“Step aside guys. Blair, go get more towels.”

  I nodded my head. I hopped around my parents before racing down the stairs. Running into my parent’s bedroom I grabbed an armful of towels before going up the stairs. We threw the towels all over the ground in the bathroom and hallway.

  “Well, this is an exciting Friday night.” My dad chuckled.

  “Thank God you came home when you did.” My mom dropped another towel and wiped the other side of the bathroom.

  “Yeah, I’m glad I decided to get gas on the way to work this morning instead of afterward.”

  My head kept swarming that I was the reason that there was water all over our bathroom. My dad had to turn the water off in the house and now was going to have to fix the pipes. He hated plumbing work. Beeping downstairs rang out.

  “Dinner is ready.” My mom glanced up.

  “Go get that, Blair and I will finish up in here.”

  My mom stood up and weaved around us. I got back into the bathroom where my mom had been. The bottoms of my pants soaked up the water. Using my feet, I moved the towels from side to side.

  “What a strange accident.” My dad mumbled.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked.

  He bent down and pointed under the sink.

  “That had to have been weird pressure to cause a hole like that.”

  My face warmed. “I don’t know I was in my room when it happened.”

  He only shook his head.

  “When I go out after dinner to go get parts do you want to join me?” he glanced up.

  I nodded my head and wore a tight smile.

  “That’s my girl.”

  I laughed.

  “It’s cleaned up, for now, go change your pants and head down to dinner.”

  I nodded my head and went into my room. Once the door was shut, I unbuttoned my pants and unzipped them. When they were down my ankles still felt damp. Glancing back down at the pants I draped them on the floor. I held my hands above the fabric before turning up my hands. Small droplets of water floated above the material. Sliding my hands up in the air the water moved towards my glass before I released it into the cup. I smiled. I might not be able to create water, but I could pull the water away and dry things.

  8

  Blair

  My parents were in the field picking for the harvest while I sat mending a shirt in front of our home. The sky was dark, covered in thick fluffy clouds. My parents wanted to complete what they could before it began to rain. The air was warm and heavy. Sitting in the chair the needle going in and out of the thick material in my hands was soothingly mindless. A pattern of going in and out of the dark green, blue, and black design. My back was straight against the aged wood of the chair and my skirt was spread around me.

  Plop, plop, soon started to surround me. Picking my head up thick droplets were being hurled at the ground. The rain picked up speed and became a sheet around us. The water came down not as soft ‘pitter pats’, but loud slaps against the houses and Earth. Standing up I placed the skirt on the seat of the worn chair. Still standing under the extended roof of the house I squinted out. Others that lived by us ran for cover, scurrying about, covering their heads as it would matter in this storm.

  A boom followed by a shattering sound caused me to jump as a lighted vein zig-zagged across the sky. Wrapping my arms around myself my stomach turned. The sky grew darker and as another echoed, it shook the ground. I gripped one of the poles that connected our roof to the ground. Something felt off about this gale. The trees around us quivered and bent. Looking around I saw the top of a tree get struck by lightning and start to fall towards a home. Racing out into the mess, not even picking up my skirt to avoid the puddles that my ankles were in. My hands were out in front of me causing the treetop to pause. With a swift movement, the tree was brushed away.

  Spinning slightly my eyes scanned around, but large raindrops kept falling into my eyes. The back of my arm ran across my face, but that only relieved things for a second. My dress clung to me as my hair became heavy in its hold. Raising my arms up the rain domed away from me, still falling around, but I was shielded from it all. The power ran through my whole body. Then a figure near the woods caught my eye. It was tall, and dark, as a cape fluttered in the wind.

  My hands gripped my skirt, and I ran towards the figure. The rain continued to pour down on me, weighing me and the fabric of my dress down. I had to squint as the water irritated my eyes, never giving them a break. The material was stuck to me as a second set of skin. My foot slipped and I fell forward in the path. Pushing myself up, dirt-covered every part of the front of my dress. The figure turned and headed into the woods.

