She ran.

She ran as fast as her feet could take her.

Images flashed through her head, making her feel sick to her stomach. She clenched her fist, her nails digging through her palm. 

Crystal had no idea where she was going, but she was desperate for fresh air. Frustration filled her when she couldn't find the exit. The walls were thick and there were no windows anywhere. They must have been hiding underground.

She fell to her knees, taking deep breaths as sweat broke out from the sides of her face. Her lips were pale and her eyes looked empty as she stared at the floor beneath her. This all must have been a dream. Moments from now, she'd wake up in her bedroom and realize that this was all just a dream. A nightmare.

The thought comforted her for a split second before darkness and hopelessness seemed to drown her. It felt like she was drowning and sinking slowly to the depths of the ocean. There was only darkness and silence. She felt trapped.

Crystal slowly leaned against the wall, her eyes staring blankly at nothing in particular. She felt too weak to even raise a finger. Her mind wandered back to the events that took place, all too fast and all too surprising. There was no time to register everything. 

For the first time in years, she discovered that she wasn't the only one who was gifted. That was supposed to be exciting. Who knew it would end so tragically? Two of them were murdered and now they were in hiding. What was life going to be like after this? Is she going to spend the rest of her life hiding in an underground basement? Crystal hugged her knees to her chest and buried her face in the dark hallow.

A drop of tear escaped from the corner of her eye, but she didn't know what caused it. She didn't feel sad. She just felt.. empty. 

Maybe it was the regret that was slowly creeping up on her. She didn't do anything. She could have done something to save them. Anything. She could have stalled things until help arrived. But she didn't do anything. She only stared with wide eyes and horror, her feet completely glued to the ground. 

Her failure to react caused two lives. Lives that mattered. A fiery-tempered man that could engulf himself in bright and spectacular flames. He manipulated fire like it was is his toy. She could still remember his glowing brown eyes, looking captivating and deadly. And his brother, a good-hearted man who could command earth. Two special people -- gone in a matter of seconds.

Before she could even register what happened, she was engulfed in darkness and brought to safety, but that was nothing to celebrate about. The lifeless bodies and the faces of her dead acquaintances continued to plague her mind.