Short Story by Jacko Chewer~

WHEN TWO MEET


Rancorous laughter rang out followed by the slamming of a window pane and thundering footsteps. Hazel brown eyes peered out from behind oval framed glasses as a slender hand ran through long luscious jet black hair, picking out several pieces of debris from amidst the shoulder length tresses. Yet another hand found its way to a white T-shirt and checked skirt, brushing off dust. When this was done, the girl simply picked up her bag and continued on as if nothing had happened. This was because, mischievous students playing pranks on her was an every day occurrence in Phyllis Grandler’s life. ‘You should fight back and show them what you’re made of,’ her brother had once said but what would he know about her situation, he was gone, having died of lung cancer just two months ago when he promised that he would never leave her. She sighed heavily, delicately fingering a scar over her wrist, just above her pulse. When her parents first passed away in a car crash, Phyllis had drawn into herself, not responding to anyone except her brother. She had tried to slash her wrists back then but after promising her brother never to attempt that ever again, she could not bring herself to do so, not even after her beloved brother’s death. ‘Why can’t I break that stupid promise?’ she muttered under her breath, ‘There is no one here for me anyway.’


Suddenly, she was brought abruptly back to earth as her slim figure slammed against the gravelly ground, knocking the wind from her. ‘Even god hates me. Why can’t I just lie down and die?’ Her wandering hand landed on what looked like a worn leather bound book, the said thing that had brought about her fall. ‘I wonder whose this is…’ She flipped the book open, scanning its pages. ‘Nothing, absolutely nothing,’ she mused, ‘All these pages are blank.’


She started as a loose page fell out of the book and into her lap. On closer inspection, she discovered that it wasn’t a loose page, simply a piece of paper that had been slipped between the pages and unlike the book, words were scrawled over the page. She read,


‘A girl born on the day of fools,
Born in a world that no one knew,
A boy of ancient power bestowed,
To a clan centuries of old,
Both together they must prepare,
To survive darkness’s eyes into which they stare,
One on their own, none will survive,
The light in themselves they must revive.’

As she recited the rhyme, her hand unconsciously fisted at her chest. Her heart was thumping so loudly that she was sure that it could be heard two blocks away. The words seem to stir something within her…something she had never felt before. Closing the book, her eyes widened as she spotted something she was sure wasn’t there before. On the cover, staring boldly back at her were the words, ‘WHEN TWO MEET’. ‘What the…?’
The book in her hands glowed. A scream shattered the silence. As the wind whipped at the pages, words appeared.

*

CRASH! ‘Ouch! That hurts!’ exclaimed Phyllis, feeling around for her glasses. The blurred myriad of colours before her cleared into images of trees, bushes, flowers and several birds. A thought filtered through the shock in her mind. ‘Where am I?’ One minute she was reading that strange rhyme and the next thing she knew, she was in the middle of a forest in goodness-knows-where.

She jumped out of her skin and immediately found her feet as something struggled beneath her. The ‘thing’ she had fallen on got to its feet, the cowl on its head falling off to reveal a boy with blond hair, creamy pale aquiline features and two startling amethyst orbs. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked, his voice a smooth baritone, ‘You look a bit dazed by the fall.’ Phyllis was aware that she was gaping as she stared wordlessly at him. ‘W-Who are you?’ she stuttered finally, a hot flush staining her cheeks. A brilliant smile greeted her. ‘I am Xyphane Dios.’ She opened her mouth to say something when she noticed his curious roving eyes. She wrapped her arms around her body and shot a glare at him. ‘What do you thing you’re doing?’ Xyphane averted his gaze apologetically. ‘I guess that wasn’t very polite,’ he said sheepishly, ‘Sorry, but I’ve never seen anyone with clothes like yours.’ ‘Well, I’ve never seen anyone dressed like you before either,’ she remarked. Indeed, Xyphane was wearing what looked like a huge violet blanket with a hole cut for his head and sandals that had straps all the way up to his knees. ‘Oh and by the way, my name’s Phyllis Grandler.’

Just then, he tensed and before Phyllis could even twitch a muscle, he flung himself on her and rolled them both into the cover of some bushes. ‘What the…?’ Her demand was stifled as he clapped a hand over her mouth. ‘Sssshhhh…If they hear us, we’re as good as dead,’ he hissed into her ear.

