Why I hate everything: Lavinia's story

## Summary

When Lavinia was six and Jessamine eight, they moved to SummerWood for a better life. Lavvy and Jessi didn't want to go, but they had to.

## Characters

* Lavinia "Lavvy"
* Jessamine "Jessi"
* Mae
* Nova
* Sandra
* Alex
* Athena
* Kai
* Fiona
* Cyrus
* Celeste
* Estrella
* Matrix
* Harmonia (Lavvy's childhood friend)
* Carolyn
* Liesel
* Solaria
* Aelia (Solaria’s daughter)

## Jessamine's POV

When we were still in Moon Valley when I was eight and Lavvy six, we had to move. There was a raid going on and Mother thought we had better move to SummerWood. I know that I didn't want to go, but Lavvy was really furious. She would go on, saying she hated everything about everything. Now I'm nineteen and Lavvy is seventeen and Lavvy till hates almost everything.

Let me tell you how it began....

## Flashback: 10 years ago: Jessamine's POV

We are in the sitting and hear a bomb outside.

"What's that?" I ask.

Mother approached from the kitchen. "We need to move..."

"What? No *way!"* Lavinia retorts immediately.

"Mom. Please no," I beg.

"Jessi, Lavvy," she begins. "It's for the best. We are all in great danger!"

"And the neighbors..." I say.

"Everyone in Moon Valley is." Mother says.

"No! I hate SummerWood! I *absolutely* hate SummerWood!" Lavvy wails.

"You don't know that. You're only six," I say. "And I'm only eight."

"Can I at least say goodbye to Harmonia?" my sister asks. Harmonia is our childhood friend.

“Sure.” I reply. “But we need to make it quick. I’m sorry, but I don’t want anyone hurt.”

I hear howling in the distance, and the face of an adult aged fox/wolf hybrid appears in my mind.

”I see a face.” I say. “Someone might help us.”

I hear a voice. Not too low pitched, with a masculine quality.

**Come to me. We will help you find a home. My name is Alex. I will guide you and your sister somewhere safe. If she objects, tell her that this is important. Since I cannot appear to you physically, I will need to assist you via astral traveling.**

”Okay.” I say. “Lavinia, come on! Someone mind-spoke to me and it’s someone named Alex.”

”Are you hallucinating again?! You know what happens after you ingest bluebell bulbs!”

**Lavinia.** Alex says sharply. **That’s not very nice.**

Lavinia turns towards me with a surprised look on her face. “Forget it. Let’s just run away and ignore weird spirit guide voices. Grandmother told us they were fake.”

”Not so fast Lavinia.” The figure in my head materializes in front of me. They have red fur, slightly disheveled hair, a buttoned up shirt, snake tattoo, black pants, thin rimmed glasses, and two earrings in one ear. A younger fox with short wavy hair shaved on one side, a blue gem, and a purple hoodie stands next to them. She has purple eyes that match Alex’s. She smells faintly of smoke, and flowers.

”I’m Kai.” They say gruffly. “And I’m sure you two have already met my father, a guardian, and the head instructor of Summerwood academy.”

“Really.” Lavinia mutters dryly. “*Jeezus*, Jess, are ya gonna just let some rando and their kid tote us off to who knows where?”

Kai points to her. “You. The grump face. Lavinia is it? You don’t speak to my dad that way! Now March.”

My mother turns towards Alex. “You really will help keep them safe?”

”Yes.” Alex replies. “Once I make a promise this strong, I *never* break it.”

”Then let’s go.” Kai says. “Join hands, everyone.”

## five months later: Lavinia's POV

Ugh. We're going to have a tour around SummerWood Academy. Ewwww...

"Calm down," Jessamine says firmly. "Don't be such a wimp."

"Easy for you to say. I'm only seven." I snap.

"Just calm down, will you?" Mother asks indignantly.

We are apparently not the only ones on the tour. There are four other hybrids on the tour. Cyrus and Alex are leading us.

## Jess's POV

Suddenly, a young wolf with brown fur, light colored hair, silver eyes and a yellow hoodie walks up to me. Another wolf who looks like a young Cyrus joins her. She has a faraway look in her eyes.

“Jess, Lavinia, these are my daughters Celeste and Estrella.” Cyrus says her name with a roll in the R, giving it a melodic flare.

“Nice to meet you.” I say.

”We’re both 7.”

