'I want to play the game!' I grunted and crossed my arms over my chest when the mobile asked me about the password again. Why do people have to set passwords?

I punched in several combinations of numbers and letters but all in vain. My heart leapt out of my chest when I heard footsteps coming at this way. 'Oh no.' I quickly hid the phone behind the cushion and flicked the tv on.

He sat on the sofa and searched for his phone. I ignored him and continued gazing at the tv interestingly watching a commercial. 'Did you see my phone?' He asked.

I shook my head in no. He picked up two cushions and when he picked up the third one, he sighed in relief and sat on the couch making me bounce because of his weight.

I pretended a yawn and peeked over his screen. '7v11' he typed the code. I instantly drew back to my position and gawked at the  television screen.

The streaming sunlight intruded and woke me up. I opened my eyes but shut them at the very moment. I blinked until they adjusted and rolled to my side.

His angelic face in a deep sleep stretched a wide smile on my face. He breathed evenly and looked relaxed. Not wanting to disturb him, I gripped his hand that draped loosely around my waist and tried to picked it up rather he tightened it more. His other arm was under his pillow and our legs were tangled into a mess.

'Why you're always in a hurry huh?' He spoke in a ragged tone.

'Cause I'm a morning person I guess?' I lied. Never in hell I'd be a morning person. If it wouldn't be SAB training, then I'll never get used of waking up five in the morning but today, it had gone way past five. It would be seven or eight in the morning.

'You forgot the times we all eight had to wake you up with water? And you call yourself a morning person?'

'Well that was before and it's now.' I answered. His eyes were still closed. Our faces were merely inches apart. His warm breath sent tingling sensation down my spine. Just move an inch, and our nose tips would be touching.

'I don't feel any difference.' He stated.

'I do. A lot.' I said after a long pause and shifted to lay on my back instead of my side and faced the ceiling. His hand on my stomach. 'Sometimes I just want this shit to stop. I mean like wouldn't it'd be fun if we'd had simple lives, we'd be simple teenagers, met in a school , fell in love with each other, grow up like a normal people, married and stuff.' I turned my head to his side and found him staring at me intensely. 'Don't you want it?'

'No.' He said simply and leant back on his back staring at the ceiling.

'Why?' I asked, perplexed by his answer.

'Because I don't know if I'll ever be happy than I am right now. I know it sucks , being here , figuring shit out while other teenagers might be drinking their heads up, having fun but deep within , I like it just how it is. What's with thinking if you can't change it? You can't be normal just by thinking it.'

'You can't grow like normal people and what's fun with being normal huh? And no one's normal. They all are struggling, just like us. Figuring shit out, losing people, hating and cursing their lives, praying to be like someone else instead of being normal. I don't see myself any different from them not that I want to. I believe in karma and I am fine  with my life cause it's not about how you change it , it's about how you embrace it.' He confessed and turned his head to look at me. 'And Elsa Stone, I am happy.'

His lips tucked up in a smile and so did mine. His words hit me hard and lifted all the grudges up. I never thought of others. Maybe I was lost in the labyrinths of my own sorrows, my own pasts that I forgot about other people's feelings. I always thought of being someone else, cursed my life my never in my whole life thought of them surging too. We all are even in this war of peace first with ourselves, then with the world. 'I am too.' I said meaningly.

'Why are you thinking that way?' He asked.

'I don't know, maybe I'm pressurised.' I said without any hesitation. The flash of last night flared in my mind making me flinch. Maybe it was a nightmare? But how would it be? It felt real. I saw that man. I saw him appearing out of nowhere haunting my days and nights. Maybe that was my fear? Maybe my fears shaped in front of me? Or maybe, my mind simply played a little trick with me.

'Pressurised with what?'

'The prophecy. The stone. The plan. The solution. It's a long list. They all are expecting a lot from me you know. I don't think I'm on for that. I mean like everyday they wait for me thinking that I must've had a miraculous dream about our future or maybe a voice told me what's gonna happen but nothing—nothing happens. I wake up with my simple dreams and that's it. I don't see or  hear or feel anything. It's all like before.' I said it. I finally said it. I never gave it a second thought and poured the beast out.

