I practice the basics long after Molly heads off to bed. Eva has left to go back home to her sister and mom, but I can't stop myself. I can't stop throwing punches at the wall, my knuckles wrapped just in case. Sweat lines my brow as I practice a kick. Of course, I don't hit the wall full force. I'm no good if I'm hurt.

I practice summoning energy to my fingertips as swiftly as I can. Electricity, invisibility, check. I can move things with my mind once in a while. They have to be about the size of a gun or smaller. I wish I could summon whatever possessed me that day in Harold's office, but I can't. Maybe I've awaken a different type of beast.

Panting, I push myself harder. What if I have to duck right? What if I can't use my left arm? What if I need to reach for my gun with my right hand? I have a gun secured in the waistband of my jeans; a type smaller than Leane's that Molly got a hold of. My goal is to be the weapon, and therefore not to rely on a gun.

For now, I practice drawing the gun with either hand. I raise the gun towards the wall with my right hand, which slightly trembles while trying to hold it steady. My left hand raises up, electricity buzzing at my fingertips. My breathing becomes labored and my head swims. I holster the gun and allow the electricity to fizzle out before leaning against the wall. I can't be weak. What if I was ambushed right now?

Molly left me a pitcher of water on the plastic table in the corner. I walk over to it and pour myself a glass, gulping it all down in one go. I pour myself another glass, relishing in the relief the liquid provides me. I'm tempted to splash myself in the face with it, but I resist the urge.

Finally, I walk up the stairs. I turn the light off on my way out of the basement. The lights are off in the whole house, so I'm careful not to wake Molly or her family. Fresh air greets me when I walk outside, and I breath it in as I walk to my house. Shadows seem to chase me all the way there. It's almost like every shadow belongs to a person that died. Because of me.
I walk inside and collapse on the couch. My nerves stand on high alert, and I place my head in my hands. Nothing I do seems to be good enough. I can't help Eva heal from Jared. I let people die. What am I doing? Why is all of this happening to me? I gulp in a deep breath and let it out, squeezing my eyes shut. Everything hurts. My emotions hurt. My body hurts. It hurts to live.

I curl up on the soft couch. My arms wrap around my knees, drawing them to my chest. My breathing feels heavy. I try to slow it down; to count my breaths, to focus on calming down. Nothing. My eyes won't shut. My mind won't stop. Nothing will stop. I let out a pathetic sob. I'm so pathetic.

^^^

I must've fallen asleep. I'm not sure how. I just know I find sunlight streaming through the windows. I wonder what awoke me, but a knock on the door answers my question. I walk towards it and yank it open. Cody and Eva stand on the other side.

"What are you guys doing here so early?" I ask, yawning as I move aside to let them in.

"It's noon," Eva replies, walking over to the couch and plopping down.

Cody wraps an arm around me and kisses my cheek. I blush as he leans against the side of the couch.

"So, um, what are you guys doing here?"

"We just want to hang out," Cody says. I can see the concern shining in his eyes. "We're worried about you."

"Me?" I laugh bitterly. "There's so much more to worry about. Like Eva. Like the state of the city right now."

Cody runs a hand through his hair.

"Why can't we hang out? Just like old times," Eva says. She glances down at her lap. "Well, not exactly. Jared isn't here." She gulps, biting her lip.

"Well, he'll never come near us if I can help it," Cody mutters.

Eva shoots him a glare. "It's been two months. Maybe he's cooled down. Maybe we can go talk to him now."

My heart hurts for my friend. She's so caught up in her love for him that she can't see what a monster he's become.

"Ev-"

She holds up a hand. "I know what you'll say, Autumn. Let's not argue, okay? Maybe we can go to your parent's salon? Take a walk?"

"Or we could try to come up with a plan. Leane and Jeremy are still out there."

"There's no immediate threat, Autumn," Cody says gently. "It's going to be okay. Relax. Let's just try to be normal teenagers."

"We'll never be normal teenagers, Cody!" I throw my hands in the air, turning away from them. "Don't you understand? Ever since my Chip fell out, I was destined to be the most abnormal teen there is. Fate decided I got to mess everything up and lead people to their deaths."

"Autumn, that's not what you did." I feel Cody's hand on my shoulder.

"So, I'm caught up on Jared. I'm not allowed to go crazy, but you are?" Eva spits.

I whip around to face her, shrugging Cody's hand off my shoulder. "I'm fine."

"You're losing it. This obsessive training. The obsession with Leane and Jeremy. So what, people died? They were going to die anyways. This was going to happen with or without you. Stop giving yourself so much credit. You started it, but maybe you won't finish it. Maybe this is more than you and your stupid Chip, Autumn!" She exclaims.

I stumble a step back. "Excuse me?"

