They moved fast, faster than I thought was possible. I stumbled, trying to regain my footing, but the webbing that coated the floor was still shaking, making it impossible. Fear pierced my heart as my mind raced, trying to work out what to do, but a shout echoed through my mind before I could figure it out.

  Into the air!

  My body reacted, automatically following Issy’s orders, and I leapt as high as I could into the air. It was a messy takeoff, one I wasn’t even slightly prepared for, but it worked nevertheless. I was airborne, floating above the spiders, and somehow, over the scuttling of hundreds of feet hurrying towards us, I heard the click of a camera shutter again.

  Despite everything, I felt embarrassment flare within me. I should have been focused on the spiders, but instead, all I could think about was the picture the photographer had just caught. It occupied my mind far more than it should have.

  How bad had my takeoff been? Was it just me, or had some of the other girls struggled too? I wasn’t sure, and I was torn between hoping they had but also that they hadn’t. I could feel that they were all in the air so it couldn’t have been that terrible, and it wasn’t that I wanted something bad to happen to my team, obviously. I just didn’t want to be the one to mess up again.

  I could still remember what happened last time. My picture had been plastered across the news sites and social media for a week, and it hadn’t even been that bad. I just hadn’t seen the puddle of grease when I was running, and my feet slipped right out from under me. I barely even realised what was happening until I landed on my ass, and every single time I went on my phone, I was confronted with that image of myself.

  My face burned, but luckily, motion at the edge of my vision caught my eye. I spun, rolling away from the mass of black legs that had flung itself at me. A sickening crunch came from below, and my heart leapt into my throat. I couldn’t help but turn to look at the ground.

  I knew that I should have kept moving, but I had to know that I hadn’t just killed one of my friends. The noise I’d heard, the wet smash of bodies colliding, could have covered the sound of their screams, and I’d never know. I had to.

  My eyes scanned the dark mass on the ground, but all I could see was a tangle of thick bodies and long, hairy legs. My heart began to race, and I felt myself sink a little lower as I caught sight of something light in the middle of the mess, but I couldn’t see anything more than a flash of white.

  Was it just the webs or was it one of my team? It could be part of them; a leg or an arm, maybe. Desperation started to grow within me as I moved even closer, staying just out of reach of the spiders below, but I still couldn’t see anything else.

  My head snapped up, my eyes scanning the skies as I searched. If I could see them all, I told myself, I’d say something. Otherwise, I’d sound foolish. They’d know I was worrying over nothing, and there was no need for that. I didn’t want anyone to know just how ridiculous I was being.

  Relief smashed into me as I quickly caught sight of the others, and I felt a sigh slip from my lips as I began to rise again. It was fine, I realised. I was being silly, and I should have known better. We may have never fought giant spiders before, but we’d fought other monsters. The spiders would be easy to bring down.

  A shadow fell over me, and I glanced up just in time to see a ball of web flying towards me. I threw myself to the side, the movement clumsy, but it worked. The white shape sailed past me, crashing into the creatures below and causing a clicking sound to flare up for just a moment.

  Heads up, they’re shooting webs at us! I cried as I dodged again.

  One of the trailing white, wispy strands caught on my arm, pulling at the hairs. I rubbed it away quickly, grimacing at the sensation. The feel of spiderwebs on my skin had always been something I hated. Without fail, it sent a shiver down my spine every time.

  It’s not just webs, Mel sent back. They’re also firing, AH—

  Panic shot through me as Mel’s scream echoed in my head, and I looked around desperately, trying to find her. She was nowhere to be seen, though.

  Mel? I shouted. Mel! Where are you?

  Acid, fucking acid, came her voice. She sounded disgusted but not particularly pained. Why does every damn creature have acid now? I just got hit in the face again.

  Be careful below! Issy called as the body of a spider dropped towards the ground. Are you okay?

  Fine, Mel replied sarcastically. I mean, I probably won’t be back in school before Christmas, but I don’t even care anymore. Maybe I’ll just drop out— FUCK! That one hurt!

  Confusion tugged at the back of my mind as I spun again, grabbing onto the back legs of one of the spiders clinging to the buildings around us. My eyes stayed on the ball of web it was weaving as I pulled it away, breaking its grip on the building before letting go. It began to fall immediately, but I didn’t stop. I was already hurtling towards the next spider.

  It hurt? Issy asked, her voice sharp. Are you okay?

