The group stood in silence, eyes locked on Ashley as she paced. Blood trickled down her head, but she seemed oblivious to the pain—or to the fact that they were all watching. Her nail-biting was frantic, as if her mind were trapped in a loop.

Esme shouted, "Hit her again!"

Cindy lifted a chunk of ice and drove it into the back of Ashley's head.

Ashley dropped instantly.

As they stared around at the dark sky, there was still no snow blowing anymore, just pure darkness.

Esme remarked, "It's not working. We have to hit her harder."

James watched as Esme stood in front of him in her puffy blue coat, holding a gun in one hand and staring at him intently.

"Hit her," she said, waving her finger at Ashley's body.

"With ice?" James asked.

"No, with the muscles. Like what you did to Luke!" Esme exclaimed, standing inches from him, causing him to take a step back.

James didn't use his power often. Back when Greyson was around, he had to hide it. Now that he didn't have to, it still didn't feel any easier. The super strength always left him feeling strange, like his muscles were too full of energy to control.

James suggested, "Why not just have Jason burn her body?"

"That's boring," Esme said flatly. "Please, James! Please, please!" she pulled on his arm.

"Fine," he said, taking a couple of steps back and preparing to unleash his power.

He focused on Ashley's unconscious body, his muscles enhanced with strength but staying the same slim size. He drew his arm back and punched Ashley hard in the face.

"That should keep her knocked out," Esme said.

Ashley's nose was blackened and dripping with blood. Her head flopped to the side, her mouth slightly open.

For a moment, it seemed out cold.

Suddenly, Ashley's eyes snapped open.

"You're all responsible," she spat.

"For injuring you," Esme said.

Ashley shook her head repeatedly, her movements were wild and uncoordinated.

Suddenly, she froze and her eyes widened, like she was struck by lightning. Her head snapped around, eyes darting wildly in every direction.

"This shouldn't be," she muttered.

James's attention shifted as he heard crunching footsteps in the snow that didn't belong to any of them.

His heart raced as he scanned the darkness.

Before he could react, Ashley staggered to her feet. She spun around, her eyes wide with panic, only to be shoved hard from behind.

The force sent her flying to the ground, her body landing in front of Jason with a thud. Ashley wasn't looking at Jason or any of them. Her eyes were locked on something in the darkness.

"God is always such an annoyance," someone sneered, their voice dripping with mockery.

Something moved in the dark behind them.

Not wind.

Not snow.

A boy stepped forward, grinning deviously. His eyes glowed a bright, unnatural blue that seemed to pierce through the darkness.

He scanned over the group before locking eyes with Ashley, who stared back in terror.

"You said you couldn't access them!" Ashley exclaimed.

The boy's smirk deepened as he slammed his shoe onto Ashley's already inflated forehead, pushing her head back into the snow. He pressed harder, snow and blood mixing as it dripped down her face.

"Seems someone gave me access," he taunted, his grin widening. "Terrible news for you, isn't it?"

His behaviour mirrored Luke's—sadistic and utterly focused on his own goals.

There was something sharper, more calculated about him that made his identity obvious.

"Divina," James said, almost with a gasp.

"Surprise," Divina replied.

He gripped Ashley's head with one hand, lifting her limp body off the ground as if she weighed nothing. She hung in the air, her feet dangling, her face twisted in fear.

"Did you cause this?" Jason asked.

"The storm stopping? Oh, no, some human did," Divina said as he waved a hand dismissively.

"Did someone break in?" Jason asked.

Divina frowned at the sky. "Or someone developed them."

A wave of dread tightened in James's chest. How could they check everyone? And without his laptop? He had no idea where to start.

If they did test people, they would have to focus on the mutants first before moving on to the non-mutants.

"They will bring terror here," Divina said, seemingly unfazed.

What more terror could there possibly be? Ashley and Divina were already their own terrors.

The thought of ravenous animals eating them alive flickered across his mind, but that wouldn't be possible. All the animals were dead.

"Do you think they would create some gigantic monster? Or use the lake to kill everyone?" Divina sneered. "They aren't us."

"What kind of terror?" Cindy asked.

Divina's sneer deepened. "That human—they are one step closer to killing it."

