I'll Be Back

 

**************** Brian's head had been decapitated. His eyes staring blankly into her own. A devilish grin etched across his face. She screamed, the blood covering her hands and face. The eyes blinked. She struggled to get to her feet, moaning, pain searing into her side. She grabbed onto the willow tree for support. The mouth moved into a frown. "Come on baby, don't you want me anymore?" She screamed. The tree bled...It's blood running down to her feet, forming a puddle. The head hissed, eyes glowing red. She bolted up. Her sheets soaked with sweat. Darkness greeted her blood shot eyes, piercing them. Cutting threw her to her brain. Her dream...It had only been a dream. She collapsed back into her pillow, closing her eyes. He was calling her again. His eyes...His eyes... I'll be back...I promise... **************** The sun hit her eyes. She rolled over. The curtain moved. She bolted up. "Time to get up." It was Zoe. "Oh, it's you." She said sinking back into the bad. "Well don't get to excited." She said sarcastically, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Sorry you just scared me. I-I had another-" "Dream." She said, cutting her off. "Yes. It's calling me again. I have to go see him..." "Janie-" "Shut up Zoe. I'm not going to get into it. You wouldn't understand." "Hey don't snap at me!" She said putting her hands out. "You're the one who never told me what happened that night." "I can't-" "You can't talk about it, I know, I know. Just get ready, class is in 30 minutes." She left the room. Jane closed her eyes, she could see his eyes cutting through her. She could feel them cutting into her. She shivered. She saw the tree, it's branches flailing for help. The blood oozing from it's dark wood. School, school. I have to get ready for class. She shook away his memory and got out of bed, walking into the bathroom. This is going to be a long, long day. **************** He watched her walking. Her hair pulled back, a small wisp floating down into her eyes. He squeezed the steering wheel, stepping on the gas. She stepped back onto the sidewalk, shocked. He rushed past her not looking back. Damn! She made everything so hard. He drove on past the college. He would get her into his arms someday. He would just have to be patient. **************** She clutched her books to her chest. The man, he looked so familiar. But how? She was sure she had never met him before. At least not that she remembered. She hurried on towards the house, she couldn't go through this again. But-There was something about his eyes. She remembered them, she knew them. They frightened her. Something in them, they were cold. Almost icy, as if she would freeze if she looked into them. That man...That cold, icy man. She knew him, but how? She stopped the porch, reaching into her backpack. She felt the keys and grabbed them, attempting to stick them into the key-hole. She fumbled, they fell to the floor. "Jaaaannnnieeeeeee..." A soft voice called. She turned quickly. No one there, no one. "Who-who said that?" She called, her voice quivering. The wind picked up, blowing hair into her eyes. She opened the door, running into the house. Her heart racing. Terror jabbing into it. She slammed the door behind her, her breath coming out hard. It was coming back for her. It was coming back and Brian couldn't save her. Not this time, not ever. He was gone. **************** She lifted the mug to her lips with shaky hands. "His eyes Zoe, his eyes were so...so cold. I don't know what it is. They just scared me." Zoe lifted her hand and put it on Jane's shoulder. "He probably wasn't anyone. It was just your imagination." "No! It wasn't!" She said shaking off Zoe's hand. "I know him! I do!" She stood up from the table and went to the sink. Zoe sighed and looked away from Jane. She nodded her head and got up from the table, leaving the room. Jane turned around with tears in her eyes and looked around the kitchen. She left the room and grabbed her coat. She looked at the house a final time, sighed to contain herself, and left the house. She ran to her car and opened the door. She slammed it behind her and wiped her eyes, she checked the mirror and started the car. She began to drive towards the cemetery, passing familiar buildings, she paid no attention to what they were. She saw the gates to enter the cemetery and turned into it. She parked the car beside a black limo and started walking down a flowery path, leading to his grave. A slight breeze picked up and blew hair into her face. She paid no attention, she kept on walking. She spotted the grave. I'll be back...I promise... It was just under a willow tree, the breeze making the leaves sway over his tired grave like lazy arms. She had chosen this spot for him, she felt safe when she looked at it. The tree seemed to call her, reach it's "arms" out and embrace her, warmly. I'll be back...I promise... She approached the gray marble and fell to her knees the familiar pain coming back to her. She touched the marble lightly, tracing his name with her fingers. "Brian...Why did you do it? Why? Why do you keep calling me? What do you want from me?" She put her head in her hands and rocked. She got a hold of herself and looked back up to his grave. The gray made it look melancholy, dreary. She sat in the cemetery looking out over the graves from the top of the sunny hill. Flowers moved happily among the graves, birds sang, their voices joyful. The black world weaved in and out of the joyous. She wanted to scream, she wanted to wipe out the light-hearted and leave the gray. Her world was empty now, without Brian there was nothing. I'll be back...I promise... **************** He watched her get out of her car. He watched her walk up the building's stairs. He watched her walk in. He got out of his car and ran to catch up to her. He walked into the building and looked down the hall...There she was! He walked fast and stopped at a fountain, 5 yards away from her. She was talking to that boy again...Rage filled his heart. He clenched his fist. She reached up and hugged him. He put his arm around her and they began to walk to the cafeteria. He followed close behind, so close he could hear them. "Jane, let's just get something to eat. You're spooking yourself over nothing, you're being paranoid." "Kevin, what makes you think you know me? What makes you think you know?" They turned into the cafeteria, his arm still around her. "Don't snap, Jane. I get you...I don't know, but that won't stop me worrying about you. My cousin loved you, that made me love you." They sat down at an empty table, he put his hands over hers. He breathed in deep and closed his eyes. He could feel her hands, small and fragile. He leaned in and listened for more. "Kev..." She said tears in her eyes. "I-" "Don't." He said a smile on his face. "You want the usual?" She smiled and nodded, sniffing to hold back the tears. "OK, I'll be right back." He walked away, bouncing as he walked. She smiled to herself and looked around the cafeteria. Her eyes locked onto his. They grew wide, she looked frightened. She wanted to scream, she was about to run when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Jane? You all right You look like you've seen a ghost." "No...No I'm fine Kev, really." She said shaking away the man's stare. He set down a salad and a bottle of water. "Thanks." She said opening the bottle, taking a gulp. "Whoa! You must be thirsty!" "Yeah." She looked back to the table, with the man. She felt her heart leap. He wasn't there! He wasn't there! **************** He's following me... I know it, he has to be... She stared out her bedroom window blankly into the night. Her mind overflowing with memories and his face. I've seen him somewhere. I know his face, I know his eyes. She saw a car pull into the drive. Kevin stepped out. She ran downstairs and opened the door, running out. She was greeted by his shocked face. She hugged him, practically knocking him down by the force of it. "What!? Why are you do glad to see me?" He said slowly putting his arms around her. "Just come into the house, I don't want to be out here." She said leading him towards the house, looking over her shoulder a few times. "What? Is some one stalking you or something?" He said jokingly as she closed the door and peaked threw the curtain. "Yes, I think so." She turned to him and looked him directly in the eye. "I do, I think some one is." "Who?" He said crossing his arms, unbelieving. "I'm not sure, but I think whoever it is knew Brian." Kevin's heart stopped. His face grew a pale white. She walked into the living room and sat on the couch. "You're serious? You're actually serious?" He walked towards her and sat down beside her. "I am, Kevin." She said seriously. "But how? How do you know, have you seen him? Do you recognize some one?" "Kev, I saw some one today. He looked right at me. I knew his eyes. I have seen them before I don't know where, but I know them." There was fear in her voice and tears shaking in her eyes. "I don't know how I know, but this man had something to do with Brian's death. I know he did, but I don't know how, I don't know how!" she broke down and hugged him. He put his arms around her tightly, crying himself. "Oh god! Oh god!" He whispered as they wept together on the couch, clinging to one another as if the world would end if they didn't hold each other. ****************Flashback "Daddy! Higher daddy!" Jane laughed as her father swung her higher on the swing. The willow's branches formed a curtain around the two of them, blocking the outside world out. Deep in the back of her mind she heard the tree calling to her...or she thought to her. It echoed the same name, over and over. Allena... Allena... **************** The man turned the corner as she did. Jane moved across the street, so did he. His bleach blond hair glowing in the sunlight. She stopped at a newspaper stand and looked over her shoulder. The man had stopped at a flower stand and was sniffing a rose, while looking at her with the corner of his eye. She quickly turned back to the man at the counter and thanked him, turning quickly headed for the grocery store. He started walking again, slowly, but definitely following her. Jane walked into the store, faster now, and went to the dairy section. She picked up milk and eggs, looking back over her shoulder, he was still there. She turned and ran into a lady with a kid tagging behind her. "Hey watch it!" The lady said in a rough voice, pulling the kid by the arm. "Sorry." She whispered walking down another isle. She grabbed a can of Folgers from the shelf and threw it into the cart, feeling his eyes piercing the back of her head. She pushed the cart around blindly, still aware of his eyes. She threw another item in her cart, turning down another isle. He was still following her, cleverly looking at boxes and putting them in his own basket. She grabbed the last thing she needed and almost ran to the counter. "Whoa! You must be in a hurry." The woman at the checkout said smiling as she slowly checked out the groceries. "Yes, I am. I have to pick up my husband from the airport." She lied as she dug into her backpack for her wallet. She glanced up. He was one person behind her, glancing up her body, a look of contentment on his face. His eyes She looked away and handed the woman the money. "Out of 20." She said getting money out of the cash register. "Here you are, one, two, three." "Thank you." She said grabbing the bag, jogging out of the store. He threw down his basket and ran out of the store. She looked behind her, he wasn't there. She sighed slowing down a bit. She looked up and ran into a chest. "Oh, I'm so sor-" It was him, his eyes looking right through her. "It's all right." His voice was deep and believing. She turned and started to walk faster again. Looking over her shoulder every other step. She turned a corner and saw her house, she glanced over her shoulder. He was gone. She stopped in the street and looked frantically around, searching for him. He was gone. **************** I'll be back...I promise... **************** "She still asleep?" Kevin asked looking into Jane's room. "Yeah, I don't know what it is, but she is freaked out!" "I know...She thinks some one is following her-stalking her." "What?" Zoe asked turning to Kevin. "Has she gone insane?" "No Zoe, I believe her." Kevin said looking into her eyes. They were sincere. Truthful. "She was freaked out yesterday too. She saw some one at the school cafeteria. She also thinks the man had something to do with Brian's death." Zoe looked shocked, she didn't have to say anything. Kevin knew. "I know, it's weird but..." He trailed off. There was a moan from Jane's room, they jumped up and ran into her room. "Janie?" Zoe said sitting beside her on the bed. "Brian...Brian." She moaned, tossing and turning. "Brian!" Her voice rose. Kevin couldn't stand it, he picked her up and shook her. "Janie! Wake up." She screamed. He held her. "Shh. You're back, you're safe." He said rocking her. "His eyes! His eyes!" She moaned. His eyes **************** She hugged the pillow, her eyes still closed. She felt him touch her, warmth flowed across her body. She heard him whisper in her ear, she shivered. "Brian." She whispered, squeezing the pillow tighter, tears in the corner of her eyes. "What?" Came a voice, she opened her eyes. It was Kevin. He was sitting in a chair by her open window, a cool breeze blowing the curtains around him making him look angelic. "Why are you still here, Kev?" She asked sitting up, her blue tank top clinging to her sweaty body. "I wanted to make sure you were OK, Janie. You're really freaking me out." He said standing up, walking towards her. "Thanks Kev. I appreciate it." She said putting her hand on his cheek. She smiled warmly at him. He smiled back. "You hungry?" Zoe said at the doorway, a tray in her hands. "Oh, Zoe! You didn't have to." Jane said to her friend as she placed the tray on her lap. "Come on Janie, you could use a good breakfast and you know it." She lifted the tray cover and saw eggs, toast, and pancakes. "Zoe, I love you." She picked up