Lost Locket

"Anyone wanna go grocery shopping with me?" announced Chase standing right at the middle of the café with a long list in his hand raised up in the air.

Everyone raised their heads from their jobs, glanced at him for a moment then went back to their own business. I watched as he sighed heavily and mumbled something under his breath along the line 'as usual…no one interested…go alone'. I finished arranging the chair and went upto him.

"Can I join?" I asked a little uncertain.

"Oh yeah? Really?" he exclaimed to which I nodded, "No one likes to go grocery shopping with me. I wonder why though," he taped on his chin, "Let's go then!"

He then folded up the list and together we went towards the exit where Koda stood fumbling with the yo-yo which was originally Riley's. He flashed us a smile and straightened his posture.

"Chase! Alisa! Where're you going?" he tilted his head like a curious child. Yeah the rangers have started to call me and Karthik by our fake names. I've heard them calling Karthik as Kyle before but decided not to question it considering I got less answers to no answer at all from people around here.

"To the grocery, cave man" Chase impersonated him by puffing out his chest.

A chuckle escaped me when Koda copied him immediately with a proud smile.

"Can you buy me carrots, then?" Koda asked after relaxing and resuming his play with the yo-yo with puppy eyes on full display.

"What for?" Chase inquired.

"For eating," he grinned innocently.

"So, you're the reason why our carrot stock ran out earlier than usual, huh?" Chase huffed with wide eyes.

"Sorry," Koda grinned again.

"Okay, I'll buy you carrots," Chase patted his head, "We will get going then. Bye, dude!"

"Bye bye! Bring carrots for me fast" Koda waved aggressively at our fading figures.

We crossed the road and walked a couple of meters to the Giant Super Market. Chase hastily rushed over to drag a trolley and entered inside.

It was Sunday and there were many people hustling around in a bustle. Whining of kids could be heard while passing by the candy and chocolate section while teenagers were crouded at the snack aisle. Old aged grandmothers hung a small purse just above their elbow and passed by us with a small hunch. The faint sound of music playing in the background just barely audible.

Chase passed me the list and asked me to read it out to him. As we walked further inside it was very tempting not to take anything. I really had to remind myself that I am fed by Ms.Morgan not by my parents and I shouldn't really burden her. It's ironic of course but I had no choice anyway.

Chase asked me many choices failing to pick the one he wants. Sometimes I liked both of them and didn't know what to do, it was abrupt too like out of nowhere he would just pop out spreading out the stuff in his hands. I guess I kinda know why the rangers refuse to go shopping with him. He is a little bit too charistamatic unlike the him I saw in the TV show nevertheless I adore him. He has become a big brother figure to me now.

"Alisa, what do you think?" my supposed not-blood related popped out from behind a shelf almost scaring the living daylights out of me with two loafs of bread in his hands, "Milk bread or wheat bread?"

"Uh…" I put down the two jam jars into the trolley thinking hard, "Maybe milk?"

"Yeah, that's right" he then put the milk one in the trolley and went away probably to put the other from wherever he got it. That's right, even though the list actually has what kind of bread we want he will ask me. 'Just for conformation' he had said.

After a long hour of choosing stuff and pushing the heavy trolley all around the supermarket, we finally paid and got out of the building with a bunch of bags in both of our hands. Chase took all the heavy ones from me replacing it with lighter ones. I had insisted that I could hold all of that but nope, he didn't even let me come near them. I decided to give in seeing no point in talking with the black ranger.

"So, do you like our place?" he asked when we were walking towards a café he suggested just opposite the supermarket.

"Of course, I do! It's wonderful" I immediatly answered cheerfully.

"I'm glad to hear that," he grinned while I opened the door for him to enter the café, "We always wanted to make you feel comfortable with us"

We took the table for two right beside the glass window. I put the plastic bags under the table and started clenching-unclenching my slightly sour hands. The waiter bought menus to us hastily. I told Chase what I wanted when he asked.

"Hey, have you ever tried this?" he asked pointing to a golden brown gorgoues piece of cake.

"No, is it special?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Hell yeah. I can't believe you've never tried honey cake," he exclaimed to which I sheepishly smiled shrugging my shoulders "Honey cake it is then. You should never miss this piece of heaven"

He ordered that along with my iced americano and his espresso. The waiter guy smiled politely and went away causing my companion opposite me to start talking about whatever came to his mind first. I just listened to his blabber silently letting my eyes wander off to examine the interior of the café. Suddenly I felt a weird feeling as if someone was watching me. It was merely an instinct when I turned my head slightly to stop on two hooded guys sitting to the right of us. They were bulky I could say and strangely enough the hood covered half of their face limiting my vision from seeing their eyes from their head hung low position. I felt creeped out and a slight dread started forming inside the pit of my stomach.

