“So it was her all along?” Raesha questioned as she looked up, waiting for a response.

“She leaked our information, that’s how Daun infiltrated our base the first time, and how he found us when we were in hiding.” Asher confirmed as he paced back in forth in order to figure out what our next step should be, he spoke again.

“To think out of everyone, Maya would be the one to betray us!” He clenched his fists tightly.

“After everything, how could she repay me like this!”

The more he kept thinking about it, the more angry he got. I couldn’t bare to watch, so I left to sit outside while he gathered his thoughts.

I wouldn’t want to imagine how Ray would feel about this, he’d be more upset than Asher, knowing that Maya was his best friend. Raesha was the second to leave Asher to his thoughts, she sat beside me. “How are we gonna tell Ray, and what are we going to do about Maya herself?” She sighed and her head dropped as if it had a weight inside of it. It was a tense moment for everyone, Maya was a friend to all of us, there was no way we could have seen this coming.

Asher then walked out, somewhat composed but still had a scent of anger.

“Asher… are you okay?” I worried, hoping he wasn’t thinking about doing anything stupid.

“Daun is already powerful enough, now that he has Maya on his side, who knows what could happen.“ He kept walking, he didnt want to give our suggestions a chance.

Raesha looked at me, and we both got up to follow him, to reason with him.

“Come on Asher, it’s not like shapeshifting is that powerful! Plus Maya teaming up with him won’t do any good, It’ll just be us four against two, we’ll be fine.” Raesha placed her hand on his shoulder but he didn’t flinch, nor did he stop to look at her. I decided to chime in

“The good news is we can interrogate her for information! She’s here on the ship so we can corner her.” Asher then stopped, still looking straight ahead. I looked a little closer at his face, he was gone with anger.

“No.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m gonna handle it myself”

We were close to the resting quarters, where Maya usually hangs out around this time of day.

Asher began to walk and I looked at Raesha for help but all she could look at was Asher, in fear.

The room was empty, where was she? Maybe she was with Ray?

“Um, hey guys? What’s with the tense faces, did something happen?” Maya walked in the room, coming from the sleeping quarters.

Asher walked up to her, with a wielding weapon hidden behind his back.

“Maya”

“What’s going on?” She had a confused look on her face, as she walked toward Asher.

“Why did you do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You betrayed us!”

“I don’t know what your talking about”

“Don’t act stupid!”

Maya called out to us. “Uh.. guys, what is he talking about?”

She’s nervous, I don’t say anything. Neither does Raesha.

Asher is a few feet away from Maya now, she’s scared.

“Asher tell me what’s going on!”

“You know damn well what you did!”

“How could you do this to us! What would Ray think?!“

Raesha then spoke, nervously

“Where is Ray?”

Asher looked toward Raesha, then back at Maya, enraged.

He struck her, not with his weapon but with his fist.

So many questions pop up in my head.

Is this really happening?

Is Maya really a traitor?

Did she do something to Ray?

I froze as I watch Asher continue to punch Maya.

Raesha ran quickly to stop Asher, but it was to late. His hands were drenched and he was sweating. It looked like the anger worn off. His eyes widened.

I looked at the bloodied Maya, she was gone.

Me and Raesha had to clean up the mess, while Asher went to find Ray.

I felt a bad taste in my mouth creep up my throat every time I look at Maya’s body.

It was for the best I told myself. She was a traitor and this would’ve had to happen sooner or later anyways.

Once we finished we went to find Asher.

They stood in the kitchen area, it seems like Asher just got here.

Ray is confused, as he looked down at the bloody sight of Asher’s hands.

“Are you okay? What the hell happened?”

Ray looked at each and everyone of us and stepped closer.

“Ray, are you hurt?” I was worried, but not as worried as I’ll be when we have to tell him what happened with Maya.

“I’m alright, why are you guys acting so weird?”

Asher’s voice chimed in.

“I’m sorry Ray, Maya is…” his voice wavered and cowered down, it seemed like his anger was replaced with regret.

“Whats wrong with Maya?” Still confused, Ray pryed for further information.

“Can you guys just spill it already!”

“Maya betrayed us, Ray. Asher has already taken care of her… she’s gone.” Raesha cried.

Ray still stood there confused, perhaps in denial to what was being told to him.

“What kind of joke is this?” His face crinkled as to try and understand what was happening. He didn’t look sad, he just looked lost.

“I had to kill Maya, I’m so sorry Ray” Asher’s voice was quieter now, and more shaken. He didn’t make any eye contact. He stood there looking at the ground.

“I don’t know what you guys are trying to do but, it’s not working.” Ray doesn’t look amused. “I was literally just talking to her a minute ago.”

We all stood there dumbfounded.

What was he talking about?

Then it hit me

Daun has the power to shapeshift. Could he have infiltrated our ship by turning into Maya?

If that’s the case… which Maya did Asher kill?