Shifters

Trapped

Dust floated haphazardly in the air as Josh and Patricia collapsed in exhaustion. Calmer now after confirming Raizen's inability to breach the space-torn room, their previous heaving ceased as their breathing stabilized. Energized by the still vibrating ring, Josh fixated his gaze on their new surroundings, hoping to find anything of use. Peering through the darkness, he could just make out several forms of sheet-covered furniture, all caked in layers of dust. Although larger than the accommodation her was provided, the room before them appeared to be a lot more barren than his own. 

"Where are we?" he asked, sitting up, back against the barred wooden door. 

"A safehouse of sorts," Patricia replied, aura no longer glittering over her petite body, "We should be fine for a while," she added reassuringly. 

"I doubt we'll last long without any supplies," Josh said, eyes still scanning the room, "Do you know anything about this place?"

"Aside from the fact that it exists and we're in it right now," Patricia began, throwing her hands up in the air, "not much else!"

"Well at least we're out of Raizen's reach," Josh replied, deciding against continuing the previous topic. 

"For now at least," Patricia continued, "Like you said, we can't last here for long and we've no idea where he is nor are we able to see him."

"Let's not panic," Josh advised sensing the underlying edge to her tone, "This is a pretty big room so maybe we'll find something of use if we search around."

"That's," she paused before resuming, "actually not a bad idea. Let's do that."

Nodding at her as she climbed to her feet, Josh also rose, hands pressed against the door, which he used as a means of steadying himself. Glancing at Patricia as she strolled off in an opposite section of the room, an idea suddenly struck him as he shifted his weight. 

"Hey!" he said, calling out to her, "Can't you just use your aura as a source of light?"

Although dark, he could still make out her expression as she smiled at his suggestion.

"That'd be a great idea, that is, if I hadn't burned through all of it to get us here," she replied. 

"Burned through all of it?" Josh questioned, unfamiliar with the term, "Does that mean you've lost your power?"

"No!" she said, smile broadening as she explained further, "Shifters are as capable as we are rare, however, unlike what many others think, we don't have bottomless reserves of energy inside us. Like anyone or anything else, we burn vast amounts of energy when we use our abilities and just like everyone else, we'll need time to recuperate before doing so again!"

"I think I've seen something like that before," Josh replied, remembering Cassandra's depowered state, "If that's how it works, why is it that Joana is able to perform various spells without rest?"

"Because Joana is a very special case," Patricia replied, a sliver of jealousy in her voice, "She's one of the very few of us out there that was blessed with vast amounts of energy alongside a body that is capable of handling it. It's due to people like her that the stereotype began in the first place."

"I see," Josh said, grateful for the explanation. 

"But now that we're on the topic of asking questions," Patricia continued in a lighthearted tone, "You promised that you'd fill me in on what Joana asked you to research if we survived our earlier predicament. So, I'm all ears!"

Josh, who'd hoped she would've forgotten the promise, stood at a genuine loss for words as the girl brought up their agreement. Battling between Joana's trust and his rushed deal with Patricia, Josh straightened as he struggled to come to a decision. Although he was determined to keep the happenings both he and his companions had been through as a secret, his recent unplanned adventures with Patricia had led him to doubt his previous convictions.