Gifted

Alpha Magazine: Mother branch,

Los Angeles, California

Lyla woke up at her work desk, from a long night of work. Last night was mayhem. Everybody was working all nighters and was doing the best that they could to catch the deadline. Everyone was already so exhausted that Lyla took pity on them and told them to take a rest. Lyla herself took a nap and told herself that it would only be for an hour. Lyla stretched on her chair, as she yawns and noticed that nobody is still awake.

"Is that the time?!" Lyla's eyes widen when she saw what time it was. It was already ten in the morning and the deadline will be at four in the afternoon.

It might seem that they still have a lot of time, but in truth, they don't. They still have a lot of work to do, with a lot of articles to be added with more articles be edited. Not to mention the compilation of the finished products.

Lyla wanted to cry so bad, but she couldn't since she's the editor in chief. She needs to be strong for the team.

She opened her email first thing to check if there were some progress with the other photos that they had some problems with. They had some problems with the model that they casted, being a total diva. Since the model kept acting like a spoiled brat, the photographer had finally had it, and left the set without finishing the photo shoot. Oh, and the model also left, not a second after. So, Lyla had to once again find a photographer and manged to cast two of the most famous model of their generation; Leo Rodriguez and Seth Volkov. But alas in the end they didn't show up and Lyla almost had a heart attack. She had to look for another model, and do the whole process all over again, which not only wasted time but resources as well. If that wasn't worse enough, she still needs to send the final product to the print house, and have it ready for the final presentation with the director and the other heads of the company. No pressure at all....

Lyla was praying for a miracle, and just like an answered prayer, the first thing that greeted her eyes was an email from Isabelle. Lyla immediately opened the email in excitement, like a child opening her gift on Christmas day.

Her eyes started turning glassy, as she stares at the first photo. It was supposed to be the test shot that Caleb took of June, but it turned out so perfect that Isabelle decided to also send it. An article, was also attached to the folder, belows June's photo. Lyla by-passed the article first and jumped to the next picture. Once she opens the next photo, it was like a blinding light has shined once again as the photo of a diverse group of boys in locker room popped out on Lyla's screen. It was the picture that Isabelle took, when she stumbled in the boys locker room accidentally. Alex did a little editing on the picture and viola… it was pure perfection! Once Lyla really studied the photo, it was truly a work of art. The composition of the picture was pure perfection that, Lyla marvelled at the fact that it was created by high school students.

Lyla's eyes were still glued to the screen, when some of her team woke up. They saw her peculiar expression, and got really curious what made her like that. Then suddenly, Lyla literally fell off of her chair, which made her team rush to help her. They got behind Lyla's desk, but instead of helping Lyla get up, they froze in their tracks as they were immediately blinded by such brilliance, on Lyla's screen.

"Lord almighty! Is that Scott O'Brien?!" Jasper said breathlessly, when he saw the photos that were sent by Isabelle's team. Jasper is the assistant editor-in-chief and Lyla's right hand man.

Others on the team, rubbed and blinked their eyes a few times, to make sure that they weren't just seeing things. But lo and behold, they weren't. The man in the picture is really Scott O'Brien

"This is a miracle" Jasper said, literally tearing up.

"Amen to that!" Lyla said in agreement, as she gets back on her sit.

"Are those from Izzy?" Jasper asked, still not taking his eyes off of the pictures.

"Yup" Lyla answered, as she studied photo after photo.

"How did they manage to get a photo of "the" great Scott O'Brien? I thought he really was still too young when he announced his retirement, but standing here right now and seeing that wonderful picture in front of me... Miracles do really happen" Jasper said, emotionally.

Lyla picked up the phone and answered immediately

"Hello?"

"Lyla, I'm expecting great results from your team today. I look forward to what you have instore for the final presentation later." The person on the other line said.

Lyla's blood ran cold, when she heard the person of the phone. It was none other that the president of the company. It was like all the work that still needed to be done came rushing down on her like a landslide, snapping her back to reality. But she couldn't be weak while talking to the president, because she's representing not just herself but her whole team. So she composed herself and answered.

"Thank you, Sir. I assure you, you won't be disappointed" Lyla said confidently.

"Great, I look forward to it" The president said, "I know you're a very busy woman, so I won't bother you anymore"

"Oh, no Sir, you're not a bother" Lyla said, in reasurance.

The president just laughed and said "Anyhow, I'll be going now"

"Thank you Sir, and I'll see you soon" Lyla said, before both of them hung up.

"We're doing this!" With so much confidence.

Lyla's energy and confidence were so infectious, that Jasper and her team started seeing the light once more. And with a nod, Jasper rounded Lyla's table, then with a loud voice, he said.

"Wakey! Wakey gorgeous people! Let's work hard today, because we will crush it today!" Jasper encourage, while he started waking up the rest of their team.

