The two of them trudged across the frozen field just beyond the destroyed power plant. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the sharp crunch of snow beneath their boots and the brittle snap of branches.

Each of them carried a flashlight, their narrow beams slicing through the darkness ahead. As usual, Greyson took the lead, forcing Jason to pick up his pace just to keep up.

"Obviously your stupid stepsister can't see in the dark," Greyson sneered, not bothering to look back.

"It's dark like everything around here," Jason muttered.

Greyson stopped cold and whipped around, aiming his flashlight straight in Jason's eyes. "Whose fault is that?" he snapped.

Jason clenched his jaw, swallowing the bitterness that came with working alongside Greyson. They didn't choose to team up, but it was all they could do. Both of them held high ranks enough to challenge Ashley's growing power.

"Where the hell did that thing go?" Greyson snapped, sweeping his flashlight wildly across the empty field.

Jason narrowed his eyes. "Last I checked, you're the one who threw her with your mind," he said flatly. "And don't forget the light you blasted from your palm."

He was certain it had been the baby controlling Greyson. Scarlett had shown that same white glow from her hand before, though it had never caused any damage. He wondered if the child's power was tied between its parents, Greyson and Scarlett.

"Yes, because apparently my mutant child can puppeteer my body like a marionette," Greyson muttered, resting a hand on his hip. "Guess that makes it pretty damn intelligent."

Greyson resumed his pace, sweeping the flashlight across the field.

Jason glanced over his shoulder. "Do you think we should've brought those five with us?"

"No. I'm pretty sure you don't want to watch your housewife get burned to a crisp," Greyson snarled.

It had been months since he'd last seen Bella, and he wasn't sure how to react. Yes, she had been burned, but his mind stayed locked on chasing Ashley.

"They can find their own way back," Greyson said flatly.

Jason tightened his grip on his flash light until his knuckles burned. No matter what he did, it was never enough.

The bitter truth gnawed at him: if he'd really had that kind of power, Ilya would still be alive—and Bella would have stayed.

"Have you ever stopped to think this is Ashley's endgame?" Greyson provoked. "It wants Scarlett dead because of our mutant child, which means Ashley's willing to take out anyone in her way."

Jason had already considered that possibility. Everyone knew Ashley's powers were limited, but the baby acted as a barrier.

"By the time this is over, we'll probably end up crammed in a jail cell," Greyson muttered.

Jason's mind was buried under too much to keep track of—everything they'd done, everything they'd broken. Laws didn't mean much anymore, but the list kept growing anyway.

"See? It's all starting to click," Greyson snapped, pulling Jason from his thoughts.

"They might hear us out..." Jason insisted.

"We're not getting off easy just because we're kids," Greyson sneered. "And don't count on Heather bailing you out."

"You don't seem to miss her," Jason remarked.

"That woman was never a mother to me. If we make it out of here, we won't find any open arms waiting. For some parents, news of our escape will bring shock and horror, with a small dash of relief. TMZ or CBC will be blasting the story, and the police will be right on our tails." Jason tried to block out Greyson's words, but he continued. "Unless that Highlighter covers all our charges, everything will trace back to us and that god."

"What about the mutant child?" Jason asked.

Greyson stopped in his tracks and faced Jason. "It has plans, starting with the darkness. Scarlett probably knows more."

Jason swept his flashlight over the bush at the entrance, searching for any sign of Ashley.

As they stepped into the darkness, a ruined house came into view that was collapsed and broken on the ground. An unsettling feeling crept over him with a strange vibration in the air he couldn't quite place. It was as if a thick, pulsing energy surrounded them.

"This is a hotspot," Jason murmured, eyes narrowing.

"There's a strange, almost inhumane aura in this place," Greyson added. "We need to clear out these trees."

Jason noticed the trees formed an almost impenetrable wall. He extended his palm, slicing clean through one trunk.

Greyson caught the other half, hoisting it overhead before hurling it aside.

They worked their way along half of the bush, leaving a clear gap in the thickest.

"It's weaker here," Jason noted.

