Back to the Dream Page
Chapter 11
Two full days had passed since Lance had left one of his closest friends behind and now, it was morning of the third day. The uneasiness he'd felt when he left her that night had not disappeared and he now hurried to the apartment. Sure, a promise is a promise. I promised to pick her up in a week. But something's telling me that things aren't all well over there…
Soon enough, Lance found himself staring at the door separating him from Juliet. He closed his eyes, bracing himself so he could alter the wall he'd built up a few days before. He didn't want to break the wall down just yet, not until he'd found out what he needed to know. He just needed to let himself in.
As he sought inside himself to touch the Energy he'd drawn up to make the wall, he felt a wave of emotions rush through him. Lance was thankful that he'd finished his training and could now withstand the brutal attack on his senses. The wall cried out in pain and sorrow as well as revenge.
He smirked. Walls do talk after all, he thought to himself but then all trace of humor left him as he drew himself away and stared once more at the door. Something did happen! But how… Lance's face set into a determined expression and he expertly reworked the Energy to let himself in. Instead of knocking on the door to warn Juliet of his presence, he changed his form, becoming a mist. Again, Lance was thankful to the teacher who'd taught him this trick years before, calling to mind the image of fellow bass Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees. Wherever you are Justin, thanks again. You were always certain this trick would come in handy and it has. I'll have to thank you in person whenever we run into each other again. In our line of work, it's sure to happen again and I hope it's soon.
Silently, he made his way into Juliet's apartment and almost broke his concentration right then. There on the couch, two guys sat watching the television. Drifting closer to inspect them though, he found that only one was actually watching. The other had fallen asleep and his friend looked like he'd be nodding off soon also. So the Nica have reduced themselves to hiring petty outlaws the help in their dirty work, how sad. If he'd been in his true form, Lance would have shaken his head in pity but he couldn't. Instead, he entered the mind of the one already asleep.
He hated himself for what he was about to do but the Nica had done it several times to people he'd known, both the innocent ones and the ones who helped him in the struggle to bring back the days of old. Easily, Lance wrested the slumbering soul of the resting man from his body. Leaving, he found that his companion had fallen asleep as well and he quickly did the same.
Lance returned to his physical form and looked down at the men now. Come on, Lance. This is the only way you can be certain that no one will hear them screaming in agony as they die. Just get it over with already! He hesitated only a second longer before he did his job and killed them.
Before the reality of what he'd just done sunk in, Lance quickly made his way to the kitchen. Nothing looked out of the ordinary and he left the room hurriedly. As he passed through the main room once more he couldn't help but look at the men he'd just killed. No, Lance, not killed, not yet. They're still alive… But not for much longer. A body can't live without its soul for very long and vice versa. Their souls will cry when they find they can't return to their bodies, but what's done is done. You can't reverse it, even if you wanted. Lance swallowed the knowledge and moved on toward the bedroom.
Once again, Lance paused. This is it. She's in there with who knows what. One glance into the bathroom had already told him nobody was there. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, once more forcing himself to change into mist, allowing him to float underneath the door and into the locked room.
He stopped in his tracks. There they were on the bed. Cynthia knelt calmly in front of a beat up, sickly Juliet. She looks terrible! What did they do to her! Lance felt himself grow angry. You mean what didn't they do to her. It looks like she's been treated like an animal. Wait. Even animals get better care than she apparently has. Cynthia, you're really going to pay for this one.
He silently floated under the bed and transformed back into human form, thankful that there was just enough room for him to lay down comfortably. Closing his eyes, he sent his soul up. Invisible to both women, Lance hovered in the tiny amount of space between the two faces. Well, if it isn't my lucky day. Cynthia has gone visiting in Juliet's body. I wonder what she's up to, Lance thought wryly. Without any hesitation this time, he entered Cynthia's empty body and wrapped himself around her heart, stilling it just as he had the two men outside.
Now it's up to you Jules, he thought to himself as he drifted back out of Cynthia's body and into his own. Prove to all the world that you won't be had by a witch like Cynthia. He quickly changed back into mist and went out the door, planning on his grand entrance. Beat her back at her own game. Finish off the job. I can only hope you have enough strength within you yet. You're going to need it. And with that, Lance pounded the door open to the bedroom.
"Lance!" Juliet felt herself hiss as Lance made his presence known in the doorway.
"Hello to you too, Cynthia."
"Jess! Alec! Get in here!"
"Too late. They're dead."
Juliet felt herself grow happy with the news but Cynthia wasn't about to let go of her hold on her captive. See? I told you he'd destroy you all if he wanted to.
"Shut up. He hasn't won the entire battle yet. There's still me."
"Then get out of there and face me. You don't expect to win a battle from inside a weak body now, do you?" Lance goaded.
Without even bothering to retort, Cynthia prepared herself to go back to her own body. She forced herself to look back into her own eyes and paused, suspicious of what she saw. Her body looked the same; it had the same blank look on her face and the body remained slack, but there was something different. Hurriedly, she went back into her own body and just as quickly, made her way out. Cynthia's soul screamed in anger and she attempted to force her way back into Juliet's body.
As Cynthia had been learning the demise of her body, Lance had spoken quickly to Juliet. "Juliet, I know you're in there. Listen to me. Finish Cynthia off now. Her body's dead and her soul needs a home. Don't let her take over yours."
"Thank you for the information, Mr. Bass." Juliet felt her voice projecting once more, declaring the return of Cynthia.
