05-10-2008, 10:31 AM
Alrighty, so this is sort of a "hot off the press" chapter, so I might edit a few things between the here and when I'm fully satisfied. It's also the first chapter to be published from a different software, so I'm not sure how "long" it will be. But, the story is the same, and we're getting in to the serious stuff. Heads up, 4 has already been started, so sit tight.
Red Noon, Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm
The situation was grim, helpless even, Hughes thought as he paced around Sheena’s bedroom. This sort of thing had happened before, and certainly neither he nor his sibling was any stranger to things “paranormal.” Ever since her birth he had been warned that something like this could – and would – happen. Sheena was, after all, an esper. Hughes could vaguely remember the day his sister was born. He remembered a much younger version of himself holding his new baby sister in his arms as she smiled at him for the first time. He smiled himself as he thought about it, but it slowly faded as he delved deeper into the memory.
“Why are you holding it? It’s going to cause bad luck, Jonathan.”
“But father, she’s just a baby! Why do we have to –”
“Be quiet about things you don’t understand! Espers are dangerous! If we allow her to live there’s no telling what will happen to us! Are you willing to take that risk solely on the life of something like that?”
“Yes.”
From the beginning, he hadn’t cared that Sheena was different. He hadn’t cared about what “trouble” she might have brought about. The fact was she had never caused any trouble. If anything, she was the victim. But their family had always been superstitious, even before the third World War. But with the appearance of the Demons, and with the highest death rate in a century, people were beginning to become paranoid about everything and everyone they didn't know. Being an esper, creatures like demons were always going to be drawn to her, and it was unlikely that she would be welcomed with open arms, even by her family. She had been possessed before, and so after he and Sheena had been cast out from the family because of her abilities, Hughes had taught himself minor exorcism techniques just in case. This time, it seems… he had failed her.
When he went to find a stronger exorcist, he had heard of Russell by name… or nickname rather. The organization he worked for – Black Feather – certainly had an odd way of doing things. It was almost obvious that they send Red Noon to him for a reason other than a simple exorcism, even if Hughes wasn’t sure exactly what it was. Perhaps it was just Russell’s unusual method of doing things… Hughes swallowed hard, wondering if he and his sister weren’t dead… It certainly seemed that way: they weren’t even breathing. It had been almost an hour, and still nothing had changed. In the stillness, he could hear his heart, beating faster than normal in his anxious state. He could hear his breathing as well – at least until the subway rolled by. It was the first train of the day. The sun had now risen and people all over the world had started living their lives again.
‘Not here though,’ Hughes imagined vaguely. ‘Not for us. Not for Sheena…’
Hughes sighed heavily, rubbing his neck as he sat down on his sister’s bed. His fingers ran over the small cut she had given him, and it began to sting from the salt. Russell had saved him from nearly being killed by his own foolishness. He should have been more careful… It seemed he grew more and more useless as time went on. All he could really do in the end it seemed, was wait for them to wake up…
------
It was cold… And it was dark. So dark that it seemed pointless to open her eyes because she could barely make out the room. But she was obviously underground… The only window was six inches tall, with evenly spaced bars. She could make out the sky, a few stars, and saw the brightness of the full moon dimming as it hid behind a cloud. She didn’t know where she was or how she got there. But she knew she was being watched. There was someone else in the room with her. Something… inhuman. Sheena watched as a Shadow Man stood silent, staring down at her. He was big, much larger than she. His mere presence inspired evil, and the room itself seemed to bend and shift around him, like the air he came in contact with couldn’t bear to touch him. His breathing was short and heavy, as though he couldn’t draw in enough air and his form quivered from time to time with the rhythm of his breath.
