by EMA LEE
“They won’t help you.” The black shadow said.
That was the first time I had ever heard her speak. I turned to Dean.
“Her voice. It sounds familiar. Why does it sound familiar?” I asked.
Dean shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch. I swear I knew that voice from some where. Maybe she went to my school before our planet was destroyed. The captain strapped her into a chair and stepped to the side. The black shadow approached her holding some kind of gun.
“Please… Please don’t kill me.” The lady said still crying.
“I’m not killing you. I’m simply making you a more improved human being.” The Black Shadow said as she placed the gun to the woman’s head.
The woman was now screaming for her life. I started to get up but Dean pulled me back and held me tight so I couldn’t move. The black shadow pulled the trigger and a soft noise went off. I put my hand to my mouth. The woman stopped crying, but she wasn’t dead. Her head started to look straight at the Black Shadow.
“How do you feel sweet heart?” The Black Shadow asked.
“Better than ever master.” The woman responded.
The captain walked over and unstrapped her from the chair. The woman got up and joined the rest of the group. I had never seen anything like it before.
“They seem like they are in some kind of Trans.” Dean said.
“But how?” I asked.
“We have to get a hold of one of those guns and take it back to Shane. He could figure it out. Come on. Let’s go.” Dean responded as he started to crawl back to the door.
“But how?” I said again as I started to follow him back to the door.
As soon as we were back out in the tunnel we started to run the way we came in. Dean was looking around. I could tell he was looking for a sewer opening. I started to look with him. There was no sight of a sewer opening, only the staircase the led back to the Art Gallery.
‘Thump’
Pressure slammed into the side of my body. I flew into the side of the sewer wall, my head slamming into the cold concrete first. I tried to look up to see what hit me but my vision was a total blur. The figure started to get on top of me with their knees digging into my arms to keep me down on the ground. I started to gain my focus back. It was a man with dark black hair. I looked into his eyes and you could tell no soul was in there. It was like he was a robot. The man reached his arm behind his back and pulled out a gun. He started to dig the gun into my forehead.
“This won’t hurt a bit.” He said as he started to put pressure on the trigger.
“No!” a voice said.
I looked over and saw Dean running towards the man. The man stood up trying to adjust himself but Dean reached him before he could do anything. Dean swung his arm into the man’s chest. I could hear the man’s ribs cracking. The sound echoed throughout the tunnel. The man’s eyes got big as he grabbed his chest gasping for air. He fell to his knees and looked me straight in the eyes.
“They’ll find you.” The man said as he took his last breath and fell to the ground.
Dean ran over to me and helped me off the ground.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so.” I said.
I grabbed my head with both of my hands. It felt like someone took a nail and placed it on my skull and started to hit it with a hammer. I tried to take a step forward but my leg collapsed to the ground. I felt so weak. Dean went over and grabbed the gun that was now next to the man on the ground.
“Well, looks like we got what we needed pretty easily.” Dean said.
He placed the gun in his pants and walked back over to me. He put one are on lower back and one arm under my legs. Dean lifted me up off of the ground and started to carry me back towards the staircase that led to the art gallery.
“We’re going to be okay Astra. I’m going to get you out of here.” Dean's voice said as it started to fade with the rest of me."
D.C. Day: 3
I opened my eyes and saw a Shark swimming towards me. I looked up and started to swim towards the surface. It seemed the more I swam up the further I got from the surface. I couldn’t breathe. I was suffocating. I started to panic. I could hear my heart beating a hundred miles per hour. I could feel the sharp teeth of the shark dig into my calf.
My eyes opened as I took a gasp of air. I looked around and realized I was in the hotel room. I took the bed covers off of me and looked at my calf. The muscles had tightened and cramped up while I was asleep. I stepped out of the bed and started to walk back and forth to loosen my muscles up. The door to the room opened and I put myself in defense mode as fast as I could.
“Woah, relax Astra. It’s just me” Dean said as he walked into the room.
I put my arms back to my side and started to relax. I watched him as he put down a salad and bowl of soup on the table.
“You’ve been out for a couple of days.” Dean said. “You need to eat something.”
“What happened?” I asked.
I couldn’t remember anything that had happened after I had been slammed into a concrete wall.
“Well, after I helped you off the ground you fell down again. I noticed you kept grabbing your head like you were in a lot of pain. So I picked you up and carried you back to the hotel. I put you in bed and you’ve been there for two days.” He replied.
I looked at him in amazement. That night started to come back to me.
“The gun. Where is the gun?” I asked.
Dean opened up his suitcase and pulled out the gun and sat at the table. He then looked at me and tapped on the chair next to him gesturing me to sit and eat the food he had gotten for me.
I walked over and sat down on the chair and started to eat the soup. It had been so long since my mouth had tasted anything that the soup felt like it was made by God himself. I couldn’t stop drinking the soup.
“Slow down Astra. I don’t want you choking.” Dean said with a smile on his face.
I put the soup down and looked at the gun.
“Well, what does it do?” I asked.
