“I can't believe you let her jump.” Sylas said angry.  Well at least I probably wasn’t dead.

“I can't believe she did that.” Mark said.

“Look I'm sorry. I messed up. If I tried I probably could have stopped her.” Tevan said.

“Yeah you could of.” Sylas said.  He was clearly mad, but at who? Was he mad at me, Tev, or himself?

“Hey.” Mark said. “Can we try to find her instead of arguing?”

“He has a point.” Alex said. It was then I realized I was still passed out because I couldn't move or say anything.

“There.” John said. I heard running then a couple of splashes. Somebody grabbed me by the arms and started pulling me. Once I was on solid ground they checked for a pulse.

“She's cut up pretty badly, probably a couple broken bones, but she's alive.” Sylas said. The sound of a couple people running fallowed and stopped right next to me.

“No way.” Mark said. Just then I heard the sound of someone falling.

“Whoa there.” Alex said. “You ok?”

“Yeah.” John said weakly.

“No you're not.” Sylas said. “You are losing a lot of blood. You guys take him back I'll stay here for a little bit and see if she wakes up.”

“I'm staying here. It only takes two people to help him.” Tevan said.  Wait, what happened to John?  Last time I checked I was the only one who was badly injured.  Well, the only one who was shot anyways.

“Just go.” Sylas said.

“Come on Tevan.” Alex called from farther away. I heard some heavy footsteps telling me Tevan left. Sylas sighed when I could no longer hear Tevan's footsteps.

“I can't believe you did that.” He said as if I would respond. Just then a sharp pain came from my left arm and shot through my body. If I was awake right now it probably would have hurt a lot more. Soon the pain went away. I somehow managed a weak grunt.  “Tough one aren't you?”

A minute later I managed to mumble a reply.

"Yep." I said so quietly I could barely hear myself.  Sylas turned his head as I slowly opened my eyes.

  “Hey you're awake." He said.   "How are you feeling?”

“My arm hurts a little.” I said looking at my arm to find a strange, complex tattoo. I wasn't one for tattoos, but it did look pretty cool.

“Yeah it will for a week or so.” He explained.

“How would you know?”

“Because I'm like you. People like us are called Riaka. Riaka are rare and there's an extremely small chance there's two alive at the same time.” Sylas explained.

“Guess we are the extremely small chance.” I replied. I tried to sit up, but got dizzy so I lied back down.

“Careful there.” Sylas said. “Take it slow or you'll pass out, again”

“Sounds like you learned that the hard way.” I said slowly propping myself up on my elbows.

“Yeah. I suppose you still want to sit up.” Sylas said. I nodded and he helped me sit up.

“Can I ask you something?” Sylas asked.

“Why did I jump?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He replied.

“I figured if I turned down that street there would be enough time for Jared to shoot again. I didn't feel like getting shot again.” I explained.

“Oh.” Sylas said. “I didn't realize he actually hit anybody with that shot. I was too busy running.”

“Yeah I understand.” I said. “We should probably be heading back. It'll be morning soon. I think.”

“You don't sound too sure about that last part.” Sylas said jokingly. “You're right though. We should get back before our deer cousin strangles me for keeping him waiting.”

“Anything but that.” I said sarcastically before he helped me up to my feet.

“So you risked your life just to not get shot again. Sounds a little dramatic if you ask me.” Sylas said. “I would have figured they would have told you this river is extremely dangerous.”

“They did, and I figured if I was going down at least I would go down fighting and not laying on the pavement. That and I figured he might bring my body back to examine my DNA.”

“I wouldn't have let him.” Sylas said putting his arm under mine for support.

“Yeah I forgot about that.” I said as we started to head back for the hangout. We slowly walked back to the hangout, Sylas making sure I didn't fall.

“I’ve never heard of a Riaka that had the mark on their left arm.”  He said as we slowly made our way back to the hangout.  “I’ve always been told the mark was on the right arm like mine.”

“There’s a first for everything.” I replied.

“Yeah.” Sylas said.  “Sounds like you’re a first for everything.”

Almost an hour later we made it back to the hangout. By an hour I mean an hour longer then it usually takes. Tevan was pacing, Alex and Mark where sitting on the couch looking away from us, and John was bandaged up and sleeping on the other one.

“What took you so long!?” Tevan asked when he realized we were back, waking John up in the process.  At this point I don’t think there’ll ever be a time when Tev won’t wake someone up when he doesn’t like something.

“Sorry that's my fault.” I said. Alex and Mark spun their heads around so fast they were almost a blur.

“You're awake.” Mark said.

“And she's a Riaka.” Sylas said.

“A what now?” Tevan asked.

“No way!” Alex said.

“Wait. That's impossible. You're a Riaka. The chances of having two Riaka alive at the same time is extremely slim.” Mark said. “I mean-”

“Mark just stop. That could explain how she no longer has a scratch on her.” Alex said.  “Plus Sylas said she probably had a few broken bones.”