Suddenly the moon burst from behind its gray veil, flooding the room with watery-blue light. Sheena heard herself scream as the true figure was revealed – suspended in mid-air by chains, her brother stared blankly at the floor. His eyes were glazed over, and he looked as though he was either unconscious… or nearly dead. Blood streaked his hair and ran down his expressionless face, and his clothing was torn to bits. Behind him, half hidden in darkness was Russell – but there was something odd about him. His eyes were closed, and as he twirled a black feather in his hands she could see prisoner’s cuffs and a collar chaining his limbs together. He was leaning against the stone walls, muttering madly to himself. She couldn’t move any closer, but she could almost make out what he was saying from where she was:
"Are you happy, Father? I am doing what you wanted me to… You killed those innocent people without remorse…. I know now that what you did was right. The others… They just don’t understand… So here I am, still your puppet even after you’re nothing but a corpse in the ground... Aren't you proud, Father..? Blood means nothing to someone without a heart…”
Suddenly the rest of his words were lost to a low growl. Sheena turned to look behind her, fear taking root in her chest for the first time. Masking itself in the shadows, the creature – what looked to be a large, sickly dog – circled around her, it's luminous eyes watching her as it readied itself for attack. Suddenly Sheena couldn’t move. She looked down to see pair of clamps strapping her down to the stone floor. Without knowing how, she was pushed onto her back as more straps came over her chest and mouth preventing all method of escape. They were all adorned with symbols like the ones Russell had drawn in the circle before– ancient-looking symbols of magic. The dog-like creature moved toward her until it was so close Sheena could feel its hot breath on her face and its saliva as it drooled onto the arm closest to it.
This was it. It was over.
It finally attacked, running its claws down her arm. Pain exploded inside her mind, but the fabric smothering her prevented her from crying out. In fact, she wasn’t even sure she had a voice anymore. It quietly lapped up the blood before turning and lunging towards her neck - -
A sudden white light temporarily blinded her. Sheena could hear voices around her, but it was impossible for her to make them out. It was almost like an explosion had taken place next to her head – her vision swirled, there was a slight ringing in her ears, and she felt sick to her stomach. But soon she was able to make out lights over her head, along with two dark figures standing nearby. She was lying down, and even though her vision still swam she tried to sit up. Vaguely, she heard the soft rustle of sheets and silky clothing as the scent of lavender reached her nose. Looking around, she was able to make out a stand next to her bed with flowers and a glass of dark liquid atop its darkly stained surface.
“Sheena!”
One of the blurry figures came in to her view, and Sheena watched as her brother ran over to her bed. He looked tired, as though he hadn’t slept in a few days, with dark circles under his blue eyes, but he had the most sincere look of relief on his face that it was all Sheena could do not to cry. She smiled as he scoffed at her for sitting up so fast– he had always been the overprotective type. But she could understand why…
“Where's Russell?” she asked, before she could stop herself. Half of her mind was just curious, but there was another side of her that was still suspicious of the dream world. The images of the two men flashed across her memory, and she turned away so her brother wouldn't see the look on her face.
“I don't know.” Hughes replied. “After we got here, he disappeared. I haven't seen him since.”
The other figure came in to view. A nurse, she had short brown hair, angled down towards her face and styled with two hair clips to hold her bangs back and out of her dark eyes. She was about fifteen, Sheena noticed, and only a few inches taller than she was.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, handing her the glass of liquid from the stand. “Drink this.”
Sheena nodded, and took a sip from the glass. It was a foul substance, its smell no better than its taste, but instantly her vision became clearer and her limbs were more inclined to move again. “A little sore,” she answered, “but otherwise I'm okay.”
The nurse seemed surprised by this. “I thought for sure you would be more ill than this...” she said, a curious expression on her face. “It's a bit ironic, actually.”
“What do you mean?” Sheena asked, taking another sip from the glass.
“Well, it's just that when people are sent here after a procedure their prognosis is either bad or unknown. The Hunter that brought you both in is also receiving treatment, but I don't know where. Apparently that method he uses is more costly to himself if used, but it saved you a lot of trouble. He's somewhere up in Intensive Care, I think. Excuse me.” She exited the room through a sliding glass door on the right, her expression still one of anticipation and curiosity rather than concern.
