The Beginning (book one)

Chapter Thirty

Sophia quickly paid for the groceries. She didn't want to stay in this general area, or even this town. Two attacks in the same day, what are the odds?

But Sophia was smart. She knew there weren't odds in this type of situation. She knew the Bad was created, just like how them, the Good, was created. The fact that they were created wasn't odds, so the rest couldn't be odds.

Someone was releasing information to the Bad on what the six were doing, either intentionally or not. And that wasn't good.

Now, if someone was releasing information to the Bad that's lurking around intentionally, Sophia couldn't tip hem off that she knew about what they were doing. Who knows what would happen. No, she would have to act normal, and just move around frequently. Good thing she was a good actor.

Sophia slipped into the front seat of her van, glancing around at the others. Emily was digging around in her bag of food, a joyful, innocent look on her face. Ann had already fallen asleep, her food on the ground by her feet. Jack was sending glances over at Ann, chewing on a granola bar. In the very back, Kyle was whispering things in Astrid's ear, a baby tomato in his hand. Astrid was looking at him, blushing, a shy, loving smile on her face. Sophia gave a little smile, and turned around. She started up the car, and drove away, trying to think of where the six could go next. Maybe a secluded part of a beach.

"Where are we going now?" Emily asked in her bright, bubbly voice.

"I don't really know," Sophia answered truthfully, "though I'm thinking about a nice, secluded beach. I don't want to be too far from the portal though, since summer in the Across is already half-way over."

"How is summer already half-way through?" Emily asked in shock.

"Time is a lot different in the Other Side. Haven't you noticed?" Sophia asked. Emily shook her head. "Look out the window. It's already dark out, but it's only been a couple of hours since the morning!" Emily gave a surprised hum in response, gazing up at the already-out moon.

"So, there seems to be a lot of milosc among the other four." Emily observed, looking back at the younger teens who had fallen sleep. "Have you ever loved anyone?"

Sophia sighed, looking out at the road, her grip on the steering wheel tight. It really was an innocent question, especially coming from someone like Emily, who seems to never want to hurt someone. But it was a question that had an answer that ran deep for Sophia. "Yes, I have."

"I haven't." Emily said, looking out at the road. "I've just always found the boys around me to be very glupi. Will you tell me about when you were in love please?"

Sophia tightened her grip on the steering wheel, blinking her eyes. "Alright... Her name was Karen. She had the most beautiful blue eyes. They looked like a clear summer day, not a cloud in sight. Her long, light brown hair was always pulled into a ponytail. She was pale, with light freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose. Whenever she was flustered, her cheeks were always dusted a lovely shade of pink. She looked like a porcelain doll. Karen was so sweet, and eccentric. She loved painting, and was dam good at it. God I loved her so much. For so long, she was my everything, her being the only the only thing I cared about. The rest of the world could've burned down, for all I cared, as long as I was with her."

"What happened?" Emily asked, her voice laced with concern.

Sophia sighed. "She broke my heart. We were dating at this point, so wrapped up in each other. I-... I thought I could trust her, I thought she would love me no matter what. I told her about my powers, my tribe, the prophecy, the different worlds. I had asked her if she would stay with me throughout everything. She didn't believe me at first. I showed her my powers. She believed me then. She was terrified of me. She promptly left my life, avoiding me at all costs. I don't think she ever told anyone about my 'secret life' as she put it, or why she actually broke up with me. I am grateful for that. Wow, I just talked a lot. Thanks for listening."

Emily gave Sophia a close-eyed smile. "Anytime, it's what friends are for! Although I do have one question... You said 'her', does that mean you're lesbijka?"

"Lesbian?" Sophia said with a little laugh. "Yes, I am. Your not homophobic, are you?"

"Oh no, definitely not, I just wanted... clarification." Emily assured.

Sophia smiled at Emily quickly before looking back at the road. She was happy to have found a true friend. "You should get some sleep. It's late, and it's been a busy, tiring day."

"Alright, Sophia, see you at wschod slonca."