iliana knew Yuki hated leads but it was only used when she knew she was going to be away from her for longer than an hour.
"W-what?... Why?" Chloe questioned.
A car horn tooted loudly a few times. Iliana could see Father Benjamin waving at her eagerly. Iliana bent down to Yuki and hugged her. Her soft white fur brushed Iliana’s flustered cheeks.
"I will see you soon Yuki." Iliana whispered then kissed the top of her head as Yuki whined.
"Please Chloe... you must get inside quickly... You will be fine in there."
Iliana headed to the car when Chloe shouted out.
"Wait Iliana!... I thought dogs are not allowed in hospitals."
Iliana spun round as she reached the door of the car and yelled back.
"They are not!... But I am sure you can work your way round that!"
Father Benjamin drove towards the County Hall after Iliana hastily told them all of what Chloe had told her. On the way Father Benjamin was filled in on the other matters they have discovered. Iliana was surprised he could still drive normally when everyone took it in turns to bombard him with all the information. She still has not even told them of Lord Baddesley’s past yet and the fact that he is a Miracle like her.
Whilst everyone else continued to inform Father Benjamin Iliana glanced out the car window. They were driving past the City centre where only a scatter of people roamed the streets. It was much quieter than normal, maybe it was because half the people in the City were at the County Hall. Iliana had never seen or been to the County Hall before, apparently it was not far from the police headquarters. Both buildings stood just slightly from the outskirts of the bustling City centre. The closer they drove towards it, the more still the streets became until there was not a soul in sight. Just as they drove past Rosy’s Café shop Iliana perked up on her seat, the same unusual feeling she felt just before Mrs. Rawlins barged through the door at the hospital room, tickled the back of Iliana’s neck.
Iliana placed her hand up in front of Jung who was still nattering non-stop next to her in the middle seat.
"Shhh!..." Iliana hushed.
Father Benjamin carried on driving at the average speed. The County Hall building was just yards before them with a large fountain silhouetted in front of it. Silence swept within the car with only the noise of the car engine humming along in the background.
"What is it Iliana?" Father Benjamin asked looking up at her in the rear view mirror.
"Somethi..."
Everybody gasped out loudly in unison. The back of the car suddenly began to lift up into the air, only the two front wheels were running on the tarmac. Both Iliana and Kazuki grabbed Jung’s arm to stop him from falling down towards the front window screen.
"I told you to put on your seatbelt!" Kazuki cried out grabbing the handle bar above him with his other hand.
"I was not exactly expecting to be thrown around in the car!" Jung yelled back sarcastically.
Everybody screamed as the car stood vertically up on the tip of it’s bonnet. Iliana held onto the handle bar above her as tight as she could. She could feel the seatbelt digging into her stomach and rubbing one side of her neck. It was the only thing restraining her from falling forwards. The screeching sound of the metal that scraped the concrete ground was almost deafening. Iliana could feel her grip round Jung’s arm was loosening and as the whole car flipped right over, Jung slipt from her hand.
"JUNG!..."
Suddenly the car crashed heavily onto the ground upside down. The screams died into silence. The four wheels were still rolling pointlessly up towards the sky. Wisps of white smoke from the bonnet dissipated into the dark cool air. Broken glass littered the middle of the road. Stirring back into consciousness Iliana could still feel the seatbelt gripping her stomach. She looked up to only finds her legs dangling down to the dented roof of the car. Both Father Benjamin and Caitlyn in front were slumped over the air bag that had blown up. Jung’s body laid awkwardly between the smashed front window and the front roof of the car. Blood dripped down one side of his forehead. Tears filled up in Iliana’s eyes with the sight of them lying there so still. A lump grew in her throat and fear ran through her veins.
‘Are they dead?’ Was the only question that circled round in her mind.
Iliana then turned to Kazuki next to her. Like her his seatbelt was the only thing that held him back into his seat. His silver chain hung from his neck swinging slowly to and fro with the silver cross pendant following the same movement. He looked so peaceful and vulnerable with his eyes closed. Trying to get a grip of her emotional self Iliana decided to release her seatbelt. With a loud thud she collapsed onto the roof. Groaning with the aches and pain that rippled throughout every inch of her body Iliana slowly crawled over to Kazuki then also released his seatbelt. A small groan slipped from his lips as he fell from the seat. Iliana’s heart lifted with so much relief, her emotions got the better of her. Tears ran uncontrollably down her face.
"Thank god!" She sobbed into her hands.
