Cassie's POV:

Chapter Seven:

Four Days Ago

"Let's get breakfast."

"Sure."

We walked in silence. At first it was an uncomfortable silence, but after a while it began to feel as if everything was normal. I wasn't the saboteur and she wasn't the bloodthirsty warrior. It felt like we were walking towards a stack of tapes and puffy sleeping bags instead of walking towards whatever today's cook was trying to pass off as breakfast.

"Hey Marco!" Rachel called out to him as he came out into the open from the direction of river bank. She slowed down and allowed him to catch up. When he did, she looked behind him as if expecting someone else, and moved away from me. I frowned; it wasn't like her to act one way around one person and a different way around another. I guess we've filled our quota of normal for today.

"Wow! The all-powerful Rachel actually acknowledged me! I think you're getting too much fresh air."

"Hmm…all this fresh air… and you're still not getting enough oxygen to your brain."

"Rachel, that comeback is kind of old; let me know when you get some new material."

"You're right, but it really doesn't matter. No matter how I say it you're still an idiot."

"I'm the idiot? You two are the ones out in the rain with no jackets on."

"Hi Marco," I said after they finished exchanging greetings.

"What's up?"

"Is Jake coming to breakfast," she asked. I noted the edginess in her voice.

"I told him it was ready, but I don't know, and I don't particularly care." He crossed behind Rachel and ended up on her right side, filling in the space between us. "Ahh…yes this is the life…" We both stared at him. He grinned. "Sandwiched in between two lovely ladies…I think I'm in heaven." I rolled my eyes.

"Ooo-kay, I think that's my cue to leave," Rachel said, speeding up and pulling ahead of us. I was pretty sure that her sudden departure had less to do with Marco's lame attempt at a joke, and more to do with the fact that we were getting closer to the main campfire.

I could see that the fire was low, but enough to keep everyone in the circle semi-warm. Everyone was seated in our usual arrangement under the large tarp that Marco's parents had set up: Eva was sitting at twelve o' clock with Peter to her left, and to his left was a space where Jake usually sat. Next was Marco's spot, then mine. My mom and dad sat with each other, and Loren sat in between my dad and Ax (who was in human morph). Jordan, Sara, and Naomi all sat next to each other. Rachel waved to them and took her place in between Marco's mom and her own mother.

"Oh well, I guess that means you get to have me all to yourself…"

I shook my head. "You can have you all to yourself; I'm going to eat breakfast."

Four Days Later

"Would it be too much to ask to have a peaceful breakfast once in a while," my mom whispered in my ear. I shrugged and continued watching Sara who had just mentioned Marco's four-day absence. My mom had become more observant ever since she learned that I had been sneaking out of the house every night. She could tell an argument was about to start.

There was a moment when the only thing I could hear was a clinking sound as Eva spooned food into Loren's bowl, then….

"…I don't even think they know where he is!"

"Hush sweetie, eat your breakfast." Naomi was obviously embarrassed by the outburst. "…Speaking of not knowing where someone is…Rachel, where were you last night?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does."

"Ha! That's really funny mom. I mean, I've been fighting aliens, for the past three years and taking care of Sara and Jordan for the past two. How come you chose now to start worrying about where I go and what I do?"

"Are you saying I don't care about you? Rachel, I've been doing the best that I can! Do you know how hard it is to raise three kids and maintain a career with no help? I try-"

"Well, sorry for the inconvenience!"

I heard all of this but kept my eyes fixed on Sara. I watched her lips move as she continued ranting but I didn't listen to her voice. I observed the way she sat on the stone that served as a chair. I analyzed the slightest changes in her expression…"UHH! I WISH YOU THREE WOULD JUST SHUT UP!" Jordan broke my concentration, and the conclusion I had been on the verge of making slipped away from me.

I sighed.

"Thanks," I said to Eva after she dropped some food into my bowl. I ignored the almost overpowering desire to comfort Sara in some way, and focused on my breakfast instead…

"Uhh…"

"What's wrong Cassie," asked my mom after catching the look on my face.

"…Nothing…I'm just not very hungry anymore…"