What happened to Clara?

Something was weird and Danny knew it. She called and sent multiple texts the previous night, but she didn’t return any. And now she was nowhere to be seen. Clara is a cat and cats loved the sun so she should be asleep somewhere. Hopefully in her spot in the woods.

She’d have loved to go now, but class had already begun and she didn’t want to ruin her attendance. But someone wouldn’t stop bothering her.

“What is it Adrien?” she asked dropping her pen.

“I didn’t say anything” he replied giving her a shocked look.

‘I really need to learn to control this’ she thought. “I can feel you boring holes through my skull” she whispered. “What is it?” she asked again.

“Where’s your girlfriend?” he asked.

“She’s not my girlfriend” she replied and he actually laughed.

“Yeah, but where is she? She has never missed school. Not even after partying till morning or suffering a hangover” he explained.

Danny ignored the cheering in his head.

“She’s not feeling too good” she said.

“Oh! Well you know she’s pretty and she’s nice to look at during class” Danny tuned him out and turned to her book.

During break, Danny made her way to the woods. It was still the same. She made her way to clearing and she could hear voices.

When she arrived she saw Kieran there and Clara. She screamed.

Kieran turned to her and he just rolled his eyes. Danny ran to Clara who was on the dirty ground. Uniform ripped and she looked drained of color. No, drained of life and it was scary.

“Get up!” Kieran ordered.

Danny didn’t move. She held her friend tight and her skin looked like it was breaking. Before she knew, she was in the sky struggling to keep her skirt in place so he wouldn’t see underneath.

A diagram appeared on the ground. Just like the one that Clara used to transport them to home world. It glowed red and red light erupted from the diagram engulfing Clara. She was too scared to scream. Did Kieran just burn her friend?

The light died down and the diagram disappeared and she was dropped not too gently on the ground. She stood up slowly and summoned her brave face.

“What did you do to her?!” she demanded.

Kieran turned to her. “Saved her. Can you understand what just happened?” he asked.

She was silent.

“You are pretty useless, so stay out of my way” he said moving to carry Clara, but Danny blocked him.

“Then explain to me what you did” she said refusing to waver under his glare.

“She had her life force extracted from her and I did my best to save her by trying to resituate her, but it didn’t work. She’s not dead, but barely alive. I have to keep doing that to her or she’ll die” he explained.

“Oh sorry” she said.

He carried Clara in his arms and he looked back to Daniella. “I’ll be back soon and till then, don’t do anything stupid” he warned and with a swoosh he wasn’t.

“Teleportation” she murmured.

‘What had happened to Clara?’ she thought. She looked like a corpse and she was scared. Clara was her only friend and trainer. Who would do this to a sweet and not so innocent girl? She needed answers and standing idle in a clearing wouldn’t get her answers.

She sat down Indian style and meditated. A deep inhale and a deep exhale getting in touch with the energy around her and it was in a way refreshing. Just feeling pure energy from all elements. When she opened her eyes again it was pure black.

She stood up and looked around. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything looked normal and there wasn’t any weird energy apart from Kieran that was just here moments ago. Maybe walking around would help.

Walking around did help. She came across something interesting. Kieran’s words be dammed. She was going to find out what happened to her best friend. She made her way back to the school building following the trail only she could see. It led to the roof.

Upon arrival she could hear female voices. When she opened it, it was cheerleaders all dressed in their uniforms apart from Stephanie.

“Stephanie can we talk!” Danny yelled making sure her voice was heard and she wouldn’t be ignored.

Said girl looked at her and back to the group. She was surprised when they all trooped out. She thought they would be the ones to leave.

“I thought I told you not to come close to me” she said leaning against the not too high wall.

“You told that to Clara”.

“Same thing” she said bored. “Now be gone” she said making gestures with her hand like she was an animal.

“No! Until you tell me what happened to Clara!” she yelled standing straight.

“I don’t know what happened to that slut. Now leave” she said her patience very close to breaking.

“You’re lying. I sensed some of your energy there” Danny said.