“You have good energy. Warmth everywhere. You’re gold on the inside and very soft.” Celeste says, facing me.

I grin. “Thank you.”

“Are you clinically insane?” Lavinia asks.

“No.” Celeste says, her brow furrows. “But your aura is dark, and tastes like raisins. I hate raisins.”

“Es*trell*a, why do you stick up for this scatterbrain?”

“Lavinia *do not* talk to my daughters that way.” Cyrus says sternly. “Enough.”

“*Pendeja.”* Estrella growls.

Cyrus gives her a firm look.

“Kai, are you adopted?” Lavinia asks, completely ignoring Cyrus.

“I-*NO!* What makes you say that?” Kai says, snarling.

“Well your eyes are yellow.” Lavinia says.

“It’s *genetics,* you Dirtbag!” Kai says. “Now *shut up* and let Dad continue talking!”

“Lavinia, please refrain from speaking out of turn. You’ve already disrespected Alex and the others enough times.” Mom says tiredly. I hear her voice in my mind. *She’s already given me gray hairs from dealing with her so much.*

Estrella gives Lavinia a dirty look. “*Bitch.”* Estrella whispers.

”Estrella we don’t curse in public.” Cyrus says.

Deep down I feel like Estrella and Lavinia hate each other with a passion.

“This is gonna be harder than it looks.” Kai says. They go near Alex and whisper in their ear.

“Papa I don’t like Lavinia.”

“I know.” Alex replies. “We just need to find a way for them to let us help her in any way we can.”

“I don’t like anyone.” Lavinia grumbles.

“I know.” Cyrus says. “But this is your home now. Stop pushing us away. Your poor mother needs a break.”

A young toddler aged fox bounds over and into Alex’s arms. Her short hair is wavy, and her face resembles Alex’s. She wears a purple onesie.

“She’s so cute.” I say. “What’s her name?”

“This is my baby sister Fiona.” Kai says.

“Yaaaaay! Kai’s back!” Fiona says excitedly. Kai scoops her up into a hug.

“Ewwww!" Lavinia winces “Wow. You have a messy *drolly* imp for a sister.”

“Leave my youngest daughter out of this.” Alex’s partner Athena says, locking eyes with Lavinia. She immediately quiets down.

“Lavi scawy.” Fiona says softly, snuggling up close to Alex.

“She is.” Celeste whispers. “Don’t worry little one. We’ll do something about Lavinia.”

“This is going to be tough.” Cyrus says. “But I believe we can help Carolyn, Lavinia, and Jess.”

“My father is going to hear about how crazy you all are!” Lavinia says angrily.

“Your father is my mother’s friend.” Alex says. “So you, young lady, are going to respect both us and the academy’s students. Understand?”

“Y-yes sir.” Lavinia says nervously. She shoots Alex a dirty look.

“Score 2 for Dad!” Kai crows.

“Now who wants to see some of the classrooms?”

“We do!” All the kids say in unison.

“Then let’s roll.”

## 10 years later - Present day: Lavinia's POV

I'm now a sixteen year old and Jess is eighteen. Kai is 17, and both Celeste and Estrella are 15, while Fiona is 11. We are currently waiting for class to start when I see Liesel walking down the hall. She freezes when she sees me. I know that most do that because I'm feared. But Liesel smiles a little bit.

"Hi," Jess steps forward with a kind smile.

"Hi, Jessamine. Hi Lavinia," Liesel's smile dims.

"I hate it here, you know," I say.

"Lavinia, why are you so mean?" Liesel asks.

"It's none of your *business*. You don't *know* me or know what I've *been through."* I reply, in a snappy tone. "No one *ever* pays attention to me anymore. They stopped talking to me and they are more interested in Jess!"

”They’d like you a lot more if you treated them nicer.” Kai says. “It’s a fact. Stop being such a jerk.”

I glare at them. They bare their teeth. “But no one cares.”

Fiona walks up to me. Her hair is wavy and tied in a ponytail. She wears a black tank top and sweatpants.

”They do. So start acting like it and stop being a judgmental jerk face.” Fiona says. “This is why my dad is stricter with you than with other students. You may not see it, but they just want the best for you. Like Cyrus said. We wanna help you but you *need* to stop pushing people away. Every kid here fears you except us. They call us ‘Guardian youths’ for a reason.”

”They fear me? Then it should stay that way.”

