The Legend of the Lost Child

I opened the door to my room and motioned for Brian and Marcus to enter. On my bed were two bags, which took me by surprise. Marcus and Brian turned to look at me, coming to the same conclusion. “Apparently, there was no question as to our sleeping arrangements,” Brian said as he lifted his duffle bag. “I swear I didn’t know you were going to be sleeping in here. Gavin or Deagan likely did it while we were downstairs,” I suggested. “So, where are we going to sleep?” Marcus asked. As though hearing the question, there was a knock on the door, which caused Buddy to jump up and bark. “It’s open,” I answered. Peeking her head in, my mom smiled as she looked around the room. “Did they bring the right bags in?” she asked. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you,” Brian answered for both him and Marcus. “Wonderful. Gavin is bringing up the blow-up mattresses now. I wish I had something more comfortable for you,” she said. “That will be more than enough. Thank you,” Brian answered with a smile. “What are you boys going to do for the rest of the afternoon?” she asked with a glow to her like she was reveling in another experience she had resigned herself years earlier to never experience. “I’m not sure. Do you have any suggestions?” I asked. “Maybe take them for a tour of the creek?” “Would you guys want to go out?” I asked. “Can the girls come or are they on double-super-lockdown?” Marcus asked, causing my mom to smile. “I think they can go, but let me ask Carolina and Kyle. Make sure you bundle up, though. It’s getting cold outside,” my mother said. Brian was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with a thick flannel over it. “Is that going to be enough? We’re in Pennsylvania in late November,” I said. “I don’t think your jackets are gonna fit me. No offense,” he teased. “Maybe we can grab something from my dad before we leave,” I suggested. “Yeah, I think we’re about the same size,” Brian answered. Glancing back at Marcus, I saw he was in a pair of shorts and a baggy sweater, which caused me to frown. “I don’t think that’s going to be warm enough for you.” Walking to my dresser, I pulled out a pair of jeans and a thick wool sweater for him. After I handed them over, Marcus walked to the end of the bed and changed. “Where will we go?” Brian asked. “I’m not sure. I’ve been through the area a few times, but haven’t explored on my own yet. Maybe Bear Country?” I suggested. “You know this place better than we do. We’ll follow you,” Brian answered. “You guys ready to go?” Marcus asked, causing me to turn, leaving me stunned as I stared. “Aww, Jace. I didn’t know you felt that way,” he teased. Marcus always wore clothes that were much larger and I just assumed that he was more heavy-set. Seeing him fitting perfectly in my jeans and sweater, I realized there was no physical reason for his clothes choices. “This look suits you much better, man. You should stay away from the big clothes,” I said. “Eh, the baggy stuff is more comfortable and moves better,” he countered. “He’s right. You clean up nicely, Hunter,” Brian chimed in. There was an upturn to his lip as his face flushed momentarily before he ran his hand through his hair, causing it to stand up on itself. “Let’s go get the girls,” I suggested, trying to break up the awkwardness. With a lift of Marcus’s eyebrow and a full smirk, I immediately realized how ridiculous the sentence sounded and I lifted a finger to him, hoping to keep his wit in check. The motion only caused him to laugh. Walking across the hall, we came to the girl’s room and were about to knock when Kyle and Carolina’s door flew open with Kyle standing there as though he had magically appeared. The motion caused Marcus to jump into Brian, who grabbed him by the arm and gave him a stern look. “And what are you three up to?” he asked as he scrutinized each of us. “It’s been a little stressful, and Jace offered to show us around the creek. Before leaving, we wanted to see if the girls wanted to come with us,” Brian explained, knowing that he was the only one likely to get Kyle to agree to our request. Lifting an eyebrow, Kyle replied, “I thought better of you, Brian. You were going to ask them before asking me?” “No, sir, we were going to ask them to join us downstairs, where we thought you were. At that point, we were going to ask you,” Brian eloquently lied. Kyle narrowed his eyes at the three of us as he considered the request. “Where are you going?” he asked. “To Bear Country. It’s at the front of the creek, where you came in,” I answered. “And who will be with you?” “Just us right now. But everyone in the creek knows who I am and who my parents are, so we’ll have eyes on us everywhere we are.” Kyle’s shoulders seemed to relax minutely as he considered the request. “Okay, but I want all of you home before dark, and, Brian, I’m holding you responsible, as the oldest.” As the last of his agreement came out the girls’ door swung open, causing the four males in the hallway to all jump. Without warning, Izzie grabbed my hand as she pulled me toward the stairs, stopping only to kiss her father on the cheek. Behind us, Zoe did the same with Brian, and Alyssa grabbed Marcus. Before Kyle had processed what was happening, the six of us were downstairs and heading for the door. “Whoa, what’s going on?” my father asked as he stood while Deagen moved to the stairs, looking up to be sure nothing was chasing us. “We’re going out to explore,” I said with a weak smile. “Do your parents know?” my father asked the girls. “Yes, we just told them,” Zoe said as