HIDDEN

Chapter 21

"No. I've already decided", Mia said sternly, ".... I'm not joining you".....

Everyone was quiet as if they were trying to process what she had just said.

Dale was surprised. He knew that he told her not to join them but he didn't actually expect her to listen.

Roxanne then spoke up.
"Are you sure?.... You know you still have a lot of time to think about it."

"I already have", Mia said averting her eyes from their gaze, "B-but I'll still join you in sealing the gate, two years from now."

"You know, if you join us, we can teach you how to use the power that you obviously don't know how to control", Nathan pointed out blankly, "Don't you think going there powerless will put you in danger?"

Mia hesitated, "Umm- I– I'm not..."

"We can protect her", Dale suggested as he cut in, "We'll be more powerful than we've ever been so we can easily keep her safe. All she has to do is just transfer most of her power to seal the gate."

Nathan glared at Dale as if he was suspecting something. He then gave out a sigh. "Heh. I'm fine with it."

"What?!" Roxanne exclaimed in confusion, "This is really risky. Why are you guys so calm about it?"

"I've made my decision", Mia stepped in, "Honestly, for the past fifteen years of my life, I've lived a pretty normal life. If you're worried that a teras will come after me, I highly doubt it. I never knew about them or saw them until two days ago. I'll be fine."

Roxanne saw how the rest were okay with it and realised she was standing alone. She then took a deep breath.
"Ok", Roxanne replied softly, "But always know that you can come to us if you ever change your mind."

Mia gave a light smile, "Yeah, thanks."

~■~
"MUUM! I'm off!" Mia exclaimed as she approached the door of her house, all dressed up, ready to meet up with Chimamanda, as today was Saturday.

"Already?" Mrs. Sarah asked as she came out of the kitchen, "It's still 8:30, why are you in a rush?"

"Mum, I already told you that we wanted to go as early as possible so that we won't have to wait in line for a ride", Mia reminded.

"You can atleast stay with me a bit longer. Its been so long since we sat down and talked. I wonder what's been happening with you in school?" Mrs. Sarah whined.

Mia laughed nervously and changed the subject, "Mum, you still have to go to work around nine, so we don't really have time."

"(Sigh) Ok, when you get back then. We always have Sunday" her mum's tone swithched and became stern and serious, "Make sure you come back before I do. Before five, I mean. Ok?"

"Ok", Mia replied reassuringly and left the house.

~■~
She arrived at Chimamanda's house who was waiting outside. They spent a few minutes talking before they went to the park.

They passed the big entrance sign which wrote in a fun-sized text, 'GOHOME PARK'.

They were marvelled at the sight of so many varieties of rides both big and small with benches adorned everywhere incase one gets tired, and food shacks at each corner selling a different varieties of snacks. There was a restaurant nearby incase one wanted to eat proper food.

"Where have you been all my life", Chimamanda gazed in awe.

"Why are you still standing? Let's go", she said enthusiastic as she went in.

"Are you sure about this? Some of the rides look kind of intense", Mia voiced out a little worried.