her fork and ate a huge bite of eggs. "I know." She said beaming, looking up at Kevin, who was also smiling. They watched her eat her food, getting hungry themselves. "Oh, yeah. I have food for us downstairs." Zoe said to Kevin. "Good, I thought I was going to faint." He said kissing Jane on the cheek, then following Zoe downstairs. She got out of bed when he was out of site and headed to the bathroom. She closed the door and looked into the mirror. A tired, ghostly face stared back at her. Her face began to morph. She gasped, watching in horror as her face became the man's. His smile, his eyes... He winked. His mouth widened into a bigger smile. "Hey Allena, I wanna show you something." He began to laugh, loudly. His strong voice penetrating her ears, seeping into her brain. Allena She screamed. She picked up a perfume bottle and smashed it into the mirror. Shattering his face, shards of the mirror hitting her bare arms and face. Kevin ran up the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. He ran into her room, she wasn't in bed, he looked at the bathroom door, it was closed. He opened it quickly. She was on the floor, weeping. Blood oozing from tiny cuts on her arms and face. He scooped him up into his arms and carried her out of the house. "He was in the mirror...He was in the mirror." She echoed over and over again. Zoe ran after them, still in shock. She jumped into the back seat of the car. Kevin sped to the hospital. He looked worriedly at Jane, she was still crying, still repeating that strange sentence... He was in the mirror... **************** She lay on the hospital bed, asleep. He went to her side, slowly lifting his hand to her face. He touched her smooth cheek, he bent down. He smelt her hair, breathing in deeply. He closed his eyes as he caressed her arm. He opened them again looking at her heavenly, sleeping face. "You're beautiful." He whispered. He leaned forward and kissed her lips, gently. Her eyes fluttered. He ran from the room. When she opened her eyes she saw darkness. There was something in her hand. She lifted it up into the moonlight, it was a rose. A note was attached to it. She opened it. I'm watching you from afar, my sweet. Someday maybe we will meet. Love you, Your very own Casanova Her head grew weak. She dropped the note, the rose falling to the floor. He was here! He was in my room! She pressed the button for the nurse. "NURSE!" She yelled. She ran into the room. "Shh, what is it?" The woman said frantically. "There was a man in my room, he was just here! Did you see him? Did you see him?" "What? There was no man." The nurse said, she looked down at the floor, there was a note and a rose. "You dropped this." "No, I didn't that is from the man. You didn't see him?" "No ma'am, I'm sorry." She leaned back into the bed, closing her eyes. "You just need rest." The nurse said from the doorway. He was in my room. **************** Allena... Allena... Allena... **************** The car drove silently down the street, passing children and bright white houses. Weary faces showing through the light glass. They were tired. Her face was pale. Her eyes vacant. The car stopped. "We're home." His strong, sensitive voice echoed in her ears. She mutely got out of the car, walking slowly up the steps to the porch. She heard the distant sound of keys opening a door. She walked in. The house was dark, the shades drawn. "Would you like something to eat?" Zoe's voice sounded miles away. She nodded. Kevin helped her to the couch, sitting her down. "How about we watch some TV?" He suggested, in an overly happy voice. She stared ahead of her, unanswering. "OK, we'll do that then." He turned on the TV and flipped to a movie. He looked over at her tired face, it was unchanging. He kissed her cheek and left the room. He opened the kitchen door to find Zoe crying at the sink, her shoulders shaking. He walked to her side putting his hands on her shoulders. She jumped, then her shoulders slumped. She sighed. "I-I just hate to see her like this." She cried, her back still to him. "She's falling to pieces and I can't do anything about it." He turned her around and pulled her into his arms. She clung to him, sobbing into his chest. "She's going to be OK." His voice powerful and convincing. "We have to be strong for her." She sniffed and pulled away from him. "I need to make her a sandwich." She opened the refrigerator and started grabbing food. He sighed and walked out of the room, back towards the dreary blob on the couch. **************** She walked through the mist, past the crooked willow trees, the lonely bog. There was no noise, no movements. Her world was gray. The water bubbled and turned red. A voice called to her. "Jaaannniiieee!" It was soft, goose bumps popped up on her flesh. It called to her again. "Jaaannniiieee!" It was louder, a twig snapped behind her. She turned, her heart beating faster, harder in her chest. The voice giggled. A sob crept up her throat. "WHO ARE YOU?!" She screamed. She turned her body, searching the mist. Her eyes strained to see his form. "Looking for me?" She turned, he was standing in the water, almost floating. His mouth in a devilish grin, his teeth stained red...from blood? He had something in his hand, the image was fuzzy. He stepped forward, grinning like a mad man. "Let me show you something." His voice was harsh and deep, it cut through her, penetrating her skin. He lifted his arm showing her... "OH GOD NO!" She yelled stumbling backward into the mud. "NO, GOD NOOO!" Dangling from his hand, dripping with blood was the head of her ex-lover. One of his blue eyes hanging out of it's socket, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. His brown hair matted to his head by dried, crusty blood. Brian...Brian... I'll be back...I promise... She woke, her body soaked in sweat, her breath coming in short gasps. A wind came through her room, banging her window open. She rose slowly and walked to the window. The dark sky called out to her, the stars shining bright. The tree in the front yard, screamed the same lonely name...So familiar, yet so frightening. Allena! She stepped up onto the windowsill, tears rolling down her pale cheeks. She spread her arms out and closed her eyes. Fly to us Allena! Come to us! She lost her footing, her left foot slipping. She clutched the window and jumped into the room, falling to the floor. She sobbed her hands to her face, her body curled in a pathetic bundle. She couldn't go on. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" **************** She grew paranoid near the end of class. Every face was his face. The bell rang. She jumped. The class shuffled out of the room. She picked up her books and walked slowly to the door. She looked out into the hallway, it was empty. The lights turned out behind her, she gasped. "Good day Miss Shepard." "Bye Mr. Lockwood." She said as happily as she could. His footsteps became softer, she was alone. She turned the corner and walked with her head down towards the exit. The sound of her breathing the only noise she heard. She looked up, thinking she heard a footstep. No one. Stop scaring yourself Janie, it's just your imagination. But was it really? She opened the door, a warm breeze hitting her skin. The park lot empty, she walked to her car. She searched through her purse for her keys. She heard soft footsteps behind her. She walked faster, her car in sight. She heard heavy breathing, closer to her now. She fumbled to put her keys in the car. The door wouldn't open. Panic set in. The footsteps stopped. She felt hot breath on the back of her neck. She spun around. It was the parking lot. Empty. No one was behind her. She laughed and got into her car. She started the car and fixed the mirror. She turned around, getting ready to back up. Her eyes met the man's icy stare. She breathed in to scream, his hand covered her mouth, muffling the scream. She struggled to get out of the car, he held tight. He pulled her to the back, her hands digging into the seat to get away. He pushed her into the cushion smiling, as if proud. "Hey baby, miss me?" Miss me? He brought his fist down onto her head, knocking her out. **************** A musty smell filled her nose. She opened her eyes to find darkness. She tried to get up, something was holding her down. Her head felt like lead. She moaned. As her eyes got used to the light, she tried to figure out where she was. There was a little bit of light coming through cracks in the walls around her. She was in a large...barn, yes barn. She was in a barn. She could smell the hay. She looked above her, there was a loft. A large door was ahead of her, and stacks of hay all around her. Other than those few things there was nothing else in the barn...that she could see. She couldn't see behind her, when she tried to roll over a deep pain jabbed in her lower back. Her eyes ached from the tears that were dry now. A sound of thunder rolled in the distance. She tried to move again. Her hands were tied, so were her feet. The floor was solid dirt, which didn't help the pain in her back. She moaned again. The minutes ticked by endlessly. Time stopped, she almost screamed. The door flew open. Light flooded in, blinding her. She squinted. A figure appeared in the doorway, standing in the center. It walked forward, closing the door behind him. The man's feet stopped in front of her face. She flinched, trying to back away. "What's wrong, baby? Aren't you glad to see me?" He laughed. He bent down lifting her head with his finger. She shook her head to get loose from his grasp. He was smiling. She tried not to look into his eyes, but failed. She gasped. He laughed again. She fidgeted. He picked her up by the shirt, bringing her up to his eyes level. He pulled her closer to him. She groaned. He smiled widely. His eyes moved over her lips. He licked his. He leaned forward and kissed her roughly, with force. She bit his lip, he pushed her back into a near by hay stack. He lifted his hand to his mouth. Bringing his hand down he looked at his fingers, fresh blood stained them red. He looked down at her, eyes ablaze with anger. "Why do you make it so hard?" He said in a low whisper. "WHY!?" He yelled, so close to her face, she could feel his breath on her cheeks. He pulled her up to his face again. "I'll teach you! I'll teach you to love me!" Terror filled her eyes, her heart began to race. "I'll teach you!" **************** "The time is nearing..." The voice whispered. Jane followed the voice, ahead in the distance the same willow tree in all her other dreams called her. "Come, we need you now! We need you Allena!" The voice faded. Jane began to run. She had to get to that tree... It was gone, like everything else in her life, it was gone. **************** The next few hours were hell. Fists hit bare skin. Blood sprayed. Screams echoed. The rain started to pour soon after the first punches were thrown. A closed fist hit bare flesh. A scream penetrated sensitive ears. Thunder clashed outside, closer now. The lightning from the storm the only light provided in the barn, flashing flailing bodies in the darkness. He threw her beaten, bloody body to the hard, dusty floor. He dropped to his knees next to her, head in hands. He cried openly. His sobs ringing throughout the dark barn. **************** He was asleep now, curled into a ball. Her head ached. The blood was near dry on her pale skin. Her left eye was puffed up so bad, she couldn't see. She shifted in the hay, her body and mind in pain. She closed her eyes, she needed sleep. She drifted away, letting her dreams take her away from her dark, cold world. **************** I'll be back...I promise... **************** She was sitting in a pool of his blood. His body 4 yards away...His head in front of her. She was in a trance. What just happened? She kept on asking herself that same question, over and over again. What just happened? Brian's eyes stared blankly up at her. His once beautiful blue eyes, now glazed over, began to transform. They turned red. Bright red. Her mind swam. His face began to change. Blond hair... His face appeared before her, grimacing and evil. She tried to move, but was frozen in place by fear. "Miss me?" Her eyes opened. The barn was lighter. She moved her head to the side, he was gone. Fear overcame her, then excitement. He was gone. For a moment she forgot the pain and sat up. She searched the closed barn for his shape, but found none. No shape... No him... She heard movement from above her. "Morning Janie, sleep well?" She sank. He sounded giddy, almost drunk. His feet appeared on the ladder, he began to walk down. She backed up into the hay, her one good eye glaring at him. He dropped to the floor, smiling. "You must not be a morning person, aye?" He watched her, not talking for a while, then moved closer to her. He sat down next to her, his face emotionless. He lifted his hand and touched her cheek, she flinched at his caress. He put his hand back on her cheek. Tears shakily filled her eyes. Her lip trembled. He moved hair out of her face, lightly touching her forehead with his fingers. "Why are you doing this?" She choked, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Why else? I love you." I love you. The words pelted her. He smiled again. "I've waited so long to have you." His voice soft, almost as if he were in a daze. He picked up some of her hair smelling it. Her entire body was shaking. He beamed, "And know I do have you." A sob escaped her mouth. He had a blissful look on his face as he laid her down on the hay. He rested his head on her chest and began to hum, his eyes closed. The ropes dug into her hands as she tried to loosen them. Another sob came out of her throat. Control...Control yourself. "It's been too long you know. 2 years is a long time..." 2 years! "After I got Brian out of the way I knew my chance had come..." Brian? Oh god! The eyes! He was the eyes! He killed Brian! He giggled, tracing her arm with his pointer finger. "You two were really surprised." He began to laugh louder now, the laughs bouncing off the barn walls. Tears were streaming down her face. She choked back sobs rising