Unknown Motives

Spoken word isn't necessary but often helps in concentration. The user's focus should be on pushing his internal energy outward, through the surface of an object of proper conductivity. Such objects include: gems, certain metals and woods, and the various rune artifacts left the ancient races.

Maria's brows furrowed as she re-read the passage in the worn textbook. A multi colored crystal, bigger than her palm, glistened in her lap. She sat cross-legged leaning against a fence line that faced an alleyway. A row of suburban housing lined each side of the alley. Papers, books, and small objects of a glittered, otherworldly look were scattered around her in an uneven semi-circle.

She glanced over diagrams showing the user taking various stances and positions to help conduct energy. Maria was a petite child with a round face, long dark hair, and almond-shaped eyes. Her complexion was a dark, rust-filled brown.

She cupped the jewel clumsily in both hands. She could feel a slow thrum emit from its surface at large intervals. She lifted the jewel to face level. Holding her mouth in a tight line, she narrowed her focus. A glow started from within the body of the jewel, stuttering at first and then growing brighter, into a small yet blinding ball of white. Her eyes squinted, Maria smiled.

------

Jordon sprinted down an alley and ducked into the open gate of his neighbor's backyard. Inside the shelter of the fence, the child slowed and straightened himself. He grinned as he walked to the water spicket at the side of the brick house. He spun the wheel. The water shot out rust first but quickly cleared. He lowered his hands into the stream, twitching slightly at its cold touch. If he skewed his vision, he could say the red running from his hands was rust, but he knew better.

He heard footsteps on concrete. They were close. Jordon turned the wheel of the spicket closed with some force and kept still as he listened. Two sets of footsteps. They passed the yard where he was hiding but stopped shortly after. Silence.

"I know you're here somewhere," the voice was projected for his benefit and cold with calm. "Why don't you stop hiding and get what you have coming?"

Jordon held his breath, stepping quietly toward the gate. He heard a thwack as thick, blunt object hit the outside of the fence. There was some incoherent whispering between the two pursuers. A disagreement.

One of them began pacing, as a predator awaiting its query. Unable to stop himself, Jordon fled out the gate and around the house. They heard him and they hurried after.

----

Maria looked up from her books. Sounds of aggravated yelling whisked down the alley. There was a thwack and then the sound of running feet.Two houses to her left, Jordan shot into the alleyway.She recognized him from school--he was in the grade below her. His hair was long with an effeminate shimmer and his build small for his age.

Following him across the alley were two larger boys.The first was stout with a square, unforgiving jaw line. He trailed slightly behind the other, who was taller, lankier and whose face resembled a bird of prey. The lanky one held a baseball bat high, ready to strike.He lunged after Jordan, circling him and cutting off his escape.Maria stood and started towards them, the jewel in her hands.

"Hey" She called.They ignored her.

The baseball bat swung.Jordan turned his head away and screamed as the bat connected with his raised forearm. There was a cracking, splintering sound and Jordon stumbled backward.

Jewel clutched tightly, Maria pointed it towards the boy with the bat. She spaced her feet for strength and took a deep breath.Words weren't important but they helped her concentrate.

"Wind," She called.

A gust shot forth and between Jordan and his attacker.It plastered their hair back stinging their faces red with cold. The aggressor did not turn from Jordon although his eyes flicked in her direction.

"This ain't got anything to do with you," he said grabbing Jordan by the collar of his shirt.

"It does too.I'm not going to let you mindlessly pound on a smaller boy." She moved toward him, puffing herself up to her full 4'10.

He used the bat to gesture in her direction."Jimmy, can you take care 'o that?"

Jimmy moved to block her as the other boy began dragging Jordan off between two houses."Hey, um, it's not what it looks like," Jimmy told her.

"I think I can tell for myself what's happening here."She turned her jewel towards him."Black whirl."

The wind came in a small, dark spiral. The humidity in the air between them froze into small, swirling, shards.The spell hit Jimmy full in the chest causing his body to twitch backwards.His eyes flashed anger.He jolted forward and pushed her--hard. Maria sprawled butt first to the ground. Her face flushed red as she scowled up at him.

She pressed the jewel face first to the pavement."Energy," she said.

The jewel glowed with a faint blue trim.She could feel the heat rising from it as her hand broke out in small sweat beads.

Over Jimmy's shoulder, she saw the other boy drop the bat. He reached into his back pocket. Maria looked down at her jewel to keep focus. Pain began to spread from the palm of her hand up to her elbow. She couldn't wait for a more effective charge.She flipped the jewel up--the air around it sparked.Channels of blue white pulsed inside its glistening surface.

