Chapter 2: Reunited

Alicia layed, still unconscious and dreaming. Now in her dream she was talking to The Darkness, who was just a transluscent shadow that kept changing its shape, sitting across from her in a small area auraed with black and saphire blue.
"Who is he, Darkness?" She asked the shadow.

"He is The Hunter." The voice said to her. "He is a dangerous, sadistic demonic creature, and as you may have seen, he has the face of an angel. DO NOT let his appearence fool you, child! He is not to be dealt with even by you!"

"But why did he call me his queen and say all that to me?"

"What do you mean, Alicia? What did he say?"

"He said that, now that I was dead, I could be with him and we could rule the netherlands, and eventully both worlds together."

There was a short silence. "Hmmm." The Darkness pondered. "I don't even think he wanted YOU, Alicia."

"You don't?"

"No, I don't...I think he wanted your power."

"My power?"

"Yes, once The Hunter can claim you as his own, he will have the ability to drain all your demonics and use it himself...That's why you must stay away..."
The Darkness started to say something else, but Alicia found it hard to understand because he was trailing off as if he was slowly walking far away. Further and further away, until it was dead silent. The air around Alicia got colder and colder. She could see her breath.
Then, something, a cold hand touched her on the front of the neck and a voice wispered in her ear:

You will be mine, Alicia...

Alicia's eyes bolted open. She was laying in a bed with white sheets. She still felt the hand on her neck, so she jumped up, looking for her weapon. The hand on her neck belonged to a familiar face. Maxwell Cougar. He was checking her heartbeat pulse.

"Alicia? Are you okay?"

Alicia let the sweat drip down her cheek and neck. "Maxwell? Is that REALLY you...Or am I still dreaming?"

"No, Alicia, it's me. We-" Maxwell paused. "Wait a second. You had a dream about me? How was it?"
Alicia fought back a smile, but she turned and chuckled a bit. Same old Maxwell, trying to hard. She knew for a FACT she was awake and back in reality. But where was Darkness?

I'm here, Alicia. The voice said. Damn that Hunter. He's somehow found a way to keep me from communicating with you when the time comes he wants to.

Oh no. Alicia thought. What should I do? Am I in danger?

Yes, I fear you are, child. Darkness sighed. Keep your friends close, Alicia.

"Alicia? Did you hear me?" Maxwell asked coming closer to her.

"No." She answered honestly. "What did you say, Maxwell?"

"I said that your battered and broken body was found by some of our troops. They reconized you and brought you hear. A huge demon was spotted outside Berlin, so they headed there and the demon was gone, but there you were." Alicia stayed silent, blinking at him. He continued. "You were unconscious for three days. We were starting to think you'd never wake up...You know, I came in here with you every night to talk to you. They say that if you talk to a person in a coma, they come out of it faster...I tried it and all my men laughed at me and said I was babbling like an idiot."
Maxwell had a talent for spotting Alicia's rare smiles, dispite how small and invisible she tried to make them look.

"I'm not smiling." Alicia said, crossing her arms. "I already told you, I never smile."

"Deny it all you want." Maxwell laughed. "I just saw you smile...Again."

"Where's my weapon?" Alicia asked. "My gun rod."

Maxwell's smile disapppeared. "Alicia, I am so sorry." He went over to behind the small cot Alicia was laying and and took out th two peices of her weapon. "We think the demon that was in the area may have stepped on it...Our gunsmiths can fix it."

"No, Maxwell." Alicia said, taking the two peices from him and holding back tears. "This is no ordinary gun...It's MY gun."
Alicia could still cast spells without her gun rod, but not the great ones like Thunder, Tornado or Meteor. She sighed and put the peices down. "You can't fix it. No human can fix it."

"Will you be alright without it?" Maxwell asked.

"Yes." Alicia sighed. She sounded like a small girl who had just lost a best friend.

Maxwell was clearly trying his best to think of someway to take her mind off it. "Would...you like to come out and meet our German officers? They are dying to meet you."

"I suppose you told them all about me?" Alicia sighed, crossing her arms again.

Maxwell blushed. "Maybe a little."
Alicia hesitated until the Darkness sopke up again.

Alicia...I sence the Hunter nearby in your deep thoughts. You must move.

"Sure." Alicia answered his questions. "Ummm...Do they know how to speak English? I'm no good with German..."

"Johann speaks English very well." Maxwell said. "He'll be happy to translate for you."
As he and Alicia walked side by side towards the infirmary door, Maxwell held out his hand to Alicia. She just looked at him for awhile, as she usually did, and then slowly reached out hers.

A strange feeling came over Alicia when her hand touched Maxwells. Having his hand in her hand instead of that heavy gun felt weird to Alicia at first, but at the same time, she thought it was a good feeling.
Darkness spoke up again.

Alicia! You must keep this friendship a friendship. Witches cannot fall in love with humans. It's too dangerous. Do you understand...I know what you are feeling right now and I must tell you, KEEP THIS FRIENDSHIP A FRIENDSHIP!

Yes, Alicia... The other voice echoed. If you value the worthless humans life...Keep it a friendship...