LonelyTara: It could’ve been Tara’s dad, we just don’t know yet do we
? I’m glad you commented on what we weren’t shown on the show. I always thought it was a really wasted story line and it would've helped to add even another layer to their already textured relationship. You’re right as well about the lack of updating lol, I’ll make this one extra long to make up for it!
DaddyCatALSO: Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by! Yeah I always thought that the visiony thingie would be so cool so see on the show I just had to jam it in somewhere lol. Totally right about the new preoccupation, if only Willow can get back there and make stuff right again!
Oh, and in regards to the icon question, many have asked and many have been left confused! I’m fairly sure it’s some kind of weird botched up dinosaur/giraffe type thing. I like to think of it as a blissfully ignorant creature on a treadmill, running towards a strung up piece of cake!
taysla: yes yes you’ll have to share the dibs trophies I’m afraid! I’m also afraid that the first kiss will be a while away yet hehe, you’ll just have to keep reading!
Title: Glowing in the Darkness
Author: Belli Bear a.k.a. Bell
Feedback: puleeeeeaasee!
Summary: Without giving too much away, let us say that the Hellmouth is in full swing and with demons both human and other, can the girls find their way through the mess and towards eachother?
Rating: Overall I'm giving it a PG-13 for violence
Disclaimer: Joss and Mutant Enemy own all, blah blah blah.
Notes: This story deals with some of the more troublesome aspects of Tara's past, sometimes in graphic detail. It involves character death and a fair chunk of angst but as always, never fear, in the end the girls get it right.
In addition: I totally forgot to mention a time frame! This story is partly AU because it deals with things such as Willow and Buffy in college, Anya and Giles owning the magic shop and Willow and Tara fumbling to get into eachother's arms all at once, if I were to place it, I'd have to say season four with a chunk of season five thrown in.
In addition to the addition: Before we start this chapter, I'd like to make it clear that I know nothing about chemistry or science for that matter and so take no responsibility for the impossibility of the 'experiments' Willow conducts lol.
CHAPTER FOUR
Willow spent the next few days studying. She studied for her psychology exam, which wasn’t for another four months. She studied for her biology prac, which wasn’t due for another eight weeks. She reviewed all her notes for the year and even put her complex highlighting system into practice. She sorted all her notes, books and tapes in alphabetical and numerical order and after that she sorted all her clothes into sections of ‘definitely,’ ‘cute,’ ‘wearable,’ ‘blechy’ and ‘…oh god’
She was now starting on Buffy’s things.
Life without Tara was getting to her. She needed to keep herself busy.
Life? Life?! It’s been three days! That doesn’t count as life. Well, maybe for a lab-rat.. Tara would make a cute lab-rat.. Oh Goddess Will! You’re obsessed! This is getting out of hand. Maybe I should talk to her. ‘Tara! Haven’t seen you in a while! Three days thirteen hours and …twenty-seven minutes to be exact. Hey just out of curiosity are you still shattered over what I did to you or are you magically okay now?’ Yea, that’ll go down just great Rosenberg! Oh ew… Since when does Buffy own fur?!
Willow was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the door opening.
“Er, Will…what the hell has happened to our room? And what are you doing with my … OH MY GOD! EW! I OWN FUR?!”
Willow stared at Buffy’s frame in the doorway with wide eyes “Buffy! Um, hi. I didn’t, um; I didn’t expect you to be back so soon. I was just um, just…” Willow searched desperately through her mind to try and find an excuse. Even her babbling was failing her. This was never a good thing.
LAUNDRY! HA! I was doing the laundry…her laundry…oh god. I’m doomed.
Her mind stopped weighing out the pros and cons of her laundry scheme when she saw the stern look her best friend was giving her.
Maybe I should tell her… I mean who better to help me with this then my best friend … right? … right?!
“I was just um … keeping busy.” The speed of Willow’s words slowed and she looked down, suddenly fascinated by the strange fur garment that no body seemed to recognize.
Maybe this isn’t such a good idea I mean I don’t even know what I’m thinking. How could she?
