Lying lifeless on the ground was my only option as I tried to catch my breath. My senses returned just in time to hear Octoria talking to Shelliot. My eardrums managed to make out some of the words, like Queen, pod, news, death, sorry. After which there were only splashes, signifying that she was leaving. If this was some other time, I would have demanded clarification for her and Octoria's conversation. Right now, rest was all that was needed. Guardian Shelliot then appeared over my head, she bent closer, wearing an expression that stated she was sorry. "I know that was awful, but as I promised, it'll all get better."A girl could only hope. There was no way I would make it here alive if it all was worse than the rumors. She disappeared again and reappeared, dangling a few garments. "Come on, let's get you dressed."

Sophia and Alex were in the middle of copying what was on the mirror earlier. At that moment, my throat felt hoarse. Not wanting to disturb them, I walked outside, to where I saw a group of guys surrounded by a mist-like fog. "Hey?" the tall guy greeted, fog escaping his mouth as he talked. "Water?" I asked. He tapped his friend's shoulder. "Nick, get her some water."The friend turned and brown eyes slid over my body before he nodded and left. The other guy handed me the stick he had in his mouth, which I took, putting it in mine. He laughed. "No, Bee, you gotta breathe it in like this." He took it

A bubble of water rose from the pool and molded itself into a spear before turning solid ice. Shelly appeared casual as if there was nothing wrong with what she was doing. This was one of the reasons I couldn't live a normal life. This woman was sucking every ounce of normalcy out of my life. She arched a brow. "Your powers have grown." I straightened at the accusation. However, like every other time I recovered just as fast as her attacks. My shoulders bounced. "It's water." My gaze flashed to the spear in Shelly's hand. "Like boiling tea." The weapon glistened and hardened. "Hmmm," was all she said; blue eyes on her spear. 

"Hello?" Alex answered in the communication box he called a phone. "Yeah, man, I'm filling the pool as we speak." He listened then responded with, "Oh, yeah, she left to go grocery shopping a little while ago."He was referring to Shelliot. She said something about grocery shopping. This was when land people went to other buildings with lots and lots of food. No one went hunting. Their food was prepared with their creations. All anyone had to do was buy it with something called money. It was fascinating. Alex pressed his lips together with narrowed eyes. "Yeah, it's been two fucking days now, dude. Two!" Two fingers were raised. "I mean, I don't want to be the bad guy here, man, but tell the old man that you have a very controlling guardian that's about to lose her shit if she doesn't see you by a certain time. I really can't keep covering your ass."

"Are you okay, man?" I asked Alex. Blue eyes stared at me with a quizzical expression. It then went back to the stairs. Alex's feet did light taps while he fidgeted on the couch. I clasped my hands. "Alex, you better tell me what the hell is wrong with you. You've been throwing glances at the stairs every few seconds."He looked at me confused. "Wait, what?"After what seemed like a minute, realization spread across his face. After which he released a nervous laugh. "I'm fine, man. I'm good."He could have fooled me. I eyed him. Then, he did the most annoying thing. He glanced at the stairs again. An exasperated sigh slipped past my lips, and I grabbed my glass w