“Well why won’t it be there? I control water and ice. Not only are you an embarrassment but also dumb” Stephanie said with a huge eye roll.

“Don’t insult me!” Danny warned pointing and Stephanie slapped the finger away with her gloved hand.

“I’m not” she replied. “I am simply describing you. Now get out of my way” she warned and Danny could feel the cool air on her cheek.

“You aren’t leaving, now say the truth!” Danny said not backing down. “Your energy was there and you can’t deny it”.

Danny gasped as she was hit in her throat and she hit the door hard and she was sliding down both hands clutching it like it would relieve the pain.

Stephanie walked towards her slowly. Her white hair blowing in the wind and her hands in her pocket. She looked more deadly than royal. Danny slid down more before her heel could make contact with her head. Mostly to bash her skull in.

Now wasn’t the time to run. Clara had been training her and it was time to show it. She tried kicking her, but Stephanie kicked her in her ankle which had her switching position quickly and her foot was coming down to bash her skull in.

Her hands shot out to protect her face. Stephanie looked unfazed that she was trying to kill someone. She looked bored and her hands were still in her pockets. Her hands were no match for one foot. She really should have thought this through.

Stephanie stopped just like that, but her foot didn’t leave that position. Her other foot came out of nowhere and hit her hard in the side of her head which had her face hitting the hard concrete and when she opened her eyes there was blood.

She didn’t have time to dwell on that though. She was pulled up easily by her hair and Stephanie pushed her up against the wall. Her forearm against her neck and she removed her glove slowly using her teeth and she placed that hand on her cheek and it was freezing.

Danny tried to scream, but everything hurt. She couldn’t swallow and she couldn’t talk. Tears were coming out of her eyes slowly, but they didn’t get past her cheek. They froze during their journey down. Her skull and her brain hurt. It was getting difficult to blink and do anything else. Stephanie still had that same look on her face. She didn’t look like she was currently murdering her schoolmate.

Danny raised her already stiffening hand and placed it on Stephanie’s hand. It was ice cold and she used all her strength to stretch her other hand out and placed it on her shoulder. Stephanie was still unbothered.

Her breaths were coming out in small pants and she could see her breath already fogging. She couldn’t feel some parts of her body anymore. What she was doing didn’t seem to be working.

“Do you have a brain at all?” she asked. “You’ll know that ice isn’t destructive. You won’t be able to defeat someone who uses ice with ice. Did you think you could actually freeze me?” she asked pressing her forearm harder and the cold got worse.

She could feel the cold much stronger now and the ice crawling up her body at a much faster rate. Her hands dropped and she looked into Stephanie’s glowing crystal blue eyes and then they were both encased in ice and something hit hard.

Stephanie let go and the ice surrounding them disappeared. Danny felt warm and she liked it. She really needed the heat now.

Stephanie gave who interrupted them a very unimpressed look.

“What do you want Kieran?” she asked folding her arms.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked walking towards Danny and he placed a hand on her head. She sighed in relief and her legs and moved on their own accord.

“She harassed me and I felt threatened. What did you think was going to happen?” she asked.

“For you to be smart and not use your powers in school in presence of the humans” he said his hand still on Danny’s head and then both hands cupped her face.

Stephanie made a face when Danny held both wrists to get more warmth.

“You calling me dumb Kieran?” she asked clenching her fists and the temperature dropped.

“You’re the one saying that” he said standing up. He made a move to touch her shoulder, but she slapped his hand away.

Danny stood up and she had to calm down so she wouldn’t send an icicle through her throat.

“I just want to know why your energy was there” she explained. “Something happened to Clara and what I found points to you”.

Stephanie rolled her eyes.

“Steph come on” and he placed his hand on her frozen shoulder.

“I went there earlier yes because I thought I felt something. I cleared the area with my energy and I left. I didn’t come across Clara” and she slapped Kieran’s hands away.

“Thank you for telling me” Danny said disappointed and embarrassed that she was wrong.

