The sky glowed with fireworks that were bright orange and purple. Jason watched them from a distance, staring into an empty field with Greyson. Zane decided that it was best that they go together again, despite Esme's nagging to trail along.

"Is it a display or Ashley's location?" Greyson stated.

Jason didn't know, but he assumed James would know what the best course of action was.

"I'm guessing location. Cassandra's been hunting Ashley down with Divina," Jason said.

It hurt in his chest to say Divina instead of Bella. The person in Bella's body isn't her, even if he tries to deny the truth. Those pitiless eyes, which now changed, were always wearing some look of evil. Despite Divina being on their side, it still felt like she was Luke.

Jason glanced behind him as they travelled toward more of the broken road before seeing something. "Is Uden burning?" he pointed out.

From the distance they stood, he could see one of the sides starting to burn in flames. The front gates were still intact, but the roofs of the other buildings were slowly burning. He knew for a fact that Ashley didn't head to Uden Academy.

"Those four shouldn't have been placed there," Greyson muttered. "People knew it would be coming."

They stared at the fire burning from a distance. Jason wondered if those on the outside could see Uden Academy being burned down slowly.

The two of them rushed up the highway, even if there had been soaring pains in his body. When they reached the school front gates, one of the first people they spotted was Will. The boy had green sunglasses on, twisting a bow in his fingers.

"Isn't it so cool? Eden gathered some stuff up before lighting it all up," Will said.

The building that was mainly burning was the east end, which Jason had been in multiple times. This wasn't for simple visiting, but searching or being ambushed.

"Is she insane?" Jason exclaimed.

"Of course she is. Eden used to burn things all the time," Will said.

This was the same religious girl who had appeared innocent with that smile she always wore. Underneath that new persona of beliefs lay one personality that was unexpectedly filled with deception and cunningness.

Mia came skipping out the doors in purple sunglasses and wearing a blue bucket hat. In her hand, she carried a skipping rope, swinging it around. She was bopping her head like nobody was around her or anything.

"Starships were meant to fly," Mia sang. "Hands up and touch the sky." She put her hands up. "Can't stop because we're so high." She started dancing around.

This girl wasn't the least bit concerned about getting killed at all. Not even that, but the fire flaming behind her that could easily spread to kill them. She finally noticed them with a dazed smile.

"Eden was being intelligent and thought this could pose a distraction," she slurred out. "We got a lot of weapons. Oh, Bryce thought of something as well."

Jason spotted Bryce pushing out a stand-up table on the ground. The difference being it had been the grey platform only.

"It's not going to work to throw a table at her," Greyson spat.

"Why don't we do some magic carpet flying?" Bryce inquired with a smirk.

Jason stared with knitted eyebrows at the table. He had no idea how that would work, but the only solution would be using it like a surfboard. The thing was, he had never used a surfboard before except for one of those surfing machines at a water park during a summer trip.

"I'm controlling this, I presume," Greyson said.

"Then we have the soldier shoot his beams off. It's not that she can see well. It's like surfing in the sky. I'd say go find Cassandra to actually make us fly, but she's off with those unhinged things," Bryce said.

Greyson stepped on the table to face his palms directed at it. Jason watched it slowly rise, shaking back and forth in the air as it floated up. It would work, but for how long until they all went soaring off the table or they fought? He didn't want to think about that because he wanted to stop Ashley.

"It's like a hoverboard," Mia said with awe.

Jason looked as more of the building burned, seeing Eden walking out with a lighter. It all exploded behind them like some dramatic showing in the movies.

"That was fun," Eden said. In her eyes, she wasn't the innocent Catholic girl, but the girl before. How enlightened she seemed that she could burn one whole building down.

It exploded as flames started to spread around on the dead grass or against the broken wall. All the glass from the busted windows landed on the hard ground.

"You actually blew it up? How did you even do that?" Will asked.

"Secret," Eden said.

Jason didn't even want to know. No, it wasn't that, but the fire that began to spread around from the giant explosion.

"Alright, you find your own ride," Greyson said, lowering it so that it still hovered.

Jason attempted to climb on the floating table, pushing himself up. He knew if he stood with how wobbly it felt, he might end up going flying off the table instead.

"What! I want to go for a ride!" Mia complained.

"No," Greyson spat.

The table began to go higher in the sky, causing him to sit on his knees, holding a side of the table to try and keep his balance. He wondered why they hadn't thought of this earlier. Then again, avoiding death from Ashley, along with Bella's death, had left his mind distraught.

All of them stared before Mia and Will started laughing, considering everything that had happened. The four got smaller as they went up, like an airplane. It wasn't exactly smooth, considering Greyson wasn't even balancing the long table well. However, from high in the sky, you could see the fireworks and the lake.

Jason wasn't sure how long this would last, but Ashley had to die.

