I attempted to speak, but suddenly I forgot all of my consonants. Even after everything I had seen: blue aliens, parasitic slugs, and talking hawks, I still could not believe what I had just witnessed.
“Mercy.” Cassie’s voice was shaking. “What just happened?”
I swallowed but still couldn’t find my words. Instead, I went over to the tree were the light had been stopped. For a moment I fingered the charred bark, then Tobias’s angered squawk broke through my daze.
“Oh man, uh, Cassie are you ok?” I went over to her and looked at her eyes, not knowing what to expect. However, she seemed perfectly normal. I helped her up.
“Yeah… it was weird. I-I have never experienced anything like that.” She chuckled grimly. “Can you believe it? I, who have met blue aliens and Vissers, have never experienced that”
“I know what you mean. Are you sure you're ok?”
“I think so…”
(We should probably talk to Ax.) Tobias told us. I glanced at my watch silently.
“Of course.” I said.
“But you have a date…” Cassie knew what I wanted to do, but this was more important.
“No, no. I’ll just cancel it.” We started to make our slow progress to the park again. For some reason none of us thought to morph into something faster. It was as if we were afraid to. Cassie gave me the knowing look she was so capable of.
“Oh, come on, Mercy.”
“I am not going to leave you for a guy.”
“Yeah, you're happy with the guy who will be with me already,” she murmured. I scowled. Tobias was soaring above the trees but still. “You can go, call me when you are done and I’ll get everyone to meet after your date.” I attempted an argument, but I didn’t want really want to argue, so I lost.
“I’m really ok” she insisted.
“Well all right,” I gave in. “but I will be back as soon as I can. And thanks.” I gave her a hug. We were at the park now, and we each went out separate ways. I couldn’t hold back a tiny grin.