Chapter 26

The end of the book is near. Keep reading. :)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Strange Feeling

 

           

            Wednesday, of November, morning was unbearable in its freezing cold. The people of Crescent City shivered even in their warm coats and jackets. It had dropped down to twenty-six degrees Fahrenheit. The clouds that lingered over the horizon grew thicker by the minute; the smell of pure, cold snow threatened to unleash itself upon the city.

            The frost that morning was thick on the window of Detective Eberhard’s police cruiser. She had to literally get out and scrape it off herself. Her cheeks flushed furiously from the cold, even in her thick winter clothing. Her hand trembled in its glove as she scrapped the frost off.

            “God Almighty…if I’d known it would be this cold, I would’ve…burr…” Carys’s breath came out in heavy clouds like the ones that loomed above. “Never mind…just best to get this done so I can talk to Willow…”

            Once she completed the task of scraping the frost off her window, she slammed the car door shut behind her and basked in the blast of heat that filled the entire car. She drove carefully over the frosted ground, which would be likely to cause accidents if people weren’t careful when they drove. She maneuvered through the busy streets of Crescent City to get to the side town of Wayview and its public high school where she knew Willow went. It wasn’t that hard to find. Most of the teenagers in the east side of the city went to Wayview because it was closer to their homes. Most of the teens, that is, dared to get in trouble with the law by selling drugs, partying, and drinking while driving. Sometimes Carys thought that Crescent City was worse in its crime than Baltimore and New York City put together.

            However, since Arachne graced the city, the crime rate had dropped drastically. Some people were pleased at this, others scorned it, especially the city’s police department. Some were scared by the “urban myth” of Arachne the Black Widow, others like that Terry Tarrant were simply fascinated and oddly suspicious of Arachne’s actions. Terry often wrote about the Black Widow and how she was real and all that crap. But since that mysterious criminal, and murderer, that was claimed to look like Arachne came on the scene, his writings had turned from a fascination to the same scorn that the rest of the press held towards her these days.

            She remembered well the interview on television Terry had given only a few days ago on the evening news.

            “Welcome, Terry. Tell me: what do you think of this strange new girl on the scene? Do you think she is the Black Widow or someone else trying to gain publicity?” the anchorman had asked.

            Terry had smiled and shook his head doubtfully. He had fiddled with his glasses a little before answering.

            “I highly doubt it. If someone wanted publicity, they could simply have thrown themselves off a building or played an innocent prank on the city.” Both Quinn, the anchorman, and Terry laughed at this. “No. This person is serious about what they’re doing. For all we know it could be the Black Widow herself. She has drawn lots of attention by just swinging through the city alone. She’s highly speculated, too. And we all know how the Crescent City PD is getting real jealous of our local vigilante.”

            “What do you think this new criminal will bring to Crescent City’s tourist system?”

            “Ah, yes…I was just about to talk about that. We know that, since Arachne appeared around here last year, the tourists have been flooding in by the extreme. But a murderer and thief prowling the city? It’s no question that the tourists may just back down. Nobody wants to have their wallet stolen, or, worse, killed. I believe that the tourist rate will decrease just as much as it had increased. Of course, that’s not my job to do. It’s our lovely Mayor Fallonsworth’s job.”

            “Do you think that the Black Widow and this new criminal are the same person, Mr. Tarrant?”

            Terry had scratched his dirty-blond hair in thought.

            “Who knows? Maybe. You TV people are definitely stating that possibility true. Could be…could be…but I don’t really think that Arachne has white hair. She could be wearing a wig, though. She and that other girl already have the black leather thing down pat.”

            The anchorman laughed.

            “One last question Mr. Tarrant: what do you believe the difference is between this strange girl and the Black Widow? We all know that many people think that they’re one and the same.”

            “That…that is something I’ll have to explain.

            “The one major difference, Quinn, is that the Black Widow is capturing the criminals. She doesn’t kill. The other one…she kills. Kills and steals. Something that Arachne doesn’t do. It’s their actions that are the difference. But who knows? Maybe the Black Widow has turned to the dark side and really has become a criminal. We’ll never really know that unless we want to get an interview with Arachne herself.”

            The interview had affected Crescent City strongly. People were beginning to hate the Black Widow and her actions, no matter how much she seemed to be ridding the city of crime. Few still believed it wasn’t her and that she was innocent. But those people were few. The few whose opinions would never be heard under the loud cries of hate against the Black Widow.

            It was because of this and what had happened in the meeting room the day before that Carys knew that she had to warn Willow beforehand of what was happening.

           

            The entire student population wore coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, mittens, and anything else that protected them against the cold. Cars pulled up to the curb; some contained parents that insisted on dropping off their kids, others had just teens who drove themselves to school. Buses approached, and some sat already parked next to the curb waiting while kids piled out. Kids who lived near enough to the school simply walked. Teachers mingled with the thick crowds of teenagers ranging from ages fourteen to eighteen, wide-eyed freshmans to serious and joking seniors. Lots stared as Detective Eberhard pulled up into an empty spot by the curb. Others looked away and walked quickly into the school building.

