Nox Inferno

Chapter 25: An Ally

There was a knock at the door, “Are you okay?” Kai’s voice echoed through the girl’s changing room door.

“Yeah.” I paused for a moment, “Just give me a minute.”

I quickly rushed to pull on my clothes. I decide to wear the Tunshaw’s regular gym uniform rather than the Ravenwood school uniform. This was I could keep my legs hidden.

“You need to tell somebody.” Nyra said in a panic.

“It doesn’t matter. It will probably go away in a couple days, besides if we never go there again than nothing will happen.” I readjusted the veil on my face and walked out of the changing room.

“Something doesn’t feel right.” Nyra muttered.

I scoffed, “I probably got burned like that because I am apart of the fire faction. So, water reacts badly to me. That’s it.” I justified while flinging the door open.

“You ready?” Kai asked as soon as I stepped out.

“Yup.” I nodded and surveyed the room, “Where is everyone else?”

“They where really hungry so they left without us.” Kai rubbed the back of his neck and pink tinge his cheeks.

“Is that the real reason?” I asked cautiously while I peered at him from the side of my eyes.

“Why would I lie?” He asked and picked up his pace.

“Why does he seem like he is running away?” Nyra mused.

“Good question.” I laughed and started after him, “Hey Kai, are you so hungry you are running away from me?” I teased.

He glowered at me but didn’t say a word. I huffed and walked past him, but he grabbed a hold of my hand.

“I have been meaning to ask.” He whispered and traced patterns on my hand. I shivered as sparks ran up my arm.

“Can you feel this?” He pulled me closed and the world felt like it was charged with energy.

“I-“ Heat filled my face. What should I do? Should I lie or tell him the truth?

I tried to answer but I couldn’t Thankfully my stomach growled, and I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m hungry.” I pointed to the stairs, “Last one down is a rotten egg.” I said before turning and sprinting down the stairs.

“Twyla, wait!” He called after me, but I put the last bit of energy into running down the stairs.

“This would be a good time to shift.” I notified Nyra.

“If we shifted, your clothes would rip, and your legs will be exposed. Besides, I find you two so entertaining.” She giggled before settling at the base of my neck.

When I reached the opening of the mountain, I found Zephyr kicking invisible dust bunnies.

“Hey, look I am sorry about-“ Zephyr began.

“I forgive you.” I said hastily but he grabbed my hand.

“Let me apologize. I know you are mad.” He began again.

“Listen, I’m not mad. I mean, I was mad but not anymore.” I looked back at the door, the sounds of heavy footfalls grew louder with each second, “I will me mad if you don’t hide me.” I squeaked.

“If that’s all it takes.” He raised his eyebrows before dragging me out the giant doors and behind it. We got there just in time to see Kai dashing out of the doorway. He peered around and I was sure that he could hear the quickening of my heartbeat. When he couldn’t find me, he took off running towards the cafeteria.

When I was sure he couldn’t hear me, I let out a sigh of relief. “So, are you going to tell me, why you where hiding from Kai?” Zephyr piped up.

“I wasn’t hiding.” I began to fiddle with my fingers trying to find a good excuse, “We are playing hide and seek.”

Zephyr peered at me incredulously, “So you where not hiding, just playing a game where you need to hide? I hope you know how ridiculous you sound.” I shrugged, trying to play it cool, “If you don’t tell me, I will ask Kai myself. KAI!” His voice rose.

I slapped a hand over his mouth, “Okay, okay. I was hiding from Kai.”

“Wow, I didn’t realize.” He said sarcastically as he tapped his foot.

“Well.” I rubbed my hand against my forehead, “he wanted to ask if I felt…” I couldn’t bring myself to say sparks.

“Felt, what?” He crossed his arms, “Uncomfortable, tired, mad, bored, hungry.” He began guessing.

“Sparks.” I muttered.

“I’m sorry.” His face froze, “I couldn’t hear you.” But something told me he did.

’He asked if I felt sparks.” I said louder.

“And do you?” I couldn’t bare to look at him anymore, so I nodded instead, “Why won’t you tell him. He might be your mate. I mean it would explain a lot of things.”

“But this other guy keeps saying he’s my mate.” I confessed and began to fiddle with my fingers.

Zephyr’s eyebrows shot up, “Do you think he is your mate?”

“No. Maybe. I don’t know.” I threw my hands up in the air in frustration.

“Sounds like you got a real problem.” He said with a laugh.

I growled at him, “That’s not even the half of it.”

“Well then explain.” He said patiently, “I’m going to help you with this.”

“Thanks.” I et out a sigh of relief, “You don’t know how much I wanted to tell someone about this.” My stomach let out another growl.

“How about we eat first. You can tell me later.” I nodded and we ease out from behind the door. I followed him into the cafeteria.

“Twyla!” Melody shouted and ran up to me, “I was waiting for you to get something to eat. I’m starving now.” She rubbed her belly.

“Sorry.” I apologized and looked at Zephyr, “I’m going to sit with them today. Can you tell the others?”

Zephyr laughed, “It won’t help you if you run away.” But nodded all the same.

“What are you hiding from? Or should I say who?” Melody whispered as Zephyr walked away.

“What are you talking about? I’m hungry, I’m going to eat.” I swiftly walked to the line for Myrtle’s human food.

“I say it begins with a K and ends with and I.” I flushed and once again I was grateful for the veil. “You aren’t responding so I take that as a yes.”

I ignored her as I packed on some salad. As we approached the front Myrtle greeted us.

“Hi ladies, would you like some barbeque chicken and tuna salad?’ I nodded eagerly and stuck my hand out for the food.

“Me too.” Melody piped up and she handed us our plates at the same time.

“Thank you, Miss. Myrtle.” We sung and headed to the drink station.

“Are you really not going to answer me?” Melody softly bumped into me. My legs gave way from the amount of pain and I toppled over. Thankfully, my food stayed on the plate and didn’t hit anyone else of myself.

’Woah. Are you okay?” She rested her tray down and helped me up

“I’m fine.” I barely could stand on my own.

’No, you are not.” She asked as to worry marred her voice, “You need help.”

“Get Zephyr.” I said through gritted teeth. The pain hit me with full force and my legs tumbled out from underneath me.

She dashed off to find Zephyr and I leaned against the side of the line. A crowd began to form around me. I tried to swat them away, but they wouldn’t move

“Twyla!” Zephyr called out and the crowd parted.

Zephyr picked me up from the ground, “Move!” He shouted and the crowd parted.

I looked around the room, many worried faces surrounded me including that of Clementine, Kai, Alvina, Melody and Alistair. But there was one face that was set apart from the crowd, a face that was grinning. My gaze was so hazy I couldn’t even make out if it were a guy or a girl.

“Don’t you dare close your eyes.” Zephyr whispered, “Is this the part that you didn’t tell me because there is no way a shift could do this to you.”

I nodded, “The water, he was there, and it was moving. It burned my legs” I tried the best to explain but I just wanted to close my eyes.

“Twyla, if you close your eyes, I will kill you.” Nyra threatened.

“We will take you to Mama Fra, she will help you.” Zephyr said as the world got darker.

“Let me carry her.” A familiar voice, “You fly and get Mama Fra and we will meet you in Tunshaw. I don’t think she will make it to the house.”

I was exchanged from Zephyr’s arm to a warm one. I snuggled into the heat and succumbed to the darkness.

The last thing I heard was Nyra saying, “How did this go so South so fast?”