Deep in the Forest

Holly nodded.
"She reads lots." she added.

Natalie nodded her head.

Holly nodded. But not her head. (?)

"TELL US HOW YOURE HELPING HER!" Holly demanded.

Natalie hit Holly softly to shut her up.

Hayley hit Holly also.

"Oh for God"s sake, stop hitting each other!" cried Alba, anger and fear showing in her eyes, then said more calmly, "Someone"ll get hurt. Go on Shadow, Im listening to you."

"This is a classic with deminoc children." Shadow said, "But it's complicated."

Natalie sighed slightly.

"I agree...." said Natalie, knowing this from the many years of baby-sitting...

Alb smiled at her friend, then turned back to Shadow, awaiting the responce.

"Nat, Archangel and Onyx are just mental, you'll get used to it." Shadow said with a smile. She turned back to Alba.
"It's a case of when you're younger, you concentrate on keeping your other side in check, and you master it. As you mature it becomes stronger and stronger while your mind is taken up with other things, controling your other side is not top on the list."

"Riiiiiiiiiiiight," Alba was silent for a minute, then said, "So how do I do that?"

"Practise. Lots of." Shadow said.

"Lots of practice." Holly clarified.

"But in what way? What can I do when I feel the Manticore wake? It's uncontrolable! Well, to me it is..."

"Ok, that isn't the only solution, but if you want to do the other one, you're on your own. I refuse to split your sides." Shadow said. "I'm going to have to do a little research to help you practise. Holly knows what happens for 'practise' in my dimension."

Alba gulped. Split my sides..., she thought, wat the...
She looked aroung at the look of concern on her friends faces. She put on a brave expretion on her's, and said:
"Ok, I'll try to find a way to control it. I dont want to be responsible for anyone's death."

"I'm going to help you. I just need to find a method." Shadow said. "As I said, splitting your sides is not an option, and the only method I know for the other option is... not one I would put anyone else through."

"Its true, I do." Holly said, drawing herself up.

Natalie shivered slightly.

Hayley shivered also, and pulled her jacket around her.

Alba shuddered. She'd never expected to have to tame her Manticore side. After all, it was a part of her... wasn't it?

Hayley looked at Alba. "Will you be able to do it?" she asked quietly.

Alba closed her eyes, feeling tears run down her face.
"I don't know," she whispered.
All she wanted was to be close to someone. She wanted someone to tell her it would be ok. She wanted someone to tell her it was all just a bad dream. A nightmare...

(You spelt Melody wrong...)

Shadow sensed Alba's emotions.
"I'm afraid it isn't. Being able to control your other side is going to take a lot of effort."

((better? lol))

Alba took a deep breath. Ok, I can do this. The Manticore is a part of me I have to control! I can't let it do this to me!
For a split second, fear speared at her mind again, making her feel weak and afraid. But it passed as soon as it had come because Alba fought back at it with all her strength.
I have to do this!