“If you think of coming close to me, I’ll rip your heart out!” she warned her breath fogging. She pushed past Kieran and made her way to the door and slammed it so hard that she was surprised it didn’t fall off its hinges.

“I told you not to do anything stupid” he said turning to her and folding his arms.

“Where is Clara?” she asked.

“At my place” he replied.

“What are we going to do?” she asked.

“I am going to find out a way to fix everything and heal her. You stay out of the way” and he tried to walk away, but she held his arm.

“Clara is my best friend. She’s been training me for a purpose. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help her when she needs it the most?” she asked.

“Sorry, but sentimental speeches don’t work on me. This is real and not a game. You are useless in this so stay away” and the bell rung.

“Thanks for the save” she said as he walked out.

There was no recognition or whatsoever.

What had happened in just few hours was… she didn’t have words for it. She had seen her friend almost dead, she was almost frozen to death and then Kieran had warmed her up. She touched her cheeks were his hands had just been moments ago.

She shook the thoughts out of her head. She focused on the task at hand. She needed to help her friend and she also needed to get to class. Time for that supernatural speed to become useful.

Soon she was at the door and she slipped in before she was noticed. She made her way to her seat. Before the teacher could close the door a hand stopped it and a girl entered.

Daniella would have jumped out of her seat and yelled Clara, but it wasn’t. It was just a girl that looked exactly like Clara. Same height, same wavy blonde hair and piercing green eyes. The difference was that Clara was busty. She got everything right to the way she dressed except she wore black boots.

“Looks like we got a Clara wannabe” Adrien whispered which caused a lot of people to snicker.

“Well I don’t know who Clara is. My name is Veronica Wilson and I transferred here. Nice to meet you” she said with a wave.

“You kind of look like a slut” someone said from the back and people laughed again.

Veronica just rolled her eyes. ‘Definitely human’ she thought.

She walked slowly to her seat making a lot of people whistle. Well her skirt was kind of short, but she wasn’t one to judge. Her skirt was short also.

The teacher had already began talking and he tuned everyone out to listen to what he was saying. School ended with no further drama.

Getting her books from her locker quick, she scanned the halls for Kieran. She couldn’t just be idle while he was working to fix it. She could sense energy so it wouldn’t be hard. But she couldn’t feel him anywhere in the building. Well there was also another energy she could feel, but she didn’t want to go close. She really liked her heart in her chest.

Maybe she would get to sense it outside.

“Hey” someone called and she turned to see Veronica.

“Hi” she said nervous. She hadn’t really talked to a human. She talked to Adrien as a mistake. This was weird and she was nervous.

“I just have to say I love your style” she said walking up to her.

“Thank you” she said hoping it would end there.

“I thought I would get in trouble for breaking rules on the dress code, but I’ve seen girls doing the same so I think I’m in the clear” she said with a little laugh.

“Sure. Great talk-“

“Would you like to hangout?” she asked.

“What?” Danny asked. Okay that came out kind of rude but she couldn’t take it back. It was surprising. They just met. Was this how human were?

“Yeah it’s just I just got here and people are comparing me to this Clara of a person and calling me a slut” she said with a shrug. “Well if you don’t want to its fine” she said with a smile.

“No it’s okay” Danny said handing her phone to her and she did the same exchanging numbers.

“Great so I’ll call you” and she waved jogging away.

Speaking of Clara, she had to find Kieran. She made her way outside trying to find traces of his energy and she felt a strong pull to the woods. Scorching hot and she followed.

When she arrived at the clearing Kieran was there. He wasn’t doing anything, he was just standing there.

“Kieran” she said as she approached.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Well I want to know where Clara is”.

“Safe” he replied.

“Can I see her?” she asked.

“No” he replied. “Under quarantine” he replied.

“Please Kieran I have to see her” she begged.

“No, now stop asking me” he groaned turning around and walking away.

She followed him. “I have to do something. I have to help her. I’ve been training and I need to do something about it”.

Kieran turned to her. “You are powerless. Stephanie almost killed you and you think you can fight what we’re up against?” he asked.

“Then please train me” she said determined.

