Essence of Evil

They were still laughing when Erin grabbed Micand's arm, her face filled with alarm. Micand could feel her withdrawal as she threw up her shields. He was only peripherally aware of the evil presence as it returned. Micand sensed the other searchers protecting themselves as he barricaded his mind then strengthened his link with Erin. Each of the others linked and prepared to feed her as well. He was surprised they were able to prepare and shield. The presence had not overwhelmed them this time but, almost as if it was worried about hurting Erin, had slowly inched its way into her mind.

Erin sat on the couch, laughing at Nal. She really had no wish to put herself in front of a spreading disease either. Her laughter was abruptly cut short when she felt the evil being try to penetrate her mind. As she was already shielded, she added extra layers, trying to back away and hide.

Her mind was invaded with sinister laughter. "You cannot run. You cannot hide. You are mine even now."

Erin tried to bury herself as the sense of terror which always accompanied the presence flowed though her.

He laughed at her again. "Don't you see. Even now I could break your puny barriers, melt your defenses. I'm so much stronger than you and I have an endless supply of energy." Erin felt her link with Micand grow as he fed her. Still, it took every ounce of strength she could muster to answer the evil being. When she spoke, her mental voice was just a whisper.

"Why?"

He laughed again, delighted with her response. "I showed you. Did you not receive my images? When you join with me, you will know my hunger. I long to consume you. Slowly. . .slowly, I will savor our every moment. You are mine."

Erin could feel him gloat. She was barely breathing for fear he would find her where she had hidden. She knew she needed to ask him something. The searchers had made that clear, but her mind wouldn't function. She felt like she was being consumed already. She could feel the presence seeping around her shields.

"You are so delicious, so ripe. Here, look at what I can do. Feed me, feed me your terror." Again she was overcome with his evil laughter. The images that played across the surface of her mind were like no others she had ever seen. Horrified, Erin felt her resolve melting. She was weakening. He was winning. Even with Micand's support, she could not withdraw. She was trapped in a spiral of terror.

Before she could capitulate completely, she felt others add their support to Micand. Gradually, slowly, she grew stronger. She hid her strength from the exultant evil being until she had drawn enough to form a mental surge. As she had back on One, she released the blast and aimed it at the very center of the being that had invaded her. As she lost consciousness, she felt its surprise at being repelled.