in her throat. Brian! Oh, God Brian! He calmed himself, his laughter cutting off. He was still lying on her chest. She heard him snore. He's asleep! Thank God! She closed her eyes and sighed in relief. He's asleep! **************** He watched her face as she slept, it was angelic. He wanted to reach out and kiss her... Hold her. He shook her awake. He smiled down at her. She showed no emotion. He shifted his weight on her body. "Comfy?" She glared at him. "Don't answer." He laughed. He kissed her cheek. She groaned. He looked down at her. He kissed her other cheek. Hot tears welled up in her eyes. He kissed her lips. She flinched, moving back. His mouth moved with hers. "Don't fight me, Janie. You'll grow to love me, just give it a chance." He said angrily, staring into her eyes. Fright rushed over her. "Wha-what are you talking about?" She asked shakily. "I love you...and I've been waiting...for a long time..." He said blushing. "No...no please. I-" "Shhh." He said smirking. He leaned in and kissed her deeply. No! Oh shit! This isn't happening, this isn't happening! He moved his hand up her pant leg. She tried to move, his body was too heavy. He kissed her neck as he pulled her pants down. She moaned. No! He unbuckled his pants, shifting his weight back on her. I'm not here, I'm not here! The piercing pains in her abdomen began. Brian! Brian! Where are you? Another painful thrust. Brian! This isn't happening. Another Another She screamed. Another. No! Oh God! I'm not here! This isn't happening to me! Not now! Another. Her eyes glazed over, the world blurred. She blacked out. **************** When she woke up she was in a car. She lifted her heavy head from the window, where it was resting, and looked out the window. They were driving in a flat state...lots of fields...lots and lots of fields. "I'm glad your finally awake!" His voice was happy, his face, glowing. She had a flashback of the barn and choked back a sob, staring him in the eye...His cold, icy eye. "Where are we going?" She asked through clenched teeth, trying hard not to cry. "To Las Vegas! Doesn't it sound like fun!" Las Vegas?! "Why Las Vegas? Why are we going to Las Vegas?" "I-I thought..." He looked down, blushing. He giggled. "I thought we could elope." "ELOPE!" She screamed. "Yeah, why...I love you." He asked, his voice rising with each word. "Love!? You don't even know me! I don't know your name!" He swerved off the road and parked the car. He turned to her and grabbed her cheek with his left hand. "I know you well enough..." He paused, trying to calm himself. "And you will know me...You will love me!" He stared at her, well more like glared... "Do you understand me?" He yelled. She nodded her head, tears cascading down her pale cheeks. He turned to the wheel, and to the open road before him. "My name is Lance." **************** As they neared the town he told her what to do. "Don't talk to anyone unless they talk to you. You're my fiancé, we are going to Vegas to get married...That's all you have to say...Nothing more. You got me?" She nodded stiffly. Yes master... He turned into a bed and breakfast. It was a small building, two stories. It was painted white with blue trim. Flowers hung from pots all over the outside. Probably more inside too. She thought to herself. A huge tree, a willow, stood in the front of the house. It's branches dangling like arms. They reached out for her. Called to her...Allena She shivered. "Let's go!" He said grinning as he opened the car door. She slowly got out, a little woozy. Her head throbbed. She walked towards him, trying to look casual, but knew she looked drunk. He grabbed her arm, she almost fell over. They walked in the building to the front "desk". Which was really a shabby table covered by a dirty white tablecloth. One of the legs was shorter than the other, tipping the table to one side. "Hello!" He called. He looked around the corner into the next room, a man appeared in the doorway behind him. "Yes." His voice was deep and scruffy. A cigar rested in-between his lips. He puffed, blowing smoke towards her. She coughed. He wore old overalls, covered in mud and grease. A holey white tank top with beer and sweat stains around the neck beneath the overalls. Army boots hung off his feet. They were tattered, a hole in the toe of the left, and the heel was almost gone on the right. "May I help you?" "Yes," Lance said turning around. "We want a room and maybe some food..." He walked towards the "desk" pulling out his wallet. "One night?" "Yes." "50. MARGE!" He bellowed towards a closed door. "We need some food!" He turned back to Lance, "Here's your key." "Thanks, " He said uncomfortably taking the key. "Come on." He said to Jane, almost as if she were a puppy. She followed him up the stairs. Turning back to the old man she saw him look her up and down. His stare burning into her skin, she felt dirty. A rush of repulsion rushed over her. She had a flashback of Lance and the barn and looked away. She caught up with him, dreading what would happen next. He was putting the key in the keyhole. "It doesn't fit!" He said angrily. "I'll be right back, don't move!" He pointed his finger at her then walked down the stairs. She looked around the hall. It hadn't been vacuumed in a long time, that was obvious. The walls had paper from the 60's at least, yellowed from smoke stains. She heard a door open down the hall. A man in a cowboy hat, white T-shirt, and tight blue jeans emerged from a smoky room. He sauntered towards her. He sniffed, looking at her bare legs. "Hey pretty thang you here all by your self?" "No she isn't, beat it." Lance said walking towards her a new set of keys in his hand. "Oh, I get it. Well send her to me when your threw with her. I'd like a piece of that!" He shouted in a southern twang. Lance's face turned red, he walked towards him slowly. He lifted his hand and grabbed him by the neck, pushing him against the wall. "She isn't a whore! She's my fiancé, get it? You apologize to her, now!" He yelled. "Why should I apologize to her, she ain't nothin' but a tramp!" He spat out. Lance tightened his grip, the man gasped for air. Jane heard a crunch. "Apologize!" He hissed "Or I'm going to break your neck." "I-I'm sorry!" The man choked out. "That's better, now get out of here." He said letting go of the man. He gasped for air, rushing from the hallway, making no eye contact with either of them. "Sorry you had to see that Janie. I hate men like that." His eyes still burned with rage as he opened the door to their room. A strong musty smell filled her nose as the door opened. She cringed. There was one large bed in the center of the room, a night stand nest to the side of the bed. A single lamp on that, beside a yellow phone. A springy arm chair in the corner of the room. Other than that there was nothing in the room. This is not what I expected this place to be like! The outside had made it look so cozy! Lance opened the door to the bathroom, she didn't even want to know what that room looked like. "You just going to stand there?" He asked no emotion on his face. She didn't answer, just stood, staring at him. "Answer me when I talk to you!" He yelled walking towards her his fist closed. She backed up, a sound escaped her throat, eerily close to a whimper. Who's the bitch now Janie? The voice of her mother echoed through her brain. He threw her to the bed. Look familiar? What are you planning to do about it? You gonna take it, or you gonna scream? Momma didn't get either chance didn't she, baby? He grabbed her shirt pulling he close to him. "Answer me!" "No sir." She said between clenched teeth. He looked deeply into her eyes, and let her go. "What's taking so long with the food?" He asked pacing the room. He grew impatient. "I'm going downstairs to check. Stay here, don't try anything!" He left. She loosened her muscles, sinking into the soft mattress. It felt good. She hadn't slept on a soft anything for days. It was better than a dirt floor, that's for sure. Plus, her back was killing her. She closed her eyes. Isn't so much fun anymore is Janie? Go away mom! How does it feel? Huh, a lot different feeling it...Am I right? Please shut up! No, I'm going crazy...She's not really talking to me, ignore it. Don't you wish you could...HaaaHa! If you had saved me instead of sitting in the corner like a wuss I would be here...Now you know...Now you know what it feels like. How do you like your hero daddy now? No! Get out of my head! She cupped her hands over her ears, curling into a ball. She tightened herself, locking into that position. How do you like your daddy? She squeezed her eyes shut, letting her mind carry her off in a deep, deep sleep. How do you like your daddy? **************** I'll be back...I promise... ****************Flashback "Get away from me Jake! Please! Not in front of Janie! Not in front of Janie!" Daddy walked towards mommy, his hands outstretched. She screamed. Janie put her hands over her ears. He grabbed mommy's neck. "Shut up, bitch! I don't need you telling me what to do! You're always telling me what to do!" He shook her entire body with his monster hands. Janie sat alone and scared in the corner, too confused and shocked to move. Mommy was screaming. Daddy was too. "Janie! Jaannnieee!" Mommy yelled. Janie shook in the corner to scared to move. Mommy stopped screaming... Mommy stopped moving... Mommy was gone... **************** Lance slapped her awake. "You were screaming." He said, not a hint of compassion in his voice. "Do you want to get everyone's attention?" She shook her head, scared. He let her go. The room was dark, it was night. Lance was laying out on the bed next to her. He was wearing boxers and a white T-shirt. His eyes were closed. She slowly got out of bed. A hand grabbed her arm. "Where do you think your going?" He asked, his eyes still closed. "To the bathroom." She said flatly. "Hurry back, you don't want me to have to go in there after you." She nodded, he didn't see. He dropped his hand. She walked to the bathroom, slowly closing the door. She rested her hands on the sink. Examining her bruises and cuts. She filled the sink and splashed her face with the cool water. There was a lurching sound from the faucet. The water turned brown. She grimaced and turned off the faucet. Could this get any worse? Wait...I don't want to know... She opened the door, turning off the light switch. Her legs shook as she walked back to the bed. He was still. Scared Janie? She crawled under the sheets slowly. He was still. She rolled onto her side, her back facing him. Her heart racing. He shifted on the bed, she felt his body move against her. She was scared, she started to shake again. He kissed her neck and smelt her hair. Jane moaned through closed lips. He stopped when he heard her moan. "What's wrong with me?" He whispered into her ear. "Why can't you stand me? Am I that bad?" He gripped her shoulder, clamping down hard. It was painful. She choked back another moan that was creeping up her throat. "Why can't you just love me?" "You-You-You scare me." She stuttered. His grip tightened, then released. "I do everything for you!" He sat up squeezing the mattress in his hands. "You're supposed to love me!" He looked back at her, his eyes flashing with anger and love. "How can I make you?" She clutched the blanket up to her chin, frightened of what was going to happen. "I-I can't-Don't know." She searched to find words that wouldn't anger him. He grabbed her by the hair dragging her to the bathroom. He held her up to the mirror, two scared faces staring back at two scared faces. A mad man with an innocent victim. A lover and a hater. "Look at me." Mad man "What do you see?" A mad man She breathed in deep and lifted her head, high. "I see a woman being held against her will by a psycho!" She yelled. He banged her head against the sink, hard. She dropped to the floor. "Wrong answer!" He lightly kicked her head then walked out of the bathroom. "I'll be back later, Janie." He opened the door, paused, "I love you." With that he left. **************** She was delirious, from the pain and the blood loss. Also from the fright. She felt hopeless. She was going crazy. He was driving her crazy. She saw Brian walking around her room. He was holding his head in his hands. Searching for her...or him? She saw her father beating her mother. Flailing arms, slapping sounds, muffled screams...She rocked in the corner trying to get rid of the voices hammering her head. Janie why didn't you save me? Brian whispered in her brain. Janie why didn't you save me? Her mother shouted. Sweat poured down her forehead mixing with her blood and tears as they flowed down her cheeks. Why didn't you save us! **************** She dreamt of the funeral often, almost every night. She remembers it well... How the...blacks and grays swirled through her mind. Blotting the light from her heart out. The cemetery was dark and cold, yet warmth somehow flowed through it. Birds sang high in the trees above lonely untended graves. Weeds crawled up tombs, encasing joyous flowers, blocking them from the light. A bright blue sky danced above dreary faces as a black coffin is lowered into the deep depths of the earth. A woman falls onto the soft green grass as a sob escapes her throat. The worlds of happiness and suffering clash together in a thunderous bang, breaking the hearts of once happy people. Janie looked up from the window and saw the willow at the front of the yard. It called to her. Allena... She felt it's branched wrap warmly around her like arms, feeling her pain. She stood from the window sill and stared at the willow. It's deep brown wood looked soothing, she wanted to reach out and touch it. Allena... She slowly made her way downstairs and out the door. Lance watched from his car as she reached out and touched the bark. The bark felt like nothing she had ever touched before. It was rough, yet smooth at the same time. The scent of the tree was magnificent. