At the power plant, Luke remembered the moment he caused the explosion. The blast had injured everyone, but he suffered the least—he had just run into the room when it went off.

Seeing the extent of Scarlett's injuries filled him with absolute joy. Finally, the mockery and arrogance had come to an end.

After the explosion, Cindy arrived and teleported her away, while Greyson stood there, furious. The large pipe was hurled straight at Luke, slamming him against the wall.

Greyson killed him for ruining his plans—and for hurting that bitch.

Later, Luke woke up in the bushes. That was where he had been granted his arm. It was completely dark, but the snow around him had been cleared away. That was when he saw her—that ugly girl he had once tortured.

"You're different from the others," Ashley told him. "You are a follower—but you're not exactly dead or alive."

The memory of losing his arm to Esme and Cindy came flooding back. They had sliced it off, which left him feeling conflicted.

Now, he wanted to harm them deliberately while still walking on the earth. He didn't want to be some illusion, but someone more.

"You're like her," Ashley said.

He remembered that she had showing him Teagan. It was the same girl he had killed, which made no sense. He would've thought that those Simcoe people wouldn't be after killing them, especially since he killed her.

"The terror is coming," Ashley spat.

Luke enjoyed the terror he got inflicted on people—the wide eyes, the panic, the moment when they realized they couldn't escape. It reminded him of the rabbits that used to scatter when he chased them through the backyard with a lighter. The pleasure it brought out in him made him grasp for more.

"Are you sure it's a human?" Luke had asked.

Ashley gritted his teeth at him. He didn't like the uncertainty it had. Maybe he could purposely hurt her once he finished finding this human. That's why he had been searching for this person.

Luke knew he might be someone's slave, but he got to do something he enjoyed. With Greyson, it had been no different, but he got to punish people however he wanted.

That was why he stood inside the dark variety store, where a single lantern glowed on the counter across Esme and Angel.

"Are you sure you can see us, Luke?" Esme's eager voice echoed.

Luke grinned deviously. "You'll be the first to go."

One of the metal racks shook as he rushed down the aisle, his whip-like arm snapping through the air like a flailing weapon. The force of the impact sent the metal shelf flying into the wall with a deafening crash.

Esme's lips twitched, but she didn't laugh. "Missed me."

"Are you just going to hide behind shelves? It isn't that big here," he sneered.

"Might," Esme said.

Luke felt a twitch in his arm as he lurked among the empty aisles. He found his arm often did that lately, but he ignored it. He whipped it again, knocking over the shelf. Esme dodged with precision.

He gritted his teeth and lunged at Angel. The boy didn't flinch, presenting the perfect opportunity. Luke whipped his noodle arm straight at him, catching Angel completely off guard.

Angel screamed.

Esme immediately rushed towards Angel, but Luke intercepted her, slamming her leg with a vicious strike.

"You rush around like Tumbles," he mocked.

Esme jumped up, despite blood rushing down her leg. "Nope, you're just seeing things," she said, holding something in her hand. "Remember barbed wire? I keep it on hand."

In an instant, the barbed wire tightened. Luke's body split cleanly in two, both halves collapsing onto the floor. He didn't pop like those loser followers that literally do nothing but chase people. This is what he was granted.

"Darn, I thought it would be in multiple pieces," Esme commented, with a hand on her hip.

"You can toy with me, but I'm still going to live," Luke sneered, and then he hit her directly in the eye. "If I bury you, you can't crawl your way out."

"I still have my arms," she said, angling the barbed wire around his real arm. "I'll slice that right off for you."

It happened so fast that Luke barely had a moment to react, let alone use his noodle arm. Esme stood before him, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she held up the severed piece of his arm.

"We're playing doctor," she said, quickly slicing the noodle arm and throwing it out the door. "Now for the real game."

Luke watched his upper body being sliced, hanging in the air. "You can't even dig a hole," he snarled.

"You can't catch me, Lukey," Esme said, looking at the other half of his body.

Before he could say anything, they were already gone, speeding off to one of the trenches.

She tossed him inside and looked around.

She grabbed a shovel and quickly began piling snow into the trench.

"I can easily get out of this," Luke sneered.

"And I'll just cut off your arms again. Maybe next time I'll give you a better makeover." She pointed the shovel at him.

