San Francisco State University, Tuesday evening
Sprawled on his bed and watching TV -- well, the TV was on, but he was flipping through the channels, unable to find anything to hold his interest -- Wyatt had drifted off to sleep. He had been feeling unsettled all day for reasons unknown, though he knew part of the reason had to be his recent experience with the portal. The world he'd found himself in had been a future San Francisco, torn apart by a war that brought him, his potential evil future self, to power. He should have orbed right home, but he was compelled to see what the word was and maybe learn how it came to be. He pretended to be the Wyatt who ruled there as humans and demons alike bowed and scraped to him.
There had been a woman brought before him, hands chained with magical bonds to prevent her from using her powers. He didn't know her name; his demons just referred to her as "the Phoenix," and he wasn't about to blow his cover by asking who she was. He wasn't sure if she was witch or demon, but she stared him in the eye, unflinching, swearing that no matter what he did to her, he wouldn't break her. But he could sense the fear she tried so hard to hide. She knew what power his counterpart had, and it terrified her. It terrified him, too.
He wasn't about to torture her, but if he let her go, it might make his demonic entourage suspicious, so he continued to play his role, engaging her in conversation. This seemed to unnerve her, but it also gave him a few tidbits of information. She was engaged to the Chris of this world and wore his ring on her finger. She'd served him once, but joined with Chris to fight against him. Her biggest concern was not her own life, but that of his brother.
He'd dismissed her, telling his demons to return her to her cell, and he would deal with her later. Then he demanded privacy so he could think. He had to find a way to let the girl go, and maybe get her to bring him to Chris and explain who he was. But all plans were ruined when the portal reappeared and took him home, though he was relieved to be back in his world.
He dreamed of that Wyatt now, of magic and power and how seductive it felt. He'd do good with that power, he swore, but he could feel the darkness chasing him, almost like it was a tangible force.
He woke up drenched his sweat, his heart racing. Glad his roommate wasn't around, he took a few minutes to try to calm down, then grabbed his phone and called Chris. He didn't get an answer, so he left a voicemail, trying hard to sound casual. Then he dialed a second number, really really hoping she picked up.
[For the girlfriend and great slowplay.]
There had been a woman brought before him, hands chained with magical bonds to prevent her from using her powers. He didn't know her name; his demons just referred to her as "the Phoenix," and he wasn't about to blow his cover by asking who she was. He wasn't sure if she was witch or demon, but she stared him in the eye, unflinching, swearing that no matter what he did to her, he wouldn't break her. But he could sense the fear she tried so hard to hide. She knew what power his counterpart had, and it terrified her. It terrified him, too.
He wasn't about to torture her, but if he let her go, it might make his demonic entourage suspicious, so he continued to play his role, engaging her in conversation. This seemed to unnerve her, but it also gave him a few tidbits of information. She was engaged to the Chris of this world and wore his ring on her finger. She'd served him once, but joined with Chris to fight against him. Her biggest concern was not her own life, but that of his brother.
He'd dismissed her, telling his demons to return her to her cell, and he would deal with her later. Then he demanded privacy so he could think. He had to find a way to let the girl go, and maybe get her to bring him to Chris and explain who he was. But all plans were ruined when the portal reappeared and took him home, though he was relieved to be back in his world.
He dreamed of that Wyatt now, of magic and power and how seductive it felt. He'd do good with that power, he swore, but he could feel the darkness chasing him, almost like it was a tangible force.
He woke up drenched his sweat, his heart racing. Glad his roommate wasn't around, he took a few minutes to try to calm down, then grabbed his phone and called Chris. He didn't get an answer, so he left a voicemail, trying hard to sound casual. Then he dialed a second number, really really hoping she picked up.
[For the girlfriend and great slowplay.]