she looked back at the door as though she knew if she didn’t leave soon, her father would change his mind. “Do you know where you’re going?” my father asked me. Feeling the blood pooling in my neck and cheeks, I nodded. “Mom gave me the grand tour.” Eyeing me, he seemed reluctant, but then relaxed. “Okay, but be back by dark. We’ll have dinner ready.” “We will!” I said as I fought a smile. Barreling through the door, the six of us likely looked like a scene out of a cartoon. All we needed was the dirt swirls around us to make it complete. Moving off the patio, I turned to head toward the front of the creek, where the group of fun-loving and prankish bears lived. “So, is this a clever nickname, or are we actually heading to the heart of a bear’s den?” Marcus asked. Turning, I gave him a mischievous grin before I turned back to lead our group, not answering his question. “Was that an answer? Did he answer me? I don’t think he answered me.” Marcus continued as he panned the group. “Bear Country? As in real bears?” Alyssa asked with trepidation in her voice. “Why? Is that any worse than a wolf?” Izzie asked. Alyssa seemed to ponder her question before shaking her head. “They’re just like you, except the whole shifting thing,” Marcus added in, earning an irritated look from Alyssa. “I guess you figured out the answer,” Zoe said as she nudged Marcus on the shoulder. “What? Just dropping the facts,” he added with a grin. Rolling his eyes, Brian turned to look at me. “So where is Bear Country?” “Not too much further. We have to go through Witches Way first,” I said as I pointed in its direction. “Witches Way? They have some interesting choices for names up here,” Zoe mused. “How many bear friends do you have?” Alyssa asked. Thinking about the answer, I felt myself slow a bit. Besides Karl and Ian, what bears did I know? In my head, I felt like I knew all of them, but it was my mom they all knew. The people in that area were just being polite when they were talking to me. My stomach contracted, causing a warmth to run up my neck and fill my cheeks. “Well, that’s not good,” Marcus muttered. “What’s not good?” Alyssa asked. “So we have this empathy link and I just felt my stomach drop to my toes. Judging by how bright the back of Jace’s neck is, I’m thinking that was his emotion and not mine,” Marcus continued. Alyssa stopped and blinked as she looked at Marcus and me. Feeling the burn in my cheeks grow brighter, I shrugged and gave a half-hearted smile. “I have been through Bear Country…once,” I said, with the last word said under my breath. Brian’s eyebrows shot up as he took a deep breath. “I’m having flashbacks to the car ride of suspended truths, Jace.” Remembering how we revealed the reality of our situation to Brian for fear that he would have abandoned us on the side of the road, I couldn’t help but smile at his reference. “I haven’t been here for very long and after the bite, I was a little too incapacitated to go out. There are a few bears I know, and we can start there.” “The bite?” Alyssa asked as she looked around the clearing. “Remember the whole hickey dilemma that the three of them had a few weeks ago?” Zoe asked. Recognition hit Alyssa and her head shot around to look at me so fast I thought it might spin off her shoulders. “YOU caused that?” she asked with her eyes wide. “I didn’t cause it. Someone in my pack attacked me and they experienced it too,” I said. “Oh my God! Mom and Dad were bugging out when they saw it on Izzie. Actually, it’s still kinda there,” Alyssa said. I felt my heart quiver at the thought of the repercussions my friends had received by my actions as I turned to look at Izzie. There, just above the base of her neck, was the small, jagged ring. Seeing it, I touched my neck as I looked at Brian and Marcus, who obligingly pulled down their collars to reveal their own battle scars. “It’s like a special handshake for our secret group,” Marcus said. “It’s not very secret,” Zoe said. “Actually, he’s right. There aren’t that many people that know about them or our connection. Keeping that hidden may be the best for now,” I said as I mentally ran through all the negative possibilities if the wrong people learned of our group. Stopping before we entered Witches Way, I turned to them. “Promise me that no one mentions it.” Izzie narrowed her eyes as though she were trying to read my mind before she relaxed and grabbed my hand. “You have my word,” she said. “Of course I won’t,” Brian added. Zoe and Alyssa exchanged looks before nodding. Marcus, who seemed distracted by something in the distance, was not answering the question. “Marcus!” Zoe said sternly, which caused him to turn back to us. “What?” he asked absently. “Can you keep your mouth shut?” Brian asked with irritation in his voice. “I always eat with my mouth closed! Momma taught me table manners.” Chuckling, I shook my head as I watched Brian turn a few shades of red as he stared at Marcus. “Oh, you mean the whole mind-link thing. Yeah, yeah. My lips are sealed.” Marcus turned back in the same direction as whatever had distracted him. “What do you see?” I asked. “That is the craziest fountain I have ever seen, and I’ve seen the water dancing in Epcot!” Looking closer, the aqueous material seemed to move normally, and I wondered what he was seeing. “It’s not doing anything special,” Zoe said, concerned by his assertion of the water’s abilities. Walking closer to the fountain, I looked up at Athena and bowed to her, causing all eyes to turn and look at me. All eyes except Marcus’s, who followed my lead and bowed as well. “Is this a normal