Almost as soon as I saw the cloaked figures, I scooped Willaim up in my arms, and hid behind a large rock, placing the kid in my lap, and pressing a finger over my lips as I looked at him, telling him to be silent. He nodded in understanding, and I peeked around the edge of the rock, making sure we hadn't been seen. The figures were still standing there, as if nothing had happened, but they seemed to be closer to each other than before. And they seemed to be talking in hushed whispers, too. I tried to listen in on what they were saying. But I couldn't catch anything. So, instead, I tried to come up with a plan while keeping an eye on the figures. I had already used shadow-travel, and that tends to take away some energy, so I'm not risking using my powers again. I know hand-to-hand combat, but I'll be easily outnumbered. Three to one. Then there was Willaim. I couldn't put him in danger, but I couldn't leave him behind this rock, either. And I also didn't know if the three figures had any sort of powers. I didn't know what they could do. Dammit, at this point, I'm basically backed into a corner with no way out! I thought in frustration, wishing I could come up with some sort of plan. I continued watching the figures closely, waiting to see if they would make a move-when, suddenly, all three of they're heads snapped in my direction. I knew they had saw me, I knew they now knew I was here, but I still ducked behind the rock again. For a few minutes, everything was silent, and still, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting. My senses were on high alert, listening, waiting for any sudden attack or sound. Then, before I could react, the figures appeared from all sides-left, right, and above. Luckily, I tucked Willaim to my chest, and rolled forward on the sand, coming up kneeling, glaring at the figures. "Who are you?" I asked them, now standing up, still holding William to my chest. Nothing was going to happen to him. Not on my watch. The figures all stood there, watching me carefully. Before the one on the left spoke. "I believe that's none of your business, little girl." I scowled. I didn't like being called little girl by someone I didn't even know. But I wasn't going to hand out my name, either. All of a sudden, I decided to make a run for the exit, determined to get out. The three tried to stop me, all at once. Somehow, I managed to dodge lefty, and the one that had tried to attack from above, now only inches from the door. I gasped for air at the pain that tore through my body-I felt like I was on fire-and not in the good way! I stopped in my tracks, and fell to the ground from the pain, pushing Willaim to the exit. He tried to resist. "No-I can't just-" But I cut him off, giving him a bit of a stern glare. "You can and you will. Run, and go find someone from class to help, ok? Don't come back!" He hesitated before nodding, and then exiting, the door closing quickly behind him. The burning pain that was rippling through me only intensified, and I had to bite my lips to hold in my cry of pain, my eyes closed as I endured it all. Meanwhile, I felt something suddenly press to the back of my head, but was too distracted to realize what it was-before a click sounded. "You've caused us a lot of trouble, Shelby. It's time we put a stop to that for our future."