Spell Bound (Last update was Week 10)

“Mark!” Stacy leaped and reached for his hand as he fell off the cliff. With one hand she caught his and with the other she grabbed the edge of the cliff. They swayed in the wind but were alive.
“Mark?!” Stacy cried hoping for answer. There was none. Stacy began to panic and franticly shake Mark, trying to force him awake; it was no use, he was out cold. How long it would last she didn’t know.
“Markus, wake up right now!” Stacy tried again. She knew that she could heal someone with just a touch and it could vary on the time it takes and she knew Mark could fly her and himself out of here if only he would wake up. Mark please…Wake up Mark. Please, love, you have to wake up. You have to! Stacy’s thoughts begged.
“Drake! You wake up this instant, Drake! Please, Drake!” She tried again. She felt him stir and try to pull his hand away. She gripped his till their knuckles turned as white as ash. She felt his panic and her own rise.
“No! You’ll die if you let go!” Stacy yelled. He finally stopped pulling away and Stacy felt relived. She looked up to see a tall figure above them, arm’s length apart. The figure’s dark hair flew in the wind lashing her face. Even though Stacy couldn’t see the person’s face she knew who it was.
“Your still alive, Stacy?” The voice fought between relief, surprise and anger. The figure thought she had killed Stacy and Mark was trying to get revenge. That was not the case.
“Why did you betray us?!” Stacy whispered. She just couldn’t wrap her mind around it. She was their best friend and now she was trying to kill them all.
“Let me help you up.” The figure said, more like demanded, and reached down. Stacy didn’t move but glared at her once friend.
“Stacy, give me your hand!” She almost shouted. She never wanted Stacy to die, at least not this way.
“Why should I? Why should I trust you? We all trusted you! Now one of us is dead… And now, us, your two only other friends are hanging off this cliff waiting for death to catch us. Why would you care?” Stacy spouted back. Stacy was still grieving the loss of their teammate and angry about her betraying them. Still the figure held out her hand waiting for Stacy to grab it. Stacy, grab my hand you idiot! Thought the figure angrily. 
“I’m not an idiot.” Stacy’s growled.
“I want you to die quick and mostly painless, Stacy. I can’t stand here and watch you wait for death. We were once friends, you know?” She said with her musically sad laugh.
“You went and murder our friend! He even loved you! How dare you say we were friends! How dare you betray us! How dare you!” Then in a burst of anger Stacy let go of the ledge and pulled Mark into a hug as they started to fall. Stacy’s blond hair whipped her and Mark’s face as the ground grew closer and closer. Stacy heard her old friend yell hateful things down to her as the past month of mix memories flashed in front of her eyes.

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Ally walked home from school at twelve o’clock with a pounding headache and a sickening feeling in her stomach. She had thrown up once in the nurses’ office before being told to go home, since her home was in walking distance. As Ally’s house came into view and the world started to spin.
“Whoa.” She breathed as she leaned up against the closest thing to her for support. It didn’t feel like the tree she thought it was.
“Her powers are acting faster than we thought.” An aging voice said and picked her up. It was the thing she was using for support.
“Let me go.” She whispered and feebly tried to fight them. It didn’t work. She was feeling weaker than before and soon blacked out. The group carried her to their cave just outside of town and the old man soon ran off to protect the others, he ran off to war. The three kids then waited for the old man to come back and for the new girl to wake, it was a scary thought not to have their team leader with them when the new girl wakes up but the way it looked now they would have to deal with her on their own.
Ally woke hour’s maybe days later, this she wasn’t sure. She didn’t open her eyes because she was trying to hear the words that were floating around her.
“Tommy, Sam, she’s awake.” A young man’s voice echoed off the walls.
“It’s about time.” A young woman’s voice answered.
“Good, I’m tired of this headache.” Another male voice sounded.  Ally opened her eyes to see a boy about the same age as she was. He had dark hair and green eyes; he was sitting close to her, very close to her. He’s cute. Ally thought slightly smiling. She started to sit up and had to lean against the wall to steady herself as the world slowly started to spin, again.
“Thanks, Ally.” The boy said smiling and the other two laughed. Ally froze. Did she say that out loud or did he read her mind? Could he really do that? What did she get into?
“Did I say that out loud?” Ally whispered still feeling week.
“No, it looks like your power is to read and send messages with your mind.” He said as the other two sat in front of her. Ally then realized that he knew her name. And that they could be insane. And that they could kill her.
“How do you know my name?” She whispered becoming very frightened.
“Because we rescued you from being a test subject in a secret underground lab.” Answered the girl. Ally started to shake and felt tears come to her eyes that she soon blinked away.
What’s going on? Ally demanded. Not that she was in the position to demand.
“Let’s start over. I’m Markus; I use to be called Drake. This is Tommy, we call him Tom. He used to be called Josh. And that is Samantha, we call her Sam. She used to be called Jessica.” Ally was confused. Use to be? What does that mean? Ally thought knowing they could hear.  And because her throat was hurting her because she had nothing to drink for some time.
“When we got our powers we couldn’t stay with our family because we could hurt them. So the Wizard Leaders, they are the leaders of the supernatural world, sends a trained Wizard to take the new Wizard or Witch to his training cave. Where he or she trains the new Witch or Wizard to control their powers and start a new life in a town, city and state. And we have to dye our hair and change our names so we aren’t found not dead.” Markus said simply.
What are Wizards and Witches? And what happens? Why me? Why any of us? Ally asked as the world slowed to a stop. As she focused she saw that Tommy had brown-redish hair and blue eyes and that Sam had dark hair and purple eyes. Sam was very pretty and Tommy was very handsome and Ally could see the two becoming a cute couple.
“Wizards and Witches are people with powers. I can fly, Tommy can make copies of himself and others but they are like big dolls. They aren’t alive, and Sam can move things and people with her mind. To answer the ‘what happens’ question: We stage a death by using Tommy’s power. Then we dye your hair and we move to a different location. As to the why you and the why us, we were all adopted out of the country of Motorolla, where all Witch and Wizards lived.  A great war broke out between good and evil Wizards and Witches and Motorolla lost and everyone was scattered around the USA.” Markus said and then stood.
“You’re hungry and thirsty, we’ll continue with our history later.” Tommy and Sam stood and walked off not waiting for the other two. Ally looked around and thought that this place wasn’t too bad. It looked more like a tunnel than just a cave. It had throw rugs on the floor and things that, Ally couldn’t read from far away, hung on the wall. And candles hung on the walls and sitting on tables to light the room. It felt homey in an odd way that Ally couldn’t explain. Markus still stood waiting for her.
“A lot to take in, huh?” Ally nodded then started to be frightened again.
“Why did you take me away?” She croaked.
“We couldn’t let other people get hurt and we had to keep you safe. When someone’s power comes in whatever that power is lashes out till the person wakes up.”
“Did I hurt anyone?” Her voice became small and she felt like a child who was lost in Wal-Mart and couldn’t find her mother. Her mother!
“What’s the date?” Ally asked before he could answer the first one.
“It’s September 20. You’ve been out for a week, longer than any of us were. And you only gave out very strong headaches to Sam and Tommy and showed me your dreams and memories and what went on your pretty little head of yours. And when our old Wizard carried you to the cave you healed him, just by touching him.” He then shook his head. I missed my mother’s birthday. Ally thought sadly. She forgot Markus could hear her thoughts and would be surprised to know that he felt the pain she did.
“You’re still weak, the hangover of the new powers normally last about a week sometimes two. Come on,” He held out his hand to her. “You need to get some food in you.” Ally grasped his hand and stood shakily to her feet. Her first step was a wobbly one but soon Mark or Drake or whatever he was called now was leading her to the dining area with a steady hand on her shoulder.