A shadow loomed over them. A startled squeak escaped Phyllis. The creature looked something like a giraffe with long legs and a very, very long neck but with a snout and sharp fangs of a werewolf. Phyllis froze as two black holes stared right at her. Sounds and pictures blinded her eyes and deafened her…The image of her parents’ burning car…The image of her brother lying in the hospital bed…She screamed.

*

Phyllis awoke to something cool dabbing her forehead. ‘Where…?’ ‘Don’t worry, you’re safe from that Knyte,’ said a voice, ‘You’re lucky I found you two when I did. Xyphane thought you were dead.’ Phyllis put on her glasses and peered at the girl that knelt in front of her. She blinked in surprise. The girl was a spitting image of Xyphane, from that shiny blond hair to those amethyst eyes. She blinked her eyes once more before rubbing them rigorously and ogling at her.
The girl giggled a silvery sound very much like a bell. ‘Yeah, I know I look like Xyph,’ she said in answer to Phyllis’s unspoken question, ‘That’s because I’m his twin sister, Quebecca Hype.’ She got up and brushed her tent-like apparel. ‘I’ll be back soon. Just have to tell Xyph that you’re awake. He stayed with you the entire time you were unconscious. I forced him to get some sleep with the promise that I would inform him if you woke up.’ ‘Last night…?’ wondered Phyllis. Out loud, she said, ‘How long have I been unconscious?’ ‘Bout a week,’ the answer drifted in to her from the doorway. Phyllis’s jaw dropped. She had been out of it for an entire week?
‘Yes, you have.’ Hazel orbs met those of amethyst as Xyphane came to sit next to her. ‘Did I say that out loud?’ she wondered. Xyphane shook his head. ‘No, I just responded to your thoughts.’ Phyllis spun to face her friend. ‘You can read minds?’ ‘Yes and no.’ Her forehead crinkled as she frowned irritably. ‘That’s no answer.’ Xyphane grinned at the annoyed girl. ‘In my case it is.’ They fell silent gathering their scattered thoughts. ‘What happened to me, to us,’ asked Phyllis, fiddling with the hem of her skirt, ‘when we met that-that…?’ ‘Knyte. That was a Knyte, a creature of the dark.’ A dark shadow fell on his face. ‘Yes, what happened to me, to make me pass out like that?’ ‘Well…’

Xyphane jumped a foot high as a scream rang in his ears, a scream so heart wrenching that his heart ached. And to his horror, that scream came from Phyllis’s lips. His hold on her tightened as she flailed wildly in his arms, her eyes wide and unseeing. ‘No, no NO!!!’
Suddenly, longs legs obscured his vision and his found himself staring at the claws of the Knyte. ‘Damn!’ he cursed, dragging the now limp Phyllis out of the bush and dashing as fast as his legs could carry him. Something had affected her terribly. He shook his head, trying to clear the memory of her eyes, at first so full of life, then, blank and dull, as if she had…she had…
‘OOF!’ Xyphane fell to the ground as Phyllis rolled away from his arms. He scrambled over to her and hugged her tightly, protecting her with his own body. He tried to get up but his knees buckled. Behind him, he could hear the thudding footsteps of the Knyte, getting closer and closer. He curled around Phyllis. ‘No, whatever it takes, no, that creature would not get to Phyllis.’

‘I don’t remember what happened after that,’ he said quietly, ‘Apparently, I too had passed out. The next thing I saw was Becca kneeling next to me, asking me if I was all right.’ ‘Why…’ His head snapped up to stare at Phyllis. She had her knees drawn up to her chin and her arms were hugging them close to her body. ‘Why did you save me?’ she asked faintly, ‘Why didn’t you just leave me there? Before we met, I didn’t even know you. How could you risk your life for a total stranger?’ ‘I don’t know.’ Both gazes met as Xyphane answered, honesty and sincerity radiating off him in waves. ‘All I do know is that, when I heard you scream and saw you in pain, I knew I couldn’t just leave you. A Knyte’s eyes have the power to bring back to life a person’s worst memory. For you to feel so much pain by just looking into them for a split second, you must’ve had a pretty bad life.’ His voice trailed off.
The silence was broken by a hesitant whisper. ‘I-When I was 12 years old, my parents were in a car accident,’ she murmured, her eyes blurred by tears she refused to cry, ‘Fran, my brother that is, and I managed to get out alive but before Mama or Papa could make it, the car burst into flames.’ She started as a warm hand covered hers and squeezed it comfortingly. She drew a deep breath. ‘I lost myself with my parents’ deaths. The only thing keeping me from actually taking my own life was a promise I made to my brother that I wouldn’t give up no matter what. Three years later, Francis died of lung cancer.’
She tensed as she felt herself pulled into a hug. ‘Cry, cry it all out,’ Xyphane whispered into her ear, soothingly stroking her hair, ‘Keeping all that emotion pent up inside will only make it worse for you.’ Tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. For the first time since the death of her parents, she cried.
Unbeknownst to the two in the room, someone was right outside the door, eavesdropping on their conversation. ‘Sir, the girl in the prophecy has arrived,’ whispered Quebecca, ‘The boy’s powers have also awakened.’ A shadow detached itself from amidst the body of shadows. ‘Good, my puppet, very good.’

