It was four days before Sarhea felt well enough to venture beyond her quarters. She had to find food and she needed to meet with Aleena. The cut on her forearm was stubbornly refusing to heal as fast as she would like and her attempts to treat it herself with the outdated supplies in the old hospital had only made it sore and irritated. She knew the slow healing had to do with the events of that night and the drain on her energy the defensive move had made. She couldn’t shake the memory and had been dwelling on it for days. She had not been called upon to use her defensive energy in that manner since the final battle for her world. The Guardians had initiated that response in her-they had initiated it and left her to deal with the aftermath.

That night facing Raith felt all too familiar and it really frightened her. Was it possible that despite their portal being locked away, the Guardians still had access to this world? And if they were here, why were they hiding-why had they not revealed themselves to her? Why were they allowing her to control their energy? These questions had been plaguing her thoughts for days, and the only solution she had come up with was that somehow, this world’s energy had to be connected to the Guardians. The Taloans believed something about Guardians from what she’d gathered from several sources. But something was still not right; something was missing, and it frightened her. She was worried that by experimenting with her gifts, she’d somehow opened a door, a door that could never be closed. But she could not continue her quest without her energy…

Then there was this nagging business of a new species…Surely the energy, the Guardians, something, had worked on her behalf and tainted these supposed blood samples to keep her identity hidden. But not knowing for certain was enough to keep her in a seriously fragile state of mind. The nagging questions are what finally drove her to where she now stood…

Sarhea hesitated before knocking lightly on the door she knew led to Aleena’s small hospital office and lab. She’d come during a time she knew her friend’s work load would be light and there would be little to no patients awaiting treatment. She almost abandoned her visit when the door finally opened and she was greeted by Aleena’s surprised gaze. The Kalatian was quick to draw her into a fierce embrace.

“Sarhea! You really have to stop disappearing on me! I was worried about you and Leesha has been…are you alright?” Aleena asked when Sarhea only weakly returned the gesture.

Sarhea sighed as she entered the office. “I’ve seen better days. I pushed myself too hard on my workouts the other day, so I’m a little sore…” she paused as Aleena arched a brow. She knew immediately that she’d chosen the wrong lie, but thankfully, Aleena didn’t say anything. Sarhea sighed quietly as she prepared to give her next lie.

“I…I also got a little clumsy and fell the other day and cut myself pretty good. I don’t feel its healing as it should so I figured I’d better get it looked at.”

Aleena’s questioning gaze faded to concern. “Well that definitely doesn’t seem like you. Here, let me take a look,” she replied and motioned Sarhea to a nearby chair.

Sarhea sat and pushed up the baggy sleeve of her newly acquired second-hand top. Aleena’s eyes widened as she examined the inflamed gash.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding! That’s a pretty nasty injury! You really should have come sooner-this needed to be stitched up. You received this from a fall?”

Sarhea just sighed as Aleena turned and headed for a row of drawers along the back wall to retrieve her supplies. Sarhea couldn’t keep her gaze from lingering on the lab instruments sitting on the work bench. The doctor’s and Raith’s words just would not leave her alone. She had to know…

Aleena arrived back with her supplies and pulled up a tray and chair before her. Her friend seemed to pick up on her quiet, pensive mood as she worked to clean and bandage the wound. She finally paused and sat up in her chair, a concerned look in her eye.

“Sarhea, are you sure there’s nothing else wrong? You seem…more withdrawn than normal.”

Sarhea sighed quietly and glanced away. To ask Aleena’s assistance with this was dangerous. She’d vowed to never let anyone get to close to her hidden secrets, for their own protection, but at the same time, this was a secret that even she had no knowledge of. And she had no idea how to operate the instruments herself. But she had to know; the constant nagging thoughts were effecting her connection with her energy.

“Aleena, do you know how to run blood samples?” she asked quietly.

Aleena hesitated and arched a brow. “Yes,” she replied carefully.

Sarhea tried not to divert her gaze away from Aleena’s questioning concern.

“I need you to run my blood. I…I need to know if I’m normal.”

“Ok, you’re starting to scare me. Sarhea, what is this about?”

“I’m not really quite sure, but I’ll know once my sample has been run.”

Aleena hesitated, her eyes wide and worried, but when Sarhea did not budge in her resolve, she finally sighed and finished bandaging the wound.

“Alright, I’ll do it, but you have to promise to tell me what this is really about.”

“I will, but…you have to really want to know and be able to handle the potential fallout. I’m your friend no matter what, but I do not want to be a source of trouble for you.”

