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GLIMPSE OF CHAOS

As we speed towards Urices or Root City, as the foreigners called it, reports of the fire grew more urgent. Nicholas pushes the car to its limits, going over 100mph. I can feel fear creeping into my chest, but I know Nicholas is more afraid of arriving too late to stop Max.

The traffic in the Capitol is at a standstill, but Nicholas doesn't head towards it. Instead, he swerves onto the median and drives against traffic, pulling into an abandoned parking lot on the opposite side. I was startled and asked him, "Are we going to walk there? That's going to take forever. We won't make it in time."

Nicholas confidently exits the car and leads me down an abandoned alley. "Massimo is not over there. I got a feeling that's a diversion. Follow me." I trust him and follow along, trying to keep up as he sprints ahead. The smell of smoke grows stronger and stronger, something started burning nearby not too long ago as black clouds emerged from afar.

Finally, we emerge from the alley and I see a large, stadium-shaped building illuminated by bright letters spelling out "Fine Arts." Bo'caní, a small plaza with many buildings around, very close together, each with its own unique activities, bars, restaurants, exotic dancers, anything to keep the people going, that's where we are. I call out for Nicholas and hear his voice on the opposite side of the building. I run towards him, but the thick smoke and crowds of people make it difficult to see.

Out of the crowd and into the street with two buildings already ablaze, their flames casting a hellish glow on everything around. I looked around, trying to guess which one Nicholas had gone into, but there was no sign of him.

People were running in every direction, screaming and crying, and the sound of sirens echoed in the distance. My heart was pounding hard, as I tried to make sense of the situation.

I scanned the area when suddenly I saw movement near the building on the left and sprinted towards it, dodging the people running from it.

As I entered the burning building, I finally saw who I presumed was Max, standing in the middle of the room, flames dancing around him. He had wavy brown hair and a brooding appearance, and eyes filled with anger. "I'm destroying everything that feeds them," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes, and you know exactly how to stop them, even if it hurts us more in the end." The flames grew larger and more agitated.

Nicholas screamed at Max to stop, but Max vanished in the flames. Nicholas hesitated, torn between going after Max or saving the people still inside the building. Then, his eyes closed for a moment, and a burst of icy mist came out of his body. The surrounding fire died down a little, but it wasn't enough. Nicholas continued to release icy mist from his body and hands, while I helped the people trapped inside. I felt like I had an icy shield protecting me from the heat of the flames.

After what felt like an eternity, we managed to get everyone out of the building. I grabbed Nicholas, who was cold and shivering. I took off my buttoned shirt and wrapped it around him. "Are you okay?" I asked, concerned.

Nicholas gave me a thumbs up, his teeth chattering from the cold. "Have I told you, I hate the cold?" he said.

As we emerged from the burning building, I noticed a crowd of people, their cameras and phones out, recording us. A news crew was setting up nearby, and a woman with what seemed like a microphone was approaching us. Suddenly, I felt a slight breeze and a hand on my back. I turned around and saw Ivory, with her face grim and her bright green hair standing out even the lights of the flames, grabbing both Nicholas and me. In an instant, we were teleported back to Nicholas' house.

Upon being teleported back to the house, I could feel tension in the air. Alba rushed over to Nicholas, hovering around him to make sure he was okay. I noticed Gustavo sitting in the corner, not moving an inch to help. I got up and turned to Ivory who was pacing back and forth, her face twisted with anger.

"You had to use your powers, didn't you Nicholas?!" she snapped, her eyes piercing.

Nicholas shrugged helplessly. "I had no other choice. People were in danger, and I couldn't just stand by and watch them burn."

Ivory let out an exasperated sigh. "Always trying to play the hero. You know that wasn't part of the plan. We were supposed to reveal our powers at the right time! Now it'll be everywhere on the news about a guy with ice powers saving them!"

Nicholas chuckled bitterly. "If you haven't been paying attention, nothing is going according to plan. We just have to make a new plan and this new plan includes saving Massimo. And don't worry, I'll still lead the revolution when the time comes."

Ivory scoffed and slumped into a chair down. "You better."

Lead the revolution? I guess that would be Nicholas' role in the plan. I wouldn't expect anybody else, lately, Nicholas has become someone for me to admire because of his determination. His charisma and energy will make people want to follow him.

"I'll do whatever it takes, and you know exactly how to stop them, even if it hurts us more in the end," Nicholas said. "Massimo said this before he ran away. Unlike before, he gave me a clue to his whereabouts. I don't know exactly what he means by it but I need your help to figure it out."

As I looked around the room, I could sense the tension mounting between Ivory and Nicholas. Alba seemed to be in a daze, still processing the events that had just happened. Gustavo was sitting in the corner, his eyes were darting around the room, avoiding Nicholas's gaze as if he was hiding something.

Alba finally spoke up, "Stop who, Nicholas?"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Nicholas explained, "Massimo had always a deep hatred for the USC because of how they treated his mother before she passed away. He saw the residential area as a way of the government's oppression, he's always said it. The accident just gave him the perfect excuse to burn it down. As for the Capitol, I think he wanted to send a message that their power and authority mean nothing to him. But burning down Bo'caní, the reason most Columbians come to visit, was personal. Massimo is fed up with the way they come to our island and act like they own the place. He wants them out, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen."

I turned to Gustavo, hoping to get some insight from him. "What do you think, Gustavo? Do you know anything that could help us?" I asked my tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"Why would I know? Because I had a good guess before? You shouldn't even be here, no one knows you and you clearly don't know anyone so, why are you here?" Gustavo had the same stare he had the last time I saw him.

