Into the Light

154

"Sam thinks you should do it, huh?" she asked, kind of sadly, as she watched him and Kat hug each other. "No!" I lied. I couldn't tell her the truth. Not when I couldn't even face it. She gave me a sad, knowing look, but nodded and accepted my lie. "That's not what we were talking about," I said, lying even more. "Sure," she responded, before she gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm going to fight it, you know. Her. I'm going to fight to come back to you. I'm not just giving up. If she takes control, I mean." I wrapped my arm around her neck and pulled her close to me. "I know you're not," I said, softly. "And I don't plan on losing you, so fight hard. I'll be fighting for you too." She didn't reply; instead she just wrapped her smaller arms around my waist and clung to me for few minutes. We stayed that way, while Ash walked away towards the group of women in white robes on the other side of the clearing. Sam and Kat walked up beside us, and Sam clasped my shoulder. "I'm going to exhaust every possibility. I swear, bro" he whispered, loud enough for only me to hear. I gave a sharp nod of my head, but otherwise didn't acknowledge what he had said. We stood there, united, just as we would be against the Darkness soon, waiting on Ash to come back to us. A few minutes later, he waved us over. "Well..." I said, quietly. "Let's go talk to some witches." Kat let out a nervous giggle and clung tighter to Sam. I knew she was scared. I could see it in her eyes. But she was willing to lay her life on the line for Sam, for me, and even for Anna. Did I really want her too? I knew that Ash had said it would make us stronger, that she would make us stronger...but still. She didn't have to be here. "Katrina, you don't have to-" "Shut up, Colby," she said, hardening her tone. "It's a little late for that and my mind was made up a long time ago. So, just don't." I nodded and let it drop. Sam caught my eye and mouthed the words "thank you." It didn't do any good, but he was grateful that I had tried. We stood in front of Ash, in front of the witches, and waited silently. "Okay, looks like almost everyone is here," Ash said, rubbing his hands together. I could see the anxiety in his eyes too. The only other time I had seen him nervous was in the Dream Realm, and the Demon Realm. When he had been unsure if he could get us out safely. But he did, or at least he helped a great deal. "I know how hard this must be for everyone involved. All of you are here risking your lives to leave behind a better world for the ones who will follow. I commend you for that. Remember that no matter what happens here tonight, you gave your all. You tried your hardest. That's really all the world can ask from us, isn't it? The moon guides our way tonight, shining her bright light over our journey, over our hopeful victory. The Coven has already set up their spells, defensive and attack alike. You three can practice a little, warm up, if you like, while Anna and I call the spirits and ask for their help. Some of them have already agreed, but we can always use more. Over there is fine," he said, waving his hand out towards the opposite edge of the clearing. I kissed Anna, hard and quick, before I let her go to walk away with Sam and Kat. It felt wrong, leaving her behind like this. I should be with her, next to her, fighting with her. Instead, I would be making out with the enemy, praying she didn't see the my facade and kill me on the spot. My stomach heaved, just thinking about having to put my lips on  hers. Once we reached the edge of the clearing, all three of us just stood there, staring at the thick tree trunks in front of us. It was where we had practiced just yesterday, but somehow, the trees were no longer broken or blasted through. They were whole again, waiting for our abuse. "I guess we should at least see if we remember what we're doing," Sam sighed and held out his hands to Kat and me. "Kat should be in the middle," I said, walking around him to stand on her other side. "To help protect her," I added. Sam dropped his hand and nodded. "I don't need anymore protection than either of you. Besides, it's not me she wants. It's you. If anyone should be in the middle, it's you," Katrina said, flipping her hair back with that attitude that I knew so well. I cracked a smile, the first real one since we had gotten here. "You're probably right, but that would just break the connection if I survive kissing her," I replied, shrugging. Her forehead creased, as she held her hand out to me. I clasped it in my own and faced the trees. "You're going to survive it, Colby. We all are. You have to believe that or we've already lost," she said, softly squeezing my hand. I nodded and felt my eyes burn. I wasn't sure that I would make it through this. I was almost positive that I wasn't going to and it scared the shit out of me. But, as long as my friends were safe, then I was okay with that. I would do what I had to do, to make sure that happened. We practiced, blowing holes straight through the trunks with ease. It was almost childsplay, taking none of our focus or energy. "Seems like you've gotten stronger," Ash said, walking up behind us. "Shit!" I exclaimed, just as Kat let out a shriek and Sam yelled "Fuck!" Ash chuckled and flipped his long hair back over his shoulders. "Didn't mean to scare you," he replied. "Just wanted to check in. Do you know why you're so much stronger today? I mentioned it to you before, I believe." I cocked my eyebrow, as I looked at him and tried to remember. Had he mentioned it to us? Stronger...practice made us stronger, right? "Practice?" I asked, unsure if that was right. He shook his head. "No, although that certainly helped. The moon. It's her energy, her white light that bathes us all. The Blue Moon holds a certain magical property that increases every spell performed, every magical intention.