FF: Changes

[Fassbender Fan]

Thelma's eyes widened. In the panic of the moment she had completely forgotten about Troy. A shameful lump formed in her throat as she strained to listen to the conversation in the doorway

*

The mirror shattered into pieces as Roses heel struck the glass, splinters escaped from all directions decorating the grayed slabs underfoot like dew. Kicking the frame across the floor with her boot she sighed and strolled to a nearby dresser adorned with cobwebs and dust seeping from the cracks in the rotting wood.

She had been alone in the room, if you could call it that, a small barred window and a large locked wooden door were her only outlet to the world outside. Her eyes darted back and forth to a curtain on the nearby wall, the pattern hidden beneath the grime and a door hidden behind that. The last time she had seen Azazeal he had been leaving her through that door to the room adjacant to this. She knew why, she knew she was there but remained positive that he would soon return. To her. To Rose rather than Cassie..

Finding no interest in the dresser, she returned to the faded plush chair set aside for her to sit on. Resting her chin in her hands she began to close her eyes...to imagine what her life would be like when she was on Azazeal's right hand..

*

[Jimjamz]

"Oh" Cassie said blankly, now sat on her bed. Jo was opposite her, laying a shaking hand on the girls shoulder. She felt numb. Troy? Dead? She hadnt given him much thought the past couple of weeks, what with everything that had went on. She tried to remember the last conversation they'd had, but it was all a blur.
"Cassie, are you alright?" Jo asked, giving her a concerned look. She nodded slowly, not really taking in what her teacher was saying. She waited for the tears to come, but they didnt. Why wasnt she crying?
"Cassie" Jo said again, staring straight into her eyes, "The police...they want to talk to you. They want to know where you've been the past few days...and they'll want to know where you got your injurys"
"I didnt do anything" Cassie said automatically, abruptly standing up.
"Well...you just need to tell the police that" Jo said, eying her suspiciously. It all did seem a bit odd. Cassie wasnt seen for two days, then Troy was found dead in the library. Then Cassie showed up, with a big gash in her head and bruises. What on earth had happened?
"And I want you to go to the nurse before you speak to them, get that sorted out" She nodded at the wound, "It looks like you've made a rather botched attempt to clean it up"
"I cant" Cassie muttered, panic starting to set in at the thought of talking to the police, "I didnt do anything, they dont need to speak to me" She looked over to Thelma, who looked almost as petrified as she was.
"Cassie...its" She was finding it hard to reassure the girl, saying as she was just as suspicious of her as the police seemed to be, "Look, im not going to lie to you, your old enough now. The situation isnt right. You go missing and you turn up the day we find your ex-boyfriend murdered, the ex boyfriend who's baby-"
"It wasnt his baby!" Cassie said furiously.
"Whose baby you recently aborted. Add that to the fact you come back with cuts and bruises...your there prime suspect"

[Fassbender Fan]

"Will you come with me?" Jo's eyes were wide with worry and what Cassie perceived to be fear as she extended a shaking hand toward the girl. Cassie glanced at the bed beneath which Michael was hidden and back at Thelma who sat wide eyed clutching her knees to her chest. Returning her gaze to Jo she nodded silently.

Jo withdrew her hand and, pursing her lips into the usual smile, led Cassie from the room.

Thelma remained in silence for several moments before she remembered Michael

"You can come out" she said without moving, her head swimming with confused and broken thoughts.

Michael crawled from beneath the lavender valance which adorned Rose's bed and, dusting himself off, he stood at height (which was barely three foot)

"We have to get her back. She's not safe with them"

"I'm sure Azazeal won't-" Thelma began wearily

"Yes he will! We have to get her back Thelma.."

*

"Sweet dreams?"

Rose awoke with a start to find Sariel leant over her, a hand resting on each arm of the chair and a smug grin spread across his handsome face, the dim light doing him every favour. He removed his hands and watched Rose as she straightened up, eyeing her companion and scanning the doors for signs of a forced entry..