tradition to bow in front of fountain statues?” Brian asked as he watched the two of us as though he may need to call a psychiatric consultation afterward. “She warned us of the drakaina,” I said, which caused all eyes to spin and look at Athena. “What is she showing you?” I asked. “Wait, you don’t see this?” he asked with genuine shock. “No. The water is falling normally,” I said. Looking back at the fountain, he focused as he seemed to follow something that was visible only to him. Remembering how it moved when I had seen it, I tried to see which symbols were lighting up based on his sight, but his eyes were flicking all around the base and were difficult to follow. “Which ones are coming to life?” I asked, which caused him to break his concentration and turn at me. “How did you know that was happening?” he asked. “It happened earlier,” I explained. “You’re the second person she has done that for now,” a female voice spoke up from the opposite side of the fountain. Straining to look around, I saw Marissa, who was also watching the water. “You see it moving too?” I asked. “No. I guess it is a message just for him,” she said, pointing to Marcus. Stopping her observations, she walked toward our group, slowing only once when she saw Izzie. “What is she trying to tell you?” I asked Marcus. Sighing heavily, Marissa moved closer, extending her hand out to Marcus, who stared at it dumbly. “My name is Marissa Miller. I think Jace was referring to you as being Marcus?” “Uh, yeah,” he said as he loosely took her hand and shook it. “Oh, man, I’m sorry. You just took off so fast earlier. Where did you go?” I asked. Rolling her eyes, she turned to look at Brian and extended her hand again. Cautiously, he extended it as he side-eyed me as though checking to be sure he was not about to be eaten by something. “My name is Brian Mitchell. You just met Marcus Hunter. This is my girlfriend, Zoe Lewis, and her sisters, Alyssa and Izzie,” he said as he pointed out each. Marissa extended her hand out to each of the girls, but hesitated when she came to Izzie. Unsure of the move, Izzie turned to look at me before putting her hand out. “Nice to meet you,” Izzie said with a hint of a question in her voice. “Likewise,” Marissa said before turning to the rest of the group, smiling. Watching her interaction left me confused. But remembering my encounter with her earlier in the day, her current fluctuations in personality didn’t completely surprise me. “So how do you know Jace?” Marcus asked. “We go to school together. He also saved my life this morning,” she said as she shot a look at Izzie, which caused Brian and me to exchange a glance. “Someone in the class was about to hex me and Jace stopped her,” Marissa said as she smiled at me and then at Izzie. “Who was trying to hex you?” Izzie asked. “My sister,” Marissa nonchalantly answered, leaving the group staring at her. “So, do you live around here?” Izzie asked, which caused Marissa’s stance to stiffen again. This time I caught Zoe’s eye, which seemed to be filled with accusation. Seeing her reaction, the pieces of the conversation seemed to hit me at once and I felt my eyes widen. Marissa is jealous of Izzie? I thought to myself. “Uh, duh,” Marcus said as he laughed, causing most of the group to turn and look at him. Turning away from Marissa, Marcus slyly pointed to his head, reminding me he can hear what I’m thinking. “Ignore him. He sometimes blurts out random things,” Zoe laughed nervously as she widened her eyes in a warning at Marcus, who just shrugged. “Yeah…I live in the house over there,” Marissa said, seeming to have missed Marcus’s statement. “How did you get out of the house? Eric sounded like you were on permanent captivity the last time I saw you.” “Remember the window you told me to never come out of again?” I raised an eyebrow as she smiled. “Well, I didn’t listen.” Next to me, I felt Izzie staring at me while Marissa smiled and I felt the blood pooling in my head and neck as I tried to turn the conversation to something less charged. Behind Marissa, I saw Marcus smile as he turned to look away, enjoying my embarrassment. “Marcus, which shapes are lighting up for you?” I asked as I pointed to the fountain. Clearing his throat, he returned his attention to Athena and tried to focus. “Definitely the fire, but the butterfly is sometimes lighting up as well. Is a fire-breathing butterfly coming or something? Although cool to see, it would be kinda hard to take it seriously.” he said, which caused me to laugh. “I don’t think so. She’s showing you something that is important to you. If there was something coming to attack all of us, I think we would all see it. At least that’s what happened this morning.” “Why is he the only one seeing it?” Zoe asked. “She’s likely trying to tell him something. Gods and goddesses are odd that way. You have to wait to see what happens before you fully get their meaning,” Marissa added. “Well, that’s not very helpful. How do you prepare if you don’t understand what they are trying to tell you?” Marcus asked. “I had fire and a butterfly revealed to me after I drove the drakaina away. My mom said that Athena was showing me I had a fire inside me. Like a warrior.” Marcus’s shoulders lifted as he looked from me to the statue. “Do you think she’s telling me the same thing?” “Maybe. You are fiercely loyal,” Izzie said with a smile, which caused me to do the same. Looking up, I met Marissa’s eyes and was unsure if I saw hurt or anger, and cleared my throat. “You want to join us? We’re going to Bear Country,” I suggested to Marissa. Next to me, I