Anthology Two Presents

Prentice
"Act" (Part 2)
By Stephanie Vance

She felt the swirling blackness, or at least she assumed it was black because the wasn't able to see anything churning around her. She heard whisperings slip past her mind as they caressed her hair, eyes, skin. Looking inside she saw the blackness reflected within, broken shards of herself laid in the bottom of her soul, like a broken window, the glass cut into her heart. She reached out a tentative hand and tried to touch the razor sharp edges. Grasping one, she held it up to the dying flame that was in a cold corner of her mind. Her eyes winced as the shard reflected the light, shinning, bringing into focus the world etched upon its surface.

Prentice...

"Prentice, what am I going to do with you? Every damn time I leave you alone, you manage to do something drastic to yourself." The man standing over Prentice's body was hard to distinguish from the shadows that surrounded him. A long, black trench coat brushed the top of his black boots. His face was hidden first by his jet-black hair, which fell to his chin, secondly by a mask of what was seemingly cloth, yet upon touching it, it was found to be a curious mixture of some unknown metal and cloth to allow the wearer freedom of movement with facial expressions, yet also giving protection to the face in a confrontation. The mask had broken more fists and staves than Demerite cared to remember, while he had then proceeded to break the rest of their bodies.

Crouching down near the sprawled form that had appeared suddenly in front of him, he gently brushed back a lock of hair from Prentice's forehead. She murmured, suddenly opening her eyes. The pupils were large, seeming to swallow her irises. Her lips were drawn back in a feral grimace, as a choked off whimper issued from her swollen lips. Demerite picked her up quickly, noting to be careful of the several bruises along her arms. He laid her down on some gray moss, not too far away from where he had found her.

'Yet it is better than being underneath that hellish looking tree.' He thought.

He looked around quickly for some dry wood, with which he had the vague hopes of lighting a fire with. Finding some near a conveniently placed stream, he took the armload back to where he had set her down... She still hadn't moved, yet her eyes had thankfully closed. He tried to put the wood close to her, stacking it in such a way that it would all catch quickly, yet burn for a long time. After the fire was going he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shuddering body, noticing more bruises and cuts through her torn clothing. He frowned at this, wondering what she could have got herself into. Last time they'd seen each other, she was so cocky and sure of herself, it was right before she'd made a trip to the past. To visit Greece, or somewhere like that. Demerite reached into his pants pocket, like the rest of his clothing, his pants were black. It made him harder to see in the dark, he tried not to move through the day much, and if he had to, he tried to have some other apparel handy. That's where Prentice had come in handy, with that pencil of hers. His hand pulled out a turkey sandwich, laying this on the ground, he pulled out a tea cup and tea bag as well. He walked quickly to the stream and dipped the cup in water, and on an impulse pulled a terry cloth out of his pocket and dipped that into the stream as well. He took the moistened rag and squeezed some of the water out of it, and then carefully proceeded to wipe some of the blood and dirt from her face. She whimpered as the water touched her lips. He squeezed the rag again and let some of the water sit on them, dampening her mouth with the moisture.

He reached around to where his tea was, figuring that it should be ready, as he watched the fire play upon her features. Across her high cheekbones, sliding like a lover's kiss down her nose to alight on her pointy, dimpled chin. Her eye lashes made long feathery shadows across her face. Of all the forms he had seen her in, he liked this one the best. It fit her personality, though he couldn't ever really remember seeing her in her true form. He had seen her before, in forms undoubtedly more revealing, though he wondered if this was her true form. What did it matter though, once he got her awake, and healed she'd thank him with a waspish retort and then leave again. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered, but then his mind would wander over some particular memory of her. That one time he had found her in the rain for instance, off on the planet Braeburn, singing and laughing. She had caught him by surprise, crashing into him as they both went sliding into the mud. The fight that ensued left them both extremely dirty. Yet he had really made a mess of things by accidentally coming upon her while she was bathing afterwards. He had never seen anyone so angry, and she had left the next day without speaking to him, or accepting his apology. Dreams of her under that waterfall had haunted his sleep for many nights to come, though he had told himself it was just because it was the fact of seeing a very beautiful, and naked woman under water, always a fantasy of his. Of course that was until other less pleasant things had entered his life and left that dream far behind. Demerite shook his head in agitation, all this had no bearing on the situation now though, he could figure out his feelings and thoughts later. The more urgent matter was seeing what damage she had suffered, and what he could do to fix that.

