I'm in the Dark

[Jackson Davies]

“Diffindo!”

A flash of red erupted from the wand and Jackson watched as the spell ripped directly through the pillow, feathers bursting out of the tear and fluttering in the air. A slow, wicked grin spread across his lips. Finally! After months and months of training, the damned thing was finally working for him. He looked down at the elegant, yet stubborn wand in his hand. Black walnut gleamed along the length of the wand, curving into the depiction of a cat at the handle, emerald eyes sparkling up at him as he gazed down at it. For months this wand was the bane of his existence. A gift from Vader after his own had been destroyed by the Ministry. He often wondered who the original owner was. Whoever it was, the wand was ridiculously loyal to them. Even the simplest of spells were impossible to cast. But he finally wore it down and it now responded to his commands. Oh how happy Vader will be to hear the news.

Speaking of Vader… Jackson moved to the window of his room, gazing out at the darkened sky. She said she’d be right back, but the hours have grown long and there was no sign on her. Anxiety gripped his heart. Did something happen? Was she spotted? Perhaps she had to take the long way back to the Delano’s. Yes, that must be it. Vader was too good to be caught. And even if she was, she’d kill any who stood in her way. Yes, he must be patient. She’ll return to him, he was certain of it.

When he woke the next morning, he made a beeline for Vader’s room. His heart fluttered nervously when he saw it was empty. Was she downstairs? Jackson wasted no time and went down to the kitchen, still there was no sign of her. Jack saw Chelsea sitting at the dining room table, her back to him as she read the morning Prophet. He almost left her to it when he saw a flicker of movement on the page. It was a picture, but the subject… Jackson surged forward, ripping the paper out of the blonde’s hands, despite her protests, and his stomach plummeted to the ground when he saw Vader’s face staring back at him. VADER ALLMAN CAPTURED. No. NO! It wasn’t possible! Rage bubbled in his chest, a tinge of fear in the pit of his stomach. He looked over at Chelsea disgustedly, throwing the paper at her feet and rushed back to his room. His throat constricted as the grief started to overwhelm him. He couldn’t stay here. Without Vader there to protect him, the others would turn on him in an instant. Jackson packed his bag as quickly as he could and shouldered it before turning on the spot, a familiar dirt path burning in his mind. With any luck, it would still be abandoned. No one would think of looking for him there. He landed in a little wooded area just beyond his childhood home. Jack didn’t give himself time to doubt, he just trudged through the woods to the house. The last time he was here his family was alive. He’d hide here and try to figure out a way to break Vader free. She did it for him, after all. It was only right. He didn’t know if he could handle losing another family.