“Keeping busy? Oh God Will, Oz??” Buffy rushed over and knelt down beside her best friend. Wow Oz. Buffy frowned.
I thought Will was getting over him.
Willow looked blankly ahead into the open closet she was sitting by.
Oz? Oh wow... Oz. The truth was that Oz hadn’t been in Willow’s mind for weeks. As she thought about it, this was the first time in months that she couldn’t name how many days exactly Oz had been gone for. Even the very mention of his name didn’t bring the same pain. It wasn’t the raw ache that wrapped itself around Willow’s heart and slowly began to squeeze. It was different. Yes it was still there but it seemed like the wound he caused was finally beginning to heal. She knew that she had but one person to thank for that. Tara. She had helped Willow get back something she thought she’d lost forever. The redhead couldn’t even tell what it was, but it was back, and she’d missed it.
She couldn’t tell Buffy all of this yet. Not yet, not now, she needed more time. Time to think of what to do and how to fix things.
“Yea…Oz. Um, I don’t know why he just popped in my head and whammo! Back with the pain. But I’m okay now, I just needed to keep my head busy for a while to get him out of there” Willow did her best reassuring face and added in a Willow-grin just incase.
Buffy skeptically eyed her best friend for a while before speaking “are you sure Will, coz if something’s wrong you know you can tell me right?”
Yep, definitely not the right time to tell her any of this. But don’t worry Buff, soon. This time Willow gave a real smile and nodded “I know I can tell you Buffy but really, there’s nothing else to tell anymore. He’s out of my system and hey, it only took three days of insane studying and arranging to do it”.
Buffy was convinced after she heard Willow laugh. No one can fake that! “Yeah about that, you do realise now that you know I own fur I’m going to have to kill you” Buffy’s face was like steel but the mischievous streak in her voice betrayed her intentions completely.
“Oh yeah, I know, but not if I tickle you into submission first!” Willow grinned and before Buffy had time to react to the warning the redhead pounced.
Buffy couldn’t even form protest, she was desperately trying to breathe but the laughing was too much. Since when does Will EVER beat me at tickle fights? This I’ve gotta change.
Willow was thoroughly enjoying what seemed to be her first victory over the slayer until she was suddenly spun around in a matter of seconds “Oh hey!! No fair! Using Slayer-strength is sooo against the- Ahhh!” The redhead cut herself short and she was once again crying tears of laughter and screaming “I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP!”
“Do you promise you surrender Will? No more tricks now, we both know what happens if you try and trick the slayer now don’t we?” Buffy was grinning like a Cheshire cat as she gave her warning.
“I PROMISE! I PROMISE! Look, if I had a white flag I’d be waving it just plllleeeaaasee stop!!”
Willow was realised from Buffy’s grip but continued giggling on the floor with the slayer for several minutes. They’re laughter was interrupted by the shrill ringing of the telephone.
“And cue the hellmouth’s karmic system!” Buffy sighed as she dragged herself away from the floor “ten minutes of fun tickle time equals say what? A small scale apocalypse?” Willow chuckled and stretched out “Well” she grinned “if we’re being precise I’d have to say small to moderate”.
“Oh shush you. Hello?” Buffy’s chirpy smile was soon gone as she groaned.
“Are you sure?!” “Yes, yes okay we’ll be there”
Willow pealed herself off the floor and gave the slayer a questioning look. “So what is it? Is everyone okay?”
Buffy was quick to reassure “Everything’s okay Will, Giles just wants us for a scooby meeting. Apparently some weird stuff’s been happening that might equal a new big bad so he wants us for research.”
Willow let out a groan “small to moderate. We sure can pick em” though she was rolling her eyes in annoyance, on the inside, she was secretly a very happy Willow.
Yay research! Anything to keep my mind off Tara. Though I do have to talk to her, even if it’s to just see if she’s okay. But how can I? Like she’ll ever want to see me again anyway! Urmph! Think about it as soon as you have time off Rosenberg!