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep. When she opened her eyes... She wasn't at the hotel anymore. She was on a hill, over looking a valley... But she wasn't at the hotel anymore... **************** Lance gaped as he watched Jane disappear. He ran out of the car towards the tree. He went in circles around it. She disappeared! She had just vanished before his eyes! He touched the tree, a strong smell overcame him. He closed his eyes and sneezed. He opened his eyes... What he saw amazed him. He was in a valley...Not at the bed and breakfast...A valley! He looked around him, scared. How did he get here!? Was he dreaming!? The smells around him were awesome. He looked to his left and saw a pool of water. It was beautiful, he walked towards it. It had wonderful colors of blue and green, blending together then running off into a waterfall. He put his hand in the water...It was cool. Thirst overcame him...He needed to drink the water. He scooped up a handful of water and brought it to his lips. The water was refreshing, so good...A huge smile formed on his lips, the water was unlike anything he had ever drunk before. So pure... He lifted his head again... Where am I? **************** Her eyes wandered over the lush green valley. The glistening waterfalls calling to her, praying she would join them. The flowers sang a sweet song of happiness, the words dancing through her heart, killing her hate. Trees danced the dance of hope, telling her she would be all right. Birds flew lazy circles above her head. "Relax!" They said to her, "Relax and you shall be well." The noises and smells around her were all too familiar as if she had seen them before. She got the sense that she was being watched and whirled around. A man in rags was staring wide eyed at her. He dropped to his knees. "Allena! Oh Allena you have come!" **************** Jane stood shocked were she was. Who was this man...And most of all, who was Allena? She went to his side and touched his arm. He gasped. "Sir, are you all right?" The man looked up, tears in his eyes. "Allena! We have been praying for you to arrive! King Frederick was right! You've come!" Jane stared in shock as the man began to kiss her feet. "Sir, please get up..." She touched his shoulders. He looked up surprised, "I must take you to him! He will be so pleased!" He rose to his feet and motioned for her to follow him. He began to mumble something about the arrival of Zak and Trey. But who were they? "Come, come! This way. Tetrisa is just above this hill." He jabbered on and on. Janie followed questions racing in her mind. Where am I? How did I get here? Who are Zak and Trey? How does he know I'm Allena? Allena? As they walked over the hill the top of what she thought was a castle appeared. As they walked farther more of it appeared. She gasped. It was marvelous...And huge! It was made of some sort of white stone. Flags at all ends. And four larger towers at the corners of the castle. Each had a large flag on the tip of the towers, they were blue and white...Not any type of flag of any country she knew about... Where am I? A large village was surrounding the castle, people scurrying around the base and through out the streets. The man laughed, "King Frederick said you would have this reaction. Come, the villagers will want to see you." She stepped forward and for the first time noticed she wasn't wearing her clothes. She was wearing a blue dress, it went all the way down to her ankles. Silk? Her mind asked. Her shoes were very old fashioned, they had pointed toes and were also blue. She looked up at the man who was halfway down a long road, he turned and shouted, "Come now! We don't have all day." She ran to catch up to him. Where the hell am I? **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Lance stepped forward his mouth open wide. He was walking into a large camp...Yes a camp. Men in armor surrounded him, staring as he walked past, some saluting. Somehow he found himself walking towards the largest tent. A man in black appeared at the opening. "We've been waiting for you brother." He said, his voice booming. Lance stepped forward his arm shakily extended, yet he didn't know why. He knew this man... Yes he knew this man. "Hello Zak, it's good to see you finally." **************** The town folk kneeled as she passed. Woman, children, grown men...All kneeling as she passed. She neared the castle, the man still leading the way, beaming proudly as they began to cross the bridge over the moat. Trumpets began to sound. She walked under a huge doorway leading into the castle, a red carpet rolled out for her to walk on. The man moved to the side, she looked at him, scared. He motioned for her to move forward, "Go, you will like what you see at the end." She gulped and took a step forward, people began to cheer. A man stood up from a throne...King Frederick? As she neared him, his face became clearer. Her heart stopped, her legs grew weak. Oh my lord! "Brian!" She whispered clutching her throat. "It can't be!" His face...It was his face! She fell to her knees, She saw "Brian" rush towards her. His face blurred... **************** I will return...I promise... **************** The man in black was Trey. He offered Lance a drink. Lance accepted. "You have come to help me destroy Tetrisa...The kingdom of King Frederick. I need your help to take over all of Oriana, only you can help me. Do you know why?" Lance shook his head. "Allena...Better known to you as Jane." Lance perked up, "What about Janie? Do you have her?" "No, but Frederick does...You want Allena, I want Oriana...You must stop her, only you can stop her." "But why? Why should I help you? I don't know you." "Frederick in your reality is Brian." **************** Jane...Now Allena opened her eyes. She was in a large bed, white curtains flowing around her. Her heart began to race, she remembered seeing Brian. She bolted up in bed. "Brian!" She called out. His face appeared. "Not Brian, Frederick. And you are Allena." He said calmly. "But you look just like him!" "I am not your Brian. I am your Frederick, Frederick to Allena. You are Allena. You may not understand now, but soon. Soon you will." "But-Why am I here...Why do you look so much like Brian!?" She said, working herself up. He put his hand on her shoulder. A powerful flow of energy flashed through her body. She was calm. "You are here to help my kingdom, Oriana. I look like Brian because in a way I am, but I am not. When some one dies in your world part of them come to my world and form a new life. You may not understand now...but I promise you that you will." Jane nodded, her Allena self was taking over. "But how am I to help you save your kingdom?" Frederick smiled, "It's good to see you Allena...You were chosen many years ago, long before you were born. You are the one who has the power...Your grandfather saved Oriana once before, he passed his powers to you." Jane's head began to swim. "My grandfather?" Frederick nodded. "How-" "He got it from his grandfather and so on, back threw time...It passes through your genes." Frederick lowered his head. "There is something you must know...you wont like it and it might draw you back, but we need you." He said looking deeply into her eyes. with Brian's eyes "What is it?" She whispered. "The man you know as Lance is the man you need to fight to save my kingdom. He is known as Zak in my world. He is growing stronger as time goes by, I feel it." Frederick said closing his eyes." Jane's breathing became faster, "Does he have to follow me everywhere? Why can't he just leave me alone!" She cried. "Calm." Frederick said moving his hand over her face. "How do you do that?" Jane asked breathing in deeply, feeling relaxed. "It's part of my power...You have it too, but not like mine." He said smiling warmly. "Speaking of that your power is growing too, but we need you to do something before they can grow any more." "What?" She asked as he helped her off the bed. "Well first you must change, then you must come down to the fountain...to drink the water." "What's in the water?" "Something you would not understand, not until later, much later." "Why do you keep saying that?" "It's true." **************** He looked into the mirror, he looked dashing. His blond hair combed back, his eyes dancing with anticipation. Trey had clothed him and now he was wearing black, all black. It was some sort of suit, tied around his neck was a long flowing cape. Lance brushed off his vest and turned to Trey. "It's nice." "It fits well then?" Trey asked sipping from a mug, his dark eyes cold and penetrating, yet warm to Lance. "Yes, very well." Lance said sitting at the table. "Good...Now we must discuss Allena, excuse me Jane. When we get into the castle you must find her and destroy her." "Wait! Whoa! You want me to kill her! I love her!" He yelled standing up. "Now, now, sit back down. Does she know you love her?" "Yes." "Does she love you?" He asked coolly. Lance sat down. "See, she loves another man, not you. This man has taken her away from you for years. This man is Brian to you, to me, Frederick. Lance shuddered as he heard the names. They sickened him. Brian...Frederick "She has betrayed you and showed you no love after all you have done for her. For that she must be destroyed." Lance, now Zak, nodded blankly. A devilish grin forming on his lips, "Yes," He murmured. "She must pay." **************** The white dress flowed behind her as she moved down the long hallway. Her dark hair fell carelessly around her shoulders. Her bare feet slapping hard on the cold floor as she came to the stairs. Her eyes twitched with anticipation. She saw Frederick at the fountain and began to walk towards him. He was beginning to seem more like Brian every minute to her. The way he smiled, his voice, his walk, his stance, but most of all his eyes. A crowd of silent people watched in awe as she glided past them. He held out his hand for her to take, she did. "The time has come!" His voice boomed, loud and strong, "Allena has arrived and she shall save us!" The crowd cheered around them. Jane felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Frederick leaned down and grabbed a flask, it was full of a clear fluid. The water from the fountain she guessed. He handed it to her. She cautiously took it in her hand. She lifted it to her lips with a shaky hand and drank. She felt her throat close, she gagged. It tasted awful, yet she somehow kept it down. The crowd cheered again. She felt waves of energy and light sweep over her body. A tingling sensation rose in the tips of her fingers. She closed her eyes and saw the colors of the rainbow swirling, she felt her power rise. When she opened her eyes Frederick was smiling, "It has worked." He lifted a mirror to her face. She gasped. Things about her had changed...Her skin, it was glowing brightly. Her hair had turned lighter...And her eyes, oh her eyes! They were the deepest blue she had ever seen. She looked back up to Frederick. "You are now truly Allena of Oriana, savior to us all." He kissed her hand. The crowd roared cheers. Mystified Jane, now Allena, put her head up and walked arm in arm with King Frederick of Oriana to dinner. She was whole now. She was Allena. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** The hooves of the horses pounded the dirt road. The men were headed to Tetrisa, led by Trey of Hardin and Zak. Zak had all of his power now, he was pumped and ready to attack. They would arrive at Oriana in two days. If they refused to surrender, all would die. Zak sat upon his horse, high and mighty. He felt as if nothing could stop him. Nothing and no one. He saw Jane in his head...He was still unsure of where he was and whether it was all a dream. All he knew was that Jane had betrayed him and he needed to make her pay...pay dearly. **************** Allena held her self well all through dinner. Eating with grace, her posture perfect. She hadn't felt so great in a long time...Since Brian's...accident. But now, now Brian was here with her, in a way. She sat next to Frederick through dinner. He told her about Oriana and how Trey was determined to destroy it. It went back many years. Trey's great-great grandfather Jonathan tried to take over, but failed. He vowed on his death bed that some one from his family would destroy Oriana, and that day had come. Trey had just needed one thing to make sure he could succeed. That one thing was Zak. Zak had more power than she would be able to handle unless she focused and tried to remember how powerful she was. If she let him get to her, Oriana would be gone. "There are evils here that you could never imagine in your world. Evils that you will encounter. There is no doubt of that." Frederick said sipping his wine. "You have to stay in control at all times, if you don't the evils will take over your body. You will go into a nightmarish sleep, one in which you will never return from." Chills ran down Allena's spine, although deep down in side she already knew these facts. "Zak-How will I fight him? Do you mean fist fight?" She asked calmly, fear seemed no part of her now. "No, not a fist fight. The way you fight is not determined yet, but you will fight him." Frederick rose and took her arm. He escorted her to a dim lit room. "This is my library, in here are all the records of any battle ever fought in the history of Oriana." Allena looked up at the towering bookshelves, the weight of years of hatred crushing her. "All these?" She whispered, a tear falling down her cheek. "Yes, many of them are nothing big. Some of them lasted an hour, others years. The good thing is a battle has not been fought in Oriana for 23 years. The year I was born was the year of the last battle." He said as he picked up a big, dusty book. "Here" He opened to the last page of the book. "It was over a cow." Frederick chuckled, lightening Allena's mood. She smiled. "Frederick this is nice to know about but-" "I know, this is strange and you are a good person for dealing with it the way you are." He grabbed her hand, "Let's think of that tomorrow...You need your rest." He kissed her hand softly, and led her back to her room. "Thank you King Frederick..." She said, uneasily. "Call me Frederick." He smiled his warm Brian smile, causing her to blush. "Thank you Frederick." She curtsied and opened her door, vanishing into the darkness, leaving him in the hallway. He stood in the hall long after she was inside. She was destined to die, that beautiful creature was destined to die and she was unaware... **************** I will return...I promise... **************** The fire had gone out, leaving a small glow from the embers, lighting Zak's face. There was no warmth here. No love. His heart was black and cold. A wind whipped around him, he shuddered. Janie... He closed his eyes, seeing her dead in his arms. If he couldn't have her...no one could. A beast roared in the darkness of the forest. Zak bolted up, he could see red eyes peering out at him. Zak grabbed his gun and clutched it to his body. No one... **************** She lay in her bed chamber basking in the warmth of the firelight. Frederick had been kind to her...too kind. He wasn't telling her something, she knew that for a fact. But what? She rolled over in the giant Victorian bed and pulled a pillow close to her body. It felt like Brian lying next to her. She shut her eyes and squeezed. Frederick...Brian...Frederick...Brian... "OH!" She gasped sitting up. What the hell was she doing here? Why was this happening? She wanted to go home! She got up and walked to the window. She opened the large doors to the balcony, stepping out into the crystal clear night she breathed in the warm summer air. The garden below looked ghostly in the moonlight. A breeze swept strands of hair into her face. She looked to the west, feeling his presence drawing near. The coldness of his presence chilled the wind, causing her to shudder. She walked into the room slowly closing the doors behind her. As she crawled into bed, under the silky sheets hearing his voice. I'll teach you! I'll teach you to love me! She closed her eyes tightly and let herself drift off into sleep...Sleep was where she dreamed...When she dreamed she saw Brian...When she saw Brian she was happy. