"Okay, I think we're doing this right," Cindy said.

Scarlett had not expected to give birth three months earlier than planned. The contractions felt like intense period cramps, but worse. It was as if like she was being repeatedly stabbed. Her heart raced and her hands trembled with fear, while her body tensed with each painful contraction.

Another contraction hit her, causing her to hiss in agony. The pain only seemed to increase, and she couldn't feel tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

"What the hell do we do?" Nevaeh asked, turning to Cindy. "I've watched Fifteen and Pregnant with my two older sisters, but seeing this in real life is a whole different story."

"Do I look like a doctor?" Cindy exclaimed.

"I think I see a head," Nevaeh remarked.

However, none of this was helpful because this pregnancy had not been normal from the start, a side from the painful contractions.

"It's a girl," Nevaeh said as Cindy used a knife to cut the umbilical cord. "She's slimy."

The baby wailed as Nevaeh struggled to wrap the baby in a towel. Eventually, the baby's cries softened and opened her bright blue eyes. She latched on to Scarlett to nurse, while she leaned her head back against the wall.

"Yeah, I don't think I'll have kids," Nevaeh remarked as she stood.

"You have to name her," Cindy said.

There were multiple names that had come up in her mind. There were Natalia, Lydia, and Alyssa. No, she remembered the name she liked.

"Cassandra," Scarlett declared.

"You need a middle name?" Nevaeh said, bouncing over.

Cindy attempted to clean up the area, but it wasn't exactly working considering there were other stains on the ground.

"Delilah."

"That's fitting," Nevaeh said, waving a finger at her and leaning against the cement wall.

Strangely, Scarlett no longer felt any pain in her body. It felt like all of it had washed away. She didn't get it because half her body was destroyed as a result of starvation.

"All of the blood is gone," Cindy remarked.

"You were wiping it all up," Nevaeh said.

The blood and other residue that were on the floor had magically disappeared.

"Did the baby..." Cindy trailed off.

"You guys do realize that Ashley's plans have failed," Nevaeh said.

Ashley's plans failing was a miracle, but Scarlett wanted to be a good mother to Cassandra. Yet she knew her daughter was putting a pause on Ashley's endgame.

Cassandra stared up at her. Scarlett couldn't help but noticed the dark brush of brown hair. It seemed a bit darker than her own dark chocolate hair.

"Should we stay here or head back?" Nevaeh asked.

"I don't want to take the risk of going out there," Cindy explained.

Scarlett held out her finger to Cassandra's opposite hand, which she gripped. As any baby could, she still seemed normal.

"Should we tell Zane, or do you want me to tell Greyson?" Cindy asked.

"I'll tell Greyson unless he finds out somehow," Scarlett said.

When she woke up that morning, her jaw dropped because on her lap slept a small toddler covered by a towel. It was at that moment that the reality began to sink in—Cassandra was not an ordinary who would take years to grow. No, Cassandra could obviously increase her age through food or sleep.

Stick quietly opened the door, looking around to stare blankly at the sight. "I thought you just had her?" he inquired softly.

"Increasing age," Scarlett whispered.

Her gaze fell upon spotted the bag Stick had brought close by. She leaned slightly over to retrieve a long Roots zip-up sweater. She attempted to slide Cassandra's arms through the sleeves, but it was too big.

She wondered if Cassandra had to reach a certain age to have all her powers. Perhaps it wasn't even that, but she wished to be a teenager like her and Greyson. This child, however, is hers with him. Some features looked identical to her own, but Cassandra had Greyson's jaw and eyes.

When Cassandra opened her eyes, she smiled. "Mama," she said with an angelic voice.

Scarlett smiled, feeling warmth within her at the sight of her daughter. She gently lifted Cassandra into a sitting position to zip up the rest of the hoodie. Scarlett grabbed some old socks from the bag while Cassandra fed off her again.

This child wanted to grow, and she needed food for that. It had to be the solution if she wanted to use her vast array of powers.

When Nevaeh awoke, she screamed. "How on earth is she a toddler?"

Cassandra stared in curiosity, looking around the room. "Light," she said, pointing at the glowing lantern.

"We don't have any of that," Scarlett said.

Cassandra held up her arms as Scarlett held her, standing slowly. "Outside, Mama," she chimed.

Scarlett was hesitant, but Cassandra definitely knew what she was doing. Cassandra peered around in the darkness that covered the entire sky. Scarlett noticed the temperature had warmed slightly.

"Blue, purple, pink, or orange?" Cassandra asked, pointing a chubby finger at the sky.

