Jace

She looked around, and noticed a small lamp beside the couch, on a low bookshelf. She moved over and turned it on, the light blinding her eyes for a moment. Finally, she looked down at the small gray book, and read the title.

"Mana Manipulation"

Fate was puzzled and intrigued by the book, and took a second to actually open it. "Mana Manipulation," it wasn't an odd name compared to some other books she read, but it seemed so mysterious, along with the several century old-looking cover. It's gray exterior looked like it would crumple any second.

She opened to the first page, before scrolling through them all. Honestly, she wouldn't even consider this a book, as it only had 5 chapters, each consisting of 5 pages. It was so small in her grasp she couldn't believe she didn't notice how thin it was earlier.

The sudden sound of footsteps below the attic startled Fate, as she jumped, nearly making her drop the book. She sat completely still for a minute, before realizing that it was free time. It was 6:00 PM, the time when everyone could do whatever they wanted, go outside and play longer or sit inside and play games.

Fate tucked herself back into the green blanket, nobody would even notice she was gone. She looked around one last time, before ignoring the running and walking from below, and glanced back at the book.

She flipped back to the first page, and read. There were several words in bold, and a small dash at each one. Fate began reading:

Mana Interference- The process of something inside one's body that prevents mana from flowing. Causes: Natural Phenomenon known as Natural Bone Blocker, is a bone which originates from the wrist, and blocks the flow of mana. This bone serves no purpose inside the Atlanteans body, other than restricting the users mana, therefore Spirit. To fix this, simply relocate or remove the bone for the mana to properly flow. An Atlantean will know they have this bone if they feel their wrist, near the Radius, it pops out like a bump.

She sat aghast for a moment, before looking further down. Under the long line of text was a small picture of a human hand, each bone named and shown, including the extra "Bone Blocker."

Her brain rattled, confusion filling her face. What did it mean Mana? What the heck was an "Atlantean?" Why did Jasper say I need to read this?

It didn't make sense, but she decided to ignore that. Whatever this was, Jasper said it was important, or else he wouldn't of spent the time to make that note.

Fate continued reading, shifting under the heavy green blanket. It was uncomfortable, but better than freezing. Surprisingly, even though this room was so dusty and unorganized, it was cold.

She looked back at the Mana Interference, and stared at the diagram. The Bone Blocker was so small, and was right at the bottom of the wrist. That thing blocked this so called "Mana?"

Fate thought for a moment, before realizing.

Her strings. Every time she'd use them and lost control, she would always feel some kind of pressure or power flow throughout her head or bicep, all the way to her fingers. But why would it flow to her fingers? Was that mana?

Fate looked down at her hand, and unfolded the covers. Her left wrist looked completely normal. Until, she looked down from her palm and drifted off. Right there, there was a small bump. She looked back at the diagram, and then her wrist. It was in the same spot.

Fate laid further back, drowsy, and confused. She got her right hand and felt the bump.

Just like the book said, it felt like a small bone. Fate stared off, before looking back down and realizing, this book wasn't fictional.

The lamp's light flickered beside her, and brought back her focus. Dust filled the floorboards, and the walls had old cobwebs from who knows how long ago.

She looked back down at the book, and continued reading:

Internal Magic Dysfunction- When ones Spirit Energy has been blocked after awakening, and the user does not remove it. This can lead to severe diseases and possibly kill the Atlantean. In battle, this can ultimately kill the user. Whatever you do, if you show any signs of Magic Interference, immediately get the proper surgeries to fix it. Otherwise, your Spirit will fade, and ultimately kill you by itself.

Once Fate finished reading, a loud sound erupted from the attic door. She jumped off, barely holding in a scream. She couldn't even process what she read, and immediately shoved the covers off.

Then, Fate jumped up and turned the light off, while placing the gray book on a low shelf. She hid behind the green couch, as there was no other way to leave the attic.

Sweat dripped from her forehead, as the creaking sound of the attic door opening filled her ears. The sound of dust shooting out and someone's footsteps made it all the worse.

