I walked up the staircase behind Eden. She led the way, going faster by the minute. Colt followed quickly behind me. He walked up the stairs, looking behind us as he followed. I ran after Eden as I entered their temporary home. I stopped to examine the living room and kitchen. Everything was a mess, pots and pans filled the sink. Food was spilled all over the stove. The table was piled with magazines and books. Clothes were covering the furniture in the living room, with blankets all over the floor. The rooms were a disaster, looking like a tornado hit them. I started to catch my breath as I looked more around the room. Colt started to lock the door behind us as Eden went into the bedrooms. I walked around the room to look at it better. Under the table were bones of different animals. The floor beneath them was stained with blood, but it looked like animal blood. The blood followed into the living room in drops like someone carried it over. I walked into the room in silence, heading into the living room. Sturring came from the bedrooms as I heard a thump. "Will you stay away," Max's voice yelled, but died out completely. I turned to Colt, who looked straight at me. He studied me cautiously like I was more of a prisoner to them. I huffed in frustration as I looked at the hallway again. I started to walk again as I entered the hallway. "I'm just trying to help," Eden's voice spoke. "I don't" Max's voice yelled as it died out again.

I slowly continued towards their voices as Eden lashed out a painful scream. She rushed out of the room. She held her arm tightly, which made me wonder if Max's powers were out of control. She winced, then slowly looked up at me. "Careful, don't touch him," she said, as I studied her. She stood up as she looked at her arm, revealing a burnt mark. The mark covered almost her whole arm. It was black like a real burn, but it looked smooth like a tattoo. I cocked my head in confusion. Maybe she drew it for a prank. I took a deep breath as I walked up to her. "Can I see?" I asked as she studied me. "It's a burn, Ella. Have you ever been struck by lightning before?" she asked as I nodded. "I have. It was in a fight with our parents. But the burn that I had didn't look like that," I said, gesturing to the burn on her arm. She looked down at her arm. She slid her hand up, revealing more of the mark. It was red like someone just hit her with burning lava rocks. A dark red circle with black boils all over it. It didn't steam, but it looked fresh. I heard the freezer door open, as Colt walked up to Eden with an ice pack. He pressed it on her arm, then helped her sit down at the table. I took a deep breath as I looked at the hallway.

"I'm going in. Stay here," I said, as I started to walk past them. Both Eden and Colt looked at me in shock. "Ella, he's dangerous," Eden snapped. I stopped in my tracks. Colt took a deep breath. "She's right. You shouldn't go in there," he said, as I shifted to look at them. "What is the opposite of fire?" I asked him. Colt huffed. "The opposite of fire is ice. But Ella," he started to say but I cut him off. "Now, what's the opposite of lightning?" I asked. Colt started to help his sister to the couch. "Water. You're not making any sense," he said, as he turned to me. "What is ice?" I asked. Colt looked at me. "A frozen water molecule. What are you even getting at?" I cracked a smile. "Finally, what melts ice?" He looked at me in surprise. "Fire. Lightning will only chip it," he said, figuring what I was getting at. I cracked a smile. "I'll be back. You two stay out here," I said, as I started to head towards the bedroom.

I heard a thump against the wall, then another scream. I sighed as I thought about how much pain Max was in. I continued to walk in silence, my thoughts invading my mind. I thought about how when the committee left last time, how Max disappeared then came back hurt. It made me wonder what they even did to him, or what was said to make this all happen. Why did they even want to try to take over again? And how did Cameron come into this? My mind kept exploding with questions and different thoughts. Just an endless train of thoughts that kept going with no end. I walked closer to the room that held my friend. His scream became louder as I approached. I winced at the last one, which made me close my eyes and almost covered my ears. I opened them back up to find myself standing right in front of Max's door. I looked at the door then to the floor as I listened. I heard him sniffle a little and lightly speak. "Please, stop," he said, in a whisper. I stood in silence, studying the floor and the pattern. I just kept thinking to myself as I listened in. "Why," he started again. "Why are you doing this again?" I looked up at the door in silence. I thought about walking away to let him be, but something told me that I needed to go in. I took a deep breath as I knocked. "Max, it's me," I said silently, but loud enough for him to hear it through the door.

