Chapter 403 - Cages and Shadows

"I'll come back for you!" Ariana cried and jumped through the portal. "No!" She heard Cayden shout but she didn't care. He already hurt her. Ariana opened her eyes and found herself back in the store room of the clothing store. Ariana didn't waste time, she scrambled to get up and rushed towards the door. It was only a matter of time before Cayden would follow behind her.

She jerked the door open and ran into the clothing store. She didn't even look to see who was there, she needed to get to the street. "W-wait!" A man called out desperately just as Ariana grabbed the front door handle. She didn't wait, she pulled open the door and rushed out.

Ariana ran blindly, her body knew where she was going, at least she hoped her body did because the chaos was something unexpected. People were running all over the place, screams littered the air and weird shadows were grabbing people to inspect them while others were being detained by robed people. 

Ariana's heart was racing, she had no idea what was happening but she realized why Cayden was trying to keep her on the school grounds. If she knew this was happening she would have come anyways. Nothing would have kept her still. It also didn't excuse his behavior and her mind was already set. If Vasu said it was the best time to go to the river she was going to the river. "Have we found enough yet?" Someone called out. "Not yet, we need more. Unless you want to volunteer." Another shouted as people screamed and cried, bodies were being flung into cages and being hauled away.

Ariana could feel her eyes starting to sting. She wanted to save them, she wanted to step in and start punching the robed people who were committing these horrible crimes but she needed to get her magic back. She was defenseless and had no one to back her up. Suddenly she heard someone shout from behind her. "One is trying to run!"

Ariana didn't dare look back. She couldn't afford to have them see her face. She turned a corner and ran as fast as she could. "Stop!" A man yelled and Ariana rushed into a crowd that seemed to be running too. "Anu'u veifa!" Someone shouted and a pulsing wave knocked everyone forward. Ariana's ears started to ring as she slowly raised her head from the ground. 

Her eyes grew wide when she caught sight of the scene. Some of the people who were around her were laying on the ground motionless as strange glowing, purple, magma like veins crawled all over their bodies. More screams were heard and a single set of muffled foot steps were approaching her. Children were crying as they tried to wake their parents, others tried to run away and one man started to laugh.

"Raise your head." The man said as he stood over Ariana. However Ariana could only hear his command like a distant sound. Her heart was thundering in between her ears. Her eyes were wide as she heard more screams and crying. A loud bomb was set off, it seemed to be a block away and laughter, dark, demonic like laughter echoed along with the sound of the explosion. "I said raise your head!" The man shouted as he grabbed Ariana's hair. "No!" Ariana shouted as she raised her fist and sent a powerful punch into his abdomen.

The man laughed as he didn't flinch. "Do you think you can fight against us?" The man said as he raised Ariana to her feet by her hair. "Let her go!" A familiar voice shouted as a pan collided to the back of the man's head. Ariana fell back down with a hard thud just as the man collapsed onto the ground. "Come on!" She heard as a hand grabbed her arm. "Bruno?" Ariana called out. "No time we need to go!" Bruno said as he helped Ariana to her feet.

"Bruno I got the kids!" A woman shouted. "Good!" Bruno shouted back and then pulled Ariana along. "Bruno what's going on?" Ariana asked. "We need to get everyone and go to the shelter." Bruno said as he joined the women and the children. "Shelter? What shelter?" Ariana asked. "We'll talk when we get there! Sheena take Ariana I think there's another group over there!" Bruno ordered as he tossed Ariana forward.

A fair skinned woman, with bright blue eyes, lovely, shiny brown hair and sweet smile caught Ariana. "Sheena?" Ariana called out. "Yup." Sheena said with a wink. "Wait what are you doing here?!" Ariana shouted. "You're supposed to be in class!" She continued. "Now is not the time! We need to move or we'll get caught like the others." Sheena said as she herded the group together and lead them towards the slums.

"We got more here!" Sheena shouted as they reached a makeshift shack with a metal roof. "Sheena!" A petite girl shouted. "I'm going back out, Bruno is out there and he needs my help." Sheena said as she gave the petite girl a small nod. "Got it but this time tell him how you feel. With how things are you don't need any regrets." The petite girl said seriously.

"Will do Rogue." Sheena shouted before she rushed off. "Come in, quickly." Rogue instructed as the group walked in. To Ariana's surprise the shack was actually just a front. Rogue had lead the group to a hatch under a crate and opened it to reveal a set of stairs. "You will all be safe in the shelter underground. If something happens our gang members will lead you through the emergency exit." Rogue explained.

"Gang?" Ariana asked and Rogue brought her slate grey eyes up and spotted Ariana. "You, stay behind." Rogue instructed as everyone else started to go down the steps. "What is going on?" Ariana asked as she approached Rogue. "You're a student of St. Verusha Academy." Rogue said as she glared at Ariana.

"Yes but what does this have to do with anything-?!" Ariana said before her body was sent flying to the ground. The petite girl had grabbed Ariana's arm and sent her flying over her shoulder and slammed her against the floor. Rogue brought her foot up and slammed it against Ariana's chest. "Talk! What happened to our leader!" Rogue shouted.

"What?!" Ariana gasped. Rogue applied more pressure as the others scurried into the shelter. No one bother to help Ariana, no one wanted to bite the hand that was helping them. "Our leader! We lost all contact with her and the moment we did hell broke lose! So what happened to her!" Rogue shouted.