"That's not good," Jason said, pointing to the glowing fire.

"Guess we found that deranged thing," Greyson spat.

Both boys started running in the darkness through a field. The light source wasn't just the golden light burning the town, but a single flashlight.

"What are we even going to do when we get there?" Jason asked.

Greyson narrowed his eyes as they approached the edge of the burning town. "We have to find a way to slow her down," he said.

Jason looked around at the plaza. His hometown was now engulfed in flames, and thick clouds of smoke floating into the sky. There were no fire hoses or emergency responders rushing to put out the fire that burned everything.

"Head to the outside," Greyson said.

"It looks like most who were in the plaza are dead," Jason gasped.

They went around houses that hadn't caught fire, searching for anything. From someone's driveway, you could see bodies all over the street, some completely charred. It looked like a scene from a horror movie where everyone was killed in the first ten minutes.

"Buildings too," Greyson said. "I'm guessing she's killing everyone here first, then heading to the campground."

The two started to investigate the street that hadn't been burned yet. Most of the houses that lined the road were reduced to nothing but piles of wood and drywall due to the storm.

"Cindy and Emma were still in town," Jason gasped.

"They'd leave without a second thought," Greyson said.

Jason covered his arm over his mouth, trying to shield himself from the smoke that filled the air. The heat from the fire made his eyes water and his lungs ache. It was just like when he attempted to save that freak who had his body blazing.

Simcoe's plaza didn't even look like a town anymore. It was like walking into hell, with fire burning, bodies lying dead, and everything destroyed.

"Ashley's probably still in Simcoe," Jason remarked, before feeling his own body go flying. "I thought we said—"

It wasn't Greyson that threw him with his mind. Ashley stood a couple of meters, her eyes burning with anger. The smoke swirled around her, blocking her view, but her intent was clear.

"Die!" she yelled.

Greyson used an invisible punch right that sent Ashley flying backward. She slammed into a burning tree with a loud thud. She rolled across the ground yet managed to stand immediately, flames burning her body without a single acknowledgement of pain.

Jason wobbled, his legs struggling to maintain balance as he staggered his way back towards someone's driveway. He looked around, searching for anything that could be a weapon that the two of them could use.

"Jason and Greyson," Ashley growled, walking towards them. "The two high ranks, but that doesn't seem true anymore."

It was because there was a third high rank that existed in this place. The threat to the psycho in front of them is the mutant child.

"Have you come to see my beautiful work?" Ashley taunted, as she pointed an accusing finger at Greyson. "Or better yet, tell me where that mutant child of yours is!"

"I don't see it," Jason remarked, his palms outstretched.

Jason wondered if that child would take control of Greyson again. Just how it has been done out of panic or anger. It was something that Jason didn't understand, but he knew that the baby did not want Greyson to get hurt.

"Might be in that house," Greyson said, pointing a finger at the house nearby.

Ashley widened her eyes as she took off towards the house with yellow siding with half of the roof destroyed.

"Burn it!" Greyson yelled.

Jason fired his light at the house that burst into flames. Greyson used an invisible hand to grab the car in the driveway and smash it into the roof. Ashley came running out with a red face, throwing them both back with an invisible force.

"This will be easy work," Ashley sneered.

She fired the blue light at Jason and Greyson. They dodged to the side, easily avoiding her attack. She went charging at Greyson over him.

"Tell me where it is!" she exclaimed, her muscles expanding like James' power, but she got flung back.

"Why would we want to tell you?" he snarled.

Ashley gritted her teeth as Jason fired from the side directly at her. She screamed in agony, firing back as he felt his body burn. She stumbled back with a sneer on her face.

"I'm done with your toying, Ashley," Greyson said, his teeth gritting and releasing white light from his palm. "Once made me mad, but twice?"

"You're the one toying!" Ashley yelled, wobbling to her feet.

"No," Greyson said as he sent that beam of light again, this time directed at Ashley's legs.

Jason fired his own light at Ashley, but she sent him flying up in the air to hit the destroyed sidewalk. He groaned as he rolled on his side, his head aching.

Greyson approached Ashley, who was on her hands and knees, gasping for breath. She fired her own burning light at Greyson, but it reflected back, causing her to scream in agony.

"I don't like it when you intend to harm my parents," Greyson began. "You've heard my voice in your head; Divina warned you, but time is up."

Ashley's bloody face was drained of colour. "What are you talking about?" she barked.