Shifting entered the room. "Ella?" he asked weakly. I sighed. "Yeah. Can I come in?" I asked, knowing that walking in would be bad. The room fell silent once again. I looked up at the door as I sighed. "You want me in there? I'm not coming in without your permission," I explained. The room fell silent. "You want me to leave?" I asked, as he finally spoke. "The door's open," I said, as I grabbed the handle. I opened the door and went inside. "Thank you," I said as I completely walked in. Max finished climbing on the bed as he lied on his back. "Shut the door behind you," he said, weakly. I nodded and shut the door completely. I turned back to him as I walked more into the room. Max pointed at the other end of the room. "I'm sorry Ella. Can you sit over there, please? I feel you're going to get hurt if you're too close to me," he said, as I looked in the direction he was pointing at. A patted desk chair sat at the other end of the room, facing us. I nodded. "Sure," I said silently, as I walked over and sat down. I shifted in the chair as I looked up at him. "You ok?" I asked. Max shifted to look at me. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just in a lot of pain," he said, as he started to prop himself up. "I really hate all of this," he said, as I nodded. "I agree. It stinks, but we're gonna get through this again. Just like before," I said, sounding positive.

Max finally propped himself up into a sitting position. "So, what's new with you?" he asked, as I shrugged. "Not much. Just problem's with the committee," I said, getting comfortable. He huffed. "Not surprising. They started getting your brother into this, so I knew there would be trouble. By the way, did you meet him yet?" he asked as I nodded. "Yeah, I have. He's creepier than my dad," I admitted. Max chuckled. "He is a little creepy. The guy's power is a sleeping gas. That's not normal," he said, as I cracked a smile. "Yeah," I agreed with. Max sighed. "How's Aaron?" he asked. I looked up at him. "I don't know. We got kidnapped by our parents again and he disappeared. Roen got me out before we could find him. He said it was safer," I explained. Max was silent, then cracked a smile. "You ditched your boyfriend?" he asked as I looked down in embarrassment. "Roen made me," I said, ashamed of it. Max chuckled. "Sorry. I just need a good laugh. And to be around a good friend," he said, as I looked up at him. "Have you been getting along with Roen's kids?" I asked as he sighed. "Eden, surprisingly yes. But I don't get along with the boys," he explained. I looked at him in shock. "You don't mind Eden?" I asked. He shook his head. "Not really. She never showed me a mean side. She's always friendly and bubbly. Kinda like you, only with more bubble," he said, with a chuckle. I looked at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. He shrugged. "Sorry, trying to feel better," he explained.

I cracked a smile. "Ok. So how much do you two talk?" I asked him. He looked at me weirdly. "Why am I having deja vu?" he asked. I chuckled. "Because. These were the questions you asked Aaron and me," I reminded him. Max sighed. "Oh right. You guys are a thing," he said with a smile. I shook my head. "But we're talking about you and Eden. So, tell me details," I said, getting comfortable. Max sighed. "She's just growing on me," he said, trying to hide his emotions. "Have you told her yet? Or kissed her cheek?" I asked as he looked at me. "Ella," he said, sternly. I chuckled. "Payback is wonderful," I said, proudly. Max sighed. "We went on one date and that's it. It was only to the edge to look at the moon for a second," he said, as I chuckled. "Still a date and a romantic one too," I said, finally feeling comfortable. Max glared at me. "I'm so glad we're still friends," he said, chuckling himself.

Then he sighed. "If only things got back to normal. No one turning evil and the vampires have gone again," he said, disappointingly. I turned to look at him. "You've seen vampires too?" I asked as he nodded. "I have. I thought Nesta was gone," he said, shifting to his side. I took a deep breath. "He is. The new vampire king is named Karlheinz, and according to Lindo, Ritska is dating his grandson," I said, as he looked at me bug-eyed. "RITSKA HAS A BOYFRIEND?! Where have I been?" he asked in shock. I chuckled. "I know. Aaron and I were shocked when we found out too." Max stared at me. "So, what does Lindo think about this?" he asked, still shocked.  I shrugged. "I think he's ok with it. He's friends with Noah's family. But he seems to be keeping an eye on it.  Aaron and I reacted more than he did," I said, with a laugh.  Max chuckled. "No kidding. Vampires and devils still don't get along," he said with a sigh.  I tilted my head. "But I think the vampires are on our side this time," I said, trying to bring up his mood.  Max sighed. "Don't get your hopes up, Ella. The committee is still evil and who knows what this Karlheinz is up to. You still got to be careful," he said, as in warning. I sighed. "I know. I'm just getting sick of the fighting," I said, getting down again. Max sighed. "Same," he said, sounding like he was in pain again. He took a deep breath as he propped himself up more. 

"That one hurt," he said as he winced and leaned over the bed. I got up and tried to help, but he stopped me. "Don't try to help. Water and electricity are very dangerous mixed together," he reminded me with. He closed his eyes as he bent over the bed and let out a painful scream. I started to approach him but a hand was placed on my shoulder. I turned back to see Tim standing behind me and Colt getting between Max and me. "Ella, we need to get out of this room. Now," Tim said, as he grabbed my wrist and started to pull me out of the room. I stopped him. "Why? He's hurt and I," I started to say but he glared at me. I stopped talking as I nodded. "Alright. I'm following you," I said, as we both exited the room completely.