felt Izzie stiffen slightly, although she kept her head straight. “What’s in Bear Country?” she asked as she looked over her shoulder in its general direction. “I don’t know. A change of pace,” I suggested with a shrug. Marissa scanned the group while she seemed to ponder the suggestion. At last, she settled on Izzie and smiled. “Sure. I’m game.” Izzie smiled at Marissa, and I wondered if there was more to the gesture than I was aware of. I glanced back at Marcus; he just shrugged, while Brian had a look of concern mixed with curiosity as he watched the girls’ exchange. “Lead the way, Jace,” Zoe offered. “That’s beautiful,” Marissa said to Izzie as she motioned to a heart-shaped necklace she was wearing. Seeing it, I recognized it as the one my mother had given Izzie when they first met as a thank-you for helping me. Izzie seemed caught off guard by the statement as she touched the trinket and smiled. “Thank you. Callista gave it to me.” Marissa’s eyes widened as she seemed to take Izzie in with a new appreciation. Walking past, Brian stopped to look at me before looking at Izzie and Marissa, who were now acting like long-lost friends and talking away. Raising an eyebrow, he patted me on the back before smiling. “Good luck.” Watching the encounter, I swallowed hard when I felt Marcus put his arm around my shoulders and squeeze as he nodded toward the girls with a mischievous smile. “This should be fun.” Rolling my eyes, I sighed. Releasing his arm from my shoulders, we moved away from the fountain and toward Bear Country. Initially, the group of teens were all caught up in a ruckus of banter, but soon we all fell silent as we looked around. It was as though everyone in the area had vanished, leaving the world still. Looking around, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “It’s really…quiet,” Marcus said as he inched up close, almost tripping me. Turning to look over my shoulder, I was nearly face-to-face with him. Raising an eyebrow, I gave a slight smile. “Would you like to climb into my pocket?” I asked. “You can do that? Yeah!” he exclaimed as he started grabbing at my shirt. Laughing, I turned back and shook my head. “Of course you can’t. No, I’m good. I was just watching your back.” Izzie, watching the exchange, giggled as she rolled her eyes. “How much further till we’re to the next area?” Brian asked with a slight hesitation in his voice as he continually scanned the area. I tried to judge the distance when there was a flash of movement to our right, causing Izzie to gasp and grab my arm. Her reaction started a chain reaction from Alyssa and Zoe as they clutched onto Brian. Behind me, I felt Marcus feverishly pulling on my jacket, practically choking me. “What are you doing? Get off,” I said as I yanked on my collar to prevent him from choking me. “You said I could get in your pocket. I’m trying to do it now!” “I was teasing. Stop.” Ceasing his incessant attempt to crawl into my coat, he positioned himself as close to me as possible. “Yup, folks, he’s a warrior,” Brian teased from behind. “I am. I’m his backup,” Marcus countered. “No one would expect an attack from his pocket!” “Mmm hmm,” Brian agreed. Feeling the mood lightening, I had almost forgotten the movement until it happened again, but this time to our left. Stopping, I turned to look in the area that the flicker had occurred this time. “What is that?” Izzie whispered. “Marissa, do you know what it is?” I asked, hoping she could shed some light on the anomaly. “I’m not sure. There was movement on both sides of us,” she said as she shifted her head back and forth. Looking over the small group, I wondered if I could protect all of them if there was something preparing to attack. Especially if it was from both sides. As I pondered our options, I saw a flash from my left again and quickly turned to catch it. The group also swung their heads in the same direction, solidifying my assertion that I had seen movement. “Stay here and I’ll check it out.” “What? No! I’m going with you,” Izzie exclaimed in a strangled whisper. Before I could answer Izzie, Marissa piped up as well. “I’ll go too!” causing both Izzie and myself to turn and look at her. Somewhat befuddled by their response, I stared at both girls until the flash set off again, bringing me back to my senses. “We don’t know who or what that is and I can’t deal with whatever it is if I’m also worrying about the both of you.” “I’ll go with him,” Brian said matter-of-factly before either girl could object. “Oh, no you won’t,” Zoe answered sternly. “Zo. It’ll be ok. Besides, you have Warrior Marcus here.” Zoe shot Marcus a look and grimaced. “Yeah, that doesn’t help to make me feel any better.” “We’re not going far, and Marcus can scream the loudest,” Brian teased. “Fair point. I’ve got ya, ladies,” Marcus agreed. There was an equal look of hesitation between the sisters as Brian and I walked to where the flash was last seen. When we were a bit out of earshot, I whispered to Brian, “Should we split up?” “Not yet. We’re not even sure what we’re moving toward,” he said. Advancing slowly between the buildings, a sense of claustrophobia entered as the passageway narrowed, forcing Brian to fall in line behind me. “Who designed this place? Haven’t they ever heard of fire codes?” he asked in a whisper. Understanding the question, but not knowing how to answer, I shrugged, “The witches.” “Ah, yes. That totally answers it then,” he said, sarcasm dripping off the statement like a slime. With only a momentary glance over my shoulder, I crept further down the cramped space, straining to look around