Terror

Chapter Twenty-Four

Scarlett slumped against the RV window, her head heavy with exhaustion. She felt herself being shaken awake, pulled from her sleep by the persistent stirring of the world outside.

Cassandra stared at her, blinking rapidly, as if trying to piece together where she was. Scarlett watched her, wondering how much of the chaos her daughter had really processed.

Cindy had brought her back with barely saying anything that happened before bopping anyway, like usual. Eventually she fell asleep because her body was still trying to catch up with her after everything that had been going on.

"I'm awful, Mom!" Cassandra voice trembled. "I let two people die! I didn't have the energy to save them because I was trying to drain Ashley's power. I'm supposed to help but I... I couldn't."

Scarlett felt a pang of sympathy and a little worry. Would Cassandra blame herself like this forever? Who on earth did she get that from? Could that be from herself when she blamed herself for what happened with Emma?

It was her fault because she didn't bluntly say Greyson wasn't into her. Even the endless manipulation of those around her to get something she or Greyson wanted.

Cassandra sank down and rested her face against Scarlett's shoulder. "Why do I feel sad? I didn't feel this way about the other deaths. Is it... is it my they died? Emma and James... Divina went chasing after Ashley. I... I don't know."

"You can't always save everyone," Scarlett said softly, lifting her daughter's chin. "Even if you have the powers, some things are out of your hands."

Cassandra didn't look up. Her hands fidgeted with a dirty pillow, tracing invisible patterns. "But why? I've never seen people die," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Scarlett felt her own eyes welling up with tears as she wiped them away. She had watched people around her die easily from someone people shot or those dead bodies that were buried under the snow. It wasn't from Ashley's bloody hands, but from murder.

She didn't witness many deaths during the storm, except when they weren't all that way. She was close to actually being murdered. It wasn't from Luke, but David had actually left her fearing for her life when he shot at her. All she had chosen was to grab the boy he had a crush on, pulling him to be a witness to Collin's disappearance.

That was the moment when fear began to consume her. She wasn't sure if it was her own life or Greyson's, since he had used his power to reflect the bullet that killed David. One thing was certain—the experience had left her feeling terrified.

"Well, when people die, they no longer exist. No talking to them or playing games with them," Scarlett said.

Cassandra's gaze fell to stare the white sheet, but when quickly looked back up. "I don't want to die... I don't know if Father told you, but I will die when we defeat Ashley."

Scarlett's heart skipped a beat, surprising her. Cassandra would die when they defeated Ashley, whenever that may be. This was not how she had imagined having a child would go.

"It's because of my powers. It will all happen soon, but it depends on Divina's attitude," Cassandra explained. "I will try to seal away the last power. I want to make sure that you are all free."

"I thought you couldn't do anything unless you were in close contact," Scarlett said.

Cassandra shrugged, fiddling with her fingers. She wanted to help her child, but she knew she couldn't change the inevitable truth. The final battle was something she couldn't control.

"I don't want to die, Mom," Cassandra voice trembled, her eyes filling with tears. "I know it will make you sad, but I want you to be safe. I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you."