Feeling came back slowly to the downed girl. First was the dull pain from before, so that had to be a good sign that she was alive. Though how much she really didn’t know. Kitten didn’t think she could hear her heartbeat but didn’t think much of it. Darkness seemed to stay with her from then until eternity, but eventually her body did get enough energy to blink her eyes open.

When this happened, it seemed to cause a chain of events in her body to have everything else start working for her. She was aware of the uneven, bare ground beneath her, of the dark sky dotted with stars, of how dry she seemed to be and of the cold. Well…actually it didn’t feel cold at all to her. Strange, she thought that the chill cut her to the bone. It wasn’t warm but…it felt cool now at least. Also the mist no longer to be sapping anything out of her. In fact, it was as if it was increasing her strength somehow. With each breath she took, she felt something coming back and it wasn’t long before she could sit up.

Kitten looked around, wondering where the wolves went to, but was happy to see that they weren’t around. Or where there wolves? After all, if she thought this cool weather was bone chilling before, than maybe there hadn’t been any werewolves to begin with? Not to mention her clothes. Shouldn’t they be more than soaked at the moment? Maybe she had imagined all of that and had just run here when she was running away from her problems.

The girl took in a deep breath, letting the mist sink into her being, and stood up, swinging her arms back and forth. She felt…good. Lighter, somehow. Like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Kitten smiled and giggled. The giggling almost turned into full blown laughter but she forced herself to stop. What was wrong with her? Oh well, Kitten hadn’t felt this good in years and she didn’t want to waste it. She thought about Miss Dani and her failed attempts at making friends. None of this must have happened. Yes, that’s right. It was all just a dream! She must be in Queen’s Park right now. Admittedly, a damn bad part of Queen’s Park, but still! She better make her way home before her Ugama got mad at her again.

Kitten let a wide smile cross her face and took a wide, confident step forward. The smile went away as she felt something crunch under her foot. That’s strange, there didn’t seem to be any branches or anything of the like here. The girl looked down and slowly blinked. Indeed, it wasn’t a branch she had stepped on. It had actually been a bone, and one that didn’t quiet look human. Kitten looked around her and saw that there were many other bones around her, all bare, all dry, shining in the dim light, and all seeming to look like dog bones or else some grotesque version of wolf and human bones melding together.

Kitten let out a loud scream.

-/-/-

“Oh Allah…what have I done!? What’s going on!? What happened to them, what happened to me!?” Kitten asked herself as she speed walked down the hallways of the castle. It hadn’t been hard to find the giant architecture from the forest, though for some reason she rushed out of the woods as soon as she could. It was…as if it didn’t want her in it anymore.

One hand on her forehead, Kitten continued to shake her head back and forth. “Oh Allah…just what happened to me back there?” She groaned and, not knowing what else to do, just stopped right where she stood and got down to her knees. The girl went through the [i]Salah[/i] over and over again, asking Allah for forgiveness and guidance in this time of the upmost need.

It was during this time that one of the assistants found her and showed the girl to her room. Kitten was only more than happy to enter it. She saw that Umiyuri was already in her bed and seemed to be asleep, but shot her head up when the door closed behind Kitten. The two girls looked at one another. Kitten expected the artist to say something, but she just blinked slowly and got back under her covers. The girl sighed, both happy and a bit sad that her roommate didn’t seem to care. At least this was she would avoid uncomfortable questions.

Kitten just grabbed her night time supplies and once again entered the bath room. The energy she had from the cold lake was still there, but the horrible realization of what happened drained whatever energy she got. The girl just took in a deep breath and let it out in a sigh as she took off her clothes and got the water running for a bath.

As the tub filled up, going over to the large mirror in the room and looking at herself. She didn’t see any changes. Hairs still a boring flat. Eyes still a very dull colour. The scar from so long ago still cutting across her neck and chest. The outline of her tattoo on her left arm still intact. Whoa, wait a second. What tattoo?

Kitten quickly turned her body while still keeping her eyes on the mirror and looked at the side of her left arm. What was blank before now had the black tattoo of a whale on it in the tribal style. The girl blinked quickly and gently brushed her right hand over the drawing on her skin. She flinched a little as she pressed down on the flesh; the spot was sore and soft.

So was this all she got out of the whole experience, a tattoo? Kitten sighed in relief. She thought that whatever had revived her would have wanted something much more than just branding her. Maybe this was its slogan and it just wanted to do some advertisement. Almost dead? Come to the mist filled lake in the dark side of the forest! We’ll get you bright as new and decorate your body while we’re at it!