Hughes had known from the start that Russell was in trouble but had avoided telling his sister right away. However, the nurse had ruined all possibility of breaking it slowly. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether or not Sheena was worried, but she couldn't lie to him. She yawned casually and stretched out in her bed, careful not to show any signs of concern, and he would have missed it but for the look in her eyes that only he could read. She always tried to make nothing of something, it was just her nature.
'Always trying to protect everyone else, huh Sheena?' he thought as she tried to finish the medicine, a foul expression appearing on her face. 'What about you though...? Someday you might lose yourself from caring too much about others...'
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Sheena put her glass down on the nightstand next to her and began to wonder if something was up.
“Oh, it's nothing.” Hughes said quickly, an awkward smile appearing on his face.
“Fine, be that way.” she crossed her arms and let out a huff of irritation.
“Something the matter?” Hughes was careful not to say anything stupid as he tried to provoke his young sibling into talking. He knew that by now she could tell what was going on, but she played right into it.
“Nothing at all.”
“Don't lie to me, Sheena.” he said, and his eyes met hers. She quickly looked away, and he knew she had been caught.
“I just -”
There came a smart tapping at the door, and a woman entered the small infirmary room. She had long, wavy auburn hair held back with a headband, and small white hooped ear rings. Her bright blue eyes matched the color of her jeans, and they checked over what were obviously Sheena's medical charts as she removed a pen from her lab coat.
“How is everything, Jonny?” she asked, smiling.
“Um... Miss Dalton, I-”
“What did you say?” the woman's smile was replaced by an icy glare, and Sheena suppressed a laugh as her brother's face turned red.
“Um... Nothing, Miss – I mean...”
“I thought I told you not to call me “miss”.” she said quietly, taking hold of his shirt collar.
Hughes's face darkened in shade. “Yes, you did, b-but -”
“But what?” she began to tear up. “Am I really so old? So decrepit looking? Or do you just want to insult me?”
“N-none!” Hughes was beet red now, and he was clearly uncomfortable. The woman's face was so close to his own Sheena was almost expecting them to kiss.
“Then why can't you call me something nicer, like I asked, Jonny?” she asked in a sweet, child-like voice.
“Y-yes, m-m-”
“Yes, WHAT?”
“Y...Yes, Elizabeth.”
Hughes was visibly relieved when she let go of his shirt. “There,” she said, her smile returning in full. “Was that so hard?”
Hughes collapsed into a nearby chair, his face slowly returning to its normal color, and the woman turned now to Sheena.
“So, how are you feeling?” she asked, her previous level of happiness returning at full force.
“Like I seriously need mouthwash.” Sheena said, holding the empty glass away from herself.
“That happens,” Elizabeth stated matter-of-factly. “But it has to be done. Some mandatory policy, I don't know much about it.” She smiled again, and went through some papers next to the medical chart in her hands. “Better hurry up and get dressed though, looks like they've scheduled a meeting for you.”
“A meeting? With who?”
“You'll see.”
Elizabeth pointed to a nearby door. “That's the bathroom, all your clothes are in there on the second shelf. There's a shower and everything you might need in there, as well.” She turned on her heels and made for the door, waving casually as she passed. “I'll stop by when it's time to head up. Bye-bye Jonny!”
Hughes turned red again.
xXx
This was like no organization Hughes had ever seen. The place was simple enough: above ground, it was a simple building and it masqueraded as a church. But below ground, the true nature of it's existence was revealed with heavy-duty bolts on the doors and securely barred ground-level windows. Bullet-proofing on every surface gave the whole place a monotone feel, the only real color coming from the various potted plants scattered in corners, and the red and gold direction arrows lining the walls. As for the people of this underground fort, there were no two alike. Some dressed in suits like Russell, sporting smaller hidden weapons, and others looked like they were preparing for war, with rings of bullets around their torsos, guns and cannons swinging at their shoulders. Then there were the scientists and doctors, with their simple white lab coats. Some of them were stained with unknown concoctions, and others with...