Aleena’s eyes widened as she set the supplies aside. She sat in thought for a moment before sighing quietly.

“I’ll stand by you, whatever this is about. You’re the best friend I’ve had since…since I screwed up with Bud and Raith. I suppose trouble is a normal thing for me, and my life would be boring otherwise,” she replied with a weary smile before standing and moving to another drawer. She returned with a small vial attached to a syringe.

“I’m pretty good at this so you shouldn’t feel a thing,” she said and gently pressed the needle into the bend of her arm. The vial quickly filled with bright blue blood.

Sarhea noticed Aleena’s odd expression. “What is it?”

“Well, Cassarian blood is normally red. Yours…well it does appear like it’s slowly turning red,” she replied.

The fluid in the vial slowly changed from blue, to violet, then finally an odd shade of red.

“Well, I suppose I should get the tests running. It can take quite some time,” she said and took the vial to an instrument that sat at the center of the bench. A few minutes passed before Aleena returned to the chair in front of her.

“Now are you going to tell me what this is all about?”

Sarhea simply shook her head and sighed. “I won’t really know until I see the results of that test. I’ve found myself analyzing my life a lot here recently. No matter how much I try, I just don’t seem to fit in, and the more I try, the more I end up finding trouble,” she replied sadly.

Aleena scowled back at her. “Sarhea, I’m not sure what you’ve been through recently to bring this on, but how can you say you don’t fit in? Look around you-In this current world, where do any of us truly fit in? All we can do is work with what we are given and make the best of it. Don’t lose hope over some minor setbacks, whatever they may be.”

Sarhea forced a weak smile. Aleena could be so optimistic sometimes. She wished this was all just a minor setback. She also hoped that the results of her blood test would prove she was simply losing her mind.

Several minutes of silence passed before a shrill beep caused them both to jump. Aleena’s gaze locked on the offending instrument.

“That’s odd. It never finishes this quickly,” she said and stood.

Sarhea straightened as she watched Aleena walk to the instrument and pull up the reports. Aleena’s gaze went from hard concentration, to confusion, then finally just a blank stare.

“Aleena, what is it? What does it say?”

Aleena simply shook her head. “I don’t know what this is telling me. I’m used to it giving me basic info, like species, gender, age, and the like. This tells me none of that. It’s also telling me that you are every species, yet none of them.”

Sarhea stood and joined Aleena at the computer. She briefly scanned over the data, much of which made no sense to her. One word stood out above all the rest-unknown. She could only stare at it, her mind trying to understand how this was possible. The words she’d heard from Raith and Mouser, the isolation she’d always felt more comfortable with…it all suddenly made sense and brought clarity to so many questions that had plagued her thoughts since her journey began so many years ago.

“Sarhea?”

She was completely overwhelmed as her distant gaze turned to her worried friend. A sudden realization struck her to the core, causing her to gasp quietly.

“I’m…I’m the last of my kind, whatever it may be. I’m the only one who survived the attack on my world…”

The words rang hollow in her mind as they were spoken. She truly was alone. It had not just been a deep feeling she’d decided was of her own doing.

Aleena’s gaze was a mix of sympathy and concern as she placed an arm over her shoulders.

“Sarhea, I’m…you’re…” she stammered.

Sarhea forced another weak smile. “You do not have to say anything. I suppose deep down, I’ve always known. After my world was destroyed and I found myself on Cassan Minor, I thought that perhaps I was Cassarian. I looked so much like them, even though everything about them was foreign. I tried to fit in, tried to make a new life-learn their ways. Just when I thought it was coming together, Cassan Minor came under attack and everything was destroyed again. The world hopping began after that. Being around so many different species and cultures really showed me just how different I really was.”

Silence fell between them. Aleena finally glanced over at the computer report again.

“I’d like to show these results to Mouser. He could better interpret the data that I don’t understand.”

Sarhea’s eyes widened. “No! Please don’t!” she burst out.

“Sarhea, a blood sample is required of all to be recorded in one’s profile. I thought you said you were taking care of that?” Aleena paused and scowled when Sarhea diverted her gaze.

“You haven’t taken care of it, have you?” Sarhea heard Aleena sigh. “I guess your reaction answers my question. This is the first sample that has been run on you, isn’t it?” Aleena paused a moment before her eyes widened. “Wait, this means that you also have not been assigned quarters. Sarhea, where have you been living?”

Sarhea kept her gaze diverted. “I make do. It’s really not a big deal and works for me. But Aleena, please do not report me to Mouser. I realize I will not be able to stay in the shadows forever, but I really could not handle the attention that I would come under if this got out. I’ve only just learned how different I really am…and I don’t care to be the doctor’s next lab study.”

