The new student (Warren x oc)

34

Once Will noticed Layla was there, he hugged her tightly.  Draven sighed, though he shook his head.  "So now we've got two of your guys' friends.  How many more are there?"  He asked.

I sighed.  "We still need to find three others, and my sister.  But they're likely in a different place.  Since now, both Zach and Layla have said they didn't see anyone else here."  I responded.   Will was catching Layla up on everything while we tried to find our way back outside.

The place was big.  But why would only two people be kept here?  There was room for others.  Maybe it was to keep us from rescuing everyone?

By the time we got back outside the mountain base, it was dark once more.  Which was just perfect.  "So, are we just going to walk through the forest at night again?"  Draven asked.  I sighed.  "Let me get Tracker up before we do anything."  I answered, walking away from the group slightly.

It didn't really help.  Zach was still asking a million questions.  I flicked the comms set on and paused before saying anything.  "Tracker?  Does anyone have their comms on, on deck?"  I asked.  There was a staticy hum before something came through.

"Yeah, I've got you, Luna."  Wisp answered.  Good, there was at least one person up yet.  "Great, Wisp.  What time is it?  We need to know if it's worth heading back now or if we should wait."  I asked, looking around.  The forest was, mostly, peaceful, actually.  It would be a lot more if it was actually quiet, though.

Wisp hummed.  "It's about 3am.  I would say just wait for the sun to come up to be safe.  Hank called.  He knows we all snuck out now.  He's waiting for you to return to talk."  She replied after a few moments.  That was bound to be a fun conversation.

"Alright.  Thanks.  I'll let the others know.  Chime in to wake us if we don't say we're heading back."  I replied quickly.  Zach was glowing.  He'd attract all kinds of trouble with the new light.

I sprinted back, quickly whisking a breeze around Zach to stir up some debris and block his light put.  Which also effectively blinded nearly everyone else.  "Luna!  What the heck!?"  Will shouted.  I stopped the breeze, wincing.  "Sorry."  I apologized, looking to Zach.

"Zach, you can't light up here!  The unnatural light might draw in trouble.  We don't need any more of that.  I'm serious."  I said to him quickly.  The Zach-induced light turned off at the tone of my voice.  I really didn't like having to raise my voice.  But we did not need a tiger attack or anything of the sort.

Layla shook her head.  "What's the plan then?  Are we walking?"  She asked.  I paused.  "No, not yet.  It's really early.  I checked in with Wisp.  We should all at least try to get some rest and move out when the sun is coming up."  I explained.

There was a collective sigh from everyone, except for Draven.  "You were so freaked out about finding your friends and sister, and now you want to wait?"  He accused in a harsh tone.

I growled lowly.  "We also can not run the risk of not being up to the challenge of locating and rescuing the others.  Wherever they are, it won't be nearly abandoned like this place.  We will all need to be on guard and fully alert."  I replied with an equally harsh tone.

Draven growled lowly, though I could tell he knew I was right.  We eventually found out a way to get everyone at least a little bit comfortable.  Will and Layla laid down after Layla made a little moss bed for them.  Draven turned into a falcon and flew into a tree.  I made Zach a little moss bedding as well before trying to find a place to lay down as well.

I don't think anyone was really comfortable, well, besides Draven since he was now in animal form.  I found a place to lay down and tried to get some sleep.  Which was easier said than done.  I woke up before everyone else did, mostly because I couldn't stand trying to go back to sleep.

I could only really think about what might be going on with the others.  Did they have their powers again, or were they being forced to not have them?  Warren would be trying to break out if he could.  That much was obvious.

But from what the damaged camera showed, he was likely in a dangerous place.  Did he know how to fight without his power?  He had to.  I knew Laura knew how to fight without her powers.  She would be helping if she was out already.

It felt like a while past before I could get to any form of sleep.  Too much time was passing already.  People could be getting hurt.  And if Zach and Layla hadn't eaten, the others probably hadn't either.  Who would hold people and not give them food?  Everyone would need food soon, though.

It was still dark when I woke up again.  Everyone else still seemed to be sleeping, too.  But… something felt off.  It was quiet.  But not the kind where people just weren't talking.  Even the bugs had gone silent.   It took a moment to recall the meaning of that.  It meant a big predator was nearby.

I didn't sit up fully yet.  Looking around the immediate area.  I could quickly hear something walking and sniffing nearby.  It was definitely bigger than any of us.  A better look around showed a feline figure stalking a few feet from me.