onto Jack and keeps her eyes locked onto him. Jack couldn’t help himself but smile, he held his sister and rubbed his face on her’s, she giggled and ruffled his hair.
Jack slid her fingers through his hair until she rested them behind his head. “Your hair… has gotten much… longer, Jack.” Angela said in a pampering voice.
It made Jack moan in surprise, his sister sounded more mature and familiar, which made the young man briefly look away.
She hasn’t called me brother yet since she’s awake… just by my name. And her voice, it sounds like—
“Brother?” Angela said, soothingly.
Jack shook his head. “Yeah, it has. Same goes for you, Angela. Look at how long yours has gotten, like—it’s-it’s long!” He grabs it and slightly strokes it, “Even your purple highlights have grown… more, and feel silker…” he muttered.
Angela smiles and blushes, grabbing her hair away from him. “Stop! You’re making me all nervous…” She gently strokes her hair, “...it’s crazy, I don’t even know what happened to me… or why I’m even here in the first place.” She sighs and pokes Jack’s nose, “you’ve gotten so much bigger… and more scary looking, yet more handsome.”
“Jee thanks for the compliment sis, but did you have to call me scary?” Jack pokes her nose as well, “you have no idea… how much I’ve missed you.”
With a gentle smile on his face, he nuzzles his nose against Angela’s. She blushes brightly, closes her eyes and slightly giggles.
“I almost lost you, but now… I won’t make the same mistake.” Jack whispered.
Angela opens her eyes and stares into Jack’s cold eyes. “I love you… Jack.”
Jack gasps and hears Mallory’s voice intertwined with Angela’s when she says those words of trust, unity, and care—’I love you.’
Is my head playing games with me? Mallory, you’re not screwing with me, are you?! Jack thought.
Angela mildly shook Jack. “Brother, what’s the matter? I don’t like that look on your face.”
Jack groaned. “Uhh, I love you too sis…”
Angela busts out laughing, leaving Jack confused and worried. He sighs and feels his phone vibrate. He grabs his phone inside his coat and answers it. “Hello?” Angela snooped in a bit to hear whoever was on the other side. “Oh! Is that so? Well… I’ve got a huge surprise for you big guy.” Angela knew who Jack was describing, she smiled and tapped his shoulder to get his attention. “What’s up, sis?”
“Can I talk to uncle Eric?” Angela whispered.
Jack thinks, then refuses her offer. “Let's surprise him instead, shall we?”
She understood and nodded. The door could be heard opening, they both looked into that direction and saw Candy walking in with plenty of snacks fitting for three grown men. He groans out of tiredness and drops the snacks, stretching his back, but the moment he opens his eyes, he spots Angela on Jack’s lap, awake and happy. Candy stood there speechless. He couldn’t believe it and assumed it was a dream, not until Angela said “Hi!” with such a joyful tone. But her tone changed to what Jack expected somehow her age would sound like, not that of maturity and someone in particular he knew.
Angela… What's going on with you? Why are acting so… strange? Jack thought.
Candy bursted into tears and rushed the two, jumping onto them and hugging them with all of his feminine strength. Angela laughed, Jack remained still. Candy rubbed his watered face all over the two out of such happiness that even his snot was beginning to drool onto them. Jack quickly pushes him off to protect Angela from his germs, and himself. Candy calls Jack an “Asshole!” but laughed afterwards as he wiped his tears.
“Momma! Look at you! Looking older and all, can you stand?”
Angela didn’t respond to that, but she was comfortable sitting on Jack’s lap. “I’m good, maybe some other time. Hey Jack!”
Jack’s face was still but inside he was worried for his sister's mental state and truly wondered if her coma was an actual miracle like the doctors said.
“Yes baby sis?” Jack replied.
Angela clasped her hands together and twiddled her thumbs. “Can you carry me outside? I want to see the city.”
“Sorry, can’t.” Jack immediately responded in a serious tone.
Angela sighs. Candy raises a brow and notices something was wrong with Jack.
“I’m not allowed to do such things, I’m still not sure if you're really in good health or fully recovered. For now, you’re gonna have to wait.”
She didn’t mind his answers, and leaned against his chest and started humming a song out of the bloom. Jack squinted and was fully worried, showing Candy his current mood that he hid. Candy crossed his arms and looked at Angela then back to Jack, nodding.
The door opens again, but this time it was her doctor. “Mr. Jack Samr, a moment please.”
“I’ll be right there.” Jack replied standing up, but was quickly grabbed by Angela who wanted to accompany him. “Relax, Angela. It’ll be quick.”
