Erek Speed

I empty the glass. Par for the evening, it tastes like shit. I’d complain but nobody in this god forsaken country speaks a normal language. Fuck it, I’m too far gone to care now. I wander through the studio looking for the group I came with. Can’t remember why I agreed to this; half a night of bad rock music performed by people who can barely stand let alone play any kind of instrument competently. I find the girls. Ah, yes, it’s always girls that bring me to shit holes like this. Spending my time wasted or trying to be, chasing tail as if they’d give me the time of day. The cuter one says something; lost to the bass. She repeats herself, louder this time. Once more, shouting. Einstein would think her insane, but I lean in closer to finally catch at least the supporting threads of her message. Girl’s friend’s band is up in room A. She turns to leave. I follow, not about to stop the chase, not about to lose one more night’s investment.

Harder said than done. A supposed rock festival, but each room only holds 4 or 5 essentially comatose meth-heads. Cute girl shoots me apologetic smile. I turn to find the bar. One step; a loud crack. I can’t stand these people. Second step; the wall beside me is gone. Awareness is dawning too slowly. My mind clears only to leave the veil of rotgut. Even here! They found me here?! No time for regrets. I turn too quickly for my state, falling to the floor. Next to me, a dead rocker. Doubt fades; Silhouette by strangely diminutive silhouette, my past catches up to me. I whisper words of a dead language. I feel my body leave the visible plane and I make for less dangerous hiding spots. Half a room to safety. I hear my name. Cute girl in the corner, clutching leg, eyes pleading. 2 thoughts— I’m not invisible; pursuers have located me. The fuck! Half shifting isn’t a mistake even an acolyte would make. No time. Must escape. The door; so close. I reach for the handle but it slips away. A body breaks my fall. If only I had a spell for sobriety! I push off the poor fool; complaints; cute girl’s still alive I guess; no matter, I’m clutching at the portal to my future. My pursuers speak. I know these words. Sunder. Green light envelopes me.

I mumble a few words and wave the green light away. I laugh, almost disappointed that agents of this level would be sent after me. They can’t expect such cantrips to be effective against— pain! My vision goes red. Something’s wrong. I look down, my hand; it’s gone. Why? I countered the— I choke back a sob. Counter-clockwise! The somatic component, ruined. Still, I’m here. I pull the handle. The door explodes. I hit the wall and slide to the floor. I cough, clearing the blood from my throat. I gaze to see my last hope vanished. These shadows; not the small frames of the seekers. The council guard. With two hands while sober, I might have a chance; no such luck. I try to stand and fall over. I close my eyes to give up— I’m brought back by small cries. Still alive? She’s tougher than I thought, but she never had a chance. I attempt to peacefully descend. No. A pang of guilt flashes over me. I guess everyone wants to be a hero after all. I glance up to check her status. My gaze is followed. I mumble words for speed and begin my dash to her. One more phrase to stall them slightl— the words stop in my throat. Silenced! But I heard nothi— spells to the ether! My ears? Deaf to the ether!? I slide along the floor next to her.

One chance. Final Sanctuary. My life for hers. First step, visualize a safe location . . . gray. Faint remnants of places flit through my mind. The pieces won’t stay! Blue light; warmth. The Abyss. I smile sadly at her confused eyes. Would have been nice. I need a drink.