"We should begin now!" Jackson said, his voice filled, not with fear, but vengeful anger. . . as well as desperation. His hand, curled around his wounded arm, his mind thinking back to the night of horror, but instead of him, it was someone else. He couldn't. he wouldn't let that happen, not if he could help it. "We all ready might be to late, but we have to try anyway. If we don't, the missing student could die, if he isn't already. . . or worse." Turning to Kanoa, he continued talking. "Do you have any idea what we're going up against, anything at all, even the smallest of myths or rumors would be nice?" 

[i]'Why do you care for so much for a dead boy?' Aphosis whispered, 'You do now that he's probably dead by now,it's been a week. And even if he's not, chances are he'll wish he was. Just like you do. I now that you're afraid of that August girl, afraid of what her abilities might tell her about your lovely little collection.'[/i] Jackson went rigid, much to Aphosis' delight. Jackson collection of knives was always a constant temptation, and like any good guardian would do, Aphosis made sure to stop Jackson from indulging in such a fatal addiction. Jackson had finally stopped trying, but the emotions he felt on those nights would stain those knives forever. [i]'Every knife tells a story of sorrow, weakness, and instability, and each time, I stopped you from pushing the blade into deep. Not because I care, not because I need you, no, I save you from yourself because I want you to suffer. You death must be painful, must ge unexpected, and it must be slow. Your in this for life, Jacky-boy, and there isn't going to be an easy way out.'[/i]

Jackson said nothing, making as if he hadn't heard a word of what the spirit had said. But he'c heard everything, and he couldn't help but fearfully glance at the short red head, hoping he'd never have tomget anywhere near here in the near future. One of his instinctively reach down into his pocket, grabbing his swithblade knife in an effort to calm himself. His knives always gave him a sense of empowerment, a feeling that he was in control of his life. Now, however, while still comforting, they held no such power. He wasn't able to take charge of his life anymore. Aohosis' had taken from him, like everything else, that one comfort. That one thing he'd been wishng for over a month. Peace, everlasting peace of mind, one way or the other.