Crystalbringer

Last night, Elaine and I, after escaping from that alley that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie – blood and death everywhere – sought refuge in what I deemed the safest place: the city center. I know, it seems like a stupid move, but who would ever attack us in the middle of the crowd?

Elaine slumped onto a bench near the main fountain, while I sat on another bench next to hers. I didn't want to attract too much attention, although, judging by the glances some passersby were giving us, I'd say it didn't work very well. A couple of them approached, concerned about Elaine's pitiful state. «Is she okay? Do you need help?» they asked. Obviously, I couldn't tell the truth, so I improvised: «She just drank a little too much» Yes, Elaine made a fool of herself, but considering how she was, there was no better excuse.

We stayed there waiting for Clare and Brianne. As soon as I told them what had happened, they rushed over and brought us home safe and sound.

Nightlife is really dangerous! Seriously. If I weren't a Crystalbringer, I probably wouldn't be in this world anymore. Twice I've been in serious danger, and I have to admit that the Blood Crystal is starting to seem more like a blessing than a curse.

I wake up with a start when the phone vibrates on the bedside table. A message. My gaze automatically rises towards the ceiling, where the clock projects the time in bright red: 7 A.M. But why are Brianne and Clare already here?

Usually, Brianne calls me at exactly 7:15 A.M. to make sure I don't get late for school. It's her routine: «You have 15 minutes to get ready, or you'll be in trouble!» But this time it's just a message, not a call. Strange. If it's not Brianne, who the hell is writing to me at this hour?

I reach out and grab the cell phone from the nightstand. The screen flashes, and the message I read makes my blood run cold.

[I'm in front of your house gate. It's better for you if you don't make me wait too long!]

Is it from... Gin LeBlanche? But what the hell does that delinquent want from me?

I jump up and get dressed at lightning speed, setting a personal record that I will probably never beat again. I have no intention of making him angrier than he already seems. That message, written in a very threatening manner, tightens my stomach in a grip of fear.

I go down the stairs two steps at a time and see him. He is there, in front of the condominium gate, leaning against a lamppost. The cigarette hangs from his mouth, and his cold, impassive gaze pierces me like a blade. The all-black outfit gives him the air of a metal singer.

«Here I am...» My voice trembles despite my efforts to appear calm.

Gin throws the cigarette to the ground with a slow, almost theatrical gesture. Then he looks down at me from above — he is much taller than me. I swallow, waiting for him to speak, and finally, after interminable seconds of silence, he breaks it with a calmness that is still frightening.

«Last night I received a phone call from a man. Do you know what he said to me?»

«N-No, I don't know...» I stammer, trying to maintain control, even though my voice betrays me.

«Obviously, you can't know. He told me about a young girl surrounded by a purple aura, capable of making objects float without touching them. He also told me about a boy endowed with superhuman strength and speed, who was able to take him down with impressive ease. Ren Volkom, do you know who told me this?»

He's certainly talking about the man I fought against last night. I was sure I had killed him! Shit! Shit! Shit! How could I have made such a stupid mistake? The rush to escape and the worry for Elaine made me let my guard down.

I can't respond, but the cold sweat on my forehead speaks for me. I barely nod, trying to maintain a semblance of composure.

Gin smiles, but that smile is anything but reassuring. «Fortunately, being one of my henchmen, I silenced him for good before he could tell anyone else» He steps closer, his tone becoming sharper. «Ren Volkom, it seems that Brianne and Clare with their loving care have not managed to make you a boy one can rely on. No problem...»

His voice suddenly changes, transforming into something darker, almost malevolent. «...I'll take care of you with my methods»

After Gin utters that phrase, I notice a decidedly strange detail. His eyes. A moment ago, they were normal dark grey eyes, but now… they are blue. A deep blue, like the midnight sky, and his pupils… God, I don't even know how to describe them. Yes, they are black, like all pupils, but his are of such an intense black that they seem to swallow the light, and a luminous ring rotates around them.

Before I even understand what is happening, I fall to my knees. An invisible weight crushes me, relentless. But what the hell is happening...? I can't move anymore! It's as if a tremendous force were pressing down on every inch of my skin, pushing me downwards. I try to resist, but it's useless. Every muscle, every bone in my body screams from the pressure that keeps increasing.

An inhuman scream escapes my throat as the pain explodes everywhere. Blood… gushes from the pores of my skin, as if I were a sponge squeezed to the limit. And my bones… oh God, I feel every single bone breaking, fracturing one after another like breadsticks. I can no longer even stay on my knees: I collapse onto the asphalt, my face pressed against the ground. But that force doesn't let go; in fact, it increases. Even the road beneath me starts to crack.

Gin hasn't lifted a finger, yet he's slaughtering me. So, is this the power of the strongest Crystalbringer of all? It's terrifying; I've never felt so scared and powerless in my life! I always thought Gin was just some common delinquent, but now I understand the truth. He is a monster. The worst. If God existed, He would never have allowed such a devastating power to fall into the hands of a madman like him.

My vision darkens, and my senses shut down one by one. Even the pain now seems distant, as if my body had given up on feeling it. Probably every nerve is torn, every organ a pulp. If someone were to take an X-ray of me, they would see only blood, fragments of bones, and destroyed flesh. This is not a punishment. He is killing me!

«Thank your lucky stars that your last name is Volkom; otherwise, I would have already turned you into a shapeless mass!» he tells me, gritting his teeth in frustration.

What do these words mean? What is so special about my last name? All this is very strange, but I don't think this is the time to think about it.

Then, a familiar sound pierces the fog in my mind. A car brakes sharply, the tires screeching against the asphalt. I would recognise that sound anywhere. It's Clare's car. Is it already 7:15 A.M.? The punctuality of Clare and Brianne saved my life. Or at least, I hope so...

«Let Ren go immediately!» Brianne's voice erupts in a cry full of rage.

Gin barely tilts his head, that devilish smile on his lips sending a chill down my spine. «Are you happy, Ren? Mommy has come to save you» he mocks, his venomous tone cutting through the air as naturally as breathing.

«Don't make me repeat it again, otherwise—»

«Otherwise what, sweetheart?» he interrupts with a smirk dripping with arrogance. «Do you want to challenge me? Alright, I'm waiting for you»

The atmosphere changes in an instant. The air turns scorching, so hot that even breathing feels like swallowing fire. A fierce wind whirls around us, lifting dust and debris into a chaotic dance. Clare and Brianne are unleashing their power. If they fight here, the entire neighborhood might end up leveled. Why does this have to happen right in front of my house?!

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Clare and Brianne. They stand still, resolute, but I can see their hands trembling. It's not just rage—it's fear. A fear I know all too well. Gin… is a madman, but worse, he's a madman who feels utterly invincible. And yet, here they are, ready to risk everything for me. Even though they know they don't stand a chance. Even though all of this is my fault…

And then, something completely unexpected happens. Gin loosens the invisible grip that had been crushing me and takes a step back. For the first time in what feels like eternity, I breathe again, but the pain is so overwhelming I can't even lift my head.

«Take this brat away and teach him how to survive in this world» Gin says, his voice glacial, sharp as a blade. «Because next time, I won't be so gentle. I'll kill him for real»

With those final, cutting words, he turns and walks away, leaving me sprawled in a bloodied crater, too broken to move. All I can do is pray there will never be a next time.