Q-Tip(KOTLC) {Completed}

23

When the six of them leaped to Exillium, the three Coaches stalked to them.

"So, you've chosen the path of defiance."

"We mean no disrespect, and we meant none yesterday." Janessa said, noticing the Shade nodding in the corner of her eyes.

"Sometimes the greatest power comes from showing mercy. Especially to those who may not deserve it." Sophie told the Coaches quietly. Janessa looked at her sister, surprised at her wisdom. "Aren't we all hoping for a second chance?"

The red Coach nodded after several agonizing seconds.

They each went to their own tent to practice body temperature regulation in the sweltering heat of the desert.

The purple Coach asked her and Sophie how the gnome was doing, which they explained gladly.

"If you've seen anything that might be helpful..." Sophie said.

"I haven't." the Coach started to walk away, then said "But I will keep my eyes open."

The Waywards were then ordered to drag their mats into the sun and after about an hour of heat collecting around her, begging her to spark a flame, Janessa figured out how to focus on her cells and amplify any traces of coolness so that a tiny breeze felt like an arctic wind and a drop of sweat like a bucket of ice water. By the end of the day, the skill was almost natural.

When the sun was nearly setting, so the shadows were all elongated, the Shade's voice filled Janessa and Sophie's minds.

"How were you not arrested yesterday?" He asked.

Janessa didn't hear Sophie's telepathic answer.

"You already have the four you came with, and your sister. Do you really have room for more?"

Janessa figured out they were talking about friends and Sophie had wanted to be theirs. The Shade was silent for a long time, then whispered through his shadow, "I wouldn't know."

The next day, they were in a cave and practiced night vision. Janessa and Sophie were both struggling with this one and gripped each others' hands in fear.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" the Shade whispered in their heads.

Pause.

"Creepy crawly things?"

Pause.

"But clearly not what's making you shiver. Monsters, then?" He asked teasingly.

Pause.

"Like the ones behind the plague?"

Pause.

"I've seen a lot of things."

Though Janessa never heard Sophie's replies, she understood most of the conversation. There was a long pause before the Shade spoke again. "Not now. When I know whether or not I can trust you."

By the end of the week, the entire group was exhausted, especially Sophie and Janessa. Janessa had returned to her own room, determined to face her nightmares by herself, and each night, she'd been plagued with images of the ogre and pain in her shoulder.

They leaped to a glassy lake by a snowcapped mountain. Today they were going to practice breath regulation. They changed into wetsuits with swim caps covering their hair and goggles covering their faces.

The Waywards were supposed to float facedown and try to stay there. Surprisingly, the Hydrokinetic was having the most trouble, thrashing and flailing and whispering "I can't" to the Shade repeatedly, until Janessa imagined how hard it must be to be surrounded by her element without manipulating it. She had had the same trouble, to a smaller degree, in the desert, where there was too much heat.

Janessa went over to the Hydrokinetic and whispered "I can't imagine being surrounded by flames. The temptation must be great. Just try to focus on anything else, like the plant life you see underwater or even my voice. You can do it. I believe in you. Because if you can brave this, maybe one day I can learn to control my ability."

The Hydrokinetic nodded, and when she went under, she lasted only a few seconds before she panicked again. 

Suddenly, they both looked over where Sophie was, her face under the water. She must have spoken to them telepathically.

Janessa gave the pair a smile, before going back under the water because the purple Coach was looking at her.

Janessa lasted for a few minutes at a time, once getting up to seven minutes without breathing. The Hydrokinetic had stopped struggling since Sophie spoke to them telepathically.

The purple Coach pulled Sophie out of the water, announcing the new record of 46 minutes.

About a minute later, the Shade's shadow crossed Sophie's as Janessa was bringing her a towel. 

They changed into their regular uniforms and the Shade slunk up to Sophie and Janessa, whispering out loud "Now or never."

The Hydrokinetic held up a yellow crystal and Sophie grabbed the Shade's offered hand, holding out her other one for Janessa.

"No, I'll stay here and make sure the others don't freak out too much. You go with them." Janessa said, shaking her head. "They invited you not me."