Everything is not what it seems.

Rosie played country music as she drove in the direction of my apartment. She hummed, tossing her head side to side as she sang the lyrics to the song.

I leaned my head back against the seat, relaxing a bit. A strange sense of dread settled in my stomach, and I tried to shake it off, loosening my grip on the seat.

Rosie continued to sing, fingers tapping on the steering wheel.

"Um, Rosie? I'd like to thank you for helping me." I said, brushing a strand of red hair from my face.

She turned to me, smiling.

"Of course! I have a daughter your age, and I just want to make sure you're safe." she replied, in her southern drawl.

I smiled back at her, thankful that I had at least met one kind stranger.

As she pulled up to the driveway, I thanked her again, opening the door and stepping out. She smiled and waved.

I stepped in the building, stopping at the door next to mine. Barking was heard, and my heart soared at the thought of seeing Silk again.

The door opened, and Ms. Geoff peeked through, gray curly hair pulled away from her face. She had on her glasses and a bathrobe on. Looking past her, I saw Silk sitting on the floor, ears perked, and tail wagging.

"Hi, Ms. Geoff. Thank you so much for watching her, how much do I owe you?"

"Laney! Hello dear, are you okay? I thought you just wanted me to watch her for a few days, it's been a few weeks, and I've been calling your phone, you haven't been answering-"

"Sorry about that, I had a family emergency." I interrupted her.

She pursed her lips, frowning that I had stopped her. "Silk was an absolute angel, Laney. Next time you need someone to watch her, I'll happily do it."

I smiled, as she backed away from the door. I called Silk to my side, who ran, fluffy white tail wagging in full motion.

Crouching down to her eye level, I pet her soft fur, Silk's tongue licking my face. "I know, I missed you too girl."

Ms. Geoff handed me the leash, and I connected it to Silk's collar. I gave her a quick wave, and Ms. Geoff nodded, closing the door behind me.

I stopped in front of my door, then remembered my stuff was already in storage, or in one of David's guest houses.

Annoyed, I reached for my phone, about to order an Uber as I tried to figure out my next plan, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Jumping in surprise, I turned, and Rosie stood there smiling. Silk sat next to my leg, tail still, a low growl being heard.

"H-hi Rosie. Why are you still here?" I asked, slipping my phone back in my pocket.

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure you were fine, Laney. Do you need anymore help, or?"

"No, I'm fine." I replied, taking a step back. Silk's growls grew louder, her teeth being bared at Rosie.

Rosie jumped back, chuckling nervously.

"Your dog there, she's so cute. Is she always like this?"

I gently tugged Rosie's leash back, trying to calm her down. This was the first time she had been agitated towards a stranger. I always made sure to make her friendly towards people she didn't know.

"No, she's usually very nice to everyone..." I trailed off, trying to calm Silk down.

It was that distraction that did it for me; my back turned away from Rosie for one moment, and I felt a pinch on my arm.

It went numb instantly, and I lost hold of Silk's collar.

Silk noticed the change; she lunged and sunk her teeth into Rosie's calf. Rosie grunted, biting down on her lip.

I stumbled back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. I couldn't really feel my legs. My mark blinked unsteadily, forcing out PTSD, but he just stumbled and fell, sparking out of existence.

Rosie had enough of Silk; she pulled out a tranquilizer gun, sending a dart on her leg. Silk whined, letting go of her as she collapsed to her side.

"R....Rosie...why..." I tried to say, my mouth slacking a bit.

"Oh, Laney, I promise you, this is for your own good." she replied, tearing a piece of her dress off as she tied up the wound on her calf.

Maybe it was the drug she gave me, but I could've sworn her features had begun to change. She slipped out a phone from her purse, dialing a number. I couldn't even understand what she was saying, my eyes closing shut.

When I open my eyes, I'm back out in the field. This time though, I'm alone.

I walk along the trails, the wheat brushing against my legs, dragging the silk green gown I'm wearing. I have no idea where I am or where I'm going, only that I need to go this way.

I'm sensing for Jabez, or worse yet, Casmir, my body tensed and ready for anything.

Nothing. Is this what it's like to have a normal dream?

Feeling somewhat calm about what's going on here, I sat down in the field, crossing my legs. A slight breeze toyed with my hair, taking deep breaths in.

"You're just going to let her take you?" a voice said behind me.

I jumped, startled a bit. Turning, my jaw dropped a bit.

Rowan stood there, short blonde curls pinned back, a daisy flower crown on her head. She wore a light blue silk gown, feet bare. Her blue eyes gazed down at me in disapproval.

"Where's the fight you had, Laney?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"What?" I asked.

"There's a lot going on right now. We don't have time for you to just sit here and give up."

She reached her hand out to me, a determined glint in her eye. "We need your help."

I took her hand, and let her pull me up. She was right, as always; it was time to bring the fight to all of them, not just Jabez, and Casmir.

"This is going to hurt a little." she said as she smacked my forehead-

-and I woke up, hands tied behind my back, legs tied as well. There was a towel thrown over my head, and it smelled faintly of lavender. I moved my head around, grateful that I could at least breathe.

Moving each muscle carefully, I exhaled in relief that I could feel my body once more.

This time, I controlled it. I made my mark blink, it shimmering out PTSD. I motioned for it to cut the ties on my hands and legs, feeling cramped as his huge body landed on mine. His knife cut through it easily, sitting back waiting for more commands.

I sat up, realizing we were in an SUV instead of the car Rosie had. Glancing around, I motioned for PTSD to stand down, so as not to be spotted. There was a cover separating the driver from me.

I glanced out the darkened windows, realizing we were slowing down. Motioning for PTSD to get behind me, as the SUV finally stopped, I balled my fists, ready to start fighting.

The driver got out, opening my door-

-I wasted no time slamming my body into it, the door flying back and hitting the person full force. I was out of there before they could recover, PTSD trailing behind me.

Shouts, and my name being called was heard, but I kept going on, looking around for something, or someone.

Something slammed into my back, knocking me down flat on my face. I felt the wind leave my body, as my arms were yanked behind my back again.

Just as the cuffs were placed on, the weight was taken off of me, and I turned, watching as PTSD lifted up what look like a boy from my back, slamming him into the trees.

I shook my arms at PTSD, to break the cuffs, when the boy sped back, slamming his fist into PTSD's stomach. The force was so fast and strong enough, PTSD grunted once, before he dispelled into nothingness.

Once that was done with, the boy looked over at me.

"I highly suggest you not do that again." he replied, walking towards me. I struggled to get on my feet, my wrists rubbing against the cuffs.

Another pair of footsteps approached, stopping just in front of me. I looked up, stopping my movements.

It was what looked like Rosie-she still had the dress she torn off to stop the bite mark Silk had given her from bleeding-only her facial features were very different.

Older somehow.

"Welcome to ACE, Laney. We need your help." she replied, accent gone.