She locked her eyes on Jimmy's marking the target.The charges wrenched free and sprung forth like lighting.The aim wasn't perfect.Some bolts missed, hitting the grass of a near-by lawn.They sparked small fires but snuffed quickly.The remaining bolts caught Jimmy across the chest, burning trails through his shirt and into flesh.He screamed and backed away.

Jimmy stood still for a few seconds, his gaze fixated at the ground. He shook his head slowly. She heard him mutter something like "screw this" before he turned away and stomped off.

She turned her attention to the other boy.He was ready.He had let go of Jordan and in his hands he held a small talisman.The jewel was blood red and already glowing, no ground charge required.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Jordan backed against the fence and inching towards her.The attacker stepped forward and without a word, ribbons of fire arched upwards from the talisman and sprung towards her.The flames were blue-white and their aim direct.She jumped to her feet, backing away.The threads edging her skirt turned black and curled. More fire was coming still.

"Ice."Her voice was strained but not panicked.

Her spell sputtered, not managing to even freeze the loose moisture in the air. Instead wind feebly gusted from the jewel's face. The fire hit the gust and slowed, diverting upwards just enough to pass over her shoulder.

Through the heat and dissipating flames she could see his face. His nose and eyebrows were furrowed, his mouth slightly open showing snarling canines.

"This isn't your fight.Stay out of it." His voice was surprisingly even.

"Not happening, sir.No one deserves to get bludgeoned to death." She stood with her feet apart, jewel at the ready.

"He's a littlejerk that has it coming."

Her eyes were focused on her opponent, when she heard Jordan's feet making an escape. The footsteps bolted down the fence line behind her, towards an outlet from the ally.The violent one made to go after him.Maria pushed forward, blocking him.

"Black whirl."

The short blast of stinging cold caused him to slow.Maria sidestepped, getting directly in his path, shielding Jordon. He barreled into her, knocking both of them to the ground and smashing her head into the asphalt with his weight.

Two trails of black fuzz sprung from where her head hit.They traveled around her ears and crossed each other in front of her eyes before clearing.She was pinned under him.He cursed, scrambling over her to get back to his feet.She twisted to her stomach, shot an arm out, and grabbed his ankle and yanking hard. He fell, skidding the palms of his hands to prevent his face from meeting concrete.

Standing,Maria's head pounded as she looked the alleyway up and down. Jordon was nowhere in sight, safe.The other boy surged to his feet. He spun around, vigorously scanning the area and cursing at Jordon's absence.Finally, he turned to her.

They glared at each other, bulls ready to charge. Several moments passed. Then, he rolled his eyes."You're really stupid. I hope you know that."

"You have no business attacking someone like that.Why would you do that?"

He laughed, a snorting derisive sound."Why don't you go ask your boyfriend?"

Laughing again, he wandered off muttering something that sounded obscene and that she was sure was meant for her.

-----

She found Jordan at lunch period the next day.He was alone at the end of a long table.His forearm sported a large, purpling bruise. Completely absorbed with the sandwich he was nibbling; his gaze was planted directly down as if seeing through the table top.

She sat down in the seat across from him.He didn't notice.

"Hey."She said.

He looked up at her but his eyes were dazed. His reply was slow, emerging from another world. "Hm...hi."

"Are you doing alright?"She asked.

"I'm okay." His voice was soft forcing her to lean in to understand him.

"So... can I ask the details of what happened yesterday?"

Jordon turned his attention back to his lunch tray, fiddling with his milk carton. There was a long pause before he answered, "You mean with Aaron?"

"If by Aaron, you mean the boy who was trying to beat you to death, then yes." She didn't know if it was amusing or alarming that he thought she could be talking about anything else. He shook his head slightly.

"Aaron doesn't like me." He said.

"Any particular reason why?" She tilted her head, studying Jordan.

He took an overly exaggerated, long drink of milk. His eyebrows knotted as he put the carton down and noticed she was still there, staring expectantly at him. Focused on the wall behind her head, his lips moved as he spoke wordlessly to himself. Then he locked eyes with her and smiled.

"I think it's because I killed his dog."Maria flinched. He had said it so casually. A sense of darkness seemed to pervade from Jordon that she'd never noticed before.

"Killed his dog?On purpose?" She asked.

He shrugged."I guess you could say it that way."

Something in his tone, in his expression let her know that he wasn't playing around. Her eyes widened first, then narrowed, "Why would you do that?"

"I don't know.Just cause, I guess."

Her mind whirled. "You know that's wrong, right?"

He raised his chin and quirked an eyebrow, "I guess."

He was defending his actions. Maria steamed with indignation as she stood, her spin rigid, and left the table. So much for heroism , she thought and shook her head trying to clear his brutality from her mind. So much for heroism.