Prentice felt warmth upon her body, wrapping her in its security. A cool dampness, smelling faintly of moss and dust balls slid across her face, easing the bruises, and moistening her lips. She heard a light rustling beside her, and heard what sounded like a light sipping coming from somewhere to her left. She vaguely remembered hearing her name called, and then being lifted into the air. She so wanted to open her eyes, yet was afraid that 'the voice' would come awake and she wouldn't be able to stop it from doing whatever it wanted. That would not be good, especially if whoever was helping her was someone she knew. A shadow cut off the lighting that had been warming her face, she felt large, calloused hands brush across her skin. The long fingers checked her pulse, then gently probed along one of the purplish welts that grew along her cheekbone. All of a sudden she felt herself lifted up and then set down again, closer to the heat source. What was going on? Muttering penetrated her fog filled mind...

'...hope you have an extra set of clothing, love.'

Before she could react, she felt cool air rush over her skin as her clothes were torn from her body, a coldness gripped her heart as she realized that she was completely defenseless. Prentice steeled her body to give her best effort in staving off her assailant, but a rush of pain made her head swim. She gasped as the fire set from her ribs, up into her shoulder. Struggling to maintain consciousness she heard her name breathed again, just before the darkness took her into its embrace. Her memory struggled to produce the name in time... Demerite.

Demerite saw her sharp intake of breath, and her face contort into pain. He noticed for the first time that her arm was at an odd angle. He moved quickly to her side, to move the weight of her body from that side. "Ah, Prentice. Just when I need your powers the most." He stood up, to get a better view of her stretched out form. Looking for any other tell-tale signs of breakage, her arm seemed to be the only thing though. Besides several cuts and deep bruises, her broken arm was the only serious injury. He had seen such injuries before, usually resulting from a bad crossing. None as bad as hers though, besides the other time jumpers were never as depleted as she seemed to be. He looked around for his tea and unfinished sandwich, knowing that the tea would probably be cold by now. He went over and picked it up anyway, going over the mental inventory of what was in his pockets, that could help with such injuries. He picked up his discarded trench coat and proceeded to pull out everything that was inside them.

The assortment of junk inside those pockets was nothing less than extraordinary. Several packets of Marlboro reds, five lighters, needle and thread, another tea cup, a box of tea bags, a sour milk carton, crusts from another eaten sandwich, ointment (he set that to the side to see if it would be of any use), a blanket and a large basin, now at least he knew what had started to make his left inside pocket so heavy, a couple of silk scarves seemingly spritzed with women's perfume (Demerite's normal frown spread into a grin upon seeing those, a parting gift from a friendly lady back on his home planet). The scarves, ointment, basin and blanket and possibly the needle and thread could be of some use. He shoved everything else back into the pockets, leaving out a packet of smokes and a lighter. He dragged the basin to the stream and filled it with water, then set it near the fire, to once again warm up the water. He draped the blanket over Prentice's body, noting that the air was getting cooler, and put his coat back on. While waiting for the water to heat up he unscrewed the lid to the ointment and took a whiff. The stuff smelled of honey, thyme, and roses. Demerite couldn't imagine where he had picked the stuff up, or why he had shoved it into his pockets. The rising moonlight seemed to make it glitter, like gold. He screwed the lid back on, set it down near the needle and thread, and lit a cigarette.

"Smoking is seriously bad for your health you know." A conversational voice said from behind him. He turned slowly, and saw Prentice looking up at him, with a grin.

"Glad to see you awake," He replied. "I'm heating up some water to soak those scrapes in, and I've some ointment that might help."

"Can I see the ointment?"

He walked over to where he had laid the stuff from his pockets down, and picked it up. Crossing over to her, he unscrewed the lid and then knelt down so she could see what was inside. Prentice lifted up her good arm and dipped her fingers in. The ointment seemed to glow all around her finger tips. She smiled as she lifted her nose and then put some in her mouth.

