Slugterra: Secrets Sparkling Within

~4~ How typically unexpected

Terralynn's POV:

"...all thanks to one walk. One normal, casual walk around Slugterra like we do almost every day and this happens."

My hands were situated on my hips, and I had been pacing back and forth in front of Flame for what seemed like forever. I was probably going to make a groove in the floor if I trampled the grass any further, but I couldn't stop.

Why did these things keep happening to me? Was it some sort of bad luck? Apparently, misfortune loved to torture me until I succumbed to it and felt the awful effects of it's wrath. This was one of them.

I wanted to run a hand through my hair, but I couldn't as it was in a braid, so instead, I smoothed my bangs, which had no tangles (so really, what was the point?). A sigh escaped my lips. I shifted to face Flame, who still had his orange eyes on me.

"It had to be them, of all the residents of Slugterra," I continued. "Couldn't it have been someone else? And if they've taken down all sorts of villains, which includes Dr Thaddeus Blakk, why couldn't they manage that guy in the cave? I thought one of them was more than capable of handling themselves in a dangerous situation."

"Maybe it was a surprise attack."

"Ever heard of "expect the unexpected"?"

"Terra, you're being a little over dramatic. I could be wrong, and you wouldn't know it until you...well, meet up again."

My eyes widen in perimeter, and I'm pretty sure that if my pupils could shrink, they would now. Although I could use my powers to make that happen...I pushed the distraction away immediately, and focused on staring at the Infurnus like he had just grown another head.

"No, no and no. You hear me?" I said, my voice firm. "There is no way I am ever going to see him again, unless it's a complete coincidence. But I'll still hide."

That's when something I didn't know Flame had within him snapped. I thought of all the possible reasons: the words I used, the tone of my voice, my posture radiating slight anger and exasperation. Add them all together and, yeah, you have one lecture-y Infurnus. I must have pushed him to the breaking point; something I never done before.

"Why do you need to hide?" he asked, waving his tiny arms about for emphasis. "What are you so afraid of? Exposing yourself?"

"Yes," I cut him off halfway. He knew the reason that I did, and it was a good one. If I had gotten involved with anyone knowing who I really was, it would be too late to take back.

"Terralynn, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. Your secret is what makes you special. For seven years you've been living here, helping us, training us and yourself, and hiding from the world. It isn't right. It's time you get back out there. It's not because we're bored with the life we have, but at some point in time, you have to be brave and step out of your comfort zone."

No slug was playing anymore. Slience filled the cavern. Even the waterfall seemed quieter when it rushed down into the gentle stream. As much as I hated to admit it, and as much as it killed me, he was right. Realisation hit me like a lightning bolt to the head. It really had been seven years. Seven years. That almost made me take a step back in shock. It didn't seem that long to me until now that he mentioned it. I had no idea what to expect when I went back out there, out of the comfort of my home cavern, and into the world of Slugterra, because I'd been too busy avoiding all contact whatsoever.

But hey, life was full of surprises, right?

It also struck me why Flame was considered the leader of my slugs. He was really, really good at persuasion.