  Yeah. I mean, it didn’t properly hurt. It just stung.

  There was a slight pause before Issy replied.

  Come up here. Let me check on you.

  I’m fine, Mel replied, her tone reluctant.

  Mel.

  A smirk appeared on my lips as I dropped another spider. There was no arguing with Issy when she used that tone. She may have been the same age as us, but she seemed older. There was something about her, a maturity or something, that made her the obvious leader, and she assumed the role automatically. No one even tried to suggest an alternative.

  I kept my eye on Mel as she shot towards Issy. She paused in front of her for a moment, and I downed another few spiders as I waited to hear if she was okay. She would be, though. Nothing properly hurt us.

  See, I’m fine, Mel thought, her voice taking on an almost sulky edge.

  Mmmm, Issy replied uncertainly. You’re not bleeding, but it looks like your skin is starting to turn shiny already. Keep an eye on it, and try not to get hit in the face again.

  The moment Issy stopped thinking, Mel began to fly away. She caught my eye as she hurried back towards the huddle of spiders she’d been fighting before, pulling a face at me.

  I don’t plan to, she replied. It tastes awful, by the way. No one get that stuff in your mouth.

  A snort escaped me before I could stop it.

  I wasn’t planning on it, I thought with a smirk.

  Wait… Phoebe begun. Is that the third time you’ve been hit in the face in three fights?

  There was a slight pause, and I waited for Mel to reply, already knowing what she’d say.

  I guess so?

  Huh. New record, Phoebe teased. Maybe you should start looking where you’re going.

  I do! Mel argued.

  Careful! Livvie shouted before Phoebe could reply.

  I threw the final spider from the building before turning slowly. My eyes found Mel and Livvie, taking them in. A steaming trail of spiders surrounded Livvie, but her eyes were no longer burning. Mel was in the air, but she must have just taken off because she was still low. She was still moving upwards too…

  Did you just step in front of Livvie’s lasers? I asked slowly.

  No!

  Yes, you did, Livvie replied at the same time, her tone flat and unimpressed.

  Barely, Mel lied. Plus, it’s fine. They don’t hurt me.

  A sigh echoed through my head, and I glanced up at Issy. She shook her head, her eyes still on Mel and Livvie, before meeting my gaze.

  Have we cleared enough space for you? she asked.

  Excitement fluttered in my chest, and a grin appeared on my lips.

  Yes!

  Issy’s laugh was audible despite how far away she was.

  Alright. Phoebe, when you’re ready, get up here too. Once Grace has the water at the ready, you can start burning things, she thought.

  Coming! came Phoebe’s excited response.

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  She shot away from the building opposite me, a huge smile on her face, and I returned it as I threw myself into the air again. We raced towards each other, aiming for the space above the centre of the stone quad. It seemed fairly safe there. The square was big enough that we didn’t need to be too high in the air. It was unlikely that the spiders would be able to fling themselves far enough from the tops of the surrounding buildings to land on us, but even if they tried, I knew Phoebe would get them before they reached either of us. Her reflexes were great.

  It was safer to be higher, obviously, but I needed to be closer to the ground. That made it way easier to feel the water below the ground. I already knew it was there, though. I’d seen the fountain as we approached, so all I needed to do was trace it back to the pipes below, and that wouldn’t be too hard.

  Phoebe reached the centre before me and turned, scanning the scene around us. Her shoulders heaved as she floated, but I wasn’t sure whether it was from exertion or excitement. It could have been either. Using our powers was always fun. It felt so good, so natural. It was like we were doing the one thing we’d been created to do.

  Ready? I asked as I reached Phoebe and turned my back to her.

  I am so ready. Let’s do this! she cheered.

  Exhaling slowly, I glanced around, checking our surroundings one last time before letting my eyes flutter shut and reaching out with my mind. It was a strange sensation. It felt simultaneously bizarre and hard whilst also being easy. One version of me was used to it. I’d done it many times before, but for the other me, the real one, it was entirely new.

  My awareness seemed to flow outwards. It reached past me, washing over the rest of my teammates who were in the air around us before reaching the spiders. Part of me recoiled instinctively. I didn’t want to touch them, to feel how wrong they felt. All creatures normally felt weird, and it never got any easier. I’d yet to get used to the sensation, and I wasn’t sure if I ever would. It sent ice down my spine and took all of my willpower to keep going.