The unknown person hopped through the door, and the sound of it closing ringed Fate's ears. They flicked the dim lightbulb on that was in the middle of the room, hanging from a thin chain.

Fate's breathing intensified, as she held her hand to her mouth, crouched down with her back to the couch, behind it. Right in front of her was a wall, and she could just barely fit between the wall and the couch. It was a good hiding spot.

The unknown person walked closer to the couch, and Fate's mind raced.

Suddenly, the sound of Jace's voice echoed, and the shock made her squeal. "Fate, It's me, Jace. You know, the guy with Anne this morning. I heard you talked to Finn? He told me to check on you."

Relief filled Fate's entire body, as she slumped back and began breathing normally. Jace began walking over to the couch, and popped his head over her.

His smile was big, and his vibrant amber eyes were glowing. He hopped off the couch and walked around, and motioned for her to come out.

Fate looked over, and nodded, before crawling out. Once she got out and stood, she stared at Jace, "I thought you were Mom or something, holy crap."

He chuckled, and replied, "I'd be shitting my pants too. You should've seen Mia, she squealed when I entered, couldn't even hide everything and nearly fell. If anything, she scared me more than she was scared of me."

Jace was only 9 years old, and looked completely calm. His thin pale face was the same, just as this morning, with a big smile. He wore the same clothes, a t-shirt and black shorts, and his brown hair was short and trimmed.

Fate brushed off his looks, and immediately began asking questions. She leaned over on the wall and asked, "Mia knows about Jasper? How do you know Jasper? What's going on? Everythings so confusing, and.." She trailed off, as Jace's calm face turned to a mixture of happiness and anger.

"Well, Jasper is gone. I have no idea where he went, and neither does Finn. I assumed you've met him? There's only 4 of us that know. As for your question things, yes, Mia knows Jasper. I only know him because of Finn, who told me every little thing about this hell hole. Right now, I don't even know anymore. Finn and Jasper are in a havoc, me and Mia are confused, I'm more confused than you on what's going on," His face distorted, and he sat down on the couch, holding his head up. Frustration and anger was obvious, his movements were rough.

Fate didn't know what to say, genuinely. Her head worked like gears in a clock. She hesitated, before interrupting the silence.

"Why are you here Jace? And the book, what does that mean?"

"I'm here because of Finn, even though I wanted Mia to do it. He forced me. The book is about us, the Atlanteans. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but you'll understand soon. That book is important, extremely important. It's over 50 years of age, I'm surprised it's still going. And for the book's meaning, I don't feel like explaining it."

The sound of a clock ticking filled the attic, and kids below us began running around and getting louder. Jace looked down, and pulled out a small watch, and clicked a button to stop the ticking sound.

His face got serious, and he looked at Fate. "We need to leave, now. I came here to make sure you get out of this place safely, Finn's orders. Mom doesn't hesitate like the others.."

Before Fate could reply, Jace grabbed her hand and ran to the right wall. He moved a bookshelf and a small door knob was there. He quickly opened it, and looked down. It was a latter.

Without a word, Jace let go of her hand and slipped down, but not before moving the bookshelf back, trapping them in.

Fate was hesitant, but followed behind him. The latter was so dark that she could barely see. Multiple times cobwebs got into her eyes or hair.

She managed to get to the bottom, Jace waiting. It was a small bunker type thing, with no lights. There were several doors each with tags above them.

Jace looked over at Fate, and said, "Find your room. There's a hidden door in everyone's room. I know, it's weird. I didn't make this. Go to your room and wait until Midnight, I think that's what Finn said. I'm just going to meet up with Mia. Cya Fate, we might talk later. Don't let Mom catch you, she's getting suspicious. Don't fucking die."

He smiled and went back up the latter, ignoring Fate's several attempts to follow and ask him questions.

She walked around the bunker, each small wooden door had a name tag above it. She went towards the directions of her room, and went past several others. One giant tag had Anne's name on it.