Greyson used an invisible force that propelled Ashley high in the air. She attempted to move her arms, but they were stuck down by a strong force.

"I'm connected to them, Ashley. I learn, see, and hear things. You aren't the ruler of this domain, but some monster," Greyson said.

Jason watched with wide eyes, because this shouldn't be possible. It wasn't just the talking, but how Greyson levitated himself to face Ashley in the air.

"I am the ruler and will always be," Ashley declared. "No mutant child or goddess is going to steal my show."

"Time's up, Ashley," Greyson said. He whipped his arm around as she went flying into a blazing house. He closed his eyes, fell to the ground gently, and glanced around the area.

"It happened again," Jason implied. "We can't go back there, but we could trail her."

"It seems to be the only solution with everything occurring. Stay near the end of town," Greyson implied.

"We can't beat her."

They staggered their way to a vantage point, where they wouldn't miss seeing Ashley if she left the burning house. The door was covered by flames, along with most of the house, except for the dead grass out front.

Jason knew it wouldn't kill her, but it would delay her for the time they needed.

"We got lucky," Greyson said. "What did it do this time?"

"The same thing, except it was talking. I think it's mad, if that's even possible. It was using powers," Jason said. "It's the one that sent Ashley into that house."

"We have to trail from a distance since she can't see. If she keeps burning down the town, we have to find a way," Greyson said.

Jason knew just as much as Greyson; there wasn't a way until that baby was born. It said that time is up, which could mean the baby wants to be born. Not for direct power, but because that baby doesn't want to see Scarlett or Greyson injured.

"Ashley's injured, which buys us time. I don't know how much time we actually have until she reaches there, but we have to fight her injured," Greyson said.

It would be considered wrong, but it became the only option in Ashley's endgame. She wasn't going to give them that break where she gained her powers or panic about the mutant child. No, this was life or death.

"If we die, everyone here is doomed. Not because we're high ranks, but they won't have the powers, even with that mutant child being born," Greyson said.

Cindy frantically searched around the campground, her heart racing. It wasn't that she had been the only one, since people had been worried about their own lives. From Sunny's, you couldn't see that Simcoe was burning, but you saw the black smoke clouds from the dim light.

"Zane!" she called. "Ashley set Simcoe on fire."

All discussions around her had died. Those who were wielding weapons or plotting a strategy focused their gaze on her. They were slowly losing more people to Ashley, which meant they needed all the protection they could get.

"Come with me," Zane replied sharply. "Burning the whole town?"

"Shooting Jason's light all over the place. People are dead there, Zane," Cindy said.

For the first time in a while, she felt true fear. This wasn't just about somewhat helping with this baby or bopping people that were injured, but actual death.

"Do you know where those two are?" Zane asked.

"Emma sent me back to warn you; I imagine they saw it," Cindy said, running a hand over her face.

"Is this about the child?" Zane asked.

How did bringing a child into this world devolve into complete chaos? They should have expected it from the moment they arrived in this place, but not Ashley's overwhelming fear. Her main objective is killing the mutant child because it was the key.

"Go check on everyone; I'll talk to Scarlett," Zane instructed.

Cindy bopped to where Greyson and Jason lay unconscious on the road. She waved a hand in front of both their faces, but they didn't open their eyes.

"Great," she whispered, but felt herself go soaring backward, landing on her back.

"What are you doing?" Greyson groaned as he slowly sat up, holding a hand on his forehead.

"Checking everyone's hotspot," Cindy replied, crossing her arms. "Zane wants an update."

"Well, Ashley's probably burning in one of those houses because of that child of mine," Greyson said. "Ashley doesn't know where it is. I think once the whole town is burned, it's the campground."

Looking around from where they stayed, the fire was still burning everywhere. Nobody could put out the fire because nobody had the ability for water, and without electricity, they had no water. That meant the glowing flames would keep burning until only ash was left.

"Scarlett's doing fine, since I know you'd like to know that question," Cindy added.

"Good," he whispered.

"I'll warn you two if anything changes," Cindy implied, bopping away.

She landed on the roof of a green car. It moved as she latched her hands on the sides. She wiggled herself over, reaching to grab a hand on the rearview mirror. She placed her other hand there and attempted to see inside the dark car, which contained only River and Mark.

River turned his head, letting out a scream as he saw her. She felt the car come to a full stop, almost sending her flying off. He turned on his glowing light as Cindy scanned some of the faces around him. Mia was laughing hard on the ground with Will and Bryce.

