Chapter 22

Shad was getting better and better at speaking, but unfortunately, his memory seemed to be almost blank. What are the shadow men? What do they want? Why have they started getting so aggressive? Somehow, the last question was linked to Rebecca's presence possibly? I couldn't rule out other possibilities though.

Rebecca is nice, and she is funny in her own way, different from Fran. There is still this wall, or perhaps it's better explained as a mask, that she has. It makes it hard to really connect with her. But regardless, she has been pleasant company so far, especially right now. It's nice reuniting with her after so many years.

I took a stroll out after Rebecca left; I needed to think about everything that was changing so quickly. Why is Fran acting so weird? What do we do to stop the shadow men?

I was lost in my thoughts when I turned down an unfamiliar alleyway. It seems my feet have led me once again to somewhere I didn't recognize. By now, I've realized that I can just think of home and suddenly I know where to go, so I wasn't too worried. Right as I was about to turn around, I heard a voice above me, on the roof of the building I was by.

"So, he showed you everything and you still couldn't find him?" A male voice scolded another.

"Don't worry, I plan to go back over tomorrow. It's what I want to do anyway, so I guess you can just call this a favor from me." A female voice, a familiar one, but the tone was quite different.

"Don't you realize, if that boy develops any powers, who knows what he could become? We can't let him find out anything until the time is right; then we can crush them both. Just as you wished." The male voice seemed familiar as well. I need to get a better look. I started to climb the drainpipe as quietly as possible, hoping that I wouldn't be seen. I reached the top and barely looked over. There, staring out at the city, were two figures—Thorne, and a man with white hair. I'd never seen his outfit before.

"No, I don't want Steven harmed, remember, he's mine now. That was the deal." She seemed flustered.

"Ohhhh, right, my bad. Your little crush has to fall in love with you. Well, the deal is still active, Thorne. We still have some work to do before he gives up on the girl." What were these people talking about? Me? The girl? Could they be talking about Fran?

I slowly started to piece together the puzzle, and then it hit me.

gasp

I was so shocked I'd forgotten that I was right next to them. They immediately spun around in my direction, and I thought I was done for...

"Who's there? Show yourself." The boy around my age looked right at me, but it seemed like he hadn't seen me. But my head was still showing above the edge of the roof. I looked down and realized that I couldn't see me either. What?

"Talon, let's reconvene at a different location." Thorne, or should I say Rebecca, spoke this time. She also seemed bewildered. Talon wrapped his cloak around Thorne, and they twisted and distorted, then disappeared.

caw

A crow and a scarlet tanager sang and fluttered away.

I stayed still until I was sure I was alone again. Then I dropped back down to the ground and started rushing home, my feet led me once again while I filtered the new information I'd just received.

First, Talon is plotting something bad, but why? Talon seems to have a completely different goal than Thorne. He is quite mysterious. When he and Thorne distorted away, I could see a black hazy aura around them. Is that perhaps another person with powers?

Second, Thorne, or Rebecca, has a crush on me. I am a little surprised, but realizing that Thorne's appearance and Rebecca's reemergence were at the same time was too coincidental. Thorne and Rebecca are definitely the same person. And she made some kind of deal with Talon that she could have me.

That sent shivers down my spine, but apparently, I have to fall in love with her back... I think I can confidently say that I'm not that easy. Well, I guess Fran didn't have to try too hard to win my heart...

Third, it seems that Talon and Thorne are somehow involved in Fran's and my breakup. Though the breakup was not said explicitly, it's pretty clear by now that Fran isn't interested in me...

Lastly, someone else, other than Fran, Thorne, and Talon, are developing powers, and Talon believes they haven't yet developed them. I swallowed hard as I realized something and stopped walking. Are they talking about me? I have powers?