Free The Whispering by L. Filloon Page B

second later and as if from a distance.  
    “ Mellis, snap out of it.  Where’s Julia?”
    I can feel Mellis trying to get his bearings.  Finally, he says, “Julia is out, but we’re okay.  As soon as I can get her awake, we’ll be on our way.”
    I turn back to Lily and take off, no longer caring who sees us.  “Tolan, can you bring up an illusion shield?”
    “ Yes, but I’ll be no good to you while I hold the shield up.  I’ll do what I can to help.” 
    I spot Tolan stepping away from the tree line, his hands and face held up to the skies.  I leave him to bring up the shield for those outside of the island.  Those on the island Alorn will take care of. 
    I plan on catching Lily and taking her back to the tree s but there is a shield preventing me from getting close. 
    “ Lily,” I call, but she ignores me, coming to a stop several yards from the island. 
    I watch as Alorn speeds to each person on the playground, moving from one to the next.  Once each has been put to sleep, he then carries them off the island, placing them at a safe distance.  The dark haired boy stands, his eyes on Lily as if hypnotized.
    “ Lily,” I call once again. 
    This time she turns to me and I know the spirit of Jarhan has taken over.  Her eyes are of the golden serpent and her hair wisps about her with a touch of gold at the ends.
    “Tharin,” she answers, her voice distant.
    “ Lily, what are you doing?” I ask slowly, not wanting to anger her alter ego.
    “ The Mother called me.  She told me I must save one of her children, to free him.” 
    She stands watching me, not in any hurry or caring that we are out in the open.  I glance around and see people still going on with their business.  Tolan’s illusion is up.
    I step closer.  “Lily, you don’t understand what you’re facing.  He may look like a child, but he’s not.  He’s a beast, a monster.”  I offer my hand to her.  “Please, we’ll take care of him together.”
    She shakes her head.  “No, Tharin.  I can’t allow you and the others to hurt him.”
    I take another step closer.  “All right, all right.  I promise; no harm will come to him, but you have to let me do this, please.” 
    A vision of Lily being crushed by the troll’s fist raises panic in me.  “Please, Lily.”
    The serpent eyes, the Healer ’s eyes, waver until Lily’s own focus on me.  Her shoulders slump and I reach for her. 
    “ I’m sorry, Tharin.  It hit me so fast I had no time to react to it,” she says shaking her head.
    “ Is it a separate entity?  Is it you…”
    I stop, pushing Lily behind me.  The ferocious roar from the island shakes the ground and vibrates throughout the park.  Again I look at the bystanders.  A few look around not sure what just happened; others continue not noticing any change around them.
    I turn to Lily .  “Get back to Mellis, now!” 
    I push her from me toward the tree line.  For a moment Lily is frozen, staring at the island.  The boy disappears as his true form literally starts to rip out of the small body.  His body distorts and forms into a giant, clearing ten feet with bulging biceps, peppered with pebbles, stones and rocks.  Long arms, thick with boulder size muscles, end with hands that can palm a hummer.  Strong legs the size of redwoods brace a rock solid upper body that tapers to his stomach and hips that gives Mirnuk a speed not known with his kind.  The most terrifying is his face, full of rage and anger.  His large black eyes, matching his long stringy hair, are pools of insanity.  A large, flat nose flares keeping pace with his harsh breathing; his dark lips pulled back in a sneer causing the scars on his face to deepen.
    This is no ordinary troll, this is a First.  He is a first of his kind; ancient, cunning and filled with strength that encompasses his seasons.  He isn’t just a First, he is a Kupnaliia.
    Tazo appears in my hand, coming to life as I plant my feet, ready to move at