SJ twisted and turned in her                makeshift bed, whimpering softly as the visions filled her head.

A thunderstorm louder than ones she'd heard before shattered the calm sky. Someone's back came into view, with messy hair cascading down it. Just as they were about to turn, fire blew up in her face.

SJ quickly sat up, beads of sweat on her temples. Mikhail rushed towards her, his voice a concerned whisper. "Are you ok? What happened?"

SJ started to breath heavily and tugged on the collar of her dress. "So... so hot."

Mikhail furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Hot? It's freezing. Are you sure you're not ill?"

"Fire...", she mumbled, fighting to keep her eyes open. "Fire..."

"You want to go near the fire? I can light one for you if you'd like?", offered Mikhail.

SJ shook her head, resting it against Mikhail's chest. "N-No, I saw fire."

Mikhail nodded. "Ah, I get it. Don't worry, SJ. It was just your nightmares messing with you. There's no fire here."

SJ shook her head. "No, Mikhail listen-"

"-Is everything ok?", whispered Deidre. "Sorry, I uh, I couldn't get to sleep. Is there anything I can help with at all?"

Mikhail shook her head. "No, we're ok. Sorry if we woke you."

"Oh no, that's ok, love. I couldn't help but overhear you're suffering from nightmares. I used to have them as a child. I'd be more than happy to sit with you and calm you", offered Deidre.

SJ looked at Mikhail. She wanted to say no, but she knew Mikhail would struggle to sleep if he knew she was suffering alone. "Y-Yes please. I'd like that."

Mikhail gave Deidre a warm smile. "Thank you, Miss-"

"-Ah, Deidre is fine."

Mikhail smiled again. He gave SJ a quick hug, before getting up and walking away.

Deidre sat beside SJ, her legs crossed. Whilst Aurelie's face was warm and gentle, Deidre's was full of energy and it somehow radiated... hope?

"I'm sorry for keeping you here. I really appreciate you sitting with me", said SJ. "If you don't mind me asking, how long have you and the others been travelling together?"

"Ooh I good... 5 years, I'd say? Yeah. They're my family", said Deidre. "And family's really important to me. They're the family I chose. "

SJ frowned. "Is that why you hate the Tapestry law? Because it took away your right to choose?"

Deidre's smile fell. For a split second, she seemed distant, almost as if she had left her body, leaving only an empty vessel.

Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, leaving only a smiling Deidre. "I suppose so, yes. But joining this quest... it's our chance to get justice, you know?"

"I never really thought of it like that. I suppose, in a way, finding the law maker's essence and bringing it back to the council is our way of getting justice. I just don't want anyone getting hurt", said SJ.

"So that's the plan, is it?", asked Deidre. "I love it. I don't want harm to come to anyone either. I get the impression that you didn't always feel this way? Did you like the law at some point?"

SJ remained silent, scared she'd be judged by the woman she actually seemed to like.

"We're all entitled to our own opinion, dear. Our own choice", said SJ.

Maybe it was the tiredness kicking in? Or maybe it was the fact that Deidre seemed so... nice? Maybe that's why she opened up, just a little.

"Bad things happen to those who break the Tapestry law. I've seen rebels do bad things too. I can't lose my friends. They're all I've got", said SJ, tears forming in her eyes.

Deidre reached for SJ's hand, an electric feeling rushing through her veins. "You won't lose them, love. I'll make sure of that."

-

As the birds sang harmoniously, the group got ready for the next part in their quest. SJ smiled at Deidre, who had waved at the girl.

"Ok, everyone! I'm going to properly prepare you today. So, in order to make an appeal of a law, you need to find the law maker and being them to the Chosen Monument. The Tapestry law maker, Aerian, is dead. This means that we need to find his essence and take it to the Chosen Monument", explained Aurelie.

"What does an essence look like?", asked Shelley.

"They vary in colour. They look like large lumps of rock, or crytalised rocks. From what we gathered, his is red", replied Aurelie. "An essence is usually left behind in a place of significance to its owner, which is why we sent two groups to key places Aerian went to."

Drea nodded. "So now that we know what we're looking for, it'll be easier to search. Be vigilant", she said, looking at Audrey.

Everyone grabbed the last of their things. "I think I'm going to walk with Deidre. Are you guys coming?", asked SJ.

