I know it is morning when I notice the shift in the ocean. It’s barely visible, almost non-existent, but somehow the water starts lighting up the room, and gradually I feel less like a fish and more like a person, able to see my hands and my feet.

I go into the closet that Morrigan filled with clothes. I grab a striped shirt and a pair of loose gray jeans. I look over the shoes Morrigan provided me with. White sneakers, high heels, a pair of high leather boots with a five-inch heel, and buckles on them. None of them look particularly comfortable or practical. I find my old pair, solid leather boots that I’ve been wearing for a year. I stole them, figured It’d be no use trying to buy shoes. I’d only be able to afford cheap ones that would need replacing every few months. These bad boys have been perfectly fine since day one.

I take the elevator to the kitchen and common room. Aiden and Shira are already there, eating cereal and talking. They stop as they see me coming, Aiden smiling nervously and Shira cocking her head in greeting.

“Hungry?” She asks, “We bought real fruit loops last month. All these old people never appreciate the finer American dining.”

“Shira and I are the two youngest,” Aiden clarifies, “Or were. Now we are three youngins.”

I sit down and grab a bowl. It’s true, after yesterday's fine dining, I’ve missed packaged and overly sweetened food. I dig in, closing my eyes, if only for a second.

“I know Erika and Zeph like to preach about how we as a group are the only ones who will ever understand each other,” Shira says. She is done with her cereal, and now she’s just watching me intently as I eat, “But that’s not entirely true. Technology has really changed the world, and also how us Tethered fit into it. There’s a divide between us and the older people.”

“When were you two born?” I ask.

“1991,” Shira smiles sadly, looking down, “My family is still alive and looking for me.”

“I’m from 1994,” I tell her.

“You know, the two of us are properly the only ones who still look like our actual age,” Shira laughs, “I have a twin sister. I still see her, from afar of course, and we look exactly the same. I wonder how it’ll be when she looks old and I still look like this. That’s a grief I’ll never get over, and it hasn’t even happened yet.”

“I don't have any siblings,” I say, “The only family I have left out there is my dad. I don't know where he is now.”

“My parents are still alive,” Aiden says, “I was born in 1974, so they are old now. I wonder if they still blame each other. At least that is the story the media spun when I disappeared. Hockey legend Charbonneau blames ex-wife for missing son.”

“Do you ever wish you weren't like this?” I ask, “That you were normal?”

“Yes,” Aiden says immediately.

“Yes,” Shira says, after a while.

We don't say anything else.

I still don't know what I would say to that question. Yes or no? I don't know. I guess no, there was nothing left for me before. At least now I have a tool to save myself. Isn't that what I’ve always wanted in the end? Some kind of weapon in my hand, a shield between me and danger.

A reassurance that I will make it out alive.

“Tell me about the deaths,” I ask suddenly, surprising even myself. I didn't know it was still bothering me. Maybe that is the wrong phrase. It’s not a bother, but rather a pique of interest. I want to know because I am a curious person. That’s it.

“What?” Aiden spits out his cereal.

“Tell me. Who do you think did it?”

“Not to gaslight,” Shira tilts her head empathetically, “but I don't really think there is a killer. I mean, there are equally high chances that it were suicides.”

“What if,” Aiden starts, pointing excitedly with his spoon and shaking his head, “What if they were lovers? Javier killed himself because, I don't know, he wanted to die? And Miriam, struck with grief, couldn't take it and killed herself.”

“Miriam died half a year later than Javier,” Shira points out, “Plus she seemed fine to me.”

“It was all an act,” Aiden explained, sitting back and nodding his head, “Or it was a murder.”

“Say it was a murder,” I try, I’ve never been a good investigator, “who do you think did it?”

“Well don't quote me on this,” Shira brushes a piece of hair back behind her ear, golden piercings showing along the slope, “But Lynn seems very suspicious to me.”

“How come?”

“First of all, him and Javier? Definitely some bad vibes. I don't know much about how it was between them when Javier joined, but all the time I was there they were having some kind of feud.”

“Yeah,” Aiden nods, “Lynn avoided him like the plague. More so than normal for him.”

Shira continues, “So Lynn hates Javier. Maybe they got into an argument. He kills him while he and Zeph are in Germany. Maybe he even intended to kill Zeph too, god knows those two have always hated each other.”

