“What’s that?”
“You’re his source of life. He cannot survive much longer without you. You must escape.”
“This is crazy. I don’t understand any of it. How come you’re afraid of Pig if you’re a leader or whatever?”
“Pig only scares me because he represents all that I am.”
“That’s crazy talk. That would mean I am the same.”
“I already told you. You’re the positive and I am the negative.”
“What do you mean?”
“I am not a scientist,” Anna said. “There’s only one beginning who can live in the end or else, we all die.”
“What if I stay far away from you?”
“We’ll both live much longer before the collapse.”
“Collapse?”
“Yes, did you ever learn about elements? Like water is H2O and—”
“What’s that have to do with us?”
“Our balance is very delicate. Our world is protected by certain elements. Two beginnings create cracks in our protection. Too many cracks and it will shatter, causing death to all of us.”
“So, instead of killing people in the past, you made them link?”
“Francisco, I am not sure how to explain this to the new beginning.”
He leaned forward, his eyes lowered. “New mother,” he said. “Are you well versed in science?”
“Don’t call me that,” I said. “We’re not in the middle ages.”
He smiled. “You are the last hope against Dr. John that we have. Detailed explanations won’t help you right now. What you need to do is learn all you can from our mother. She can teach you things that even Dr. John doesn’t know.”
“I’ve saved my most valuable tricks for the Oneida,” Anna said. “I wish to share them with you.”
“What if I don’t want to do this?”
“Simply link with two or four persons; since you’re a beginning, you’ll have to choose them. Normally, your creator’s link must choose a link for you. But it is the opposite for a beginning, one struck by two.”
“I’m not striking anyone.”
“If you do not link then one day you’ll have to decide between my life and yours.”
“I’ll figure out a way to fix it so we both live. Otherwise, I’ll do the dying.”
Anna shook her head. “Don’t put your loyalty in me. I am ever changing as the moon. In the end, after you’ve saved my family, I may just betray you for my own preservation. Worry only about yourself and the ones you wish to keep.”
“If you’re trying to convince me to help you, you’re not doing a very good job.”
Anna smiled. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What?”
“When Tobey comes in and takes you out into the training room, don’t obey him. Think inside your mind, using your thoughts to make Francisco invisible.”
“Why?”
“So that he may escape this prison and notify the epochalites.”
“I don’t think I like the idea of an epochalite. Why would you want their help?”
“I’m transforming into one, just as Alex and Ally. We’re doomed. Epochalites and fulgurites gain power through their desires. If your desires are dark your epoch side will win. Then the fulgurite power will wane and I shall win against you.”
I finally understood why Alex wanted me to control my thoughts. He wanted me to fight the darkness within me. I glanced at Anna. “Does that mean your desires were dark?”
“They were dark enough. I make you the Oneida because your desires are good—or most of them are. You need to forgive Frank or it will be the end of you.”
“Do you know what he did?” I screamed, tugging against the shackles. “He—”
“It’s okay. Your mom doesn’t remember the rape. And you need to forgive. Not for him, but for yourself and those whose lives are in your hands.”
I slumped against the wall. “I can’t do that, Anna.”
“Then, I’ll win against you in the end and you’ll be the one to die.”
I wanted to hate Anna. But her honesty, as cruel and unloving as it was, made hatred for her impossible.
“Oneida, I have another favor.”
“What now, Anna?”
“When you meet Dr. John, ask him to let you host a prom in the grand hall at C I N.”
“Why?”
“If I told you why, you might not do it. Please just do as I ask. Knowing will only hinder the final outcome.”
“You’re mental, you know that?” I grabbed Pig. He shivered in my arms. “I’m not going to invite Dr. John to a prom. Maybe I’ll try to help Francisco so that he doesn’t end up dying but a prom is totally out of the question.”
“You’d get to meet all the others and learn of them and their powers. The team, the groupies, the guardians, the village, they’d all come.”
“What about the epochalites?”
“I will pray they do not come.” Anna said. Her arms gave out and her eyes closed.
“The gems make her tired,” Francisco said. “I wish to save our mother and stop Dr. John from stealing her power. Please use your desires, not your power source, to do things. It is what makes you a fulgurite. The powers, the lightning, the sparks, they’re just weakened forms of fulgurite power.”
My head pounded. This was more than I expected. I almost missed not knowing what I was.
REGINALD—
Reginald examines Alex…
Reginald knelt over Alex. His heart pounded and he was sure Donna could feel his anxiety. He sure could feel hers. “I need to take a few samples, and test this stuff at my lab.”
“What can I do?” Donna stammered.
“Find Celeste; I need her assistance.”
“Okay, I’ll go get her.” Donna raced out.
Reginald took out a test tube and a scraper. He grazed a large spot, brushing it into the test tube. He took a deep breath, exhaling. “I’ll figure this out, Alex, I promise.”
CELESTE—
Celeste and Rat remember together…
Celeste stood in front of the chicken coop. Rat lay across the top, his tail flicking. The cat’s eyes narrowed. He growled, hissing.
