Allie stood amidst the wreckage, the air thick with dust and the stench of fear. Twisted metal beams jutted from the collapsed sections of the arena, shards of shattered glass crunching under the boots of rescue workers as they moved through the debris, evacuating the injured. The air pulsed with the insistent wail of sirens, a discordant symphony against the shocked cries of the crowd.
Her legs trembled beneath her, threatening to buckle. She stared at her hands as if they were foreign objects, the phantom sensation of that uncontrollable power still lingering. Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs, each breath a shallow gasp as the horrific scene replayed in her mind.
"Did I… did I do this?" she whispered, her voice raw with disbelief and self-recrimination.
Ryan's arm slipped around her shoulders, a silent offering of comfort. "Allie, this isn't the time for blame. We need to make sure everyone is safe." His voice was a low rumble, grounding her in the chaotic present.
A group of officials approached, their faces grim, eyes scanning the destruction with clinical detachment. The man at the front, his face etched with authority, fixed his gaze on Ryan.
"Mr. Waters, you're unhurt?" His voice was sharp, edged with suspicion.
Ryan stepped slightly in front of Allie, a subtle but protective gesture. "Agent Williams. Yes, we're fine."
Agent Williams' gaze flickered towards Allie, lingering for a moment. "I've been informed that witnesses saw a surge of…her unusual energy emanating from the young athlete just before the incident. Can you verify this?"
A chill ran down Allie's spine. She instinctively grasped Ryan's sleeve, seeking comfort in his solid presence. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, silently urging her to remain calm.
"Agent Williams, I believe the situation is more complicated than it appears. I suggest we focus on the rescue efforts and conduct a thorough investigation once the situation is under control." Ryan's tone was even, but his gaze held a warning.
Agent Williams hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Very well, Mr. Waters. But I trust you'll ensure the full cooperation of all parties involved."
Ryan nodded his agreement, then turned to Allie, his expression softening. "Allie, you need to rest. I'll arrange for someone to take you back."
Allie nodded numbly, her gaze still fixated on the wreckage. Ryan gently steered her away, his hand a steady pressure on her back.
"Allie!" a familiar voice called out.
She turned to see Fiona pushing through the crowd, her face etched with worry, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Fiona…" Allie breathed, a flicker of warmth piercing the icy grip of fear.
Fiona reached her side and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh my god, Allie, are you alright? I saw the whole building collapse. I was so scared!"
Allie clung to her friend, tears finally spilling down her cheeks as her shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I'm so sorry… . It's all my fault…. She choked out, her voice thick with self-recrimination.
Fiona stroked her hair, offering what comfort she could. "Shh… don't say that. It's not your fault. We'll get through this, okay?"
Ryan watched the exchange, his expression unreadable. He cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Fiona, would you mind taking Allie back to the dorms? I need to stay and handle things here." His tone was a quiet request.
Fiona nodded, her arm still around Allie's shoulders. "Of course. I'll take good care of her."
Allie looked up at Ryan, her eyes filled with apology and fear. "Ryan, I…"
He shook his head, cutting her off gently. "Allie, the most important thing right now is for you to rest. I'll take care of everything else. Trust me, okay?"
Allie bit her lip, her face pale, but she nodded. With Fiona's support, she slowly made her way out of the wrecked arena.
Back in the quiet sanctuary of the dorm room, Allie sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her gaze fixed blankly on the floor. Fiona sat beside her, her hand resting comfortingly on Allie's.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Fiona asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
Allie slowly lifted her head, her eyes filled with pain and confusion. "Fiona, I… I don't know what to do. I almost killed all those people… I don't even know what happened to me…"
Fiona squeezed her hand, offering what strength she could. "Allie, listen to me. It wasn't your fault. You didn't want to hurt anyone. We'll get through this together, okay?"
Allie nodded weakly, but the guilt remained etched on her face. "But… the people who were hurt…may cause damage… It's all because of me…"
She stared down at her hands, a wave of nausea washing over her. She should have listened to Ryan, should have withdrawn from the competition. This was too much, too terrifying. She was a danger to everyone, a walking disaster. She'd never be able to skate again…
The next few days passed in a blur. Allie barely left the dorm room, her appetite gone, her sleep plagued by nightmares. The news about the arena was a constant loop in her mind. The damage was extensive, the investigation ongoing. The finals had been postponed indefinitely. The only shred of comfort was that there had been no fatalities, though several people had sustained injuries.
"Allie, come on, let's grab some lunch," Fiona coaxed, her brow furrowed with concern as she watched Allie lie listlessly on her bed.
"I'm not hungry, Fi. You go ahead," Allie mumbled, her voice flat and devoid of energy.
"Allie…"
A soft knock interrupted them. Fiona got up to answer the door, her expression shifting to one surprise as she saw Ryan standing in the hallway.
He looked as serious and composed as ever. He stepped inside, his gaze settling on Allie. "Allie, I need to talk to you." His voice was low, serious.
Allie sat up, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "Is it…, is it about the investigation? Are they arresting me?"
Ryan shook his head, taking a seat opposite her. "No, nothing like that. The preliminary investigation points to a structural flaw in the arena's design. Your… particular situation… hasn't have been mentioned."
Allie stared at him, her eyes widening in disbelief. "But… the power…. That was me. I did that."
Ryan met her gaze, his expression unwavering. "Allie, listen to me. The Kunlun power within you is powerful, yes, but it's not solely responsible for that level of destruction. The arena's collapse was a disaster waiting to happen. Your power might have been the trigger, but the fault lies elsewhere."
Allie lowered her gaze, her hands clenching into fists. "Even so… I can't forgive myself. If I'd listened to you, if I hadn't competed… none of this would have happened. I shouldn't have thought I could control it…"
Ryan sighed softly, then rose and crouched in front of her, meeting her eyes. "Allie, look at me." His voice was firm, demanding her attention. "You're still learning to control this power. It takes time, practice. You can't let one incident define you."
Fiona moved to sit beside Allie, her arm slipping around her shoulders in a gesture of comfort. "Ryan's right, Allie. Don't give up on yourself. You can do this."
The warmth of their support, the unwavering belief in their eyes, broke through the wall of Allie's despair. Fresh tears welled up, blurring her vision. She looked from Ryan to Fiona, then back again, a shaky smile forming on her lips. "Thank you… both of you. But I'm still scared. What if it happens again?"
Ryan's expression hardened with resolve. "Then we'll make sure it doesn't. Allie, I have a proposition. Until you gain full control of the Kunlun power, we shift your training to outdoor environments. There are many options, and they are just as crucial to the Twin Stars League. The intense outdoor training will help you harness your potential and control those energy surges."
Allie's eyes widened. Hope flickered in their depths. "Really? Is that… is that possible?"
Ryan nodded, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "It is. But it will require your commitment, your courage. Are you up for the challenge, Allie?"
Allie took a deep breath, her gaze darting between Ryan and Fiona. Their unwavering support bolstered her, gave her the strength to face her fears.
"I… I want to try." Her voice still trembled, but there was a newfound determination in it. "I don't want to hurt anyone else. And I don't want to give up skating. If training outdoors can help me control the power…, then I'm willing to face any challenge."
Relief washed over Ryan's face, and he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Good. Then you might need to leave Coach Jackson's team for a while."
Allie glanced at Fiona. Leaving the team meant they wouldn't be training together every day. Fiona squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, Allie. We'll be here when you get back."