Shades of Red

The enemy is always much closer than you think...

The Train ride was very quiet. 

No one on board dared to say a word as if afraid any noise would break the silent void surrounding them. Jack didn't like it when things were this way, but it was definatley tolerable. His face was relaxed, all stress and tension eased away in the sanctuary of sleep. He can't remember the last time he felt like this, the satisfying feeling of being at peace, but just listening to the soothing roar of the engine reminded him that it really didn't matter.

Caleb stared curiously out the circular window beside him, sitting on his small knees on top of the leather booth to see. He watched as they past by countless tree's, each and every one of them looking like nothing but green blurs passing by in the wind. He squinted his eyes to try and get a better look. It was his first time being on a train at all and he couldn't even see the amazing things they were passing by!? It was just so unfair! With a small huff the boy gave in and sat down properly beside his companion, scrunching up his nose in frustration. They've been sitting here for exactly 45 minutes since the last time he's asked him, 45 strait minutes of absolutely nothing but silence. Caleb started to think that maybe he didn't like trains after all.

He began to look around for something to do, anything to do really, anything that at least involved sound. It was so boring that he was even close to falling asleep, something that was really not on his top priorities at the moment. Napping wouldn't exactly be his favorite category on the 'To Do' list like Jack's.

The sudden sound of human tongue caught his attention, the sound of a man behind him mumbling under his breath with a deep, annoyed tone. Caleb, now very intrigued, got back on his knees and poked his head over the top of the back seat. He spotted an old, skinny looking man with short grey hair and a large unlit smoke pipe reading the daily paper, the front page written in the same squiggly words he couldn't quite under stand. If he remembered some of the letters taught to him the capital one looked like an 'A' while the next one an 'r'.

"Hello, sir." He spoke calmly, small arms crossed as they held up his torso. The old man pulled down his paper and eyed the boy, his eyes surprisingly a lighter shade than the other had expected them to be, yellow if he looked at them close enough. He eyed him down slowly with a scowl, eyes narrowed. Caleb continued unfazed. "What are you reading about?" He asks.

The old man let out a huge sigh. "I'm reading the paper."

Caleb blinked curiously. "But what is it about?"

Another scowl. "Useless crap."

"That's not a nice thing to say."

"Who asked for your opinion?" The old man retorts, breaking out into a terrible cough not long after. The blond frowned and opened his mouth to speak, wanting to ask if he was ok, but the man held up his wrinkled hand to silence him. He knew he shouldn't be talking to strangers, let alone weird and old men, but again it was getting really boring, and Jack was asleep.

The man continued to cough and wheeze heavily, an old lady a few seats away from the both of them screwing up her face in discuss as she held on to her purse tightly. Caleb gave her an apologetic look, something small inside of him telling him to just drop the conversation and sit back down.

Luckily one of the servers aboard came down the carpeted isle to try and help out with the situation, her warm smile and light blond hair putting a comforting feeling in the seven year old. She stood up strait and properly folded her hands together in front of her stomach, looking over both passengers. "Is everything alright?" She asks quietly.

Caleb stared at her confused, his small eyes slightly wide. "Wha- He's choking can't you see?"

The old man pounded on his rib cage a few times before taking the large pipe out of his mouth, putting an end to the small fit. "I'm not choking you pint! I'm perfectly fine as you can see." The lady nodded and turned to leave. "But while your here," he stopped her; a horrible, crooked smile on his pale wrinkled face. "A nice glass of cold ice water does sound delightful right about now."

With another nod the server turned to Caleb. "Would you like anything?"

He froze at the question, looking over to his sleeping companion again. Jack told him not to get anything or ask for anything while they were gone. But again, he was asleep. No?

"Um-" He starts, but is quickly cut off by another.

"That will be all, thank you for the offer anyways." Jack spoke in a low tone, eyes still shut.

Caleb swallowed and slowly made his way to sit down back on the booth. "Y-yes Miss. Thank you for the offer..."