"That was so funny!" Mia managed between laughs. "You should have seen his face!"

Cindy scanned the people around her and noticed that some appeared injured, while others were unharmed. Her gaze landed on Bella, causing her to roll her eyes, as she placed one hand on her hip.

"Is there a problem?" Emma rushed out, barely hearing the words.

"Other than Ashley burning down Simcoe?" Cindy started. "Well, Greyson and Jason are injured."

"Already?" Emma gasped.

Cindy glanced at Bella, who had her eyes on the ground. Has she finally come back to the reality of the awful person she has been?

"We're all heading back," River said.

Cindy bopped back to where Greyson and Jason were. She watched Emma stare at the town in horror.

"Yeah, it's bad," Cindy said dryly.

Emma crouched slowly in front of Greyson, placing a hand on the side of his head. He gritted his teeth as Jason seemed to stir from his state.

"Is the nightmare over yet?" Jason mumbled.

"No," Cindy responded plainly.

The two of them had made out on more than one occasion. Cindy knew they weren't dating because Jason was still wrapped around Bella. However, romance wasn't her department or focus during those six months. The baby that will end up saving all of their lives.

"Cindy, there's one more thing that has to be done," Emma started. "You have to take Scarlett somewhere safe."

"Wait, what's going on?" he asked.

"Your son or daughter wants to be born," Emma said.

"My intuition was right?" Cindy asked.

She is already tired of bopping all over to try and find the safest place. She knew if she went to the island, she'd probably pass out in the middle of the lake from exhaustion.

"Safe isn't exactly this place," she said dryly.

"Try Wasaga Beach," Emma suggested. "The change rooms are large enough to hide in."

It wasn't that finding a place would be difficult; she'd be the one delivering this baby. She held her head in her hands. She has studied it for months in case it turns out that she ends up delivering it. All of it has become too early.

"What if it's weeks or days?" Cindy panicked.

"Bring food, water, and other necessities," she trailed off, almost nauseated.

"Should I check on Angel and Esme?" Cindy asked.

"Go straight to Zane about the information. Even asking Scarlett or Hanna," Emma said.

Cindy bopped away where Zane sat, who was in his RV with Yara and Talia.

"Emma's healing the brothers, but I'm doing a task," Cindy explained. "Emma believes Scarlett will give birth prematurely; send someone to check on Esme and Angel."

She bopped inside Scarlett's RV, where Hanna sat across from her, perplexed. "You're going to give birth early," Cindy said.

"That's why it keeps kicking repeatedly," Scarlett whispered.

"We're going to Wasaga Beach. If Ashley comes, we'll bop somewhere else," Cindy implied.

"You need someone else," Hanna interjected, her tone serious. "And you can't do the whole birthing process by yourself."

Hanna couldn't come because someone still had to be left on the campground in case people still got injured.

"I'll ask Zane if Stick and Nevaeh can come," Cindy implied. "I'll ask him quickly."

She bopped back to Zane, still in his RV. He seemed to be contemplating something, but she guessed it was something with Ashley's plans.

"Are we okay with bringing Stick and Nevaeh?" Cindy asked.

"They should be okay. I'll have to change a few things now that you'll be at the beach," Zane said.

Cindy was exhausted from all the stress of everything that had happened in the last few days. She bopped in front of a fire, where Nevaeh sat with two girls.

"What gossip do I get?" Nevaeh snarked, her hands behind her head.

"You get to be a nurse," Cindy said.

"It will be gross, but I'll take the risk," Nevaeh grinned.

Nevaeh wasn't exactly the person Cindy imagined helping out with delivering a baby. It should be Hanna or Emma since both helped in the infirmary, but neither would be possible for assistance right now.

"Pack up a bag of things you think we'll need," Cindy instructed.

Nevaeh rushed away faster than Esme. Cindy sighed, bopping in front of the trailer where Stick was staying. She knocked, waiting as he opened the door, he looking slightly dazed.

"Your redemption plan is changing. You're going to be a bodyguard to make sure nobody attacks," Cindy explained.

"Instead of guarding Scarlett?" Stick asked, sounding unsure.

Cindy wasn't sure if he would actually accept doing such a job, given his current road of redemption through religion and the guilt he carries.

"The baby is coming soon. It could be hours or days, but soon," Cindy rambled.