"Wow, look at the fireworks!" Yara exclaimed.

Zane glanced over from loading some medicine from the new Foodland. There were different types of cold medicine or some for stomach aches.

Hanna actually felt like she might faint from seeing all the medication. Months without much food, water, or even medication that left bodies unwell. Through the terrifying battle occurring, she knew she couldn't step up in fight. However, she could help with those that got wounded or all the supplies people have been bringing in.

"I'm guessing they found Ashley," Zane said.

Hanna stared down at some brands of medicine, sorting by what they did have to actually use. Between Advil or even cough medicine that targeted the throat. With the storm passing, they didn't exactly need that yet.

"We're ready to go!" Esme beamed, bouncing on her toes.

Jade stood near her, holding a small bag of food filled with protein bars, fruit snacks, and bottled water.

Emma was yelling at Esme for five minutes straight, telling her not to ditch those she was going with. It may have been longer since Hanna walked away at one point.

Conner started pulling her away, almost tripping back at some small piles of snow that existed.

"What's up? Are we not allowed to talk with people around?" Hanna asked.

Conner narrowed his eyes as he sat himself down on the cot in the new infirmary.

Hanna stood with her arms crossed, looking down at her older brother. They were identical twins with the same nose, green eyes, and large amounts of freckles on their faces.

"I figured it out," Conner blurted.

Hanna didn't have any clue what he meant. Was there some puzzle with Ashley finally being solved? They had found out most of the information through others, but Conner wasn't super involved with it all.

"Why I'm confused," he grated.

Hanna was confused about all the information that had been unloaded, like a waterfall. She hasn't physically gone to the edge of the bubble that reveals the real world, but police officers wanted to talk to them all. What's to tell? That someone screwed up, who could be in jail for life?

"I'm gay," Conner spat. "I don't understand it at all. It's not that I have feelings, but there are guys and girls who are both good-looking."

Hanna blinked because she didn't expect those words from her brother. If anything, she thought it was going to be about their mother and if they should see if she's at the bubble.

"Are you sure? It's not just a regular attraction?" Hanna asked.

Conner nodded his head, running a hand over his face before gritting his teeth. They never really talked about who they were attracted to because of the homeschooling and living in the countryside, which made it difficult to make first.

"Mia knew she was bisexual by the sixth grade but doesn't care. Jade knew she was a lesbian by the seventh, who's younger than us," Conner rambled. "I know we weren't those crazy ones performing delinquent activities, but still. Why couldn't it have been something different?"

People say Uden Academy taught about sexuality or wrongdoings. That's where all the danger comes into play. It wasn't just the danger of the storm, but much more. How drug use can lead to overdose or unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy. Simple concepts they're taught, but some don't realize.

"That's why you started to be more moody? Was it because of baseball?" Hanna asked.

Connor played baseball in the summer, while she played soccer league in Simcoe. The baseball league outside of Simcoe that their uncle used to play for.

"Maybe? I don't understand all of it. I don't even look like someone who would be gay," he groaned.

"You have to accept it," Hanna said.

She found this whole thing confusing herself because she was surprised by his confession. She's known about other people around here with different sexualities, but most of them embrace who they are.

"I don't want to, but I know I am. I'm stupid for worrying about this when we're all going to die. I know I should be fighting, but my mind is all over."

Hanna didn't know how he had been feeling. It's not that she knew exactly what liking the same gender had been like. That's why she stared with her lips pressed together, trying to think of an alternative. She sat down across from him and pulled him in for a hug. She would be there to support him, even if they were all trying to avoid death.

The tarp quickly opened to Zane, looking toward where Simcoe would be. "There's an explosion," he gasped.

Both of them rushed out, seeing the fire that wasn't in Simcoe. No, it looked farther than it should be, which resulted in one place it could be.

"Did Ashley burn Uden Academy down?" Hanna asked.

It almost seemed like a wildfire, plus the mixture of fireworks was still glowing over the water. They hadn't had light for months, but this gave them some sort of relief. Most of this place was glowing with light or darkness from the sky.

This did remind Hanna that this was an endgame moment. Where the final fight between either the government or monster they had to beat. That's what all of them are attempting to do, even when it is difficult to fight the creature that was created.

"We're in the final endgame," Zane stated.

People around them looked at the burning sight of Uden Academy. Some past students seemed giddy that it was burning, even if they lost laptops or other electronic devices.

"What if Ashley comes to burn camp?" Hanna asked.

Zane didn't look at her. "We escape, even if we lose food or anything. If we want to get out of here, we have to fight through everything," he said.

Hanna pressed her lips together before letting out a sigh. "Sometimes the strongest heroes don't always survive."

She didn't want that to be the reality, but now it had become true. Death has been the root cause that Ashley wants.