Jason frowned. "So hat are we actually dealing with?"

If it was a person, that meant they could control everything.

Ashley would be at their mercy.

The human could likely manipulate objects as if they were weightless or even remove gravity from those around them.

Divina's voice cut through his thoughts. "Yes, but your terror is also the darkness," he said, gesturing around. "The Bubble and the sky are pitch black, but the human is somewhere around here."

"Someone developed them," James breathed.

"Simcoe, Uden Academy, or even that hospital," Divina muttered. "The human is hiding, so I can't find it. I hope this human isn't stupid."

"Controlling all matters of being?" Jade asked.

"Weather, land, growth, and shrinking. The list goes on, that this person may surpass me." Divina placed a hand on his chest. "The terror is that human being."

If this person can surpass Divina, could they also surpass Ashley? The question left him wondering about the terrifying prospect of imminent death and the possibility of salvation.

He couldn't tell where danger and safety began; it all felt like a single, terrifying line.

"God fears it the most," Divina sneered. "But that human being could all this. I'll tell you one thing that will save you."

He grabbed a fistful of Ashley's hair.

"That human can destroy God's followers. It will weaken them until they are a weak god, to be beaten by humans."

Ashley's face was filled with rage. "It won't happen. It's happening soon," she said.

Divina's growl echoed the ferocity of a cornered animal. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

He slammed Ashley's head into the snow again.

James flinched, watching the way her body went still, then trembled slightly.

Divina's eyes glimmered in the darkness. "I have a feeling they won't care for adults."

James glanced at the dark field.

If this thing really existed, it wasn't just Ashley's danger anymore. It was everyone still standing.

Divina's gaze was fixed on the melted snow he was idly crushing in his hand. "I'd start looking for that human."

Jason asked, "What if we can't find it?"

"What if it's not born?" James inquired, his face growing hot.

It was an odd thought that struck his mind, due to the mutant powers that remained. Jason didn't magically stop it, and Greyson was away.

Nevaeh and Eden had mutant powers related to the mind, but neither would have the capability to do that.

People had been sheltering in their houses for weeks, even before the storm started. The process could have happened in secret, and nobody knew. It seemed unlikely, yet in this place, everything seemed possible.

"That's not possible for a baby to do this," Jade stated, disbelief in her voice.

"It has to be born," Divina countered. "If it isn't... God poses a greater threat. Whatever that thing is, it's probably stronger than God. Go back to town, or somewhere, and figure out those that are without powers."

James knew the unranked individuals remaining at Uden, even without his list pulled up. No one had gained powers within the four months, and no one had increased in rank.

"Just speak the words to summon me," Divina continued, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. "I'll talk to this human. They'd need to know my intentions."

How had this simple plan to clear the campground turned into a hunting game? It had begun as a search for new shelter, but now they faced a far more significant and far more unsettling threat.

"Just make sure God doesn't locate this human," Divina laughed mockingly. "Actually, have that human attack God. The true terror will reveal itself soon. You know God's intentions—I'll create a distraction."

To James, Ashley wanted one thing: them dead. Divina's back to stick around like an illusion; it was pure darkness, and a new threat seemed to wander this place, whom nobody knew.

Divina's laugh echoed in the darkness. "I hope this human understands that killing is fine," he said, dragging Ashley away by her ankle before they disappeared into the darkness.

For a moment, nobody said anything. All the information was slowly sinking in: someone in this place had stopped the storm and was capable of destroying Ashley's followers.

"Great," Jade said dryly.

"It'll be fun! Searching for someone is like a game!" Esme added, throwing air punches.

"Except half are sick and buried all over this bubble," Jason pointed out.

"Well, there goes our plan to clear the campground," James sighed.

They needed to act now. Waiting for the threat to reveal itself was pointless. If his analogy was right, there's no way to test for these powers, no way to tell someone's developing them.

Cindy furrowed her brows. "Do we even know who doesn't have powers?"

"I mainly know about Uden Academy. We'll have to split up and search different areas within The Bubble," James explained. "We can team up in pairs or groups of three. I think we should start with Uden Academy since it is huge."

River asked, "Are we checking the island?"

"No." Jason paused before responding. "All four of them have mutant powers."

