Not that I think that, he said hurriedly, trying to backtrack. I mean, other people say magnetism is the worst so I guess its a matter of perspective.

Esther gave a little grunt in response. Oliver felt awful. This was going terribly!

They walked in awkward silence. Esther kicked at some stray pebbles on the path. Oliver racked his brains, desperate for something to say that may save the disastrous date.

So when are you from? he asked.

1977, she said. New Jersey. You?

New Jersey! Oliver exclaimed. Me too! Only about forty years after you.

Neat, she said. So in your timeline, Im like fifty years old. Creepy.

Oliver couldnt tell whether hed saved the conversation or not. Esther was hard to read. And making her think about herself as an older woman might not have been the best idea. He tried to think of more things to ask her, but Esther spoke up instead.

So are you Italian? she asked. My family are. Were, I should say.

Oliver heard the hint of melancholy in her voice. It was evident to him that something had happened to Esthers family. He didnt want to press it, though.

Me? No, he replied, chuckling as he pointed at his sandy blond hair. My family moves around a lot. Wed only been in New Jersey about a week before I came here. And I dont really know my ancestry. Its not really talked about at home. Not much is.

Now melancholy had seeped into his voice. Families were clearly a touchy subject for the both of them.

Oliver wanted to steer the conversation to something safe. Pets? No, that would be a bit boring. Favorite switchit players? Not something he had a lot of insight into.

But before Oliver had the chance to utter any of his questions, something in the distance caught his eye.

Hey, look, he said. Whats that?

Esther squinted up at the sky where Oliver was pointing. A dark mass was moving on the horizon, undulating like some kind of strange cloud. It soon became apparent that it was made up of winged creatures, moving like a flock of birds.

They look like bats to me, Esther said.

Have you ever seen bats in the garden before? Oliver asked.

Esther looked confused as she shook her head.

All at once, the cloud of bats changed their trajectory. Now they were heading right for Oliver and Esther, and they were racing at an alarming speed.

Theyre coming this way, Oliver stammered, starting to feel wary of the strange sight.

Just then, Oliver saw a flash in the eyes of the bats. It was a peculiar kind of shimmery blue. He remembered instantly Professor Amethysts words, about the strange blue color in the eyes of their enemies. Could they be rogue Seers disguised as bats in order to infiltrate the school?

Rogues! Oliver shouted.

Esther reached out and grabbed Olivers hand, clutching it tightly in hers. She looked petrified.