Chapter 8: Weird Dreams and Strange Friends

"Order, order in the court," the judge bellowed as he hit his gavel on the surface in front of him. He looked over at the jury who were sitting to on one side of the courtroom. "Has the jury made their decision?"

One of the jury members stood up. "Yes Your Honor," he said. "We the jury find Edward Morales guilty of the murder of Andrea Mulwray."

Sixteen- year-old Aurora took a breath of relief as she sat in the audience with her best friend Gabriel and her boyfriend Luke.

"Alright," said the judge. He looked at Edward who sat in his seat in front of the court. "You are found guilty and are sentenced to 25 to life. Court is adjourned." He banged his gavel again and left.

Aurora stood up and smiled. Gabriel gave her a hug. Then Luke hugged her and kissed her forehead.

"It's all over!" said Gabriel.

"Yeah," answered Aurora. "I guess it is," her voice lowering to a whisper.

"Is something wrong?" Luke asked, looking concerned.

"No. It's just I can't believe they finally found my mother's killer and found enough to put him behind bars."

"You can finally move on with your life," said Gabriel.

"Yeah." But without my mother, father, or my brother, Aurora thought.

"You know me and Gabe are always here for you," said Luke as he put his arms around her.

"I know and I'm thankful for that."

Gabriel just looked at them. "I'll give you too some time alone as I get the car." Aurora and Luke nodded as Gabriel left the courtroom.

"Is something else on your mind?" Luke asked.

"I'm just glad you're here. I don't know if I could have been able to get through watching this trial without you."

"Well, I love you Aurora."

Aurora smiled. That was the first time he'd said that to her. "I love you too." They kissed and left the courtroom, hand in hand.

Aurora woke from the dream/flashback with cold sweat running down her face. "That was five years ago, things have changed, she whispered to herself.

She looked at her clock on her bedside table and noticed it was 7:10 AM. Aurora got up and got dressed in black jeans and a blue halter-top. She grabbed her leather jacket as she left her room.

"Going somewhere?" someone asked as she entered the living room.

She looked up and saw Adam standing there. "I just need to get out and talk to Gabe."

"I understand, this can't be easy for you. I'll contact you later."

"Thanks. See ya." She walked away and entered the parking garage. Aurora got into her black convertible and drove away.

Aurora stepped out of the elevator leading to the floor where Gabriel's apartment was. She heard two girls arguing. They exited the apartment on the left side of Gabriel's. One was blonde with glasses and a brunette with glasses.

"Liz, Kai is hotter!" said the brunette with glasses.

"No Catty, Bakura is," said the blonde.

Not this argument again, thought Aurora. "Hi guys," said Aurora, getting their attention.

"Hi Aurora," they both said in unison to their friend.

"Do you know if Gabe's home?"

"I think so," said Catty.

Liz just stared off into space holding the ring that was on her necklace she was wearing. "My Precious!" she said in a low scratchy voice.

"Let me guess, you two stayed up all night watching all the Lord Of The Rings movies again."

Liz smiled and nodded in her usually hyper way.

"Yeah," said Catty as she yawned. "She kept me up all night."

"Aren't you forgetting something Catty?" said Liz.

Catty looked quickly left to right and exclaimed, " My Kai plushy!!" She quickly ran back to her apartment and came back a minute later with her Kai plushy. She hugged it tightly and smiled insanely.

Aurora just shook her head in disbelief. And how did they get into college, Aurora thought? "Where are you two going?"

"Class," said Catty. "We could give you a ride to the campus?"

"No thanks, I don't have class today."

"Oh okay see ya," said Liz as she and Catty walked to the elevator.

"I'm driving," said Catty.

"No I'm driving!"

Aurora stopped in front of Gabriel's apartment and knocked on the door. The door opened and revealed Luke who was shirtless with sweat running down his muscles. Aurora just stood there, feeling uncomfortable.

"Hi," he said smiling.

"Hi. I didn't wake you did I?"

"No not at all. I was doing my morning work out. Come in."

Aurora stepped into Gabriel's apartment and closed the door. "Is Gabe here?"

"He's still out with Carla if you know what I mean."

"What? Oh! I get it."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Huh?"

"Aurora, I've known you long enough to know when something's on your mind. That's why you came over to see Gabe right?"

"Yeah. Things are sorta complicated at the moment."

"Is it because of me?"

"I'll admit you are apart of it, but something else as happened."

"Tell me."

"Well, do you remember the guy who killed my mother?"

"Yeah, Edward something or other right? He's in jail."

"Later today he won't be." Luke looked at her confusedly.

"Last night after we left Dawn my friend Shal was kidnapped and Edward's brother contacted us and wants us to break Edward out of jail."

"Why does Carlos want Edward?"

"He said there is this object of importance, at least to him, that only Edward knows where it is hidden. But we have no clue what the "object" is. We're hoping to find out more when Edward is freed."

"Aurora, this must be hard for you."

"You have no idea."

"Do your friends know about your mom's murder?"

"Yeah and I know what your thinking. You don't think we should break him out, but we have no other option right now. Shal is in trouble and we don't know where she is or what we're up against."

"Okay, I get it. Just please stay out of my head."

"Sorry."

"It's okay." They looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

"Well, since Gabe's not here I better go."

"Going so soon? Come on. Sit down on the couch so we can catch up around the fireplace."

"But it's not even lit."

Luke raised his hand as a fireball appeared in his hand. He threw it into to fireplace and hit the firewood. "It is now."

"I could have done that."

"Yeah but then it wouldn't have been any fun for me. Who'd a thought two of us have these special powers."

"It's more common than you think."

"Now you have to explain."

"Alright, alright." They both sat on the couch and began talking and in front of the nice, roaring fire.

I know this chapter didn't have Jesse, Shal, Brennan, or Emma and very little of Adam. But I promise the next chapter will. To Catty Hiwatari and Lily of the Shadows, I finally posted this chapter with your cameos, my good and strange friends (not that being strange is a bad thing.) Anyways, review and tell me what you think.