(Our Realm)
Alethia and Corie spent their Sunday morning in each other's company, enjoying a relaxing time together. In the afternoon, Jen arrived with a delicious pizza, and they spent the rest of the day indulging in junk food and movies. As the night approached, they bid each other farewell, making plans to meet at school the following morning. Jen drove Alethia home, dropping her off before she made her way inside her house. The remainder of the night was quiet for Alethia, as she engaged in some reading, checked her school work, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Alethia followed her usual routine, showering, getting dressed, and leaving the house at her usual time. With her headphones on, she strolled down the street toward the school, arriving before anyone else. Taking her seat at their usual table and leaning against the wall, she relaxed and listened to her music. Gradually, her friends joined her, engaging in lively conversations about their weekend adventures.
Corie took a seat beside Alethia, offering a soft smile. "Hey."
Alethia returned the smile. "Hey, how are you doing?"
Corie smiled and shrugged. "I'm feeling much better today than I was on Saturday. Thank you again for spending time with me. It really helped take my mind off things until I was ready to face them."
Alethia gave Corie's arm a comforting squeeze. "You know I'm here for you, anytime you need me."
Corie nodded, her smile growing wider as the school bell rang. "Let's head to class."
The rest of the day passed without any major issues. Alethia bid farewell to Corie as she headed for the bus, while Jen and David went their separate ways. Russell was nowhere to be found. Alethia waited at the front doors for a while, but eventually decided to give up and make her way home. Slipping her headphones back on, she continued her journey.
Just as she was nearing her house, her phone chimed with a message from an unfamiliar number. Retrieving her phone from her pocket, she read the text. "Hey, it's Chris. I got a new phone. Can you meet me at our place? We need to talk."
"Sure, let me drop off my bag, and I'll be there in twenty," Alethia quickly replied.
She hurried home, deposited her bag, and made her way to their training area. However, upon arrival, she discovered that Chris was nowhere to be found. Though not overly concerned, Alethia took a seat, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun on her face.
"I didn't think it would be so easy to get you all alone," a slimy voice suddenly echoed from behind her.
Startled, Alethia swiftly stood up and spun around, finding Slade standing there with a smug smirk, his arms crossed over his chest.
"What are you doing? Where's Chris?" she demanded.
Slade smiled, taking a few steps closer, nonchalantly shrugging. "I have no idea where Chris is. I haven't seen him. But I was waiting for you, Alethia. I thought we could have a little chat."
Alethia glanced at her phone, a sinking feeling creeping over her as the pieces fell into place. "You sent me that text."
He chuckled lightly, nodding. "Yeah, I figured it was the only way to get you all to myself."
Backing away, Alethia moved toward the path leading back to the road. "Well, we have nothing to talk about."
Slade swiftly positioned himself in front of her, blocking her way. "That's where you're mistaken, Alethia. We have plenty to discuss."
Taking another step back, Alethia replied firmly, "Then talk, because I have nothing to say."
Before she could make a move, he grabbed her, pinning her against a tree, his arm pressing against her neck. "You need to learn some manners, little girl. Both you and your boyfriend. Consider this your final warning. Either he cooperates with us, or the next time, I won't be so merciful."
Alethia closed her eyes, struggling against the tree, attempting to tap into her magic, but nothing responded. All the training she had done with Chris seemed futile now. She felt utterly helpless, unable to escape Slade's grip.
He caressed her cheek. "I don't want to hurt you, Alethia. I believe you could be a valuable asset to our cause. Unfortunately, you've chosen the wrong side. And my boss insists there's more to you than meets the eye."
With a forceful punch to her stomach, she cried out, tears welling up in her eyes as she fell to her knees, clutching her abdomen.
Grabbing a handful of her hair, Slade yanked her head back, forcing her to look at him. "What do you even see in him? He doesn't care about you." He slapped her hard across the face, causing her lip to bleed and swell from the impact. "If he did, he would have agreed to help us when we asked. But here you are, a beautiful little pawn, all because he values his precious 'chosen' more than you." He tossed her to the ground.
Groaning, Alethia struggled to get back on her feet, her mind racing with questions. Why can't I access my powers? Why can't I fight back? "You have... no idea... what you're talking about," she managed to say between clenched teeth, wincing with each word as she crawled onto her hands and knees, determined to stand tall.
"I am well aware," he sneered, delivering a brutal kick to her stomach, causing her to double over in agony. Another swift kick sent her sprawling to the ground. He yanked her hair, forcing her back onto her knees, and then threw her onto her back. Straddling her, he pinned her wrists to the ground as she struggled against his grip.
"I must admit, your resilience surprises me," he taunted, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "You should reconsider joining me. With your fiery spirit, you could rise to become my second-in-command."
Her voice strained, she managed to utter defiantly, "I will never...align myself with you."
"What a pity," he jeered, slapping her across the face. He then wrapped his hand around her throat, tightening his grip. "I could end your life right here and now. But I want Chris to receive my message."
Leaning in, he forcefully kissed her, a cruel smirk lingering as he released his hold on her throat. "Remember, if he refuses to cooperate, your luck won't hold next time."
With a mocking tap on her cheek, he pushed himself off her and strode away down the path.
Alethia lay there, enduring the searing pain, blood staining her lips, and suspecting that her ribs were fractured. She took slow, agonizing breaths, wincing as she gradually turned onto her hands and knees. Gritting her teeth, she summoned every ounce of determination to rise to her feet, commencing her arduous journey homeward.