Lyla sent back a quick reply to Isabelle's email, before standing up and getting to work.

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Alisa woke a little earlier than everyone else, since everyone had a very long night last night. She decided to take a morning stroll over at the back garden, so she got out of bed, freshen up and left her room. While walking down the halls of the Guild mansion, soft music suddenly filled the hallways. Alisa's eyebrows furrowed, as she thought that everyone would be still sleeping at this hour. She followed the music and led her to the music room, where a grand piano is placed at the very center of it. And the one playing it was none other than, Andrew.

Alisa's face lit up, remembering at that moment that it was just like the time that she first met a broken but beautiful soul, that is Andrew.

Alisa just stayed at the doorway, not wanting to disturb Andrew in pouring out his heart and soul to his music. Every note and every key that Andrew played, radiated with so beauty, that it filled the music room. The piece resonates across Alisa's body, that she had chills all through out the piece, and even after that piece was finished.

After passionately playing, Andrew let out a contented sigh then lift his head, and thats when he saw Alisa. His face immediately lit up when he saw Alisa standing by the doorway.

"Hey" Alisa greeted back, entering the music room.

"How long have you been there?" Andrew asked, making room for Alisa on the chair.

"Not long" Alisa said, as she sit besides Andrew and rest her head on Andrew's shoulder. Andrew hooked his arm around Alisa, and both of them just stayed like that for a few moments. Just cherishing the quality time that they have together.

"The music you were playing earlier was really amazing" Alisa said.

"It's still a working progress" Andrew said, as his thumb lazily rubs Alisa's shoulder.

"How come you're up so early?" Andrew asked

"I wanted to go for a walk, but then I heard you playing and here I am" Alisa answered

"Let's go for a walk then" Andrew said, suddenly standing up.

"Wha- but how about your music time?"

They walk hand in hand, heading to the back garden when Maria saw them.

"You two are up, early" Maria said

"We were just going for a walk" Andrew said

"Is that so?' Maria said, lifting an eyebrow, with a slight smile "Well, if you two are going for a walk, then I might as well ask both of you to go run an errand for me"

"Here's the list of the things for you to buy" Maria said, sending the list through her MGC "I gave both of you access to the Guild's funds. Please, use it wisely." Maria gave instruction after instruction. Like where the market is and how to get there. "Well, off you go then and have a safe trip" Maria said, then just flat out left without another word.

Alisa and Andrew starred at each other, then bursts into laughter.

"Well, I guess we're going shopping then" Andrew said, then offered his hand "Shall we?" he asked with a bright smile.

"We shall" Alisa said, giggling while taking Andrew's hand.

And so both of them went on their way.

Andrew was really amazed but also felt very envious at how the Gifteds in the Castle don't seemed to have any problem. It was like, they didn't have a worry in the world. Maria was correct, Gifteds in the Castle started living inside a peaceful bubble, without a care on what's even happening at the outside world.

Alisa felt Andrew's mood slightly change, so she asked "You feeling okay?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Andrew turned to Alisa and smiled "Yeah, I'm fine"

Alisa knew that something was going on in Andrew's mind, but since Andrew said he was fine, she didn't push the topic, since she also just wanted for the both of them to enjoy; not wanting to dampen the great atmosphere that they both have.

Both of them were having such a great time, they forgot about the time, not until Andrew checked his MGC that his eyes widen.

"We better head back" Andrew told Alisa

Although Alisa still wanted to explore some more, she knew that Andrew was right. So they both decided to head back, but as they were walking a group of Gifteds blocked their path.

"Well, well, well; what do we have here? If it isn't the wretched trash and her dumb boyfriend" A girl with a blonde hair said, who looked like she just smelled something nasty.

Suddenly remembering who the Gifteds were, Andrew pulled Alisa behind him, shielding her from the hostile group of Gifteds. They were the same group of Gifteds that blocked them on recruitment day.

"Hey! Stop acting so innocent and weak, when deep inside, you are rotten and full of *beep*" The brunette girl said

"This guys are back for vengeance" Andrew thought, as his brain started formulating a way out of their situation.

When the guy saw Andrew's eye scanning the surrounding, he smirked.

"You ain't getting out of here pretty boy, unless you leave that *Beep* behind and we'll let you go" The guy with the Mohawk said. "Think this through very well" The guy warned, as he gestured around him.

Andrew scanned his surrounding and realized that both him and Alisa were being surrounded. What happened to the other Gifteds of the Castle? They were no where to be found. It was like they ran as fast as they could when the hostile group of Gifteds showed up.

When Andrew checked on Alisa, it was also no good. Alisa froze up as soon as the trash talking started. and what's worst, she immediately withdrew to herself and Andrew can't get her to respond; It was really a sign that, with the situation and how Alisa's acting, they were both royally screwed.

