Chapter 4: The Others

I stepped into a dark and unfamiliar room. The strong scent of lemons, and some other herb that I didn't recognize, filled my nostrils. I inhaled the tangy scent then sighed.

"Welcome Sarah. We're pleased to meet you." I glanced around and wondered in silence. How can they see me? It's dark. Just then, Gage flipped on the lights. I blinked, momentarily blinded and glanced around. They all sat in the same relaxed pose with their hands in their lap.

"Sarah," Gage said, "meet the others. Katarina, Emma, Maddy, Anna Elise, Roselyne, Timbre, John, McCade, Connor, Powell, Eason, and Vagan." They nodded as their name was called. They all gave me warm and loving smiles.

All except one. John's gaze was zeroed in on me. He held a sneer of pure disgust. His face seemed to brighten at the flicker of confusion that crossed my face. Anger boiled up inside me.

"Do you have a problem?" I bellowed, "If you do, then we can have a go!" He smiled as he rose. Everyone watched my face as he approached. I tensed my body as he traced my face with his nose. I growled. With one quick movement, he flicked his arm and my legs weren't beneath me anymore. I crashed into the coffee table, ignoring the blistering pain on my scalp. I rose into a low crouch, tensing for the spring. I pounced, hoping to catch his neck in my teeth. As I flew toward him, I watched him carefully. He didn't seem to move but he was suddenly out of my path. I hit the couch with tremendous force. It nearly buckled under the impact. I turned, my eyes sliding over everyone's shocked expressions until I found his. His face still held that sneer. With his hand, he waved me forward. I smiled. I rose again slowly and walked gracefully towards him. Without warning, he grabbed me up into a big bear hug. He laughed a gruff laugh in my ear.

"Meet your new big brother." He whispered as he sat me down. I noticed that another lean figure was standing closely behind him. I peeked around him, realizing that her stance and facial expression was similar to that of Carly's.

"Hi." She said quietly but enthusiastically.

"Hi…" She looked as though she would explode from excitement.

"I'm Anna Elise, the next step down from Carly. If she's not here when you need to speak to her, you can just tell me and I will deliver the message." She stated confidently.

"So kind of like a messenger?" I joked. She laughed the sound like twinkling chimes. "Yeah, sort of." She paused. "We need to se if you have a power." John's eyes brightened beside her."

"Yeah," he said, "and then we can have another go so we can fight fair." I giggled.

"I never thought I'd see the day when we actually get to 'fight fair'" I mimicked him. He chuckled.

"Yeah, well prepare yourself." He warned, suddenly serious, "Because this time, I'm not going to fight fair!" I giggled.

"I'd never thought I'd see the day when we actually get to 'fight fair'!" I quoted him sarcastically, causing him to chuckle.

"Yeah well prepare yourself," he advised, "'cause I'm not going to go easy on you!"