Morrigan’s head was still spinning when she woke up, pulling off the plush covers as she stood up. Yawning, she easily turned on the lights, fascinated by the simplicity that she never experienced in her own home. She had a dream, perhaps a nightmare, but she couldn’t recall anything but her sticky skin adhered to the lining. In her dream, she had stood still for years, watching the world pass from an eternal time. She waited, waited for something to happen that she couldn’t remember. Until finally, a ghastly, womanly scream and her father’s shriek soon after sent her jolting up, awake and head spinning.

After she got ready, amazed by the splendor of Alyssa’s house, she headed downstairs for breakfast. Elizabeth was already stuffing her face with pancakes while Alyssa laughed, hands peeling a large orange. Tinker bells of light gently glistened in the room, flooding in through the large windows. Alyssa looked at Morrigan, her soft smile illuminating the room even more as she grabbed utensils for Morrigan. “I’m not sure what you wanted for breakfast, but feel free to take whatever.”

Morrigan returned the smile, pulling out a chair. “Thank you,” she croaked, her voice still sore from yesterday’s events. She piled on some fresh fruit, vigorously thanking Alyssa while salivating at the opportunity of such a luxury. “So… Juro and Bruno aren’t here yet?”

“So what? An all girls day is way more fun. They’ll join whenever,” said Elizabeth, covering her mouth with her hand to disguise her crumb-coated mouth. “Wow, this is seriously incredible Alyssa. I don’t remember the last time I’ve had a meal like this.”

“Please, don’t stress about it. It’s the least I could do for you guys, especially given our situation. Once my parents come back from the fundraiser, I’ll see what I can do.”

The group engaged in a small conversation, dishes clattering as they all ate their fill. Once they all sat back down, Morrigan finally felt more comfortable talking about yesterday. Nervously wiggling her thumbs against each other, she murmured, “you know, I really think I could do something. Something big. I could help so many citizens turn their life around and finally earn a living.”

Elizabeth chimed in. “But do you really think any of that could work with Leiths in play? Even if you cured entire hospitals, they’ll all get sick again after, assuming you don’t get hunted down and murdered first.”

Morrigan rubbed her swollen eyes in frustration and groaned; a part of her wanted to run out and see how far she could push herself, even though it was incredibly impulsive, but she knew she couldn’t fool around anymore. She had ruined lives with her brash decisions, and she wouldn’t risk killing any more innocent lives. “Honestly… I don’t know. Is it really my place to decide what happens to the Leiths? The only thing I do have power in deciding is how to avenge my father.”

“Morrigan, I think you should lay low for a bit,” Alyssa replied, reaching over the expansive dining table to gently hold her hand. “This is really dangerous for you. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I know, I know, but I can’t just ignore everything that happened. They’ll be after me no matter what, and I might as well get back at them.” Even though Morrigan didn’t draw her hand back from Alyssa’s comforting touch, Morrigan stiffened at her gentle thumb movements that reminded her of her father. Morrigan stared at Alyssa inquisitively, watching Alyssa suddenly jump up, seeming full of life.

Alyssa jumped up from the table, strutting over to the large granite kitchen island, grabbing a newspaper. “Morrigan, this came in the mail today. Juro mentioned the explosion, and this newspaper has some information on it.” Energy seemed to course through Alyssa, cracking her normally introverted yet charming personality.

A small smile creeped up Morrigan’s lips as she took the newspaper, looking at the front page. Elizabeth butted in, rolling her eyes before loudly crashing on her chair. “I can’t read any of this shit!”

Morrigan’s eyes scanned the paper, reading the headline. “Tech Prodigy Josephine Meyer’s Prosthetic Surgery Major Success; Brother Still in Hiding.” After quickly reading it outloud to please the complaining Elizabeth, a small smirk appeared on Morrigan’s lips. Alyssa’s surprising demeanor seemed to suddenly vanish before Morrigan got up, embracing her in a warm hug. “Thank you, Alyssa. I’m going to head to my room now. Do you have any gloves I could borrow?”

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Alyssa perked up again, vigorously nodding as she grabbed Morrigan a new pair. Morrigan dismissed herself, claiming she wanted to go to her room to think things over. Walking back up the luxurious and looming marble staircase, Morrigan’s lower lip trembled, her eyes wide. She quickly shut her bedroom door, scouring the closet for a black coat while eagerly cuffing her pants, trying to appear more presentable.