Scarlett's eyebrows furrowed. Cassandra's knowledge of the colours was frightening itself, considering she looked barely two. She didn't quite understand what she was implying, but the way she kept looking up and down at the sky.

"Any colour?" Scarlett asked. "Pink."

She watched Cassandra's finger rise. There was a small white light that flickered to life at its tip, casting a luminous glow that lit the entire bubble. Scarlett squinted against the brightness but stared with wide eyes at the sight. The once black sky that was now a light pink with a small mix of blue.

"Light," Cindy said.

Scarlett could clearly see the lake and even patches of lingering snow. All around them, the incredible glow of the pink sky enveloped their surroundings, while beams from the sun peered through the fading clouds.

"Wow!" Nevaeh exclaimed.

"That baby is going to keep growing," Cindy remarked.

Scarlett knew Cassandra would continue until she wanted to stop. She probably had her own knowledge already on what she wanted to do, but she wasn't going to abandon her child for being a mutant.

Scarlett sensed Ashley wasn't done with tormenting them. She'd either go after her own child or flee. It's highly unlikely Ashley would flee now but would still be out to kill.

Cassandra could sense danger or even bring things into the bubble. She looked down at her sleeping child with a smile. She was happy because she held her and cared for her.

"Do you think she'd get rid of that?" Cindy asked, pointing at the illusion of the extended lake. There had once been cottages around there, while on the other side would be the town.

"Or seeing the outside world," Nevaeh remarked.

"I don't think that's Cassandra's concern," Scarlett stated. "She'll focus on Ashley."

Cassandra wasn't talking in her head, but she knew what to do. She may not know everything about them, but she has some plans. Scarlett knew where that determination came from without having to name it.

"We'll stay here one more night and then head back to camp unless Cassandra has other ideas," Scarlett said.

It wasn't that they had any idea what to do. Cassandra is the mutant child that is apparently supposed to be stronger than Ashley and Divina combined. Scarlett just wanted to keep her child safe.

All three of them stood frozen, their eyes wide as they gazed p up at the sky. Looking around the area, they could see the pink sky. They weren't creeping along in the darkness, expecting to witness an attack.

"The child is born," Emma said, pacing back and forth.

"What's the next step?" Jason asked.

Emma still paced without giving a response as Greyson flickered a finger. She tripped on the ground as she groaned and slowly sat up.

"I don't know; I'm guessing," she said, motioning her hands around Simcoe.

The fire that was once blazed was now reduced to nothing. Unlike before, when flames spread wildly and lit the dark sky, the scene before them revealed the aftermath. Buildings were nothing more than skeletal frames silhouetted against the pink sky. Trees were charred, their branches stripped bare. Houses all burned to ash. There were dead bodies all over the ground with the snow mostly melted.

"So, the light was created by the child?" Greyson inquired.

"Ashley's probably going to still kill unless the child does something," Emma murmured.

"Shouldn't Cindy be coming to get you?" Jason asked.

"She's probably with the child," Emma murmured.

Greyson started to walk to peer through some trees, seeing a walking body. "She's up," he said, walking at an unnoticeable distance.

"I can feel Ashley's fear," Emma said quickly.

From where they walked, Ashley had her fingers twitching, still firing off that light. It seemed weaker than before while she looked back and forth.

"Her endgame is screwed," Greyson stated.

Ashley clenched her teeth and kicked an empty bucket lying on the ground. She kept looking at the buildings that had burned down. Only a few small flames instead of the raging fire that had once been spreading everywhere.

The fire was no longer as intense; it looked as if someone had taken a hose and sprayed water everywhere. Instead of a mist, everything was coated in a layer of ash mixed with slush.

Ashley finally came to a halt in the centre of the destroyed plaza. It didn't look like the same plaza as where he fought Jason. The majority of the buildings and houses have turned to ash on the ground.

"Definitely rattled," Greyson said.

They watched as Ashley began to pace back and forth. It wasn't just a simple matter of killing Scarlett and the baby, but she couldn't anymore.

"Should we head back?" Jason asked.

"No, because we have to confront her," Greyson said, returning his gaze. He walked through the bushes as Jason hurried to catch up.

Ashley spotted him with a seething rage, her face red. "Why is the sky pink?" she grated, her palms raised toward them.

"I'm pretty sure you should know," Greyson retorted coldly, using his powers to send her hurtling backward into the wreckage of Burger King.

"Stop toying with me!" she barked, speeding toward them in a flash.

