Shedding Strength pt. 9

Pissed as she was with Zaeri for scraping the skin off her back with that rusty rake last night, Kaia found herself growing more upset at being separated from Cole, thrown who-knows-how-far into the woods, and soaked from head to toe in someone’s very expensive and very big, pear-shaped swimming pool. Causing such a large splash had knocked the wind out of her, but she couldn’t have been happier that the pool was several meters deep and filled with water. She didn’t want to imagine what crashing into an empty tank would’ve knocked out of her. Still, considering everything, the moment of happiness was just that. Her back hurt like crap, she was still lost, and now separated from all her friends.

Drifting face up, Kaia stared at the wide and sturdy diving platform, she guessed, ten meters above. The only time she’d seen a platform like that was during the Olympic Games, but they usually stood over large, square-shaped pools and not next to giant, secluded mansions. Whoever owned the pearl-hued, glass-filled structure definitely wasn’t hurting for money, and as soon as she felt comfortable enough to do more than tread water, she would ask them for a one-way ticket home.

Kaia sighed. How did things spiral into this weirdness? True enough, she expected Zaeri to flip out when she found out about her and Cole, but she never would’ve guessed the girl was one of those empowered humans that had been all over the news for the past four years or so. Their powers were unpredictable, and some couldn’t even control them. Zaeri had definitely appeared out of control, but Kaia didn’t know if that was because of her powers or the fact that she had walked in on Cole face-deep between Kaia’s legs.

“Why are you in my pooly?”

Kaia jumped. Her mind was so far away she hadn’t noticed the pale-skinned little girl standing barefoot at the edge of the pool and hugging a brown and black teddy bear. The girl looked odd with her light blue-streaked, white hair pulled into two big pigtails and wearing a frilly, midnight blue dress covered in silver stars large and small. She looked almost like a living doll.

“Sorry,” Kaia finally answered. “I just sorta fell in.” She turned over and gingerly swam toward the girl. “Can you tell me where I am?”

With wide yellow-green eyes, the little girl giggled and pointed. “In my pool, silly!” She held the bear up to her ear as if it whispered words. The girl’s expression turned confused. “Oh… That’s not what she means?”

Kaia tried to smile as she climbed out of the water, but it felt so forced, she knew the girl would tell she faked it. “It’s not. I mean… what is this place?”

The little girl spun around joyously. “It’s my homey-home, see? Housey here… pooly there…” She happily presented her teddy to Kaia. “…and Mr. Growley! Say hello, Mr. Growley!”

With a weak grin, Kaia took the soft toy in hand. It had a tacky, pink bow tied around its neck, but it was so warm to the touch that the girl must have held onto it all the time. Surprisingly, the teddy still looked brand new… well, almost. When its carmine eyes caught the light at the right angle, she could see many tiny scrapes across their surface. Looking closer, the eyes almost appeared to be gems.

The girl pouted. “You don’t like Mr. Growley?”

Kaia quickly smiled and handed the teddy back. “I like Mr. Growley a lot, but I don’t wanna get him wet.”

“Yay!” The girl jumped up and down while holding the teddy high. “She likes you, Mr. Growley! That means she’s our new friend!” She pulled the bear down to her ear again for a few seconds and nodded while it “whispered.” Kaia glanced at the house, trying to see if anyone moved around inside, but she couldn’t make out anyone. Good thing the girl’s parents seem loaded though. One day, a therapist would have a field day convincing her bears don’t talk. “Hey!” The girl tugged on Kaia’s drenched blouse. “Mr. Growley says all his friends have to be pretty-pretty like me!”

It took a moment for Kaia to realize the girl meant her dripping wet clothes and hair. Slightly annoyed, she looked away. “I’m gonna let that slide ’cause you’re short and you’re right. But these are the only clothes I got right now.”

“Mommy’s got pretty clothes!” The girl eagerly grabbed Kaia’s hand and pulled her toward the mansion’s open glass doors. “Let’s go play dress up!”

Unbelievable how trusting kids were. No wonder there were so many missing children’s reports in the world. “Wait…” Kaia said as she resisted the girl’s tugging. “Your mommy probably don’t want strangers in her house.”

The girl shook her head. “You’re not a stranger! You’re my friend!” The girl’s eyes suddenly widened as if she remembered something. “Oh, silly me! What’s your name?”

Crouching in front of her, she answered, “I’m Kaia.”

Grinning like she’d just opened a Christmas present, the girl quickly bowed her head. “Hello, Kaia! I’m Harmony! Nice to meet you! See? Now we’re friends!” She grabbed Kaia’s hand again. “Let’s go see mommy!”

Shedding Strength pt. 10  (13+) Soon-to-be high school graduates wake up in a strange place... #2060761 by Kadiro