The Wastelands

Lilia moved from one tree to the next. Grabbing onto a branch and swiftly reaching out for the next one. She let the trees' whisperings guide her, feeling the wind soar around her, whipping against her clothes.

She was blindfolded, but through her thin headband, Lilia could still see quite a lot. Like three pairs of glowing eyes, close by, more visible in the darkened Wastelands.

Narrowing her field of vision helps with her sensory overload issues. Also, the Wastelands especially had a lot going on that it hindered her more than helped if she didn't restrict at least one of her senses.

Despite that, running through the Wastelands was oh so enjoyable. To be able to move without worrying about being seen was so refreshing. Lilia couldn't help but show off a little. Though she knew she wasn't the only one.

*Woohooo,* screamed a very high-pitched female voice in her head. *This is so much fun!* Heather laughed with glee. Her pouting from earlier was long forgotten.

Lilia winced when the noise bounced around in her head. Being telepathic had many benefits, but volume control was not one of them.

'Heather,' Lilia sighed, 'our more energetic member.' She turned to face her three team members while instinctively avoiding a tree truck. It wasn't hard, because she had a habit of making use of her hearing and sense of smell more than her eyesight.

*Can you tone it down? You're giving me a headache,* Lilia asked with a wince.

*Sorry,* Heather said with a forlorn look. It hadn't lasted a minute until that mischievous grin slipped back on her face. She twirled around, not even bothering to hide the fact that she didn't need her hands and feet to manoeuvre around the trees.

Lilia rolled her eyes. Sometimes Lilia didn't know what to do with Heather's so-hyper-that-she-might-be-on-crack personality. That was why it was a good thing they had Terran's more solid character to balance out Heather's craziness.

*And just a minute ago, you were sulking because Headmistress Weatherly wouldn't allow you to drive the jeep,* her more solid and dependable twin brother scowled softly.

Heather stuck her tongue at him. *I can't help it that I am adaptable, little brother. This is fun and all, but I still think it isn't fair that Bryson and Druid get to ride in style. While we risk our lives out here. They always get special treatment.*

Okay, Heather had a point, but it wasn't like they had any choice in the matter. Bryson and Druid were the poster children of Compound 8, so it made sense for them to go to the party, whereas the rest of them were merely students. Being seen at all would make them look suspicious.

Lilia heard Terran's sigh in resignation. He couldn't argue with that.

Heather grinned back with triumph, then twirled around them effortlessly and laughed all the way. Lilia just g.r.o.a.n.e.d, Heather may be right, but it didn't justify her behaviour, especially when they were on a mission. If only Terran weren't so passive.

Lilia scolded, more sternly this time, *Heather!*

Lilia felt eyes on her, but she didn't bother to turn her head to locate him. Acknowledging Shadow would only give him more fuel to ignite his unstableness.

'What are you going to do?' Her mind moved back to Druid's warning.

***

Right Before Leaving the Compound.

Lilia was preparing to set off into the Wastelands but was interrupted by Druid's telepathic message. *May I speak with you? Privately.* Startled, Lilia looked back to see Druid met her eyes. She was twirling her beautiful red hair around her finger like she always did when she was worried about something.

Lilia didn't know how to respond. She was still mad at her, but Druid wouldn't call her out in such a way if it weren't necessary.

*Please!* Druid insisted.

"Um, I forgot to give something to Druid," Lilia spoke aloud.

"Can't this wait." Headmistress Weatherly responded, impatient.

"Fine," the headmistress reluctantly agreed. "Don't take too long."

Lilia moved closer to Druid. "What's going on?" Lilia asked.

"Something going to happen," Druid replied, while she steered Lilia away from the impatient looking Bryson and their escort.

"What's going to happen?" Lilia whispered.

Druid paused, then took a deep breath before looking directly into Lilia's eyes. "Soon, you have to step back and let me take control. No matter what your instincts tell you," she whispered. "If not, something bad will transpire." She paused before continuing, "Darkness-overflowing-and-agonizing-screaming bad."

When Lilia thought of darkness, it reminded her of… "Shadow?"

"Most likely," Druid agreed. "That's the only thing that makes sense." She paused, swallowing.

"And the WMP?" asked Lilia. She noticed how startled Druid was when the WMP was mentioned earlier, and she had her suspicions that it might be related to Druid's visions.

Druid nodded. "I don't know how, but they are involved somehow." It seemed vague, but that was how Druid was sometimes. She kept her cards close to her c.h.e.s.t until she was sure.

Lilia was scared to death.

***

Present.

Lilia couldn't deny that Druid's vision worried her. But right now, she needed to focus on the mission. She couldn't let her growing fear of Shadow overshadow anything else. At least for now.

'Wait. A noise.'

She signalled the others to stop.

There, in the darkness, was a stirring of life. Guards were patrolling the surrounding areas. Two of them and.... barking. 'Dogs.'

The guards were still a little beyond the tree line. Close enough to the outpost to run if any danger arises.

'They were not aware yet; well, not the guards. The dogs, on the other hand...'

