Jumper2: falsegods&knights

Mary lay on her side, half of her body covered with a blanket. She blankly stared at the wall clock; 3.45 AM. Light from the street that came through the sheer white curtain of the window brightened a portion of the room.

"Who was it, Henry?" Her voice heavy and her expression empty.

"You're awake Madam." Bulter who was standing on the other side of the door answered.

He paused for a bit. Councilman Prance. Mam."

"What happened?" She asked her loyal Butler of almost 35 years.

"They found his body near a cliff only 45 minutes away from their residence."

"I see." Her demeanor unchanged at the news of death.

"Do you want to leave in a few hours Mam, do you want me to get things ready now?"

"Yes."

********

~~~~Phone vibrates~~~~

"Dad?"

"Still sleeping?"

"Yeah, Dad! It's like 5 am." Rayla pulled up the eye mask as she squinted, trying to tell the time on her digital clock on the bedside table; 6.14 AM.

"Wait. What's going on." She sat up and in worry. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay. Everyones okay." Ramsey assured his daughter.

"Someone died!"

"Wait how did you--?" Ramsey was taken aback by what his daughter had just said.

"It doesn't matter Dad. Who is it?" Rayla removed the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ramsey Pauses.

"It's Sasha's Dad. Baby."

"Wait. How?.... What happened.'' Her voice broke for a second.

"It's not for you to know.''

"Wait, Dad."

"You should talk to her. I know you girls had your issues in the past, but you guys used to be pretty close back then."

"It's not that Dad"

"Baby, she lost her Dad, she's gonna need all the support she can get okay, besides good friendships shouldn't end like that. Reach out to her.

"Okay... okay.''

"If you want we can go see her together."

"No Dad, I'll see what I'm gonna do."

"You sure."

"Yeah, I gotta go now, bye."

"I love you."

"Love you too Dad."

Rayla dropped back down on the bed, she turned her head to the glass windows, looking at the city. The early sun from summer had already covered half of the city.

She took a deep sigh and stared at the empty white ceiling.

"Sash."

*********

Lisa stretched out and handed a person who was sitting in the backseat an iPad, she was already amused with how this person was ahead of time this day.

"The list of names of all the people that came to the show, from organizers, tech staff to sponsors, models themselves, celebs/influencers at the front row, after-party guests. Even the catering company and valets."

"Hmmm. What about the video.'' David started scrolling on the screen and asked his PA.

Lisa's lips stretched, as she had to deal with a boss who was always trying to find fault in her.

"It's all in there Sir." She announced.

"By the way your sister asked me for a favor." She added, driving into the smooth morning traffic.

"Which one?"

"The youngest."

"She's not getting any money, we discussed that also nothing goes through without my permission."

"I realised that Sir, that's why asked." Lisa was already annoyed at her Boss before 10 in the morning.

"What did she want?" David, whose eyes are glued to the screen.

"She wants a plane ticket, preferably business, to go to a funeral of a close family friend, she said and also someone to accompany her, with a car."

David looked at his secretary.

"Funeral, of close family friend?"

"Yes, she also told me that it will be held at night if I remember, due to their culture thing."

"Shit, I haven't checked my phone." David's eyes widened as he opened the first notification on his personal phone. He opened the window and rubbed his mouth, as he felt sudden uneasiness.

"Fuck!Fuck!Fuck. Fuckers too smart, of course, he didn't choose the front row."

"Fuck!!!

"Sir, are you okay?" Lisa whose focus was on the road, glanced at her boss through the front view mirror. 

"Of course, it has started, they are on a rampage that's how it begins," David muttered to himself. He loosened his collar buttons, poured the leftover whiskey into a glass, and swallowed.

"You have to turn back Lisa, to head office."

"Understood."

********

Rayla laid her chin on the window letting a cold breeze touch her face, the moist air chilled the entire car.

"I wouldn't want you doing that now young miss." Anthony who was focused on the smooth road announced to the passenger behind him.

"Fine." Rayla remembered her brother's instruction.

''I don't wanna scare you, but this is a strange country out here." Anthony's eyes averted as he saw nothing but thick trees on both sides and not a single vehicle on the road behind them. 

''Why? Are you scared?" Rayla moved her body forward as she tried teasing the man that was meant to protect her.

''I don't wanna say too much but there are stories.''

"Really...."

"Yes Mam, back in those people used to disappear out here, entire groups of people traveling, families, empty wagons found near villages far from here. Even the horses dead and other animals ripped to pieces." Anthony sounding like someone's uncle trying tell bedtime stories.

''Ummm, We are literally going those ''things" house, they're pale, and can't get into the sun," Rayla whispered near Anthony's ear.

Anthony stared at the empty street in front of him, tightening his palms on the wheel.

"Just kidding....We are not in the middle ages Tony, they are family friends. Besides they are the least of our worries now." She folded her arms and blowed her lips in worry.

"You got nothing to worry about now, Miss." Your brother wouldn't have sent me if he didn't trust in my capabilities. Also, folks from Supreme House probably had combed through these forests."

"By the way, what are your Abils."

"Abils! Miss?"

"Abils, Abilities." 

''Is that what you youn peeps are calling them now."

"Okay, what else are we supposed to say, Superpowers?"

''That's weird."

********

SUV stopped near a huge metal gate that made its way into a concrete path up a small hill.

"Is this the one miss?"

"Yup, if I remember correctly this should be it."

The huge metal gate crank opened on its own. The pair looked at several security cams that was on each side of the gate.

