Back at camp, Jade heart's raced uncontrollably. It wasn't just panic—it was fear. Fear for someone.

She crouched beside Esme, who lay motionless on the ground. Bandages wrapped tightly around her torso and arms, some already stained though.

Nearby, Hanna was kneeling, her gaze flickering between the Esme and Angel.

Angel's arm was wrapped in thick bandages, but they were already soaked through, the fabric dark and glistening with blood.

"Emma's back!" Talia came rushing over.

Jade turned her head to see Emma approaching with wide eyes as she stared down at the scene in front of her. She crouched down beside Esme, her lips pressed tightly together as if she was suppressing vomit.

Esme's eyes fluttered open."Try not to vomit too much," she muttered, weakly lifted a thumb in a half-hearted thumbs-up.

Emma's face turned a sickly shade of green as she unsteadily reached for Esme's cheek—then hesitated and pulled her hand back.

"Here," Hanna said, pressing a bucket into Emma's hands.

Jade didn't want to stay, but her eyes kept flickering to Esme anyway.

"Um... can you guys just leave me with them?" Emma murmured, her eyes fixed on the grass.

Jade glanced at Esme before turning with a nod.

Camp was already in chaos—people running in every direction, forming groups only to break apart seconds later.

Jade moved through camp, her eyes scanning the rows of tents and scattered RVs.

People still whispered about the strange pink sky and the inexplicable way the fire in Simcoe had already stopped. No one had answers; only vague theories circulated.

Something had changed, and Jade couldn't shake the feeling that it all traced back to Scarlett's mutant kid.

Her job here was considered an outer guard, alongside Oscar and Conner. The boy had returned, but his mood remained grumpy as usual. She didn't have to talk to either of them unless they saw some sign of Ashley or followers.

Conner approached her with his arms folded. "Do we seriously have to guard this place?" he asked.

Jade shrugged. "Is that all?" she asked, seeing him still standing in front of her.

"I have to ask you something," he started, walking away as she followed him inside a small tent as they stood away from each other. "You like girls... right?"

"If you want dating advice, ask someone else," Jade said dryly.

Her experience with relationships wasn't exactly a shining success. At Uden Academy, her teammates had been supportive, but that didn't change the fact she'd only crushed on three straight girls.

"I can't; that's the thing," Conner spat. "When you figured out you liked girls, did you feel weird?"

"Yes," she replied.

Conner's question at dug at something Jade had buried.

At twelve, she'd felt that same rush of confusion, liking a girl on her volleyball team and not knowing why. When she told her parents, their shock was sharp and cold. Her mother's voice filled with disbelief and her father shaking his head.

The next day, a brochure for Uden Academy lay on the table, the words improving problematic behaviour staring back at her.

Jade had lived in Ottawa all her life, but she had heard of Uden Academy from social media. It was a place known for smart kids or to get rid of their children.

Her mother had pestered her, saying, "We can't have you jeopardizing your father's position."

Her father was her volleyball coach and a respected teacher at the University of Ottawa. His reputation was everything to them, and her mother feared that if they found out about Jade's sexuality, they might terminate his position.

"You can't play on a girls' volleyball team with that mindset," her father dismissed.

His word stung making her feel like an outsider in her own life. Her parents refused to accept the truth. Instead of offering support, they believed the best course was to send her away, convinced that distance would fix everything.

Uden Academy played a role in shaping her mindset, but not in the way her parents hoped. Instead of forcing herself to focus on boys, she only became certain for who she was.

"There's something wrong with me. Not like sick—just wrong..." Conner let the words hang.

"You're gay," Jade stated.

"Shut up," he spat, slapping a hand over her mouth.

"That's why you're grumpy," Jade muffled, pulling his hand away.

"It's confusing. I'm supposed to like girls, not guys," he said.

"It just happens," she said quietly.

Behind the walls of Uden Academy, many students hid truths they were too afraid to admit. Jade knew that some of her friends had no idea of her true self. She often told them that her parents were disappointed in her—an all-too-common story with students.

Regardless, stories circulated about the students who had escaped from campus or the biggest bully.

Jade hadn't heard much about Scarlett until her friend mentioned her. The girl was stunning and her beauty was undeniable. Although, rumours swirled about the reform camp incident between her and Greyson.

Scarlett may have changed, but part of that humiliation still clouded Jade's insides.

"Hanna doesn't know either. We're nearing our deaths, and I'm worried about liking..." Conner trailed off, irritation in his voice.

"So, you're asking me?" Jade inquired. "I can't help you with your dilemma, but not everyone will feel that way."

As much as Jade hated to admit it, she knew Esme didn't feel that way. Sooner or later, she'd have to admit her own crumbling feelings.