Hey, Mom, did you see what I did there? She continued to clean up her outfit, tying the oversized black coat. Her old coat had burn marks that would reveal her identity, although she did mourn the waste of so much money.

[Yes. Be careful. Don’t be reckless again.]

I know. I know exactly what I need to do.

Morrigan double checked that she had locked both her bedroom and bathroom doors before finally staring at herself in the mirror. When Alyssa had taken her hand earlier, Morrigan could barely contain how exciting the revelation had been. She could change people's emotions, regulate their serotonin or adrenaline levels. Her bottom lip still trembled now as she bit down hard on it, trying to keep her overflowing excitement at bay.

She now stared at herself in the mirror, shaking with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

If I do this, will I pass out?

[Doubt it. Try.]

Morrigan took a deep breath before closing her eyes, directing all of her attention to her scalp. She felt her hair grow longer and longer, brushing past her ears before creeping down her shoulder and back. When she opened her eyes, she let out a silence gasp at her now luscious blond hair. Not only could she control the emotions of the people around her, but she could adjust her appearance, too. She leaned in closer to the mirror, inspecting her bumpy skin. She watched as her blueish eyes turned purple and freckles peeked their way through her now flushed cheeks. Pink, she thought, smiling at the simplicity.

Perhaps some essence of Lilith truly resided in her. No other Leith power could ever reach the capacities she did, except for perhaps shadow and void. But, those people barely had control over a power so daunting and destructive. Morrigan exited the bathroom with her new pair of gloves around her hands, a dark pride seeming to seep out of her, and she unlocked the window before climbing out of Alyssa’s home.

Morrigan headed over to her house, confident that no one would be able to recognize her now. She barely resembled the same person, and if either Alyssa or Elizabeth found out she was missing, Morrigan knew that Alyssa would keep Elizabeth locked within her home. When she finally arrived at her house, she was taken aback by the amount of officers that populated her decimated lawn, still investigating the collapsed house.

Morrigan scoffed and spat on the floor by the site, knowing that the government wouldn’t have sent so many officers for one measly house. But, despite this realization, a deeper question leaked into her mind. If Mr. Brown knew her mother was a Leith, then why was Morrigan spared for so many years?

Brushing off the thought as an issue to be resolved for later, she continued her trek to Mr. Brown’s house. Despite her disguise, she did her best to remain inconspicuous to any of the patrolling officers, deciding to circle around her house instead. Were they ever able to recover her father’s body? Would they simply dump it, assuming he hadn’t been charred to ash?

As Morrigan finally approached Mr. Brown’s front door, a voice called out from behind her.

“Hey! Who are you, and what are you doing here!” The officer’s voice darted across the clearing, seeming to bear into her as he rushed towards her.

Morrigan turned around, and he appeared to soften, perhaps realizing that she wasn’t the woman he was looking for. “Oh, I’m so sorry for any trouble, sir. I heard about this terrible fire, and I had to check in on my dear friends that live here. Please, certify this with them.”

He looked at her suspiciously but agreed, escorting her over to Mr. Brown’s door before executing a firm knock. “Mr. Brown, you have a visitor. She claims to be a friend.”

After a moment, Mr. Brown finally opened the door, barely peeking out of the small crack he created. He eyed the blond girl in front of him, Adam peeking out from behind his legs. “I’m sorry, but I don’t kn-” he suddenly froze when his eyes traveled to the pair of gloves she was wearing. Adam began to desperately pull on his father’s pant legs and Morrigan gently removed the gloves.

“Oh, I’m delighted to see you’re alright! May I please come in? I was so worried about you guys.” She flashed a warm smile, enjoying the panic that darted like wasps in his eyes.

Trembling at the threat of her now bare hands, something so miniscule that he barely had time to understand the situation, he finished his sentence. If he were to report her now, the officer wouldn’t believe him, and even if he did, Morrigan would make quick work. Squeezing his eyes shut, Mr. Brown held faith that Morrigan wouldn’t harm a family so dear to her. “I’m so sorry you had to come all this way! I don’t know why you’d do that for me. Officer, we know her. Thank you for bringing her here.”

The officer nodded his head before returning to this station. Morrigan forced open the door, seeming to grow in the door frame as her body blocked out all the light. She slammed the door shut behind her, and darkness now plagued Mr. Brown’s vision.