Kismet tossed the crowbar in her palm. Stunned, I stepped back, my heart racing. I'm picking a fight with a murderer. I swallowed my spit, tensing my shoulders. I can't teleport.

"Suddenly you're shy?" She swung the metal bar. I ducked under her strike, clashing against the shelves, books flying off.

I stumbled back, deeper into the labyrinth of bookcases. Kismet pivoted, chasing after me. I bumped into the shelf. "Stay back," I cried, swiping a book off the shelf, I tossed it at her head.

I scurried away, the sting of her crowbar catching my calf. I latched onto the shelf, taking stacks of books, I threw them back. The only weapon I have.

She stepped over the piles. "This won't do any good," she growled, swinging wide. I ducked under her arm, breaking out into a sprint. I have to get away, I have to get away. My feet thundered against the floor. Panic fueled my steps.

A fist grabbed the back of my shirt, yanking me back, my feet slipped out from under me. I slid over the shiny floor, rolling to a stop.

Kismet's footsteps trailed behind. I scrambled to my feet. She whacked me in the ribs, the pain radiating through my torso. My feet faltering, I collapsed to my knees.

She grabbed me by the collar. "Fighting me is pointless," she said. I bit my cheek, the ache stinging my eyes. She sighed, "Fate has decided, accept it-"

I spat in her face. Her jaw dropped, rubbing the spit off with her arm. "You little," she scoffed.

Jumping up, I charged after her. Knocking her off balance. She yelped, rolling to the floor, the crowbar thrown from her grip. She crawled for it, snarling. I swung my boot around, kicking her jaw back. She crumpled back down. Stay down.

I turned around, fleeing back under the cover of the bookcases. I switched paths, darting between rows. I have to get away- I stopped.

Tired breaths, I wrung my hands through my hair. If I run she's only going to hurt more people. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to turn around. I can't just run away. I pivoted back, dread, turning my steps to molasses. I had to face Kismet, even if I didn't want to.

I reached the edge of the bookcase, Kismet missing from the floor. Where did she go?

I backed up into the row, taking a cover. I looked over my shoulder. A shadow flickered between books, racing down the shelf. This is creepy. I took a breath, shaking off the shivers.

I picked up a book, dusting off the cover. If she could control where I teleported, she might be able to do that with other things I teleported too. She might bring it right to her.

I made the book to vanish in my hand. A thud hit the floor behind the shelf. I circled back the other way, running around the shelf. I glanced over my shoulder and turned-

Metal rammed into my jaw. I stumbled back, the room spinning. I gasped, falling over. My vision blurred. This is it...

Kismet laughed, her voice cloudy in my head. "Didn't expect that, now did you. "I'm not falling for your little tricks." She marched around me, saying more things, her words didn't make sense.

I focused on breathing, lifting my head. I crawled on my hands and knees. I have to escape... My heartbeat heavy in my head, she reached after me. I latched onto the pulse. Wait...no.

I reappeared near the ceiling. Falling, I thrashed my arms. The bookshelves grew closer. I hit the top of a shelf, skidding, I caught the edge. Muscles shaky, I held on tight, blinking at the blurry room below me. I'm not going down.

Kicking my feet, I climbed up on the shelf, resting on the top. I peered over the edge.

Kismet stared up with a frown. "What do you think you're doing?" she shouted at me.

"I'm staying up here," I sat down crossed legged. The bookshelf creaked. "I'm not coming down."

Kismet waved her hands. "And how long can you manage that? You have to eat, drink. I don't suppose you'll try to sleep up there?"

"Why not?" I laid my head back down, curled up in a ball. "...I'm exhausted."

She pursed her lips, pacing. "I wonder if you'll be so enthused when I kill someone else to keep the spell going."

I lifted my head. "You wouldn't dare-"

"I think we both know I would." She kicked the base of the shelf. "Now be a grownup and come down."

I laughed, "And fight you with a crowbar? I'm sorry, but no."

Kismet twisted the bar in her hand. "Come down peacefully and I too will be peaceful."

Yeah, right. I sat back up, taking a deep breath. There's no world where I trust her. The shelf teetered, creaking again. I frowned, watching the way it leaned. If it falls, it's headed straight for her...it must be bolted down.

