The sky was a black canvas; the Canaby sisters still lay unconscious on the hard ground. Nearby a fire crackled, glowing orange and yellow. Mary and Xander sat on two flat rocks and waited for the Canaby sisters to wake up.
Xander, who was extremely bored, levitated hot, red embers from the fire and tossed them into the sky. He watched closely as the fell and burnt out.
“So,” Mary broke the silence. “Do you think they know?”
“They’re clueless,” Xander said. “They wouldn’t know the difference between a magic wand and a stick. They have the power, but what’s brawn without brain?”
“I know, but the same can’t be said for Rose.” Mary said. “Plus, I wasn’t talking about that. Do you think they know about the …”
“How long was I out?” Madeline appeared.
Mary’s heart jumped and she tried to regain her breathing. Her hands shook, she clasped them together and sat quietly, looking at the fire.
“What about us knowing about something?” Madeline questioned lightly, not thinking much of it.
“Oh, it was nothing,” Mary said, turning around. “Just talk.”
“Alright, well I’m going to try and get Rose and Sarah up.” Madeline yawned.
She started walking back to where her sisters lay, Ruby not far off, still in the force field. She flicked her wrist and made an orb of light glow in her hands.
“Xander,” Mary whispered. “She can’t know what we almost said, even if she doesn’t think much of it.”
“I’m on it.” Xander replied.
He stood up as quietly as he could and cast out his right arm.
He said, “Memorandum Erasiatum.”
A quiet stream of red poured through each of his fingers, swirling towards Madeline. The twisting tubes reached Madeline and made her stop in her tracks.
Xander whispered, “Five minutes.”
The five glowing red tubes that were connected to Madeline turned blue and then green. He brought the tips of his fingers together and then spread them out quickly, disconnecting the charm.
Madeline started walking again and then stopped. She turned her head left, then right. She then turned her body around to face Xander and Mary.
Mary watched, hoping that that would be the end of it and she wouldn’t ask any questions about why she was where she was. Mary’s hope was useless because Madeline asked, “Why am I right here? I don’t remember walking here.”
“What?” Xander feigned. “You just woke up and started walking, don’t you remember?”
“Wait, this is your hocus pocus,” Madeline realized. “Yeah, you have the powers to change minds and make people forget stuff!”
“Madeline, I swear,” Xander acted. “Why would I?”
“I-I don’t know.” Madeline calmed
“It must be the new power messing with you.” Xander falsely reassured.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, you’re probably right.” Madeline apologized.
She then turned around and started walking towards her sisters. Mary let out a sigh and Xander sat back down.
Madeline took the ball of light and put it up to Rose’s face, Rose just squeezed her eyes more. She then took her arm and started to shake it, by that, she woke up.
“Madeline…” Rose yawned “What are…”
Rose fell back asleep.
“Rose,” Madeline said. “Get up.”
… Silence …
“Fine, have it your way.” Madeline said.
“Wake up now
Get out of your sleep
Fill mindful thoughts
Of a sleepless sleep.”
“Ahh,” Rose screamed. “ Madeline!”
“You wouldn’t get up.” Madeline said “Get Sarah up, I’ll be by Mary and Xander.”
“Okay.” Rose said.
Madeline started off by the fire, stopping to look at Ruby for a second. Ruby was still sleeping, a little more peaceful looking than when she was awake. She headed off once more and left Ruby to sleep in her prison.
When she neared the fire, Mary and Xander looked straight down, everything was quiet. Madeline found a spot to sit and she plopped down. In the distance she could see Rose and Sarah walking their way.
Xander looked up at Madeline and smiled, Madeline just looked at him. Rose and Sarah made their way to the fire and sat down on either side of Madeline.
“I think we should get a start on the next destination, wherever that is…” Madeline said
“Yeah, that is a good idea.” Sarah said “What are we going to do with Ruby?”
“As much as I hate her right now, I want to talk to her.” Madeline said
“What?” they all said in unison, looking at Madeline.
“I need to talk to her, she might have changed,” Madeline said. “I need to.”
“Madeline, after all she has done to us, you want to talk to her?” Sarah said.
Madeline got up, “Don’t stop me.”
She walked over to the multi-colored force field and knocked on it. Nothing happened, Ruby didn’t wake up. She then pounded on the force field and yelled, “Ruby, wake up you idiot!”
Ruby sat up, looking at Madeline, Madeline looking at her.
“What happened to you Ruby, what changed you?” Madeline said sincerely. “What did someone do to you?”
“Go away,” Ruby screamed. “I’ve always hated you and your sisters!”
She stood up and walked to the edge of the force field, only it separated them. The others watched as they talked, not daring to bat an eye for fear they would miss something. Sarah and Rose got up too, joining Madeline.
“Come on Madeline, don’t waste your time.” Sarah said
“No, I want to know why she left; it’s bugged me all these years.” Madeline said
“Madeline…” Rose said.
“No Rose, be quiet.” Madeline said. “Just go away if you don’t want to talk too.”
Sarah and Rose looked at Madeline like she was demented for wanting to talk to Ruby. They walked away and back to the fire.
“Ruby, just tell me,” Madeline said. “Why did you leave that night so long ago? What happened to make you this way? We all used to be such good friends.”
“I said get away!” Ruby yelled. “Ha! Good friends. You would have made me stay, why did you let me leave?”
“Ruby,” Madeline yelled. “I wanted you to stay, everyone did!”
“No you didn’t,” Ruby cried. “I was just a bother nobody wanted, that is until I left and met Master.
“Who is Master, Ruby?” Madeline questioned.
“He is the one that cared for me; he taught me everything I know.” Ruby smiled
“Ruby, he turned you evil!” Madeline gasped. “How could you let someone you didn’t even know turn you? Did he make you kill my father?”
“You don’t understand Madeline, I felt like I fit in, Master made me feel like I fit in.” Ruby said. “And yes, to be a member I had to kill your father. He told me I had to, I didn’t want to. I wanted to forget all about you guys! I hated you for letting me go, don’t you understand?
Ruby started crying, hot tears streaming down her face.
“Master also told me, his special servant, to stop you on your little journey, that if it was fulfilled he would be done. I didn’t want to even come near you guys, but he made me! Oh just kill me, please, end my horrible life!”
Madeline started to cry also.
“Ruby, you need to come on the side of good again, I’ll help you.” Madeline said, putting her hand to the force field’s wall.
Rose and Sarah, who were listening, ran over to Madeline.
“Are you crazy?” Sarah said. “She can’t be trusted.”
“No, some guy named ‘Master’ can’t be trusted.” Madeline said.
.
Commonly, when writing in third person, we don't know the inner feelings of the characters.
and remember not to be too flowery.