“Well, what should the master chef cook the young sleeping beauty today?” Tommy said as he put on his apron. It was a very girly apron with ruffles and lots of pink and the word’s Kiss the Cook was written on there. I don’t have to really kiss the cook, do I? Ally thoughts questioned. Tom and Sam laughed and Mark scowled and Tommy. Only if you want to. Tom thought back. Not now, not ever. Markus’s thought snarled.
“Not to many options, either burnt eggs or burnt toast. You see Ally,” Sam said bringing everyone back. “He isn’t a very good cook. He burns everything! That’s why he isn’t on cook duty very often.” Ally and Sam laughed and they became fast friends. Ally sat across from Sam and looked down at her hands.
“So, what’s going to be my new name and hair color?” Ally asked slowly as Markus sat next to her.
“I think you would look really good with blond hair. But your hair is so pretty the color it is now.” Sam said fingering the ends of Ally’s somewhat long brown-reddish hair, it finally reached right down to her waist and she was proud of it. That would be as long as her hair will ever get and it took her whole life to grow it out.
“Okay, I can do blond. So what’s my name going to be?” Ally started to shake as a cool wind blew in the cave. Everyone took notice of her sudden vibrating and made plans to fix the draft.
“Everyone here is use to it. You will be too.” Tommy smiled as the smell of burnt pancakes filled the drafty cave. Everyone coughed till they got use to the smell and the smoke blew out of the cave.
“I think Stacy would be a good name for you, Ally.” Markus said slowly. I’ve always loved that name. Thought Markus forgetting for a moment that she could hear his thoughts.
“Stacy.” Ally tried the name out and decided to keep it. After a breakfast of brunt pancakes and blackened toast, both which came back up a few minutes later for Stacy which Sam and Markus said she would get use to the taste and smell when Tommy cooks eventually. Sam showed Stacy the girl’s room. Which had throw-rugs and things hung on the walls and two dressers in front of the two twin beds. The one on the right, the closest to the door, was Stacy’s.
“Were you guys waiting for me?” Stacy whispered as she looked into the drawers, empty but she thought that was a good thing. If someone saw her in her favorite worn out hat with the 53 on it she would have been found out in a heartbeat.
“All old Wizards can have up to two guys and two girls in his cave. That’s the max unless you’re being trained by a Leader Wizard, which hardly ever happens. Well, I’m going to go study, you get some rest. Oh and one more thing, girls and guys can’t go into each other’s room. Master D put a spell on the doors so that guys can’t come into our room and we can’t go into theirs, unless you’re Master D or related to him. That is also the only way to get into his room.” Sam’s voice held a touch of sadness that Stacy would question in the morning. Stacy nodded and then went to sleep in her new soft bed wondering when she would stop feeling so weak.
Stacy didn’t have to wonder long. She woke the next morning feeling stronger than ever. When she looked at the clock on the wall Stacy saw that it was five in the morning. Sam was still asleep and Stacy could hear the snoring from the guy’s room. Stacy got up, made her bed, showered, brushed her teeth, and dyed her hair blond with the packet that was on the counter. By then it was five thirty. With her new blond eyebrows and hair, Stacy went around the cave cleaning and picking up. By six o’clock the others woke up to the smell of omelets, biscuits, bacon and sausage, not burnt. Stacy was a very good cook and being a quick study didn’t hurt her chances of learning a new recipe overnight either. 
“How are you feeling, Stacy?” Now that Stacy was clear headed Markus sounded British.
“I’m not sure… You sound more British than yesterday.” Stacy admitted. Markus laughed and explained that his parents adopted him out of London and he picked up the accent from growing up around it. He has tried to get rid of it but hasn’t been able to. He says it makes him stand out more than flying does. When everyone started eating Stacy went on with her questions.
“Where is this Master D. you all keep talking about?” Stacy sounded very southern compared to Markus. It should be expected since she was adopted out of the south but she sounded rough compared to Mark’s smooth voice. They all looked down with tears in their eyes.
“We lost Master D. in a fight to keep you alive and in our hands, Stacy. We don’t have anyone to train you, so we are going to the Wizard Leaders for help and to get training to stop the Evil Wizard, Morta and his lackeys.” Tommy said with a slight annoyed tone. He wasn’t annoyed at Stacy he was annoyed at himself for letting Master D. go it alone. The silence that followed felt awkward for Stacy. She hadn’t known Master D. and she didn’t like the feeling that it was all her fault. Which in a way it was.
“Master D. was like a father to us, Stacy. You more than any of us know what it’s like to lose a father.” Markus chomped a few biscuits like this was all a normal everyday convention. Sam and Tom became curries. They hadn’t known that Stacy lost her father. Markus had because of the days when Stacy’s powers were lashing out he saw her memories and dreams and now knew what she was feeling as soon as she feels it. Without meaning to they had Spell Bonded and Stacy had no idea. I thought only powerful Witches and Wizards with super powerful mind powers could Spell Bond. Again Markus forgot that Stacy could read minds.
“What is Spell Bond?” Stacy asked as she heard Markus’s thoughts. Tom and Sam’s eyes grew large and Markus became livid. He had never felt so invaded before. Stacy started to feel invaded as well but didn’t know why or that she was feeling Markus’s feelings.
“Dang it, Stacy! Stop reading my mind!” Stacy felt ashamed. She couldn’t control her power yet couldn’t help but ask about it because everyone else’s voices in her head felt like her own at times.
“I’m sorry, Markus. I didn’t mean to read your mind. I can’t help it. Everyone’s voice seem to be yelling at me to get my attention, it’s hard not to.” Markus knew she was sorry and deiced to let it slide.
“Try not to, okay?” Stacy nodded but asked the same question. Markus sighed.
“You’re going to keep asking aren’t you?”
“Till I get an answer.” She said stubbornly. That’s when Tommy and Sam stood up and walked out of the room and around the corner to listen to Stacy and Mark’s convention. Did he Spell Bond with her? If so then what will he do? Tommy’s thought’s filled Stacy’s mind as did Sam’s: If he Spell Bonded with her that would explain why he was being protect of her when her powers lashed out.
“It’s rude to read someone’s mind, Stacy.” He meant Tommy and Sam’s minds but Stacy played the blond she now was and claimed not to know what he was talking about, other than his own mind.
“I didn't mean to read your mind, Drake.” Markus smiled. No one had called him Drake since he was eight years old. Stacy felt Mark's heart melt and wonder if her heart was doing the same.
“How come I can feel what you’re feeling?” Stacy asked quietly and looked at her hands. Once again Stacy felt frightened and oddly at home.
“Spell Bond is when someone with mind powers connects with someone else. Like Melody and Danny. Danny was a mind reader like you are. He knew Melody but one day when he saw her and feelings started to come out for her, his powers went out of control, he went back into the sickness/sleep you go into when your powers arrive. Melody cared for him, even though she didn’t know him very well, she liked him but never had the stomachs to talk to him. She felt drawn to take care of him. She became protective of him and stayed with him at all times when he was ill. One with the powers can’t Spell Bond by themselves like a normal person can be in love when the other doesn’t have to be. They both have to have true feeling for one other that starts the bond or the one with mind powers dies. When the power is lashing out the person with mind powers shows the one he or she is going to bond with their memories and dreams while the mind reader is going through the other one’s memories and dreams. When the Bonding is compete then they can read each other’s thought and feel what one another feels.  If he or she tries to bond and the other has no feelings no true over true feelings for them then the person trying to bond dies within an instant they start.” Markus let that all sink in. He didn’t wish to scare her but she had to know. Mark heard Stacy’s thoughts and deiced to add more so she would truly get it.
