The Secrets Beneath the Lies (MCSM Fanfic)

Chapter 29: Enchanted Weapons

Jesse crept closer to the back of the basement, her sword raised. The beam of the flashlight was bobbing up and down, from the constant trembling of her hand. Jesse didn't even realise she was holding her breath.

She could hear shuffling as the person tried to scramble back, deeper into hiding. Taking a deep breath, Jesse leaped around the barrel, her sword raised above her head and pointing the flashlight directly at the figure.

Jesse's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat, as she looked down into two terrified brown eyes.

"Jesse?" The person croaked, clearly just as surprised.

"Olivia!" Jesse gasped, dropping her sword completely.

Everybody else instantly came running over at the sound of their lost friend's voice.

The sight of Olivia scared Jesse slightly. Not only because it came as a big shock to her, but also because of the state her friend was in. Olivia's usually rich, brown skin was pale, like ashes. Her black hair hung over her shoulders in two, matted pigtails. She was wearing a thin, long sleeved shirt, that had flecks of blood on it.

Before Jesse could properly take it all in, Olivia had embraced her in a hug. Jesse hugged back, relief washing over her. Olivia was alive!

But as Jesse hugged Olivia, she winched slightly. Olivia's frame felt small and light in Jesse's arms, and Jesse could feel every bone in her body moving. She was so thin. And cold.

Finally Olivia pulled away from Jesse, wiping her eyes on her filthy sleeve.

"I'm so relieved to see you all." She said in a hoarse voice.

"What happened?" Jesse asked, looking at Olivia with wide eyes. "When Allison came to Beacontown and told us you had disappeared, we feared the worse."

"I was abducted." Olivia said grimly, folding her arms for warmth.

"You're cold." Axel said, seeing her shiver. He quickly took off his big green jacket, wrapping it around Olivia's shoulders.

Her tiny figure practically disappeared beneath the large jacket, but Olivia seemed to really appreciate the new-found warmth.

"Come, sit down." Jesse offered, leading Olivia over to one of the crates, so she could sit on it. "Tell us everything."

Everybody gathered around, sitting down as well.

Olivia wrapped Axel's over-sized jacket more tightly around her shoulders, coughing a few times.

"I did get home to Redstonia." She explained, her voice soft. "I told Allison that I wanted to return to Beacontown, to help you guys..."

Jesse clearly remembered Olivia's assistant's tone when she had visited Beacontown. She clenched her fists, but tried not to let it show. Olivia loved her assistant, and always went on about how great Allsion was, Jesse didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"I was in my office, when I saw a letter that belonged to Ellegaard." Olivia continued softly. "I recognized the handwriting, as the same handwriting on the note you recieved."

Jesse felt her heartrate increase, especially at Olivia's next words. "I then knew who you were up against..."

Did Olivia know the identity of their enemy?

"I was about to leave my office, I knew I needed to get the news to you guys, when..." Olivia took a deep breath. "When he grabbed me from behind. He was literally waiting for me in my office."

Jesse put her arm around Olivia's trembling shoulders, hugging her tightly. She felt guilty, knowing that Olivia was in danger because of what she knew.