"How did you-" she paused "Nevermind..I don't care how you got in. What do you want?" she folded her arms to show she was not afraid of the angel

"You don't care? I'm hurt" he spoke with a mocking pain that wound Rose up, touching the place his heart lay with his hand, she felt the anger rise at his patronism of her, but before she could retaliate he continued

"I know what you do care about though my dear Rose. Yes I can see it now, the longing, the pain in your eyes. He will never choose you, it is written-"

"I don't care what some balding monk wrote down a few hundred years back, he will-"

"A few hundred?" his laughter rang out "Try a few thousand child! And you should care because things are about to get very interesting for our Azazeal..do you really want to stick around for that? Given your track record.." his eyes danced with spite as he spoke, his innotation of the word child making her blood boil once more.

Suddenly he was upon her, swooping forward he pinned her to the chair his hands fixed upon the dying furniture and his face milimetres from her own. She could feel his breath on her face as she stared defiantly into his eyes now glowing as studied her

"Heed my words Rose. Go. While you still can, he is not your friend nor your lover and that I can assure you will not change."

They remained locked in a stare for what seemed like hours before he let go of the chair. His eyes rested upon the heavily bolted door like a cat ready to pounce..

"Things are about to get very interesting..."

[Jimjamz]

"Fine" Thelma stood up, she was too tired to argue, "How do you suppose we get her back? We'll bring her back here, and Jo'll come along again. Shes gonna have to be interviewed, one way or another"

"We wont bring her back here" Michael said, already heading for the door, "Are you coming?" He asked, when Thelma didnt follow.

"What do you mean, not back here? Where else are we going to go? We have to stop here!" She demanded, not wanting to leave the memorys- the good ones- behind.

"I dont know where else we can go permenantly, but I know somewhere temporary, and I can get us there quickly" The boy said slowly, now stood in the doorway, "And we have to move fast, he'll be aware shes vulnrable"

"She's with two police officers and Jo, she'll be fine" She said, agitated at Michaels desire to leave.

"No! You dont understand!" Michael spat, "NEVER underestimate my father! Never! Do you really think three mortals will stop him?"

"Okay" Thelma said quietly, frightened at the boys tone and how much he looked like Azazeal when he was angry, "But...does that mean Cassies only protected with us?"

"Me" Michael said shortly, "No nephilim would dare touch her when im around. And my dad...well...I'll know what to do"

Thelma bit her lip, thinking back to the prophesy Peggy told her. A few moments of silence past, Michael in the doorway, Thelma leaning against the window.

"So can we go now?" He asked impatiently. Thelma sighed and nodded, knowing she'd never win the argument anyways.

"Come on then" He said. Thelma nodded, taking one last look around the room.

Dont get all sentimental now...

"Okay...im ready" She breathed, following him out, not knowing where they were going, or what they were doing. But she trusted Michaels...judgement, if not the boy himself.

"I need you to go to the library. Wait for me there"

[Fassbender Fan]

Michael quickly disappeared through the door as Thelma reluctantly followed. As she closed the door behind her, feeling as though she were locking away more than her room, she noticed the hallway deserted. He was quick she'd give him that..

*

The corridors were mercifully empty as lessons continued in the classrooms Thelma crept past. She found herself at the library and immediately entered without a thought crossing her mind when she was reminded quickly and painfully why she had not wanted to return.

Police tape cut the room into cold sections as a dark stain adorned the threadbare carpet by a now sheet-covered chair that Thelma had previously sat in. As she took in the foreign sights she noticed she was not alone. A single police officer was perched nearby fidgeting with his belt as he surveyed the room, clearly on guard to deter any curious students who might wander his way.

Thelma eyed the cop strangely, waving her hand in front of his unblinking eyes. She had been a ghost for well over a year now yet meetings like this aroused her curiosity. Boring quickly and spotting a nearby sofa, she sat and waited.

*

Sariel's eyes glistened as he focused upon the door now opening.

Rose's heart beating frantically she also focused on the door, panic rising in her veins, her throat dry as she waited helplessly for what was about to come.

The door opened completely and a bright sunlight filled the room, giving light to shadowy corners and decaying furniture. A shadow stood silhouetted in the light, fists clenched at their side a look of menace upon their brow. Clear Nephilim features beginning to reveal themselves along their arched back and neck.