“Bonding isn’t like love.” Markus went on. “When you’re in love you get a choice. You start to feel for someone and you could make it stop if you want to and if you try really hard. With Bonding you don’t have that choice. Once you like someone and they like you back... That’s it. You don’t have a second chance. Your either Bonded or dead.” Stacy was quite a few more minutes before finding her voice. Even when Stacy did she wasn’t sure if she could use it she was so close to tears.
“You don’t have to be in love with someone to Bond with them?”  Mark shook his head.
“You could but you don’t have to be.” More silence was shared between them before Stacy broke it again. 
“I don’t even know you.” Stacy whispered as her tears rained down. Mark stood and went over to her and held her in his arms as she cried into his shoulder. Yes you do. Mark’s thought giving her a squeeze. Tom and Sam looked around the corner again to see Mark holding Stacy in a hug. “I told you it was real love and a Spell Bond. You, Tom my boy, oh me ten dollars.” Sam whispered smirking.
“That is yet to be seen.” Tommy said also smiling. He was glad his friend found someone he could be with. Tom knew Markus always feared finding someone because if they had mind powers and they liked him but he didn’t like them back they would die and it would be his fault.
“Think hard, Stacy. Think to the days when your powers lashed out and Bonded with me, then you’ll know who I am.” Stacy began to cry harder. She didn’t want this. She didn’t want super powers. She never wanted powers, from a very young age she wanted to be a doctor not a Super Hero or Witch. She never wanted this, to Bond with someone. She didn’t even plan to marry anyone because being a doctor would take all of her time.
“Face it, Stacy.” Markus whispered feeling how lost and scared she truly was.
“It was love at first sight.” Stacy thought hard and glimpses of dark hair and green eyes and someone strong caring her into the cave came into her thoughts. The smell of cinnamon went into her nose and she saw a very blurry image of Markus on the day she came into this cave and knew it was love at first sight like in the movies. It was real. Thoughts and memories hit Stacy like a punch in the stomach and left her gasping for air. Mark panicked when Stacy started to shake and her feelings became stronger, hurt, loss, anger, scared, confused, and un-sureness. All of these washed over the two because Stacy was feeling them.
“Stacy, are you alright? Here, Stacy, sit down. Nice and easy, I got you. Just breath, hit’s like this happen all the time with your power. Just stay calm. It will pass.” Markus soothed.
“Your dad was killed by a masked man when you were five. Your mother worked two jobs and you didn’t have any friends. Your powers came at the age of eight the same day your mother died in a car wreck. You were closer to Master D. than Sam and Tommy because you were his first Wizard to train and you chose me over him because it was love at first sight for you too.” As the images hit her in another punch she knew who killed Mark’s father. Memories morphed together and a blood splattered ally became a playground where Mark broke his arm on the swing set to a cold house every day after school when his mom was at work. Stacy began to feel bad for Markus. She had someone waiting for her at home, it wasn’t her mom or dad but it was a family member at least, oh how she missed her brother. Stacy forced herself to come back to the present and tell Mark what she knew.
“Drake,” Stacy breathed. “Your dad was killed by-” Stacy started to sweat as the picture of her dad killing Mark’s dad became more real. That’s where Drake and Ally met, when they tried to get their drunken fathers to come into the houses. They wouldn’t listen and Ally’s dad pulled a knife and killed Mark’s dad and turned on Ally before realizing what was going on. Stacy had the scar on her right wrist all the way down to her elbow; she had tried to protect her five year old self by putting her arm in front of her face and now wore the scar her father always made her cover up when he was home and not in jail. 

“I know your father killed my dad, Stacy. It’s okay. There is no reason to feel ashamed; you’re not your dad. You’ve never been drunk. You’ve never pulled a knife on anyone. It’s okay.”
It isn’t right. Stacy tried to reason. My father killed your father, you should hate me.
“Maybe your right. Maybe I should hate you. But I don’t, Ally. I don’t hate you.” Mark stopped and tilted Stacy’s chin up so she looked him in the eyes. Tommy and Sam listened closely feeling on the edge of their seats, if they were sitting that is.
“I could never hate you, Stacy. Never could I hate someone as amazing as you.” Mark whispered and they held each other’s gaze. Neither one willing to break the spell. Mark leaned closer inches from Stacy’s lips. If you don’t want me to kiss you, Stacy, tell me now. Mark’s thoughts entered Stacy’s mind as did Tom’s: Oh Mark way to go! Later I’ll tell him how proud Master D. would have been for him.
And Sam’s: I’m so happy for you guys. If only I could love Tommy back then we could all be Spell Bonded with someone.
Stacy didn’t know what to do. She was seventeen and about to have her very first kiss but she didn’t want to do it in front of Tom and Sam. Stacy pulled away slightly and she could feel how hurt Mark was becoming.
Tom and Sam and watching us, Mark.
And you don’t want your first kiss to be in front of them, am I right?
You only know that because you can hear my thoughts. Mark smiled a cockeyed smiled and stood, finally releasing Stacy from his hold.
Later then. Stacy nodded and stood as well. Before they started to walk away Stacy had an idea. You want to play a trick on them? Stacy asked Mark and he smiled a yes. Just go with it then.
“I really like you Mark, but I don’t think I’m ready to date anyone yet.” Stacy said looking slightly pitiful. Markus had a hard time not laughing at the regretful look on Stacy’s face. He couldn’t tell if it was real or fake but the more he thought about it, it had to be fake.
“I guess I’ll wait then.”
“You are seventeen years old, never been kissed and this British hunk wants to kiss you, loves you and is Spell Bonded with you and you turn him down! What is wrong with you?!” A very frustrated Sam yelled in a rush as she bounded the corner and stood in front of the two Bonded teens. Markus and Stacy looked at each other and fall to the ground laughing. Sam just noticed she came out of hiding when Tom walked up beside her and asked why they were laughing.
“So I’m a hunk am I?” Markus asked and Sam turned red and glared at him.
“We were about to kiss when I-.” Stacy sat up straight as new thoughts entered her mind.
They won’t even know who killed them. It was a gruff voice and it made her shiver and feel very frightened.
Markus do we have some sort of defense thing? Stacy asked standing up quickly and looked around the small kitchen.
“Yes, why, Stacy?” Markus stood to, feeling her panic.
“BOMB!” The word had just left Stacy’s mouth when the kitchen wall blew up to bits and panic rose up in everyone. Dust and dirt floated into the air making it hard to see.
“Ally!” Markus yelled trying to find her. He didn’t want anything to happen to his Ally, she had just came to him and no one was going to take her away.
“I’m here, Drake!” Mark tackled Stacy to the ground and they hid behind the counter as he felt her mind fill with confusion. Tommy and Sam got separated by the blast and Tommy was now walking blindly. Dust and bits of rubble had gotten in his eyes and burned too bad to open.
“Sam, where are you?” He had his arms out in front of him and walked toward where he thought the table was. After walking into the wall he took a right and was very close to her, but neither one knew.
“I’m over by the table, Tommy!” She was blind too and didn’t see the man come up behind her and tie up her hands behind her back. Sam started to scream and pull away but it was too late, several men had hands holding her still.
“We’ve got the girl, let’s go!” Other men picked her up and started walking toward the hole.
“Markus do something! I can’t see!” Tommy shouted and tried, pointlessly, to wipe the dirt out of his eyes. Mark charged out from under his hiding place and tackled one of the masked men holding Sam. It was complete chaos in the cave. Bad guys from every side and more were coming. Three were on Tommy. Too many to count on Markus and none on Stacy. She was the only one able to help Sam. Let’s hope I can do this. Stacy thought then took a deep breath and stood up from her hiding place. “Hang on, Sam!” Stacy shouted and then focused very hard on the two men who were still holding her and one man started to hold the side of his head as a painful headache crept up on him and started to pull him under. He fell to the ground unaware of what had knocked him out.