Aleena scowled fiercely before shaking her head.

“I suppose I understand you on that point. But Sarhea, you will have to get this taken care of soon. I know you want to stay hidden, but an absent or incomplete profile is a giant red flag that will all but ensure you will be under critical attention if you’re discovered. Then there is this data; look at all the species you are genetically close to. There are over fifteen known species on this list! What if you hold the key to something that could help many?”

Sarhea only shook her head. “I do not know what secrets are hidden within me. I just know I need some time to process this new discovery. Please, Aleena-destroy this data. There’s plenty more blood to take later when I’m ready. Please keep this to yourself-please.”

Aleena glanced at the screen in frustration before sighing heavily. “Alright. I’ll do as you ask as I promised I would. But please don’t keep this to yourself for too long. And don’t dwell on your differences or let it affect your mental status. Being unique is not so bad.”

Sarhea could only shake her head. Her gaze scanned the computer screen once more as Aleena took the remains of the blood vial and disposed of it in the hazardous waste container. She was unique alright. She could picture the scene in her head already. She’d be strapped to a table, endless samples taken and experiments run on her. Raith would most likely shoot her with stunners repeatedly for what she did to him. He’d been out of sorts most of the week. She’d never heard what happened when he woke from his forced slumber, but she clearly remembered seeing him wandering around the central areas of the city in nearly a daze for several days.

Aleena came back to the computer. “Alright, the last thing to do is…”

Everything suddenly went dark. Sarhea stiffened as her defensive energy instinctively flared.

“What the hell?” Aleena exclaimed and began to fumble around the bench top in the darkness.

“Aleena, what just happened?”

“It seems we lost power. But how can that be?”

“We’re not under attack are we?

Both women paused to listen. Frightened shrieks and calls could be heard from the citizens beyond the hospital, but there were no sounds of alarms or rumbles of battle.

“I don’t think so, but we’ve never had a power outage before. I need to find a flashlight so I can see to get out. I need to find out how widespread this outage is.”

Sarhea felt a sudden change in the energy. The alarm she’d initially felt had left and she soon found that she was beginning to be able to see energized shapes, much like when she connected with her guides. She could see Aleena fumbling around, searching for the flashlight that was so close to her fingertips. She finally reached over and retrieved it.

“Aleena, are my eyes doing that glowing thing?”

She saw Aleena pause and look in her general direction.

“Not that I can see. Why?”

Sarhea reached out and placed the flashlight in Aleena’s searching hand.

“Because I seem to be able to see in this darkness, and that’s rather odd, even for me.”

Aleena switched the light on, illuminating her baffled expression.

“Ok, now that’s a talent I’d seriously like to have. If you don’t want Mouser to know about you, can we at least do some experiments to test for any other hidden abilities?”

Sarhea snorted in mock contempt.

“What? You’re suddenly the coolest creature I know and I’m the only one privileged to know the true you.”

Sarhea shook her head as she turned toward the door. “Maybe later. For now, I think we better get out there and investigate. It sounds like everyone is starting to freak out.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. If they don’t calm down, someone’s going to get hurt.”

With that, both left the office and headed across the hospital lobby. They spotted several groups of citizens already huddled in the corners. Aleena quickly went to each one, and after a few minutes, she returned to where Sarhea waited near the main doors.

“Since you don’t need the flashlight, do you mind going out there to see if there are any injured? If there are, lead them back here. Those who took refuge in here say it’s pretty crazy out there.”

“I suppose I can do that,” she replied and prepared to open the door.

“Good luck,” Aleena called as she stepped out.

Sarhea suddenly felt like she was back in the chaos of the attack on Cassan Minor. Citizens were running aimlessly in fear, running into each other and the walls. Some had lights; most didn’t. All the guards seemed to have lights, but their futile attempts to reassure the terrified masses fell on deaf ears.

Sarhea paused against the wall as she called upon her guides. It was not long before the red and blue trails of energy appeared and began weaving among the crowds to her right. She followed after them. Fifteen minutes had passed before they hesitated and she stepped out of the flow. An unusual sound came to her sensitive ears-it was a quiet cry. Her ears perked as she sought out the source of the sound. Her guides led her farther down the corridor and to a packed intersection. The sound grew louder, and sounded like the cries of a frightened child. Her urgent gaze searched for the source and soon saw the guides converge on a small cubby on the opposite wall. She quickly pushed her way through the flow of citizens and hurried to kneel next to the cubby. Huddled inside was a small, terrified child.

