"G O O D N I G H T!" I wave goodbye to the four people standing in the doorway and smile to myself as I slide into the drivers seat of my car.

Dinner went pretty well, I must say. I really hit it off with Valoria, Orion's equally curly-haired little sister. His mother seems to like me, but being the wannabe Sherlock I am, I overanalyze everything and I feel like she is putting up a front. But who is the woman behind the mask?

A villain, to be sure. I know that much, and now we must decide how we are going to stop her. This is going to be hard on Orion, I already know, so I am bracing myself to bear the brunt of his frustrated emotions. Because really, who wants to take down their mother?

At the top of our list is finding out who the source for the weapon blueprints is. If we can do that, then we will be one step closer to catching them in action.

In the meantime, I have a question I want answered. How far does the telepathic connection between Orion and I reach? And what is it comprised of? How has this never been researched before?

Orion's been very closed off too, lately. I asked him some questions but he always redirects the conversation. He no longer let's me into his thoughts; I think he is scared after what happened at his mother's office. However, it seems like he wants to tell me, but is afraid to. I am not sure where this fear stems from, perhaps time will tell.

I sigh as I pull up to my house, rubbing my eyes. Peter is doing homework at the kitchen island; he smiles when I walk in. "Hey, Pete," I ruffle his blond hair as I walk past, hanging up my keys. "How was school?"

"It was fine," he replies."But I hate saying that because every kid says that, even if they don't mean it. But it really was fine. Not bad, not good."

I laugh, affection surging through me. Peter is so honest, so intelligent for a twelve year old. Qualities that our world lacks, and that cherish. Come to think of it, Orion is much the same, without the innocent child image.

"Thanks for making that clear. It's almost time for bed, though," I remind him, glancing at the clock.

He nods. "I'm almost done with history. Mom knows. She's in the shower."

I walk upstairs, yawning as I climb into bed. River and I text for awhile, arranging to meet for coffee again tomorrow morning. My eyelids are already heavy even though it is only about 11:00, and I slide under the covers, setting my phone on my nightstand.

Soon my eyes are closed and I drift off to restless dreams about fights between villains and heroes, and I am only able to watch from the sidelines, useless. I am an innocent in a confusing and powerful world, trailing behind the action to grasp at the dust they left behind. If only I had been born a hero.

☽ ☽ ☽

Two weeks later, I am driving driving to one of Joe's football games on a crisp Saturday morning, holding a pumpkin spiced latte in my hand. Basic, I know, but the weather has already turned cold, and the hot cinnamon drink tastes like heaven.

Although I had originally been a bit annoyed by Amber and Joe, I have become quite good friends with them as the days went on. They are both kind-hearted souls, always trying to help new or lost students. Amber told me they'd never fought once in their relationship, not even argued. I am not sure if I quite believe that, but I have learned to respect them and enjoy hanging out with them.

Orion and I have tried over the past weeks to figure out who the source for the weaponry was, but no luck yet. We don't want to try anything too soon after that close call in Mrs. Parker's office.

I am going to pick Orion up on the way to the game, because we live pretty close to each other and it saves gas if we carpool. Last week it was his turn, and now it's mine. I pull up in front of his house and sit there for a few moments before Valoria runs up.

I roll down my window, a smile on my face. "Hi, Valley!"

She beams back, and I can see her breath in frosty air. "Come in, I want to show you som thing. Orion is blow drying his hair because he was just in the shower and doesn't want to catch a cold."

"Okay," I laugh, turning off the car and following Valoria into the house. I am finally beginning to get used to its large size. The first time I was there, I nearly got lost in its many rooms.

"Sit," she points to a chair in the parlour and I sink down into it as she runs into the next room. A minute later she appears with a small bundle of mottled fur in her arms, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, a puppy!" I exclaim."When did you get it?"

"It's a girl. She's an Australian Shepherd, and her name is India," Valoria tells me excitedly."We got her the day before yesterday, and I've been waiting and waiting until you came so I could show her to you."

The puppy yawns and looks right at me with her bright, icy blue eyes. "Oh she's so beautiful! Can I hold her?" Valoria nods, her eyes sparkling. India's fur is soft against my skin, and she snuggles into the crook of my arm.

