Something's Wrong With the Different Realms

Twenty-Seven: Malum

That's probably because humans needed some added dramatic visuals to make things more interesting for their TV shows or something. But on Shallngsea, most creatures' hands or eyes never glowed when they used their powers. Instead, the only way that you could tell if they were casting spells is if you were in their immediate vicinity and could feel a slight change of energy.

I started jogging just as the coach finished his pep talk about what great athletes we all were and about how we would have to train harder for the upcoming regionals and such.

I used my warm-up to try and talk to Malum. "Do you want to run with me?" I asked, catching up to them.

"No thanks," they said as they ran faster, passing me.

"Everyone else is too slow," I sighed as I easily caught up to them.

"If you insist, we can run one lap together and I can race you or something but that's all," Malum sighed.

"You know that I don't run the 400 meters, right?"

"Yes," Malum started rounding the corner, "but I don't want to run with you, okay?"

"Why?" I asked, still jogging.

"I'm not obligated to explain, am I?" they sighed, picking up the pace.

I matched their pace. "Do you hate me? Did I do something wrong?"

"You already know what the answer is," Malum sighed, "I could feel your energy. You're not from here so I don't want to talk to you."

"Hey, Malum! Alexa! Less chatting and more jogging," the coach called out. "Also, slow down, this is just a warm-up."

"Sorry," I called out as Malum and I simultaneously slowed our pace.

"Unless you're talking to me about track and field... don't talk to me, okay?" Malum asked before sprinting away from me.

I shook my head and slowed down, even more, they'd eventually have to pass me. When they did, I could speed up and try to talk to them. Just as I suspected, I saw them rounding the bend after a minute. They took to the innermost lane to avoid me, trying to mesh themselves with some of our other teammates. Just as they were about to pass me, I cut in front of them and they were forced to stop abruptly as I stood in front of them. The other teammates went around me in surprise.

"Is it because of Cassie?" I asked recklessly.

Malum's eyes grew wide as they registered the sound of Cassie's name. Then, just as suddenly, they started clutching their chest as they fell onto the track in pain. Within a moment's notice, I started feeling the same pain as well. This time, it was much worse than the other times and I could barely direct any energy from the grass and trees surrounding the track to ease my pain.

"Hold onto my arm," I beseeched Malum.

"Why?" they managed to screech out.

I just ignored them and grabbed onto their wrist and transferred some of the energy to them. "The pain should be much more bearable now," I whispered.

"What are you doing?" the coach called out as he talked to me and Malum.

"I scraped my knee so Alexa's just helping me," Malum lied easily.

"Really?" the coach asked skeptically.

Malum showed the coach a bloodied scrape that wasn't there before. "Can we go to the nurse's office to get some ice and bandages?" they asked.

"Okay, suit yourself, we can't have any injured athletes, can we?" the coach replied passive-aggressively.

"No sir, we cannot," Malum nodded with a serious tone in their voice, "we'll be back soon."