            Carys opened her door and stepped onto the sidewalk away from the busy parking lot. Those whom were staring continued to as she glanced around, her eyes landing on various black haired girls. Looking closer she saw that their hair either wasn’t as long as Willow’s or that they weren’t pale enough or didn’t have the same features as Willow. Carys nearly gave up in frustration when a raven-haired girl breezed past her side. She caught a glimpse of the girl’s face and smiled a little to herself before yanking the girl to her side.

            “What?” the girl, who was Willow, demanded.

            Willow went silent when she saw that it was Carys’s face.

            “You. What did I do? Am I guilty of something? Murder?”

            “Willow…eccentric as always I see. Look�"” Carys released her grip on Willow, but looked the girl straight in the eyes. “�"I need to tell you something.”

            “Go tell it to someone else.”

            Willow nearly turned away. Carys grabbed Willow’s wrist. She struggled and broke free, almost injuring Carys by twisting her arm. She had read the girl was good in martial arts. Apparently she really knew how to use it.

            Willow waited at the ready, her hands in fists by her sides in case she was forced to fight. Carys rubbed her lower arm, handling it tenderly and stretching it. It ached badly. She laughed bitterly and shook her head. She rubbed her chocolate brown skin again and pulled down the sleeve.

            “Willow, you didn’t do anything. I really need to tell you something. Something important.”

            Carys made sure to place an emphasis on the word “important.” Surely enough, that caught Willow’s attention.

            Willow’s fists uncurled and a dumbfounded look replaced the one of confident toughness on her face.

            “What happened?” she whispered hastily.

            “I know something,” Carys whispered back, drawing Willow over to her car so that no one would eavesdrop on their conversation. “I figured it out on my own, so don’t be going into hysterics. You’re the Black Widow.”

            “Wha�"? How? Did someone tell you?” growled Willow. A threatening malice flashed through her eyes. It scared Carys that someone so young could be filled with rage.

            “I just told you that I figured it out on my own. Besides, it’s kind of obvious. There’s a close resemblance between you and the Black Widow. How could I not figure it out? But enough of this. You’ve seen the reports on TV, right? The ones on that mysterious girl who they’re saying is you?”

            “Yeah.” Willow nodded in recognition. “I know. It’s crazy.”

            “Exactly. And the commissioner, Longhorn, is meshing you and that girl as one person. They think that you and her are one person.”

            “It’s crazy!” Willow exclaimed. She lowered her voice. “They’re crazy.” Suspicion filled her features. “And why exactly should I trust you on this?”

            “Because, Willow, I’m basically the only person in the entire CCPD that cares about whether or not you’re thrown into jail. They now have a warrant out for you, you know. The information hasn’t been released yet, but it’s official enough. They want you, Willow, and if they see you dressed as the Black Widow, well…you get the idea.”

            “So…” Willow’s features softened extremely. “…you really are on my side? You won’t tell anyone about me being…the Black Widow?”

            Carys smiled a little and nodded, the rest of her serious about this.

            “I won’t. You do a great job out there. Better than us, I’ll have to admit.” Carys’s smile grew wider. “Maybe when you’re older, you’d like to join the force? You’d have to stop acting as a vigilante, of course. Trash the costume and become official. But you’d be great, though.”

            Willow smirked to herself. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

            “Sorry, but no.” She opened her eyes and looked at Carys. She kept smiling, but the smile failed to reach her eyes. “There’s some personal business I have to take care of. Something that being part of the CCPD would prevent me from doing.”

            Just then, the first bell rang. Willow glanced at the school out of the corner of her eyes, a melancholy look deep within them. She sighed sadly, blinking. When she opened her eyes, the sadness was gone and replaced with a stony look.

            “You’d better go,” Carys said faintly. “Don’t wanna be late.”

            Willow smiled challengingly. She drew her brow down.

            “I’m never late. You’re the one who should go. The other kids will think you’re after someone.”

            Carys had to smile at Willow’s spunk. She liked the girl despite her troubled past.

            “That’s an understatement. Hope I see you, but not at the scene of a crime.” And in a lower voice so no one could hear, she added, “Especially not in jail.”

            The smile quickly faded from Willow’s lips. She nodded.

            “I never get caught.”

            “Don’t be so sure of yourself, Willow. Things change. You never know. Bye.”

            Carys got into her police cruiser and slammed the door shut. She smiled faintly at Willow, who smiled back in reply.

            Willow walked away, her stride smooth and fluid. Carys could see that the back top part of her hair was drawn into a half ponytail while the lower layer was left flying free in the air. A wool hat obscured her ears and the top of her head from view. She wore a black coat that zipped and black gloves over her defined elegant pale hands. She wore a knee-length blue jean skirt and thick black wool stockings underneath to keep her legs covered and warm. Her worn sneakers scuffed soundlessly against the pavement as Willow entered the school and disappeared.

            “Good luck, Willow,” Carys murmured in the silence of her car as she pulled away.