“Oh, shhh…don’t be scared. I’ve found you. I will not let anyone hurt you. Shh…” she whispered as she laid a gentle hand on the child’s shoulder. It was so small. It jumped at the touch, its big, terrified eyes searching for her face. It tried to shrink away deeper into the recess.

“Don’t be scared. I’m here to help you. What is your name?”

The child sniffled and wiped its eyes. She could sense it slowly calming.

“Finny,” came the quiet reply after several minutes.

A little boy…Sarhea smiled as she scooted closer.

“Hi Finny. I’m Sarhea. Where is your family?”

She felt him scoot closer to her.

“Lost,” came the small, quiet voice.

She felt sorry for him as she put a gentle arm around his tiny shoulders and pulled him close. “Don’t you worry now. I’ll help you find them. Do you remember where you last saw them?”

His little fingers wrapped tightly around her hand. “Eating,” he replied.

The dining hall was not too far away.

“Ok, we’ll go there and see if we can find them.”

“Can’t see…too dark.”

Sarhea smiled as she prepared to stand. “I can see. If you tell me what they look like, I’ll try and find them. Can I pick you up?”

She felt him reach out to her and she carefully leaned over to scoop him up. He was such a small little thing with chubby little legs and a thin tail. She could see the general shape of his body, but was unable to identify his species. She slowly gazed out over the confused masses.

“How do you see?” Finny asked.

She could feel his fear slowly subsiding. “I guess I have special eyes,” she replied.

“I want special eyes. Don’t like dark.”

Sarhea laughed quietly as she spotted an opening to get into the hallway leading to the dining hall. At the last second, a frantic creature appeared out of nowhere and nearly barreled into her. Sarhea had to spin aside to dodge it. Finny grasped her shirt at the sudden move and ducked his little head into her shoulder. She moved back against the first wall she could find.

“Don’t be scared. Here, let’s do that again. It will be fun, kind of like a dance. Have you ever danced?” she asked as she recalled the crazy tribal dances she used to do. Moving though this crowd was going to feel much like that. She felt his head lift.

“Sissy dances,” he replied quietly.

So he had a sister. Sarhea stepped out and dodged several disoriented citizens as she made her way through the intersection. The dining hall was further down the corridor. It took longer than she anticipated, but she finally made it. Finny was giggling at every fast maneuver by the time they had reached their destination.

“Do it again?” he giggled.

Sarhea couldn’t help but laugh with him. The little boy’s laugh was infectious. Sarhea found herself wishing she could just hold him forever. A long dismissed longing began to rise within. She’d always wanted children, but the forces running her life had had other plans. If things were different, if she was not the last of her kind, she would have loved to have a little boy just like Finny.

“Maybe another time,” she replied quietly. “Let’s find your family.”

Blinding light suddenly overwhelmed her vision as the lights began to blink back on. Dazed citizens stopped their frantic rushing and paused to gaze around in bewilderment. Sarhea looked down to the little boy on her hip…and gasped. He was Leonian. She instantly recalled Aleena telling her about two families of orphaned Leonian children, but she had never considered they would be so young. Finny looked roughly the same age she had been when she was orphaned. No wonder she’d felt such a strong connection with him.

Big hazel eyes looked up at her as a big grin spread across his face. “Lights back! Now find Sissy and Bubby!”

“Yes, now we can find them,” she replied.

Now that the lights were back on, moving to the dining hall would be much easier. She kept her eyes searching for any creature that looked Leonian, even Raith. If anyone knew how to get Finny back to his family, it would be him. She moved Finny over to her left side as they entered the dining hall. She quickly noticed there were no Leonians within. Finny knew it too, and she felt him begin to fidget. She needed to keep his young mind busy.

“How old are you, Finny?” she asked as she moved back out into the corridor.

The boy’s searching eyes found her once more. He held up four fingers.

“I four, almost five,” he replied. “Sissy and Bubby say they and Layla and Makar gonna have a party when I five,” he beamed proudly.

Sarhea hesitated. He was four? He had only been an infant when the attacks occurred. How had a group of young children survived such terror?

“What do you want for your birthday?”

“Want?” He seemed confused.

“If you could have any gift, what would it be?” she asked again.

Finny was quiet for a moment as she slowly continued down the corridor and searched the dazed crowds.

“Already have best gift,” he suddenly exclaimed.

“Oh? And what is it?”

“My family. Layla, Makar, Sissy…Bubby!” the boy squealed and nearly leapt out of her arms in excitement. She was barely able to catch him before he fell. “Sarhea, I see Bubby!” he squealed. “Bubby!”

