Memory Lane (Shadow and Holly)

"Dont be an idiot Shadow!" Holly said, "Go!"

Shadow shook her head.
"Meran, the mortal goes free, now!"
"Then you agree to my terms?"
Shadow faltered, but nodded.

"The .... the what?" Holly asked looking from Meran to Shadow, "No....no Shad I dont like the sound of that!"

"A life in return for freedom, Holly, it's not that bad." Shadow said.

"But you...." Holly looked desperately from Meran to Shadow again, "No its not!"

Shadow nodded.
"The mortal goes free." Shadow said.

"The Mortal's not happy about this!" Holly persisted.

"No, but she is right, you may leave." Meran said.

Holly desperately tried to think of something more to say, but when nothing came she stamped her foot like a child, which she later realised, she still was.
"No......this aint fair!"

"Holly, leave." Shadow growled, not even turning round to look at her.

"But...."
Holly hesitated for a full minute before turning around slowly, resolving not to rest until she got Shadow back.

Shadow looked around briefly.
"Be safe." She whispered.

Holly stopped and allowed herself one more glance back, before walking away.

Shadow looked round at Meran before she fell to her knees with a roar of rage mingled with a faint scream of pain as black magic burst forth from Shadow.

What felt like a million miles away from this, Holly sat under a tree. Her initial plan was ... well to think of a plan, but her whole mind was numb, and she couldnt think straight. She knew if she ever saw Riley again, she might kill him, so it was best to stay away from places he might be.
Other than that ... no plan.

Meran was dissolved into dust by the force of the magic pouring from Shadow. It spread, reaching Holly andpassing her without harming her.

Holly glanced up, and wondered what on EARTH this was, and what on EARTH had just happened as it was SO RANDOM!

Shadow struggled to bring the magic back under control, and eventually did. SHe lay on the ground, trembling.

Holly debated over whether she should go and get help, or track down Riley to see if he knew where Meran might have taken Shadow. She was tired, and was sticking by the im-not-sleeping-till-i-get-her-back thing.
So she made her way back through the trees.

Shadow stumbled to her feet, looked at where Meran had stood, and just stared, one thought running through her mind. I killed him...

Holly stopped dead at the sight of Shadow, and looked around.
No Meran ... although knowing him, this could well be some kind of trick.
"Sh.....Shad?" she said tentively.

Shadow didn't react to Holly.

Holly bit her lip and took a tentive step forwards, looking around.

Shadow looked at Holly with a dead, haunted look in her eyes.

"Where is he?" Holly asked, staring back.