Iliana was about to turn to the others when the dented door behind her flung open and two cold hands wrapped round her ankles. Iliana screamed as she was dragged backwards. Broken glass scratched her face and body. She was then flung
across to the other side of the road, her back slammed down on the ground. Iliana cried out in pain. After a few moments she slowly managed to pick herself up into a sitting position to only be greeted by a pair of very shiny black shoes. Iliana followed the feet up to the body and face.
"Lord Baddesley."
He was wearing the most expensive looking black suit with the same scarlet red cravat round his neck which he wore in their last meeting. A black cloak with red trimmings sat neatly across his shoulders with the same brooch of the long tailed bird which clipped the cloak together over his chest. He bent down to Iliana’s level and stared into her eyes. Iliana was positively sure his brown eyes were much darker than when she last saw them.
"It is time to get serious... Iliana D’coye!" He hissed barely moving his lips.
He waved a hand in front of her eyes, a wisp of black smoke formed from the palms of his hand. Instantly Iliana felt drowsy. Her eyes became heavy. Her vision of Lord Baddesley began to blur, and just after noticing an army of people and demons gathering behind him Iliana blacked out.
Sounds of murmuring hummed in Iliana’s ears. Beads of sweat trickled down the sides of her face. It was only the sound of Caitlyn’s cry which made Iliana open her eyes. Blinking a few times to rid the blurred vision Iliana examined where she found herself. The room she was in was huge, it looked like a large lobby. The floor was of white smooth stone with the walls matching. Fire danced within the open black fire pits that lined each sides of the wall. A mixture of demons and possessed humans stood around the room as if they were waiting for something to happen. Father Benjamin, Jung and Caitlyn were completely surrounded by demons who held black spears with a sharp point that came dangerously close to their stomachs. It looked like their arms were tied behind them and all of them had a twisted cloth in between their teeth like a gag. Scratches and scars covered their face and body. Blood splashed on their clothes but they were alive.
Tears filled Iliana’s eyes again, so relieved to see them. But when a group of demons on the other end of the room moved, Iliana’s heart sank like a ship’s anchor to the seabed. It was Kazuki. His wrist was chained to the wall. He was only wearing his black jeans, the top half of his body was exposed showing his silver chain that still hung from his neck. His head was dipped down low and rested on the wall. Iliana attempted to dash forwards but was violently pulled back preventing her from so. She turned round, her eyes widened. It was Claire on one side and Victoria on the other. Both of them gripped her arm so tightly, Iliana was sure she would soon loose her blood circulation. They both had such pale, gaunt faces and their eyes were covered in darkness.
"Finally!... You are awake!" Claire grunted her voice so deep and scratchy. Unlike the voice of the real Claire.
A large door on the other end of the room opened. Lord Baddesley strode across the floor briskly, his cloak billowed behind him. A long thorned whip was held tightly in his hand and trailed on the floor like a black spiky snake.
"You have finally come round!" He growled when his beady eyes met Iliana’s. "Just in time!"
Lord Baddesley waved a hand and Iliana was forced to move forwards until she was standing right by Kazuki. He lifted his head from the wall then turned to Iliana with such an expressionless look on his face. Even his deep blue eyes were unreadable as if he was deliberately hiding his true emotions.
"What are you doing?" Iliana questioned firmly tearing her gaze from Kazuki to Lord Baddesley.
"I am glad you asked!" He responded with a twisted smirk. "A little payback for ruining my house. You know... it is going to take some time to get that mess you made cleared."
Lord Baddesley stood back behind Kazuki tugging at the lash from the handle of the whip as if he was checking it was in good working condition.
"In all seriousness... you have left me no other options but to Taint your soul by watching the ones you care about be tortured... until they are no more!" He sneered. "And I am going to start with this young man. It is shame... he is so very handsome with such nice muscles. No wonder why your heart flutters at the sight of him."
Iliana glared at Lord Baddesley who laughed out hysterically.
"I see the way you look at him... it is written all over your face, even now... you like him!"
"I do not!" Iliana cried out.
Iliana knew what she was about to say would probably still not save Kazuki from being whipped but she hoped it might give her some time to work round Lord Baddesley. She gulped before putting on a convincing face and said...
"I hold no such feelings for him... My heart beats for someone else... for your son... Lucas Baddesley."
Lord Baddesley stared at Iliana, his smile quickly faded. Iliana felt his smugness has slipped so she carried on, now that she has got his full attention.
"Just like your heart had once beat for someone... someone named Lucy!"
Lord Baddesley’s eyes opened even wider, his face contorted into a confused yet slightly intrigued look.
"You are talking nonse..."
