“I was the one that took all the stuff,”  I say. “Survival instinct."

Paxton looks to be at a loss for words, but he just shakes his head and shrugs. “Well, if one of you is responsible, then all of you are, and I can’t have you in my town.”

“You’re throwing us out?” Gilbert snaps.

“Gabe will take the three of you away from here just before dawn,” he says.

It didn’t work. What can I do to make him just take me away instead of the three of us? “Why would you punish them for something that I did?” I ask.

“Because for all I know, you’re covering for them,” Paxton answers back. “Better safe than sorry.” He waves for his guards to come in.

I look back at them as they approach and Gabe stands near the door. He seems angry. I suppose he doesn’t like it when people steal from his town. A firm hand grabs my arm and I snatch it away. “I can walk without you holding me,” I say.

Ethan walks behind me and when I look at his face, I can tell his mind is racing. This all seems so abrupt. Setting my vision aside, it makes no sense. Why would they think that we broke into their storerooms? There is no proof. It isn’t fair. But I have already confessed to no avail. I don’t know what to do now.

“Wait!” Gilbert yells out. “I have valuable information. I will tell you if you let me go.”

I grit my teeth when he says me instead of us. Here I am trying to save his life and he only thinks of himself.

Paxton tells the guards to hold off for a moment. “What is it then?”

“You asked me if I had any special abilities.” My stomach lurches when he says this.

“Yes?” Paxton says.

Gilbert points at me. “She’s got them,” he says.

“Shut up!” Ethan yells. He grabs Gilbert by the shirt and tries to shove him but the guards are already wedged between them.

“She can see the future,” Gilbert continues. “I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow used that to break into your storerooms.”

Paxton stares at me for a long moment. My eyes go to Ethan who is glaring at Gilbert.

“Is it true?” Paxton asks. “That you can see into the future?”

If I say yes, he might keep me here. If I say no, he’ll make me leave. “Yes,” I say.

He continues to stare at me until he sits back down and rakes his fingers through his hair. He seems conflicted, and I wish I could tell what he is thinking. This whole situation feels so random to me. We barely got into Crestwood before they decided to kick us out for something we didn’t do.

Finally, Paxton looks up at the guards and nods. “Take them away.”