  I didn’t want to, but I forced myself to do it. The water below called out to me, coaxed me onwards, and I allowed myself to be tempted by it. It always helped, anyway. I knew the moment I found the water, it would wash away all other sensations, and suddenly, the spiders wouldn’t feel so bad. I’d barely even notice them.

  A loud crunch came from below, accompanied by a yelp, and my eyes almost opened automatically. I longed to check on my teammates, to make sure that they were okay, but if I did, my focus would be broken. I’d need to start again, and that would waste even more time.

  Are you okay, Alice? Issy asked.

  Yeah, fine, she replied. The fucking acid.

  I told you! Mel cried. See! I’m not the only one who gets hit with this stuff!

  Centring myself again, I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. My hands curled into fists at my side, and I poured my attention back into the world around me, seeking out the water below. I could feel it down there. I was so close to locating the pipes snaking below the stone slabs, but they were just out of reach.

  Gritting my teeth, I strained to grasp it. It was difficult. We were too high in the air, but then something gave. My breath escaped my lips in a stuttering exhale as I finally wrapped my mind around the wall of water below.

  It felt unmovable, as solid as the stone itself, but I knew that wasn’t true. It was soft and malleable, just waiting for me to seize it. All I needed to do was find a way for the water to escape, and then I’d be able to bend it to my will.

  The pipes… they were old. They must have been placed a long time ago. Decades, maybe. I could feel how fragile they were, how worn down and thin they’d become in places. Once I found the right place, I could allow the water pressure to build up and give it a little push and then…

  Triumph exploded in my chest as another crashing sound came from below, accompanied by angry clicking, but it didn’t matter to me. The noise was distant. I barely even heard it. All of my focus was on the section of pipe I had just found. It was so weak, so ready to give way, but that wasn’t what brought a smile to my lips. No. That was the realisation that there wasn’t just one area that was weak enough to blow. There were many. All they needed was a little push, and I was more than happy to do that.

  Watch out, I warned the others. The water’s ready to blow!

  Into the air!

  Keeping my focus on the pipes below, I allowed my eyes to open. For a moment, my vision swan. The colours were distorted, darker and more shadowy than they truly were. It looked as though I was deep underwater, staring up at the distant light on the surface, but it cleared quickly.

  I waited until my team were off the ground, continuing to press gently on the weak areas, and within seconds, they were clear. Reaching my hands out, I gathered as much energy, power, magic, or whatever it was, into my chest before slamming them downwards. I was still in the air, high above the water. My hands didn’t touch anything, not physically anyway, but I felt the impact.

  Part of me rushed downwards, breaking through the stone and slamming into the water. My heart pounded with excitement as a series of cracks split the air. Chunks of paving slabs were thrown upwards, and the webbing coating them tore. Wind, controlled by Issy, whisked them away, revealing the shattered flooring below, but it was almost impossible to see it beneath the spiders that were thrown into the sky.

  I watched as they hurtled through the air, occasionally being flung into one of the geysers of water that continued to gush. Their legs scrambled, spasming wildly as they fought not to get caught by the water, but it was too strong. It couldn’t stop itself from being carried away by the pressure.

  The spider soared in a wide arch before crashing into another that had been racing towards it. They both went down, but neither moved again. Even more spiders were thrown into the air. They’d been moving too quickly to stop themselves before they hit the jets, and I smiled, reaching out again.

  My hand curled into a fist again as I gripped the water, preparing to attack. It was ready. I could feel the energy within it thrashing restlessly. It longed for me to push more power into it and wield it, but I paused, glancing back over my shoulder at Phoebe.

  Burn it, I said.

  Phoebe didn’t even hesitate. The moment the words left my mouth, her eyes began to glow. It looked as though a fire had been lit within her, and she turned away again, a smile on her lips as she flung a hand out towards the nearest spider.

  It was engulfed in flames. A clicking shriek escaped it as it fell from the building, its legs curling. It dropped quickly, turning to ash before it had the chance to hit the ground. The embers landed on a scrap on web, still glowing, and I thrust a hand towards them. One of the geysers twisted, shooting down towards the ground rather than into the air, extinguishing the embers before they had the chance to catch.

  She didn’t wait, though. Phoebe had already moved on to the next spider. It was wrapped in a flaming vortex. Fire whipped out around it, causing the webs to melt. Some of it was starting to burn, though. The very edges were beginning to smoke, and I knew they’d be alight in seconds.

  Careful! I cried as I pushed the water towards it. The web burns!