As Willow made the promise to herself she and Buffy both put on their coats and began the walk to the Magic Shop, Buffy discretely slipping the fur-lined coat under her bed in her retreat.
*****
As they sat down at the round research table they were immediately greeted by Anya “Yay! More workers means less books for us” She grabbed a large pile of books and dumped them where Willow and Buffy sat before giving a stunning smile and walking back towards Xander, who was trying not to cringe at the unique way his girlfriend dealt with people. “Enjoy!” she smiled again and then lost herself in a research book.
Willow and Buffy exchanged a look and then grabbed a book each.
The slayer took an axe that was idly lying on the table and moved it to the chair next to her before sitting again “Oh hang on. Question!” she raised her hand “What exactly are we meant to be looking for?”
“Anything to do with bone marrow eaters, I’ve narrowed it down though there are many demons who enjoy sucking the marrow out of humans for various reasons” Giles walked in calmly sipping a tea.
Buffy gave a shocked expression “This is narrow to you?! There must be like fifty books here!”
“Oh yes and there’s more to come, I’ve only covered a quarter of my collection, jolly good fun awaits!” Giles smiled dryly and took another sip of his tea
“O-kaay, sorry I asked.” Buffy gave a disgruntled noise before burying her face in the book on her lap.
Willow joined in the conversation with the obvious question that no body seemed to want to ask “How do we know this demon, whatever it is, is in Sunnydale right now?”
Everyone at the tabled stilled except for her and Buffy. It was Giles who finally broke the silence “Yes, well I gather from your question that are yet to watch today’s news. An entire ward at Sunnydale memorial has been killed. The patients have been found dead and stripped of their bone marrow.”
“Oh Goddess! That’s horrible! An entire ward?! Do you think we’re looking at a nest? I mean a whole ward in one night is a little much for just one demon don’t you think?” Willow cautiously questioned while looking intently at Giles who seemed to always be the one with any type of answers.
“Yes, the whole burns victim unit. And again, yes, I do think that whatever type of demon we’re looking at, it’s most definitely in a nest of...”
“OH GOD! Did you say burns victims unit?!” Anya shouted and instantly cut Giles off.
“Yes Anya, why exactly?” Giles’ philosophy was, as annoying as she was, Anya had been a demon for 1200 years and if that didn’t give you in-depth knowledge nothing else would.
“Like you couldn’t have told us that before! It’s a Voglar demon nest! They like they’re marrow to be smokey, perfect when one’s been burnt” She smiled brilliantly at the room: happy to have been the one who found the answer and stop the research.
“A Voglar demon.. yes” Giles nodded to himself while flipping to a book and opening it to the required page “yes, they do often travel in nests and … oh. Oh dear!” Giles’ eyes narrowed as he continued to read to himself.
“Giles, spill. That vein in your neck is bulging out which means it can’t be good. Whatever it is we’ll deal” Buffy cautiously eyed the vein in his neck, which looked like it was an inch away from jumping ship and forming a colony of its own.
Giles subconsciously rubbed his neck as he answered “Yes, well you’re right, it isn’t good. I don’t believe we’ve ever faced an opponent like this before. The Voglar demon’s main defense, that is to say, main weapon, really is that…”
“Oh honest to Pete man! Just tell them!” Anya snapped “The thing that makes Voglar demons so dangerous is their ability to become invisible.” She huffed out in a tired tone
“Yes, thank you Anya I was just getting to that” Giles took off his glasses and wiped them clean in an effort to calm down and stick to his well-worn philosophy.
Very well worn…
“If you’d all take a look at the picture and description on the page we can start on trying to figure out how we’re going to find them” Giles sat down and sipped at his tea as the Scooby’s took turns in studying the page of information.
“Well okay, we know what it eats. What it looks like. But how do we kill it?” Willow questioned to no one in particular
The quiet of the situation was immediately broken when Anya bolted up from her chair with a thick book “Bee! Bee! Bee!” She ran across the room chasing the insect in question, slamming the book down every few moments in an effort to squish it. “Stay away from my valuables foul insect beastie!!”