Angela lets go and Jack walks to the doctor. The two left the room and stood outside. Jack closed the door behind him.
“What is it, doctor?” Jack asked.
The doctor cleared his throat. “I wanted to share more information with you, but you have a visitor.”
Jack tilts. “Visitor? Who?”
The doctor was about to answer until Anna came from around the corner all angry and frustrated. Jack retracted out of shock, she was yelling, flailing her arms around, he couldn’t understand her and tried calming her down by gesturing his hands as she approached them. It wasn’t helping, in fact it aggravated her more. Jack walked backwards, opening the door behind him and into the room. He was about to close the door but Anna stopped it, and she marched in, making the young man put his hands up. Jack sweated a bit as Anna continued shouting nonsense at him, asking him why he wasn't answering her calls or why he’s been ignoring everyone.
Angela and Candy were conversing when her loudness approached their direction. Jack looked really surprised and bamboozled. He never had anyone shout at him like this, he didn’t even know how to react to this type of behaviour. As she continues asking him and shouting questions, Jack trips and she does as well. They both fall on top of each other, exposed to Candy and Angela. Candy laughs, but feels a bit jealous, he compliments Anna’s smooth skills and calls her a “Genius!”
Anna had Jack’s arms pinned against the ground, she was on top of him and stared hard with those trembling eyes of green. “Why?! Why do you keep ignoring us, Jack!”
Jack chuckles out of nervousness. “I’m-I’m sorry! Things were getting a bit complicated, that’s all…”
Anna leans her face towards his. “Oh yeah? Like what Mister!”
Jack continued chuckling until Angela spoke with a tone so fierce it scared everyone for a moment. “Hey!” She shouted, leaving everyone speechless. “Get off my brother.” Angela’s eyes were cold and she seemed very serious.
Anna was left stunned, she couldn’t move, were her eyes deceiving her? Or is his supposed sister finally awake? She still didn’t move until Angela told her to “Get off!” again but with such seriousness.
Anna stands up. “So-Sorry…”
Angela glared at Anna, but she cools down a bit and sighs. “No, I’m sorry, for being so aggressive.”
Jack stands up. “Easy Angela, and Anna, I can explain, okay. What’s happened the past few days are—”
Jack started explaining, but Anna had tunnel vision, his voice slowly muffled out and Anna couldn’t stop staring at Angela, almost like she was hypnotised by Angela’s intense stare. Jack stopped his explanation once he saw Anna dozing off. He snaps his fingers at Anna and she quickly snaps back into reality.
Anna shook her head. “Huh… oh I’m sorry Jack. And I’m also sorry for being so emotional.”
Jack waved no. “Stop, I should be the one to apologise, not you, Anna.” He stepped to the side and extended his arm out to his sister. “This is Angela, well you already knew that, but this time, she’s awake.”
Anna approached Angela very slowly. “Hi… I’m Jack’s childhood best friend A…”
“Annabelle, correct?” Angela abruptly answered, which shocked her.
Anna stopped moving and scratched her cheek. “So you knew?”
Angela nods. “Yes, for a very long time. I assumed it was you the moment I laid eyes on you…” She deeply observes Anna from head to toe. “...and he was right about you.”
Anna glances at Jack. He shrugs and she looks back at Angela. “Right about what?”
Angela was blushing, making Anna gasped, but at how adorable she looked.
Angela looked away. “Th-That you’re very pretty, but I’m still above you.” she said, puffing her cheeks, and crossing her arms.
Anna blushes and giggles as she bumps against Jack. “I appreciate the compliment! So? You’re the one who’s been taking care of my best buddy, huh?”
Angela continued looking away. “Hmph! I guess you could say that.”
They all heard a crunching sound. Everyone turned to the crunching and saw Candy munching on his snacks, enjoying the show.
Candy stopped midway on a crunch bar, looking at everyone. “Wh-what?! This shits good boo boo’s! Don’t be staring at me like that with ya emotional looking asses!” They continued staring at Candy with annoyance.
Jack clears his throat. “Says the fruitcake who always cries about not getting enough love.” The girls giggled while Candy continued chewing as he crossed his arms with frustration.
Eric’s just arriving at the hospital, his boys were told to stay put to keep watch for an hour while he visited Jack and the others. They understood their orders and hopped out of the car, chilling nearby to take a quick smoke break. Eric walked off and walked up the stairs of the entrance, but he felt something wasn’t right. He always trusted his gut. To be sure his gut feeling wasn’t playing tricks, he stopped at the front door and looked over his shoulder, glimpsing around the area before he could enter. He walked in and saw people sitting in the waiting area, but wondered why it was this crowded all of a sudden?
