Beyond The Sea Blue Light

Cloak And Dagger Murder The Truth

We should be thankful, I know. But we can't bring ourselves to relax. It's been several weeks now, and there is no sign of the guards.

"It could just be because they don't have the resources," Jack says from where he's sprawled over the couch.

"They wouldn't give up so easily," Alex points out. He shoves Jack's legs off the couch so he can sit down on the couch. Jack promptly moves them back, making Alex roll his eyes, but he doesn't shove them off. "Remember last time?"

"They've suffered two huge losses," Jack counters. "They know how powerful we can be."

"Why are we even focusing on it?" Oli asks. "I mean, we are winning. There's no trace of them. At this point, I think we might be able to do it."

"I wouldn't speak so soon," Frank says, coming in with a mug of coffee in his hand. "We don't want to jinx it. They are better prepared than you give them credit for."

Oli shrugs, leaning back in the armchair. "I guess," he says. "But think about how much more powerful we are."

"What's the point of arguing?" I ask. "It won't do anything. We just have to be prepared if they do come."

"You gotta admit, it's strange," Oli says. "We have Vic. But they're not coming after us." I catch what he's implying instantly.

"That's bullshit," I snap. "He would never."

"He did it once," Oli counters. "I'm just saying we're not safe."

"Who told you this? Andy?" I flare. "Or the facility?"

Oli looks shocked, his eyes going wide. "What?" he stammers. "N-no. It was just a suspicion. I'm suspicious of everyone."

Alex raises his eyebrows, exchanging a glance with Jack.

"I think we should be careful," Frank cuts in smoothly. "No one is blaming anyone here. Unless we have reasonable proof, we are all on the same side. We can't be divided. We're stronger together, you said it yourself, Oli. So we have to work together."

---

"Something's bothering you."

"Hmm?" I don't look up from where I'm lying on the bed, pretending to be invested in the book I'm holding. Actually, a lot is bothering me. But I'm not going to tell him about most of it.

"What is it?" Vic asks.

"Nothing." I flip the next page even though I have barely understood a single word on the last page.

"Talk to me." The book is pulled out of my hands as Vic tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. "What happened?"

"It's nothing," I sigh, sitting up. "It doesn't matter."

"It's about what Oli said, isn't it?"

I look up at him, shocked. "How did you know?"

Vic just shakes his head, smiling at me. "Alex told me. Really, Kells, what's—"

"I know you wouldn't," I say immediately.

"I hope not," Vic sighs.

"You're fine now," I press. "Gerard said so."

"I know," Vic says, but he doesn't look convinced. "But we do need to be careful. If they have a spy here, then we really are in trouble. I just don't think that anyone would."

"Me either." I lean over, resting my head against his shoulder. "I hope so at least."

He doesn't reply, just holds me closer, tightening his grip around me. I close my eyes as he pulls us backward until we are lying on the bed, clutched in each other's embrace.

As his hand rubs circles onto my back, I let my mind wander. He's been so different lately, ever since I got him back. The change is almost unnoticeable, but I have noticed. Vic's quieter, more closed off into himself. He still seems like his normal self most of the time, laughing with me, Jack, and Alex. But other times, he seems so distant, staring into empty space. I wonder what they did to him, to make him like this. But whenever I try to ask, he just brushes it away, acting as if I'm not there. Other times, it's like he can't get close enough to me. Almost like he's making sure I'm actually here. I find myself doing the same though. Every so often, in the middle of the night, I wake up, reaching over to the other side of the bed to make sure he's actually here. It's like I'm scared that this has all been a dream. Day by day, I watch him, as he slowly comes back into himself. Though yes, a part of him is gone, one that I wonder if it will ever come back or if it's gone forever. Seeing him like this fuels my determination. We have to destroy the Facilities so they can never do this again.

---

There's a commotion coming from the back patio when I go downstairs. Tucking my hands into my pockets, I peer around the corner. Alex, Jack, and Gerard are watching Awsten standing in the center of the lawn. There are several strange stacks of chairs haphazardly pilled across the lawn. Alex sees me and gives me a little wave. Awsten's eyes are closed, his hands outstretched. He claps once, the sound echoing through the air. I wait in silence, watching him, but it seems as if nothing happens.

"Just wait," Jack whispers.

Sure enough, a faint white glow appears at Awsten's fingertips, sending small ripples through the air. A high pitched ringing sounds before the air around us shudders, surging toward the chairs stacked on the patio. In an instant, they crash to the ground. Awsten's eyes fly open and he smiles before shooting up a few inches into the air. I can see faint ripples below him, the sound waves keeping him afloat.

Alex lets out a low whistle. "Wow," he says warmly. "That was impressive."

"I can't really control it well," Awsten admits, settling back down onto the grass. "It doesn't work sometimes." He makes a helpless gesture with his hands.

"What exactly is your power?" Jack asks.

"Sound manipulation," Awsten says. "Basically I can manipulate sound waves into forces."

"Just give it practice," I say. "It took me a long time for me to be able to control my abilities well."

"We'll help you," Gerard says. "That's what we're here for, aren't we? We are each other's family and family helps each other."