Run To Earth (Power of Four) by S Mazhar

He paused. “... power or magic or whatever it was.” He took in a breath. “God’s honest truth, we blamed you. But then, over the days we’ve been here just sitting and thinking, we realised it’s not your fault.” His eyes glinted with anger. “It’s your parents’ fault.” When Aaron didn’t protest, Sam continued. “They’re the ones to blame. They should have told you about being different. They should have explained what you were capable of. If you knew, you would’ve been able to control yourself. If you knew–”
    “I wouldn’t have been friends with you,” Aaron said, interrupting him.
    Sam stared at him with surprise. “You’d ditch us?”
    “You’d still be in your world, with your family, if I had,” Aaron replied.
    Sam didn’t say anything.
    Rose took in a deep breath. “Let’s not talk about that,” she said. “We need to figure out what happens now. How long do we stay here? What’s the plan?”
    Aaron shrugged. “Dunno.”
    “You haven’t asked your parents?” She looked surprised.
    “It’s not like they would tell me,” Aaron said. Taking in a breath, he added, “And...they’re gone.”
    “Gone?” Sam frowned. “Where?”
    Aaron shook his head, trying hard to mask his heartbreak. “They just...left.” He dug out the letter from his pocket and handed it to Sam. “Left that for me.”
    Rose got up and crossed the room so she too could read the letter. Quiet minutes passed as the twins read it with furrowed brows, before sharing looks of surprise.
    “Your life would be endangered if you went with them?” Rose asked. “Why would they think that? Who would want to hurt you?”
    “Those men from that cloud-mist thing,” Sam offered. “Maybe they’re after you?”
    “Me?” Aaron asked, his heart leaping painfully. “Why would they be after me?”
    “Think about it,” Sam said. “They came right after you cracked open the ground to stop that car.” He paused before meeting Aaron’s gaze. “Almost as if they were waiting for you to use your powers so they could come for you. They were chasing after you,” Sam pointed out. “Your mum and dad were desperate to get you out of the way. They come here,” he gestured to the room, “some mad place in another realm , whatever that means.” He rubbed at his chin. “They claim this place is safe for you.” He looked at Aaron. “It makes sense. Those things came for you.”
    Aaron’s heart missed several beats. “Why?” he asked. “What do they want from me?”
    “Your parents hid the fact that you’re a...That you’re...different.” Rose shifted uncomfortably. “If they can keep a secret that big, what else could they hide from you.”
    Aaron swallowed heavily. “I have to find out what going on,” he said. “What it is they’re keeping from me.”
    “Sounds like a plan,” came a sarcastic voice, startling the three. Skyler stood at the door, leaning against the frame, arms crossed and cool blue eyes set on Aaron. “My advice? Take your scheming somewhere else. I need this space.”
    ***
    Aaron stepped out into the sun with a smile. He had his best friends by his side. Skyler led the way through the gate and down the long row of houses.
    “What did your mum and dad say?” Rose asked. “Did they explain anything about this place?” she asked, staring wide-eyed at the long table that stretched down the road.
    “What do you think?” Aaron asked.
    “Considering they took fourteen years to tell you what species you are, I’m thinking...no,” Sam said.
    Skyler stopped at the first blue-doored cottage. “Here you go.” He waved a hand at the gate. “Your humble abode.”
    Aaron noticed a girl, the one with blue streaks in her hair, watching them from across the street. She walked towards them, a quizzical look on her face.
    “Skyler,” she called, looking half amused and half annoyed. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “I’m moving them to a permanent location,” Skyler