Rose stifled a cry as she collapsed back into her chair. As though she had fallen on a pin she jumped to her feet, scrambling and stumbling as she retreated to the far wall. Her chest rising heavily, tears began to escape from her eyes, sending mascara filled streams down her glowing cheeks.

"Sariel" the voice was deep and raspy as the demon approached. He stretched his foe's name, speaking slowly, emphasising the silence he greeted.

"Azazeal. I've been expecting you for some time.." Sariel's grin returned as he squared up to Azazeal.."The accursed Satan has returned."

"And yet...you do not tremble or run. Foolish as ever I see dear Sariel. Such a shame that I will have to kill you. My son shall reign. I will not rest until it is done!"

[Jimjamz]

"If only it were that easy" Sariel sighed, grinning wickedly at the demon before him. Azazeal let out a roar of frustration and lunged at him, but he quickly jumped out of the way, landing at the other side of the room, right in front of Rose.

"Surely you havent forgotten?" He laughed, eyeing Azazeal with amusement, "The unholy alliance...you may be powerful, but you cant kill me. Only one has the power to do that"

And with another grin, he was gone, leaving a frustrated Azazeal and a terrified rose in his wake. Azazeal advanced upon Rose, snarling, pure rage etched into every line on his face.

"Why didnt you tell me he was here?!?"

***

It had been almost ten minutes, and Thelma was getting bored, if not a little anxious. She picked at a loose thread on the sofa arm, hating the eerie silence that surrounded her, only broken by the officers heavy breathing. She was just thinking of going to look for Michael and Cassie herself when they rushed into the room, him pulling his mother along behind.

"Right, we have to go quick" Michael said to the girls, looking round the room.

"Hang on..." Thelma said, glancing at the police officer, who showed no sign he'd noticed the main suspect in his murder case had just barged into the room, "Can he not see you two?"

"I'll explain later" Michael said urgently.

"Where are we going?" Cassie asked.

"I'll tell y-"

But the young boy broke off abruptly, staring at the door, a look of panic on his young face. Cassie and Thelma whipped round, wanting to know the cause of Michaels distress.

"Michael...Cassie" It was Azazeal, now looking his normal self. He strolled into the library, a forced air of calm around him. Cassie shifted closer to Thelma, but her Michael stood his ground, standing in front of his mother and the ghost almost protectivley.

"What do you want" He whispered, fists clenched. Azazeal smiled, and tried to embrace his son, but he took a step back, glaring at the man before him.

"I want you to come back...both of you" He said charmingly, glancing over at Cassie.

"I'll never go anywhere with you" She said through gritted teeth. Azazeal chuckled.

"But dont you want to be a family, Cassie? Dont you want whats best for Michael?" He whispered, drawing the boy to his side, who this time didnt resist, "We can be together...me, you, our son...All the panic, all the worry will be over...surely it has to be better then this foolish attempt to run away from me"

"We werent running away" Michael muttered, wrenching himself from his father and going over to stand by Cassie and Thelma, "And we wont come with you, not this time...not after what you did to my mother"

"Michael, do not be foolish, wherever you go, you know I'll find you!" Azazeal spat, advancing towards the group, "If you wont come...I'll have to take you by force!"

And with that he lunged toward the trio, grabbing both mother and sons arms in a pincer like grip. Michael struggled, holding onto Cassie for dear life, who screamed, trying in vain to hold onto Thelma, her frustration adding to her panic when she couldnt touch her...

[Fassbender Fan]

Trees and buildings rushed past in a blur as Azazeal swept mother and child across the grounds of Medenham. Cassie's throat was dry and scratchy from screams affecting no reply, her head pounding and dry tears clinging to her skin, she strained to focus on something; anything that would give an indication of where they were headed. Her eyelids grew heavy as a sea of dizziness swept over her, with little reluctance she closed her eyes. She didn't open them again until they had come to a standstill.