"Do you know what you've been carrying around with you?" She exclaimed. "This ointment will heal practically anything."

"Even broken bones?"

Her answering smile was beatific. "I'll need that bath first, and then you could help me rub it on." She started laughing at the expression on his face, while he tried to get his heart rate back to normal. Bending down, he lifted her up and gently placed her into the tub. Handing her some soap he had found, along with the wash cloth used earlier, he retreated to the stream, to give her privacy. Looking out over the sluggish water, he watched as the stars were caught, it seemed in the grasses. Two moons shed their light down, in grays and blues, giving Demerite's skin an undead glow. His thoughts wandered aimlessly back and forth. Always returning to the way Prentice's eyes caught the firelight. Something wasn't right though, her eyes, choice of words were all wrong, as if someone else was speaking through her body. A slight cough caught his attention.

"Since you were so gallant in getting me in here, would you mind helping me out of it?"

He turned around quickly, taking off his coat as he did so, spreading it on top of the blanket. Without a word, but with a slight smile at the sight of her dripping form, he lifted her gently out, wincing in sympathy as her broken arm hit the side of the basin. Stepping around the fire, he laid her down on the coat/blanket turned mattress. He picked up the ointment and brought it to her, relaxing as the fragrance encircled his head, leaving a golden haze in front of his eyes. She smiled at his expression.

"I'll need your help... Demerite." His name seemed to be made into something full of promise.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Just dip your fingers in, and rub it over the arm first, then over the rest of my bruises."

"What will you be doing, as I'm doing this then?"

"Ever the skeptic, eh, Demerite? I'll be starting the spell, of course. The ointment can't work without it."
 

Demerite's long fingers dipped into the liquid gold, shimmering as he spread it over her arm, watching in amazement as the arm glowed, and then wretched itself. A gasp of pain was the only murmur that relieved her chanting. As he spread it over her body, her whole skin seemed to glow, catching the fire, and turning bronze, but where the shadows touched her, it glowed a molten gold. One by one he watched as the bruises faded, her skin was becoming as flawless as a child's. Her chanting stopped, and Demerite looked at her face, her lips were moving, but he couldn't hear her. She made a beckoning motion with her hand, and he kneeled down, seeing the golden haze enfold his vision again.

Suddenly she reached up and pulled him down, the force of her grasp over-balancing him, sending him on top of her. He felt her lips on his, not passionate as he would have expected, but brutal, damaging. As if she wanted to drain him, with a kiss. Demerite struggled against the vice like grip of her hands, feeling his lungs straining as his need for air was becoming demanding upon his body. Twisting his head sharply to one side, and throwing his body to the right, he broke her grip, realizing that he didn't have the luxury of getting his breath back, as he saw out of the corner of his eye Prentice springing into a low crouch, a bestial grimace on her face. They circled warily, closing in, feinting seeking a weakness. Their circling was bringing them closer to the fire, when Demerite saw his chance, springing forward just in time to dodge a lightening strike, which unbelievably came from her fingers. She dodged to the side, as his hand came around the chain on her neck, ripping it off with the force of both their motions. The effect on Prentice was startling, Demerite watched in amazement as Prentice's body fell to the ground, but another image was left where she was standing. A piercing pain hit his mind, as he flung his arms to block the voice.

"I will have the pendant, or I will have you. Just like I had her..." The voice was cold, glittering as steel. Demerite reeled with the shock of realizing that Prentice had been possessed.

"Give it to me, and I'll be gone. Don't and you shall both die."

"You would have killed us before, or her if that was so."

"I'll kill you now. Give it to me!" Yet now there was a note of uncertainty, and a sense of alarm as Demerite lifted the chain and put it over his head. The crystal began to glow softly, catching the light of the moons, and spinning it into a silvery beam. Demerite watched as the beam stole outwards, towards the blood tinged figure.

"This can't be, a human can not activate the crystal! This is forbidden!" A wave of terror washed over Demerite, knocking him to his knees, as the beam grew brighter, wrapping itself around and around the figure's body. A high-pitched scream filled his mind, the pain drove him over the edge into darkness, the last sound he heard was the abrupt cut off of the voice, he then fell down in a seemingly never ending spiral. He awoke to a sound of weeping and what felt like water hitting his face, only to see Prentice, tears streaming down her face, the crystal once more around her slender neck. Demerite felt around his face, realizing with some dismay that his mask was being held in one of Prentice's hands. He closed his eyes sighing, feeling the wind caress the scars that criss-crossed one side of his face, his punishment for a crime long gone.