"I know people say it's fine, but I don't like it," Conner said, running a hand over his face. "Gossip is widespread already, and Nevaeh knows everything, but people still hear things."

"Just stop lying to yourself," Jade snapped, exiting the tent.

Conner wasn't cocky, but he annoyed Jade. A lot of people annoyed her back at Uden Academy, which had become the reason she didn't talk much.

As she moved through the campground, she stared up at the pink sky. It's wasn't something you'd expect to see in a normal sky, but she'd take it.

Everyone around her waited for Ashley, along with the mutant child. Both have separate goals but different plans in mind. Ashley was soon going to come kill them all at Sunny's. That mutant child had to hurry, or they'd all be fried.

Ashley sat on the uneven sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the scorched grass—now nothing but lifeless ash after the fire.

Had her time truly run out?

Was the mutant child already born?

How had it happen so fast that she hadn't even had time to kill them all?

She knew that followers weren't going to help her with this problem. The followers were nothing but her personal slaves. She was a god—capable of crushing any obstacle that dared stand in her way. Yet, the thought of that mutant child made her body tremble with anger.

She narrowed her eyebrows, eyes flicking upward to the pink sky. The colours weren't the darkness she created, but the light that gave those humans a chance to see. That stupid mutant child might stop her plans. She didn't even know who the mother had been, but Greyson was the father.

The mutant child was a threat, and she would end it. Her plan was simple: she would keep killing until no one remained but her. She saw herself rising from the ashes and stepping into the real world with billions of followers.

"You aren't being fair," Teagan spat.

"I said nobody was being used," Ashley snapped, glaring up at her.

Teagan crossed her arms. "I want to be released," she demanded.

"That isn't an option," Ashley snarled, laughing.

Teagan's stab wound was still visible, as was her bloody shirt. No clothing changed from the day they died. Between those who died from burns or illness, everything that happened that day stayed the same.

"I don't want everyone killed," Teagan said firmly.

Ashley's expression twisted in a sneer. "You'd be nothing but your own dead body. No communication or anything," she spat back.

"I'm not the only one. Some don't want to see their siblings or friends die," Teagan implied.

Ashley gripped her hands into tight fists. She knew her followers could not revolt against her; it they do, Divina had a chance of walking in the real world. Those humans are too weak to give Divina a body.

"Are you attempting to overrule me?" she barked with gritted teeth.

Teagan nodded, accompanied by a couple of followers. The followers didn't back down as she cleared them away. The mutant child could make them its own followers, which she couldn't stand if that happened.

"Killing is the only objective," Ashley sneered. "It always has been."

"Goddess feels your fear," Teagan said.

"Only the goddess does," Ashley snarled.

The mutant child could be anyone who saps away all her abilities. Whatever else it was capable of, Ashley didn't want to know.

"Do you fear the child's looks or powers?" one of her other followers asked.

Ashley bared her teeth, her face hot. The followers surrounding her were getting on her last nerve. They had all joined her to seek justice, and now they don't want it. They seem to be forget that she was the ruler of them, not some mutant child or Divina.

"You joined for justice; now you want none of it?" Ashley spat venomously, holding out her hand and making them all pop.

A sharp kick slammed into her back, and she pitched forward. Pain exploded in her jaw, fire shooting through her head. She tasted blood, but she didn't care.

Gritting her teeth, she rolled to her side, eyes burning with fury. Teagan.

"Stop screwing around!" Ashley barked.

"I want to save my friend. Luke is unknown, which means his role is done," Teagan said.

Luke was one of her strongest killers who enjoyed the acts of torture. If his whereabouts were unknown, it meant someone had likely beat him.

"Gone where?" Ashley demanded, jumping to her feet.

"Vanished," Teagan stated.

Luke wouldn't just vanish. She stopped that ploy once Jason and Greyson figured it out on their birthday. This happened once, when Esme ended up chopping his body.

"Whatever, he can fix himself," Ashley spat.

All his body parts had been hidden like gold. It took months to find them, which annoyed Ashley. Could these followers not get themselves into trouble?

"That's why we want out," Teagan said.

Ashley narrowed her eyebrows. "Are you leaving because a mutant child was born?" she taunted.

"I want out of your stupid system," Teagan spat.

"You aren't being let go!" Ashley barked. "There's nothing for you if I release you. I'll still kill everyone."

Killing was her only objective at this point. If she could walk out of this place once all these insects were killed, that'd leave her with these powers and killing those on the outside.

"How's that possible with the mutant child?" Teagan questioned.

"Its powers won't be enough to defeat me," Ashley said dismissively.