Kitten heard a chuckle behind her and turned around quickly. Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to find the source but only seeing an empty room. The girl staid as she was, every hair posed and ready for the unknown threat. Strange that she seemed to be so calm though. Her mind was racing like crazy but her heart was just a still as ever. Huh, that was weird.

The soft trickling of water hitting the floor brought Kitten out of her frighten state and she rushed over to the tub, shutting off the water before she would flood the entire room. The girl sighed at her absentmindedness and unplugged to let some water out.

[i]Must have been my imagination.[/i] Kitten thought, then sighed. Yeah, just like the rest of her day, right?

-/-/-

Kitten woke up around seven o’clock this time, slightly better than the day before. Though she still felt horrible over everything that happened yesterday. She wondered if anyone had reported those wolves missing yet? What if they figured out…no, she would not let her mind wonder like that, not before she even got some food into it yet.

Speaking of food, when the assistant once again showed her to the main hall, she found herself even less hungry than before. She took only a couple pancakes and a some scrambled eggs, topping it all with a glass of orange juice. When she was done, she looked around for the brunette she had sat with the day before. It wasn’t hard to find her, though this time she didn’t seem to be looking at anything.

When Kitten sat down, the woman looked up again but didn’t put anything behind the look. Maybe she had already accepted that the girl was just going to be there from now on? Kitten took that as a good sign. She also felt more encouraged at the moment, some feeling from the lake returning to her. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the woman.

“Um…hi…m-my name’s Kitten A-Arbore, f-from Toronto. W-who a-are you?” Okay not the greatest of introductions but at least it was a vast improvement from yesterday.

The brunette looked up again and frowned a bit, not expecting Kitten to talk. Maybe she thought that the girl couldn’t talk. Just as Kitten slumped her shoulders in defeat, the woman said: “My name’s Cheryl Mason, it’s nice to meet you Kitten.”

Kitten immediately sat up straighter as Cheryl greeted her back. Alright…maybe this school wasn’t going to be as bad as she thought. She noted that Cheryl didn’t say where she was, but neither did Umiyuri so she just figured that some people didn’t want to talk about where they’re from.

“So…um…Cheryl, are you new here as well?” Kitten asked, trying to start some small talk. She noticed the looks she got from the upper table and how some of them seemed to be speaking to each other quietly.

“No, I’m a Second Year,” Cheryl explained, then continued as Kitten opened her mouth, “and out of what? Well…graduation is a tricky thing here. I mean, everything in this school is tricky, but this is another one of those confusing aspects of it. You see, there are no set years until you graduate. I’ve known people who were here for a decade, and some who were hear only for a year. It all just depends on if the headmaster or whoever is in charge here thinks you’re ready to take on the worlds.”

Kitten blinked in amazement. Not as much as what she heard, but that Cheryl revealed so much about the school and her situation. Though the fact that she could be here for a decade, and never know when she might be able to leave did frighten her a bit.

“Um…thanks a lot Cheryl,” Kitten said, smiling a bit, “you didn’t have to tell me so much about yourself…thanks.”

Cheryl gave a short laugh. “You really think you learned something about me from that little bit? Trust me, you didn’t,” she said, then sighed. “I don’t like talking about myself all that much, so please don’t ask any questions right now. When it comes to this school, though, I’ll tell you everything I know. Just ask.”

Kitten looked down as the woman shot her down, feeling embarrassed. She expected a blush to come across her face but it never came. Still…this would be a great time to understand the situation she found herself in. So, she took out her class schedule and handed it to Cheryl who took it.

“Is there anything that you can tell me about these teachers? I’ve already had Ms. Dani, and was supposed to go to Mr. Ignis class, but…things happened.”

“Dani broke you down too much? Don’t worry about, there’s always someone who runs from that class. At least you didn’t start cutting yourself,” Cheryl said with a smile, then frowned. “But still…to have both that bitch and Ignis…I don’t envy you Kitten. This doesn’t look like it’s going to be an easy year for you.”

Kitten could only frown. “Why…what’s wrong with them? I mean…I’ve already seen what Dani can do, but what’s wrong with Ignis?”

