The Wandering Shadow: Chapter Seventeen
17 When Will woke again, his first feeling was hunger. Then, the pain returned. Struggling to move his weight with only one arm, he just barely managed to push himself into a sitting position. He looked around, but saw only darkness. It must be the middle of the night, he thought. His eyes adjusted quickly, and before long he could at least make out the furniture in the room, even if he couldn't see much detail. Gritting his teeth the whole while, Will slowly but surely turned his body until his legs slid out from under the covers, his feet coming to rest on the cold, hard floor. Balancing as carefully as he could, he rose to his full height, the covers falling away onto the bed as he stood. He shuffled across the room, each step a little stronger than the last as his weakened legs reacclimated to the simple act of walking. When he reached the door he placed his left hand on the knob then stopped and looked back at the bed, where he could see the fluffy white form of Jenna, sleeping soundly while accompanied by her usual soft snore. It took but an instant for him to decide to let her sleep. There's no reason to wake her up at...whatever time it is, he thought. He turned the knob and stepped out into the hallway, softly closing the door behind him. He made his way down to the next door in the hall, opening it and stepping into the bathroom. Once he finished in there he stepped into the dark hall once more, feeling his way along the wall until he reached the stairs. He cursed as he was reminded that the handrail was on the right hand side. He stepped down onto the topmost step, bracing himself against the wall with his left shoulder. Between maintaining his balance, and his still weak legs, it took five somewhat painful minutes to make it down to the ground floor. He pushed away from the wall and shambled toward the dining room, the nearest door and the fastest way to get to the kitchen. As the dining room door swung shut behind him his most immediate observation was that of light coming from the kitchen. He walked over to the opening between the two rooms and was mildly surprised to see David standing beside the sink, holding a bottle filled with a caramel colored liquid in one hand and a shot glass in the other. David looked a bit surprised at Will's appearance in the kitchen. "Well. You're up early." "Uh...how early?" Will asked, slightly surprised that it was early morning as opposed to late night as he had first thought. David rolled his eyes and pointed to the oven, which had a small glass faced clock imbedded just above the temperature dials. According to the clock it was almost five in the morning. Will looked back to David. "Well, if I'm up early, then you're definitely drinking early." "Yeah, probably." Even as David said that he pounded back the contents of the glass and poured another for himself. "Still, glad you're awake--and I don't just mean right now. For the past week the only ones I've had to talk to are a wolf and a horse. Smart as she is, Jenna can't do much but growl, and Vincent can't even do that. Thought I was going to go mad." A second or two passed then he asked, "So what's with you then? Why are you awake?" Will shrugged--and winced when pricked with a bit of pain--as he pulled out the dining room chair nearest the kitchen and sat down right there in the doorway. "I've been asleep for a week, apparently. I think that's enough." "Lucky you. Ran out of the pills I've been taking, so I haven't slept all night." David took a small sip from his glass. "AND! Good as this stuff is, it isn't helping me much." Will nodded. "I imagine. What are you drinking anyway?" David shrugged. "Dunno. Max had it stashed away in a locked cabinet in the basement. There's no label on it, but I think its whiskey." "Was that the only thing down there?" "Nah...but I think I've gone through about two other bottles in the last week...so there aren't as many as there were. It's not all this stuff either. There's some wine and other fruity stuff too." "Hm." Will considered for a moment then asked, "Well, have you got another glass?" David looked at him with surprise--or maybe it was just inebriation--but shrugged and turned around, grabbing a glass out of an overhead cabinet. He poured a few ounces of the supposed whiskey into the glass and handed it to Will, who took it with a nod before downing it in one gulp. It was strong, and burned as it ran down Will's throat. David seemed impressed by that. "Had no idea you did any drinking." Will shook his head. "I usually don't. Felt like the right moment though." He held out the glass and David tipped a few more ounces of the liquid into it. David sighed as he topped off his own glass. "Yeah. It may not solve problems, but it sure as hell helps you forget 'em, eh?" Will nodded. "Sometimes." The next few minutes