~~~~~~

"Are you sure you don't to want come in,'' Rayla asked the man who already denied her offer.

"I'm sure am, Mam." Anthony was clear in his answers.

"Okay.. okay. What if you need something? Like snacks water, want to use the bathroom.''

"Nope, I'm good, besides the sun is gonna come soon, you should wait till then Mam, I don't got a good feeling about this." The middle-aged man glared at the very old castle with immense ancient-looking front doors and windows shut with thick shutters making nothing from inside visible. 

"Fine." Rayla frustrated.

"Are you sure Mam?."

"It's fine, look all VIP cars, they are all here." She gestured towards all the luxury SUVs parked in the vast front yard surrounding the water fountain.

''I'll wait right here then Miss."

Rayla took a deep breath and walked off.

~~~~~

Rayla thanked the Butlers that was standing on either side of the entryway who opened the door for her.

A few of the older guests turned their heads toward her, the ambiance was silence with little murmurs with low source of light emitting from a few huge chandeliers in the large living space. She looked at all the ladies and gent in black suits and dresses looking for a familiar face.

"Dad!"

 ''Baby. Why are you this late? I thought you weren't coming." Ramsey left a few of the men he was talking.

"Of course I came Dad, what are you saying." Rayla shook her head. ''Where's Mom?"

"Oh She left early, We can't risk the Chancellor's safety."

Raylas's eyes fell on the woman approaching the father-daughter duo.

"Esmerayla..'' She called out to the young girl and leaned in for an embrace. The ice-cold skin seeped through the long black sleeves and the rest of the long dress, the pearl necklace almost disappeared on her pale skin. 

"Condolances, Mrs Prance." 

"Oh, sweetie.'' We've missed you. Where were you gone?"

"I was just busy, high school and then college." Rayla nervously smiled.

''And a Boy." Ramsey took a sip of his whiskey.

Rayla looked distastefully at her dad's statement, telling everyone about her business.

"You want me to get you something Honey, we still stock up on your favorite snacks and drinks from time to time." The woman spoke up understanding the situation.

''That's very kind of you to do that Madam Prance," Ramsey spoke for his daughter.

''Thank you, that's really..... I think I should go see her first.''

"Okay, let me take you." The woman hugged Rayla by the shoulders and walked her off. 

"Later Dad.''

"Hmmm."

~~~~~~

Rayla took a deep breath after walking up a flight of stairs, she stared at the long hallway covered with antiqued wallpaper and several light fixtures on the wall giving out a warm light in the open space. 

She entered one of the rooms. The wooden study desk and huge shelves filled with books and souvenirs of all sizes and unlike the rest of the house the two large windows were wide open, and the breeze from the dawn blew the long curtains.

Rayla stood at the doorway to the balcony, waiting for a moment to call her old friend.

The girl seemingly of her age, stood looking at the almost orange sky and long arms stretched on the railings, her wavy long hair covering her waist.

"Sash."

The Girl gave out a slight chuckle. "Haven't been called that in a long time."

"She turned back to her and gave a gentle smile. She crossed her slender legs, barefoot. 

''Hi, Esme."

"Hey, How are you."

"You tell me, how I look?"

"You look... good." Rayla hesitantly answered as she looked at the girl who was dressed in a black open-shoulder top tailored to fit her, and a flared pleated short skirt. Not at all matching to the event.

"You look cute." Sasha tilted her head in endearment.

Rayla looked down at her puff shoulders, squared neck textured waist, knee-length flared dress, lace ankle socks, and designer loafers.

The two girls look like best friends with similar tastes but different esthetics.

"Oh yeah, nothing in black so I didn't had any other options. Your hair looks different." 

"Mahogany, I think it looks good on me. Your hair is longer, I noticed." The wind passed the red hair strains on her face contrasting with the pale beauty.