Dean unloaded the gun and what were supposed to be bullets were little microchips. Dean placed one in my hand. I observed the tiny piece of technology. It had a logo on it that had an M on it.
“Dean, the logo on this chip, I’ve seen it before. It’s from our planet.” I told him.
“So that means these had to be made before our planet was destroyed.” Dean responded.
I felt like my eyes were going to pop out of my head. I handed Dean the microchip again and started to pace around the room.
“Somebody planned to destroy our planet. It wasn’t an invasion. It was our own people!” I yelled.
I fell to the ground and started to cry.
“Why would somebody do that?” I asked.
“I guess they wanted power. Something they couldn’t get a hold of on our planet.” Dean replied.
He walked over and put his arms around me. I felt like Dean had seen me cry the most out of anyone I had ever known in my life. He seemed okay with it though. I always knew I could count on him to be there for me. I started to calm down and take deeper breaths.
“We’re going to find them, and I promise they will pay for it Astra. We won’t let them take over Earth, this is our home now.” Dean said.
He stood up and reached his arm towards me and pulled me up from the ground.
“Alright, we are heading back home tonight. Anything else you want to do before we leave?” Dean asked.
I thought about it for a while then my eyes lit up. I looked at him with a big smile.
“Can we go somewhere with rides and junk food?” I asked.
“I know just the place.” Dean said.
I started to walk towards the door. I could hear Dean starting to laugh. I turned and looked at him.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“Well, don’t take this the wrong way, but you smell really bad.” He said while laughing still.
&nbs
p; I lifted my shirt up to my nose and smelt it. I smelt like a wet dog in the rain mixed with sewer water. I almost threw up just smelling myself.
“You’re right. I’ll shower first.” I told him as I headed to the shower.
“Don’t forget your clothes!” Dean said as he threw my bag at me.
“Thanks.” I said as I closed the bathroom door.
I turned on the shower and started undress myself. I looked at myself in the mirror. I got close to it and started to look at my head to see if there was any bump or bruise but there was nothing there. I guess it just took a little longer to heal this time. I turned away from the mirror and stepped into the shower. It was so warm and refreshing. The horrid smell was fading off of my body. I bent over and grabbed the soap and rubbed my body as hard as I could. It felt like it was the longest shower I had ever taken. I finally turned off the shower and grabbed a towel outside of the shower. I dried myself off and headed over to my bag of clothes. As I unzipped it I saw a square box with an envelope attached to it.
I pulled the box out and ripped the envelope off of it. I tore the side of the envelope and grabbed the folded letter inside. I opened it and started to read.
Astra,
After carrying you back to the hotel and watching you sleep for a couple of days I wanted to do something special for you on our last night here in D.C. I want to take you out somewhere fun tonight. I bought this for you and I ask you to please wear it tonight.
Yours Always,
Dean
My stomach filled with butterflies as I read his letter. Dean was the sweetest man who cared a lot about me. I opened the box and pulled out a blue summer dress. I put it on, it hung right above my knees. It fit perfectly. I reached up and started to braid my hair to the side. I put on my sandals and finished with some lip gloss. I opened the bathroom door and looked around for Dean. He wasn’t in the hotel room. Finally I saw Dean standing on the balcony.
As I approached him he started to turn around. When our eyes met, all I could do was smile. I was so happy to see him. He smiled back at me and started to walk towards me.
“You look beautiful Astra.” He told me as he extended his arm for me to hold on to.
I locked my arm with his and looked up at his face.
“Shall we go?” I asked.
“Yes we shall.” Dean responded.
We started to walk down the streets of Washington D.C. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was just getting ready to set. In front of us I could hear laughing and screaming. I could see a bunch of lights.
“Is that..?” I asked in amazement.
“Yes, that’s where we are going.” Dean responded.
As we approached the lighted up area I could see roller coasters, lots of food, games, and a gigantic Ferris wheel. I grabbed Dean’s hand in excitement. I couldn’t wait to start.
“Where do you want to start?” Dean asked me.
I started to look around and noticed a game that involved throwing a ball at a stack of milk cans.
“That one.” I said as I pointed towards the milk cans.
We started to walk towards it. The man running the booth looked like he was in his teenage years.
“Knock down all the cans and win a prize.” The guy said.
“I bet you can’t knock them all down.” Dean whispered in my ear.
“Alright. What do you want to bet on?” I asked.
Dean thought about it for a second.
“Alright, the loser has to jump into that lake with all of their clothes on.” He said pointing to the lake across the street from the fair.
“Deal!” I told him as I grabbed a ball from the guy.
I tossed it gently and it smacked the center of the cans but they didn’t move. My jaw dropped. That was a perfect throw. How did it not knock them down?
Dean stepped up and grabbed a ball from the man. He did the exact same thing but threw it a little harder than I did. It smacked the center of the cans but they didn’t fall down.
I grabbed Dean's arm and pulled him close to me.
“This game is rigged. I think they are glued down so no one can win.” I whispered in his ear.
