The sun was hidden by a slow moving band of clouds that threatened only shade as Riley and Peter made their way slowly up the steep hill that preceded Deborah’s neighbourhood. The day hadn’t been an entire loss, she thought to herself. They’d managed a type of truce. As long as Riley said nothing about Alec or the situation they were in, Peter managed to keep a veneer of politeness over his feelings. There had actually been seconds when she hadn’t minded his company. Riley pulled a brochure out from her pocket and stretched the accordioned page out.
“Look at this,” she said, peering more closely at the pictorial display of a crowded beach she’d picked up at a travel agent’s. “Even in winter, people in Sydney can go swimming. It’s winter there now.”
Peter glanced over her shoulder. His new sunglasses hid his eyes. “I have a pen pal there,” he said.
“Pen pal?” Riley laughed. “Like, with letters? Who does that these days? Everyone emails and Facebooks and stuff.”
“Letter writing is a lost art,” Peter said in a chilly tone. “Some of us still appreciate it.”
Riley shrugged. “Each to his own, I guess.” She stuffed the folder back. “So, Australia next?”
“Sure,” Peter nodded.
“Okay. We’ll spend the night at Deb’s. Rest up. Tomorrow, when she goes out for the day, we’ll…,” Riley waved her hand to indicate their special mode of transport, “and see how we get on.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Outback,” Peter said as they turned the corner onto Deborah’s street.
Riley glanced up. “Sure,” she started to say. But the word died on her tongue as she froze in place and Peter stumbled into her. Up ahead, on the steps of Deborah’s apartment building, two very familiar people were talking to an even more familiar, dark-haired woman in stiletto heels.
“Stop.” Riley grabbed Peter’s arm. She swung him around. “Walk quickly.”
“What is it?”
“I think that’s Darius and Anna. Talking to Deb. No, don’t look!” Hurrying back the way they came, Riley turned the corner, Peter right beside her. She ducked into the side of the building and peeked out. “Get behind me,” she ordered.
“Stop telling me what to do.” Peter elbowed her out of the way and poked his own head around the brickwork. He immediately ducked back. “I think it’s them.”
“We’ll run down this road and grab the next bus. There’s one every five minutes. I don’t think they saw us.”
“No. Transport out.” Peter was already reaching towards her pocket where she kept her orb. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t be crazy. They’ll feel the power so close. He’ll be right behind me. We’re better off running.”
“Gimme the orb.”
“No.”
He was bigger and stronger and her shoulder still ached terribly. Riley didn’t stand a chance. He pulled it right out of her hand. He backed away, holding the orb above his head. His face was a mask of triumph.
“Who’s in charge now, huh?” he hissed. “Either you do what I say for a change or I leave you behind. Got it?”
Riley’s voice was low and urgent. Even now Darius could be sensing Peter’s touch on the crystal. “You don’t know what you’re doing with that thing and I do. Your best chance of surviving is to do what I tell you. Give me back my orb before you totally screw things up.”
Peter backed away, his steps taking him further into the shadows between the buildings they were hiding behind. “You had your turn. Now it’s mine.”
“This isn’t an issue of what’s fair, you idiot,” she spat.
“You guys think you’re better than me, don’t you?” Peter taunted. “You thought I was coming around nicely, all afternoon, didn’t you? Play Peter along and he’ll do everything you want. Well, I’m not going to. I’m not Alec. You mean nothing to me.”
Riley was slightly shocked at the vitriol. She hadn’t sensed this, not once. “I’ve trained for weeks to do this and you—”
Riley didn’t get out another word. A firm hand came down on her sore shoulder, sending her into spasms of pain. She dropped to the ground with a scream.
“Don’t even think about it, Peter,” Darius warned. He dropped to his knees to cradle Riley as she rocked in agony. “What happened to—?”
Anna flew around the corner and skidded to a stop. She took in the scene in one glance.
Peter cursed. Clasping the orb with both hands, he squeezed his eyes shut tight and grimaced. For a second nothing happened and Anna calmly reached for her own orb and raised it. Then he vanished.