Book 1: Secrets of the Mind

Ch. 5: Explanation

"This food is amazing!" Taylor exclaimed while shoveling food into her mouth, not seeming to care about the looks she was getting, "What's your secret?"

After everyone was introduced properly, they went down to a giant dining hall. There were a bunch of people, grown-ups and children alike. Most of the adults were acting as though everything was normal, while most of the younger kids were dressed up in silly costumes.

"Well," Gretel said, beaming with pride at what Taylor had said, "I happen to be friends with the greatest cooks in the city and they always let me borrow their recipes-"

"She stole recipes from restaurants when she was younger," Amelia interrupted, never looking up from her plate.

Everyone chuckled, while Gretel glared at Amelia, "At least I didn't torture officials to the point of being shot on site."

Xylien whipped around to face Amelia, "You did what?!"

Amelia rolled her eyes, ignoring the brotherly way Xylien said that, "It was long ago. Besides, they deserve worse."

"Remind me not to get on her bad side," Taylor joked.

"Trust me, you don't," Wallace mumbled, shuddering at an awful memory.

"In all things said," William said, "You did deserve that Wallace."

"I didn't even really do anything!" Wallace exclaimed, "It was a little prank."

"Oh yes," Amelia said with slight anger in her tone, "A little prank is to lock someone in a pitch-black room, fill it with fake snakes and hissing coming from speakers, and laugh as they freak out for half an hour"

Carlos's mouth dropped as he looked over at Wallace, "That sounds a bit too harsh."

"In my defense," Wallace stuttered, waving his hands in surrender, "I believed she would have teleported out of the room when she saw the fake snakes."

"I was 12!" Amelia exclaimed, "I still was struggling to even use my abilities!"

"How was I supposed to know that?!"

"Why I outta-" Amelia went to stand, but was quickly pushed down by Gretel. Wallace shaking up a storm from the bullet he just dodged.

"Mia, it's in the past," Gretel said, "Besides, you got even."

Amelia took a few calming breaths, then went right back to eating. Sammy wearily spoke up, "What exactly did you do to 'get even' with him?"

Wallace's face paled, while Amelia just smiled so wide, "Let's just say, that he was a crying mess for weeks," Amelia was trying so hard not to laugh, "And he would jump at every little sound."

Wallace glared at her, "How about we forget about it and move on already."

"Easier said than done Waldo," Amelia smirked.

"Call me Waldo one more time-"

"Would you guys stop bickering like an old married couple," Kat grumbled, "It's giving me a headache."

Amelia and Wallace gave Kat a shocked look, glanced at each other, then snapped their gaze towards their plates, silence falling between them.

"Well," Gretel sassed, a knowing smirk on her face, "That's a way to get them to shut up."

"Don't even." Wallace and Amelia said at the same time. 

Carlos smiled. It felt nice to relax and have a full meal in front of you with people laughing and joking around. Sammy sat beside him, stuffing the food down her throat so fast, you would think she was an empty vacuum.