At this hour? Eric thought.
Upon glancing at everyone, they did look like regular folks so it brought down his suspicion a bit. He walked towards the elevator and noticed more nurses and doctors than usual too. He definitely knew something was up, he made sure he had his gun on his holster and extra ammo.
Eric wanted to make sure he wasn’t just overreacting, so he bumped into a random nurse to see how they would react. They quickly apologised, asking him if he’s alright. Eric replied with a hard “Yes” and walked off. He shakes his head and presumed he is just over reacting, blaming his gutt and telling it to chill out. As the elevators shut, the nurse turned to the people in the waiting room and nodded. They all stood up, taking off their pedestrian clothes and revealing that they were indeed the men in white. Eric’s men were completely oblivious outside, they were too busy conversing and smoking to notice mysterious vehicles pulling up towards them. Soon afterwards, the two were quickly abducted by other men. They placed cloth over their faces, forcing a nasty chemical to make them pass out. Eric’s men were dragged to a nearby van, thrown in and were driven away.
Eric finally reached the floor everyone else was on. He walked out of the elevator and walked down the hallway, still feeling very sceptical. He just couldn’t throw away this feeling, this feeling of intense deja vu! It was annoying him. He deeply groans and scratches his head, he reaches Angela’s room and opens the door. As soon as he opened that door, he was greeted with laughter and a whiff of happiness. Eric walked in and wondered why the atmosphere felt so joyful? Once he walked out of that corner, he saw Angela, awake, happy, smiling, and pulsing with life. That feeling of suspicion flew away the moment he laid eyes on Angela. He couldn’t believe his eyes! Was this real? Or was this a dream? Everyone noticed and looked at Eric, they smiled and told him to join them. Angela opened her arms out to him, welcoming him for a hug.
With a soft smile on her face and her glistening blue eyes, she blinks slowly and says. “It’s been awhile, uncle Eric.” Those words pierced his heart with such happiness Eric was on the verge of collapsing from so many emotions coursing through his body.
Jack quickly hurried to his side before he actually could faint. “Come on big guy, don’t worry, I had the same reaction as you did but on a more extreme level.”
Eric looked at Jack’s face, and saw that happy boy he first met. He couldn’t take it and started crying softly. He drops to a knee with a hand over his eyes and cries quietly.
“Hey now!” Jack said as he rubbed his back, “It’s okay Eric, she’s alive and well. Now go to her and give your baby girl a hug now!” Jack too shed a single tear. “Shit man… you’re making me emotional here too.”
Eric got up and wiped his face. “Fu-Fu-Fuck!” He rushed to Angela and held her tightly, “Angela! My-My-My lil baby girl!”
She giggled and held him tightly. “I missed you uncle! Thank you, for always looking after my brother.”
Candy cried a bit. Eric heard his muffled crying. “You’re a little-little, bitch!”
It made everyone laugh and smile. Candy didn’t mind and brushed it off with a giggle.
Anna felt out of place, but seeing how everyone reacted to her awakening showed how much they all loved her. She had no idea what events they went through or how they lived, especially knowing she couldn’t understand their pain because she lives in an entirely different world than theirs. She still felt emotional for them, enough to shed a tear. Jack noticed and walked over to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw his gleaming smile, it was enough for her to smile brightly too. Anna grabs Jack’s hand and holds it. They both chuckled, basking in the moment as everyone felt happy.
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“Say Jack?” Anna asked in a soft tone.
“Yeah Anna?” Jack replied.
Anna hugs him. “Don’t you ever leave my side again—that’s why I was upset about you ignoring me… I don’t ever want to think about losing you again, I-I—” Anna was about to cry until Jack grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes.
With a smile and those cold eyes mildly gleaming with life, he pats her head and nuzzles his nose against hers. “Trust me, it’ll never happen. There wasn't a single day when I kept thinking about you, you are after all…” He leans close, “...my best friend.” he whispered.
Anna’s eyes glistened. They both stared into each other's souls, remembering their lives before this mess. Their love for each other felt endless. Somehow someway, It felt like it was stored away in some dark box and wanted to break out, but now; There stored feelings that were once there were ready to explode back into their hearts. This returning feeling was even enough for them to almost go for a kiss. It was growing so strong, Jack holding her tighter, Anna digging her hands into his back, the two closing in for a kiss to reunite those abandoned romantic feelings. Their minds felt connected, but when they were just centimetres away from each other's lips, it suddenly vanished.
