Terror

Chapter Ten

People gathered in shock and awe, their eyes fixed on Cassandra as if she were a celebrity stepping out of a dream. Whispers rippled through the crowd—some amazed, others unsettled —by how she had suddenly matured into the teenager she was always meant to become.

She was no longer a baby or toddler confined by helplessness, but a girl capable of contributing, commanding and changing everything.

"Hello everyone," Cassandra said, flashing a smile. "I know this is probably a shock, but it's all part of my mutant powers."

She had spent hours adjusting to the overwhelming sensations that surged through her newly transformed body. Though she didn't full understand the limits of her power yet, one fact had settled on her mind: she would never age beyond fifteen.

"First and foremost," she began, raising her finger for emphasis. "Ashley's reign of terror was just the beginning. We need to deal with her followers by either convincing them to switch sides or take them down to weaken her."

That was how it had to be. Her parents had clawed their way out of Ashley's chaos, one brutal step at a time. No one had the right to object now—not when she refused to stand by while others ignored the truth. This was the only path forward, and Cassandra knew it with unshakable certainty.

"What if we don't want to help?" Maverick shouted from the crowd.

"Then it's not my fault if you die," she said bluntly.

She had seen the kind of recklessness her parents called idiotic—especially when people didn't listen. Like Luke, one of Ashley's followers, who once tried to force open the power plant with nothing but his flimsy, mutated arm. It didn't work. All it did was leave a mark.

"I'm saying this is our way out," she began, "even if not everyone agrees. Going alone? You're more likely to die." Her voice hardened. "We have to work together to stop that psycho. She's got mutant powers that could burn you alive or toss you around like a doll."

The crowd nodded, their hope growing—but Cassandra knew this host body could wait. She wasn't ready to face that challenge yet, especially with Divina's plans looming in the background.

Suddenly, Cassandra sensed a mental intrusion—someone trying to manipulate her mind. Her eyes darted through the crowd until they fixed on the boy who had spoken out. He was projecting illusions, attempting to distract her mind. She snapped her fingers, which sent him screaming while everyone looked startled.

"Stop disrupting my speech," Cassandra snapped. "Like I said, we can't afford any more deaths."

Though she knew some wouldn't listen, Cassandra didn't hesitate. She leapt from the again, effortlessly floating into the air with her legs crossed.

Hovering above, she scanned the crowd—some huddled close together, others standing apart, eyes watching for ugly Ashley. She recognized some many faces and names from her parents' memories, though several remained strangers to her.

"First, we need to defeat the followers, then turn our attention to  the host body situation," Cassandra declared. "Zane will organize side groups to either persuade or confront the followers. That's the plan. Meanwhile, I'll be busy doing something with my father and Jason."

Cassandra wasn't exactly sure if her plan would work, but given what she hoped to accomplish, it was the best course of action she had.

"I've taken down one follower, though others want to leave," Cassandra said firmly. "I'm determined to defeat this thing, just like many of you."

Cassandra gently lowered herself onto the wagon, landing gracefully like a fairy. As she scanned the crowd, she recognized several faces—many wielding powers or aided at Uden Academy before.