“Break it down, ladies,” Drake ordered.
“From what I can guess, with the word ‘war’ being the trigger, is that somebody got butt-hurt during the RC fight. I believe it triggered some latent telepathic abilities. Judas focused all his blame on you and started slowly invading your mind. I’d bet everything began with a doubt here, a niggle there, as Judas builtup layers as he increased power. That created a brain fog; you couldn’t think or act clearly because Judas was gradually driving you crazy with guilt,” Belladonna explained.
“How did Drake become lucid when we arrived here?” I asked.
“Because I broke it when Drake arrived. I sensed the fogginess and smacked it away. Your attacker was caught unawares and made a desperate grab. That was to force you to commit suicide by being run over. You’ve met Judas, whoever it is, because there’s no way he could have such a grip on you unless he’d been up close and personal,” Belladonna continued.
“What does that mean?” Drake demanded.
“Everyone’s mind is built differently. Some are easy to invade, and others aren’t. I can see what remains of a natural barrier in your head. But there’s bore holes where this person has burrowed through and weakened it. To achieve that, he’s familiar with you. Drake, Judas has met you, to have a strong grip on you. Now Judas has it, he’ll find you anywhere,” Belladonna said and leaned against a wall.
“He can force me to kill myself?” Drake asked in disbelief.
“Yes, Judas just nearly did. This is someone who was aware you felt guilty and understood how to play you. This was a planned and methodical attack. Drake, you’re in danger, and you need healing,” Stitch stated.
“Healing?” I said, leaning forward.
“Yeah. Damage has been done to Drake’s natural psychic wall. Belladonna can bolster that and patch the holes. But I would have to heal the repairs to make your barrier solid,” Stitch continued.
I cocked my head. Stitch was avoiding saying something. “That won’t happen overnight, will it?”
“No. There’s a lot of trauma. I’m picking up on it without even touching Drake. This isn’t an easy fix. To fuck with someone’s mind causes microscopic damage. It’s not a quick heal.”
“We can stay as long as needed,” I said.
Stitch and Belladonna exchanged glances.
“What aren’t you saying?” I demanded.
“The problem you have is, we can repair it, but as soon as you return to Rapid City, the attack will begin again,” Belladonna replied.
“In other words, Judas is going nowhere until he finishes his goal. Which is your death, Drake, in the most painful way,” Sapphire stated.
Drake loudly ground his teeth. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Bells and I will return with you. Give us two days here, working on you slowly to get you semi-healed. Then we’ll accompany you when we know you won’t snap back under his control in an instant.”
“In other words, you’re going to use Drake as bait,” I guessed.
Neither Sapphire nor Belladonna looked ashamed. “Damn right we are. This type of asshole? Once Judas kills Drake, he won’t stop. He’ll keep murdering anyone in his way. Hundreds might die because of Judas’ ambitions. Say a pretty girl says no to a date—gone in the blink of an eye, the old lady getting coffee ahead of him? Heart attack because she inconvenienced him. This egomaniac will kill relentlessly. I’ve met his kind before,” Belladonna replied.
“You’ll stop him?” Drake asked, reaching out for my hand.
I grabbed hold and squeezed.
“Judas isn’t the first and won’t be the last. For now, he’s focused on Drake. That’s good because Judas isn’t killing the snot-nosed neighbour’s kid for kicking a ball around. As much as you might think it sucks, it makes sense for us to utilise his hatred of Drake. I only have to be close to Drake to spring the trap,” Belladonna said.
“You’re stronger?” I questioned, biting my lip.
“No idea, but I’ve had my powers longer and understand how to utilise them better. Judas is using a club hammer; I use a scalpel. He won’t understand what’s hit him when I launch my attack. Trust us, Phoenix, this isn’t our first rodeo.”
I stared at Belladonna’s face before nodding.
“Okay.” That was all I could say. Belladonna was asking me to take a leap of faith, and for Drake, I’d do anything—absolutely anything.
Belladonna
“How are you feeling?” I asked Heart as she lay in bed.
