There was something I realised when I was attending Professor Dunbar's class. My last class with him before I head off to study period and exams for the semester.

Robin asked Jaxton not to look for him after he left. Marty said something like that too. It was not quite similar, but it brought my attention to it. Marty asked me not to investigate further about Willow's matter.

Does Marty's incident have anything to do with Robin's incident? Jaxton also seemed to know Marty but none of them really mentioned anything. I could only assume that it's because they commonly knew that person.

I was sitting by a willow tree, planning to open a pack of chips when I saw Spark. He was talking with someone I didn't know. One of his mates. After he patted them goodbye he turned and immediately caught his eyes on mine. He wanted to avoid his gaze, at first, looking away, but he froze on his feet. He pursed his lips, spinning on his feet and walked towards me with a determined look. He slowed when he neared, putting on a nice smile. That smile I saw on him when I first met him on the trees, us two being "spies" and exchanging our "secret codes".

I smiled politely at him. He might've had a few trip-ups but I respect his bravery for coming to talk to me. Even with that simple gesture, it's hard for people to do nowadays.

"How's life?" I asked with a slanted, playful grin.

Seeing my cheekiness he relaxed, putting on a grin himself. "Not bad, you?"

I shrugged. "Exams are coming up."

Spark sat down next to me. His shoulders were at ease, his hands snuggly tucked into his pockets.

"I know," he eyed the willow leaves curiously, then flicked one with his hand, "tough."

"Spark," I started. "There's something I want to ask you about."

"Lemme guess, it's either about James or Alsa."

"Well, how about both? Since you were so generous to mention."

He stifled an inward chuckle, eyes still on the leaves. "I admit the Alsa thing wasn't that cool. I just... felt like if I rejected her full-on she'd be hurt."

"She doesn't look like the type of girl who will go ballistic over a 'no'. Besides, if you were really scared about hurting her, letting her wait and giving her false hope will only hurt her more."

He thought about this. "You're right."

"And James?"

Spark's shoulder sagged, "He was a friend. Keyword — Was. Those weren't my proudest moments in life."

"At least you know. I won't force you to tell me more if you don't want to."

He paused, "I was trying to impress the wrong people. That's all I want to say."

"Fair."

I eyed a group of people walking past and then started speaking again.

"Spark."

"Everytime you say my name in that tone I know it's going to be a tough question."

I laughed. "Or, you can say, important."

"Fire away."

"Do you know Marty well?"

"Marty... Marty..." he shook his head. "I know him by name. He's quite notable. I often hear my troop leader talk about him. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about Willow."

"Is Willow okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine now," I quickly changed the subject back. "So, you said, Marty's notable? How come?"

"He's a decent fella. Sticks to his promises and does his job as the co-lead. Ever since Robin left, he had to take up all the load but he didn't seem to slip up."

"I've heard a lot of talk about Robin these days" — Lie — "have you heard anything? Do you know what even happened to Robin?"

He shrugged. "Robin just disappeared. I only know Robin by name as well. I've seen him a few times leaving Leaders Meetings with Marty but that's about it. Robin seems like a pretty chill guy."

Spark hesitated for a moment, then continued. "They're both chill and reserved people, I bet."

"Reserved?"

"Yeah, have you ever spoken with any of them?"

"Marty, I have."

Spark inclined his head and laughed at himself. "Right, I'm an idiot. Of course it's only possible to meet Marty right now. But, hey, I've actually talked to Marty once or twice. After the conversation, you just feel like you're the one constantly spilling your guts out while — yeah he's been talking alright but — he hasn't revealed a single thing about himself."

"I see..."

"Why the sudden interest?"

"You know we have troop members and a healer missing in our school. There are talks everywhere. Some families are even filing complaints and the school's trying to shut it down."

"They'll do that. Keep it quiet first while they figure things out." Spark scoffed. "If they do figure it out."

"What do you mean?" I pried. Spark didn't seem to like the school's management.

"The school doesn't care about our well-being. They dump the missing report to the police and vióla. Done and dusted. I guess that's all they can do but they should grow more cautious? All they have is a useless and silly 'Lights-Out' rule. It's not like it'll really work."

"Why do you think they were trying to take Willow? You know. The twins."

"Who are the twins anyway?" Now, Spark was growing confused. "Do you know?"

"They don't seem to be in our school. I've never seen them."

"Nor have I."

"They do look a bit younger than us."

"But what's girls like them got anything to do with Willow?" Spark leaned closer to me. "Have you asked Marty or Willow?"

I pursed my lips, remembering my promise to Marty. "They said they're investigating on it and... you know how the school is."

Spark scoffed again, ending with a long sigh-out-loud. "True."

I didn't seem to be getting anywhere with James so I shrugged. "I... gotta go."

"It was nice chatting to you..." He said, and realising it was left on an awkward note, he cleared his throat and rubbed his neck, adding, "Cassie."

I stifled a laugh. "Same here. I think you're a better person now than you were before, aren't you?"

