Chapter 2: Bloody Nose

“You, a-again.” For a moment, Mauve was happy someone pulled her out of the water. It was the first time she ever experienced what it feels like accepting an abrupt death. That moment did not last long as she realized that it’s the guy earlier… her safety is no longer guaranteed.

“Yes, it’s me. And like I said earlier I mean no harm.” He tries to convince her by flashing another reassuring smile and by giving her some space between them. He knows that Mauve is at her most vulnerable state and he thinks that this might be a good chance for him to persuade her again.

“You should take your jacket off, miss, have mine instead.” Mauve’s eyes shift to the girl standing next to the guy. Her strong aura overwhelms Mauve as she looks at her eyes with genuine concern. 

 “Who are you?” The question automatically goes out of Mauve’s mouth as her eyes lock into the girl’s strong gaze. 

“I’m Sephie, and just like him… I mean no harm.” Yes, of course you’re with him, Mauve thought. Sephie has the same outfit that the guy has. She has this short dark grey wolf cut hair which compliments her oval face. Her feisty green eyes, pointed nose, brown tinted lips and her golden nose hoop gives off a vibe that she is a tough girl you don’t want to mess with. But even if Sephie seems to care, Mauve is still scared for her life. Both of them literally have the same accent and might as well have the same motive.

“I’m okay, I don’t need that.” Mauve refuses Sephie’s white coat and looks back at the guy.

“Did you save me?” He smiled as he tried to wipe the dripping water off his face.

“Yes, I did.” They are too kind and Mauve knows that there must be a reason for it. Only her family would do such a thing for her. Even so, she must play nice hoping they would just let her go.

 “Thank you.”

“Of course, anything for you Mauve.” The guy offers Mauve his hand so she could stand up. She hesitantly takes it as her legs don't feel stable at the moment. As she gets a stable stance, she starts to feel awkward with the situation and tries to come up with an excuse to leave. 

“I’m freezing, I better go back to school and dry off.” Mauve said, hoping that they would nod, leave and let her be.

“We have a nearby place, Mauve you can join us there. Sephie will make you a cup of tea, right Sephie?” Sephie was fast to pick up and nodded. This just made it more difficult for Mauve. 

“Uhm no, I’m alright. I still have classes anyway.”

“Please Mauve, we insist.” The guy said which had an authoritative tone that went along with it.

“I’m sorry but I need to decline your kindness. I just really need to go.” Mauve is about to turn away when he grabs her just like he did earlier.

“You need to go with us Mauve.” This time his grip was firm but not too tight, letting her know he is serious and her excuse won’t work.

“No!” Mauve exclaims trying to yank her arm away.

“Is it because of what happened earlier?” He asks, confused as to why she won’t yield.

Mauve refuses to answer and keeps pushing him away from her. Unfortunately, he doesn’t move an inch at all, he is taller and way more stronger than her.

“Tell me Mauve. All we want is the best for you.”

“Oh really? I have no clue of what you are planning and on top of that I don’t even know you!” Mauve spats back. He locks Mauve under his piercing eyes and replies. 

“I’m Nicholas Clarke, your Eliot. I know it’s strange but you have to trust us Mauve.” He curtly replied. 

“We need to go now Eliot.” Sephie said, giving him the signal to move. He nods and starts pulling Mauve with him as they walk away the opposite way to Mauve’s school. 

Mauve grunts as her defiance and continues to pull back her arm. He looks at her and tries one more time to calm her down. “Please Mauve, stop it already.”

And with all her might Mauve yells on top of her lungs. “No!”

 A huge force throws Nicholas a few feet away from Mauve. As soon as she realized what had just happened, Mauve felt the throbbing nausea once more. She felt her warm blood flow out of her nose and as she was about to faint and hit the ground, the last thing that she felt was a comforting embrace and heard Sephie's voice yelling her name.

…

From a deep slumber, the first feeling that struck Mauve is a throbbing headache. Her vision is blurry as the mumbled voice starts to make sense in her head. 