passed in silence as the two imbibed more of the drink. Then David asked, "So why didn't you tell me before that you could do that life energy shit?" Will blinked in surprise at the question. "I thought you were unconscious at that point." "Nah. The uh...what's it called...the Shadow had me stunned, but I was still pretty awake. And it hurt like a bitch too." Will gulped down another glass and got another refill. "I didn't mention it because I hate that power. Or rather I hate that I have it." "Yeah, you said as much to the...Anubis thing. But why?" "It's a long story." Will shook his head. "And not one I want to revisit." "Oh come on mate, it's not like we're strapped for time. Let it out. You'll feel...better. Maybe. Hell if I know." "Alright, fine." Will sighed heavily. "It all starts with my mother--" "Oh dear lord. I don't want your life story. Or your mummy issues." "Hey, you asked, this is what you get. Now do you want me to go on or not?" David shrugged and waved a hand dismissively. Will took another sip of the whiskey before going on. "Like I said, it started with my mother. When I was a child, I often had trouble sleeping, and she would help me by using her power. See, I inherited my power from her. She wasn't very strong, but she had figured out this one trick. She could create these little points of light, and make 'em look like the stars. I loved stars as a kid, but never got to see 'em often, living in a city. So she would make her little life stars and make 'em swirl around like a really slow snow globe and we would just sit there, and sometimes she would make up stories to tell me." Will smiled softly at the memory. "She used to tell me that, each little point of light came from someone else, and that it was like everyone in the city was saying goodnight to me. I thought those star were the most amazing thing in the world. As I got older though, I stopped needing them to fall asleep, and she stopped making them. By that time I was about ten years old." David nodded. "So then...if you loved it when she did it, why do you dislike your own abilities so much? I'd say they're bloody useful." "Well...I discovered by accident that I had that power too. I was lying in my bed one night, remembering those stars, and suddenly a couple little points of light appeared, floating right above my head. Just doing that must have exhausted me, cause I fell asleep right afterward. The next morning I told my parents about it, and they were both thrilled. My father didn't have any powers, but he was still happy that I did for some reason. That was nothing next to my mother though. She was ecstatic. But even then, she warned me to be careful. She said it could hurt someone if I wasn't. So, naturally, after just a few lessons on how to control it, I decided to show off to my friends when I went to school." "Oh hell. This story doesn't end well, does it?" David asked. Will shook his head. "Not really, no. See, what I didn't understand about my power was that it came not just from me, but that I could take energy from others as well. I hadn't been taught that much yet and--" "Sorry, but quick question. Who was teaching you? Was it your mum? Cause you said she wasn't very strong herself." Will looked at him as though it were a rather ridiculous question. "I went to a local M.E.L.D. center twice a week for my mandatory instruction. You know, that thing you have to go through if you discover you have magical abilities? So you know how to use them and don't hurt anyone? When you get registered in M.E.L.D.'s records?" David shook his head, rather unconcerned by what he was being told. "Nope. Didn't even know there was such a thing. I just taught myself." Will groaned. "Add that to the list of laws you've broken. Anyway, ignoring that. So I was showing off to some kids at school, making a little spark in my hand, and one of my friends put his hand on my shoulder. Next thing I knew, that little spark turned into a beam of energy. I lost control of it, and nearly hit a couple kids with it. But that friend was the worst off. He was on the ground, totally comatose. He didn't wake up for almost a month. I could have very easily killed him if he had stayed in contact with me for just a bit longer. In that sense, he and I both got lucky. After that, I became a social outcast. No one wanted anything to do with me. I decided I didn't want my power anymore. But since I couldn't get rid of it, I finished just enough lessons to keep it under control. Since then, I don't use it except on very rare occasions. Before fighting the Shadow, the last time I used it was to create a spark so I could light the burner on our stove at home. Before that...I couldn't even say." "So...because of a childhood mistake you--" David paused, as though he thought of something very important in his drunken state. That thing became the