“This is Sam, we have the wrong girl! Get her now, idiots!” More men came out of the hole in the wall and ran toward Stacy and overpowered her. Stacy would have called for help if the men’s thought hadn’t overpowered her as well. They all seemed to be screeching at her in every direction she turned. Unsure of if the others would hear her over the voices, which only she could hear she started to scream. Stacy wasn’t sure how to fight back, unknowing of any type of self-defiance. She placed her hands on the either side of her head trying, and failing, to keep the voice out. The men held her tight as someone hit her square in the back. A scream of pain escaped her lips and she felt blood start to pool where the man struck her. Stacy tried to fight and pull away but started to feel drained and weak. The men were outside now and loading her into the hovercraft when Markus broke through a few of them and could just see Stacy. Her entire back of her shirt was growing red with blood and she was holding her head like she had a headache. He felt her panic and pushed a very fat bad guy on to several other bad guys and watched them go flat. If Stacy wasn’t at stake, he would have laughed. Markus stated to fight his way toward Stacy shouting all the way. Only ten men stood between him and Stacy.
 Nine. Eight. Seven. More men started to come out of the craft and now twenty men stood between Markus and Stacy.
“Let her go! I’m coming, Stacy! Just hang on!” Stacy felt a calm flow into her as Markus’s voice filled her ears. With that calm her reasoning came back. She didn’t know how to fight and was no use to the others. Markus had to save them not her, this she was sure. If he saved the others they could find her later and save her. But if he saved her he would be on his own with someone to protect and not help him fight.
“Markus!” Stacy’s voice sounded strained even to her ears. She tried to make it as calm as she could when she spoke again, it didn’t work.
“Markus, help the others. I’ll be fine!” She could feel the panic return as the thoughts of the men around her flooded her mind,
Morta will be pleased with us.
She won’t last a day in Morta’s hands.
Poor pretty girl won’t be pretty much longer.
Morta was right to put someone on the inside. Markus felt her panic rise and saw how frightened and how vulnerable she was without any training. Markus turned to help the others but made sure his thoughts were in her mind the entire time. Even if she didn’t respond she would hear him and that should calm her. It worked the first time it should work again.
I will get to you, Stacy. I promise.
Their taking me to Morta, Mark! They’re going to kill me! I’m so afraid. Oh Markus, what do I do?
I’ll take care of these guys then follow you by flying. Just keep talking to me okay? Everything will be fine, Stacy. I promise. Stacy was thrown into the hovercraft and was picked up by different hands. They were smaller than the grown men’s hands and it took more of them to pick Stacy up. Stacy looked at the faces of kids’ maybe ten to twelve years old putting her in a crate and putting a sweet smelling cloth over mouth. Stacy’s feelings went numb and she heard Mark’s request turn down to a whisper as the world went dark. Just keep talking to me…

Stacy? Stacy, talk to me. Come on, Stacy.... Stacy?! Stacy, talk to me! Stacy, please! Markus turned to see the hovercraft taking off and was pushed back by a force that he didn’t see. Mark, Tom, and Sam were pushed against the wall and were forced to watch them take Stacy away.
“Stacy!” Markus couldn’t move till they couldn’t hear or see the hovercraft anymore.
“I can’t hear her thoughts or feel what she feels…” Mark said as the force holding them back released them and they dropped to the ground, landing on their feet. Markus then flew into the air and called to Stacy. Tommy looked at Sam and saw her crumble to the ground with a thud. Tommy’s breath left him in a quick gasp.
“Sam!” Tom ran over and knelt beside her. Tommy wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tight. Sam rested her head on his shoulder trying to hold back all the feelings she felt for him. She knew what was happening, she was trying to spell bond with Tom. She didn’t want to, she couldn’t afford to love him let alone be Spell Bonded with him but she was getting weaker the more she used her power to push her true feelings away. Now she had no strength left to fight her feelings for more than a few minutes.
“Sam, what’s wrong?” Tommy sounded far away but worried all the same. Sam’s forehead was beaded with sweat and her body shook fiercely and her lips trembled with words unspoken. Sam’s eyes looked so distant that Tommy thought she was dying. Tommy couldn’t think of a world without his sweet Sam.
“You can’t leave me.” Tommy whispered and shook his head. “I can’t begin to imagine my life without you, Sam.”
“I can’t fight my feelings anymore, Tom.” Her eyes started to close as the last of her strength went out. Can’t fight anymore? Does that mean you’re going to Spell Bond with me? Tom thought smiling. To Sam it felt like he whispered the words but she knew that the Bonding was starting. It made Tommy feel better that Sam wasn’t dying but falling in love with him and they would be forever Bonded. It was a rare thing to be Bonded with someone because the persons power has to be strong to do it, in Sam’s case it was rare but in Stacy’s case it was next to unheard of.
“I love you, Tom.” Her voice was barely audibly.
“And I love you, Sam.” The words were heard and Sam feel into the sickness/sleep and her fever began. Tommy didn’t want to move. He wanted to stay in that moment forever with his arms wrapped around Sam as she Bonded with him. Then a thought came to him. She’ll know who my real father is. This isn’t good. She’ll never truly love me knowing that… And if she tells Mark they won’t trust me… or Ally.
“Markus! You have to get down here, it’s Sam.” Tommy’s voice broke slightly and tears went down his face. Not of sorrow but of happiness. He truly had his Sam and no one would take her away. Tom’s words broke into Markus’s fussing and he flew down.
“What happened?” It was the first words out of Mark’s mouth. He wasn’t next to Sam when the fight happened. She could have been hurt and he would have never known.
“She’s starting to Spell Bond with me, Markus.” Markus smiled at his friends and told Tom he was happy for him then asked what they were going to do with Sam. They wouldn’t be able to get any of Sam’s blankets because they were in her room and they couldn’t go in there, at least that’s what Markus thought.
“I’m going to put Sam in her room.” Tommy told Markus and stood with Sam in his arms.
“And how, may I ask, do you plan to do that?”
“Master D. was my mom’s dad; Making him my grandpa.” Tommy said slowly gauging how Mark would take it. Markus was slightly shaken by this news but it made since. Tommy’s mother was a Witch it only made since that Master D. was her father but what about Tom’s father? Where did he fit into the picture?
“The bonding last only as long as getting your powers last. She’ll wake up by tomorrow night and we’ll head out the next morning. Set her up then go get some rest yourself. We’ll all need it.” Markus told him then walked to his bedroom to have the first of many sleepless nights.

                  ~   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    ~

Feeling started to come back to Stacy as did her senses. She felt things connected to her arms and her wrist felt heavy as did her ankles. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw a rock ceiling. She craned her head to see that the walls looked like hard smooth rock and the small bit of the floor looked the same. Where was she? There was a door at the end of the huge room and there were no windows as far as Stacy could see. It was then that Stacy realized she was lying on a cool table and she was shackled to it while hooked up to different machines. She wanted to scream or cry or maybe both then she remember Markus could hear her thoughts.
Markus? Markus can you hear me? Stacy thought then her body shook violently as one of the machines shocked and an alarm went off over her head. The shocking stopped and left her gasping for air and in tears. She wanted to clutch her stomach because that hurt the most, besides her heart but couldn’t move. Partly by fear of being shocked again and partly by the shackles.
“I see we have decided to wake up, hm?” A voice that sent chills down Stacy’s spine called out as the shrill of the alarm turned off with a sharp squeak.
“Who… Who are you?” Her voice was small and her body started to shake with fear of being shocked again.