 

_____

 

            As was ritual, Pierce got up and did his usual things. All the while he rubbed the sleep lazily from his eyes. He took great care to dress warmly because even inside his house where it was warm he could feel the chill from outside slowly leaking in to infiltrate his comfort. Pierce dressed in a white T-shirt and slipped on a heavy black sweatshirt on top of that. He knew he was going to be sweating hard up at the Academy.

            Like always Pierce went into the kitchen, but this time he just grabbed a bowl of cereal and sat down in front of the TV. He figured that he didn’t need the extra calories anyway. It would just take more work to burn off the extra fat he would have gained from the toast. The cereal was a healthier choice because it was whole wheat with natural honey on it to give it taste.

            “Thank you, Post,” Pierce said softly in a sing-song voice.

            He flipped on the morning news and stared at it for a few minutes. Some talk about the Black Widow, which Pierce absolutely loathed. Other reports were of that mysterious girl and possibilities that she might be linked with the Black Widow. Some guy named Terry Tarrant came on and talked about how the Black Widow might be that girl. This Terry looked a little like Pierce’s dad; old enough look like an adult, but young enough to look good. He still had all his hair. And Tarrant, Pierce noted, had the annoying habit of fiddling around with his glasses way too much.

            Disgusted and bored, Pierce simply jammed his thumb into the Power button. The TV screen went black and the room silent. It was better to eat in silence than to hear the constant criticism about the Black Widow.

            In between bites of his cereal, Pierce thought aloud his own opinions on the matter.

            “It’s ridiculous. Why do they have a problem with someone just bringing down the crime rate in the city? Willow’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Crescent City. Better than regular law enforcement at least. They don’t really do anything to bring down the crime rate around here. And I know that Willow hasn’t murdered anybody. She’s too goddamn good for that. She had her mind in the right place. That’s why I…I love her…”

            Pierce couldn’t believe he had just said those last words aloud. It made his feelings seem truer to him.

            He smiled faintly to himself of this revelation. He had known that he had loved Willow all along, but he had never actually really said it out loud for himself to hear. He loved the sound of it. His brown eyes crinkled in happiness.           

_____

 

            “Ms. Stravinsky, have you got those prints?”

            “Yes, sir.” Agatha handed Adam Hilton a yellow envelope.

            “Thank you.”

            “You’re welcome, sir,” Aggie replied. She returned back to the paperwork before her and continued to fill it out.

            Though her hands were busy with work, her mind was somewhere else. Aggie worried about Willow even at work. Her latest worry was about whether or not this boy Willow was dating was decent. What if he wasn’t? Would he respect her?

            Agatha shook her head. She always felt too overwhelmed. She suspected it was her maternal instincts coming out again. She had begun to think of Willow as a daughter, though she wasn’t her real flesh-and-blood child. Willow was easy to like past her tough and troublemaking exterior. She was so sweet underneath it all. Most people brushed her off as unkind and inconsiderate, but if only they knew Willow like Aggie did, maybe then they would change their minds about her. It was just so hard for people to get caught up in unfair stereotyping. It was so unfair for Willow.

            Aggie completed the stack of papers and moved on to computer work. Another person came up to her desk.

            Without glancing up, she asked, “Yes?”

            “Ms. Stravinsky, would you mind looking up these files for me? Just to make sure everything’s as it should be.”

            Aggie glanced up and smiled her professional smile. The woman before her smiled back warmly. Aggie took the papers.

            “Sure, Ms. Hamilton.”

            Aggie acted as a secretary for a warehousing company. She worked high up in a skyscraper, one of the tallest in Crescent City, for Rainier Shipping Inc. It was a bland job, but it earned a decent amount of money to pay for things at home.

            She laid the papers on top of the stack she was just about to do. Aggie shifted the mouse around and the computer screen changed from black to rolling grassy hills in the background. She typed in the password and pressed the Enter key. The computer accepted it and the screen became unlocked. Aggie clicked on an icon that brought up the main system log for the entire company. She glanced at the documents and made little X’s besides the ones that were there and left the ones that weren’t empty. It was only a few minutes later when Ms. Hamilton came by to check up on Agatha’s progress.

            “Is everything there?” Ms. Hamilton asked patiently.

            “There are some things missing, Ms. Hamilton,” Aggie said politely, “but the rest of them are there.” She handed the documents back to Ms. Hamilton. “There you go.”

            “Thank you, Ms. Stravinsky. You’ve been a great deal of help to me.”

            “You’re quite welcome.”

            Aggie returned to her own personal workload, finishing it just in time for her lunch break. The worries in Aggie’s mind were still as fresh as hours before. She tried her best to brush them away, but they kept nagging and nagging at her.

            Her biggest worry was whether or not Willow had picked someone decent. She hoped that Willow would be safe when she went out on her date on Friday. Anything could happen to a girl that young. Anything.

 

_____

 

            He was there, just like he said, waiting for her. He didn’t abandon her. He was there. He was a reality to her.

            Willow eagerly rushed over to Pierce, greeting him warmly with a peck on the cheek. They held hands as they walked into the city. They smiled at each other and joked merrily. Their glances at each other were shy and unsuspecting; they tried not to catch one another staring at each other. If they did, they would always blush and smile again. Their blushes added to the color already brought to their cheeks by the freezing cold climate.