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Frederick lay in bed, her face floating through his mind. She was beautiful, that was certain to him. She was strong, and smart...She was the one for him, yet she was going to die. Die saving something she didn't understand...Something of his...He was sending her to her death and she knew nothing of it. He rolled onto his side, the moon peaking in at him through the curtains... You're killing her... **************** In the early morning hours the army of one thousand men began to travel closer to Tetrisa. Trey and Zak leading them on their black stallions, their heads held high as if they were powerful... A figure watched them from the depths of the forest, moving with them. None of the soldiers noticed, the being was too quick for their slow eyes. It waited...Waited for the right time, for the time when no one was watching. It was going to attack, and soon. It was hungry. **************** As the sun rose across the wide fields of Oriana a power grew stronger. A girl's power. The one power that had to save Oriana itself. She was almost ready and making good progress. As the potion from the fountain coursed threw her veins she grew stronger, almost ready... The sun hit her eyes. She woke. The stone floor was cold to the touch. She moved her way across the room to the bathroom. A large tub was filled to the brim with piping hot water. A woman stood by it, pouring in buckets. "Morning Miss. Sire thought you could use a hot bath." "Oh thank you." Allena said walking towards the tub. Yes, a bath would be a nice change...She had been so dirty and grungy for the last week or so, she had almost forgotten about baths. She slipped out of her robe and stepped her foot in, the warmth made her tingle. She moved slowly into the water, it was refreshing. She smiled, the water had a nice smell to it, very soothing. This would be a good day...Well before the battle, or whatever it was going to be. She pushed that thought away for the moment, she needed rest. Frederick had said that. Rest. A good long rest is what you need. The soap the woman had left with her was scented like roses. This is what she needed. This is definitely what she needed. After her hair was washed she got out of the tub, unwillingly, but still got out of the tub. She walked into her room and noticed a dress on her bed. It was a few shades of red, with a few things of lace placed around it. A pair of small red slippers sat on the bed next to the dress. As she walked closer to the clothes she saw a remarkable ruby necklace. She gasped. It was huge! It was awesome! She had never seen anything like it in her life, but then again nothing in Oriana was like anything she had ever seen. She quickly dressed and made her way downstairs to the dining hall. The door creaked open as she walked into the almost empty room. "Ah, good morning Allena. Enjoy your bath?" Frederick asked standing up from his meal. "Yes, thank you." She said as she neared him, taking small dainty steps. She looked fragile, like if he touched her she would break. She took his hand and let him kiss it, curtsying as he did so. "Please sit down, eat. You need your-" "Strength?" Allena said, a friendly smile on her face. Frederick laughed and nodded, "Yeah." His cheeks turned red. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** As the army grew nearer the storm grew stronger. The clouds swirled with blues and grays, deep purples and teals interweaved. The wind picked up, blowing leaves through the sky. Zak looked up, yes it was getting stronger. He smiled his evil grin and turned to Trey. "It looks like nature is with us on this one." "No," Trey said with no emotion, staring ahead of him "This always happened when a battle is about to happen, especially when there is a strong power involved." "What do you mean?" Zak asked turning back to the road. "I mean this always happens when their is a battle." He said, frustrated. "No, I don't-" "Shut up!" Trey shouted, stopping his horse, and in doing that stopped the entire army. Zak's horse reared, causing him to almost fall off. Trey began to ride again, looking angry enough to kill. Zak followed, his head down. The army continued on their journey into their destiny, which wasn't looking to good at this point... Hearts were heavy...This wasn't looking good. **************** Frederick stared at her as they walked along the path in the rose garden. She had a nice smile among other things...He blushed for thinking those thoughts. "What's wrong Frederick?" Allena asked knowingly. "I-I..." He laughed. "No woman I have ever known has stumped me in my words...You just have." Allena smiled, her face glowing with the power in her. "I have been known to do that to people." She said thinking of Brian. "I-Hi-I mean-I-Could you hand me that thigh-I mean book." The boys face flushed a deeper shade of red. Allena put the book in his face, stepping off the ladder. "Here you are one book...If you want the thigh, call me." She laughed as she walked towards the library door, leaving the boy shocked and happy. "Have you now?" He said, snapping her out of her trance. "A few people, yes." She said speeding up her pace. Frederick sped up and ran to catch up to her, he felt like a school boy. She was making him fall in love with her...Or maybe his Brian self was falling for her, either way he was falling and fast. There was so many things he had to tell her, but couldn't. They were quiet for a few minutes, both feeling the temperature change. Allena looked up to the sky. "He's coming, faster now." Frederick turned to her, there had been a slight hint of fright in her voice. He put his arm around her. "When the time comes we will be ready." "That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about how the battle is going to turn out, I'm scared I'm not going to be able to help you." She said her head down. "You can't think that way, you will be safe." He lied. "I am scared of him...Lance-Zak I mean. He is a sick man, a very sick man..." "Yes, that is known." Frederick said to her, as she turned her back to him. "Why me? Why me?" She cried, her back still turned to him. "Your grandfather came her, by accident, and vowed that he would help my family...He's helping through you." She turned to him puzzled, "Why would he do that?" Frederick looked down to the ground. "Your grandmother...She's from our world, she was a servant in our castle at the time. She was very loyal to my grandfather and your grandfather understood that, he promised he would protect Oriana if she would marry him. She accepted and he kept his promise." Allena was so shocked she almost fell to the ground, Frederick caught her. "Is that why I was chosen?" She asked weakly. "Yes." He whispered feeling her suffering, it pounded into him, piercing his heart, painfully. He loved her. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Deep within Trey's twisted mind, dreams of victory flashed by. He saw himself ruling all of Oriana. Having all the power in the world. And if he could get a hold of Allena, he could have all the power of two worlds! He would be all mighty, everyone breathing would worship him. He- "Ahhhh!" A man's cry filled the air, cutting his thoughts off. He turned his horse just in time to see a foot soldier dragged into the bush by some hideous beast. "Arm yourselves! Stay alert!" He shouted. Then men did so, all showing fear, which was plastered on to their faces. Zak turned to him, his green eyes sparkling with excitement and confusion, "What was that?" "I'm not sure, it was too fast." "It just swooped in and grabbed him!" Zak said astonished. "Yes, well keep an eye out, it's bound to come back." Trey said uninterested. "Keep moving you idiots! We have to get to Tetrisa!" The army trudged along aware of the beast now. It watched from the dark shadows licking it's bloody paws, waiting to make it's next move. **************** Frederick led her into the deepest chambers of the castle. They walked downward on many sets of spiraling stairs. "We're almost there." He said as they turned a corner down a dank musty hall. "Where is there?" Allena asked quizzically. "The castles treasure chest." He said his eyes dancing. "Your grandfather left you something that will be of great use to you later." He dug into his pocket revealing a long silver key. He inserted it into a big door's key hole and wiggled it. The door opened with a loud squeak. Frederick lit a match, lighting a few torches on the wall, closest to them. It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust, but when they did... Mounds of gold and jewels lay in overflowing chests, stretching 90, maybe 100 feet back. The treasures climbed up the walls and carpeted the floor. "Amazing isn't it?" He asked with a proud smile. Allena nodded in awe. Frederick moved to a large safe and opened it, He dug around for a moment then pulled out a velvet box. He handed it to her. When she opened it she gasped at what she saw. Lying in a sea of delicate rose petals was the biggest diamond she had ever seen. There were magnificent colors gliding through the huge stone. Shades of blue, purple and even greens. "How did my grandfather get this?" She asked gaping at the jewel. "He received it from my grandfather, to protect his family. It holds great power." Allena's hands began to shake, feeling the power coarse through her body. She took it from the box as he continued. "It has such strong power that men would murder to get it. It could annihilate an entire planet, wipe out an entire civilization." Allena's eyes widened, the weight of such a responsibility bearing down on her, making her weak. "Then why did you give it to me?" "Because this is what will help you save Oriana. You are going to use this to destroy Trey, Zak, and their army. You must keep it out of the hands of such evil men...and beings. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Wear it around your neck, like this." He said placing it around her neck with ease. His fingers brushed her back, making her tingle. Brian's touch had been like that... "It's not very heavy is it?" She asked surprised. "No, that's one upside to your situation." He said flatly. Allena put her head down, staring at her feet she asked, "Why aren't you telling me the downside?" **************** The man ran into the tent, panting and soaked in sweat. He had been running hard, and fast. "Sir, it's killed 4 more men! It came out of nowhere! It just grabbed them!" Trey stood up, his fingers at his mouth, pacing, a look of concentration on his face. "Trey...What are we going to do?" Zak asked, his eyes following his "master's" every move. "What are we going to do!?" He mocked, prancing around the room. "Oh, great leader! I'm too stupid to do anything for myself, I have to hound you with my problems!" He slapped the soldier, causing him to fly to the ground. "Put extra guards up and keep your eyes open." The man jumped to his feet and sprinted to the other tents, shouting, "More guards! More guards!" Trey smiled at the man...pathetic. He turned back to Zak, he too was smiling. "Wipe that grin off your face, you look like an idiot." Zak slouched back in his chair. This wasn't as fun as he thought it was going to be. He'd just have to wait for his fun...For when he saw Janie...That would be fun. Oh yes, very fun. **************** She watched from the window as Oriana's men began preparing for battle. She saw small boys with guns in their hands, ready to kill if it meant their freedom. Young and old alike shooting at haystacks, imagining they were the enemy. She saw the hate in their eyes, the pain and suffering of a people who should be happy. The necklace grew hot, she looked down at it, it was a faint orange color now. "Be careful." Came a voice from behind her. "If your emotions became too strong you'll blow the castle up." Allena whirled around, it was an old man...He had a cane in his hand and a long brown robe draped across his shoulders. "Who-Who are you?" She stammered her voice loud. The man chuckled. "I am Syris, the oldest bastard in all of Oriana." Allena relaxed her muscles. "You are Allena, aye?" "Yes." She said softly. "Well, let