Chapter 22: Overnight stay

As I got out an ice pack for my bruise Elaine started working her magic, I could see a faint green glow was placed above Sera's body at the corner of my eye. On the other hand, Arlo just stared at Sera's body as it was slowly being healed, everyone was silent.

Strange. How did she even get hurt in the first place? Arlo thought as he leaned against the table with arms crossed. Did someone overpower her? No that's absurd. Maybe she was jumped on? But she's too fast. Perhaps she was tricked? But even if that were the case she would have her kit to back her up. The only possible answer is that she didn't use her ability, or maybe she couldn't...

I was just about to place the ice on my arm a bright white glow was placed on my arm, I gasped in shock but quickly covered my mouth, making sure no one heard me. After a few seconds, the glow faded and left me with my arm completely healed. My eyes widened like saucers at the sight of my arm healed what the heck just happened?! I started to panic a little bit a little voice in my head then spoke, trying to calm me down.

"Crystal! calm down, it was me. I was the one who healed your bruise"

As she said that a wave of relief washed over me, phew for a second there I thought they were the reason why my arm suddenly healed, I thoughts as I silently chuckled to myself. I was about to ask her how could she do that but cut me off by saying

"I'll explain later but we should help your friend first" I nodded my head in agreement as I glanced over to Sera who is still unconscious, making me frown. Yeah, your right is all I said before placing the pack of ice back in the freezer and walk back over to them. Minutes have passed before Elaine finally pulled back deactivating her ability while wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. "O-okay, all done. Most of her injuries are from the stab wound, so she should be fine now." A piercing gaze that belonged to John landed on Elaine's trembling figure.

He narrowed his eyes "Then why hasn't she woken up yet?" The healer shivered and looked down at the ground, trying to avoid eye contact "I... it's strange. She's perfectly healthy... yet something is...off"

"Something is off, huh?" John scoffed. "NO SH*T!! Anyone could've figured that out! Be specific!"

"I-I don't know, okay?! That's beyond my power!" Out of reflex, Elaine raised her arms in front of her while squeezing her eyes shut, scared that John might try and hit her again. Arlo and I just watched the scene unfold, I can't watch this sh*t anymore I thought before I decided to break the intense atmosphere, "John, control yourself, or else you're going to end up doing something you're going to regret. I know you're concerned about Sera, but you need-"

"You, what have you done up until now John?" Arlo cut in, staring intensely at John. "If you want to know the cause, then figure it out yourself."

The two males had an intense staring contest before John looked away and sighed. We watched as John's eyes trailed down to the floor before closing them, It was clear that he was hesitant to say something then he looked at me. "...Hey Crystal...do you mind going into another room for a minute...? There just something I need to do that you can't be here for..."

Something he needs to do that I can't be here for...? Suddenly it clicked, The only reason he would say that it's either he really has something to do or...use his ability, but if that were the case then that means Arlo and Elaine already knew. My eyes started slightly watering but I lowered my head so they wouldn't notice. Why didn't he tell me he had an ability in the first place then, does Sera even know. As I was drowning in my thoughts the other three just stood there waiting for my answer. Should I just come out and say it...?

UUGH! fine I'll just come out.

"Uh, Crystal-"

"If you plan to use your ability, go ahead. You don't need to hide it from me anymore" I said with a sad tone in my voice. I then slowly lifted my head facing him.

He stiffened, eyes wide in disbelief and his hands curled up into fists, I guess I have my answer. He then whipped his head and glared in Arlo's direction. "Did you tell her ?! I swear to god-" He accused which startled me. Was he planning on keeping it a secret forever?

"I didn't." Arlo interrupted sharply, returning John's glare with his own. "There's no way she couldn't have noticed by now. For someone close to her, you sure haven't realized how observant she is." John was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe the fact that I figured it out. "H...how..."

"He's right. I found out on my own. I still don't know why you chose to keep this to yourself, but I do know you have your reasons. What I am concerned about is how Sera's going to react when she finds out. Even though I understand doesn't mean Sera will be the same. Sera's been your friend longer than I have and she trust's you a lot you know?" I said to him with a soft voice.

He was hesitant "...I know. I'll tell her eventually..just not now."

I nodded my head despite not believing him "Let's just continue this conversation another time. So go ahead and do what you're going to do."

John then took a deep breath before going over to Sera and kneel beside her, he looked up at Elaine who was still slightly shaking for a few seconds before looking back down at Sera, much to the healer's relief. I started getting confused about what John's ability was. " He was copying the girl's ability," Celeste said which made my eyes widened.