"I'm right here, Jules. I'm not leaving you alone. Just finish the task," Lance said as he stood by her side.
So it's just you and me now.
"You and your kind will pay dearly for what he's just done."
Not if I can help it.
"Oh really? And what can you do about it? You're too weak."
So? Who's the fool? The one who is forced to live with a weak body she's grown up in all her life or the one who thinks she can take over and be able to use it well enough in a fight?
"Well I'm out of options and whether I like it or not, I'm going to have to use this piece of junk until I find a more suitable host."
This body may be a piece of crap to you but it's home to me. And besides, you're the one who made sure it was so well taken care of these past couple of days. Don't you ever think ahead?
Cynthia boiled. "How dare you insult me like that!"
Well, it's true, isn't it? You knew a fight would happen and you weren't prepared for this.
"I thought the situation would be different."
But you should have been prepared. 'Learn to keep your guard up at all times, even in your sleep,' remember? Weren't you the one who told me that?
"Shut up!" Cynthia growled.
What? Can't face the facts and realize that you've failed? Face it! Your men are dead. Your master probably sent you on this mission knowing you'd fail. And you… Your dreams are gone. There's no way you can take over my body. If how you've been treating it the past few days are a preview of the kind of hostess you are then there's no way you're going to keep it for very long.
Cynthia's anger had reached its peak and now she lashed out. Whereas before she would have thrown out balls of Fire, she now used her anger as the Fire she needed to defeat the host soul.
Lance could hear Juliet's soul scream in pain as Cynthia finally started the fight. Instinctively, Lance took Juliet's hand in his and stared deeply into her eyes, wishing he could see what was going on inside her and help. Unfortunately, he was stuck on the outside looking in. A body could hold two souls for a while but three was just too much. He'd be forcing someone out and he didn't want to risk that soul being Juliet's.
Cynthia laughed in delight. "Poor, pitiful thing. She can always be counted on to help those around her with her powers but she's powerless to even help herself. What a serious flaw. And a fatal one at that!" She cackled happily.
You're not going to win, Juliet said back, wearily. With two people using the same Energy source, the amount was quickly being drained and Juliet could feel herself getting weak fast.
"Yes, I am." Cynthia replied back, so sure of her victory that she could almost taste it.
Juliet smiled and for a moment was shocked when she felt her real mouth turn up sweetly. Looks like you're already weakening. You don't even know how to use my body yet.
"Yet, Juliet. That's the keyword there. I will soon enough."
No, you won't. I won't let it. You've harmed enough people in the past and you're not going to take any more lives away. And with that, Juliet finally reached deep inside her and found the strength she needed. Her final hope had been stashed away, cloaked from Cynthia's probing mind. Relishing in the newfound Power, Juliet quickly located Cynthia inside her and before Cynthia could react, Juliet bound her with her own white Energy.
With Cynthia trapped and stunned by what happened for the moment, Juliet regained control of her own body. She looked down as she felt the warmth of Lance's hand on hers. "Let me go Lance, now."
Rather than ask questions, Lance did what he was told and watched as Juliet's hands glowed the same white he'd seen three days before. Before he could do anything, he watched as a white sphere materialized and then hover in front of Juliet. The chains that had held Juliet to the bed now changed into flames before burning out quickly. Lance grinned, knowing that things were all right now.
Juliet narrowed her eyes as she sensed Cynthia struggle against the wall that bound her soul. Rather than let her have another chance though, Juliet concentrated and watched as the sphere of white light shrank in size. Both Lance and Juliet listened impassively as Cynthia's soul screamed and screamed. And then it was over. The white disappeared and with it, the captive still trapped inside.
After a moment longer, the two each gave a huge sigh of relief. Juliet leaned back against the wall and Lance took a spot next to her on the bed. "So how do you feel?" Lance asked gently.
"Like crap. I didn't want to kill her."
Lance smiled. Of all the things she could have said, she's still focused on her morals. "I know, but we have to do what we must." Juliet nodded, a grim look on her face. "Come on now. Let's get something in you. You look like you haven't eaten in days."
"That's because I haven't." Despite her obvious weakness, Juliet insisted on getting out of bed by herself.
Well, this shows that nothing has dampened her determination, Lance thought to himself as he stood nearby, waiting to help her if she wanted. Finally on her feet, Juliet took a couple of steps and tried to blink back the tears. She bit the inside of her lip to keep from crying out in the pain. "What is it, Jules? What's wrong?"
Juliet looked tearfully up at him. "It hurts to walk, Lance."
Lance playfully hit himself on the head. "Oh, what was I thinking? I forgot. Here, lay back in bed." He offered her a hand and helped her reach the bed.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm a Healer, remember? Just close your eyes and relax."
Juliet did as she was told and in a moment, she felt his hand rest on her head. A warm feeling washed over her body and left it with a tingling feeling. She opened her eyes and found herself staring into Lance's eyes. "How do you feel now?" he asked.
"Much better, thank you," she smiled.
Reluctantly, Lance drew back his hand and let her stand on her own. He watched puzzled as she made her way to the closet and pulled out a robe. Finally getting the idea, Lance blushed and turned away as she covered herself. "I'm decent now," she announced a short moment later and Lance turned back around. Much to his surprise, she had a furious blush going on as well.
He knew better than to tease, knowing what an awkward situation that had been. So instead, he asked the next thing that came into mind. "So are you ready to eat now?"