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Entry 10 (Joey) Dear Diary,
Yup, I'm back, thank goodness to Lance and the others. I owe so much to them right now and it doesn't help knowing that Lance is around, hanging onto life with only a thread. He came so close to dying there for us… I hope he doesn't give out just yet. He can't give up just yet.
What happened was this. It was the strangest feeling, being awakened in the middle of the night. At first, I'd forgotten where I was. Then the cold made itself known and I realized I was still in the same cell I'd been in since morning. I felt a tugging again and soon realized that someone was pulling me up. I couldn't make out any face or form for that matter but I felt myself being drawn to my feet and transformed into nothingness. As mist, I was rushed to an Energy bridge. Faintly, I'd acknowledged the fact that it was Lance's Energy I felt there. However, even I was being drawn away, I knew something wasn't right. I hesitated, feeling others rush past me, my own savior moving on ahead as well. Someone was missing. Quickly, I backtracked and left Lance's strong bridge. As soon as I'd detached myself from his Energy though, I could feel him scream in pain. The Nica had found out and although they were unable to cross the bridge to him, they were able to send a crippling blow over the miles to him.
I forced myself to not dwell on it. I needed to find Juliet. From what Lance showed me earlier, I made my way in the wavering moonlight to the building he'd designated. I grew more frantic when after searching for either her or her master, I came up empty handed. Doubling my efforts despite my fatigue and hunger (I hadn't been fed at all today), I searched for her familiar Energy. I found her in a smaller, worn down building, isolated from the other buildings. I retained my human form but kept myself invisible to the crowed that had gathered around her. I found my old Nica master Dominic heading the procession. They'd moved up the sacrifice and it didn't surprise me one bit. He was always a sly man. Anyway, she was there, laying on an ancient stone altar. The rags that had been on her before were gone and all that was left was a blindfold. Her head had rolled to one side and from the way they'd stretched her out, I could make out all her bones. I forced myself to calm down. I had to. I couldn't let my anger rule over my body and I needed to keep it all together as I attempted to slip into her mind. It wasn't that hard, to tell the truth. I expected much more of a fight like all those other times before, but she was so weak and empty of hope…
When she did recognize me though, she tried to shy away and block me. From what thoughts I could catch, I could see that she was feeling guilty for ever making me think about our relationship, thinking that she'd been too selfish to think that she could restrain me that way. I didn't bother trying to correct her thinking. There would be time (I hoped) for that later on. Leaving her, I changed once more into mist just as Dominic began the ritual chant that started off the sacrifice. With even less time than I'd thought before, I drifted my way closer to Juliet's body, enveloping her in my cloud. From around me, I could hear an uproar start as they figured out what was happening. I forced myself to concentrate, while at the same time begging Juliet to give me a hand. She wasn't about to budge though. She'd convinced herself that everyone was better off without her. Even I had to wonder at how the Nica'd broken her spirit but I wasn't about to ask question just then. I gathered as much Energy as I could and felt our bodies get lighter and start its journey back to Council. Because of my lack in training though, I started to waver somewhere in between places. I cried out for help but no one was there to hear me. Everyone was still concerned with the safe return of the captives and the state Lance was in. I was giving up hope in getting back there and so I started to transfer my Energy to her, forcing her to go on without me. There was no way I could make it back with the two of us. The Lhaam needed her and I was perfectly willing to make the sacrifice.
Just as I was about to detach myself from her though, I felt someone reach out to us and begin drawing us closer home. It wasn't anyone's Energy I'd felt before and yet it seemed oddly familiar. In no time at all, I found myself in Council, holding Juliet's practically still body. I remember giving a short squeak for help seeing the bustle around me going on before blacking out. Some friends told me that someone finally noticed us and had summoned for help at once. I was treated quickly, having only been drained of Energy. Lance and Juliet though, were in more critical states. I still don't know what's going on with them. All I know is I got the privilege of watching over Doug until Juliet comes through. I hope she does. I hope Lance does too. I owe so much to them both. How could I live without either of them here to put up with me?