## Kai’s POV

*She’s more messed up than I thought.* I hear Fiona say telepathically.

”Shut the fuck up.” Lavinia says.

”Lavi, you’re not supposed to verbally reply to someone’s thoughts.” I say. “Learn some respect, will you?”

Lavinia growls.

”Still feuding, are they.” I hear Dad tell Cyrus.

## Kai’s POV

“I can’t believe we have to go to some boring old forest today.” Lavinia sighs.

“You know, it would be a lot better for both of us if you kindly would just shut up.” I say exhaustedly. “Why the hell do you not like it here? It’s not like anyone did anything to you.”

“I just don’t like it. So there.”

“*Jesus Christ,* Lavinia!” Estrella says angrily. “If you can’t say anything nice, then you can go be somewhere else! Ugh! I’m going to go be with my parents instead.”

She walks off and I spot her flop onto a beanbag next to Cyrus in one of  the tranquility rooms.

“Suit yourself.” I say to Lavinia, as I walk up to Cyrus.

“Are you okay?” I ask, putting my hand on their shoulder.

“Been feeling drained lately, but better than a few weeks ago. I got captured by Vex labs and put into a drug induced sleep. They tortured me while I was under. When I got rescued, I recuperated at a local medical facility. I’m a bit better now, but the healers told me to rest and sleep off the drugs. When they brought me in, they gave me this herb that caused me to vomit a lot. After the drugs were no longer in my system, I drank a bunch of water and slept for the next two days.”

“Ouch.” I say. “You’ll be okay, right?”

Cyrus nods. “Yes. I should be back on my feet in a week.”

“Baba, what are we going to do about Lavinia?” Estrella asks.

“She’s stubborn.” Cyrus replies. “Let’s hope she learns that hardening your heart to the world isn’t always the best way to solve problems.”

I just hope Cyrus is right.

## Jess's POV

Right after classes, I approach Cyrus and Alex. "Can you both come over to my house? I want to talk to you both about something. Don't worry, Lavinia's not going to be home for a while. Mother will be there, though."

They both nod.

They and I go to our house and we go in the kitchen. Mother is there.

"Where Lavinia?" she asks.

"Oh...she'll be here later," I fib.

"What did you want to talk about?" Cyrus asks.

"It's about Lavinia. Listen, I know that she's a real pain in the ass. But I can understand her. She's been like this since we were six and eight. I don't like it, but she just doesn't listen to me or Mother. It's very annoying. I'm just worried about her." I explain.

"We're concerned," Alex says. "She's been causing way too many fights at school.

"Yeah, and your kids, Cyrus, and she fight too much," I say. “Even though it’s not their fault. It’s just that she provokes everyone.”

“We try to be nice but she still hates us.” Kai says. “Father, it seems like she somehow has a vendetta against me.”

”Maybe we’ll just have to find out how she got like this.” Alex says.

## 11 years ago

### Kai’s POV

“Kaaaai!” I hear my name called from across the room. I bolt away and hide behind an armchair, and spot Snail crouch down in front of me.

“Come on Kai. Your parents are waiting for you.” She says.

“Awww Snail, just one more round? *Pleeeeeease?”*

“Oh all right but only a few minutes.” She replies. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…”

I attempt to hide, but run into Lavinia in the process.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going, you stumblebum!” Lavinia says angrily. “If you weren’t so dumb, you would be able to stop your two feet from falling out under you!”

Anger warms my face. Hot tears sizzle in the corner of my eyes.

I sob softly.

“Lavinia!” I hear my mother say sharply. “You should apologize.”

“Kai is the clumsy one!” She retorts, but dad holds up one hand.

“Enough.” They say sternly. “Your negativity has hurt enough people.”

Dad scoops me up in one arm. Lavinia glares at me.

“You’re a poop head!” I say to her, my voice cracking. I feel my father carry me off into the living room.

I cry again. I can’t hold it back.

“Shhhh.” Cyrus says softly. “It’s okay little one.”

“What happened this time?” Carolyn asks, joining my parents on the couch.

“Kai and I were playing hide and seek when they accidentally bumped into Lavinia and she got really mad at them.”

“Daddy, Lavinia is scary.” I say.

Carolyn groans. “I don’t know what to do. My daughter wasn’t always this disagreeable until now.”

“We’ll find a way to talk to her.” Snail says. “There’s always another way.”

"I hope so," Jess comes in. "I'm so sick of it."