The snow continued to pile around him, but he couldn't feel the cold. The sensation was distant, as if his nerves had been muted.

"Someone will find it," he sneered. "And then they'll try to kill you."

He didn't hear Esme speed away to bury the other half of his body. It didn't feel like he had been alive or dead. He would have to wait for Ashley to find him and rebuild his body.

Since his body would be somewhere in this bubble. It could be the frozen lake or power plant. When Ashley did get him out of here, he could find that speed demon.

Ashley wants him to follow set orders. Apparently, terror is coming, and that means Ashley has to kill everyone. This situation gives him an opportunity—something he desperately craves—especially considering he's trapped in some hole.

It's possible that the person was similar to himself by enjoying pain. He wouldn't be scared of someone who could threaten everyone and cause harm willingly. Luke despised being a follower, but if he got to do what he wanted, he'd do it.

When they arrived at Uden Academy, they were met with a chilling scene: at least ten dead lay in front of the open gates. Someone had tried to cover them with a single towel, but it was far too small. One body lay hidden beneath it, while the rest lay exposed to frost.

"It's strange without security around," James murmured beside him.

Jason didn't answer. He just lifted a hand. The faint glow from his palm crept along the walls, revealing frost patterns and faded drawings.

They moved forward, their boots scraping against the floor in the heavy silence until the hallway widened into the dining hall.

Jason stopped short. The air smelled stale, like old food and damp clothes. People sat at the tables chatting and laughing, as if the bodies outside the gates didn't exist.

A pile of food gleamed under the weak light—protein bars, dented cans, and crackers that looked almost holy after weeks of starvation.

"Oh, hi there!" Nevaeh called with a smirk. "Unfortunately, your brother isn't here."

Jason's stomach twisted. "We need to talk to Mia," he said flatly.

Nevaeh led them down the long hall into the cafeteria. It was quiet, except for their footsteps.

"Hiya." Mia lounged on the edge of a table, one knee swinging lazily. Smoke curled from the vape pen between her fingers. "Got drugs if you need them, but the vape's mine."

"Did you give Eden drugs?" Jason demanded.

"Yuh," Mia grinned. "Worried she might drug the housewife?"

His mind raced through endless possibilities. He had no idea what Eden was planning—unless she truly intended to drug Bella unconscious.

Jason's jaw tightened. "Why?"

"You look like you need sleep," she said, flicking the vape pen. "Do you ever sleep?"

"Where is she?" he said.

"Relax," Mia said, tapping two fingers lightly against his cheek before pulling her hand away.

He didn't move. The light in his palm dimmed slightly, as if it could feel his anger.

"We should get going," Jason suggested.

"Why did Eden really want the drugs?" Jade asked sharply.

Mia laughed as she took a bit into a granola bar. "Eden has her ways of getting her points across," she replied casually. "I'm sure you've heard of me and Bryce being crackheads, but she was one too. She's someone you never want on your bad side."

"What do you think she'll do to Bella?" Jason asked quietly, his voice trailing off.

Mia didn't answer at first. She stared at the berry granola in her hand as if it had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the room.

Jason's stomach growled loudly. He hated that the food smelled so good. Hated even more that he hadn't found a way to bring food back to Simcoe.

"Yes, we got food from the lake—I mean River!" Mia laughed, nearly dropping her snack as she spoke. "He loaded up from the cottage."

Jason barely heard her. His mind was already somewhere else, trying to decide what he should do next.

"Which mission are you going to choose?" Nevaeh asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He had two options: track down Bella wherever Eden had taken her—possibly drugged, maybe worse. Or help with the reconstruction at Sunny's, where they needed more shelter.

"Eden won't murder Bella," Mia interjected, her voice muffled as she shoved the rest of the granola bar into her mouth.

"Do you have any new information?" Jason inquired.

"No new freaks," Nevaeh replied, twisting a strand of her hair. "I'm guessing someone is hiding."

Well, that crossed off anyone from Uden developing powers. The whole situation was still confusing because the next step might be finding out who broke into The Bubble.

"I heard Cindy went to the island," Nevaeh added. "Someone saw Luke in town."

Jason's breath hitched. Luke couldn't be alive unless he turned into one of Ashley's twisted followers.

