Chasing Aurora
Chapter 16

The night was dark, not a single star could be seen through the heavy cloud cover. The only thing illuminating my walk were the two lights illuminating either side of the gate. My hands were behind my back, hiding my sword from view. My heartbeat was steady, completely calm despite the adrenaline running through my veins. I could feel a tiny Fauna hovering behind my back, waiting for exactly the right moment.

My footsteps were nearly silent. I was steps away, unnoticed by the men leaning on the gates, when the lights went out. We were plunged into complete darkness as the two men by the gate shouted. I brought my sword around to the front, quickly cutting down the two guards. They hit the ground before they could make a sound. I saw a flashlight as the gates began opening. I quickly slipped through, dropping the guy with the flashlight on the ground.

Fauna returned to her usual size and helped me pull the bodies inside. With a wave of her hand, the blood disappeared off the sidewalk and the lights turned back on. I wiped off my sword as Fauna shrunk back down.

I looked over where the barracks were waiting. Robby and Flora were over there setting up a distraction. I crouched down, waiting. If I didn’t, I’d go charging right in. I heard the screams first. They travelled over the cool night air. I kept my eyes trained on the barracks until I could see the flames start to creep up on the horizon. I pushed myself to my feet and turned to the house.

I strode up to the front door. I didn’t feel an ounce of fear. My mind was clear as instinct took over. I rolled my shoulders, turning the sword over in my hand. I walked right up to the front door and kicked it down. I walked right into the house to replace ten guards with their guns trained on me. I didn’t feel any fear. In fact, I smiled, “I’m going to give you three seconds to drop your guns and surrender.”

“It’s ten against one.” One of them scoffed. “One shot and you’re dead.”

“One,” I said as I relaxed into my fighting stance.

“Just give up.” Another guard said.

“Two.” I lifted up my sword with a smile. “Three.”

All at once, their guns went flying. Two of the guards went running. I wasn’t bothered, eight guards still remained and were ready to fight. One tried to sneak behind me, but I somehow knew exactly what to do. I turned the sword around, tucking it under my arm and drove it into his abdomen. Another man tried to swing at me but I quickly dodged him as I pulled out the sword. I spun, slicing at a guard who fell to his knees.

One man jumped on my back, his arm wrapped around my neck. I grabbed his arm and flipped him off my back. I grabbed his hair and slit his throat. My body moved independently of my mind, cutting through the guards one by one. I soon stood alone in a room full of bodies.

“Holy fuck.” I turned to see Robby standing in the doorway. He was as white as a sheet as he stared at the carnage of the room. I quickly walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Hey Robby,” I said softly. His eyes focused in on me instead of the bodies strewn around the room. “Why don’t you go back to the car. We’ve got it from here.”

“What? No, I’m supposed to protect you.”

“Robby, go to the car. I’ve got the fae with me. If it makes you feel better send up Merriweather, but this is not your place. Go.” I urged.

“Stay safe Pip. Get your girl.” He turned away and walked out.

I turned to see Flora and Fauna standing waiting for me. “Fauna, you go to the gate and bring the bodies up here. Flora, you check out the basement. If you replace anyone, trap them and we’ll deal with them later.” The two of them nodded and went off on their assignments while I started going from room to room.

Once I had cleared all the rooms on the main floor I started going upstairs. I could feel myself getting tense. Every second that passed that I didn’t see Maleficent made my nerves start to fray. I just couldn’t understand how she hasn’t shown her face. By the time I went through every room on the second floor, I wasn’t having it anymore.

“Maleficent!” I yelled as I climbed to the top floor. “Show yourself! Come out and fight me bitch!” I was starting to get mad. Once I was on the floor, I was taking my anger out of the doors, kicking them down one by one. I knew that Aurora was at the end of the hall, but I had to make sure Maleficent wasn’t laying a trap for me.

Finally, I stood in front of that last door. My heart was beating out of my chest. All the nerves that were missing earlier were now hitting in full effect. My palms were sweating so much I needed to wipe them off before I pushed the door open. I stood there in the doorway and my heart drop.

The room was empty.

I walked in, thinking it was some trick, but then I saw it, laying on the pillow. A note and a blonde lock of hair. The sword dropped from my hands as I walked up to the bed. My hands shook as I picked up the letter and I could feel my knees give out. I fell on the ground I read Maleficent’s words.

Your witches cannot help you Guardian. You are never going to see Aurora again, but I left you something to remember her by.

I tucked the lock of hair into my pocket as a wave of pure rage came over me. I bent down, grabbing the bed frame. I yelled as I tossed the frame across the room. Hot tears poured down my face as I began trashing the room until I finally collapsed against the wall.

“Piper!” Fauna’s panicked voice filled the room as she ran in. She looked around the trashed room before her eyes landed on me.

“She’s gone.” I cried. I felt the her of them wrap her arms around me.

“We’re going to get her. We’ll call the witches. They’ll replace her again.” Fauna said.

“She knows about the witches. If we use them again she’s going to know.”

Flora came running into the room. “Fuck.” She swore as she looked around the room, “There’s a giant tunnel in the basement. They must have snuck her out while we were watching the house. Maybe if we follow it, we can replace her.”

“Maleficent will have her long gone by now. She thought of fucking everything.” I wiped my tears as I stood back again. I grabbed the note and my sword. “Let’s get out of here before the cops come.”

I walked out of the house, making our way to the van. I felt like I was numb. I climbed into the back, letting the sword fall onto the ground as I just stared forward. I felt Robby’s arms wrapped around me. “Piper, what happened?” He asked.

I just handed him the note. I reached into my pocket grabbing the lock of Aurora’s hair. I held it between my fingers as I realized I had no ideas. No second step. I had two weeks and an entire world to search. All my hope had vanished in a manner of seconds. I thought that I would be holding my Aurora right now. I had killed people for this and now... it was for nothing.

“We’re going to get her. I promise you, we’re going to get her.” Robby stroked my back as he said his optimistic words. I just couldn’t believe them. I was falling into a dark pit in my heart and I didn’t know how I could possibly get out.