Chapter 21
"Kaysi...Kaysi... Wake up. It's time to get ready for school." Beck gently shook me awake. "That is, if you still would like to go. I understand if you don't, after everything that happened yesterday."
"Nope, I'm fine. I just overslept a bit because I was still in dreamland."
"Were you having a nightmare? You were talking in your sleep, tossing and turning. That's the main reason I woke you. Otherwise, I would've let you sleep in and skip school."
"Yeah, I did have a nightmare. It wasn't about the fire, though. It was about an apocalypse. People were screaming… and they could actually see the demons attacking them."
"Oh, that sounds like a pretty serious dream. Hopefully, it has nothing to do with the future, she said with an awkward laugh and smile."
"Don't sweat it, Beck. It wasn't that serious. Oh! You know what we forgot to do? We forgot to call Micah and tell her what happened. But that's fine—we can tell her on the way to school."
"Are you sure about going to school today? You could take the day off and relax here."
While walking to Micah's, I continued to talk with Beck. "I'll be okay. One thing that's bothering me, though… Where's Baby? Isn't she usually getting ready with me?"
"She's still pretending to be a teacher, remember? She probably had to report early. With the school year wrapping up, I'm sure the staff is working overtime to prep for finals." Beck reminded us.
"Yeah… you're right. Let's head out and meet Micah then."
After we explained everything to Micah, she suggested that we all call off work and have a girls' day to ourselves, complete with a sleepover.
"That sounds fun," I said. "Let's hurry to school before we're late. We're cutting it close already."
Once the third-period class rolled around, Baby was not in her class. Our substitute said nobody could reach her, and most of the staff and some students were starting to get concerned.
"It's pretty evident that we need to find out where she's at after school today," I informed the girls. "We can postpone the sleepover. Besides, now you'll have a reason for your parents when we're out late."
Suddenly, my Sourusense device buzzed.
"Oh, it says there is a demon... right here on the school grounds!" I was shocked.
"Great timing," Micah said sarcastically. "Baby is still missing.
"We will have to make do. You girls distract the teacher, but I will do my best to see what I can do. I'll call you if I can't handle it by myself."
"Wait—Kaysi just ran off on her own. Is she crazy?" Beck complained.
"Don't worry, Beck," Micah said. "She said she's got it under control. Maybe this will help her vent a little. She says she's fine, but I know the pressure's building."
"Hello, demon," I muttered as I confronted it. "You picked the wrong day. Looks like I'll make it to class after all. This one's small... On the source, it says it has low spiritual pressure."
I lunged and slashed through it. Quick and clean.
"Done already?" Beck asked as I returned.
"Surprised?"
"Look," Beck said. I know I've been going through a lot. But we are a team. You need not run off without using What if something happens to you?.
Brushing off what she said. "I can handle things alone. I appreciate the help, but I don't need your sympathy. I handled things before as a waymaker."
With that, I turned and headed to the next class.
(The class bell rings...)
"Kaysi..." Beck shouted at me.
Micah placed her hand on Beck's shoulder.
"Let her be," Micah said gently, but I could still hear them as I walked away. "It's a big deal that she even came to school today. She probably just needs space. We'll regroup and find Baby after school."
Once school was over, we met up. There was a tension I couldn't ignore. I knew it was because of how I snapped earlier. But I don't want pity. I don't want people thinking I'm a weakling.
Growing up, I was always sick. People either bullied me or treated me like I was fragile. I see that same look in Beck's eyes every time she asks if I'm okay.
"Kaysi, Beck, let's check the residences first," Micah said. "Baby might've left work or gone to regroup. First your place, then Beck's. She could've taken the day off—she's going through a difficult period, too."
Micah glanced over at me, trying to imply a hint at something.
"I said, I am fine already; now let's go check things out."
After we checked both locations, Baby was not there either. It was kind of hard for me to see the burnt rubble and ash where my home used to be. Also, my mom is still missing.
It's been hard to slow down. I don't know if it's just because I'm trying to keep my mind off of everything, or maybe I'm avoiding my feelings. Maybe I'm trying to stay ahead of the pain. Either way, I have to keep moving.
