Fox Ball
Danger on the Horizon

I came out of the vision with a shout, eyes frantically searching around me. My heart was racing out of my chest, breaths coming in rapid puffs. I could no longer feel the chill of the clearing, but rather the sun on my skin, a soft breeze tangling in my hair and brushing across my exposed skin. I shivered, a single tear rolling down the side of my face the trail of wetness going over the edges and ridges of my scar. I was back at the Ruins. It seemed to be mid-day, the sun high in the sky. I could hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach, birds cawing through the air, and my companions down the hill, chatting with each other around a small campfire.

I breathed a sigh of relief, shaking off the remnants of my vision as I watched their animated faces laugh and smile. It was all a vision. They are okay. I thought to myself before standing from my position, shaking out the aches and pains of having been seated for so long. I cracked my back and popped my neck, breathing in a deep breath of ocean air before making my way toward my family.

It didn’t take me long to reach them, but once I did, their animated faces dropped into looks of worry. They could probably sense that I had seen something, each exchanging looks with the other as they offered me a seat in between them.

I silently took the seat, purposefully avoiding their gazes and staring into the fire. I knew they had seen me on the hill. I figured they knew that I had seen something. I knew they weren’t going to like this, but for their safety, I had to tell them.

“Something is coming.” My voice came out strangled, forcing me to clear my throat, a lump appearing in the center of my esophagus. I finally chanced a look at my companions, their eyes each holding a variety of emotions; anywhere from frustration to anger, worry to fear.

“What do you mean something is coming?” Guide was the first one to shake out of his stupor, asking with a tilt of worry to his voice.

“I saw…something. A creature…a beast. I think Peter is creating something. I don’t know what, but I know for a fact that he’s making something. And it’s almost ready. It’s coming for us.” My voice shook with fear, revisiting the image of the giant fox from my vision, it’s glowing green eyes peeking through the shroud of darkness. I closed my eyes, rubbing at my head to make the images go away, but it did little in the way of working.

“Tell us everything.” Rose said, reaching a hand out to my shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. That anchored me to the present, the glowing eyes retreating to the back of my mind.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair roughly. I started recounting the story to them, leaving out some of the details such as their sinister smiles, the fact they didn’t fight, and whatever Rose had whispered to the beast before it took her life. I wanted to hold onto those little aspects of my vision until I figured out what they meant. I also decided not to mention the dream that had led me to using my ability in the first place. Their expressions fell into vast hopelessness and fear. They were silent for a long time after I had finished, but I could see the racing thoughts in all their faces.

Once again, Guide was the first one to speak, “your visions seem to be taking us all back to the clearing. I think that means something. Something is going to happen there, whether it be the big showdown with Peter, or something else. I can’t say. For now, I think we should avoid going there until we can fully fight against whatever Peter decides to throw at us.”

We all nodded our agreement. Rose spoke next. “I still need to go get my brother.” She shifted her attention toward me. “While you were on the hill, I gathered the pearls that we needed to complete the spell. We can do it tomorrow when the sun starts to rise.”

I was about to nod when Guide negated that option. “I think you should go today. We don’t know what Peter is planning and your brother could be a key piece. We need to get to him before Peter does. If we can throw a wrench in his plans, then maybe we can have the upperhand in defeating him.”

That honestly sounded like a much better plan. I didn’t want to wait anymore. I didn’t want to wait until Peter had the advantage on us. He’s been ten steps ahead this entire time. He didn’t need to get any closer to his goal. I nodded in acquiescence, taking in a deep breath of sea air, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

Rose nodded as well. “I will go get everything ready. Be ready in 20 minutes okay babe?”

I smiled, feeling a flush rush through me, redness surfacing on my cheeks. “Can do bumble bee.” She returned my smile and headed towards the beach. I turned my gaze away from her retreating back, to the campfire, and finally to the eyes that I could feel boring into my very soul.

Talia looked mad. Actually, from the look on her face, I half expected steam to be rolling off of her in waves, blowing through her ears. Oh fuck was the only thought I could get out before she started ranting. “Babe? Babe?! When did this start? What the hell happened between you two? Most of all, why didn’t you tell me?” Her face fell from anger to hurt and I felt a pang in my chest.

“I’m sorry Tal. It just happened a couple nights ago. With everything going on, I just didn’t want…” I don’t know what I didn’t want. I don’t know why I didn’t tell her. I guess I just didn’t want to jinx it. I shifted my gaze to my hands that were resting in my lap. I started playing with my fingers, trying to do something to get my anxiety out. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you Tal. You’re the first person I wanted to tell, I promise, but it just happened so suddenly and with this whole Peter thing, I just was scared that something would happen.”

The hurt faded from her face, but there was still a little pain in her gaze. “I understand that sweetie. I didn’t mean to get so mad. You’re my best friend. It just would have been nice to hear from you.” A mischievous smile took over her features as she poked me in the arm. “So you’re in looooove?” She teased, winking at me.

I couldn’t help the laugh that overcame me. I nodded in agreement, causing my best friend to squeal in delight. She flailed her arms out, almost smacking me in the face with her hand. I don’t think she even noticed. “I’m so happy, I’m so happy, I’m so happy. To be honest, I didn’t know if you would ever open yourself up to the possibility. I’m so glad right now. You know what this means? Once we are done with all this shit, and I get a boyfriend, we can double date!”

I could barely follow what she was saying because she was talking so quickly. But I got the gist of it so I just nodded. Apparently that’s what she wanted to hear because she squealed loudly again, pulling me out of my chair and into her arms, giving me a tight squeeze. The hug lasted for more than a minute, but I honestly wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

Once she had released me, she gave me a pat on the shoulder and then got up to walk away, a skip in her step. To be honest, it seemed Talia was more excited about this development than Rose or I combined. It was cute. Guide interrupted my thoughts with a clearing of his throat, pulling my attention back to him. “Once you guys open the portal, you’re going to feel really sick. Teleporting between worlds is hard on the body and expenses a lot of energy. I know it will be difficult, but the second you land, I need you to stop time. That’ll keep Peter away for a short amount of time so you can grab Derek and go. I know I’ve been working with you on stopping time for everyone but one person. It’s a lot more energy consuming, but that’s what I need you to do. The second you land, do that. Rose informed me that she will be teleporting directly to the house where she lived with Derek, so it’ll just be a quick grab to get out of there. Make sure time isn’t stopped for him so he can still be interacted with. Good luck.” He gave me a squeeze on the shoulder, holding on just a little too long in which I could only assume was worry and fear for our safety.

“We’ll be okay. It’s just a simple grab and go.” I tried to reassure him, but I’m sure he could tell I was more reassuring myself than him in that moment.

“Go. I will keep Talia safe.”

I nodded my thanks and headed toward the beach. Once I arrived, I noticed that all the supplies we had gathered the other day were spread out in a complex sigil. The closer I got, I saw there was not one, but two sigils. I guess that would make sense considering the both of us were traveling.

Rose gave me a strained smile before glancing at the sigils on the sand. “You ready to go?”

At my nod, she got into position in the center of one sigil, signaling for me to do the same. Once I was in position, she gave me a terse nod. We both lifted our hands, power shooting out of them to open the gate between our world and the human world. I focused all my energy on the house we were traveling to, thinking about the setup and layout and Derek. I prayed he was safe. I don’t know what would happen if he wasn’t.

Just as I was able to put my foot in the portal, I heard the whisper again, “Olivia…come replace me…please”, and just like that, my focus was shot.