"Follow," Greyson ordered, leading them to one of the end of the tree. "I think there's something inside it."

Jason pressed his palms against the centre of the tree, channeling his power to burn it.

Greyson angled the flashlight closer. Thick purple liquid oozed down the trunk, eating through bark and branches as it spread.

"Does this mean all the trees are soaked with it?" Jason asked.

"I'm guessing it all connects to something," Greyson said. "Either the powers or the followers. We can't waste time trying to destroy it all."

"We should probably crash somewhere," Jason sighed.

"We'll move away from here," Greyson spat.

Jason didn't want to dwell on staying near the bush.

They moved on, cutting through the darkness toward the edge of the highway.

"This spot works," Greyson said, scanning the area.

Jason set down his pack and pulled out a frozen water bottle. They still hadn't found Ashley, which was the most exhausting part of the hunt.

"Ashley's probably nearing town, or we'll spot a glowing fire sooner or later," Greyson said, pulling a protein bar from his backpack.

"Sunny's isn't far if we need to move," Jason said.

Greyson gazed out into inky blackness, running a hand through his dark hair as if trying to read the shadows.

Now that Jason got a clear look at him, it was hard to believe they were twins. The only obvious similarity was their skin, but everything else set them apart.

"If Cindy shows up to warn us, Ashley wants that child gone," Greyson said, almost hesitantly.

Jason already found it strange enough that Scarlett was having a child, but this was his brother's child. He knew they'd never reach that bonding, brotherly point, because he still didn't like the guy.

"The baby won't be born until a couple more months," Jason implied.

"I think this baby has more than one plan in mind. If this baby is intelligent like me, there will always be a second plan," Greyson remarked. "This child is supposed to be stronger than all freaks combined."

Jason knew, and that was the terrifying part. "They're going to protect her," he said.

Greyson sat himself down and slowly began to eat the protein bar. His face was crinkled, even though the two of them weren't bickering.

"Love sucks," he mumbled.

"It does," Jason agreed.

Greyson and Scarlett were polar opposites of him and Bella, but it wasn't the opposite of good and bad. Greyson may be a control freak, but he'd do anything for Scarlett.

That's what Jason failed at. He did everything but please Bella, which became the reason she used him. Scarlett and Greyson had used people or even each other, but they still stuck with each other. Jason didn't stay back when the storm occurred because he had to help in some way. He thought he could manage everything that was happening, but many gave him a reality check.

"Yeah, but you aren't becoming a dad," Greyson said, crossing his arms.

"Sleep," Jason muttered, turning away.

"We have to interrogate that thing when we see it. If we don't, we'll all be dead," Greyson said.

Ashley's body trembled with searing pain. She curled against the cold, unyielding ground. Her heart pounded unevenly, loud in her ears, as she struggled to piece together what had just happened.

Just moments ago, Greyson had thrown her like a rag doll.

She slammed into a place she didn't recognize. Her vision swam, edges hazy with disorientation whether from the impact, or the thick, oppressive darkness, she couldn't tell.

It didn't make sense. Greyson couldn't summon blinding white light from his palm—none of them could. She knew their powers by heart, memorized like a checklist of what was useful: Jason's light, Greyson's telekinesis.

But some powers always slipped through her fingers. Will's tracking ability remained vague and unfocused—like trying to chase shadows.

Esme's speed worked better, but it left Ashley disoriented, forcing her to stop and catch her bearings, unsure of where she'd even been.

Worst of all, Emma's healing was out of reach, still blocked by Divina's lingering influence, like a parasite she couldn't shake.

The burning in her veins refused to fade, relentless and all-consuming.

Then it clicked.

The white light hadn't come from Greyson.

It wasn't his power at all.

"The mutant child is controlling him," Ashley hissed through gritted teeth.

No—if the mutant child was controlling Greyson, then the parents could stop her.

The burning pain. The blue light that had ricocheted off his body.

It all snapped into place.

She hadn't just been attacked. She was being played.

"If that's how the mutant child wants to play," Ashley spat, forcing herself from the ground, every movement laced with agony. "Then we're heading to Simcoe."