Something devious and twisted engulfed their minds and heart into a cloud of black smoke, making those feelings that felt right disappear. Both their eyes felt blackened and heavy, they both blinked and returned to their senses. Both seemed rather confused afterwards. Jack let go and so did Anna, now it was awkward. The two looked away from each other, briefly, and scratched heads and coughed awkwardly. They looked at each other again with forced smiles and laughed nervously, everyone else noticed their strange laughter and asked what they were doing? Both shrugged and actually had no clue themselves.
The doctor returned and asked for Jack again to tell him the important information before Anna’s appearance.
“Alright, I’ll be back, okay guys?” Angela and everyone else nodded. Eric started telling her how much of a cry baby Jack is and started making fun of him. Jack chuckles and walks out with the doctor. “So doc? What’s this urgent talk you needed?”
The doctor had a clipboard and cleared his throat. “Well I wanted to inform you that you all have to leave the room for the day because we have to examine Angela to see how much function she has recovered from her body, especially awakening from a three year coma.” He scratched the back of his head, “It’s a miracle and rarity that she’s functioning so well to be frank.”
Jack sighs. “Well… I guess. How long is it gonna take?”
“Not too long, just for the rest of the day and tomorrow you guys can return!” He brings up his clipboard and flips pages, “We just wanted to clarify and check if everythings fine, especially this injury right here!” He flips one more page and points his pen at an x-ray they took three years ago when they first brought her in. “Right here, right on her spine.”
Jack examined it and saw all the holes Angela once had, bringing back that awful night back into his mind. He shakes his head and forcibly coughs, “Ahh! Okay then, we’ll call it a day doc.”
“Okay! We’ll call you when we’re done with her examinations.” Jack nods, but before they could walk in he stops the doctor. “What’s wrong Mr. Jack?”
“One last thing, be careful how you examine my sister, she doesn’t take too kindly to strangers… especially examinations.”
He looked rather angry saying that, he even scared the doctor a bit.
“My bad for sounding rude, doc.”
“Ah, it’s okay. I understand and I also would act the same as you Mr. Jack.”
Jack and the doctor shook hands and went their separate ways. Jack walked back into the room and deeply sighed, feeling worried about her examination. Jack walks around the corner, chopping the air and saying “Yo!” to everyone very loudly. They stopped whatever they were doing and looked at Jack.
“The doctor said we have to leave the room for the day. They want to check Angela to see if she’s truly 100%.”
Eric sighs. “Really? Already! I just got here yo…” he sighs deeply, “...well if it's for her well being then so be it, but she better be fine or else Imma punch him.”
Angela definitely was against the idea, she refused heavily at first. She was starting to panic and had ptsd, freaking Eric and Jack out until Anna managed to calm her down.
Anna pats her head and gives her a genuine smile of relief. “It’s alright Angela, they won’t leave you! Don’t worry,” she leans closely, “it’s just for today, okay?” She smiles, Angela wipes off that distraught look on her face, plays it cool and looks away angrily by crossing her arms.
Anna chuckles. “Atta girl!” She pats her head one last time and accompanies Jack’s side.
Everyone leaves and the doctor calls for more nurses to start the examination processes on Angela once he sees everyone leave.
Angela watched everyone leave, especially watching Jack real hard. “brother…” she said quietly.
Jack couldn’t help but feel worried about her, especially knowing her troubled past with doctors and examinations.
Jack’s sulked. “Can I really trust them?”
Eric pats the young man's back to cheer him up. “Don’t worry you fool. It’s different this time and if there is any trouble, this time, we’ll rush into action my guy.”
Jack felt relaxed after hearing that. “You’re right, Eric.”
Anna playfully punched his arm. “Everything will be fine, Jack. We’re here now, all of us.”
Candy on the other hand grabbed his chin, swaying his hip. “Mm, I’m not too sure, boo boos when those two men have pretty reliable resources at their disposal.” Eric walks in front of him, towering over Candy as he blushes red. “Is this when you pin me against the wall and lay a lucious kiss upon my beautiful lips?! Oh Eric honey!” Candy puckers up and makes a kissy noise.
Eric lifts a hand and lands a chop on Candy’s head, making him yelp loudly. “No, bad fruit boy, bad gaywad.”
Candy massaged his head and squints. “You fucking piece of teasing delcious shitball! Hmph!”
Jack laughs, feeling cheered up. “Candy, you weirdo. But thanks guys, you helped me feel at ease.”
