How am I supposed to help you when you're keeping so many secrets from me?
- Seraphina
This is the 214th chapter of unORDINARY.
Summary[]
The arrangement proposed by Leilah offers no appeal to Seraphina. After a five-year absence, the first thing her sister asks of her is to work with the people responsible for her powerlessness. Leilah clarifies that Sera would be working for her, but Sera sees no distinction between the two parties. Leilah insists she's Seraphina's ally, and that matters aren't as black-and-white as they seem. She urges her to accept this brief arrangement. Leilah admits that her selfish actions were unforgivable and hurt Seraphina, but swears that she has always been a caring sister. Seraphina listens, but she can't recognize Leilah anymore than the best friend she once thought she knew. She wonders how Leilah could dare to ask for trust after zero contact for five years, and claiming to be on her side on top of that.
Seraphina thinks back to her early childhood, and her memories of Leilah from that time. They would get into scrapes together. Leilah gave Seraphina makeovers. And when things were bleak and full of despair, they would comfort each other and face it together. But one day, without warning, Leilah departed. If she really meant that they were in this together, then why did she abandon her? Why was she left at the mercy of their spiteful parents?
Seraphina confronts Leilah over her ludicrous offer. There was no way to establish trust with all the secrets that were being withheld. Having to figure out the truth that her confidants hid from her was getting exhausting. Leilah could only apologize again.
Arlo observed from his table, unable to hear their discussion over the loud chatter throughout the cafe. Suddenly, the establishment was hit be a debilitating beam. Those familiar with it got up and checked in with each other. Just as it sank in that they were hit with the Ability Dampener, Leilah's phone began to ring. She answered it and asked why they got pulsed. Her contact warned that they had somehow become compromised, and that they needed to avoid the main streets find an escape route, pronto. Leilah instructed the caller to stand by not waste precious energy by coming to collect a party of three. Leilah hangs up and spots a Spectre van pulling up outside. Still wondering how they discovered her, Leilah tells Seraphina and Arlo that they needed to leave now to avoid those who followed her here. Seraphina hesitates for a moment, despite the situation.
Ella is in the break room complaining to a co-worker about somebody who insulted her man when Leilah, Arlo, and Seraphina barge in. Ignoring the stern warnings of their presence not being allowed, Leilah apologizes to the workers and explains that the three of them are in a rush. When they get out the back door, Leilah beckons that they follow her quickly. Arlo protests following her who-knows-where. She could be leading them into an ambush while their abilities have been compromised. Leilah resigns that she has no means of gaining their trust, but she was going to proceed with or without them. They had little time to make up their minds. Seraphina began to follow, but Arlo stopped her. He asks if she didn't think this was fishy. Of course Seraphina thought it suspicious, but she reasons that Leilah didn't plan for this scenario for someone she expected to come alone. A high-tier like Leilah wouldn't need to dampen the power of someone who's already had their ability disabled. Arlo remains wary, but he follows as well.
As they run down the alley, Leilah warns the two to keep an eye on the walls and ground. Seraphina explains to the puzzled Arlo that among the enemies they're running from were potentially those who could phase through solid surfaces, just like when she was attacked. As the trio turns a corner, they run into a group of Spectre agents. One of them directly addresses Leilah, saying that their boss wants to speak with her. Leilah stops in her tracks, while Arlo runs ahead. The agent warns Arlo to butt out if he wanted to keep his ability, but he gets knocked backward by a solid punch to the face. Arlo becomes aware that the blow was nowhere near a strong as it should have been. He is still able to put up a Barrier around the trio, but Leilah urges greater caution. She tells Arlo to fight using only half of his full strength, to his great shock. More Spectre agents arrive, and soon their targets are completely surrounded. Arlo wonders just what kind of woman could attract this much ire. Leilah once more tells him to fight using only half his strength. The weakened Arlo doesn't see much choice in the matter.
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