September 30, 2023

The light around me surged my eyes.

"Hey, Metal Wave! You're awake!" Parker said.

"What? Where am I?" I mumbled.

"You're back in Scottsdale." Luke said to me.

He was in his uncharged form, with his black neat hair, and his striking blue eyes, and pale skin. 

He looked at me, almost condescendingly, blaming me for something.

I sat up, and said to the them, "Was anyone else with us?"

"Well, there was Isabel. But we aren't sure where she is. We attempted to get her home, but we left her for one minute, and the next she was gone." Luke said.

"I still don't know where that other dude went, the one that helped me her and you out, but he said he'd be fine." Parker said.

"I need to get back home, speaking of which." I said.

I hopped off the table, and walked over to the exit.

"Wait!" Luke yelled you me, right as I reached the door.

I turned and looked at him.

"You wouldn't happen to know where our friend Lauren is?" Luke asked, with fear I hid eyes.

"I'm sure she's alright. She'll turn up at some point. And if I see her, I'll tell her where to go." I said, "But what does she look like?"

"She has bright green eyes, dark brown hair, light rosy skin and cheeks, and she's pretty tall and has a skinny physique." Luke said, with utmost detail.

He looked worried, almost as is it was himself in the situation of what he thought I was in.

I gave him a small smile, but he couldn't see it under the shadow over my face.

"Alright. Thank you guys for all of your help." I said, walking out of the room.

I decided that I would have to walk around for a minute or two before I walked back in as Lauren.

I didn't remember anything from what had happened while I was in the in the dark consciousness. I could only imagine the terrible things I had done.

I decharged and I fell to the ground in hurt.

The charged form had helped my health, but now I was hurt terribly.

I was covered in every bruise, scrape, and cut imaginable. And my leg was still broken.

I waited for about ten minutes, in pain, then walked into the room and said, "Help...." I groaned in pain, "Please..."

"LAUREN!" Both of the boys yelled, they ran over to me and helped me over to the table.

"What happened?!" Luke said, "Where did you go?!"

"You're really hurt!" Parker said, attempting to stay calm.

"Did you happen to meet anyone named Skye?" I asked.

Parker said, "No-"

Skye ran in through the door.

"I sensed you were here!" Skye said, "Lauren, what happened?!"

"I broke my leg and traveled for almost 2 weeks, without good sleep or proper food." I said calmly.

"Oh my-" Parker sighed, he grabbed a rag, and attempted to wash the blood off of me.

Skye her hand over her mouth, and said, "So, who are you boys?"

"Luke." he said, holding out his hand for her to shake.

"Skye." she said, "From the past."

"Wait wha-" Parker said.

"Just get used to it. I've been here before. Right now, we need to figure out what happened in the sewers. I can sense that you're unsure and scared." Skye said.

"Oh, mind reader? FOF?" Luke guessed.

"Sort of. I can sense feelings and emotions, and also locations." Skye said.

"Well, then can you tell us where Isabel is?" Parker asked worriedly.

"I can only sense people I've met or seen. And I haven't heard of her. But she's your friend, yes?" Skye said, "Mkay. We'll figure out what happened to her."

"What happened?" I asked them.

"This girl and another boy, who were in their charged forms, got, I don't know, mind controlled? Their minds were taken to somewhere else? I think that's what the other girl said. Then this girl attacked us, and stole Isabel's necklace and took her destiny." Parker said, "I think."

"Who's the girl?" Luke asked.

"Cassie." Parker responded, "I wouldn't know why she would steal destinies. She already has her own."

"Cassie?" I said worriedly, "Guys."

They all looked at me.

I had to tell Parker out loud, and admit it was true.

I knew Luke knew. And Skye probably could tell, but I needed to say it out loud.

"What's up?" Luke asked.

"Cassie. Cassie said-" I began, "Cassie said that the FOF killed my father."

"What?" Skye asked, "I knew he was dead, but, did the FOF really kill him?"

"I have no idea anymore. Did Cassie do it to get inside my head?" I asked.

"There's more that's troubling you." Skye said.

I looked over at Parker and Luke, and said, "Guys I'm not sure-"

"If any of the emotions you're feeling are real?" Parker said, finishing my sentence.

"How did you-"

"Cassie told Isabel and I, that's how she was dragged in. Isabel also felt the same, so she wanted a normal life, but she couldn't abandon us, so she attempted to say no, but it was too late. Cassie took her necklace and destiny." Parker said, "Same with you too, Luke."

Luke and I averted our gazes from Parker, and Parker said, "I haven't been too sure either."

"From what I understand," Skye said, "You're character is connected to you because of personality and looks, so you're most likely like them."

"Its true that I might be like someone, but how do I know that my friendships are real? How do I know my feelings are real?!" I said, raising my voice with every word.

"Lauren, everything you feel is real." Skye said, holding my hand tightly.

"Come on, let's go get Isabel back." Parker said, motioning for the door.

"Do you guys know where Camden, Isla, and Houston are?" I asked them.

"I'm not sure, Luke and I haven't been here in days." Parker said.

"Lets go find them." Skye said.

"What's that in your pocket?" Luke asked Skye.

"Just a spray can." she responded.

"For?" Luke said condescendingly.

"Fine, I won't do anything with it." Skye said, taking it out of her pocket.

"I think we have ourselves a troublemaker, ladies and gentlemen." Parker said.

"Come on. I'm not all that bad, now let's go and find these people." Skye said, opening the door.

We all followed her out, and were shocked at the sight in front of us.