A wave of relief washed over him; the island was off limits. He knew Greyson would want to conduct some experiments on any new mutant powers, and James was tired of being manipulated for their schemes.

Jason's voice was firm. "And I don't want Greyson anywhere near this mess."

Cindy crossed her arms, eyebrows raised. "And what do we do when we find them? Have them make this place bright?"

James hadn't considered the aftermath.

Since Divina and Ashley were threatened by this person, it was likely that the unknown threat wouldn't know how to proceed. Their actions would be driven by instinct, not a clear plan.

Jason let out a weary sigh. "We'll ask them what they feel."

Esme's eagerness was obvious. "Let's go in the groups we arrived in."

"We'll take Uden Academy," Cindy said.

Before anyone could react, she grabbed River's wrist and bopped away.

Moments later, she reappeared holding onto Esme's wrist, and they vanished.

Jason looked out across the empty field.

"We should check the church first," he said. "If someone's hiding that kind of power, it'll be in a crowd, not out here."

"Give me those keys," Jade snapped, holding out her hand. "I'll drive."

Tumbles fell down the stairs as Scarlett watched it play out. As she walked over to the sunroom, she noticed Greyson already there. When she looked out the window, she saw that the snow had stopped.

Greyson glanced out the window. "Looks like the storm finally quit."

Scarlett squinted into the dim, snow-covered yard. "Maybe Ashley just got bored of it."

"But why now?" Greyson asked, lowering the telescope. "It's been going on for two weeks."

She felt undeniable curiosity about what might have caused the sudden stop of the snowstorm.

It was probably something that happened in town, or Ashley did get bored of this snowstorm.

"Who even knows? And who cares?" she muttered, turning to face him.

"Or maybe it was some freak that did it," Greyson suggested.

"Don't worry about it," she said, caressing his cheek.

He leaned in and kissed her.

Them making love here hadn't just been from what happened last night; it had happened multiple times.

Scarlett had expected it to be that one-time thing, but it happened repeatedly.

She pushed him back gently, arms crossed.

"Actual food time," she said, an eyebrow raised.

They made their way downstairs, bundled in warm layers.

When they reached the kitchen, Scarlett noticed Tumbles crouched in a pile of snow outside, scooping it up with bare hands.

"It's not burning me," Tumbles said with a grin. "And it's... not that cold."

Greyson tugged on his snow boots, stepped onto the porch, and raised a hand.

The storm had completely stopped.

Even the faint glow of the porch light revealed a subtle warmth in the air.

"This is strange," he muttered, eyebrows furrowed.

Scarlett perched on a stool, with a small mountain of Fruit Loops teetering dangerously on the edge of the kitchen island. She poured herself a bowl, and the oat milk sloshed slightly as she did.

She took a bite of cereal, savouring the flavour, while her free hand rested lightly on her side.

Just as she lifted the spoon again, there was a sensation made her freeze. She momentarily thought it was a Preston.

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach, and her eyes widened in shock.

She touched her wrist first—her own low rank.

Then she hesitated, hand hovering before pressing it to her stomach.

A sensation hit her immediately.

Medium rank.

Clear.

Undeniable.

"You okay?" Greyson's remark jolted her out of her thoughts.

By normal rules, it should have been too early to detect anything at all.

But this wasn't the normal world anymore.

That wasn't the real shock.

It was the fact that the child inside her a mutant.

A medium rank.

"I need to check something," Scarlett said, sliding off the stool.

She bolted upstairs, her heart hammering, each step faster than the last.

Reaching the bathroom, she flung the door open and slammed it shut behind her.

Her hands shook as she rifled through drawers. Toothpaste. Lotion. Tampons. Nothing.

Did they have anything that could show proof? Did pregnancy tests even work on a child who was a fetus?

As her fingers sifted through various toiletries, she finally found a pregnancy test nestled in a drawer. With trembling hands, she turned the box over and read over the instructions printed on the back.

She squinted at the small books, reading the instructions carefully. Inside lay a pregnancy test with a week-by-week indicator—a device meant to show how far along someone might be.

Her thumb lingered over the smooth plastic. One deep breath. Two. She steeled herself and picked it up.

Then she used it.

