In that
moment, Maria realized that MK possessed similar powers to her own, a
revelation that brought a smile to her face as she considered the possibility
that MK might be a witch too. MK's
striking sky blue eyes met Maria's gaze, and with a warm smile and a subtle
nod, she acknowledged their shared connection. Maria took it as an
acknowledgement that MK is a witch. She feels comforted.
“The
increasing number of missing people is a cause for concern. A woman who
miraculously reappeared after a year and she shared a bizarre story of getting lost,
stumbling into a cave," Sean paused and took a drink from his cup. "and she emerged in either Utah or Arizona. She claimed to
have spent time with a Native American tribe, leading her to believe she had possibly
traveled through time,” he recounted the story as he casually took another sip of his
beer.
Jane
expressed her apprehension by sighing and questioning, “Well, I hope we have
the proper weapons to take with us. It seems that we’re in for one hell of a
time.” Gabriel reassured the group that they were prepared, citing information
from Father Patrick about a portal that supposedly transports individuals to a
realm inhabited by the mysterious "Ant People." The mention of these
beings piqued MK's curiosity, prompting her to ask further about them.
“Ant
People? What do you mean?”
“Yeah, the woman who came back said
they look like giant praying mantises,” he said and added, “she said it's
hard to explain and comprehend.” MK remembers the creatures that she and Jane dealt with in the Backrooms.
She took a hard gulp from her beer and cleared her throat.
“I hope we’re
ready to tackle another assignment
involving otherworldly creatures,”
she mused. Maria sensed that Jane and MK must’ve been through a great ordeal
that still haunts them. After finishing their meal, they made their way back to
their rooms. "Jane,
it's a shame we can't share a room," Sean joked. Jane, feeling unimpressed
by his comment, was clearly irritated by his lack of awareness of her sexual
orientation. She scoffed and shook her head, making it clear that she was not
amused.
"I'm
perfectly fine staying with the girls," she chuckled, trying to brush off
the awkwardness. Once they reached their rooms, they parted ways, each going to
their own separate rooms. "Sean
seems to have a crush on you," MK teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Sorry,
but I'm not interested," Jane replied firmly, making her stance clear.
Maria beamed as she stepped into the bathroom, preparing to freshen up before
slipping into her pajamas for the night. Meanwhile, MK leaned closer to Jane,
lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“You do
realize that Maria is a witch, right?” Jane's eyes widened in disbelief, her
jaw dropping in shock. “Are you serious?” MK affirmed with a nod, prompting
Jane to exhale sharply as she sank onto the bed, her eyes stared at the bathroom door.
“Look,
she’s not malevolent; she’s a white witch, which is precisely why Father
Patrick brought her on board. I have a strong feeling she’s been on the
organization’s payroll for quite some time now.” Jane let out a scoff, shaking
her head in confusion. “How is that even possible?”
“Maybe he
felt that we could use her insight. Please give her a chance, Jane. I have
abilities and you don’t see me as a witch, right? Look at her as a person with
abilities and not a witch. It will be easier to accept her presence,” MK urged.
Jane nodded, “For you,” she put her arm around
her friend and kissed her head. Maria walked out and noticed a tender exchange
between them, she smiled.
"The bathroom is available now," she
announced as she made her way to her bed.
"I
understand what you are," Jane remarked, her tone laced with suspicion.
"Please don’t," MK interjected,
directing a warning look at Jane.
"I regret that you harbor such negative
feelings towards witches, but not all of us are malevolent," Maria
defended herself, her voice steady.
"She’s aware," MK shot Jane a glance
that clearly conveyed a message to keep quiet.
"Could
you please explain how you know Father Patrick?" Jane pressed; her
curiosity piqued. Maria nodded in response, a hint of surprise crossing her
face as she sat on her bed. "I’m actually surprised he hasn’t mentioned
me, especially since he wanted me to join this mission with the team."
"No, he didn’t," Jane replied, her
skepticism evident as she scrutinized Maria. With a resigned sigh, Maria
continued, "Well, he discovered me and recognized my potential, offering
me a chance to contribute positively. "My parents are devoted Catholics
and have been since I was a child and they noticed that I had,” she paused.