"I try to learn from my mistakes. Sometimes I can still be an idiot," Spark gave me a genuine smile. "Good luck with your exams."

I gave him a playful salute and pivoted on my heels, walking away.



***



My worst nightmare:

Lunch? ;)

10:54 am

A wide smile spread on my face. Before I texted my reply, my glance flit to the time. Whoops. It was already noon. My fingers flew across the screen and I headed in the direction of Jaxton's troop, wondering if I'd be able to meet him on the way.

However, I didn't. Someone at the troop told me that Jaxton had left to go to the nearby woods but hasn't returned yet. My worry sent my footsteps toward the woods.

There was the sound of birds, flutter of wings above my head as my footsteps found themselves incapable of being silent. I didn't feel the need to be silent so I didn't bother. I passed by tall, linear trunks. And when there were gaps between the trees, I could see the striking blue sky. Cloudless with hot sun rays casting down on my shoulders. I quickly stuck to the shady parts of the trees.

It didn't take long before I heard movement. I softened my steps, watching my feet as I took care to only step on solid soil rather than the fallen leaves.

I saw a strike of blond hair that unmistakably can only belong to Yoan. He was sitting on a log, watching someone and saying something along the lines of either encouragement or constructive criticism.

I hid behind a trunk, bent down and watched carefully. I couldn't see who the other person was but I already had a guess in mind.

I shuffled to the side and saw Jaxton. His movements were the exact movements I had seen, drawn in the Shadow User books I'd got from the library. He had his hands pointed at the shoulders. He had taken off his long vest, draped it on the log next to Yoan, and was only wearing the tight top inside.

I eyed the deeper parts of the woods closely. I thought it was a trick of light but I realised the shadows were moving, though with agonising slowness. They were reluctant and unhappy. I could sense that Jaxton was testing their patience and my chest tightened in worry.

Jaxton released the breath he was holding and the shadows slithered back to its original shape.

"They've sucked to the floor like leeches!"

"You bet," Yoan was scratching his head, trying to figure out an alternative solution to get the shadows to move.

"This was even worse than my previous tries," Jaxton breathed, brows creased in stress. He was being too anxious and I didn't think it was going to help him master Shadow Summoning but what else could he do? Telling him not to be stressed doesn't seem to be that helpful.

"Take a deep breath, Jax," Yoan encouraged. "You got this."

"I don't got this."

"Of course you got this! And if you don't got this, I will got this!"

"That doesn't even make sense," Jaxton was chuckling and so was Yoan. Even me, I found myself grinning at the interaction, a part of me wished I had a friend like Yoan. Because it was then, I understood why Yoan was there in the first place. Yoan was there to help Jaxton in case the shadows got out of control. To pull him out into the light in case the darkness flooded it all.

"Okay, okay," Jaxton muttered, stance widening and his hands outstretched. A small whisper of encouragement, "I got this", and he was trying again.

He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. There was a subtle twitch in his fingers as I watched with awe that darkness began to shift. It was unobvious at first. Then, the shadows began to wave like the surface of the ocean. The currents were becoming vivid and alive, and the shadows began to detach themselves from the ground. They floated in the air, one moment like an onyx veil and the other moments like dark silk or sand.

Yoan pursed his lips, willing himself to stay quiet. For me, I was so nervous I forgot to breathe.

Jaxton opened his eyes and took a step back, pulling the shadow out into the light. The shadow hissed in distress. Jaxton guided them to the side and they moved to the side like liquid.

They weren't taking on a form.

Jaxton moved his hand, palms facing away from each other to draw the shadows into the cooler parts of the woods. Then, he stayed silent in concentration. The shadows began to gather together.

Was it happening? Was it-

I sucked in air with a sharp gasp as I felt something crawling up my legs. The shadows on the ground were growing restless from the force Jaxton held in the area. I leapt out into the light, looking behind me, my hands already up to shoot out ice if I needed it.

"Whoa! Cassandra?"

I spun around, Yoan already stood up and when I looked at Jaxton, he gave me a double-take and spared me a look of confusion, "Cass?"

Before I could reply, a shadow shot out and struck him in the centre of his nose as he tried to turn his attention back. Jaxton released the force held on the shadows and cupped his nose with a palm, body bent.

"Shoot! Sorry!"

"Jaxton, bro, you okay?"

Jaxton stayed silent for a few seconds before he straightened, a look of pain flashing past his eyes, "it's fine... just hurts..."

I winced and looked at Yoan, who began holding his stomach and laughing.

"Laughter based on my pain," Jaxton said nasally, "Typical of you, isn't it?"

Just when Jaxton released his nose, he held it back again and inclined his head. "Never mind. Anyone got tissues?"

My focus wasn't on Jaxton's nosebleed, however, I snapped my head to the woods, believing I heard a distinct snap of a branch.



***



A/N

Jaxton: Cass, Cass, what are you looking at? I'm bleeding. Hello?

L