The makeshift cafeteria sat inside the dim hall of the abandoned church, with long, wooden tables and mismatched chairs scattered. Flickering candles in the old pews cast shadows on the crumbling walls, adding to the eerie setting. The stained-glass windows, now cracked and grimy, reflected the sparse light, giving the entire space a ghostly, ethereal quality.

Orchid detailed how Carrie had been tormented and rejected by her peers and adults for years, leading to the tragic Black Prom massacre. She recounted the pain Carrie faced and when everything spiraled out of control, resulting in devastation and loss. She also included how Jago, her brother, took her in when he returned to the Tiger Shrine.

Maya’s eyes widened as she listened, her hands trembling around her coffee cup. “I can’t believe something like that happened. I heard of a tragedy in the United States months ago but didn’t pay attention because I was so focused on finding Kan-Ra.”

“Quests can consume us, but staying aware of the world is important.” Orchid paused, her expression sad. “Carrie’s story reminds us what happens when pain and power collide.”

“No kidding. A troubled youth with power can bring disaster. Can we save Carrie, or is it too late?”

“Carrie’s young, so there’s still time,” Orchid said. “With the right guidance and support, she might master her abilities and heal from her past. What concerns me is Ultratech and other external factors. They might exploit or use her as a weapon if they get their hands on her. It’s another reason she’s here with us, so we can keep her safe. Now, I fear we could be in danger.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, her powers are like a lure. It’s unclear how that works, but it sends a signal. It makes our location vulnerable to attacks from those who sense her presence.”

“So, we’re not just protecting her; we’re all in the crosshairs now. Is Carrie aware of how her abilities are affecting others?”

“Not at first, but she became alarmed once we addressed it. It took some reassurance to understand that none of this was her fault. She’s still learning about herself and her powers.”

“It’s a heavy burden for anyone, let alone a young girl. Have you found solutions to mask this signal?”

“We’re working on it, but it’s difficult with our resources. The last Ultratech attack caught us off guard before she appeared.”

Maya mused, scratching her chin. “The citadel might hold an artifact to conceal her presence. I’ll contact my personnel if it’s still there.”

“That would be awesome. Any chance we have to protect her is worth pursuing,” Orchid said. “Keep me updated once you find out anything.”

***

The agents didn’t linger in the sleeping areas as morning approached. Instead, they gathered in the meeting room to brainstorm and plan their next moves.

Carrie, Pemba, TJ, and Jago were the only ones in the room. The latter rested on his cot to recuperate from his attempt to rescue Nikita from the Dreamlands. An IV drip connected to Jago’s arm as it delivered essential fluids and nutrients to aid in his recovery.

Carrie watched over the monk, concerned and curious. She was to blame for Jago’s plight because her powers messed with everyone’s dreams. In addition, it almost sent Nikita to the Dreamlands, a realm fraught with danger. A wave of guilt washed over her as she rested her hand on the monk’s hand. Although unconscious, she whispered an apology to him.

Pemba, sensing the tension, moved closer to reassure her. She spoke via mind link, “He’ll be alright, Carrie.”

“I… I didn’t mean for this to happen.” She glanced at Pemba with tear-filled eyes. “I’m worried about what else I might do.”

“We’ll figure something out, okay? The Dream Projection caught you and everyone else off guard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to control it. With time and training, you’ll master your powers and prevent this from happening again.”

The door opened, catching everyone’s attention as Orchid entered and approached them. “How’s Jago doing?”

“I’m no doctor, but I think his colors are returning,” TJ said. “Give him a few days, and he’ll return to normal.”

“What a relief.” Orchid placed an assuring hand on Carrie’s shoulder. “Hey, are you alright?”

The girl nodded, though her eyes still showed worry. “I just feel awful about what happened.”

“Don’t be at fault, alright? No one saw this coming. What’s crucial is learning from it and moving forward together.”

Maya opened the door and cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “Sorry to interrupt, but Orchid, may I speak with you?”

“Of course.”

TJ glimpsed the taller woman and raised an eyebrow as they left. “Ooh. Who is that?”

