Evanius Legacy "two birds with one stone"

April, Age 16
Malon City
Coffee Shop

After, I tracked down my sister, we all rushed off to get to her. Darryl drove there as quickly as possible so she wouldn't leave before we'd arrive. As we got closer to the location, my heart dropped.

We had arrived at an old coffee shop. It was a bit damaged from previous attacks from Dark Assassins but it was still in use. Many cars were parked out front so I could tell that it was going to be crowded inside. Besides, where else could people get coffee and donuts these days.

But it was no random coffee shop. I knew this place as if I'd been here yesterday. It was where my parents used to take Karinia and I before they died.

We used to go there every Wednesday after Karinia's soccer games whether she won or loss. It had become a tradition and we hadn't stopped until our parents died in a plane crash the day before we could go again.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and not allow the past to take hold of me as it used to do. I couldn't afford to let it do so now.

Darryl parked the car in the street and we all climbed out. We didn't complain to him because no one cared about the laws lately. He could park up on the sidewalk and no one would make a fuss.

I walked over to the shop and took in the aroma of the familiar freshly brewed coffee. It smelled exactly the same and almost brought a tear to my eye but again I shook away the feeling.

Gabrielle stepped up beside me and studied my face with concern. "You okay, Evan?"

"Yeah. It's nothing." I lied. I didn't want to explain why I was becoming so upset. Besides, there was no time for that now. We had questions for Karinia and needed answers fast.

I stepped into the coffee shop. Just as I thought, the place was packed. There were so many people inside that there was barely room for all of us to enter. There were mostly men, but there were also several woman and children inside as well.

It didn't take long for me to spot Karinia in the crowd since I could sense her power. She was sitting across the shop at the front booth with her back to me.

I hesitated. I didn't know what I could say to her once I faced her. Maybe I should send one of the others over to her. Maybe Cody. But that'd never help.

Someone nudged me forward and I turned to see that it was Darryl.

He gestured to Karinia and then brushed pass me. As he walked over to her, I felt a bit relieved. I didn't want to be the first she'd see.

I followed after him and we finally reached her. She sighed and without even turning around she said, "Go away, Evan."

Darryl and I glanced at each other. How did she know we were here without even seeing us? I never thought of it before but maybe she was able to sense my power the same way I sensed hers.

"We got some questions for you," Darryl said icily. "Answer them and we might just consider leaving you alone."

"Haven't you done enough?" She groaned, gazing down into her coffee mug. "Just let me drink some coffee in peace."

"I bet these people wouldn't serve you coffee if they found out you tried to kill them all not so long ago." Darryl spat.

Karinia finally turned to us angrily. "Leave me be."

I finally got a good look at her and noticed that she was much more pale and her hair was disheveled. There were also dark circles forming under her eyes. She looked so... tired.

"Darryl, return to the others." I said, with my eyes remaining on her. "I'll join you later."

"That's bull, man. I'm not-" He started to argue.

But I turned to him and growled, "Just go."

He hesitated for a moment glaring at Karinia. Then he nodded. "Don't keep us waiting. I'll get everyone to wait outside with me."

He left my side and moved through the crowd to get back outside. Once Karinia and I were alone, I moved up to the booth beside her. Then I ordered a coffee. There were no seats left, so I just stood beside her and continued to stare at her changed appearance.

"I never wanted to see you again, Evan." Karinia said angrily. "Why did you have to ruin my day and show up here?"

"I didn't intend to." I told her. "We needed you for something."

She snorted. "And you expect me to help? You're a bigger fool than I thought."

I ignored the insult. "You look so tired, Karin. Have you been getting any sleep?"

"Hardly," She said dryly. "Now will you please just leave?"

I shook my head and took a look around the shop. Even with it being so crowded, I admired the familiar beige walls and red chairs. They looked much older and dustier now but made me feel a bit at home. I wonder if Karinia felt the same.

"What made you come here, Karin?" I asked, changing the subject to more serious matters. "This is where Mom and Dad used to take us."

I noticed her hands beginning to tremble and she tightened her grip on the mug.

"Leave!" She hissed, causing a few people nearby to stare at us. After several awkward seconds they lost interest, and I pressed on.

"After everything you've done, everything we've been through, you come to a place like this. Why is that?"

"You're not going to leave are you?" She asked and I shook my head. "Fine. You want to know why I'm here. I'll tell you." Her next words sent a tremor down my spine.

"I came here to die today."

I gasped and narrowed my eyes at her. She stared back at me with a stern unblinking expression.

I shook my head. "So... you've drank some poison." I said quietly.

She snickered. "No, moron. As you know, you ruined my plans to join... the other side," She said, looking around to find anyone eavesdropping. "So now, I know too much of their operation and ended up wrecking their plans. And I am to be disciplined for my actions."

"So the Dark Assassins are after you now," I said knowingly. "But why would they wait so long to kill you? It's been months since that happened."

"And I've been coming here for months." She said, gazing down into her coffee mug. "This is the only place that I've ever felt any peace in my life. When Mom and Dad were still alive and everything felt right. So if they come today, which this time I'm positive of, I'll die in a place I loved."

"I can't let that happen..." I started and stopped. "What makes you think they'll show up here?"

"Because you're here. I figured if they were waiting this long, they may have been using me to get to you. Killing two birds with one stone. So now that you're here, they might make their move. Besides, they're usually much closer than you think. They are assassins after all."

"Why do they need me dead so bad?" I asked, glancing around nervously. "Am I that much of a threat."

"Not really," She said. "They know about your tracking powers and your duty to track them down. So they'll get rid of you to prevent any chances of your side being able to find them."

She took a sip of her coffee and glanced out the window at my team.

"You should leave." She said.

I turned away from the booth and took a look around. I wanted to see if I could find anyone that looked suspicious. I wasn't going to let them get to me and I definitely wouldn't let them kill Karinia. I owed her that much.

"And if you think they won't attack in a crowded room, think again," She said. "That would be considered a bonus for them. They'd love to wreck this place and everyone in it."

"So... I'll just have to get to them before they get to us." I said.

"Even if they send one of their weakest here, there's not much of a chance that you could best them." Karinia said. "Their powers dominate your side's powers."

"We'll just see about that." I said, continuing to search the room. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. It would be difficult with this crowded room.

Most likely they'd attack before I could leave. Or maybe they'd risk just following me back to the apartment.

I glanced out the window at Darryl and saw him staring in at us from the car. I gave him a signal that meant I had information and then turned back to Karinia.

Something caught my eye and I gazed pass Karinia. It was barely noticable, but yet it was there. Something that caused the wall pass her to look hazy... sort of like a camouflage...

"Get back!" I shoved Karinia back with one arm and she gasped in surprise. Then something sharp drove into my ribs.