"How?" Eleanor stared at the Travel Newsletter with a mixture of disbelief and surprise, her mouth gaped. She then glanced back at her father who was looking at her with a rather satisfied smile. "How did you do it? How come you didn't tell? How long is it going to be?"

"What is it? An investigation?" Her father replied, raising his hands in defense, but Eleanor just pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Well, firstly, you understatement my persuading skills. Just so you know, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. And I didn't think it was important to tell you until now and it's just going to be for the weekend."

"Wow... I can't believe you're taking Mom to the Maldives for your wedding anniversary," Eleanor shook her head. She could almost hear her mother from upstairs, nervously packing her things. "And you are just telling me now? I bet Mom is going to change her mind at the last minute."

"Don't give her any ideas, I've been planning this for a long time."

"And yet you didn't think of telling me anything."

The only response she got in return was a roll of eyes.

Surprisingly, her parents had finished packing quite quickly and were ready to leave and catch their flight. Eleanor's mother hugged her tightly and said goodbye but not before she had given her the whole 'No parties, feed Maximus and do your homework' lecture, something which Eleanor had to reply with the 'Alright Mom. I'm not a little kid'.

So that was the reason why Eleanor had the whole house to herself (without counting Maximus).

A year ago, Eleanor would have immediately called Bella and the rest of their friends, but at that moment, all Eleanor was planning for that weekend was to take her time to relax from the quite 'exciting' week she had gone through.

However, life had a tendency to surprise Eleanor in the worst ways.

*****

Most of Eleanor's classes went by in a blur. It had been quite a normal day till the moment Tommy and Eleanor bumped into Brad. She would have been lying if she had said that seeing Brad didn't make her feel slightly weirded out after what had happened last night. She quickly became surprised when Brad invited them to his party.

But then again, Tommy had become Brad's "new best friend" so she wasn't supposed to be surprised.

"So, I'll see you guys at the party?"

Before she could answer Brad's question, (not that she would have anyway) Tommy had already answered, "Sure. We'll be there."

"I heard you joined the cheerleading group," Brad suddenly turned to Eleanor, "Congrats,"

"Where did you hear that from?" Eleanor frowned, staring at him, completely and utterly confused.

"Bella. She has been telling everyone the news." He said casually "Oh, and Tommy, I would really appreciate it if you help me to get some booze for the party if you get me," Brad said and Eleanor was sure she saw him winking at Tommy.

Tommy seemed confused for a moment and he hesitated a bit before he answered, "Sure, no problem."

"Thanks, Tommy. You're the man," Brad smiled at them before he walked away, finally leaving Tommy and Eleanor alone.

"What was the whole cheerleading thing?" Tommy sent Eleanor a curious look, "Did you join the group?"

Eleanor quickly shook her head, "No. Bella just probably wants to pressure me into joining the group, she is just spreading false rumors. Wouldn't be the first time." She answered him, lowering her voice at the last part as though she told it to herself.

"Maybe she really wants to befriend you again?" He suggested

"Then, she has a weird way of doing it," She almost rolled her eyes at him.

Eleanor wasn't naïve. Bella had hurt her in such a horrible way. Because of her, Eleanor had stayed in her house for weeks before she decided to come back to school, and even when she did, she could barely stop herself from bursting into tears. Coming back to school was hard, especially when anyone she had ever considered as a friend turned their back to her.

"Besides," She shook her head from these thoughts and looked at Tommy with a somewhat smug smile, "You're just trying to find an excuse to see me in a short, stupid cheerleading skirt, aren't you?" Eleanor raised her eyebrow teasingly.

"W—What?" Tommy spluttered, looking at Eleanor with wide eyes as if she had just told him the world's biggest secret, "N—no! Why would I—I mean, not that you—I—"

If it weren't for the fact that they were walking down a hall filled with students, Eleanor would have immediately burst into uncontrollable laughter. She stifled a giggle, but it soon turned to a loud laughter that certainly drew some attention. But at that moment, she couldn't care less.

"Relax," She told him, between laughs, "I'm just joking." She continued to laugh, failing to notice the slight blush that tinted Tommy's face.

"Right..." Tommy scratched the back of his neck.

Then, the bell rang, signaling to all of the students to go to their classes. Eleanor was in no hurry, seeing as she had a free period and it was such a beautiful day outside.  Tommy, however, needed to get to his class. 

"I have to go," Tommy said, "I'll see you at the party tonight?" He seemed a bit excited about the party.

"We'll see about that," Eleanor answered, already starting to walk away. She already had a feeling that she wouldn't come but she just didn't want to see him disappointed. 

******

Eleanor wasn't completely sure how long she had been staring at her laptop screen. Her eyes were squinted slightly, her mouth was opening and closing as she took in everything she had read.

It was simply the curiosity that had made her search more information about Evos and their abilities. It wasn't long till she came across an Evo (Or at least she presume he was one) who called himself 'Hero Truther'. His face was covered by a dark hood and his voice was deep and slightly muffled.

"I'm here to expose the lies and distortions. To speak for the silent voices. There's a war going on. It's being waged right outside your door. The casualties are neighbors, friends, and family. We stand on the front lines and do nothing to defend them. I remember a hope we once shared: that our species was capable of something truly extraordinary. You remember how that story began? 20 seconds that changed the world."