Minutes dragged, feeling unbearably slow and impossibly fast, as she paced the bathroom. One arm hugged her torso, the other gripped the stick.

She knew exactly how this happened. But the rank? That made no sense. It wasn't just a baby growing inside her—it was a mutant. And already a medium rank.

A soft flash of light caught her eye.

The indicator flickered once, then glowed steadily.

Her stomach plummeted. Her fingers went numb, and she flung the stick the across the bathroom floor.

"This has to be some sick joke," she whispered. "I'm not two weeks pregnant. This isn't possible."

She placed both hands on her stomach as her heart raced.

The dangerous thought struck her as she buried the pregnancy test under tissues.

Did something inside her stop the storm?

It couldn't be possible.

But it also wasn't possible for her to be two weeks pregnant.

She retrieved the stick again anyway.

Her back hit the wall as she slid down slowly, the test trembling in her grip.

She just stared.

She slumped her head against the wall.

Intimacy wasn't supposed to lead to this.

Now there was a mutant child growing inside her.

She placed the test back in the trash bin, tears sliding down her cheeks.

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "How could I be a mother?"

Panic clawed at her chest. If any symptoms showed, Greyson might notice—but she could lie. Vomiting, cravings, stomach pain—just blame her period.

Her health teacher had always drilled into them the consequences of sex, rattling off lists of symptoms and complications. Months on the island might make the truth obvious eventually, but for now, she reminded herself: the baby would be fine.

Scarlett twisted the knob and frozen—Greyson was there.

"Yes?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

She leaned into the kiss almost automatically, though her mind elsewhere, spiralling around thought of the mutant child growing inside her. Nine months from now, it wouldn't just be a baby—it would be their child.

Esme started running through the dark halls of Uden Academy. Cindy had stopped in the middle of the hall with her arms crossed and a glare.

"Stop speeding around," Cindy snapped.

They skidded to a stop at the dining hall entrance. The large double doors towered before them and inside, conversations froze mid-word.

Heads turned, eyes tracking the three of them.

"What's the latest gossip?" Nevaeh asked, gliding towards them.

"The storm stopped," Esme said, bouncing slightly in place. "Someone stopped it, and we have to figure out who did it."

"Mia," Nevaeh called, and the girl came stumbling towards the door.

"We need to know if anyone here has developed new superpowers recently," Cindy said coldly.

Nevaeh's eyebrows furrowed. She couldn't rank people by their power. She could only sense the thoughts and feelings of those around her, which was basically mind reading.

"Nope," Mia slurred, leaning against the wall for support. "Nobody's gained anything new here."

"Whoever that person is," Cindy said, "they stopped the storm."

"What if someone died and stopped it?" Esme blurted, eyes wide.

If no living person could be responsible, it had to be someone already dead. But with the town buried under thick snow, finding them would be nearly impossible.

She could dig, but the effort alone would exhaust her.

Cindy waved her hand dismissively. "They wouldn't be dead," she snapped.

Esme threw her arms up in frustration. "So... I'm supposed to wait around like a goose?" she exclaimed.

"It's a duck," Cindy corrected, shaking her head.

"Same difference. They're both birds!"

"Anyone wake up with new powers?"

The people around them shook their heads.

Esme wondered if the one responsible for stopping the storm could be a tree or a bush with its own personality.

With all the strange things in this place, it was a possibility.

Cindy narrowed her eyes.

"Then my theory might be right," she muttered.

"What theory?" Esme asked.

Cindy ignored her.

"Is anyone here pregnant?" Esme yelled.

"Why would anyone get pregnant here?" someone laughed, shaking their head.

Cindy's eyebrows shot up. The suggestion was crazy—who would think of having a baby at this age?

Mia burst into laughter, pointing a finger skyward. "Because sex causes pregnancy!"

Maverick strode in, frowning. "Haven't you had seven pregnancy scares already?"

"So what?" Mia said, sticking her tongue out. "Nothing wrong with that."

Nevaeh smirked, amused. "It's probably someone from Simcoe," she said casually. "Aren't you supposed to be watching the sick?"

Suddenly, Nevaeh let out a piercing scream. She began to run in frantic circles, darting from one corner to another as if she was being chased. She finally stopped, her eyes watery and her face twisted into a sour expression.