Sarhea’s gaze darted back the direction she had come from and followed the boy’s excited gaze. She spotted a lanky boy with dark brown hair and the obviously characteristic large Leonian ears standing in the entrance of the dining hall. He must have come in from one of the other entrances. His eyes were wide with excitement as he quickly motioned for someone still back in the large room. Sarhea quickly began to head back that way. Two girls roughly the same age, but younger than the boy, also appeared in the open entryway. One had blond hair, while the other had auburn hair. Both looked terribly worried. Another boy with blonde hair appeared as the group rushed forward to meet her.

“Finny!” the girl with auburn hair exclaimed and reached out for him.

“Sissy!” he exclaimed in reply and readily did the same. Sarhea released him to fall into his sister’s embrace.

“Thank you so much! We were so worried! The lights went off and everyone went crazy. We got separated. How did you find him?” Sissy asked as she hugged Finny close.

Sarhea smiled warmly as the rest of the group arrived at Sissy’s side. “I heard him crying and found him huddled in a corner. I couldn’t leave him there, so I took him up and helped him find you.”

“Thank you so much…” the first boy with the brown hair started. Finny had called him Bubby. She smiled warmly at him.

“I am Sarhea, and you’re very welcome. Your little brother is quite the special little one. I’m honored to have helped reunite you,” she replied.

“Bubby! We lost, and Sarhea found me and she had special eyes that see in the dark and we danced…” Finny started and ran out of breath. Sissy pulled him into a giggling hug, while Bubby smiled and ruffled his dark mop of red-brown hair.

“Well, this is a first. Finny is normally very shy. I’m glad you found him and not someone else. Thank you again, so very much. We are forever in you debt.”

“No, there is no debt,” she replied quietly.

Bubby brightened before placing a hand on each of the girl’s shoulders. “Come on guys, it’s time we get back to our rooms.”

“It was nice to meet you, Sarhea, and thanks again for bringing my brother back,” Sissy said with a smile and turned to leave. Finny’s head popped up over her shoulder, his wide hazel eyes finding her.

“Sarhea!” he called and reached a hand out to her.

Sarhea didn’t quite know how to respond, but she felt led to go to him. Sissy paused and turned, and as soon as she was close enough, Finny reached out both hands to her and fell forward. She quickly stooped down to catch him. His little arms came around her neck in a tight hug. The act caught her by surprise, and the instant overwhelming emotion that washed over her was almost more than she could endure. For the second time in a short period, she felt the sting of hot tears in her eyes. She held him in a similar tight hug until he finally released her and reached for his sister once more.

“Yes, you managed to make quite the impression on him,” Bubby said with a smile as he turned to lead his group down the corridor. Finny peeked over Sissy’s shoulder once more and waved bye to her.

“Bye, Finny,” she whispered as she tried to contain her emotions. She watched them go until they were out of sight before turning to head back to the hospital.

Sarhea froze mid-step. Raith was watching her with an unreadable expression from the entrance of the dining hall. Her energy suddenly betrayed her, leaving her without an evasive direction to take. There would be no avoiding him. She slowly began to continue in her original path. She tried to avoid his gaze as she passed by.

“Sarhea,” came his quiet voice.

She cringed inwardly as she paused and slowly looked over to him. His expression had changed. It was no longer unreadable, but she couldn’t make sense of what she saw. But he was also not looking at her with his usual suspicion and contempt.

“Thank you,” he finally said quietly. “Finny is a very special boy, the heart and soul of those two families. They would be lost without him. It…you…” he hesitated, seemingly unable to find the right words. “You did a good thing by helping them,” he finally continued.

Sarhea was stunned. The all mighty Commander Raith seemed at a loss for words and was actually thanking her. She lowered her gaze, hoping he’d not recognized her surprise.

“Yes, he is a special little boy. It was the least I could do, what I would do for any child. Young ones should not have to be lost or afraid,” she replied quietly.

He simply nodded in agreement as he gazed down the path the children had taken. He cast one last glance back at her before he left the entryway and continued down the hall in his typical alert fashion.

Sarhea was left standing there in confusion. She didn’t know how to interpret his last glance, but she thought she had recognized a hint of genuine gratitude. Had she finally broken through his stubborn suspicion of her? She felt something had changed. There was no way he was going to look past her previous transgressions, but maybe he would finally quit automatically assuming she was trouble.

Sarhea felt a sense of renewal and fresh purpose as she continued down the corridor to find Aleena.