Aiden spins the story further, “And then he got a taste for blood. I mean, there must be some kind of adrenaline rush going on when you kill someone. That plus the pure feeling of more power we all get when someone dies. It’s ecstatic. So he goes back to the Pyramid, plans who to kill next. Figures he’ll get the biggest power rush from the oldest.”

“And he did it underwater!” They both chant, pointing at each other.

Shira slowly turns her head towards me, as if remembering I was here. Aiden clears his throat, looking down. He is shrinking into himself, disappearing. I wonder what he is ashamed of.

“Lynn has water powers,” Shira explains, “He is able to manipulate it in all its forms. He can breathe underwater too without problems. He is the only one of us who could have had a chance against Miriam since he was in his own element.”

“Let's not forget that it was Miriam’s element too,” Someone says behind me. A shiver runs down all of our spines. I turn around to see Lynn, his entire body hidden in an oversized hoodie and baggy pants. He looks mildly amused, although tired too. I guess he always looks like that. Exhausted.

“Lynn I-” Shira starts, standing up, “How long have you been here?”

“On earth?” Lynn asks, sighing, “Too long.”

“I am so sorry, I shouldn't talk like that behind your back,” Shira apologizes.

“No please continue,” Lynn says, grabbing a chair, “So I kill Miriam in my element? Why would I do that? Miriam was our nature specialist. She dealt with natural catastrophes. Fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding.”

“The God of Natural Disasters,” Aiden says helpfully, although none of us really thought it was.

“Yes,” Lynn nods, “She was just as home as I was. If anything, she was more at home. She had lived in her body for far longer than I.”

“Who else could have done it,” Shira crosses her arms defensively, “You at least had a chance.”

“Also my memory might be giving out,” Lynn continues, ignoring Shira, “But how exactly did I hate Javier?”

“Come on, don't pretend you two weren't acting like sour exes,” Shira objects.

Lynn’s face turns from slightly amused to a stone-cold statue, emotionless and perfect. His finger taps the table lightly, slowly. Like a dying heartbeat.

“Lynn?” Shira asks, leaning forward, “You can't be serious. You know that would be evidence against you, right?”

Lynn shakes his head, “I’m not serious, I’m tired. I don't think I’ve ever not been tired.”

“Erika has medicine,” I tell him.

“Erika has books about every diagnosis I could be given,” Lynn deflects, “Erika has a pill for every condition. She has nothing to cure me. Time is my only diagnosis. Time, and loneliness.”

Lynn gets up. His movements are flickering, he is fading. I blink and he is by the elevator. The door opens, out comes Zeph. Lynn looks him up and down, his eyebrows furrowing and an annoyed groan escapes his mouth. The ever-present smile disappears from Zeph’s lips, and I see him reach out. Lynn hurries past him and presses the button. The elevator leaves and the four remaining people watch the numbers tick as Lynn takes the elevator to the first floor.

“What was that about?” Aiden asks.

“Don't worry too much about him,” Zeph says, coming over and opening the fridge. He makes himself a piece of bread with butter and ham, “He is having a hard time. Morrigan is taking care of him.”

“I am sure she is,” Aiden jokes, cocking his eyebrows at me. I give him a sour look.

“Ew, no,” Zeph shakes his head, “No, those two are definitely not a thing. Morrigan raised him, for goodness sake.”

“He’s older than you,” Shira points out, “And you dated Morrigan.”

“It’s different,” Zeph explains, leaning against the kitchen counter to watch us, “I got to know Morrigan when I was mature. We were both adults for the entirety of our relationship. Lynn was six when he came here, Morrigan took care of him. If they started dating it would be beyond weird.”

“I came here when I was nine,” Shira continues, “I knew all of you as adults, Adi and Erika raised me. I don't think of them as parents in the slightest.”

“That’s only because you have a crush on Adi,” Aiden laughs, “Embarrassing.”

“Not as embarrassing as having a crush on you,” Shira spits back. They both laugh.

“Don't listen to her,” Zeph smiles, “I think you are a great guy.”

“On some days I think you might be the only one,” Aiden laughs. Zeph slaps him kindly on the back, and just like that the two men are back to breakfast mood, leaving Shira and me sharing a confused look.