“Trust me, Kitten, when you’re in his class, it’s best if you get a seat in the middle and do everything you can to go unnoticed,” Cheryl warned. “It wouldn’t be quiet as bad if you were a boy…no, that’s a lie. That bastard will hit on anything that catches his fancy. I don’t think it even has to be human shape. I know one of my friends, a blue haired kid named Kalas, really had a hard time with him. I’m also afraid for another friend of mine, Audrey Jones. Actually, you’ll meet her in Weapons Practice today.”

“Okay…thanks,” Kitten said with a nod, taking in as much as she can, “how about any of my other teachers?”

“Well I have to say, other than the sex crazed duo, you didn’t luck out quiet as bad.” Cheryl said, a smile crossing her face. “For instance, Sorin of your Weapons Practice class was one of these people who got out in their first year. He’s a real nice guy and should be able to help you out. Not to mention he’s pretty good looking,” she chuckled at the last part and shook her head. Kitten could only wonder who she was laughing at or about, as it didn’t seem to be at herself.

“The same goes for Azumi in your Fitness Training. Though she’s more…stand offish than Sorin, not to mention runs you a lot harder. Don’t worry though, as long as you’re trying your best she won’t be too hard on you. Steve in your Star Reading class is…also nice, but a bit strange. Isaac Zivaku in your Flight Training may seem like a cold jerk,” here a soft smile crossed Cheryl’s face and this time Kitten could tell the woman was thinking about herself, “but underneath, he has a heart of gold. Legode in your Monster Taming class is very nice and will do what she can to protect you in that class. Just don’t piss her off, she’s very creative when it comes to punishments and Yeths is only more than happy to help.”

Kitten frowned at the last part. So…she would have to deal with real monsters. She thought that they were just going to talk about it or, if the books were written right, that the class was completely different.  Despite Cheryl’s assurance, she didn’t know how she would handle that class.

“Lastly,” Cheryl continued, “you have…Urd?” she blinked a couple times at the name, but then laughed. “Ooh boy, you’re going to have a lot of fun in that class, I can tell you right now. Again, you have nothing to fear from her, unless you piss her off of course.”

As the woman handed the schedule back, she noticed the downcast look on Kitten’s face and sighed.

“Look, I know this seems like a lot and I’m sure that this is way more than what you’re use to having to deal with, but no matter how frightening these classes seem to be, you will be able to get past them. Don’t worry, even Dani and Ignis have to protect you guys, even if they would find it more enjoyable to watch you die a horrible death. Also, if you’re really having trouble, the powers that be will notice and will assign a teacher to help you out.”

“Is that what happened to you?” Kitten asked as she looked up, then clamped a hand over her mouth. She wasn’t supposed to ask Cheryl questions about herself!

Cheryl just sighed. “I guess I could give this tidbit. Yes, I did get assigned a teacher during my First Year, and I’m still with that teacher.”

Cheryl didn’t say anything more and Kitten didn’t ask. The girl figured that she got all that she could get from the woman at this moment. The girl looked at her watch and her eyes went wide.

“Oh man, I’m going to be late!” Kitten said as she stood up, taking the untouched tray with her.

“Weapons right? I’ll show you where it is,” Cheryl said as she also picked up her empty plate.

The two females got rid of their dishes and zig-zagged through the castle to a room that looked more like a dojo than a class room. Hundreds of weapons lined the west and east walls, some seeming plan, others extraordinary and more than one she couldn’t even think about what it would be. Students seemed to be huddled around the north end.

“Well, here’s your room. I know it’s still just introduction right now, but still be on your best behavior.” Cheryl said, then looked in through the door and grinned, pointing into it. “You see that girl over there in pink and red?”

Kitten looked into the room and followed Cheryl’s finger, seeing a girl with brown hair, wearing a pink dress and beret with a red ribbons and shoes. “Yeah, I see her.” The girl replied.

“That’s my friend Audrey I was telling you about. Go on and talk to her, I’m sure you’ll be able to make friends with her.” Cheryl said, then seeing Kitten’s nervousness, pushed her into the room. “Come on Kitten, show them your claws!”

“Um, sure…I guess…” Kitten said as she walked into the room. Was everyone going to make a jab at her name? Still, at least the brunette was nice enough to give her information about the school.

Kitten soon stood next to Audrey, who was craning her neck looking for something, and after a deep breath for courage, said; “H-hey! M-my name’s K-Kitten. Y-you’re Audrey…r-right?”

Audrey stopped whatever it was she was doing and jerked her head to glare at Kitten, causing the girl to cower into herself.

