“Whatever you're hiding Devin, you're a part of it. I know. आप can't lie unless you're protecting someone. Who are आप protecting?”
“Myself Becca.”
“Why?”
“None of your buisness.”
“Your brother is my boyfriend; आप and I are friends. I'm sure it's my buisness!”
“No. It doesn't concern you. Leave it alone.”
“No!”
“Becca, why can't आप just admit आप hate not knowing things?”
“Because आप just did! Now tell me!”
“Becca!”
The two glared at each other. It wasn't common for them to do so, but they had their moments.
“Why so secretive, Dev? We've always been honest with each other.”
Devin looked away, ignoring Becca's stare.
“Becca, I promised.”
“So tell me. We've always been honest; आप know I can keep a secret. Who are आप really protecting?”
Devin looked back to her friend. She sighed, not wanting to fight. If it had been anyone else, they would have let it go. Not Becca.
“It's about Lizzi...”
Becca's face paled for a मिनट before it set in stone and she grabbed Devin's wrists.
“What did they do to her?!”
“Becca, she's okay! Let me go! You're hurting me!”
Becca released her and looked down. Devin rubbed her wrists.
“Sorry.”
“No Becca, it's okay. Go sit down. I'll be there in a minute.”
Becca nodded solemnly and exited the room. Devin reached into a cabinet, pulling out a mug and a glass jar. She poured water in the mug and scooped the dark brown powder into it. She put the jar away, grabbed a spoon, and joined her friend.
“Here,” she said, handing the mug to Becca. “Some hot chocolate.”
“With the powder आप make from scratch?”
“Yes.”
Becca took a sip, relaxing into her seat. Devin sat अगला to her.
“Alright. About Lizzi.”
“Please tell me everything.”
“Alright. She's been doing fine but has recently had some...vivid nightmares.”
“About what?”
“...us. You, me, Erin, and even the clones.”
“Oh my-”
“Becca, calm down. I sent Terror to visit her while she sleeps and figure out what's going on. I haven't heard from him yet. But Dylan gave me word of हाल का activity in the Shadows.”
“What are they doing now?”
“He says they've figured out how to teleport into the minds of humans. But it only lasts a few hours before they have to return.”
“Okay...what other news?”
“Well, Erin visited Lizzi a few days ago. She was fine until she got tired. Then she did everything in her power to stay awake.”
“Oh my...I have to go to her!”
“You can't Becca.”
“Why not!”
“We have no idea what's happening to us. आप go now and आप might end up hurting her!”
Becca put her face in her hands, hiding her tears.
“I want to see her Dev...she needs me.”
“But आप are not aware of anything! आप need to keep her safe!”
“But Lizzi-”
“She'll be fine! Terror and Dylan are not effected. They will watch over her. Everything will be okay. Nothing will harm her. Just stay away until we solve this problem.”
“Okay Dev. But the मिनट we find out who या what's doing this and why, I will get rid of it!”
“I know. But our biggest priority is to keep Lizzi safe. Keep them all safe.”
“Are आप saying we can't go around the Mountain?”
“I'm saying that we can't even see any of them until this clears up. We're threats, Bec. If we get into the mountain, we could be endangering their lives.”