"Cassie! Wake up! Cassandra!"

I awoke, dazzled and dizzy. Vel was shaking my shoulders viciously. Out of shock, I sat up and bumped into her head.

"Ouch!" Vel stumbled back, rubbing her head.

"So sorry!" I did the same. "What's happening?"

Vel didn't start explaining much. She simply grabbed my clothes and threw them at me. "Put on your battle clothes." Vel dashed out of my side of the tent and went to hers, rummaging for her jacket.

I slipped on everything with alarming speed, knowing from Vel's panicked expression that something was up. I looked outside the tent fabric, wincing my eyes. There was an orange glow; the auburn light dancing across my vision.

I grabbed Reflecta, my phone and Marty's healing potion, and made a dash outside. Zipping open the tent, the first thing we noticed was the warmth. The air was too hot.

Next, was the smell that stung our nose and burned my throat. My eyes watered upon the smokey sight.

The forest was on fire.



***



Vel and I tried to seek out our troop members in the crowd. It didn't take long before we saw Julian waving wildly at the others to retreat.

"This way!" He said, bending down to cough.

"Julian!" I ran to his side, holding his shoulder to grab his attention. The fire roared and the wind brought them to the trees.

"Cassandra, t-that..." he coughed again, with his finger still pointing to one side. He gave me a forceful push.

"Julian, you need to get out of here." I grabbed him but he shook his head, pulling up his bandana to cover the smoke.

"Have to... stay..."

"No, Julian, you've done enough," Vel spoke up and looked around for help. But everyone else was running towards the safety zone. I also knew that Vel and I couldn't last long here with all the heat and smoke.

My eyes danced across the flames, the trees, the darkness... and I spotted the girl with familiar, curly ponytails.

"Tracy!" I coughed, blocking my nose with my elbow and sprinted to her. "Tracy!"

Tracy snapped her head around, her brows crashed together when I grabbed her by the arm. She tried to swing off my grip but my grip was locked. I gave another forceful jerk and urged her to follow me.

"It's Julian! He needs to get out of here! He's been here for too long!"

I knew Tracy heard me because I sensed Tracy pick up her pace and as we neared Vel and Julian, who was already kneeling on the floor, Tracy didn't need me to drag her anymore. She was running, faster than I was and was at Julian's side in an instant.

"Julian, are you mad!" She shouted, tore him away from the ground made a dash for the cooler parts. "I got this! Alright?"

I let out a series of coughs, pulling up my bandana to block the smoke. Vel and I ran in the same direction as Julian, losing sight of them.

"I have no idea where..." Vel had to stop to breathe, "...where we're going."

Suddenly, someone grabbed me by the arm. I snapped around, my hand already reaching for Reflecta.

"It's me!" Ted was waving at me, getting my attention. I felt a chill run down my back, I looked behind me for an escape route, if I needed one. All I spotted was Will, who spoke to Vel in an urgent manner.

"Someone set this forest on fire on purpose," Will said through his mask, his face blotted with soot.

"What!"

"Most of us are already at the safety cliff," Ted's face was scrunched in worry. "You are the last few. Once we send you both there..." he paused to cough, "we'll come back for the others."

I suddenly felt a pang of guilt for mentally accusing Ted. Ted probably had an explanation. These two lads, Ted and Will, they often do that, don't they? They're those type of boys who didn't think through the consequences much. They simply did what they did.

Ted broke my thoughts with a push. "Cassie, come on, get to safety first." I broke off into a jog, then a steady run as I followed after Vel and Will. Vel spared a glance over her shoulder, a worried look but I nodded and encouraged her to keep running.

Will kept checking up on us, waving his hand at the smoke. We were all panting and sweating, and we thought the situation couldn't get any worse. Except, we had to cross the trees, towering over our heads. One happened to fall.

"Look out!"

I was dragged back as the beast tumbled to the ground, crashing and rolling. The sound made me freeze on the ground.

"Are you alright, Cassie?!" Ted had shielded me, forcing my body to be as far away as possible from danger.

"I am! Are you hurt!"

"No!"

We stood up.

"Ah, crap! We lost them!" Ted exclaimed, his head moving around quickly.