"Have you forgotten her?..." Iliana interrupted, her confidence building slowly. "Just like you had forgotten about your friend... the friend who is the father of the young man standing before you?"
Iliana’s eyes flitted to Kazuki who frowned at her, oblivious to how she knew about his own Father’s past when he knew nothing about it. Lord Baddesley then began to grumble insanely then yelled.
"Shut up!... Shut up!"
But Iliana continued, her voice getting louder.
"What happened to you?... Why is it you do not remember?"
"Arrgh!... SHUT UP...!"
Lord Baddesley swung the whip behind him before lashing it hard against Kazuki’s back causing him to cry out through gritted teeth. The end of the whip ripped through his flesh like a sharp blade through a piece of tough meat, blood splashed to the once clean floor. Iliana saw his arm muscles tense up.
"How could you forget about your past?... How could you forget your childhood friend?"
Lord Baddesley screamed as he waved the whip over his head slashing it again on Kazuki’s already raw back. The cracking sound when it hit him echoed throughout the room like the sound of lightening crashing, followed by Kazuki’s muffled and pained whimper. Iliana quickly closed her eyes unable to watch him suffer so harshly. When she reopened them she carried on, sounding more desperate than ever.
"Why did you let your demon take control of you?... Why did you not fight it?... WHY?..."
"STOP IT!... STOP IT!..."
With another loud crack of the whip Kazuki now yelled out in pain. His back was red raw, bleeding profusely and another hit would probably break him.
"I know what you are Lord Baddesley... I know of the powers you possess!"
Lord Baddesley readied himself for another blow of the whip but Iliana screamed as she attempted to pull herself away from the strong grip of Claire and Victoria.
"You are like me!... You are a... MIRACLE!..."
Lord Baddesley froze from his spot. His eyes were open so wide, it looked like they were going to pop out from it’s sockets. He lowered his hand and dropped the whip which clattered to the floor. Cradling his head in his hands, Lord Baddesley fell to his knees whimpering like a scared kitten. Claire and Victoria suddenly released their grip from Iliana’s arm then stepped back. Iliana tentatively walked over to Lord Baddesley and kneeled down next to him. She could hear him muttering quickly under his breath.
"Lord Baddesley?" Iliana whispered softly.
The muttering stopped. Then all of a sudden Lord Baddesley grabbed Iliana’s neck and squeezed it tightly causing her to choke. His face was distorted almost unrecognisable.
"I am no longer a Miracle!" He growled, his voice was dark and gravely.
"You are!" Iliana gasped, hardly able to breathe but gazed at him calmly. "D-do you not remember... t-those times when you used your p-powers?"
Lord Baddesley’s face returned to normal, his beady brown eyes saddened and his voice became soft with
a quiver.
"I do not... want to remember anything from my past!"
"W-why?"
"It... it hurts!"
He slowly let go of Iliana’s neck, his hand shook uncontrollably as he lowered it.
"But you must remember it... no matter how painful it is... otherwise it will only eat you up inside!" Iliana said.
"It is already too late!" Lord Baddesley remarked in a deflated tone.
Iliana stared at this weak, lonely and vulnerable man kneeling before her. So different from the strong, arrogant business man that he always portrayed to the public.
"It is never too late!"
"Well-well-well!" Said a very deep loud voice which echoed around the room. "What do we have here?"
Everyone turned round to where the voice came from. A very tall broad-shouldered man strode across the floor bare footed. He wore a long black material which draped over him like night gown with a simple black string which was tied round his waist. The chiffon type material dropped to the floor and trailed behind him. He had long black hair with loose waves which hung past his chiselled jaw bones and rested on his shoulders. His dark almond-shaped eyes glared around the room. For a man in his mid-forties he was not bad looking either.
Father Benjamin’s eyes widened at the sight of this man who walked past him with an uncanny smile that lifted one side of his stiff lips. A look of shock and fright was clearly painted across Father Benjamin’s face. Even Jung and Caitlyn wore a similar look.
"Good Evening... Benji!" The man greeted narrowing his eyes as it met Father Benjamin’s.
Father Benjamin growled angrily through the cloth in between his mouth as he tried to push past the demons around him. But the demons lifted their spears a little higher threatening to thrust it into his heart.
"M-Master!" Lord Baddesley muttered stumbling to his feet and bowed when the man approached him.
"When you said you had a plan... I was certainly not expecting this Baddesley. You have surprised me!" The man sneered, briefly glancing down at him before meeting his gaze with Iliana.
Iliana quickly stood up and stepped back as he drew closer to her. He had the same aura radiating from him like Lucas had at the hospital.