Kismet put her hands on her hips. "I'm not putting up with these shenanigans." She started to walk.

"Wait!" I reached out my hand, stopping her in her tracks. "I'll come down." I set my hands down, closing my eyes. This is a gamble. I took a shaky breath, gathering courage.

I locked onto the pulse, the bookshelf vanishing out from under me. Panic for a second, it reappeared back underneath me, catching my fall. It worked.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kismet roared. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Not at all." I've just unbolted the bookcase from the floor. I leaned my weight towards the edge. The shelf buckled, tipping. The structure fell towards her, Kismet's eyes wide.

I scaled up the back of the shelf, bracing myself as it crashed onto the ground. The shelf splintered into pieces. I was thrown by the force, spinning to a stop. I coughed at the dust, crawling to my feet.

Kismet caught under the edge of the rubble, she squirmed, freeing her hands. Blood dripping down her arms, she tried to push herself up. Shaky balance, she struggled. I hobbled over, shoving her back down.

"You stay down," I hissed at her. Prying the crowbar out of her hands, I tossed it away. "This is how things are going to happen, you're going to undo you're spell, or we'll wait till it runs out and then-"

"And then what?" She raised her chin, a smile creeping out. "Are you going to arrest me?" She sat up, snickering, "Neither Alaric or Kendall are going to touch me with a ten foot pole. Do you have your own prison to keep me in?"

"How do you know I won't kill you."

She threw her head back with another laugh, falling flat on the floor. "You're not a killer, Miss Okie, you don't have it in you."

I bit my cheek, my hands shaking. "How long will it take for them to notice, if I lock you in an empty cell?"

Kismet's grin dropped. "You don't know that-"

"I used to crash in solitary all the time. They're not particularly digilent about checking the empty cells." I pointed the crowbar at her. "You going to undo that spell, or what?"

Kismet grumbled, her fingers tracing around the rubble. I stepped closer. "Are you listening to me?" Her fingers traced around in circles, red circles. She's using her own blood.

"Stop!" I shouted, reaching for her arm. My legs went numb, buckling. I fell limp. Trying to kick my feet, needles ran up my skin.

Kismet sighed, rolling over, she lifted herself up. "Now that was cutting it a little close, wasn't it?" Walking around me, she unwound a spindle of wire. "I almost thought you had won."

"Stay away from me!" I cried. I tried to roll away.

She picked up my feet. "That's no way to talk, not when we'll be spending lots of time together." Kismet knotted wire around my ankles, dropping them. She stepped around. "We shouldn't start with hostility."

"I'll find a way out of this," I hissed, my arms falling to the weight. "Then you'll see-"

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"All bark, and no bite," she pouted. Kneeling on my back, she tied my wrists. "You're never getting away," she whispered an inch from my face, her lifeless eyes burrowing into me. "I'm going to drain every drop of blood from your body...slowly, carefully. I promise not to waste a drop."

Fighting shivers, nausea clenched my stomach. "This was never about saving the world," my voice shook.

She grabbed the binds around my ankles, dragging me across the floor. "I thought you'd be sympathetic to that narrative." She stalled her feet, continuing her pace. "You were right about one thing, there is no saving the world."

My eyes blurred as she pulled me along. "You might defeat me here...but you won't win...the others," I whispered.

"No one knows where you are," she sighed. "Everyone's too busy with Kendall, to pay attention to me."

Fear gripped me, my mind succumbed to panic. She was right, I was alone.

A swinging shut, I twisted my head towards the sound. "I didn't know I had so many fans," Kendall's voice echoed off the walls, my heart rate skyrocketed. "Somehow I slipped their notice, and yours."

Kismet dropped my feet, backing up. "Victor…? What are you doing here?"

He slipped his hands in his pockets, pacing closer to us. "Our wires have been crossed lately, thought I'd check in." He tilted his head, his blue eyes bright. "I would've expected you to call when she first escaped. Did it slip your mind?"

Kismet bit back her words, "It was your puppet that stole her, I assumed you knew."