My heart hammered in my ribcage. My lungs screamed for fresh air. Vel. Vel. Vel. Where was she!

"This way!" Ted didn't leave me much time to think and dragged me to the side.

The trees loomed over us, the shadows had cooled my skin. The trunks cracked but the fire didn't reach far in the woods we ran in. I could hear Ted panting in front of me and I was aware that every time I lifted my foot, it became heavier and heavier. My eyes were very much a blur in the darkness, my chest tightening to the fear that I would trip and Ted would leave me behind.

"This way..." Ted's voice grew quiet and I forced my legs to run faster.

"Ted..." I breathed, pulling down my bandana to inhale a large breath. My muscles were threatening me with their collapse and I was about to ask how much further when Ted turned. I ran straight into his arms where he grabbed me, turned me around so that my back faced his torso. One of my arms was twisted behind me, forcing a cry of pain to escape my lips. He dragged me back, forcing my legs to move.

"Ted!" I yelled, struggling against him but I was only injuring my other twisted arm further. "Help! Someone help!"

My legs weren't catching up with his pace and my head was pounding from the heat. With my free arm, I fumbled for Reflecta's hilt. Reflecta, more or less, had sent a cold shiver up my arm to indicate it's precise location.

Ted dragged me out to a cliff, I could see from afar that the fire was reaching for the night sky and hear the rushing waves behind me. The water was crashing wildly against the rocky walls.

Water!

My fingers gave a flick, where a trail of water snaked toward Ted, except they died mid-air.

What...

Soon, my knees gave way and the colour flushed away from my cheeks.

What is happening?

When Ted stopped, my body felt drained of energy and my legs were so weak that Ted had to support me against him. He had one hand against my neck and I knew, somewhere in his grip, he had a knife.

"Iridescent, aye?"

I stilled, my breathing laboured. "You... you set the fire..."

"I did," Ted's voice had changed. I have never heard Ted's cold voice before. His voice always had energy, a liveliness... How foolish I was to feel guilty for my accusations. How foolish I was to have believed in him.

"I've been watching you since day one," Ted was looking around. I didn't know why he seemed tense and nervous. I was in his hands and whatever his power was, it was draining everything out from me. I tried to grab the arm around his neck. He was pressing too hard, so hard I could feel my throat give a painful protest, so hard that I found it hard to swallow, but my fingers slipped past his skin.

Why do they feel so weak?

"Tracy had been telling you things, that annoying brat." He spat and I tensed at his brute tone. "I know it's you, Cassandra. I couldn't find any evidence but I know... it's you."

"What... what do you want... from me?"

"Don't worry. Ain't killing you yet," I felt him stiffen and I gazed weakly into the shadows. "You still need to do something for us."

Us. Who was 'us'? I wanted to ask, except I sagged further into the ground.

"Stand up."

"I... I can't," I forced the words out from my mouth, each one turned out to be an effort. "I don't know what you're doing to me..."

Suddenly, I felt some energy return.

"I have a handy power, don't you agree?" Ted gave me a rough tug. "Come on."

He always edged near the light — as much light as this night and fire could provide — and he moved with cautious steps. Ted was wary of something but what?

"If you try anything, Cassie, I will kill you."

I twitched. My other hand still attempted to grab Reflecta.

I began to test the length of my sentence. Reflecta, grant me your strength, lock your vines... no, too long, Reflecta, protect?

Ted pressed his knife closer to my neck. I was distinctively aware of the blood pumping in the veins of my neck.

"Are you doing this?" He said, his chin knocking my head as he moved quickly. "I thought I told you, if you try anything, I'll kill you."

"I'm not doing anything..."

I looked toward the deeper part of the woods, narrowing my eyes in concentration. There must be something-

A shadow flit past my vision. Whoever they were, they were in the woods, and they were fast. I thought it must've been a trick of light, so I blinked a few times, except I saw it again. The moving figure was coming closer.

Ted saw it too, he pulled me closer to him, backing away. He was dangerously close to cliff-edge. His grip tightened on his weapon.

"Show yourself!" Ted shouted into seemly nothing. He sounded like a madman.

When no one appeared, Ted began to drag me to the trees, but I purposely sagged my weight.

