"Go!" Harper shouted as Baxter ran at her ankles, " I'll catch up! "

 "Harper -" Bailey started.

 " Get out of here! Take the twins and go!" Harper turned around and faced the car approaching them, "They made a mistake last time they saw me. I can take them."

 Two weeks before, Bailey and Harper had come to the conclusion that whatever they had put into Harper had turned on dormant abilities. They'd also decided to talk with Bailey's friend's father, who was a doctor that they knew they could trust with Harper's problem. However, they'd been surprised to learn that, without whatever serum they'd given her, Harper would've died.

It was strange for everyone. Something had happened when Harper first received the serum, and it bonded with her genes. The project was only supposed to last a little over four years, but when the experiment started shutting itself down, it was taking Harper with it. That meant that, if they wanted to keep Harper alive, they had to give her more about every 4 and a half years. However, the newest one seemed like it would last about twice as long.

The strange experiment also changed Harper's strengths, as she soon realized after she fell asleep and managed to end up among the stars. Instead of a long black cloak, she had a black and grey layered poncho  and a grey scarf. On her feet were knew high black boots with grayish green boots over them. Strapped across her chest was a black bag, and she had fingerless black gloves on her hands. A silver shark tooth necklace hung around her neck and a small dagger was hidden in each boot.

Her outfit wasn't all that changed, though. Every time she helped someone, whatever star she had used grew brighter. The brighter each star became, the stronger she was when she was asleep. It was always a slight difference, but if she went back to  how she was before, you could tell she changed.

"Harper, they'll kill you!" Bailey yelled as she held her brothers back.

" I'll be fine. Go! "

Judging by the retreating footsteps, she decided her siblings had listened to her. Slipping a dagger out of her boot, she called upon all the will she had as she waited for the men to approach. Baxter growled at the men - which sounded more like a cat purring - even though Harper could only see vague outlines.

"Harper!" A voice called, " My, you've changed. "

"No thanks to you guys." Harper growled.

The man laughed, "Calm down! We aren't going to hurt you! We just want to talk."

" Yeah, talk about how your going to kill me. " Harper replied, slowly grabbing Baxter with her free hand and walking towards a group of trees, making sure not to trip on anything in the dark.

"That idea's been canceled. Killing you isn't our top priority."

 Harper slid her knife into her boot as she came across a tree that would be fairly easy to climb, "But yet you're still looking for me."

" You're powerful. More powerful than you know. "

"I'll take my chances," Harper replied as she pulled Baxter and herself into the tree.

" The military may want to use you. "

Harper laughed, "I'd like to see them try!"

" Don't underestimate anyone. "

"Yeah, I figured that out long ago."

" Harper, please just listen to him! " a familiar female voice called out.

"I'm not trusting anyone who works with a psychopath!" Harper called, "Especially not you, Holiday."

" Harper, that wasn't me! I promise, it wasn't! "

"Well then, who was it?"

" I don't know. But you have this all wrong! Just, let us help! "

 "So, let me get this straight," Harper said as she pushed herself up a few branches and readjusted her grip on the puppy in her arms, "You were replaced by a psycho who was working with a group who wanted to kill me, and somehow you figured out what was happening, formed another group of people, and went to find me?"

There was silence for a while. "Kat, please just listen-"

 "And there's the nickname! Just drop the act! "

"I'm not acting! Please, just come out so we can talk! "

"And risk being killed by someone who is probably insane? How about no?"

" Harper, she's serious! " a male voice Harper hadn't heard in a long time called.

"Dylan? Dylan, why are you here?!?" Harper exclaimed.

" Holiday told me what happened. She also told Gloria, Logan, and Jacob. We're all here. "

"Holiday?!? Are you crazy?!? " Harper yelled.

"They deserve to know." Holiday replied, her voice coming from near the tree.

" Of anyone to say that, I wouldn't expect it from you! " Harper told her in a softer tone.

"Harper please! Come down!" Harper heard Gloria call.

"You'll be fine!" Jacob added.

" No one will hurt you. " Logan stated.

Harper grabbed the tree trunk to keep herself from falling from shock. "Can you give me a second?"

" To wake up? " Holiday asked, "Sure."

Harper smiled, though she knew no one would be able to see it and slowly dropped down and out Baxter in Holiday's outstretched hands. Climbing back up, she formed the orbs around her and took her self back among the stars and made herself wake up.

__________

"What did you mean 'wake up '?" Harper heard someone ask. Even  though she knew who it was, her tired brain couldn't remember. 

"I meant exactly that. She was sleeping." A girl replied. This time she could recognize the voice as Holiday.

Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, she crawled out from her hiding place in the bushes. All 4 of her friends and her one annoying acquaintance were all standing around the tree. As she walked towards them, Logan saw her coming. He ran up to her and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "It'll be ok, Harp. " He whispered, "Don't worry. "

Story word count: 1040

I tried to put a little bit of fluff in there, since lots of these recent chapters are really serious. Also, we really are coming to an end for this story. It won't be for a few more chapters, but it's still coming up. So... yeah. See y'all later!!