the corner. Just as I was about to breach the edge, another flash of green flew past the alleyway, causing me to jump back and collide with Brian. “Hey! Watch it!” he said as he pulled his foot out from under mine. “Sorry. Did you see it?” “All I saw was you jump back. What did you see?” “I don’t know, but it’s tiny and crazy-fast.” Poking my head into the cross-street, I turned to look down the way I had just seen it go but found a dead end. With no exit point in front of us either, I stepped into the alleyway where I stood dumbstruck, trying to figure out where it had gone off to. “Are you sure it was something living?” Brian asked as he turned to look down the opposite end of the corridor. “In this place, I’m never sure about anything.” Realizing what he was asking, I spun quickly to see a green ball of light forming and about to launch at us. Thrusting myself in front of Brian, I lifted my arm as it released, flying rapidly toward us. Brian, seeing the projectile, dove back down the corridor we had just come from. Unwilling to let my gaze wander, I kept my stance as the malachite-colored missile flew at me. Feeling the energy forming in my core, I threw my other hand up and watched as a large barrier of wind blossomed, blocking the corridor just as the mass slammed into it, shoving me back a few feet and illuminating the side street with an eerie, green hue. From my left, I could hear footsteps coming in my direction, mixed with Marissa, Izzie, and her sisters as they rushed toward us. In front of me, I kept my barrier in place as I searched for the source of the assault. “Brian, get them out of the alley!” I hollered over my shoulder while keeping my eyes trained forward. “Jace, please come out,” Izzie begged. From around a blind corner, I could see another green glow forming and I arched myself forward in anticipation of the hit. Before I could even consider escaping, the blast took off again, this time much larger than the last. Bracing myself for the impact, I threw my barrier further to absorb more of it. Again, it slammed into me, this time lifting me off the ground as it threw me back and into a bunch of boxes that were strewn around haphazardly. My head swayed as I pulled myself up, realizing the alternate corridor my friends were in was now accessible to whatever was throwing me around like a rag doll. Looking back down the street, I could see the green blob forming once again in a reflection from an adjacent window. I scrambled to pull myself to my feet and resumed the same position when I saw Izzie materialize in front of me and was now in the direct line of attack. “Izzie, MOVE!” I screamed, realizing there was not enough time for her to do so. Thrusting my arms wide, I watched as my ward split in two and arced around her, causing her hair to shift violently as it passed. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I saw the green blob coming at us, this time the size of an average person. I felt my stomach drop as I tried to speed the movement of my ward to encapsulate her before it made contact. Seeing her vulnerable, and me unable to protect her fast enough, left me feeling like ice was slicing through my veins. Comprehension seemed to hit her as well and I watched as her eyes widened before turning to look back at the approaching implement of her demise. “IZZIE!” I choked out as I watched the green mass careen off the corners of the barrier and explode into a brilliant shower of aquamarine, causing me to blink and turn away, anticipating being thrown much further back. But it never happened. I hesitated before opening my eyes, unsure of what I would see and if I could bear it. In front of me, though, Izzie stood with her arms raised in a defensive position with a brilliant-blue patch of swirling colors connecting to my barrier. Crouched in front of her was Marissa with her hands also raised. Blinking, I almost dropped my arms, and the barrier, when Izzie turned to me. “There’s another one coming! Don’t drop it yet!” she shouted. “After it hits, we’ll get out of here!” Marissa shouted. I found myself awestruck as I thought I saw the same blue flashing and swirling in Izzie’s eyes that matched the small ward that was conjured to meld with mine. Seeing the green forming again, I nodded my head in its direction, causing her to spin with her hands still lifted. Marissa’s position had not changed, and I wondered which girl was doing this, as neither should be able to. Again, the green formed, but this time its structure encompassed most of the alley. I looked at both girls and sent my ward around theirs and watched as it blended in with mine, reinforcing each. “Keep your hands up, no matter what!” I shouted at them. “You too!” Izzie echoed back, which caused me to smile. The alleyway shone with nothing but green, and it appeared as though there was a tidal wave coming at us, causing me to catch my breath. In front of me, Izzie backed up and I yelled out, “Don’t move!” With a brief nod, she planted her feet as the wall of energy barreled at us like a runaway train. Seeing the height, I raised the ward to cover over the top of our position as I watched Izzie and Marissa follow my movement, like we were performing a well-choreographed dance. As it slammed into the barrier, I watched as the ward exploded into a brilliant array of blues and greens and could imagine what a meteor must feel like as it enters the earth’s atmosphere. As the ball rolled over us, there was a tremendous weight applied, and I felt my legs bend before it dissipated. With it now behind us, I stood and saw Marissa