Chapter 27

"How long has this been going on?" Xavier asked

"About three days ago, some fishers found a black lake filled with dead fish and wildlife that got caught in it." Zax held up a bag filled with black goo. "Those fishers brought back some of it but no one is sure what it is."

"Can we see it?" Leo asked

The king agreed and handed it to his older brother.

Everyone gathered around Leo to take a look at the goo.

*This is oil.* I said

"Oil?" Ezra asked

*Oil: the remains of ancient plants and animals, composed in the earth into liquid strings of carbon and hydrogen*

"Alright. Well, that explained nothing" Xavier said

"Sorry to interrupt but who are you talking to?" Zax asked

*Oh! Sorry! I forgot to expand my telepathy towards you* I said

He stared at me for a second before turning red and whipped his head towards Leo.

I'll try not to take offense in that…

"That's Niko. She...is a part of our group" Leo explained "She is a witch who can use telepathy"

Is that our story for me?

"And how does she know about that" Zax pointed towards the oil in Leo's hands

*It comes from the other side. This, unfortunately, is actually pretty common over there. We don't exactly take good care of our world and I'm guessing that our bad habits are affecting this place as well*

"...Our?"

"Our! What a great word!" Cam yelled but whispered to Zax "I'll explain everything later"

Cam turned towards me and asked "Do you know how to get rid of this oil?"

"We could have a barrier around the oil and carry it out. I'm sure most of it won't be gone but hey! It's a start!" Leah said

"That's a great idea!" Xavier said

"That sounds dumb. Niko. Your thoughts?" Ezra asked

"Burn it" I said

"Let's go with Leah's idea. We'll make that plan Z" Ezra said

I thought my idea was good. It's fairly common where I come from. Dangerous but effective. Maybe I just like fire.

"You guys have had a long day. Why don't you guys go get some rest? I'm sure my little brother will gladly open the bedroom doors for us." Cam said

Xavier snickered and Leo opened his mouth to say something.

"Don't say it. I heard it and regret saying it'' Cam said

The castles were so similar to each other that it was scary but what was creepy was that our rooms were in the same place as the other castle.

"This feels like home!" Leah said

"Yeah if only it weren't decorated badly" Ezra said

"I don't know. I kinda like it." Xavier said trying to be polite

"Zaxary was never good at decorating or anything like that." Leo said

Ezra laughed "That's right! Remember when he tried to stand out during that family gathering? He wore a bright yellow shirt with pink pants and blue shoes. Who told him that was a good idea?"

Leah turned her head to the wall.

"Leah...you?" Xavier asked

"It was funny. And we were children" she tried to defend herself

They kept making jokes and laughing with each other. I felt like a third wheel so I separated from them and walked into my room.

It has been a while since I've met them but I already feel close to them. I wonder why. Is this normal for humans? I guess it is. Especially if you have been deprived from social interaction as Julia has.

Me? I've never thought of humans as anything more than masters. It's hard to change your original programming.

I walk towards the closet and open it to see a ton of dresses. I don't mind wearing them for sleeping but when I'm out and about, I'd rather wear a shirt and pants.

I change into the most comfortable dress and crawl into the covers. THIS! This is what being human is all about! Feelings of comfort! And super soft blankets.