Carolyn sighs. "I'm sick of it too, Jessamine, but there's hope."

“Excuse me? Who’re you?” Jess turns around and spots another kid who resembles Alex, but with Athena’s fur color. My younger sister Maxine.

“I’m Jess.” she says.

“I’m Maxine. You can call me Max.” she replies.

”That’s a boy’s name.” Lavinia says.

”Keep your trash talk to yourself.” Carolyn says warningly. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you Max.”

She grins. “You too, although I’ll have to get used to Lavinia.”

## Back to the present: Alex's POV

"I remember that day," Cyrus comments. "It was horrible."

”Yeah.” Kai says. “I can still hear her badmouthing me about my ‘clumsiness’. I was *four.* I still had much to learn about *dexterity.”* They snort softly.

"So do I," I say. "But Jess, we'll keep trying to help your sister. She just needs to listen more."

"Yeah, but she only ignores everyone and only cares for herself. You know how she was rude to Liesel? I think she misses Moon Valley and Harmonia. Harmonia was our best friend before we moved," Jess says.

”There is one thing she doesn’t know.” I say. “Moon valley *is* part of SummerWood. It was where I was born and where my parents currently live. My guess is that she’ll like Summerwood once she learns more about it.”

”Dad, maybe we should hold off on telling her because that’d probably make her hate us more.” Kai says.

”What did you want to tell me?” Lavinia says. It looks like she came back from counseling.

”Oh *nothing.”* Kai says coldly.

”Jeez, what’s with you guys keeping secrets??” Lavinia shoots back, and angrily walks off.

”None of your business.*Yet.”* Max says.

”I say we tell her.” I reply, taking a sip from my tea. “She deserves to cope with the fact that her home is part of the place she hates most.”

Kai nods. “Understood. We should probably contact her father since he’s visiting in a couple days.”

I chuckle softly. “Man, I haven’t seen him in years. I wonder what he’s up to now.”

”Well we’re about to find out.” Jess says. “Although my dad can be kind of strict with Lavinia. That’s why you sort of remind me of him, Alex. So does your sense of humor.”

I laugh sharply. “Well that’s the first time someone besides my close friends and family acknowledged that. People thought being a guardian meant seriousness and keeping your guard up, but the job wouldn’t be fun without a little weirdness.”

”Although he does make us cringe once in a while.” Kai says. “My guess is Mae taught him how.”

”Who’s ‘him’?” Lavinia asks.

”Me.” I reply. “My pronouns alternate between he/him and they/them.”

”Oh.” Lavinia says, rolling her eyes. “Right I forgot you *confuse* a lot of people.”

”Stop insulting Dad!’ Maxine says angrily. “What is your freaking problem?!”

I hold up one hand, which immediately silences both of them. But before I can say anything, Jess jumps in.

"Enough, Lavinia!" Jess tells her sharply. "You *need* to stop and listen. Why, you *never* do! Just stop with the insults and rude remarks. You're not a little kid anymore, you're almost seventeen..."

"I turn seventeen in a month," Lavi interjects.

"Still, Mom and I are tired of this attitude," Jess continues. "Why can't you just *stop?"*

”I agree.” I add. “Come on, Lavinia, try to care more about people other than yourself.”

”Oh also,” Kai says. “About Moon valley…”

”*What* about Moon valley?! You’re not going to slander it, are you?!” Lavinia shoots back.

”No. In fact,” I say. “It was where I was born. Moon Valley is *part of Summerwood.* So the truth is, you haven’t really moved far.”

”***WHAT?!”*** Lavinia says angrily. “Why didn’t any of you *tell me?!”*

”Because you lose your shit about *everything!”* Max yells. “Jesus *christ* Lavinia, just shut up for a moment, will you?!”

”Everyone please *stop arguing* for a moment here! We need to explain to Lavinia that Summerwood isn’t always what she thinks it is.” I say. “Also I got news about Harmonia.”

Lavinia’s eyes light up for a moment. “What is it about Harmonia?”

”She’s moving into the academy.” I say. “Then your goodbyes wouldn’t have been in vain. She moved here because her home got raided. She visits here but she’s been looking forward to the move.She’s also friends with Estrella, Kai and Maxine.”

Lavinia’s face clouds into a frown.

*Great. Now my only friend is being stolen by the high and mighty guardian kids.* I hear her say telepathically.

I hear a knock at the door.