Whatever seemed to be happening, it was serious. Everyone went about their business as quickly as possible, not stopping to talk or even apologize for an accidental collision. It was if they wouldn't dare to, let alone want to. Their small group, which consisted only of himself, Sheena, and Elizabeth, had to worm in and out of people who too focused on where they were going to notice them or even stop if there was something happening. An they them selves could not stop: this meeting, whatever it was, was important. Hughes knew it, and so did Sheena. Neither of them would show their worry or confusion, but they could both feel it emanating from one another, like a thunder cloud rolling in, and the winds just beginning to pick up.
Certainly, there was going to be lightning. This was the first time something like this had ever happened, even if Sheena had been possessed before. Usually, she was looked after before being sent home with a “be careful”. But this time, things were different. This meeting proved that. They were totally clueless about anything that was happening, and for the first time in a while, Hughes felt as though he couldn't do anything about it. All he knew was that He didn't know how big of an event it would be or how life changing, but the winds were not in their favor.
“In here.” Elizabeth said when they reached their destination. They had gone down an older hallway it seemed, because the floors were well worn and the paint dull. Now the siblings turned toward a simple door, decorated with only a simple black feather painted on the front.
“What is it?” Sheena asked, as she went over and grasped her brother's hand.
“Everything.” She slowly drew out a key from one of her pockets and, as though it were delicate, carefully placed it into the lock and turned it gently into place. There was a quick click and the door opened, seemingly of its own accord. The room beyond was too dark to see father than a few feet inside, but Elizabeth went straight in, Hughes and Sheena following in her wake.
They had only gotten a few feet in when the door closed behind them, casting them into total darkness. Sheena squeezed her brother's hand remembering her dream, and he did the same to hers offering what support he could. Suddenly, a lantern from above shattered the darkness, and in the circle of white light sat a long wooden table, with one large chair in the center, and three seats on either side. Each seat was occupied by older men, the six wearing suits and the seventh and oldest man with elegant robes of the finest silk and embroiled with flowers and cranes. He looked towards the small group as they approached, a faint crease forming between his dark eyes.
“Elizabeth,” he said slowly, “who are these people? Why have you brought them here?”
“Because, Father,” she replied, her gaze strong and confident. “I believe these are the people you were searching for.”
Red Noon, Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Storm
The situation was grim, helpless even, Hughes thought as he paced around Sheena’s bedroom. This sort of thing had happened before, and certainly neither he nor his sibling was any stranger to things “paranormal.” Ever since her birth he had been warned that something like this could – and would – happen. Sheena was, after all, an esper. Hughes could vaguely remember the day his sister was born. He remembered a much younger version of himself holding his new baby sister in his arms as she smiled at him for the first time. He smiled himself as he thought about it, but it slowly faded as he delved deeper into the memory.
“Why are you holding it? It’s going to cause bad luck, Jonathan.”
“But father, she’s just a baby! Why do we have to –”
“Be quiet about things you don’t understand! Espers are dangerous! If we allow her to live there’s no telling what will happen to us! Are you willing to take that risk solely on the life of something like that?”
“Yes.”
From the beginning, he hadn’t cared that Sheena was different. He hadn’t cared about what “trouble” she might have brought about. The fact was she had never caused any trouble. If anything, she was the victim. But their family had always been superstitious, even before the third World War. But with the appearance of the Demons, and with the highest death rate in a century, people were beginning to become paranoid about everything and everyone they didn't know. Being an esper, creatures like demons were always going to be drawn to her, and it was unlikely that she would be welcomed with open arms, even by her family. She had been possessed before, and so after he and Sheena had been cast out from the family because of her abilities, Hughes had taught himself minor exorcism techniques just in case. This time, it seems… he had failed her.
When he went to find a stronger exorcist, he had heard of Russell by name… or nickname rather. The organization he worked for – Black Feather – certainly had an odd way of doing things. It was almost obvious that they send Red Noon to him for a reason other than a simple exorcism, even if Hughes wasn’t sure exactly what it was. Perhaps it was just Russell’s unusual method of doing things… Hughes swallowed hard, wondering if he and his sister weren’t dead… It certainly seemed that way: they weren’t even breathing. It had been almost an hour, and still nothing had changed. In the stillness, he could hear his heart, beating faster than normal in his anxious state. He could hear his breathing as well – at least until the subway rolled by. It was the first train of the day. The sun had now risen and people all over the world had started living their lives again.
