The Next Generation

Chapter 26 - Zara

I grumble as Kas takes off in a perfect swish. My shadow bird flaps its wings next to me. I rub my eyes for like the eight times that day, and jump on to my giant bird. It's hard to think that I created this graceful creature. Clutching onto its silky, almost wispy, feathers, it takes off after Kas. I felt my stomach drop when my bird did a loop around Kas's. She sat on her bird without holding on at all, with perfect balance. Caught up in watching her fly, I forgot I was on one too, so I slid sideways. Kas giggled and stared down at all the cars under us.

"Styx!" I gasped, watching as we got higher. Zeus, I pray, please don't shoot me down! Lightning crackled from above. Groaning, I yell for Kas to tell me how to go closer to the ground. No answer. She flew a few yards away, doing loop-de-loops.

My hands trembled from her touch, like she froze them with Charlie's powers. She said she was no different than an hour ago, she was wrong.

Lightning struck the car a few feet from me, I shriek for Kas, who was laughing as she flew near cars and waved. I clench my teeth and breathe. Down. I shake. Go down. Slowly, I descend to the ground. When the shadow bird touches the cement, it disintegrates and I fall a few feet and collapse down on the ground beside the highway, my stomach aiming for the sky. I gulped down air, still shaky. Kas glanced over my way and saw me. Her eyes grow wide, and she flys down next to me. She knelt down by my side.

She furrowed her eyebrows, "What happened?" I scrunch up my nose and grab her ankle. Taking in the darkness from the passing car's shadows. The darkness swallowed us. When I opened my eyes, we were back in the trailer. The plush couch under us softened the fall. I smirk at all the faces around the small table, and walk back into my room with my head held high.

For the rest of the trip, I stayed in my room, well, other than the occasional monster attacks. In the time a was alone, I thought about all the decisions I made. Some good, some bad. What was I to think about Kas? Is she still capable of being a normal friend? Will I get weird when I'm around her again? What about the others? Do they know?

I played with my shadow magic, sitting on my bed letting it swirl around me, acting out all my emotions and some even showing visions of the day so far. I played with the darkness until my hands started to turn transparent and boney. It was like my way of my fingers pruning in water, but it is not in water, just darkness. Why was I mad at Kas? What did she do? She's just being herself. Am I the weird one...

The dreams I had before I was with Kas on the roof didn't reassure me of how Nico and the others are doing. I only had visions. No dream calls for Nico anymore. He must be getting weaker.

****

Screaming filled the RV, waking me up for my dreamless sleep. I jump out from under the bed sheets, and race to the small kitchen where Riley was yanking on Emmi's hair.

"Agh! What in the name of Hades are you doing!" She shrieked. I sigh, and sit down on the couch to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

While the two girls blabbed on about how to not hurt someone while doing their hair, Ethan came over to sit next to me. I bit my lip so hard it started bleeding.

"Um, Zara..."

"No, I don't even want to hear it." I interrupted.

"But-"

"Go away!" I shoved him off the couch, but he stood back up and grabbed for my hand, "No!" I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "No!" I slapped him square in the face, feeling all the eyes on me. He backs away, holding his cheek. "Why," I cleared my throat, "Why does it have to be that any time I come out of my room someone feels pity towards me. I'm fine, leave me." The room goes quiet, Emmi and Riley sit there, in mid brush. I glare at them, then snatch the magazine from the side table, and pretend to read it.