“Oh, don’t worry, my dear Ally. I won’t hurt you.” The man stayed in the shadows so Stacy couldn’t see him, making himself only frighten her more.
“Have we met?” Stacy whispered.
“Yes, seventeen years ago.”
“When I was born?”
“I was with your mother.” His voice was soft and Stacy didn’t know where he was heading with this. She was still shaking as another person walked into the room and whispered something into the one man’s ear.
“You knew my mother?”  Stacy had an idea. If he was in here maybe the alarm wouldn’t go off, and if the alarm did go off then the shocking wouldn’t.
Markus?
Stacy! Where are you?
I don’t know but there’s this man and he- AHH!! The shocking pain ripped into her thought as her scream echoed around the room.
“Turn it off!” The man shouted and the shocking stopped a heartbeat later. Stacy lay there panting as tears raced down her cheeks, her body started to feel numb and her eyelids heavy.
“I do not wish to harm my daughter any more than we need to, do you understand.” The man came into the light and Stacy saw a very blurry image him. He wore a dark wizard cloak black on the outside and red on the inside. He had no hair on the top of his head but on the side and back, they came up and sat on the side of his head like grey and black horns. His eyebrows were slanted and pointed that made him look like he was scowling. He had beady little blue eyes; the color reminded her of Tommy. And he had a strip of black hair on his narrow chin with a white stripe in the middle like a skunk’s tail. His robe had a fancy looking M on it and a name came to her mind.
“Morta, you’re my father?” Stacy asked breathlessly. She heard her long lost father cackle as she blacked out yet again.

Stacy woke hours later feeling drained. She didn’t feel the cool metal table under her anymore. Stacy opened her eyes to see she was sitting upright in a corner chained at the ankles and wrists with a long heavy metal chain to the wall.
“I hear you go by Stacy now. So, Stacy, where are your little friends now that we destroyed their home?” Morta asked and was met with silence. Stacy wasn’t going to answer questions; she was going to ask them.
“You really are my father?” Stacy sounded as weak as she felt and Morta had the sudden urge to pick her up, hold her, and tell her everything was going to be alright. The evil side of him refused and instead of holding and comforting her he went to her side and slapped her across the face. His hand left a red mark across her cheek and tears stung her eyes.
“I asked you a question, Stacy.” He snarled. Again she didn’t answer. She couldn’t rat out her friends and she didn’t even know where they were if she did want to rat them out.
“Answer me, Ally!” He shouted. When again she gave no answer he slapped her on the same spot of her face. Blood started to trickle down her cheek and her tears started to flow. But she tried to stay strong.
“ANSWER THE QUESTION, I DEMAND YOU!” Morta shouted in a cruel devil like voice that made Stacy's skin crawl. Somewhere deep inside Stacy she gathered her strength and sat on her knees. 
“And I demand you to answer mine!” Her voice was so strained and full of pain that it made Morta wish he was back years, and years ago and could watch his little kids grow up. He pushed the thought away. He didn't need his family. He had power. People feared and worshiped him. What more could he want?
“Answer me!” It pained Stacy to even sit up on her knees but she managed to stand. Morta was much taller than Stacy, 6”6 at least. She looked up into Morta's beady little blue eyes, which slightly looked like Tom's, and felt fear grip her. Maybe she shouldn’t know. What if the truth hurt her more than not knowing? They were both pondering those thoughts when Morta sighed.
“Yes.” Morta answered softly then grew angry. He shouldn't have to answer to her. She was his prisoner! He can do whatever he wanted to her and she was too weak to do anything about it.
“But that means nothing! Nothing, do you hear me?! You will not ask questions. But you will answer them or else, do you understand that?” Standing there shaking with blood trickling down her face every doubt in her mind that her father wouldn’t kill her left her in a gust of wind, she knew he would but she deiced to tempt fate anyways. The only thing she had to lose was Markus and the way things looked, she had already lost him.
“You’re not going to kill me.” Stacy’s voice was weak and unthreating just as she looked. So much that Morta almost laughed and busted into tears at once. He picked her up by the shoulders and for a spilt second Stacy thought Morta would hug her. He didn’t. Instead he threw her against the wall so hard that it knocked the wind out of her. Stacy lay there holding her middle and tried to remember how to breathe.
“You had your mother’s hair when Master D. took you from me. It was the same length but brown-reddish… just like your brother.” Morta walked slowly, weighed down by the regret he’s had held for years, when his daughter’s barely audibly voice stopped him.
“Who is my brother and mother, where are they?  And what have you…” Morta looked back to see Ally had blacked out. Morta walked to another cell and smiled cruelly and chuckled evilly.
“Oh, Sally, my dear, if only you saw our daughter today. You would be so disappointed on how weak she has become. And you once said she was so strong.” He was looking at the rag-a-muffin that once was his wife, till he grew powerful and feared that she would try to take his power from him, they were happy. They had a two year old and a one year old son and a daughter on the way, they never fought, they didn’t have much but Sally and their child was happy so Morta tried his best. But he wanted more. He wanted power and gold and subjects to worship and fear him. He took his daughter when she was year old. Ally was an advanced young child. By the age of one she could speak and read well beyond her years. When Morta took her at the dead of night to his castle, where they are now, he taught her dark powers and spells to make her his protégé. When Ally turned two she knew every dark spell and knew about every dark power then Master D. came and stole her from her father. Morta looked his wife over. She had brown-reddish hair down to her waist. Her fair skin was covered with filth and her eyes were distant and she was growing thin. Her cheeks were turning hollow but to Morta she never looked more wonderful. He still loved her and that love was the only thing keeping her alive.
“Where is…” Sally was growing weaker every passing hour and never told him what he needed to know. Turns out that Sally didn’t have to tell him. His spies did.
“Get, Sally cleaned and fed, now!” Morta shouted and soon the men were opening Sally’s cell and woman were drawing her bath while another servant ran to get Morris and to tell the cook that he needed to feed Sally.
“When you are cleaned and fed if you look through that window into your neighboring cell you will see your daughter and how far from brilliant she has become.” With that Morta left so they could clean and feed his wife so some guilt would be lifted from his shoulders. Morta’s most trusted servant walked past him and headed to his wife to make sure everything was in order.
“Servant Morris,” Morta called and Morris realized that he didn’t bow before passing the Master. Morris filled with fear and slowly walked back to the Master and bowed low.
“Yes, Master?”
“I want you to put one of the women in charge of cleaning and feeding, Ally. They are not allowed to see one another, Sally and Ally with help. And I want the other thousands of prisoners to be on a shocking table and well, shocked. Do you understand, Morris?” Morris was dumbfounded. Shock all the prisoners expect Ally and Sally? Was the Master’s heart softening over finding his daughter?
“I said, do you understand, Morris?” Morta snarled. Morris bowed again.
“Yes, sir.” Morris turned to get to work but Morta stopped him again.
“And, Servant Morris,”
“Yes, sir?” Morris stopped but didn’t turn around.
“Heal my wife, will you? She is getting too… close to the grave for my liking.” Morris was glad he didn’t turn around because an uncontrollable grin stretched on his face.
“Of course, sir. Is that all?” Morris asked and Morta realized he had people to kill in three minutes.
“Yes, and if everything is not done by sun rise you and the people who are working on these tasks will be killed by noon, understand?” Morris could see that Morta was his old evil self again so he nodded and went to work and all was done in a matter of hours. After Sally was back in her cell and feeling fully back to health she walked slowly to the window and looked in it. There she saw Ally for the first time in years. She had blond hair but other than her hair she looked just like Sally did when she was younger.