‘Not here though,’ Hughes imagined vaguely. ‘Not for us. Not for Sheena…’
Hughes sighed heavily, rubbing his neck as he sat down on his sister’s bed. His fingers ran over the small cut she had given him, and it began to sting from the salt. Russell had saved him from nearly being killed by his own foolishness. He should have been more careful… It seemed he grew more and more useless as time went on. All he could really do in the end it seemed, was wait for them to wake up…
------
It was cold… And it was dark. So dark that it seemed pointless to open her eyes because she could barely make out the room. But she was obviously underground… The only window was six inches tall, with evenly spaced bars. She could make out the sky, a few stars, and saw the brightness of the full moon dimming as it hid behind a cloud. She didn’t know where she was or how she got there. But she knew she was being watched. There was someone else in the room with her. Something… inhuman. Sheena watched as a Shadow Man stood silent, staring down at her. He was big, much larger than she. His mere presence inspired evil, and the room itself seemed to bend and shift around him, like the air he came in contact with couldn’t bear to touch him. His breathing was short and heavy, as though he couldn’t draw in enough air and his form quivered from time to time with the rhythm of his breath.
Suddenly the moon burst from behind its gray veil, flooding the room with watery-blue light. Sheena heard herself scream as the true figure was revealed – suspended in mid-air by chains, her brother stared blankly at the floor. His eyes were glazed over, and he looked as though he was either unconscious… or nearly dead. Blood streaked his hair and ran down his expressionless face, and his clothing was torn to bits. Behind him, half hidden in darkness was Russell – but there was something odd about him. His eyes were closed, and as he twirled a black feather in his hands she could see prisoner’s cuffs and a collar chaining his limbs together. He was leaning against the stone walls, muttering madly to himself. She couldn’t move any closer, but she could almost make out what he was saying from where she was:
"Are you happy, Father? I am doing what you wanted me to… You killed those innocent people without remorse…. I know now that what you did was right. The others… They just don’t understand… So here I am, still your puppet even after you’re nothing but a corpse in the ground... Aren't you proud, Father..? Blood means nothing to someone without a heart…”
Suddenly the rest of his words were lost to a low growl. Sheena turned to look behind her, fear taking root in her chest for the first time. Masking itself in the shadows, the creature – what looked to be a large, sickly dog – circled around her, it's luminous eyes watching her as it readied itself for attack. Suddenly Sheena couldn’t move. She looked down to see pair of clamps strapping her down to the stone floor. Without knowing how, she was pushed onto her back as more straps came over her chest and mouth preventing all method of escape. They were all adorned with symbols like the ones Russell had drawn in the circle before– ancient-looking symbols of magic. The dog-like creature moved toward her until it was so close Sheena could feel its hot breath on her face and its saliva as it drooled onto the arm closest to it.
This was it. It was over.
It finally attacked, running its claws down her arm. Pain exploded inside her mind, but the fabric smothering her prevented her from crying out. In fact, she wasn’t even sure she had a voice anymore. It quietly lapped up the blood before turning and lunging towards her neck - -
A sudden white light temporarily blinded her. Sheena could hear voices around her, but it was impossible for her to make them out. It was almost like an explosion had taken place next to her head – her vision swirled, there was a slight ringing in her ears, and she felt sick to her stomach. But soon she was able to make out lights over her head, along with two dark figures standing nearby. She was lying down, and even though her vision still swam she tried to sit up. Vaguely, she heard the soft rustle of sheets and silky clothing as the scent of lavender reached her nose. Looking around, she was able to make out a stand next to her bed with flowers and a glass of dark liquid atop its darkly stained surface.
“Sheena!”