“Anya, calm down! You’re doing it all wrong anyway, you need a spray” Xander grabbed her bag and pulled out a deodorant bottle before spraying it at the insect.
“Xander! Don’t waste my deodorant!! That costs money! MY money!” Anya scowled at her boyfriend and began stalking towards him.
As he continued to spray a faint sizzling sound was heard before a huge insect-like creature slowly fuzzed into view. It was shrieking in pain and smoke was steaming from its skin as it bared its claws and swiped at Xander, barely landing a strike on his upper arm.
Buffy was quick to react and grabbed the axe that was on the chair next to her. With one swipe she cut the demons head clean off. Turning to Willow and smiling toothily she said “Well, decapitation’s always a good one”
Willow smiled, although somewhat disturbed by the head of the disgusting demon as it oozed fluids onto the floor. She thought for a while before speaking. “They must know there’s a slayer in town. I don’t think we have much time to figure this out.”
As she finished her sentence the creature’s body began sizzling and smoking for a while before disappearing into the floor leaving behind a small damp patch and its decapitated head.
“Wow, disappears and everything. Very cool.” Buffy appraised the demon before turning to Xander “are you okay? We better get you cleaned up”
“Yeah I’m fine he just scratched the surface, nice axing by the way” He gave a childlike grin before walking off to the first aid box with Giles and Anya who was still glaring at him for wasting her deodorant while still managing to fuss over him caringly.
Buffy grinned back and then turned to Willow “what do you think that was, with the sizzling and smoking I mean”
Willow was studying the deodorant bottle and had her scientific face on. “I’m not sure, but I’m guessing that the demon’s skin reacted with some type of chemical component in this. I’ve got an idea on how we can beat it.”
Buffy smiled,
good old Willow! “Shoot Will!”
“Well, I’ll take samples of the demons flesh from its head and I’ll get all the compounds of the deodorant. It’s really just going to be a mix and match thing but I’ll find what it reacts to and then concentrate it.” She looked at the deodorant bottle carefully “These chemicals are pretty easy to get, we should be able to pick them up from any underground drug store and when I figure out exactly what we need, Whammo! We’ll have instant Voglar -killin-juice!”
“Great Will! I’ll go tell Giles, do you need anything oh great scientific one?” She winked as she was walking off.
Willow grinned “nah I’ve got everything I need here. Though do you have any deodorant handy? I might run out of Anya’s and somehow I don’t think she’d be impressed.”
“With my rigorous daily routines? Please, I buy in bulk! Just look in the training room, good luck Will!” And with that Buffy jogged off to tell Giles the development, leaving Willow to smile to herself as she began to collect the beakers and tools she’d need.
*****
A few hours later she’d found the required concentrate; a chemical called propylene. It wasn’t the easiest to extract but she’d gotten it after a few tries. She found that as she did most experiments her mind could wonder and everything would seem simpler. This proved most helpful when it came to the sole occupier of her thoughts …
Tara
As she went through the painstakingly slow and complex process of concentrating the chemical from the deodorant she realised that if she wanted to even have a hope of fixing things she’d have to at least talk to Tara. It was worth a shot, at least she could say that she’d tried instead of keeping her distance and not even giving what they could have a chance.
What we could have.. what could we have? Does she want to have what we could have? If we could have it…
Buffy’s voice brought her out of her musings “Hey Will, whachya doin?” She’d been watching Willow for over a quarter of an hour and caught on to the fact that she wasn’t all there.
Willow was still very much in her own world so without even thinking she answered what was in her heart “Just thinking about Tara”
She crashed back into her body at the realization of what she’d just said and who she just said it too, Buffy’s confused expression didn’t help either “Tara? Why? Do you think she’ll be able to help? Like you two do a spell or something.”
Goddess Buffy you’re a genius! Her mind flicked through all the spells she knew and one stood out “Yes! I’ve been thinking we could summon the Goddess Thespia to help us locate demonic energy. Different types of demons should have different colours so we’d be able to locate the Voglar nest in no time!” Willow was thrilled! This was the perfect way to see Tara because she knew that no matter what happened between the two of them Tara would never refuse to do a spell to help innocents.
