Ignite

Chapter Twelve - Grieving

           

The next few days went past in a blur. I remember Jamie taking us to a 'safe house'. It was more like an apartment that celebrities would buy; large living room, modern furniture, so many rooms that you could never tell which one led where. Ruby and Scarlett went to their parent's house while we sorted this out. Premians had nowhere to train and at least half of them were dead.

Elijah stayed silent. I read somewhere that there were 5 steps to grief. Elijah was going through denial and isolation, the first step. No one tried to cheer him up, or even talk to him. Every now and then, Olly would put his arm around him and Elijah would break-down on his shoulder. I didn't expect him come over this quickly. After all, Audrey was his twin. It must have been like losing one half of yourself.

About a week after – well, you know – Jamie gathered us in the dining room. A long rectangular glass table stood in the middle of a white room emblazoned with silver swirls, surrounded with matching chairs. We all sat quietly. There were plates of luxurious food in the centre but no one felt like eating.

'We have a problem.' Jamie began.

'Yeah, I think we realised.' I retorted.

'But here's one you might not know about.' She continued. 'Our neighbours.'

'We have neighbours?' Maya asked.

'Yes, and they find it strange how there are five children and none of you are going to school.'

'Please don't tell me we have to go to school.' Maya grumbled.

'You don't have to.' Jamie said. 'I can only risk sending three of you. More than five Premians in one place can be catastrophic to regular humans.'

'But there are only five of us.' I said.

'Some schools might have some people who don't know they are Premians. Even they can be dangerous.'

'I'll go.' Olly piped.

'Me too.' I joined.

'Okay, so that's two.' Jamie counted. 'Anyone else?' She nodded to Maya who shook her head frantically. She turned to Ava who just stared at her shoes. Jamie knew better than to consult Elijah. He was staring at the spirals on the table, completely still and in deep thought. 'I guess two people could work.'

'Wait.' Elijah shifted. 'I'll go.'

'Are you sure?' Ava asked.

Elijah shrugged. 'Can't stay like this forever can I?' He must have meant that to be kinder but it sounded like poison. Ava found her shoes increasingly interesting.

'Alright then, I'll organise your school tonight and you can go tomorrow.' Jamie concluded. 'Now that's settled, let's eat!'

I felt better that Elijah was doing something instead of isolating himself, so my appetite came back. It seemed that everyone else felt that way too.

Once we had stuffed ourselves, we went to our bedrooms – yes, we each had private bedrooms – and slept. I should have felt nervous about school. I had never been before, being an orphan and all, but I felt more excited. Not for myself, for Elijah. I was glad he was doing something and that he had people to support him.

Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.

Now is a time to panic. Sure, I had endured so many things to panic about, but I never had. Cool, calm and collected was the perfect description of me. Unless you count that time when Leyton Sawyer captured me from the hospital, but who wouldn't panic in that situation? School is kingdom of panic.