Andrew turned to the group of hostile Gifteds, and faced them with a determined look on his face. He stood his ground and was determined to protect Alisa from the group of hostile Gifteds.

"What did she even do! The Grand master already told you people that none of what you people are blaming her for are not her fault!" Andrew said, trying to reason with the Gifteds

"Yeah, we heard that and I say it's bull*beep*! The Grandmaster will never understand what we've been through on the hand of that *beep*'s parents! And since we cannot take revenge on her parents, that *beep* will have to pay instead!" Blonde Gifted roared, that she actually started breathing really hard after.

"Why don't you people just leave us alone?" Andrew shouted

"Why, you ask?" The blonde Gifted said letting out a disbelief laugh, "I think I just made it clear a while ago, didn't I?"

"What are we even waiting for, there's only two of them. We can take 'em both!" The brunette Gifted said, who's looking very impatient.

"Final offer. Leave the *Beep* behind and we'll let you go" Mohawk Gifted said, "Time's running out, you have to make a decision" the guy added, who also suddenly look very impatient.

Andrew felt an ominous feeling, weight in his heart. The air suddenly felt so heavy that he started to sweat. The Gifteds around him started getting very agitated and impatient.

"You know what, screw this! I'm not waiting anymore!" The brunette Gifted said, let out a loud roar as she charged at Andrew. Seeing that The brunette Gifted already charged at them, the others followed, not wanting to be left out.

A hoard of Gifteds attacked in all directions, that Andrew couldn't find an opening for them to run. Alisa's still unresponsive and still very closed off. And what's worse, he forgot to bring his violin.

As the Gifteds closes in on Andrew and Alisa, Andrew finally let go of Alisa's hand.

"Finally decided to leave her?" Mohawk guys said with a smirk, upon seeing Andrew let go of Alisa. "Sadly, it's already too late!"

"I'm not leaving her" Andrew said with stone cold expression.

Andrew then slammed both palms on the ground, creating an ice dome around Alisa, protecting her; Also making the Gifteds halt.

"You want her? You will have to go through me first!" Andrew said coldly.

The temperature around him started decreasing to a sub-zero, that a thin mist started to appear. But it didn't seem to affect the Gifteds at all.

"You wanna go first? Then be my guest!" Brunette Gifteds said, then roared as she charged forward, summoning her sacred weapon.

The brunette Gifted striked with her sacred weapon, but Andrew dodge easily, then went for a roundhouse kick that he learned from Alex while training. As soon as Andrew's kick connected, Brunette Gifted let out a gasp, then flew all the way across street, crashing on a hard brick wall. Andrew took first blood but it was far from over, as the rest of the Gifteds charged towards Andrew.

Andrew was doing well at the beginning, but then an arrow zip through the air and hit Andrew on the shoulder, m.o.a.ning in pain. The Gifteds took it as a chance to bring Andrew down, so they didn't waste anytime. Andrew tried defending himself the best that he could, but in the end, The hostile Gifteds were too many and he didn't had a chance.

Andrew was beaten down, but he refused to give up, because he is the only one blocking the hostile Gifteds from killing Alisa. He forced himself to stay awake.

"Give up already!" The blonde Gifted shouted. Having enough off of Andrew, she stabbed Andrew, who's lying on the ground, making him scream in pain. But then Andrew gripped the blade of the Blonde Gifted's sacred weapon and gave her a chilling gaze.

"Never!" Andrew said, refusing to give up.

It only angered the Blonde Gifted. She twisted her sacred weapon, making Andrew scream in pain, even more.

The ice dome that was protecting Alisa started thinning, since Andrew already started losing consciousness. The hostile group of Gifteds, saw the opportunity and took it without wasting another second, and started attacking the ice dome. The force of the attacked snapped Alisa back to reality and to herself. She was startled when she noticed that she was encased in an ice dome. Since the ice dome was already too thin, she could see what was happening outside of the dome. She saw that a bunch of Gifteds were attacking the dome, and immediately went into hyper mode. Sensing that Andrew was not with her, she started looking for him in panic.

"Andrew! Andrew! Where are you?!"

She turned her head furiously in search for Andrew, as her heart started beating faster and faster. Then she caught a glimpse of someone lying on the ground. When she took a closer look at the person, that's when her heart stopped beating. Her world suddenly stop, when she saw Andrew lying on the ground, bathed in his own blood, hanging on to dear life.

"Andrew! Andrew!" Alisa shouted, slamming her fist on the ice as tears started streaming down her cheeks.

"*Beep*! This ice is too strong" Mohawk Gifted said.

"If we can't break this ice, then I guess we'll have to kill this guy first" Brunette Gifted said, as she grabbed Andrew's hair and forcefully pulled him up, making him groan in pain. "If we kill this guy first, then the ice will break, right?"

Brunette Gifted made a point, making her companions nod in agreement.