"Stop acting like a bitch around here," Maverick snapped.

"Let's go see Emma!" Esme urged. "Please! Please, Cindy!"

Within seconds, they arrived at the infirmary. The stench of vomit hit them instantly, mingling with the faint metallic tang of blood.

Sick patients were scattered across the floor.

Hanna slumped against the wall, her hat pulled low over her eyes.

The floor was a nightmare; upturned medication bottles, plastic cups, and discarded remedies littered the floor.

Emma looked up, exhaustion on her face. Her eyes widened. "No!" she exclaimed.

"We have to find the freak who stopped this!" Esme whined, darting between the bodies and shaking Emma's shoulders. "It's just like when we searched for that substance."

Emma's gaze fell on a sick boy nearby. "I can't stop healing patients, even if the storm has ended," she said. "They're almost better."

Esme looked around and spotted Zane, who was sitting up, holding his head in a daze. "Zane!" she called out.

"He's still sick! Remember, you caused it." Emma's voice was filled with panic.

"Are you better? Don't vomit on me, or Emma will," Esme said.

He closed his eyes, then opened them again. "I survived?" His voice was raspy.

Esme pumped her fist in the air. "Another survivor," she cheered. "And now we're trying to find the freak who stopped the storm."

She longed for the freedom to run through the snowy streets again. More than finding the mysterious storm-stopper, she craved the simple joy of speeding around.

"And the snow doesn't burn you," she added, bouncing on her toes.

She glanced back at Emma, who seemed to have a realization. "The symptoms have decreased," Emma mumbled. "Zane, you were close to death."

"So," Esme said slowly, the bouncing finally stopping, "this person didn't just stop the storm?"

Emma chewed on her lip. "They aren't burning or freezing either."

No one spoke.

Zane's breathing hitched. "It... stopped?" he gasped, already halfway up the stairs.

Esme reached the door first, throwing it open to a scene of utter chaos. Shadows flitted across the darkened streets as people wandered aimlessly, faces tilted skyward toward the suddenly peaceful sky.

Her chest tightened from the sprint, her lungs burning as adrenaline surged. She bounced on her heels, trying to shake off the exhaustion.

"Weird, right?" she called out, voice bright despite the tension. "Just dark."

Cindy crossed her arms. "I'm going to go to the island," she said.

"Greyson will probably kick you off the island," Esme stated.

"I have a suspicion," Cindy said, bopping away before Esme could respond.

"Okay, Zane, we're going freak hunting!" Esme declared, yanking his wrist and dragging him outside.

Her mind raced as she scanned the darkened streets, searching for anything that she could investigate.

"If you're too slow, I'll just drag you myself!" she said.

Zane blinked, eyebrows knitting in confusion, as she practically launched herself toward the nearby trenches.

In one swift motion, she yanked back the tattered tarp, revealing a small group huddled together for warmth. Their heads snapped up, eyes wide at the sudden intrusion.

"The firefighter is back!" Esme announced, grinning.

"You beat the illness?" Talia gasped, peering up from the trench.

Zane let out a weary sigh, releasing her wrist. "Seems like it," he replied.

Esme leaned further into the trench, scanning their faces. "Yeah," she muttered. "Didn't think so."

Zane wasn't going to be dragged around with her because he wouldn't be any help in a fight. Not to mention, Highlighter stayed at Uden, and Cindy went to the island.

"Okay, I'm just going to speed around," Esme said, taking off running in the dark.

She barrelled into the daycare, and a chorus of startled screams erupted. Dim lighting filtered through a lantern, casting shadows over the room. Blankets and pillows were scattered across the floor. Shattered action figures lay in jagged piles, and a bullet hole marred one of the walls.

"Esme?" Angel's voice came from the shadows.

"Did any of the kids say anything weird today?" she demanded. "Someone stopped the storm, and we need to know who."

Angel edged toward the door, his eyes flicking nervously over the children huddled in corners.

"No," he said quietly.

Esme's gaze swept over the little faces, but she knew it was a long shot—finding a new power here was unlikely. Still, the possibility made her pulse quicken.

"Nobody here has them here," he said from the door.

"Well, you do," Esme said.