Victor nodded his head. "Oh, of course, it's not like that was a clear diversion of the plan," he snorted. I tried to roll away, my body staying stiff. I can't move.

Kismet motioned to me. "Well I have her now, I was just bringing her to Helios in the morning."

"No you weren't, Kismet."

She gave a nervous laugh. "Don't be so presumptuous. We've been working well together, towards thr common goal-"

Victor crossed his arms. "Helios isn't in Idyllic."

Kismet tightened her fists. "We don't need him." She pointed at me, waving her hands. "I captured her, without serums or science."

Victor sighed, "Helios has given me testable results, you've given me a circus."

Her voice cracked, "What I've given you is a teleporter." She clenched her teeth. "The old ways are better than what he can do. I haven't even begun to test what's possible."

Victor hung his head. "I know you haven't, that's the problem." He slipped his hand in his jacket, reaching for something. Oh…no...

"I've been too busy dealing with Alaric, that won't be a problem anymore," Kismet said, her expression softening. "I want the same thing as you, we can bring the world to its knees. Let me help you."

"You're a good liar," he said, "but you were never good enough." He pulled a gun from his jacket. Kismet's empty eyes widened, as the bullet ripped through her forehead. The bullet ringing in my ears, her body collapsed to the dust. I shuddered on the floor.

Smoke drifted from the gun. Victor crouched beside me. "Good riddance, am I right?"

He killed her...just like that.

I fought against the binds, my limbs disobeying. "I'm not going with you," I cried, pushing back with my heels. "I won't help you."

He stepped closer, reaching for my wrists. I flailed away, throwing clumsy kicks. Victor sighed, standing over me. "I'm trying to cut off your ties. It won't help you to fight me."

I scooted back, hissing at him, "You took my friends, turned Jude against me-"

"And it wasn't that hard to do." He motioned back to the wire. "Come now, let me cut you loose."

I shook my head. "This is a trick, you're going to l inject, trap me in a lab."

"I don't need to." He tilted his head. "Like you said, you're coming for Avarice next." He met my eyes. "You're going to come to me."

I stared up at him, gawking. "But-"

"I'm so confident I'm going to win, I'm willing to free you." He turned his pockets inside out, showing me inside his sleeves. "See, no needles. You're safe."

I shook my head. "I can't trust you, I can't."

"Do you want to stay tied up?" He raised his eyebrows. "I can leave you here."

"No...but..." I blinked up at his face, no hint of malice. This is insane. I held up my wrists.

He flicked out a knife, sawing at the wire. "I want you to understand our visions of the future aren't that different. I want to make the world a better place, and so do you." Breaking the wire loose, it fell from my wrists. "See? No tricks." Victor moved to cut the binds on my feet. "I know I'm not convincing you now, but one day, Phynley, I want you on my side."

I scampered away from him. "You and everyone else...they see teleportation as a tool, a weapon. I won't-"

"That's not why I want you." He slipped the knife back in his pocket. "Teleporting is a great asset, but it's your tenacity that's truly valuable."

"My tenacity?"

He laughed, "You might not be able to win, but you sure as hell don't know how to lose." He searched my eyes, his gaze flicking with excitement. "Our strengths are opposites, and that would make a strong alliance."

I snorted, "Your last ally's body is cold on the floor." I walked past him, towards the stairs. "You're dreaming if you think I'd ever join you."

"Even if it means getting what you want?" He raised his chin. "Do you really think your little speech did the trick? You're not naive enough to believe anyone will listen?"

I kept walking. "No, but that's the point, this isn't about winning." I looked over my shoulder. "Like you said, I'm lousy at it."

Victor held his breath. "What a shame…" he whispered. "I didn't want to snuff out your flame."

I stopped on the stairs. What did that mean? I gave him a sideways glare. "If I were you, I would run." I straightened my shirt. "Because, I'm coming for you, and I will never stop." I raised my chin. "Your countdown starts now."

I followed my heartbeat to the rhythm. Gone, circling as I reached for Raine. I fell through, sliding across a long dining room table. I skidded to a stop.

Raine turned her head, crouched up against the wall. Tired breaths, she blinked at me. "Phyn! Where the hell have you been? You left me alone to face those guards," she hissed.