"Goddess knows what happens if we defy you," Teagan warned. "You need people because, without them, there's no chance of stopping it or the mutant child."

"I can stop the mutant child by myself!" Ashley snapped.

She had the powers of all the freaks, except healing. Without healing, she can get injured by others' powers, and even objects could pass through her body the odd time. Sometimes she'd get hit her, and be sent flying, despite her practice.

"What if they challenge you before the goddess gets a body?" Vickie asked.

"Stay out of this," Ashley growled. "It won't, so I'll kill them all before."

"You know, when it gets a body, it's not the final battle."

Exactly; it wasn't the final battle until Divina got a body. There was more to the process, especially with all of its powers.

"I'll kill that mutant child," Ashley spat.

"It reflects the power of what it did with Greyson. You won't be able to stand up to it," Teagan said.

Ashley let out a scornful laugh. Were these followers actually doubting her power? That very idea seemed absurd to her. Why would they think such a pathetic thought? This was one reason she hated humans.

"Don't get greedy by trying to worm your way out of being a follower," Ashley said.

"The mutant child destroys followers," Teagan stated coldly.

Ashley forgot about that. She knew the mutant child could weaken her control over followers by granting them wishes or destroying them.

"That means it could control followers. Just like a puppet master," Teagan spat with disdain.

"I'm a puppet master. That's why you're all with me," Ashley retorted. "Now quit being such a selfish bitch." Teagan finally cleared her away.

Why did followers have to be stubborn? No, it wasn't followers, but humans. Didn't they understand that her actions were for her sake? They needed her if they wanted to achieve their own revenge. Without her, they were useless.

Cassandra pointed across the shimmering waters toward the distant island.

"What's that?" she asked.

"It's an island," Scarlet said. "It belongs to that tall blonde."

Despite looking no older than five, Cassandra's hunger for knowledge was insatiable. She'd questioned everything—every sound, every person. Scarlett knew they had to return to Sunny's eventually for her daughter to fully explain everything.

Cassandra was determined and sharp-witted, her intelligence shining through every question and glance. Yet beneath that fierce exterior, Scarlett saw a caring side—something that mirrored herself.

It was surreal watching her daughter grow so fast—transforming from a newborn into a child who already resembled her.

Scarlett watched as Cassandra played with her own powers, displaying her highest rank. She could make objects float in the air or create a huge splash of water with a flick of the hand.

Sometimes she darted back and forth at impossible speeds, her body blurring into streaks of motion. Most often, she relied on the white light that glowed from her palms.

"I want to be older like you," she whined, not for the first time.

"Eventually," Scarlett said.

Cassandra's face lit up with a bright smile. "I'd be so cool and pretty like you," she said, beaming. "You're really pretty, Mommy."

Scarlett crouched down to Cassandra's level, meeting her gaze with a soft smile. "You are pretty like me," she said.

She hoped Cassandra wasn't going to be an egomaniac like her father might still be. Cassandra was genuinely happy, but had Greyson's determination and ambition to achieve her goals.

"When can I see Daddy?" one of the second questions that has been asked repeatedly.

"Soon," Scarlett began. "I know you're eager, but not yet."

Cassandra took off, running so fast she became a blur, almost invisible against the sand. She suddenly stopped in front of Scarlett, turning to glance back at the expansion of the lake.

"You can't get rid of the bubble, can you?" Scarlett asked.

Cassandra shook her head, then collapsed back onto the sand. The snow had started to melt, providing some much-needed warmth.

"Ashley controls it all," Cassandra said quietly, eyes fixed on Scarlett. "At least, that's what I've learned."

"I'm going to camp to inform Zane if it's safe," Cindy announced, bopping away.

"Why were your mommy and daddy so mean?" Cassandra asked.

Scarlett remembered that Cassandra had seen her memories when she was a fetus, so she knew about her parents and actions.

"Not everyone is nice," Scarlett said.

Cassandra smiled brightly. "But you're nice."

Scarlett felt this overwhelming sensation inside her chest. Is this the love between a parent and child? Cassandra was her daughter, not one of the witnesses to the vanishing.

This girl, whom she gave birth to in a change room that smelled nasty, filled her with terror because she feared everything that might follow.

"Hey!" Scarlett heard a voice and turned to see someone waving at her from a distance.

She wondered if Cassandra would speed off, but instead she stayed behind playing with the sand.

As Scarlett approached, she saw Jason and Greyson. It seemed like everyone was starting to know their location.

"We heard about..." Greyson trailed off.

"Cassandra," Scarlett interjected. "Some people want to meet you."

Cassandra ran toward them, her eyes glowing with joy. "Daddy!" she squealed.

