True North

by S.M. Winter

and Alexandar, by some silent signal, attacked simultaneously. Alexandar pulled his hands up and I watched in awe as vines attached to the man’s feet. A ball of fire flew at his face and he took it point blank. During this attack Alexandar and Chauncy were closing in on him. With a flick of his hand they both flew backward. He tore his feet from the vines and wiped the singed area from his chest.

  “I understand her,” he scoffed. “But you two should know by now that your parlor tricks do nothing. I’m surprised you tried.”

  He waved another hand and we all fell to the floor. It felt as if a major weight was pushing us down. Gravity had intensified around us and I could barely move. Alexandar was stuck staring in my direction. It seemed as though a thousand conversations passed between us in the short amount of time.

  I’m Sorry, he mouthed. I wasn’t sure why he was apologizing. If he had done his best, there was nothing to apologize for.

  “I was hoping your fourth friend would join us so I could take all of you out at the same time,” Max yawned. “But it doesn’t look like she’s coming to your rescue. Might as well finish this now then.”

  Before it had been extremely difficult to breathe, now it suddenly became unbearable. I was unable to draw in air. My lungs compressed and I struggled, air slowly filling my lungs at my insistence. Seeing that Chauncy and Alexandar were having no such luck. Before I could attempt to fill their lungs I heard a loud crack before the floor gave way. It was enough to have each of us on our feet again within the moment of the distraction. Alexandar grabbed me and we dove behind a couch.

  “How?” I breathed deep, the free air around me.

  “We weakened the floor with our attacks,” he responded, looking over the back of the couch. “He was right about the effect of our Elements on him when he’s prepared for it. We need to catch him unawares.”

  “Well,” the man sighed again, directly above the couch. “I figured it would take you longer to figure out that one.”

  I heard the snapping of jaws and whispering.

  Alexandar and I rolled in opposite directions and ran.

  “You are correct,” the said to I would assume, the beast. “It may be time for a more physical application. You are approved to proceed.”

  I felt the ground shudder as the beast came up behind me while I ran.

  “Which one?” It hissed. “Hmm, well I already know you taste absolutely divine. Yours is the blood I want first.”

  I was knocked to the ground and dragged through debris. I closed my eyes and breathed deep trying to keep myself from begging for my life. Everything was quiet for a moment and I felt a light breeze. The push against my body seemed to disappear. When I opened my eyes there was a sword next to my hand. I had no idea where it came from, or why. I looked up and realized that the beast was no longer moving. It was frozen, as was the man, who hovered nearby, watching in what I could only assume was reserved delight.

  “How did you?” the man seemed incredibly confused when he began moving again, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking down the hallway.

  I moved quickly as the Doppelganger went in for the kill and without a second thought ran the blade into the monster’s body. As soon as the blade entered its body it screamed. I looked behind me, to where the man had been looking, but there was no one. I pulled the sword, from the beast and it began to shudder.

  “Why Tabbie?” It repeated in my sister’s voice.

  “You’re not my sister,” I said.

  I watched in awe as the beast seemed to collapse in on itself. It folded into odd shapes and fell into the hole I had created inside its body, reminding me of flesh and blood circling a drain. Finally it disappeared with a sickening pop.

  I looked for my friends, who had been coming to my aid and seemed just as confused as I was. The man let out a screech and I was flung against the wall. The sword clattered to the floor nearby. He held out his hand like he was using the force, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the image.

  “You think this is funny?” He asked. “Who are you?”

  I frowned. At the moment, I didn’t have an answer.

  “I take life as if it’s nothing,” he demanded. “Who are you to challenge me? Perhaps I should take out your friends to get you talking.”

  He turned toward Alexandar and I struggled against the wall.

  “How do you know the Time Warden?” He demanded.

  When I just shook my head he used his other hand and had Alexandar slam against the ceiling viciously. Tears clouded my vision at the realization that even with these newfound powers I was still helpless.

  “Who are you?” Max repeated.

  Walking over, he picked up the sword and held it at my throat.

  “Fine,” he said. “Since his life means so little to you perhaps I should end it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re asking,” I cried, still struggling against the wall.

