Chapter 32

Thirty-Two

Alastair, Lazarus, and I all raced towards Ruby's pain-filled screams as they faltered in the night. "Ruby!" I shouted, my eyes struggling to see through the darkness. Lazarus echoed my yells, calling out for her and Jinx. Alastair sniffed the air, leading us as we followed, panic drenching us alongside the rain. I could see Ruby's faint maroon light in the distance ahead. "There!" The three of us continued in the direction of her magic, the sounds of her cries and shouting increasing as we neared them.

"Ruby!" I called, stopping as we reached them, the sight of Ruby shocking me into silence. She was on the ground, Jinx holding her torso up, using her good arm to try and unlatch something from her foot. "What is that?" I asked, blinking as I grappled to comprehend what I saw.

Lightning flashed, revealing the horrifying truth. I looked at Jinx, her emerald eyes burning red as tears fell from them. "It's a bear trap," she signed. I looked back at Ruby's right leg, realizing how severe the situation was. The large metal trap was closed tightly around her ankle, her blood dripping onto the ground around it. There was no doubt… her ankle, much like her opposite wrist, was broken.

Lazarus stepped around me, bending to examine the metal jaws closely, hesitant to touch her foot. "I'm going to try to pry it open, okay?" Ruby glared at him, nodding. "This might hurt." He gripped the metal ridges of the trap, straining as he tried to open them, his groans mixing with Ruby's as she screamed, clutching her good hand around Jinx. Despite his strength, it was no use. The trap was too strong, embedded in her skin and bone, refusing to unlatch. "Shit." He wiped the rain and sweat from his face, "I'm sorry. I'm not strong enough to open it."

"I can do it."

Lazarus turned to look back at me. "Are you sure?" Ruby and Jinx stared at me.

"Yes." I joined Lazarus, bending down as I examined the bear trap closely. Ruby's blood was now pooling, soaking the dirt as it mixed with the cold rain, the metallic smell heavy in the air. I inhaled deeply, anxiously positioning my fingers across each row of the rugged, sharp metal teeth.

"Alaska." I glanced up at Ruby, her maroon, tear filled eyes staring back at me. "Do it."

I focused all my energy on my hands as my fingertips carefully positioned around the trap. Mother of magic, strengthen my power and help me in my time of need. Pastel blue magic ignited, burning bright in my hands as I gripped the jaws of the bear trap and began to pull them apart. Ruby clenched her teeth, fighting back her screams as I continued to tug, my power increasing, pulsating from my soul as it seeped through my fingers. The metal jaws resisted my power, fighting back as I forcefully tried to open them. My arms ached as I continued, flushing more of my power into the metal.

The trap slowly began to budge when a distant, familiar screech pierced the night. Ruby's fearful eyes met mine, and I knew what I needed to do. I needed to release my control.

"Ruby," I grunted, "whatever you do, don't move." I closed my eyes as the words left my lips. Something buried deep inside my soul unleashed itself as my flaming power grew, brightening in hue. Immense power and strength surged through my veins, forcefully stretching the trap jaws open. The wind began to grow, swirling around us as I pushed the metal pieces back, screaming as Ruby's foot became free. "Now! Hurry!" I yelled, trembling as I held the trap open.

Jinx helped Ruby as she slowly pulled her bloodied, broken ankle free. I held the jaws open, my magic burning into myself, groaning as I fought against the overwhelming chaos. It was too much. I needed to let go. Not yet.Just a little longer.

"Now!" Lazarus yelled. Once she was clear, I released my control, the trap snapping back, drops of Ruby's blood splattering across my face as my magic immediately disappeared, taking the wind with it. The world fell into silence as my ears rang, and I blinked, watching Jinx and Ruby's blurred, slowed motions. "Alaska." I could hear my name being called, the syllables dragging in a distorted voice, distant and quiet, lower than a whisper. "Alaska," it repeated. I blinked again, Lazarus now next to me, his silhouette doubling as his lips moved without sound. Something warm trailed from my nose. I hesitated, my arms screaming in agony as I touched my face, feeling the cause of the strange warmth. It was blood. My blood.

"I–" I stuttered sheepishly, "I–m blee–ding." My body swayed, drained and exhausted.

"Alaska," he whispered, catching me as I fell.

Alastair's muted barks and growls were followed by strange voices that swept through my ears. My head felt heavy, my body weightless, numb. What was happening? Who was here?I forced my eyes open just enough to glance at the outline of an older man, the same one whose cabin we were staying in. His dark eyes met mine as I struggled to focus on him.

The man's lips moved as his voice followed, distorted. "They're coming." The world sank into absolute blackness as his warning echoed in my mind, fading away with my consciousness.