It was no quick board game. The game lasted by the time dinner was nearly over. The two of them raced down the stairs and made it in a nick of time. They ate their fill and decided to go bed. Chris went to his room and Evalyn to hers. When she reached her room, Leo was waiting for her on the bed. He was sitting up straight, as if he were on guard. It's about time you showed up, Leo said with narrowed eyes.
"Oh be quiet." Evalyn said. "I need to eat. And here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of chicken wrapped up in a napkin. "It's actually not that bad." She placed the napkin wrapped chicken on the other bed for Leo to eat. Leo jumped from the bed and jumped to the other. He ate the chicken without further comment. Evalyn rolled her eyes and began to pull her sweater over her head. She looked over at her reflection in the mirror that stood alone in the corner of the room.
In the reflection, Evalyn could clearly see her birthmark. The mark was darker than her lighter tone of skin. It was mostly a blob on her skin where her shoulder meets her neck. With this mark, I'm vulnerable, she thought to herself. She sighed. Taking off her last piece of clothing, she slid on her nightgown and crawled into bed. Leo finished up his chicken meal and joined Evalyn on the other bed. Evalyn fell asleep rubbing Leo's head...
...Maylee wrapped her arms around her daughter as the car came skidding to a stop. Both women were shaking with fear and from the cold. The windows to the car rolled down and very familiar face appeared. "Ramen!" Maylee said, relieved.
"Mr. Collins!" Evalyn said at the exact moment her mother spoke.
"Thank goodness you're alright!" Mr. Collins said. "I was worried sick—wait. Where's Maurice?" At the mention of her father's name, Evalyn began to weep quietly. "I see." Mr. Collins said, taking the hint. "Quick. Get in. We don't have much time." Evalyn and her mother both jumped into the back seat of the car. Mr. Collins hit gas once they were in, not bothering to tell them to put on their seatbelts. As they drove down the road, several Dormins chased after them, growling and hissing. Evalyn screamed as one Dormin hopped on the side of the car. It broke the car window and reached for Evalyn and her mother with its long, black claws.
Mr. Collins swerved the car and slammed on the brakes. The Dormin flew off with a screech. Mr. Collins slammed back on the gas and they left the other Dormins in the dust. "We have to get the Arch." Mr. Collins said, looking in the rear-view mirror to check to see if they left the Dormins behind.
"The Arch?" Maylee said holding her trembling daughter.
"Yes." Mr. Collins said making eye contact with her in the mirror. "It may be our only chance..."

𓃠

The next  morning, Evalyn woke up with a groan. She had hardly slept since she's arrived here. Something about this place had her strangely on guard. Whatever the reason, Evalyn knew that she should be careful with what does here. Leo wasn't in the room she got out of bed and began to dress herself. She didn't worry about, Leo usually goes off, sometimes to go hunt.
Evalyn met Chris in the dining hall. He already had a tray of food for her. Pancakes with a orange and apple juice. "Good morning!" He said, cheerfully. "How are you this fine morning?" Evalyn gave him a look. She wasn't in the mood for chit-chat. They ate in total silence. Both listening to the other children's conversations, giving mental thoughts about each one. Chris shoved a mouthful of pancakes in his mouth and suddenly he got a good look at Evalyn's ring.
The ring, he had thought, was beautiful. But something about it seemed familiar to him. Evalyn noticed his staring. "What?" She asked him harshly.
"Nothing." Chris said. "It's just... your ring—"
"What about it? I've already told you about it."
"Yeah, I know... but it looks familiar to me is all."  Evalyn cocked her head at him. Familiar? She thought. Has he seen another Tigenian?
"How so?" She asked with great curiosity. She lift her hand up to Chirs to allow him a closer look. If there was another Tigenian here, she wanted to know. Chris held her hand and gazed at the ring. Suddenly, it hit him. Evalyn's ring reminded him of his ring. His heart pounded as a thought occurred to him. "Chris?" Evalyn asked, seeing the recognition in his eyes. "Where have you seen this?"
Chris leaned forward. "You might want to come see this." He whispered.

𓃠

Chris led Evalyn to his room. But not before stopping by her room to see if Leo was there, which he was. The Bonded cat followed closely next to them, trying to blend in to where he won't get caught. As they passed several rooms, one caught Evalyn's eyes. She saw Xavier sitting on his bed, eye closed, as if he were meditating. Evalyn quickly discarded it, there were more important matters to intend to.
When they reached Chris' room, Chris made sure that his roommate wasn't in there. With his roommate not in there, Chris turned, closed and lock his door. "Okay." Chris said. "So you know how I just said that, that ring looked familiar to me?"
"Yes." Evalyn said and watched as Chris opened his bedside table drawer open and took out a small black box. He handed to Evalyn, who took it. Her eyes widen when they landed on her world's symbol. Three white ovals overlapping each other, creating an odd shaped snowflake. She gave Chris a look that made him uncomfortable. Evalyn then opened the box and gasped. "But that can't be..." she whispered. "You're of Earth, aren't you?"
"As-as far as I know, yes." Chris said, his heart pounding louder in his ears.
"Chris." Evalyn said, looking at him straight in the eyes. "I think you're from Tigen."