"She likes you," Valoria states, petting the top of her head. "I knew she would."

Orion comes in a few moments later, smiling as he watches us play with her. Valoria and I are sitting across from each other with India in the middle, and we are both calling her to see who she will run to. Of course, Valoria wins most of the time, but I don't mind.

"Ready to go?" He asks, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You didn't tell me you got a puppy!" I say reprovingly."I would have been over here to bother you a lot more of I'd have known!"

Orion chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "I was going to tell you, but Valley wanted it to be a surprise."

"Oh alright then, I guess I forgive you," I reply teasingly and turn to give Valoria a hug. "We'd better be going."

"Okay. Are you coming back after the game?" Valoria asks, her big brown eyes looking up at me hopefully.

"Yes, to drop Orion off. But I'm not sure how long I'll stay," I glance at Orion.

"Oh," he snaps his fingers, suddenly remembering something. "Come see the newly remodeled movie room!"

Valoria scamper away with India and I follow Orion down a level to the basement. He opens the door and my jaw drops as I take it in. Rows of red cushioned seats complete with cupholders and footrests along with a wall-sized flat-screen TV adorn the newly furnished room.

"Wow! It's-" I begin to praise it, but stop suddenly when I hear talking coming from the next room.

"Yes. I know it's dangerous for me to be calling this number, you've warned me several times," Mrs. Parker's voice sounds mildly exasperated.
Orion and I are completely silent, straining to hear what she is saying.

"Yes, Tuesday, September 18th is when the first shipment is coming in..and you'll be there? Good, I was hoping you would...yes...will do...thank you..goodbye."

I turn to meet Orion's equally shocked gaze. "What a stroke of luck!" he whispers."That's the arrival date of the first shipment of weapons!"

I hurriedly type the date into the notes folder in my phone and we tiptoe back upstairs. As soon as the door shuts, I breath a sigh of relief.

"Now we have a real lead!" Orion says as I start the car. He has the characteristic furrow in his brow, but sounds strangely eager.

"Orion," I sigh, looking back at the road. There is a weight in my heart, and I hate to say this, but I know I must. "You know what this means, right? If we do end up figuring this whole thing out, your mother will probably be...arrested."

"I just don't want anyone to get hurt," he says, glancing down at his hands as he always does when he's nervous. "Not her, not innocents, not even heroes. If we can stop that, then I'll be fine."

I take one hand off the wheel and place it over his, running my fingers over the scars. "You're doing the right thing. Don't be afraid. We're in this together."

"Thank you," he takes his other hand and puts it over both of ours. Out of the corner of my eye I can tell he is smiling. "River, you know I couldn't do this without you."

"Oh don't start that now," I laugh lightly, pulling my hand gently away to park."Anyways, we're here."

I take his arm and we walk into the stadium, the fresh cold air nipping at our noses. Soon we are seated by Raven and Amber, who both greet us warmly. Joe waves at us when his team walks out, then blows a kiss to Amber.

"It's our tradition," she told me one day. "That's how I first knew he liked me, was in 10th grade at our high school. He blew a kiss to me during a football game, and we started dating the next day."

I smile as I watch my friends interact; the good in the world shining through for a glorious golden moment. Time seems to move in slow motion as beaming smiles and frosty laughs illuminate the air.

But still, I feel a shard of fear pierce my heart when I remember what will happen on Monday, and how Orion and I are the only ones who know about it.

"Are you alright?" Raven asks, searching my face. Her eyes, dark, and strangely void of concern, confuse me.

"Yes," I force myself to smile, and turn back to the game. Orion takes my hand again, and I realize I let the walls slip.

Don't be afraid, he tells me. We're in this together, remember?

Right, together, I remind myself. Time to focus on the present. The future will worry about itself.

a u t h o r ' s n o t e
I really have no excuse why it took me two months to get over my writers block. Well actually, I do. I didn't have a phone for about a month, but other than that I've just been putting it off. Yesterday I reread all the chapters and I was like dang I need to finish this 😂 so here ya go and I'm planning on updating at least once a week on Friday.

Next update | Friday, Sept. 28th