"Can we play outside?" one of the kids called, running towards her.

"Uh, it's too dark outside," Esme said, speeding away from the child.

"Do you think someone stopped the storm?" Angel asked.

Esme waved her arms around dramatically. "Now it's a big game of hide-and-seek," she declared. "Let's go searching together!"

Angel didn't seem on board. "I have to watch the children while Ilya is away," he remarked.

Esme pointed towards Layla. "It won't take long," she said. "Plus, you still have someone here to help."

The boy pressed his lips together in hesitation, while she urged him to accept her suggestion. Esme thought about Emma, who screamed every single time she dragged her somewhere.

She didn't know Angel well beyond the fact he's stopped Luke.

Maybe they could find Luke instead of going on that chase.

"Well, we're doing something different instead," Esme said, grinning mischievously.

Grabbing his hand, they flew out of the daycare as she went into the empty variety store.

"I don't see anyone here," Angel wobbled.

The variety store was one of the few buildings that hadn't been blown away by the storm. The place was completely dirty. The floor was covered in debris, and the shelves that once held essentials were empty.

"I want some action," Esme shouted, brandishing her pistol with a mischievous grin.

She quickly tucked it into her waistband, scanning the empty aisles of the variety store. This would be the perfect spot for a fight with someone like Luke.

"Don't do that!" Angel hissed, eyes wide.

Esme laughed at his reaction, but her amusement vanished the instant the floor beneath her seemed to shift. A crush force slammed into her chest, knocking the wind out of her.

She pitched forward, smacking her chin hard against the grimy floor.

Groaning, she scrambled upright, massaging her sore jaw.

"I keep forgetting you do that sometimes," she muttered. "Maybe we will see if Emma will heal it. She'll probably refuse."

The crack of the front door made her whip her head around. "Hello!" she called out.

"Are you trying to get us killed?" Angel whispered.

"We're like cops," Esme whispered back, holding the gun steady. "Hands where I can see them!"

She mimicked the rigid stance she'd seen on TV, forcing her trembling legs to obey.

"Only one could," Luke growled, emerging from the shadows. "I knew you'd come running here as soon as the storm stopped."

"Heard you became one of those stupid followers," Esme taunted.

"Well, I got my arm back, didn't I?" Luke sneered, the grotesque arm curling in anticipation.

Thinking fast, Esme grabbed Angel's hand, dragging him to the side just as a shelf toppled where they had been standing before.

Dust and shattered merchandise exploded around them, leaving her ears ringing and her adrenaline surging.

"That was so cool. Why don't you do it again?" she taunted.

"It made me angry that you cut my noodle arm off."

"Then you destroy the power plant, and Greyson kills you."

"I'm furious at Greyson, but you and that Asian took away my arm," Luke growled.

Cindy had helped her get rid of that gross noodle arm that Luke had when he was alive. He used it usually like a whip since it acted more like one.

"Is Lukey mad that girls beat him up?" Esme taunted.

The noodle arm snapped forward, wet and fast, like a whip cracking in the air.

Esme twisted instinctively, but was too slow. The impact wasn't on her face but her shoulder, spinning her sideways and slamming her into a shelf.

Angel yelped.

He hadn't reacted fast enough.

The edge of the falling shelf clipped his arm hard, sending him to the floor with a sharp cry.

"Angel!" Esme shouted, the words tearing out before she could stop it.

Her heart pounded so hard it made her dizzy.

She lifted the gun anyway, hands shaking now.

"Okay," she said, forcing a grin that didn't reach her eyes. "Speed Demon will stop all evil. I'm the superhero, and you're the psycho noodle-arm villain."

"Hero and villain situation? Is Jason here to save the day?" Luke snarled.

Esme glanced at Angel, who remained crouched on the ground, trying to remain unseen. He raised his hand, causing a loud thump throughout the variety store.

"That Mexican," Luke growled.

"Are you going to be able to beat me, Lukey? It looks like you're having some difficulty there. Should I get Jade or Emma to come help?" Esme taunted, grinning.

"I'm not like those loser followers. I'll beat you and I'll enjoy every second of it."

We've got a powerful mutant coming to join this place, except it's a baby...

Do you think it's true that the baby stopped the storm?
-Lexi