Ced stared into the empty sky, his mind deep in thought.

" What are you thinking about ?"

He turned to see his sister's tired gaze smiling at him.

"Nothing in particular." he replied.

She sat down next to him, trying to place her head on his shoulder.

" I've become too short for you." Cindy smiled.

" Wait a minute."  the brother said , hunching his shoulder, for his sister to lean on. There they sat , as if they could just put off the world for the moment, thinking about nothing in particular.

"Do you miss him ?" he asked finally.

She sighed and it hid the greater part of her sadness perfectly.

" I don't know. I don't know. With all those people around us, can we ever guarantee their staying with us forever? They all promise. Promises, rarely authentic. As long as you are within their sight, they all seem to be there for you. But what happens when you aren't...will they care for you then? In the end, it's just you and me, Ced."

" Whatever happens, I am there for you. Nate is a nice chap, who really loves you. And in case he turns out to be a jerk, maybe his face wont remain as pretty as it is."  he said.

" So now you're the elder sibling ?" Cindy smirked.

" I am the brother."

She tousled his hair affectionately, making it messier than before.

" He isn't the only thing I am worried about. There are bigger problems ..."

" Like ?"

" Just some old ladies and crippled-blind girls I met recently."

" They are bothersome." he nodded.

" Something isn't right. They aren't meant to be this strong .There is something different about them this time . It is as if the traits that turned them evil have been enhanced into their powers. Hazel says that the enemy we are to face, is going to be the worst of them all. "

" And who told her so ? Her daydreams ?"

"Her visions."  Cindy interjected.

" What has she been up to, anyway ?" he asked. "You know, she keeps staring at the sky all day and doesn't seem to be doing anything productive. Shouldn't we be concerned?"

" I don't know. She said something about exercising her mental powers and channelising them.She is preparing for what lies ahead. She thinks she is not good enough."

" Sometimes, I really don't understand her." he sighed.

" She is working really hard, now that our destination is so close by." Cindy said.

" She worries a lot."

" I cannot blame her, Ced." Cindy held on to him more tightly , as if to garner strength from him.

Her voice quavered slightly as she spoke,

" I am scared too, Ced. More than ever. I am scared."

***

Ced was about to retire for the night, when a sound averted his mind. Muffled sobs; someone crying. Curious, he walked in the direction of the sound.

He found Hazel sitting on the ground, her back facing him.

"Hey , Hazy bird!" he called out.

No reply. That was odd, as she never failed to express her annoyance at his greetings.

" Hazel?"  he asked nearing her as soundlessly, as he could.

" It's okay. Go away, Ced." Hazel said, her voice muffled by the sadness of her tears.

He was shocked and perplexed. What could he do? Crying people never were his forte. He sat down beside her, slightly awkward, a queer nervousness building up inside him.

" What happened?" he asked gently.

" Nothing. Leave me alone." she said.

She turned farther away, as he tried to meet her eyes, wanting to fetch the truth out of them. It was a big discouragement, for a task that had taken all of the courage he had.

" Look at me."  He placed his shivering hand on her shoulder,  " You can tell me, Hazel."

She looked at him; her eyes, a pool of violet remorse. She hugged him, turning his stomach into a bottomless pit . Her touch alone made electricity run through his sinew. Now, there were fireworks.
He was stiff in her embrace, unable to react to her unexpected gesture.

She let go, causing him to suffer from the after effects of the shock.

" You and C..Cindy are so brave. You fight off our enemies with such valour. I feel almost useless, like a tag along."  she said, wiping her tears, for fresh ones to flow down.

"What ever do you mean, Hazel ?"

" That I am not giving my best, that's it !"  she snapped.

The idea itself was blasphemous to him. It almost pained him to see her despondent. Yet, he was helpless. Hazel? She was amazing. So powerful. She was  almost a miracle. There was so much he could say, yet nothing would come out,
because that would be too much.

"Forget it. You don't get it. How can you ...you wont understand."  she sobbed softly.

Indeed, he did not. "Help me out, then." he said.

" I am not using my powers to the fullest. I saw Queen Aurora in a vision I had, a few days back. She said that I wasn't strong enough to face our enemy and she was right, of course. I have been trying to move an object in my path without any physical effort. I've been trying and trying for days, but to no avail.

"You think that I am someone extraordinary, when really I am just a human, nothing compared to you guys. I can't possibly be the saviour. Find someone who can actually help you."

He laughed at her absurdity.

"What if no one else can actually help us ? The powers you have, Hazel , those visions, well , everyone isn't gifted with them. You are different. You are anything but ordinary."

" But .."

" That's it for today. I am not going to praise you any more. I trust in your abilities, Hazel and so must you. Without you, I would be barbecued Ced to be eaten with sauce, by this time."

Hazel chuckled and that sound was so beautiful, that it made him smile instantly.

" Give yourself time. I did not learn fencing in a day, nor did Cindy acquire all those skills of hers, in an instant. People learn. Let Life teach you at its own pace."

Hazel smirked. "Turning into me now , are you ?"

" Never you, Hazy bird. Never you." he said. She smiled at him, lifting up his spirits along with hers.

" Ugh, look at you! You have dirt on your nose." he remarked. Hazel rolled her eyes and punched him on his shoulder.

" Thanks Ced , I needed this." she smiled at him.

"Well, right now you need to do something to that face of yours. Trust me, you look extremely stupid. "

And with that look of hers that said , " I hate you too." she looked more beautiful than ever.

"You speak as if you were the most handsome guy with girls drooling over you. Whose grandson are you again ? Are you sure it isn't the Frog Prince ?" she said.

" Last I checked it was Prince Charming."

" Oh, you wish !"  she half smiled.

*****

Author's Note :

Let me not ruin the effect by  blabbering.  

This chapter is to my dear Ananya (frozenshadows11), for consistently being the first person to vote and comment on every chapter I post.

Do read her story , 'Saving Yourself ' cause it is a piece of art by a gem of a person , who is a constant learner from Life. :))

She is a girl with wild , world defying ambitions, a poetic soul and headphones.

I love you sis , more than you know! <3 <3