Jason fired a beam of his light towards Ashley. Greyson used an invisible hand to grab a chunk of drywall from the ground, and lifted it high in the air. The moment Jason's light collided with Ashley, Greyson brought the drywall crashing down on her. Ashley staggered under the impact gut refused to stay dowm; blood poured from every wound, and her skin looked crispy.

"What's the child doing?" She spat, her eyes directed at him.

"I don't know," Greyson said.

It wasn't as if he had present at whatever moment Scarlett gave birth. However, he knew the child's had an idea. It wasn't talking in his mind like it normally did. If the child were intelligent like him, it wouldn't need to talk in someone's head. No, that baby has a plan that isn't just about turning the sky pink.

"It's game over, God," Emma said, who wasn't really Emma. She walked toward them with a devious grin, her eyes directed at Ashley.

"It's not over until the bubble is down," Ashley spat.

"Don't you sense the child's power? Humans can't feel it, but we can. The child has a goal, which starts with two places," Divina said with a laugh. "You and the parents. All your flames have gone to ash; the light is back. What happens next? Keep trying to kill these humans while the mutant child stops you? Or hide like the pathetic god you are."

Ashley fired at Emma but instead of hitting her, the shot reflected off Emma's burning light and stuck Ashley instead. It made Ashley scream, as she fell.

"Well, congratulations," Jason stated.

Emma stumbled back, looking at the two of them with knitted eyebrows.

Greyson stood with his his lips pressed together. He slowly nodding, while chewing on his pinky nail. The entire thought filled his mind with such confusion that he didn't even know where to start.

"I think we should go find that baby," Jason said. "Figure out its overall powers or at least talk to Scarlett."

"We can't just walk there because it takes ages. Then again, I don't know if anyone is coming to get us or whatnot," Emma rambled.

"You mean like that," Greyson said.

They looked over, seeing a car slowly drive toward them. It stopped a small distance away from them with someone getting out of the car.

"Please don't be Mia," Jason mumbled.

The person they saw, of all people, was James.

"Wait, it isn't burning here?" he asked.

"Baby stopped it," Jason said.

Greyson glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Ashley rolling up on her feet. "Go!" he snapped.

All of them dashed towards the car, climbing in before speeding off. As James drove, Greyson could finally see the area around him that had barely any snow left. The pink sky reflected off the surface as creating a glow that illuminated the road ahead.

"We need Emma mostly because Esme was hurt badly," James rambled. "Zane wanted you two to come back so you guys could find Scarlett and the baby."

"Zane said they're at Wasaga Beach. We'll drop you off," Conner grumbled, arms crossed.

The baby is still supposed to be a baby, which is considered a day old. It was something like that, but it still filled Greyson's mind with confusion.

"Look how pretty the sky is!" Mia called from the top of the car.

River had stopped the far when he noticed the change in the sky. The sky looked like a painting of one of those sunsets lost he'd seen in many art galleries. This light filled the air, pushing back the darkness that had enveloped the sky for so long.

"Who turned the light on? I thought you could only do that?" Mallory asked, pointing at him.

He felt a sense of bewilderment wash over him as he gazed at the unchanging pink sky. Ik was striking and surreal with not a single cloud in sight. The sun appeared to be rising in the distance, casting a rosy glow that almost seemed magical. They were prepared for complete darkness but instead light returned in the unexpected shadows or pink.

"I don't think the town is burning either," Preston interjected, squinting.

River looked behind to scan the horizon of any sign of chaos. There was no black smoke blowing through the sky. No flames burned along the bushes threatening to consume everything in its path.

"Wait, doesn't that mean the baby is born?" Mia asked dumbly.

"Is that the first intelligent thing Mia has said?" Bryce enquired.

"Okay, I've said plenty of intelligent things," Mia started, but she searched for an answer.

Will laughed, "No, you haven't."

"Can we go find the baby? I want to see it!" Mia begged, nearly falling off of the car.

How does explaining that this place is hell compare to expressing the joys of a teenager giving birth? River wasn't exactly sure, but he spotted Eden trying to contain her laughter. It wasn't Mia's behaviour, but someone else's.

"Why the horrified expression, Bella? A child coming into the world is a blessing," Eden taunted.

"It's not that..." Bella trailed off.

"Please! Please! I want to see it!" Mia whined like a child, jumping down from the top of the car.

"She wouldn't be at camp because Zane wanted to send her off," Mallory said with pressed lips.

"They'd probably go to Wasaga Beach," River blurted without a thought.

