Alison arrived late, almost midnight. Gabe greeted her like it was no big deal, but I was trying to keep my eyes open. I hoped I wouldn't start snoring right in front of her. Friend or no friend, it's not a great idea to fall asleep when your Commander is talking.

Just like Gabe, Alison had a thousand questions, all which I tried to answer. She was also excited about me talking to my targets, which completely went against my training, but she was my Commander, so I guessed she knew best. Alison suggested I do whatever I could to be the best friends I could with them. I didn't mention my chat with Atticus, deciding it was something that would be known only between At and me.

"I almost forgot, here's your phone," Alison muttered through a mouthful of pie, created especially for us by Gabe. She swallowed and continued, reaching out to hand me a sleek device. "Everyone has one these days. It was loaded with some apps and games before hand, and you have some selfies you took on there too."

"What's a...whatever you called it?"

"You don't know...! Gabe, where did you go wrong teaching this girl?" she asked with a laugh. Gabe was just as confused as I was. Alison sat back in her chair and stared at us, mouth open slightly. "You honestly have never heard of a selfie?" she questioned. We shook our heads. Alison muttered under her breath, then explained patiently, "Its a photo you take of yourself, a 'selfie.' Get it?"

"Nope, but I guess I'll learn eventually. Is it loaded with the same technology as our watches?" I asked, tapping my new phone.

"No, and you'd better give me that," Alison decided, reaching out to unclasp the device from my wrist. "The world isn't quite ready for our watches yet."

I shrugged, knowing it was rather pointless to argue. "Ok, I, uh," I yawned mid sentence. "I should get to bed. It's been a crazy day."

"Right," Alison nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow night ok? Since it's Friday tomorrow and all, we'll be picking you up to stay at the Institute for the weekend," she reminded me, and I nodded. Alison left and Gabe picked me up, just like he used to when I was younger.

I was barely awake, but I remember him pulling off my shoes and dropping me gently on my bed before lifting a blanket up to my chin. "Thank you..." I whispered, and he ruffled my hair.

"Night Sweetheart. See you in the morning."

"Eristina wake up!" The voice jolted me and I sat up in bed, but I wasn't at the cabin. "Eristina!" someone called again, coming closer. A sharp smell of smoke stung my nose and I struggled out of bed. Flames licked at my curtains, coming from outside. Was the whole world on fire? I raced to the door and tugged it open, only to be engulfed by smoke. I dropped to the ground coughing.

"Mommy!" I choked out.

"Eristina, stay where you are, I'm coming!" my father shouted. He crawled into my room a moment later on his hands and knees and scooped me up. He carried me low to the ground and we made it out of the house a few minutes later, both of us coughing violently.

"I'll be right back, stay here Eristina!" he order, rushing back into the house.

"Nooo! Daddy!" I screamed, reaching for him. I sobbed, waiting for him to return with my mother in his arms.

That was the last time I saw him.

After about thirty minutes of waiting, I got up and ran away. I never looked back. Two days later I found a newspaper and did my best to read it without my mothers help. Three presumed dead in fire. There was nothing the fireman could do. If only someone called 911 earlier...

"Eris, wake up, you're having a nightmare," Gabe calmly shook me awake. I woke gasping, clinging to the sheets.

"Wha-? Where?"

"Shh, it's ok. We're home, remember?" he asked. Home? No. My home was destroyed in a fire when I was four. But wasn't that just a dream? I wasn't sure anymore what was my memory and what was lies.

"Well, it's time to get up anyway. Get dressed."

"I am dressed," I replied, glancing down at myself as my heart rate began to slow.

"You can't wear the same clothes two day in a row. Come on, I'll get you something to eat," he persuaded. I sighed and struggled out of bed, the dream fading completely.

Thirty minutes later I was sitting in Gabe's car, eating an apple as we drove. "You better not get any of that on my seat, Sweetheart," Gabe warned.

"You know I won't," I promised between mouthfuls.

"Hey Eris!" Ryhan called, running along next to the car.

"Ryhan!" I shouted, nearly dropping my apple. I motioned at Gabe to slow down, and rolled down my window. "What are you doing?"

"I live down the street from the school, and I was just walking there when I saw you! Is this your car?"

"Kinda, it's mostly Gabe's, my brother," I told her, jerking my thumb toward my "brother."

"Ah, right. Here we are...school. Another great day of sitting in a stupid class room until my brains fall out...I mean learning." Ryhan laughed. I smiled too and jumped out of the car quickly.

"See you later Gabe. Don't forget to pick me up!"

"How could I forget Sweetheart? Now go make some friends!" he ordered with a wink.

"I'm her friend! Aren't I, Eris? See you Gabe!" Ryhan called cheerfully. We trudged along the path leading to the front door, Ryhan talking excitedly.

"Hey Eris!" Aria called, linking arms with me on my left. "Don't bore her to death Ryhan. I was wondering if you guys would like to hang out after school today? Maybe at the new Starbucks?"

"What's Starbucks?" I blurted out before I could cover my mouth.

"You...? What? How have you never heard of Starbucks?" Ryhan shouted.

"Do you look at the stars?" I guessed. Aria face palmed.

"Oh gosh, what hole have you been living in your whole life!" Ryhan exclaimed.

"Wisconsin?" I offered.

"What city did you live in?" Aria asked.

"Alpha," I answered automatically without thinking. How did I come up with that answer? Ryhan whipped out her phone and searched for a Starbucks near Alpha, Wisconsin.

"Well, she has an excuse, there isn't a Starbucks for almost a hundred miles." Ryhan admitted.

"Ok, we're definitely going there after school. Your brother can come too if he wants. Unless he's one of those super annoying guys who pull your hair...?" Aria trailed off, wincing. I remembered she had a little brother.

"No, Gabe's pretty cool. We'll have to leave soon after though, I have, uh, basketball practice."

"K, but I'm going to get you a Vanilla Latte and a Carmel Frap. Those are our favorites," Aria grinned.

I sighed inwardly. How much did I not know about the outside world? Was I considered weird? Would they still want to be my friend if I was completely sheltered? What about Atticus? I glanced around quickly. Where was Atticus?

(Picture of Aria)