Jason choked as Scarlett felt an urge to laugh.

Greyson stood frozen, his eyes locked on their child who shouldn't exist like this.

"How is she five?" he asked slowly. "Didn't you just have her?"

Scarlett sighed. "Rapid growth."

Cassandra reached for Greyson's hand, fingers stretching toward his. He instinctively stepped back, and her smile faltered, but just for a second.

Scarlett caught the flicker in her daughter's face. Cassandra didn't understand rejection yet, but she understood hesitation.

Greyson's voice was rough. "This doesn't make sense."

Scarlett exhaled. "You're not wrong."

Jason cleaned his throat. "The fire's out in Simcoe."

"I put it out," Cassandra announced proudly, regaining her momentum. "I won't let Ashley hurt anyone. I'm going to stop her."

Scarlett smirked as Jason ran a hand over his face. Cassandra was just as determined as Greyson, which meant they would have to deal with her strong will.

"Do you want to see some of my cool powers?" Cassandra beamed, hopping towards Greyson.

Scarlett watched quietly. This wasn't just a display. Cassandra was trying to impress him and to be seen.

Greyson hesitated, his expression unreadable. "What can you do?"

Cassandra's eyes sparkled. "Watch this!" she chirped.

She scooped up a handful of sand and closed her fist. When she opened it, the sand was gone. It was scattered, but erased, vanished completely.

"I can get rid of things I don't want," she said proudly, looking up at him.

Then, with two raised fingers, she pointed at the edge of the barrier surrounding them. The lake's illusion flickered and vanished, revealing rows of cottages behind it.

Greyson took a cautious step forward. "Can you make the whole bubble transparent?"

Cassandra frowned, biting her lower lip. "Not yet," she admitted. "When I'm yours and Mommy's age.

The answer caught him off guard.

Scarlett saw the flicker of unease in his eyes. Maybe it was the reminder Cassandra wasn't supposed to be five. That she was supposed to be a newborn.

"Does that mean we see the real world?" Scarlett asked.

"Real world?" Cassandra asked.

"Where adults are," Scarlett stated.

"Oh, outsiders," Cassandra replied, nodding to herself. "I don't like them."

She then reached her arms up to Greyson, who looked at her furrowed eyebrows. Scarlett could tell from Cassandra's hand movements what she wanted.

"She wants to be picked up," Scarlett explained.

Greyson's eyes widened as Cassandra waved her arms up and down. He awkwardly lifted her up, but she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

Cassandra pointed her finger under Greyson's eye, staring with awe. "I have your eyes."

Greyson seemed tense, as if he had never seen a child before. But, Scarlett knew it wasn't that. He was realizing that this wasn't some random child—it was their child, and Cassandra was already picking up on things she had learned from them.

Cassandra's head snapped toward the lake, eyes narrowing as if something had whispered across the water.

In a blink, she vanished from Greyson's arms and reappeared at the shoreline. Scarlett barely had time to react before Cassandra flung out a glowing hand, her stance tight and focused.

"There's something coming," she said, eyes fluttering shut for a second. "We have to get to that camping. Now."

Jason stepped forward, alarm creeping in his voice. "Wait, why? Is Ashley coming?"

"Yes," Cassandra said simply.

The one word hit like a hammer.

She turned back toward them, arms outstretched, eyes closed. Her face was calm, but Scarlett saw the tension in her jaw.

"Cassandra, what are you doing?" Scarlett asked.

Cassandra didn't answer immediately. She furrowed her eyebrows, then bit the tip of her pinky nail—a habit Scarlett recognized instantly. Greyson did the same thing when he was frustrated.

"Why can't I grow quicker?" Cassandra muttered.

Jason pointed toward the car. "We have drive—"

"It's transportation," Scarlett added, still watching Cassandra closely.

Cassandra didn't wait. "We have to go now."

She blurred forward, speeding past them in a gust of wind and light.

Scarlett glanced at the two before hurrying to catch up with Cassandra.

"Does she see future events?" Jason called out.

"I don't think so," she replied.

Cassandra had told Scarlett about some of her own powers, but the list seemed to keep expanding every time. It was like the ability of control, but she had other powers associated with it.

When they reached the car, they saw James staring at her in horror. Cassandra stared blankly at the car, almost seeming confused with how it worked.

"Go," she started pulling on the handle that had been locked.

"Go where?" James asked, now out of the car.

"This is taking too long," Cassandra grumbled.

She held her palm out as, one moment, they were by the long beach grass before standing in front of Sunny's. All five of them stood there, while Cassandra seemed confused.

"We need to warn someone." Cassandra said as she was presenting a hand at the campground.