  “Of course you do,” he said.

  I looked at Alexandar, who looked back at me. This time it was my turn to mouth, I’m Sorry.

  Just as Max was about to touch the sword, he was knocked away. The sword was thrown back toward me, where it slammed into the wall. We were all released from the gravity well I slumped down the wall. Exhaustion gripped me. I felt drained. I looked to where Max had been thrown and a woman now stood on top of him while he struggled.

  Her hair hung ruler straight and framed her face. It was jet black, just like her clothes.

  “Causing problems again Maxine?” She chortled. “Can’t you even take care of the newest Guardian?”

  “There’s something different about her,” he gasped as she stood on his neck.

  “Of course there is,” she tsked. “There always is. But you’ve failed for the last time. I’ve got orders to take you out. I’m the leader now.”

  I watched in horror as she stomped on his neck, then created a vacuum around him, which tore his body to pieces in seconds.

  “Moira,” Alexandar’s voice broke into my horror. Had he just called out for his sister?

  “Oh, Alex,” she smiled, but the same lack of emotion stole any warmth that may have been in the gesture. “I’m forever saving your ass, aren’t I?”

  “Moira,” Alexandar trembled. “Please.”

  “Moira, please,” she repeated mockingly in a whiny, nasally voice. “What? Please what? Please don’t kill you? Please don’t kill all of you?”

  She sighed.

  “I’m going to give you all a warning,” she examined her nails. “I’m in charge of the Guardians of Chaos now, so you should be wary. I’m looking forward to the games we’ll play.”

  “Why are you doing this?” Alexandar pleaded.

  “Because I’ve seen the light,” she answered succinctly. “And I need to enlighten you. Now you should all run before I change my mind and decide today is your day of reckoning.”

  Chauncy grabbed Alexandar by the shoulders, pulling him forcibly down the hall and out the front door.

  “Oh and Tabitha?” Moira called after me when I picked up the sword. “You could never fill my shoes.”

  Turning, I ran after Alexandar and Chauncy. Alexandar was struggling lightly with Chauncy outside until he saw me exit the house, then we did as she suggested and ran.

  “Where are the boys?” I asked Chauncy as we ran.

  “Safe,” he said.

  We had to run a good distance before we found a taxi. Chauncy hailed it and we piled in, he gave an address and began moving.

  “Why didn’t our powers work on them?” I asked.

  “The Elements can’t function within the Void so if an Agent is aware it is easy enough for them to deflect our attacks,” Chauncy confessed. “How did you get that sword?”

  “I have no idea, it just appeared,” I told him truthfully.

  “How do you guys normally fight them?” I wondered. “How do you normally fight them?”

  “Blind luck and surprise attacks,” Alexandar said bitterly. “Air has
been a large contributor to the ones we’ve defeated. Mostly because it’s kept us alive rather than actually doing any damage.”

  “Most times we usually meet them outside city limits where we can tear apart the terrain to fight them,” Chauncy told me. “But that obviously wasn’t an option today. One earthquake, one tornado, one fire or one flood and half the neighborhood would have been lost.”

  “So we risked a lot to save my nephews,” I concluded.

  “Yes,” Chauncy nodded.

  “They have no fear,” Alexandar said.

  This time Alexandar was sitting in the back with me and squeezed my hand. I was too tired to pull away like I wanted. It was taking all my energy to stay awake.

  “Why did she call herself a Guardian of Chaos?” I yawned. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open. I leaned my head on Alexandar’s shoulder since it was there and unoccupied, not because I wanted to be close to him.

  “The Agents like to think of themselves as Guardians,” his voice seemed far away.

  “That seems oxymoronic,” I said and gained a chuckle in response.

  “Go ahead and sleep for a bit,” Alexandar said.

  But I was way ahead of him.

  I woke to someone shaking me. I popped an eye open and saw Tad sitting cross-legged in front of me. The low fire in my bedroom hearth warmed the room and emitted a low light. I looked to the side and found Thomas sleeping next to me, curled into my back. Tad scooted closer and whispered in my ear.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were still here.”

  Then he turned around and crawled under the blankets, scooting backward to snuggle up to me. I closed my eyes and did my