《Hiatus》 Hiatus: Scene 1 Issue 5: Hiatus The rest of the weekend passes by quickly for Venessa. Monday arrives in the blink of an eye. Venessa gets ready for school. After eating breakfast, she and Avonari begin heading out the door. Cory: Wait! Avonari turns around: What is it? Cory: There¡¯s been a spike in Hostility activity. Annelise turns from cleaning up the table: Already? Cory nods: I¡¯ve decided that it would be safer if I took some of you to school in the car. Venessa: We¡¯ll be fine walking there. We have powers, too, you know. I could just make them explode. Cory: No one is making anyone explode. Now, get in, or you¡¯ll be late for school. Venessa and Avonari sigh and step into Cory¡¯s car. Avonari: So¡­is this spike large or small? I assume there¡¯ve been spikes in enemy activity before, but you haven¡¯t told us about any until now. Cory: It¡¯s a pretty big spike, and only two days after the Commander attacks one of their most powerful associates, it¡¯s a bold move. They could tick him off even further. That¡¯s definitely something the Hostilities don¡¯t want to do. Venessa: So, they¡¯re afraid of him? Cory: Yes, they are, and for good reason. Avonari: Yeah, Venessa said the Commander destroyed an entire town with his anger. Cory: And he can do much more than that. Just ask Agent Dortor. Suddenly, Venessa looks out the window and sees a blur of movement. She can¡¯t tell what it is, though. Venessa: Did you see that? Cory nods: Yeah. Roll your windows up. Venessa and Avonari roll their windows up. Cory: I need you to tell me the second you see something more. Avonari: There it is again! The blur seems to be heading from building to building. No one notices. Cory: Alright, I¡¯m gonna pull over. We¡¯ll have to wait this out. Avonari: Wait it out?! Second Law¡¯s out there doing who-knows-what and you just want to wait in the car doing nothing?! Cory: That¡¯s right. Venessa: Won¡¯t we be late for school? Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Cory: Being late to school is better than being dead. Venessa: That¡¯s fair. Cory: Wait here. Cory exits the car and runs through the door into one of the buildings. Avonari: What¡¯s happening?! Venessa: I¡¯m gonna go find out. Venessa exits the car. Avonari: What?! You¡¯re crazy! Avonari leaves the car and follows Venessa. When they enter the building where Cory had been, they find that everything¡¯s normal. It¡¯s like any normal fast-food restaurant. Nothing seems to be amiss. Venessa feels a chill on the back of her neck. She shivers. Avonari: Well, I guess we can head back. The buildings down the street begin to explode one by one, each getting closer to the fast-food restaurant. The customers scream. Avonari rushes out of the building with the rest of the people. Avonari: Venessa! Venessa?! Venessa is still in the restaurant and is trying to locate the bomb. She heads through the ¡®employees only¡¯ door and finds a blinking red box on the fridge. Venessa:(to herself) How¡¯d no one notice this? She takes the bomb off of the fridge door and tries to crumple and break it with her mind. She can¡¯t. Venessa: What the heck?! She tries to crumple it again but fails. The red light begins blinking faster. Venessa drops the bomb and runs out of the ¡®employees only¡¯ room and into the dining area just before it explodes. She ducks and covers as the explosion rattles behind her. The ceiling begins to crumble. Just then, someone grabs Venessa¡¯s arm and pulls her out of the way. She runs out of the restaurant. When she looks back, she sees someone dematerialize and disappear. A woman. Avonari: Are you alright? Venessa nods: Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Avonari: Who was that? Venessa: What? Avonari: The Keeper back there. Who was she? Venessa: You saw her, too? Avonari nods. Cory rushes over to the both of them. His Keeper uniform has camouflaged itself into a normal outfit. Cory: Get in the car. Both of you. They obey. Cory: You could¡¯ve gotten yourselves killed! You can¡¯t rush into danger like that in your first few weeks of being Keepers-in-training! Let alone four days!*he glares at Venessa* Avonari: In my defense, I was only trying to stop Venessa from rushing into the restaurant. Cory sighs: I know you were just trying to look after her, but I told you both to wait in the car and you disobeyed me! Why couldn¡¯t you just wait in the car?! Venessa: I¡­I just wanted to know what was happening. Cory: And did you find out?! Venessa: Not the whole thing, no¡­ Cory sighs: A Hostility planted bombs in every building on the street. I didn¡¯t get to disable them all in time. Is that good enough for you? Venessa: Who¡¯s the woman? Cory: What woman? Venessa: The one who saved me. Cory: There are many girl Keepers. How am I supposed to know which one she was? Venessa: Well,...I don¡¯t know. You¡¯re the Sea Sector Coordinator, aren¡¯t you? Cory: Was the woman wearing blue? Venessa: I don¡¯t know. Cory sighs: Do you remember anything about her appearance? Venessa: I¡­I mean, it happened so fast¡­ Cory: I can¡¯t tell you who she is without a description. Now, promise me you won¡¯t ever rush into danger like that ever again. Venessa: But¡­ Cory gives her a look. Venessa: Fine. Cory: You know what they say about curiosity. *he checks the projected clock on the dashboard* I think we can still make it to school on time. They drive to the high school. Avonari: Wait, what do they say about curiosity?! Hiatus: Scene 2 Venessa and Avonari arrive at school just in time and take their seats. The first two classes pass by smoothly. Their third-hour class is P.E. The teacher stands in front of the class and interrupts their chatting. Mr. Cortez: QUIET, MAGGOTS! The class keeps talking. Mr. Cortez: Are you deaf?! SHUT UP! *he blows his whistle* The girls are quiet. Mr. Cortez: Each new generation of yapping freshmen girls I have to teach is a year closer to my retirement! And each generation¡¯s worse than the last one! Y¡¯all are on your A.R. glasses every single second of your lives! Well, I¡¯m here to give your life worth! ¡®Cause if you don¡¯t learn while you¡¯re young, you¡¯ll be useless as adults! Jen raises her hand. Mr. Cortez: WHAT?! Jen: I bet your gym teacher said the same thing about your generation. Mr. Cortez: *curses repeatedly for a few minutes* Don¡¯t tell the principal about my swearing! I can have you expelled for swearing faster than he can fire me! Now, run