Opening her eyes Cassie found herself and Michael stood, unbound, either side of Azazeal. The air heavy with fog and the grass wet underfoot she eyed her surroundings with curiosity and familiarity. They were stood beneath a tall, elegant oak with a large outstretched branch overhead...The Hanging Tree...they were at Rachel's grave.

"I trust you recognize your surrounding?" Azazeal's sneer brought Cassie back to reality with a thud. As she turned to face him she discovered they were not three but hundreds of shadowy figures were emerging from all directions. Surrounding them.

"Oh don't worry about them, they are here for protection. They are at my command Cassie and they could be at yours if you would only say the word." He stretched a pale hand toward Cassie who responded with a look of repulsion.

"You really think I want to join you? Are you crazy? I would rather die!"

Azazeal's smile faded.
"You will make your choice Cassie! There are no escapes this time, no friends. Live your life with me or join your ancestor.
A glimmer of pain in his voice Azazeal gestured toward the grave underfoot, turning his gaze from Cassie to Michael;who, until now, had remained mute, hidden in the shadows behind his father.

"And you, my son, have you finally seen the light? It took all my earthy powers of persuasion to bring you hear tonight.To prevent your death. Your loving Mother wanted you aborted did she tell you that? You must see, it is your destiny to be with me."

The whites of Michael's eyes glowed in the moonlight as he looked at his mother.

"Is this- No! You lie! I will not choose you, I will not stoop to you level"

Tears coursed from Cassie's eyes as Michael stared at her. His eyes wide and innocent in hope of a response, a truth to contradict Azazeal's. The only answer he received was that of a heart wrenching silence between the two, Cassie unable to tear her eyes from his.

The moment was broken by Gadreel approaching from the multitude of Nephilim standing guard at the scene.
"Sire-" he addressed Azazeal "the ghost has been dealt with. She no longer poses a threat" he cast a smug glance in Cassie's direction as he returned to his position.

Cassie's anguished screams rang out across the night air, heartfelt and blood-curdling she collapsed onto the grass sobbing uncontrollably for her friend. Her heart breaking with every breath.

"You see Cassie, there is no one left. No one but me, make. your. choice" Azazeal's voice showed no signs of remorse of even emotion as he once again extended a hand toward the girl at his feet.

Broken and weary Cassie stared into his eyes. Those eyes; filled with such menace and hate, such power and yet a weakness in his isolation. Broken thoughts danced in Cassie's mind as her heart raced, there was no other way, this was not a nightmare she could awake from. She was exhausted, the pain, the running, losing everyone she had ever cared for...what was it worth? Her heart shattered as she grasped the hand, stumbling to her feet she stood facing Azazeal.

"I've made my choice" she said despairingly "I choose you"

At once the ground beneath their feet gave way and they plummeted into darkness. Cassie closed her eyes, clinging to Azazeal's body for safety, his scent filling her nostrils but her only thoughts residing with Thelma.

[Jimjamz]

She ran as fast as she could, trying to keep up with the retreating group. In the back of her mind she knew there was nothing she could do, but all rational thought pulled away in her desperate and fruitless attempt to save Cassie.

"Get away, ghost" She bumped head on into something solid, forcing her to fall back onto the ground. Scrambling up, she focused on the demon in front of
her. Smirking, he waved his hand, then walked off.

Puzzled, she ran forward but was again knocked back. She tried and tried again, but there seemed to be some invisable wall, seperating her from Cassie. Finally giving up, she pressed herself against the force-field,trying desperatly to see what was going on through the circle of onlookers. One shifted, and she was finally able to get a clear view.

Azazeal was standing under the hanging tree, with Michael at his side. Cassie was kneeling before him, her back turned away from Thelma. The fallen angel extended his hand, and she was just able to catch the last of his words.

"...me, make.your.choice"

"I've made my choice" Her friend said "I choose you"

"NO!" Thelma cried, her heart aching from the betrayal. She beat at the wall, willing the blonde to turn round and see, feel what she was doing to her. Azazeal smirked and drew her in his arms, making Thelma reel back in revulsion.