I turned my head away from them when the waiter arrived with our beverages and cakes. Chase excitedly urged me to try it out. I smiled at him as I deveoured the sweet with a tight smile glancing momentarily at the two figures. Even when the delicious taset of honey and cream exploded in my mouth I wasn't able to enjoy it at all.

When I was watching them from the corner of my eyes, one of them raised his head and looked at me almost as if he knew I was watching him. His face kept hidden though but did I imagine it or a red gleam glowed at the place where his eyes should be? I shuddered under his dark gaze and suddenly chocked on my drink. Chase being oblivious to all this panicked and patted my back passing me a tissue asking whether I was alright.

"I'm fine," I choked out really uncomfortable feeling the hooded man's gaze still on me, "Can we go back? Like right now?" I asked hopefully.

"Why? Are you okay, Alisa?" Chase was more than concerned now.

"No, I just wanna go," clear desperation laced my tone.

Chase looked at me for a moment but I kept a pleading eyes to which he finally nodded.

I swiftly got up and took the bags in the hands while Chase settled the bill. I couldn't help but look in the direction of the mysterious guys and I did, immedietly regreting it seeing that both of them were darkly gazing at me a dark aura forming around them.

I panicked and pushed Chase out of the café.

I breathed out in relief after the door closed behind us.

"Woah! What was that? Are you sure you are fine?" Chase asked again tailing behind me.

"I'm fine, Chase," I sighed while the red gleam in their eyes played in my mind, "Let' just go home"

"Okay…" Chase didn't talk about that further and changed the subject.

However that wasn't the end. I heard hast footsteps behind us when we turned a corner. I stiffened when the same dread filled inside me. I internally screamed when I saw the two figures following us when I looked at a mirror before us.

Just great!

I moved closer to Chase and sped walked desperately. Chase jogged a little to catch up with me and started talking again. They were coming closer and closer, their aura starting to take a tall on my breathing.

"Alisa, is everything alright?" Chase obviously noticed my heavily breathing form.

There was no time for asking that question because I heard a swish and instinctively pulled Chase out of the way of whatever was coming. I watched as the knife plunged into the tree bark right in front if us.

"Watch out!" I yelled when another knife flew past us.

Chase and I ducked in time. Chase caught my wrist and started running which was really hard considering the fact that we were carrying heavy bags. I tripped on them multiple times and cursed under my breathe. To add itself to the furry, the hoods were advancing on us rather fast than I expected still throwing knives and narrowly missing us just by milli meters. As if he read my mind, Chase led me towards a large bush in front of a house.

"Put them here," he panted.

I was trembling from head to toe. It was the first time experiencing something so bizarre like why in the world were they even trying to attack us? We were just sitting in a café, chatting and now things took a whole round turn. I didn't know what to do.

Chase has already taken out his energem ready to transform any moment. But waited for them to come out because we both knew the serene silence embedding around us was just a veil for them to hide. Then suddenly, with a loud crash a red flaring ball of flame tore through the bush causing it to burst into ashes.

I yelled in fright and shivered.

The hoods glided towards us and stood in front. Instead of just a hood and a normal jean they were wearing long black hoods, the bottom of it barely brushing the grassy ground emitting an impression that they were floating above the ground. The red gleam in their eyes now prominent in their eye sockets than ever. Their slightly raise hands burned red and blue flames. I realised those were just seconds away from thrown at me.

Chase however stood infront of me when their eyes fixed only on me, still not knowing why they were targeting me. It was pretty obvious from the way they sneered at me.

"Dino charger" Chase shouted extending out his dark energem, "Ready!" a bulky yellow and black gun appeared in his hand. He shoved something on it which made it buzz with energy, "Energize!" he then raised it above his head and clicked something, "Unleash the power!" a large misty hologram of a dinosaur head appeared from the tip of it and swallowed him as a whole. When I opened my eyes again, he has worn a cool black outfit with a sharp sword in his hand.

That was awesome to see him transforming live in front of me; a dream come true even. But in the current situation I had no time to awe at him because the moment he transformed their eyes shifted towards him and they charged at him.