three laps around the gym! Everyone! NOW! The class obeys. Mr. Cortez plays a remixed Disney soundtrack as the girls run around the gym. Avonari: What music is this? Venessa shrugs: Someone thought Let It Go from Frozen would be good as a metal anthem. A girl runs into the volleyball net and falls to the ground. Mr. Cortez blows his whistle. Mr. Cortez: Hazel! Get up! This is the third time this week! Hazel: Sorry! Mr. Cortez: ¡®Sorry¡¯ won¡¯t cut it in college, Twinkie! Now, get up! Venessa turns around. She remembers Hazel Grace Wilson from the Keeper files. She was labeled as ¡®Hiatus¡¯, meaning that she had given up her gift, but would get it back later. Mr. Cortez:(to Venessa) Hey, Ice Pop! Get back to work! Venessa: Oh, right! She keeps running until Mr. Cortez blows his whistle again. Mr. Cortez: Today, we¡¯ll be playing dodgeball! Dodgeball teaches you softies the most important lesson there is: If violence doesn¡¯t work, you¡¯re not using enough of it!!! This stays in the gym!!! He sets up a line of dodgeballs at the center of the gym and picks teams. Venessa is placed on Hazel¡¯s team. Mr. Cortez: There are only three rules: If you get hit, you¡¯re out! If you catch a ball, the one who threw it is out! Clean up any blood that gets on the floor before class ends! Venessa bites her lip:(to Hazel) Is he always like this? Hazel shrugs: Pretty much. Mr. Cortez blows his whistle and the game starts. Venessa: You¡¯re Hazel, right? Hazel: Uuum¡­Yeah. You¡¯re the new girl? Venessa nods. Hazel: What? I didn¡¯t hear you¡­*she gets hit by a ball* Mr. Cortez: You¡¯re out, Twinkie! Hazel limps sadly over to the sidelines. About ten minutes pass before Venessa is hit with a ball. Mr. Cortez: Out, Ice Pop! Venessa: Ugh! When are you gonna stop calling me that?! Mr. Cortez: When you stop being an N.D.! This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Everyone drops their dodgeballs except Avonari. Jen: N.D.? As in ¡®special¡¯? Girl 1: Like ¡®slow¡¯? Girl 2: Oh, don¡¯t worry, she probably just has ADHD. Lots of us have it, too. Jen: I think he meant neurodivergent. Is that what you meant, Mr. Cortez? Mr. Cortez: I¡­am not allowed to display that medical information. All I can say is ¡®yes¡¯. And it¡¯s not ADHD. It¡¯s something else¡­that starts with an ¡®a¡¯. Venessa puts her face in her hands out of embarrassment. Avonari: Wait, why¡¯d we stop the game? Jen: Hmmm¡­Oh, wait! No way! She¡¯s on the autism spectrum! That explains so much! Girl 1: Yeah! Maybe that¡¯s why she doesn¡¯t talk very much! She can¡¯t! Venessa bends down and puts her face in her lap. Avonari: What the heck are you guys talking about? Jen: It explains why she dresses so weird! Avonari: You guys dress so similar it¡¯s like you¡¯re robots! What gives you the right to¡­ Girl 2: Yeah, and why she¡¯s in that group home! Her parents probably didn¡¯t want a child who was trying to kill them all the time! Mr. Cortez: Don¡¯t worry, guys. I know all about this. I worked with kids with low I.Q.s. Avonari:(to herself) The poor kids¡­ Hazel stands up: Guys, stop. This is petty! Y¡¯all are acting really stupid right now! Now, I don¡¯t know Venessa very well, but from what I¡¯ve seen, she seems pretty capable. If I were you, I would look for evidence to back up your claims before you make them. Jen: Well, I found my evidence from a reliable source. Hazel: Oh, really? What source? Jen shrinks a bit and hesitates: Every Disease Explained in Thirty Seconds. Hazel nods: I see. She sits back down. The bell rings. P.E. class is over. The rest of the day goes smoothly until Venessa gets home. She immediately rushes to her room and cries into her pillow, feeling angry enough to break something, but too depressed to do it. Annelise opens the door to her room. She sits beside Venessa and holds her hand. Annelise: What¡¯s wrong? Venessa tries to form words but can¡¯t. Annelise touches her other hand to Venessa¡¯s and sits still for a few moments. She flinches in pain and tears well up in her eyes. Annelise: It doesn¡¯t matter, Venessa. Venessa: W-what? Annelise: How your brain works. That¡¯s not important to me, or Cory, or anyone here. It won¡¯t change anything about our love for you. Venessa: You¡­You realize how cheesy you just sounded r..right? Annelise smiles and nods: I don¡¯t care. It gets the point across. Venessa: I¡­why are you doing this? Annelise: What? Venessa: Why do I get to be a Keeper-in-training? People who fight in battles are supposed to be¡­able. Annelise: When the Commander looks for Keepers, he looks for strength of character. That is what he saw in you, and that is what I see in you. Venessa hugs Annelise, and this takes her by surprise. She hugs Venessa back and smiles warmly. Venessa lets go. Venessa: I¡­I¡¯ve gotta go read Frankenstein for English. She runs downstairs to grab her tablet. Annelise sits in silence for a while, pondering what just happened. Her mind seems to be somewhere else. Cory steps in. Cory: Is Venessa okay? Annelise nods: She¡¯ll be okay. Cory: How are things at Keeperville? Annelise laughs: Keeperville, huh? Cory frowns: Is something wrong? Annelise nods: He¡¯s anxious. Something¡¯s coming. Cory: Well, yeah. You¡¯re gonna be able to feel the emotions of humanity¡¯s top threat. He¡¯d be worried about you, Annie. Annelise: It¡¯s not that¡­Well, that¡¯s part of it. But there¡¯s something else. The Hostilities sometimes watch me, psychically, to determine Beyond¡¯s mood. They did it in my recent episode. They think I can¡¯t see them, but I can. I think¡­I think they¡¯re planning something. Another major attack, like the nuclear missile launch of 2052. Cory: What is it? Annelise: I don¡¯t know. Only he does. As for their efforts to gauge Beyond¡¯s mood by my condition, they should know that it¡¯s never safe for them as long as the Keepers exist. Cory: Has he said anything about what¡¯ll happen to you? When you feel Wyverna¡¯s emotions? Annelise shakes her head: He hasn¡¯t said anything. He seems to feel¡­like it needs to be done. He¡¯s already told me that I won¡¯t become like her, but that doesn¡¯t say a lot. Cory: What do you think will happen? Annelise: I¡­I think I know what could happen. Like I know what could¡¯ve happened last time if I was like the rest of you. Cory: Please don¡¯t talk about that. I never want to see you go through that again. Annelise: I might have to, Cory, and it might be worse than last time. Cory hugs