"I'm sorry." I waved my hands. "Kismet had some sorta spell that controlled where I teleported, she tried to kidnap me-"

Raine's face dropped. "Can she still? Is she here?"

"She's dead," I mumbled, drifting to the edge of the table. "Kendall killed her, he shot her right in the head."

Raine stiffened. "Kendall was there?" I nodded. She bit her lip. "And he let you go?"

"He did, told me I was coming to him anyway...he was confident."

Raine grimaced. "We already knew that would be prepared."

"Ya...I still worry," my voice was cut off by shouts from the hall.

"Crap," Raine growled. "They caught up." She stepped back, locking her arm around mine. "Get us out of here."

"Right." I gritted my teeth, searching for the rhythm. We vanished, escaping the soldiers. I focused on Murray, sifting through space. A strange smell hung in the air. Something's wrong. I opened my eyes.

Blood pooling on the floor, mixed around the rings of tattoos. Alaric's body, pelted with bullet holes, torn up on the floor. What am I seeing? Murray stood over him, a gun in his hand.

Raine dropped her fists. "What the hell happened?"

Murray turned his head, eyes wide. "It's not what it looks like," he said, voice the slightest bit shaky. "This wasn't me."

"Who was it, then." I gagged. "You know they're going to blame us."

Murray tightened his fists. "I tried to stop him-"

"Who?" I said, a shadow slipping out the door. Someone's getting away. I stepped forward, disappearing. Reappearing in front of the figure, I knocked him off his feet.

The man knocked to the floor. A white lab coat, sprawled in red. Helios stared up at me, fear behind his silver eyes. He scampered back. "Get away from me," he hissed. Ripping off the coat, he threw it at me.

I tossed it over my shoulder, chasing after him. Helios pulled down an alarm. The buzzer rattled the walls, lights blaring in my eyes. That weasel.

Helios scrambled back. "Are you going to worry about me, or getting out of here?"

I stopped, freezing in the hallway. Guards will be coming, they're going to pin this on us. Helios scattered away, slipping out the door.

I stayed stuck. What is Victor planning?

He's pruning...Emery's voice in my head, I bit back a shiver. First Kismet, now Alaric….Victor's getting rid of people he can't control.

My head spun, as I turned back. Raine and Murray catching up, they stalled in the doorway. A breeze filtered through a balcony at the end of the hall. I sighed at the flashing red lights. "I know we don't have time to chase him, let's get out of here."

Raine stepped out. "So back to the base?"

I nodded my head, walking back. A slight drumming sound behind the sirens, I froze. Footsteps. Murray groaned "Not now-"

The doors burst open, reddish brown uniforms charging through. I took hold of Murray's wrist, dragging him towards the balcony. Raine grabbed my other arm.

"Freeze," they shouted with one voice. We pushed onward, cringing as a bullet flew past our heads. We ran towards the railings edge.

"Phyn," Murray threatened. I didn't slow, swinging us over the bar. The three of us slipped off, free falling.

Raine's screamed in my ear, the wind rushing around us. Houses and trees growing closer, I held my breath. I held on tight, spinning. My heart beat thundered in my ears. Keep your head. I found the rhythm, teleporting the three of us away.

I hit the metal floor, tripping over my feet. Murray and Raine slipped away, collapsing beside me. Raine swatted at me. "Next time teleport us before diving off the cliff, alright?"

"Alright, whatever."

"No kidding," Murray snorted. "You didn't have to do that."

"I panicked," I laughed.

Dusting himself off, he stood up. Raine slouched her shoulders, staying on the ground. A gentle hum in the background, the screen flashed with a single green line. No one was in the chairs, I froze. Where did Gwen and Lewis go?

I pushed myself off the floor, walking up to the screen. Letters slowly trailed across the screen. G- O- O- D- R- I- D- I blinked at the string of letters...Good Riddance.

Murray scratched his chin. "There's no way it's been forty-eight hours," he murmured.

My heart pounding, I stepped back from the screen. "Guys…we need to get out of here, now."

Raine hopped to her feet. "What is it? What's wrong?" The three of us turned around, explosives lined the wall behind us. We're all dead.