Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 12 (Juliana)

"He will be if we don't find him." I say, then proceed to tell them about the witch and her wolf. "Wesley, we need to save him," I finish.

"I know. But how?"

"Well, first let's focus on how we are going to get you three out of here," Anya says.

"Anya, you have to come with us," Cole begs.

"It's hopeless Cole. I have tried to convince her but she won't listen," I tell him.

"Besides Cole, someone needs to convince father that he should not go looking for you. And someone needs to take care of Beorn."

"We can, my lady."

We all spin around to find Micheal and Nora, his wife, standing there holding trays.

"Supper," Nora says. "All of you are not eating enough."

"You can't do that, Micheal. It's too risky," Wesley says concernedly.

"It's not up to you Wes. It's up to Micheal and me to make this decision," Nora says

"Nora is right. We gave everything to make sure your mother was safe. Now we will give everything to make sure you four kids will be alright."

"Oh Micheal, Nora, I couldn't. Besides, my father needs convincing to not hunt them," Anya says.

"Oh don't worry about him. Nora will take care of that," he says, giving me a wink. Now I am confused.

"I can't."

"Anya," Wesley says softly, leading her to a corner where they talk for a few minutes. Cole and Micheal lean over a map talking about where to go and the safest route. I walk over to the window and look at the moon.

"The moon is important to all of the Witches, but the Blood Moon is the most important. The reason is that it is the day that all witches lose their magic. All but one specific type. The fire witch can never have her magic taken away. But sadly only one now lives," Nora states.

"How do you know this?" Nora smiles. "Use this map. It will lead you to a safe place. If they refuse to let you in, tell them you want to talk to Sienna. If Sienna is busy, say you want to talk to Ingrid. Whoever comes, tell them Nora sent you and that you want to talk to the commander of the Thirteen. The Thirteen are a group of assassin witches, but if you value your life, make sure this letter gets to the Commander. But be careful, do not let the others know where you are going until you get there. And DO NOT let them talk. ONLY you must talk. Do you understand?"

I nod my head yes. I am at a loss for words.

"Come, Nora, we must make sure the guards are asleep," Nora and Micheal quickly leave, quietly shutting the door behind them.

"What did she want?" Cole inquires.

"Nothing, ready to go?"

"What's in your hand?" Wesley asks.

"It's a map," I say.

"There's nothing on it." Wesley points out.

"Yes, there is."

Micheal opens the door. "Come children, we must hurry. Oh, and the only one who can see the map is Juliana. So don't question her judgment."

We all rush outside to see Nora holding open the gate.

I hug her. "Thank you."

"Your welcome, little witchling," She whispers in my ear. "Now hurry."

Little witchling? Where did that come from?

We run into the forest, and the wind picks up, spreading a winter chill through us all. The gray clouds not only cover the moon but also bring rain. Cole races to my side, the lantern in his hand gives off just enough light that I can see where we need to go.

"This way," I whisper, and start to run through the muddy forest, the others follow. After what seems like running for eternity, I make the boys let us have a break. We stop by a small icy creek.

"How much farther, Jules?" Anya asks, panting.

I look at her. "I don't know. The map is not showing anything."

"Really, have you been leading us on a wild goose chase, Juliana?" Wesley snaps.

I get up and walk away. I look up at the sky. "Please help." All of a sudden the map starts to glow and words form.

It will seem like things are difficult, and the others have given up on you. But you must push through. Do not give up, Juliana. You must push through.

Signed E.

I smiled. I wonder who wrote it. "Thank you." I turn around and walk back to the others.

"Wesley, you might hate this because you can't be in charge, but you all have to trust me. I can't do this without you."

Anya looks at her feet. Wesley looks out over the creek. My heart breaks, they don't trust me.

"I trust you, Jules." Cole's voice breaks my thoughts. I look at him, and our eyes meet. My heart seems to jump for joy. Just then I see the sun coming up behind him.

"We need to find a place to hide now!"

Just then the map glows again.

Trust Nora, she knows what she is doing. There is a cabin one-third of a mile away due straight Northwest.

Signed E.

I really want to know who "E" is. "Come I know where to go."

Wesley stands. "Alright, Julia but this better be true." He helps Anya get up.

I walk into the creek and start wading through it.

"You have to be joking. We have to walk in the creek the whole way," Anya complains.

"Well, it's this or be caught, but no, not the whole way."

Cole comes first. Then Anya clutches Wesley's hand as he helps her down the embankment. He hands her off to Cole then jumps into the creek sending up a spray of water.

"Wesley!" Anya shrieks. "Really!"

"Wesley," I say, annoyed.

Cole and Wesley start laughing.

"Come on you two goofballs. We're wasting time."

All four of us trudge through the water. Sometimes one of the boys would decide to lighten the mood by throwing mud at us or throwing a rock into the water, making Anya and me scream.

I stop and look up. There is an embankment almost all tall as me. Welp! I look over at Cole and Wesley. Wesley draws his sword as Cole starts to climb up it. He leans over and grabs my hand.

"All clear."

I stand on the bank. All that is there is a small path leading who knows where. I start walking down the path. I walk around the corner and there is...