After a couple of more laughs, the gang walked off and decided to go out for fresh air. Everyone walked out of the hospital, but as soon as they first stepped out into the Detroit air, Eric glimpsed around, leaving Jack curious on why.
“Yo Eric, why are you looking everywhere in suspicion?” Jack asked.
Eric continued his scanning, and answered. “When I arrived, and got out of the car with a couple of my boys, I felt something was fishy and was on high alert.”
Jack didn’t like the sound of that, it made him get serious. Eric brought his eyes to the spot his boys were standing guard and they were gone. Eric rushed to the vacant car, making Jack and Anna run after him. The car seemed abandoned and left open. He checked inside, found nothing, he looked down on the ground and saw cigarettes and one of their guns.
Eric picked it up. “What happened? Where did they go?” he muttered.
Jack knew something’s not right now, and clenched a fist. “Eric, what’s going on? Are you sure we can leave Angela alone?”
Eric growled. “My other boys, they were here… they wouldn’t just dip and leave evidence behind in a panic, tch…” Eric lowers the gun with a distraught look on his face “...Something ain’t right Jack, and I think you’re right. Maybe we shouldn’t leave Angela alone.” He tucked the gun into his pants, “There’s no guessing, they were abducted.”
Jack felt Anna grab his arm and felt her fingers trembling from her grip. He saw his best friend shaking, and forgot that he hasn’t been completely honest with her about his life.
Jack pats her head to ease her. “What makes you say they abducted Eric?! They probably saw a…” he shakes his head and shrugs, “...perhaps a food truck and rushed—to it?”
Eric smacks his lips. “You’re wrong, dummy, I’m guessing they were kidnapped by a rival gang of some sort. Not, you know who.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Then that means time to go find out who and ki— I mean, get the bastards right?” Jack cleared his throat, making Anna question and raise a brow to what he was meaning to say.
Anna stares hard at Jack and leans closely. “You were about to say something else… You can’t fool your best friend here.” Jack moans and Anna sighs.
Eric whistled to Anna, getting her attention. “Don’t mind what he was about to say, he’s a dumbass.” he said, smiling to cheer Anna up.
Anna chuckled and shook her head. Jack frowned and went to the car's driver side, but upon getting there, he felt a strange chilly wind hurtle past him. Jack noticed the sky turning to a sunset colour and wondered if it was getting late. Jack glanced at his watch and it was still too early for dawn to break out. That wind grew stronger, dirt and debri blew across his feet, everyone else felt the chilled force ensuing and thought it was just random wind. Eric wondered why the weather was acting so strange. Suddenly, Eric started to hear an awfully faint, creepy holy chanter bouncing off his eardrums. It sounded like monotone singing from children, and behind their wave of faint chants were deep church bells going off.
Eric glanced around and when his eyes set forward, he saw a strange man standing at the end of the street. The man stood in the middle of what would be a busy street full of cars, now appearing to be empty. Eric stared hard, and got a good look at his appearance; he appeared to be wearing some caped hoodie of some sort. It looked dated, holy, expensive, he didn’t like this sight and grew tired of it, thinking it was some drugged individual acting childish. Eric pulls out his gun and cocks it. Jack quickly looked in the direction his uncle was keeping his sights locked once he heard his pistol cocked. Jack saw the man then glanced at Eric with worry. Anna quickly got scared and clinged onto Jack.
Jack looked back at the man and was able to pinpoint his appearance, remembering the same set of clothes a couple of nights ago. Jack’s eyes grew wide, he gasped quietly. “No… it-it can’t—be…” he muttered.
Jack pulls Anna with him as he hurries to the passenger side door to the vacant car. Eric’s eyes stayed locked onto the mysterious man standing still, his cape bellowed and his face stayed hidden beneath his hood's shadow. Jack opened the door, pushing her into the car.
Anna yelps. “Ja-Jack! Why did you do that?!” she asked in freight.
Jack didn’t hear her, he pulled out his own gun making her jump. He began sweating bullets and cocked his gun, closing the door. Anna was scared.
“Eric!” Jack shouted.
Eric continued staring at the stranger. “Why are you yelling?!” Eric quickly glimpsed to his side and noticed the frightened look on Jack’s face. He returned his vision to the man and saw him starting to move his legs and walk towards their direction. “Yo, what the fucks wrong with this guy?” he said as he now pointed his gun at the stranger.
Jack pointed as well with a shakened hand. “Get in, get in, get in!” Jack sounded more scared, as he stabbed the direction with his gun repeatedly the two were aiming at. Jack wanted to fire but couldn’t give himself the courage to do it. He clenches his teeth and lets it out, his fear, “HURRY ERIC!”