"So that's his ability?" I asked her, "Yup"

A small smile made its way up to my face, when I think about it Celeste just speaks at random times whenever I have questions huh? How convenient. After a few seconds, His eyes then started glowing a bright golden color which startled me. It felt weird to see John's eyes glowing. His hands hovering above Sera's body, he kept it there while it glowed the same color as his eyes.

Is the scanning for other injuries? So he just had to look at Elaine to copy her ability, pretty cool. All of a sudden John deactivated his ability and his eyes widened by a fraction. He turned Sera's head to the side to reveal a needle hole on her neck.

"What the hell is this?!" John shouted out.

"A needle..." Arlo answered agitated. "Maybe that's why she's not waking up. but how did they manage to catch her?" John clicked his teeth and looked down at Sera's unconscious body once again. "I don't care about that. I just wanna know who did this to her." Scooping up the girl's body, he carried her towards his bedroom.

Meanwhile, Arlo, Elaine, and I just stood there, as the atmosphere started getting really awkward. Elaine was the first to move from her place a walked off to somewhere, I wasn't really paying attention, but not long after she came back into the room with a glass filled with water in her hands.

"Crystal. Here I brought you some water." She said as she handed me the glass, I gave her a confused look but she just gave me a small smile in return.

"Uh, thanks." Accepting the cup from the girl, I looked at the glass before hesitatingly taking a sip from it.

"Also..." Elaine cleared her throat while tucking a strand of her blue hair behind her ear nervously. " I want to um, thank you for uh...taking the hit for me. I'm sorry we got off on the wrong start..."

I waved my hand, " It's okay, it's not a big deal." I said reassuring her.

"Still, Thank you, I appreciate"

The awkward silence then came back, we wandered off doing our own thing. But I couldn't help but feel uneasy, and anxious all of a sudden as if something really bad is going to happen.

Maybe I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night eating (Favorite ice cream).

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It was getting late so we all decided to sleep the night here, just to make sure Sera's safe. Elaine was getting ready to sleep on the couch, John's with Sera in his bedroom, Arlo' sitting on the armchair deep in thought, and I was in the bathroom, still confused as to why I was feeling more uneasy.

Maybe now is the right time to have a little chat with Arlo. And that's exactly what I did, I went up to Arlo and tapped his shoulder to get his attention, he faced me with a confused look I just motioned for him to come with me. I opened the door and went down the steps going a little further away from the house so we could have a private chat.

"Why did you call me out here-"

"It has something to do with you doesn't it?" I said slightly raising my voice, he looked at me confused making me glare at him

"I don't know what you mean-"

"Stop beating around the bush Arlo, I know exactly why you came to school with bruises"

After hearing this he no longer held his poker face but rather had a shocked expression shaking hands and sweat on his forehead. So it is true. I just glared at Arlo who was still trying to process what I just said.

"How did you find out?" He said with a confused and nervous tone.

" It's just like you said earlier, I'm observant". Arlo just sweatdrops but managed to keep calm.

"You can think whatever you want but..." He said making his voice softer " Can you please keep it a secret".

My jaw dropped at his request I have never seen or heard Arlo beg anyone before, yet he's doing it now. " I won't tell anyone, but one day everyone will know. Now... can you tell me exactly why you even came up with your great idea of bringing John in the middle of nowhere and plan to beat him up?!" I basically shouted at him, I wouldn't be surprised if John and Elaine heard us.

Arlo crossed his arms and turned his head, trying to avoid eye contact with me. "I just...wanted to teach him a lesson". I could feel the anger build up slowly inside of me.

"Teach him a lesson?! You just wanted to put him in his place, but you didn't expect him to be strong am I right? You just thought he was nothing but a cripple well guess what buddy? You are absolutely and utterly wrong! You guys even knew before me!"

"He was ruining the hierarchy! What was I supposed to do? Just wait around for someone else to fix it? I'm not like Seraphina and John who have the power but don't even care about the hierarchy!" He shouted back to me. I clenched my fist trying to control my anger, I then started walking towards the house my back facing him.

"Fine, you can think whatever but let me tell you..." I turned to face him "Everything even your little hierarchy will fall, and when it does you'll be regretting everything you did." And with that I went back inside and closed the door behind me, not giving him any time to respond. He'll have to realize it the hard way then.