"We can't get back home, right? "
Mira finally asked, breaking the unusual silence, building up between them. They were almost out of the forest.
" I mean it would make sense to stick together and look for the Guardians right? If they could lure Braze out in the middle of the night, it could happen to all of us and we saw how messy it gets." Mira said.
" Or worse if they attack where we are staying. We will risk the lives of our friends and family . " Kian put in.
" You forgot the Watchers. What happens when they come looking. You already got one admitted to your class. " Xen placed a hand on Kian's shoulder.
" I wasn't lured out by the Dark Mages! " Braze broke in, making his way between Xen and Kian.
" I was being summoned. It was a song. I am sure it was the song. " He was hanging between Xen and Kian, who gladly carried his weight.
" Whatever, I cannot trust myself around my roommate anymore... " Mira walked a little ahead from the three of them. She was looking at her own hands and wrists.
" I need to find a new place for myself. I don't think I am going back to school as well. "
Mira kept walking, kicking the stones and pebbles everywhere. " I think I might need to keep my distance from you guys as well. I can't trust myself. I don't even know much about... "
" Mira! Stop! " Xen came right in front of her, literally bodily blocking her, almost making her stumble back. But he caught her waist right on time, before her body touched the ground.
" Did you not watch me transform? Initially it was just my hands but today I literally transformed into a f*cking giant. You still think you are the only monster in town. Come on girl! Give me a break!My hands are literally painted with the blood of my loved one. "
Xen's gaze was pinning Mira and she knew he was owning up to a bitter truth.
Mira's lips spread into a smile just to diffuse the situation.
" Alright, alright, you win. So... where should we start looking? "
" Let's go to my place and think about what we will be looking for exactly. We need to understand what we are looking for and please, let's forget about school and blood and life and normalcy for the time being. Nothing is normal anymore. We are not normal beings. We are f*cking aliens dude! Why are you even talking about schools and tests! "
They couldn't help but break into a laugh.
" Man! Superheroes sound better! " Kian put in as they ventured towards the little cottage by the wood.
The place was empty for a change. There was no sign of the landlady. Probably out shopping for some necessary items.
But to their surprise, they found a note addressing them.
" I hope you kids are back safely. I kept food for you in the fridge. Please heat it up and enjoy. There are some books and papers in my study. If you are bored, you can go through them. "
Braze tote the note off the door to his room and read it aloud.
" Is she talking about us?You guys know her? " He asked, puzzled.
" Yeah, kind of. We met last night. "
Xen immediately went to the freezer and took the food out.
" Hhhmmm, it smells delicious. Bless her old bones. I was starving. " Xen was about to dig in the food as it was but Kian yanked it off his grip.
" We need to hear this! Where are your table manners? Get yourself a plane! " He went off to the kitchen to get it ready for serving as the rest of them looked around the place.
" She's a queer one, isn't she? But this place is nice. " Xen observed. " We can all stay here for the time being. "
After eating and cleaning up after themselves it was time for some actual brain storming.
They went to the study and instead of taking what was required and leaving, they began exploring. It was like a little library with lots of good luck.
" So, everyone jotted down what they know about Chemora and their own powers and what each one of us think would be a Guardian. No peeking, no cheating. We can build up on what we have in common. "
Mira commanded and everyone put pen to their papers.
After several moments of silent scribbling , Xen finally stood up.
" Alright. Enough. This feels like an exam. I can't do this. I'm getting out of here. I need some fresh air. "
" No you don't! '' Mira caught him by his collar just as he turned around. Somehow Kian and Braze joined the and they ended up knocking the entire bookshelf down.
" What have you done! " Mira exclaimed, her hands over her mouth as the boys looked back with apologetic eyes. " Don't stand looking at me like that. Pick it up. "
Mira looked like an angry teacher.
The boys scurried to action, quickly pushing the shelf back in its place and then picking up one book at a time as Mira kept watching them, with her stern gaze, but not moving a muscle herself. Somehow, she led them in a motherly way. Or maybe not. The boys seem to submit to her authority without any questions.
They were almost done except for the last few books and the scattered papers and postcards, all over the floor.
" Let's get done with this fast. I'm losing my patience. "
Mira jumped in trying to pick them all up but she paused as she picked the last postcard.
" Come on. Put it back! "
Braze urged.
But Mira's eyes were opened wide as she stared at the postcard.
There was a handwritten note behind the iconic picture of Moses with his Staff , splitting the sea in half and at the back was a handwritten note addressed to someone named Yvonne.
But the singular word that had caught Mira's attention was just the word "Chemora" written on it.