Finding the Attacker
1110 Words
It felt like someone was choking them to death. The air inside the room ceased to exist. The flashlights from the phone were the only source of light in the room.
Advika kept her hands on the stone table, leaning on it, tears slid from her eyes and fell into the bowl. A ripple of cold energy floated through her head and made her shiver. The water in the bowl began to move. "The... bowl..." she managed to say. Zarna, Ray, and Tej dropped on their knees, coughing loudly. "Maya... the bowl... words," said Advika and extended her arm. Maya held her hand and stood near the bowl.
The tinge of golden and silver colour appeared in the bowl; the water began to move in a circular motion. Letters began to dance in the water; Advika dropped on her knees. "Maya," she said panting. "You can bring back... the... air," she said and lay unconscious.
Daksh pressed his ears against the sliding door on the ground.
Maya blinked her eyes, staring at the bowl, trying to make sense of the words floating on the water.
She spread her arms and stood near the stone table for a brief moment.
"May the done be undone, past be present, and actions reversed," read Maya and fell on the ground, unconscious.
"No!" screamed Daksh and push opened the door.
~~~~~~~
"We're not going back to the temple again," said Advika and crossed her arms.
The five friends had gathered at Ray's home, sitting in his bedroom. His parents were asleep downstairs in their bedroom.
"The spell," said Maya and sat on the bean bag. "It reversed everything."
"God saved us," added Advika and sat on the bed cross-legged, placing the cushion on her lap. Zarna sat next to her. "Yes, we were saved, but who was that person?"
"Was some boy, couldn't see his face, it was dark," said Ray leaning against the wall. "He trapped us," said Tej and sat on the ground leaning against the bean bag. "It means he knew we were going to come, he planned it," said Advika.
"But he has seen us," said Tej. "What do we do now?" wondered Maya. "Focus on the book, as of now, it'll tell us what to do," replied Tej. "But, what if he comes searching for us?" asked Advika. "Exactly, he knows how we look," said Zarna. "I was thinking-" said Maya. Everybody looked at her as he paused for a moment.
"The old man... is he with that guy? Otherwise, how could he do all that?"
"True," said Advika. "It's quite possible that he has people with him."
"It means we need to hurry up," said Ray and wore his headband. "Yes, it's 12 we need to go," said Maya. "Where?" asked Advika. "To the moon," said Maya and faked a smile. "We are being followed, is it safe to go to the barren land?" she questioned.
"The book will handle everything," said Ray adjusting his hair. "Let's just go, someplace where it is quiet."
"But the book should appear there, right?" quizzed Advika. "Let's go to our usual place if the book finds it fit, the forest will appear, else, we'll be transported someplace safe," said Tej.
Advika was doubtful about going out together with her friends. She knew they are being followed by someone whose powers were still unknown to them. She had not yet recovered from the incident last night.
"You guys go ahead," said Advika. Tej spun around and looked at her. "Don't be silly," said Maya. "The symbols don't glow till all of us are together similarly the book won't appear if we aren't together."
"Advika," said Tej and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Swe... I mean, I know you're worried, but trust me, when we're together, we can handle anything, running away from things isn't a solution, is it?"
Advika let out a sigh and nodded her head. "I just want all of us to be safe," she said. "We will be," said Tej and held her hand. "Now let's go."
"You girls go ahead, I want to talk to Tej," said Ray and smiled. Maya opened her mouth to say something, but Ray stopped her. "Man to man," he said. "Whatever," said Maya and marched downstairs. Advika and Zarna followed.
Ray shut the door and smiled at Tej. "What's the matter? Why are you smiling?" asked Tej. "Dude," said Ray and hugged Tej. "What-" Tej pushed him slightly, breaking the hug.
"We're best friends," said Ray. "I know you from childhood, and you, you-"
"Ray, please be clear, get to the point, we're getting late, and the girls are waiting," said Tej. "Girls... or Advika?" asked Ray and crossed his arms. "What do you mean?" asked Tej and turned around. "Face me or don't face me," said Ray. "But you can't deny the fact that you were about to call Advika, sweetheart."
"That's rubbish," said Tej. "We'll talk about this later," said Ray and went downstairs, leaving Tej alone. Tej walked to the mirror, kept beside the bed. "I don't love her," he said, looking at his reflection in the mirror.
"Where's Tej?" asked Advika as Ray descended the stairs. "He's coming," Ray said and smiled. "Is he fine?" she asked. "More than fine," replied Ray and motioned Zarna and Maya to follow him.
They headed towards the door. "You guys wait near the car, I'll tell mom we're going out... somewhere," he said.
The girls, except Advika, went to the parking where Ray had parked his car.
"What happened, Tej?" asked Advika. "Nothing," he answered, avoiding eye contact. What's wrong with him? Advika thought.
~~~~~~~~
"The... book... is with... them," stammered Daksh as he stood before Azazel.
Azazel's long black robes swept the floor as he walked towards Daksh.
They stood in the dungeons; Azazel's hiding place where he lived with his men and some werewolves.
"You are telling me, that, you let them go," said Azazel in a low voice. "You let the reversal spell happen you let them do it."
"I've seen their faces," said Daksh; his throat went dry. Azazel leaned towards Daksh; Daksh could feel his hot breath on his face, he shut his eyes, his heart pounded.
"Let them learn and earn the powers," he whispered. Daksh opened his eyes, perplexed. "Yes," said Azazel and took a step behind. He smirked. "Keep an eye on them, let them learn, and once they've become all-powerful, then I will take away their powers and kill them."
Won't be that easy, Daksh thought.
"Go, follow them, and keep me updated," commanded Azazel.
Daksh bowed and left the dungeon.
- Writer