”I think that’s her.” Jess and Kai say.

"Great..."

## Harmonia's POV

“Hi.” The first person I see is a young fox with half shaved hair, a t shirt with one sleeve cut off, and loose baggy shorts. “I’m Kai. Alex’s kid.”

”Nice to meet you.” I say.

”My dad told us about you.” Kai says. “Come on in.”

”What happened?” I ask. “Sorry if I’m saying it, but this room is a bit messy.”

”You stole my friend from me! I knew it.” Lavinia says. She grabs my hand, but I pull away.”

”Lavinia.” I say. “I’ve been hearing about you lately. I know we used to be friends, but you should let me make my own.”

”She has a point.” Cyrus says. “Harmonia isn’t just *your* friend.”

I change the subject. "is Jess here?"

"Here," Jess comes from her room. "Hey Harmonia. Where are your sisters, Hallie and Helena?"

"At home. anyways, how are you?" I ask.

"Um, *hello?* Doesn't anyone know I'm right here?" Lavinia growls impatiently.

"Lavinia," Carolyn scolds. "Be kind."

Lavinia growls at her

*Ugh**.** These people are crazy.* I hear Lavinia say telepathically.

”Come on.” Kai says. “Let’s go somewhere else. You can meet my other friends there.”

I spot Cyrus, and two younger wolves presumed to be their kids.

”I’m Celeste.” one of them says. “And Estrella.” the other finishes. “We’re parent and daughters.”

”Alex told me about you. You said you two were fraternal twins, right?”

Both of them nod. Estrella walks up to me.

”Sorry to say this, but I have to.”

”Go for it.” I say.

”Lavinia’s an asshole.” she whispers. “Unfortunately we’ve hated each other ever since age seven.”

”Yeah she can be a pain sometimes.” I say. "I thought there would be a little bit of change in her after all these years, but I was clearly wrong..."

"Harmonia, you're my only friend," Lavinia protests.

"She has other friends, right?" Jess turns to me.

"Yes...but I still consider you my friends," I say. “Lavinia needs to deal with the fact that not everything revolves around just her. I’m happy making more friends. It makes things interesting.”

We follow Kai into the living room where I spot Snail, along with Solaria, one of the caretakers at Jewel labs.

"Snail!" I say. Snail and Solaria turn around and smile.

"Hey, what's up?" Solaria asks. But Lavinia interrupts, glaring at Snail.

"Harmonia is *my* best friend. So don't try to steal her away from me!" Lavinia snarls.

"**Stop**!" Kai says. "You should know better than to interrupt rudely."

"Oh, shut the fuck up, motherfu—" Lavinia begins. Luckily, Solaria jumps in.

"I'm good, thank you, Harmonia," Solaria says, eyes twinkling. Lavinia mumbles something telepathically.

*All these idiots are stealing my only friend.*

“So you’re Lavinia, are you?” Solaria says pleasantly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

”Stop stealing my only friend. Be smart and leave me alone.” Lavinia says.

Solaria’s tone grows firm. “And I’ve also heard of the times you’ve started fights with people. You should know better than to be rude to anyone.”

I spot another girl, whom I recognize to be Glee, a hybrid and one of the kids from Jewel labs, walk towards Solaria, who envelops her in a hug. Lavinia scowls at her.

”What’s your problem?” Glee mutters.

”Who the heck are you? And who brought in Solaria?” Lavinia snarks. “She sounds so weird.”

Solaria’s brow furrows, but before she can say anything, Glee steps in.

”Leave my godmother alone!” Glee yells, her voice rising. “Now I see why Harmonia is distancing herself from you! If you’re acting like a jerk face, then you’re bound to have more enemies than friends!!”

”Glee’s right.” Cyrus says. “I was once like that, learned my lesson the hard way, but in the end I tried to fix things. You should too.”

”Blah blah blah.” Lavinia says snottily. “Whatever. I’m leaving.” she walks off.

## Flashback: five years ago: Jess's POV

We're having a meeting with Cyrus, Alex, and Cyrus' kids. I can tell that Lavi does not like this at all.

"*Boring*..." ten year old Lavinia mutters. "Why do we have to do this, anyway?"

"We need to talk about your behavior for the last few years," Cyrus says seriously.

"Yeah," Estrella frowns.

"I can make decisions for myself, you know? I'm almost eleven." Lavi argues.

