Which Side Are You On? *Part 57*

They ran down the stairs as quickly and quietly as possible to keep from alarming the others. If this was a matter they could handle alone, then it was better that no one knew of it, especially Ahx.

“Markus!” Sovira screamed when they made it outside. He was no where in sight.

“I don’t see him,” Sariin said.

“Let’s try the garden.”

“Are you serious? Do you realize we’ll be searching for hours?”

“Can’t you use your ability to find him then?”

“Well, he’s around here somewhere.”

“Where?”

“Not too far.” Sariin hesitated toward the gate.

“Sariin? A little help would be nice. Can’t you give me a more positive answer?” I was overly anxious.

“I think he went that way,” she said pointing outside of Ahx’s place.

“Toward the town?”

“I said I think.”

“Sariin,” I groaned. I thought her ability was supposed to be helpful.

“Well…ugh…I can’t really sense him anymore.”

My heart stopped for a second.

“You mean…he’s dead?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you can’t sense him.”

“My power isn’t always reliable.”

“You never mentioned that to me before.”

“I forgot.” she smiled, a serene and innocent smile.

“Sariin, this is serious.”

“It’s not like I use it on humans all the time. You’re the only human I’ve ever had to use it on.”

“If he’s dead, just tell me.”

“What if he went back to your world somehow?”

“Like how?”

“Ahx? Or maybe he found your amulet.”

“Karamys has it, and you said he left Ahx’s place. That he went toward town.”

“Then what are we doing standing here? Let’s go look for him. If he’s still in this world then let’s find him before anyone else does.”

“Okay,” Sovira agreed as they headed for town.

“What if Ahx or Hermione were right about Markus?”

“Are you actually considering he’s a demon?” Sovira asked.

“Maybe, and that’s how he traveled back to your world.”

“Maybe…”

Sovira didn’t believe it, but at this point she would believe whatever it took to believe there was still hope that he was still alive. She appreciated Sariin’s optimistic attitude. She was a good person to have around at horrible situations as this one. She was always looking to the brighter side of things, always finding something good out of the darkest situations, having hope and giving hope to others. She liked that about Sariin.

“Not much longer now,” Sariin said as they made it into town.

“What do you mean?”

Could she sense him again?

“Before I lost him, I sensed him over here.”

“Where?”

“This way.” She lead them to a dead end.

Sovira saw a figure walk behind a building over by the dead end. She squinted her eyes but couldn’t make anything out in the darkness.

“Markus?”

“What’s that?” Sariin pointed to the concrete in front of them. “Oh, Sovira don’t-”

“Markus!” Sovira screamed as she ran to his body on the ground. “Markus! Say something!” She tried shaking him as if he was only asleep. “Markus, no! Who did this to you?”

“Sovira, I’m sorry.” She put her arm around her.

“Is he really gone this time?” Sovira cried.

“I think so,” Sariin said in monotone. For once she wasn’t all chipper.

“Oh, Markus. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I only wanted to protect you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You deserved better.”

“Sovira, honey, it’s not your fault.” Sariin rubbed her back to comfort her.

“I just wish I could have done something,” she sobbed.

“Shh…You did all you could. Let’s go back to the house, okay?”

“Sariin, you can find who did this, can’t you?” she asked while looking her in the eyes.

“Well, I…I don’t have that kind of power.” She felt guilty that she couldn’t be of any help.

“Damien? Karamys? Who is here? Which one of them did this?”

Sariin thought about it for a moment.

“Sovira, I-”

“Oh, look who it is. Sariin and her little pet.” A male voice was heard.

Sariin and Sovira looked behind them. Coming at them were three demons. No, make that four. There was another in the way back. They were all male demons.

Were they the ones responsible for this? Sovira wondered.

The one in the front was laughing. Sariin got up in a protective stance in front of Sovira. Sovira was still knelt beside Markus.

“Now, why are you befriending a human? You know that’s against the rules,” the one in front said.

“That’s not for you to decide,” Sariin retorted. She was calm about it.

How could she be so calm? Sovira wondered. We’re at a dead end surrounded by demons. Does that thought even occur to her?

The demon in the front started laughing again. He was walking toward them.

“Stay back,” Sariin said. Her stance got fiercer.

Did she really think she could take them on? Was this really the end? Maybe it would have been smart to tell the others. How would they know about this now?