Don't Stop Now [Finding My Path Sequel]

Chapter 28

I wanted to respond to Hiro, but in a second the breath was knocked out of me. My vision went dark, but I blinked it away.

I was surprised to see that the sky was no longer pink, and that we were now inside. Another round of blinking told me there were boxes and walls around me. I was back in my body.

Except, I was alone. I was about to panic, shout for Enide, when there was a scream on the other side of the boxes. It quickly stopped, but the sound of swishing water picked up.

Giving up on my hiding spot, I quickly emerged into the open to find Hiro standing in the middle of the factory, taking up most of the room in it. He was between Lina and Luca, facing the bloodbender. Lina had to be the one who screamed, because she still looked traumatized.

Luca had been the one waterbending. He shot a few strands at Hiro, but the spirit simply absorbed the water.

"Escape, Tomi," Enide's voice beckoned me.

"Tomi!" a voice out loud called. From behind the boxes, Andi appeared, followed by Jaxon and, to my relief, Jemma. They all stood next to me, each gaping at the spirit.

As they arrived, Lina rushed over to us.

"What the hell is that thing?" she asked me.

"I'll explain later," I promised. "He's only going to hurt Luca. Come on, we need to leave."

There were nods all around as we rushed out the way we came in. Behind us, there were a few crashes and grunts. I made it my mission not to look back.

We ended up back at Lina's apartment building. Our group remained outside, no one really wanting to relax. Instead, we stood in the alley between buildings.

Lina hugged her mom for a long moment. Andi, Jaxon, and I watched a bit on edge. I knew it would be out of line to go hug Andi now. And besides, she was never in any real danger. Not like what Jemma probably had to go through.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Lina whispered. I noticed the catch in her voice and knew she was crying.

"Me too, baby. It's okay," Jemma replied.

"So how about you explain what happened," Andi suggested to me. I had spent the walk here mulling over exactly what I would say, but telling them still sounded strange.

"When you guys went to get Jemma, I waited, watching Lina and Luca fight. While I was there, I heard Enide." A few eyebrows were raised, but Andi and Lina both understood. "She's a spirit," I added for the sake of Jaxon and Jemma. "We're friends. At least, now we are. Enide made me go into the spirit world, telling me it was the only way we all made it out okay."

"And you went?" Andi asked. Clearly just me declaring friendship with Enide wasn't enough for her. The distrust for Mom didn't lessen.

"Of course I did. I wasn't about to let Lina get hurt." I tried not to take note of Lina's cheeks turning pink. "Anyway, Enide reexplained my spiritual powers, and proved it by having me talk to some spirits. One of them was Hiro, the big one that fought with Luca."

At this, Lina and Jemma both looked tense. "You're sure Hiro can hold him off?" Lina asked.

The truth was, I had no idea. Hiro clearly held some sort of position in the spirit world. Was it because he was strong, or because he was ruthless and couldn't be trusted?

"I think so," I told her anyway. What was the point in making anything worse? "There is one more thing. Hiro said I owed him something for this. Something about my spiritbending, I think. I don't know what, exactly, but I don't think that's the last we'll hear of the spirits."

Lina nodded. Andi didn't look happy about this, but Jaxon wrapped her in a hug anyway. Her anger mimediately melted into a smile in his arms.

"We all had a busy day," Jemma said. "Maybe you can come inside for tea and Lina will explain how she knows you two." She motioned toward Andi and Jaxon, who couldn't help but laugh. "Of course, I guess it doesn't matter who you are. You still saved me. So thank you."

They headed inside, still chatting about Jaxon cutting her ropes on the second floor. For a second, I was pretty sure everything would turn out fine. And then worrying got the best of me and I knew there were too many uncertainties for this to be fine.

"Calm down," Lina told me. "It's over. You saved the day."

"Today," I grumbled, but still cracked a smile for Lina. "Did you really think you could beat your dad?"

Lina shrugged. "I was willing to try to. I guess Enide didn't think so."

I shook my head. "She told me this was the only peaceful ending. I was too afraid to ask her about the other endings."

Lina shrugged. "All well that ends well. I decided I'm not going to tell my mom everything, if that's okay. About what future your mom saw." She looked at me, as if asking if it was the right thing to do.

"I don't blame you," I said, meaning it. The future was a scary thing without being able to see it.

"Thanks. I'm going inside. You coming?" She motioned toward the apartment building, where Jaxon's voice had already faded out.

"Right behind you," I promised. I was still hoping to hear from one more person before that.

Lina headed in. When she was out of ear shot, I whispered, "Enide?"

The silver spirit came out of thin air. She was smiling up at me. Pride gleamed in her too-human eyes. I grinned back at her. "I owe you a thank you."

"My pleasure. I'd hate to see anything happen to your friends. You and your sister especially."

I stopped myself from asking why exactly. Because of what it would do to Mom? Or was Enide attached to us for her own reasons?

"See anything else in our futures?" I asked, half kiddingly. The other half truly needed to know what the future had in store. There was too much to worry about.

"I've already told you too much for your own good," Enide said.

"What about Hiro?" I asked. "And Lina's dad? Is he...?"

"Despite outward appearances, Hiro is not a violent spirit. Luca is nothing more than scratched up. He will not be bothering you again. We have the spirits to make sure of that. Hiro is, however, a spirit that collects debts."

"He'll be back?" I asked.

Enide nodded. "Not today. And neither will I, I'm afraid. My powers are growing weak, and you'll be fine on your own. Go inside. Be with your friends. You've earned it. You have made many sacrifices for them."

I nodded, not really making myself believe it. "Thanks again."

As Enide's silhouette disappeared, I started back inside. I wondered if I would hear from her again. I expected she was back to Mom now. Would she tell her about our adventures? About the good her kids were doing? I wouldn't mind it either way, I resolved. Their business was theirs, and right now, mine was being in Lina's apartment with my sister and my friends. And my more-than-friend. Right now, that was all I wanted.