The two girls found themselves in a deserted alley, hidden from view. Miria struggled to breathe, her head still buzzing.
"Give me your hand," Alix said calmly. "And get ready... This might be a little... unsettling."
"What? What are you going to..."
Before she could finish her sentence, everything changed. The air seemed to bend in on itself, the ground gave way. A strange light enveloped them.
And in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a room.
Miria opened her eyes wide, stunned. They were now standing in a vast living room, tastefully decorated. Neatly lined shelves of books, plants, comfortable armchairs, a warm atmosphere. It was like a peaceful bubble, a thousand miles from the hustle and bustle of school.
But Miria faltered.
"I... I feel..."
Her body gave way. She collapsed on the carpet. Alix rushed over, knelt beside her, and shook her gently.
"Miria? Stay awake! Look at me! Hold on!"
A voice then rang out from upstairs, deep and surprised.
"Who's there?"
A young man hurried down the stairs. When he saw Alix kneeling beside a nearly unconscious Miria, he ran over.
"Alix? What happened?"
"It's her... She needed you. She's not well, Asher. She's hearing voices... She's in pain."
Asher knelt beside Miria, took her wrist to check her pulse. His face hardened.
"I think... her powers are awakening." She doesn't realize it, but what she hears... are the thoughts of the people around her.
"Can she read minds?" Alix asked, amazed.
"Yes," Asher replied. "But... I don't know if that's all. She might have other dormant abilities."
Without waiting, he carefully lifted Miria into his arms and headed upstairs.
"I'm going to calm her down."
Alix followed suit, worried but relieved to have found her in time.