"Even seeing the real world hurts. We're just people trying to survive a war worse than any veteran had fought," Zane sighed.

Hanna tucked some of her hair behind her ears, seeing the burning sight from a distance. She didn't imagine it all ending at death. Ashley didn't want them living, but that thing wanted them dead. That substance that entered her knee that Emma had told her about. It all seemed a possession from some alternative place.

"I hope the rest of us make it out okay," Hanna remarked.

Nobody felt they could move because the burning building meant this might be over soon. It could be that, or something might finally release them early.

Esme bounced on her toes as Jade stared in the opposite direction. Being rejected left her frustrated, but she had to focus on the bigger picture. It wasn't all about her own feelings, but it made her upset in a way.

She has never been a sensitive person when it comes to pain; she is more demanding of answers. If anything, she always feels left in frustration or annoyance. Just like Conner when he still doesn't understand his own sexuality.

"We'll keep her down with your ice while I shoot," Esme said.

They walked one part of the highway, heading toward Paradise Hotel. Emma had yelled at Esme not to run because she might end up causing an explosion or injuring herself. However, some of the fireworks began to die. That meant they ran out or Ashley did something.

Jade wasn't sure, but she knew that it could be something deadly. It wasn't because of the powers, but all three highest ranks could be settled around like the final fight.

"We don't know who's there. Emma might be there or even River," Jade said.

Esme let out a groan before swinging the pistol in the air. Jade reached to grab it from her hands, brushing hers against Esme's. The feeling left her heart racing, but she didn't show it.

"We aren't having a bullet shootout before we get there," Jade spat.

The wide highway had some pieces that were paved, while others were missing or uneven. It hurt Jade's long legs, but she didn't say anything. It's not that she should be complaining, because they couldn't complain anymore when they were nearing the end.

"I can't believe someone had the guts to burn down Uden Academy! I wish I could have seen it!" Esme exclaimed.

Of those remaining, Eden probably caused it. Many started to understand the real girl under that diameter of religion. The crackheads kept it secret from everyone since they were the closest with her.

"You'd like to be charged and locked up?" Jade asked.

"Aren't we all already?" Esme exaggerated.

Esme started jumping on her toes while Jade let out a long sigh. If they had gotten to Ashley before Greyson and Jason, they may be screwed. It wasn't about power, but Esme still has injuries, even when they are closed. Jade felt fine since her last injuries were stopped.

"I want to shoot off some fireworks at her! That would be so cool!" Esme beamed.

"Depends if they are doing it at a different location. Divina might be off with Ashley when we get there, or Cassandra may have sent her flying," Jade said, smiling.

She actually felt fear for both Esme risking death and her own. Cassandra can't save them from everything, and neither can Divina.

Cassandra needs sleep like any of them, but Divina would torture Ashley until she had no limbs left. It's quite possible that has happened, considering her body looks crispy.

Jade then spotted the rushing wind speeding past them. Cassandra wore rage as she pinned Ashley to the ground before being thrown toward the two of them. Divina's manic laugh could be heard, and she had gashes all over her body.

If this had been Bella, she would never have looked this way. She appeared with a feral grin, her eyes lighting at the sight of Ashley. There was no fear that death was staring right in front of them, but the fulfillment of torture.

"Try all you want, but I won't let you two stop me," Ashley growled.

Jade watched something that made her want to vomit. Divina took the glass to physically pick through her crispy skin that began to burst and bleed. Ashley threw Divina with Greyson's power, sending her flying on the highway.

"Let's do it!" Esme called, circling around with the sounds of gunshots going off.

Jade froze the ground without hesitation, glueing Ashley in place. She glared at Esme before she fell smack onto the ground.

"Idiots, get out of here!" Divina barked, marching back over.

"Are you intending to kill more victims, goddess? That is how it seems," Ashley taunted.

Esme was sent flying back onto the ground by an invisible force, her gun flying out of her hands. Divina went charging for the gun, but Ashley threw her like a dishrag. Cassandra used an invisible force to hold Ashley in the air. It wasn't high because she appeared exhausted, staring with gritted teeth.

"Not even you can stop this, Cassandra," Ashley snarled.

Ashley had smoke burns all over her body, along with Divina. Jade assumed the fireworks were aimed directly at them, setting fire inside the hotel.

Cassandra slammed Ashley to the ground before she stumbled backward. Divina began shooting the gun as Jade dashed to find Esme through the slight light. Seeing her stir, blinking multiple times to eye Jade directly.

"She has my gun," Esme pouted.

Jade noticed when Esme stood; she wobbled as she grabbed her arm for support.

Divina was laughing while shooting at Ashley, aiming directly at her temple. "This might cause a coma again. Wouldn't that be great? I think that'd be amazing, because I can't wait to kill you."