“It’s been a while, I know,” Celeste said. “Do you have any good stories to tell me today?”
Rat arched his back.
“Knock it off or I’ll banish you.”
Rat hissed, backing away from Celeste. His claws retracted.
“If you dare scratch me I’ll—”
“Celeste!” Donna shouted. “Hurry! We need you!”
“Stupid, annoying girl,” she said, snatching Rat in her arms. “Now you fleabag, tell me what I need to know to fix what’s happening to Alex.”
“Celeste!” Donna screamed. “What are you doing? You’re going to die!”
“Newsflash, we already are as good as dead. Rat can’t hurt me.”
“How is that possible?”
“I’m not a warehouse kid, remember? I’m different.”
“Will he hurt me?”
Celeste jerked Rat away. “Never touch the cat. This isn’t your first day, really, Donna.”
“Reggie needs us.”
“Just give me a minute. I’m right behind you.”
REGINALD—
Reggie explains the mystery behind their creation…
Reginald stood in his lab, flicking his test tube. He analyzed the contents twelve times. The results astonished him.
“I found Celeste.” Donna barged in. “She was petting Rat. Would you believe it? It’s her funeral, I suppose. She’s on her way back.”
Reginald jumped, the vile slipping from his fingers. He struggled to recover his experiment but to no avail. The contents spilled on the table, the glass tube shattered.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay. I’ve figured it out. I know what’s happening to Alex.”
“What is it, Reggie?”
Reginald stared, eyes wid
e, mouth agape. “We need to tell Alex. Let’s get Celeste. She needs to hear this too.”
Donna nodded, racing out ahead of him. “She’s right outside!”
Reginald couldn’t move. His heart never beat as fast as it did just then. He’d solved the mystery of who he was—who they all were—what they all were. The realization invaded his body, sickening him. Somehow, what he once thought was a blessing seemed more like a curse. Was he being punished for his old ways? Sure, he’d done some things he wasn’t proud of, but did he deserve this?
Donna peered around the corner. “Reggie? Are you all right?”
He shook the thoughts from his mind. “Yes, sorry. I’m coming.”
Celeste stood in the hall. Her eyes widened. “You’ve figured it out, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Celeste,” Reginald said. “You’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“Why do we have to go talk to Alex?” Celeste asked. “The fact that he’s sick is probably enough for him to handle, don’t you think?”
“She’s right,” Donna said. “Why upset him?”
“Sit down, girls.”
They obeyed. Reginald watched them take chairs. They sat so far away from each other as if they were afraid to catch something. Soon, their only desire would be to hold onto one another and beg for their lives.
“Get on with it,” Celeste ordered. “The anticipation is killing me.”
“That’s not what’s killing you,” Reginald said.
The room fell silent.
He stood before them. “The spots on Alex’s arms are a reaction to being struck by lightning.”
“What are you talking about?” Celeste shook her head. “We’ve all been struck, remember? Oh, wait, not you. You’re an exception.”
“Let me explain it as if I’m talking to a moron,” Reginald said. Celeste narrowed her eyes and Donna laughed.
“Don’t laugh, Donna; what I’m about to tell you isn’t funny.”
“Stop with the dramatics. There’s not much more I can handle right now. I don’t want to lose control again. People float, remember?”
“Did you watch the movie Sweet Home Alabama?”
Donna squealed, waving her arms. “I love that movie. That’s the one with Reese Witherspoon and she wants to get married but first she has to go back home and divorce her first husband. Did you see it, Celeste? What a great movie. It made me laugh and laugh.”
“Why are you talking about a movie, Reg?” Celeste questioned.
“In the beginning, when the characters were children, do you remember what they were doing?”
“I know! Pick me!” Donna bounced in her chair. “This is the most fun I’ve had all day. I’m so happy we decided to lighten the conversation. Movies are my thing. Lisa is a movie buff, too.”
“Focus!” Reginald snapped. “Tell us what the kids were doing out in the lightning storm.”
“They were trying to get lightning to strike the sand.”
“Yeah, and what happened to it?”
Donna shrugged. “The sand that was struck turned to glass, right?”
“Yes,” Reginald smiled. “That’s right, only that’s not what really happens.”
Celeste glanced up.
Reginald frowned. “When sand gets really hot, it turns into something called fulgurite. Lightning that strikes the sand can be hot enough to do this.”
“What are you saying, Reg?”
“I’m saying—”
Why was it so difficult to speak?
“Spit it out,” Celeste said. “We’ve got to hear it.”
“Human bodies are made up of the same elements as dirt. When Alex was struck by lightning, he became a host for the energy source. It’s as if his power is not his own, that the electrical currents that keep him alive, that keep us alive, are from someone else. They need to keep transferring their powers to each other and to us. Right now, it’s as if he has no one to transfer his energy to. It’s like the lightning, or whatever you want to call it, is trapped inside him, burning him from within.”
“He’s turning into that fulgurite stuff, isn’t he?” Donna blurted. She stood, pacing in front of them. “This is so not good! What can we do to fix him? Is there a cure? Please, tell me you know how to save him.”
