Chapter # 39

Strangely, there weren't many injuries. Though Katie was relieved, Ethan was more than perplexed, unable to comprehend how she wasn't more severely hurt even after being under that heavy pile of bricks.

Later, they found themselves in the lounge, the air thick with tension.

Ethan: "Come on, Katie. This won't suffice. You need sustenance to engage in any conflict."

Katie: "I just don't feel like eating anything."

Ethan: "Is something bothering you?" Her eyes welled up with tears. Unable to contain herself any longer, she began to cry.

Katie: "How ineffectual and useless I am to be unable to save anyone. Neither my grandma, nor my friends, not anyone!" Witnessing Katie in such a despondent state, his heart sank. Instinctively, he pulled her into a comforting embrace, gently patting her back.

Ethan: "Calm down. We'll save everyone. I won't let anyone get hurt, including you. But you need to be brave and not lose hope like this. Just do what you can and leave the rest to me."

She looked at him, and he offered a reassuring smile. Surprisingly, she felt a sense of relief. Looking at him always provided her with courage.

Katie: "Thank you for always cheering me up." She hugged him back. Ethan was quite surprised at her action, and his heart skipped a beat.

Ethan: "Y-you're always welcome." They found solace in each other's embrace, yet the moment was interrupted.

Mia: "Hey, Katie. Where are you guys?" She called for them and entered the lounge. Katie and Ethan immediately broke the hug.

Mia: "Oh, there you are."

Katie gave her a smile while Ethan wore a 'would-you-please-get-lost' expression (ರ_ರ).

Katie: "Why are you here? You shouldn't get up from your bed. Just call me if you need anything." Her heart ached every time she looked at her, bandages covering her body.

Mia: "I just wanted to talk about something. What's going on? And how come you have powers?"

Katie: "Take it easy, Mia. I'll tell you everything. Let's go back to your room."

Mia went to her room, and Katie was about to leave when Ethan grabbed her hand. She turned to look at him.

Ethan: "Don't tell her everything. We still can't trust her fully."

Katie: "I don't understand why you are so suspicious of her. But okay, I won't tell her everything."

Two days later, when Katie woke up, she was surprised to see Mia making breakfast in the kitchen.

Katie: "What are you doing? You shouldn't move so much. Your wounds will-" Katie stopped when she looked at her wounds. Surprisingly, her injuries had healed earlier than expected. There were only scars that remained.

Ethan: "Woah, where did your wounds go?" He said sarcastically, knowing that something was off with Mia. But Katie elbowed him and glared.

Not thinking much of it, she actually felt happy that Mia got better so fast. She went to her and hugged her.

Katie: "I'm sorry you had to suffer so much. I promise I'll protect you from now on. You're very precious to me."

Mia: "Thank you."

Katie: "Go and sit. I'll prepare the rest and set the table."

Mia: "Sure thing." she said and left the kitchen.

Ethan: "Have you gone blind? Can't you see that there's clearly something going on with her."

Katie: "What do you mean?"

Ethan: "Katie, she's definitely hiding something. There's no way a normal human can get better that fast. She didn't even get a fracture, though she had a freaking pile of bricks over her! Why can't you set your sentiments aside and think practically for once?"

Katie: "How can you say that, Ethan? She's our friend. Shouldn't we trust her?"

Ethan: "Not every friend is a real friend. I didn't want to tell you this, but things are getting out of control."

Katie: "What are you talking about?"

{Flashback}

Ethan and Katie were discussing their plan to attack the witch when someone accidentally hit a vase, causing it to fall. Katie and Ethan got startled.

Mia: "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you guys. I just wanted to get some water."

Katie: "No. It's fine. How are you feeling?"

Mia: "I'm good. But why aren't you guys sleeping?"

Katie: "Oh, we were just discussing-"

Ethan: "We were just going to bed." He said, cutting her sentence, not wanting to tell Mia about their plan. Little did he know she had already heard all of it.

Mia: "Oh, okay."