"No...No, no, no" She whispered, over and over again. She didnt notice the darkness, the shaking earth. She was too shocked, too numb to notice anything but her own pain, her own sense of betrayal and loss. Tears coursed down her face, burning her cheeks as she searched for some explanation to Cassies actions. When she finally looked up, the grounds were deserted, everyone was gone. Cassie was gone.

She didnt know how long she sat there, she didnt care. Hours passed, the fierce wind whipped harshly against her but she didnt feel it. She didnt feel anything.

"Its not the end..." A voice said softly, startling her. She jumped back, focusing on the source of the words through the darkness.

"Sariel..."

[Fassbender Fan]

Helping a baffled and emotional Thelma to her feet Sariel grinned at her furrowed brow.
"What? You don't trust me?"

"Can you blame me? You threatened me, killed Troy and-"

"I didn't kill the boy"

"But I saw-"

"What did you see Thelma? You saw me in a room with the body of your school friend yes? Did you see actually see me kill him?"

"I, well no I guess but...then who did?"

"Gadreel and Kasdeja, two of the Nephilim, Gadreel is particularly menacing, you'd do well to stay away from him and Kasdeja well...anyway I followed them here looking for Azazeal but by the time I arrived the deed was done and then you turned up."

"Fine, say I believe you, say you didn't kill Troy that still doesn't mean I trust you. However I do want Cassie back and if you know how-"

"I'm going to need your help, we need to end this once and for all and I'm afraid if Cassie stands in the way-"

"You lay a finger on her head and-" Thelma's voice deepened, fists clenched at her sides ready to attack..

"And what Thelma? This is not a game! The union of your friend and Azazeal will signal the end of mankind. Earth will become a living hell if they reign. It must be finished and Cassie will be faced with a choice..."

Thelma's lip began to tremble, Cassie had already chosen Azazeal over her once. Her heart raced as she tried to summon all the courage she could to do what was needed.

"Okay. Where do we start?"

Sariel smiled,
"Where it all began, I'm going to need the Canare."

[DreamDangerously]

******

Sariel grinned wolfishly as Thelma handed him the canare. The unassuming looking little piece of pottery with it's strange archaic designs etched in had been the cause of so much heartbreak.

Sariel ran a finger almost lovingly down the side of it, his boyish face beautiful and serene for a second, the room reflected in those strange blue eyes. Thelma considered for a second that this must have been how he'd looked like as an angel in the days before it had all gone so very wrong for him. She fought the temptation to ask him why he'd chosen to fall with the others, now wasnt the time. It REALLY wasn't the time.

The smile returned to his face, a predators smile. "Ah Azazeal," he said to no one in particular, "so swept up in your grand plan you forget the small details." He looked at Thelma, a wicked light in his eyes now which made Thelma surpress a shudder.

"What the great mighty strutting prince of the dark is forgetting is that he is magically bound to this teeny weeny bit of fragile pottery. You see God, despite everything, has a deeply ironic sense of humour. Well he created man after all, his biggest joke."

Thelma attempted a weak smile in response.

"He always has a get out clause to keep us all in check. With Azazeal it's this thing." He tapped the canare. "Alas we can't smash it and have done with it, but it does make him obey certain...rules"

" The blood of the living summons him from it, but the blood of the dead....well that brings him back to it." He fixed Thelma with a cold hard stare and the penny began to drop as to why Sariel was so keen to help out. He shrugged and stepped towards her, producing a long curved knife.

"I'm afraid, dear girl, that you're technically one of mine and, well, I'm not actually living OR dead, not in the small human sense of the word.."

An unholy alliance. To bring Azazeal down, she was going to have to help Sariel defeat him by giving him what? Her afterlife?

[Fassbender Fan]

Thelma shakily took the knife into her hand, the bone handle cold against her skin, a metal guard cupping her hand as she held the knife at eye level. The curved blade glistened menacingly as Thelma's heart beat loudly in her throat. She pushed the blade against her wrist, closing her eyes tight..

"I'm afraid it's not that easy.." Sariel interrupted his hand caressing the hand Thelma clutched the knife with. He effortlessly pulled it back, separating the knife from her wrist.