her: Why did you agree to this? Annelise: There are people depending on me. Everyone is depending on me. I can¡¯t fail them. If I had said ¡®no¡¯... Cory: Then Beyond probably would have had a backup plan. Annelise: He would have, but I have a responsibility that he gave me. So, I trust him, even with this. Cory sighs: I guess I should, too, huh? Annelise nods and smiles: I know you can¡¯t help worrying about me, but I pledged to do whatever it takes to protect this world, and so did you. Remember that. Cory:(jokingly) Is that an order? Annelise bursts out laughing: Yes, it¡¯s definitely an order. You haven¡¯t asked me that for¡­thirty-two years! Why¡¯d you decide to now? Cory shrugs: I don¡¯t know. It seemed like the right moment. The two of them sit together for a while before heading downstairs. Josie greets them on the way down. Hiatus: Scene 3 Josie: Hi, Mommy! Hi, Daddy! Cory: Hey, Josie! *he picks her up and holds her* How was your day, sweetheart? Josie: Someone came to our school. Annelise: Really? Who? Josie: I think she was a magician like Magic Marty. Cory laughs: Was she fun to watch? Josie shakes her head: No, scared me. She moved really fast and made Kate just¡­poof!... disappear! Gone! Cory and Annelise glance at each other worriedly. Annelise: Did Kate come back to play with you after school? Josie: No, but her Daddy asked where she was. Cory: Did Mr. Cheng find her? Josie shakes her head: Nope. Annelise pales: I think I might know where she is. Cory: Really? Annelise nods: Venessa should come with us. Cory: What? Why? Annelise: There¡¯s someone else there. Someone Venessa knows. Cory: Are you sure? Annelise: I¡¯m sure. Cory calls Venessa into the room. Venessa: What¡¯s up? Cory: Someone you know is in trouble. Venessa: Someone I know? Cory nods: Yes, and so is Josie¡¯s friend, Kate. Josie: There was a swoosh and then she disappeared. Venessa: It sounds like¡­what¡¯s her name? Avonari:(from the living room) Second Law! Venessa: Why ¡®Second Law¡¯? Avonari: Newton¡¯s second law of motion! It¡¯s about mass in relation to acceleration! Venessa: I have no idea what any of that is, but okay. So, how are we gonna catch Second Law? Cory smirks: I know a guy who could catch her. The three of them arrive at the Keeper headquarters and meet a Sea Sector Keeper who is typing away on a projected screen. Cory: Levi, I have a job for you. Levi: Hold on! I¡¯m writing today¡¯s report! Levi¡¯s fingers fly across the projected keyboard at a speed Venessa is amazed at. Levi presses ¡®enter¡¯: Alright, I¡¯m done. What¡¯s happening? Cory: It sounds like Second Law¡¯s been on a kidnapping spree. Levi adjusts his glasses: Second Law? You mean 0935? Cory shrugs: One of Avonari¡¯s nicknames. She¡¯s kidnapped two people already. Annelise shakes her head: Five. Cory: Five?! Okay, five. One of them is a child. Annelise: And one of them is a teenager. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Venessa: A teenager? Annelise nods: I don¡¯t know what they¡¯re planning to do with them, but it can¡¯t be good. Levi: How did you know how many were kidnapped? Annelise: Because Beyond is in distress, and I can feel it very intensely right now. Those people are close to the forefront of his thoughts. Levi: Are you sure you wanna come? Annelise nods: I will, but I think it¡¯s best for me to stay in the background with you. I¡¯ll be there in case something goes wrong. Venessa: I haven¡¯t seen you go off on a mission. Must not go that often, huh? Levi and Cory burst out laughing. Cory: You¡¯d be surprised! Venessa: So, where do we think the victims are? Annelise: The Hostility headquarters. Venessa¡¯s mind flashes back to when she escaped from the psych ward only to get captured by one of Wyverna¡¯s goons and brought to the home of an undead¡­whatever Wyverna was. A place she named the Fluorescent Underworld. Venessa: No, I can¡¯t go back there! There¡¯s a thing a fish tank and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s dead or alive! Dortor appears: She¡¯s not simply dead, but isn¡¯t quite alive. Venessa: Ah! You scared the heck out of me! Dortor: I apologize. Allow me to explain. There is an essence in all of us, but it differs between creatures. Some creatures, like humans and Anthrans, are not strong enough to live when their essence is broken or taken away. But others are. Yet, even if they can survive without the essence, it is very painful to do so. That¡¯s why they resort to other, often¡­unpleasant means of filling the gap where their essence once was. Wyverna lost her essence long ago, and has tried to replace it with many things since. Her most recent downfall was due to her mistaken assumption that if she simply had enough of what would be an essence, she could become like a god. So, she had someone steal from the blood donation center and transfused herself with the blood. She then took blood directly from the source, but that failed and left her in the state she¡¯s in today. Cory: Then, we¡¯ve gotta stop whatever the Hostilities are gonna do to those people! C¡¯mon! The four of them rush outside. Dortor teleports to the Hostility headquarters. On the drive over, Venessa tries to stay brave, but it¡¯s difficult for her. Venessa: If we know where the Hostility headquarters is, then why don¡¯t we just invade it? Levi sighs: Invading the headquarters wouldn¡¯t be enough. They¡¯ll just find somewhere else to regroup. We¡¯re gonna need something extraordinary to get rid of them for good. We may have it, but there are many variables that need to be accounted for. At least, that¡¯s the way I understand it. Venessa: So, this ¡®thing¡¯ we have is like a nuc? Levi: Not similar to an actual nuc, but a similar concept, yes. The variables aren¡¯t correct right now, but one day they will be. I just don¡¯t know when. And Venessa? Venessa: Yeah? Levi: Don¡¯t be scared. We¡¯ll protect you, and it¡¯ll be fine. Venessa: I could still die. Levi: Well¡­you¡¯re not wrong. There are worse things than death, though. Like what happened to Wyverna. Cory: Levi, I¡¯m going to say this respectfully as the leader of your Sector: I don¡¯t think you¡¯re helping. Levi shrugs: Okay. It¡¯s not like that could ever happen to any of us, so we shouldn¡¯t be worried about that. Venessa: Could that happen to one of us? Levi: No, I asked the Commander about that once. He said that what Wyverna became can only happen to you if you can live without an essence. Since