If they all returned...

No zapping, no sparkles, nothing!

A/N - I'm back! Again! In a not-so-very short space of time, and feeling pleased about the random(ish) way this book's going :)

- Schweizefille ^=^

Messenger of Fear's POV:

I was to descend upon them to reveal their game. The dome with mildly harmful gas that penetrated their lungs? Just a small preview of what was to descend upon them. My last performance as a Messenger. I would then be free to join the ignorant bliss of humanity. 

Seb's POV:

Umm okay. I must admit, I was kinda spooked by the Phase? I think they called it that. Something about a dome you can't escape from, with an age limit on it. It sounded bad. But at the same time, it was so cool! And then Sam started shooting green beams of light at us. Not cool. Neither was it when Diana held my hand. She had creepy long fingernails, and somehow determined I was at least a three? A three in what? She didn't elaborate. Mai was just a three, and my parents were ones. Then Sadie and Noah were deemed two and three respectively. Even they didn't know what was happening, and they knew everything. Then Sam asked Mai and I to see if we could feel any sort of power. I thought hard. Was there anything I could use? Not really. I had no recollection of any strange power, but then he asked us to punch the door floating nearby. 

Nothing out of the ordinary happened, we both just hurt our fists. When Sadie was asked, she smashed the entire thing into a million pieces. We floated in shock. Noah also tried, and failed. Turns out his power was super speed. He was the only one who could move around in the swirling gas, and I envied him. Mai's was shrinking. Both objects, people, and herself. She could even return them to their original size! And I, apparently, could manipulate water. The power with the most fun, gonna help me so much, blah blah blah. It was boring! I just created fancy shapes. No crushing, no zapping, no sparkles, nothing. But I swallowed my disappointment. For once, Mai deserved to be better than me. 

Quinn kept fidgeting. He then whispered in Sam's ear, before heading toward some boats. Probably a marine or something. I just couldn't focus. My gaze kept shifting to the sea on the horizon. Quinn had noticed, so before he left, he took me with him. Something leapt inside me. When we reached the dock, Quinn turned to me. 

"Alright kiddo. Let's show you how to get a boat together." He turned towards the nearest boat. "Most of these are rowing boats, with a few motor. But since I own a place here, and loved this dock so much the old owner let me have it, I brought in a few sails. Go grab one from the boat shed. I'll help you kit out one of the smaller ones first."

I started towards the boathouse. Grabbing one of the smaller sails, I heaved it onto my shoulder, realising I really needed to improve my strength. Not a forte of mine. With a lot of grumbling, I pulled it behind me, barely reaching Quinn before I collapsed. Quinn gently pried the sail from my hands. 

"Sorry kiddo." Genuine concern laced his voice. "I shoulda known you weren't able to do it alone." 

I couldn't reply, just sat there gasping on the floor as Quinn left and returned with a glass of water. He passed it to me, and I downed it in one. 

"Thanks Quinn. " I rasped, "I'm sorry I'm such a weakling. You should find someone else to help you. I won't be any good."

"And that's where you're wrong, kiddo." Quinn picked me up and carried me towards a nearby house, his I presume. After setting me on the couch, he left, but not before I had fallen into sleep's embrace.