"You've made a grave mistake, God," Divina's voice echoed slyly inside her mind.

"I haven't," Ashley growled through her clenched teeth.

Divina laughed. "You've angered the child," it taunted maliciously. "It saw you trying to harm its father."

Ashley's eyes darted around, searching for Divina's presence.

There he was.

Standing just ahead of her, smirking—wearing that same male illusion she'd come to loathe.

It had been months since he last interfered, ever since she'd gained the powers in her hideout.

"You may have gained their powers," Divina said, amusement flicking in his eyes. "But can't you feel the child's fury? It's angry at you for everything you've done."

Ashley snarled, "I don't care if that child is angry because I need to kill it."

"You still don't see it, do you?" Divina sneered.

Ashley lashed out with a burst of blue light—but it tore through empty space.

She spun.

He was already there, smirking, amusement curling on his lips.

"Do you even know what that mutant child is planning?"

Ashley stayed silent, jaw clenched tight. She already knew the harsh truth that the mutant child was unpredictable, every move a twist she never saw coming.

"Exactly," Divina smirked. "Neither of us knows, but the healer already senses everything. She's more aware than you realize."

"I can still kill others with my followers," Ashley countered defiantly.

"How's that working out for you, huh? Speed Demon shot one of your followers, and that religious girl shot one of your stronger followers who despises your looks."

"They always slip away until the very end," Ashley said coldly.

"Until when?" Divina sneered, wicked smile curling his lips. "When the mutant child arrives to destroy them all? Or when they finally can't stand to look at you anymore?"

Ashley felt rage building. "I don't care, but I'm killing that child," she barked.

Without warning, Divina slammed his hand onto her forehead.

The world shattered.

Sounds collapsed into silence, and in the next instant, Ashley was dragged into the memory of the power plant.

"Let's watch this again," he hissed.

In the memory, Ashley stood frozen on the staircase, her mind trapped. Jason and Greyson appeared, but Greyson didn't throw this time. He just glared at her, cold and silent.

Then, without a word, he raised his palm.

Blinding white light erupted from it and tore through her body.

Ashley's eyes widened in shock as the glowing white light engulfed her. It wasn't just any light, but it pulsed with a similar dark energy, eerily like Divina's power.

"Can't you feel it?" he taunted, mockery thick in his voice.

Ashley glared, eyes narrowing as she shoved him back with a burst of invisible force. The illusion wavered, but he reappeared before her, smirking, head tilted with that all-too-familiar arrogance.

"Feel what?" she spat.

"That danger!" Divina sneered with a devious grin.

"I don't feel it," Ashley growled, but the searing pain in her body only deepened.

"Are you sure?" Divina challenged, smug grin widening.

"Yes," Ashley grated through clenched teeth, her palms still extended.

"The big, bad God is afraid of a powerful human and I'm savouring every second," Divina mocked, grinning spitefully. "Those boys found your hideout and tore half of it apart. Too bad your followers are growing weaker."

It wasn't possible for them to figure out her spot. It seemed everything she was doing was somehow falling down slowly. She needed to kill everyone, especially that mutant child.

"Any human knows Godrin grow on trees," Divina sneered. "That human won't help you either. You're nothing but a pathetic god."

"I can overpower you," Ashley spat.

Divina stood with hands on his hips, chin raised. "I'm just an illusion," he taunted. "So overpowering me? Not exactly your problem."

"I'm killing them all, and I'll do anything to make it happen," Ashley spat.

"Where do you think that'll get you?" Divina snarled.

"Out of this pathetic bubble, and into a world I'll burn to the ground. I'll scatter their ashes, throw them into buildings, and watch them crumble."

Yes, her main objective was clear: she would kill everyone before the mutant child could be born. If that mutant child entered the world by fire she could do her plan, everything she worked for would fail.

"We may have landed on Earth five years ago, but don't underestimate the mutant child. After all, you're ugly for a reason," Divina sneered, laughter echoing as he vanished.

"Injuring my father is unforgivable."