“That’s Maya,” Carrie said. “I guess she’s one of Orchid’s friends.”

“I may not tell from the cloak she’s wearing, but damn, she’s fine,” TJ remarked with a playful smirk. “Could she be single?”

Carrie shook her head while Pemba rolled her eyes.

***

Orchid followed Maya into a quiet corner of the hallway. “What’s up?”

“So I contacted my personnel, and I have some mixed news. Which do you prefer?”

“Let’s start with the good news.”

“Well, the artifact that would cloak Carrie’s energy signal, we have it.”

“That’s fantastic! So, what’s the bad news?”

“They said shipping would be impossible because of long-distance travel and theft risk. It leaves us with two options: retrieve the object ourselves or move Carrie to the citadel. Both options have risks, but we must decide to ensure her safety.”

Orchid sighed, weighing the choices. “Let’s gather the team and discuss our next move.”

***

Orchid and Maya arrived at the briefing room. “Everyone, gather around. We need to deliberate our plans.”

The team assembled, detecting the gravity of the situation.

“Boss, can you introduce us to her before we start?” David said, referring to Maya.

“I got this,” Maya said as Orchid nodded. “I’m Maya Fallegeros, a dear friend of your boss and part of a group called the Night Guard.”

“The Night Guard? Can you elaborate?”

“For centuries, the Night Guard has protected humanity from threats unknown to most. Founded in South America, we were a group of warriors devoted to preserving ancient knowledge and combating dark forces. Over time, we’ve evolved and adapted, but our mission remains the same: to safeguard the world from hidden dangers.”

“So, you guys are monster hunters, right? You track down the Boogeyman and kill’ em?” Jordan chuckled before everyone glared at him. He then cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

Maya smiled. “Yes, but we do more than that. We also collect ancient relics that are too dangerous for humanity to possess. These objects have immense power but can cause havoc if they fall into the wrong hands.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to absorb,” Sarah, the tech specialist, said while adjusting her glasses.

“Much is unknown,” Orchid said. “Regarding last night’s events, Maya informed me of a relic that could mask Carrie’s energy to prevent unwanted attention. It’s within the Night Guard’s headquarters and under protection. However, we have options to consider. Since transporting the object is impossible, the first option is to retrieve it. The second is moving Carrie to South America. I’ll need your input, so don’t debate it.”

The room fell silent as the agents processed the decisions before them.

“I think moving Carrie to the citadel is the safest option,” David suggested. “Transporting her might be risky, but she’ll receive the utmost care.”

“What if something happens during the journey?” Sarah asked. “We should retrieve the relic, even if it means more legwork on our part.”

“Wait, you mean breaching an armed facility?” Jordan asked.

“When I told my colleagues about Carrie and how the artifact might help her, they agreed to cooperate should we retrieve it. There won’t be any infiltration,” Maya said.

The tension in the room eased as the team considered their options.

“Well, that’s comforting, but moving Carrie might be the better choice,” David stated.

Sarah sighed. “Yeah, but the artifact’s power could provide a more immediate solution without travel risks.”

“Look, both options have merits,” field agent Elena said, “but let’s weigh the risks. The artifact may provide instant relief, but what if there’s an issue in using it?”

“The Night Guard may have resources for Carrie’s long-term safety,” Jason, another field agent, added.

“We should create a detailed risk assessment,” Jordan said. “That way, we can make an informed decision based on potential dangers and benefits.”

“Agreed,” Orchid said. “Let’s gather all relevant data and reconvene in an hour.”

***

Nikita sat on the stairs outside the church, deep in thought. Since last night, tensions have been high. Carrie’s abilities brought out everyone’s deepest fears and desires, blending them into a chaotic dream tree. Also, she almost died when sent to the Dreamlands, according to Orchid.

Had Jago not saved me, I would’ve died. I may not understand what he sees in Carrie, but I owe him my life. Maybe Carrie is more than meets the eye, and her safety might be crucial.

“Nikki?” Jean called, breaking through her reverie. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just trying to piece everything together. What did I miss?”