*

Phyllis spent the next few months recuperating with the twins. Neither spoke of her outburst that fateful night and for this the said girl was grateful. She sat on the step of the door, giggling as she watched Xyphane full around in the river that flowed just beside their abode. ‘Aw, letting a fish beat you,’ she teased as yet another silvery creature slipped out of her irate friend’s grasp, ‘you are one hell of a fighter.’ ‘You have no right to say such things,’ huffed the drenched Xyphane, gesturing wildly at Phyllis, ‘You aren’t even in here with me catching these bloody slippery bea…WOAH!’ A burst of laughter escaped Phyllis as Xyphane fell face first into the water.
Quebecca watched from a distance as she went about doing the laundry. A small smile tugged at her lips as her brother’s laughter reached her ears. ‘It’s been such a long time since I’ve heard his laughter,’ she mused, ‘ever since…’ A shadow crossed her features.

A young girl stood at the doorway, partially hidden within the shadows, her small hands hugging her doll to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. The doll dropped to the ground as Quebecca covered her ears to block out the screams of pain that echoed from the room.
Blood streamed from stray cuts and pooled under him. Xyphane cried out at each hit his mother scored on his already bruised and battered arms, flung in front of him to protect his face. The scent of sweat and blood stung his nose even as the tangy ivory taste of his own blood stung his tongue.
Suddenly, the rain of hittings stopped and only the sound of harsh panting could be heard. Xyphane tensed as warm arms pulled him into a tight embrace, the very woman who was hitting him only seconds ago now placing soft butterfly kisses on the dark indigo-blue bruises that stood out starkly against pale skin. Sobs hitched in his throat as a gentle hand threaded through his tangled blond hair. ‘Mama, why are you hurting me?’ he hiccupped.
‘Because I love you,’ was the answer.

‘As if that wasn’t bad enough,’ thought Quebecca darkly, taking her anger out on the towel she dunked into the soapy water, ‘some idiot had the nerve to tell her that incredibly traumatic experiences could help awaken a person’s magical abilities.’

Xyphane peered from between fingers up at him mother. Through the blood and tears blurring his vision, he could see that she was trembling. He slowly sat up, hoping for the hugs and kisses that could erase all the pain she had inflicted upon him. Instead, she simply looked down at him through her own tears. ‘I have failed you as a mother,’ she whispered, drawing a knife from her pocket, ‘I’m sorry. This is for your own good. I love you.’
Blood splashed over the walls. A cry was heard.
‘MAMA!!’

