by Bryan Cohen
Chapter 45
Erica prepared to return to her adopted home. Dying tended to hurt, but it was the psychological trauma that took some time to get over. Ever since the first time she'd died, she'd left behind people she loved. Her mind went back to the first people she'd lost, her human mother and father. When the images lingered, she realized the gun never went off. She opened her eyes.
Someone behind Deputy Daly kicked him square in the crotch. The deputy reached for his aching region, taking the gun away from Erica's head. She froze in place while her savior took care of the rest. As the deputy crouched, he took a strong blow from the side of a glimmering sword. He fell to the ground and dropped the gun. The deputy was out cold. The sword bearer stepped forward.
"Natalie?" Dhiraj’s face lit up.
Erica knew of Natalie as most people did: through her athletic exploits. She was the kind of once-in-a-generation athlete the entire town claimed as its own. Natalie was taller than Erica, and if not for the enhanced strength of being from another world, the athlete would be able to break the cheerleader in half. Erica was glad the girl seemed to be on their side. Natalie was drenched in sweat.
"You need to make better choices in men," she said, using the sword to prop herself up like a cane. "Dhiraj, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Saving Ted."
"Ted's here?"
Erica held up her hands to stop the conversation.
"Natalie, thank you for kicking the deputy in the balls and saving my life," Erica said. "We need to find Ted."
Natalie shifted the sword into a fighting stance. Erica had to admit that the weapon sort of looked natural on her. As Natalie turned her wrist, flecks of jewels on the sword's hilt lit up.
"Can you give me a quick recap of what's going on?" Natalie asked.
"Bad guys trying to stab Ted with sword and bring on the apocalypse."
Erica smiled at Dhiraj.
"I really should have you explain everything," Erica said. "Can you help us?"
"I've got your back. Point me in the direction."
Erica removed the clip from the deputy's gun and put it in her pocket. She motioned the others to follow her, stepping over the deputy's unconscious body. Natalie moved next, followed by Dhiraj bringing up the rear.
"If we have the sword they want to use to kill Ted, shouldn't we be running away?" Dhiraj asked. "Or hiding it?"
Dhiraj had a good point. Bringing it with them was a risky play.
"The sword also kills the dark souls. If we keep the pointy end away from Ted, maybe all of us can live through this one."
The three of them continued to walk through the cave. Before long, Natalie was standing right next to Erica. It was obvious she had more than a few questions.
"The deputy said he killed you. Was he wrong?"
The old Erica had been so in love with the man, it pained her to talk about it. She hoped her judgment would be better the second time around.
"This body died," Erica said. "The same people who gave Ted his powers sent me to take it over. I'm here to protect him."
Erica watched Natalie soak that in for a moment as they saw an illuminated room in the distance. The three of them headed straight for it.
"If you're protecting him, why did you need to kiss him?"
Erica saw the hurt in Natalie's eyes. She hadn't really considered anybody else when she'd pressed her lips against Ted's. The old Erica would have done the same thing.
"It's complicated. Can I explain it when all of this is over?"
Natalie nodded and put on her game face. Erica did not want to get on Natalie's bad side. Antagonizing strong people with swords was never a good idea.
"Fine. Let's just save him, kill the bad guys and sort this out later."
A part of Erica wanted to hug Natalie, but she thought she might get a sword in the sternum for that. She held out her hand and the two of them made peace.
Erica, Natalie and Dhiraj entered a lit-up room. There was no electric light source they could see on first glance. The walls seemed to glow red and blue with an ancient writing. Erica recognized the language from her world.
"What is it?" Dhiraj asked.
"I think it's a letter. It's a communication from the other side. I've never seen anything like it."
Erica knew that barriers had been put up between the various worlds for protection. It seemed that someone or something was breaking them down. She didn't like it.
"What's it say?" Natalie asked.
Erica translated. The language of her world was a struggle when she first learned it. Second languages can be a challenge for anyone, particularly when it's one filled with concepts that aren't represented in humanity.
"There's an army waiting to cross over. As soon as a portal opens up, they're prepared to take over the planet. But I have no idea how this got here."
Nigel and the twins stepped into the doorway. Nigel's hands and arms were covered in blood. Phil Torello's shirt was charred. Dhiraj shifted back behind Erica and Natalie.
"Anything's possible if you put your mind to it," Nigel said, strolling into the room toward the three of them. "The man who made me who I am today set this up for us. It's like sending a letter across worlds. Or an email, if you prefer."
"Everybody texts now anyway," Dhiraj said.
Erica looked around the room. Going through Nigel and the twins appeared to be their only option for getting out of there. She gripped her wrench tight.
"Where's Ted?" Natalie asked.
"We don't know," Phil Torello said before Nigel shot him a look. "I mean, we know, but you don't."
Nigel shook his head. Erica was relieved that Ted had escaped, but it wouldn't do much good if Nigel killed them and took the sword.
"We may not have your hero right now, but there are only so many places he can go. As for you all, I hope you enjoy the accommodations, because you're going to die here."
Erica looked over at Natalie.
"You ready for a fight?" Erica asked.
"Bring it on," she said.
The twins came rushing at them, and Erica prepared her first move.