He glances at me, "Don't you worry about it."

I don't know if I can, "Dad, what's going on?"

He shrugs, "Nothing the scientists can't figure out. Nothing your sister can't figure out." He says this confidently, pride coating his words. He rubs my head, "Have you ever known your sister to never solve a mystery?" 

I smile back, "No, she never leaves a stone unturned." 

We both laugh a touch before I lean against the window. Will Shyan be able to solve this mystery? It's not that I doubt her, but this seems so... Unrealistic and strange. What is she thinking? I could text her tonight about it...

Luna has Dad turn on a station she likes, this one about history and artifacts. We hear about this group who found some rare bone of some, long named impossible to remember dinosaur, who sounds like a dragon incarnate. 

As Dad pulls into school, he taps my shoulder drawing my attention. He looks at both of us girls as he says, "You both just got back from the hospital. Because they said there was nothing wrong, you both are allowed back in school. But once you feel even the tiniest bit unwell, I want you to go to the nurse's office. Am I understood?"

"I understand."

Dad lightly frowns, sadness and worry slipping into his old face, "Promise me Kiro..." 

I lean in, kissing his hairy cheeks, "Dad, I promise to go to the nurse's office as soon as I feel unwell."

The old weary leaves his face and is replaced with a prideful warmth, "Good, I love you."

"I love you too."

Together Luna and I head to the library where Rebecca and Hazel are. Rebecca as soon as she sees us wheels on over grabbing the both of us tightly, "Are you ok!?"

I mumble, "I texted you last night. A clean bill of health, just a bad headache."

Luna giggles, "You worry too much."

Rebecca huffs, "Well I am sorry! It's not every day that your best friends both get injured on the same day! I was terrified, if I had legs you'd not have been allowed near those stairs! Stupid doors!" 

I blush, "Sorry, I know I shouldn't have... but I was trying to go to the nurse."

"Next time don't be stupid and tell me!"

I give her a slight salute, "Ma'am yes ma'am."

Hazel leans forward curious, "You know what caused your headache?"

I shrug, "Sorry, I don't." 

Rebecca huffs changing the subject quickly, "You both know Rinny right? Well, he gave this to me yesterday before we left school. And he wished you well Kiro. He's pretty upset you got hurt. I didn't have the heart to tell him Luna got hurt so keep that a secret." 

Neatly made cards, handmade with my name written in neat letterings. It's on a weekend, four days from now. Luna holds her, opening it up and smiling before putting it into her bag. "He's a sweet kid. Are we all coming?" 

Rebecca smiles, "Oh ya we are. We will be coming to your house Saturday to get you all dressed up and ready for the party!"

Hazel pumps her fists, "Sleepover! Sleepover! Who's house? Luna's is pretty small, and Dad will go insane having so many people. Kiro's?"

Luna sighs, shaking her head. "Mine. I don't want to wear any of your strange clothing choices. Especially Kiro's."

"Hey!" 

We all laugh, planning our day out when the bell rings for class. Today is a good day. No Bridget, no headaches, no monsters. I even feel lighter than I have for the past few days. 

In no time, Friday comes quickly and with bags packed for the night, all four of us wait by ht e ledge of the school's parking lot. Luna's mother, Susie pulls in with her van, "Hey girls. Get in, Free Candy!" 

Hazel squeals, "Free Candy!"

While Luna sighs, shaking her head embarrassed, "Mom..." She gets into, shotgun. 

Rebecca pulls Hazel's shirt, "Lift me up!" 

Laughing Hazel picks her up princess style, as I take care of her wheelchair. Once we were all situated Susie drove the highways to the place far in the back woods away from the cities. It's a gorgeous home that's been in three generations of Luna's family. From her great great grandmother who was a herbalist, to her daughter, to Susie, and now Luna's. There's a flower garden up front, a vegetable and herb garden to the right, and several different fruit trees in the back. 

The house itself is three stories tall, the bedrooms up top with an attic. They also have a basement. the wood is naturally kept, giving the house an old-time feeling. A sharp rooftop was recently cleaned of all the leaves and moss. There's a banging sound to the left of the house where an outdoor cat house is being finished,  two soft purring cats are already enjoying the sun's warm rays. Luna's father is there banging on the last plank to finish the wall. 

He's a short man with black hair and soft brown features. His dark black eyes shine with happiness, crowfeet dancing at the ends. He's large too, not just with his shoulders but with a pot belly and muscular limbs. He's mostly hairless, especially his face, allowing everyone to see how large his mouth, nose, and ears are. His name is Angel and he prefers it if we call him Tio. As soon as he sees us he beams, "Buenos Dias, Ninas!" Wiping the dust from his hands he walks on over to us, "I'm making some real good true Mexican tacos. You ninas ready for some flavor!"

"We are!" We cheer in glee. Angel is the best cook out there, almost better than my dad. I remember coming over a lot as a child before I had to move all over the place with my mom's job. It was pretty upsetting at first. I'm just glad to be back where I can be with Luna again. 

The inside of Luna's home is a mixture of Mexican and Native heritage. There are herbs, and dream catchers, along with crosses and a large picture of the virgin mary. The couch situated to the side has two bookshelves by it and a large reading lamp. On the other side is a TV and a smaller couch. Two doors up front lead to the kitchen, with a door to the right for the bathroom, and to the left the study where the cat room is also. 

Luna grabs my hand and tugs me after her. She says, "I'll get them situated." Hazel picks up Rebecca leaving her wheelchair by the stairs. The house is not wheelchair accessible, so Hazel has taken it as her duty to make sure Rebecca can get around. 