One of the blurry figures came in to her view, and Sheena watched as her brother ran over to her bed. He looked tired, as though he hadn’t slept in a few days, with dark circles under his blue eyes, but he had the most sincere look of relief on his face that it was all Sheena could do not to cry. She smiled as he scoffed at her for sitting up so fast– he had always been the overprotective type. But she could understand why…
“Where's Russell?” she asked, before she could stop herself. Half of her mind was just curious, but there was another side of her that was still suspicious of the dream world. The images of the two men flashed across her memory, and she turned away so her brother wouldn't see the look on her face.
“I don't know.” Hughes replied. “After we got here, he disappeared. I haven't seen him since.”
The other figure came in to view. A nurse, she had short brown hair, angled down towards her face and styled with two hair clips to hold her bangs back and out of her dark eyes. She was about fifteen, Sheena noticed, and only a few inches taller than she was.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, handing her the glass of liquid from the stand. “Drink this.”
Sheena nodded, and took a sip from the glass. It was a foul substance, its smell no better than its taste, but instantly her vision became clearer and her limbs were more inclined to move again. “A little sore,” she answered, “but otherwise I'm okay.”
The nurse seemed surprised by this. “I thought for sure you would be more ill than this...” she said, a curious expression on her face. “It's a bit ironic, actually.”
“What do you mean?” Sheena asked, taking another sip from the glass.
“Well, it's just that when people are sent here after a procedure their prognosis is either bad or unknown. The Hunter that brought you both in is also receiving treatment, but I don't know where. Apparently that method he uses is more costly to himself if used, but it saved you a lot of trouble. He's somewhere up in Intensive Care, I think. Excuse me.” She exited the room through a sliding glass door on the right, her expression still one of anticipation and curiosity rather than concern.
Hughes had known from the start that Russell was in trouble but had avoided telling his sister right away. However, the nurse had ruined all possibility of breaking it slowly. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether or not Sheena was worried, but she couldn't lie to him. She yawned casually and stretched out in her bed, careful not to show any signs of concern, and he would have missed it but for the look in her eyes that only he could read. She always tried to make nothing of something, it was just her nature.
'Always trying to protect everyone else, huh Sheena?' he thought as she tried to finish the medicine, a foul expression appearing on her face. 'What about you though...? Someday you might lose yourself from caring too much about others...'
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Sheena put her glass down on the nightstand next to her and began to wonder if something was up.
“Oh, it's nothing.” Hughes said quickly, an awkward smile appearing on his face.
“Fine, be that way.” she crossed her arms and let out a huff of irritation.
“Something the matter?” Hughes was careful not to say anything stupid as he tried to provoke his young sibling into talking. He knew that by now she could tell what was going on, but she played right into it.
“Nothing at all.”
“Don't lie to me, Sheena.” he said, and his eyes met hers. She quickly looked away, and he knew she had been caught.
“I just -”
There came a smart tapping at the door, and a woman entered the small infirmary room. She had long, wavy auburn hair held back with a headband, and small white hooped ear rings. Her bright blue eyes matched the color of her jeans, and they checked over what were obviously Sheena's medical charts as she removed a pen from her lab coat.
“How is everything, Jonny?” she asked, smiling.
“Um... Miss Dalton, I-”
“What did you say?” the woman's smile was replaced by an icy glare, and Sheena suppressed a laugh as her brother's face turned red.
“Um... Nothing, Miss – I mean...”
“I thought I told you not to call me “miss”.” she said quietly, taking hold of his shirt collar.
Hughes's face darkened in shade. “Yes, you did, b-but -”
“But what?” she began to tear up. “Am I really so old? So decrepit looking? Or do you just want to insult me?”
“N-none!” Hughes was beet red now, and he was clearly uncomfortable. The woman's face was so close to his own Sheena was almost expecting them to kiss.
“Then why can't you call me something nicer, like I asked, Jonny?” she asked in a sweet, child-like voice.
“Y-yes, m-m-”
“Yes, WHAT?”