The baby's voice reverberated in Ashley's mind, its tone neutral, impossible to tell if it was male or female.

A bright beam sliced through the heavy, endless dark, casting long, jagged shadows across the snowy highway. Mallory Jonz paused, her breath fogging in the air as she stared in awe at the light cutting through the void.

She wasn't Tumbles anymore. Not since she'd learned how to stay on her feet. Her power had always been a curse—she could crush objects when she fell. Now she can control, but she still had to think carefully before using it.

"What's the trick to attracting girls?" Preston asked.

River hesitated before muttering, "Behaviour."

"No girl wants you," Mallory shot back. "You're a pervert."

Preston shrugged nonchalantly, folding his arms behind his head. "I'm fine with that. Mia still flashes me."

Mallory scrunched up her face. "Mia flashes anyone."

As they walked down the highway, the darkness seemed to stretch endlessly, pulling at the edges of the road and swallowing the distant horizon. The light from River's power barely pierced it, spilling a weak glow on the snow.

Mallory's stomach twisted in knots. The cold bit at her fingers, but it wasn't just that. It was the feeling that something terrible was waiting in the shadows.

During her time at Sunny's, she learned a lot. Not just about shooting a gun or surviving out here in the dark—but about people. Nevaeh had told her more gossip than she ever asked for, and half of it she probably shouldn't have heard.

If she were still in school, she'd be in the fifth grade, stressing over long division and fractions. Instead, she was out here—walking empty highways, running from followers, and hearing about messed-up things that happened at Uden Academy.

Sometimes she imagined doing something reckless—running, jumping, not caring if she slipped.

But she always stopped herself. One wrong fall, and something could go wrong.

"Mia's pretty," Preston stated.

Mia was pretty, but Scarlett had always been the prettiest.

Mallory didn't feel jealous, not really. She wasn't insecure about it either. Her mom had always said not to care too much about looks or drama and just be herself. Even girls at camp noticed Scarlett when she walked by, glowing with confidence.

Preston broke the silence. "Are we supposed to spy behind bushes?"

The three of them stopped, eyes scanning the long, empty stretch of highway ahead. Abandoned cars scattered the road, their windows cracked and frosted.

"We have to set off a flare," River said, holding a small, circular device in his hand.

It was an idea Zane and James created. It was an emergency flare that would shoot golden light high into the sky, like a slow-burning firework. It was a warning to everyone that Ashley and her followers were approaching.

"We'd have to run because Ashley would probably see it," Mallory said.

"I'm not in the mood to die today," Preston called out, still invisible.

"Zane said to look out for Bryce and them. Emma sensed something happened," River said, his voice uncertain.

"Jason and Greyson were forced to go there," Mallory added.

Jason and Greyson working together was a disaster waiting to happen. She didn't know why Zane would pair them together. Maybe it was because of the ranking system. It could always be to overcome the hatred they have for each other.

Mallory doubted Jason and Greyson would overcome their hatred, but they both got irritated by the same things.

Looking around the quiet area, anxiety washed over her. She clenched her hands in fists tightly with the unsettling thought crossing her mind: Ashley could be anywhere, waiting to kill them all.

"Do we just sit here?" River asked.

"I think we should hide," Mallory suggested, but none of them moved.

"We could hide behind trees," River said.

They sprinted toward the trees and slammed themselves against the rough bark, shoulder to shoulder.

Mallory's heart pounded.

The silence felt heavy.

Could it hide them from Ashley?

"What if she ends up finding us?" Mallory whispered. "I don't want the baby to get killed."

"Ashley wants us all dead," Preston said flatly.

Mallory then saw a silhouette behind the bushes. "Be quiet."

"Should I send a flare?" River asked in a whisper.

Mallory didn't know what to say. It wasn't that she was an expert at finding killers. She was evil because she watched people get helplessly injured. When Eden was numbing Bella's movements, she was playing with Christmas lights.

"I'll go see," Preston's disembodied voice said. He didn't make a sound as they awaited any harm. When he crept back, he crouched. "It's the one Luke shot in the daycare."

