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4

Maggie was astonished. She couldn't believe what she just said. How could her last loving thing in her world be taken? Why would this happen to her? Why did she have to be the Trial? Maggie went over this over and over in her head. "I'm very sorry," said the woman. "This is very difficult, I know. But, this hasn't been the worst news I've ever given dear." Maggie looked onto to her with disgust. Just the thought of the woman's face made Maggie sick to her stomach. "What. Do. You. Mean. My. Mother. Is. Gone." said Maggie through her teeth. The old woman sighed at Maggie and closed your eyes. "Look child," said the woman,"some men aided by a man with a long scar on his face came to your house yesterday looking for you. However, they found your mother and took her." The woman opened her eyes. "I guess they thought taking her would make you go after them. As a trap. However, I want to talk to you about something else. You see, earlier, the Elder advised me-". Maggie held up her hand and covered her mouth. She sobbed slightly. "How could you just go on like that without even addressing the issue!" screamed Maggie. "My mother has been taken for God sake and you want to talk about something else. What kind of woman are you, you wicked old bat." Maggie continued to sob into her hands. Bryan watched the two from the corner of the living room.

"What would you want me to do?" asked the woman in a quiet tone.
"You're the Prime so tell me what's going to happen!"
"Child, I am a guide not a storyteller. I can't tell you exactly word-for-word what happened to her and where she is. The path is not yet clear to me." Maggie continued to sob into her hands. The woman tried to console her but Maggie pulled away. Bryan went into another and room made a loud noise. Maggie began to wipe her face and position herself respectfully again. "Please," said Maggie, "tell me what I need to do to get my mother back." The Prime smiled and handed her the plate of sandwiches. Maggie took it and started to eat one. "Child, in order to get your mother back you must first receive training. You can't just go out there and try to save her without some real powers. Those quick swipes at that scarred Reaper won't work on the others." Maggie's eyes poked out so hard that it looked like they were balloons being inflated. "I know dear," said the woman, "you'll get used to it. Remember I can see beyond." Maggie dropped the sandwich from her hand back into the plate and stared at the woman for a while. Then she spoke.

"So, if you can see 'beyond' than will I be able to save my mother?"
"Child, I can see beyond but I cannot see past one's own choices."
"So then why did we come to you?"
"So that I can help you. I'm a guide, remember? Or did you forget who you were talking to just back then? I don't have to be a guide to you Ms. Stutton, that's one of the things you don't get. I've been sitting here telling you things and you keep interrupting and getting an attitude. Check it, Ms. Stutton." Maggie looked down. "I didn't mean to offend you or be rude," said Maggie apologizing. "It's alright child, I knew you would do it," said the woman. For a while it was quiet. Bryan came back to the room.

...

It started raining outside and the house was quiet. The Prime put some sandwiches in a plastic bag while Bryan went to the bathroom. He washed his face with warm water and looked at himself in the mirror. He was bleeding on his right leg. That guy hit me harder than I thought thought Bryan. Then that show off had to get that guy right when I was about to attack again. Meanwhile, Maggie sat by the window and thought about her mother. The thought of her being dead gave Maggie a shiver. I hope you're okay Mom thought Maggie. The Prime came back into the living room with the sandwiches and handed them to Maggie. "You're going to need them soon," said the woman. Maggie looked at the sandwiches and saw they were Peanut Butter and Jelly. "I know your scared child," said the woman. "But you just got to make due with what you got. There are no other ways this could have happened Maggie and believe me, I tried. But I couldn't see any other outcome. But anyway, just remember what I told you honey." Maggie nodded her head. She understood what she must do when they left the place. Bryan came out of the bathroom all refreshed and ready. Maggie then said goodbye to the Prime and her and Bryan took off on the road again.

"So, where are we going?" asked Bryan.

"What do you mean?" replied Maggie.

"Look I heard you and the Prime talking about some place that you must got to and face your inner fear. So where's the place you must go?" Maggie rolled her eyes and stared out the car window. "How do you know it's somewhere that you can go literally?" said Maggie with a superior tone. Bryan sucked his teeth and just stared forward. "Fine, forget I asked," said Bryan. Maggie knew she could not ignore this duty because she was scared. Many other Trials had made unbearable decisions and it could not stop with her. So she broke her silence. "Bryan, I need you to take me to my house," said Maggie. Bryan looked over at Maggie and saw that she was serious. He looked back at the road and nodded in agreement.

 

...

 

 

The two arrived in front of the modern duplex and Maggie got out of the car. Bryan hopped as well and grabbed Maggie's arm. "Why do you want to go back in here?" said Bryan. Maggie yanked her arm out of his grab and straightened her shirt. "I have to get a few things out of here," said Maggie frustrated. She then turned around, swished her at Bryan and went up to the door. She stared at it for a while, like it was unfamiliar. Despite her fears of what was inside, she unlocked the door with a hidden key around her neck and went inside. Bryan followed. Inside, the two were looking at what looked like an aftermath of a hurricane. Chairs were thrown around the the banister to the stairs was broken off. The small chandelier from the hallway ceiling was on the floor broken. Maggie sobbed to herself and Bryan put his arms over her shoulder to comfort her. "Come on," said Maggie, "I have to get something from upstairs." The two started up the stairs when a loud crashing sound came from the front door. The two turned around to find the door on the floor and the tall, scarred man standing there. Their jaws dropped.

"Well, isn't this a surprise!" said the man.