“Ally?” Sally whispered and hoped her daughter would answer. Stacy had been washed and feed a small amount of food but wasn’t healed. She could barely lift her head she was so weak. Stacy heard her name being called and for a moment was lost in her dream. She was dreaming that she was lost in a dark forest. It was creepy to her and it frightened her knowing that Morta ruled to forest. Stacy heard her old name being called and wondered if her knight in shining armor came to rescue her. 

“Markus?” She called. Stacy heard her name again but it didn’t sound like Mark anymore it was distorted and higher pitch. In an instant the scene changed before Stacy’s eyes and she saw Morta holding Mark by the throat, choking him.
“Daddy, let him go!” Stacy shouted.
“I should have killed you years ago when I had a chance, Markus! Now, you will die.” Morta shouted and his grip tightened. A choking noise escaped Mark’s lips and tears were flowing down his and Stacy’s cheeks.
“Please don’t, Dad! I’ll do anything! Please don’t kill him.” Stacy shouted and ran to her father’s side begging him but her eyes didn’t leave Markus’s. They were growing distant and he didn’t have much time left. Morta loosened his grip slightly and breath entered Mark’s lungs.
“Anything?” Morta whispered. There was one thing he wanted more than almost anything.
“Anything!” Stacy repeated breathlessly. What thoughts did she send in his head?
“Stay here and be my protégé and daughter once again and never leave.” Morta said and Stacy felt like she was the one being choked. But she had to.
“If I do, you’ll let Markus, Tom, Sam, Logan, Uncle Morris, and Mom leave, alive?”
“Yes.” Morta smiled smugly.
“Stace... Don’t sell your freedom for us… for me.” Markus whispered.
“I have to or you’ll die. I’ll never forgive myself if you all die for me. I can’t let that happen, Markus, you know that.” Stacy whipped away a tear and Morta smiled down at his daughter. Mark took that moment to kick Morta square in the chest. It happened so fast. Markus and Morta flying back. Morta growing angry and shooting a dark lightning bolt. The last scene seemed to happen in slow motion before Stacy’s eyes. The bolt soaring in the air toward Mark and hitting… near his heart.
“MARK!” Stacy screamed and shot up like she had been the one shot full of lighting. Her body groaned in protest of such quick movement. Stacy soon regretted the half stand up as the cell began to spin. She quickly fell back to the ground, nearly passing out. Never had she felt so weak with no pain involved. Stacy started sobbing into the dirt. The dream was so real. It seemed like it really happened. It was so real. Stacy thought as she let out a whimper.
“Ally, what’s wrong?” Sally asked loudly and was soon by her daughter’s side. Sally had used an old spell that teleported her from her cell to Ally’s and now was holding her daughter in her arms and half on her lap. Stacy was panting, still sobbing, and covered in a cold sweat. What did he do to you? Sally’s thoughts asked Stacy loudly.
“Ally, talk to me. What’s wrong?” Stacy thoughts slowed for a minute and she came to her senses. Stacy was weak, unsure, and her father was holding her captured she didn’t need another thing to the list, let alone a random woman knowing her name and petting her. Stacy looked up into a woman’s face. She knew the woman. But she couldn’t place where she had seen her.
“Who are you?” Stacy’s voice was barely audibly. Sally looked mournfully down at her daughter, wondering if Ally was really only seventeen years old and stroked her hair.
“Ally, its mom,” Tears raced down Sally’s cheek and streamed onto Stacy’s face.
“It’s mom. It’s mom.” Is this woman really my mom? Why would Dad keep her here? If he truly loved us he would let us leave. Not keep us here like caged animals. Stacy thought as she looked into her mother’s face again. Sally heard Ally’s thought and started sobbing harder.
“Momma?” Stacy whispered as she swallowed a sob.
 Yes, hunny. It’s momma. I can’t believe I’ve found you again. Sally thought to Stacy. Stacy smiled up at her mother. She had really found her mother. And that dream was just that. A dream. It couldn’t hurt her. But something felt off about this dream. It was too real. Sally’s stopped sobbing soon after seeing her daughter smile but Stacy kept weeping. She soon began to mutter “It was so real” when the images of her dream clouded her vision of her mother.
“What’s wrong, Ally?” Sally asked quietly. Stacy started to tell her mom about her dream through thought and that was how they continued their talked when Stacy was finished. Stacy felt better just talking about it and having her mom around didn’t hurt either. Stacy stopped sobbing and loved her mom playing with her hair.
Who’s Markus, Ally?
Mom, what do you call someone you are Spell Bonded and in love with?
True Love, I suppose. She answered not catching on.
That suits him. Mark’s my True Love, as cheesy as that sounds. Stacy thought smiling. Sally on the other hand was frantic. One of her three kids was Spell Bonded already. She had missed so much of their lives.
My youngest is seventeen and already in love and bonded with someone? What if my sons are too? Sally thought for a moment forgetting that she could send her thoughts and that Ally could read them.
Sons? I have brothers?! Stacy asked quickly her thoughts sounded frantic and she began to wonder where they were. Stacy sat up and stood quickly, forgetting how weak she was. The room spun for just a moment then she blacked out and fell into her mother’s arms.
“ALLY?!” Sally shouted and shook her shoulder, nothing. Stacy was out cold in her mother’s arms. That’s when Sally noticed the bruises and marks that you could only get from being on the shocking table that were all over Stacy.
MORTA, YOU’RE A MONSTER! Sally’s thoughts screamed at him, knowing he could hear her. Sally placed a hand on Ally’s forehead to move a hair away but left it there. She was warm. She was running a temp. Sally lay Ally next to her and ran to the cell bars.
“Get a healer! My and Morta’s daughter is dying!” She may have stretched the truth slightly then again she may have not but it was the only way to get a healer. It didn’t work. Instead of summing a healer it summoned Morta. 


                       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Markus?
Stacy! Where are you?
I don’t know but there’s this man and he- AHH!!
The shocking pain stopped and Mark was gasping for air that didn’t seem to come.
“Mark? Mark what’s wrong?” Tommy heard Markus scream from Sam’s room and ran to see what was going on.
“It’s Stacy. I felt her get shocked.”
“You can feel her pain?” Mark nodded.
Stacy? Mark tried. Nothing. He tried again. Nothing. STACY, PLEASE ANSWER ME! PLEASE!
“I can’t hear her.” Mark stated quietly. Markus’s shoulders slumped at the news as did Tom’s.
“We have to find her.” Tom said urgently, almost desperately. Mark wondered why Tom sounded like that. They had only known Stacy for two days, if they didn’t count the week her powers came in. Yet, they all seem to bond over that small period of time.
“Sam should wake sometime tomorrow morning or tonight. When she does, we leave. Start packing food, water, clothes, and gear, for you and Sam. I’ll pack some for me and I’ll pack everything but clothes for Stacy. The clothes for Stacy are up to you, got it?” They had everything ready an hour before dawn. At dawn Sam woke up and they headed out slowly since Sam was weak from the hangover but if they had Mark’s way they would be running till dark. If they had Tom’s way they wouldn’t stop till they found her.

                 ~   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    ~

“What have you done to her?!” Morta snarled going to his daughter’s side.
“I have done nothing! ‘Tis you who is at fault, you monster! You shocked her, slapped her, threw her, you left here in a cold cell and now she is ill! I cannot believe such actions came from you onto your own daughter! Have you no heart!” Sally spat. She sounded centuries older and Morta wondered if she was back in time like he was. It was the first time they met. They went to a Wizard and Witch themed costume party for Halloween. They had to dress and speak like the humans from way back then. Strangely enough Sally and Morta were the only ones dressed like people from the 1500 something; Morta couldn’t remember the right date they dressed as. They spotted each other almost instantly. They talked, danced, and soon Morta fell in love with Sally. It was months later before she felt the same and the bonding began.