He started to rise, warily watching Prentice as she set the mask down at his feet, then stayed there, begging his forgiveness.

"For what? You have done nothing of your own will. Come off the grass..." Rising slowly he realized that she was shivering, as the wind whipped her now waist length hair around her still naked form. The smoke of the fire mixed lazily with the smoke of his cigarette, as both drifted to an over-cast morning sky.

"So, are you going to tell me how it came about that someone with your abilities became possessed?", As she opened her mouth he cut her off. "No, let me guess... you have no idea, you didn't realize that something was wrong until it was too late, but you think it might have come either during time traveling, or when you picked up the crystal. Am I right?" He was rewarded with a small nod, as she huddled closer to the fire. He watched her for a while, holding her hands to the light, wondering how she could look so helpless yet so alluring at the same time. He was a fool, considering she had tried to kill him not a couple of hours before, well actually not her, but something, and here he was thinking how great she looked in his coat! He smiled at himself and went in search of her clothes, finding them in a heap by the tub, he carried them to her and dropped them by her side.

"I'm sure you'll find these more comfortable than my coat. While you're changing I'll look for some breakfast, alright?" Another smile, aimed somewhere at his feet was offered, sighing he took his coat, and searched the pockets once more. He found a half decent looking box of pop tarts in his inner side pocket, looked for the expiration date, and then decided to ignore it. After all, he had more important things to worry about, one was Prentice and the other was what he thought of as his 'sixth sense', it always alerted him to when he was about to put either himself in danger or someone he cared for was in danger. Lately everything was okay, but he had a foreshadowing that things were going to pick up soon. Pop tarts being passed out, he sat across from her and just watched her, for any signs that 'it' was still there.

"Don't worry," She said softly. "She, he, it is gone. I vaguely remember being caught in a war. The time travel spell had put me down a couple of years too late, and I was standing in front of a very surprised soldier. He suddenly crumpled in front of me, and I saw a shape drifting around him, and then I 'woke up' in an alley in some city. The voice was in my head, but I thought it was one of our supervisors, giving me instructions, it never crossed my mind that they usually do it by human contact, probably the voice's doing. I remember using this crystal to time jump, and then everything came back. I thought I had killed you."

"Well, whatever it was certainly tried, but your crystal stopped it somehow. What is it anyway? I've never seen one change colors the way that one does.

"I don't know, I don't even know how I knew how to use it the first time." Her voice was shaking, along with her body. Demerite quickly got up, and put his arms around her. Holding her close, he felt her tears slide down his shirt. Stroking her head, and making soft, comforting noises, as if she was a skittis horse, he got her calmed down enough to hear what she was mumbling. Though she started crying again, as she told him about the man in the city, who she had slept with, and then murdered, for the crystal.

"It's alright, love. It wasn't really you doing it, it was the voice inside you, it forced you to do things you wouldn't normally do."

"I don't know that though, do I? Who knows I'm not that sort of person, and the voice just brought the real me out!"

"Have you ever done such a thing before? Killed without reason, or thought? No? I didn't think so." He smiled down at her, looking for the first time into her eyes. What he saw there made him pause. Such innocence, so much trust, as her eyes gazed into his he felt a part of himself slipping into her. Her hand reached up to touch his face, as he bent down to kiss tears away, tracing their salty path to her mouth. The wind carried her strange scent to him, a mixture of musk and flowers. He felt that part of him that he always kept apart unlock, and as they drew apart he looked at her and realized what the difference was. He felt her mind, could see her thoughts, like writing behind the eyelids.

"Joseph?"