The server, slightly startled by the other protest, blushed and fixed her hair. "Oh, well, if you need anything just give me a call alright?" Jack didn't answer, only taking a small glimpse of the female as a deeper shade of red came across her smooth face. She nervously looked away and cleared her throat, glancing back at the old man. "I'll go get you that water sir." She announced before finally walking away, the old man watching her backside thoroughly as she did. Caleb couldn't quite understand why men intended to do that, but figured he would learn soon enough when he got older - as told by many others.

Jack sighed and closed his eyes again. "Don't talk to strangers." he scolded Caleb, voice groggy. "And I told you we'll get some food when we get there."

Caleb hung his head in shame, looking down at the carpet underneath him. Before he could say anything he spotted a small metal box placed under his seat right around the corner, his feet only a few inches away from the object. Was it the old man's? He leaned forward to pick it up, surprised by how heavy the box actually was. "What is this?"

Jack lazily turned his head, looking down at the rusted object. "Put that back, it might be someone else's."

"But it looks so old! Who would want this?" Caleb started to shake the box and heard a bunch of rattling coming from the inside, something unfamiliar to him.

"Stop that, it's not yours." Jack warned again, brows furrowed in warning. Caleb was an obedient child, but his curiosity almost always got the better of him in most cases. A small trait the teen found very irritating at times.

Caleb shook the box a little harder in protest. "But what's in it?"

"It's none of your business, just put it back were you found it."

Another coughing fit came from the old man behind them followed by the sound of crumbling newspaper, his surprisingly tall figure sitting up and leaning over their booth while pounding his chest again to stop his outburst. He looked over the both of them carefully before eyeing the box, a forced smile on his wrinkled face exposing his surprisingly pearly white teeth. "That would be mine boy, now hand it over."

Caleb lifted a brow. "It is?" The man gave a slow nod. "Whats in it then?"

"Nothing important, promise. Just a few o'l cigars I like to collect."

"Cigars?" He shook the box some more closer to his other ear. The old man's yellow eyes momentarily tore themselves away from the boy in frustration, muttering something under his breath Caleb couldn't quiet understand.

"Kid listen, just give me the box and i'll leave you alone. It's just a bunch of cigars." He went to reach for it but Caleb pulled back. "Kid." He licked his dry lips and started to grid his teeth. "Give. it. back." His voice wen't low and cold, sending a brief shutter down the child's spine.

Jack rolled his eyes and slowly took the box away from Caleb, ready to hand it back to the old man before it started to shake and feverishly against his palms. He quickly let the metal object go and watched as it dropped to the floor out into the middle of the isle, black stains marked were his fingertips touched.

The three of them along with other passengers near by watched in shock as the box continued to shake and rattle, small cracks stretching themselves all over it. In a matter of seconds, metal shards flung themselves over the thin carpet as the box shattered into tiny pieces, the object inside landing close to a lady dressed in all white sitting a couple seats away. She flinched before looking down at it, her glove covered hands reaching out for the man next to her as she screamed in terror and kicked it away. Jack watched as it slid further down the isle, stunned to see that it was a sharp, familiar knife covered in dried blood; a knife marked with a large letter 'M' that had been skilfully crafted into the tool using dark black ink.

The old man's eyes opened wide as his head jerked towards the raven haired teen, his pearl smile in a large disturbing grin. "My my, it seems as if we're not alone on this trip after all." He says in a smooth tone, getting up and out of his seat in a calm matter before disappearing in front of Jack's stunned gaze, making his way on the other side of the trolley cart in the blink of an eye. He picked up the knife and examined it carefully in the sunlight coming through the glass sunroof above him. "Not a scratch on it."

Caleb looked over to Jack who remained in his seat, his attention aimed at the old man. "H-how...How did he-" he began to stutter.

The lady in white screamed again, pointing a sharp finger at the white haired man and shouting for all to hear. "WITCH!" She shrieked, tightly clinging onto the man near her who only swallowed and remained still.

Jack narrowed his eyes, looking down at the shattered metal bellow and examining it carefully. The old man chuckled noticing his actions.