humans can¡¯t live without an essence, we can¡¯t become¡­whatever Wyverna is. Venessa: Wait, you¡¯ve talked to the Commander? Levi nods: I was one of the first Keepers. Venessa: Oh, yeah! I saw a photo of you guys in Cory¡¯s office from thirty-ish years ago. Levi: Almost thirty-two, but yes. Venessa: So, Levi, do you know what the Commander is? Levi: What do you mean ¡®what¡¯ the Commander is? Venessa: Like what¡­kind of thing is he? He¡¯s not human, obviously, though he looks very human from the pictures. Is he some sort of really powerful Bridge-dweller? Levi smiles: No, he¡¯s not any of those things. Dortor says he¡¯s ¡®of the Vast¡¯, whatever that means. So, he¡¯s not from the Bridge. Venessa: The Vast? Like the glowing blue storm outside the World Sphere? Levi nods: I think so, but I¡¯m not sure what he means by ¡®of¡¯ the Vast as opposed to ¡®from¡¯ the Vast. Annelise: That may be why his emotions are so complex and different. Levi: You¡¯re right! Wow! I hadn¡¯t thought of that! Thank you! Levi projects a screen from his watch and begins typing on a list labeled ¡®Profound Mysteries of the Universe and Their Possible Answers¡¯. Levi: You never cease to amaze me, Annelise. Cory: I know, right? She¡¯s pretty amazing, isn¡¯t she? He leans over and kisses Annelise¡¯s forehead. Car: Welcome to Missouri. Levi: I¡¯ll never get used to living in a border city. Venessa: How far away is the Hostility headquarters? Cory: It¡¯s in St. Charles. Venessa: Isn¡¯t that half an hour away? Cory: It is, but Dortor should be opening up a portal in about three minutes. Venessa: Portal? Wait, who¡¯s taking care of the other foster children? Annelise smiles: I have that taken care of, don¡¯t worry. Venessa:(to herself) Some poor Keeper must be babysitting them. Last I checked, there was like twenty kids. A few minutes later, there¡¯s a blinding flash of light and they seem to have teleported to a quiet, shabby part of St. Charles, Missouri. Annelise fiddles with her silver necklace. Cory places his hand on her shoulder. They park beside the sidewalk next to a worn-down building labelled ¡®Nirva Laboratory¡¯. Hiatus: Scene 4 Venessa: This ¡®lab¡¯ doesn¡¯t seem up-to-date with health inspections. Levi:(half-jokingly) Alright, let¡¯s wait for Dortor. Everyone act nonchalant. Dortor appears inside the car with them. Dortor: Is this nonchalant enough? Levi: Well, at least you didn¡¯t appear outside the car. Dortor:(to Annelise) Should we enter yet? Venessa:(to herself) Why¡¯s he asking her? Annelise nods: I think they may be imprisoned in a room with many medical supplies. Be careful. Venessa, stay with the group. Levi and I will be waiting out here in case anything goes wrong. And, Dortor, keep Venessa safe. Dortor: I will protect Venessa as best I can. If I fail, do not hesitate to bring the news of it before the Commander. I would be deserving of every retribution. Annelise smiles: You¡¯ve done nothing deserving punishment, and I doubt you will today. Now, go. Dortor: Thank you, Annelise. Cory kisses Annelise¡¯s cheek before heading around the building with Venessa and Dortor. Cory: Agent Dortor, you¡¯re the Cyclone Sector Coordinator. The Hostilities are mutant Bridge-dwellers. Is it possible to sneak up on them? Venessa: Wait, what? Dortor shakes his head: It¡¯s nearly impossible to sneak up on my kind or theirs. They likely sensed our arrival but haven¡¯t retaliated yet. This worries me. Cory: Why are you worried? Dortor: It means that their focus is on something more important. The three of them climb into the building through a low window. Cory: Okay, Venessa, it¡¯s really important that we stay together. That means no matter how scared you get, you can¡¯t run off. Venessa swallows: Got it. Don¡¯t run from the fish tank. I think I can take whatever¡¯s in it. Dortor: No, you can¡¯t. Not yet, anyway. And Wyverna¡¯s chamber isn¡¯t the only terrifying object in this place. This way! The sooner we leave, the better our odds are. Cory: Of survival or success? Dortor: Both. The three of them reach a stairwell. Venessa: Which way are we going? Dortor: Down. Come along. Venessa: I don¡¯t wanna go in a creepy basement! That¡¯s what every horror movie says not to do, and what lives in there seems like a vampire-type monster. Cory puts his hand on Venessa¡¯s shoulder: Don¡¯t worry. We just need to incapacitate Second Law and rescue those people. I doubt we¡¯ll even see Wyverna. Besides, there¡¯s a plan in place if we do. Venessa inhales: Alright. I¡¯ll go. The group heads downstairs, out of natural sunlight and into fluorescence. Venessa: Dortor, can we talk or will they hear us? Dortor: They have already been alerted to our presence, but speaking quietly might be more beneficial. Venessa:(whispering) ¡®Kay. Cory? Cory:(whispering) Yeah? Venessa:(whispering) There¡¯ve been a couple of times recently when my powers stopped working. Cory:(whispering) Was there a weird feeling when it happened? Venessa nods:(whispering) Yeah. My neck feels cold. Cory:(whispering) I see. The Hostilities must be using your Abramian Organ to block your gift. Venessa:(whispering) They can do that? Cory nods:(whispering) Sometimes, yes, especially if you¡¯re inexperienced using your gift. Dortor holds up his hand, signaling them to stop. The group sneaks up against the doorway of a room with many glass containment units. Inside one of the containment units appears to be a rotting, rabid fox terrier that¡¯s somehow still alive. There are five people frozen against the wall. One of them is Hazel Grace Wilson. An eight-year-old girl is crying even though she can¡¯t move the rest of her body. The rest of the containment units house various animals, all of which appear to be dead. The decaying dog barks and growls viciously at the people outside. Hazel is strangely calm. Venessa:(to Dortor) Why does that dog look like that? Dortor sighs: I think that the dog may be part of the project our enemies are working on. In the room, Kate Cheng, the little girl, continues crying. Kate:(sobbing) I want Mommy! I want Daddy! I wanna go home! Second Law: QUIET! You won¡¯t see your parents again!