She made it to the door with the name "Fate" above it and entered. Or rather, tried. It was hard to open the door, like something heavy was blocking the way.

She pushed and heard the sound of something rolling, and moving. Finally, the door opened after a couple attempts and she entered.

Her bookshelf was moved, it had small wheels under it, no wonder the door was so hard to open. The door she entered through was small too.

Fate was now in her room, and closed the door, moving the bookshelf back into place with difficulty.

The sound of kids outside loudly speaking and walking around echoed past her real door. Fate jumped back on her bed and began thinking about everything that happened.

Jace said four people knew the "truth." There's Jasper, Finn, Mia, and Jace. So I must be the fifth. Jace said he came to make sure I managed out of the attic, but I could've just left through the actual entrance…

Fate stared at the wall for a while, in deep thought. It was almost calming, laying in bed and thinking.

After about 20 minutes of doing nothing but thinking, she needed to use the bathroom. Fate left her room, and entered the hallway.

That's when she noticed Mom, sitting right on the stool under the attic, reading to Anne and the other 5-6 year olds.

She realized that's why Jace came up, but how did he get past Mom? No idea.

Fate walked through the hallway, and Mom's fierce eyes immediately shot up from her book, and glared at her. Fate did her best half-smile and headed downstairs, feeling Mom's beating eyes on her back.

The entire time Mom stared at her while she read the book. Fate headed to the bathroom and cleaned up, before heading back up to her room.

During this break, she looked over at the clock, and noticed it was 7:45PM. It wasn't even close to midnight yet, but the sunset was beginning.

As Fate headed upstairs, she passed Mom, who announced everyone outside to come back in and get ready for bed.

The sound of kids booing and aweing could be heard even from the upstairs hallway. Fate headed to her room and wrapped herself in blankets and headed to her favorite spot: Her bean bag.

She sat down and began reading.

20 minutes later, Fate could hear Mom finally tucking everyone in and reading them bedtime stories. She never came in Fate's room, and she was glad for that.

It was now 9:45, and Fate continued reading.

Soon, 2 hours passed. They felt like an eternity. Fate had been pacing and doing whatever to make time go faster.

It was now 11:45, 15 minutes from midnight. She hadn't gotten any signs of them coming or anything, other than Jace over 3 hours earlier.

Fate creaked her door open, only to see the silhouette of Mom, at the end of the hallway, under the attic.

She quickly closed it, before jumping into her bed and pretending to sleep. Why was Mom there? Still under the attic, sitting on the stool...

13 minutes later of fake sleeping, and nearly falling asleep passed, and still, no signs of Jasper or Finn.

Fate sat up, her silver hair in a mess and her eyes wide. She arched her back, before looking out her window. It was right beside her desk, and big enough for someone to pass through.

6 Minutes later of waiting, Fate heard knocking at her window. She stood up, and excitement boiled. It had to be them.

She leaped up and went for the window, and peered through. It was Finn, who looked awful. He had Jasper over his shoulder, who looked half passed out.

Fate quickly opened the window, letting them in. Finn shot in, with no hesitation. He fell, but scrambled back up with Jasper on his back. They were both breathing heavily.

Finn's appearance looked different than before. His black leather jacket was now stained with blood, and his hair was in a frenzy, and greasy. Several bandages were on his hands and wrists, and she assumed his arms as well, even though they were covered by the jacket.

Over Finn's back was Jasper, who looked worse. Half of his face was stained with dried blood, and his chest had several giant white layers of fabric. His hair had a red tint to it now, and one of his eyes were opened, the sliver of his green eye showing tons of pain.

Fate's face disoriented from excitement to terror, as she helped Finn back up, she quickly asked, "What the.. What happened?" her voice was low, because she was so terrified.

They managed to get to her bed, and Finn laid Jasper down. He was breathing heavily and looked at Fate, his deep blue eyes glowing, like an endless ocean.

"We need to get the hell out of here… Now."

Jasper lifted his head, his green eyes glowing darker than ever before, fading.

"Run for our fucking lives."