"Okay, I'll pack some things," Stick said.

Cindy nodded before bopping back to her own to trailer. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine what they would need. There were the obvious items, such as a towel or something sharp to cut the umbilical cord. She didn't know what else they might need, except that they would have to wait in a dark changing room, with her heart pounding. Grabbing a small bag, she packed a flashlight, a towel, a blanket, and a knife.

They would also need some food, so she added fish to the bag. Esme and Angel might still be guarding the area, unless they ran into one of the followers.

Should she bring one of those books out to help figure out how this all works? She had read it multiple times that they have to go into labour before it all happens. Stuffing one book inside, she bopped back to the RV, where Nevaeh had already beaten her there.

"Are we going to bring everyone?" Scarlett asked dryly.

"An extra nurse and a bodyguard," Nevaeh said, sticking up her thumb with a smirk.

"Stick is grabbing some food," Cindy added.

"Do you have any names picked out?" Nevaeh asked, leaning across from Scarlett, who had just arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, but I'm not saying for both genders," Scarlett replied. "Are we just hiding out there until my water breaks or whatever happens?"

"Yes, because Emma feels that it wants to be born. A prime example is the kicking," Cindy stated.

The RV door opened to reveal Stick holding up a red bag. "Food and water," he said.

Scarlett lifted herself to stand as she held her wrist, along with Nevaeh's. There would be no way she'd risk leaving Scarlett alone.

They stood inside the darkened change room that hadn't been destroyed because of the storm. It smelled like dirty feet, and it was covered in a few puddles of water.

Nevaeh grabbed a battery-powered lantern from the bag and switched it on, casting a yellowish glow across the change room. She set it on one of the faded green benches that lined the wall. The sinks were dirty, and the stalls looked like they had overflown at one point.

"Okay, we'll have to jam something against the door," Cindy stated.

Nevaeh twisted the lock on the door with a smirk. "This place is disgusting, but I'm not risking getting burned alive," she irked.

Scarlett carefully sat herself on the cement floor using the bench.

"I'll get Stick," Cindy said as she bopped back to face the boy.

"Can I really protect that baby?" he whispered, looking down at her.

"We'll both protect it." She bopped them into the change room, placing the things on the ground.

She didn't even know where to start with the things she brought. Nothing she had was actually clean, like the towel or extra clothes to wrap around the baby when it was born.

"Let's get this room set up, so hopefully we aren't staying out here for days," Nevaeh sighed.

"If we run out of something, I'll bop back and get it," Cindy stated.

"Yeah, I think that'll be sooner than we expect," Scarlett said. Cindy whirled around to see a damp liquid in Scarlett's pants.

"Looks like Emma was right," Nevaeh implied.

"I'm not guarding Scarlett anymore?" James asked Zane.

"Cindy didn't have time to check on Angel and Esme were," he explained. "There's only one car left, so I want you to go alone."

James remembered getting lost the last time he drove. That was the time he was supposed to inform Jason about the vanishing situation. However, the concern was divided into three parts: Ashley, Divina, and Scarlett's mutant child.

"Ashley is still in town, but I don't want to risk having more freaks gone," Zane stated.

James understood why Zane was hesitant to let anyone else leave. At any moment, Ashley could pop up and burn this whole place into ash.

"They were headed to Wasaga Beach, but on the east side," Zane explained.

The east side had a larger number of beaches, while the west side had more changing rooms. The west was where most would often go, since it was the main public beach here.

"You're certain that's their location?" James asked.

"Actually, take Yara with you. We don't know if anyone is injured," Zane remarked.

Yara opened the door of the RV, startling James. "All four of them are gone," she informed them.

"Emma predicts that the baby is going to be born," Zane said.

Emma had been rambling on to James about the situation with the mutant child. She asked if he understood anything or had any clue about Ashley's intentions to kill the child.

It all stemmed from Ashley's fear of Scarlett's mutant child—the child who could channel its own powers through Greyson and Scarlett's bodies. It was both terrifying and intriguing, as nobody knew the true extent of the child's powers, only that they were powerful.

The degree of power that Ashley and Divina have combined into one could bring the light back. James refused to consider about how far that child's powers extended.

"Find them quickly, because time is paramount," Zane said, handing him a set of keys.

James turned on his heel, clenching the keys tightly. He followed Yara through the dimly lit campground, feeling goosebumps form as he noticed people standing with weapons. Guns were aimed in every direction, with observers from all over the campground.