            As long as they had each other, they would be happy forever.

           

            Once work was over for the two of them, Pierce and Willow left gladly. The both of them were exhausted by the day’s work. Willow had been assigned to teaching a class of elementary students some pretty basic martial arts moves. Pierce had been told to clean up the locker room of stray clothing and trash. It was tiring for the both of them, but so worth it. Willow left with a smile plastered wide on her lips. Pierce smiled because she smiled. They were both happy in each other’s company.

            The clouds above hung thick as always, having been threatening snow all week. The wind blew threw the two young people. They shivered, laughing while they held on tight to their hats.

            “I have to ask, Pierce, about our date…?” Willow trailed off. She looked up at him expectantly.

            “Yes. About that. Where should we go?”

            “You haven’t thought about it?” Willow laughed. “You ask me out on a date, and you don’t even have a place in mind?”

            Pierce squeezed Willow’s hand. “You choose. I’ll be happy with whatever you pick.”

            “Whatever I choose?” Willow smiled up at Pierce. She bowed her head in thought. “Hmm…How about that new club downtown? What’s it called?”

            “Moonscape?” Pierce suggested.

            Willow snapped her fingers in recognition.

            “Exactly. What do you think? Good enough?”

            “From my friends, I’ve heard it’s a pretty cool place. The latest music, swanky restaurant with a bar, dance floor and a disco ball with multi-color lights…I think I’d love to go there.”

            “Then Moonscape it is!” Willow exclaimed.

            Pierce wrapped an arm around Willow’s waist and drew her close. He kissed the top of her head softly. She smiled and blushed in pleasure.

            “I think I’d like that,” Pierce murmured into Willow’s raven hair.

            Willow giggled quietly as Pierce nuzzled her close. She had never been this close to someone since her mother died, since Viola was murdered. It had been such a risk to get close to someone. Now those worries seemed so far away compared to the present. Happiness threatened to spill out of Willow. She shared her inner bliss with Pierce gladly. They were now one being, one in love and in tune with each other’s desires, feelings, and needs. They knew each other better than they knew themselves.

            Their warmth was as one when they were close together; they shared it gladly as one. The frigid cold didn’t bother Pierce and Willow at all for all they knew at that moment was each other. Willow basked in Pierce’s affections as much as she could because she was wary of the fact that somehow the happiness and bliss wouldn’t last forever. Something made her shiver; she knew something was coming, but she couldn’t tell what. But she could sense it was something big and foreboding. For the moment, Willow dismissed it, but she would be back to think about it, to ponder on about what it was about.

            “What’re you thinking about?” Pierce whispered softly in Willow’s ear. His lips brushed against her skin. She squirmed playfully, a grin playing on her mouth.

            “Stuff.” Willow stopped and backtracked her answer. “Well, it’s more than that. More like a feeling something’s gonna happen. Something big. Do you ever get weird feelings like that?”

            Pierce shrugged and hugged Willow closer. “We all get it. We are animals after all, and animals have a natural instinct to sense things before they happen. Like back when that tsunami happened in Asia? The animals knew somehow to move to higher ground. I’d say it’s common enough.”

            “How do you know these things?”

            “I watch the news. Unlike you.” Pierce pecked Willow on the cheek. She giggled and smiled.

            “Ooh, snap!” Willow teased. “Another point for you, I guess.”

            “Ten points for you being able to kick my butt all the time.” Pierce was silent as he thought. “Maybe another five in the looks department.”

            “Shut up!” Willow exclaimed. She playfully pushed Pierce. A grin lingered on her face, though. “Five away for you being so smart about this!”

            “Ah, but I get another ten for my intelligence.”

            “I get twenty for being you-know-who.”

            “Now that’s just cheating.”

            “No it’s not!”

            “Yeah, it is. It doesn’t count, Will.”

            “How would you know? You don’t kick butt like I do.”

            “True…too true, I must say. I’ll let you have that twenty. But I get ten for being your boyfriend.”

            Willow came to a halt. She stared at Pierce in shock.

            “B-boyfriend?”

            Pierce smiled at Willow. He placed a hand on her cheek. “You got a problem with that fact?”

            “No…but I just never thought…about that.”

            “Let’s see…we like each other, we’re dating, we have the same interests…What more do you need?”

            “True.” Willow gave in and grinned. “I don’t very well mind being your girlfriend.”

            “I don’t very well mind that you think so, Will,” laughed Pierce. He hugged her close and they walked serenely down the street.

            Pierce and Willow chattered softly to each other. So it was clear now out in the open that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend.

            “It feels weird.”

            “What does?”

            Willow shook her head and smiled. “Just the fact…well…that I have a boyfriend.”

            “What?” Pierce seemed surprised. “You’ve never dated before.”

            Willow shook her head again. “Nope. I haven’t found anyone I really liked…until now, of course.” She leaned her head on Pierce’s shoulder. He placidly stroked Willow’s hair away from her face. She closed her eyes at his touch.

            “I’m glad that you like me, then,” Pierce joked. “It’s a lot better than hating me.”

            “I’d never hate you, Pierce. Of all people, I’d never hate you. Never.”