“Y...Yes, Elizabeth.”
Hughes was visibly relieved when she let go of his shirt. “There,” she said, her smile returning in full. “Was that so hard?”
Hughes collapsed into a nearby chair, his face slowly returning to its normal color, and the woman turned now to Sheena.
“So, how are you feeling?” she asked, her previous level of happiness returning at full force.
“Like I seriously need mouthwash.” Sheena said, holding the empty glass away from herself.
“That happens,” Elizabeth stated matter-of-factly. “But it has to be done. Some mandatory policy, I don't know much about it.” She smiled again, and went through some papers next to the medical chart in her hands. “Better hurry up and get dressed though, looks like they've scheduled a meeting for you.”
“A meeting? With who?”
“You'll see.”
Elizabeth pointed to a nearby door. “That's the bathroom, all your clothes are in there on the second shelf. There's a shower and everything you might need in there, as well.” She turned on her heels and made for the door, waving casually as she passed. “I'll stop by when it's time to head up. Bye-bye Jonny!”
Hughes turned red again.
xXx
This was like no organization Hughes had ever seen. The place was simple enough: above ground, it was a simple building and it masqueraded as a church. But below ground, the true nature of it's existence was revealed with heavy-duty bolts on the doors and securely barred ground-level windows. Bullet-proofing on every surface gave the whole place a monotone feel, the only real color coming from the various potted plants scattered in corners, and the red and gold direction arrows lining the walls. As for the people of this underground fort, there were no two alike. Some dressed in suits like Russell, sporting smaller hidden weapons, and others looked like they were preparing for war, with rings of bullets around their torsos, guns and cannons swinging at their shoulders. Then there were the scientists and doctors, with their simple white lab coats. Some of them were stained with unknown concoctions, and others with...
Whatever seemed to be happening, it was serious. Everyone went about their business as quickly as possible, not stopping to talk or even apologize for an accidental collision. It was if they wouldn't dare to, let alone want to. Their small group, which consisted only of himself, Sheena, and Elizabeth, had to worm in and out of people who too focused on where they were going to notice them or even stop if there was something happening. An they them selves could not stop: this meeting, whatever it was, was important. Hughes knew it, and so did Sheena. Neither of them would show their worry or confusion, but they could both feel it emanating from one another, like a thunder cloud rolling in, and the winds just beginning to pick up.
Certainly, there was going to be lightning. This was the first time something like this had ever happened, even if Sheena had been possessed before. Usually, she was looked after before being sent home with a “be careful”. But this time, things were different. This meeting proved that. They were totally clueless about anything that was happening, and for the first time in a while, Hughes felt as though he couldn't do anything about it. All he knew was that He didn't know how big of an event it would be or how life changing, but the winds were not in their favor.
“In here.” Elizabeth said when they reached their destination. They had gone down an older hallway it seemed, because the floors were well worn and the paint dull. Now the siblings turned toward a simple door, decorated with only a simple black feather painted on the front.
“What is it?” Sheena asked, as she went over and grasped her brother's hand.
“Everything.” She slowly drew out a key from one of her pockets and, as though it were delicate, carefully placed it into the lock and turned it gently into place. There was a quick click and the door opened, seemingly of its own accord. The room beyond was too dark to see father than a few feet inside, but Elizabeth went straight in, Hughes and Sheena following in her wake.
They had only gotten a few feet in when the door closed behind them, casting them into total darkness. Sheena squeezed her brother's hand remembering her dream, and he did the same to hers offering what support he could. Suddenly, a lantern from above shattered the darkness, and in the circle of white light sat a long wooden table, with one large chair in the center, and three seats on either side. Each seat was occupied by older men, the six wearing suits and the seventh and oldest man with elegant robes of the finest silk and embroiled with flowers and cranes. He looked towards the small group as they approached, a faint crease forming between his dark eyes.
“Elizabeth,” he said slowly, “who are these people? Why have you brought them here?”
“Because, Father,” she replied, her gaze strong and confident. “I believe these are the people you were searching for.”