“Yes, I’m Audrey, how do you know that?” The girl in pink asked, an edge to her voice.

“C-C-Cheryl t-told me a-about you. S-she said w-we should meet,” Kitten stuttered and pointed to the entrance. Audrey followed the finger and her demeanor relaxed as she saw the brunette at the door. The girl laughed and waved to her friend, Cheryl just chuckled and waved back before finally leaving.

“Sorry about that Kitten, you just can’t be careful in a place like this,” Audrey said in a much more pleasant manner, “if someone you don’t know knows your name, you can be sure that’s never a good sign.”

“Right…I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Kitten said, standing up straighter.

“So how did you and Cheryl meet?” Audrey asked, once again looking around for something.

“I just sat with her at her table during breakfast,” Kitten answered, then frowned. “But it’s strange, Cheryl talks like she knows a lot of people and is friends with them, but she seems to sit by herself.”

“Oh that’s just Cheryl, she likes to be by herself,” Audrey replied, distracted. “She’s been through a lot, you know. Once you get to know her she loses some of that guard, but I don’t think she’s quiet over what happened…”

Audrey shook her head and turned to look at Kitten. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to seem uninterested in our conversation. I’m just looking for the teacher-“

“Mr. Sorin right?” Kitten said, then flinched. “Sorry…”

The girl in pink just smiled. “That’s fine, I bet you’re real nervous and excited right now. Have you been to any other classes?”

“Yeah, Ms. Dani’s.”

“I see…so you’re the girl that ran out crying?”

[i]Does everyone know about that?[/i] Kitten asked and looked down. Audrey sighed.

“Sorry…trust me I know how unpleasant she is. I just consider myself lucky I didn’t get her. Though of course I had to get Ignis’ class…” Audrey said, muttering near the end, sighing once more. “But I guess I should count my lucky stars. I know a few kids already in this school and I have Miss Aerith to help me out with the rest.”

“You have a teacher helping you too?” Kitten asked.

“Kind of…well, it’s not like with Cheryl. I’m more of an understudy,” Audrey replied. “Miss. Aerith is the school’s healer, and that’s what I’m training to become too. Now, before you ask what I’m doing in this class; well healers have to protect themselves too, don’t they?”

“Um…sure, I guess,” Kitten said, but she didn’t quite understand what Audrey was talking about. Sure she could guess what a healer was but…it just sounded so general, like it was a catch all for a certain group or people. Also she understood the need to protect yourself, Kitten had to stop herself from touching her tattoo, but why wouldn’t these ‘healers’ need to protect themselves as much?

Before the girl’s conversation could continue, a young man dressed in black entered from a door to the south and strode into the room. His hair was long and kind of messy, matching his clothes, and his eyes were a deep brown. A sword hung on from his belt on his side and swung with each step as he stood in front of the now silent class. Kitten heard Audrey sigh, but these sighs was much more content and almost dream like. Maybe that was way Cheryl and smiled when she told Kitten about this teacher. The girl looked at Sorin and figured that, yes, he probably was handsome, though she didn’t feel any attraction herself.
Mr. Sorin, scanned the room with a critical eye, a frown seeming to be etched onto his face. Just when Kitten was sure that Cheryl must have gotten him mixed up with some other teacher, he visibly relaxed and a wide smile crossed his face.

“Welcome everyone to Weapons Practice!” Sorin announced, opening his arms to the class. “Here is where you will figure what style fits you the best or, if you have one already in mind, perfect it. Now since this is just an introduction, I’m not going to be quizzing you too hard on what you should use today. I’m just going to test the waters here.

“Now, raise your hand if you already have a weapon of your own,” Sorin asked and a good handful of the class raised their hands, Audrey included. Strange, Kitten didn’t see anything on her that could be a weapon. “Good, now who here doesn’t have a weapon, but have used one or at least have a good idea of what they could use?” Even more hands rose at the question. “Great, now who has no idea what they can or could do with a weapon?”

Kitten raised her hand and looked around. With a shiver of fear she realized that she was the only one. There was some muttering and she thought she heard a couple chuckles but a sharp look from Sorin brought silence to the room again.

“The young lady in grey, would you mind telling me your name and where you’re from?” Sorin asked, looking at the girl and giving a kind smile.

“K-K-Kitten A-Arbore, sir. F-from T-Toronto, C-C-Canada,” Kitten answered nervously.

“Kitten, that’s a nice name,” Sorin said with a nod, “why don’t you step up here for a bit?”

