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ELIXA CHAPTER 52
It was the ringing in her ears and the dust in her mouth that made her realize she was no longer spinning in the air. Coughing, she tried to raise her head, but her hands and feet were suddenly numb. There was even a thump at the back of her head, pulsing slowly like a second heart. Swallowing was difficult, and the dust in her mouth caused the side of her lips to burn terribly. Everywhere burnt. From her nose, the side of her face, and her ears. She must have brushed her face on the surface of a stone. And the ringing in her ears was becoming too loud that she could barely hear herself think. Why did it hurt so bad? The first fall had been better. The ground had cushioned her and had prevented her from getting aching muscles. What has changed? Why did it hurt so badly?Coughing, Kristen tried to return to her feet. She could move her head, and it seemed the stiff neck had regained its grace. However, the rest of her body kept their mind, preventing her from even moving her fingers, f
ELIXA CHAPTER 53
At first, the force pushed the Darkeel to the other side of the field, causing it to create a trail as it rolled over the grass of green, side by side, with tentacles, feet and antenna, swerving in a whipping motion until it stopped at the far side. Its breath was steady; falling and rising like a collapsible balloon. She had expected the gun to kill it, but it ended up knocking it off, perhaps, not that she was going to dwell in comfort, their chances of survival were slim, and unless they acted fast, she doubted they could get away. Darkeels were never lone packs. This one must have slipped through the wall unnoticed. If it was here, then another might be lurking around somewhere. And she wouldn’t want to put Kristen in such trouble. She had the skill herself, but it would take more than skill to fight a darkeel and kill it. Battling one was difficult enough. If another showed up… “Take my hand,” Vick’s face tightened with an urgency as leaned forward and tilted her free gloved ha
ELIXA CHAPTER 54
Despite having the hood on, they kept their heads down as they walked through the seas of people, swimming to the far side and hoping to beat the crowd or be swept by its unfavorable tides. Smells of sweat followed their hasty feet, blending with the shouts and screams of excitement. Catherine had said something about a game that was held once in four years. At first, Damian’s curiosity had piqued him into thinking that it was the world cup. But after Catherine had explained that the ball was not played with the foot but with hands, he had lost every interest. He was not a fan of sport but had loved football at one time. It was a long time ago. Handball was his least favorite. He had always wondered why adults would engage in children’s activity and call it a sport.“Towards the alley,” Catherine coughed and nodded to the other side of the road. Damian pulled her in, shading and guiding her by the shoulders towards the lone street. That didn’t register well, especially since they were
ELIXA CHAPTER 55
“Is something funny?” Catherine said and studied Tom's searching eyes. He was at it again. He was wearing one of those looks which say 'you have all the freedom outside, but not here. Catherine shifted her weight. She hated those looks, she hated the fact that she had allowed him to use her like a stash bag all these years. She hated that he had the control and will and always tried to control her as if holding a magic wand that could create an invincible cage.Tom coughed twice before gulping the last content on the bottle. Those looks in his eyes were still searching, waiting and perhaps judging. She was not his little princess anymore. She had grown into a woman, a tough one, and not something he could toy around with any time his whim was of course. Sauntering languidly, he tossed the empty bottle by the side, before walking forwards to stand beside her. He held that confident composure of his, with a glee imbuing the sides of his eyes. She had come begging for his help, even aft
ELIXA CHAPTER 56
Damian shuddered, walking towards the lone streets and hanging his air pipe on his nose. Night was heavy on its cloak and had huddled the world with its cold hands. Winter was a few months away, yet he could see the mist, forming slightly on the horizon, a harbinger of what would be, in the coming days. He hated the cold, and winter especially. It was not because of the discomfort, but because of the memory, they birthed with them. His parents had passed away on a winter night, and even though Damian had been about five or so years, he could still remember crying all by himself as the undertaker lowered their corpse into the white earth. Money had not saved them, and certainly not technology. Elixa would have brought them back to life, but the doctors had said something about their blood not being compatible with the mechanics of the system. He had not understood what they meant then and had not understood it now either. There have been too many speeches and little action. His parents
ELIXA CHAPTER 57
“Don’t worry, we will find him.” Tom’s words faded with the motion blur that walked past on the right-hand side of the hovering sports car. Coloured lights hung on the dark briny world, enveloping what’s left of the evening. It was at least 1 am, yet the city was still alive, speaking and shouting, and laughing too. Men and women paroled the streets, thugs perhaps, Catherine was not sure. Many thoughts came flashing through her mind's eyes as she rested her head on the glass pane. The world was so small and fragile. One moment of sorrow was all that was needed to break that moment of joy and happiness. How on earth is she going to explain Damian’s disappearance? It happened so fast. What Is she going to do?She closed her eyes, hoping that the fading motions would take away her fears and sorrow. Too many things had happened. How had she gotten to this time and space? If only she had the power and will, maybe she would revert the hands of time back to the moment when everything was per
ELIXA CHAPTER 58
CHAPTER 58"I am not a bloody cat. The name is Catherine. Get it?""Okay, fine, I get it," Tom said slowly before dropping his hands as if dejected.Catherine felt like screaming at him or yanking those mockeries out of his eyes. Well, that would not help anyone, especially since she needed his help."I think the elevator would be better," she hissed before walking towards the door."Of course," Tom laughed. "But are we not supposed to plan or think things through? What if he is being held hostage or worse. What are we going to do?""Listen to me," Catherine turned her attention to him, "We should focus on looking for Damian. That should be our priority."I
ELIXA CHAPTER 59
The walk through the tunnel finally ended as the man taking the lead finally took the left turn, bringing him in front of a gate, small to allow two people abreast, yet crowded with bright blinking lights. The broad shoulder man had instructed him earlier, to take off his air pipe, as the air within the tunnel was refined and freed from the toxin in the environment. It was true that Damian hated the fact of being kidnapped again, but the idea was one he had welcomed with open arms. One thing about breathing naturally is that it makes everything natural. It had a way of keeping at bay that psychological phobia of the apocalypse. And there was the smell of coziness and the sense of living for another day. How he wished he had lived old enough to behold the beauty of the world from the very beginning. Aaron had shown him about the hanging towers of Bel Haven, the lush green and the vitality that once held the earth with its charm. There had