  Oh boo, Phoebe replied. Fine, fine. I’ll pull back a little.

  The vortex calmed slightly. It continued to incinerate the spider inside, but it was less violent, less dangerous.

  Thank you, I started to think before my attention was captured by something else.

  There was that sound again, the mechanical click which didn’t seem to come from the spiders. My head whipped around, trying to locate the source without actually looking at them. Was the photographer still there? That seemed stupid. Surely, they would have run the moment the spiders began to attack.

  I was conflicted, torn between wanting to continue ignoring their presence whilst also being worried about them. We were meant to help people, to save them if they needed it, and the spiders seemed to have become more vicious since they started attacking. I wasn’t sure what would have happened if they’d found the photographer, but it felt wrong to risk it. I needed to do something.

  Livvie, I thought as I extinguished another potential wildfire. I’m pretty sure there’s a photographer somewhere here. I keep hearing their camera. Any idea where they are?

  Above me, I saw Livvie come to a stop. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the buildings around us, ignoring the spiders that were still swarming.

  I’m… not sure, she replied. I can feel people… somewhere, but it’s hard to pinpoint them.

  Why? Issy asked, her voice sharp.

  I don’t know. I think it’s the webs. They seem to be blocking me or something. I can barely even hear the people in the town hall.

  My eyebrows pulled together as I glanced at the building.

  Really? I asked. How many people are in there?

  No clue.

  I’ll ask Avery, Issy said.

  Thanks.

  “Avery, how many people are in the town hall?” came Issy’s distant voice.

  After hearing her in my head for so long, it was a little weird to hear her normal voice. It didn’t sound quite right.

  “We estimate there’s somewhere between one and two hundred, but it’s difficult to get a firm number,” Avery replied instantly. “Their paperwork is a mess, so we have no clue how many people are currently employed there, not to mention the visitors!”

  “Great, thanks.”

  You should be able to hear that many, right? I asked, ignoring Avery’s continued ramblings. Like, even if the webs are dampening it, their thoughts should still come through, shouldn't they?

  Yeah.

  Phoebe glanced back at me, her expression a little concerned.

  I’m sure once the webs are cleared, it’ll be fine, she thought, but she sounded doubtful.

  Probably, Livvie replied. I’ll do a lap, get a little closer to the buildings and see if I can find the photographer.

  Great, thanks, I said.

  And if they have ugly photos of us on their camera, I’ll make sure to accidentally break it.

  Livvie! Issy cried.

  I’m kidding, I’m kidding, she replied reassuringly, sending me a wink as she shot past.

  Okay, good. Keep an eye on the roofs as you go. Somehow, more spiders keep appearing there. It’s like they’re spawning in or something, Issy muttered.

  Phoebe spun around, her mouth opening, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the indignation on her face. The fire behind her began to spin out of control again, and I doused it quickly before the webs could burn too badly.

  Spawning in? Phoebe repeated. Really, Issy? Whatever happened to ‘this isn’t a video game, Phoebe. Creatures don’t just appear out of nowhere’, huh?

  Well… Issy started to say as she manipulated the wind to pull some of the webbing off one of the buildings.

  I thought we were better than that. We use science on this team, remember? None of this is magic or video game stuff. It’s all real. Isn’t that what you said?

  I did, but…

  But the moment giant spiders come into play, you take it all back?

  A laugh came from below as Mel spun out of the way of a pouncing spider. I understood Phoebe’s outrage, even if it was feigned. She’d compared one of the creatures we’d fought a little while back to a boss from a video game we played years ago, and Issy had teased her for it. It wasn’t cruel or rude, but I could tell Phoebe was enjoying getting back at her for it.

  Well…

  I think I’ve found them! Livvie cried, saving Issy from having to come up with an explanation. There’s someone in here!

  Are there any spiders? Issy replied, sounding grateful for the change of subjects.

  I'm not sure… I think so!

  Get them out of there! she ordered.

  Without hesitation, Livvie burst through the window. A tinkling sound filled the quad as broken glass rained towards the floor, but it was barely audible over the roar of the fire and the rushing water. A spider leapt towards the hole in the window, clearly intending to follow Livvie, but I caught it before it could.

  The spider was crushed against the glass before it could get through. The legs twitched a few times before falling still, but another spider took its place. I washed it away, slamming it into the ground with my water before glancing at the hole again.

  You found them, Livvie? I asked.