"Not only did you break the beerier that contained this, you shattered the entire thing like it was nothing." he said while taking the pipe out of his mouth. "That, my dear boy, takes a lot of power. Very impressive." He started to carelessly flip the weapon around his fingertips, listening to the continuous murmurs of question going around in human tongue, eliciting another large smirk.

"It is a witch! What do we do!?" Came a small voice, asking those around quietly.

"How did he get on un-detected!?" Said another.

"Someone do something!"

"Call the cops!" Came more.

The old man shrugged. "Guess it can't be helped. Gonna have to do some extra work today to keep these guys quiet - have to make it quick though." He snapped his fingers releasing an ear piercing ring that traveled through out the cart, everyone covering their ears instinctively. Some screamed in fear while others in pain, Caleb could never tell the difference between either one. He himself covered his ears and bit his lower lip tightly, feeling the heavy weight beside him vanish as he closed his eyes.

With steady hands Jack lunged himself forward at remarkable speed, grasping the dagger in records time only to be pushed away with great force back into the other side of the trolley. He hit the entrance door with a bang and slumped onto the floor with a painful grunt.

Caleb looked up at the scene and gasped. "Jack!" He called out cautiously, watching the old man disappear again and teleport himself in front of his prey.

The old man grasped onto the teens collar and held him up high, his yellow eyes glowing with a sickening satisfaction as he threw him back down the isle and into the other door. Caleb called out his name again before another voice came about from the shaken crowed. He turned around to find the lady from before placing aside her purse and standing up out of her booth, readjusting her glasses as she spoke with her now noticeably bright red finger nails.

"I think that's enough, Dorsin. Remember, he is not our target." She looked down at the shattered box only feet away and clicked her tongue. "That was very expensive."

"Oh it wasn't that bad - I'll just buy a new one when were done today." Said the old man - Dorsin, as he was called - before being given an angry look from the woman.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and tightened her lips, trying to refrain herself from scolding him. "Fine, but if this happens again i'll take away your pipe and sell it to buy the next one."

"Come on Roe, my pipe? Really?"

"We will continue this latter, just put away the dagger and then we can go." She states before spotting a child's frightened glance. "And who's this? I spotted him earlier with the other."

"That, is a human." Dorsin explained. "He was with him when they got on and refused to give back the chamber once he took it from me."

"Oh really?" The one called Roe crossed her arms and gave a distasteful look at the boy. "That's strange..."

Jack slowly got up from the floor and licked his lips, a strong taste of metal trickling in his mouth. Dorsin chuckled and straitened his posture. "Oh, your still awake? Guess i'm going to have to try a little harder than that on ya."

Roe adjusted her long skirt before snatching a large black bag away from one of the frightened bystanders near by, rolling her eyes as she heard his weak protests. "Oh please, you weren't even going to use it anyways." She opened it up and pulled out a red blanket that had been neatly folded up, carelessly tossing it onto the floor before putting two fingers into her mouth and letting out a loud whistling sound. "Get up now." She ordered, and Caleb gasped seeing what happened next.

The blanket slowly began to rise into the air, shifting into a form of a large velvet like snake making everyone gasp. It hissed repeatedly over and over again until finally touching the ground and taking it's full shape, more screams of panic coming from the humans near by as it easily made it's way back to it's creator. Roe snapped her fingers and pointed at Caleb. The snake slid it's long, silk like tongue out before reaching his target in a matter of seconds, wrapping itself around the child tightly.

Caleb shrieked and looked down at the garment in disbelief. "Let me go!" He cried out, his mind overflowing with questions. How on earth did she do that?! Was she one of those other witches Jack's warned him about?!

The snake tightened itself around him forcing him back down into his seat, staring mockingly into Caleb's light eyes as a low hiss left it. "I said let me go!" He continued.

Roe only tightened the neat bun she put her hair up in. "Keep him there and keep him quiet. Maybe the deal can be doubled if we also bring back a human like this one. I've heard great things about what they give for the younger ones."

"Good idea." Dorsin say's with a sickening smirk. "We'll get even more if he's alive." Jack clenched his fists, dark eyes boring down hard into the old man as he let out another chuckle. "Oh, did I strike a nerve there?"