"But you-"

"Yes. It's your blood we need but I'm afraid where Cassie awakened this with a drop it will take more than that to finish it. She gave birth to Michael, this is a whole different ball game now.."

Thelma's eyes rested upon the knife which she turned in her palm, her eyes watery and scared.
"How much do you need?"

Sariel averted his eyes, a convincing look of pain etched upon his brow.
"To end this, we must repair what was broken, the dead must no longer walk with the living...you need to die if you want to save your friend Thelma"

Thelma's lips parted but no sound escaped, before she could contemplate the sacrifice she was about to make Sariel grabbed her arm, dragging her from the room and across the grounds. Thelma writhed and twisted to escape his grasp but he held fast as they made their way toward the now familiar oak.

Sariel released his hold and, turning his back on the ghost, he began to examine the bark of the tree
"Let's hope the sight of you will bring your friend back to her senses? Not that you will be reunited for long.."
There was an eagerness in Sariel's voice that made Thelma shiver, she fingered the knife still in her possession.

[DreamDangerously]

As Sariel turned to speak, Thelma gripped the knife firmly and sunk the blade in to his chest. A strange calm part of her mind observed that it went in easier than she'd have thought as the rest of her reeled in shock as the long knife was stuck hilt deep in the fallen angel's chest.

Sariel gasped for breath for a second then, to Thelma's surpise and confusion he smiled, but this time the sarcastic quirk was gone. He coughed and gasped again and blood appeared on his lips. He staggered back against the tree and slid down it.

"That's my girl!" he whispered. Casting his eyes upwards he grinned, "redemptions a bitch isn't it?" Thelma got the feeling he wasn't talking to her. He beckoned her over, the blood was staining his shirt a deep dark red now. He was dying.

"I told you God had a sense of humour!" His eyes were begining to glaze over and he struggled to focus . He reached up suddenly and grabbed Thelma's face with both hands leaving bloody smears on her cheeks. "God also had a back up plan....and you're it. I've done my bit now....prophesy fulfilled..." he laughed horsely. "Now I get to see if I'm all square." He coughed and more blood came to his lips.

He let go of Thelma's face and his hands dropped limply by his side. He fought to keep his eyes open now. "My death will open the way to Cassie....then it's all you baby....I'm afraid I wasn't lying to you about that.....you'll need this...." With a gut wrenching moan he pulled the blade out of his chest. "Well dear girl....," he gave a weak smile, "can't wait to see what's next!"

Thelma took the blade from him and found herself crying as his eyelids fluttered closed. His last breath passed softly from his lips and his chest stilled.

With that there was a blinding flash, and then the dark....Thelma was falling in to a deep blackness.

[Jimjamz]

Suddenly it all became light, and her feet hit hard ground. She'd landed in...a cave was the best word to describe where she was now, a large cave with tunnels at each side leading to unknown darkness. But they didnt matter. Some sort of sixth sense was guiding her, leading her forward to where she knew Cassie would be.
She could hear the faint sounds of screams in the distance as she travelled towards her destination, feeling hazy at the shock of what she had just done and the shock of what she was about to do. The place was deserted, which suprised her slightly, but she could only be happy it was. She didnt need any difficulties. Not tonight.

"Look at me"

She instictivly jumped back to the wall, finding a crevice she could hide herself in. That was Azazeals voice, and whether by her imagination or not, he sounded weak. She nervously fingered the knife as she strained to listen.

"This isnt a game anymore" She heard, "I thought you'd realised this"

She ducked forward, stealing a look in the direction of the voice. It was indeed Azazeal, looking paler than usual, like he had before Thelma's original sacrifice. He was kneeling on a bed, his face turned away from her, blocking the ghosts view of Cassie. Michael was leaning against a near-by wall, his expression blank.

"Leave her, father" The boy said, "She's upset, she isnt going to talk to you now"

"Shutup!" Azazeal roared, turning his attention to his son, "She does what I say, she agreed to it"

"She's just lost Thelma" Michael sighed, unaffected by Azazeals outburst, "I think you oughta-"

"What did I say?" Azazeal asked menacingly, stepping off the bed and advancing towards the boy.

