Young Writers Society

Well, it wasn't like she randomly stripped, which she would understand a strange look. But they both had to dry. It was strategic and smart. She didn't know why it bothered Jerica so much.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were a prude," she said with annoyance in her voice, not bothering to hide it anymore. She was far too tired.

"Would you like me to dry off by getting dressed again in my soaking wet clothes?

Jerica rolled her eyes and looked back at the fire, nursing it into a more steady flame. "You do you... hope your boobs enjoy the sun."

Evaline narrowed her eyes at Jerica, but then looked down at her chest, not sure if Jerica was saying some kind of insult or was being sarcastic, or possibly both. It wasn't like she was sitting out in the open for her to see anything, anyways. Not that she cared if she did. But for now, her hair was draped over her shoulders, and her hands clung to her knees that was close to her chest.

She decided to ignore the prudish behavior and move on.

"Did you start the fire with your power?" she asked, changing the subject.

Jerica eyed Eve. If she didn't know about the R'hyk, Jerica certainly wasn't going to be the one to tell her about it. Besides, it was just magic, not some sort of hidden power. Anyone could use it. "What are these powers you keep talking about?"

Jerica wasn't making any sense. Why was she playing dumb?

"Are you saying you don't have any powers?" Evaline asked, voice tired.

Jerica stared at her for a long moment. It was clear Eve thought Jerica was supposed to have some sort of powers. And, sure, Jerica got the injections -- but that was mostly just an enhancer. And the R'hyk was a skill, not some kind of power. Did Eve have some sort of hidden power? There was only one explanation. "You're not from this Realm."

Jerica had said those words so smoothly, like this was something she had said every day to strangers. Honestly, Evaline had no idea how to even properly react to it. What did she mean, "this realm"?

"Of course not," she said casually. "I don't recognize this place. I'm not from here, just like you, apparently."

Jerica blinked at her. So, everything she'd said so far had been a complete lie. And, it hadn't really occurred to her before that moment that they might not be in Beirania anymore. No wonder she didn't recognize the landscape.

"You don't know Fillmore at all, then," she said accusingly. She didn't wait for a response. "Why the fuck are we both here?"

Well, now Evaline was even more confused. She hadn't really been answering Jerica's questions the whole time, either deflecting or lying when she answered. But now it appeared she couldn't dig herself deeper into it, because she had no idea what Jerica was going on about.

"I don't know," Evaline answered, ignoring her first question. "It seems that I don't know any more than you do."

"Well, you clearly know something about powers." She was getting so annoyed with this girl. I don't know. Let me just ask you the exact same question without actually being useful. I'll spend your entire life trying to walk down a single hill. It was getting old. "What's your power, then?"

Evaline sighed, loudly.

"Tell me yours and then I'll tell you mine."

"Godsdamnit!" Jerica snarled, glaring at her. "Just give me a straight answer on one fucking question!"

Evaline didn't even flinch. And she thought she had little patience.

"So, you'll tell me yours if I tell you mine, then?" she asked neutrally.

"Yeah." Jerica still had no idea what she was talking about, but she guessed she could talk about the injections and pretend that they were some kind of power. "If you tell the fucking truth for once."

"Fine," Evaline said, voice steady. She almost unfolded her legs, but then remembered that Jerica felt uncomfortable with nudity for whatever reason. It wasn't like half the world's population had the same body anatomy or anything.

"I have a minor memory power."

It wasn't a lie.

It just wasn't the full truth.

It was times like these that Evaline was glad she was also born with a mutation so she had two powers.