"I don't have time for this..." The teen said wearily, Doris frowned.

"What was that you little-"

In seconds, before he could even finish his sentence, Jack had already raised his hand to release a small but strong gust of air, knocking his enemy onto the floor instantly; light traces of purple matter tickling along it's path. Roe watched in amusement as her partner struggled to pick himself up.

"Are you sure you can handle this?" She asked, sounding as innocent as possible. This only angered Dorsin even more.

"I'll be just fine!" He took the pipe out of his mouth and started to twirl it with his fingers. "Come here ya little brat!"

Jack mumbled something under his breath before vanishing from his spot, all the doors leading to the other trolley carts in the back opening forcibly until the one at the very end could be seen leading outside. Unexpectedly, Dorsin was lifted a few inches off the carpet bellow and thrown all the way across the isle, going through door after door until finally hitting the small railing at the very end that kept people from falling off out back. Jack reappeared again in front of him and took a handful of his white hair, pulling his head back and meeting him face to face. "You do know what your doing is against the law, no?"

Dorsin opened his mouth to speak only to be caught off guard as he examined the teens large, rough hands. His eyes opened wide in surprise. "Well i'll be..."

Noticing his reaction the teen quickly yanked him off the floor and through him over the railing. He wasn't surprised after seeing a large puff of green smoke hitting the tracks bellow instead of a body, it was more annoying than shocking really. Not only could he himself do it but he has seen it done countless times by others before, others that would usually fall prey to his attacks easily after doing it once or twice. It was usually a trick done in a desperate attempt to keep yourself safe when put in a harmful situation that can severely damage you.

With a heavy sigh Jack turned around and jogged his way back inside, only to see new faces looking back up at him in shock, some whispering in question while others stared blankly at him. Another mist of green smoke re-appeared in front of him revealing Doris again as he lunged himself at the boy using his pipe, green mist coming out of it as he did. Jack dodged his attack and watched as the mist scrapped itself into the metal walls of the train , even cracking a window. A small little girl next to it screaming in fear. It wasn't long before everyone started to panic and try to get away from the monstrosity in fear, the blond server from before dropping the glass of water she carried in one hand as strangers shoved themselves passed her one by one. Baffled by the sudden outbreak she pushed herself past them all wanting to see what was wrong, only to come face to face with the familiar old lady she remembers seeing earlier.

"Ms.?" The lady questioned, blinking twice seeing the long, fabric like snake wrapping itself around Caleb. "Oh my gosh!" She covered her lips with her hand, staring at the snake in disbelief.

Roe glanced over her shoulder seeing the figure behind her. "Doris, this ones for you."

The old man stopped attacking Jack and looked ahead, his glowing yellow eyes spotting the young female. He committed his disappearing act again and swiftly approached the server in the blink of an eye, his wrinkled face leaning against her ear as he whispered into it in a scruffy tone. "Did you bring back what I ordered, young lady?"

The server yelped and pushed him away. Caleb made another attempt to break out of his captors grasp. "Leave her alone!" He demanded, noticing the silver knife sticking out the man's pocket. What was so important about that thing anyways?

Doris looked over to Caleb and snickered. "Still refuse to mind your own business huh? Well, I guess i'm gonna have to be the one to teach ya how to respect your elders."

Caleb gulped and scooted himself closer to the window behind him. "W-wait I-"

"Saying anything else isn't going to help you now kid." Dorsin took out the knife from his pocket and flipped it in his hands. "Showing ya a thing or two about discipline won't hurt much, just hold still and it'll be all over quickly."

Jack lifted his hand and created a small purple bubble around the boy, lifting his other to use another attack against both of his enemies and knocking them to the ground. He looked over to Dorsin and narrowed his eyes, a purple shimmer within them mixing with the light. "I'm your opponent, not him."

The server stood still, frozen in both fear and amazement. She's heard about people like them for as long as she could remember - people who have been against the human race for hundreds and hundreds of years. "Witches..." She murmured under her breath, looking over at all four passengers. "Y-your all... witches?"

