OCEANIA

XII

“Let her go” I said slowly. Algris let out his sick laugh. “Let her go!” I screamed. Helen was using her hands to get out but it wasn’t enough. “It’s me you want”, I dropped the dagger, “let her go and I’ll come with you”. “Do-don't do it” Helem struggled to say. I smiled lightly at her. Even at the point of death, she cared about me more. Her neck was turning white and her face was red like a tomato. She was choking. “I said let her go” my voice was threatening. He threw her to the side. Her back crashed into the metal of the seats. Heather was just coming to me. She held up fine. “Get her” he ordered. Chach and Chack didn’t move. He shot them a glare and so did I. “She’s real scary boss”. Chack shivered hiding behind Chach.

Algris groaned then he pointed his staff at me (I don’t know where he got it from) and said, “I’m not gonna kill you without a fight. Pick it up”. I glued my eyes to him as I picked the dagger. Helen coughed back to life. I turned to see her. I really want to go and help her…a sharp pain in my neck stopped my thoughts. Algris whacked me hard. I ran to him in pure anger because he almost killed my best friend. His moves were calculated and he seemed psychic about my own movement. He smirk hit my knees and back almost simultaneously. I'm gonna stab that smirk of your face! I thought in anger. I swung the blade but he caught my hand and kicked me in the chest.

I stumbled back trying my best to still stand on my two feet. How does he know everything I want to do? I questioned. A voice in my head answered, because you’re thinking of what do. He's reading you. That made complete sense. I raised my head to meet his eyes. Without thinking, I cartwheeled to the side and did a back flip. He had a confused look on his face. My chances at victory was getting wider. I did some front rolls then another back flip. “Enough of the games!” Now he was the one who rushed at me. His anger blinded him as I punched him square in the face. I heard a c***k so I knew his nose was fairly broken. My knuckles actually hurt but I can't show weakness.

I made a good sized cut on his upper arm. The bloody wound gave me a little satisfaction. “That was for my best friend”. I gritted my teeth. He managed to grab his staff and throw it. He missed without me even trying. I was about to laugh but he cupped my ankle with his causing me to collided with the floor on my butt. Algris made a reach for my dagger but I jammed my elbow into his forehead. It was then I saw Heather. She was holding her arm. There was a large cut across it just like the size I put on Algris. “What are you waiting for?” Heather groaned in pain, “finish him”. I intentionally stomped on Algris's foot to confirm my thoughts.

Heather winced but covered it up quickly. “When you told me you were connected to him”, I faced her, “why didn’t you tell me anything that happens to him, happens to you”. “If I did, you’ll not do what's needed. Like now”. “You’ve helped my parents for years. I will not…throw it all away just ‘cause I want him dead”. “You need to. My presence is not worth the trouble”. She concluded. I took a good look at Algris. He was weak and battered; defenseless. “You two!” I pointed at Chach and Chack, “get him out of here and if I ever see you here again, I won't hesitate to kill you”. They dragged Algris out of the theater glance at me occasionally.

“You made a terrible mistake”. Was the first thing Heather said to me.

“I did what I had to do”. I countered.

“He won't stop until he hunts you down. He might be weak for now but he’s definitely coming back”.

“I’ll have more time to find out why he's doing this and how to stop him…without hurting you”.

“You’re just as stubborn as your parents”. I chuckled at her words. Helen's weak cough dragged my attention back to what just happened. “What can I do about her? I don’t want her to know about this”, I said, “at least not yet. I need answers first”. “I can erase her memory but you have to find new clothes”, Heather suggested, “we’ll need a brush and makeup too”. I nodded before running into the dressing rooms. I found a plain blue dress in one of the racks. I took the foundation powder, mascara and lip gloss and the hairbrush.

Heather had gotten Helen outside and they were leaning on my jeep. My jeep that has lost the backseat windows. I’ll get those clown brothers for it later. In no time, Helen was all dressed up. I panicked a bit when she grumbled from the pain on her neck. “Hurry! She’s recovering”. I urged. Heather placed her fingers lightly on her head and said the foreign words. A yellow light shone on her head but quickly vanished. “It’s done but you’re not”. Heather pointed out. I scanned myself and I looked hideous. I haven’t even seen my face yet. “I’ll think of something” I shrugged. “Good. I have to go before the hole comes for me”. She laughed. “Won't want to experience that again, bye”. I also laughed before entering the driver’s seat.

The roar of the engines woke Helen. “I guess you took so long”, she yawned, “I fell asleep”. “You sure did", I chuckled, “I got carried away”. “Whoa! You look like the result of a war”, she gasped, “what happened?” “I found this costume and the makeup so I played a while with it. This is all fake”. The lie sounded fake but I hope she buys it. “Cool! I knew I should have followed you”, she beamed, “I could’ve found something to make me look like the terminator or harlequin”. “You’re weird”. I chuckled awkwardly.

The traffic held us but I dropped Helen at her house before six. I didn’t realize that my time was far spent. With Helen gone, I groaned freely. Everywhere was hurting in my body. I, the girl who ran away from little arguments fought with a dagger today. My whole life is messed up. Why couldn’t my story be normal? Why do my parents have to be involved in something far from normal? I wondered. No matter how I try to explain , none of this makes any sense. I need to know who my parents really were and what I am now. Send me an answer, you damn universe!

My phone vibrated right on cue. I wanted to ignore it but honestly, it can't cause me any more pain than I’m already in. I took in a really deep breath. Paradise Cove beach. At midnight. Come alone. Great! Now, I have to worry about not drowning. My life is really messed up.