Convergence II: Ella's Mystery

Chapter One: The Press Conference

"Nick Althorne." Its haunting voice echoed down to them both. "And Ella Oakley-Cross."

That was the moment that she began to have questions she hadn't had in a while.

At this point in her life, Ella Althorne (previously Oakley-Cross) was fourteen years old, an orphan with a newly-acquired mentor, and standing in front of an entity that turned out to be the only sentient being to ever tell Ella her full name.

So, naturally, you could assume that on top of everything, she was in shock.

She had to snap herself out of it later, because she had a city that needed saving. She and her new friend, Nick Althorne, a famous scientist with powers beyond human comprehension, were fighting this being for their lives and for the lives of everyone who lived there.

And if you don't know how that turned out, then you probably shouldn't be here.

But two months after those events, the words still hadn't left her.

Ella wrote it down each day, remembering every syllable and every letter. At that time, it was her only key. At that time, she didn't know who she was other than the kid who came out of nowhere, and the kid who helped Nick Althorne save the world.

And now, with a blue cast on her arm held up by a black sling, the heroic Ella we all came to know and love was on a mental journey that would soon become a real journey.

And it all started with knocking on a wooden apartment door.

The door creaked open, a brown-haired genius standing in the middle of it. And once they say her, their blue eyes lit up. "Hey, kid!"

"Hi, Nick!" Ella beamed, excited to see her friend (it had only been a day since their last meeting).

Nick's apartment wasn't a place that had been specified before since they spent so much time in their office, but they did stay here sometimes. After their case was solved, however, Nick and Jackie both hadn't had much reason to be at the office anymore, so they retired to their homes until they found something new to do. The only problem was recovering, which Nick was doing, just stubbornly.

"How've you been doing?" Nick plopped down on the couch gently, sighing with some relief. "That cast getting itchy yet?"

"Actually, no." Ella shrugged, sitting on the recliner opposite the couch. "I've done a good job keeping it dry, too. What about you?"

Nick scoffed. "Jackie has been on my ass since I left the hospital," they laughed. "They keep reminding me to change the wrap and do this and do that—honestly, I'd forget to do most of it if they weren't there, so I can't complain."

Ella laughed in response. "Well, I'm ready whenever you are."

"Oh, right." Nick leaned back, flapping their lips. "We gotta do that thing. Not thrilled about it."

"Hey, at least I'll be there!" She pointed, looking on the bright side. "And you said you wanted people to know what really happened, so here's our chance!"

"Right. Confidentiality is a crime at this point!" Nick smiled, half sarcastic.

After Nick's years-long case was solved, the public demanded answers on what they could have been working on. Today, with Ella and Jackie by their side, they promised to deliver.

Oh, and speaking of Jackie—

"Nick!" Jackie busted in, not bothering to knock since they never had. "Hey, Ella! How are my two favorite people feeling today?"