”You’re still a kid. We’re all still kids. Now shut up and listen.” Kai says.

”Lavinia. No backtalk.” Solaria says firmly. “You’re here for a reason.”

"Yup," I frown at Lavinia. Lavinia rolls her eyes as if she doesn't care. She just really wants to get out of this.

"Lavinia, listen," I say. "You've got to stop arguing about everything."

"I most certainly do *not!"* Lavinia shouts. "And about yesterday, it was all stupid Estrella's fault for getting in my way! Wonder why you’re so runty."

"Hey!" Estrella shouts back, offended. "It was not! Also, I’m naturally small for my age! It’s how it’s always been, you *butthead*!"

”Do *not* talk about Estrella that way!” Cyrus says. “You call people names, you insult people left and right…”

”And you blame people for things they didn’t do.” Kai says. “You just have to accept the fact that a lot of the things happening around here are your doing.”

Solaria sighs. “Should I step in?”

”Yeah. Probably should.” Kai says exhaustedly. “We need you, Sol. You always keep a cool head in these situations.”

”Glad to do the honors.” Solaria replies.

Mae sighs. "She really needs to learn..."

*I hate Kai,* Lavinia mutters telephathically. But we all hear her.

"I hate you too!" Kai blurts. “Asshole!”

"Lavvie, take that back!" I shout. I've just had enough with her attitude, already.

"Lavinia!" Mother scolds. But Lavinia charges over to Kai. "You..." Lavnia storms.

"STOP!" Mae commands.

“Everyone, we need to deal with this civilly.” Solaria says.

“Lavinia, come with me.” Cyrus says. “I personally need to talk to you in private. You have…a problem.”

“But why?! They started—“ Lavinia attempts to say, pointing to Kai, but they hold up a hand, silencing her.

“Go.” Solaria says sternly. “You need to be held accountable for what you did over the *past* *several* *years*, Lavinia.”

“Serves her right.” Kai mutters. They sit down on a beanbag chair.

Cyrus and Lavinia walk off, with Solaria following.

## Present time: Lavinia’s POV

"Lavinia, wait," Solaria says. I was about to head out the door when Solaria stops me.

"What are you like this?" Solaria asks. Instead of responding, I look at everyone in the living room. "Lavinia, I'm talking to you!"

"None of your buisness," I snap.

I’m led into a room with cushioned furniture. Cyrus and Solaria sit in two chairs. A girl roughly Estrella’s age enters the room. She resembles Solaria, but with younger features, and her hair is tied in a braid. She wears two gold earrings in one ear and a crop top hoodie.

“You’re new.” she says. “My name’s Aelia. I’m Solaria’s daughter. I heard you and your sister moved here a couple weeks ago.”

I ignore her.

*I hate newcomers. They should go fuck themselves.* I say telepathically.

Solaria shoots me a confused look. “Wow. You have quite the attitude. Not like others I’ve met before. Mama tells me you have…a history with some of my friends. And an even longer one with Harmonia. We first met when she visited the lab for the first time years ago.”

“YOU *KNOW* HER!?” I say, jumping up from my chair.

“Yes.” Aelia replies. “You know, you really should let her make her own friends. You are being possessive of people and closing yourself off to others at the same time. You should have a heart.”

“Oh, go step in—“ I say, but both Solaria and Aelia cut me off.

“This is an opportunity to turn things around!” Aelia says.

“But you’re blowing it away right before your eyes.” Solaria says.

“So will you let us help you? Or doom yourself to being a dirtbag for the rest of your life?” Cyrus says matter-of-factly. “We really need to discuss your attitude problem, Lavinia.”

I groan. *These guys are getting on my nerves.*

”Just tell us everything.” Cyrus says.

"Fine, you want the truth." I relent. "Ever since I was five, a fox/demon hybrid named Brenda has been sending me threatening messages telepathically. I guess the real reason I hate SummerWood is because Brenda told me SummerWood was deceitful and bad and had enemies. My grandmother has always told us that telepathically messages were deceitful. Brenda is still out there..." I pause. Someone is talking to me...

*Hello, it's Brenda***.** I cringe.

”Oh my God.” Kai says. “I hear her.”

*Anubis has it out for you guys.* We hear. *I hate your guys’ guts. Especially Alex. You think you’re so high and mighty.*

”We need to find her.” I say. “I’m serious.”

”Then let’s go.” Solaria says.

”Alex.” I say.