me have a look at you! I knew your grandmother...She told me about you." Allena got a puzzled look on her face. "How could my grandmother have told you about me? She died before I was born." The old man turned her around, examining her. "There are ways...You wouldn't understand them yet, but you will...You've grown!" The man shouted happily. "But-" "Shh, no more questions!" He put his hand up, silencing her. He took her arm. "Excuse me but sir, I don't know you and-" "Syris!" Frederick yelled running to them. "I'm sorry Allena." He grabbed the old man's arm. "He wasn't bothering me." Allena said politely as she watched the old man scowl. "Why can't I visit with anyone? I've never done anything. I thought she'd like to know-" "Hush, old man." Frederick said angrily. Allena watched the two men left the room, her mind swimming with confusion. What was that man trying to tell me? **************** The quiet before the battle. That's what Syris had called it. The quiet before the battle. Men of two kinds, good and evil, waited in the darkness of the Oriana night. Waiting for daylight...That's when they would strike. Men lay in the dirt, clutching their rifles to the chests. The only noise for miles was the sound of heavy breathing. Allena stood upon the top of the castle walls, ready and waiting. Frederick by her side. Her dress flowed out from behind her. Her hair flying, wisps falling onto her face. The wind was blowing harder now, warning Tetrisa of it's doom. The sky grew lighter, the necklace lightened with it. "Remember, calm. If you let your emotions-" "Take over, I could blow everything up. Nothing would survive." She said flatly. She let out a deep breath. Frederick nodded turning back to the trees. The sky grew lighter still. "May Oriana's light guide you through this battle. Peace be with you all." Frederick shouted to all his men...and boys. "Amen." Someone said, dreamily. The sun rose. **************** The first bomb hit the front row of men, killing 20. Allena stood her ground. As more men were slaughtered, her power grew stronger. She felt a calm flow over her. Men screamed. The necklace was cold. Allena closed her eyes. She could still see the men being blown to bits. Frederick grabbed her hand, hate coursed through his veins. She felt his fear. As if by instinct she lifted the necklace to his forehead. The fear was gone. "No more pain, Frederick. No more." The battle raged on. Allena could see Trey's men creeping closer to the castle gates. Another bomb hit, this time with such force, it shook the entire castle. Most of Frederick's men on the outside of the castle had been killed. Some scampered for the castle, not making it alive. Trey's men were stronger. Allena watched in pain as Oriana's men were murdered...Murdered for no reason. The guns stopped shooting, there was silence once again. Trey's men separated into two groups, leaving a path. Two figures on white horses started down the path. Allena froze, he is here. It was Lance-no not Lance. This man was worse than Lance this was Zak. Frederick stood his ground, his head held high. The horses drew nearer. Soldiers saluted as they passed. They drew nearer. Allena calmed herself, feeling the necklace grow hot against her chest. They stopped. Zak grinning behind Trey as he sat on his horse. "Frederick!" Trey shouted, "Give it up! Surrender, make it easy on yourself!" "You think I'd make it that easy Trey! I'm not stupid! You'll never win." "Oh I think we will, right Allena?" Zak said looking over her body. Trey rolled his eyes, "Damn right we'll win." Allena's heart pounded in her chest. "So, are you going to open the door, or do we have to blow it down?" Trey shouted. "Just try, Trey. I dare you." Frederick shouted. "Very well then." Trey said shrugging, as he turned to his army and nodded to men at a cannon. "See you soon Allena my dear!" Zak said laughing. She glared down at him feeling more hatred more than she had ever felt before. The necklace grew hotter, it glowed a deep red. "Now, Allena you have to do it now." Frederick whispered to her. She nodded, knowing what to do. It was like she had always known, no one had to tell her. She knew. She lifted the necklace high above her head, closed her eyes, and said, "With Oriana's everlasting power." She felt a surge of heat flow over her, and heard a loud boom. She opened her eyes, where the cannon had been 2 seconds ago was a deep hole. Men lay scattered around it, bloody and decapitated. "Why didn't I do that before?" She asked Frederick. "I could have saved more people." "It wasn't the time, Allena." His voice was strong and soothing. "It wasn't the time." **************** Zak watched as Allena and Frederick disappeared from the top of the castle walls. Men were running and shouting all around him, he paid no attention. Trey called out orders to the frightened men. They all screamed and shouted about their worries. "It's true! She came!" "She'll kill us all!" "It just blew them up! Just like that!" "SHUT UP!" Trey shouted. The men froze all feeling terror rip through them. "She isn't going to kill us, fools! Get yourselves together and help figure out how to knock down this damn door!" Zak turned back to the castle staring back at where she had been a minute before. That same old longing he had felt before overcame him, slapping him painfully. "Zak! Damn it Zak! Help me, we need to set up camp!" Trey shouted from his horse, snapping him out of his trance. "OK, I'm coming!" He yelled back, turning back to the castle one last time. Soon Allena, soon we will be together. **************** "This will be the biggest battle yet, men. I need you all to use your heads, not your hearts." Frederick talked to his men, quietly, peacefully. "Remember what we are fighting for. Oriana, our families, and most of all our freedom." The men surrounding him cheered. Allena smiled, her heart filling with pride. "Allena is who is going to save us." Frederick added turning to her. "She will save everything." He lifted his hand to his forehead, saluting her. One by one ,men stood up, saluting her. The courtyard was silent, all for her. She stood her ground, her head held high. The sound of Syris's voice broke the silence. "Fight well Allena! Do it for your grandfather!" If I were in my world that would be too corny. She thought, smiling. "Thanks Syris, I will!" Frederick turned to the old man, giving him a warning look. Don't go any farther old man. He turned from the crowd of people watching him and hobbled away. Don't you think I would have already if I was gonna Freddie? Frederick smiled as he the man walked away, I hear you Sy, I hear you. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Night covered Oriana with her loving arms. It was a dangerous time for all, but no one was afraid. The fires from Trey's camps gave an eerie glow to Allena's room. She sighed, clutching the necklace in her hands. She could feel Zak's eyes on her. Feel his presence. She shuddered at the thought. She wrapped her robe tighter around her waist and walked away from the window. This was all like one big dream...It was unreal. She jumped into bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. I can't do this Grandpa! She screamed. His gentle voice filled her ears. You can do it, Janie. I know you can. I don't know how! Janie...You'll know what to do when you get there. There are no instructions, you'll know what to do. Just follow your heart, Janie...You'll know what to do. **************** Frederick sat with his men, protecting what little was left of his kingdom. He looked down to Allena's window, it was darkened. He knew she was calling out to some one...She wanted help, help which no one could give. If it wouldn't be improper he would go to her, to comfort her. She called to some one again, it hit him with such force he was knocked out of his chair. He couldn't make out the shout. It had no words, just mumbled speech. This time he could not stop himself, he had to go to her. He bolted from his chair, ignoring the worried questions from his soldiers. He ran down the corridor to her room. His feet pelting the stone floor. She called again, the words still inaudible. He got to her door and opened it, the door slamming against the wall as he ran to her bed. He picked her up into his arms, causing her to wake up. "BRIAN!" She yelled. She looked up into Frederick's face seeing Brian. She moved her hand to his face, touching it softly. "Brian?" She asked in a shaky voice. He grabbed her hand, his eyes showing his pain. "Frederick." He said softly. She collapsed in sobs, clutching his arms, clinging to him. He held her close to his body. He knew what she wanted...he knew what she yearned for...He knew who she called out for in her dreams The man who was ultimately him... Brian. I will return...I promise... **************** Zak smiled in his sleep. He was dreaming of her. Her face, her body, her smile, her eyes...All flashing through his mind. He could feel her, he knew the touch so well. Her skin was so soft...He had touched it once. His smile widened as he slept. Janie... Allena... They were both too real for him, and he had them both. Or he would have them both. Tomorrow...Tomorrow was the day. He would get her tomorrow. **************** Trey sat awake on his cot. Visions of Frederick's defeat filling his mind. Of Allena's death. Of Zak's face when he kills him. A smile formed on his harsh lips. Fire Destruction That's what life was all about. He would rule every world he could get his hands on...If he could destroy this one. This world held all bonds to all other worlds. Allena held all bonds to all other worlds. With her death, a new life would prosper. His life. His new life. His new life as King of all worlds. King of everything. If an ant wanted to crawl somewhere, he would decide if he could. If a bird wanted to fly, he would have to ask permission of him. This would be a great, new life. **************** Allena woke, the cool morning air hitting her face. She was being held, someone's arms were around her, holding her. Frederick It was almost too much. He stirred in his sleep. She shifted her body to get a better look at his face. He looked so much like Brian. Is that why she had let him... Frederick was a lot like Brian. He loved her, yes, Frederick loved her. She knew that. His face was calm and full of compassion. He was so like Brian. Yet, there was something different, but what? His eyes fluttered open, his face became emotionless. Breathing was the only sound in the room. The wind picked up. He looked at her with the same eyes, his Brian eyes. Something flashed in them. Something unlike Brian, very unlike Brian. It was Frederick. She had tried too many times to see him as Brian to notice...Frederick, it was him. A smiled formed on her lips. The appearance of a smile started to surface on his lips. The necklace began to glow again, this time it felt cool. The opposite of hate... Love **************** I will return...I promise... **************** As the two figures walked down the long corridor leading to the highest tower of Tetrisa's castle, their hands intertwined. The people in the courtyard kneeled as they passed. Their was a silent respect for their unity, it was so right. Their was an air in her walk that hadn't been there before...She looked like his queen, and they were sure she very well might be in time... If they won the battle today... As they neared the tower window, the old man appeared. He held out his arm for her, she accepted. When the three of them walked in front of the window their ears were filled with the sound of cheering. -Does she know she is going to die Frederick? -No, I couldn't tell her Syris...I love her too much to tell her that. -You should have. She had a right to know, she'll find out soon enough. -Shut up old man! I don't need this now. He looked down to Allena, she was smiling and waving, still unaware of her doom. She looked up into his eyes, too sweet...too kind... He looked away. -Why does she have to die, Syris? Why? -It's her destiny- -No Syris that's not what I want to know...Why is that her destiny? Who made that decision? It's not right. -Life isn't right Freddie boy. Life's never right...or fare. **************** Trey sat a top his horse beside the blundering idiot called Zak. The army of anxious men waited patiently for their cue to attack. Sweat poured from there bodies...The anticipation almost too much for their small minds to handle. Some one sneezed causing a soldier to run out of his line screaming, gun in hand. Trey picked up his gun and shot the man, point blank. Zak turned to him, his eye twitching. "Isn't it time yet?" "No, be patient. I'm waiting for some back up I called for." He answered his eyes staring forward, towards the castle. "Back up? What back up?" "Shut up or you'll end up like that man lying dead on the ground." He said flatly. Zak looked back at the castle, a look of disgust on his face. A squawk of some sort was heard in the distance causing a ripple of noise to flood the valley. "Ah, here they are now." Trey said, a smirk on his face, his face to the sky. Zak turned his frightened eyes to the sky, searching for the source of that terrible noise. Another squawk filled the sky. Two figures appeared in the distance, blocking the sun for a few lonely minutes. "What the hell..." Zak whispered as his eyes widened. He turned back to Trey. "Trey, you didn't..." "Oh, I think I did." He said a look of triumph on his face. The dragon swooped above their heads, it eyes piercing into the people below. Some men ran in fright, others froze in there places. Trey whistled, the dragon landed near where Trey was standing. Zak's horse backed up in fright. Trey stepped down off his horse and walked towards the towering beast, his hand out stretched. The dragon made a deep roaring noise in it's throat. Trey's hand caressed the dragon, feeling it's power and strength. "Welcome to Tetrisa girl. Good to see you." He said doing his best to imitate a soothing voice. He turned back to the army, power booming in his voice. "LET'S START THIS WAR!" He lifted his fist and charged for his