Luna's room is far from her parents with several offices between them. her room is large, like a master bedroom with a large bed in the corner, and a large walk-in closet next to a large bathroom with a tub and a shower. Clean like her, it's mellow too with faded colors including purples, blues, and dark oranges and reds. She has a twin set of shelves covered in historical books and animal skulls. A large dresser between them is covered in herbs, tea, and a small little tree bush-looking plant in a pale brown pot. 

Her bed has a dream catcher she and I made as children hanging over it. I smile remembering the time we spent together learning how to make it from her mother. She has several others hanging most likely made by herself. She walks over to her closet pulling out a large deflated air bed and the cord to pump it. Hazel has placed Rebecca on Luna's bed helping us situate it. 

We all chatter and laugh, discussing school, girls and boys, and parents. Pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals later we have a fortress. 

Rebecca cries out, "Dibs on Kiro!"

Luna frowns, "My house, my rules. My Aan sleeps with me. ou two can deal with each other."

Rebecca complains, "But Hazel snores!" 

Hazel quips back, "And Rebecca pushes her freezing cold feet and hands onto others." 

They begin to bicker, but Luna held steady, "I am sleeping with Aan. No and  if or buts."

There's a knock on the door, Angle saying, "Perdoname, tus Nina's ready for dinner?" 

"We are!" 

The entire living room and kitchen smell of spice and delicious food. There are homemade corn tortillas, a bowl of meat, and others of beans, and vegetables. There are enchiladas and something that's been wrapped in husks, and so many other foods I cannot really name. 

Digging in we all laugh, tease, discuss, and enjoyed one another's company. After dinner Angel just waves us off, "I'll do the dishes. Tus ninas go and enjoy your noche." 

"Thank you tio!" We shout running upstairs. 

We watch movies, play games, staying up as late as we can until we no longer can. I flop into Luna's bed wrapping myself up like a taco. Luna has another blanket, lying next to me. 

I find myself unable to sleep. Just listening to the breathing of the other girls. The night is chilly, Luna's cracked window right above my head. Looking up I can see the moon from behind the trees and a few sparkling stars. 

Luna's voice is soft, "You still awake?"

I blush, "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"No, I was awake too." She turns towards me, her blue eyes wide and bright. "You have questions don't you."

Luna... nothing escapes her. "I..." I sit up wrapping my hands over my knees and pressing my back against the wall, "Will you tell me even if I ask them?"

Luna sits back up, her shoulder pressing against mine, as we watch the dreamcatchers spin. "Maybe, you can't know unless you ask."

"Is... Seering scary?"

Luna gives me a slight start, not actually expecting that question. She smiles leaning her head against my shoulder, "Aan, sometimes you surprise me. It can be scary, and confusing. I mostly get bits and pieces. A feeling, words all jumbled up in a mess, and images never clear and always flashing by. Sometimes it's clear like a morning sky, other times a storm. I get simple things better than others. The weather for the next day, and the temperature. Helps when deciding what to wear." 

"Have you always had your visions?" 

She's quiet, contemplating something far far away, her eyes fading distances. She shakes her head so very slowly, her voice somehow light and strangled at the same time. "This curse and blessing has been in my family for centuries. Wise women, and men, who sometimes became insane. The reason why everyone has children at a young age is that as you grow older the vision becomes worse and worse... I have lots of families who kill themselves before getting into their late twenties." She glances down the door to where I presume she thinks about her mother, "She escaped the curse, maybe an inkling of the weather, or a bad feeling. But she... cannot fathom the depth I dwell into every day." She smiles sadly, pain cracking into her, "There were so many times I felt sick and alone. The responsibility, the knowledge, the anguish as something is right within arms reach and yet undeniable. Unchangeable, unreasonable." She grabs my hands rubbing my palms in a slow circular pattern, "There are few things that can bring me happiness, or from the brisk of insanity." She hugs me tightly, rubbing her head into my neck, "My Aan, you guide me to warmth and light. No matter what happens. If I have you by my side I can accomplish anything." 

I... I don't know what to say to that. I grab her tightly holding her like I've never held anyone before. Just thinking of Luna leaving me fills my heart with so much pain I can't help but sob. "You... you won't leave me, right? I don't want you to go... If there's anything I can do..." 

She whispers in my ear, "I am never leaving you. I cannot go, and you cannot escape me either. Our souls are entwined in the thread too thick to cut..." She mummers almost lucidly tired, "You'd be surprised by the gifts in this world. Scattered about but around. People gain their powers through unconventional means. Relics, nature, and even just bloodline. A shadow world like this one clinging to the tiny bits of magic it can... You see this land has lost its magic billions upon billions of centuries ago, and yet there are still Gifts and Sights that exist... But not enough. Most are normal people who cannot see or even feel the effects of Magic..." She smiles lovingly watching Hazel and Rebecca. "if that can even be called normal." She giggles, "In some places, those unable to see or affect magic are considered Shadow People, avoided and even ridiculed and hated. Here it's the opposite." She tightens her hold on me, "My Aan. I want you to keep your eyes closed. Pretend to be normal for a little longer. Having the Sight can be extremely dangerous."

"Because of the monsters?"

"They are attracted to you. Like moths are to flames. To avoid them, ignoring them is best." 

I shake fearfully, "I haven't seen any the past few days. It's like they've disappeared." 

"Is that not a good thing?" She holds my hands tightly, "You wanted them to go away?" 

"I... I did."

"Then take it as a blessing." she kisses my cheek, "Let's go to sleep. We have a long  day tomorrow." 

  My questions, and her answers. Have little effect on my racing mind. Can I really sleep with all these mysterious questions? Besides I have a sinking feeling about falling asleep... I don't know why but I have this feeling that something dangerous will happen when I do... Touching my neck, my fingers come away red. It's still bleeding...