“No” he said immediately.

“Wait. What if I can help you? I can sense energy and you need my power to find who did that to Clara” he said.

“I can use my animal for that” he replied.

“But that takes a lot of power, doesn’t it?” Danny asked. “I can help you and I wouldn’t get exhausted”.

Kieran pondered on this and again, “No”.

“Why not?” she asked.

“You lack the simplest training, you don’t listen, can’t do combat and don’t know the beginners seals” he explained.

“Seals?” she asked.

“I can do this by myself” he said.

“But-“

“Just go home” he said.

“Kie-“

He was already gone and she groaned kicking the dirt. ‘If he doesn’t want me to help, I’ll just have to prove myself’. She did take his advice. She would go home and she would talk to her parents.

When she arrived her maid took her bag and her blazer. Her parents were in the living room watching that TV that they bought. She didn’t know why though. It was just a waste of human money.

“Mum, Dad I need to talk to you” she said walking towards them.

‘Is that meant to be a good day’ thought her mother.

“Danny you’re back. How was your day?” her father asked.

“It was fine” she said in a high pitch voice.

‘She’s lying’ her father thought.

“What happened?” her mother asked.

“Nothing happened, it’s just that I want to train so I can use my powers” she replied.

“Something happened” he mother said standing up. “If anything happened, we can change your school”.

“I don’t want to change my school. I just want to learn to control my powers so I can use them to fight of dangers like what happened today” she said.

‘You never seemed to care before” her father added.

“I care now. My friend got hurt today and I also got my ass handed to me” she murmured.

“Language” her mother chastised her.

“I just need this training now more than ever” she begged.

“Daniella I’m not sure this is a good idea. You don’t even know what you’re up against” her mother said.

“And whose fault is that?!” Danny snapped.

“Daniella” her father called.

“I’m sorry” she apologized. “I’m just tired of me not knowing anything about my heritage. I don’t know how to control my power, I don’t know a thing about where I come from. I don’t know the simplest of skills”.

“I’m tired of people calling me useless, clueless, an embarrassment. I just want to know” she said with her head down.

“Elizabeth” her dad called her mum.

“Richard” she called back.

They communicated with their eyes and her mum turned to her. “Fine” she said.

“Really?” Danny asked surprised. “Thank you” she said jumping on the spot.

“Now to begin” her father said.

The ground glowed blue and she saw the same diagram appear on their marble floor. They disappeared.

She expected them to appear in an arena, but they were in a library. Her smile disappeared slowly.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Our home in Tempa” her dad replied.

“Why are we in a library?” Danny asked.

“Because you need to read before anything else” her mother replied and her arms were already filled with books.

She was ushered to a table and a chair appeared behind her. Her mum dropped the books softly onto the table. There were big and she wasn’t sure she could read all this and also focus on school.

“When will I get to train?” Danny asked.

“When you’re done with all this” and they walked out of the room so she could get started.

Now that she thought about it, asking Stephanie for help might have been better. She picked up a very huge book and opened to the first page. She did want to learn about her heritage and if this was what she had to go through, she would.

“Page one” she murmured.

That was her new routine now. School, then transported to home world to read. Her parents told her it’d be better if she studied in home world because they wouldn’t be any distractions. She wasn’t human so she didn’t need that much sleep. She could go a long time before her body would collapse, but she still had a healing factor.

When she was done with all the books, she began combat training. She thought Clara was mean, her parents were right out brutal. But every bruise and something broken was worth it. She would train, help Kieran and find out what happened to Clara.

She had mastered almost everything, according to her parents. All that was left was her spirit animal. She was told it would happen when the time was right.

Her training took a long time and she really wondered what Kieran was up to. He said he had to keep doing what he did that first time to keep her alive. She needed to find him which wasn’t hard. Now that she had full control of her powers nothing was hard.

She found Kieran in the gym. Alone.

“What do you want?” he asked as she came closer.

“Take me to see Clara” she demanded.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I can help” she replied smug. “If you want any chance of finding out what happened, you need me” she said looking him straight in his eyes.

