Chapter 13
A few days after the incident we found ourselves hanging out at the Teen Center. Adam hadn’t said anything about the other night. I took that as a sign that he had forgiven me for my harsh words. Brody was okay and didn’t remember a thing. A song had come on that Liz liked so she pulled Adam to his feet and they began to dance. Liz was born an artist and dancing was just another art form for her to conquer. Her body moved like liquid, rhythmic and graceful. I laughed at the sight of Adam trying to keep up with her. Carmen and I shared a look of understanding and smiled at one another. She pulled out her phone and recorded the show.
“This is going on my status,” she told me. I laughed so hard I began to cry. That was until Liz grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. Ah crap, I thought to myself. I probably looked just as bad as Adam.
“Quit hiding behind that camera and come join us,” I yelled at Carmen. I took her hands in mine and twirled her around. It looked so gay that we erupted into a fit of giggles.
Our amusement had caught the attention of the rest of the club which only increased our maddening laughter. It took us a few minutes to regain our composure.
“Hey Johnny, another round of drinks for my girls,” requested Adam. Adam and I had our usual water, Liz ordered grape soda and Carmen had orange juice with a touch of vodka.
Liz looked at Carmen. “Since when do you drink?” she asked with a puzzled expression. “Don’t judge me,” she told us, “you have no idea what a headache Lyn can be.” The door to the Teen Center opened, letting in the afternoon light. “Whoa,” said Liz. I turned my head in the direction she was looking. The woman who had walked in the door was beautiful. She had long blond hair that ran like waves down her spine. Her face was a display of delicate features, save for fierce sapphire eyes and when she smiled she lit up the room. She walked up to the bar and began talking to Johnny. “She’s very pretty,” commented Liz. “Yet there is something off about her.” She struggled to find the words, “something … Fake.” “Her boobs,” said Adam. “No woman’s boobs could look that perfect.”
“Oh they are real I assure you,” said the woman, walking towards us. She heard him from all away across the room? Adam’s eyes widened and his face had turned a deep shade of red. Adam was blushing! Adam never blushes! “Hi my name is Ulrica, I am looking for Carmen Jockolva,” she smiled at us. “That’s me,” said Carmen, standing up. “How may I help you?” They shook hands. “I was wondering if you had any job openings here at the Teen Center,” she asked. Carmen thought for a moment.
“Well we could use an extra DJ if you’re up for it,” she told Ulrica.
“Really? That would be fantastic!” Ulrica beamed with Excitement.
“When can you start?”
“I could start right now if you like,” she replied. Carmen laughed at her enthusiasm, “Tonight eight-o- clock and be on time,” she told the girl.
“Ugh, Adam, have some self control. You were practically drooling over her and couldn’t keep your eyes off her ass,” I scolded.
What a pervert, I thought to myself. I left the Teen
Center and took to the air. The nerve of that guy. Whatever, it’s not like I even care. The wind had picked up making it harder for me to keep my balance and it sure got cold being so high up. I swung by my dad’s office and snatched his flight goggles and jacket. I was getting better and better at flying every day. I smiled and released the security of my staff beneath my feet. I let myself free fall. The air rushing past my ears was so loud that it seemed silent. I could do this for hours, I thought to myself. Instead I braced myself and got ready to stop the free fall. I folded my arms across my chest and closed my legs. This caused my body to spin out of control. I called the staff to me.
When I felt its strength against my feet I used it to slow me down until I was able to stand on it steadily. I took a deep breath. I had lost track of time, the sun had begun to set. I should be heading home. On my way back it started to rain.
When I got home I took a quick shower before heading to the Teen Center. I promised Carmen I’d help stock some shelves. She was paying me but I would have done it anyway. I may not be the nicest person but I am loyal. Most of the school was afraid of me due to a few street fights but that was a long time ago. Apparently when people say, “Don’t worry it’s in the past,” they really mean, “I’m only being nice so you don’t hurt me, psycho.” I don’t mind it though. I like being left alone.
There was already a long line waiting to get into the Teen Center. I went in through the back and was greeted with warmth and noise. The place is really busy tonight, I thought to myself. I worked my way through the crowd to find the rest of the gang. Ulrica was doing a good job for her first night. The place was off the wall.
“Hey Emma,” welcomed Liz.
I slid into the booth next to Carmen and Adam. They were engrossed in a conversation about our powers and recent apparition activity. Adam was pulling information out of
Carmen. She still wasn’t strong enough to handle Lynashia’s power but the witch was still trapped inside Carmen treating her as if she were merely a messenger. Liz ignored the both of them and used Carmen’s cell phone to txt her boyfriend.