dive out of the alleyway. Seeing that Izzie was not moving, I grabbed her around the waist, throwing her in the same direction as Marissa, as I dove out behind her. Looking over my shoulder, I could see a hue of green and felt my stomach lurch as I scrambled to get myself and the girls up. “Gotta go! Now!” I urged as I started pulling and shoving them down the corridor. Glancing back, they saw the same thing I did and began pulling themselves up. Once on our feet, we took off running and at the clearing, were all thrown out as the green blast blew over our heads. “Are you serious?!” a voice came from nearby. Looking to Izzie and Marissa, I checked to be sure they were all right before I looked up to see who had spoken. Standing in front of us was the tall and god-like physique of Eric, who glanced once more down the passageway before returning his attention back to us. Pulling myself and Izzie up, Eric lifted Marissa. Still out of breath and reeling from the blasts, I bent over as I looked back at where we had just come from. “What the hell is that?” I asked with some ire in my tone as I pointed to where we had just narrowly escaped from. “You took on a soul flare rod!” an excitable voice came from nearby. Looking around Eric, I could see Taylor’s small body bouncing up and down as he approached the group. “What is a soul flare rod, and why do we have one out in the open like that?” I asked. “Everyone knows to stay out of there until you are ready to take it on,” Taylor said matter-of-factly. “Well, we didn’t! There are no signs or anything to warn you!” Brian spat out. Turning to look at Marissa, I narrowed my eyes. “Did you know what that was?” I snapped at her. “I figured it out around the time Izzie ran to you,” she said with a slight hitch in her voice. Eric, seeing her reaction, pulled her close to him and looked her over. “They are used to help you better your defensive skills. The better you are, the more punch it packs,” Eric started as he looked down the corridor again, which was now quiet. “THAT was the biggest orb I’ve ever seen it throw off,” he continued. Unsure if that piece of information should be an honor or not, I just shook my head. “Now your girlfriend, here. What are her powers?” he asked. “I-I don’t have powers,” Izzie said in a near whisper. “The hell you don’t,” he shot back. “I watched the whole thing go down. Had you not thrown up your own ward, you would be toast right now. Actually, all of you would be.” Eric said with a leveled gaze that shifted between the three of us. “Are you sure it was Izzie? Because it looked like Marissa was doing it,” I suggested. Eric looked down at his sister and seemed to consider the thought before shaking his head. “Well, whoever did it, it was impressive and saved all of you,” Eric said. Izzie turned to Alyssa and Zoe, only to find both girls standing with mouths agape as they stared back at her. “I don’t know how you did it, but it looked like you did it. There was even a different color,” Brian said in a whisper to Izzie as he checked her over. Fear and concern raced through me as I tried to determine the ramifications of what had just happened. Was this something I had passed on to her or was this something innate and now coming to life? “I’ve never seen her do that before, so I don’t think it’s innate,” Marcus added. My head shot to him, perplexed by his answer, because I was sure I had not spoken out loud. “What?” I asked. “Oh. I guess I was the only one to hear that,” Marcus said as he stared back at the corridor of death. Looking at Eric, whose eyes were widening by the second, left me wanting to throw my hands up in defeat. So much for keeping our secret a secret! I thought. Marcus’s face scrunched as he turned to look back as his eyes flitted between Eric and me, understanding the dilemma we were now facing. “Oh, yeah…that,” he said as he dropped his head. “Yeah. You are definitely full of surprises. And apparently, so are your new friends,” Eric said. Behind him, I could feel Taylor’s nervous energy flowing off of him, causing Marcus to stare like the preteen was a new oddity about to explode. “Why did you turn it on?” Taylor interrupted. The group turned to look at him, but Eric turned to me and narrowed his eyes. “He’s right. I think you proved yourself to everyone earlier. Why would you turn on the rod too?” “Nobody turned anything on,” Brian interjected, coming to stand by me and looking down at Eric. Eric took in Brian from his feet all the way to his irritated face and lifted his hands as he took a step back. “No offense meant, big guy. I’m just trying to understand the motive for putting himself, my sister, and his girlfriend…” He stopped mid-thought and turned to me, questioning if that was the proper term. Unsure of our exact status, but feeling the dread of Marissa’s jealousy, I looked at Izzie, who grabbed my hand and nodded. In that instant, there was a rush that swarmed through me as the corner of my lip lifted. Next to Eric, Marissa’s head dropped as she looked back toward the fountain and I felt my smile drop as I wondered if she was going to run off again. Although I didn’t want to see Marissa hurt, I had just met her this morning, while Izzie and I had history. Eric seemed to appreciate the change in Marissa and frowned. “Wonderful… Why would you put yourself, my sister, and your girlfriend in that kind of danger?” Eric asked again. “I’m not sure what that thing is or who would even want to take it on, but I can assure you, I did not activate it! And, more importantly, I would never drag someone in it with me if I knew it