The Next Generation

[Lady Jenn]

"It's the only way I can hold thing...thing at bay," she said, leaning back in the chair. "At least, as long as I don't allow it out for long, if I allowed it control of my body for any greater length of time it would be impossible for me to come back."

[Lawshenk]

" I know one thing for sure, your always able to get your body back might not easy but is like your body know you and allows you back eventually "

[Lady Jenn]

"I think Katya has been sick for a while," Nicole said. "Whatever it was...she couldn't have got so unwell so quickly, she must have been keeping it hidden."

[Lawshenk]

" oh really do explain I have mermaid blood in me so sickness is rare I Linda don't understand it"

[Lady Jenn]

"I don't know," Nicole said, looking puzzled. "I've seen all sorts of illness in my life, but whatever infected her...I can't even be certain whether she was aware she was ill or not, it may well have only started effecting her when she fell asleep."

[Lawshenk]

" I need to be elsewhere I am so sorry "

[Lady Jenn]

"What does that mean?" Nicole asked, more aggressively than she intended. "Are you just leaving me, Katya and everyone else behind? I don't have the strength to go anywhere right this second."

[Lawshenk]

" it means I can't see her hurt like this " she stood up and went to leave " I'm gonna sleep in the car if I'm needed wake me"

[Lady Jenn]

"And if she wakes up asking for you?" Nicole asked. "I need rest too, if she wakes up and I'm asleep and you're nowhere to be seen she might freak out."

[Lawshenk]

" she turned her back on me you remember that, I will just be outside she won't get anywhere with out me knowing I just can not bare to see her, a friend and lover of mine in pain."

[Lady Jenn]

"I watched my mother dying in front of me before I turned 15," she snapped sleepily before sighing. "Sorry, that was unnecessary."

[Lawshenk]

" your clearly stonger than I am " she walked toward the door " I am a wimp I know"

[Lady Jenn]

"I'm not strong," Nicole said. "People think this thing inside me...sleeps when I don't need it. It doesn't, whenever I'm awake it is, it speaks to me, it...the only reason I don't ask anyone else to take this on is I've seen what it does to people who aren't prepared for what it inhabiting your body 24/7."

[Lawshenk]

" if you can watch a loved one die your strong, I can't even watch them when they are sick " she stands and heads for the door " I have seen what that thing does as well part of it made it on to me, your incredible " she stepped outside

[Lady Jenn]

"She's not told you everything," Clint said, appearing suddenly in front of her after the door closed. "I'm glad I found a way to appear to you without that boy needing to be nearby constantly, he's too young to be involved in this." He took a step towards her. "I know I shouldn't have, but...I've seen into her mind. Katya may carry physical scars, but few of them can match the psychological scars Nicole is hiding from everyone."

[Lawshenk]

" Clint you think I can't tell that I really can't bare this now I've hurt so many people"

[Lady Jenn]

"Katya...it's not your fault," he said, trying to reach out to her but his hand passed through her. "The advantage of no-one knowing I'm here, she was ill when we were in the safe house, I don't know if she was unwell or just trying to hide it, but she needs you with her."

[Lawshenk]

Nykki stopped and looked at him" I can't " she moaned " I am here just not in here

[Lady Jenn]

"They're both scared," he said to her. "Nicole won't say it because she thinks you'll see her as weak if she admits it, and she doesn't want to upset you." he sighed. "I would stay in there with them if I could, but if something went wrong I can't protect them, not like this."

[Lawshenk]

" Nicole is stronger than me " she looked at him I can't be in the same room as pain"

[Lady Jenn]

"There is something following you," he said. "I don't know what, every time I try to focus on it it vanishes...but you're not its target, Katya is. If Nicole is as exhausted as she looks she will be of little use if whatever it is turns out to be as hostile as it appears to be."

[Lawshenk]

" I know it my brother he would t be pleased that she is in costume, he won't attack"

[Lady Jenn]

"Are you sure it's him?" he asked. "What I sensed, it didn't seem...human, which I know sounds strange, but I can't explain it any better."

[Lawshenk]

" then I am wrong ? Maybe I should not be here anymore"

[Lady Jenn]

"They need you," Clint said desperately. "I can't protect them, and the others would never reach them in time." He sighed. "I can't make you go back in there, but will you at least think about it?"