question: "How in the hell do you light a fire with life energy?" Will hesitated for a moment, trying to recall. "It's uh...well...it's because it's not really like other forms of energy...but it is at the same time. It's like fire and light and electricity all at once." "Oh," David replied after a moment, when the information sunk in. "So uh...damn, what was I gonna ask? Uh...oh yeah, so you hate this power of yours, just cause you made a stupid mistake as a kid?" "Well it's more like...well fear, and concern. I'm worried that I could hurt people. A lot of people. So I don't use it. And yes, I suppose in a way I hate it. The only fond thoughts I have of it, are the memories of those points of light my mother made." David shrugged. "Your loss really. Magic makes life more interesting and--" "I don't care!" Will snapped, a bit more harshly than he would have were he not becoming intoxicated. "Don't you get it? My power isn't one to use lightly, and I don't want to use it at all." David seemed a bit surprised by the outburst, but was otherwise unphased. "If that's what you want then. It's not my business." They finished off what was left of the whiskey in silence. It was Will who broke the silence when he finally remembered his original reason for coming downstairs. "Hey, is there anything to eat around here?" David set the bottle and his glass down on the counter. "I'll let you figure that out. I'm headin' up to uh...bed. Gonna try to sleep." He walked out, leaving Will alone. Will lifted his glass up to eye level, twisting it this way and that, looking at the light shining through the last mouthful of the caramel hued alcohol. He looked from every angle, admiring the effect the light had on the color. After a moment he downed the liquid and stood from his chair. He pushed the chair in under the dining room table and walked over to set his glass beside the empty bottle and David's glass. He began rummaging around, searching for something other than whiskey to put into his empty gut. Eventually he managed to throw together a quick meal--simply a sandwich, but even something so simple was no small feat with one arm effectively tied--and once his stomach was full he dragged himself back up the stairs--having an easier time of it now that the handrail was on his left. He felt his way along the wall until he reached the guest room. He opened the door and slipped inside, not bothering to be quiet when closing the door behind him. Jenna woke with a start. She hadn't even noticed he was gone. What she did notice though--in no small part thanks to her wolf nose--was the smell of the whiskey surrounding him. That puzzled her, and she sat up, a questioning look in her eyes. Will couldn't really see her face in the darkness, but he could still see that she had sat up, and in the back of his mind something told him to tell her where he had been. "Hey Jen...I thought I'd let you...stay asleep. I woke up 'nd wanted to get some food. Went downstairs and wound up splitin' a bottle of...some kinda whiskey with David. Sorry. Probably should have let you know or something, huh?" Jenna's brow furrowed. He must still be upset if he was drinking. She had never known him to just drink for the sake of it, so she figured that recent events were the most likely cause. Come to think of it, I could do with a stiff drink myself...too bad I don't know if this body can tolerate it. She bit her tongue--As if I need to!--as Will stumbled over to the bed and clumsily clambered under the covers. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, almost not believing that had gotten even as drunk as he was. She didn't even want to think about how bad of shape David was likely in. Deciding not to make a big deal out of it, she snuggled in close to him, breathing through her mouth to avoid having to smell his breath quite so strongly.
The next day passed with not much getting accomplished, as both Will and David found themselves nursing sizeable hangovers, while Jenna silently admonished both. It was on the second day after Will awakened from his week long sleep that they finally began to put together something resembling a plan for the future. The morning began with David making breakfast--something that came as a less than pleasant surprise to Will and Jenna. While the poached eggs and toast were likeable enough, there was one part of the meal that neither could stomach. They were something that David had called 'kippers' and each one was essentially a whole grilled fish cut in a butterfly fashion. Neither of them had encountered such a thing before, and nether found it to their taste. Not to mention that--especially in Jenna's case--they found the smell of the fish rather unappetizing. They both silently resolved not to let the illusionist make breakfast again if they could avoid it. Misgivings about the meal aside they