Buffy was impressed; she didn’t think Willow was even close to being that advanced a witch yet.
This Tara chick must be a really good witch err wicca, wiccan whatever! “Wow Will! That’d be great, Tara seems like a pretty capable uh.. girl.”
Willow smiled and nodded enthusiastically “Oh she is. She’s way more advanced than me but when we cast our energies always seem to find that perfect balance, she’s taught me so much already and I haven’t even known her for that long. I mean I can’t even imagine ever being at the level she’s at but she thinks I can. It’s all so exciting! There’s something between us, I can’t explain it but it’s there. Like our energies merge perfectly every single time we cast. Its amazing”
She’s amazing. Willow put in as an after thought.
Buffy smiled at the thought before swooping her hand over her head and laughing “You’re way above me Will with that description but wow, sounds like a perfect match.”
A perfect match. Yeah I think you’re right Buffy.
Willow simply smiled before pouring the last of the liquid into a beaker.
“Okay! Here’s one batch, what do you think? Water balloons or super-soakers?”
The pair looked at each other, at the solution then back at each other before replying in unison “both”
Willow grinned before looking back to the solution and preparing herself for what was to come “So, I’m going to call Tara and see if she can do the spell with me. Are you up for some shopping?”
Buffy’s face brightened immediately “Shopping?! YES!” But she soon lost her spark as Willow continued with a knowing grin on her face…
“The drug store’s just across the street.”
The slayer grumbled before replying “Now that was just cruel! You shouldn’t interfere with the slayer’s shopping flaw, and speaking of! I am the slayer! Shouldn’t I be off, well … slaying … something instead of going to the very safe, very normal drug store across the road to buy a chemical?”
Willow smiled “Chemicals! More than one, that could make it more dangerous right?”
Buffy’s face took on childlike hopefulness “Yeah they could have a reaction and suddenly explode everywhere!”
“Actually, propylene and butane don’t have the correct molecular structure; it’s a scientific impossibility for them to cause a violent reaction or any reaction unl…” Willow stopped her scientific rant when she saw the look her best friend was giving her “okay okay, I’m stopping.. I’m sitting.. I’m looking scientific.”
Buffy smirked as she grabbed her purse and searched for a pen “So what am I looking for exactly?”
“You’re looking to get a few large bottles of propylene and however many bottles of that you can get your hands on buy half as much Butane” Buffy finished scribbling the names of the chemicals on her hand before walking out the door still grumbling about her trivial chore.
Willow smiled, now was her chance to ring Tara. She picked up the phone and dialed the blonde’s number. At least that’s what the plan was…
Ten minutes later and Willow still couldn’t get passed the third digit.
Come on you can do it. Just dial, there’s nothing to be afraid of, just dial! God could I be any more of a spastic? I’m not asking her to the prom! DIAL! Pulling her wandering mind away from what Tara would look like in an evening dress and, letting out a long contained breath, she dialed the numbers that she had memorized weeks ago. She was met with a dead line.
Although it was odd for Tara to have her phone off the hook Willow couldn’t help but be happy. It meant that she had a legitimate excuse to go see Tara in person! Just then Buffy ran in carrying bags filled with plastic bottles and water balloons behind her. Willow cringed
I guess I’m not going anywhere for a while then.
Buffy dumped the heavy bottles on the counter and smiled “There ya go Will! I got some freaky looks from the girls there but I got them, I hope it’s enough.”
Willow simply nodded enthusiastically and began setting up her lab type environment. She sighed, knowing she’d be there for a while.
As the hours slipped away Willow continued to work hard. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she was finished mixing the chemicals together, one part Butane two parts propylene, one part Butane two parts propylene.
Gooo Rosenberg! Willow smiled to herself; she was too wired to sleep anyway. Because as soon as she was finished with the chemicals, that very instant, she was going to go to Tara’s and she was going to do everything in her power to make things right again.
