DUN DUN DUN DUN

Fight in the next chapter.

Only 5 more chapters left after this...

Thursday morning dawned bright and clear. Alicia's hair whipped around her face, and the cold, fresh wind brought tears to her eyes that made her vision even sharper. They were all walking in silence, advancing in a single group, and earned more than a few questioning glances.

She knew they made an odd group. Kristen, the logical one, Massie, the bossy older sister, Cam, the one with a fiery temper, Landon, cold and stoical, Claire, the innocent baby of the group, Dylan, the sweet, energetic one, Derrick, always annoyingly optimistic. And what was she to the group? She wasn't sure.

She didn't miss all the frosty glares that the staff threw at Landon, which he coolly ignored. Even just being with them meant danger for her, but she couldn't feel safer with all of her friends. She considered her position since the beginning of the year, how she'd started off crushing on Landon, then hating him for not liking her like everyone else did. How she'd bullied Claire, only to push her even closer to Landon.

Her gaze lingered on his face, trying to read the expressionless façade, the thoughts behind the mask. Feeling her gaze, he locked eyes with her. There was the usual coldness and severity in his stare, but something had changed. It was almost if they'd become friends.

That night, they'd all crept out of their respective dorms. Dylan had made an impressive archway through the trees, and they'd all made it safely into the forest, where Anala was waiting. There was the usual business of finding a secret spot where no one was watching before Anala teleported them all into the cave.

"Um, I don't think the plans we made for tonight will work that well. We've got quite a few new additions to the group. Of course, that will give us a better fighting chance, but we'll have to rearrange and plan everything again." Massie grinned sheepishly at her friends.

"That's fine. I'll start brainstorming and drafting ideas." Anala answered.

"Kristen should be stationed where someone needs to escape." Declared Cam.

"Alicia has to stay away from the force field." Mused Claire.

Kristen noticed the look of confusion on Anala's face, then hurried to introduce herself.

"Hey, I'm Kristen. Superspeed and Superstrength. That's Alicia, who can phase through anything. Her ability negates Landon's."

Everything about me repulses Landon. She thought bitterly. She kept her eyes focused straight on the ground, hoping no one would see the brimming tears.

"Oh, I see." Murmured Anala thoughtfully. She took a large sheaf of papers off her desk, along with a few pencils.

"So, I was thinking, Massie and Landon should be at the spear point of our attack, with the elementals close by in case anything goes wrong." Cam volunteered.

"Too risky. What if they have an easy way to Landon? He goes to the back." Disagreed Kristen.

"Well, we could put him in front to draw them out, the hide him in the trees. Kristen should stand nearby in case he has to make a quick escape." Alicia nodded at Cam.

"So, elementals in front with Massie, Kristen with Landon. So where do Alicia and I go?" asked Derrick.

"You know Alicia can't be anywhere near me." Muttered Landon.

"So, where do I go? Should I just leave?" Alicia's voice was calm, but there was pain in her eyes.

"No, I think I've got an idea." Claire leaned in close to Alicia, who raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"Why don't you just stand closer to the other side to bring us information? They won't be able to hurt you."

Cam gave Alicia a supportive grin. His hand found hers, and she smiled back gratefully.

There was silence as the group digested this information, broken only by Anala's pencil scribbling over the paper, her silvery hair obscuring her work. Finally, she leaned back, and they saw that she'd detailed the exact positions and techniques they could use.

"So, the four points in front are the elementals, with Massie in the centre. Landon is in the trees here, flanked by Kristen and Derrick. Alicia's out front, still hidden in the trees, but close to the other side. If the enemies advance, retreat into a semi-circle around Landon and any injured fighters."

"Well, are we all set? Everyone remember all their positions?" asked Derrick brightly.

"Yeah, if anything happens, it was nice knowing you guys." Cam offered jokingly.

They all nodded solemnly, before Landon gazed around.

"It's time."

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