was that dangerous.” Stepping out of a doorway near where we were standing, Cole came forward to examine our small group. “Seems like I’m missing quite the party out here,” he said. “Did you see what Jace just did?” Taylor asked as he bounced around. Cole walked to Taylor and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, applying a light pressure. “Slow down, little man.” Although Taylor continued to move, he no longer looked like someone had attached him to an electric current. “Well, it doesn’t just turn on by itself. It has to be activated,” Taylor added. “How would you activate it?” Izzie asked Taylor. “Oh, I don’t know how. They wouldn’t trust me in there yet!” Taylor replied. “There is an incantation, but we’re not taught it until they deem us ready,” Cole added. “I can see why,” Brian muttered. “We were walking past and saw a flash, which caused Jace and Brian to investigate,” Alyssa said. The group turned to look at her, and both Cole and Eric seemed to notice the girls simultaneously. “Would you like to introduce us?” Eric asked as he flashed the girls a toothy grin. Brian, seeing it, stepped up behind Zoe, placing his hand on her shoulder, and pulled Alyssa closer to him as well. “So, you’re with both of them?” Cole asked with a smirk. Alyssa, realizing the implication, shook Brian off and stepped away. “God no! They’re together.” Eric, being closer, shifted his head, giving her a smile that seemed to melt both Alyssa and Zoe. Cole made his way forward, stepping in front of Eric, and extended his hand out to Alyssa, who reciprocated. Once he had hers in his grasp, he turned it so her knuckles were up, bringing them to his lips to kiss. “My name is Cole, enchanted to make your acquaintance.” Alyssa blushed as she gave a shy smile. “My name is Alyssa.” “What a beautiful name. I’m Eric,” he said, moving in closer to Alyssa, causing Cole to drop her hand. As each male moved in, it looked almost like they were trying to absorb her. Next to them, I could see the vein in Brian’s forehead bulging as he watched, and couldn’t help but smile. “What made you think she’s not with me?” Marcus said as he watched the posturing between Cole and Eric. Cole smiled as he backed up. “I meant no offense. Is that the case?” he asked, looking back at Alyssa for confirmation. Dropping her head and giving a small smile, she shook her head before looking back at Marcus and straightening her posture, seeming to come out of a trance. “Riiiight,” I said, interrupting the amorous atmosphere. “Uh, let me finish the introductions. This is Zoe and her boyfriend, Brian. You met Alyssa and Izzie, and this is my best friend, Marcus.” Next to me, I saw Marcus’s head turn and felt myself smile. Although I had never quantified my friendship with him, Marcus and I shared a tight bond that differed from the rest of the group. “My name is Taylor. I saved Jace yesterday!” The group turned in unison to stare at Taylor and then back at me. “Ok. And how did you save him yesterday?” Cole asked. “Remember, we were there too,” Eric added in. “The rat. I warned you.” Remembering the catalyst for yesterday’s fiasco, I rolled my eyes. “Rat?” Izzie asked. “That was Oreo. She got out of my pocket in the classroom and Taylor saw her under Jace’s foot.” Taylor seemed dejected at Marissa’s proclamation and dropped his head. “Actually, it was very helpful. Had it been something more menacing, it’s good to know you were looking out for me,” I said as I placed a hand on his shoulder. Immediately, Taylor’s head shot up, as did the nervous energy. I glanced at Eric; he gave me a smile and a subtle nod. “I still don’t understand. If you didn’t come here to take on the soul rod, why were you in there?” Taylor asked. “That is a good question,” Cole agreed. “We were actually heading to Bear Country,” I said. Cole furrowed his brows before relaxing them. “Why?” “Why not?” I asked, somewhat annoyed by his reaction and question. “No offense. I just meant you’re not a bear, so why would you want to go there when you can come here or to the wolves?” Unsure what to say, I could feel the heat flashing in my cheeks as I searched for a logical reason. “Because he wants to meet everyone in the creek. He has already met you and what better way to meet new people than to hang out with them?” Izzie interjected. Eric and Cole seemed to consider her before nodding. “Makes sense,” Cole started. “Can we join?” Taylor asked. Looking at my ever-growing collection of bodies, I worried it may appear like a small invasion as we headed to Bear Country as I rubbed the back of my neck. “Uh, sure,” I said with slight hesitation. “This is so exciting. I’ve always wanted to go there,” Taylor said as he started his incessant bouncing again. “This kid needs to lay off the sugar,” Marcus whispered as he thumbed toward Taylor, causing Izzie and me to chuckle. “You haven’t seen the worst of it. If he sparks, run,” Cole added. “Hey! I only caused one unexpected arc!” Taylor retorted. I felt my eyes go wide as I looked at Eric for an explanation. Rubbing his hand down his face, he looked from Taylor back to me. “An arc is kind of like an electric charge that can be discharged from the wielder. Most use it as a defensive tactic, but it can also bring other objects closer.” Taking a deep breath, he continued. “Your arc,” he stopped to look at Taylor before continuing, “was more like a runaway lightning bolt that sent half the creek running for their lives. And you did it three to four times that day.” Taylor seemed to think about what he was going to say when Cole put his finger to Taylor’s