That was the last thing Kitten wanted to do, but she got a pat on the shoulder from Audrey who also said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. If anyone tries to laugh at you Sorin will shut them down, and if I hear any smack talk I’ll just show them what Inari and I can do!”

Kitten had no idea what she meant by the last part but, after taking a few deep breaths, walked to the half-way point between the class and Sorin. There was some muttering but, as Audrey had promised, they stopped talking as soon as the teacher gave them a look.

“Now, Kitten,” Sorin began, “I know that-“

“So sorry to interrupt,” a familiar female voice said that caused a shiver to go down Kitten’s spine.

The girl turned around and, sure enough, Dani walked into the room, followed by a well-dressed man in red with long hair and a cane. Just looking at the man caused Kitten to shiver again in fear. This must be Ignis, the Beastary teacher Cheryl had warned her about. Objectively, there wasn’t really anything wrong with the man just looking at him, but by his cold, hunting gaze and his constant, half smile, it truly sent the girl on edge.

“Dani, what are you doing here?” Sorin asked with a sigh. “Don’t you see I have a class? Actually, don’t you have one as well? Last I checked, you had one around this time. The same with you, Ignis.”

“We did,” Ignis said in a deep voice, his half-grin growing, “but you see, we found that they didn’t quite work with everything else we had to do. So, we simply put in a, request for moving it. Thankfully, the scheduling department agreed.”

“I bet,” Sorin said coldly, glancing at Dani for a second.

“And besides, it’s not like this is a real class,” Dani said as she walked the rest of the way towards Sorin, “all we’re doing is checking to make sure that our future has some kind of hope and to see if the Searchers made any mistakes.”

“There are no mistakes,” Sorin replied dryly.

“Oh you and I both know that’s not true, my warrior of the earth,” Dani said, standing very close to Sorin. She reached out a hand to place on his shoulder but he shrugged it off. Dani didn’t seem to notice. “Now, what do you say to just letting these bad apples rot and go for a drink? It’s on Ignis.”

Ignis nodded his head as his name was said and lifted his free hand to fiddle with a silver locket around his neck. Dani also place a hand on Sorin’s arm but the teacher didn’t push it off this time, though neither did he look at her.

Kitten turned around out of instinct and saw Audrey looking at the floor, hands clenched into fists and the girl thought that she could see the healer’s lips move, as if talking to someone.

“I’m sorry Dani, but once again I will have to decline the offer, again,” Sorin said, annoyance coating his voice. “Introductory class or not, I take my duty seriously and want all my students to succeed.”

“Oh really?” Dani asked and turned her sunglasses covered gaze to the class. In a split second, her head dipped and Kitten could feel the eyes behind the darkness staring at her. The platinum haired woman let out a loud, cruel laugh and she pointed a hooked finger at Kitten.

“Well! If you want your class to succeed than you best get rid of this leech as soon as possible! Ignis, dear, this is the pathetic cretin I was tell you about yesterday!” Dani laughed, a wide smile spreading across her face.

“Indeed, and not much more than wisp, isn’t she?” Ignis said, his smile matching the woman.

Kitten wanted to lower her head to the ground to avoid the cruel looks and laughter but felt that she couldn’t. No…it wasn’t that she couldn’t, it was more like something was telling her to keep her head up, to face this threat.

“Now, that’s more than enough!” Sorin yelled, turning his body to face Dani directly and putting a hand on his sword. “I will not have you insult my students! I suggest you leave immediately!”

“Of course, in a moment dear,” Dani said, shooing him away with her hand. “Now come on dear, why don’t we have another stab at this. Do you remember what I told you yesterday? Well you better because I’m not going to repeat it. Now, why don’t you try to show us this hidden power of yours? Obviously you must have it, otherwise you’re just wasting everyone’s time, and no good kitty wants to do that, now does she?”

Kitten closed her eyes, but not because she was concentrating, but because she was trying to fight backs the tears. Of course she didn’t have any powers! She’s just a girl! She had no business being here.

Suddenly, laughter rose up behind her. Kitten froze, not having any idea what was going on. Was she really losing it now?

[color=blue][i]Ah yes, that woman, the one who teased you so yesterday, correct? The one who drove you to me.[/color][/i] A voice said and Kitten gasped. It was the same voice from the lake!