"Yes," He answered without thinking, and then realized she had just spoke the name that he had tried so hard to forget. Tried to forget the images the name invoked, of a burning house, of his name being screamed in agony on the night wind, and him helpless to do anything about it... She felt the pain, her face was a tortured mask like his own. She whimpered as image after image rolled over her, of burning children, of seeing a friend die as the enemy came thundering over the hill, felt the heart hardening to ice, the feelings of hopelessness as he took up his new name. Amidst all the pain though she saw one light, shining dimly, and that was love. With a start that disconnected her from his mind, she realized that the love was for her.

"You were the only one that kept me feeling human. When I saw another friend die, felt someone else's blood run over my hands again, and I felt as if I'd go mad with the senselessness of it all, for some strange reason I thought of you. Always you'd come to mind, with your smile, and I knew that as long as you were somewhere, I'd be alright."

She looked into his eyes, and let her mind open to his. She saw everything as he did, her family, her travels, the first taste of using her powers to help someone, and the utter horror as her powers destroyed as well, killing her entire village in a fit of rage. He saw her as she met him for the first time, just after the incident, and how she wondered at the mask, and then put a mask over who she was, dampening her memories. The voice was what awakened it all, the full extent of her powers and memories, as his sharing of mind unlocked her heart. Prentice opened her eyes, and smiled into his, their lips touched again, and she wondered how she could have kept herself from him for so long. They fell upon the grass, laughing at the joy in finding each other, losing all track of time as they came together.

Demerite watched her sleeping beside him, her hair was auburn gold, falling just past her jaw line. He traced his fingers over her lashes, over her mouth. Smiling as she smiled in her sleep at his touch. He could feel though, danger coming on the over-hanging clouds, and he hoped that he would have a few days with her before he'd be forced to leave. He didn't know how much he could keep from her though, with this unexpected joining of minds, he was more open with her than he felt comfortable with. He had some secrets best left alone, for her safety, if not his. Her eyes fluttered briefly, as she woke up and looked at him. To see such love and trust in her eyes, and to know that he'd have to betray it by leaving soon. Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he held her close, breathing in her perfume. Her head fit neatly right under his chin, and for the first time in years Demerite could say he was content. Willing to let the future come as it would, at least he had her now, and knew that she would always be his.

"Sleep well, beloved?" He asked. A nod of acquiesce was her reply as she moved closer to him, shivering slightly in the shadows that the clouds caused, as they blotted out the sun.

"Think we should get dressed, since it seems as if it's going to rain then?"


"I guess it would be a good idea," A blush and a smile crossed Prentice's face, "It's not like we'll keep either ourselves or our clothing dry one way or another though." So saying she rolled over towards her clothes, feeling his eyes watch her draw the shirt over her head.

"Are you going to lie there the whole time, watching me, or what?" Grinning ruefully Demerite began to pull his pants on. Raking her fingers through her hair she whispered a few words and it shortened itself to an ear length bob. Demerite was working on getting the fire going again, while Prentice got out her pencil and proceeded to draw on the ground.

"What are you drawing?"

"Mmmmhm? Oh, a lean-to to keep the rain off of us and the fire should it rain. I don't suppose you have anymore pop tarts or other food in that jacket of yours, do you?"

"Probably, half the time I've no idea what's in there anyway." Laughing she yanked on the grass she had been drawing on, muttering in her language as he watched as the grass weaved itself into a tightly knitted lean-to, big enough to protect the fire and them. As it stood up she motioned forward with her hands, and it shimmered seemingly out of focus. Even though he could still see where it once was suddenly it was around him and the fire, cutting off the cold wind that had been blowing against his back.

"Neat trick..." He was saying, just as he watched her fall to the ground. Beside her in a heartbeat, he lifted her and carried her to part of the sheltered area. As he laid her down her eyes opened.

"Sorry about that, it took more out of me than I thought it would. Something else might be working some sort of magic, for I felt as if I was working on two projects at once." Demerite looked at her as if she'd struck him, not the reaction she was expecting.

"What's wrong? Joseph, what is it?" A stony silence was all she received in reply, as Demerite moved to where his jacket and mask lay. Bending down he picked up the mask and put it on his face, feeling the material mold over his features, once more he was the unapproachable figure in black.

"Joseph!"