"Why don't we just build snow forts? Something fun that saves the day," Mia sighed.

Jason didn't laugh. He was tired. So tired of leading. He wasn't Greyson. He would've had a plan, an answer, and a speech. Jason just wanted one moment where everything didn't rest on his shoulders.

"Let's go to Sunny's," he said finally, turning to James and Jade.

Nevaeh raised an eyebrow. "No saving the housewife?" she inquired.

Jason swallowed hard. "We need to focus on Sunny's. Nobody knows where Bella is."

Even as he said the words, guilt twisted in his chest. But they couldn't afford to waste fuel driving aimlessly in the dark. They didn't have google maps. They didn't have electricity. If they got lost out there, they were dead.

"If you see Bella, let me know," Jason muttered.

Mia flashed a mischievous grin and lifted her shirt slightly, clearly trying to get a reaction.

"Just relax, bro."

Jason turned on his heel, neck feeling hot. "Okay, we're going."

"You should be smart if you go searching for your housewife," Mia started. "Eden might drug you."

Jason glanced back slightly, noticing that Mia had lowered her top. A sense of unease washed over him as her words echoed in his mind.

They walked through the dark hall toward the entrance.

"That's flashed twice now," Jade finally said.

'"We will focus on Sunny's," Jason said again, more to himself.

Once outside, they climbed back into the CRV. Jason slid into the passenger seat and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the dashboard.

"I should have seen it coming," he muttered.

"Why does she always do that?" James mumbled under his breath, his face red.

"So, we go back to Sunny's. And then what?" Jade asked.

"Attempt some way to break the ice," Jason said, glancing around at the darkness beyond the windshield.

"You could burn it," Jade said.

"We need to find Divina," James added. "It will have information."

"It's hard when it pops up like a rabbit," Jade replied.

Divina is smart and cunning. It probably knows something about this person who's supposed to be extremely powerful. It could be a whole lot easier if the person showed up and cleared this darkness.

"We don't have much gas either," Jade pointed out. "We'd only have until Sunny's, and that's it."

"And gas pipes are frozen," James added . "Which means a gas shortage."

There were still multiple automobiles. The only problem is that most are damaged, frozen, or have no gas.

Jason felt a nagging question rising in the back of his mind. "Why was Eden admitted to Uden Academy?"

"Delinquent behaviour," Jade said. "She was one of the crackheads, known as the worst-behaved students at Uden Academy."

"She reformed last year," James stated.

"Bella might be in danger," Jade mumbled. "Eden's not as bad as Luke, but she's unpredictable."

Jason ran a hand over his face, feeling the weight of growing problems pressing down on him. The challenges seemed to multiply by the day, and he wanted just one moment to step away from all the problems.

With Uden Academy stealing food and the many still sick, Emma was at her breaking point. To complicate matters further, Nevaeh's been lingering around Uden lately, adding to the chaos.

"I can't lead these people," Jason murmured.

He couldn't do it anymore. There was so much to do, and he didn't even know where to start in Simcoe. He's barely talked to Zane since he's been back, and Mark was apparently leading, but he hasn't heard much from him either.

"Do you just want to fix Sunny's? We'd need part of the fire station's help," James said.

"I can burn most of the snow, but we still need light. James can lift things, and you can slide things around," he groaned.

They needed light because of the storm, but Luke no longer gave them access for it to work. Well, it was more that he prevented them from ever using hydro again.

"Could we create it?" he suggested, holding up a hand.

He had never considered his power could be used as an actual light source other than using his own hands. If that were true, then they might be able at least part of the area—and see if those followers were lurking nearby.

"With your light? Well, we'd need some sort of storage box or receiver to keep the light in. You can focus on it not burning, right?" James inquired. "That'd be the best course of action."

The CRV jolted to a stop, its tires crunching loudly over frozen gravel.

Jason's seatbelt dug into his chest. Ahead, a figure stood in the beam of their headlights—tall, pale, and completely still.

Divina.

"God is quite scared," the illusion said, his voice rippling through the cold air. "This thing must be troublesome."

James leaned forward, breath fogging the glass. "Have you determined it?" he asked.

Divina tilted his head. "It's human," he said slowly. "But... grander. Someone has been granted it. Conceived."

