Future Infinite--Lilith Winters | |
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This one had to be at least 670 words including the words: awarded, protection, local, collage, and the phrase, "They told me to be careful and procede with caution."
They told me to be careful and proceed with caution. Wait, did they? They had only said that the inscription in the front of the book was to be read for luck. So he had read it. There had been no warnings with that inscription, and absolutely no indication that any of that would cause anything out of the ordinary to happen. You wouldn�t expect anything strange to happen, would you? It was just a poem. It wasn�t even like one of the �spells� that had been included later in the book (for protection, or blessing, or cursing)�it was just supposed to be for luck, that was all. And his friends didn�t seem to be feeling so lucky right now. And he supposed he could see why they were so upset, even though they�d been awarded supernatural powers. Apparently, such powers didn�t come without a price. And Kathryn would probably have pointed that out if he�d said anything, considering that she was the local fantasy/occult expert. A few days ago, she�d only been the local fantasy expert. But now, considering what had happened, she would certainly have the right to add occult to that title. Someone was pounding on the door behind him. He opened it, and saw the group standing on the other side, staring at him. �What�s up?� he managed to ask. They were blaming this all on him, and it was hardly fair. How could it be his fault when he hadn�t known what was going to happen? He sighed. �Well?� he asked again, as they were only standing there, staring at him. �Remember how we emailed the company?� Scott finally asked. �Of course.� �We got the non-special older edition today,� Kathryn said. She was still wearing a scarf tied around her forehead, and Jason was profoundly grateful. That thing was creepy. The cover was a collage of colors and shapes, and the title simply read, �Collective Burden: The Game.� He grabbed it, and started flipping through it anxiously. There was no poem, no mention of a guide for luck, or anything like that at all. There were still the suggested �spells� but those were all for use within the fantasy. There was no mention made of reality. �It�s not here,� he finally said. �Somehow I�m not surprised,� Kathryn said. �After all, it wasn�t in the normal new edition either.� �So now what do we do?� Jason asked. �Is there any counter in the book we have?� Kathryn asked. Jason grabbed the book he�d been using, and flipped through it. He could find the original poem, looking as innocent as it had when he�d first seen it. There was no mention made of the effects that they�d experienced, and there was definitely no way to reverse them. The index was empty too, and Jason was forced to give up. �No.� �Great,� Kathryn said, and punched the wall next to her. �I don�t want to be a freak for the rest of my life.� Avadan had disappeared again. �Would you stop doing that?� Scott demanded. �You need to stay here and help us solve the problem.� Avadan reappeared. �Sorry. Sometimes I have to concentrate on staying in sight, I�ve discovered.� Kathryn stared at him for a second. �Can I ask you a favor?� she said. He shrugged and said, �I guess.� �Will you disappear again, and let me look at you?� �If you want�� She nodded. He slowly faded out, and Jason realized that he�d never actually watched Avadan vanish before. It was a disconcerting and yet fascinating experience, and one that he wished he could avoid. Kathryn untied the scarf from her forehead, and opened her new eye. It was a�disturbing sight. It was a kind of pearly gray in color, and didn�t look at all natural. Thankfully, she closed it soon. �You can come back now,� she told Avadan, and he did. Watching him reappear was just as disconcerting. �Well,� she said. �That was interesting. You definitely still have the funky colors around you when you�re invisible. I guess that means they are an aura�or something like them, at least.� She turned on Jason quickly, and complained, �Would you please calm down? We�re not that mad at you, and fear tastes disgustingly bitter.� Freaked again, Jason did his best to calm down. As he did, he couldn�t help but wonder what powers he�d been granted�after all, he couldn�t have been left out. Right? |