"Don't call me that again." The impersonal tone of his voice cut her like a knife, her bewilderment was quickly turning into anger as she stood up and walked towards him, all the while trying to get past the barricade that the mask had set around his mind. He watched her approach with no sign of recognition in his eyes. A momentary break in the mask's defenses and she was in, into the maelstrom of emotions that were buffeting him. She wondered that the strain didn't drive him to his knees.

"Joseph..." She whispered softly. Demerite's body spasmed in one long shudder as a portal opened behind him. An electric blue void out lined his body, Prentice's nerves felt as if they were on fire, as they reacted violently with her stomach to the nearness of the time gate. Demerite's face contorted into a grimace as he took a step backwards, never taking his eyes from Prentice's tear streamed face. She suddenly sprang to her feet, and made a quick grab for him.

"Joseph... Demerite! Don't... you can't leave... what's going on? Answer me, damn you! Do you just love and leave then?" Her voice rose higher, as she shouted above the wind that had arisen, squinting against the light.

"I think it would be best if you forgot about it all Prentice. Best that you traded your love in for hate, not that there is much difference." This was all said with an empty skull like grin, his eyes were full of haunted pain.

He reached out and touched her cheek, drawing his hand down her face, past her jaw to clasp the chain that crystal hung from. It shone with a light of it's own, shining over her upturned face. While it gave her an angelic glow, his face was harsh and cruel in contrast. His fingers clutched the chain harder, his eyes were hard and cold as he looked upon her. With a smile he twisted his hand and yanked, the chain gave and fell into his hand.

"So much power in this one piece of rock, you have no idea of the power you wear around your neck. You're so casual about it, like you are with everything else, huh, Prentice? Your magic, your love, your body." With each word he spoke her body jerked as if struck, he laughed at the hurt he saw. "You're such a whore, I only wanted one thing you know, this bauble you wore. All I had to do was ask for it, and yet you still gave me everything else!"

"Take it then! Take it all, I don't care!" Her eyes were bright, power shimmered around her like the light had from the crystal. He backed up again at the sight of her fury. "But I will know if you speak the truth, if I meant nothing to you, or if you are merely an instrument for someone else." So saying she rose and gripped her hand on each side of his head. He fought, twisting this way and that, all the time drawing them both closer to the portal. Through the link between them she drove her truth spell into his mind, searching desperately for the answer she needed. After wandering through what had become the darkness of his pain tossed mind she saw him, standing next to what seemed to be a huge throne. The throne was intricately carved, yet Prentice didn't recognize any of the figures. A dark light shone all around, as the Demerite-outside became calm. The Demerite-inside watched her with a sad smile as she walked through the dust.

"We don't have much time, beloved. Know that no matter what is said or has been said that I love you, I always have and I always will. Unfortunately I am 'needed' elsewhere, hence the portal. I was hoping we would have a few more days together. Tell me, will out mind link survive the time travel?"

"No, we haven't spent enough time together for it to strengthen."

"Ah, I see, look after yourself, hopefully we'll meet again..." Prentice shook her head as she stood up dizzily, feeling the rain fall onto her head, soaking her clothes. The crystal hung from it's chain, swinging back and forth from her fingers. She looked around for Demerite, and saw his black coat swirl as he walked into the pulsating blue light. He turned around and smiled, raising his hand in good-bye.

"Never forget that no matter how far apart we are, my heart will always beat in time with yours. I love you..." An intake of breath, and he was gone. She fell onto her knees, feeling the soggy earth soak into her pants. A sharp pain reverberated through her mind, as the link between them snapped. Her cries tore at the sky as she screamed herself into oblivion.

Light bathed Prentice's face, as she awoke under a peaceful blue sky. Before opening her eyes she noticed that she was totally drenched, her left leg was 'asleep', and that a cut in her hand was bleeding down her arm. Upon opening her eyes a headache slammed into her like a sledgehammer. She rolled over onto the grass and tried not to think of why she was wet, in pain and feeling so lost. With a start she realized that the crystal wasn't around her neck, a quick survey of herself showed it to be in the hand that was bleeding, the chain had cut into her in her sleep. With shaking hands she tried to put it back on, but her fingers wouldn't open the clasp right. Suddenly a shadow fell over her, she felt the chain taken from her, and firmly clasped. A low voice, neither male nor female asked quietly: "You did need some help with that?"