Roe got up and dusted herself off, her bright red painted nails starting to glow. "This little match has gone on far enough." She went into a running streak and clawed into the air, red liquid gushing out in sharp edges as it struck the young teen.

Jack flinched as two shots of red embedded themselves into his shoulder as he tried to dodge, watching as they re-attracted themselves to strike again. He continuously did his best to avoid her attacks, hitting her only once in the face after getting too close. She stumbled backwards and scowled, wiping away the trickle of blood coming from her nose with the back of her hand. Dorsin joined in and swung his pipe at Jack again, letting loose another wave of green mist at him.

The fight went on feverishly, the server making a run for it across the trolley way before trying to yank the door open. She could her heart start to race as it refused to let her through, a purple glow surrounding it's metal edges. She pressed herself up against the door and swallowed, her eyes looking around for another way out.

Caleb flinched watching the old man fall to the ground after hitting the ceiling, noticing a familiar sharp utensil falling out of his tailored brown coat. He gasped and leaned forward to get a better look. "The knife!" He whispered to himself, only to be pulled back by the devious red snake. The boy began to struggle again and even tried biting the piece of fabric, very surprised when the snake let out a somewhat painful hiss and tried to snap at him with it's red fangs. He pulled back and dodged its head, licking his lips before taking an even larger bite out of the fabric and watching it's color start to fade. He smiled and repeated his method, biting in every place he could reach while dodging the creatures attacks, weakening it enough to pull one of his arms free. Caleb then began to both bite and yank off the creature little by little before his legs started to loosen up enough move and kick around. With little effort he broke through his small barrier by simply asking to be let out, leaping out of his booth on onto the floor. The blond women gasped watching him inch closer to her, letting out a small scream as she pressed herself further against the door.

"S-stay back!" She warned in a shaky voice, her eyes wide with fear. She couldn't let that witch near her! She would most certainly be done for if she did!

"I need..." Caleb started, but was cut short as the snake stared to tighten itself around him again, it's color quickly seeping back. He bit into it again and began to crawl over to the knife, managing to finally grasp it in his free hand.

Roe heard another scream come from the server and turned to notice the child holding the sharp tool. She froze. "What?! How did he- Doris get the knife back, now!"

Doris swung his pipe at Jack again sending another wave of green. "What do you mean, I have it right-" He looked over to Caleb and scowled, instantly disappearing and ending up in front of the child.

Caleb pulled the object behind his back and stared the man down in shock.

Doris held out his hand and gave him a forced grin. "Now, we don't wanna have this conversation again kid, so just hand it over and end this quickly."

Caleb swallowed and slowly shook his head, clutching the knife with his small fingers. Doris took a hitch of breath and took a step closer. "Kid, just give it to me-"

"BREAK IT!" Jack ordered after dodging another one of Roe's attacks. Caleb looked Doris' shoulder and gripped onto the knife tighter.

"...break it?" He questioned, and Doris let out another hitch of air, it was as if he was slightly being choked. The old man lunged himself at the boy and went to snatch the knife, yanking it out of his hand and stuffing it back into his pocket.

"Damn brat! I'll make you pay for doing that!" He picked Caleb up by the shirt and lifted him up high into the air, twirling his pipe around in between his fingers as the green mist from within it started to glow darker and darker. He let out a sickening grin and tilted his head. "We can always find others like you anyway's..."

Jack dodged another attack from red and cussed under his breath, looking away to avoid the gruesome outcome. Caleb couldn't look away, his eyes fixated on the elders cold yellow stare as he the tip of the pipe went for his neck.

Suddenly the old man was pushed forward from behind making him stumble a little, the female sever pushing her body weight up against him and yanking the knife out of his pocket again. She held it in between both her hands and began to squeeze it tight, drops of blood trickling down her hands as both Doris and Roe screamed in agony. Doris clutched onto his chest and let go of Caleb, letting him fall to the ground again as he fell on his knees.

Roe let out another scream before quickly attacking the server with her red nails, Jack holding out his hand again and shielding the girl with his purple barrier. The women screamed and dropped the knife, startled seeing the barrier around her.