            “That’s good to hear.”

            Like the night before, when Pierce reached the Stravinsky home, he bade Willow goodbye and left. The day left Willow in a peaceful state. She was barely stressed over Allister anymore, though briefly she wondered how he was doing and whether or not he still hated her. She figured he probably did. His hate level was pretty strong.

 

_____

 

            “So, it’s settled then. What do you think of it?” Severin looked over Fleming’s men as he said this, warily glancing at all four of them. Their names were Flatly, Bedingfield, Robinson, and Smith. They were all serious young men who obeyed Fleming, and Severin easily. From what Severin saw, they didn’t question orders at the least. They simply carried them out. That was good.

            The four just nodded silently. They never spoke either. Another good thing. The four same caps of the uniform of all of Severin’s men hid their hair well. Nobody could tell them apart. The four all looked the same and were the exact same height. Despite their different skin colors, the four would have easily passed for brothers.           

“Then, it’s more than official to be carried out on the designated date. You’re all to report to me Friday morning. Rise early and be prepared.” Severin narrowed his eyes. “This is going to be like nothing else you’ll have experienced in your entire lives. You may go. Fleming, stay.”

            The four men nodded obediently and left, filing through the study door in a straight line. Fleming approached Severin’s desk and stood in front of it. He nodded at Severin.

            “Aren’t they excellent men, sir?”

            “I do not care about whether they’re excellent or not, Fleming. I want the job done, and I’ll do it myself with or without your help. Your men are to simply act as backup in case things get…” Severin paused, turning to Fleming. He narrowed his eyes. “…messy.”

            “Won’t things work out, sir? In our favor?”

            “My favor, yes. Yours…doubtful. A lesson to learn from life, Fleming, is that things often change adruptly whether we want it or not.”

            Markus was taken aback by this.

            “Sir?”

            “I won’t elaborate with you this time, Markus. It’s too late for talk.” Severin rubbed his temples with his thumbs and index fingers. “You’re dismissed.”

            Markus nodded. He exited the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Severin sighed with frustration. It was a pity how little Markus Fleming understood, and even more of a pity because of his youth. It made him ignorant and stupid. He believed that they could win anything, though that determination could win him some things, it couldn’t win him this. It wasn’t his battle to fight. Just Severin’s. It was between Severin and Willow, two enemies about to finally come face to face for a second, and maybe even final, time. One of them might just end up dying, but only fate knew that.

            Severin walked up to the door and flipped the light off. He was going to retire for the night. A killer headache made his head throb and he needed to rest. Who knows what the next day would bring? He closed the door and walked away down the hall.

 

_____

 

            The night closed in around him from all side within in his room. He lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling blankly. Tree branches clicked against his closed windows. Cold seeped in slowly through the walls and the cracks of the windows. Dim light from the lampposts outside flooded in; it was weak and barely shed any at all. Allister blinked and rolled his eyes around to observe his dark surroundings.

            The floor was littered with trash and dirty clothing. The surface of his desk was cluttered with even more clothes and trash. Typical boy’s room, he thought. Messy and unoriginal, even for him.

            He sighed. His body heat warmed his cold bed. His house’s ventilation system choked up heat; it spluttered weakly through the vents and into his room. It was pathetic that he should even be this cold. But it wasn’t his parents’ fault for the vents being what they were. He rethought that notion. Maybe it was because they chose to buy this house after all. All their choice.

            Thoughts of Willow and guilt at her tearstained face thumped him hard in the heart. He couldn’t escape what he had done, no matter how hard he tried. Things were definitely coming back to haunt him. Revenge didn’t feel so good now as it had in the beginning. It just felt worse than he had anticipated. He wouldn’t apologize to Willow. His insides still boiled with rage at the thought of Willow in someone else’s arms.   

Not being the bigger man meant he was weak. Al hated feeling weak. It was a thing with him. Of course, weaknesses made you stronger. What was strengthening him? Nothing, he answered. Was he even learning anything from all of this? Nope. The lesson had completely escaped him long ago. He couldn’t even remember the life lesson.

            He had no time for this; Al just wanted to sleep.

            When he finally did, the boy’s dreams were empty and fretful. During the night he ended up waking up various times before sleep finally allowed him some rest.

 

_____

 

            The feeling was there within her dreams. It was stronger than ever before.

            Someone watched her closely, but Willow couldn’t see anyone in the dark void around her. No matter how many times she turned and looked, there was no one there. She was the only one.

            “Who’s there?” Her voice was frantic. Her breathing became hyperventilated. “What do you want?”

            Willow ran and ran. She felt a presence. She turned and gasped at a noise. She gritted her teeth. Fear pounded in her chest, throbbing loudly in her ears.

            “Leave me ALONE!”

            “It can’t be left alone,” said her father’s voice. “Not now. You wanted revenge. Well…come and GET ME!”

            Severin came at her, a knife in his hand.

            “No! I won’t fight! Not now.”

            “But I thought it’s what you wanted, my dear? Don’t tell me you’ve gotten weak. I’d rather face an equal opponent than a weak one.”

