Part 15 (1/2)

Wow. That was kind of--neat.

”No!” Maureen screamed.

That's when I saw TC hovering over Allard, the only robed figure remaining. Allard was on his knees and TC's right hand was up. I recognized the glowing red orb in the center, and I could remember the feeling of utter euphoria being pulled into that red light could give. TC was stealing his soul.

On my own instinct I yelled at TC. And I mean yelled--just as I had that night on the roof. As I had that day in the shop when Mitsuri had gone after Daniel.

The foundation shook and groaned but it had the effect I wanted. TC vanished--not like he had on the roof--no. I hadn't blasted him that hard though I'd wanted to. He was holding Allard and I didn't want to zap a human being--no matter how guiltyout of existence.

But the Archer was gone.

Allard Bonville collapsed and lay still.

”Thank you, Miss Martinique.”

I looked at the two women. They really were starting to look alike--tall, well built and totally naked. Wow--if only Dags could see this. I pointed to him. Will Dags ever know you're there?

Alice shrugged. ”For now, no. We'll have to reveal ourselves to him slowly. When he recovers from this, he won't remember us.”

”Neither will you,” Maureen said. ”You won't remember us. You'll remember the Archer unfortunately. And he'll remember you. You hurt him, but you didn't destroy him. Be prepared against him, Miss Martinique. He is a vile enemy.”

Yeah, yeah. You don't have to tell me. So I won't remember either of you?

”Not at first. But I have something I want Dags to remember,” She knelt down beside him and put her hand on his heart. I didn't know what she was doing though, or what it was she wanted him to remember.

Alice said, ”I will put this memory into your heart--the energy you absorbed can be transferred, and it can be used for healing.”

The two women vanished.

I sighed and sank to the floor besides Dags.

EPILOGUE.

Needless to say mom and Rhonda were cheezed to find my slowly freezing body in Elizabeth. When I didn't respond I was once again rushed to the hospital where I woke up. Mom was there, her bag of knitting beside her and demanded to know what the h.e.l.l happened.

Evidently there was a call to 911 placed at the residence of one Allard Bonville. The Cheif of Surgery was rushed to the hospital along with an unconscious young man, both found in his bas.e.m.e.nt. Bonville was found in silky black robes and the young man, later identified as Darren McConnell, was in a pair of flannel pajamas and a tee-s.h.i.+rt.

”You have anything to do with that?” Mom was knitting, not looking at me.

I pursed my lips at her and shook my head. I had my board and wrote on it. GOT A FEEL'N, CAME HOME AND FOUND SF AROUND HOUSE. WENT OOB.

She read it but kept knitting. ”But you don't remember anything after that?”