"NO!" Roe screeched, shocked when her opponent let out another gust of air knocking her to the floor with a heavy thud. Jack then walked over to her and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her and throwing her over to Doris who continued to wail in agony.

He narrowed his eyes and went over to to sever, releasing her barrier and picking up the knife from the ground. Roe quickly sat up and got on her feet, her neatly bun now mangled and loose as it hung from only a small hair tie. Her eyes widened in fear as she hesitantly went to retrieve it. "No... wait please..."

Jack gave a breathy chuckle. "You do know what your doing is illegal, right? Putting your very soul into a sorcerer's weapon and using it's strength to give you riches. Only the desperate and weak seem to do this, and it seems you've even gotten a partner to help you out. Pathetic really..."

Roe held out her hands and did her best to hide her fear. "How are you doing this?..."

Jack raised an brow.

"I mean, how is someone like you dealing with magic?" She looked over at his hands, examining the long fingers that held onto her life source. "Your a male... Males can't use magic without a Warlocks gem. So..." Her eyes widened again, a small smile leaving her dry lips. She gave a weak chuckle. "Hold on... Your a devils child aren't you? Your the one Lord Emerson has been looking for for years now!"

The teen, for a moment, said nothing; ignoring the confused and innocent stare of Caleb as he watched from a distance. He gripped onto the metal knife and slowly started to bend it, his cold stare glaring down at the women in front of him as the object began to crack. "...You should have just stayed in your seat and kept quiet. If so you could've at least enjoyed the ride a little longer."

Desperately the women heaved forward and ran to retrieve the knife, screaming at the top of her lungs in protest to his actions as she watched it snap in half followed by the sound of a loud chime. Doris let out a final gasp of air as his skin started to rapidly seep into dust and rising into the thin air, taking first his skin and bones as he let out a silent scream. Roe started to claw at her throat and stumble backwards as her body started to shrivel and turn brown, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she fell still after falling on her back in front of the server who let out another scream.

Caleb watched as the snake slithered itself back into the form of a red blanket, easily breaking away from it and picking himself up. He stared down at the lifeless Witch in shock, looking over to Jack who tossed the broken knife onto the floor and made his way towards the server.

She screamed again and ran to the door, banging and tugging on it while crying for help. "LET ME OUT!" She cried, feeling the tears starting to run down her face. "PLEASE! SOMEONE, OPEN THE DOOR!"

Jack grabbed her by the shoulder and forced her to turn around, looking deep into her eyes and whispering, "Sorry about this." before gently caressing her face and kissing the top of her forehead, taking note of the streak of blush that went along her cheeks before she slowly closed her eyes and fell limp into his arms.

He carefully picked her up and put her down in a near by booth, looking over to the doorway again and flicking his wrist to unlock it and slide it open. The crowed of people inside screamed seeing his face again, but instantly fell silent after he snapped his fingers and a ear piercing screech filled the air. They all passed out and hit the floor simultaneously, one man sliding off the wall and landing in front of his sleeping dog.

Jack went back into his trolley cart and shut the door again, sighing before glancing down at Roe's decaying form. He looked over to Caleb who stood frozen in fear, his small body slightly shaken as he tentatively held himself.

He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak, hesitant in his words. "...There's a small ice cream stand at our next stop." He states in a small voice, a voice gentle enough not shatter the fragile boy near by.

Was he broken? Did he break him?

Jack forced such thoughts out of mind and continued. "...Let's go grab some before the sun goes down, alright?"

Brown eyes tore itself away from the body bellow, facing the other that stood across from the sleeping female in the booth. He could feel the sting of soft tears piercing his eyes as his vision blurred. "..."

Silently Jack made his way past the child, walking down the red isle and making his way over to the other trolley cart in the back of the train. He stopped half way and glanced over his shoulder. "Do you not want any?"

Caleb wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and clutched onto his scarf, his hands quivering as he gave a small nod and started to follow.

Author's Note

Wow, this chapter was a little more tricky but I did throw a few obvious hints out there. However, you might find that some questions have yet to be answered.

Anyway's I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Comments are VERY much appreciated so please send me some when you have the chance. Please and thank you!