Violet's POV

After a lot of explaining, we finally calmed my mom down enough to tell her about the Shaft. It was hard work, because she was really freaking out. First saying that I was in so much danger now, and then saying that she would feel safest if she took us there herself.

Knowing her, my mom doesn't get worried this easily. Actually, I don't ever think I've seen her this worried in my entire life... and I'm 16 years old. That's gotta tell you something. 

"Look, I'll explain on the way. I just need to get you both there as soon as possible, because there's been a rumour going around with the Chronos that-"

"Wait, what?" I interrupted, "What the heck's a Chroney?" I looked at Ray and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Chronos," my mom corrected me. "It's the organisation that runs the Shaft."

"Oh." I said, lost in thought. Before I could ask anything else, Ray cleared his throat.

"Um, sorry to interrupt and all, but... how do you know so much about... well, everything that's been going on? If you don't mind my asking."

My mom turned to Ray and smiled sweetly at him, her eyes crinkling. I remember that smile. That smile has been around ever since I was a baby. I honestly miss those times... When everything was normal, and we were just a happy family.

"Oh, it's no problem. See... in a way, I'm like Violet here." She put her arm around my shoulders, and I looked up at her confused.

"How?" I asked her. 

"Well, it's best if I show you." She responded, winking at me, then dropping her arm back down to her side again.

Ray and I watched her curiously as she stood up in front of us. "Watch closely, because what you're about to see is something really cool."

Ray and I exchanged glances. If she meant to show us something super cool, it's probably going to be something really cool, knowing that I just showed her that I have angel wings. Wonder what she's got up her sleeve?

"What are you going to show us, exactly...?" Ray questioned, a bit worried for his safety. I could totally understand how he was feeling. 

"You know how Violet has angel wings?" My mom said, looking at us with a grin on her face. We nodded slowly, not really sure what she was getting into. "Well, I've got some powers of my own! Watch!"

We backed up as she put her hands together into the shape of a ball. Her balled up hands started glowing gold in colour, then she disappeared.

Ray and I looked at the spot she was in, dumbfounded.

"Did she just..." Ray said, lost in thought.

"I don't even know..." I replied, listing off all the possible outcomes that could have occurred in that moment. It was unbelievable. My mother... My very own mother... Disappeared right before my eyes. And I couldn't do anything to help.

"What the heck just happened...?!" I said, starting to panic. I looked around the room frantically as much as I could without physically walking. "Where did she go?!"

Suddenly, I felt something tap my back. "Turn around~"

Ray and I both turned around and faced...

My mother.

"Surprise!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I can teleport!"

"You... nearly gave us a heart attack!" Ray said, slightly chuckling. It might have been out of nervousness. 

"I know! And I'm sorry about that." My mom replied, smiling at him. 

"How... did you keep this hidden for so long?" Ray said curiously.

My mother shrugged her shoulders. "Sheer luck, I guess."

My gaze dropped to the ground in front of me. "So... You knew I was going to get my wings?"

I could feel my mother look at me. "Hun, did the Professor tell you that everyone gets a different power?"

I looked up at her so we could make eye contact. "I... I think so..."

She put her hand on my shoulder and looked at me lovingly. "Before you were born, I too was found by the Professor when I turned 16. I worked with the Chronos for the longest time, but I wanted to see what it was like to have a normal life. That's when I found your father." I looked at Ray, and he had the same expression I did: Confused and shocked. 

This was big news. My mother? A... Superhero? It sounded silly to say, but once I started to really think about it, I was struck with a thought. If what the Professor said was true - that I have more than one power - does that mean my mom is the same case as me? A member of the Chronos with multiple powers?

Snapping me out of my thought, my mom continued with her story, "When you were born, Violet, the Professor asked to see you, so I took you in. He told me that he sensed a great power in you so we did some testing and the test results came in positive. I was overjoyed. My baby girl had taken my jeans." She smiled at me and ruffled my hair. "Soon after that, he made me promise to take care of you and watch over you all the time to make sure no one found out about you, just in case you gained your powers early."

I nodded and looked at Ray. He was sort of quiet throughout the whole explanation. His gaze dropped to his feet as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. The poor guy must've been jealous. Then I remembered why he was here with me in the first place.

I turned back to look at my mom. "Hey Momma?"

"Yes, Hun~?" She replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I don't mean to rush you or anything, but... Ray and I really need to get to the Shaft." Ray perked up at his name. Finally we were getting to some place he could join in the conversation.

My mom looked at Ray, her eyes widening. "Oh no! I'm so sorry! Let's get going! Now! We're far behind schedule!" We all went to the front door and put on back on our shoes.

"Schedule...?" I questioned as she pushed us out the door and locked it behind her, heading to the car in the driveway.

"Yes! Now get in, and buckle up! We're going to the Shaft!"