Tori's Misfits

Chapter 19

Tori’s POV:

We’re all just sitting around, silent and lost in our own personal thoughts. I’m still recovering from my fall, and unable to move around much. Finding out that Jaccia is more than the human we thought her to be was both exciting and upsetting. Carli is taking Jaccia’s hidden identity harder than I am, because they are so close. I think that Carli felt betrayed and hurt by Jaccia not telling us sooner. I don’t believe she didn’t trust us; she was just honoring her word to her mom. I love the fact that she chose to give up her secret when we needed her the most, it shows how much she does care about us all.

Watching Jaccia and Carli pop in and out at different times, so that Carli can accustom herself to teleporting, has been entertaining and sometimes even scary, when they pop up out of nowhere right in front of me.

I hate that I can’t join the girls on the Littles’ rescue mission. I know with my injury I would slow them down, but I feel useless here. I feel like I’m letting the team down. I will be sitting here in safety while they take all the risks. I can’t help them if they don’t come back and there is no plan B, so I pray that the plan works, and everything goes smoothly.

Jaccia’s Pov:

I look up and realize no one is even attempting to rest, deciding it would be better to pass the time doing something rather than worrying. I move closer to Carli and Tori, and begin talking, “I know you’re all upset with me. I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I have wanted to for a long time, even before we decided to escape the orphanage.”

Taking a deep breath, I look at the girls, “I had to keep my word to my mom, it was the last thing she asked of me. When this is over, and everyone is safe, I won’t blame you if you want nothing to do with me anymore.”

Carli and Tori exchange glances, then look at me with a mix of sadness and anger. Carli is the first to speak, “I know that you promised your mom, but we’re your best friends. I just don’t understand after all, we have been through so much, why didn't you trust us enough to tell us.” Tori nods, “I wish you had let us know sooner, but I’m doing my best to understand why you didn’t. I will never stop thinking of you as family or loving you even if I’m upset right now.” I feel a surge of emotion in my chest and tears well up in my eyes. “Thanks Tori,” I say softly, “I love you and Carli too, you guys aren’t just friends, you are my sisters.” Carli continues watching us with her head on her knees, tears are running down her face. She looks straight in my eyes and says, “I love you as a sister, but you hurt me by not trusting me. I will get over it, but it might take a while. I still trust you to have our back and complete this mission together. I wouldn’t want anyone else on my team other than you and Tori.” I grin at them through my tears, “I promise no more secrets, I will tell you everything even if you all don’t want to know.” We all chuckle at this statement, then we share a group hug. “I am glad we talked it out before the mission, but it is about time to go. My heart is lighter now, and I feel that we will work better with no misunderstandings between us.”

We pull apart and Tori asks if we want to pray before the mission. I still have problems with praying and the saying of the blessings before eating, but know they believe it helps, so agree.

We stand in a circle and hold hands with our heads bowed. Tori starts “Goddess, I pray for my sisters, I ask that you help them to return having safely completed their mission.”

I then say, “Thankyou Goddess, for the abilities you blessed us with.

Carli, “I pray you continue to provide guidance and help through this journey as we seek safety.”

Then we all say, “Thank you Goddess.” I step back from the circle and look at Carli. “Ready to do this?” I ask. “Hell yeah,” she exclaims.

Tori hands Carli the folded sacks for supplies and I put on a long cloak, tucking my hair under the hood. Carli and I hold hands, and I feel her squeeze mine nervously. I close my eyes and concentrate on picturing the orphanage’s nursery room. I see the row of cribs, and the changing table, the doors to the closet and the exit. Once I have the picture perfect in my head, I place Carli and me in the image. Soon I feel the tingling sensation and know it is working. Carli’s grip on my hands tightens as we teleport. The air becomes warmer, and I smell baby powder. I open my eyes and let go of Carli’s hands. She quickly goes to the changing table, and I go to the cribs. The babies are both sleeping, and I gently move them to the baby slings. I walk to Carli, and she nods, grabbing my arm. I then teleport us to the sleeping quarters of the older littles.

We both stand for a moment, to get our bearings, and calm ourselves. I carefully listen for any sounds outside the room, hearing nothing, I nod to Carli. She takes a deep breath and smiles reassuringly at me and goes to the closet and grabs a few things for each child. We quickly check the room for any supplies that might help. Carli finds a small sack with fruit, extra blankets and adds them to our sacks. With the supplies gathered we head to the row of cots; I take the girls’ side and Carli takes the boys’ side. We are hoping the fact that the children trust us and know the sign to be quiet is to place our hands over our mouths, will assure no one screams when woken up. I place my hand softly over the oldest girl's mouth, intending to shake her awake, at my light touch her eyes fly open and she jerks back, “It’s okay Jules, we are here to get you all out of here, I need your help with the others, we must make no sounds.” I am careful to whisper in her ear. She takes a moment to consider then nods, so I remove my hand and motion for her to get up and help with the others. She quickly helps me, and Carli wakes the rest. Carli has them each take their blanket from their beds and wrap it around them and grab their shoes. We then place them in a circle and make sure everyone is holding hands. I close my eyes and picture the pool chamber, and the group of us in it. Just as the tingles start, we hear a door open, but it is too late we are gone.