“Yeah, but...” Mark started.

“Ok can somebody please explain to me what he just said and what it means?” Tevan said gesturing towards Sylas.

“I said she's a Riaka, and it means she's a lot stronger then you.” Sylas said.

“I already knew she was stronger than me.” Tevan said moving towards us a little agitated.

“Yeah well now she's even stronger.” Sylas replied. His voice seemed to challenge Tevan to come closer and, like an idiot, he did. I could see where this was going.

“Look guys just calm down.” I said stepping between them and holding my arms out a little. That action alone made me feel dizzy.  It took almost all of my strength to not just fall to the ground and pass out right now.

“You got a tattoo!?” Tevan asked. “No wonder it took so long! And if she's stronger then why does she look so exhausted from just standing on her own?”

“Tevan chill.” Alex said. “That tattoo just proves she's a Riaka, and she didn't get it by choice, and if I do recall correctly when people first become Riaka they a typically drained of all of their energy.”

“I was told most actually pass out and sleep for a while.” Joey said. “So calm down kid.”

“Wait, isn’t the tattoo typically on the right arm?” Fred questioned.

“Yeah it is.” Sylas said.  “She might be the only one to have the mark on their left arm.”

“Oh.” Fred said.  “That’s kinda weird.  Anyways, will you please calm down Tevan?”

“Yeah. Calm down.” Joey said. Tevan took a step back and took a breath.

“That was still pretty dumb kid.” Fred said.

“Not to mention a real pain. Your cousin was being a little whiner again.” Joey complained.

“Is that all I am to you? A whiner?” Tevan asked outraged.

“Pretty much.” Joey said. I looked over the couch to see him lying on the floor, obviously upset that he had to give up the couch and listen to Tevan.

“Tevan you complain too much and it does come out a little whiny.” I said.

“Maybe I wouldn't complain so much if you guys weren’t so reckless!” Tevan said.

“We aren't weak. You need to realize that.” Alex said.

“But you risk your lives like it's nothing!” Tevan said.

“Will you guys just stop!?” I yelled louder then I meant to. All this arguing made me want to pass out again.  I lowered my voice before continuing, “Just stop. I don't think anybody wants to deal with this right now.”

“Yeah she has a point.” Mark said calmly. “Most of us haven't slept much, if at all, and the ones who have haven't gotten enough sleep to not be grouchy.”

“You can say that again.” Joey said.

“Look we should all get some sleep.” Mark said.

“What happened to Jared?” I asked just realizing I didn't hear what happened to him.

“He got loose and ran off.” Alex said.  “After he stabbed John of course.”

“Headed straight for the forest. Probably to go back to inside and to tell them you were dead.” Sylas said.

“She should be.” Tevan said quietly.

“I seriously don't see how we are related to you.” Sylas said.

“You act like she's just like you.” Tevan said.

“She's more like me then she's like you.” Sylas commented.

“Will you two stop?” I asked annoyed. Tevan huffed and headed to a spot on the floor away from everyone. Sylas fallowed me as I walked into the other hallway, half leaning on the wall.

“He's seriously starting to get on my nerves.” Sylas said quietly as he slipped into my room and shut the door. “I don't think we should stay here. Jared might tell those guys you're dead, but they'll want proof. Especially considering he'll have to tell them you jumped into a river. We don't have to leave permanently, just for a little while.”

“Yeah you got a point.” I said.

“Leave everybody here.” Sylas said.

“Everybody?” I asked.

“You can't seriously tell me you were thinking of bringing Tevan along where you?” Sylas asked.

“No. I was just thinking about John.” I said. “If they catch him simple lie detectors can call his bluff.”

“Yeah, but if he says you're no longer here that's not a lie.” Sylas pointed out.

“Yeah true. So when will we leave?” I asked.

“Soon.” Sylas said. “I would say tomorrow, but given the fact that it is tomorrow already we wouldn't get enough rest, and I could be wrong, but I think you can do with a smaller bow. One that is smaller, easier to hide, and has better accuracy.”

“How did you know I had a bow?” I asked.

“I'm the one that told mom that you're good with a bow, and I know you don't like backpacks like that.” He said pointing to the backpack in the corner.

“Ok, so where can we find a bow like that?” I asked.

“I know a place in town. We can go when we wake up and sneak it back in.” He explained.

“Sounds easy enough.” I said.

“Oh, and we have to sneak your bow out. It's free to switch out your bow for a better one. He's not too picky on what kind of bow it is. As long as it works its ok with him.” Sylas said.

“That might be a problem. Maybe you can cause a distraction that makes them look in a different direction I could sneak out through the fire escape. We can meet up on the roof then quickly get going before anybody else can come up.” I said.

“Sounds like a good plan.” Sylas said turning towards the door and putting his hand on the handle. “I'll be outside so when you wake up we can get going.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I said. Sylas opened the door, slipped out, and closed the door behind him. I walked over and flopped down on the bed and fell asleep a little while later.