"Next stop—training grounds," I said. "She might be there."
"Sounds like a plan," Micah said, elbowing Beck, who was unusually quiet.
I'm sure she was still upset at me, but now wasn't the time to talk about that right now.
When we arrived, something felt… off. There was an eerie, cloudy fog covering everything. I don't know how this atmosphere works inside this cave buried underneath the mountain. But it felt like stepping into another world.
"Maybe we should split up. We'll be safe here and can cover more ground looking for Baby. We can call each other when we find her or don't.
"Kaysi, I don't think that would be a good idea," Micah replied. "We aren't exactly familiar with this place. Also, it's not like we have a map—one of us could get lost in the thick fog.
"This can be our meeting point. We'll return here if we get turned around."
"Kaysi, seriously. I know you've been under a lot, but you're not thinking straight. I'm the only one being rational here, and I have a gut feeling. Splitting up is a bad idea!"
"Well, Beck didn't get the memo then—she's not here," I announced.
"Wait... What?" Micah spun around, looking everywhere. "You've got to be kidding me. She must've wandered off when you brought up splitting. We have to find her before we continue."
"Are you serious right now? She'll be fine. We can call her. This area's protected by a barrier—we're safe. Right now, Baby's the priority." I argued.
"Finding Baby right now should be a priority because she's been missing all day. It also hasn't been located in any place we've visited. This is pretty much the last area we can find her." I added.
"I get that," Micah said. "But Beck has no powers—just a weak protection ability. We have no idea how big this place is or how it works, what tunnels may lie ahead to get here, like the one we took to enter. And we don't know how far the barrier stretches. What if she crosses it?"
"GUYS!" Beck's voice rang out. "You're yelling so loud, I heard you; I could hear everything. I was just beyond the trees. Calm down. I'm right here."
"Kaysi, if losing a dog means that much to you, let's go find her. It's not a big deal."
For once, Becky sounded like she was on my side.
"My dog? That's all she is to you? She's more than that—she's our teacher and our guardian who has been training us. And it's not just us looking for her. The entire school's talking about her disappearance."
"Why are you freaking out about a family pet?" Her voice was cold and emotionless.
"Are you seriously trying to pick a fight with me?" I said, gritting my teeth. "Because of earlier? Ever since we got here, you've been acting strange—wandering off, talking weird."
"Beck, Kaysi—stop," Micah cut in. "You both need to apologize. You're both taking this way out of proportion. Beck, you know Kaysi's been through hell. She needs time to process."
"I told you I'm fine, Jesus. I screamed, my words echoing in the fog as a knot formed in my stomach. "What's your problem? Stop trying to pity me. You've known me for a long time. The last thing I want is for you guys to look down on me."
"We don't! We are your friends, Kaysi. We understand that this is a serious circumstance that you've gone through."
"Oh, that's right. Beck rolled her eyes. "I forgot you don't want us to look down on you; you're always trying to be the leader of the pack, feeling high and mighty about yourself. Barking orders, trying to keep everything under your thumb, you don't care about teamwork—you want obedience."
"Whoa…" Micah stepped back, stunned. Rebecca, that was way too far. I understand you guys are upset at each other, but you two need to calm down and not be so hostile."
"Excuse me," I gasped at Beck's words. "I've been looking out for everyone since day one! Yeah, maybe I act controlling. But I've seen what happens when we don't stay alert. I'm trying to keep us safe."
"Kaysi, you don't need to explain," Micah said gently. She noticed my eyes watering, and I was trying to hide, so she pulled me into a hug.
"Beck, I'm not taking sides, but you've crossed a line. Wait… why are you smiling like that? What's wrong with you?"
Micah took a cautious step back.
"Micah," I said, stepping in front of her. "That's not Becky."
Beck's body twisted unnaturally, engulfed in flame. The Phoenix demon burst from Becky's body double's form—his disguise unraveling.
There he was—the same demon.
"You bastard!" I shouted. "You're the reason everything's falling apart! You took everything from me!"
"KAYSI, DON'T!" Micah yelled. "You don't know how to fight that thing!"
"I landed a hit once," I growled, raising my blade. "I'll do it again!"