"Get. Up." Ted said between his teeth, clearly irritated. My breath hitched when the edge of the blade slit the surface of my skin, a tiny prick of pain. I inhaled and held my breath, scared to twitch or move. The wound seemed to flame.

"Stop."

Ted turned abruptly and I turned with him. I saw a man standing there, just in the shadows, the edge of his boots touching the corners of darkness. Even though I couldn't see him clearly, there was something tugging my heartstrings, telling me that I knew him. In my mind, I already placed my bet on who.

Is it you?

"Let her go."

It's you...

Ted's head was drawing closer to my cheeks. He was trying to get a closer look. The man in the shadows fulfilled his wishes. He stepped out, at first slowly, then he took steady, consistent steps towards us.

His bandana covered his mouth and nose, but he had no hood on. His eyes were the colour of emerald, glowing in the dark.

"Come any closer and she's dead," Ted hissed and the man stopped.

I closed my eyes. Sorry to drag you into this.

The man raised his hand toward his bandana and gave a gentle tug, revealing his face.

Ted inched back. I could sense his mind turning. "Wait... I've seen you somewhere."

Jaxton took another step into the light, his composure was calm. His eyes shifted to mine, his brows slightly furrowed and his lips turned in a concerned frown. It was all a matter of seconds, but I understood him. I understood what he was trying to say.

Trust me.

I trust you.

His eyes were back on Ted.

"You're the guy from Phoenix," Ted stifled a bitter laugh. "Here to save your girl?"

Jaxton ignored his words, revealing nothing on his face. Except, I saw his grip tighten on the hilt of his blade.

"I said, let her go."

"She carries the Blade of Iridescent. I need her," Ted challenged with a tilt of his head. "If she's not your girl, then I suggest you mind your own business."

"I am minding my business."

"Oh, I see. She is your girl."

Ted's voice grew bold. He was growing confident, seeing that Jaxton didn't bring anyone with him and that he had me as leverage. There was something he forgot though.

Me.

The knife was growing its distance away from my neck. I stared at Jaxton carefully.

Keep him talking.

Jaxton gave a shrug, checking the dirt on his boots. "Where are you gonna run to?"

"What?"

"I said," Jaxton feinted boredom, "where are you gonna run to? You're at the edge of a cliff. You have a girl you have to bring with you."

Ted began to think. He was actually thinking of what he was going to do. A solution to escape with me as his extra burden. But that was a fatal mistake.

I felt the energy surge through my fingers. It was long enough for me to regain a portion of my strength. I had my free hand aligned with the centre of my stomach, already having snaked my way up. The arm twisted around my back was growing numb, but my ice powers found their way to my fingertips.

A slight tingle.

Gotcha.

My ice powers gave way, striking Ted in the stomach. My arm in front moved up, blocking his knife. I grabbed the hilt of Ted's weapon, forcing it away from my neck. I already see Jaxton moving toward me.

I turned my head, dodging Ted trying to land a cut on me. My wrist was still stuck against Ted's knife, battling against his force, and as he moved, the blade sliced itself across my escaping palm, drawing blood. I didn't register the pain. All I registered was my heartbeat, my fear... my will to survive.

You're almost there! Almost safe!

I saw Jaxton land a hard kick on Ted's abdomen, sending him flying off balance and toward the cliff.

Jaxton had clutched his hand around my arm, his grip vice-like. He began to drag me back, but something else dragged me in the opposite direction.

Before I knew it, I was tumbling over the edge.



***



I let out a scream of panic, shutting my eyes as I waited for the ice-cold water to surround me and succumb all my senses of survival. But I didn't.

I opened my eyes, growing aware of the grip around my wrist. I inclined my head.

Jaxton was hanging over the cliff, one hand gripped onto the edge and the other was tight around my wrist.

"Hold on..." He uttered.

There was something else not quite right. I looked down. Ted was holding onto my ankle.

Shoot.

Ted released a manic-like laugh. He was probably happy he survived. He reached, grabbing my leg with his other arm. He was trying to climb.

"No, you don't!" I raised my other leg as he tried to reach for it. I moved it around, trying to land a kick on his forehead. I heard Jaxton release a quiet groan as we swung. He was holding the weight of two people, poor boy.

I shot out the sole of my foot, going for Ted's head. But Ted caught the sole of my shoe, holding me there.