It was probably considered the safest place that anyone could go at this point. The lake wasn't frozen but it didn't have waves, and at least there one change room might be intact—though he wasn't exactly sure because Cecile had said these beaches were disgusting.

"Let's go!" Mia screeched, whipping the car door open quickly.

"If the car runs out of gas, we'll just walk," Bryce said with a smirk.

"Um... are we sure we should see it?" Bella interjected.

"Okay, all in the car but Bella," Eden said with an innocent smile.

"I'm being realistic!" Bella exclaimed.

River opened the driver's door, climbing back inside the car. This whole journey has been insane—from their trip to the power plant and then attempting to go to that campsite. Now they were heading to see a baby that had just been born.

"Pick or choose housewife. Don't you want to see a baby?" Eden taunted.

"It was just born," she spat, climbing in the back with a glare.

"Yes, which means they are cute, unlike your attitude," Mia stated, as River laughed unintentionally. "See, even the highlighter agrees."

River started the car, pressing his lips together. He didn't know what to expect if he drove to Wasaga Beach. They may encounter the baby or be wrong and be stranded at the beach that probably has soggy sand.

"Are you scared your soldier will be there?" Eden sneered.

"He won't be there," Bella said.

"It's the mutant child, which means Zane will send them there," Bryce said.

"Okay, go to where the change rooms are," Mallory said, sitting on the floor.

River had never visited Wasaga Beach specifically because of the island, but it was regarded as a popular destination. The beach was normally filled with activity; boats skimmed across the water while others would waterski.

"We won't have enough gas between the beach and Sunny's," he remarked, gripping the wheel.

"We walk then, duh," Mia said dumbly, sticking out her tongue.

River glanced around at the pink sky. It was if this place wasn't surrounded by a bubble. The colour of the sky reminded him of what society would have been if he had never escaped his mother.

His own body was the light that people relied on. It wasn't the bright blue sky, because maybe this child didn't like that idea. He didn't understand how this whole mutant child worked; other than that, it was powerful.

"There it is!" Mia called.

River stopped near a metal entrance sign that was almost fallen over, with rusty edges and faded letters. Seeing the whole lake for the first time in months seemed strange. Instead of the dark water, the lake sparkled under the light.

Mia leaped out of the car faster than a race car and started running.

"It's your fault if you trip!" Bryce called.

River walked slowly to the shore taking in the scene around him. The ice that had covered the lake for months was finally gone, revealing a soft sandy shoreline beneath his boots. He couldn't feel the sand crunching beneath his boots, and noticed the beach was destroyed with debris everywhere, except for the change room.

"Stick!" Mia screeched. "Where's the baby?"

"With Scarlett," Stick said.

"Tell her I'm here to see her baby," she groaned.

Stick stood awkwardly near the change room before knocking on the door. River walked over with Mark and Mallory. He did not know what to expect, but he assumed a tiny baby that might be a day old. However, when Scarlett stiffly stepped out she wasn't alone. By her side stood a child who looked five years old.

"Wow!" Mia exclaimed.

The little girl had wavy dark brown hair that went past her shoulders. She wore an oversized sweater, and some kid sweatpants that looked too big. Her blue eyes scanned the group of them with a mix of curiosity and caution, holding Scarlett's finger.

"Why are there so many people, Mommy?" Cassandra asked.

"Let me hold her!" Mia pleaded, intently staring at the bright-eyed girl.

"Wait, why is she five?" Mark asked.

"I can increase my age," she beamed with an angelic smile.

River stared at Cassandra with knitted eyebrows. If she could increase her age, that also meant she could probably free them from this place.

Mia poked a finger onto Cassandra's cheek, staring in awe. "Test one of your cool powers on us!" she exclaimed.

Cassandra walked toward Bella, staring up at her. "Um..." Bella trailed off.

"Aren't you the housewife?" Cassandra asked curiously.

"I'm not a housewife," Bella grumbled, crossing her arms.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes as she pointed two fingers at Bella. Suddenly, Bella was no longer her original size; she shrank her down to the size of a toy. Cassandra held her by one arm, dangling her in the air.

"Whoa," Bryce said.

"What did you do?" Will asked.

"I shrunk her size," Cassandra said, handing Bella to Eden.

River watched Eden shake Bella violently in her hand as Cassandra went back to Scarlett. This wasn't normal behaviour for a child, but then again, this was a mutant child.

"She can grow and shrink anything," Scarlett stated with Cassandra by her side.

Nevaeh and Cindy came out of the change room, staring at all of them. River didn't realize how many of them there had actually been.

