Divided - Book Five in the Fated Saga | Page 4

into her shoulder bag, also filled with schoolbooks, and
grabbed a sweater. The weather in Bedgewood Harbor could change in an instant. A
beautiful, sunny day could give way to storm clouds and dense fog in mere minutes.
Meghan raced down the stairs, Nona at her heels as usual. Meghan caught her
breath as she reached the bottom, stalling on the last step.
“Good morning,” said Juliska, eying Meghan questioningly. “You feeling well?” she
asked, her voice firm but kind.
“Um. Yeah. Fine. Just nervous about the first day of school, I guess,” she lied
poorly.
“Oh, I know that's not all this is about...” Juliska chided gently, as if knowing
Meghan was keeping some secret from her. Had Juliska started having visions again?
She’d told Meghan not too long ago that she had not had a vision in a very long time.
But Meghan supposed there was nothing keeping them from starting up again.
“No, really, just first day jitters,” insisted Meghan, trying to sound like her normal
self. “Plus, I didn't sleep well last night. Not helping!” Which was actually true, as she
had not slept well since coming here.
Juliska frowned. “You must hate me,” she sighed, with a look that said ‘I know
there is more to this’.
Melinda gulped, unable to answer her.
“I am sorry, Meghan. I truly am. I know how frustrated you are with me right now.
With this place...”
Meghan breathed in slight relief. It wasn't her newest vision Juliska was questioning.
“I do feel just terrible about it. Regardless, we cannot allow anyone to leave the
island. It’s not safe, for any of us. I know how desperately you want to find your
uncle.”
“No. It’s okay. I do understand,” Meghan said, scurrying towards the front door. “I
have to go. Don't want to be late.”
“Have a good first day,” Juliska shouted after her.
Meghan raced through the front door, across the porch, down the stairs, stalking
past Jae in a huff, almost wishing Juliska had chosen to remain living in her stone
fortress just off the shore. She could have used the cold, salty winds biting at her
cheeks to keep her mind from wandering. Instead, Juliska had chosen to live on shore,
making it easier for Meghan to attend school, just a few blocks away.
Jae followed her, neither of them speaking.

6
Nona wished Meghan a good first day, taking off to be on her own while Meghan was
in school. Now that they could speak to each other, no matter the distance between
them, she did not stay with Meghan all the time. Preferring to be out hunting rodents
or snooping around … today, she wondered how she might find out, on Meghan’s
behalf, if Juliska had indeed mothered any children.
Meghan sent her a half-hearted reply, saying she’d see her after school. Nona could
practically see the scowl etching across Meghan’s face as she spoke the word school.
“Not a good morning, I take it,” Jae guessed after watching Nona trot away.
Meghan stopped, letting out a mouthful of held in air. “Sorry, Jae. Didn't mean to be
so rude. Definitely a wacky morning. Don’t know yet if it’s good or bad.”
“Vision?” he asked, as if already knowing the answer.
She nodded yes apprehensively. However, Jae did not push the subject and they
continued on, now reaching the cobblestone streets that wound through the main
village. The real Bedgewood Harbor was nearly identical to the replica they had lived
in, while in Grimble. The biggest difference: everything had a brighter, bigger more
open feel. Having never seen the real thing before, she did not realize how dulled the
Grimble replica had been.
Meghan toyed with just telling Jae about her vision but decided against it.
“It's just so frustrating,” Meghan told him instead, “being stuck on this island!”
“You want to find your uncle. I get it,” he said. “You're so close and yet-”
“Feel like I am a world away,” she finished, smiling tiredly at Jae. “Thanks for
coming by this morning. I don't know why, I just didn't want to show up on the first
day by myself.”
“You lost your appendage,” he