"Yeah, I grew it out." Rayla grabs a few of her hair. "It's hard to maintain though being curly and everything."

"I didn't think you would come." She turned her back on her.

"What do you mean? Of course, I came. Were friends."

"Ex-friends, that's what I heard what you been calling me. For past few years now."

"We were like 13, Sash. It was just some boy."

"You're, right It's just a boy. So why didn't you come? No call, not even a dm."

"Come on,'' Rayla murmured and slapped her tight. "Look I got busy maybe I was hurt, besides you didn't text me either. It's all stupid now. Let's get inside and talk okay I can almost see the sun."

"Okay.'' She turned back her hair catching color with sun on the horizon."

"So, we're gonna be best friends again? You can stay here for the rest of the holidays, we can do online shopping, late night cafe or bar hopping we are older, we can even catch late light flights and back. Now that Dad's gone I'll be getting my inheritance."

Rayla hesitated at the intense offer.

Sasha gave a slight smile.

"You're making that face."

"Sash."

"I know I'm Just kidding, besides they are sending me to Europe."

"You don't have to go, You know that."

"Of course I do, I don't have a place here."

"No, you don't." Rayla walks nearer her. "Last time I checked were 19, and with the money you mention you can get your own place, like built a castle of your own."

"Hmmm, suns beautiful. The last time I saw it this close was with you in the room upstairs. Do you remember?" 

"Of course I do. You should really get inside." Rayla tried to grab her friend's arm trying to get her inside, hard invisible force pushed her, and was dragged a few meters away from her and back into the room, the thick shutters fell down shutting the windows. A moment of realization struck Rayla. 

"Sasha! oh my god." She banged the door with all her might but to no avail. She run the long hallway dreading.

"Daaddd!!! Daadd!!!!" Rayla screamed for her father in the middle of the stairway.

"Sweety are you okay." A woman answered worried grabbing her chest.

"Baby! What's wrong." Ramsey hurried to his daughter trying to get ahold of her.

"Sash.. Dad, she's outside."

''Esmee are you honey?" Mrs Prance got to them and asked.

"She's still on the balcony, I'm sorry I tried, she locked me in dad, I'm sorry." Rayla sobbing almost unable to form words.

"Those who can be outside left-wing balcony now!!!!" Ramsey announced with years of expertise. ''Okay let's hurry."

Ramsey rattled the locks a few times. "Okay we are gonna have to use force, What's the situation outside."

"The sun's out it's gonna touch the balcony in a few minutes." One of the men standing nearby informed him.

"Okay, we cannot wait for the officers to be here." Ramsey looked at the two of his officers and pointed at each of them. "Reaper, collector, which I ordered not to carry today." He started unbuttoning his sleeves.

"And I happen to be the only former officer here, so." He took off his coat.

"Dad! What are you doing?"

"I'm just a Warlock, doing warlock things." Ramsey folded his shirt and grabbed the door from each end.

"Dad, your BP."

"Yup," Ramsey grunted and his body grew almost 5 times larger.

"First thing grab the girl."

"Yes Sir!!"

"Here take this." Mrs Prance offered a thick shawl to one of the officers.

Ramsey ripped through the thick door. 

Rayla who was keeping an eye out for her friend, saw a thick smoke coming from her bare shoulders.

The girl then gave a gentle smile to people trying to save her.

A scream pierced through their ears, as the woman saw her stepdaughter in the sun.

"No Mrs Prance." Ramsey grabbed the aching woman from walking into the sun.

"She's inside now, look." Ramsey consoled the woman, who was in difficult pain.

"Oh my god, Sash." Rayla kneeled to check on her friend, she lifted the cloth.

"She's burned.'' She announced teary-eyed.

"Okay, let me see." The woman was sobbing frantically, she lifted the girl's body to the side. "Okay, okay. It's still okay." She took a deep breath and gulped. "Somebody help me carry her please." She wiped her tears and stood up disheveled.

One of the officers volunteered. 

~~~~~

"Are you okay," Rayla asked her Dad who was sitting on the sofa, covered with sweat."

"How is she now?" Ramsey asked his daughter. 

"She won't let me see her, Dad. Do you think she blames me?"

"What? No, you're her friend. Did she say something to you?" Ramsey grabs Rayla's arm making her sit near him.

"No. I just. Maybe I shouldn't have come."

"Baby, what happened today it's not your fault. You did the right thing by coming to support her, in a time like this, okay."

"I think we should leave, they need to rest."

"Okay," Ramsey hold his daughter by the shoulder and hugged and kissed her forehead.

"eww.. you need to change your shirt."