"Where's the housewife?" Nevaeh asked.

"I'm pretty sure she has vomit on her," Mia said, holding her up by a finger.

"I think that's enough," Scarlett sighed.

Cassandra flicked a finger as Bella landed on the ground, coughing on her hands and knees.

"I'm pretty sure Eden killed her," Bryce remarked.

"Screw you," Bella spat, her eyes spinning.

River didn't know if she was talking to Eden or Cassandra. He assumed both, but mostly Eden because of her unhinged behaviour.

"I've heard some stories about you. Mom has told me about some of the people here," Cassandra said.

River wondered if this girl wanted to be a teenager instead of a child. Was that even possible? Then again, things that seemed impossible here were possible.

"For gossip?" Bella asked.

"No," Cassandra answered, her sharp eyes scanning all of them. "Information on people, so I'm not calling people random names. I know the names of people who died from injuries or battles: Ashley, Divina, and followers. The point being, I'm determined to protect those I care about."

Cassandra wrapped both her arms around Scarlett's waist and rested her forehead on her side. Scarlett smiled down at the girl, brushing a handful gently through her hair.

"Do you have a plan?" River asked.

"Multiple plans," Cassandra stated.

River could agree that she was a lot like Greyson; always thinking ahead and preparing what comes next. That meant she probably had a backup plan for all the tasks and challenges that lay ahead in their current situation.

"Ashley burned all of Simcoe," Mark implied.

"I put the fire out. She can't hide from me," Cassandra said.

"Ashley's probably going to head to Sunny's next," River said.

"I know that," Cassandra stated flatly. "That's why I'm growing, so my powers get stronger."

Scarlett didn't appear surprised by Cassandra revelation, but everyone else did. They were aware Cassandra had powers far beyond what they could expect from someone so young. Plus, now only would she age physically, but also amplify her powers.

"You guys should get back to camp," Cindy urged.

"Right, we have to start walking," Mia called, holding up a fist.

They had to walk back to camp because they didn't have any gas left. At least they could actually see where they were going instead of tripping on snowbanks.

"Let me hold her before we go," Mia pestered, holding her arms out.

Scarlett rolled her eyes but carefully guided Cassandra for Mia to hold.

"Your hair is soft," Mia said, playing with Cassandra's dark hair.

"Your hair is burned," Cassandra remarked.

"Bella's too, because Ashley set the car on fire," Mia implied.

In that moment, Cassandra reached her arms back towards Scarlett,  who took her in her arms. The little girl nestled into Scarlett's embrace, both filled with contentment. It was a rare moment a way from snarky comments or challenging smirks; instead it was happiness.

River wasn't good with relationships in general. It wasn't just romance, but all relationships that he struggled with; all kinds of relationships. He struggled to connect with others because he didn't know how. Having been a child model, his life resolved around superficial interactions without friendship.

Cecile made sure he met her expectations. He had to smile a certain way or avoid junk food. The pressure was intense. That's why when he did sneak junk food, he would throw up out of fear and disgust with himself.

"Come back to camp soon!" Mia called, tripping over her shoes. Will began dragging her by her hood as they walked away from the four near the change room.

River glanced back, wondering when he'd be able to form proper relationships. After they got out of this place, he would press charges against his mother for sexual assault and abuse.

In this place, people knew him by a nickname: Highlighter. They didn't see him as the perfect male model or the son of the infamous Cecile Dunlop. Instead he was just another freak.

He watched as Will playfully pushed Mia down in the snow. Bryce and Eden bursted into laughter a the sight, their carefree attitudes completely unbothered by societal norms or expectations. They were unconcerned about their public image, which was the definition of crazy.

Despite the horror and death that surrounded them in this place, but he wasn't trapped by Cecile. Even if they all felt like some zoo animal trapped in their cages, he got to roam free.

He would do whatever he pleased with people that his mother would consider insane. Yes, they were, but that became the fun. Something in his life had never been, even if he had all the money or fame any teenager wanted.

That's why, when Scarlett and Greyson went to the island, he didn't care what they did.

Preston and Mallory did help when they accidentally blew up the microwave while attempting to cook a potato. The leftover potato somehow landed all over the wall that he had wiped up.

"Okay, let's try not to die!" Mia cheered.

Cassandra may have been born, but Ashley still roams this place like a bug. Even if they were being hunted down to die, River would find a good understanding of what relationships really were. All of it would be his own choice, not his disgusting mother's.

The baby has been born! However, it looks like they'll have to deal with a second Greyson.