'Humph.' He hummed. 'I didn't believe it either. I mean like ok you've got a hint of further or whatever but it's cool you know. I'd like shit to be spontaneous and if you ain't having the dreams or shit like that, then just go with the flow.' He suggested.

I propped myself up with my elbow and faced him but he was still on his back looking at me. 'Go with the flow?' I asked.

'Yup.' He answered. 'Just play along.'

'You mean I should lie to them?' I asked, confusedly.

'Yes.' He replied. 'If they believe in a object to tell the future and for that, they're ready to fight any obstacle that comes in their way, then I don't see it bad for not lying to them. It's keeping them motivated Elsa and don't take their motivation cause the fight we all are preparing for, I don't want to lose it.'

'Ok.' I replied. 'Since when have you grown so wise huh?'

His lips tucked up in a smirk. He leant in and I blinked just as our nose tips made contact. 'Since I met you jewel.' He remarked and planted a kiss on my nose tip. 'I love you.' He whispered.

Blood rushed up to my cheek and I dug my face in the covers. 'Crap crap crap.' Was all I said and when I heard the door closing, I propped myself up and left the room.

I rushed in my room and did the morning stuff and changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I walked downstairs to meet a blonde bob. She turned around and the only word popped into my mind was : beautiful.

A girl with a almond brown shaped eyes with a crooked nose and full lips tucked up in a warming smile greeted me. She had bangs over her forehead adding a tinge of more cuteness in her face. She was dressed up in a pair of shorts and a button up blue shirt which went with her hazel eyes perfectly.

'Hi.' She waved at me.

'Hey Stella.' I smiled back. 'How are you?' I asked politely and shook her outstretched hand.

'Great!' She squeaked. 'Actually I should say awesome or fantastic or brilliant or brillianter.' Her jolly attitude brought a smile on my face as I walked up to the fridge to fetch some juice. 'Wait a minute. Does that word exists? Well who cares you did get what I mean right?'

I opened the fridge and searched for my apple juice. 'Yeah girl I did.' I replied and pushed aside the other drinks to get to my juice.

'Thank you so much for letting me stay here Elsa.' She said . I felt the intensity of her presence behind me. 'Honestly I was so scared where would I go? I mean like my dad left me five houses but I can't live alone you know. It scares me and I don't have Lauren too so... well, thank you so so so so much. Did I mention thank you?'

I chuckled and turned around with my juice in my hand. Our heads bumped into each other. I didn't know she was standing this much close. I rubbed my forehead and she copied my actions. 'It's OK. You can stay here as long as you want.' I said meaningly.

'Oh sorry and thank you again.' She held my hand and leant in to kiss it but I snatched it away as soon as her lips were about to touch them.

'Er...Stella it's really OK. Just... just chill.' I said awkwardly and shoulder passed her to get the glass.

'Yeah right.' She said.

'Did you have breakfast?' I asked her and poured my juice down.

'I did.' She answered and stood on the other side of the counter , facing me. 'Justin treated me at a restaurant.'

'That's cool.' I smiled and closed the lid of the juice bottle. 'Where is he—speak of the devil and here he is.' I said and Justin and Austin, both in their pyjamas climbed down the stairs.

'Good morning ladies!' Twins cheered in unison in a joyful and fresh voice. Austin came up to me, untwisted the lid of the bottle and grunted down the whole juice. He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and aimed at the dustbin. He pushed his arm back and threw it in.

Stella clapped, Austin beat his chest , I looked at Justin, and we both rolled our eyes. 'That was the lamest of all Austin.' I remarked.

'Ooh, So can you do this.' Austin said.

'Obviously I can but the problem is, I won't throw the bottle in the dustbin, but at you.' I retorted.

Justin bursted into a laughter sooner joined in by me while Austin and Stella tried to figure it out. 'It's alright baby. Little brains are hard to work.' I patted him on his shoulder and ambled out of the kitchen.

'Hey Elsa!' Either of twins called me from behind. I turned around and saw Justin. 'Thanks for letting Stella stay.' He said.

I rolled my eyes. 'Puh-lease Justin, it's not my home alright. It's Leo's and I just conveyed Dr. Madison's message to you.' Stella has woken up and she needs assistance. 'And you were late do you know how many times I asked Austin to call you to check if you've reached back or not. God you just went to a hospital and it took you four hours.'