She steps forward until she can step a finger in my chest. "You heard me. I"m tired of hearing you whine, then tell me how messed up Jared is. Maybe he was right. Maybe you were a stupid teenage girl trying to play hero. Just because he started his own thing doesn't make him evil!"

"He killed people," Cody says calmly. Eerily calm.

"Well, so did Autumn."

"Well, the people she physically killed were evil."

"Who defines evil, Cody? You? Her?" Eva hisses.

I wrap my arms around myself. "Just stop. Believe what you want, but this proves nothing can be normal again."

Something flashes in her eyes. "You're right. Not without him. Not like this."

"I-I don't want to fight you, Ev. You're my best friend," I admit.

She glances at anything but me. "I can't do this today. I'm sorry." She turns around and walks out.

A tear runs down my cheek.

"Autumn-"

I shake my head, scared to speak less the rest of the tears pour out.

"She's right," I finally say. "I am a mess."

"Well, no one can blame you. The thing is, you're strong. You'll get better,"he says. He wraps me in his arms, and I let him.

"That's it. We need to find them."
He pulls me tighter against him and kisses the top of my head. "No. Can't we just stay right here, in the eye of the storm, a bit longer? Or, maybe it's over. Maybe they'll stay away for good. People are rebuilding. We should rebuild ourselves."

I shake my head into his chest, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. I don't want to speak. I don't want to cry. I just want to hold onto this moment in the so-called 'eye of the storm.' I want to hold onto the one person who seems to be able to keep me centered in reality.
I step away and sigh, bringing my watch up to my face. "Maybe I can call Ash?"

Cody nods.

I ponder calling Audrey and Avery, but decide against it. It'll be nice to see my cousin again after all the catching up she's done with her mom.

I press the call button, and she swiftly answers.

"Hey, Hurricane. Okay, what's wrong?"

I sigh.

"Is it that boyfriend of yours?"

Cody laughs, and I whack him in the arm.

"No. It's just- everything. Eva was supposed
to hang out with us, but she's not in the best mood. Want to come over?"

Her hologram nods. "Call your other friends, too."

"Should I disturb them?"

She shrugs. "I'm sure they miss you."

I doubt anyone could miss the me I've become, but I just smile and hang up. Then, I call Avery.
They should be together, anyways.

"Hey," Avery picks up on the sixth ring. She frowns. "Has the calm ended already?"

"No. I just thought we could hang out. You guys, Ash, Cody, and I."

"Yes! I think I'd like to have a spa day!" Aubrey chirps, coming into view.

I smile at her. "Then it's settled."

Cody groans. "Do I get a vote?"

"No," we all answer at the same time.
After ending the chat, I wrap my arms around him and laugh into his chest. "Come on, you'll love getting a makeover."

He gently pushes me away, frowning. "But how manly is that?"

I roll my eyes, stifling a giggle at his puppy-dog eyes.

The doorbell rings soon after, and I open it to find Ash. She promptly ushers us out and into her mom's car, which she borrowed.
It doesn't take long to reach my parent's salon. Once Ash parks in front of it, I find myself clutching Cody's hand. I'm not that sure why I feel uncomfortable. Maybe it's because things have changed so drastically since I last came here. Maybe I can remember sitting there while my parents worked, wallowing in my own misery. Maybe it reminds me of a time before my Chip fell out, making me ponder if that happened or better or for worse.

I drop Cody's hand and walk ahead of him and my cousin. I open the door to a strong scent of nail polish and various perfumed products. Nostalgia hits me, as do memories. I can practically visualize a younger Ash and me running around the salon after curfew. I can practically hear her telling me not to trust anyone but her; her telling me of the dangers of this world.

I had no idea.

I'm suddenly pulled into a hug by a human attached to the bundle of curls in my face. I hug Aubrey back before hugging her girlfriend, who seems a little less enthusiastic about human contact. She also doesn't seem like she wants to be getting her nails done. However, one look at Aubrey gets her smiling.
I smile at their cuteness and head over to my parents. My parents shake their hands and they give Ash a hug. By now, most people in the city know she's alive, so no weird looks are cast her way. It almost feels surreal, even now, to have her as a part of my normal life.

Aubrey and Avery sit first to have their nails done by two of my parent's employees. Both of my parents go back to working on styling the hair of their respective clients. Cody, Ash, and I wait patiently. Ash is just about to tell the punchline to her joke.

Then, the lights go out.

———
Who else wants to slap some sense into Eva? I kinda do.

Anyways, thoughts?

Thank you to the lovely mostaveragefangirl for the awesome new cover. Actually, covers. They're all matching and it's so nice! Thank you so much! Since you inspired me to update early, this is dedicated to you!

-Sarah