SPLASH! The light faded from amethyst orbs and Quebecca’s hold on the towel went limp. ‘Yes, sir, I will do as you wish,’ she drone, getting off her knees.
Phyllis leaned against the doorway, enjoying the cool breeze that tugged at her hair. Sounds of Xyphane’s horse-play had faded as the said boy decided to go further out to catch their dinner. She started as she felt a sudden presence next to her. ‘May I join you?’ She looked up and found Quebecca smiling back down at her. ‘Free country I guess,’ she shrugged.
Both girls sat in silence, simply basking in the sun. Finally, it was the twin who broke the silence. ‘You know, he hasn’t laughed like that since he was a child,’ she said, ‘Xyph, I mean.’ She fiddled with her thumbs. ‘Xeph, he…he has had a very hard life with his magical abilities sealed and all. I would do anything to protect him.’ ‘I know what you mean,’ breathed Phyllis. She stifled a gasp as narrowed eyes turned towards her.
‘You’re not from this world, are you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, you don’t live here, do you?’
Phyllis’s own eyes narrowed dangerously. ‘What’s with the sudden question?’
Both girls glared at each other, seemingly searching for their answers in the others eyes. Phyllis started in shock as Quebecca flung her head back with laughter. ‘Sorry, I was just curious I guess,’ she said, grinning. She averted her eyes and bowed her head. ‘There is a prophecy about a girl but this girl isn’t from this world. She is supposed to be the saviour of this world but danger dogs her every step. You see, she has the power to stop Dvianne, the dark sorcerer who plans to unleash his dark forces on this world. That Knyte was one of many working under him.’ There was a pause before she continued. ‘In other words, whoever that girl is with, is in danger of dying.’
The ominous words rang in Phyllis’s ears. Dying…No…No…It can’t be…The image of Xyphane’s smile floated before her mind’s eye, the sound of his voice, his laughter echoed in her ears. Old insecurities and guilt rose up within her, like the bile that blocked her throat. It would be like them all over again. Watching her parents die, frozen and unable to do anything…Holding her brother’s hand and watching him take his dying breath…No…No…She would not allow such a thing to happen to Xyphane! ‘So, I was wondering whether or not you were the girl mentioned in the prophecy,’ Quebecca’s voice filtered through her thoughts, ‘I don’t want my brother to die.’ ‘No, no, I don’t think I’m the girl from the prophecy,’ answered Phyllis, faintly.
Quebecca stood up and stretched. ‘Anyway, thanks for letting me rant,’ she said, smiling, ‘My heart feels so much lighter now.’ She stepped into the house and closed the door behind her. Her smile widened into a self-satisfied smirk as the sound of running footsteps faded from her hearing. Then, her eyes snapped shut and she fell into darkness.

*

Phyllis panted, crashing through bushes and blindly running through the plantation. There was no doubt about it. She had to be the girl mentioned in the prophecy. After all, how many girls fell into another world just like that? ‘Why? Why me?’ she thought despairingly, her knees buckling, as she fell on to the ground, ‘My existence brings nothing but trouble to everyone around me. I couldn’t even save the people I loved. Why? Why am I still alive? I should be dead.’ She curled up into a fetal position. ‘I’ll lay down here and die. I’m sorry, Xyphane. Goodbye.’

*

The sun was high in the blue sky by the time Xyphane was content with his catch and headed back. ‘HEY! Look, I caught the fishes after all!’ yelled Xyphane, running to the house, expecting Phyllis to be there but he was greeted by empty space. To his surprise, the door to the house was shut. ‘She must’ve gotten tired and decided to rest,’ he mused. Out loud, he called, ‘Hey, Phyll, I’m bac…’
The last words died on his lips as his gaze fell on the unconscious figure lying in the doorway. ‘Oi, Quebecca, what happened?! Wake up!’ He breathed a sigh of relief as his sister’s eyes fluttered open. But his relief was short lived. ‘It’s Phyllis, she’s…she’s…’ Her eyes closed. Xyphane shook her shoulders roughly. ‘Where is Phyllis!? Tell me! Where is she?!’ Too late, Quebecca had already succumbed once more to unconsciousness. Fearing the worst, he dashed out.

*

Quebecca groaned, rubbing her hammering head, trying to ease her headache as she got to her feet. ‘What happened…?’ She shook her head, clearing the thoughts that clouded her mind. Her gut twisted with uneasiness as she struggled to place her finger on a memory that was just out of her reach. Before her mind’s eye, she saw a foggy image of her brother, the anxiousness on his face, the words that his lips formed… ‘OH, DAMN!’ she exclaimed leaping to her feet.
Her swift footsteps came to an abrupt stop as Quebecca froze in her step at the sight before her. Her brother stood right in the middle, surrounded by four Knytes, his entire being glowing with a blinding white aura. His outstretched hand sent one Knyte howling only to have two others approach him from the back. Somewhere at the back of her mind, a voice screamed for her to move, to help her brother before something bad happened but she could only stand on the sidelines and watch. Time slowed for Quebecca as she watch the aura protecting her brother fade away to nothingness, his body falling to the ground only to be hauled up by a Knyte. Her lips parted in a silent scream as all four Knytes surrounded him, shrouding him in a cloak of darkness before all of them blended in with the shadows of the forest and vanishing from sight.
Tears rolled down Quebecca cheeks and her entire being shook with heaving sobs. ‘It’s my fault this happened,’ she thought, clenching her hands into tight fists, her fingernails digging deep enough into the flesh of her palms to draw blood, ‘Ever since that time I first fainted, we have been forced to move into isolation. Ever since then, I keep having spells where my memory is hazy. The thought that something important has happened keeps nagging me but…but I can never remember anything.’ She punched the ground, hard. ‘Ever since Mama went to that man for advice on how to unseal Xeph’s powers…’ Then, it hit her. ‘Now that I think of it, it was also then my fainting spells started. It was after I asked him to tell me a story and he mentioned something about Xeph and a prophecy.’ Her eyes widened at the realization. ‘The prophecy! If I’m right and Xeph is the boy in the prophecy then…Phyllis! I have to find Phyllis!’ She scrambled to her feet and hurried off.