[color=blue][i]I guess I should be grateful, but fist, lets teach her a thing or two about you, shall we? Let’s teach the teacher some respect.[/color][/i]

Kitten’s eyes snapped open and she shot her left arm out, a stream of ice cold water that made even the girl shiver came from the arm and crashed right into Dani. The woman gave a gasp of shock and appall.

“My dress!” Dani screeched.

[color=blue][i]Let’s not forget everyone else[/color][/i]

Kitten lowered her arm and spun in a circle, causing a wave of water come out around her and flood the entire room, making everyone wet. The girl was both scared and thrilled. This power…she had felt nothing like it before! It was amazing! She was doing it, she was doing all of this! Well, maybe…yes she was the one doing all the action, but it was if the voice was the one pulling the strings, whispering what to do and how to move her body.

“I think that’s quite enough!” Ignis shouted, his grin finally gone as he waved his arm, sending out black fire that pierced through the water and the chill, snaking its way towards Kitten.

Just before the fire hit her, Kitten turned to face it and swiped her right arm up, raising water that took the form of a well-endowed woman, though details couldn’t be seen. The water woman took the fire into her, absorbing it, then sent some water that harden into icicles by the time they reached Ignis who just barely dodged the deadly missiles.

The water-woman then wrapped her form around Kitten and wrapped her arms around her from behind. Kitten was now also covered in the cold water shivered, though not as much as she thought she would be and the girl thought that she could hear and feel something pulsing in the woman. The woman kissed Kitten behind her ear and then whispered: “[color=blue]Until next time, my Heart.[/color]” before turning back into water and dropping to the ground.

Kitten shook allover, more from fear and adrenaline than any actual cold. The room was completely silent and all eyes were on her. Kitten could only pant and do everything she could to not cry. What in Heaven had she agreed to back at that lake!?

“You!!” Dani finally screeched, “You will pay for this! I’ll make damn sure the head master hears all about this!!”

“Are you sure you want to do that, Dani?” Sorin said, shaking some water out of his hair. “After all, you’re not supposed to even be in this room, let alone trying to teach my students and telling them to do things they shouldn’t even be doing yet. Of course this happened, she probably doesn’t even know what she is or has yet. As for you,” here he turned on Ignis, “what in the gods’ names did you think you were doing!? You could have killed her with that fire! Don’t you dare to talk about those icicles either! That was self-defense!”

Sorin then narrowed his eyes, “In fact…aren’t you two still in pretty hot water from before? It would indeed be a shame if Alex were to hear about what happened in this room, considering how you, Dani, broke a brand new student down and you, Ignis, didn’t even bother to follow proper procedures.”

There was a tense silence and Kitten was relieved that everyone was looking at the teachers now instead of her. There seemed to be a mental war going on between the three teachers before Ignis finally sighed.

“Sadly he’s right Dani, its best if we just leave and pretend none of this ever happened,” Ignis said and began to walk out of the room, but stopped when he noticed that Dani didn’t follow him. Without looking back he said, “Not now! We’ve got enough to deal with already! Save it for another day.”

Dani still seemed to be trying to drill a hole through Sorin’s skull with her covered eyes but finally did relent and turned to walk out. Though, not before looking at Kitten. Though the girl could not see the woman’s eyes, which only made it worse as Kitten thought about the kind of look Dani must be shooting her. When both Dani and Ignis left, Sorin let out a deep sigh, as if he had been holding his breath the entire time.

“There…that should just about cover it,” Sorin said, then looked at Kitten, “but you better watch yourself from now on. Dani will try to find a way to get back. I’ll alert the head master of this, but be on your toes. Class dismissed.”

Sorin left the class through the door he entered and everyone began to mutter to themselves. Kitten just stood where she was, ignoring the looks she got from everyone who went past. The girl could only look down at her hands. What just happened? Where did that power come from, and why did her tattoo tingle? Also who was that woman in the water and why was that voice from the lake with her now? Nothing made sense!

When it seemed that everyone was gone, Kitten felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around quickly and braced herself, expecting a fight, but found only a startled Audrey.

“Hey, calm down there girl, it’s just me.” The now drenched girl in pink said, looking at Kitten with concern. “As much as I like to see those two get what they deserve, what happened back there?”

Kitten could only look at the floor and shake her head. “I…I don’t know,” she said.

[color=blue][i]Ah, but I do,[/color][/i] the voice said, causing Kitten to freeze up and Audrey to ask what was wrong, [color=blue][i]this, my heart, is the first step of your journey to power and respect.[/i][/color]