Phantasia

The ride was far from comfortable. The back of Mr Smith’s old van was strewn with tools that rattled with every slight bump in uneven roads the suspension couldn’t handle. Joel and Kaori were huddled under a tattered grey blanket while Shelley still clung to a disinterested Theseus, who sat looking out the dirty windows with a frown on his face. Near the front of the vehicle Phoenie and Katrina eavesdropped on the conversation between Mr Payne, Ms Booton and Mr Smith, which Phantasia could hear as clearly as the spluttering of the van’s engine.

“I figured Wotan was playing that thing, letting it kill those Raven kids so his lot didn’t have to,” said Mr Smith.

“Payne, we’ve gotta deal with that bastard already,” growled Ms Booton, “We can’t keep skirting around in the shadows like this. You know things are coming to head already, you should do something before someone gets killed,”

“The Bishop isn’t about to kill anyone, I’m sure of that,” said Mr Payne, “This is an elaborate game for him. He’s waiting for us to make a mistake and foil ourselves,”

“Rembrandt,” began Mr Smith with a sign, “I gotta wonder sometimes if you’re just doing the same thing yourself. I mean, those kids could’ve got killed today, like those others did. You think Wotan would’ve stepped in just ’cause they’re your students?”

There was a silence, in which Phoenie and Katrina began whispering among themselves about the revelations. They stopped when the van began to slow.

“I’ve got to weigh up our options,” said Mr Payne.

Ms Booton scoffed. “Better hurry up then, or your students will make the move for you,”

The van stopped outside the school and Mr Smith opened the back doors, throwing brilliant light into the cold interior. He winced at the sight of the students and beckoned them out.

“Sorry you kids had such a rough ride,” he said as they disembarked, “Never thought I’d be smuggling my students outta a place like that but, you know, Godhand and all that…”

“I’d like some kind of report from anyone willing to offer one,” said Mr Payne, giving Phoenie a knowing look, “Kaori, Shelley, your mothers are waiting for you inside. The rest of you are free to leave,”

Theseus untangled himself from Shelley and walked off, throwing back a half-hearted wave. “I was meant to be seeing Amanda tonight, Rogan. I hope your little ghost hunt was worth it.”

Phoenie scoffed and walked in the opposite direction, towards the school, with Katrina in tow. Kaori followed, dragging Joel behind her, while Shelley hovered around Phantasia.

“Phantasia, I’d like to speak with you after I’ve seen Phoenie,” said Mr Payne, “I imagine you have the, eh, most complete idea of what happened back there,”

The teachers made their way towards the school, leaving Phantasia with Shelley.

“I’m so sorry I did this to you,” she said, looking everywhere but at Phantasia, “I don’t know what happened. I’m always causing you trouble. I’m so sorry,”

Feeling a fragment of darkness splintering Shelley’s heart, Phantasia stepped forward and hugged her. “Don’t worry about it. We’re friends, right? Friends are supposed to help one another!”

Shelley was trembling, and no matter how hard Phantasia tried to purify that seed of self-loathing in her heart with her new-found power, the darkness refused to relent. Shelley pulled herself away and made a sudden break for the nearest entrance, her aura closing itself off from Phantasia as if her heart were trying to hide behind a cloak.

Even with her new understanding, Phantasia felt powerless.

~ What does Rembrandt Payne have to say? ~
~ Next: Phantasia’s revelation! ~

Chapter 12
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