*

Something wasn’t right. Phyllis sat up and rubbed her eyes, wondering at the sudden heaviness in her heart. Her train of thoughts however, was interrupted by a loud crashing of bushes and before she knew it, a body fell right on top of her, a body with familiar blond hair and amethyst eyes. ‘Becca, what…?’ ‘You have to come quick!’ panted Quebecca, tugging Phyllis to her feet frantically, ‘Xeph’s been kidnapped!’ She jumped out of her skin as Phyllis grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly. ‘What?!’ Quebecca spun on her and seized her shoulders, shaking Phyllis so hard that the girl’s head snapped back and forth like a rag doll’s. ‘Didn’t you hear what I said?! Xeph’s been kidnapped by a Knyte!’ yelled Quebecca, her irritation rising with her worry, ‘And only you can save him!’
Quebecca’s words finally sunk in for Phyllis and her knees buckled, pulling both girls back to the ground, despair washing over her like a wave of icy cold water. ‘I can’t,’ she muttered under her breath, shoving Quebecca of her, ‘I’m the girl from the prophecy. Tragedy dogs my every step.’ She felt her chin being cupped and found herself catching the fiery amethyst gaze of Quebecca. ‘I don’t know how you know about the prophecy but you must know, Xeph is the boy that is mentioned, the one who has the power of a clan of old,’ stated the girl, ‘The both of us were born into the Dios clan, one of the most ancient and powerful clans in this world. And, you’re the only person I know who dresses so weird that you probably can’t be from this world. Not only that, Xephane’s powers started to awaken once he met you.’ ‘Didn’t you hear what I say?! Don’t you get it?! I’m the girl from the prophecy. That’s why everyone I know dies! That’s why I can’t save Xephane!’ yelled Phyllis, ‘If I go near him, he’ll die as well!’
SMACK! Phyllis gingerly touched her raw cheek where Quebecca had slapped her. ‘You’re the girl from the prophecy, that’s why I asked for your help,’ Quebecca said, clearly still angry at Phyllis, ‘In the prophecy, it’s said that if both boy and girl work together, they can defeat the darkness.’ She got up, turned away and dusted herself. ‘Besides, Xyphane got captured not because you were with him but because you left him without telling him.’ A sudden sucking of breath told Quebecca that her truth had hit home. ‘He was captured because he came after you. Are you going to just sit here and wait until another person you love die once again?’
Memories of her parents and her brother floated through Phyllis’s mind. Was she going to sit here and watch Xyphane die because she couldn’t overcome her fear? Quebecca’s words stirred something within her, something she hadn’t felt since she watched the flames engulf her parents’ car.
Quebecca snorted in disgust as Phyllis didn’t answer her question. ‘Ch, do what you like,’ she remarked, ‘but I’m going after my brother and safe him even if I die trying to do so.’ She took a step forward. ‘I thought I knew you. I thought that you loved my brother enough to want to protect him. I guess I was wrong.’ She was halted however, by a tug on her clothing. ‘Wait.’ She spun around and was stunned by the strength and determination shining in Phyllis’s hazel eyes. ‘When my parents and brother died, I couldn’t do anything,’ said the girl, ‘but now, I am not going to sit here and let you go off on your own when I know I have the power to do something.’ She smirked. ‘Especially since it was my fault Xyphane is now in trouble.’