Eric didn’t understand why he was so afraid of some creepy stranger, but the closer the guy got the more exposed his holy prints on his outfit were to the sun, shining gold towards their direction. “Fuck!” Eric hopped in and so did Jack.
Eric turned the car on and as he was about to reverse, looking behind them, that stranger was behind them. Literally a foot away, which made everyone gasp and turn white. Eric stopped from reversing and put the car in drive and floored it. They drove away as fast as they could.
Anna’s blanched and had her nails dug into the seats as Eric drove like mad. “What’s happening?! Why do both of you have your guns out and why is that man—?”
“I-I don’t know… Anna.” Eric replied.
Anna looked to Jack, who on the other hand looked like he'd seen a ghost, holding the gun close to his face and quietly mumbling words beneath his breath. Anna’s never seen Jack this scared before, nor has Eric.
Archard’s hooded robe flapped as he stood there, basking in the sunlight like a holy being. “We’ll soon properly meet, dear Jack.” He was about to leave when he felt the presence of something familiar and disgusting to him. “I sense… a wicked Witch…” He looked over his shoulder and saw Sarah running towards the hospital. “...And there is one—it seems.” and he vanishes out of thin air.
Sarah’s in a hurry to talk to the others. She texted Anna early that she would be there, but as she was inches away from the door; Archard suddenly appeared in front of the door.
Sarah stopped, and grew blanched. “Ho-How…?” She didn’t expect him to appear here or even pop into her line of sight like that.
She was only coming here to visit her friends and get comfort, not to be scared to death by the person her mother warned her about.
Archard looked detested, annoyed, and uttery serious. “So, Witch?” he said menacingly, “What brings you here today?” His fingers twitched in anger as he looked into Sarah’s eyes.
Sarah stepped back. “Tha-That’s none of your business! Who-Who are you—people?!” That sudden shout brought out the men in white from inside the hospital who belonged to Dr. Cato burst through the entrance doors.
They were about to intervene when they noticed Archard standing there. They quickly decided to avoid him and go around him to confront Sarah, but he detested that and made them stay put with some unknown force. None of them could move.
Archard smacked his lips annoyingly. “Don’t any of you dare, intervene. Twits.” He started approaching Sarah, who raised her hand and made him halt immediately. Now he was angry. “How revolting… you would use your sorcery in the real world? Wouldn’t you… like a certain someone.” He half clenched a fist, and squinted his eyes, “Like the very hateful Witch I know!”
Sarah’s hand trembled from fear and her legs wobbled. She tried her best to keep a serious face to hide her fear and play it cool, but she couldn't. “Step an-any closer and I…I swear! I’ll use my—powers to make you stop!”
Archard's body vibrated, and Sarah can feel rage pulsing off his body. She moves farther back with her hand up, watching his face transform to that of annoyance and begins to laugh. But his laughter didn’t have a smile, it was the laughter of a man who laughed upon a pitiful person. Sarah grew annoyed, feeling and hearing his insultful laughter rub against her skin.
Archard let out his last cackle and his eyes exploded in seriousness. “Is that so? How wicked of you…Hah, Witches, Witches are nothing but trouble to people, and the world in which our God created. They are the source of the most evil in our world, and…” Archard slowly raised his finger to Sarah, “…you're the worst of them all—the most evil ever created, and the one who almost ended our world.”
Archard took an angry stomp and shook the entire ground beneath them. Sarah had enough, growing tired of his insults that weirdly felt true but she couldn’t understand why they felt so honest. Sarah clenched her fists, gathering mana, hunching forward, ready to attack. Archard sensed, felt her energy gathering and he quickly snapped his fingers. Sarah stopped and gasped. The two were in the middle of some gigantic opening in the middle of a giant forest that seemed endless with mountains surrounding it.
Sarah glanced around, her body couldn’t stop shaking, she’s in disbelief. “Where-Where are we?” She looked back at him, her eyes widened in fear. “W-What did you do?!”
Archard breathes in the lovely air that surrounds them and once he finishes, he lets out a huge gasp of air, reaching his arms out to the sky. “Since you desperately want to release your wicked tricks so badly, I thought I’d teleport us away from society… as you can see—!” He stops and opens his arms out, “We’re in a different part of the world, you’re welcomed to use your abilities out here as much as you want. Though, you should still refrain yourself from going overboard… don’t want to cause a ruckus.”