'Yeah , the traffic was jammed . But still,' he scratched the back of his neck. 'I feel owned.'

My eyes widened and I shook Justin by his shoulders. 'Who are you and what did you do to my Justin? Oh God, I can't stand this!' I pretended a heart attack. Justin laughed soon pulled me into a hug.

'Oh God,' He said as he pulled back. 'Thanks anyways.'

'OK now stop it! I'm done of this thank you and shit. As long as you and Stella keep it in a room then I'm cool.' I raised my hands in air.

This time, he rolled his eyes. 'Shuck off.' He mumbled.

The next hours went spent by all of us , locked up in the training room. The twins worked on a weapon. They dropped the last one they first considered working on which they called an 'arm'.

According to them it would be a useful weapon as if will work as a armour for an arm and we'll wear it on. It will process with the signals from brain and will have every weapon already in it but we were out of tools and since it will take two months for it, so they lost their interest in it.

Stephen , Chloe and Leo were helping them while I was working on my own clues. Greg appeared for split seconds just to check things out before disappearing. In these split seconds, I managed to apologised to him for my bitter behaviour but he merely shrugged. 'I don't know what should I say, I mean like you did hurt me but not that much but still, I don't think that being pressurised is your good excuse.' Was Greg's reply.

I tried not to get offended with his words which basically stung me but again he was right. I can't use my 'being pressurised' excuse for being rude.

Stella sticked to Justin the whole time period. Feeding him snacks, giving him kisses on his cheeks, playing with his hair and doing all the gross stuff I warned Justin about and all this time, Austin either ignored her and his twin brother's childish behaviour or when get the opportunity, gave Stella a triumphant salute with his middle fingers which apparently made Stella quite irritating.

Chloe and Leo worked on a project and the very first time, I didn't want to rip Chloe's neck off cause she did nothing but work which was quite helpful and a big relief.

All our connections were out. We couldn't contact anyone from here which was weird and annoying in its own way. We tried to use public phone booths but all in vain. We had decided to call the French Branch Manager of Marie , Paul, to ask him sending the agents here for help but he didn't pick up nor replied to his email.

Another contact we tried to make was to our weapon dealer but he didn't pick up either.

The last contact was of Dr. Madison's which , like previous versions, turned out to be in vain.

I looked at the photograph of a dark skinned boy with charismatic blue eyes picking up the litter. I flipped the photo and saw the code 'D-4, 15:45 am'

The next photograph was of a teenager looking at someone who patted her. I flipped the photo and a code written over it. 'M-5, 00:00'

I gazed at the codes thinking them to start speaking if I just stare at them intensely. Come on now please. Tell me something. I groaned and leant back at the chair which bounced.

'I hate it!' I shouted snapping everyone out of their works. 'Help guys,' I pleaded to everyone looking at me amusingly. 'Seriously it's too much. Can we go to a party or something. I swear when we'll be free from this world-saving shit, the first I'll do is to throw a big party.' I said absentmindedly earning chuckles and eyes rolls from everyone.

'Wait a minute,' I said when something clicked my mind. 'World-saving. Oh My God! I'm a genius!' I threw my fist in the air. 'So damn fucking genius!' I squealed and ran to grab my laptop.

'Jewel you OK?' Leo asked as he lowered his headphones with a crooked eyebrow.

'Oh yes! Yes! So damn good!' I said and turned my laptop on. I found a grid map of America but the grid didn't match. I zoomed in it to California , still no results and then I zoomed it to L.A only.

The grid matched. D-4. It was a garden.

I furrowed my eyebrow and tried to look for the other code. M-5. It didn't work on L.A so I zoomed out the map to California. M-5 ended on the same garden.

A garden? There codes are a garden? What would they do with a garden?

I bit my bottom lip as I stared at the picture of the garden. It was a regular garden. Benches scattered, trees and grass lush green. I clicked the picture of the name of the garden. 'Long Live Garden.' I scrunched my eyebrows at the weird name.

I never thought it ever existed but it was there. Why didn't I ever heard of it before? And why did they write the location of a garden behind photographs? Why would they do it? And why—

'Hey Elsa!' Someone snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned my head to look at Twins calling me from their desks. 'Come here!' They gestured me to come there.