*she grins* Not until we run a few tests. Kate sobs. Suddenly, the dog freezes and falls over. Second Law: Ugh! Not again! *She pauses and seems to be thinking intensely about something* Dortor:(whispering to Venessa and Cory) Telepathy! She¡¯s probably communicating with other Sgnima! Hide! Dortor seems to vanish and Cory and Venessa hide behind a corner. Venessa bites her lip to keep from whimpering. Two Hostilities show up. One is Webmaster, and the other is a male Hostility that Venessa doesn¡¯t recognize. Second Law: The most intelligent specimen just died! Webmaster: Ugh! How long did it live?! Second Law: Only a week! We need to increase infectivity or this won¡¯t work! Other Hostility: We¡¯ve increased the infectivity as much as we possibly can! But with such severe symptoms, a survival rate of more than a week is practically nonexistent! A raspy voice comes from the end of the hall where Venessa and Cory are hidden. Wyverna: I did all the calculations. The creatures should survive more than a week. Tears of fear rush down Venessa¡¯s face as Wyverna walks past them. Cory slips in front of her defensively. Wyverna¡¯s body is covered in spidery green veins and her eyes are cloudy. She appears to be covered in the fluid of the recovery chamber. Venessa notices a large, dark green bruise on her collarbone. She wears a thin wet gown that clings to her body. Yet, though Wyverna is out of the recovery chamber, her arm is still attached to the monitor and she has to pull it with her as she walks. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Wyverna: WHY HAVEN¡¯T YOU BEEN ABLE TO PERFECT THE WEAPON?!!! The unfamiliar Hostility is thrown against the wall by something unseen. Webmaster: Well, while you were taking your precious time lying dormant after¡­what happened, we¡¯ve figured out that this universe does not allow creatures with such severe illnesses to survive! Wyverna: What would it take to increase the infectivity of my little invention by, say, fifty percent? Webmaster: Fifty percent?! Your invention?! I¡¯ve spent decades on this! Wyverna grins: Are you questioning me? You know what happens to those who question me. Those who question the will of the gods. Webmaster: Gods?! We¡¯re the same¡­ Webmaster is pinned against the wall by an invisible hand. Wyverna:(through her teeth) I know very well that our forms are a lie, but I know what we are. Do not think that I don¡¯t know how to make you bleed. Webmaster falls to the ground. Monitor: Maximum force exerted! Maximum force exerted! Wyverna winces in pain: Why?! After all these years, why can I still feel it coursing through me?! What in Vrintoa was in his blood?! It should be gone by now! Venessa begins to cry. Wyverna looks over, but she somehow can¡¯t see Venessa. Wyverna grins: Oh, it¡¯s you! I see you¡¯ve gotten some Keeper allies for yourself!*she is still taunting but now through her teeth* You even have a Bridge-dweller on your side who¡¯s hiding you! I can¡¯t see you, but I will find you, filthy child! Mark my words! Cory: Venessa, our only option left is confrontation! Venessa wipes the tears away from her eyes: Okay. Cory: Hey, we¡¯ll be okay. I promise. Venessa nods and they both come out of hiding. Cory: Step away from these people, Wyverna! Wyverna laughs: Is that my name now?! Ha! I suppose your kind would consider it an upgrade from Resharitah! Venessa: What? Cory: Don¡¯t listen to her! Wyverna: Oh, Venessa! Let¡¯s think about this. Why would any of the Keepers not want you to know certain information? Maybe¡­ Cory pins Wyverna to the ground with his bare hands and covers her mouth. Cory: It would solve a lot of problems if you would shut up! Wyverna throws him off and stands back up. Before she can recuperate enough to land a telekinetic blow, Cory pulls the needle connecting her to the recovery fluid and the monitor out of her arm. She screams in agony but recovers quickly. Dortor appears behind her and pulls her to the ground. Wyverna: You! Why do you still work for the Vast?! Dortor: Because I know my place unlike you! Cory:(to Venessa) Get the people! Venessa: Seriously?! Cory: Yes, seriously! Venessa nods and runs into the biohazard room. Webmaster and Second Law block her from the victims. She feels a chill in her neck. Venessa: Oh, shoot! She tries to break one of the Hostilities¡¯ arms with her mind, but she can¡¯t. In a blink of an eye, Venessa is pinned against the wall by Second Law. Second Law grins: It appears we have one more test subject! Venessa:(to herself) I kept my powers just to lose them again! Why¡­ Cory moves a metal pipe on the wall with his mind and knocks Second Law off of Venessa. Cory: We have to get these people out of here now! Venessa: How?! Webmaster travels through wifi and Second Law¡­ Cory: It¡¯ll be okay! Just trust me! Venessa looks at Cory and then looks at the people. She rushes toward the victims. Venessa: Guys, we have to run! Woman 1: We¡¯re paralyzed! We can¡¯t move! Venessa sighs. Cory taps his earpiece: Levi, we need you down here. Venessa: I can try to carry Kate. She looks pretty light. She scoops up Kate but finds that she¡¯s heavy. Venessa: I think that I can still carry you. She runs as fast as she can out of the room. Her arms begin to feel tired, but she keeps sprinting down the hallway. Kate is bawling. Kate: What¡¯s happening?! Venessa: I don¡¯t know. She reaches the stairwell. Venessa: Oh, no! Can you move yet?! Kate: NO! Venessa sighs and begins hobbling up the stairs as fast as she can. She feels something breeze by quickly. Levi stops and appears at the bottom of the stairs. Levi: I¡¯ll take the girl and the rest of the people out of here! You help Cory and Dortor fight off the Hostilities! Venessa: But my powers aren¡¯t working! Levi: Well, you¡¯ll have to make them work! He picks up Kate and speeds out of the building. Venessa: But how?! She touches the back of her neck, where her Abramian organ is attached to her brainstem. The spot still feels cold. She remembers what Cassandra and Dortor told her about it being a malevolent organ used to control the mind. Venessa: Dortor, I think Wyverna¡¯s using my organ! Dortor: You¡¯ll have to fight her off! Wyverna: Ha! You can¡¯t¡­can¡¯t¡­ Wyverna¡¯s face seems to grow a shade paler if that is even possible. Wyverna: Agh! It was only three percent! Three! Venessa looks at the monitor, which reads Recovery Completion: 97%. Monitor: Warning! Disconnected! Five minutes and four seconds until depravity paralysis! Warning! Disconnected!... Wyverna: NO! Venessa dashes past the two of them and strikes a blow against the unknown Hostility. Hostility: You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing. Venessa¡¯s arms suddenly feel like