Ashes to Diamonds

Chapter 8: Just Go With It

Her name was Altina. She had explained to Evan and I as she was attempting to rub off pizza sauce that had fallen onto her right shoulder on the dated robe she wore, leaving a thick layer of dried sauce by the time it dried. It was the only thing she told us after a good twenty minutes of stuffing her face with food. Then she resumed to eating messily again. I rolled my eyes.

She claims that she was forgetful - her unconvincing explanation as to how we still didn't know her name after three hour of meeting her. When she was satisfied by the way her stomach had stretched, she clasped her hands together and stretched her long arms behind her head, yawning at the same time. "The pizza wasn't as good as you said it would be, no wonder you didn't eat much". My mouth dropped to the floor. Evan even had a surprised look on his face. I didn't eat like a rhino, because there were more pressing issues at hand. "I wasn't really that hungry", I replied. "I'm pretty tired now, let's call it a night". "Are you serious? You come into my house, demand me to get you food, and you are now asking to stay the night? I thought that the reason you came here was to help us find Ember. You said it yourself, she could be in actual danger!  You haven't suggested a single plan. Do you really expect us to just sleep on this?" I was now breathing very heavily, my face heated and reaching new temperatures with rage. Altina did not flinch and maintained her careless, and tired expression. She even stifled a  yawn, slowly moving her hand over her mouth stretched open wide. She then dropped her arm back down to her side as if she had no more energy to hold it up any longer. I could feel the steam rushing out of my ears. I began to see in red and I clenched my fists ever so tight, nails digging into my palms that they could have drawn blood. I held them up, ready to throw them at her with no restraint. I heard quick footsteps coming from behind me. 

Evan lightly placed his hand on my shoulder, he had a slightly frightened look on his face. Why? How could I ever scare anyone. I'm too awkward of a person. It  must be Altina. Yes, we  know nothing about her strengths or powers. If we are reckless, who knows what she might do. In this instance, I wasn't too eager to find out.  I breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled. I then nodded my head towards Evan, who was still in silence. He relaxed a bit but still had a hint of fear in his eyes. I then turned back and began to glare directly at Altina, who was still sitting there with the same expression, and unamused by our short display.

She stood up from her  seat seemingly unfazed by my little burst. " I do have a plan. But it involves getting back to my headquarters, The Paragon." She paused. "'I have a lot more resources I can use to find her there". Confused, Evan stepped closer towards Altina and asked her, "why didn't you search for her from there instead of coming out all the way over here?". "Because I had to make sure that she was really gone", and she left it at that, satisfied by her answer. He looked at her suspiciously and Altina acted as if she didn't see it. "So, does that mean that you  will be back tomorrow to give us any updates on your findings?" I inquired. "Oh right, I guess I forgot to tell you. No, I will not be coming back here for a while. That is why the two of you are coming to The Paragon with me. We can really use your help". She paused then looked over at me, "How old did you say you were again?"  I never told her my age to begin with but I played along. "I'm seventeen, eighteen on October 9th. Hah, I guess that's only two weeks from now" I half mumbled to myself. Her eyes quickly opened wide and narrowed at the same speed as she quickly reached for her back, or the badger on her back, as she mouthed something crude. Something she heard occasionally from countless taxi drivers yelling at anyone that was in their path. But I couldn't read into what she was feeling. 

Altina then appeared to remember that she was still in the same room as us. She regained her original composure and turned back to me. Evan and I gave each other side-glances and we didn't have to speak to know what the both of us were thinking. Altina cleared her throat and smiled sincerely. It would have been believable if we had not just witnessed her micro - breakdown. "Um, so Ember told me  in our conversations that you have grown to be quite powerful Ali". I frowned upon hearing that nickname again. She then turned to Evan, "I've also heard some great stuff about you, kid." She gave him an all-knowing look. Baffled, I looked over at him. He was trying very hard to hold in his pride, but simultaneously, he looked quite annoyed. I held in my laugh. "Well, then I guess that it is settled! Sleepover at my place!", she exclaimed with the enthusiasm of a six year old child. She then raised up her right hand, balled it into a fist, and knocked three times on her rock hard hair. Loud tock, tock, tock  sounds emanated throughout the room. It was as if she knocked on a large wooden door. Silence filled the air as we all stood still for a good five seconds, although it was difficult not to laugh. I broke the silence with my laughter, and sequentially, Altina began to chuckle. Even Evan joined in.