lips. “It’s ok, just slow down a bit,” he suggested. “So he’s an electric bunny? Energizer, anyone?” Marcus said as he nudged Brian, who did not see the humor and glared at him. “What’s an energizer? Does it amp my powers?” Taylor asked. “That is the last thing you need right now,” Cole noted. Marcus’s jaw dropped as he stared at them. “Seriously? Pink bunny that keeps going and going and going? Nothing?” “Marcus, some people have been here their entire lives and don’t know those references,” I said. Marcus dropped his head in contemplation before pulling his phone out. With a few clicks, he lifted it up to show Taylor a video of the pink, furry creature. Taylor stared at the phone in fascination, periodically looking around it, trying to determine where the image was projecting from. “That’s amazing. What kind of magic do you have?” Taylor asked. “None. I’m just your average kid,” he answered with a smile. “It’s called a cell phone. Everyone outside of the creek has one. You can talk to people, watch moving pictures, and get information,” Eric explained. Listening to his description, I wondered if he had one or if he had left the creek to see a phone. “We haven’t always been here. My parents used to have one. There’s no need for it now,” he added. “So you all have one?” Taylor asked. On cue, my group all pulled their phones out. “What about you, Jace?” Taylor asked. “He killed his a few weeks ago,” Marcus blurted out. “Why? Did it attack you first?” Taylor asked as he stepped back from the technology. “No. I thought someone was tracking me using it. To throw them off my trail, I threw it out the window. Phones and hard surfaces don’t do too well together,” I said with a smile. Taylor relaxed, moving toward the phones again, lightly tapping the side of Marcus’s as though it may come to life at any minute. “You want to hold it?” Marcus offered. “Uh, I don’t know—” Eric started, only stopping when Marcus handed the phone to the energetic preteen. “That’s amazing. And they all do the same thing?” Taylor asked. “More or less,” I said as Marcus unlocked his and showed him some features. “Oh, I don’t want to break it.” “You won’t. Just push on the buttons and it will open up new screens. This is where I was looking up the videos,” Marcus said as he became engrossed with Taylor and the new gadget while Cole looked over their shoulders. “So the bears, huh?” Eric said as a question. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” “No. I’m interested,” Eric retorted. “Have you never been down there?” Izzie asked. “We never mix with other areas of the creek.” “Why not?” I asked. “There was never a reason to do it, so we didn’t,” he answered. “Then I’m glad we’re breaking tradition,” I said with a smile as I started walking again. Realizing Marissa was silent, I looked over to see her staring off into the distance. “Have you ever been to Bear Country?” I asked, trying to break her from her mute state. “Huh? Yeah. I go there all the time,” she said before turning back to look off into the distance. Eric stopped short to stare at her, causing the rest of the group to do the same. “Marissa. Why would you be in Bear Country?” Eric asked. “I enjoy watching them. They’re hilarious. Not like the witches, who are always all business,” she said. “Watching them?” Izzie asked. Marissa must have understood how her statement came across and seemed to flounder trying to find a response. After our conversation, I understood what she meant, and knew she would enjoy staying on the perimeter watching because she wasn’t sure where or how she fit in. “Sure. Don’t we all enjoy people watching?” I asked, which caused the corner of Marissa’s lip to lift. “I think a few introductions and you won’t have to just watch anymore,” I suggested, causing Marissa to smile wider, understanding my bigger meaning. The witches had made her feel like an outsider, leaving her wondering where she belonged. Knowing the feeling myself, I still wanted to fix that for her. Izzie, seeming to understand what I was saying, smiled and walked over to Marissa. “Do you have Oreo with you?” she asked. “Uh, yeah,” Marissa said as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the small black-and-white rat. With only slight hesitation, Izzie extended her hand to the rodent. “Can I pet her?” Smiling, Marissa lifted the rat closer as she nodded. Gently, she moved her hand down the rat’s back and giggled as Oreo sniffed her fingers. Seeing Izzie’s interaction, Zoe and Alyssa moved in closer to examine Marissa’s pet. Seeming to understand she was now the center of attention, Oreo playfully ran up Marissa’s shoulder and seemed to play peek-a-boo from within her hair, leaving the girls giggling. “You want to hold her?” Marissa asked Izzie with slight hesitation. Smiling, Izzie extended her hand out for the rat. Standing on her back legs, Oreo sniffed in Izzie’s direction, but did not move from Marissa’s shoulder. Pulling a pellet from her pocket, Marissa handed it to Izzie, who placed it in her hand, extending it back out for Oreo. Sniffing the air again, Oreo hesitated only a moment before she raced down Marissa’s arm and climbed into Izzie’s hand. “Oh, her whiskers and nails tickle,” Izzie said with a giggle. By this time, Marissa was beaming as Izzie and her sisters laughed and talked with her and her pet. Watching the interaction, Eric turned to look back at me and smiled. His unspoken thank-you clearly understood. “If these bears are as funny as you say, I want to meet them too,” Eric said. The girls looked up, all smiles. “We’ll follow you,” Alyssa said to me.