“And what makes you so sure?” he asked.

“I told you before about my power of sensing energy and I can also read minds” she explained. “If you want any leads you need to let me have a look at her”.

Kieran stood up and walked towards her. “You have only one chance” and he placed a hand on her shoulder.

That familiar swoosh and Danny found herself in a very warm room. Obviously Kieran’s. His energy was on everything. And right there on his bed was Clara and she looked much worse. She tried not to make a face.

“Go on, do it” he said resting against the wall.

Danny walked towards her friend and bent down so their faces were close and she was sucked in. She saw the memory of her final moments. Clara on the dirty ground bleeding and something clad in black above her.

Clara’s mouth opened and her life force being sucked from her. She extracted herself from the memory and she turned to Kieran.

“Well?” he asked still patient.

“What I saw or didn’t see was-“

“Please be specific” he said.

“Well what I saw wasn’t human” she began.

‘Obviously’ Kieran thought.

“She had her life sucked from her by a thing in all black. It didn’t have a shape, so I think it could be anything. The energy there isn’t like one I’ve sensed before. This isn’t like yours or Clara’s or Stephanie’s. It’s something much more dark and sinister”.

“If you come across that energy again, would you know it?” he asked.

“Yes” she said standing straight.

“Turns out you’ll be useful in this after all” he said standing straight.

“Glad to help” she said with an eye roll.

“Let’s go” he said placing a hand on her shoulder and they were gone.

They were back in the gym which was still empty.

Kieran sat down and ignored her. She sat down beside him. It was break so she didn’t have anywhere to be.

“Why are you helping Clara?” she asked.

“She’s a supernatural. If she was a human I couldn’t care less. They have people to do that for them” he said.

“So you two aren’t friends?” she asked.

“No” he replied.

“And she’s in your room on your bed” Danny teased.

“Your point is?” he asked and she could feel the heat more. He was getting annoyed.

“When we first met I got a glimpse at your past” she said.

Kieran didn’t move and she would have said more, but she was already at the ceiling. She tried not to panic. He wouldn’t kill her, he needed her.

“You had no right whatsoever to look into my past” and she could see the flames on his fists.

“Noted” she yelled. “Can you drop me?” she asked.

She was placed gently on her feet. He stood up still with that angry look in his eyes. “Meet me in the clearing after school” and he was out.

She sighed and she sat down so she wouldn’t fall because that was terrifying.

She stayed there for a whole minute before she decided to head to class early.

As she made her way to class she got a text alert.

‘Meet me on the roof’ from Veronica. Well she still had time.

She made her way up to the roof and Veronica was there.

“Hey! You actually came” she said excited.

“Wasn’t I meant to?” she asked confused.

“You were, but I wasn’t sure you would” she explained looking away.

“Why are we here?” she asked.

“We’re here to have some fun. I was going to eat my lunch here and play some games, but then I thought I have a cool girl’s number” she said.

‘Flattering’ Danny thought. “So you want me to do what?” she asked.

“I want to share my lunch with you. It’s not a problem, is it?” she asked.

“No it’s not. It’s nice” she said.

Veronica held her bag and led Danny towards the end and she got her lunch out. They sat down resting against the wall and ate. It was nice. She liked the company and Veronica was a funny girl. She liked having a human friend.

After school, she met Kieran in the clearing.

“So what-“

He raised his hand silencing her.

A diagram appeared on his palms and also on the ground. It was up again and fire erupted from the seal. When it cleared she barely contained her scream when she saw a giant eagle.

“Kieran” the eagle acknowledged him.

‘It can talk!’ Danny yelled in her mind.

“Blaze” Kieran said with a nod.

The eagle blew hot air from his nose.

“Why have I been summoned? Here of all places” he asked disgust evident in his tone.

“Something happened and I need your help” he explained coolly.

“Fine, get on” he replied.

Kieran looked to Daniella who nodded in understanding. She jumped onto the animal, while Kieran walked up slowly using the big wings.