"Conceived?" James repeated, cheeks flushing in the light. "We were all conceived."

Divina's grin flickered, not quite human. "A new human," he said, and pointed at the snow between them. "A new creation."

Jason's pulse skipped. "A baby," he said before he could stop himself.

Divina's gaze snapped to him. "Yes," he breathed, almost gleefully. "A new creation that frightens God."

"Did the baby stop the storm?" Jason asked.

Divina furrowed his eyebrows. "You aren't having a baby, right?" he asked.

"No! No, no, no!" Jason exclaimed, his cheeks flushing.

"God," Divina repeated. "It fears what it cannot control. The child will be powerful, perhaps like me. I'll wait and watch it terrorize that thing, do the job I can't."

Jason swallowed hard. "Why would Ashley want it dead?"

Divina's smile sharpened. "Because it's afraid."

That was the core of Ashley's fear. Ashley's motivation for killing the child wasn't just a reaction to someone randomly stopping the storm and illness. It was rooted in fear of a being who could be as powerful as Divina.

"Is the true terror the darkness or the child?" Jason asked.

"That's your own decision, but I'd protect that child. We can't have God killing that mutant child, especially since it could kill God. Don't spread the word because followers are always watching," Divina said before disappearing.

"Great," Jade remarked dryly. "Just when we thought the problems could get better."

Jason didn't want to think about that right now. Sunny's was already destroyed, and people needed shelter if they were going to survive.

"Focus on Sunny's, then we'll work on the other problems," Jason said, loading back in.

He didn't want to think about or risk the other problems. The baby added the biggest problem of all of them. They still had no information, but they knew it was going to be powerful.

"We'll clear some space and see what food is still good," Jason said. "Then we'll figure out the rest."

There weren't many people coughing in the infirmary, yet Ilya mind still spun. It felt like she was falling down a deep, dark hole, clawing for something to pull herself out.

She couldn't lie down when all her children needed her. All of them were counting on her to be there and support them. If only she had some type of medication she could take.

Ilya pushed herself upright, wobbling as she looked around the room. Her thoughts felt foggy and distant, and the floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet, but she forced herself to stay standing.

As she glanced toward the corner of the room, she noticed Hanna leaning against the wall, sound asleep. Emma was nowhere to be seen, and it seemed that none of those who brought out vomit buckets had been around.

When she finally stood, she felt like she'd collapse. She navigated through the maze of bodies around her, carefully stepping over people sprawled across the floor—some groaning, others too exhausted to move.

Her gaze landed on the medication shelf. She wanted something—anything—to quiet the throbbing pressure behind her eyes.

After a brief moment of scanning the options, she grabbed a bottle of Advil and held it up. This medication helps stop headaches, which could help her get through the next few hours.

With trembling hands, she tried to twist the cap open, but the effort only it her head spin harder. She pressed down hard on the cap until it finally popped off.

Yara's voice pierced through her thoughts. "Aren't you supposed to be lying down?"

"Hanna's sleeping," Ilya replied, trying to keep her tone steady. "And I have a headache."

"I think you're only allowed two maximum," Yara said, grabbing two large buckets of vomit.

Ilya nodded with a smile. She popped two pills into her mouth, the bitter taste barely registering as she poured more into her palm. She stuffed some of the pills into the pocket of her coat, feeling an exhilarating rush.

Before she could pour more pills into her palm, she felt a firm grip on her wrist. Turning slightly, she saw Bryce standing there with his eyebrows raised and an amused smirk on his face.

"Last I heard, patients aren't supposed to play doctor," Bryce remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Oops," Ilya whispered.

Emma came walking over, glancing at Ilya with tired eyes. "You shouldn't be up," she murmured.

Ilya nodded and went to sit on her towel. As she sat down, the feeling hit hard—not exactly pain, but the need to know she could fix it if things got worse.

The pills weren't relief yet.

They were control.

If she had the medication, she wouldn't panic. She wouldn't freeze up in front of the kids. Having it meant she wouldn't lose control.

"I think I'm feeling better," Ilya said, standing up unsteadily.

Hanna stirred and stared with narrowed eyes. "Sit down," she ordered.

