Awakened

XXXIV

A week passed by with no killings and no life threatening circumstances. I was finally getting accustomed to being a normal student, attending class, hanging out with my friends. Normal teen stuff. I tried to reach out to Crexus a few times but he gave no response. The dark magic also was weirdly mia. As happy as that made me, it absolutely terrified me. Knowing it was there and not saying a word creeped me out. Zion and I had agreed to set aside our differences for the time being until our lives were back to normal and were back to normal. Well, as close to normal as we could get considering. We were still constantly looking over our back for Liam to attack and paranoid but it was better. We got comfortable. Danger always seems to creep in when you're most comfortable, taking you by surprise. After all my training you'd think I was ready for what was next. But I wasn't. I don't think any amount of preparation could've prepared me for what was coming next.

"What's up with you?" Tom asked as me and Star walked into the Common to meet the boys.

"Nothing, what do you mean?"

"You look like you haven't slept at all."

"Do I?" I asked, turning to Star. I felt fine, a little tired but fine.

"Yeah but it's nothing major," she said, giving me a reassuring smile.

We walked out together, talking per usual but I was having trouble keeping up with the conversation for some reason. My mind simply couldn't focus on what they were saying.

"You coming?" Joel called out to me. I looked up to see everyone in the air but me, staring down at me in confusion. When did they get up there?

"Coming," I called out before jumping up in the air. I found myself working harder than usual to fly up past the staircase. My joints burned as I rose higher and I barely made it to the top.

"You okay?" Star asked, concerned.

"Yeah."

I don't remember much of what happened next until Star knocked the sense out of me.

"Hey, pay attention! We have exams next week," Star hissed, elbowing me in the side hard.

I straightened up, trying to pay attention. I looked at the board, covered in letters and numbers. We were now learning something called polynomials. At times like this, I missed the forest. At least we didn't have to solve equations with letters and numbers when we were under attack. Whatever genius decided to mix math and English deserves to rot in prison.

I stared blankly at the board, not listening to a word that was spoken until the end of class. That's how the rest of the day went as well. If I had taken one second to think, I'd have realized I was weaker than usual despite getting a full night of sleep. But that's what happens when you get comfortable. You miss the signs.

On our way to Angel class, we spotted Jeremy walking up with Bonnie. Their friendship had also flourished as they had grown closer, hanging out everyday after Angel class.

"I still can't believe we did that," Star said proudly.

"It was you mostly."

"No, WE did this," she said, locking her arm into mine and pulling me into class with her. Normally her arm in mine was as light as a feather but today, it made me wobble a bit.

"Alright, class in the air. Everyone, practice flying in rhythm with your partner. Every wing swoop, every turn, every twist should mirror one another. A good battle partner should be able to mimic one another and predict one another's movements. Next class, when we-"

I flew after Star's retreating figure, trying and failing to mimic her movements. I felt like I was in a daze, going in and out.

"Saron, what is up with you today?"

"I'm just tired, that's all," I said groggily, whilst struggling to keep up in the air with her. Usually, I'd be ecstatic by the time it came to Angel class. It was the only class I enjoyed. But today, I couldn't seem to find the energy to want to do anything.

"Saron, you're excused for the rest of the day," Miss Sewx called out to me.

"Why?"

"You look dreadful dear, get some rest."

Jeremy looked over to me in concern, preparing to leave Bonnie to check on me. I shook my head, quickly reassuring him I was okay before I started my descent back down to the floor. I grabbed my things before walking out of the room. It felt weird walking at a normal pace but I felt so drained I didn't want to risk using my powers.

That's when I felt a cloth come over my face and that's the last thing I remember.

"Wake her up I'm getting bored."

"Maybe if you didn't put so much in her system she wouldn't be so out of it."

I jerked up, recognizing the voices. I gulped once I saw Sarav and Bay staring down at me. I tried to stand, falling back down to the ground weakly.

"Missed me," Sarav asked, an evil glint in her eye.

"Where are the others?" I asked, realizing the men were missing.

"That shouldn't concern you. In the state you're in, it's not like you could do anything anyway."

I stared at them angrily as I tried to make out where I was. I was in some kind of storage room with supplies all around. I was too weak to try to use my powers to locate myself or my friends. Wait.

Crexus, I need you

I screamed through our mind link, hoping he'd respond this time. If not, I was screwed. At least until whatever they drugged me with wore off. I highly doubted that'd happen anytime soon.

"Aren't you going to ask us what we're here for?" Bay asked.

"What do you want?" I said, rolling my eyes as I played along. If I could keep her talking, I could buy time until I figured out what to do.

"I think you know," Sarav said, crouching down beside me before grabbing a handful of my hair and pulling me barely an inch from her own face.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said through gritted teeth before blowing a wad of spit on her face. She cocked her hand back, slapping me back into unconsciousness.