"You're supposed to head back to the cars. That's our rendezvous point in case anything goes wrong," Shawn said.
I nodded my head. It made sense. "What about the campsite?"
"Once everything is over, we'll hike back up here to break it all down if we're still alive," Shawn said.
His words hit me like a truck. It was insane to think that by the time tomorrow night ended, I could be all alone.
The injustice of the whole situation made me so angry. It wasn't supposed to be this way. What good are my so-called gifts to my friends if they're going in alone? I thought with a burning rage that consumed every available piece of my soul. First, Victor takes Mark, and now my friends may lose their lives also? How am I supposed to continue living if that happens? My hands began to shake uncontrollably and all I could see were blurred images.
"Krista, can you hear me, what is it?" I could hear the faint sound of Sam's voice and felt my brother's hand on my arm. "Ow, damn!" He jerked away as I was finally brought back to consciousness from Shawn yelping in pain from the blazing touch of my rage infused skin.
And just like that, the fire was gone. As quickly as it had engulfed me, I was able to snuff it out.
"Damn Krista. What the Hell was that?" Shawn asked, cradling his sore hand.
I didn't answer him, but instead turned to Haniel who was studying me intently.
"Another side effect of my hybrid status?" I asked confused. He simply nodded without saying a word.
"That was bad ass," Shawn said, still shaking his hand.
"Sorry about that. What did it feel like?" I asked curiously.
"Like I had been burned by an iron, but look, you left no mark," he said, holding his hand up for me to inspect.
I stepped closer, reaching out to grab his palm. My feelings were hurt when he stepped back away from me. "I have it under control. I won't hurt you again," I said quietly.
"Sorry, it's just reflexes," he said, ruffling my hair. "What was all that about?" he asked, directing the question to Haniel.
"Krista's body is rapidly changing to accommodate her new gifts. Her emotions are now expressed differently than others."
"Great, you mean now every time I feel any kind of emotion it's going to be like a bomb going off or something?" I griped.
"Not exactly; however, your influence can be felt by a mere touch of your hand. Humans only have the ability to express the superficial effects of their emotions. Such as, crying when you are sad or shouting when you are angry. Your gift, Krista, is an ability to express your emotions as a tangible force, the effects of which can be measured physically. Judging by Shawn's reaction when touching you a moment ago, it is safe to assume you were angry. This is a virtue, Krista, not a punishment. When you realize the positive impact you are capable of with your gifts, you will fully understand your potential."
I nodded my head, understanding his point.
"When will I stop getting new gifts?" I asked, feeling like a freak.
"You are not receiving new gifts, only discovering what you have become."
"What do you mean what she has become?" Jaime asked, stepping up to stand beside me. "Isn't she a Guide like the rest of us?"
"No, she is no longer a Guide. She is now what The Light refers to as Ascended. She ascended from her role that she was created for into what she has become."
"So, I am a freak?" I asked in a strangled voice.
"Freak?" Haniel asked, rolling the foreign word off his tongue.
"Like a leper," I said, trying to paint a picture he could understand.
"A leper?" He asked in an alarmed voice. "No, Krista, you are not a freak or a leper. As I have stated before, you are a gift. As an Ascended, you are only one Heavenly Realm below an Archangel, which is why your powers are similar to mine."
"Well, I don't have the whole mind reading thing," I pointed out.
"That is incorrect. This is merely another gift you have not yet realized."
"You mean she'll be able to read everyone's minds?" Lynn questioned.