A Shadowlander’s Dream: Book Three - Rules of the Flesh
Written by Kathryn K Williams
Chapter Thirty
Kris raised a hand, glowing blue with fire light, into the air, “Is everyone alright?” She inquired, glancing around at the group of girls in the cafeteria.
Penny suddenly realized that she had wrapped her arms around Kris’s waist when the lights went out and slowly released the girl, “I’m sorry.” She apologized, taking a step away from the girl, terrified eyes not leaving the blue flames that leapt around Kris’s fingers
Kris reached out to pat the girl upon the head with her free hand only to have the girl duck out of the way. Kris glanced at her hand and was suddenly startled, as if she didn’t even realize her hand was on fire.
Tanya stepped up behind Penny and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulders, “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” She assured, “Kris will not hurt you.”
“D… doesn’t it hurt?” Penny inquired curiously.
Kris simply shook her head, “Nope, it just tingled a bit.” She suddenly chuckled, “You should see my sister, her entire arm goes up in flames. It is something else.” She said with a grin.
Penny stared at the flames as an image of a girl with several large wings and flaming arm came to mind, “Did you sister have a bunch of huge wings, lots of them?” She inquired interestedly.
Kris nodded and studied the girl, “Yeah, that is right she was there when Kima and Kim first entered your dreams.” She suddenly recalled.
“This is all wonderful and grand.” Natalie suddenly said, “But shouldn’t we be checking out the rest of the dorms? There could be damage somewhere and some of the girls could need our help.”
“Your right. Sorry.” Kris flushed in embarrassment, and then glanced around to see everyone was now standing around her, “Well, let us see if there are any flashlights in the office first, I can not keep this flame going forever.” She stated, feeling the energy from the Malith stone quickly draining.
“You lead the way.” Natalie suggested as she pulled a tiny flashlight out of her jacket pocket and flipped it on.
Misty eyes the girl carefully, “How much stuff do you have in there?” She asked, curiously scanning the jacket for anything poking out oddly.
Natalie shrugged, “Just some essentials.” She remarked and produced several small throwing daggers between the fingers of her left hand and smiled.
Emily laughed, “Essentials if you are paranoid maybe.”
Natalie glared at the girl, “If you knew some of the things that lurk outside the walls of the academy grounds you wouldn’t be laughing.”
“Well, come on girls.” Kris gestured towards the doors to the lobby and they started across the cafeteria, all keeping close together, making sure nothing could jump out at them. They soon came to the large metal double doors to the lobby and Kris pushed them open with her other hand.
Several girls stood around the lobby, most in pyjamas and nightgowns, some holding flashlights and others with blankets wrapped around themselves protectively. They all looked up as the group of girls entered and the moment their eyes set upon Kris and her glowing hand they rushed the girl, all with questions and worries.
“Kris!” Cathy exclaimed at the sight of the girl and rushed to her side, “You’re a Sister. You’ll protect us right?”
Kris rubbed at the back of her head. “I don’t know.” The light from her hand began to dwindle and she quickly waved it out and glanced around at the group that circled her, “Can we borrow those flashlights?” She requested of the girls, who nervously held the lights close to themselves, muttering to themselves uncertianly.
Natalie stepped around Kris, “Listen,” She said in a tone of authority that made the girls look up at her, “We need your flashlights. There is likely to be more girls lost and scared upstairs and we need to check on them, as well as find out how to get the lights back on. So if you could please lead us them it would be of great help, either that or you can come with us and help search for the other girls.”
Several girls quickly handed their flashlights to Kris and Natalie and retreated to the comfort of the sofas, leaving four standing before Kris, flashlights held firmly in hand.
“I’ll help.” Cathy stated firmly with a nod of her head.
“So will I.” Said another girl, followed by two others.
Natalie counted the flashlights she now had, “I have three flashlights.” She said to Kris.
“Two here.” Kris held up the lights and turned to her friends, “Any of you willing to come with us?” She inquired, holding the extra light out to the girls.
Misty was the first to take the torch from Kris’s hand, “I’ll come.”
Tanya took two of the lights from Natalie and held one out to Cherilyn, “You up for another adventure?”
Cherilyn grudgingly took the light, “No, but I’m coming all the same.”
Emily moved closer to Penny, “I’ll stay down here and make sure everything is alright.”
Kris reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring of keys, “Check the office, there should be some candles or something in case of an emergency like this.”
Emily nodded and reached out a hand to Penny, “You want to come with me?” she softly requested.
Penny slowly nodded and took the girl’s hand, “I don’t like the dark.” She admitted shyly.
Emily smiled at the girl, “Neither do I. Come on, lets see if we can find some candles and brighten this place up a little.” The two of them moved across the room towards the office.
Kris turned to the small group of girls that had gathered about her, “We should split up and search every room, then bring anyone you find back down here…” She glanced at the cafeteria and wished that they had finished cleaning up because they were going to need all the room they could get, “Take them into the cafeteria if needed, but try to keep them in here if possible.
Emily suddenly returned with a book and another flashlight in hand, “Kris? I thought this might help.” She offered the book to the girl.
Kris turned the book over to see it was the room listing and nodded in satisfaction, “Good, but keep it down here and maybe check off the girl’s as we find them.” She handed the book back to the girl.
Just then a girl called out from one of the windows, “There is something out there!” She cried out, waving frantically for the others to join her.
Kris rushed to the window to see a pair of headlights moving along passed the dorm and down the road.
“Do you think it is Head Mistress Sophia?” Tanya inquired curiously.
Kris only shook her head, “I don’t know.” She watched as the car moved down the road, “I think it is going to my Aunts’ house so it is possible. Hopefully they will get the lights working soon.” Suddenly the world outside was lit up by a bright flash of lightening followed by a heavy clap of thunder and abruptly rain started falling, not a slow trickle, but a torrential down pour that sheeted the windows with water, blurring the images outside, making it impossible to see anything beyond a few centimetres.
“We’d better hurry.” Natalie insisted as she turned away from the windows.
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
Note: The world of the Shadowlands, Its stories, Characters and ideas are a copyright of Kathryn K Williams.
This story is based upon my manga of the same name. If you wish to view art from this series please visit my deviant arts site at: http://shinigami-shimai.deviantart.com/
For more of my stories visit my deviant hearts site at: http://www.devianthearts.com/viewuser.php?uid=159
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at katwilliams @ rogers.com
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