Lilian's eyes sparkled as she saw the impact of the explosion, within her greenish pupils it was possible to see the flames rising. With a sharp pain in her chest, Lilian leans on the car window and stands on top of the roof. Sitting down crossing her legs she breaks down in tears.
It can not be. I just lost the person I love the most. said Lilian wiping her tears
"Lilian, let's go there.— she must have escaped
Accelerating the car, Andrew goes to meet Ruby. At the exact moment of the explosion, the girl skids with the motorcycle, causing her knees to support her feet on the tilted motorcycle. Defending herself from the wreckage, she throws the vehicle into the fire. Slamming into the sandy road beside her, Ruby lands quickly rolling onto the hot sand, bruising her face. Fainting instantly.
Her loose red hair ended up being drenched in white sand. Her boots came off her feet and lay on the asphalt. The jacket tied around the waist remained intact.
The moment Andrew and Lilian found the motorcycle on fire and the place surrounded by fire, they imagined that Ruby had died instantly.
Ruby was alive, her heart was still beating. Even though he knew his heart didn't exactly belong to her...
"Andy, is Natasha here...— Lilian murmured softly.
You don't even need to complete the sentence Lily, the answer is definitely no. Andrew replied
Something was shining in the distance, a strong glow coming from above, in the pocket of Ruby's jacket there was Natasha's small dagger that gleamed in the sunlight. Overshadowing Lilian and Andrew's vision.
"It's her, Andrew!— exclaimed lilian
Let's go. Andrew said
Reaching out to Ruby, Andrew wiped the sand from her face, stanching the blood from the cut on her flushed cheeks, lifting her into his arms. Natasha's long hair floated between Andrew's hands while Lilian caressed her. — I'll take her to the car, you collect the objects. Andrew said — All good. replied lilian
Laying Natasha down on the backseat of the car, Andrew improvises a pillow for the young girl. Placing and positioning her body to be as comfortable as possible.
Lilian was collecting Natasha's belongings among her weapons, a necklace caught the little girl's attention, in the shape of a silver heart, there was a peculiar symbol. The shape of a phoenix holding an ax in its paws, on the opposite side a rose with thorns in the shape of swords, which cut the flower in half.
That's weird. thought Lillian
"Lily! Let's go! Andrew shouted
Lilian put the necklace in her pocket, collected the objects and ran to the car, on the way she observes her sister unconscious on the seat. His thoughts were surrounded by absolute uncertainty, did Lilian really know Natasha, or rather Ruby Jones truly...
Traveling a long way along the road, a sandstorm formed making it impossible to see Andrew who was driving attentively.
"Close the windows, quick. ordered Andrew
Lilian obeyed the command, closing all the windows, waiting for the worst.
What is happening? asked Lily
"I don't know, but it's not supposed to be a good thing. replied Andrew distressed
A giant whirlpool punished the road, closing in furiously close to the car. Andrew's eyes widened as he realized what was coming. Turning the car in the opposite direction, he accelerated desperately.
Lilian unfastened her seat belt, standing on the seat, trying to get to the other side of the car. Andrew braked the car when he realized the whirlpool was chasing them.
Lilian's door opened on impact as the whirlpool sucked them in, Lilian pulled out of the car.
"Andrew, help. Help me! shouted lilian
Unlocking himself from the bench, Andrew threw his body forward and grabbed Lilian's hands tightly, trying to pull the girl inside.
"I don't know if I'll be able to take it. said lilian
"Look at me, we're going to make it!— Andrew said
I manage to bring Lilian back, I ask her to go to the back with Natasha. I put my foot on the accelerator, responding to the command, the vehicle gains power. Pulling us down, we descended the storm with great speed, reaching the ground, the headlights hit the ground, breaking the car's front and the large rear view mirror.
I accelerate with agility, pulling us away from the whirlpool and the sandstorm, my heart pounding so hard my vision was blurred, cold sweat running down my spine. I couldn't give in to my uncontrollable urges, I have to remain calm.
— We're alive, it was close, wasn't it? asked Andrew sweaty
Lilian was holding Natasha in her arms, crying silently, her face was a little red and her hair was disheveled.
"Hey, what's up?— Everything is fine! It's over. reassured Andrew, passing his hands over Lilian's face, wiping away the tears.
"Are we close to town?— asked Lily
"I think we're going in a circle. Andrew replied
"Andy, I'm honestly tired. said lilian
"I'll find a place for us to rest.— Andrew said with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
"It's not that, I'm exhausted from it all. Of these challenges. I want to go home. lilian whimpered
"I'm not going to lie, I am too.— Andrew said
Lilian looked at Natasha, who was sound asleep, running her hands slowly through her soft hair.
"We'll fight until we have nothing left.— said Andrew. "When that happens we'll be sure we'll have everything to defeat whoever is behind these suicidal trials."
...
Natasha's subconscious
"Ruby! I know it's there. Natasha said
"Why, look who's back for another exchange. Ruby said
"Look, here's the thing, why don't we fight to see who dominates whose mind? Natasha asked
— I don't think so, we already know who would win. I'd rather torture you
for all those years you've kept me trapped inside you. replied Ruby
"I did it for you, you are the personification of evil, of darkness. You are the worst in me, all destruction, anger, spite and hate. Natasha said
"So you hurt me. said Ruby laughing
"You'll never have one hundred percent control of me.— Natasha said
— Let's see, who is dominating your body at the moment, raise your hand? said Ruby raising her right hand
"You're pathetic, I'm just an anomaly of my brain, a rotten, insensitive personality. Natasha said
— I am you! said Ruby holding Natasha's face, approaching face to face
"We will never be the same. answered Natasha
— You're right, your heart still beats goodness and kindness. I still haven't gained full control of your mind and body. But when I'm in control, you'll be nothing but a memory. Now I'll stay alive! Ruby said
— If it's up to me, both of us won't be able to stay alive, if one doesn't die definitively. And I will do anything to end you! exclaimed Natasha
— That's right Natalie, show who you really are. Ruby said
"On the contrary, Jones, we're not alike, I'm not you. A monster. answered Natasha
Ruby grabs Natasha's neck tightly and lifts her in the air, while her arms were tied in flaming ropes.
"I am your present, past and future. said Ruby knocking Natasha to the ground
Natasha starts to cough a lot, out of breath. Ruby turns around closing her eyes for a few seconds. Natasha gets up and jumps, weaving the rope against Ruby.
35
— We will see who will win this tournament. whispered Natasha in Ruby's ear
"Let go of me!— suffocated Ruby
"Where is your bravery now?— Natasha asked
Putting her feet against the wall, Natasha pushes Ruby hard, Ruby's neck is left with a third degree burn.
"We're even now. Natasha said
"You pay me Natasha. Ruby said
"Do you want to get out of hand?— So come on, I'm crazy about it. said
Natasha clenching her fists.
"On the contrary, our battle will be different. Ruby said. — You will see.
"I'm shaking with fear. Natasha said