Even if they would only ever be friends, Willow knew that she was hoping way too much to even think that a Goddess like Tara would be interested in a geek like her. And that’s assuming that Tara is even gay in the first place! Willow frowned softly and steeled her nerves again, whatever the outcome would turn out to be, she was already completely grateful for her Tara’s friendship, and her love.
*****
With the last of the mixture ready and the rest of the scoobies carefully pouring it into their own personal collection of water pistols and super-soakers Willow was finally getting ready to leave.
“Go Willster! Wow, you were like on super drive or something” “Yea tell me about it! Like I said she’s ‘science gal’ through and through” Xander and Buffy praised the redhead and though she was very flattered and thankful, in truth, it was all that was keeping her from bolting out the magic shop and flying over to Tara’s. She was just about to make her hopefully nonchalant exit before Giles spoke up.
“Yes good job Willow! You’ve done very well, all these supplies and in only a matter of hours!” Giles was genuinely impressed with the speed at which Willow had worked. He smiled at the hacker and, like the rest of the gang was completely oblivious to how anxious she looked.
Giving a slightly nervous laugh in thanks Willow crept to the door praying that she looked casual before saying “Thanks. So guys I’m going to go see Tara about that spell okay great have fun!” With that she was gone before any of the other scoobs could answer.
*****
As Willow walked through the stone pathways of the college she was filled with hope. Things were going to be okay, she didn’t know how yet, but they were.
As she looked up she stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of a pathway. Tara’s fairy lights were off. At first she thought that maybe Tara just wasn’t home but then she remembered.
W-Willow, you know when you saw my window lights on and you came up. Well, they’ll always be on, d-don’t ever hesitate to come. Even if I’m n-not here and y-you just need um, a safe place to g-go? Please, don’t hesitate.
The redhead felt her heartbeat slow in steady, silent dread.
Something’s wrong.
She felt it, felt someone; they had an dark presence. When she closed her eyes to try and focus all she could see was grey, and then she remembered. It was a foul type of fear.
All at once they hit her: images, flashing through her mind at speeds she almost couldn’t handle: a dusty driveway leading up to an ancient and broken house with wooden beams falling off onto the front porch.
A little blonde girl sat alone on the porch swing looking down, both aging and fresh bruises and cuts marred her porcelain skin. She looked lost for a second, just staring at her position before her features darkened and she looked down again. Willow inspected the figure and moved closer, the girl looked so innocent. After a short while she looked up and the two locked eyes. As blue met green thousands of tiny scenes were jammed into Willow’s mind; smells, tastes, sounds, they never seemed to end.
Boots, blood, steel caps, thuds, black, red, screams, cries, dust, vomit, sterilized smells, needles, more dust, more blood, more screams, more red. Death.
They wouldn’t stop coming; they poured into Willow’s mind from every direction possible. More sickening images and once again she saw the girl alone on the porch, this time cradling her side and wincing painfully. The girl looked up towards Willow; her eyes pleading a message the redhead didn’t understand. Willow froze.
She knew those eyes; no one on this earth had the same.
Oh Goddess … No..
The crying, the nightmares, the shudders, the pain. All the secrecy, the fear, the apprehension
Tara..
She tried her hardest to fight down the sickly feeling that was invading her stomach as she desperately sprinted to Tara’s dorm. She was so close but her legs were beginning to give out. She forced herself to push away the dizziness she was feeling because of the overloading visions mixed with her lack of sleep and pushed her body to continue running but she couldn’t take it.
Willow collapsed; her body thick with exhaustion, falling just short of the stairs leading into the Stevenson building. With all her remaining strength she crawled into a fetal position and let out a short broken scream before falling into darkness.
*****
Tara awoke quickly in a jolt. Her body throbbed from the sudden action: she felt like she hadn’t moved in days. Something’s wrong. She frowned and focused hard but her mind wouldn’t co-operate with her. She hadn’t eaten properly since they came.