Flames and lights showered everywhere. I jumped off my spot when a flame zoomed straight at me. The hoods aggressively shot flames at Chase who blocked them all with his sword with great skills. One of them threw a knife aiming his leg but he twirled it away from him nearly cutting his thigh. He was catching up with them dodging and blocking the flame balls. They were very cunning and clever I could say seeing how they aimed something at me every once in a while, but Chase blocked them seeing how their brain was working; if they have one that is. But I got startled when a long spear swished past me and hit the wall behind me. I sighed in relief and looked forward to see that they had successfully managed to distract him but that didn't last long though.

I felt useless. I mean I couldn't even do anything. I hate it when I couldn't do anything. I thought of anything and everything but was futile. I searched for my phone to inform Ms. Morgan or anybody but nope, it wasn't with me. Maybe I left it with the grocery bags.

I internally facepalmed at my stupid self for not knowing what to do in situations like this. I'd watched like a hundred movies and read many books with fight scenes. I thought it was cool when they fought and really wished to try it out but when I saw the oppourtunity to fight in front of me in real life, I couldn't even think straight.

Chase was thrusted into the ground by their fire flames, I guess and he had transformed back. He groaned in pain trying to sit up but failed miserrably while blood gushed out of his wounds both on his legs and forearm.

"Chase!" I shouted alarmed.

"R-Run Alisa, run," he shouted out amidst the scruntinizing pain.

But I couldn't. It was as if I was glued to the ground permenantly. I'd always cursed at people who wouldn't move when danger comes their way in books but guess what? Don't do it. Karma is really a…you-know-what. You can't comment from up there while enjoying the show, this is no fun nor thrilling.

I watched in horror as their attention shifted towards me and started advancing. I really did try to run though but a knife pireced into the flesh of my leg. I yelped and doubled over in pain, trying to breathe normally.

"Alisa" I heard Chase shouting.

My eyes blurred with tears of pain through which I watched the knife on my skin. My shaky hands clutched the cold tilt of the knife and pulled it out with a loud gasp. It wasn't as deep as I'd expected so I threw it away and attempted to get up leaning myself against the wall. The pain shoot through my nerves but I clenched my teeth and stood up refusing to be weak in front of them. I saw their lips curling into a creepy smirk as they stepped slowly but steadily towards me. Heavy pants escaped through my chapped lips while I peered at them.

I refused to surrender in front of them.

I tiled my head to the side to see the spear against the wall. I gripped on it with bloody fingers and pulled it out with gasp. I knew I didn't know how to use a spear but I had no choice; anything was fine for me then.

Amusement played in their eyes when I held the spear against them. They shot a fire ball at me which I somehow weakly blocked using the deadly weapon in my hands. They kept shooting them some of them I blocked while some I avoided by moving out of the way. I clenched my teeth painfully, hurting my gums when I stood before them without any support with just a spear in my hand, miserably blocking the fires, almost burning my skin everytime they passed by me. Weariness was taking over me with the continuous blood flowing out of my wound. From the corner of my eyes I saw Chase trying to get up but fell over frustration building inside him not being able to help me.

A particular huge flame ball hit my shoulder causing me to fall into the pool behind me due to the huge impact on it. I could hear the yells and shouts of Chase vibrating through the water but everything floated away from my ears as the icy fingers of the pool gripped me tightly.

I held my breath as I kept my eyes wide open wondering why my vision was not blurry at all. Too exhausted to move I didn't try to swim nor move, just letting myself sink deeper into the shallows of the water surrounding me. The blood oozed out of the wound and dissolved into the water. At that very moment I felt some sort of light hitting my face. I turned around to find that the light was from something overly shiny, a metal perhaps. I frowned wadding closer to the source but widened my eyes when I saw a silver sword laying at the bottom, sunlight from the surface reflecting off from it's shinny blade. A low whisper caused me to look around. Upon further squinting, I made out a faint form of a floating lady. Long strands of her clothings floated around her as she gave me a small smile, turned around and picked up the sword from the floor. She floated towards my shook body stopping right in front of me with the same smile carved on her see-through lips. She extended the sword towards me but I was completely paralaysed with what I was seeing. She giggled slightly before grasping my hand, shooting tingling sensation through my whole body and placed it on my palm. I glanced down at the sword and looked back at her with a gasp when she touched my cheek, the same tingling sensation lingered.

I closed my slightly opened mouth with wide eyes realizing I had it open for a while now but not a single drop of water entered my system.

"You can breathe underwater," she whispered as her fingers traced my cheek.

"H-How…" I trailed off alarmed and confused at the same time.