“Good Morning ladies and gentlemen!” Erika beams as she exits the elevator, followed by Adi, Morrigan, and Lynn.

“Everyone’s here?” Shira asks, her spoon stopping inches from her mouth, “Oh no. Did somebody die? I bet it’s Harun.”

“Who’s Harun?” I ask, making a headcount.

“No one died,” Erika calms us down, not that we needed it. Shira seemed fine enough with the thought of Harun dying, “Adi, please?”

“Yes, Eri?” Adi asks, caught off guard. He’s wearing a simple dress shirt and brown pants, looking like a young and clumsy prince with his ruffled hair and wide eyes.

“You are our leader,” Erika nods towards the table where we are eating breakfast, “Go lead.”

“Oh right,” Adi shakes his head, trying to straighten his back to look taller. It doesn't work, no amount of healthy back structure could make him bigger than any of us. The only smaller person among us might be Shira. “Our trackers has picked up on a new energy burst near Morocco.”

“Oh,” Zeph and Aiden say in unison.

“But that’s Harun’s territory,” Aiden points out, “And we don't get people from other territories.”

“We are making an exception,” Erika answers, taking over from Adi, “Harun is cooperative and prefers keeping his territory to himself. He’ll not want to deal with the newbie. We’ll meet up with him in Agadir and then we’ll go from there.”

“I’m going,” Aiden says, “It’s only fair.”

“How’s that fair?” Zeph asks, “You were on the last mission to collect Milla.”

“Don't call me that,” I growl, pointing my spoon at him. He raises his hand in apology and smiles like a cat caught in a fish tank. Neither ashamed nor sorry.

“You guys thought it was okay to just ignore me when I showed up,” Aiden says accusingly, “Just because the entirety of Canada was occupied territory. You could have at least asked her if you could come. She assumed you would handle me.”

“Again, we are terribly sorry about that,” Adi apologizes, “It was Miriam’s decision.”

“Would you even have done anything differently?” Aiden asks, “Just put me on the mission. I want to go. See it as an apology for sending me someplace fretfully cold.”

“Hey,” Morrigan touches her necklace, “Don't talk about Scandinavia like that. Canada is no better.”

“It’s okay,” I raise my hand, “The weather in Denmark was fretful”

I don't really know what the word means, but it sounded bad in Aiden’s mouth. He has a nice voice, sort of musty yet light. Alto, my mother would have said. She used words like that to describe voices all the time. I was an alto too, in her mind. Deep and meaningful, but quiet all the time. Speak up, she would tell me all the time. No one can hear you.

I’ve never wanted to be heard.

“We’ll need more people on the mission,” Erika continues with the meeting, “I’ll go since Harun actually tolerates me. Zeph, we’ll need you to take care of the boat, and your powers might prove useful in the open desert. Camilla, I know you just joined, and that we haven't started your training properly, but it would be great if you could come too? We don't want another repeat of chasing after our new recruit for months just because they are magically fast.”

“I can come,” I say, looking at Aiden. This could give me a chance to talk to him, and to Erika.

“Great,” Erika nods, pointing to the place on the piece of paper Adi is holding. He nods, scribbling something short down. It’s strange to think that Erika is roughly two hundred years younger than Adi. She seems like the mother to us all. Perhaps not Morrigan, who I solemnly believe is older than god. “We’ll be leaving in a couple of days. It won't take us too long to cross the Atlantic with Zeph, but Harun needs some time to finish something he is working on. I’ll let you all know.”

“Anything else on the list?” Zeph asks, then adds, “Mam?”

Erika can't help herself and laughs, “You mister, are on cleaning duty today for that remark. Cleaning and training duty.”

“Nice, I love spending all my life working on my muscles,” Zeph grins getting ready to leave.

“Not that kind of training,” Erika stops him as he passes her, turning him around so he is looking directly at me,” You are helping Camilla with her training.”

“I’m first?” He asks, bewildered.

“Yes, you know what it's like to be homeless. I think you’ll be able to find some sort of common ground,” Erika smiles at me, “Besides, she needs combat training. We don't know what awaits us in Africa.”

“Okay then,” Zeph grins, waving me over, “Come on then, Camilla. Are you fresh?”

“I am not rotten,” I tell him, a lie. I feel decay in my bones. They must be wrong when they say I will live forever.