The Unexplained

Chapter 9

Austin walks in soon after, running a hand through his light brown hair, and his eyes widen when he sees Conner. Jack sighs, again explaining. Austin pauses, staring at Conner warily, before sighing and walking into the kitchen.

And then Phe walks in.

My smile fades from my face, my laughter dying out from something Jack had said. I stare at her, and she returns my gaze with a slightly fearful, but defiant and confident look. Some of the respect and trust I had in her starts to return to this simple exchange.

-Phe-

Still slightly dazed from sleep, I walk into the room where I heard laughter, assuming that's where everyone is. I was right, and as everything quiets down, Abby turns her head to look at me. In her eyes is distrust, scorn even, and I suck in a shaky, unnoticeable breath. I return her gaze with as much confidence as I can, trying not to look the slightest bit scared.

It's not that I am scared of her, but of what she thinks. I know it's not good to care completely about what others think, but Abby is one of my only friends, and I would rather not get on her bad side, ever. Something is off about her, and I'd rather not be on the receiving end when finding out.

"Phe, how'd you sleep?" Jack breaks the silence, a warm smile on his face, but his eyes flick to look at Abby nervously for a moment.

I shrug. "Alright, I guess..." I glance around, seeing Cas, and then a good looking man staring at me. We lock eyes, neither breaking away. There's a slightly curious look in his eyes, and I know he's studying me.

Werewolf...

I turn to look back at Abby as she speaks. "You owe me some answers, Phe." She says in a slightly stern tone and I sigh.

"Very well...mother..." I smirk slightly as I sit in a plush chair across from her spot on the couch. Her nose wrinkles slightly, and I glance at Austin, who is walking over, chuckling. He sits in the other plush chair, much like the one I'm sitting on, and leans forward slightly, interested.

Jack holds up a hand. "Before that, Abby, it may be best I make introductions now, for everyone." He looks at Conner, who nods. "Everyone, this is Conner-"

"A werewolf," I say, but there is nothing but coldness in my voice.

Jack purses his lips, before continuing. "Yes, a werewolf. Conner, meet Phe, the last Element Bender, as far as we know." He points to everyone else as he says their names, but I notice that when he gets to Abby and Cas, he doesn't say their species, just their powers. Weird fire for Abby, and nothing for Cas. For Austin, he says he's human and has accumulation powers.

Austin's eyes flick to look at me, silently pleading me not to say anything. I hesitate before I keep my mouth shut.

What he is...what he did...

That's all I really remember before passing out, and honestly, it's haunted me a little. I remember jolting awake last night, my hand clamped over my neck, my breathing quick and in short pants.

"Phe." Abby's sharp, blank tone snaps me back into reality. "You're not getting out of your situation...what we found out... you know that, right?"

I nod slowly.

You could just lie.

And I thought you had died, pity.

He scoffs. And where do you think you'd be, hm? You need me, whether you like it or not.

Whatever.

I look back at Abby, as I had been focused on a ladybug flying about outside the window. "Ask away..." I say quietly, not looking forward to this at all.

Should I lie? I could, they probably wouldn't know, as what I have done is in very, very old books, buried away in who knows what places. But if I want them to trust me, mostly Abby, I have to tell the truth.

Or at least...the vague truth...

"How did you survive?" This time, instead of a hard, flat tone, Abby sounds curious.

I hesitate, staring down at my hands, which fiddle with each other. "I don't-...I don't know..." I twitch at the memory, my mother's dead body flashing in front of my eyes. "I-I guess it was because I wasn't in the actual village when it happened..."

"Why was that?"

I flinch this time, and I bite my lip.

She sighs. "Why did you let a phantom into your soul? He could've controlled you or even eaten your soul."

Ew...I haven't eaten a soul in forever...they taste so...gooey and squishy...

I feel him shudder and I snicker mentally. "I...was five...and dying...he was standing there, and he offered to help...he-...he seemed nice..." I shrug a little, not really sure how to answer.

I barely remember it...only bits and pieces...of the horrible moments...

She blinks, before sighing. "How did he seem nice, Phe? He's a phantom!-"

"I know that, Abby!" I snap, looking up at her. "What would you do if you were five, had just watched everything and everyone you knew and love die in moments!? Huh?! If someone offered to help you, I'm sure you would've taken the chance."

She opens her mouth to say something, but Cas gives her a look. I raise an eyebrow as I see this before I sigh. "Abby, I also didn't know he was a phantom. I didn't know his help would mean merging with my soul and talking every day inside my head, alright? I thought-...at age five, I thought maybe a hospital...or something..."

She purses her lips, before sighing. "You're sure?...what if-"

I cut her off, holding up my hand. "There are no what-ifs Abby...it's as simple as that..."

That's when Cas speaks up. "Why did he leave you in the first place? Is there a certain time limit for you until you die?"

I pause. "He...was summoned to the phantom realm...and if I can get enough energy from Nature...maybe two days, at most..."

Jack nods. "And that's why you were tired...but...you should have woken up yesterday in the morning...what happened?"

I tense, and my eyes flick to look at Austin before I look back at Jack and I shrug. "I'm not sure..." Out of the corner of my eye, I see Austin relax, a relieved look in his eyes. I sigh, looking back at Abby, who's studying me. "Anything else? I've basically told you everything."

Except for your flames...

They can't know about that...only Austin knows, and I'm hoping he's forgotten...

She shakes her head and stands. "I'm getting some food." She announces and walks into the kitchen. I sigh and lean back.

I wonder if it's still there...

_______________________

Nyx: Okay, so, yes, nothing really "exciting" happened, but this is a cool down chapter from the previous!
Stay tuned for the next few, there'll be plenty of action!

Sky: You sound like some weird announcer person when you say that, lol. You don't have to have an author's note at the end of every chapter XD

Nyx: There isn't...