River eyes widened. "We have to run back."

"But Zane said we have to stay out," Mallory interjected.

"Don't leave," a voice said behind them.

All three of them screamed, spinning around.

Teagan was standing there.

She wasn't supposed to be standing at all.

Mallory knew Teagan got shot in the daycare by Luke. She was a follower and was caught spying on them or being Ashley's wingman.

"I dont want to be with Ashley anymore," Teagan said. "I'm waiting for the mutant child to get rid of me. God is relentless to kill the child."

Why would anyone want to kill a baby?

It was wrong. Completely wrong.

Her mother had always said children were miracles.

"Tell Ashley to go away," Preston spat.

"God won't listen to other followers," Teagan retorted. "They all want revenge, but I've already got mine."

This is what it feels like to go up against someone dangerous. They wanted revenge when it shouldn't be the answer.

"What's Ashley so scared of?" Preston asked. "It's a baby."

"She's scared of the light returning and its powers," Teagan answered. "That baby used its father's body to stop Ashley from killing Bella and the others."

"We don't trust you," River mumbled.

Teagan nodded. "I know Ashley is heading to Simcoe to burn the town."

There were still some people in Simcoe who could die. The crackheads went off, and every freak seemed to leave. No, Mallory knew who was going there.

Teagan popped as if she had spilled too much.

"Yeah, we're going back now," Preston remarked.

They all toward Sunny's, boots crunching against the frozen ground as the darkness seemed to chase them.

As they burst through the campground, their eyes darted around, searching for someone to inform.

"What's the emergency?" Zane asked.

Mallory took a deep breath. "Well, Ashley is going to Simcoe to burn the town, according to Teagan. We don't know if it's true, but some people would be there," Mallory rambled. "Teagan doesn't want to help Ashley or whoever. Is there a lot in town?"

"We have to warn those there. I'm not going to send people in case it's a trick," Zane remarked.

Mallory wasn't quite sure if it had been a trick, given the way Teagan seemed panicked. She didn't feel bad for followers because they were evil. They wanted revenge, which meant Luke got to terrorize them still.

"I know Cindy, Emma, and Mark are still in Simcoe," Yara said.

"Do you want us heading to town?" Mallory asked.

Zane stared at her before saying anything. "If you three could warn those still there," he suggested.

Mallory twisted her thumbs, her lips pressed into a tight line. She didn't even know why she volunteered.

They were supposed to be part of the protection group—not the main fighters. That was Greyson and Jason.

"Let's hope we aren't burned alive," Preston said flatly.

"You just have to warn Emma or Mark. Cindy will probably be bopping to see how everything is," Zane implied.

Everyone was loaded with some kind of gun or weapon. Freaks were both inside and outside, guarding the campground like a country invasion.

"You can take the one car that has gas left, but you'll have to hurry back," Zane said, motioning to the green car behind him.

"It's ugly-looking," Preston remarked.

"Let's just try to get to town," Zane sighed, handing River the keys, who just stared at them.

"If you can drive a boat, you can drive a car," Preston stated.

The three of them went to the car as Mallory sat up front. It felt weird being up front when she had been used to being in the back.

"What do we do with the people?" Mallory asked.

"Shove them all in the car," Yara implied with a thumbs up.

"There should be other cars there to take back here," Zane said.

"Try not to hit anyone, unless it's Ashley!" Yara called.

River rolled up the window as he slowly backed up the car. The darkness still clouded the headlights that were barely shining down the road.

Mallory missed having light, but she wondered if having it back meant having electricity back. It'd be amazing to be able to shower or feel heat.

There could be another route, where the light meant that this darkness would be like a sunset. That'd be pretty, having the sky golden or even pink. Scarlett's child would have the choice of it all. Did it want it bright blue with the sun or golden?

"I hope the sky is pretty when the light is back," Mallory remarked.

"It will probably be blue like normal," Preston said. "Something other than this pitch darkness would be great. We've had this darkness for seven months."

That's why people had gone crazy—people were scared of this darkness. Mallory just wanted all the darkness to vanish.