“I…” Sally started but didn’t know how to go on. She didn’t mean to use her that tone and words it just slipped. Now they both felt pain over this blast from the past. Morta deep down wanted to have his family back together and still loved his sweet Sally but his mind was poisoned with dark magic long ago and it consumed him. Only stronger light magic spell could save his mind now, magic that Sally didn’t possesses but sensed in Ally.
“Get the Healer and Servant Morris.” Morta shouted his eyes still locked with Sally’s. His hand holding Ally’s.  Tears stood in Sally’s eyes and some even threatened to stand in Morta’s. Morta, the good part of him still left was fighting back. Sally saw it in his moist eyes.
“She needs you, Morta. She needs me. She needs her older brothers. She needs her family. She can’t get that here. Fight it, Morta. Come back to me so we can give our children what they need. I miss you, so much. I love you Morta, please come back to me.” Sally pleaded, her voice quavering. Morta couldn’t respond. His body shook and his tears fell. He was trying so hard to come back to his Sally but the evil in him fought harder. The Healer and Morris chose that moment to come into the cell and was taken aback by their Master’s tears.
“Cure her fever only. The rest she will have to deal with.” Morta snarled and stalked out of the room.
Oh my love, Sally thought hopelessly. What am I to do to get you back to me?Hours later Stacy was still asleep in her cell, her fever gone but the day’s advents tolled on her greatly. Her mother didn’t leave her side while she slept but was growing weary. I should go back to my cell to sleep. At least there is another mat in there. It may be thin and dirty but it’s better than the floor itself. Sally thought as Ally stirred.
“Ally?” Stacy stopped stirring at the sound of her mother’s voice. Sally decided then that she would just sleep on the floor near Ally in case she woke up.
Stacy was in a white padded room, alone. She seemed to be there for hours before she heard her mother’s voice.
“I should go back to my cell to sleep. At least there is another mat in there. In may be thin and dirty but it’s better than the floor itself.” Ally looked around the room franticly for her mother. She didn’t want to be alone anymore she longed for Markus and missed her mom so much that it ached. Tears were streaming down Stacy’s face now as she cried for Markus, longing him to hold her in his arms. Minutes passed before Sally was standing in front of Ally in her dream. Ally couldn’t believe it. Someone was really here in her room, in her dream. This was the first time that it happened.
“Mom? How are you here? I’m always alone when I come here.” Ally ran to give the older woman a hug and was greeted with open arms.
“When I fell asleep your powers pulled me in here.” Sally hugged Ally tightly.
“Why did you not tell me Morta hurt you? You didn’t even show pain.” Sally’s voice was a tight as the hold she had on Ally’s shoulders. Ally didn’t know.
“I just met you, Mom. I couldn’t ruin it. And I didn’t show pain because I didn’t feel any. Everything felt numb, asleep, so much that I forgot had bad of shape I really am in.” Sally panicked. Numb? Could she have more than one power? Were only a few questions that plagued Sally’s thoughts.
“Quickly, Ally, do you have any other powers other than your mind power?” Ally thought then nodded. Sally asked what they were and Ally tried to remember what they were.
“Markus said that when Master. D carried me into the cave I healed him. His wounds, cuts, bruises, even scars just but touching him.” Sally smiled. Morta had that power too. She was so much like her father that it made Sally smile grow until she remember Morta had darkness swarming his heart. The thought made Sally want to sob.
“You can’t heal yourself with that power. You feel pain as it is being inflected but if the wounds are left alone for some time then they will grow numb and you won’t feel pain anymore but it’s still there. Does that make since, Ally?” Stacy nodded then told her mother about how her friends found her and her powers came in. Stacy told her everything up to the point of when she came back into her life.
“And your brothers? How are they?” Sally asked quickly.
“My brothers? I have real brothers?” Stacy stared wide eyed at her mother. If they got out of the castle then changed Morta they could be a family. Stacy’s mind wonder for a moment to what a family with Markus would be like. As if her thoughts summoned him, Markus appeared in front of mother and daughter looking as confused as ever. Sally watched Stacy’s eye grow and a look of peace come to them. She sidestepped around her mother and was a seven feet away from him.
“Stacy?” He whispered. That was all she needed to know it really was Mark.
“Markus!” Stacy whispered back and ran into his arms. He picked her up and they twirled around. Sally watched unashamedly and saw how much of her daughter’s life she missed. Sally saw how in love the young couple was and longed to be that way with Morta again.
“Your powers must have pulled him in as well.” Sally said gently. The young couple looked as if they just noticed her.
“Who is this, Stacy?” Markus asked keeping his arms around her.
“Mother meet Markus. Markus meet my mother.” Stacy’s hands gestured as she did introductions then she told Mark how she found her mother. She was still in his arms when she finished.
“Your father? Is he being kept by Morta as well?” Mark asked and the two women shook their heads.
“He is Morta, Mark. I’m so sorry.” Stacy said tears coming back to her eyes. She lay her head on his shoulder and her smoothed her hair.
“It isn’t your fault my dear. It’s okay. Shhhh. There is no need to cry, love.” He soothed.
“May I ask who trained your group, Markus?” Sally spoke for only the second time since he appeared.
“Master D.” The young couple watched Sally’s eyes grow. Sally walked forward and looked at Mark with pleading eyes.
“How is Master D. Markus? Please tell me he’s alright.” She whispered.
“Missing in action.” Sally turned pale and they watched a grey cloud loom over her face.
“Tom. How is Tom?” She was close to breaking down already if they told her her son was dead she wouldn’t be able to stand it.
“He’s doing fine. He and Sam Bonded.” Sally relaxed slightly and sighed with relief.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if he was dead.” She said softly.
“You know Tommy, Mother?” Stacy asked as everyone sat down on the padded floor, Markus still had an arm around her.  Sally tilted her head in confusion.
“Of course I do. I did give birth to him after all.” Mark and Stacy were shocked into silence. It was minutes later and still no one spoke. Stacy was the first to find her voice.
“Tommy is my brother?” Sally nodded. Stacy looked at Markus with pleading eyes.
“You have to tell him, Mark. Tell him I found Mom and to be safe. And not to do anything stupid.” Mark smiled then started to fade. His body started to phase in and out of the room. He was despairing.
“Mark?” Stacy asked as Sally pulled her away from him.
“Someone must be waking him up.” Sally told them.
“Next time you fall asleep think of me and I’ll be here, Ally. I promise.” He said feeling her fear. She nodded in return and whispered ‘I love you’ before he was gone.
 Sally and Ally woke soon after and Ally was sure that her mother lied about the pain becoming numb after a while. It hurt to move and when she did she felt so dizzy and weak that she almost went under each time. The dream conference took a chunk of energy to do it. Sally pulled her child half in her lap all while trying not to hurt her.
Remember to tell him, Mark. Stacy thought as she watched her mother sob in above her.
I will, Ally. I promise. The cell door creaked open and Morta watched his wife and daughter for a moment before coming closer.
Morta is here. Don’t do anything stupid. I miss you, Markus; please don’t do something that would make me lose you. I love you, Markus.
Be safe, Ally. I love you so much.
“Guards, take Ally to the shocking table.” Morta all but growled. Morta felt his wife’s pain and terror build up and wasn’t sure if he could take it much longer.
“No!” Sally screamed and held onto Ally tightly. Stacy barely held on to her mother, she was still so weak that her strongest grip felt like a small child holding her mother’s hand walking across the street.
“Mom, let go. I’ll be okay. I’ll be okay.” Stacy whispered when the guards come forward.
“No! Morta, you’ll kill her! She’s already so weak, don’t hurt her anymore! Please, Morta.” Sally begged.