all still managed to fill their stomachs. After swallowing his last bite, David set down his fork and said, "I think we need to talk about what we're gonna do now. After all, I'm sure you both still want to try to find a way to fix Jenna, aye?" Will and Jenna exchanged a quick glance and both nodded. "Yes, but did what do you mean 'what we're gonna do'?" Will asked. "In fact, I'm surprised you're even still here come to think of it. Haven't you been wanting to strike back out on your own since we got here?" "Well, the way I see it, the whole reason you two are here--and that I'm here in the first place--is because I said I would take you to Max, under the assumption that he could help you, yeah? Well...Max isn't...really in much a position to help anyone anymore. So, as I see it, my end of the deal won't be upheld until I've helped you find a way to change Jenna back." They both stared at him for a moment then Jenna rolled her eyes and gave a snort that was as close as she could come to a disbelieving scoff. Will nodded. He shared her sentiment. "If that's what you're trying to sell, then I'm not buying. Care to try a different answer?" David scowled and looked away from them both. After a moment or two he sighed and looked back. "Well, first, I really do believe what I said before. I still have a deal to follow through on. But if you must know..." He hesitated for a brief moment then--with a more somber demeanor--said, "Honestly, I don't really have anyone or anywhere else. I think...I think I'm finally tired of being alone. When Max died...I lost my last connection to my past. It hit me hard. Really it did. And despite my best efforts, I've come to like you two. So I figure, why travel alone, completely lonely for all my life, when--if nothing else--I can have a few mates around, eh?" Neither Will nor Jenna knew quite how to respond to that admission. They could both tell that for once he was being completely honest. Finally Will, unable to think of much else to say, said, "Well, I suppose you're stuck with us then. So, what did you have in mind for what to do next?" Sensing that the moment had passed, David nodded and said, "Well, even though we don't...have Max anymore, we still have all his books. So, I figure if we go through all the stuff he had on magic, we might still be able to find something that could help Jenna. The odds probably aren't very good, but it can't hurt to look, right? Besides, in your state you probably can't do much traveling right now anyway. So, we should take advantage of being here while we can." Will nodded, standing from his seat. "It's better than doing nothing. Let's get started." The next few days passed with a rapidly developed pattern. Each morning after they woke and had breakfast, each would select a book or two from Max's library and begin reading. They would only take breaks for food and other necessary functions, searching through the volumes until they went to sleep each night. It was tedious, and difficult for Will--limited by his right arm's condition--and Jenna--having no hands to work with--but still they managed to make steady progress. After a week they had managed to get through almost all of the books between the three of them, and Will was able to at least move his right arm, though it still hurt most of the time. On the eight day after Will woke up Jenna trotted into the library and was pleased to see there was only one book on magic left. They had almost read through them all. It took but a second for her to realize the negative side of that. All that work and time, and they hadn't found anything that they thought would be of any use. Her ears splayed out and she whined softly to herself. If they didn't find anything...they had no back up plan. No other ideas. She shook her head as though trying to shake away those thoughts. They clung tight though, unwilling to leave her. She sighed. I've just got to stay positive. Bracing herself on the bookshelf she stood on her hind legs and gingerly grabbed the last book between her teeth. She dropped back to all fours and made her way back upstairs to the guest bedroom. Will had spent most of the past week there, having found that the bed's headboard gave him the most comfortable support, which he only cared about because of his injuries. Reaching the door she nosed it open, and entered the room. She was surprised to see Will was standing and staring out the window, the book he had been reading left abandoned on the bed. Hearing the door squeak ever so lightly on its hinges, Will looked over his shoulder at her. "Hey Jenna. You got your next book?" She nodded slowly. What's wrong with him? There was something somber about his tone and an almost defeated feel to his stance. She padded across the wood floor and set her book on the bed before walking over to sit beside him. She looked up, a questioning