Evangelica's POV:

Panic began to build in my stomach. Looking around wildly, I started to run in a random direction. I stopped quickly, and decided to take a couple of breaths. After a few moments, I allowed myself to consider where Josie would go. Josie always enjoyed when Magnus and I would bring her to the woods. I decided to see if she could have gone into the woods. I listened carefully to the sounds around me as I began to creep into the forest. Whispers began to fill my ears. I hated doing this, but I had no choice. My friends were in danger. They talk so much. I hate listening to them.

"Evie, your friends are in danger!"

"I've noticed! Where is Magnus?! I need her help!"

"Follow us." I felt a pull on my sleeve. Annoyed, I followed the tugging. After a few feet, the pulling stopped.

"Go. She is up there." Sure enough, Magnus was crouched down, hidden behind a large rock.

"Mags! What happened? Are you okay?"

"She's gone! Look!" Magnus held out the royal amulet Josie always had with her.

"... We have to go after her!" I cried. Pulling Magnus up, I closed my eyes again.

Where is she?

I felt a tugging on my right hand and started to walk.

"E-Evie?!" Magnus questioned, seemingly confused by my odd behavior.

"Just trust me! She's got to be this way."

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

When we reached a clearing in the forest, the tugging had stopped.

"Evie..." Magnus asked. I hushed her. I crouched down into the dirt when I heard voices. Real voices this time.

"Finally, she's shut up." a voice sighed.

"Seriously. Gagging her was a smart idea, Alec." suddenly coming into view, a short black haired girl and a tall man with tan skin walked past, carrying an unconscious lady. Not just any lady, I realized.

"Jos-!" Magnus started. I quickly covered her mouth and shook my head. We needed to stay silent.

"Thank you, Mistress." the man named Alec said.

"Hurry up, you oaf. We need to get to the castle before she starts blabbering again." Magnus and I looked at eachother. Bounty hunters. They were going to bring Josie back to her parents if we didn't do something. I picked up a flat rock and threw it at Alec, then ducked into the bushes. Magnus hid with me.

"Ow! What in the--" Alec held his head with his free arm. " I think someone threw something at me."

"Don't be stupid, Alec! Why would anyone be out here?" The lady asked, seemingly somewhat shaken by Alec's injury. Alec trotted over to where Magnus and I were hidden. I looked at Magnus and motioned at the man's feet. Magnus seemed to understand. When he began to walk into the bushes, Magnus and I grabbed his feet and pulled forward. Alec fell backwards with a mighty thump. Josie ran into the woods, arms tied and mouth gagged. Magnus ran after her. That would be fine. I would take the black haired girl on myself.

"ALEC!" The girl cried. Alec was unconscious. His head couldn't take the beating of both a rock and the hard ground. I stood up and met eyes with the girl. She stared at me for a moment.

"Who are you!?" She cried out.

"None of your concern. Just go tell any other bounty hunters out there that they will not be finding Josie any time soon." The girl sneered.

"Oh yeah? And what are you going to do? Trip me to death?" She laughed mockingly. I drew my sword. The girl stopped laughing immediately.

"No one will hear your wails for mercy out here. You'd better go." The girl nodded and turned tail. I hurried after Magnus, quickly vowing to never use my "gift" ever again.

this chapter was written by VivianS15