Argent Eye

24

I met with Kate before meeting the others at the cinema. I'd gotten over the whole Ronan thing for now, as I just wanted to enjoy whatever movie we were watching, but I knew at some point soon I was gonna have to go and apologise.

"What are we even watching?" I asked as we walked.

Kate shrugged. "No idea. Some action gaming movie or something."

I could see Sunny waiting outside with the group, and she waved when she saw us coming.

"Wassup guys." Ryan came up to us, his brown frizzy hair still frizzy, and his leather jacket still a size too big.

"Hey." I said. I noticed that everyone else was here, too- Eileen, Nina, James, Ali, and of course, Shaks. I waved to them all.

"Shaks still hasn't gotten over our last get together." Ali joked, slapping Shaks on the shoulder. Shaks laughed, but I could see the mild annoyance behind his eyes. He didn't like being reminded.

I laughed. "I'm sure I just had a lucky night."

We all went in and brought our tickets, and took a seat at the back of the cinema. Kate had bought a big bucket of popcorn, from which I took a big handful and shoved it in my mouth. The lights went out, and the movie started.

It had been about fifteen minutes when I felt a strange static heat fill the air. I dismissed the feeling at first, but then the screen went black. For a moment, I was plunged into total darkness, before the lights came back on. The cinema was empty, save for me and a man standing at the front. I stood up, heart pounding.

The man's eyes were glowing a brilliant yellow, and were boring right into mine.

"Millie Robinson." He said, almost sounding a little disappointed. "You have caused me a very huge inconvenience."

"Where are my friends?" I asked firmly.

"Oh, they are safe. For now." He said, and started pacing the length of the floor in front of the screen. "In the mean time, I need you to hand over what belongs to me."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said.

He stopped pacing and looked up at me, amused. "Oh, Millie, I think you do. That feeling you get at the pit of your stomach when you're angry, do you know what that is?"

"Could be last night's dinner, I guess."

He chuckled. "The time for games and joking is over, Millie. I need you to give me what I want, and I will leave you alone."

I decided to slowly make my way down to the front of the cinema.

"We both know that's not true." I said. "I give it to you, and you fuck up my life. And the world, for that matter."

"Well, I would only be returning the favour." He said, and was now standing opposite me. "You've fucked up my life, and so has the world."

"How have I fucked up your life?" I asked. "I don't even know you."

"But you have heard of me." He said.

I raised my eyebrows questioningly. "I have?"

"And so have many." He continued, ignoring my question. "And more will hear of me when you give me what I want."

At that moment, I could feel a cool breeze brush against my cheeks, despite the fact that there were no windows in here. A reminder that I'd manifested the air element this morning. Even though I hadn't even practised using it, I knew how it worked. I knew it was there, and I knew it was mine to use.