his belt, and Caitlin leaned back and kicked him hard across the face, breaking his nose.
She then leaned back and kicked him in the chest, a kick so forceful that she sent him flying back several feet. He hit the wall with such force that he left an indent in the bricks, and finally slumped down to the ground, a mess.
But Caitlin could still feel the rage bursting through her veins. She thought of that innocent girl, of Ruth, and she hadn’t felt such rage in she didn't know when. She couldn't stop herself. She walked over to him, yanked the belt from his hand, reached back, and cracked him hard, right across his huge belly.
He lurched up, gripping his stomach.
As he sat up, she kicked him hard, right in the face. She connected with his chin, and sent him backwards fast, slamming the back of his head on the ground. Finally, he was unconscious.
But Caitlin still wasn't satisfied. The rage in her wasn't easily summoned these days, but when it was, she couldn’t turn it off.
She stepped up, placed a foot on his throat, and prepared to kill this man on the spot.
“Caitlin!" came a sharp voice.
She turned, still pulsing with rage, and saw Caleb standing beside her. He shook his head slowly, with a reprimanding look.
“You've done enough damage. Let him go.”
Something about Caleb's voice got to her.
She grudgingly lifted her foot.
In the distance, she spotted a huge tub filled with sewage. She could see the thick dark liquid spilling over its edges, and could smell its stink from here.
Perfect.
She reached down, hoisted the man above her head, even though he easily weighed over 300 pounds, and walked him across the alley. She threw him, headfirst, into the vat of sewage.
He landed with a splash. She saw him stuck, up to his neck, in all the excrement. She enjoyed the idea of his waking up, realizing where he was, and finally, she felt satisfied.
Good, she thought. It is where you belong.
Caitlin immediately thought of Ruth. She ran over to her, and examined the belt mark on her back; she was cowering, and slowly regaining her feet. Caleb came over, too, examining her, as Ruth placed her face in Caitlin's lap and whined. Caitlin kissed her on the forehead.
Ruth suddenly shook them off and darted across the alley, to the girl.
Caitlin spun, and suddenly remembered. She hurried over to her, too.
Ruth ran to the girl, though, licking her on her face. The hysterically crying girl slowly stopped, distracted by Ruth’s tongue. She sat there in the mud, in her soiled, dirty dress, covered with belt marks on her back, blood oozing through, and looked up at Ruth in surprise.
Her wet eyes opened wide as Ruth kept licking her. Finally, she reached up, slowly, hesitantly, and petted Ruth. She then reached up and gave her a hug. Ruth reciprocated, coming in close.
It was amazing, Caitlin thought. Ruth had detected this girl from blocks away. It was as if the two had known each other forever.
Caitlin came over and knelt down beside the girl, reaching out a hand, and helping her sit up.
"Are you okay?" Caitlin asked.
The girl looked at her in shock, then at Caleb. She blinked several times, as if wondering who these people could be.
Finally, slowly, she nodded yes. Her eyes were open wide, and she looked too afraid to speak.
Caitlin reached out and gently stroked the matted hair from her face. “It's okay," Caitlin said. "He won’t hurt you anymore.”
The girl looked as if she were about to start crying again.
"I'm Caitlin," she said. "And this is Caleb.”
The girl looked at them, still not speaking.
"What's your name?" Caitlin asked.
After several seconds, the girl finally answered: “Scarlet."
Caitlin smiled. “Scarlet," she repeated. "Such a pretty name. Where are your parents?"
She shook her head. "I don't have any parents. He is my ward. I hate him. He beats me every day. For no reason. I hate him. Please don't make me go back to him. I don't have anyone else.”
Caitlin turned to Caleb, and saw him look at her, both thinking the same thing at the same time.
"You're safe now,” Caitlin said. “You don't have to worry anymore. You can come with us.”
Scarlet’s eyes opened wide in surprise and delight, and she nearly broke into a smile.
"Really?" she asked.
Caitlin smiled back, reached out her hand, and Scarlet took it, as she helped her to her feet. She saw the wounds on her back, still oozing blood, and from somewhere deep within herself, Caitlin suddenly felt a power overcome her. She thought of what Aiden had taught her, of the power of being one with the universe, and deep within herself, she suddenly felt a power surging that she'd never known. She had always felt her power for the rage, but she had never felt a power like this. This was different, a new power, tingling up from her feet to her legs, through her torso, through her arms, to her fingertips.
It was the power to heal.
Caitlin closed her eyes and reached out, and gently placed her hands on Scarlet’s back, where the marks were. She breathed deeply, and summoned the power of the universe, summoned all the training Aiden had given her, and focused on sending white light to the girl. She felt her hands grow very hot, and felt an incredible energy coursing through her.
Caitlin wasn't sure how much time had passed when she opened her eyes again. She looked up, slowly opening them, and saw Scarlet staring back at her, eyes wide in amazement. Caleb stared at her too, also amazed.
Caitlin looked down, and saw that Scarlet’s wounds were completely healed.
"Are you a magician?" Scarlet asked.
Caitlin smiled wide. "Something like that."
Chapter Six
Sam flew over the British countryside, Polly at his side, but keeping her distance. Their wings were spread out but they were not close to touching, as they each wanted space from each other. Sam preferred it that way, and he assumed she did, too. He liked Polly, he really did. But after his debacle with Kendra, he wasn't ready to get close to anyone of the opposite sex for a long time to come. It would be a while before he could trust someone again. Even someone who had been close to his sister, as Polly seemed to be.
They had been flying for hours, and as Sam looked down in the morning light, he saw endless stretches of farmland, with occasional small houses, smoke rising from their stone chimneys, even on this beautiful fall day. He saw the occasional person out in their yard, tending to clothing, hanging sheets on strings. There were not many houses, though. This countryside seem so entirely rural, he began to wonder if cities even existed in this time – whatever time and place they were in.
Sam