Thelma could see Cassie now, lying there with her eyes closed and her cheeks wet with tears. A silent sob escaped her lips. She frowned, wandering why she apeared so upset when she'd chose to come here. And why had Michael said she was lost?

"Cassie" She whispered quietly, confident Azazeal wouldnt hear her in his asault on his son, "Cassie"

Cassie opened her eyes, glancing round her suroundings. Her mouth opened in shock when she spotted Thelma, but it was quickly replaced by a jubulent smile, her eyes lighting up. The ghost pressed her finger to her lips and advanced forward, taking care to be as quiet as possible. But she didnt realise Azazeal had turned round.

"You!"

[Fassbender Fan]

Before Thelma had time to react Azazeal was gripping her tightly dragging her into the centre of the cave, stalactites adorned the ceiling and a strange musty smell filled Thelma's nostrils as she was thrown to the wet floor fiercely.

Cassie screamed, scrambling from the bed her arms thrashing uselessly at Azazeal's chest

"You made me think...you bastard..." tears flooded as she pummeled him angrily.

"It was for your own good Cassie" Azazeal clutched at her wrists forcing her onto the bed once more, but she fought him, kicking and writhing with all her might she had regained the strength which had previously drained when she thought Thelma dead.

"Cassie!" his voice throaty and stern, his cheeks glowing with impatience.

"No, I won't let you, Thelma!" Cassie screamed only to be silenced by the back of Azazeal's hand, she lay as motionless as her friend falling backward onto the bed

*

Thelma's eyes stirred and a blurry Azazeal came into view, his hands caressing the blue pottery in his hands. Thelma struggled but the ropes held her fast, she scanned her surroundings for sight of Cassie..

A familiar mane of blonde hair was partially visible on the bed, Thelma's heart raced as the motionless body of her love came into view, her scream echoing through the cavernous walls

Azazeal was soon upon her, his eyes angry but bloodshot, he looked tired and pale, almost ill. Thelma stared hard as her enemy moved in, close enough to smell him she stretched her wrists, struggling with her fingertips against the rough rope cutting at her wrists.

"It's no use Thelma, struggle all you like, I've won. It's over. Cassie is mine!"

At that moment Thelma's eyes widened in shock and her lips parted as Azazeal crumpled to the ground, a conscious Cassie standing in his wake...

[Jimjamz]

"Bastard" Cassie whispered in disdain, glaring at his crumpled form. She had a rock in her hand, which was still slightly raised, and a cut on her head to go with the previous one.

Thelma chuckled dryly, it was the only thing she could think of doing. The blonde smiled weakly at her, casting the rock aside. She went to step over Azazeal, but unnoticed by either of the girls he'd come round and he grabbed Cassies leg, causing her to fall over.

"Im not that easy!" He whispered, getting on his feet. He kept one leg pressed down hard on Cassies ankle, who was still trying to break free despite the pain he was causing her. She clawed at his leg, but he just laughed, effortessly pushing her away.

"Foolish, foolish of you to come here tonight" He said, staring straight into Thelmas terrified eyes, "Your friend Sariel may have did his part of the deed- I am weak, yes, but nothing another sacrifice cant sort out" He turned his gaze to Cassie, and stamped ruthlessly on her ankle, earning a cracking sound and a pain filled scream.

"You bastard!" Thelma screamed, struggling against the ropes. Azazeal laughed again.

"You-" He began, but he was cut off abruptly, falling to the ground. Michael had dived at him, his blue eyes alight with anger.

"Thelma" Cassie whispered, crawling towards her. She undid the ropes binding her friend with shaking hands, tears running down her cheeks.

"Cassie, I" She whispered, gazing at her friend. In Michaels asualt on his father botht the knife and the canare had fell to the floor, and it was only a matter of time before she had to make her sacrifice. Her gaze flickered to the two objects, and she reached out for them.

"I lo-" But she was cut off by a loud bang, and the two girls looked up to see Michael sliding down a wall, obviously knocked out. Without a word Cassie snatched up the knife as Azazeal walked towards them, blood running down the side of his lip.

"Now we can do things properly" He whispered, menacingly.