Hey, people!

Here's the next part of my Po5 fanfic. As a notice, this story will be fast-paced, since that is my writing style and my imperfection :(.

This chapter will include a spill for a major plotline in the story. Can you spot it?

So, as always, read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Power of Five series.

Jamie slept very well most nights. He would be dead to the world for about seven or eight hours, apparently snoring loudly (Scott had told him that and Jamie hadn't bothered to confirm the truth). He would then wake, still tired, and get on with the day ahead. He couldn't remember being woken up, ever.

However, this particular night, he woke up. He rubbed his eyes, trying and failing to gather his bearings. He didn't know why he had been woken up. It was the middle of the night. Then he heard a shout across the room.

Scott? Jamie thought, still half-asleep. No answer.

Suddenly fully awake, Jamie silently leaped out of the bed and ran to his twin's bed. Scott was writhing and squirming, moaning and shouting. Jamie realised Scott was having a nightmare. He panicked. What was he meant to do? He wanted to help, but Scott had always been the one to care for Jamie, not the other way around. Jamie had no idea what to do.

He thought back to the times when he had been so scared - the times he and Scott had been bullied, when he'd slashed those stupid car tyres and The Accident, of course. What had Scott done? He had hugged Jamie, comforted him, told him it was all going to be okay, even when Jamie himself felt Scott's own fear. Now Jamie had to do the same for Scott.

He reached out and squeezed Scott's hand. He sent his thoughts desperately to his brother. It's okay, Scott, everything's okay, just wake up. I'm here.

Tentatively, he began stroking Scott's hair. Please wake up, Scott. Please.

Finally, Scott's eyes opened. Jamie sighed in relief. 'What happened?' Scott croaked.

'I think you were having a nightmare,' Jamie said, helping his brother sit up. Scott narrowed his eyes at the bed, then nodded. 'Yeah, that's what happened.'

Jamie grabbed a jug of water from the bedside table and poured a glass. He handed it silently to Scott. He gulped it down.

'Thanks,' he said, smiling weakly. He lay back down. 'Go to bed. I'll be fine.'

'But-'

'Jamie, I'll be fine.'

'Okay. If you're sure.'

'I am.'

Jamie stayed awake until Scott fell asleep, just in case. Then he couldn't stay awake any longer.

Everyone came down for breakfast quite early. Well, almost everyone.

Richard saw that it was half past nine when he woke up. He sat up and saw his reflection in the mirror on the opposite wall. He saw a tanned man in a vest top, bleary eyed and blond hair like a bird's nest. He sighed. At least he didn't need to shave.

He got up and showered quickly. After pulling a shirt and jeans on, he felt much more awake. He made the bed and opened the curtains. And that's when he saw the view.

Outside, there was a full park. It seemed to be private. The grass was a lush green, with flowers growing here and there. Trees grew tall and strong, bearing ripe fruit and colourful blossoms. There was a large lake, its water sparkling in the sunlight. Richard gaped at the sight. How could this place be uncontaminated when the Old Ones had been banished only a day? Or was it two? Richard had forgotten. He shook his head and went downstairs.

Everyone had eaten breakfast except Matt and Scarlett. 'Morning,' they both said together when Richard entered. 'Hi,' Richard yawned. He still felt a little sleepy. He began rooting the fridge. He watched the two Gatekeepers out of the corner of his eye.

Matt reached for the water jug at the centre of the table, at the same time as Scarlett. Their fingers brushed. They both drew their hands away quickly. Scarlett blushed and Matt avoided her eyes. There was something going on there, Richard thought, and neither of the teenagers know what it is.

Scarlett reached for the jug again. She poured a glass and left quickly. Matt turned to watch her leave, expressionless. Then he spun back and slumped in the chair, sighing.

Richard sat in a chair across from him. 'What's wrong?' he asked, getting straight to the point.

Matt looked at his guardian. Richard was surprised to see that he could read Matt's face. Had the guard he had kept up for so long finally crumbled away? Frustration and embarrassment was clear to see his eyes. Matt ran his hand through his hair. 'I really have no idea, but I wish I did.'

Richard nodded, secretly not believing the boy. 'What was with the jug?'

Matt looked at him in confusion, but Richard knew it was a mask. Matt knew exactly what he was talking about. Matt shrugged, snatched an apple from the fruit bowl and left, but not before Richard saw his cheeks turn bright pink.

Pedro settled into a comfortable position on the oak's branch, his legs straight out in front of him. He pulled a bottle of water out of the bag hanging over him, unscrewed the cap and took a sip. Oh, it tasted much better than the water in Peru. Less dirt and chemicals mixed in with it. Delicious.

He looked out through the leaves. He had gone up here to eat in the fresh air. That was another thing about England. The air was so fresh and clean. He wasn't used to it yet. Then again, the chocolate was more sickly here than in Peru. Professor Chambers had been right. Pedro felt a pang of sadness when he thought about the professor but he pushed it away. He hadn't been able to do anything. Not worth regretting something already gone.

The sun was shining. He hoped he could play football later. Matteo and the twins had taught him how to play it properly and now he had gotten the hang of it. He really liked the game. He wondered if Scarlett played. He'd probably find out soon.

He noticed for the umpteenth time the blue lake under him, sparkling innocently in the sun. He shivered. He hated water. He hadn't always hated it, but he knew he always would. He could see in his mind's eye the dirty river, the demolished houses, his family...

He squeezed his eyes shut. No. He can't. Not now. He had let it go, hadn't he? He had told Matteo and he hadn't...

Tears began streaming down his thin face, pain and loss finally winning the battle of his emotions. His whole body trembled. He hugged his knees and hung his head. They were gone. All gone. Never coming back. A sob escaped him, sending a jerk through his body. He breathed deeply, trying to stop. But he had done that one time too many. He had to let the emotions he'd been keeping in free. He was grateful for the privacy of the leafy branches.

He didn't know how long he was up there. And he didn't care. He didn't care.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Hope you enjoyed!

Signing off,

CharmedGatekeeper

P.S.: I'll try not to be so long next time, MeMyselfandI :D