He turns to me. “Yes?”

”I want you to come with me. I may be a jerk, but I don’t want anyone hurting you guys.”

Alex nods, and takes my hand.

”If things get out of hand.” Cyrus says. “Then I may need to strip Brenda of her magic. She seems dangerous.”

”You do what you need to.” I say.

I hear Alex in my mind.

*We’ll find you, Brenda, you deceitful piece of pickle faced shit. You’ll have blood on your hands.*

”We’re rooting for you, Alexander.” Athena says.

”We all are.” I say.

## Alex's POV

"We'll come too," Harmonia and Jess say, once we tell them the news.

"We'll need backup." I say. "I'm going to gather some others to help us."

"I'm not sure where Brenda would be," Lavinia protests. "I've never met her in real life."

”We can gather evidence from town residents.” I say. “And also search for any stray hairs or energy signatures.”

We walk through the woods.

”I hear something. It’s not telepathy. It’s real voices.” Aelia calls out.

”What are they saying?” I ask.

”One of the voices is Brenda!” She says. Aelia pauses to listen. “She’s saying something. ‘At…midnight, we…*kill the guardians.”*

”Holy shit. She really has it out for us.” Estrella says.

”Don’t die, Dad.” Kai says, their voice cracking. “*Please*.”

We walk furthur and see a demon hybrid. Her eye color is red and she has light fur.

"Are you Brenda?" Lavinia asks.

"We've always wanted to meet you after all these years," her voice echoes.

"Who's 'we'?" I ask.

"We are," Brenda says. a group of other demon hybrid appear behind her.

”Darcy!” I hiss. “You never stop. Not even after Cyrus stripped you of your magic.”

Brenda laughs maniacally. She is cut short after Estrella punches her several times, leaving her face battered and bloody.

”You pack a punch for a little runt.”

Estrella groans angrily. “Oh, go step on a land mind, you snot face!”

”Ohhh looks like you got that smart mouth from Cyrus.” Darcy says. “So much like her parent…”

Brenda brandishes a knife, but Alex’s body glows, and deflects it. The knife lands harmlessly on the ground.

”You can’t take Dad down that easily!” Kai yells. “I know from years of martial arts lessons.”

”Brenda, you betrayed the guardians.” Cyrus says. “So I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done in a long time. It’s not fun, but it’s neccessary.”

Brenda lunges at Cyrus, her knife clips their side, leaving a small cut. Cyrus winces. They kick her in the abdomen, leaving her weak and gasping. Darcy punches Cyrus, but they deflect her blow. They grab her arm and wrestle her to the ground.

## Cyrus’ POV

Brenda writhes in pain, jumps towards me, but I aim for her shoulder and sink my teeth into it. She screams.

”That’s what you get.” I say. I feel her land a blow to my head. I see stars. With the last of my energy, I bring Brenda down, open my mouth, and feel a tingling in my entire body.

Brenda’s body glows blue, her gem cracks and dissolves.

”NO!” She screams. Her body loses some of its color. She attempts a spell circle but nothing happens.

”You did it, Baba.” Estrella says. “You did what a basilisk does best. Stripping magic.”

A heaviness overtakes me. “I…Think I’ve been hurt pretty bad. Ehh..There’ve been worse things.” I grunt. The world swims around me, and goes dark. “Wow…That *really* hurts…”

”I’ll handle Brenda.” I hear Alex and Jess say. “The rest of you, take Cyrus to the nearest medical facility.”

And just like that, I’m out.

## Jess's POV

While some of us take Cyrus to the medical facility, Brenda still isn't ready to quit.

"Well, you may have defeated me today. But I'll always be back!" Brenda warns. "And Lavinia, you aren't acting as snotty as usual...did you..."

"We'll make sure you stay away!" I say.

"Oh Jess," Brenda snarls. "This is the first time you and your sister actually met me. I will get my powers back! Now bow down to the Fake Realm Guy before I blast ya!"

"No!" Lavinia protests. "You've deceived me as a child. I don't hate everything! I realize that now."

"How could you, Brenda?" I ask.

"Bow down to me," Brenda commands.

”Fuck you.” Lavinia says, striking Brenda unconscious. “The fake realm guy’s nothing more than a horse faced bigot.”

”Alright. Let’s haul her ass to the nearest *maximum security* prison.” Kai says. “Lavinia, let me buy you a drink.”

