Chapter 7

Serena got off her bed and headed to the bathroom. She didn't feel too good. The terrible dreams she had left her feeling scared, worried and insecure.

Her eyes fell on the black card Logan left. He was her real father and he had all the answers to her questions. But the stubborn part in her didn't give in to the urge to call him. She didn't need his help. She was fine on her own.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered the funeral of her late foster parents. Although they never told her the truth about her real parents, she didn't hold any grudge against them. She would miss them forever.

She took a long shower, feeling the warm water soothe her skin and wash away the tiredness. She felt her muscles relax and she let out a deep sigh. After dressing up and whipping her hair into the usual ponytail, she headed downstairs.

Her phone beeped with a text message from Jayden. He was asking her if she was ready to leave.

She texted back, asking him and the others to meet her at the mall.

After staying indoors for two weeks straight, her friends had suggested they go out for shopping. She almost declined the invite, but Jayden had begged and she didn't have the heart to refuse.

On her way out, she took an apple from the fridge and grabbed the house keys.

As she stepped out to stop a taxi, she felt lightheaded for a moment. Her vision blurred and she almost blacked out.

She shook her head, wondering what just happened.

"Maybe it's because I haven't eaten." She murmured. She munched on her apple as a taxi stopped beside her.

"Central Mall." She informed to the driver.

As the taxi sped on, she watched as the houses zoomed past and the fresh smell of the clean air assailed her. This was her home and she would never part from it, not even for Logan Michaelson.

...

"Hi babe." Jayden smiled, holding his arms open as Serena walked into the mall. He pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her hair.

Serena sighed contentedly, realizing how much she missed him. She had been so caught up in her grief.

"I missed you." Jayden murmured, gazing into her eyes lovingly.

"I missed you too." She whispered. "I'm sorry I've been so distant."

"It's okay. I understand honestly." Jayden smiled and kissed her lips.

"Hey, lovebirds." Someone yelled.

They turned around and sighted Anderson and Tabitha. Serena smiled and threw herself into their arms.

"Someone is in a good mood." Tabitha chuckled. "We've all been so worried about you."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I just needed time alone." Serena explained.

"You don't have to apologize. We all understand." Anderson smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Where are the others?"

"They've been accepted into Cambridge College, so they had to go do the necessary clearance needed." Tabitha answered.

"That's amazing. I'm so happy for them." Serena said excitedly. "So it's just us."

"Yeah. Just us." Anderson replied as they strolled into the mall.

They played several casino games, bought ice cream and chocolate and they moved to the shopping section.

Serena was laughing at Anderson's joke, having so much fun when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head.

She cried out and held her head with both hands. It was as if her head was splitting in two. She heard voices, whispering in her head, but she couldn't comprehend what they meant.

She could see Jayden's worried face. Tabitha and Anderson were close by, asking her what was wrong.

The voices in her head increased, driving her crazy. The pain in her head intensified and she felt like she would die if it didn't stop. Too many voices. So much pain.

Unable to bear it anymore, she let out a blood curdling scream. Her hair glowed brightly and a blinding bright light shot out from her body in a terrible wave, slamming into her friends and pushing them far away.

The customers around were not left out. The wave was so strong that it shattered the windows, mirrors, the TV's hanging on the walls; everything the wave touched was shoved away and destroyed.

When Serena's screams stopped, so did the terrible pain. It was like she just relived herself from a heavy burden. She opened her eyes which had been shut and gasped at the disaster before her.

The Mall was in ruin. Glass littered the whole floor. All the windows had been shattered. The walls were cracked and dust motes filled the air. Every electric equipment had been destroyed. The entire shopping section was gone, as if it had been disintegrated. The clothes were all torn to shreds. The floor tiles were cracked and chipped in numerous places.

The only place that remained untouched was the area in which she stood.

Serena looked around in utter shock. What was happening? First the dreams, now this? She looked around for her friends and saw them across the mall. Anderson was helping Tabitha up and Jayden was staring at her in horror.

The mall was deathly silent, apart from a little child crying hysterically. The shoppers all had fear and horror in their eyes. No one dared to go close to her.

Anderson turned and looked at her. There was fear and confusion in his eyes. Tabitha was sobbing softly, blood trailing down the corner of her mouth.

With a sickening realization, Serena turned and fled. She couldn't comprehend everything that was happening. She heard Anderson calling out to her and she increased her pace.

Tears filled her eyes as she ran. People moved away from her in fear as she ran past them. They all had looks of fear and alarm in their eyes.

"Serena!" Anderson yelled as he chased after her, with Tabitha and Jayden following behind him.

Serena didn't stop running as she dashed out of the mall. She needed to be alone. She couldn't be around them now.

Tears blurred her vision as she ran into the road. She wasn't looking. She stepped in front of an incoming truck and the driver honked loudly, trying to swerve.

People in the streets screamed as the truck was unable to stop. Serena threw up her arms to protect herself and waited for the hit, but it never came.

Instead a flash of light shot out of her hands and struck the truck. The truck was sliced in two as if it were made of paper, both halves of it falling on either side of where she stood.

The screams increased as people moved away, while others recorded with their phones.

Serena was frozen with fear. She turned and saw Anderson on the side walk. He held Tabitha and the expression on their faces were unexplainable. Anderson didn't try to go close to her this time.

What really broke her heart was the look on Jayden's face. He was white and he looked like he had seen a ghost. How would she explain to him when she didn't even know what was wrong with her?

She heard the loud cry of a police siren and she took off from the scene. The look on her friends face haunted her till she got home and slammed the door shut.