She chuckled and dropped her transparent hand hesitantly, "You will get all the answers soon, darling." She took hold of the sharp blade of the sword and raised it, "Now, go show them what you are made of," her immediate deep gaze captivated me, "Show them who you are"

A sudden rush of adrenaline pumped through my blood vessels and determination flooded into me. I tightened my grip on the sword and glanced down at it but when I looked up the woman had already vanished. I swirled around but she was nowhere to be seen.

I opened my mouth again and checked whether I could really breathe underwater, sure enough I could. I was thrilled nevertheless but confused with her uncomplete words. However I decided to think about it later and look at the matter at hand.

I took a confident glance at the silver sword still wrapped tightly around my fingers and swam towards the shining surface as my dark hair swooped beneath me. I broke the silence of the water to reveal myself in front of the two oblivious monsters. They were searching for me, I could tell. Their constant sniffing made me realize that they cannot actually see people they can only make out their smell. The creatures sensed me when I surfaced and shot balls of fire towards me which extinguished themselves after hitting the water after successfully missing me. I wadded through the water to the other side and got off the pool with the sword still clutched tightly in my palm.

They swished towards me without missing a beat slightly sniffing their arms poised to shot knives or fire or whatever. I gripped the sword tightly and raised it up before me protectively. A new kind of energy flushed through me and my whole body pumped with adrenaline. With my concentration solely on them I gulped at another realization that I don't even know how to use a sword but the determination in me when it's metal tilt was pressed against my wet palm, somehow everything felt familiar.

It didn't take long for them to locate me and shoot out reddish flames. I vividly saw it racing towards me and just in time I deflected it with blade of the sword. Many followed after but I managed to block or deflect them perfectly. With the rush of adrenaline I knew that I can't just keep deflecting I should fight them back and figure out a way to get them off here, Chase needed help on top of that. So, that's exactly what I did.

When I advanced towards the hood comparitevly near me, it pulled out a red spear from under his long black robe and successfully blocked me, our weapons emitting out a loud cling at contact while the other continuously shoot fireballs at me. I fought them at one time, more like the sword led me to fight them; it kept swinging back and forth. My senses became wide awake and I slashed through the spear with a low growl in my throat, cutting them into two pieces, without missing a beat I took my chance and lunged the sword into the chest of the hood infront of me. It immediatly froze and pulvourized into thin air.

Sensing this, the other hood shot a huge flame at me with clear range. I wasn't dumb like last time thus ducked it by rolling away towards the hood. I got up swiftly before twirling the sword in my hand to get a better grip and slicing off its bottom. The figure burst into golden dust right away while I squat on the ground panting wild.

I felt my heart beating hard against my sternum as I lowered the sword. Two of them have gone, finally. And I did it, alone. I couldn't believe what I just did. A person who has never touched a sword in her life just fought like a pro. I glanced down at the sword in my trembling hand and saw it shining brightly under the sunlight. Only then did I realized how beautiful it looked. It was made of hard bronze with a sharp blade of course because what kind of blade can slash a spear into two? The handle had slight curvy designs on it, shells and fishes carved into it and a big ocean blue gem placed right at the middle of the tilt where the blade starts. What power does it hold? Why do I feel like I know it for so long and why does it look a little too familiar? It's not like I'd ever seen a sword in my life. But what is this déjà vu?

"Alisa" Chase's pained voice broke me out of my daze.

I got up and ran towards his form lying on the ground clutching his forearm, blood smeared over his black and white t-shirt, and his face twisted in pain. I worriedly observed him as I croutched down before him.

"Alisa, you're alright" he sighed, "I'm really glad."

"So much blood," I gasped not knowing what to do at the immense amount of red thick liquid. The flesh was torn, he needed help like now!

"Where did you get that?" he asked amidst his low pants, pointing towards the sword.

"Oh, from the pool. No time to explain. Where's your phone?" I asked swiftly changing the subject.

"Where's yours?"

"I don't know. I think it's in the grocery covers"

He nodded and took out his phone from his jean pocket with his free hand gritting and wincing with pain. I hastily got it from him even though it was covered with his blood. I informed Shelby and explained the situation. She hung up telling she'll come immedietly along with the rangers.

Meanwhile I took a handkerchief and tied it around his gash with Chase groaning and whining. I prayed for them to come fast and told him to hang on by stay awake. I was afraid something will happen if he lose his consciousness. After I secured the knot on his arm I leaned back but accidentaly leaned my hand on the blue gem of the sword. With a swish sound it shrunk into a locket with a long chain attached to the gem, making both of us flinch.