She gave the signal to the others. Heather grabbed her brother with her telekinesis, and they disappeared, flying higher into the trees. Lilia reached forward, but before she grabbed Shadow's hand.

"Oh, boy, I'm happy that the boss ordered us all to guard the party after this rotation. It's eerie as f.u.c.k out here," one guard said.

The other guard responded, "I know, and the cold..."

'Guard the party? Well, that's curious.'

She felt Shadow's touch. "We need to go." He whispered.

Sighing. Lilia reached out again, and she braced herself for the upcoming feeling of cold and emptiness as she disappeared into the grey.

***

When they got to their rendezvous point. A hill within the Wastelands that had a clear view of the front of the stone-walled outpost. As well as the surrounding area. Though they could only glimpse the cliffside leading into the water beyond.

Lilia was shivering. Shadow's shadow-walking ability was hard to get used too. It was cold, grey and ghostly figures were swirling around them.

"Do you have eyes on the party?" asked Lilia after Heather was finished assembling the sniper…without a scope, Heather had better eyesight than Lilia.

Heather used her sniper as a guide. "Yes." Her voice was cold. It was kind of unnerving how quickly she switched from being scattered-brained, free-loving Heather to cold, business-like Heather. "The big window at the front has a clear view of the party."

"Can you locate Bryson and Druid?"

Heather paused for a minute, then said, "Yes."

'Damnit,' Lilia cursed. 'We can't pull them out.'

Lilia's eyesight may not have been as good as Heather's, but hers was enhanced enough to know that there were only the b.a.r.e minimal guards at the exits and no patrols, so it didn't match the guard rotations they received.

'So, either they knew that someone was coming, and it was a trap, or Major Hatten had something planned for his guests, and it was a trap. Either way, it was still a trap.'

Lilia sighed and contacted everyone through her telepathic link. *Listen up, I think that Major Hatten is planning something…* then explained her observations.

Bryson responded immediately. *Then, we should leave.*

*What are we going to do?* Terran asked telepathically.

*Exactly as planned,* she replied.

*But that's...*

*Crazy,* Lilia answered back. *Pretty much. But with Bryson and Druid already in the building, that's all we can do right now.* She glanced at the twins and Shadow. After stepping away from the sniper rifle, Heather was back to her usual energetic self. *If anyone has a better idea, I'm listening.*

Lilia didn't like the situation, but what else could they do. It wasn't as if the group didn't have any better ideas.

At the same time, the twins shook their heads in denial.

Lilia smiled at their identical earnest expression. 'Ahh, they were so cute. Like little puppies. Lilia resisted the urge to hug them.'

Bryson interrupted Lilia's musing. *While I agree that sticking to the plan is the best option, there is one little hitch. Major Hatten's office is close to the representative's party, meaning…*

*…that the security around the office will be tightened as well.* Lilia glanced at the blueprints that Stella gave her to confirm, and there it was, close to the banquet hall on the second floor. She wanted to smack her head. Major Hatten's office was their primary target.

Shadow said in a matter-in-fact way, *That won't be a problem for me.*

Bryson spoke up again, "I think leaving a trail of bodies would be a bit much, don't you agree?"

Rolling her eyes, she let the boys argue it out, Lilia needed to think of something. But before she could, she heard something awfully familiar.

Startled, Lilia looked up… and saw a falcon with silver wings. 'When did he...?'

She mentally shook her head, leaving the matter of the falcon aside. Never mind, she should focus on the problem at hand.

Following the original plan was the only way, because they didn't have time to think of anything else, but to have so little manpower guarding the outside perimeter still bugged her, and where did all the dogs go? If they didn't have that, then they must have…

"Traps!" Lilia said aloud, then blushed and said telepathically, *That's why there are no patrols. They must have set up traps instead. If I…*

*Set off the trap deliberately?* questioned Heather. *Then, the guards will come looking.*

*Exactly.*

*That's insane!!!* she exclaimed with a little too much enthusiasm. *I like it.*

*Hmph.* Terran crossed his arms. *You would say that.*

Heather stuck out her tongue in retaliation.

Lilia winced, then continued. *I will set off the trap. And you...* she glanced at the silent Shadow, his long dark hair and dark skin blending in with the dark night. All except for his light grey eyes. *You will get the evidence we need.*

Shadow frowned. *I don't like how you're knowingly putting yourself in danger. Let me...*

Bryson interrupted, *And don't get me started with how many things that could go wrong. Not to mention the Headmistress…*

Lilia put up her hand in silence. *It is the only thing we've got that might have a chance of working. You are stealthier than I am, and the best chance we've got to get to the evidence undetected.*

*It would be a lot easier if I just kill him, rather than sneaking around like rats.* Shadow's anger was evident.

*If Headmistress Weatherly thinks that it's a better choice then she would have arranged for his death a long time ago,* she stated. *I will be fine, and if I am in any trouble, I will just call.*

Lilia tried to lessen Shadow's worries, but it was futile. His grey eyes got even stormier.

*You'd better, or I will tie you up, and you will never leave my sight again,* he promised.

She couldn't stop shuddering a little in fright. There was nothing but the conviction in Shadow's voice.