"That one," Yara stated, pointed out towards a grey Ford car with a small crack in the back window.

Everyone was terrified because it wasn't just Ashley going to kill them all. Nobody knew what this child was capable of.

James slid himself into the driver's seat, with some looking at him as he started the car. He drove wobbly at first, but followed a road he remembered that leading to Wasaga Beach.

"I hope that mutant child ruins Ashley's plans," Yara sighed, setting her legs on the dashboard.

"The mutant child already has," he said. "It uses Scarlett and Greyson's bodies as hosts because it isn't born. Just how that god is a host to Ashley."

It wasn't exactly hosting but more interconnection, like the voices that nobody else could hear. The connection between a parent and child, but in a different way.

"The mutant child can probably sense danger," James explained. "That's why it probably used Greyson's body because he was in danger. From the sounds of it, the baby sounds like Greyson."

The thought of dealing with another ambitious and determined person like filled James with dread. He knew it would mean giving orders and leading, something he didn't want to witness.

"There!" Yara called out

As James stopped the vehicle, he noticed Angel had Esme on his back, blood glistening in the headlights, revealing the deep wounds on Esme's body. Angel staggered as he rushed to open the door. James stared in horror at the gruesome wounds on Esme.

"I threw Luke into the lake," Angel stated. "Esme is sleeping, but she fell victim to Luke's noodle arm."

"It's so bloody," Yara said, shutting the door as Angel sat in the back. "Emma's in town somewhere."

James felt a surge of anger rise within in. He knew he couldn't take on Luke in a fight, and now he didn't have to worry about him popping up like normal.

"Hanna is back at camp," Yara said, returning her gaze to Angel. "Are you crying?"

"I saved her life, but she was on the verge of death," Angel explained, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Superhero," Esme murmured, pushing herself up on the seat. "See, James, we beat Lukey."

"Your face is half destroyed!" James exclaimed.

Esme's face was covered in so much bloody that it she had tried to wipe it away with her glove. She held up her arm towards him, wincing in pain.

"Luke's buried deep in the lake. Now it's time to beat up Ashley," Esme stated, trying to grin, but failing.

"Speed Demon, get your injuries treated, or Emma will come panicking at you," Yara remarked.

"I'll get part of it treated, but I honestly can't feel it," Esme implied.

"You need to rest," James said.

"Are you going to save the day while I'm resting?" Esme's voice almost sounded eager. "Beat up Ashley with some punches or shoot her. Be a badass like Divina."

James knew he wasn't like Jason, who could easily keep Ashley distracted. And being a computer geek wasn't going to help anymore.

"Esme, rest," Yara repeated.

They returned to camp, with James helping Esme and Yara assisting Angel. They looked around for Hanna.

"What happened?" Jade exclaimed, rushing towards the two of them.

"We beat Luke," Esme said.

"All of that was from Luke?" Jade asked.

It was strange to hear Jade express so much emotion, as her voice usually had a mellow tone.

"Where's Hanna?" Yara inquired.

Jade pointed to one of the orange-coloured tents. Despite his muscular strength, James refrained from carrying Esme and instead saved his energy.

"Why aren't I surprised?" He gently placed Esme down in the tent with Jade's assistance.

"I'll need Emma for your face. I think Cindy ditched her in town." Esme laughed, but it made her wince.

"Emma can't walk back here because she'll probably have a mental breakdown halfway," Hanna sighed.

Emma had been in town with Jason and Greyson, but nobody wanted to step near town with the raging fires.

"I'll go," James volunteered.

He wanted to break free from being the computer geek everyone knew him to be. He was always the one programming the information for Greyson or set off doing some scheme for Scarlett.

"Take Conner, because your power is pretty easy to see," Hanna said.

"Don't tell Emma until a bit later because she'll ask questions and then vomit," Esme rambled.

James has never met anyone as easily nauseous as Emma. Even if she had been working through her problems, she will still vomit if someone has a bone sticking out of a body part. Everyone knew that they weren't going to leave her to deliver the baby because she'd probably vomit.

"Conner, you're going to help James," Hanna said.

"Fine," Conner spat.

"Are you sure that will be okay? It's burning there," Yara said nervously.

"Talk to Zane about it, but first we need to find Emma," Hanna declared.

It seems the baby is going to be born early. Do you think it will be a girl or boy?