“We’ll use Ariel surveillance. It’d be better than teleporting or just walking around” he explained. “Now get to searching” he said and Blaze flapped his wings and they took to the skies.

“Aren’t you worried that they’ll see a giant eagle in the sky?” Danny asked.

“They won’t see anything because eagles aren’t like other birds. Just do what you have to do” he instructed.

“You’re not very nice, are you?” and her eyes turned pure black.

They were in the sky for hours and she hadn’t picked up what she had seen in Clara’s memories and he was silent. He just sat there not saying anything.

“So it’s a nice night” she said and she got no reply.

“Isn’t your bird tired?” she asked.

No answer.

“I bet you get a lot of attention-“

“Can’t you just take a hint? I don’t want to talk to you. Can you please keep searching?” and all the while he didn’t raise his voice, but it felt like he did.

“Do you have a policy against just being nice?” she asked annoyed by his behavior. “We can’t get anything tonight and I’m trying to make some conversation, but you just have to be a complete jerk about it.

“You have really been around humans for a long time” he stated.

“Maybe, but at least I’m nice. Unlike you” she pointed out.

“Yes” he whispered.

“What?” she asked.

“Yes it is a beautiful night” he said.

Danny smiled. “As I was saying, I bet you get a lot of attention from girls” she teased.

“Unfortunately” he replied folding his arms and looking up.

Danny laughed. “That’s weird. I thought boys loved that”.

“Well it can get annoying” he admitted.

Danny lay down on Blaze’s back and looked up at the beautiful sky. “Be glad I’m not like the rest” she whispered.

He just rolled his eyes.

“We’ll find out who did this to Clara, won’t we?” Danny asked.

“Of course” he replied.

“Can you watch the stars with me?” she asked patting the space beside her invitingly.

He shrugged and lay beside her. Both looking at the sky.

“Do you have someone you like Kieran?” Danny asked.

She didn’t care though. She just wanted to know if she had any competition if she decided she wanted something with Kieran.

“No” he replied.

“Boyfriend?” she asked with a mischievous smile.

“Okay, you’ve been hanging around Clara too much” he said sitting up.

“So you and Clara hang out?” she asked siting up with him and leaning close to make sure he wouldn’t lie.

He covered her eyes with his hand.

“You know I don’t have to make eye contact with you before I see your memories or your thoughts, right?” she asked removing his hand and just holding onto his hot hand laughing.

He chuckled.

She was sure she was reading the mood right. They were both enjoying themselves and laughing. They were close and holding each other. She could lean in for a kiss. She tried to do just that, but he leaned away.

“I think it’s enough for one night. We’ll continue tomorrow and if you want to visit Clara you just have to ask” he said standing up.

“Thank you” she said a little bit sad that they didn’t get to kiss, but she was sure this wouldn’t be the last time they hung out.

“Don’t mention it. I’ll take you home” he said.

“Sure” she said with a smile.

She gave him the directions and enjoyed her nice flight home.

He flew her to her house and just outside her window. “Thank you” she said jumping onto the balcony. “See you tomorrow” she said with a wave and Kieran flew away with great speed that left her hair and plants in a mess.

She felt so elated. When they actually finished this, she could see things with Kieran ending in a good way. They almost kissed right? It was kind of a date. She was sure guys took girls on an eagle ride all the time.

Well now she needed to finish her homework and get ready for tomorrow. She made her way to her door and instantly she got a text. She got her phone from her bag and it was from Veronica.

‘Want to hang out tomorrow?’

‘Sure. I don’t see why not’ she replied.

She unlocked her door and made her way inside. She needed to also read on spirit animals. She wanted one really quick. It was cool and she’d get to impress Kieran.

She closed her door and made her way to her bed.

“Tomorrow is another day” she murmured. And she really needed rest. She had been studying nonstop and the only thing keeping him save was her healing factor and she was going to collapse if she wasn’t careful.

She slipped out of her uniform and took a very hot shower. The heat just reminded her of Kieran and if she closed her eyes, she could still feel his hands on her face. But now wasn’t the time.