jello. Maybe she doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s doing. The Hostility punches her in the jaw and she falls to the ground. Venessa touches her cheek and her fingers come back red. Venessa: Aw, no! Wyverna, though pinned down by Dortor, tries to lunge for Venessa. Dortor: What have you done?! Wyverna: You try living without your essence for eons! It truly makes one crave the first lifeblood they see! And you know¡­you know¡­who did this to me! Monitor: Warning! Disconnected! Two minutes and fifteen seconds until depravity paralysis! Cory jumps in front of Venessa and takes out the Hostility who hurt her. Venessa is still on the ground cowering. Dortor:(to Venessa) You need to get up! Now! Venessa:(weakly) I can¡¯t. Dortor: Yes, you can! And you can fight off Wyverna¡¯s control! Please, Venessa! Venessa cries: I can¡¯t! Cory is still fighting off the Hostility: Venessa! (to the Hostility) What have you done to her?! Monitor: Warning! Disconnected! One minute and eight seconds until depravity paralysis! Wyverna: Dortor! You knew me! Please! I just need a bit of her blood! Just a few drops! Surely¡­ Dortor: QUIET! We both know you¡¯ll take all of it from her! Wyverna: Venessa¡­ Venessa turns toward her. Wyverna: Come over here. He¡¯s hurting me. I don¡¯t¡­know if I¡¯ll make it. Venessa: Who¡¯s hurting you? Dortor: Don¡¯t listen to her! Wyverna: The one the Keepers call the Commander. He hurt me a long time ago, and I¡¯ve been attempting to recover. But I think I¡¯m dying now. Please! I just need a few drops of blood. Venessa comes closer to her. Cory: Venessa, no! Wyverna reaches her hand toward Venessa¡¯s cheek: Just a drop¡­ Dortor: No! Don¡¯t! Monitor: Warning! Disconnected! Forty-two seconds until depravity paralysis! Wyverna¡¯s cheeks begin to sink inward: I can¡¯t reach you. There isn¡¯t much time! Venessa freezes in place. The world seems to spin around her. She¡¯s in a strange place that looks nothing like Earth. She catches flashes of a glowing white fluid oozing into the ground and causing it to slowly rot. Suddenly, Venessa comes to. Monitor: Warning! Disconnected! Twenty-eight seconds until depravity paralysis! Wyverna:(to the Hostility that Cory¡¯s fighting) Make her bleed! Venessa: No! The Hostility rushes toward Venessa and grabs her arm. Dortor stands up: GET AWAY FROM HER!!! The Hostility is thrown against the wall at the end of the hallway. The air seems to stand still and yet be filled with noise. Venessa watches as Wyverna and Second Law are thrown against the wall. They seem to be seizing. Then, everything goes back to normal. Venessa looks back and forth, amazed. Then, her adrenaline drops, and the pain in her jaw emerges. Hiatus: Scene 5 Cory rushes over to her: That looks like it hurts. Let¡¯s get you home. Venessa nods. Dortor watches the two Hostilities and the now-paralyzed Wyverna intensely before heading out with them. Venessa: Are¡­are the people alright? Cory nods: They¡¯re all safe now, thanks to Levi. Venessa: What happened there? Cory: You mean with the Hostilities being pinned against the wall? That was Dortor. Venessa: Really? Dortor nods: I would¡¯ve much preferred not to have done it. Venessa: Why? You saved me. Dortor sighs: I do not regret saving your life. It¡¯s a matter of me wishing that matters didn¡¯t come to that. The ability that I just used was meant to be a last resort. Venessa frowns: Oh, okay. The three of them reach the top of the stairs and head to a window to slip out. Dortor and Cory climb out the window. Just as Venessa is about to climb out after them, she gets pulled backward. Webmaster:(sarcastically) Oh, no! You missed one! A voice emerges from behind Venessa: So did you. Webmaster is pushed off of Venessa and forced against the wall. She appears to be gripped by the neck. Venessa turns around to see what¡¯s happening. Annelise:(to Webmaster) Stay far away from Venessa! Do you understand? Webmaster nods timidly. Annelise: I know that you won¡¯t keep your promise. I know you lie. Just don¡¯t forget how much a parent loves their child. Remember the lengths that they will go to protect them. Now, multiply that by five hundred and you get how dear Venessa is to me. Multiply that by five hundred million*she tightens her grip on Webmaster¡¯s throat* and you will only scratch the surface of the lengths the Commander will go to protect Venessa and every other person in this universe. That is something you will never understand! Venessa watches in awe and fright. Webmaster: Let me go! I beg you! Annelise lets go of Webmaster, who falls to the ground and scurries away. She helps Venessa crawl out the window and crawls out after her. Cory rushes toward Venessa and Annelise. Cory: Venessa, are you alright? Venessa nods: I¡¯m okay. Cory steps over to Annelise and kisses her head. Venessa notices that the people who were captured by Second Law are still standing outside the building. She walks over to Hazel. Hazel: I owe you one, Venessa, Venessa: Wait?! How did you¡­ Hazel: I recognized your voice. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell anyone. Venessa: You were brave. I was really freaking out. How were you so¡­calm? Hazel shrugs: It¡¯s easier to be brave when you can¡¯t see the threat. Venessa: What do you mean? Hazel laughs: I mean I¡¯m blind. Venessa: Really? Hazel: Yeah, since I was two. It¡¯s actually gotten me out of a lot of situations like this. Venessa: Wait, you¡¯ve been captured before? Hazel nods: Yeah, uuum¡­I¡­was like you once. Those things in that building hate us. I thought once I gave my¡­weird stuff¡­up, they¡¯d leave me alone. I was wrong. Venessa pauses for a second: When you gave up your powers,... Hazel: Shhh! Venessa: Sorry! Did you go back to your real parents? Did the feds leave you alone? Hazel shakes her head: The feds left me alone, but I still don¡¯t know my real parents. I¡¯m still in the foster system, but I guess that¡¯s better than being sedated for the rest of your life. Venessa¡¯s face falls: Well, I guess I¡¯ll see you around, Hazel. Hazel: You too. Hey, who was that couple you were with? Your parents? Venessa: No,...no, they¡¯re not. Hazel nods: I guess I¡¯ll see you at school then. Bye! Venessa: Bye. She walks back over to the car and gets in. Annelise sits in the back seat next to Venessa. Annelise: What did they do to you? Venessa: The Hostilities? Annelise nods: I see what they did to your jaw, but