Reginald shook his head slowly. “The only thing that will save him is his energy source. If he doesn’t get help soon, he’ll transform into a giant, hollow rock and shatter—just like my test tube.” He pointed at the shards of glass on the lab table. Pieces of fulgurite from Alex’s arm intertwined with the glass. “There’s more.”
“How could this possibly get worse?” Celeste groaned, her body rising off the chair. “I will be in serious trouble with the guardians.” She glowered at Donna. “You’ve upset the pest.”
“Who are the guardians?” Donna asked. “I’m not a pest.”
“Never mind who they are, they don’t concern you, you parasite.” Celeste shooed Donna. “Get out of here. Reginald and I have important matters to discuss.” She turned her attention to Reginald. “Why did you include her in this conversation?”
“Alex is on your watch, Celeste,” Reginald said. “If he dies, you’ll be next. You remember your last mess up? That’s why they forced you to take the other groupies to watch you. This will be your third strike.”
“Quit it.” Celeste’s lip trembled. “I can’t help it if I don’t like to interfere with other people’s lives. For once, I’d like to live my own life.” Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. “Instead, I’m stuck babysitting a bunch of pathetic morons who don’t realize how great they’ve got it. Besides, they’ve threatened me lots of times. I’m pretty untouchable.”
“Alex is our source of power, Celeste. And by that I mean Donna and me.” Reginald walked over to the front door. “What happens when the power goes out?” He flipped the switch, darkening the room. “We all go out.”
“I’ve got to report this to the—”
“To the guardians?” Donna interrupted. “What can I do to help? I don’t want to die. What are you Celeste? You’re not like us after all, are you?”
Celeste rolled her eyes. Her body rose in the air along with Reginald’s. “I thought I dismissed you?”
“C’mon, just tell me what you are.” Donna’s eyes glowed yellow.
“I’m a groupie. Now, put us down.”
“I know that. Tell me something I don’t know.”
Their heads smacked into the ceiling.
“A groupie is supposed to be like a police officer, enforcing the rules of the ruling government.”
Donna stood, frozen. Finally, she laughed. “Okay, now I know you’ve finally lost it! Guardians as our rulers and groupies that are the police, I’ve heard it all.” She shook her head. Reginald and Celeste dropped onto the lab table. Glass shards dug into their skin.
“Figures, the girl who likes fantasy movies and practically is a fictional character, at least to the normal folk, wouldn’t believe the most logical aspect of our existence—a government.”
Donna grinned. “Celeste, touching Rat sure did something to your head, didn’t it?”
Reginald slammed his hand on the table. “Are you crazy, Celeste? Do you know what this means?”
Celeste’s eyes flashed. Donna jumped back. Electric sparks ignited Celeste’s veins, showing clearly through her pale skin. “Yes,” she said. “Now I remember everything.”
LISA—
On the way to training…
The metal doors screeched in my ears. They rolled aside and Tobey stood before me. The shackles on my arms dug into my skin. How long had I been down there?
“What do you want?” I grumbled, turning away. “Didn’t you send me here to rot?”
“Not exactly,” Tobey said. He stared in my eyes. “If I unbind you, will you try to escape?”
“Of course not,” I said. “Don’t you think I learned my lesson the first time?”
“You’re an awful liar.”
&nb
sp; “And your fake concern is exactly that—fake.”
“Calm down,” Tobey said. He unlocked my shackles. “It’s time for you to learn to harness your powers.
I rubbed my wrists. Why did they itch and burn? “What if I don’t do it right?”
“Then Dr. John can take over.”
“Why are you so harsh?”
“Why do you fight with me?”
“I don’t fight with you.”
“There you go again. I swear, Lisa, you’re annoy—”
“Hey, don’t you dare say that!” I pressed my hand against his lips. “Alex and Ally called me that, not you, too. I’m not annoying. It’s my body that’s changing and I have every right to worry and question what’s happening. My reactions are completely normal.”
Tobey pried my fingers away. “You need to stop doing that.”
I sighed. “Can we hurry up and start this training?”
“Sure, follow me to level two.”
Did that mean I was one step closer to level five?
TRAINING
Tobey escorted me down a cement corridor. Many times in my life, I’d thought I’d been afraid. When I first met Alex and Ally, when my mother told me about her rapist, when I realized I was the child of that rape, when I realized I couldn’t leave the Lynn district, and I’d even thought I was afraid when Charles and Kimi kidnapped me. But nothing I’d ever experienced felt as frightening as that corridor.
Florescent lights flickered, some buzzed. There weren’t any doors, not a single window. Tobey appeared dark and his eyes cruel. Where was he taking me? My arms and legs grew weak and it was as if the walls were closing in around me.
“We’re almost to the training camp,” Tobey said, glancing back. A flash of light flickered in his eyes. Was he excited?
An iron gate appeared at the end of the hall. The reason I felt like the walls were closing in on me was because they were. By the time we reached the gate, the walls touched us and Tobey had to duck his head so that he wouldn’t run into the low ceiling.
“Why is this hall so small?” I asked, bending forward, ready to enter level two through the gate.
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