Jean sat next to his colleague. “Nothing much. Everyone is still debating the pros and cons of retrieving the relic versus moving Carrie. Why aren’t you in the meeting?”

“Orchid suggests I need some time off to clear my head. Plus, I’m still recovering from last night.”

“It was intense for us, but your experience was harrowing.”

Nikita breathed, followed by a swallow. “I dreamt about my prom night in 2001. It was so real, like I relived every moment. Then, everything burst into flames, consuming the entire scene. My friends and family were there, and I couldn’t save them. Carrie emerged from the fire, covered in blood, her eyes glowing.

“I yelled at her, saying she had caused enough pain and suffering and was better off dead. Without warning, Carrie grabbed my face, her grip icy and unyielding. She said to me, ‘You think you understand pain, let alone suffering? You know nothing.’ With that, she dragged me into her memories, showing me a life filled with constant abuse, neglect, and fear. It was surreal, and for the first time, I understood her.

“It didn’t stop there, though. As I was about to help Carrie, I fell into this dark labyrinth, filled with endless corridors echoing with whispers of despair.”

“Mon Dieu,” Jean said. “I can’t imagine how horrible that must’ve been.”

Nikita sniffled, tears pooling in her eyes. “It’s like Carrie’s past haunts me, and I don’t know how to stop it.”

Jean pulled his colleague into a comforting embrace. “You don’t have to face this alone, Nikki. We’ll figure this out together and make sure Carrie gets the help she needs - something she should’ve had a long time ago.”

Nikita clung to Jean, taking solace in his presence. “Thank you, Jean. I hope we can change things this time.”

***

“Whew. That was a long meeting.” Orchid and Maya exited from the briefing room. “I told them not to debate, but they couldn’t help themselves.”

Maya chuckled. “I can relate to my fellow Night Guard warriors. Everyone thinks they know best, which turns into a lengthy discussion.”

“Well, we have a plan now. How do we inform Carrie?”

“It won’t be easy, but we should approach her with empathy and understanding. She’ll see we’re here to help if we explain our intentions.”

“Let’s hope she takes it well.”

When the women arrive at the sleeping area, they find Carrie still caring for the unconscious Jago. TJ and Pemba dozed in the corner, their faces serene.

“Orchid, how long has Carrie looked after your brother?” Maya asked.

“Since last night. Carrie only steps out to get water or tend to other basic needs. Even then, she rushes back to him in fear of losing him. Perhaps her vigil is her act of atonement.”

“That kind of dedication speaks volumes about her character. Perhaps we could use that to our advantage. If we talk to her while she’s tending Jago, she might be more receptive to our support.”

“Alright.” As they stepped inside, Orchid and Maya approached the teenager, hoping their presence did not appear intrusive. “Carrie?”

The girl turned towards them. “Ms. Orchid. Ms. Maya. What are you doing here?”

“Well, we wanted to talk to you.” Maya and Orchid sat on a cot next to the teenage girl.

“What’s going on?”

Orchid exchanged glances with Maya, who nodded before brushing her bangs. “So, we’ve discussed your situation. I like you, Carrie. Honest to God, you’re a good kid, and had things been different, I would’ve enjoyed having you around more.”

Carrie swallowed and wrung her hands, sensing a ‘but’ coming.

“However, a girl your age shouldn’t get involved in this mess. You have incredible powers, but our group is in the thick of things. Many people died trying to leave Ultratech. Good people, too, mind you. We lack sufficient food, supplies, weapons, or personnel. Also, none of us have the experience or expertise to help you control your powers. If you remain here, Ultratech will capture you and… I can’t let that happen. The world is already dealing with one nasty bitch; it doesn’t need another.”

“I don’t understand, Ms. Orchid. You’re not a nasty b-word.”

Orchid sighed at Carrie’s youth and rested her hand on the girl’s head, her eyes softening. “I know, sweetheart, and that’s why we must keep you safe. You’re too precious to be caught in the crossfire. Therefore, I suggest you, Jago, and Pemba stay with Maya.”