they¡¯ve done something else, too. Venessa: What do you mean? Annelise: I felt something change in you while you were fighting off one of the Hostilities. What changed? Venessa: I don¡¯t know, okay?! Annelise flinches. Cory: You almost died in there! What were you thinking?! Venessa is silent. Cory: Why would you give your blood to Wyverna?! This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Venessa: Why did she say that the Commander hurt her?! Dortor: Because he did. Venessa pales: Why? Dortor: Wyverna was going to wipe life from every universe in the Core. She neared achieving her goal about thirty-two years ago, but the Commander stopped her. Annelise seems to be looking back on a distant, terrible memory: But not without a huge cost. Dortor shakes his head: She had lost her essence long before then, so she tried to take his ¡°essence¡±. Except, nothing can ever replace a real essence. Venessa: She took his blood, didn¡¯t she? Annelise nods, a tear rolls down her face: All of it. Cory puts his hand on Annelise¡¯s shoulder. Venessa sighs and stares out the window for a bit. After a while, she decides to speak again. Venessa: Thanks for¡­helping me back there, Annelise. Annelise: Of course. I really care about you, and I hope I won¡¯t have to see you in a situation like that ever again. Venessa: Do you feel that way? Or does Beyond? Annelise smiles: We both feel that way, but I¡¯m sure Beyond¡¯s emotions about what just happened are much more complicated than mine. Venessa: So, you¡¯re not mad at me? Cory: Oh, you¡¯re still in trouble. We¡¯re just being patient with you. Annelise: What you¡¯ve done¡­what you almost did¡­wouldn¡¯t have only affected you. Venessa: I didn¡¯t mean to! Cory: But you could¡¯ve chosen not to. Venessa: But I didn¡¯t go through with it! Cory: Well, you got too close for comfort! Do you not value your own life, Venessa?! Venessa is silent. Cory sighs and puts his face in his hands. The car rolls into the driveway of the Presley home and parks. After saying goodbye to Levi and Dortor, the three head inside. Cory:(to Venessa) You¡¯re grounded. Venessa: What?! Cory: For the rest of the week, you¡¯ll only be allowed in this house and at the Keeper headquarters. Venessa: What about school?! Cory: You¡¯re staying home from school for the rest of the week. Venessa: So, what?! You¡¯re just putting me on house arrest?! Cory: After what you¡¯ve done, I think it¡¯s a fitting punishment. Venessa storms off to her room where she sobs into her pillow for a few minutes before Jesse enters. Venessa: What do you want, Jesse?! Jesse puts his hands up: Whoa! You¡¯d better cool it! I heard you got in huge trouble with the Keepers! Venessa: So?! Jesse: Look, I¡¯m serious! You can¡¯t be saying stuff like that! After trying to help the Hostilities, you should probably lay low. I don¡¯t know what happens to people who help the Hostilities, but I know what happens to the Hostilities when they cause trouble. Venessa: What makes you think I helped the Hostilities?! Is that your power or something?! Jesse shakes his head: I have three powers. One is electricity control and one is invisibility. My third superpower *he taps his head with his finger* is eavesdropping. I¡¯ve found out a lot of cool stuff that way. Venessa rolls her eyes. Jesse: Anyway, good luck, Venessa. Venessa: Good luck?! What do you mean ¡®good luck¡¯?! Jesse: I think luck¡¯s the only thing that can save someone who helped out Wyverna. He leaves the room. Venessa:(to herself) I didn¡¯t help Wyverna¡­did I? What does happen to people who help the Hostilities? Venessa remembers the destruction of the town in Thailand and begins to cry again. Annelise enters the bedroom. Annelise: You¡¯ve had a rough day, haven¡¯t you? Venessa:(sobbing) He¡¯s gonna kill me! Annelise: What? Venessa:(sobbing) I helped Wyverna, and now he¡¯s gonna kill me! Annelise: Beyond? Venessa nods:(sobbing) I¡¯m gonna die! Annelise sits down beside her: No, you¡¯re not. He won¡¯t kill you, Venessa. And you didn¡¯t help Wyverna. You almost did, but you didn¡¯t. Venessa: But Jesse said¡­ Annelise: Jesse was listening where he shouldn¡¯t have been. He has a tendency to think he knows more about a subject than he actually does. It¡¯s something he¡¯s working on and we¡¯re trying to help him with it. But, rest assured, even if you were to help Wyverna, you would live. Venessa: Annelise? Annelise: Yes? Venessa: You look like you¡¯ve been crying. Annelise nods: I have been crying. Venessa: Why? Annelise: You really scared me back there. I¡­I can¡¯t imagine losing you, especially to Wyverna. Venessa: Then, why didn¡¯t you come in there and help me? Annelise smiles sadly: It¡¯s not my time to face Wyverna yet. There need to be certain things for it to go according to plan. Venessa: Variables? Annelise nods: I came as soon as I possibly could. Webmaster should be terrified of the consequences of hurting you again. Venessa: How were you able to do it? Annelise: Do what? Venessa: Pin Webmaster against the wall. You don¡¯t have super strength, do you? Annelise laughs: No, I don¡¯t have super strength. When you¡¯ve been on enough missions, you learn to fight Hostilities even without noticeable destructive powers. Venessa: Could you feel what Webmaster was feeling? You seemed a little¡­I don¡¯t know¡­unlike yourself. Annelise: In what way? Venessa sighs: I don¡¯t mean this in a mean way, but you don¡¯t strike me as the kind of person to hurt anything. Not even Hostilities. And here you are, just choking and scaring the living heck outta one of them. It kinda scared me. Annelise: Well, I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. I just¡­when someone hurts one of you guys, something takes over me. It¡¯s out of love, I promise, but it can be intense. I don¡¯t injure Hostilities to see their pain. I fight them so that they don¡¯t hurt you. Venessa: Did Webmaster¡­did she hurt you in the past? Annelise seems to be looking at a distant memory: She did, yes. Indirectly. But that¡¯s not why I hurt her. It wasn¡¯t revenge. I know what Webmaster is capable of, and I wanted to make sure that she knew the consequences of hurting a future Keeper and one of my children. Venessa: I¡¯m your foster child. I¡¯m not your child. I have real parents out there somewhere, and they¡¯re probably waiting for me. Annelise sighs: I know I didn¡¯t give birth to you. I know we¡¯re not related by blood, but I care about you