Raindrops pound on the windows and roof. The crack of thunder shakes the sky, with the howling wind surging through the beach. Lahar sits on the couch, tying the laces on her sneakers. A nauseated feeling fills her as she sits. She can't tell whether it's the fact that she hasn't slept since Arena was poisoned or if her nerves are getting the best of her.

She pulls on her shoes' heels to ensure they fit well. She tries to stand, but her pizza-dough legs won't hold her. Her back hits the sofa as she falls back. The room is dark, with nothing but the small warmth of a candle on the coffee table and flashes of lightning to light the room.

With each flash, she is reminded of the fight two days ago: the pounding of the hooves, the gnarling sound emanating from the Beasts, and Arena's blood dripping down the horn of the thin Beast.

She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a piece of mango-flavored gum. Her hands tremble as she unwraps the gum and begins to chew. For a moment, she closes her eyes and lets herself get lost in the sound of the storm.

After a deep breath, Lahar finds the strength to stand. She puts on a blue raincoat and then her backpack. She fastens her belt and ensures the water gun is in the holster. Her fingers feel the engravings on her bangle as she stands facing the front door. She takes a step and then hears the clump of a heavier step.

With the subtle sound of fire burning, she knows who is behind her before she looks. She turns to see Pie, with Crew beside him. King stands in the hallway and watches them.

"Are you here to stop me?"

Crew crosses his arms. He has never been the talker. Lahar can remember only a handful of conversations with him. They were enjoyable but scarce. His flame flickers, giving a few choice words that can be summed up as "Don't go. The storm is too strong."

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"I think I found something that can help him." The conviction lies heavy in her voice as she stares at all three. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a small leather-bound book belonging to Arena.

"It's in the reef. A plant that can help him. I talked it over with Doc, and she agrees. This can be the last ingredient she needs." She looks up to see they're not convinced just yet. "Arena has the location marked in his book. Plus, Doc and I worked the kinks out of all my potions, so they should be ready in case I run into trouble. I am not going in unprepared."

Crew and King remain silent. Crew's head is aimed at the bandages wrapped around her arm.

She holds her wrapped arm as she speaks. "I will go and get this for him. No matter how strong the storm is or what is waiting out there for me. I won't sit here and watch him slip away through our fingers. I won't drag you all into this. This is my job. You should stay and help Doc devise a backup plan in case this doesn't go well."

Lahar stares, waiting for the outcries. Oh, she isn't experienced enough to do this alone. The barrier stops before the beach, so if the storm doesn't kill her, the Beasts will. Thoughts she believes herself—so much that she can feel her knees buckle and her chest become heavy at the mere thought of walking out the door.

Crew turns to King, who is leaning in the hall with his arms crossed. King gives Crew a nod, then turns and walks through the door leading to the greenhouse. Crew pats the side of Pie as they start to walk toward the door.

As they pass Lahar, she speaks. "You don't have to come. No one else needs to be hurt."

Crew opens the door into the stormy field. He looks at the brave face she has on but sees the buckling knees. The soft, clumpy hand grabs hers. He pounds his chest with his free hand. She finds the situation slightly strange.

"Let's head out, then. We don't have much time," she says, walking out the door. Once she's off the porch, the patting sound of water hitting the hood of the raincoat distracts her momentarily from the cracking thunder and forceful winds. She mounts Pie's back, with Crew sitting behind her.

Pie's flames wrap around them, and even the great storm bends to Pie as the raindrops evaporate before they can touch his flames. Once everyone is secure, Pie bursts into a full sprint, past the grass, and into the sand.

Once they cross the barrier, Lahar knows there is no more safety for her, no turning back. She must venture forth without looking back.