Tomorrow's Light
Written by Drew Clements
Conceptualized by Drew Clements and Bryan Hester
(Part Seven - I)

"We need to get off the streets." Augustus shouted as the three strange creatures ran down the middle of the road exiting Exeter Oaks.

“To the woods?” Tomorrow asked.

"Ditko!" Augustus called into the air.

"Yo, boss." The small dragon's voice called back.

Tomorrow could hear him, but could not see him; he must have been fairly high in the sky.

"Tomorrow says there are some woods past a church. Scout ahead and make sure they’re clear."

“Done.”

From behind, a scream like Tomorrow had never before heard erupted and echoed off the small homes of the community. Chancing a look back, she drew a quick breath: a woman, in an upright, standing position, flying straight for her!

"Who the hell is that?" Tomorrow asked, feeling her heart skip a beat.
Khron, who was running beside her, looked back, "Augustus, it's Bella."

"Our enemies have sent out more than just the Zar and Intulo, it seems." Augustus did not seem fazed.

"Bella?" Tomorrow chanced another glance; the woman was closer and her features were clear, “Is… is she flying?”
The woman’s feet, encased in form-fitting black boots, were just inches above the street; her black velvet cloak flapped wildly behind her. The sight absolutely amazed Tomorrow.

In a strange and calm fashion, the woman, whom Tomorrow’s new friends referred to as Bella, had her arms crossed in front of her; it was as if she fully expected to catch them with no trouble and was… almost… bored! Up above, long, beautiful, curly blonde hair streaked back from the pressure of the wind; the speed at which the woman was gaining on them was impressive--and frightening.
How could the woman be so calm; so sure of herself?

Tomorrow looked to the woman's face to see why, but held back a horrified shriek at the sight which finally caught her eyes: the woman had no face! Where one would normally be... was nothing--nothing but smooth, white skin.

"She doesn't have a face!" Tomorrow's voice creaked.

"Don't look at her!" For once, Augustus had some emotion in his voice: concern.

Tomorrow's gaze returned to up ahead where the three were running, but something was wrong. Had she really thought the woman's body was attractive? It was, of course, perfectly normal for one person to find another person of the same sex attractive, but this was different... she was attracted to the woman... but she had never experienced thoughts such as these about another woman.

"Fight it." Khron whispered, "I know what you are experiencing; it's in your eyes."


"She looked too long, didn't she?" Augustus asked.

"It would seem so." Khron replied.

"We need to get away. Now!" Augustus seemed worried, but his cool exterior was not deteriorating.

"I'm in love--but I'm not." Tomorrow half-smiled, baring her massive, white teeth.

"Do not think about that: think only of getting away." Khron commanded.

Up ahead, Tomorrow could see the exit of Exeter Oaks; a car was passing through... toward them. She knew this could only result in something bad. They were, after all, werewolves... and one werecheetah... and one faceless woman... and who knew what was behind her!

Once the car's headlights found them, the brakes audibly screeched and it sat still as the three of them gained on it. Suddenly, it ripped into reverse, fleeing. The vehicle's reverse speed was no match for theirs, though, as they caught up to and passed it. Tomorrow looked into the window of the small import and saw fear in the driver's eyes. She understood completely: she had become a monster: she was running with monsters; she was running away from monsters.

But what would the monsters do to the woman inside? The other monsters, that is? Were they too interested in her and her companions to care about the woman in the car? Tomorrow hoped so.

"Damn!" Augustus shouted and halted at the entrance to the community.

Tomorrow's eyes left the driver and turned toward Augustus and then past him to what he was seeing. Immediately she skidded to a stop next to him; Khron did the same.

"End of the line?" Khron asked.

"Never." Augustus smiled.

In front of them, in the road, stood countless Intulo and they were ready to strike. Behind them, Bella coasted to a stop, just twenty feet away; behind her, fifteen more Intulo stopped and awaited her command.

"This isn't good." Tomorrow shook her head, "Will I have to fight again?"

"Yes." Augustus answered truthfully, "I've been up against worse odds."

"Hispania?" Khron asked.

"No, Hispania was different. I was thinking more of Galatia."

"Galatia? That is one you haven't told me of." Khron smiled.

Tomorrow could not believe her ears or her eyes: they were smack in the middle of probably thirty lizard men and one freaky damn woman: all of whom wanted her, presumably dead, and yet these two were talking old days... or something like that; she really didn’t know what they were talking about.

"Okay, guys, is this really the time?"

Augustus turned to look at her; there was something in his eyes--something akin to confidence and... happiness? Whatever specific emotion it was didn't matter, because it calmed her.

"Hand over the girl!" The chilling voice spoke calmly to their minds.

"You must be kidding, Bella." Augustus turned to face her, but did not
look at her. Khron remained facing the opposite direction, past Augustus to the other Intulo.

“Is that her voice in my mind??” Tomorrow asked.

“Indeed.” Khron whispered.
"You really do not understand this at all do you, old man?" Bella's mind-voice was like ice.

"I do what I am ordered. It is not my job to understand." Augustus explained.

"Those words are frightening, when coming from your mouth. Perhaps anyone can be broken, yes?" If Bella could smile, she would have, Tomorrow thought. The comment seemed to bother him, but Augustus continued on,

"This will only end badly."

"No, it won't."

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