*

‘Where…Where am I?’ Xyphane shook his head, trying to clear his blurred vision.
‘Welcome to my humble abode, Xyphane Dios.’ The said boy’s head snapped up and his eyes widened at the smiling figure that stood before him. ‘You! You’re that man that Mama went to for help!’ The figure’s smile widened as he strode forward, his long cloak swishing in his wake. ‘Yes, yes that was me,’ he answered, ‘I’m so happy that you remember me, Boy of the Prophecy.’
Something about that smile unnerved Xyphane. He tried to move forward only to find his arms and legs being restrained by cold chains. ‘Who are you?’ The man’s smile widened once more frighteningly. ‘My name is Dvianne.’ A chill ran down Xyphane’s spine. The smile that was etched on the sorcerer’s face was void of emotion, simply a mask painted on and his voice was colder than the coldest of winters. ‘You’re…You’re the Dark Sorcerer,’ said Xyphane in disbelief, ‘you’re the one who wants to take over the world.’ Gentle fingers caressed his cheek, as Dvianne whispered into his ear. ‘Yes, my boy, I am he.’ He moved backwards, leaving Xyphane frozen, in a state of shock. ‘Now that the stage had been set, we need our final star actress.’
The howling of a Knyte pierced the silence as two figures were thrown into the chamber. Dvianne clapped his hands delightedly. ‘Ah, how nice to see you, Girl of the Prophecy, Phyllis Grandler and my darling puppet, Quebecca Hype.’ The sight of Phyllis seemed to snap Xyphane out of whatever state he was in. ‘PHYLL! BECCA!’
‘XYPHANE!’ Quebecca leapt to her feet and immediately made her way to her brother only to be flung back at Phyllis by a sudden burst of power. ‘My girl, I’m afraid I can’t let you free him,’ said Dvianne, clearly amused by the desperation of her actions as Quebecca struggled against his power, trying to reach for Xyphane. Cuts appeared on Quebecca’s face, arms and legs even as large slashes tore through the fabric of her clothing. Blood oozed from her numerous wounds and yet she still wouldn’t give up the fight. ‘No matter what you do to hold me back, it won’t keep me from getting to my brother,’ she declared. ‘You are brave, my girl, but you alone won’t be able to defeat me.’
‘How about two against one!’ Phyllis yelled, leaping on to Dvianne. Dvianne’s smile never cracked as he waved a hand. Phyllis’s cry of pain echoed in the chamber as she fell against the wall.
The shrill cry seemed to break something in Xyphane as his rage exploded. ‘How DARE you hurt Phyllis!’ he roared. A burst of white light filled the room. One by one, the links of chains tying him down snapped off, bouncing against the walls.
CRASH! A part of the ceiling fell in as Dvianne’s black aura collided with that of Xyphane’s white. ‘I will kill you to stop the prophecy from coming true,’ said Dvianne, ‘but you children are interesting with your naïve thoughts and ideas for defeating me so, I’ll play around with you for a bit.’
‘What did you say!?’
‘You know, I wouldn’t have managed to catch you if it weren’t for some inside help.’ Dvianne, using his powers, pulled a struggling Quebecca to him. He kissed her on the forehead, stilling her actions ‘It was all thanks to my darling puppet, your dear sister that I found out about you.’ Xyphane shook his head. ‘It can’t be,’ he said, ‘she loves me. My sister loves me.’ ‘Oh, then why don’t you ask her yourself?’
Xyphane’s aura immediately diminished as he turned to the said girl. ‘Is-Is this t-true?’ he whispered.
Quebecca opened her mouth to protest but found to her horror her head was nodding against her will. Her lips parted despite her struggles against the action and words she never even thought off spilled forth. ‘Of course I told him. He promised me revenge on the one who killed Mama.’ She bit her lip trying to stop but failed miserably. ‘You killed Mama. I never loved you, I was just using you so I could gain favour in my lord’s eyes and get my revenge.’ Xyphane’s eyes widened and his face paled considerably. ‘You lie,’ he protested weakly. Quebecca threw her head back and laughed. ‘Why would I lie now that I’m so close to achieving my goal?’
Phyllis struggled to sit up as eerie laughter rang in her ears. She could hardly belief that that horrible sound came from Quebecca’s lips. No, that couldn’t be Quebecca laughing. It couldn’t be the same girl that she stayed with, joked around with and did her chores with. The more thought she gave; the more convinced she was that Quebecca was not herself. Her eyes met those of Quebecca’s. In those eyes, there was a plea. Save him… Phyllis could see Xyphane’s aura diminishing, a sign that his power was slowly redrawing into himself. She reacted.
CRASH! Phyllis threw herself on Xyphane and shook him roughly. ‘Don’t listen to her,’ she exclaimed, ‘she doesn’t mean what she say!’ ‘How can she not?’ asked Xyphane, his voice dulled by pain, ‘I killed Mama. I killed my own mother. How can any sister love her brother who…?’ ‘Do you seriously believe that, Xypahne Dios?!’ cried Phyllis, desperate as the light in his eyes slowly faded away, ‘Think back to all those times when Quebecca was with you. If she truly hated you, would she have stuck with you when you went into isolation? Would she have taken care of you? She even risked her life for you when we were attacked by that Knyte! Is your belief in her love so shallow that words said in one moment can destroy the belief showed through lifetime of actions! Is it?!’
Tears of despair spilled from Phyllis’s eyes as Xyphane went limp beneath her. Unbeknownst to her however, her words rang true. Images of Quebecca went through his mind…Her laughter…Her smile…Her determination…Her love for him… ‘It’s a promise then,’ said Qubecca with a grin, ‘I won’t leave you if you don’t leave me. You are my brother after all. I love you.’ Phyllis breath caught in her throat as gentle fingers cupped her chin. ‘You’re right,’ murmured Xyphane, ‘I believe in her love for me.’ Their eyes met and he brushed away the tears that brimmed in Phyllis’s. ‘And, I believe in my love for her.’
Dvianne’s smile faltered as Xyphane’s aura grew stronger. He hissed in irritation. He lifted a hand only to be stopped by Quebecca. ‘I will not let you hurt them anymore,’ she said through gritted teeth, ‘XEPH! GET OUT!’ Realizing what Dvianne wanted to do, Xephyane rolled over, his body shielding Phyllis’s. With his hand trapped by a stubborn girl, Dvianne’s forehead creased in a frown. ‘I have no further need for you.’ Quebecca choked as blood gurgled from her mouth. She looked down at Dvianne’s hand in her stomach.
Time seem to slow for Xyphane as he watched his sister’s body fall to the ground. He drew her limp figure into his arms, cradling her gently. Quebecca smiled as she caressed his cheek. ‘I love you,’ she whispered, ‘my brother.’ Xyphane’s eyes widened in horror as the light of life faded from amethyst orbs and her hand fell limply into his lap. ‘Becca…’
A scream brought him back to reality and Xyphane looked up to see Phyllis struggling in Dvianne’s hold. Blind hot rage exploded in a flash of white light. First his sister had been killed and now he had Phyllis in his hold… ‘I’LL KILL YOU!’
There was a flash of blinding white light. There was a scream.
‘We won.’ The words drifted through Phyllis’s mind as the ground rushed up to meet her. Her vision was so blurred that she could barely make out Xyphane’s face when he caught her in his arms. She had no idea why her vision was blurred. After all, she could fell her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She tried to focus. Xyphane was trying to tell her something. His lips moved, forming words and darkness greeted her.