            Anger boiled up in her. Willow lashed out with a fist. Severin dodged, smiling smugly.

            “I AM NOT WEAK!”

            “You are weak. Face it, Willow. That’s all you ever are and will be.”

            Willow caught her father off-guard with a strong sidekick to the face. Severin fell to the ground unsmiling. He frowned up at Willow. Willow crossed her arms and glared down at Severin.

            “You and me…Willow, we’re family. We’re one. We’re alike, you and me. Join me. It will be the best thing you’ve ever done.”

            Willow kicked his hand with deep loathing. Then, she yanked him up to her eye level by his collar and stared him straight in the eyes. The eyes that were so much like her own.

            “I will never be like you. I will NEVER join you…ever. Not even if my life depended on it. I will never be a murderer and a thief. I will never be you.”

            “Can’t you see, dear? Or are you blind to that fact too? You are like me.” Willow’s eyes widened at Severin’s words. “I’m like you. We are the same.”

            Tears streamed down Willow’s face. She threw Severin back into the void. “LIES! THEY’RE ALL LIES!”

            “Lies? Or the truth? Which is it, Willow? Choose…”

            His words echoed through the void and rang loudly in her ears. She wrapped her arms around herself and curled into a ball on the dark ground. She sobbed bitterly. She was alone in the dark void. No one else was there for her.

            “Choose…”

           

            Exhaustion poked at Willow’s side. The feeling was stronger than ever. The mere thought of it sent unpleasant tingles down her spine. Something was going to happen. At least, that’s what her animal instincts were telling her.

            Kids stared at her as she yawned and rubbed her eyes tiredly in her classes. The morning was even colder than yesterday’s. Thursday was different than Wednesday was. Willow could feel it was true. What did this strange feeling mean? What was coming? Was Severin planning something? And it also made her question how similar she was to her father. What she believed…were they all lies? Especially what she was and her powerful abilities? He could easily be lying to weaken her and bring her down more easily. He did things like that.

            One thing Willow did know was that it was no longer safe to be the Black Widow. She couldn’t do what she vowed to: to bring justice to the innocent…to those who deserved it. What was she going to do? What Detective Eberhard had told her the day before nagged at her at the extreme. Things were even worse than Willow had thought possible. Her life and her alter ego.

            Willow sighed and the sigh turned into a deep yawn. She had been kept up all night by impending nightmares of her father and her fighting. She knew had something to do with her father. This feeling that had suddenly come upon her was horrible. She was right about her happiness lasting for only so long.

            After fourth period, Willow finally relaxed when she reached her locker. She packed up her books for home. Closing her locker she felt a presence behind her.

            “So, Willow, you have a boyfriend?” taunted an annoying voice. “Of all people, I’d thought you’d be the last to get one. He’s so cute, too. Can I have him?”

            Willow’s back went rigid as Teagan spoke. Each word was a dagger in her heart. She fought down the irritation and anger that welled up in her. She made sure her face was devoid of emotion so that she wouldn’t give Teagan the satisfaction of winning.

            “And, you know, I wonder what your dead friend would think of you dating a college guy? How is your friend anyway?” Teagan made a small noise of false recognition. “Oh yeah! She’s in hell, isn’t she? I am so sorry! Not!”

            Teagan prodded Willow in the back with one perfectly manicured fingernail. “Hey, are you, like, even listening to me?’

            Willow snapped.

            Quick as a wild cat, Willow snatched up Teagan’s tanned wrist. Her black hair flared around her, crackling with electricity. Fire flashed through Willow’s eyes as she narrowed them in Teagan’s face.

            “Don’t you dare touch me, you b***h,” Willow breathed in Teagan’s face. Teagan recoiled in fear. “You are an abomination. You are self-centered and a bloodsucking leech. You hear me? You better. I don’t ever want to hear you insulting my friends or me ever again. Am�"I�"clear?”

            The fear in Teagan turned to smugness. “Raw! So sensitive, you know? Your friends aren’t even worth insulting. I have better things to do than to rag on you b*****s!”

            “Why�"you�"!”

            Willow was about to scratch Teagan’s eyes out when she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She looked up. There stood Allister by her side.

 

_____

 

            He was only doing it because Willow might hurt herself. It was because they were friends again.

            “Hi, Al!” cooed Teagan. She waggled her fingers in him in greeting. “Where have you�"?”

            Al narrowed his blue eyes at the girl. Her friendly smile faded into one of fear.

            “Nobody insults my friend. Nobody. So get lost, Teagan. You’re not wanted here,” Al snarled. The hate was apparent in his voice. It lashed out like venom at Teagan. She was dumbstruck.

            “But�"” she protested.

            “Get lost.”

            Teagan nodded dumbly and scooted away and out of sight. Willow glanced up at Allister. She nearly smiled.

            “Does this mean�"?”

            “No.” Allister turned away from Willow. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “We are not friends, no matter what you think. But…nobody insults Viola.”

            Allister began to walk, but Willow stopped him by hugging him around the middle. This surprised him.

            “Why, then? Besides Viola? Why did you do it?”

            Allister sighed and bowed his head. How did he know this was coming?