She watched as the scene changed to the known clip of Claire Bennet healing on national television. 

"My name is Claire Bennett," She told the cameras confidently, "and this is attempt number... I guess I've kinda lost count."

Then, the scene changed to dozens of images and clips of Evos using their abilities, each one was different from the other but they all had something in common. It was extraordinary, however, this amazement quickly turned into fear. There were a couple of clips showing similar images of what she had seen in the Hate Protest in New-York.

Hero Truther spoke again, "We let fear overcome common sense, passed legislation that violates privacy and dignity. We're forcing them into hiding. Into the shadows."

Eleanor suddenly slammed down her laptop. She ran a hand through her messy hair. It was all too much to take in. It was so unbearable to watch the hate and the fear overcome and control the world.

A sudden thought struck her mind. Maybe she should go to the party. After all, perhaps Tommy had saved Brad from his step-dad, but the video showed her how suddenly people, even friends and family, can turn on each other.

The blonde quickly changed out of her pajamas, grabbed black jeans from her closet and took a random dark blue shirt. A sudden ringing of her phone had stopped her before she could even get out of the house. She immediately thought it was Tommy who was calling her, but instead a number she didn't recognize appeared on her phone screen.

"Hello?" Eleanor answered.

"Eleanor?" The person asked and Eleanor furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"Yes? Who is it?"

"It's Tommy's mother," The person answered and the realization finally swept over Eleanor.

"How did you get my number?" Eleanor couldn't help but ask.

"It doesn't matter. Do you know where Tommy is?"

"I—What?" Hadn't Tommy told his mother about Brad's party?

"Eleanor, this is important, do you know where is Tommy?" Anne Clark asked again, her tone was laced with both fear and worry.  

"Is Tommy in troubles?" Eleanor finally asked after a bit of hesitation. She instantly remembered Hero Truther's video and she was afraid for Tommy's safety

"I'm afraid he might be."

"He went to a party." Eleanor told her, "I know the address, but I'm coming with you."

Anne didn't argue and within minutes arrived at Eleanor's house. They both drove silently towards Brad's house but Eleanor noticed that there was something weird about Anne's silence. It seemed like she was thinking too much.

Anne suddenly broke the silence, "You know about Tommy, don't you?", she asked and Eleanor turned her head to look at her. Eleanor wasn't completely sure what she had meant, but only one thing made sense.

"His power is truly extraordinary," Eleanor answered, remembering Hero Truther's words, "He saved my life. Twice."

"Sounds like something he would do," Anne said with a serious tone, though Eleanor saw a small grin tugging at the corners of her lips. In spite of the fear that was visible on Anne's face, her eyes held a slight look of pride.

Once they arrived, Anne told Eleanor to stay in the car. Eleanor watched silently as Anne got out of the car. She suddenly came closer to a black car and it looked like she was speaking to someone, but because of the lack of the light, Eleanor couldn't really tell for sure. 

A familiar voice spoke up, sounding really confused. "Mom?"

Eleanor immediately got out of the car when she heard Tommy's voice. "You're okay." She let out a sigh of relief, though Tommy, who was standing on the sidewalk alongside with Emily, seemed to be even more confused.

"What are you doing here?" Tommy asked both Eleanor and his mother.

"Get in the car."  Anne ordered. She had the same tone from before. Laced with both fear and worry.

"What?"

"Come on."

"What?"

"Both of you, get in the car."

"Who were you talking to?" Anne didn't answer to any of his questions. Eleanor looked at Tommy before she got into the backseat.

"Get in the car." Anne repeated herself as she turned over the engine. "Get in now."

Tommy opened the door of the front seat but he had hesitated and glanced at Emily before he got inside.

Before both the teenagers were ready for it, Anne drove off.

"You told her?" Tommy looked backward at Eleanor, watching her with an almost betrayed look, which made Eleanor feel a bit guilty and she bit her lip.

"She told me you might be in troubles. I couldn't take the risks." Eleanor answered truthfully, hoping that Tommy would understand her decision.

And while Anne kept looking worriedly at the mirrors of the car, Tommy finally turned his attention to his mother. "Who was that man you were talking to?"

"I told you to stay home." That was that only answer Anne gave him.

"You have that look. The look you get every time we pick up and move to another town." Tommy said, and Eleanor's eyes widened a bit.

 "You don't have to leave this time," Eleanor spoke up, putting her hand on Anne's shoulder.

 "You can stay." She persisted. Maybe it was selfish, but Eleanor didn't want to lose her best friend. She didn't want Tommy to leave.

"We can take care of each other, Mom. I think we're supposed to stay." Tommy continued, "Why aren't you talking to me?"

Anne braked abruptly and there was a sound of screeching tires.

"Why are all the lights red?" Eleanor frowned and asked once she saw that all the lights around them were red.

 "We have to go, Tommy. We have to get out of this town." Anne accelerated, despite the red lights. "You too, Eleanor. You might be in danger as well. He knows who you are"

Before any of them could say something, there was a bright light from their left side. The last thing Eleanor had heard was the sound of glass shattered.

Then everything was filled with dark, black spots.

Hello everyone!

I know it's been a long time since I updated this story but I've just been really busy with school. But I'm not giving up on this story! Hopefully next update will be quicker :)

Also happy holidays, everyone!