horse. The army ran towards the castle, their voices booming with rage. The dragon took flight again headed towards the castle. The war had begun. **************** Allena's eyes widened as the immense beast's figure filled her eyes. She gripped Frederick's hand. "You must begin now, Lena." He whispered softly in her ear. She turned to him, shaky, then nodded. "Yes. OK" She lifted the necklace above her head, feeling the rage in her heart. Blocking the fear out. The glow became immense. It burned orange, then red. A burst of fire lit the sky as it flew in a spiral for the dragon. The dragon veered to the side, dodging the fire. Trey laughed aloud, it was all too easy for him. "It didn't work, Frederick." She said sadly, her voice quivering. "Try again." He said, his hand moving to her shoulder, taking the fear away. She tried again. The fire missed it by a foot or so. She shot at it again. Praying for it to hit at least a part of the beast. The dragon roared as the fire hit the tip of it's left wing. In a blur of confusion and anger it started breathing fire onto Trey's men. Trey shouted something Allena could not hear. The dragon started flying for the castle, it's mouth open, menacing. It threw a ball of fire at the men in the courtyard. Carts caught on fire, along with a few a of the soldiers. They ran screaming trying to put the fire's out. Allena looked behind her, Syris was gone. "Frederick where-?" Frederick put his hand on her shoulder, his hand pointing out in front of her. She followed his hand, it was Syris. He was standing above the gates to the castle, his hands out in front of his body. His eyes were closed. The monster turned and saw him, it went right for him. "Syr-" Frederick covered her mouth. "Quiet Lena." His voice soothed her. "He will be well." Allena watched in horror as the beast neared Syris, sweet, kind old Syris. It opened it's mouth, Syris didn't flinch. It's eyes flared and evil red as Syris opened his eyes. A flash of light hit Allena's eyes, she was knocked backward. She hurried to her feet and scampered to the window. "Oh...wow." She muttered. She was amazed at the site before her. The dragon-beast was dead. On the ground, nothing left but a head and some scales. The tongue of the head stuck out of it's mouth, soldiers ran to cut it off. They cheered. She felt Frederick's hand on her shoulder. Fire! Fire everywhere! "Frederick what about-" Before she could finish her sentence Syris lifted his old arms to the sky and rain poured down onto the courtyard. Water flooded open containers and wells, the sky grew black. A smile fell onto her face slowly. Thank you Syris. Her mind screamed. To her surprise Syris looked up and over the commotion she saw him mouth. Anything for you Lena. Her smile grew wider. "I told you he would be well, Lena." Frederick said with pride in his voice. A loud bang pulled every one off of their clouds. All eyes turned to the castle gate. It was splintering. **************** Trey's eyes widened as the gate began to break. This was his moment. He would go down in history. This day would go down in history. Zak watched the castle door fall apart, anticipation creeping through him, crawling over his flesh giving him goose bumps. He could almost taste her, he wanted her so bad. The door broke open, dozens of men scampering into the hole like mice. Zak made his horse run through the hole, not caring if he were to be attacked. Allena was inside...waiting. He held his gun in his hand, shooting anyone who came too near. He searched above in the towers and saw her in the highest one. Jumping off his horse he ran to the stairs leading up...He didn't know where up, he just knew up. She was up, so why not go up. Trey enjoyed himself, killing men...Making them suffer of course. He would shoot them in a fun place, a shoulder or a leg, just so they wouldn't die at first. Then after a while he would shoot their other shoulder or leg...After a while Trey grew bored of this. He wanted to do this, or something like this to Frederick. He looked up high, into the tallest tower. There he was...fool. He was just up there watching from the highest part of Tetrisa...He was a coward...therefore... He must be destroyed. **************** Allena watched in horror as Zak leapt off his horse and ran towards the stairs leading the tower. Frederick saw too. "We must get you out of here." He grabbed her shoulder's and pushed her to the door. "But, you said I must fight him." Frederick faltered. Lena-I need you... "Frederick..." I'm not going to let you die. "Frederick." Her voice was growing impatient. You aren't going to die! His heart shouted. "Forget what I said, come. I must take you to safety." She let him take her down the stairs, still confused. He brought her to a large room, a large, dark room. "Where are we Frederick? We should be outside helping those men! They'll die out there!" She cried, turning to him. "No, they wont die." He said turning his back away from her. "They wont be the ones killed if we go out their." "What are you saying?" She asked, her head beginning to spin. "Frederick!" She raised her voice, spinning him around. "What do you mean!" "You will be killed if we go out there. Syris saw it before you came...That's all he saw, but he saw it. He saw you lying in a pool of blood on a stone floor. It looked like the courtyard floor, but we weren't sure. I-I can't let that happen to you Lena...I need you too much to let you die. I-" he swallowed hard then added. "I love you too much to let you die." She took a step back, her hand to her head. "Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered. "I didn't think you should know...It would be wrong...I-I didn't want you to get scared." He moved closer to her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "But...How am I supposed to save Oriana from down here!" She shouted. "You wanted me to save Oriana, and that's what I grew to need...I need to save it. I've grown to love it." She added softly. He looked into her blue eyes, they sparkled like crystal with emotion. "Yes, but I have grown to love you!" He grabbed her and hugged her in his strong arms. "I can't just let you die!" He breathed in deeply, holding back the tears. She pulled him away. "I need to save Oriana Frederick...That is my true destiny...even if it means dying while doing it." "No..." He whined. "Please, Lena." "That's what I came here for." She lifted her head and pushed past him. He watched her open the door and step out. He stiffened up and ran after her. "If you are going to do this, I am going to do it with you." He said walking by her side, not looking her in the face. He held out his arm for her, she took it with a curious smile. "Nothing will happen...But if it does...I'll always be with you." He patted her arm as they continued on. The two of them walked through the ballroom doors, where their destiny awaited them. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Zak's feet pelted at the stone steps, his heart raced. He could see the door ahead, it was open. Is that an invite precious? He jumped into the room, his eyes blazing. It was empty... He turned around three times to make sure he hadn't missed them, no. They weren't there. He threw his hands down to his sides. "Where the hell are you Allena?" He said to himself. "WHERE ARE YOU?" He yelled. His voice echoing throughout the castle, hitting the ears of Allena and Frederick. She flinched, he pulled her closer to his body. The necklace glowed bright. "Calm yourself Lena, this isn't the right time." He said, he had worry in his voice. Zak ran down the stairs, skipping every other step. He reached the bottom and looked from left to right, his heart pounding in his chest. Where? He panted, his breath coming out in short gasps. Where? He ran down the hallway to the right, he had a feeling about the right. Large doors stood before him...He would walk in, in a moment. What waited inside, he didn't know. All he knew was that he needed to go in, and she might be inside. **************** Trey's eyes adjusted to the light, he waited in the corner of the low lit ballroom. He watched the unsuspecting lovers waiting for the right moment to make his move. He had become the beast in the woods. He was the predator searching out his prey. The blood on his hands was dried now, the blood on his neck caked on. His eyes began to glow, almost as bright as the necklace around her neck. Soon, little ones...Soon you will feel pain. Oh will you feel pain... **************** As the battle raged on outside the castle, inside a new battle was about to begin. Waiting in the shadows was the evil within all hearts. Standing free and in the open was the good inside all souls. The doors to the ballroom opened with a bang. Standing dirty in the center of the doorway was Zak, a gun in his hands. His smirk grew wide, "Hi-ya Sweetie! Miss me?" Frederick moved his arms from Allena's shoulders. "Hello Zak." His voice was cold and icy. "You must be Frederick." Zak said stepping foreword into the ballroom. "That I am." he moved Allena behind him, stepping closer to Zak. Zak lifted his gun and tapped it. "I think you'd better back away from Allena there. We have a little unfinished business to attend to." He blew a kiss at Allena, she winced. "I don't think so Zak. You want to get to her, you have to get through me." "Oh, pa-lease! You? HA! That should be easy." He laughed. Frederick snickered. Allena peaked out from behind Frederick's shoulder, Zak waved. She flinched again. "Move aside Lena, I don't want you to get hurt." Frederick said pushing her away. "But-" "Please." He turned to her, his eyes pleading. She nodded and slowly backed away. He turned back to Zak, "You ready?" "Oh yeah." Zak said grin on his chapped, bleeding lips. He lifted the gun and aimed at Frederick's head. Frederick closed his eyes and stood, his arms open. She heard the bang, but he did not fall. Another bang. He still stood. Zak dropped his gun, his mouth open wide. Frederick opened his eyes, a huge smile sitting on his face. "That your best?" "What-" "Seems like you don't know what we Orians can really do." Zak dropped his gun and ran for Frederick. They dropped to the floor, wrestling, punching. Who was stronger? Who would win? The questions flouted in the air above their heads. Allena waited in the corner, the answer to one of her questions about to be answered. **************** I will return...I promise... **************** A hand cupped her mouth. The smell of tobacco and blood filling her nostrils. "Shh, let's keep this between you and me. I don't want your boyfriends," He laughed. "to be disturbed." He dragged her to the open ballroom door and carried her out. The necklace heated against her chest, the temperature unbearable. "Woo, we're gonna have fun, ain't we." He said in her ear, his breath hot against her cheek. She cried out, his hand still over her mouth, muffling the noise. He kicked open the door leading outside, the sun hit her eyes painfully. The open courtyard was a mess. Bodies lay dead in pieces around them as they stepped over pool's of blood. The head of the dragon feet away from them, it's stench rising in the air. Flies buzzed around it's already rotting head. Allena winced, looking away from the hideous site. "Well, here we are." He took his hand from her mouth. "Why are we out here?" She asked angrily turning to him, her mouth perced together, leaving her mouth in a thin line. "Oh, it will be easier to be alone out here...I can get what I want." He walked slowly to her reaching his hand out for the necklace. She put her hand to it. "I don't think so Trey." It began to glow brighter under her hand, the light showing through. "Oh really? Why not? I thought since I am going to kill you anyway...Why not kill you with your precious necklace...I can right? I mean what's stopping me?" "Me." She said hastily. "You?" He laughed. "You! What can you do to me?" "I can blow you to pieces with this." She said lifting the necklace in her hands. "Not if you don't have it." He said grabbing the hand around the necklace. He squeezed her hand. She cried out in pain. She kicked him hard in the shin, he let go of her hand, clutching his leg. "Bitch." He scowled. He leapt up again to grab her, she dodged him. She started running back to the ballroom, he caught up with her and grabbed her arm. He twisted it back. "Come here!" he shouted, pulling her towards him. "I tried to reason with you and you made it hard, so now I am going to make it hard...Let's dance baby..." **************** Zak's hand flew at Frederick's face. Frederick dodged the punch. He picked Zak up and threw him to the floor. He jumped on him and pounded his head into the floor... He was almost unconscious. He picked up his head and the gun next to his body. "When you mess with Allena, you mess with me." He shot Zak in the stomach. His body went limp, Frederick dropped it. "Lena?!" he called standing up. "Lena...Where are you?" She wasn't in the ballroom. "LENA!" he shouted. He looked over at the open doors leading into the hallway, he ran to it. Something was wrong, very wrong. His mind flashed the picture of Allena lying in a pool of blood. His heart began to race. He ran faster. "LENA!" **************** I will return...I promise... **************** Trey kicked her again, the pain growing intense, she couldn't get the necklace in the right position to shoot it at him. "Give me the necklace Allena!" Trey shouted. She held on to it tightly. She was curled into a ball. She breathed in deeply again to ease the pain. She heard Frederick screaming her name. "Frederick!" She moaned, her voice coming out low. Trey looked up at the open doors to the inside of the castle. He saw Frederick ran past. Uh...Hello... He heard the footsteps stop, then come closer again. He appeared in the door, panting hard. Blood was on his hands and clothes. "Hey, you came to join the party!" Trey said happily, throwing his arms in the air. "Come on, step out onto the dance floor and mingle!" He picked up a dead body and started dancing with it, his eyes crazy. "You're a fine dancer!" He laughed. Allena picked herself