more than you¡¯ll ever know. *she smiles* I told my first child that, too. Venessa: But you¡¯re not my mom, Annelise! Look, I just wanna find my mom and dad! I want a normal life! I wanna be normal! Annelise flinches and grabs her chest. She seems to be in deep thought for a few minutes. Annelise: But you won¡¯t give up your powers. As unfortunate as it is, the U.S. government won¡¯t let families keep their powered children. Venessa: Then, we¡¯ll hide! There has to be a way! Annelise shakes her head: They would find you. And you couldn¡¯t escape to another country. It¡¯s¡­it¡¯s happening everywhere now. Every country is hostile to powered people. Venessa:(weakly) Then, why haven¡¯t they gone after the Keepers? Annelise: Because they¡¯re trying to pretend we don¡¯t exist. Everyone is. After¡­what happened thirty years ago¡­ Venessa: The Night of the Red Sky? Annelise nods: Ever since, the world has been trying to recover, and their way of doing that is keeping the details vague and pretending that the Hostilities don¡¯t exist and aren¡¯t a threat. That means that an organization that protects people from Hostilities can¡¯t exist. Venessa: Is that why powered kids are taken away from their parents and forced to give up their powers? Annelise: That¡¯s right. But there¡¯s a price to being normal: you¡¯re an easier target for Wyverna and her allies. She¡¯ll leave ¡°regular¡± people alone for a long time, but that¡¯s because she has them where she wants them. They¡¯re not a threat to her. Easily disposable. Venessa: So,...I can¡¯t go back to my parents? Annelise shakes her head: I¡¯m afraid not. It hurts to see these things happening to gifted kids, and I¡¯m really sorry that you can¡¯t find your parents. Just know that you have people who care about you and will try to help you fix whatever is broken inside. Hiatus: Final Scene She leaves the room. Venessa cries into her pillow for the next hour. After a while, she gets exhausted and falls asleep. In her dream, she remembers a time when she was nine years old. Her foster parents at the time made her sleep outside as a punishment for telling her classmate about a clairvoyant dream she had about his goldfish dying. It¡¯s the middle of October, and the night is chilly. Venessa uses her puffer coat as a blanket the keep herself warm as she lies on the grass. A strange man approaches her and sits down next to her in the yard. Venessa: Are you okay? The stranger smiles: Yes, I am alright. Venessa: Then, what are you doing outside when it¡¯s forty degrees Fahrenhilt? The stranger laughs: I came to see you, Venessa. Venessa: Me? Are you with the government? Stranger: No, I do not work for the United States government. Venessa: Why do grown-ups talk so fancy? Stranger: I am aware that I speak a bit differently than other people you may have heard. I am sorry that you have to sleep out in the cold like this. Here¡­ The stranger takes off his coat and lays it over Venessa on top of her puffer coat. Venessa: Thank you! But won¡¯t you be cold? The stranger shakes his head: I will be alright, do not worry. Venessa: You¡¯re not from around here, are you? The stranger smiles: As surprising as it may seem, I have visited here before. Venessa: What was it like the last time you came to D.C.? Stranger: I can truly say that the visit was an experience that I will never forget. Venessa looks up at the setting sun: It¡¯s pink. And purple. And blue! And orange! Why does J.J. talk about how pretty rainbows are when you have all these colors right here?! Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Stranger: I do not know. I have seen a rainbow and a sunset, and I have yet to decide which one of them is more beautiful. However, I think that there has not been a more beautiful phenomenon than the ones that live in houses and buildings. Venessa: Oh! I¡¯ve seen rainbows in houses! They happen when sunlight shines through the glass! The stranger laughs and stands up to walk away: Well, I have to leave you for now. I promise I will see you soon. Venessa: Promise, promise? Stranger: I promise you infinitely. Venessa: Yay! Stranger: And, Venessa? Venessa: Yeah? Stranger: The meaning of words changes depending on the context. ¡°Usual¡± and ¡°Unusual¡± can be different when viewed from a new perspective. Remember this. The stranger begins walking away. Venessa: Bye! The stranger smiles: Goodbye, Oracle. He disappears into the night. Venessa: Oracle? What¡¯s a ¡°cull¡±? When Venessa wakes up, it¡¯s 11:05 p.m. Avonari is sleeping and everyone else appears to be as well. However, when she listens closely, she can hear someone crying softly in the house. Venessa gets out of bed and quietly strolls through the Presley house, following the sound of the weeping. She stops near Annelise and Cory¡¯s bedroom, where Annelise is sobbing into her hands. Cory: Annie, I told you not to go talk to Venessa for a bit after what happened. Annelise: I had to! She needed me! Cory: Well, it seems like she hurt you pretty badly. Annelise: But¡­ Cory: Yes, I know she didn¡¯t need to. I just¡­it hurts me to see you hurting. Not to the same depth of your feelings, of course, but it even without your gift, it still hurts. Annelise: No, it¡¯s different. I haven¡¯t had to restrain my feelings¨Cmy love¨Cso much in years. Ever since I accepted my gift, I feel¡­much more deeply and profoundly than I ever thought I could. Now, it¡­it hurts me physically to restrain strong emotions like love. Cory sits up and hugs Annelise close: Venessa has trust issues, and rightfully so. It¡¯ll take time for her to warm up to us. I looked through her file yesterday. It sounds like she wasn¡¯t as lucky with her placement in government foster homes as the other kids. Plus, she¡¯s a teenage girl. She probably feels like her autonomy¡¯s being taken away. Annelise: I know, but that doesn¡¯t change¡­ Cory: The way you feel? Annelise nods: I love her so much, like I love each one of the kids in our care. They¡¯ve all been so open, but Venessa¡­she¡¯s so closed off. It might overwhelm her, and that¡¯s why I¡¯ve been holding back from expressing my love. But it¡¯s threatening to burst out of me! I don¡¯t know what to do! Venessa bites her lip and heads back to her room. She stares at the wooden platform holding Avonari¡¯s mattress until the sun rises. Venessa:(to the stranger in her dream) Well, whoever-you-are, it¡¯s been five years. Where are you? End of Issue 5