*

‘Hey, I think you killed her!’
‘Oi, Phyll, wake up! I’m sorry! Please, wake up!’
Phyllis blinked slowly, spots of white appearing before her eyes before slowly fading to reveal the face that, she recognized as one of the boys who loved to play pranks on her. The thought of falling for yet another one of their pranks filled her with irritation and the sudden urge to strangle someone. She graciously accepted her glasses from yet another boy and settled it on the bridge of her nose in silence.
‘YOU MORONS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING, IDIOTS! THAT HURT YOU KNOW!’ The boys jumped six feet high as Phyllis yelled at them at the top of her voice. ‘Ah! She’s never yelled like that before!’ squeaked one boy, running away. ‘That means she must be really, REALLY mad!’ exclaimed the other, hot on his friend’s heels, raising a cloud of dust in his wake.
Phyllis found her feet and dusted her skirt. ‘Strange…’ she thought, ‘I never felt the need to yell like that before…What changed?’ She closed her eyes trying to gather her thoughts. Her mind supplied her with the image of a pair of amethyst eyes, peering through a fringe of blond hair. ‘Why is it so familiar?’
She picked up her bag and continued on her journey. A breeze tugged at her hair and breathed into her ear, a whisper, ‘Remember Phyll, you’re never alone. You have me now.’
Somewhere a boy smiled.