It's funny, but all I can really manage to think about is Enderlox's growling. He's always been so fierce. Even in the lab, it sounded like a predator sizing up prey. He sounds more like a cornered kitten now; like he's facing down something dangerous.

     I remember when Ender and I were little. He would sometimes stand in front of a mirror, tying to see a reflection. He felt like nothing for the longest time. Ender would ask me if he really was just something that I made in my head. I can't ever imagine what it feels like.

     The woman has light brown hair, only a few inches longer than my own. She's a little taller, too. I've never been so annoyed by being short. The professional clothes that she wears are so familiar. She was always busy. Too busy to deal with her son's strange behavior. Mitch and Jerome look terrified to be caught up in the middle of this. I wouldn't want to be involved in their position. Seto looks like he expected it. Blaze cringes and I can see the sympathy on his face.

"Tyler..... is that you?", my mother covers her mouth, dropping the clip board. She takes a step forward and I immediately take a step back. I can feel my heartbeat go from zero to hundred as I bump into Ender. Piglox has even wedged himself between my feet.

     My other Shadows are immediately set off by my own fear. Demon snarls and bears his teeth, wings flaring to hide the three of us from view. This woman doesn't scare them as much. Siren shrieks and shows his sharp teeth. Vampire actually launches himself out of my pocket and transforms midair. He lands in the alcove next to me in the shadows. It's like she didn't even realize that they were there until all my Shadows started loosing it. I can see the bracelet on her wrist, but she still didn't acknowledge them all right away.

     Brinelox is the tallest of us, and his piercing eyes show nothing of his usually calm behavior. Shadox finds the reflective metal of his cloak pedant, making his best 'creepypasta' worthy face. Hologram's form is all static with his agitation. Ghostlox's face is set in a haunting glare as he steps in front of me. Insane even looks startled. Squid is more effected and chooses to stay near me.

     "Who's she again? Is this a bad guy?", Beatlox looks around with confusion. He's somehow gotten his hover board off his feet and is holding it like a shield. Explaining this woman to Beat would have meant explaining my first trip to the white room. I didn't want him to loose that spark of innocence.

"Don't touch me", my voice is a lot harder and steady then a I feel. I don't want anything to do with this woman. She doesn't deserve to be called Mom. "Stay away from my Shadows". She seems stunned at me harsh words.

     "Tyler! I-I didn't know. You have to understand that-", she starts to talk again, but I don't let her.

     "My name isn't Tyler. It's Ty. I don't care about about your excuses", my voice has changed into a snarl. "I've been drowned, beaten, electrocuted, and set on fire. Nothing you say will ever make up for that". Enderlox shifts at my side, drawing her stunned attention. He whimpers and hides his face against my neck. No one else has ever made him feel so worthless. I can't forgive that.

The air is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. I can't even find it in myself to feel bad at all. Maybe it was a mistake coming here. Seto finally comes to my rescue with an awkward cough.

"All right then...... I'll give you a full report later in your office, Natalie", Seto looks to my mom and back to me, "I'm gonna get some rooms ready for our guests". Blaze sets a hand on both Mitch's and Jerome's shoulders and leads them deeper into the canyon. They walk past Natalie as they do so.

"Is that Ender? You always said-", hearing her try to speak again has no positive effect on my nerves. Ender seems to cling to me all the more. He's been dreading this possibility for years.

"Don't talk to him. This is your fault", I wrap my arm around Ender's neck and quickly stomp after the others. I know that I'm being rude, but she deserves it. My brain feels all numb. I don't know when I started shaking.

     The walk through the canyon is completely silent. The only noise comes from the buzz of conversation from the people around us. The crowd easily parts to gawk at the newcomers. My pissed off face warns them that I'm not in the mood to talk. I'll apologize tomorrow. First impressions aren't always everything.

" ......... Ok. We have rooms carved out into the rock. The heat during the day makes them warm all night", Seto tries to lighten up the mood as we reach a tunnel. This one is chiseled into a square doorway. I don't feel like answering. There's a lull of silence before someone else speaks up.

     "I'm sure it's fine", Brinelox steps closer to me and puts his hand on my shoulder, "We'll talk more in the morning. Thank your for breaking us out of the lab". Seto nods in understanding. I know that he's worried about me, but it makes me even angrier for some reason. It's better if I don't speak at all.

     Following Seto's instructions, Hologram leads the way down the tunnel. His form gives off a light blue glow that beats back the shadows. There's suppose to be some solar powered lanterns moved in here at night. The rooms are all numbered like a hotel. It's a little weird to be surrounded by so many people. It doesn't take long for us to find the one Seto told us about.

The door's unlocked. The room has four sets of bunk beds, which is a good try at fitting so many people. I'm trying to keep my thoughts away from the inevitable. The rest of the room is pretty plain with only a dresser near the door; nothing like my bedroom back at home. I'll probably never get to go back. Ender starts to babble after the door's shut.

"I-I don't kn-know what came over m-me", he stands up straight and runs his hands through his hair, "I really shou-shouldn't of acted that way".

     "Stop that. You didn't do anything wrong. She's the problem", Demonlox beats me for a response. I can't help but agree. What are the odds that I can go back to my cozy life behind a computer screen? Mitch and Jerome are probably better off than me at this point.

"Who is she again?", Beatlox's repeated question makes me cringe.

"She's......... Her name is Natalie. She is my mother.......", The words feel sour on my tongue.

"Natalie sent Ty into the White Room years ago. We didn't want to tell you that we'd been trapped before", Brine obviously feels guilty for not telling Beat the truth.

     "We were all surprised when you appeared because Ender and Piglox are the only other two who weren't a result of the lab", Ghostlox fills him in a bit more. Ghost was the last of my 'lab Shadows'. I literally died.

"Besides the obvious tabu subject, what do you think of this place? Better then being hunted", Siren sighs.

"I miss the pool", Squid makes half of an attempt to joke.

"It'll be a big change if we stay", Hologramlox muses.

"Not like we have many other options", Doll quips back from my pocket. He's right.

     "I'm a little hesitant to get involved with something so..... big", Vampire cocks his head, "I mean, if this place goes down hill, everyone here goes with it".

     They're all valid arguments. With Hologram's abilities I could easily get miles away from this place before we would tire. We would all be stuck in a desert then, with no way of knowing where the closest town is. I'm just going to have to trust Seto.

     "I think that Seto has good intentions, and staying here really is the best option. Still, no one lets their guard down. This isn't our territory anymore", I speak up after listening to all of my shadow's concerns. This is how we usually hold meetings and make important decisions.

     "Alright then. I guess I should work on my game face, then", Enderlox hesitantly smiles. This'll be hard for him, but maybe worse for me. Hopefully Natalie will know to leave us alone.

       "One last question", Insane raises his hand like a student in a classroom, "Who's sleeping on the floor?".