[Dinner]

Amira didn’t bother looking back as she walked out of the room, her footsteps echoing through the hallway. The others followed silently, tension still thick in the air.

But just before she reached the exit, she stopped.

She didn’t turn around, didn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing hesitation. Instead, she spoke, her voice steady but laced with warning.

“When you're ready to make a deal that’s not one-sided…” She finally glanced over her shoulder, locking eyes with the scientist. “I’ll listen.”

A pause.

“But what I accept will depend on what you're offering.”

Then she walked out, leaving them with that choice.

Outside, the cool night air hit her like a wave, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the fire burning in her chest.

Kora exhaled sharply. “You were too nice. I would’ve told them to shove their ‘deal’ and walked out five minutes ago.”

Ruby let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, but you’ve got to admit—that exit? Pretty badass.”

Amira didn’t respond. She kept walking, but her mind was racing.

A part of her knew they weren’t done. The government didn’t just walk away from something they feared. They would come back, and when they did…

She needed to be ready.

“Come on,” she muttered. “Let’s go home.”

For now, at least.

.

.

.

As Amira, Kora, and Ruby stepped onto the porch, the weight of the night settled over them. The house was lit up, and through the window, they could see figures waiting inside.

“Great,” Kora muttered. “They’re already here.”

Ruby sighed. “Did you really think we’d get a break after being dropped off by a government van?”

Amira didn’t respond. She was too tired to argue. Instead, she pushed open the door, stepping into the tension-filled room.

Sitting on the couch was Stacy, arms crossed, face unreadable. Their mom stood near the kitchen, her hands gripping a mug so tightly it was a miracle it hadn’t shattered. And at the dining table, Amira’s friends sat, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion.

The second they entered, their mom spoke.

“Sit. Now.”

The three of them exchanged glances before silently taking seats.

Their mom’s gaze was firm, unwavering. “Explain. Everything.”

Amira exhaled and leaned forward, lacing her fingers together.

“They didn’t just want to talk,” she started. “They wanted a deal. But not one that actually benefits me.”

Stacy’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of deal?”

“They’ve been tracking us. All awakeners, actually. But for some reason, they think I’m… different.”

Silence.

“They noticed how dungeons are appearing closer to me. How they’re getting stronger. How my abilities don’t just drain mana like everyone else’s.” She paused. “They think I’m unstable. A potential threat.”

Her mom’s grip on the mug tightened.

“So what do they want?” Ruby asked.

“They want to train me,” Amira said flatly. “Not for my sake. For theirs. They want control. They want to make sure I don’t become a problem.”

Kora scoffed. “Shocking.”

Dave frowned. “So what did you say?”

Amira smirked slightly. “I told them when they’re ready to make a deal that’s not one-sided, I’ll listen. But whether I accept depends on what they’re offering.”

Stacy let out a sharp breath. “You told the government to come back with a better deal?”

Amira shrugged. “Yeah.”

A long pause.

Then, surprisingly, her mom sighed, rubbing her temple. “I can’t even say I’m surprised anymore.”

“So what now?” Stacy asked.

Amira exhaled. “Now? We wait. The government isn’t just going to drop this. And with more dungeon breaks happening… things are only going to get worse.”

Her mom finally looked up, her gaze firm. “Then you better be ready for when they do.”

Amira nodded.

Amira's stomach let out a loud grumble, breaking the tense silence. She glanced at her mother, who raised an eyebrow.

"You’re really about to drop government secrets on us and then ask for food, aren’t you?" her mom said, crossing her arms.

Amira shrugged. “What? Stress makes me hungry.”

Kora sighed, shaking her head. “Of course it does.”

They sat around the table, the clinking of utensils filling the air as dinner wrapped up. The food helped, but the tension in the room hadn’t completely disappeared.

Amira leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “There isn’t much more to explain,” she said finally. “Just that I need to figure out what’s going on with me before they come looking for me again.”

Her mom set down her glass, eyes narrowing. “And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

Amira hesitated. That was the problem—she didn’t know.

“I’ll figure it out,” she said, though it sounded more like she was convincing herself.

Kora scoffed. “You better, because I don’t think the government is the type to wait patiently.”

Stacy sighed, rubbing her temples. “And what about the dungeon breaks? They’re still happening. And if they really are targeting you…”

“Then I need to be ready,” Amira finished, her jaw tightening. “Because running isn’t an option anymore.”

Silence.

Then, Ruby leaned forward. “So… what’s the plan?”

Amira exhaled. That was the real question.

.

.

.

When they finished eating amira's friend left all execpt. . . .Ruby.

Amira turned to Ruby, raising an eyebrow. “Aren’t your parents gonna be worried that you’re not home yet?”

Ruby waved her off. “Nah, I already texted them.” She stretched her arms behind her head. “Told them I was staying out late with friends. Which, technically, isn’t a lie.”

Kora smirked. “Yeah, just left out the part about getting interrogated by the government.”

Ruby grinned. “Details.”

Amira rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped. The moment of lightheartedness was short-lived, though. The weight of everything still hung over them.

She glanced around the table, meeting each of their eyes. “Look… I know this isn’t just my problem anymore. You guys got dragged into this too.”

Stacy crossed her arms. “You think?”

Amira sighed. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But I do know I need to get stronger, fast.”

Her mom, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. “Then you better start tomorrow.”

Amira blinked. “Huh?”

Kora nodded. “She’s right. No more waiting.”

Ruby smirked. “Guess that means we’re training too.”

Amira looked at them, a mix of exhaustion and determination in her eyes.

Tomorrow, everything changed.

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