Sarah grit her teeth, shaking in anger. “So… So, you want me to go all out?! Here? Here in the real world instead of another world?!” She clenches her fists, feeling judged without action. “My mother taught me to never use my powers here! I won’t break her promise, you-you menace to society and bully!”
Archard sighs, “Sorry, but I’m not allowing you to enter any world I summon. You’ll never step foot in purity or deserve to be in the presence of God’s creations~” He raises his head to the sky and drifts the clouds aside to expose sunlight onto himself, “~And I would never allow myself to enter any of yours Witch! and your—mother that you speak of?!”
Archard suddenly claps his hands together. Those colliding palms were so loud it scared away most birds and wildlife in the beautiful forests around them.
“She’s worse than you because she created something unnatural, abnormal, vulgar! You don’t deserve life, and she doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air that God himself created!”
Sarah covered her ears. “Stop…” she said, quietly.
Archards grew wide in anger, letting the world know how much hatred he had towards the two. “So ungrateful! So sinful!”
Sarah squinted her eyes with severe anger as Archard summoned more light to shine in the spot they were standing in. Letting her know how blessed he was and expressing how faithful of a man he was to God. With God’s light shining down on him, Archard wanted Sarah to not only know, but feel his wrath and hatred he had for her and especially, her mother.
Sarah shakes her head as tears start to creep out of her shut eyes. “Stop, stop… please!”
Archard expanded his arms out to the sky, exploding his eyes to the truth he let know. “She should be more than Exorcised~!” He closes his palms, “~No! Better yet…” He brings his head down along with his arms to look at Sarah, “...be burnt to a cinder and turned to ash; like her ancestors.”
Sarah’s arm tattoo came out, pulsed. Her hair started hovering and plasma started sparking around her. Archard frowns and turns serious, watching the goth girl as her anger starts seeping out. Sarah raises her head and has the look of murderous intent towards him. The ground beneath her cracked and she screamed out in sadness.
“Don’t ever—insult us, you bastard!” Without thinking, she attacks Archard out of blind rage, flinging at him like lightning.
Archard grinned as he casually moved to the side, grabbing her leg mid air and tossing her away. She spun and used the momentum to use a nearby tree and kicked herself off the bark of the tree. The impact of her countermeasure destroyed a portion of the forest; the size of a football stadium. Sarah flies back towards him, having a fist out, ready to land a mighty punch filled with fire. Archard has his arms behind his back and dodges again. She lands on the ground, skidding with her hands, flips around and comes back with another punch. He dodges and vanishes away from her.
She raises her arms and brings down the heavens onto him by slamming her hands on the ground, bringing lightning strikes powerful enough to destroy towns with a single blow onto him. Archard stood there and tanked them all. As she catches her breath, ground slightly shaking from the aftermath, and the smoke clearing up; Archard is still standing, casually brushing off debri off his holy clothes. It left her shocked, and stunned with fear.
A single tear trickled out of her eye, and she ground her teeth. “I’ve… I’ve had enough!” Sarah shouted with anger. She raises her arms to the sky and closes her eyes, “I call upon the trees, I—” she immediately stopped and finally realised what she was doing to mother earth. “What-What have I done…?”
She lowers her arms and turns around to look at Archard in disbelief. Archard grinned and chuckled beneath his breath, enjoying the moment. Sarah was played and fell right onto his trap, allowing him to get into her head and exploding her emotions. Yet, every word that he said didn’t feel fake, insulting, again, they held some truth and were honest. Sarah can’t understand why it did; did she explode because of his honesty? Not taking accountability? Or was it something entirely different.
Sarah gasped repeatedly as her eyes shook. “This-This was your—idea, wasn’t it?”
Archard looks around and points out her destruction with his glare. “Hmm, perhaps? I just wanted to see how much control you have over your abilities, but as God as my witness, you’re totally out of it, child.”
Sarah started crying, “You damned bully! What did I do to you? Why are you tormnting me, fucking asshole…” She wipes her eyes but her sadness continues spraying.
Archard let her cry for a full minute before responding. “Your existence… that’s why. Especially your ‘so-called mother’ who’s failed to teach you to control your murderous powers, Witch!”
Sarah got angry again and raised a fist. It was engulfed in fire and she punched her fist in his direction, shooting out a humongous spiral rope of hell fire. It engulfed Archard’s visions and gave him PTSD and in seeing this; pissed Archard off. He stands his ground watching the mighty wall of fire the size of a cruise liner approach his presence. Archard lets out a mighty roar and stops the flame with one hand, spinning his arm in circles slowly to dumb down its size. The last trail of fire wrapped around his body. Sarah couldn't help but be amazed by this dance she witnessed. He twirls the fire and brings his arm out and lowers the flame to his palm. He crushes the tiny flame and lowers his hand back down.
