Crackerjack II

Chpt. 31: A Different Kind of Test

When the shadows closed around the boulder, Kristen went dark. She collapsed onto her knees, heaving for breath. She saw fog she knew wasn't there. Though her muscles clung to the ground, she crawled to check on the little girl.

"No!" The girl shouted when Kristen came close. "Bad!"

Kristen glanced over her shoulder, but the mutante felino was nowhere to be seen.

"It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you."

"No!"

Kristen pulled back, biting her lip. "I'm here to help."

She ran her gaze around the cavern, intending to search for an escape. Instead, she found another set of eyes. Ernold stared, eyes wide and arms half-raised. Beside him, Amelia stood with a narrowed gaze.

"Guys!" Kristen swallowed and glanced away. "H-how long have you–"

"You're a crackerjack."

She winced from Amelia's betrayed tone as much as her accusatory glare.

"I can explain."

"What, that you lied to us this whole time?"

Ernold blinked. "You c-control fire."

Shivering at the fear in his voice, Kristen pleaded, "Just listen–"

"Why should we listen to you? You're a liar!"

"I was tryin' to protect her!"

The little girl shrieked when Kristen took a step forward.

"Get away from her!"

Kristen blinked, and Amelia was there, shoving her. She tumbled to the floor, gaping up at her friend.

"Don't come near her!"

"I was tryin' to help!" Kristen turned teary eyes to Ernold. "Can't you see that?"

He eased behind Amelia, avoiding Kristen's eyes. The little girl clung to Amelia, trembling as she stared at Kristen.

"Guys, I–"

"Don't give us any more of your lies!" Amelia raised her hand, and crashing came from the passageway. "I can't believe you expect us to understand after you tricked us for so long!"

Ernold shook his head. "How many times did you lie? How could you not trust us enough to tell us?"

Tears flooded Kristen's eyes. "I didn't want to lie!"

Amelia pulled the little girl behind her as she backed toward the doorway. Ernold grabbed the girl's other hand. When Kristen started to rise, Amelia screamed,

"Stay away!"

Kristen's lip trembled as tears scraped down her face. "Amelia..."

"Don't come near us!"

Splashing echoed through the cavern, and Kristen jerked her head around. Water flooded in from the passage, already covering the floor and still gushing in. Kristen turned wide eyes on Amelia, whose hand was still upraised.

"Amelia!"

The girl lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. Desperate, Kristen shifted her attention.

"Ernold, please!"

He winced when she raised a hand.

"Guys, please! Listen to me!"

"Shut your dirty mouth, you gabblasted scroyle!" Amelia pulled back, half-in shadow. "You should expect nothing less after what you've done."