WINTER IS COMING

[Doom]

As Stephanie—or Jessica, rather—began her explanation, Monique wore a big goofy grin. The grin diminished and eventually disappeared as the explanation continued. By the end, Monique looked kind of sullen, almost tired. "Okay, 'Jessica,' let's assume I buy your story. Do Kailen's parents know about this? The whole truth?"

[Gifted]

"His parents? No. That's why Kailen didn't just ask in front of them. I'd really rather they don't know. It's bad enough anyone has too." Stephanie answered. "Just Kailen knows. And now you."

[Raven]

"My parents aren't the kind of people you trust," Kailen muttered darkly.

[Gifted]

"You say that, yet you trust me, Kailen?" Stephanie laughed. "What did they do that is so terrible?"

[Raven]

Kailen shrugged. "Not important right now. How often have they been planting the murders?"

[Gifted]

"Around once every two weeks. Supposedly serial killers have patterns and stuff so they're trying to make one. Then they just pick a random nobody off the street who died recently of god knows what for the victim, have a coroner blackmailed to falsify an autopsy and make sure there's someone in the police to fake the police report. Then you have a fake murderer. Simple."

[Doom]

"But, why?!" Monique exclaimed, louder than she'd intended to.

[Raven]

"Shh!" Kailen hissed, sending a glare her way.

[Doom]

Monique covered her mouth, a watery glint to her eyes. "Sorry," she said, muffled. "This is all a bit much for me. I don't know if I want to know."

[Gifted]

Stephanie, peered anxiously out the room, and stood in tense silence for a moment, but neither of Kailen's parents seemed to have heard. "You might have too." Stephanie said when she was sure they hand't heard. "If I'm right about where this is going, then we're all in danger."

[Raven]

"What do you mean?" Kailen asked.

[Gifted]

"Look, this whole thing is set up to make a gifted serial killer, right?" Stephanie said. "Now we've got a gifted in the public eye in a negative light. Have two or three moere high profile cases - a robbery here, an assault there, - and you're going to get the old sentiments resurfacing again. It really wasn't that long ago that our parents were being persecuted, was it?" Stephanie shook her head. "I think they're trying to start that again. The government never has as much power as when they have something to make the whole public afraid of. We're easy targets."

[Doom]

Monique started breathing hard, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "Th-that... Y-you can't be serious?"

[Gifted]

"I'm dead serious." Stephanie answered. "Keep an eye on the news. If they catch an electricity gifted for these crimes at nine victims, start packing your bags. Might do us good to get a head start."

[Doom]

Monique stood abruptly, rubbing at her eyes. "P-packing? No! I-I... I'm going home. I can't handle this right now." She hurried down the stairs, eyes already red.