They wouldn't let her go. They were treating her like she was some kind of walking biohazard—like she made poison the whole place just by standing there.

They didn't understand. She was just trying to get back to normal to take care of the children.

"I'm fine, Hanna," Ilya said.

Hanna's jaw tightened. "You're not better, Ilya. You don't just take something and suddenly you're fine."

With her arms crossed, Ilya shook her head. "I don't have a drug addiction," she insisted. "I just need to look after the children; plus, I haven't been asking for them."

Even though a deep craving stirred for anything that would calm her pounding headache and gnawing anxiety, she'd be able to get through it. Her priority was clear: taking care of her children and giving them that reassurance that she didn't feel.

Cindy appeared in front of the two with narrowed eyebrows. "I need some Advil," she stated plainly.

Ilya noticed how clean Cindy looked compared to everyone else.

Hanna poured two of the pain relievers into her palm and handed them to Cindy. Without a word of thanks, Cindy bopped away. Ilya watched Hanna cross her arms tightly over her chest with her eyes narrowed.

"If you pass out again, or start shaking, I can't let you stay with them," Hanna warned.

Ilya's breath caught and her heart stuttered painfully in her chest. "You can't," she said, quieter now. "That's not fair."

"I can and will," Hanna spat, wiping vomit off the stained floor.

The words rose to her throat and died there. If she argued, she'd make things worse. If she stayed quiet, maybe Hanna would change her mind.

Ilya shook her head hard, like that alone could undo what Hanna had said. Panic clawed at her ribs, sharp and desperate.

She couldn't allow that to happen; being unable to help the children was not an option. She glanced around anxiously at Bryce and Emma, who were doing their own jobs.

Why did Hanna have to be the one giving her these rules? It felt wrong—she wasn't Ilya's mother or father, there to remind her about taking her medication on time.

"I'll let you go, but I'll take you out of there," Hanna said firmly.

Ilya stared blankly, her legs unsteady beneath her as she moved forward. In the pockets of her coat, she had stashed extra medication to help. It wasn't just the stress of managing food or water; it was the uncertainty of what would happen next that ate at her.

Ilya followed Hanna up the stairs, moving almost automatically as the pounding of her heartbeat echoed in her ears. She knew she had to maintain control over her actions; taking a pill right in front of Hanna would be disastrous.

It wasn't about needing medication; it was also about confronting the reality of seeing all her children.

"I'm going to ask your sister to watch you," Hanna stated firmly.

Ilya furrowed her eyebrows. Why did Layla have to watch her? After all, Layla is in the eighth grade, which means she should focus on other things, not babysitting Ilya.

"But I'm fine," Ilya mustered out, without her voice sounding needy.

Hanna glanced back at Ilya before turning back towards the door of the dark daycare. As the door opened, they could see the familiar play area dimly lit inside. Just then, Layla appeared from the back room, walking towards them.

"You have to watch your sister from now on," Hanna started. "Your sister's addiction isn't healed. Don't let her touch any medication."

Some of the children ran up to Ilya, embracing her. "Are you feeling better?"

Ilya managed to force a smile and nod in response. Yes, she's fine to take care of her children because she has medication. It could last her a couple of days or at least hours. Something about it gave her a bit of motivation or energy, even with a pounding headache.

"I'm much better," Ilya said softly.

"Let's read a story," one child called.

Ilya picked up a picture book and settled into a cozy spot surrounded by the children, who eagerly gathered around her.

For a few minutes, it worked. Their breathing slowed, their shoulders relaxed. Ilya focused on the page so she wouldn't have to focus on herself.

Deep in her pockets, she felt the familiar shape of the pills. Just knowing they were there slowed her breathing, like a promise she didn't have to cash in yet.

She read carefully, slower than usual. When the words doubled on the page, she blinked hard and kept going, afraid that if she stopped, someone would notice.

She told herself it wasn't dangerous. She thought that before, too.

"And don't make excuses about injuries with the children," Hanna started. "Emma told me you used to do that frequently. If you do that again, I won't give the children medication."

"You can't do that!" she exclaimed.

"Emma and I are doing the best we can," Hanna said sharply. "We don't have real supplies. We can't just give stuff out whenever. Now start making better decisions."

Don't forget to comment and vote!
-Lexi