Her room was trashed. Every crystal, every charm, everything she ever owned was smashed. Thousands upon thousands of tiny shards from all the various crystals he had crushed right before her eyes plagued the floor. He always did this. Everything that was ever hers he would take without a second’s thought and break. Even when they were kids, he would steal anything, everything and destroy it. It seemed Donny hadn’t changed much.
She hadn’t seen her father all day, which she was beginning to worry about. At least when he was there Donny couldn’t hurt her. Sometimes Tara just pretended to be asleep so he wouldn’t notice her though most of the time it just proved to anger him more. Violently slapping her across the face he’d wake her up and start telling her how evil she was, how much of a monster she would become.
But when her father was there all he could do was block out the day’s light with her thick, burgundy curtains and rave in an effort to convince her father to be more strict or forceful in disciplining her.
When it was just her and her father she’d sometimes escape the beating; it depended on the time of day and how angry he was. However the things he said were always that much more hurtful. He’d go on for hours about her mother and how evil she had become when it was her turn to change. How it broke his heart to have to be so harsh with her. She knew it was all lies but she’d never let him know that.
It was so much like being back at home again.
She forced herself to stop thinking about her situation and start to focus on the sickly feeling that invaded her body and caused her to jerk out of her fatigued slumber.
Focus Tara Focus.
She cleared her mind of the dark happenings of the past four days, or was it five? She’d begun to lose count after the second in an effort to convince herself that the days would go quicker. Pushing the sad fact aside she cleared her mind again and focused. After a few minutes she found it. It was a very faint magical trail; someone was doing a spell very near by. She could almost recognize the caster but something was different. It was out of control, like they weren’t willing anything to happen or it was a flawed reoccurrence of a previously cast spell.
Tara could tell the caster was in trouble so she reached her essence out towards the user and was immediately and violently thrown.
She didn’t know where she was but it seemed familiar, her body ached and as she looked around, the location stung her like a slap in the face. She was back at home on the porch. Her special place. It was where she went when she needed to get away. She wasn’t allowed past the edge of the patio so this was the furthest she could get without being punished. She shuddered at the thought. Suddenly she felt a presence join her and looked up.
Willow!
Throwing herself back to the real world she remembered where she was a moment too late and began to get up to run. Donny violently threw her back into the chair she was in, her ribs connected with the arm painfully and she let out a yelp.
“Dad told you to stay put didn’t he Tara?!” Donny spat as he pulled her close to him by the roots of her hair. “Now I’m gonna hafta inform him of you’re little problem with the rules aren’t I? Tara, if only you’d just listen it’d save us so much trouble. Now sit down before I beat you down!!”
Tara fell back into the chair. She had to get to Willow. Ignoring the blazing pain that was screaming for attention on her side she focused and once again reached out her essence. It took a little longer this time but she was once again on the porch, as she arrived the pain in her ribs increased tenfold so she grabbed her side and tried to control her breathing. She saw Willow’s essence, it was confused, scared and quickly reaching the point of exhaustion. She had to do something quick.
She looked into the essence and tried to communicate but she was only a memory. She could do nothing to help, despite her knowledge of this she kept on trying. Suddenly Willow’s essences darkened, it became panicked and full of fear. Tara didn’t understand what was happening, Willow was moving but where, why?
Then it hit her
Oh Goddess, she knows…Tara also realised just where Willow was heading
I’ve gotta stop her. Please Willow, please don’t come here, he’ll hurt you!
But Tara couldn’t do anything. She pulled herself away from the memory and this time was focused enough not to move when she returned to her present body. However what she heard next chilled her to her very core: a brief, erratic scream. It was Willow. Tara tried to reach out again, tried to find Willow, but it was too late, there was nothing. Nothing but darkness, nothing but shadow.
Willow was gone.
. Yes, I see what you’re saying about the errors in grammar but like I said in the introduction, I’m purposefully not editing it because I would have to change the whole story and I kind of like the original untouched approach hehe. Oh and you are totally right! I totally forgot about a time setting! I shall include it in the next chapter posting. Thanks again for reading.
. And now! A long update because I am feeling gracious hehe.