I huffed and placed my hands on the desk and pushed myself backwards. The wheels of the chair rolled on the floor and in a minute, I was in front of their desk. 'Yes?' I asked innocently.

'Say hello to this!' They chanted as they displayed a —what seemed like a chip—in front of me .

I raised my eyebrows and tried to sound boring but internally I was damn excited to see what they made. 'Guys if this like the tooth pick you invented last time that'll clean your teeth for you then I ain't buyin' it.' I said.

Someone snorted which I assumed to be Stephen as a smile danced on his lips. He was the one who found it the most amusing. The twins furrowed. 'Why do you think like that? Besides it was a good invention.' Austin defended.

'Yeah, So great that Marie grounded you guys cause it accidentally was replaced by a simple one.'I remarked and Stephen—no more able to control—burst out in laughter.

'Thanks for reminding us Elsa. I mean like wow! Without you, how would we be able to survive?' Austin remarked sarcastically.

'Pleasure babes. Hey, where's Stella?' I asked as I noticed her absence.

'Been sleepin'. Prayin' never she wake up.' Austin answered just as Justin opened his mouth for it. 'Ow! Fuck man!' Austin grunted as he received a punch on his arm from Justin.

'Shut you hole jackass.' Justin told his brother shutting him. He turned his face to me and picked up the gun from the table. He sticked the chip at the base of the nuzzle. He picked up another chip, quite smaller than the previous one and gestured me to lean in. I did .

He moved his hand towards my neck, put my hair behind my ear, and sticked the chip right below my ear. And all this time, I was watching Leo who was staring daggers at Justin.

'Ok so what this chip does is that it receives signals from your brain and operates the weapon the other chip has been sticked on.' Austin snapped me out of my gaze and explained.

'Oookk.' I said gesturing him to continue.

But he didn't.

'Ok Els, think of loading the gun.' Justin said.

I did. The chip turned into a green colour . Wires branched out of the chip and spread across the gun but soon turned invisible as they stopped spreading.

'Think again Els.' Austin said.

I did. Again. As hard as I could.

The glass chattering sound pierced my ears as the gun shot rather than reloading and the bullet smashed Stephen's computer screen. 'Oh Fuck!' He cursed and soon everyone stared the  life out of twins.

'Ok maybe it needs some adjustments.' Justin threw his hands in surrender.

'A lot more.' Stephen added and cracked his knuckles.

I heard Austin gulped down as his eyes widened. Sure enough, Stephen was the best boxer of us all and whenever he cracks knuckles, it sure means a deadly threat.

I unstick the chip from the bottom of my ear lob and felt that it had branched wires up to my temples but they slid back into the tiny chip which produced it.

'It's good actually.' I remarked trying to lift up the mood. 'Creative if I must say.' I said and the twins mumbled some curse words totally unheard my comment.

I got up and stretched. 'Some evening snacks!' A voice chanted from the door and I twisted my head to see Stella with a tray of apple juices in her hand. She closed the door with her hip and placed the tray down on Justin's table. 'You should drink this.' She said. 'It's refreshing. Come on now!'

No one got up at once. They knew that we can't trust Stella but when she picked up a juice for herself and gulped down the whole , everyone started
getting one for themselves too.

It was normal. No one dozed off. No one blanked out. So far so good. She picked up the tray and offered me one.

I was about to pick it up but then I retorted my hand. 'I need to wash them first.' I said and walked out of the room towards the kitchen. I took my ring off. I turned on the faucet. Dipped down the hand wash onto my palm. Rubbed it against my palms. Placed them in the water. Rubbed them to get the hand wash off them. I turned off the faucet.

I put my hand on the counter to pick up my ring and but I found none.

Panic plastered in my mind. I ran my hand on the counter, on the floor, eyes each and every inch of it but it was gone.

I got up and rushed towards our training room and the worst scenario laid before me. Everyone blacked out.

My ring was gone.

And so was Stella.

oOo

Yo! How are ya? Long time no see huh? Nah, we just met a day before yesterday. Don't you remember? Well, I don't.

Well, so how did it go?
Any thoughts about Stella?
Any