"A locket?" Chase exclaimed.

I picked it up from the ground in awe. Why does it look-

Oh my God! The locket. The locket I lost after the tsunami. The locket my mom gave me before it was taken away from my grasp. The locket. That's why it felt familiar. No wonder a déjà vu hit me then.

"This's the locket my mom gave me before the tsunami hit our place" I mumbled caressing the gem, my heart clenching with melancholy.

"But how did it reach here?" I sensed Chase frowning, "You told me you got it from the pool. Also, I saw you falling into the pool why are you completely dry?" he widened his eyes.

I looked down at myself at his comment with immense shock, indeed he was right. I was completely dry nothing of mine was wet, even my hair. Is it one of the trick used by the transparent pool woman just like how I could breathe underwater?

I dragged my hand over my face with frustration but I knew my answers and questions will never be answered any soon no matter what I do.

"I don't know" I sighed dropping my palm clutching the locket to my side, "I just don't know"

Chase face twisted into a sympathetic one but before he could say anything Tyler's jeep arrived and Shelby, Koda along with a very worried looking Kyle (I'd started calling him that) jumped out of it right into the footpath. I watched as they rushed towards us while putting on the locket and hiding it under my shirt where it rested a few inches below my heart.

"Alisa, are you alright?" Kyle rushed towards me and inspected me grabbing both my shoulders. I shrugged his hands off as gentle as possible not wanting to offend him and stepped away from him.

"I'm fine," I replied and turned to others who stood beside Chase, "Chase really needs medical care. We should take him to a hospital"

Tyler and Koda supported Chase on their shoulders, who released audible grunts trying not to put too much weight on his injured leg. I knew he couldn't walk without support because burns and cuts were clearly visible. I really felt bad for him.

"Ms.Morgan has instructed us to take him to the base," Shelby explained while picking the left out grocery bags from behind the destroyed bushes accompanied by me and Kyle. I was really glad nothing happened to it, "Getting him to the hospital will lead to questions and such. We can't afford any of that"

I decided to nod though a little uncertain.

Later when we reached home, Chase was immediately taken to the base where Ms.Morgan and Shelby took care his cuts and burns. He was okay but unconscious due to the excess loss of blood. When I checked mine there was none, not even a scar. I was beyond confused just like I was when I learned being completey dry after emerging out of a pool. Am I god or something? I'd to explain everything to them including the sword part and they released a collective gasp when I told them about the water woman. I didn't tell them what she told me because I thought it wasn't important. I saw Ms.Morgan and Kyle stole a knowing glance at each other but hid it from me. Can't they just tell me already what's happening? When I pressed them further they revealed that those hoods were monsters which I already knew. C'mon, who can't differentiate between a monster and a human. I groaned internally at their answer and asked why they were after me but they told me it wasn't much of a big deal and that they just pick on whoever they want which by the way was the worst excuse I'd ever seen or read in my entire life. They can just tell me they don't want to tell me about it.

Also, now they've passed a new law stating I should not go anywhere alone which didn't effect me at all because I was already accosted of them treating like a child even though Kyle and I are of the same age. I didn't feel anything new. At this point, I'm not even surprised anymore.

"You know, I was worried about you" Kyle told me while walking down the hallway.

"There's no reason for you to be," I mumbled tracing my eyes through the firefly lights refusing to acknowledge the glances he gave me.

I heard him sigh heavily.

"Are you still mad at me?"

I turned to look at him right when we reached our road.

I didn't answer.

"You know I'm sorry, right?" he asked creasing his forehead, "We are gonna have to work together a lot in future so it's better if we get along with each other instead of keeping distances. I'm willing to do that. I want to know you better"

I was amused and shocked at the same time.

"We are not Ananya and Karthik anymore. The past is in the past. Everything has changed, everything. It's a new start from here, as Alisa for you and as Kyle for me. Are you ready for that?" he looked at me for my answer.

I stayed silent for a while before replying. "How am I supposed to trust you, Kyle? You didn't even tell me what's my purpose here. You're hiding so much thing from me. How am I supposed to believe you?"

"You are aware I can't tell you that" he reasoned, "At least not now"

"Then I'm afraid I can't help you either" I crossed my hands over my chest, "I'll be willing to open upto you only when these barriers are broken down. So, stop trying"

I turned around not waiting for his answer and twisted the door knob entering into our shared room.

Girls gotta be stubborn sometimes, right?