She laughs sharply. “Sure, but I don’t really think I’m quite ready.” Her tone grows serious. “Also Kai, Estrella, I’m sorry.”

”For what?” they both say.

A tear streams down my face. “I’m sorry for being a jerk. I should probably fix things. Cyrus was right.”

We reach the medical facility.

”Will Cyrus wake up?” I ask an attendant.

”Cyrus’ injuries are minor.” The attendant replies. “8 hours in the healing pool, and they should be fine in a day or two, but we’re keeping them for observation for a few days.”

The attendant leads me into a room surrounded by healing orbs, and there on a cushioned bed lies an unconscious Cyrus. They have several small tubes snaking out of their arm, a patch on their chest, and bandages on their abdomen.

”What are the patches for?” I ask.

”Vitals.” The attendant replies. “And one of the lines in Cyrus’ arm has a serum that keeps them asleep. In order to wake them up, we have to taper it off slowly. The orbs show vitals too. The lines also have an anti venom. Cyrus was poisoned.”

*Are you okay?* Lavinia asks telepathically. *It seems like Brenda hit you pretty hard.*

**I’ll be okay.** Cyrus replies. **It will just take a while for me to heal completely.**

“Baba, please don’t die.” Estrella says softly.

**I won’t die.** Cyrus replies. **I’ll always be close to you, even if my body is in one place.**

A tear streams down Estrella’s face. “But we’re worried about you.”

**Don’t worry about me, mi milagro. I’ll be okay. I promise. You just need to be patient.**

”Okay.” Estrella says sadly. She faces the attendant. “Is it okay if I stay with Cyrus.”

”First what is your relation to them, and how old are you?”

”I’m their daughter. I’m 17.” Estrella says.

”Then you can stay.”

I hear Cyrus talk to Estrella telepathically.

**Hey.**

**Sabes que te amo, ¿verdad?**

Estrella nods. “Sí. Intentaré no preocuparme, Baba.”

”I’ll see you two later?” I ask.

Estrella nods solemnly. “Yeah…I guess…”

## Harmonia's POV

Later, we head back to Lavinia and Jess's house.

"I can't believe it. You haven't been your old self for at least ten years!" I comment.

"I know," Lavinia chuckles softly.

"Will you stay that way now?" Jess asks her.

"I promise I'll try. Mom," Lavinia turns to Carolyn. "I want to say that I'm truly sorry for my rude and snarky temper. I wasn't myself."

"We're stilll friends, right?" she turns to me.

"Yes," I say. "Just remember: I'll always have other friends."

"How are you feeling, Cyrus?" Jess turns to them. They sit reclined on a bed. Their wounds are nearly healed, with the bandaged removed, but they still have tubing snaking out of one arm. They look tired, but cleaner than last time.

”Better.” They reply softly. Their voice sounds slightly groggy and raspy. “Still achy, but in less pain than when they brought me in. The healers told me I could go home in 2 days on the condition that I take the week off to rest.”

”You sound a lot better.”

Cyrus smiles. “Thanks.” They whisper. “My body is healing itself from the inside out. It’s what it was supposed to do.”

”Why do you sound like your throat is sore?”

”Well turns out the knife Brenda used had venom in it, so they had to put me out and flush it out of my body. During the process they had me on oxygen.”

”She really hates people.” I say. “Here. Drink this. It’s just water.”

Cyrus takes the cup and places it to their mouth, taking several long gulps.

”Much better.” they say.

”You sound better.”

The attendant from yesterday enters.

”We need to take blood. It’s so we can see if the venom is completely out of your system. It’s not life threatening, but we just need to check for good measure.” They examine Cyrus’ arm for a vein and stick a needle in the center. Bright blue blood snakes through the tube and fills a vial.

”Is your blood supposed to be that color, Cyrus?” I ask.

”Yeah. I’m half demon.” They reply.

The attendant places the vials in a small machine. Several minutes pass and a screen on the device lights up and the words `Negative for Venom` show up.

”Thank god.” Both Cyrus and the attendant say in unison.

”But what happens if there’s still a little left in my system?” Cyrus asks.

”Your body will make you flush it out through urination, although it might make your pee look like olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The ‘balsamic vinegar’ look is the venom. When everything comes out clear, no more venom. Your body will naturally neutralize its effects.”

”Gross, but interesting.” Cyrus says. The needle mark on their arm instantly heals.