“It’s hers” Tina responds as she raises her hand to form the orb.  She doesn’t hesitate to take the little girl’s soul.

“Wait!” Shane says but is too late, shocked by the unexpected turn of events.

“What?  You said we could take her” Tina turns to Shane shaken by change in her trainer’s demeanor toward the situation.

“No” Shane quickly responds “I said we needed to follow her.”  The trainer shakes her head and glares at the rookie “you’re a little orb happy.”

“I wouldn’t say that I’m happy to be doing this” Tina frowned at her.

“That’s why I wanted to follow her, so you can see develop an instinct” Shane ran a hand through her hair.

“What?  You mean like compassion?” Tina scoffed, “I have more compassion in my pinky finger than you have in your entire being.”

“Don’t push it rookie” Shane straightens out then stares Tina down, “I’m still your superior, and I’ve fucked more women with my pinky finger than you have acquired souls.  You better stand down.”

“Fine” Tina turns and walks in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going?”  Shane runs to catch up with her, irritated by the lack of respect for her authority.

“I thought we’re done here” Tina says over her shoulder as she kept walking.

“I’ll let you know when your training is over” she grabs her arm they disappear from the desolate road, and reappear at the hospital.  “Now, tell me what you sense” she says releasing her hold as Tina yanks her arm free.

“One faint beat coming from room 110” Tina says, they are now in the room looking down at the old woman on a respirator.  “Wait” Tina recognizes her, “this is my mother.”

“I know” Shane nods, “do what you’ve come to do.”

“What happened to her?”  She picks up the chart and reads about treatments for her mother’s terminal cancer.  She gasps a hand over her mouth, “Mom.”

“Tina” Shane grabs Tina by the shoulders to face her, “snap out of it.”

“I can’t” Tina cries, “she’s my mother” she shoves Shane back then holds her hand up and forms a white orb.