“Certain abilities. They thought that maybe I was possessed but it was the
priest who gave me a chance and I was trained by the organization to serve and
protect people who encounter magic. I sense
magic and guide the Hunters. I am also psychic and that’s why I’m here."
“Yes, I get it, MK has abilities too,” Jane said.
Maria glanced at MK, “Are you a
witch?” MK shook her head, “I really don’t know what I am, but Jane
accepted me, and she’ll accept you too, right Jane.” MK raised an eyebrow and
gave her a nod. Jane sighed and nodded. “I will try, that’s all I can say.”
“I know
why you feel the way you do about witches and maybe after this assignment is
over, I can help you find the person you’re looking for,” said Maria with a nod.
Jane smiled and stood up, grabbed her clothes, and walked into the bathroom to
shower.
“I believe
Jane will accept your help. She just needs time to get to know you,” said MK.
“This case
is more than what it seems,” Maria said as she pulled back the sheets on her
bed. She is dressed in a white nightshirt adorned with golden printed stars, complemented by matching pajama pants.
“What do
you mean?” asked MK.
“Well,
there are forces that control space and time. It’s possible that these beings
are in possession of something very ancient that can do just that.”
MK
pondered, “Maybe this is what I’ve been sensing.” MK decided to skip the shower. Her slim
figure was adorned with a cute red nightshirt, which was an oversized tee shirt
she had picked up at a thrift store a while back, and a matching pair of sweat
shorts. Just as MK settled in, Jane emerged from the bathroom, ready to unwind
for the evening. “You’re not gonna use the bathroom?”
“Well, maybe to pee,” MK
chuckled. She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Maria was brushing her
hair, and she took off her glasses, setting
them down on the nightstand.
“Goodnight Jane, pleasant dreams,” she said.
“You too,”
Jane responded and took off her blouse, threw a grey tee-shirt over her head
and unstrapped her bra from behind before pulling the shirt all the way down. Maria
lay on her side, her gaze drifting to a scar on Jane's back. It wasn't overly
noticeable, but it was of a decent size. Curiosity piqued, and she pondered how
Jane had got it. Jane
caught her looking, "I got this while hunting a velociraptor in Utah. It
lunged at me, but thankfully, another hunter took it down before it could sink
its teeth into my neck."
"Really?
I had no clue there were still dinosaurs out there," Maria replied,
astonished.
Jane
sighed, "The world really is an odd place," as she nestled into her
bed. Maria pulled the blankets snugly around herself. With her eyes closed, she
tried to surrender to sleep, pondering, "I never really thought about
dinosaurs walking the Earth, but life is full of unexpected twists, and I've
certainly seen my share of strange events." Once MK finished in the
bathroom, the three women quickly drifted off into slumber.
"Have
you had a chance to read my letter?" the man mysterious claiming to be MK's father reached
out to her through a shared dream. Glancing around, she suddenly realized
she was in a different room altogether.
"Please leave me alone. I will read the letter in due time, but I do not wish to remain here."
"But
this is where you belong. Return, Princess, come back home." Maria unexpectedly stumbled into
MK's dream. As she surveyed her surroundings, she noticed MK engaged in
conversation with an enigmatic figure.
The man
had his back to her, and he was gazing intently out of a large window from a
high rise. She looked around, “It seems to be an office,” she murmured. Intrigued,
Maria moved closer to the mysterious man for a better view. Without warning, he
spun around and challenged her, “Who are you?” Maria's
heart raced as he gradually pivoted to confront her. He possessed three eyes
and ghostly pale skin, and when he parted his lips, it revealed a gaping,
threatening maw.
The moment
the third eye began to open, a wave of dread washed over her, urging her to
quickly wake from the nightmare by murmuring an incantation. Gasping for breath, she sat up in bed, relieved
to be free from the terrifying dream. MK was softly murmuring in her sleep.
With a sigh, Maria rose quietly and approached her. She tenderly rested her
hand on MK’s forehead and whispered a prayer. Gradually,
MK’s heartbeat slowed, and tranquility washed over her mind. Maria then slipped
back into her own bed, tucking the covers snugly around her and curling up in a
fetal position.
Chapter 6: The Overlords
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