 “We have no choice, we have to do it.”

“She won’t believe us.”

Once again, Mauve finds herself in front of Sephie and Nicholas who are arguing. By the looks of it, they just kidnap Mauve and trap her inside an old barn. All she could see were barn stuff, chairs and a table with kitchen related contents.

 Mauve tried to move her hands but couldn’t as it was tied firmly on the chair behind her back. The creaking noise that it made caught both Nicholas and Sephie’s attention and abruptly stopped their argument. 

“Are you feeling better?” Nicholas asks.

Mauve refuses to answer and turns her eyes to Sephie who is walking towards her with a cup in hand. Sephie bends down trying to help Mauve sip the tea. 

“Have some green tea, it’s good for nausea.” Mauve looks down and replies.

“You’re trying to poison me?” Sephie was taken aback with Mauve’s response. She knew this would happen and it would be very difficult for them to gain her trust. She gives a bright smile to Mauve trying to look as friendly as she can even if it's already out of her usual character. 

“No miss, we would never do that. All we want is the best for you.”

“I see, but then again both of you tied me up like this.”

“It’s just a precaution for your safety, Mauve.” Nicholas says as he takes his seat in front of Mauve. 

Suddenly Mauve feels a burst of nausea bubbling up through her throat making her want to puke her guts out. Sephie gently rubs her back and moves the tea cup closer to her nose hoping the warm steam helps Mauve. 

“You need to at least take a sip.” Shephie tells her as she watches Mauve resist.

“Its poison, sedative-” Even if the nausea is taking a toll on her, Mauve is adamant with her defiance. 

Sephie can’t believe how stubborn Mauve is. She can’t help it but roll her eyes  as she takes a sip of the tea proving it's safe. Mauve takes a moment before she finally gives in and sips as well. The tea is so smooth and  feels like heaven. Mauve was actually surprised that it didn’t taste bad since she loathed tea growing up. 

“Not too fast, slowly.” Sephie warns her as she tries to blow the tea making it easier for mauve to drink. The nausea became tolerable as soon as Mauve finished the cup.

“I’ll make you another one if you’d like.” Mauve smiles and gives Sephie a nod as she turns away to fix another cup from the table.

“ Is this all for money?” Mauve asks, breaking the silence.

“No, it’s not.”  Nicholas answered. 

“Then what is it? We are just a middle class family. We have nothing to give you.”

“No Mauve. Whatever it is you’re thinking, it's wrong. Now look into my eyes and listen to me.” Nicholas stood up and went closer to Mauve, bending to her level, locking his eyes to hers. 

“Mauve Harrison, You are the next ruler of Elite, the parallel dimension of Earth. I, Nicholas Clarke will serve you as Eliot whilst Sephie Scott is your Astral. We are here to escort you back to Elite where you will fulfill your duty and claim your throne.” The tension between them vanishes as Mauve starts to sarcastically laugh. This is the most hilarious and unrealistic excuse she heard for a kidnapping situation. Nicholas feels quite annoyed by her reaction considering that he did his best to sound authoritative and serious. 

“That’s funny. Even a seventh grader wouldn’t believe you.” Nicholas did not appreciate Mauve’s snide remarks. Nevertheless he keeps his cool and calmly replies.

“It's the truth, Mauve.”

“Lies! For the love of God, just let me go!”

“No Mauve, You’re safe here.”

Nicholas can’t stand looking at Mauve begging for something he can’t provide. As he is turning away, he sees blood dripping down Mauve’s nose. She is trying to use her powers again against him. She is too weak to control it. He immediately asks Sephie to bring a cloth to wipe the blood away. Mauve falls into a deep slumber once more while Nicholas and Sephie look at her.

“What’s the next step Eliot?” Sephie asks.

Nicholas responds while he carefully unties Mauve from the chair and scoops her in his arms as he transfers her to the next room. “Her second ability is about to come out, for now we wait.”