“Mom, let go!” Stacy said so firmly that her mother finally looked at her.
“He’ll kill you.” She whispered.
“I’ll be fine,” Stacy said then lowered her voice for her mother’s ears only.
“In a few hours my powers will kick in and I won’t feel a thing. I’ll keep a mind link up between us the entire time.” Stacy promised and her mom nodded unwillingly. That was all the guards needed to pull Stacy away from Sally.
“No! Morta you can’t!” Sally screeched then leaped to take her daughter away from those men. Morta stepped in front of her and held her there with his hands on her shoulders while she pushed forward screaming for Ally.
Why did I marry such a woman? The dark in Morta asked himself.
Because I love her. I need a minute with her. Please. I’m being you.
Fine! You have five minutes then my plans go into action.
“Sally, you need to stop it right now!” Morta’s dark side growled. Sally shrank back and backed into the corner of the cell. Her eyes grew expecting he would hit her. His heart filled with compassion for his wife when he felt her fear and he tried to hide it quickly. But he couldn’t hide what he felt in side because Sally felt his compassion for her and her hopes soared.
“Come back to me, darling. Please, I miss you.” Sally whispered. His eyes softened and his stance relaxed and when he spoke it was like the old Morta was standing in front of her again.
“I-I… Can’t, my love… I can’t control it. I had to beg just to get five minutes with you.” Tears were in both their eyes.
“Morta, my love, is that really you?” Morta nodded and she threw her arms around him.
“Can’t you fight it?” She whispered.
“I’m too weak. It’s too strong. I let it eat me alive, I’m sorry for everything I’ve done.”
“Morta, you always heal me. It’s alright.” She kissed him then. That one small kiss held so much love that they thought they would explode. They pulled apart and Sally smiled. Morta frowned down at her. Sally’s head tilted in confusion.
“I’m not talking about that.” Morta whispered harshly.
“Then what are-” Morta cut her off by roughly putting his hands back on her shoulders.
“I’ve seen the future, my love. You were going to find out in a tomorrow.” He stopped there feeling regret over the treatment of his wife. She didn’t like the pause and was ready to burst.
“What am I going to find out?” She pressed on.
“You are with child, my love.” Sally stared at him.
“I’m…” She couldn’t think straight. A child? Sally was once told they couldn’t have any more children. They felt each other’s heart burst with joy as Sally placed a hand on her still flat stomach. Morta placed his hand over hers and they shared smile. They talked about their born children till they only had only a minute left together. Since the news came Morta had been dogging what Sally feared and wanted to know.
“Morta, what if the baby is completely evil? Or even partly evil, what would we do?” Sally asked quickly.
“It won’t be. Logan, Josh, and Ally weren’t evil nor will they ever be they have you in them, my darling. You keep them good.” Sally smiled and kissed his cheek. Now it was his turn to say what was on his mind.
“Besides, we won’t do anything. You will, by keeping the baby away from me.” Sally started to shake her head.
“The baby will need its father.”
“Our oldest, Logan will be the father figure. Didn’t that work for the last two?”
“Tommy had my grandfather, Master Danny. Logan was adopted by my sister and then they adopted Ally. Do you really want our fourth child to have to live in this broken up family? You have to fight it, Morta. I need you. This baby needs you. Logan needs you. Josh needs you. Ally needs you the most; you and I both know that. You have this connection with each other that will either save you or kill her. You need to make a choice.” Morta stood up and walked out of the cell not wanting the evil side to take out any rage on her. That didn’t work because when the evil side was back in control he walked right to his guard and ordered that Sally be beaten and then thrown out onto the streets before day break. The guard nodded then walked to get the others who hated Sally to go get the job done.
“And guard!” Morta said so suddenly that the guard started then slowly turned back around.
“Don’t touch her stomach for she carries my heir.” Morta walked away to go take care of his Ally or he would have seen the guard standing there with his mouth swung open wide open. It was several minutes later before Morta’s orders were fulfilled. Morta walked into the room they put Stacy in. She was strapped to the cool metal table again and had a blindfold over her eyes. Morta walked over to the table and roughly took the blindfold off of her eyes. Stacy was momentarily blinded one second then the next was staring into the face of her father.
“What did you do to my mother?” Stacy growled not looking frightened like she felt.
“What had to be done. I was growing weak because of my love for her. So now she is on the streets.”
“You don’t deserve her. She’s too good for you.” Stacy spat in his face. Morta looked taken back then back in control. Stacy started to shake as the evil gleam in Morta’s eyes grew brighter.
“I’m going to perform a few tests on you, my daughter. We are going to take down the blocks that Master D. placed in your mind so you will be as powerful as you were years ago.” Stacy shook harder and tears stung her eyes.
“If I struggle? If I give you trouble during these tests what will you do?” Stacy regretted the words as soon as the left her lips. Morta smirked as he pressed a button. Stacy felt the shocking pain she did hours ago but more intense. It lasted longer than her first shocking; it was more painful, and more powerful in every way. Stacy was now gasping for air that wasn’t coming. When air finally came it smelled like burnt flesh and singed hair. Stacy felt puke in the back of her throat.
“If you do pose a problem I will press this button. Now you won’t struggle anymore, will you?”
“I’ll fight you till my last breath. You can count on that Daddy.” Stacy whispered slowly.
“Morris, get in here to do the tests!” Morta shouted then a short man with greying hair and a long crooked nose stood beside Stacy.
“What have you done to my niece?” Morris shouted angrily.
“You forget your place Servant Morris.” Morta growled warningly. They shared a long darkening look before Morris gave in.
“Uncle?” Stacy whispered and Morris nodded to her then to Morta. Morris looked at his small niece with grief then. Her entire body was scorched; the hair on her arms and the slight on her legs were completely singed off. Her body shook and she couldn’t breathe, Morris knew this just by looking at her.
“Place this needle in her right arm and this needle in her left arm.” Morta commanded.
“Yes, Master Morta.” Morris took the needles and walked back to his little niece.
On Dad or Mom’s side? Stacy’s thoughts questioned Morris.
I married Sally’s sister. I’m sorry Ally. Morris thought as he tenderly picked up her arm. Stacy’s eyes grew wide and she bit her lip to keep from screaming. Morris saw tears roll down her cheeks after just touching her arm. He looked at her arm, her burned raw flesh and bit his own lip from crying.
Sally? Is that my mom’s name? Stacy’s thoughts asked as she let her tears flow.
Yes. I’m so so sorry, Ally. This is going to hurt.
It’s okay Uncle Morris. I forgive you.Morris pulled the needle up and jabbed it into her arm.
“No Morris! It’s in her upper arm you idiot! Pull it out and try again.” Morta shouted over Stacy’s screams. They placed the needles in her upper arms and Morris thought he never heard such painful noises before.
“The liquid in these needles will make their way to your brain and will remove the mental blocks that Danny, you called him Master D, put there to keep your dark powers and spells from being used. He also put them up so you couldn’t learn in more spells. That rat deserved what he got.”
Morta told his daughter. Stacy watched as Morta walked over to a panel and was about to press the button to start the test when Stacy’s weak, wobbly voice stopped him.
“I see you made your choice.” Stacy fought to keep her eyes open as she spoke. Her entire body was burned; her arms were bruising fast after being poked with needles. Stacy’s vision was starting to give out; she didn’t see people and shapes anymore. She saw blots and swirls of color like a painter’s pallet after a master piece had been made.
“What was that?” His voice was so cruel Stacy flinched.
“I can read minds. I heard what you said to Mom and what she said to you about making a choice.” Stacy stopped to catch her breath then continued.
“I see you made your choice, Dad.” Stacy’s voice was soft but rusty like she was going mute.