look in her eyes. He glanced down at her then looked back out the window at the mostly blue sky, dotted with the occasional white cloud. Granted, he couldn't see much of the sky, blocked as it was by some of Cairo's taller buildings, but the parts he could see where a wonderful shade of pale blue. He sighed softly. "I'm not even sure it's worth finishing these books. Will anything good at all come of them? Or will they just turn out to be another lost dream? Another failure? You know, I'm not even sure why we're still here sometimes. I...as time has gone on...I find it harder and harder to believe that we'll find a way to change you back. I don't want to give up...but it seems so hopeless sometimes, doesn't it?" Jenna hesitated but nodded in agreement. I wish I could say I thought otherwise, but he's not wrong. Every turn along the way seems to have only made things worse...and we're seemingly no closer to a solution than when we left home. Her heart ached as she thought of home--of their little apartment, and her book store, and their seemingly care free lives. She missed it all so much. As if reading her mind, Will said, "You know what the worst part is? Even if we go home--whether we change you back or not--our lives won't be the same after all this. We can't ever just pretend that none of this ever happened, even if there is some happy ending waiting for us. Our lives--our life together as we knew it--ended the day you transformed. I think I'm finally seeing that for the first time. This past week...I've had a lot of time to think--and not many good things have entered my mind either. But the gist of it all is that I don't think there is a happy ending for us. I don't see how there can be." She waited for a moment, to see if he would say more. When he didn't seem inclined to keep talking, she turned to her own thoughts. I hate all of this. Really, I do. I hate this shape. I hate seeing Will so unlike himself. I hate every goddamned thing about this! She let out an irritated snort then sighed when calm returned to her. I'm tired of feeling helpless. She shook her head. I'm not giving up just yet. Even if we do return home empty handed, I'm not going to give up. And I'm not letting you give up either dammit! She grabbed his left hand between her teeth and started pulling him back toward the bed. He let out a yelp, more from surprise than from any actual pain. "Jen, what are you doing?!" She let go of his hand and hopped up onto the bed, using her jaws to pick up the book eh had been reading, thrusting it toward him. She had a fierce look in her eyes that dared him to refuse taking it from her. Will hesitated for a brief moment, and she growled. Then he started to laugh. His face screwed up in pain as his still fractured ribs ached from the motion. Breathing a bit heavily, he wiped a tear from the corner of one eye and said, "I see you're not giving up then. I guess I shouldn't either, huh?" He reached out his hand, but instead of taking the book he pulled her into a hug, causing her to drop the book to the floor. "I'm sorry. I know this hasn't been easy for either of us. I can't even begin to imagine where you're still able to draw so much fire from. But if you're not gonna give up then I won't either. We're in this together until it's all over, one way or another, right?" He pulled away and she nodded, her eyes gleaming. He's still not back to himself, but he's not far off. Will bent down and picked up the book she had dropped, thumbing through it to try to find the page he had left off on. "Even if we don't find anything in these books...well who knows? We could still figure some thing else out. We'll just have to stay hopeful, right?" She nodded again, sighing almost contentedly. He sat beside her and started reading again, and after a moment Jenna nosed open her own book and--with the inherent difficulties of her form--started reading as well. Neither made it very far though, for the door opened a few seconds later, David poking his head into the room. "So, are you two done feeling sorry for yourselves now?" Will gave him a confused look. "What are you talking about?" David stepped in, rolling his eyes. "I've been out there for the last five minutes, hoping I would find an opportunity to come in. It sounded like you'd stopped talking, so I thought I'd ask." Will sighed and Jenna shook her head. Both had thoughts along the lines of 'unbelievable'. "Yes, we're done. Why? Is something wrong?" David grinned. "Wrong? Well I suppose that's really subjective, but I wouldn't call it wrong. Okay, maybe a bit of a pain in the arse, and potentially could amount to nothing but I would say--" "Would you get to the point already?" Will snapped. David frowned, but continued anyway, pulling out the book he had been holding behind his back. "I think I may have found something that could help."