Next she pulls on an oversized pair of black jeans, and turtleneck. She places her shoes upside down to dry and slips on the clean socks and large combat boots, Dana left for her. In a hurry to talk to Janet, she towels her hair dry and braids it securing it with a string ripped from the towel.
The sound of hushed voices floats to her, and she knows they are returning. Elina feels a hundred percent better, now time to get some more questions answered from her old teacher.
Dana returns carrying a small black bag. “Janet wants to see you now.”
“Okay, lead the way.” Elina feels like a school girl again, who is about to be sent to the principal’s office. They return through the tunnel quickly and Elina finds Janet waiting. A small table and chair is in the corner with a teapot and some biscuits.
“The biscuits should give you some energy, but eat slowly. The stomach can react badly if it has been a while since you have eaten anything.” Dana tells her.
“Thank you, I will be careful.” Elina replies, not taking her eyes off Janet as Dana leaves
Janet glares at the young woman who destroyed her world. She tries not to feel hate, but finds it is impossible. “You should eat before you go, Elina.”
“First, I would like to apologize for panicking earlier, though I am sure you enjoyed striking me. It has been a truly bad few days and I am still trying to piece things together.” Elina states as she walks to the table to eat.
She sits quietly as Janet watches her.
“You should know what has happened. As watchers we have been preparing for the return of the Keeper. I never believed it was a good idea to put all our hopes in one individual, especially a traumatized child. When you came, Ruby told me how special you were, but I didn’t believe it. I am glad I didn’t listen to her.”
“Why would my mother tell you anything about me? She knew how I felt about you and especially, how you treated me!” Elina snaps swallowing some tea and trying to keep calm. ‘Still your body and control the anger,’ Elina she reminds herself.
“Your adopted parents were forgiving people. They understood that my anger was towards the situation! Not all of us believed it was wise to wait on a savior. They spent years training you and sheltering you and for what! So when the time came you could fail us? What if you were killed in a car accident, or caught a disease and died. I believed it was stupid then, and I know now that I was right.” Janet begins to pace as she speaks.
Elina stands up and faces her old enemy.
“I spent years training and honing my gifts. I stocked caves with supplies in case we would need them. I trained any who would listen and prayed that I was doing the right thing, hoping it would never be needed. When the first wave came, I was at school with our youngest. I protected as many as I could, but my powers are nothing compared to a demon. Where were you?” Janet screams at Elina with tears streaming down her face.
“I, I was fighting, we were surrounded by fallen. They betrayed us and took him, he pushed me away, using the last of his powers to protect me! I couldn’t leave him… so he forced me away!! Yesterday, I was with my family,” Elina whispers back.
Janet’s face shows her shock. “He pushed you through time?” she demands.
“Yes, No, I don’t know what is happening. Yesterday, I fell into the river and after I got back to the house everyone was gone. It happened so fast, Janet! I ported to the reservation and the demons attacked me. I decided to go home! I was praying that this was just a nightmare.”
“Okay, keep your voice down. You ported here? To the ranch? Damn! They trace us through our powers, every time there is a surge they find us.” Janet grabs the black bag from the cot and hands it to Elina. “This bag has emergency rations inside of it. Medicine, a knife, lighter, etc. We do not have much time, they will be here soon. You have to go!” Janet says, pulling Elina and pushing her towards the exit.
“Wait! I can help you, Janet. Let me help you.” Elina snaps in frustration and jerks away from her.
“No! We are capable of protecting ourselves, but you are the ultimate prize. They will bring an army to capture you! When you leave, they will follow and that will buy us the time to escape.” Janet yells at her.
Dana returns alarmed by the fear she is reading from Janet. “Get everyone ready to move, now!” Janet barks at Dana. She runs out of the room and Janet pulls Elina along through a shaft that leads up.
“Listen to me, there is a resistance growing. The leader is on the East Coast. You should go to them and ask for the Hammer! Picture his thread, golden like yours, in your mind. You will find it. He glows brighter than most.”
“Now you believe in golden threads?” Elina asks struggling to keep up with her. Stepping out onto the ledge, Elina takes a deep breath of fresh air. With tears in her eyes, she looks into the eyes of her adversary.
“Thank you, Janet. I will fix this if I can.” Elina promises.
“Just get to the Hammer, he will know what to do!” Janet replies and disappears back through the tunnel.
Elina watches for a moment, then starts to search in her mind for the threads of humanity. What once was a universe of bright silver threads floating on an endless sea, now is a black endless sky with random threads flashing and blinking. Elina searches for the golden thread and begins
