They have a boat parked south of the city. I meet them there the next day. Erika thought I should have time to pack my stuff and say goodbye to my home, and even though I told her I had nothing to say goodbye to, she insisted, saying something along the lines that she wished she had done it herself. I don't understand that. I might have dropped out of school when I was fourteen, but I still know that if she was living in America around the fifties and sixties as a black woman, that she must not have had the most extravagant life to leave behind. Maybe she had a family to say goodbye to? I wonder how that works. I guess I am lucky that my mom is dead and my father is gone, there is no one here that I might cry for when I say goodbye.

    I do find Torben and say goodbye to him. I don't tell him it all, just that I have met some people and I am going to travel away with them.

    At noon I find myself standing in front of a back garden to a house, looking up at the second-story window. Inside the house lives a group of teenagers and young adults my age. I used to be friends with them, going to their house to smoke and drink every Friday. Then something happened, and I avoided them ever since. I wonder if I should go in there, say goodbye properly. Erika’s voice rings in my head. I saw it on her face, she still regrets not saying goodbye, even after all these years. My mind has trouble processing the long life I now have ahead of me. I guess it’s always been there, I just didn't know it.

    I decide against going in and saying anything. Actions speak louder than words, so I pick up a rock and throw it at the window, smashing the glass. Oliver peeks out his head, his hair a different color than the last time I saw him a year ago. I am glad that he was the one who was home today, any of the other types would have yelled at me. Oliver was Dana’s boyfriend. He shares the same grief as me. He simply nods and disappears into the house again, and just like that my heart is lighter and I am making my way towards the harbor where Erika and Aiden are waiting for me.

    “Hey,” Erika says, then stops herself, thinking. “I'm sorry we already learned your name."

    “I can't judge a stalker for stalking” I point out as I board their boat. It’s bigger than I imagined, a fishing boat made for long trips overseas, fit for a larger crew than just three young adults. I don't actually know if Erika and Aiden can be described as young adults. They look like they could be my classmates if I ever went to school, but if what they say is true they are older than my parents. 

    “Touché" Aiden grins, coming up beside me. He is smart enough to not touch me, but I feel him hovering closely.

     “You know your name is Latin?” Erika asks, “Camilla, A warrior maiden from the Aeneid.”

     “We already have a fighter,” Aiden sighs, “Please please tell me that's not going to be her thing? Remember the last time somebody had the same powers.”

     “That was a different thing,” Erika brushes off as she starts walking around on the deck, tampering with ropes and gears. Other parts of the boat move, unnaturally, like a roll-up toy. “Miriam was the leader, Lynn and Zeph both wanted to be her prodegé. They both shared parts of her gifts. If Camilla is a fighter, it won't cause the same drama.”

    “I am not a fighter,” I point out defensively, “And I am right here.”

    “Have you ever been in a fight?” Erika asks sweetly, turning to me and dropping the ropes the was moving.

    “I mean, yeah,” I shrug, then look between the two. They are looking at me like they know something I don't. I hate it when people do that, “I’ve been homeless since I was fourteen, of course, I’ve run into bad people.”

    “Which you fought,” Erika reiterates, “Why was that exactly?”

    I open my mouth, but I can feel the water choking me from that night. The hand, clawing and squeezing my throat, the eyes burning through mine. She dragged me with her as she fell. She blamed me.

    She blamed me.

    “It was self-defense,” I tell Erika, truthfully. 

    There are so many invisible things hidden inside every truth.

    “But the point is you’ve tried fighting,” Erika continues, dragging a small crate towards me and sitting down on it, leaning her head on her hand and watching me. The boat starts moving, but she doesn't seem to care, “How would you describe your fighting technique?”

    “I don't know,” I say, “I just. Hit people? I don't normally do that, but it has happened.”

    “See, clearly not a fighter then,” Aiden exclaims, pointing at me, “That means she’ll have more fun powers.”

    “You just don't want another Zeph?” Erika raises an eyebrow at Aiden.

    “Zeph is fine,” He rolls his eyes, “I just know that if we get more fighters, Adi will never send me out on battle missions anymore.”

    “Because you are not skilled enough at using fire in combat,” Erika points out, “At least not yet. I can try to teach you?”

    “I don't want your lessons,” Aiden says quickly, defensively.

    “Excuse me,” I but in, “But who are all these people?”

    “You’ll meet them later,” Erika pats me gently on the shoulder and I shimmy away from her. She points towards the place where the sky meets the sea, “This boat sails quicker than it should, compared to its size. We’ll be there around tomorrow afternoon. You should get some sleep.”

    I nod, getting my stuff and turning around to see my home country disappear one last time, but there is nothing there. We continue sailing too fast away from everything I’ve ever known, everything I’ve ever been. I swallow, turning my gaze away from the sea, and go downstairs and into the first cabin, I see. I check the door, it has a lock which I turn. I am sure those two would be able to unlock it somehow, hell, Aiden could burn down the whole ship with me in it. I don't care, I just need sleep. My heart does somersaults as I see the giant, proper bed, with silk sheets and four pillows. I don't even bother taking off my coat, only my shoes, and then I fall into heaven and sleep forever.