"This if for the kick, that's still hurt like *Beep*!" Brunette Gifted said, as she placed the blade of her sacred weapon of Andrew's thoat.

Alisa kept crying and shouting as she kept hitting the ice from within the dome, but no one can hear it from outside.

Brunette Gifted was about to slit Andrew's throat when suddenly a chilling breeze made her stop from what she was about to do.

"What are you doing?!" Mohawk and Blonde Gifted shouted impatiently.

What they didn't know was that Brunette Gifted was seeing something in front of her that nobody was seeing. In front of her was an eerie but beautiful ghost, with it's right hand on Brunette Gifted's neck.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Mohawk Gifted asked again.

He approached Brunette Gifted, but when he got close he stopped in his tracks as another ghost appeared in front of him with it's hand on his neck.

"What are you both doing?!" Blonde Gifted said, walking closer to both Brunette and Mohawk Gifted.

When Blonde Gifted got closer she too stopped in her tracks as a ghost also appeared in front of her, blocking her, as it's hand was also on Blonde Gifted's Neck.

"Wha-" Blonde Gifted said, as she tried moving, but was stopped by a voice.

"Don't move, if you don't want to die"

"Who are you?! Show yourself!" Brunette Gifted demanded.

The source of the voice stepped out of the mist, revealing himself.

To Alisa's surprise, it was Cameron, with his opened journal on hand.

"Who are you?" Mohawk Gifted demanded

"You don't have to know. The only thing you need to know is let my brother and sister go, or else" Cameron warned

"Or else what?!" Blonde Girls challenged, in a contemptuous and mocking way.

"This will happened" Cameron said.

Then the ghost blocking Blonde Gifted, screeched so loud, with its eyes turning white. Then suddenly Blond Gifted dropped to the ground. Unmoving, like she could be mistaken for a corpse already.

"Leave" Cameron said. It was not much of a request but a command.

"The hell you're talking about! We ain't backing down, just because you told us to! You ain't scarin' nobody!" Mohawk Gifted said

"I warned you" Cameron said, the ghost blocking Mohawk Gifted screeched, making him drop to the ground like Blonde Gifted.

"Last warning, all of you leave if you don't want to end up like these two" Cameron warned, putting as much intimidation to his voice as possible.

Cameron succeeded in scaring off the hoard of hostile Gifteds, making them all run away in fear. Some of them had the decency to carry both Mohawk and Blonde Gifted before running for their lives. Brunette Gifted didn't even think twice and ran like crazy, not wanting to end up like both of her friends.

When all the hostile Gifteds were finally gone, Cameron could finally let out a sigh of relief. But then he started wobbling from exhaustion. His eyes started getting blurry, then finally his legs gave in. Thankfully, Alisa caught him just in time. As soon as the hostile group of Gifteds was nowhere to be seen, Andrew lost all consciousness, also melting the ice dome.

"Are you okay?" Alisa asked, gently lowering Cameron to the ground for him to sit

"Thanks, but I'm fine" Cameron reassured "Go check on Andrew"

Alisa didn't need to be told twice, as she immediately ran to Andrew who's still bleeding to death.

"Andrew!" Alisa shouted as she kelt down next to Andrew, gently cupping his face.

Andrew's skin was really pale, form all the blood that he lost and if he isn't treated soon, he could die.

"Andrew! Please don't die! Andrew!" Alisa sobbed, feeling so helpless.

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Caleb was still sleeping when his MGC kept ringing, waking him up. With a groan, he lazyly reached for his MGC on his bedside table, and place it on his ear without even checking who was calling.

"Caleb, we need your help" Cameron's panicked and urgent voice filled Caleb's voice.

"Why, what happened?" Caleb asked groggily, as he rubs his eyes.

"It's Alisa...." Hearing Alisa's name immediately woke Caleb up, like a bucket of cold water was poured on him.

"What happened?" Caleb asked

As Cameron explained the details to Caleb, Caleb got out of bed and changed quickly.

"Where are you?" Caleb asked, after Cameron explained how things happened.

"I... I…." Cameron tried answering but he was so exhausted, that even talking was taking him a lot of effort.

"Stay with me Cam, Where are you?" Cameron asked again, as he ran through the hallways of the Guild Mansion.

"You- you can track…... our location through your MGC" Cameron said, as his voice started getting fainter and fainter, from exhaustion.

"We'll be there, just hang on!" Cameron said, pocketing his MGC as he turned to a room and slammed his fist on the door multiple times.

"What happened?" An alert June said, as soon as the door opened. It was obvious that he was still sleeping when Caleb came in pounding his door, since some of his hair are sticking out all over the place.

"I'll explain on the way" Caleb said, before running to the direction of the main hall.

June swiftly put on his sneakers, before running out of his room to catch up to Caleb.