            “Because…I still care for you, no matter how much I hate you,” he confessed grudgingly.

            Willow tightened her grip on him.

            “But that doesn’t mean anything.” Allister curled his hands into fists.

            “Yes. It does.” Willow buried her face deeper into his back. “It means everything. I forgive you for what you did. Can you forgive me?”

            Allister thought about this in silence for a moment. “No.”

            “Why?”

            “Because I can’t. You hurt me. We’re not friends. Simple as that. Bring yourself to accept it, Willow, or else.”

            “Or else what?”

            “Just stop asking questions and deal with it. We’re over.”

            Allister shied himself from Willow’s tight embrace and left Willow in her regret. It was over, and things weren’t going to be the way they were before. Just because he stood up for her one time didn’t mean a thing. Or did it? Sometimes he underestimated himself. Did he forgive her? He didn’t know. It was still a lingering question in his mind. He still felt angry with her, but there was something else. A warmth. He ignored the warmth, fighting against its luring temptations. He had been fooled way too much by it. He didn’t want to fall into its trap again like he had so many times in the past.

            For Allister, things changed. Big time.

 

_____

 

            “You seem…out of sorts today.”

            Willow laughed. Her laughter didn’t reach her eyes, which were as frigid as the weather. It scared Pierce.

            “Do I? Sorry if I’m not paying attention. I didn’t sleep well last night.” Willow smiled at Pierce. Pierce was not reassured.

            He laid his arm around Willow’s shoulders, drawing her closer to his warmth. Willow laid her head tiredly on his shoulder and sighed.

            “Tell me,” Pierce said.

            “Okay. Last night I was waking up and falling asleep constantly because of nightmares. But these weren’t ordinary nightmares…they were scary.”

            “How so?”

            “Severin…he…was there. He…he asked me if I wanted to join him. He said that I was like him. I told myself it wasn’t true, but…Pierce, do you think I’m like him?”

            Pierce shook his head as Willow looked up at him worriedly. “No, I don’t. You may be related by blood and look the same, but that doesn’t have anything to do with being like him. You and Severin…what makes you different is what you do, and not who you are. You are who you choose to be. You’ve chosen to bring down the bad guys instead of becoming one. That there makes all the difference.”

            Willow nodded. This reassured her.

            “Pierce?”

            “Yeah?”

            “There was something else. Something that caused the nightmares.”

            “What is it?”

            “It’s a feeling…like something bad is gonna happen. Real soon.”

            “Sounds like those animal instincts I was talking about the other day. Must be because of being the Black Widow,” Pierce whispered. “How did you become what you are today?”

            Willow stopped Pierce and they huddled together in the darkness next to a brick wall. Pierce was glad that they were coming from the Academy instead of to it. Less people to overhear them.

            “My…abilities, I guess you’d call them. I was…well…kidnapped and taken into a laboratory by order of my father. At least, that’s what I think. It had to be him, though. Nobody else would’ve something like that to me. So, anyway, they injected something into me. I don’t know what it is, but it changed me slowly. I discovered what I had become when I was thirteen.

            “That was after I was taken into the foster home I currently am in now. Social Services signed me up for a program at the Academy to be trained. I was home schooled at the time, so I just figured it was just to give me something to do. And…I began to train myself in my abilities. I found I had limits to them. If I pushed myself too much…well, you know. Blackout. Probably around fourteen to fifteen-years-old I started my most extensive and intense training. This included my abilities, too. At fifteen…I don’t know why, but I wanted to make my abilities worth something more than just a stupid handicap. Also…”

Willow took a breath

            “…I wanted to bring justice to this city. Too many were getting hurt. Someone had to stop it. It was me who intervened.”

            “Is this because of how your mom was…killed by Severin?”

            Willow nodded stiffly. She looked up at Pierce and smiled.

            “I was something. It made me feel complete. More complete and full than I had ever felt in my entire life. Like I was actually…needed. I had found my calling. I was invincible. And now…”

            “…you can’t even dress as the Black Widow,” Pierce finished for her.

            “Yeah, that’s it. I can’t do anything about the crime any longer because they’re saying I’m a criminal.” Willow wrapped her arms around herself, shivering against the cold. Pierce hugged her and allowed her to absorb some of his own body heat. Her shivering managed to cease.

            “You’re not completely helpless to others now, Will. You do lots already. You know?”

            “I know,” Willow murmured. “But being the Black Widow was the biggest thing I could’ve possibly ever done for the city. Now…it’s like I can’t do anything.”

            Pierce laughed. “Obviously there’s no convincing you. But…just be you. That’s the best thing possible.”

            Willow pulled away from the embrace. “And what if…being myself comes with a price?”

            “How?”

            She glanced around. “You know what I mean. You could get hurt by just being around me…or worse…Severin could…”

            “I don’t care about Severin,” Pierce whispered softly. He took Willow gently by the shoulders and held her there firmly so that she would listen. “I care about you. I’ll do whatever it takes to be close to you. I don’t care about getting hurt or anything else. Got that?”

            Willow smiled up at Pierce. “Yeah, I do. Thanks for being with me through everything, I mean.”

