Dawn

Chapter 5

        “We should get going soon. It'll take quite a while to make it to the cabin and if we don't leave now we won't make it before nightfall.” I said, looking out the window as the first rays of pinkish light signaled dawn. It had been two days since my friends arrived. After they got over the initial shock of finding out my parents were dead they, like Amariss, were even more dead set on coming with us. They each were approved by Kate by showing off their weapons and their skill in combat. We were finally going to leave today, “Does everyone have their things?”

        “Yep!” Isabelle responded for them.

        “Kate, Violet, did you two grab the last two Trans. Weapons?” I asked.

        “Yep.” they said in unison. Kate pulled out a neon green axe so huge it could shear a human in half with one swing. Violet tapped her two new purple and black  wristbands and they extended, turning into gauntlets with dark electricity arcing across them. They looked at each other and grinned, “We grabbed them.”

        “Ok. Then I guess its time to go.” I said as everyone tossed their bags over their shoulders. Then the house was engulfed in searing white flames. My eyes immediately shot to Amariss but she was just as surprised as we were. That meant there was another fire manipulator nearby. One that wanted us dead. Everyone went into a state of panic after the initial shock faded away.

        “Everyone calm down!” I shouted over the roar of the flames. “Amariss can you stop this fire?”

        “No. The most I can do is clear us a path to the exit and hope none of us die from smoke inhalation.” she yelled back.

        “Ok. You take the lead. Everyone else follow Amariss!” I hollered. We followed her, ducking under burning pieces of my house that had caved in and around mini hallway fires, through the house to the front door. When we got there Amariss signaled Kate to the front, not wanting anyone to touch the hot door handle.

        “Kick it down!” she yelled to Kate. Kate nodded and gently pushed her backwards. The she The she pulled out her axe, transformed it into a warhammer, and smashed the door to rubble. Outside, it was still dark enough that our eyes needed to adjust.

        “How the hell did that happen?” asked Amariss, dumbstruck.

        “It had to be a fire manipulator. Flames don't just spontaneously shoot up everywhere in a house without an explosion of some sort. So get ready because I don't think they’re done just yet.” I commanded, raising my swords.

        “You're correct, Mr. Phoenix. I am most definitely not done yet.” a woman’s voice echoed, seemingly coming from all around us. I looked around, hoping to get a glimpse of our attacker.

        “Where are you?” I shouted, not expecting her to give us her location.

        “Why don't you find out for yourself?” she laughed.

        “Amariss, I'm going to keep her talking. I want you to use the vibrations in the wind to pinpoint her location for us.” I whispered to the group. Amariss nodded and closed her eyes.

        “What, no response? Is Mask’s ancestor really scared of little old me?” she laughed again.

        “She’s on the roof, Alex.” Amariss said, looking up to the top of my burning house. I followed her gaze and saw our enemy. She was a tall, tanned, woman with pitch black hair, wearing skin-tight jean shorts, a very loose white t-shirt that hung over one shoulder, and a pair of dark black sunglasses.