ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀꜱ : ᴛʜᴇ ᴜᴘʀɪꜱɪɴɢ

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I met Ben at the local cinema on a Thursday night. After discussing it with everyone, we thought it might been a good idea to see if he was like us, or if there was something else to understand about this.

Obviously, I didn't go alone. Aria, Luke and Ramiel went with us, watching us from afar and acting as if they were here by coincidence. The combination of their three abilities would be sufficient to cover any kind of problem if there had to have some.

Aria would listen from afar, using the wind to move the sound to her ears. Luke would be the most important asset if things were to go messy. In a fraction of second he'll be ready to intervene. And Ramiel could manipulate the whole area to create a scene different in anyone's mind from what would be happening.

The neon lights flickered overhead as we stood in line for tickets. We purchased our tickets and made our way inside, settling into our seats as the previews started. I could feel Luke's presence somewhere in the crowd, a silent guardian. I didn't know how I knew it was him, but it was clear as water in my mind.

As the movie played, I kept glancing at Ben, trying to gauge his intentions. He didn't talk to me, I waited unsure of what was coming. Halfway through the film, he leaned over and whispered, "I know you're like me, Willow."

My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

He gave me a knowing look. "You're different. I sensed it the moment I saw you," he said, intensifying the "differ" a bit making me understand automatically.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "What are you?"

He smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm just like you."

The rest of the movie passed in a blur. We didn't talk, but it was as if his silence was loud. As the credits rolled, we stayed in our seats, the theater gradually emptying around us. Finally, I turned to him. "Why did you come to find me?"

"I've been looking for others like us," he said softly. "We're stronger together. But there are people out there who want to use us, control us. I had to know where you stand."

"And what about Raiden and the others?" I asked.

"I know about them too," he admitted. "They're different, but we all share the same fate. The same danger."

I stood up, feeling the weight of his words. "We need to talk. All of us."

He nodded. "I could agree. But be careful, Willow. There are people watching, following us. They know we're here. And if I show myself with them, it might be a big mistake. You need to tell them it might be time to take some action."

As we left the cinema, I spotted shadowy figures lurking at the edge of the parking lot. I faked calling Luke to come and get me. In a minute he appeared at my side, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Let's go," he said quietly.

Ben left just after having some kind of eye battle with Luke, finishing it with a solid nod from him. He waved at me and told me I would see him a school.

We made our way back to my house, the tension in the air palpable. Once inside, I turned to them. "We need to figure out what's going on. He knows about us, all of us. He said you have to take some action soon."

Ramiel nodded, his expression grim. "We need to prepare for whatever's coming. Together."

The three of them exchanged wary looks, making me uneasy. I knew this didn't mean thing were fine, but I also hoped it didn't mean it for the worst.

———

The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the quiet town as I sat on the porch steps of my parents' house, lost in thought. The air was warm and still, but an unsettling feeling lingered in the back of my mind. My adoptive parents had always been loving and attentive, but lately, their behavior had become increasingly strange.