"I can keep going," Esme urged. "Superheroes stop at nothing."

Jade put a hand on her shoulder, shaking her head. If both of them ended up dying, it would be a bitter fate for both.

Ashley fired that bright light at Divina, causing her to yelp at her burned wrist. The gun had fallen to the side, leaving Ashley to point it around at the four of them.

"You all will be leaving with injuries," Ashley taunted.

Jade felt herself thrown down on the ground, slamming her body against the grassy area. It made her mind spin, considering she hit her head.

"Leave them alone," Cassandra spat, narrowing her eyes.

Ashley started laughing as Divina forcefully grabbed her, whipping her smack on the highway. Esme tried helping Jade, but she felt like everything around her was spinning. She twisted around and around like some ride at a carnival, leaving her staggering like a drunk.

"You've been crying like a baby over my gunshots. All it shows is how pathetic you are," Divina taunted, bloodstained all over her clothes.

Jade lowered herself to sit on her knees, holding her head in her hand. However, Ashley aimed the gun pointed at Divina.

"You're being a bitch with your nonsense," Ashley growled.

Divina barked a laugh, holding her stomach, as she looked like she'd fall over. Ashley's pleasure grew into fury, and she shot off the gun to pierce Divina right in the chest.

"Oh no, what ever shall I do?" Divina exaggerated, and she used her bloody fingers to take out the bullet with gritted teeth, holding it in her fingers. "Gasp! It seems like I'm going to die. Hah, got you!"

Jade spotted the wound in Divina's chest still bleeding, but it barely seemed to affect her energy. If anything, it caused an evil grin with eyes lighting with greed.

Esme went speeding toward Ashley, knocking her down as the gun flew down the highway. Jade narrowed her eyes because part of her vision was blurry from everything around her.

"Stay out of this, Esme! You'll get killed!" Cassandra exclaimed, throwing Ashley into a tree with an invisible force.

"I'm fine! See, I took her out by myself," Esme said firmly.

Jade knew Esme wasn't going to be okay. No, she wasn't going to stop because she wanted to defeat Ashley herself. The first time when the storm stopped, while the second she went off running.

Jade could barely aim her ice in the proper direction. Everything around her felt like it had been spinning as she gripped onto a fallen pine tree.

"These humans are quite idiots. Did they get that from you, goddess?" Ashley snarled.

Divina laughed as she slashed glass on Ashley's face. Her face was dripping with blood, making her not even seem like a proper human anymore. No, she appeared like something out of a horror movie.

Divina charged to find the gun, but Ashley fired that blue light. Jade wobbly stumbled toward the scene, hoping to try to get out of this problem. If they ran back, they might actually end up dead.

Jade faced her palm out, ice seeping under Ashley's feet.

Ashley growled in frustration, melting the ice with Jason's light. She aimed a palm at Divina, who jumped away from the burning light. She took the gun in her hand, narrowing her eyes at those around. Right, it didn't help because she couldn't see the best.

"Here, I'll do something," Esme whispered, tiptoeing toward Jade. She felt her own heart racing, closing her eyes to try to decrease the pain.

Jade looked at Cassandra, who was attempting to stay on her feet but looked like she might pass out any minute.

"Who goes first?" Ashley taunted.

Divina went charging with a feral grin. "Are you going to shoot me? I can throw those bullets out with you." Divina taunted.

Ashley gritted her teeth, pointing the gun out before throwing Divina into a tree with an invisible force.

"You be quiet," Ashley spat. She turned with the gun still pointed out, swinging it from side to side.

Esme attempted to try and drag her without sound, but it wasn't working well. Cassandra faced her palms at Ashley, which made her stumble slightly.

Cassandra's weakness was overall exhaustion. All day, she's probably been erasing powers, which leaves her body drained. That means she doesn't even have the capability to speed them back to camp.

"I hear you," Ashley taunted. "You can't do everything, Cassandra. This is why I'm a god, while you're a stupid mutant child. I defeat everything, even with this stupid body of mine."

Jade heard the gunshot with multiple bangs. Some were directed at them, until Jade actually felt a tightness in her chest. Looking down, she spotted two bullets in her chest.

Esme started to panic, holding her hand on her chest before she froze. Jade watched Esme slowly turn her head behind her, seeing a bullet in the back of her head, along with her spine. Jade felt tears in her eyes, even when she saw darkness at the edge of her own.

"Let's share our fate together." Esme trailed off before falling smack on the ground.

Jade wanted to move, but she couldn't. This wasn't what she meant when being together with Esme. She heard Ashley laugh, closing her eyes. She felt as if she were floating somewhere, with images from her life flashing before her eyes. She wished at least Esme could have lived on, but this became the end of their lives.

Two deaths in one chapter... Their death was painful to write, then again I've been saying that about most of the deaths I've written so far.