"We'll talk to Zane," Scarlett said.

Cassandra may have known people from her and Greyson's memories, but it wasn't that she remembered who they all were.

Scarlett watched Cassandra widen her eyes to look past them. She held up two fingers as Scarlett turned to see David.

"Goodbye," Cassandra spat as they watched his body slowly vanish away instead of popping like any other time. "Ashley's spying."

Cassandra sped around camp as Scarlett breathed out a sigh. She wanted to run herself, but her body still wasn't as strong  as before. She was still exhausted from giving birth almost twenty-four hours ago, but that was healed through her own child's power.

Scarlett glanced around the place with knitted eyebrows as she found Cassandra behind one of the tents; her eyebrows narrowed.

"She's in that field," Cassandra stated, pointing to the large field. "Ashley will face me, not burn this place."

Scarlett wanted to rush off to tell Zane, but she wasn't sure where. "Warn someone," Scarlett rushed off to look around.

She wasn't sure what Greyson and Jason ended up doing. However, she spotted Talia ringing that bell, which sent faces turning.

Scarlett went back to Cassandra, who held her arms at her sides. People around her began to be put in their own positions as Scarlett stared into the open field.

"Watch," Cassandra said, smiling with her head tilted toward the field.

When Scarlett saw a glowing fire rushing at them, she went to pull Cassandra away. Scarlett watched as Ashley got closer, speeding like Esme.

"Go to safety, Mommy," Cassandra said.

Scarlett slipped inside the tent, her eyes darting toward the back as she peeked out. She knew she couldn't worry because Cassandra knew what she was doing, but she wanted to help despite the exhaustion she felt in her body.

"I don't recall knowing you," Ashley spat, her teeth clenched.

Cassandra's didn't even flinch. Her small palm began to glow a white light that made the grass slightly shimmer.

Ashley lunged forward, blue light crackling from her hands, but Cassandra stepped aside in a blur, her feet barely touching the ground.

White light surged from Cassandra's palm, slamming into Ashley's chest. Flames sizzled and sparks burst outward ad the impact forced her backward, her footing collapsing beneath her.

Ashley stumbled, crawling at air as the power pushed her off balance.

"You don't know me," Cassandra said coldly. "But I know you. You've hurt people. You tried to kill my father. Twice."

Ashley's glare wavered for a just a moment for Cassandra to take another small step, the glow from her hand flickering as she prepared her next move.

"Mutant child," Ashley hissed.

"My name is Cassandra." She tilted her head, letting a chill smile cross her face. "And I told you time's up."

Ashley's hands trembled. "You shouldn't even be this age."

"I grew fast for a reason," Cassandra replied sharply. "I erased one your spies."

Ashley's eyes widened slightly.

Scarlett wondered if Cassandra's powers had been much greater than she had shown. It could be quite possible because she's supposed to be stronger than Ashley and Divina combined.

"You can't kill everyone while I'm around," Cassandra added, raising her hand again, fingers spread.

This was no longer about Jason or Greyson, as Scarlett watched helplessly from behind a tent flap.

Jason and Greyson fight or Ashley and Divina. Her own child was fighting their own death.

Scarlett wanted to rush out and tell her to stop, but she couldn't. If Cassandra was just like Greyson, she'd keep her back somehow. This made Scarlett wonder how Greyson felt about the child. No, she wanted to hear those words, but she wasn't begging.

Being nice is strange, but she still had her snark. However, she wanted to be there for her child. Show her the outside of taunting, using, and seduction. Show the good, even if this hell wasn't a good place. Still, her daughter did love her, which created this connection with them.

"Go!" Cassandra shouted.

A burst of white light surged from her palms. Ashley's form flickered and then scattered like dust in a gust of wind. Gone.

Scarlett froze, breath caught in her throat. Did that really happen? Her five- year-old—her newborn, not even a full day—had just faced off with one of the most dangerous beings alive and won.

Cassandra was still in the field, arms raised for a second longer before she fell.

Scarlett reached her just as Cassandra turned and lifted her small arms, silently asking to be held.

Scarlett knelt sigh effort, gathering her daughter into her arms. Cassandra buried her face into Scarlett's chest, her breathing soft and uneven.

Her eyes closed.

Scarlett tightened her grip instinctively, her heart pounding. "Cassandra?"

No response—just the light weight of her daughter, so powerful a moment ago, now limp with fatigue.

Scarlett didn't know where Ashley had gone, or how long they had before she returned. But for now, in this moment, all she could do was hold Cassandra close and wait.

Ashley and Cassandra have finally had the fearsome encounter.

Did you expect Cassandra to be like Greyson?