Now is not the time for elegance, Cass!

I began to thrash wildly, stomping the air. I managed to force Ted to release his grip on one ankle and with a sideward swing, I stuck him on his nose. Ted let out a grunt, looking to the side. I manoeuvred my other leg, turning the ankles to make Ted's grip slip. I swung the other, striking him again.

With my free (rather bloody hand), I grabbed onto Reflecta and hissed, "Reflecta, grant me your strength, raise the tides..."

Ted was cursing, his nails digging into my trousers as he began to panic. Reflecta glowed in brightly, so bright that both Jaxton and I had to turn the other way. The waters rose and the waves began to turn unnaturally. Reflecta was bending nature, after all.

I tried to watch, opening a slit of my eyes. Ted's grip was fighting on my ankle. He was trying to drag me away with him but, under Jaxton's watch, that was impossible. Jaxton's grip tightened on my wrist further, so tight that I knew no blood was crossing to my palms or fingers.

"NO!" Ted's scream was cut off when the thunderous water swallowed him. It's water rose like a giant's limb, devouring Ted whole while drenching my shoes.

There was a brief moment of silence as the water retreated, bringing Ted with them. The wave crashed from side to side before the water gave one last hiss, and went back to a wild, rushing river.

Then, a brief moment of silence before the water went back to an untamed, rushing river.

"He's gone..." I muttered. Another life, gone under my hands.

"He deserved it." Jaxton must've known what I was thinking of. I drew my attention back to his face, exhaling a tiny gasp of relief, a grin forming on my lips without a second thought. He had no idea how grateful, how happy I was to see him. He did the same, giving my hand a squeeze.

He glanced back to the cliff. "Alright, lets-"

Jaxton stiffened. We both heard a crack. The edge of the soil couldn't hold it any longer, they rendered themselves into particles, scattering beneath Jaxton's gloved fingers.

We all knew what was going to happen next.

We fell.

Deep into the water.

That was the last thing I needed.

We... or me, I wasn't sure where Jaxton was anymore, tumbled under the currents, the waves shoving me from one side to another. I almost crashed into a boulder, but I kicked myself away to relative safety. My body turned and rolled, I felt nauseous. I wanted to curl up and just let the water do whatever they wanted with me.

No, Cassie, you need to find Jaxton.

I swam. I swam in one direction and hoped it was the surface and not the other way around. My lungs felt like they were shrinking and I thought my chest was going to burst but I breached the waters earlier than expected and I gasped hungrily for air.

I wiped my vision clean, trying to see the situation but another wave sent me down into the water.

Up! Up!

I forced my muscles to work. They screamed in pain but I ignored it all. Up was where I needed to be.

"Jaxton!" I yelled, wiping my face as the water moved me around like a slithering snake. I was pushed further down the stream but Jaxton was not in sight.

"Jaxton!!!" I shouted louder, waving my arms in the water to stay on the surface. There was a tingling sensation on my legs. I didn't know what it was, but it made my heart skip a beat and my shoulders tense.

"Jaxton?!"

The grip tightened and I became certain it was someone's hand.

This better not be-

The person wrestled the waters, grappling with the air. I didn't need someone to tell me. It was Jaxton. It had to be.

I reached for his outstretched hand, giving a forceful tug. I didn't care if it hurt him. I just needed him out of the water. I grabbed his top with my other hand and gave another aggressive yank.

Jaxton swam to the top, taking a large breath of air. I held onto him tightly.

"Shoot, Cass," He cursed, breathless. "I thought I was gonna drown."

"We need-" I stopped speaking when I realised what we had to face. The water tipped off the edge, the dip was too far for me to see anything but I knew what it was.

A waterfall.

"Jaxton!"

"What?!"

"We're going down!"

Screams echoed across the creek and I hoped, desperately and anxiously, that Vel, Julian or Tracy had heard us.





***



A/N

Who won the screaming competition, do you think? Judges, rate your screaming contestants Jaxton and Cassie. 😂

I know you're probably soaked from the waterfall, but give me a vote and I might provide you with a campfire and a convenient cave to rest in. Leave a comment to mark your adventure 😁

Of course, no pressure, my friends.

L