“Tell me about our past lives,” Adam told Carmen.
“There are some things she cannot reveal,” replied Carmen. Carmen made a face as if Lynashia had said something she didn’t want to hear.
“What is it?” I asked her.
“Lyn keeps complaining about how weak we are.”
“But maybe we wouldn’t be so weak if she would tell us more about our powers,” said Adam.
“Emma, you have to stop being so reckless. If you are knocked unconscious your armor will disappear and won’t be able to protect you. At the warehouse the other night you not only put yourself in danger but the whole team. If you ever pull a stunt like that again I will personally teach you the meaning of pain. Adam,” she turned to him. “Lyn has never seen a greater Komodo Dragon than you, yet you deny your gift. Stop running like a coward and face it. I sense a strange great aura overlooking the city, yet Liz sees nothing. As the Illusionist she has the power to see behind deception and magical barriers and should be aware of this. ” She looked at Liz when she said this.
Liz looked up from the cell phone; she hadn’t been paying attention so she was clueless to Carmen’s stare.
“Leave her alone she’s just a kid,” I defended her.
“She is not just a kid, she is a powerful super being.” Carmen retorted.
“How much of this is Lynashia speaking and how much is your own opinion?” inquired Adam.
“The facts about your powers are Lyn, the rest is me,” she replied.
This information gave me a lot to think about. It made me want to get stronger. I wanted to surpass my ancestors in power.
“We just got these powers. Why does she expect so much so soon?” I asked Carmen.
“Because she is worried,” said Carmen.
“About what?” asked Adam.
“I don’t know,” said Carmen. She seemed deep in thought. The simple fact that Lynashia was worried probably gave her goose bumps.
‘Pretty Rave Girl’ by I am x-ray stole my attention from the table. I smiled at Carmen and she got up to join me on the dance floor. Time to lighten up the mood around here. We were soon followed by a couple of guys. My heart was pounding. I was up to my ears in adrenaline. The guy placed his hands on my hips and we began to move as one. I looked at Carmen and we screamed the lyrics together. I loved this song.
As it ended “Ulrica out,” was on the loud speaker. It must be her break; time for Greg to take over. I squirmed through the crowd heading to the bathroom. I splashed some water on my face to cool down. As I was exiting the restroom I bumped into Ulrica. She was taller than me, more slender, and just downright prettier. Normally things like that didn’t bother me but for some reason I found myself jealous of Ulrica. What was worse is that I found that I liked her. She seemed genuinely nice and was unaware of her good looks. I could see why Adam liked her.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hey, you’re doing a great job for your first night,” I told her, trying to be polite.
“Really? Thanks,” this compliment seemed to please her. “Hey wanna maybe hang out sometime, get a bite to eat or something?” she asked me. Before I could answer the ground shook beneath me. I stumbled from the sudden movement. The shelves along the hallway began to fall and even parts of the ceiling crumbled. I felt a sharp pain to the back of my head.
My head felt like an anvil. I tried opening my eyes but it only made it worse. I was disoriented and my vision blurred but I forced myself to focus on my surroundings. I was lying on the floor. Someone was on top of me. It was Ulrica. She was hurt as well. Broken glass and a shelf pinned her against me. Her body shielded me from the glass. Had Ulrica saved my life? I tried to move but couldn’t.
Ulrica lifted her head, “Good, you’re alive,” she told me.
I tried to respond but found that I was unable to speak. “You hit your head pretty bad,” she continued. She tried giving me a reassuring smile but it turned into a grimace. She was in pain.
The shelf, that would have pierced my heart while I was unconscious, drove into her shoulder blade. Blood ran down her back from where the glass had cut her skin. “There was an earthquake,” explained Ulrica. Ulrica had been closer to the doorway, why hadn’t she gone to safety? Ulrica was hurt because of me. I had to help her but I was so dizzy I wasn’t even sure if I could. I tried to move my arm but Ulrica stopped me. “Don’t over exert yourself, help will come,” she said Sternly.
“You are hurt. I have to get this thing off of you,” I protested, my voice was weak but I was glad to find that I was able to speak. I called my staff to me and used it to pry the shelf off of Ulrica. Ulrica’s head was towards me so she never noticed the staff. Unfortunately moving the shelf also provoked her wounded shoulder. It must have been painful but she didn’t say a word. She stuck out her chin and bore the pain. My vision blurred again but Ulrica held me tight against her; hauling me to safety.