As Gustavo's words cut through me like a knife, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider among this group of people I barely knew. I wanted to defend myself, to prove that I was here for a reason but the truth was that I didn't belong. And then, just as I was about to give up, Ivory stepped forward, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"What are you doing here, Ellion?" She asked, her voice steady and unwavering.

I felt the panic creeping over me. Where could I run to? My car and my house were miles away. I started sweating profusely. I nervously glanced at Nicholas, hoping for some support or guidance. His eyes were almost shut and his face looked drained but he was still standing, propped up against the wall. Suddenly, he flashed me a reassuring smile, silently urging me to speak up.

Nervously, I tried to speak but my voice failed me. I frantically searched for a reason for my presence and then it clicked. "I'm part of the group." I blurted it out. "I might not have an awesome ice power or lizard-controlling abilities, but I do have something, and it's faith and trust. Ryan convinced me to join because he trusted me and he said I could help him, as a friend, it was my duty to at least try. Now that I'm with the group, is my duty to also help them. Ivory asked me to come and Nicholas, who would be our soon leader, trusted me and asked me to help him save someone who was also part of the group. We're all working towards the same goal, and we need all the help we can get, no matter where it comes from. So, Gustavo, are you part of the group?

Ivory and Nicholas smiled, but Gustavo remained unresponsive, and I felt like I'd talked too much. He got up to leave, but Alba grabbed his hand. "Don't be like that, Gus," she said. "We need your help to brainstorm."

Calmly, Gustavo said "I need to think about a new plan. But you still have our great leader, who I have no doubt will find his friend soon. So, stay with him, just like you normally do." With that, he walked away and shut himself in a room.

Nicholas consoled Alba, and Ivory gestured for me to follow her outside. As we walked to the backyard, I couldn't help but wonder if I stepped over the line, saying that to Gustavo.

We settled on the porch, gazing up at the starry night sky. "Good answer." She said, teasingly. "I thought for a second you were going to choke there."

"For a second, I was. But seeing Nicholas still standing up and motivated after what just happened made me realize I want to follow him, even if I don't end up with any powers, I want to see it through to the end."

"Ryan was right about you. He said you have a big heart, always thinking about others rather than yourself. I can see you have a lot of courage but no way to show it. I'll help you show it. You, alongside the group, we'll be unstoppable when the time comes." Ivory said thoughtfully.

Now that I'm alone with Ivory, I can ask her what really is her ultimate goal with her plan. I think I already got it down, but I want to be sure. "So, let me get this straight. Your plan is to organize a massive protest that will draw everyone's attention, and then use that to showcase the group's abilities to protect and defend the people against the government. By doing so, we'll rally more support for the cause and inspire even more people to join and strengthen the movement, right?"

"You make it sound simple," Ivory said with a wry smile. "The hardest thing is making people believe in us. Do you know the story of Macerio?"

"The leader of the second revolution? Yeah, I know of him. Is he your inspiration?"

Ivory's voice took on a reverent tone as she spoke. "Our ancestors' past is our inspiration. We don't judge them for their mistakes, but take their knowledge, learn from it, and make it our own. Albazor brought the truth of the USC here to Vanity Island, Macerio learned from him and revealed that our own government was working against us. Valencia learned from both of them but used it in the wrong ways."

The name Valencia sounded familiar but I couldn't quite place it. "Who is Valencia?"

"One of Macerio's revolution leaders," Ivory replied.

"She tried to keep his revolution going after he gave himself up but failed to follow through. She was very ambitious and her intellect left an impression on everyone, but in the end, it was her own ambition that led to her failure."

She continued explaining. "On Grito Sangrieto, when Macerio supposedly killed the cops with a huge shock wave from his screams, that was what brought everyone to his side. They felt safe with a strong leader, but in the end, he wasn't determined enough. He didn't do what he had to do and he gave himself up to the enemy." Ivory's voice was heavy with regret as she spoke of the failed revolution.

I listened intently, my eyes locked onto Ivory's as she spoke with passion.

"I'm not like any of them. We are more and all of us want the same cause. It's time to take back our home and be free to make our own choices, to live our lives as we see fit on our island. Those who take advantage of our suffering will no longer rule us. We'll unite the people and show them that we're fighting for the same thing, for our rights and freedom. Together, we'll overthrow the government, cut all ties with the USC, and be free again." Her eyes looked as if she was seeing this future in the stars.

"We'll make it," I said confidently. I've never felt this way before, a sense of belonging and actually making a change for the better.

Ivory looked back with excitement. "Let's get head back inside. Tomorrow is the dance and we gotta get up early."

I've completely forgotten about it but she was there all day preparing it with Alba, she must be exhausted. "Fine, it's been a long day." I looked back through the glass window to see how Nicholas was doing but he and Alba were both already deep asleep on the couch. No surprise.

Ivory walked me to the guest room and as soon as she left, I threw my body to the bed. It's been a very long day. I didn't know how tired I was until I felt the soft coldness of the bed in my face. I hugged the pillow and started thinking about the future. Even though we were in the middle of helping someone, I felt strangely calm, the first time in my life I've felt like this.

Even though we were in the middle of helping someone, I felt strangely calm, the first time in my life I've felt like this [https://img.wattpad.com/e3e3c1c2dd375115267179f874795c2dda3b989f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f475444334569682d41562d4159513d3d2d313334393634343032382e313761396261666633386439333161333938313032353939343330362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Name: Alba Lorenzo

Age: 25

Character Info: A professional dancer on the island. Grew up with Gustavo in Ororena town, and became friends with Nicholas and Max at school. She and Nicholas have been together since high school.