“I think you’re right. Do you know what I’m thinking?" Dean said.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking.” I said.
I turned around and grabbed another ball from the guy.
“You might want to step back.” I told the guy in the booth.
I had a tight grip on the ball. I took a step forwards turning my entire body giving me more power, as I extended my arm in front of me, I released the ball and it smacked the cans. They started to fly everywhere. The guy behind the booths mouth dropped in amazement. He handed me a stuffed animal petrified.
“We’re closed, bye!” he said as he shut the booth down and ran off.
“Well, it looks like I beat you Dean” I told him.
We both started to laugh really hard. I looked at the Farris Wheel and he looked at it too.
“Want to go on it?” Dean asked.
I shook my head and we started to walk towards it.
“How many?” The lady asked.
“Just the two of us.” Dean told her.
She opened the cart and we stepped in. The Ferris wheel started to move upward towards the sky. I could feel the breeze hit my face. The view was so pretty. You could see the city lights across from the lake and all the people laughing and having fun. The Ferris wheel stopped at the top and we looked over the city.
“It’s beautiful” I told Dean.
“Yes, extremely beautiful.” I responded.
I looked over at him and realized he was talking about me. He scooted closer to me and put his hand on my face. He started to lean in towards my face. I felt his nose brush against my nose. I closed my eyes getting ready to embrace the kiss.
‘AH!..’
Dean pulled away and looked down at the ground. The Captain and Black Shadow had arrived and were starting to destroy the place. The lady running the Ferris wheel was gone. We were stuck at the very top. I transformed into my costume and Dean did the same. He unattached the latch and opened the cart.
“On three.” He said looking at me.
“One… two… three!” he yelled.
We sprung out of Ferris wheel falling towards the ground. I looked over at Dean. He smiled and winked at me. I smiled back and embraced the moment we had together.
I adjusted my feet so they were pointing towards the ground. As we hit the ground dust started to fly up in the air. As it started to clear up we were face to face with the Captain and the Black Shadow. We could hear the crowd start to cheer.
“You guys really wanted some more butt kicking?” Dean asked them.
That made the Captain angry. He started to run towards Dean. Dean looked at me.
“Don’t let Black Shadow get away. Stay on her. I will hold him off.”
I nodded my head and started to run towards the Black Shadow. She was heading towards the lake. She looked back and saw me running after her. She started to pick up her pace. I closed my eyes and pictured my planet. She destroyed it. She took it away from me. Adrenaline filled my body and I started to run faster. I was neck and neck with her. I pictured a stick in my head and put my hands out in front of me. As the stick appeared I gripped onto it. I jumped forward and threw the stick at her ankles causing her to trip.
She laid on the ground with her face towards the ground. She started to lift herself up.
“You’re going to regret doing that.” She said as she turned to look at me.
“Well, you’re going to regret destroying my planet. I guess that makes us even.” I responded.
She started to run towards me, than multiplied into two. I lost focus. I didn’t know which one was her. One jumped over me and the other ran right through me. I turned around as her knuckles dug into my cheek. I started to fall towards the ground. I took my foot and whipped it around hitting the back of her legs making her fall with me. I quickly got up and
started to run towards her. I put my hand into a fist a started swing it at her. My fist went right through her face hitting the ground. I heard laughing surrounding me.
“I told you, you’re going to regret doing that.” The Black Shadow said.
I looked around but I couldn’t see her. All of a sudden I felt my back bend backwards as the Black Widow kicked the center of it. As I was bending I flung my feet up in the air and wrapped them around the Black Shadows neck. I yanked her forward causing her to go forward. Her face slammed the dirt.
“Stop!” a loud voice came from behind us.
I turned and saw the captain holding a little girl by the neck.
“You let us leave, or I kill her.” The captain said.
I released the Black Shadow from the grip of my legs and she stood up out of breath. She started to walk towards the Captain. He smiled then through the little girl into the lake. I looked over and saw her mother screaming as she ran towards the lake. I jumped in the water and started to look for her. It was so dark I couldn’t see anything. I put my hand in front of me and made a light. It lit up the entire lake. I couldn’t see her anywhere. I continued to swim deeper. That’s when I saw the bright red hair. I reached down and grabbed the little girl and swam as fast as I could to the surface. Once we reached the surface I placed the girl on my stomach while I swam on my back so she could get some air. When we reached land I pulled her out and her mother came running over.
“My baby girl!” she said crying on her knees.
The little girl started to cough up water and hugged her mother. The mother then looked up at me and smiled.
“Thank you so much.” She said.
I smiled and started to look around. Where was Dean? I started to run towards the Ferris wheel since that was the last place I saw him. I started to look at every ride, and every booth, and I couldn’t find him anywhere. I continued to walk around and noticed a magician stage. I ran towards it and went back stage. I started to look in boxes to see if he was in there.
I started to hear a loud noise. Someone was hitting again glass. I started to follow the noise. When I turned the corner I saw Dean locked up in chains with a cloth covering his mouth. He was in a water tank and the water was up to his chest. I ran over to him.