Shelley and Mikhail nodded at each other, before looking at SJ. "Sure. Why not?", said Shelley.

-

Holly gave Gigi a pair of trainers. "Here. I noticed Naomi gives you a bit of a hard time. These shoes aren't as fashionable as hers but they're really comfy. Maybe it'll help you get back in her good books?"

Gigi smiled at Holly. "Thanks. That's real sweet. But, it's fine. We have a love hate relationship. She's actually fun when you get to know her. She's the type that gets everything handed to her, you know? So that's one reason we bicker. We fight a lot but I've known her since we were 16, so..."

Holly nodded. "I get it. I'm glad you told me that, actually. I love seeing the good in people."

"Ah, well you might have to strain to see the good in Naomi", joked Gigi, making Holly laugh.

Glenn glared at the other rebels. He turned to face Echo. "Why would they take a bunch of young un's with them?"

Echo blinked in confusion. "Glenn, you know Rocco and I are the same age right? 22 and 21."

"Yes, but you're an old 21. It doesn't count. And Rocco's basically a toddler so we're his portable créche", said Glenn.

-

Audrey approached Luna. "Hey..."

"Hey", said Luna.

"Can we forget about yesterday? Friends?", asked Audrey.

After a small pause, Luna smiled. "Sure. I shouldn't have snapped at you. Friends."

Audrey grinned. "So, wanna go for a quick walk to clear our heads?"

Luna's smile faltered. "Actually-"

"-Hey, ready for our walk, Luna?", asked Rocco, gently tapping her shoulder. He smiled warmly when he saw Audrey. "Oh, hey! Aubrey, right?"

"It's Audrey", corrected Audrey.

"Oh, sh*t. Sorry! I'm trying to learn everyone's names. It's a lot harder when there are nearly 20 of you", said Rocco.

"Where are you two going then?", asked Audrey.

"Just for a walk", replied Rocco. "Wanna join?"

Audrey looked at Rocco, then Luna. She plastered on a smile and looked at Rocco once more. "Nah, I'm good."

-

Lyndi was deep in conversation with Holly, whilst also packing her bag. "So yeah, my Aunt goes-"

"-Lyndi, can I borrow you for a sec?", asked Duke.

Lyndi nodded and turned to face Duke. When Holly wouldn't move, Duke cleared his throat. Holly's eyes widened. "Oh! Yep, yeah I'll uh, I'll go and wash my... pet cow", she said, before sprinting away from them.

"Look, things might get messy. If they do, I'll protect Holly, ok?", said Duke.

"Why can I not protect her? We spend most of our time together anyway", asked Lyndi.

Duke sighed. "Look, I don't wanna argue, ok? I'll focus on protecting Holly and you focus on not gettin' in trouble. Then she won't lose her best friend."

"Duke, I get that you're worried about her but she's a big girl. She can handle anything. And if she can't... we'll both be there for her", said Lyndi. "I know you're used to doing things alone but we're not just group mates. We're your family. That doesn't change just because we're part of a bigger group."

After a long moment of silence, Duke sighed. "Alright, fine."

Lyndi smiled. "See you down there", said Lyndi. Shd turned away.

"Uh, Lyndi?, called out Duke. "Don't die. I kind of like havin' you around."

-

Noah helped Drea pack things for the younger rebels. Naomi sauntered over to them. "Hey cutie, want to help me pack?"

"Um, I'm just helping Drea out at the moment", said Noah. "I think Mikhail's free."

Naomi scoffed. "I don't want that Momma's Boy. Can't he just help out with this instead?"

Noah looked at Drea for help. Drea just smirked. "Go on, 'cutie'. Your damsel in distress needs you."

Noah rolled his eyes at Drea but walked off with Naomi. "So I was thinking about packing my hair curlers..."

-

Hi!

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

What could be the cause of SJ's nightmares?

If your essence would be in a significant place to you, where would it be? Mine would probably be in my house because I have good memories there.

Who's your favourite character out of the new rebels that joined? It's early so this might change?

Any theories about any plot points?

DoodleYeet

starryeyedturtle

LeMystical-Puffle

hopefulfirebird

OrdinaryBard

Ladybuglolz

SoniczurcX

FishyFishy_Fries

breakingwallsdown