up from the floor, watching the mad man make a fool of himself. He was insane...More than insane, beyond insane...He was a lunatic! Frederick moved closer to her, inching to get nearer to her, to take her to safety. Trey threw the body to the floor. "Not so fast Freddie." He walked towards them, his boots clanking on the stone floor. "You can have the girl, just give me the necklace...You're kingdom is gone, none of your soldiers are left alive. You've been defeated, just hand over the necklace before this whole things gets more complicated than it has to be." "It's already more complicated than it should be." Frederick said angrily. Allena glanced nervously at him. She put her hand on the hot necklace. "I could kill you now." She said softly. "I could kill you right now." "Then why don't you?" Trey asked defiantly. Frederick looked at her, his face smooth and concerned. She looked deeply into his eyes. "Because that's what you want me to do. I can't do that." "Lena-" Frederick said shocked. "No, he wants me to do that. I can't, no I wont!" She said holding her head higher. "I am going to make you live, live until you die of old age or drive yourself crazy first." "He'll kill all of us, we have to-" "No, we can lock him up can't we?" "You can't lock me up." Trey laughed. "Oh, yes we can!" A voice boomed. All eyes turned to the voice. Syris "What?" Trey asked, his eyes squinting. "We can lock you up." His voice was steady, unafraid. "How do you suppose you are going to do that?" He asked, a smirk on his face. The castle walls began to shake, the air became unsteady. The three people in the courtyard looked to the sky, it was getting darker in the west. Frederick pulled Allena to him, she clutched his waist for support. A sound began to fill their ears. It sounded like wings, a lot of wings flapping. Figures began to take shape in the distance. "Oh no. Let's get inside." Frederick said, his eyes getting wider. Trey squinted, not believing what he was seeing. Syris laughed. Dragons...Ten, no maybe twenty. All flying for him. He looked around the courtyard for a place to run, he was running out of time. Syris laughed louder. Their was nowhere to go. A large green dragon swooped down and picked the screaming Trey up by the collar of his shirt. Syris was laughing so hard he was crying. The dragons circled the courtyard a few times then left, almost as quickly as they had come. Allena and Frederick came from the inside and walked out into the open, shock plastered to their faces. "Syris, how did you do that!" Frederick asked, a smile forming on his lips. "I have my connections." he joked. "Thank you Syris...Where are they taking him?" She asked looking towards the west, the sun was setting. "Oh, to a far off village, near the Gwendle Sea...He wont bother you, or us anymore." He said reassuringly. She turned back to Frederick taking his hand. "Syris-" She looked back towards him...He wasn't there. "Frederick-Where?" He smiled and rubbed her arm. "Don't worry about that old fart. He'll be fine." -Thank you Sy. -No problem, Freddie boy. **************** They looked out of the tower window down at what was left of Tetrisa. "It will take a long time to repair this." She squeezed his hand. "Yes, but we can do it." The fires were almost out now, the sunset gave the scene an eerie glow. People roamed through the rubble, unsure of where to go. Woman searched for their husbands bodies. Many finding only hands or feet...some only heads. The dead lay in the streets, blood flowing into the river making the water a deep scarlet. "Do you have any idea of when Syris will return?" She asked looking at the destruction before her. Her eyes filling with tears. "No, I never do...But he will, he always does." "Let's go down their, see if we can do anything." she said leading him by the hand to the stairwell. "Why are you so good? Why are you such a good person?" He asked turning her around. She smiled weakly, "This is just a time where we need good people...Why not help?" She put her head down. He lifted her chin with his hand. "You are right, Lena. We do need good people, and you are a good person. You are the best person I know." He smiled, taking her hand again. "Let's go." They turned the corner, the ballroom ahead of them. It was the only way out, the had to go through the ballroom. Allena took a deep breath, "We have to...If we want to go outside, we have to." Frederick squeezed her hand. "We can wait until the body is taken away..." "That might be a while, Frederick. There are too many bodies outside, no one will think of the ballroom of the castle..." She stepped foreword. The doors opened. They walked through. They saw the puddle of blood, but no body... "Frederick..." She whispered, clutching his hand tighter. "Some one must have come. The dead don't just get up and leave." He said walking a few more steps into the ballroom. "Well, I guess they do now." came a voice behind them. They turned around as Zak stepped out of the shadows, blood pouring from a hole in his stomach. He laughed. "Your supposed to be dead...I shot you!" Frederick stammered, backing up. "Well! I'm not dead! I should be, but I'm not!" He screamed. "Isn't it great!" He roared out a laugh and stepped foreword. He reached into his pocket, his hand got stuck. "Damn it!" He shouted. It came loose. "Ah ha!" He pulled his hand out of his pocket, revealing a bloody gun. "Zak, what are you doing?" Allena asked, her hand out in front of her. "Put the gun down." "OK." He started to put the gun down. "After I kill him." He lifted it again and fired. "Nooo!" Allena screamed she ran to Frederick as he dropped to the floor. When his body hit she knew. He was dead. "Oh!" Zak exclaimed surprised. "How did that happen?" He laughed again. "But-He didn't die last time...He didn't die!" She shouted holding his body. She was hysterical. His face was motionless, but it spoke to her. I will return...I promise... "Looks like somebody wasn't here to save him." Zak suggested, the gun to his cheek. Syris! Oh! Syris! "No." She moaned, shaking her head. She was the one who died! She was the body in the courtyard! Not Frederick! "Oh, don't get too upset, sweetie. You've got me now." He put his hand on her shoulder. She shook it off. "Get off me!" She growled, turning to him. Hate flared in her eyes like tiny sparks. "Come on sugar. Loosen up." He crouched down next to her, putting his arm around her, she couldn't shake it off. His grip tightened the more she struggled to get out of his grasp. "Let go of me Zak!" She said through clenched teeth. "Right now." "But, didn't you miss me?" He put his other arm around her. "I missed you." "Why would I miss you? You ass-hole! I-" Zak cut her off by hitting her across the face. He picked her up by the hair. "I wish you hadn't said that...But then again, you always make everything hard." He started dragging her outside. "We should get out of here." He glanced around the dark courtyard. "Wouldn't want anyone getting in our way this time, would we?" The moon hit the puddles of blood on the courtyard floor, the stones shining in it's light. "You know I've always wanted to kiss you under the stars." He pulled her head towards his and kissed her roughly. "Not bad!" He said smacking his lips. "Die you fucking bastard!" She shouted, spitting in his face. He rolled his eyes. "Women!" He pulled her to the center of the courtyard, the moon hitting his face, making it look oddly pale. "I didn't want to have to do this but-" The necklace began to shine so bright it hurt his eyes. "Take that thing off!" He said shielding his eyes. His grip was looser than before. "OK..." She moved her hand to the necklace and jerked it foreword. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She held it before his grinning face. This is for all the pain you caused...For all the suffering. For being hateful and cruel. For Frederick, for Brian and for ME! She felt the blast, more than she saw it. She flew from Zak's grasp, flying onto the stone floor. She hit her head, it throbbed. She looked up, her movements slow and weak. He wasn't their...Well he was, but he wasn't... He had been blown to pieces. His hands, one of his arms and a few fragments of his head was all that was left of him. The necklace (and her emotions) had grown so powerful, it had just blown him up! She sighed, relieved. She put her head down onto the floor. She was tired. She wanted sleep. Sleep... She passed out on the courtyard floor in a pool of blood, just as Syris had predicted. **************** Her eyes opened slowly. A faint beeping sound filled her ears. It grew louder. "Janie?!" A far away voice exclaimed. She blinked. The world began to became clearer. "Janie!" Some one grabbed her hand. She turned her head, the face of Zoe floated above hers. "Zoe?" She said weakly. "What are you doing here?" "What do you mean 'What am I doing here?' Don't you know where you are?" She nodded her head. "Oriana...That doesn't explain what you are talking about." "What? Oriana? What are you talking about? You're on earth...In the United States, in a hospital bed." She squeezed her hand. "Not...Oriana." "That can't be!" She whispered, tears filling to the brim of her eyes. "I-I was just there! Frederick! Zak is dead! Zak is dead! I was just there!" She tried to get up, another pair of hands held her down. "What is she talking about?" Kevin "I don't know." "Kevin!" She said loudly. "Where is Frederick?!" She tried to get up again. "No!" He shouted pushing her back down. "Zoe, go get the doctors." "I want Frederick!" She screamed. "Frederick! Frederick!" She heard footsteps and people enter the room. She felt a needle go into her arm. She grew weak. Frederick! Syris! Frederick! Freder... Fred... Fr... **************** Kevin brushed his hand through his hair. She was on the bed. Asleep. Zoe too, was asleep in the chair next to Jane's bed. His eyes hurt from the crying and lack of sleep. She moved in her nightmarish sleep. Always shouting the same name. Frederick... Who was he? Was he the kidnapper? No, she wouldn't call for him. Who the hell was Frederick? **************** Ever since the night they found Jane a man has been haunting her dreams. He looked like Brian, but he wasn't...or was he? He said the same thing every time he appeared: "Tell Lena, I'll never leave her." Who was Lena? And why was this man telling her? It scared her. He didn't scare her...The dream scared her. She wanted to get away from it... She woke with a start. Tell Lena, I'll never leave her Jane was awake, staring at the ceiling, but she was awake. Zoe put her hand on her friend's hand and squeezed. "Come back to us, Janie. We miss you!" **************** She was still in a daze. At least they let her leave the hospital. There was nothing else they could do. Kevin wheeled her into the house. Familiar smells hit Jane's nose, a flash of light flickered in her eyes. "I knew you'd like being home!" Zoe said happily. "Look! Some one sent you flowers! Oh! Mr. Lockwood! How nice of him! I'll put these in water. Take her upstairs, k Kev?" "Sure." He turned the wheel chair towards the stairs. "Up we go!" After a few minutes of struggling he finally got her upstairs. He rolled her to her room, which seemed to make her stir. The familiar trinkets scattered about the room seemed to give her a little life. He wheeled her to the window. Kevin smiled to himself. "Welcome home Janie..." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "It's good to have you back." **************** The porch seemed to be the only place that made Jane smile. She still hadn't spoke and she hardly ever moved, but a smile was better than a blank stare... She would sit in her wheel chair and smile towards the willow tree in the center of the yard. She would be there for hours. If Kevin left early in the morning for work and wheel her out there she would be there, sitting happily on the porch when he came home. One particular day when Zoe had been sitting on the porch with her, reading the newspaper out loud, she had mentioned the name Frederick. It had been in an article. Jane had immediatly shown a reaction. She shifted in her chair uncomfortably and her smile turned to a frown. Zoe said it again. "Frederick." Jane shifted again and tears welled up in her eyes. Zoe put the newspaper down, confused. "Janie...Talk to me! Say something." She pleaded. "Say something!" She sighed when she hadn't done anything. A tear rolled down her cheek. What was she thinking? Why was she like this? What the hell happened to her? These questions pounded her brain. No answers came to her...Only Jane could answer them...And she wasn't going to tell her any time soon. **************** The sun was shining. The birds were churping happily in their nests. The colors of summer where bright around her as she sat watching the tree. It never spoke to her, not outloud. It did however speak to her through it's body. The swaying of it's branches. The brightness or darkness of it's bark. It spoke to her. She loved to hear...see it talk. It helped her get through the pain of losing Oriana and all it's beauty. The clouds puffed up around her, she felt a familiar magic spark move through the air. A man was walking towards the house, a box in his hand... A box...? A blue, velvet box! Jane slowly moved her head from the tree to the man. He looked so familiar...Everything was so familiar. The hair...The walk... The eyes He neared the gate a smile etched onto his face. The gate creaked open and for the first time in weeks Jane stood up. Her heart thumping rapidly. Her hand went to her throat, her eyes wide with amazment. She couldn't move, she couldn't breath. The man stepped up onto the porch, the box held out before him. He opened it, the light hit the stone, causing a streak of color to ripple threw it. Jane gasped. Some one dropped a glass behind her, footsteps ran to the door. A man gasped for air, too confused to speak. The man took the necklace from the box, clasping it around her neck. His touch was soft and had a sweetness to it. A tear rolled down her cheek.. He leaned in and kissed her deeply, "I told you I'd be back."