“How dare you…” he muttered. Archard’s so angry now, he started walking towards Sarah who stood there in frightened amazement.
Sarah raised a fist, as it sparked and shot out plasma around the area. “Don’t make me-me more angry, as I saw—it was enough for you to retaliate, you freak!”
Archard kept walking, ignoring her words.
Sarah sweated up a storm, wiping her eyes as she kept one fist raised. “I even made you use your powers in the real world, jerk. Don't you dare insult me or my mom ever again!”
Archard stops a couple feet from her. Sarah kept her guard up and he moved his arms to his hood, removing it to reveal his true identity to her. Sarah’s surprised as he reveals his fiery blonde hair, hazel eyes, and scarred face.
Archard ground his teeth. He’s furious, showing off his glowing corneas to Sarah. “I’m only going this easy on you because I don’t sense any malice in you, but—!” Archard balled half his fist, which shook the earth. “You think that was me? ME?! Using my gifts from God just now?”
Sarah backed up in horror, feeling his anger weighing her down. His energy alone felt terrifying to her.
Archard twirled one of his hands above his head. “Here! In the real world?!” He shakes his head, and has a glint in his eye, “No… not even remotely close, Witch.” he said silently, lowering his arms. “This is…”
His legs bent forward and he vanished quicker than Sarah could blink, think, react, or move. Sarah thought he was still standing there so she attacked again with just a small plasma shot of lightning, but when it struck what she thought was him, she realised it was just an afterimage of himself.
“Where did he—? Sarah looked around, panicking but didn’t notice he was right behind her, slowly, raising a fist.
Archard’s golden eyes glowed in anger, his hair waved. He’s ready to land a mighty fist upon her. Sarah finally sensed him behind her and quickly turned around and saw Archard’s fist coming towards her face. Her world slowed down, her vision was engulfed by this pale, scarred fist of holy might and anger. Archard was centimetres away from her face when he suddenly stopped. She stood there paralyzed. Archard also stood there, his fist paused at the centre of her view. Sarah gulped, breathed frantically, and as soon as she blinked, he flinged his index finger and a huge force from the Gods pushed out of his flung finger. It blew out such tremendous pressure Sarah thought she was being pushed away by a category ten hurricane. Her hair fluttered violently along with her clothes and a giant cloud of smoke from the force he created was astronomically ginormous and abnormal, blowing viciously, violently behind her.
It comes to a complete stop and Archard lowers his hand, taking a step back and raises his hood back over his head. Sarah with her hair all messed up and clothes slightly torn, dropped to her knees out of shock.
Archard turned around and spoke in a serious menacing tone. “That was—a glimpse. Indulge it, and remember this moment, and pray that we never cross paths again; Witch!” Archard vanishes out of thin air, leaving Sarah traumatised.
Sarah’s on her knees and her body quaked. Sitting in silence, and overwhelmed from what she just experienced, the goth girl couldn’t help but let out a broken chuckle from being so scared. She stops her insane cackling and stands back up. She brushes herself off with watery eyes and wonders what he meant when he said that was just a glimpse when all he did was fling his finger. Feeling curious, she turned around at a slow pace to see what he actually meant about using his powers in the real world. Then, her eyes caught it, and witnessed his might.
“No…no…” Sarah muttered. Her eyes were wide, bulging out; her face became the personification of whiteness.
What she’s witnessing is pure abnormal annihilation. The endless forest behind her was widened out so far to the sides she can’t see the end of his destruction. The monstrous mountain behind them was completely vaporised. The ground where it was embedded was curved down deeper than her eyes can imagine, and lastly, the skies above along with the clouds that once were there, had exposed the ambiance of space, showing the stars to broad daylight. Sarah stood there, in total disbelief at what she was truly up against.
Sarah’s head starts spinning and she feels light headed. Her legs started to give out. “Mom-Mom… ma…” She says as she faints, falling face first.
She laid there, broken, and lost. Moments later, Sarah’s mother arrived shortly afterwards to pick her up, sensing that her daughter was in danger, but as soon as her mother was about to go to her; she sensed someone appearing and standing in front of the carnage.
Sarah’s mother furrowed her brows and clenched her fists. Standing before her was a man, who had a golden cane, an elegant holy tux-like outfit and said to her with a menacing cheerful tone, “Salutations, How are we doing today? lovely day—or so it was?” and chuckled, leaving her mother feeling completely paralysed in utter fear.