            Pierce smiled back. “I know. You’re welcome. Come on.” He took her hand and squeezed it tightly. “We better get you home. Don’t want your folks worrying over you.”

            Willow laughed and Pierce smiled at this. They headed to Willow’s home in happiness, but Pierce believed Willow about her bad feeling. Somehow he too knew something was coming. Something bad.

 

_____

 

            Something bad. That was what the plan was.

            Severin paced his study. Tomorrow would be the day. The day for the plan to finally be carried out after a week of planning and making some official decisions and explaining things carefully in as much detail as possible. His headache had faded and his energy was fervent.

            Severin savored the deep silence. He was nearly prepared for action. He just had to concentrate. Had to focus himself entirely upon Willow.

            A knock on the study door erupted out of nowhere. Severin winced.

            “Come in.”

            A young girl floated in. White waist-length hair trailed after her on the air despite there not even being a draft in the room. Her skin was ivory; her eyes were the same violet-red of Severin’s; her features were delicate; her eyes slanted prettily. In short, the resemblance in physical being between her and Willow was strong.

            The girl’s pretty face was blank and empty of emotion. She held something out to Severin.

            “Nemesis, my daughter,” Severin murmured softly. “So good to see you.”

            Nemesis blinked. Her face was as neutral as ever. Severin eyed the thing in her hand.

            “I infiltrated Vadan. I collected the device you wanted,” Nemesis said. She handed the object to him. Her eyes cast downward in sadness. “Dad…why aren’t you ever around anymore? Do you…hate me?”

            Severin cupped his daughter’s face with one hand and lifted it to his eye level. Tears dripped slowly down her pale cheeks. Nemesis tried to look away from Severin, but he forced her to look at him. Her lips were puckered angrily.

            “W-why?” Nemesis’s voice cracked. “Why?”

            “You know as well as I that I have work to do.”

            Severin released her face and walked away towards his desk. Nemesis balled her hands into fists.

            “Dad…” Her voice stopped Severin. He turned to glare at her coldly. “…why? Mom says it’s because of some damn project you’re working on. Don’t you have any time for me anymore? Don’t you love me?”

            “You’re a fool to believe what your mother says, Nemesis,” snapped Severin. “You always were a fool.”

            “Y-you…you don’t love me?”

            “I never have.”

            Nemesis gritted her teeth. She ran at her father and punched him unexpectedly in the eye. She took him by the collar.

            “I stole for you. I STOLE! I PROVED MYSELF! WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?”

            “I don’t need anything from you.” Severin grimaced at the pain in his eye. He kicked Nemesis in the stomach. Severin was gladly released and watched as his daughter doubled over on the ground for breath. “You served your purpose. I don’t need you anymore.”

            Nemesis glared at her father. “I trusted you.”

            “My dear, trust is a fickle lady. You can’t deal with her. She just runs away from you.” He fingered the object Nemesis had given him lovingly. “Guards…take my daughter away.”

            “NO!”

            Guards, on the ready from somewhere in the hallway, burst into the study and attempted to haul Nemesis out by her arms. She dug her fingernails into the carpet.

            “NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!”

            “I can, and I will.” Severin glanced at the guards. “Lock her up and make sure she doesn’t escape.”

            “NO! I KILLED FOR YOU! I STOLE FOR YOU! I’LL COME BACK FOR YOU! I WILL!” Nemesis was dragged away. Her last words were heard from all the way down the hallway. “I SWEAR THAT I WILL FIND YOU AND KILL YOU MYSELF! I SWEAR!”

            Severin ignored the threat. Things were about to change dramatically. Starting with Willow Halliwell.

 

_____

 

            She watched as Willow stepped through the front door. Her head hung tiredly. Agatha smiled a little at Willow’s smiling face.

            “How was work?” Agatha asked.

            “Tiring. School was the same, too.” Willow removed her coat and hung it up, probably grateful to be out of the cold. “Doesn’t ever stop exhausting you, does it?”

            “Too true,” replied Michael from his seat.

            Just then Aggie noted the haunted look in Willow’s eyes. She pursed her lips at this and stroked Willow’s hair fondly.

            “What happened?”

            “Nothing happened,” Willow said calmly, a laugh in her voice.

            “You look spooked. Something happened.”

            “Aggie, stop being so suspicious!” Mike exclaimed.

            “Just nightmares.” Willow smiled, trying to reassure Aggie. “That’s all, okay? Nothing bad.”

            “Okay then. Be sure to get some sleep tonight.”

            Willow bobbed her head agreeably before she tromped up the stairs to her room. Agatha sighed. That girl just worried her so much sometimes.

            “Aggie, would you quit worrying? You’re making me tense.”

            “I’m just concerned about what might happen when she’s out there in the city. Anything could happen. Especially with all those murders happening.”

            “Aggie, I worry about her, too, okay? But not constantly. Would you just relax for once?”

            “All right…”

            Aggie sat down in a chair in front of the TV. Nervously she watched the moving pictures. She just had the awful feeling that something was going to happen, but she just couldn’t put her finger on it.

Author's Note

One more chapter, my dear readers.