I Can Be More Than This

The air crackles as our magic rubs against each other. I flick my wrist to slide the circle of onlookers back a few more feet. Don't need any casualties. Ilene looks at my display of power and I could feel her shrink inside a little though she smiles that infuriating smile back at me and flips her hair over her shoulder. She's been hiding from me in plain site for days. Mirrored as a local girl. Looks like Ilene Wiseman in every way but when her eyes meet mine I know nothing remains of Ilene’s spirit. Just a parasite from the depths of hell.

She throws a ball of electricity at me and I catch it causing the crowd that's even bigger now to gasp. I change the electricity into a solid pink orb. I can feel the power inside push against the sides of the orb needing to get out. I look up at Ilene who has one arm up to defend herself against my attack. I take a step toward her and she bolts. She bolts through the crowd and through the playground behind them. I barely hear the mixture of laughter, mocking, and encouraging yells as my prey has left thinking it's over.

I stretch my magic and locate her. She is taking Myer's road through the forest using what's left of her magic to increase her speed. I force a large root out of the ground in front of her and she trips. I force more roots out of the ground and they trap her there. Through her mind I feel the road rumble and hear her inhale sharply as something large approaches her.

I hear the brakes squeal. A faint scream. Then nothing.

I apparate to the scene and take in the large truck parked atop of what used to be Ilene Wiseman. A twinge of guilt creeps up at the sight of her. Her parents will never know that she's actually been dead for days and this demon has been using her body. They’ll just think a reckless truck driver struck her down.

The trucker gets out and I freeze him in place then take a seat cross legged next to Ilene. Black liquid oozes out of her and steams as the sunlight beams down on it.

Quickly I take out my little book. Smooth and cool to the touch I open it's black cover and find a page unwritten on. A pen appears in my hand as I record the ancient runes. The markings glow bright blue. I tear the page out and place it on the girl's chest. Something begins to push against the walls of the girl's stomach but unable to get out. I draw two more runes, rip it out of the book and place them on the girl as well. Almost immediately the conduit bursts out of the body. I catch it, set the ripped pages on fire, then flee the scene.

I've used too much magic. I can feel it retreat from my limbs and pool in my stomach. I know I need to keep moving but I pause behind a tree to catch my breath. My phone chirps and I know who it is before I look.

One hour left. Followed by a picture of Scar huddled in the corner of a cage in nothing but a thin gown.

I click my phone off quickly and curse under my breath. I don’t have much magic but I use some to apparate just outside the charmed barriers to the Compound. I don’t land gracefully but don’t have it in me to be embarrassed at the moment. I take in the monstrosity that is the Compound as I get to my feet. Guards close in on me as if from nowhere but I hold out the conduit and say, "I hope all this security isn't for little old me." A red headed woman inspects the conduit then nods to the gatekeeper who lowers a section in the charmed wall. I keep both arms in the air as they scan me for weapons.

"There's a rumor that Silas' gang is going to attack. We've been on high alert all week waiting." The red headed guard glances at another guard who silences her with a hand. The old guy pats me down and pulls the book out of my back pocket. He holds it up to me as a question.

"That's called a book. Some you read and others like this one you can write in." I grin.

"I wouldn't be so cheeky if my wife was in the Compound." He says slamming the book into my stomach. I return it to my back pocket, grateful he didn't take it. "The girl is here for her wife." He shouts. "She brought the...thing." The gate lifts and I'm escorted inside. My wife. I almost forgot in this madness. Madness that I caused. I showed her a way to turn the money we got for our wedding into more money. And that into more. And...she got hooked. Way faster than I thought possible. And now...two weeks later we’re newlyweds that might die because of our greed.

It’s hard not to run into others. The place is crawling with guards. Elijah must actually be scared. He probably should be.

I make a note of how to get back to the gate and where any other exits are. I've only been here once before. Back when I believed I could live not a normal life but one that's not...this. Now I'm afraid I'll never escape this dark life. And I've dragged Scar into it as well. Her magic may never run pure again. If they broke her then she'll be just as dark as me. If any place could break her fiery spirit it'd be the Compound.

After what feels like a million stairs they open the door to what must be Elijah's office.

"-well place more on the walls then. Just do it."Elijah’s attention turns to us as we walk in the door. His ice blue eyes send shivers down my spine as they pass over me.

“Sir-” The old guard starts.

“Rhema Livingstone. It’s been a bit.” I can feel his magic poking and prodding at my own. “You’ve been through the ringer haven’t you?” I hope it was not in vain.” He says in mock concern. I open my hand to show him the conduit. He flicks his wrist and it flies through the air to him. He twirls it around and around until finally I ask, “So are we done here? This should more than cover Scar’s debt.” His cold eyes flick to mine but I hold steady under his gaze.

“Yes. Consider her debt paid.” A door to the left opens and reveals a too skinny Scar. My heart melts and so does my resolve to stay strong. Every step to her feels like I’m wading through water and I can’t get to her fast enough. But before long she’s collapsing in my arms. A little dirty and tired but still she smells of apple and cinnamon.

“Her debt is paid but what about yours?” I turn to look at him without letting Scar go. Unable to believe my ears.

“What debt? I haven’t owed you anything in years.” He smiles and my stomach churns.

“Are you sure?” I remember sending you twenty thousand credits this morning.” He whistles. “That’s a lot of cheddar. Could take years to pay back.” I release Scar but remain close as I search through my phone. I can feel my face scrunch into a frown as all my bank accounts reflect that I’m as broke as usual. Then I see it. A text from Bill. I must have missed it.

Wow! Didn’t think you’d actually pay me back. What did you do rob a bank or something?

“He paid Bill.” I say to Scar. “All of it.” She shakes her head in silent protest. She knows as well I as I that that money is already gone. Bill definitely pissed it away already.

“You’re welcome.” Elijah says with a big smile.

“They’re here! They’re here!” Elijah whips his head to the voice. “Silas.” The guard whispers. Then I hear it. Loud bangs going off in the not so far distance. Elijah starts barking out orders and they all scurry along to obey him.

“Close the door.” I whisper to Scar. With both our magic running on empty I know our best bet is to hole up in here. I pull my little black book out. Not sure exactly what to write as I don’t know a rune for bind-this-door-closed-so-we-don’t-get-ripped-to-shreds-by-Silas. I simply pull out a page and adhere it to the door. Covering the piece of paper with my hand I whisper a plea. And keep whispering it. Over and over I beg for a chance. A chance to live. Not in debt to anyone. Not hurting people. Not hurting Scar. A chance to show I can be more than this blood covered thief. I can add to the world instead of suck it dry. I know I can.

“Rhema. Rhema stop.” I’m shaken out of my begging and open my eyes. I’ve crumbled the wall around the door. Smooth.

“Rhema is it?” The door falls down and sends a puff of dust up in the air. “Well...it looks like I may be in your debt.” A tall man, who I’m coming to realize is Silas, stands in the semi crumbled office looking down at Elijah whose head looks to be crushed under a chunk of wall. Silas laughs. “And that will be your legacy! Crushed as you cowered in your office. How fitting.” He kicks a rock at Elijah’s still body then walks over to us. “You both look terrible.”

“Well...crush as many skulls as I have today and you’d look the same.” He laughs again and extends a hand to Scar then to me.

“I don’t like being in debt to anyone so name your price right now.” I turn to Scar and know she’s thinking the same.

“We just want to go home. And maybe have everyone forget our names and everything about us.” Silas smiles.

“Go. You are free.”