Wolfram stared at the envelope, a flicker of fear in his eyes. Even if it was closed, he knew exactly what was in it, and he knew it had the power to get a poison so strong it would kill them all. "I suppose we only have one choice." He rasped, throat tightening as he realized they might be to late, and Mapleshade had found a way to get the poison already. "To the bank. To get the Key." He turned back around, hissing something inaudible under his breath.
Ash rolled open the van's back right door a bit farther and ducked in, pulling a stumbling Connor in behind her.
Brisa nodded and leaned back against the seat with a sigh, returning the key to her pocket.
Wolfram scanned the edge of the far side of the park one last time, before pulling out the the parking lot. What if we're to late? What if I lied to Brisa, what if its not going to be ok? What if someone dies? It's going to be my fault! I shouldn't be so scared of Mapleshade. Not like this. Not deathly afraid that she's going to leap from the shadows any moment. She's going to kill us all! She's to quick, to sly, to manipulative. We can't win against her!
Wolfram’s anxiety was tangible around them, and she couldn’t help but notice the death grip he was using on the steering wheel. “Hey, Wolfram.” She wondered what she should say, why she had even spoken. “Um, look, take a deep breath. Imagine all the things you’re thinking of. Now when you breathe out, imagine them leaving with the air. They won’t all leave the first time, don’t worry about that. Just concentrate on making them leave eventually, okay? And repeat something to yourself. I think of my favorite memory. You can choose whatever you want. Now every time you breathe in, the good thing is becoming stronger, and the bad is fading away. Believe in yourself.” She finished softly.
"How can you make the bad go away when it takes a physical form?" He hissed. "You can't make a physical form of evil leave unless you kill it." And even then it doesn't leave. It's still in your head...
How do I answer that? She wondered helplessly, dropping her head in her hands, exhausted. “Well, maybe it’ll help to know that everyone else does. You’re extraordinary brave, loyal, and so many other things. You care so deeply and you would rather die than see a friend hurt. You’re incredibly powerful in that way, Wolfram, your spirit is very strong. Don’t say you don’t deserve the compliment, because it isn’t one, it’s the truth. I’m just saying that you... you’ve been through so much and you’re still going, and you can be proud of yourself for that. Not a lot of people can say the same.”
"Caring and loyalty doesn't save lives, Brisa. I should know that better then a lot of people." Wolfram snapped. I want people who actually care but the moment they do I just...push them away.
Bleddyn turned to face the front seats. "I have zero clue," she replied somewhat sharply, the snappish tone stemming from both her father's inconveniencing density and other various unrest. "I've been clueless in the enchantress' van while you lot were getting your immaculate planning done."