  Pushing myself harder I needed to know who he was. He was not from our village. Reaching the woods, water still slipped between the leaves but provided a slight break. My chest constricted heavily. The figure wasn’t far, waltzing between the trees with ease. Then he stopped. I tried to pick up the pace, but my legs were frozen in place. I twisted and tried to yank on my legs but failed. Soon I was rising above the ground and my eyes widen. What power allowed someone to do this?

  “There is no point in protecting them Caroline, it’ll all be over soon.”

  “You will not harm a single person here,” I shouted.

  A crack of thunder cut off his laughter.

  “You make it sound like you can protect everyone. There isn’t a point in fighting it, you will never defeat me.”

  In a blink of an eye, the man went from standing and chuckling at me to his feet flying over his head. The ground below him had risen then fell back down. Ian was standing next to me wearing a lopsided smile. I yelped as I fell back down, landing on my bottom. Ian held a hand out towards me, he yanked me back up.

  “Have you still not learned to not go into the woods by yourself?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him before Ian went flying backward. I screamed out. My hand went high in the air, but Ian’s back had already collided with a large tree. My head spun around to the stranger, his hood had fallen, a smirk was etched into his face.

  “You two think your little powers will defeat me? You will never have the powers that I have.”

  He laughed. Ian rubbed his back before he came charging at us. The man flicked his hand. A bright green light shot out blinding me and Ian was on the ground again. I shrieked and ran towards him. Ian was not moving, and his neck was turned oddly on the ground. Touching his neck with one hand in front of his face my stomach dropped. There wasn’t any sign of air going in or out of him. My head snapped back towards the mystery man. He chuckled. The stranger poof-ed and a dark shadow outstretched through the woods then disappeared.

  “Ian?” I called out.

  Ian didn’t move as the storm around me halted.

  “Ian!” I cried.

  I let out a loud yell, the trees, and grass all bent, following the gust that came out of me. My cheeks were wet, and I wasn’t sure if it was the rain or if I was crying, or the two were intertwining.

  I shot up in bed, panting and covered in sweat. My heart was pounding hard against my chest. Bringing my hands in front of me they quivered. It felt so real. The pain and heartbreak as I held the guy. It really felt like I was there in the moment, but that didn’t make any sense. I’ve been able to move water, so I guess logic had gone out the window. Gulping I leaned forward, towards my outstretched legs, and covered my head with my hands. Hair fell around me, but my heart still raced. Sitting back up I ran my fingers through my hair.

  Light tapping on my window caused my head to turn. Flipping the sheets over my feet I walked across the carpet. My left hand went to the curtains, the soft material lifted easily. It was dark, making our neighbor’s house only an outline. Droplets painted the window. Some started to fall, creating paths in their wakes. My right hand went to the window, my fingertips went to the cool glass. Raindrops traveled to my fingers almost like there was a magnetic charge. Closing my eyes, I could feel the water seep through the glass and the pores of my skin. Closing my eyes, I felt the calming nature take over.

  Letting go of the curtain I needed to get outside. Opening my door, I tiptoed down the stairs and past my parent’s bedroom. Placing one hand on the back-sliding door I used the other to side it open. Our back deck had large spots all over. The air felt fresh compared to the inside. Droplets steadily came down, my pajamas started to stick to my arms and shoulders. Tilting my head back it felt like freedom raining down on me.

  Let me help you.

  A light voice came through the rain. Opening my eyes, I looked around. I didn’t see anyone else outside.

  Follow my guidance.

  I opened my mouth to speak, but the voice continued and cut me off.

  Open your arms and let your hands face the heavens.

  Was I going to listen to a random voice? Was I really losing it?

  Trust me.

  The voice was soft. Taking a deep breath, I spread my arms out. Uncurling my fingers my palms faced the sky. Soon I didn’t feel a drop on me. Looking around I saw that the rain was still falling around me. My eyes went up. The rain seemed to be hitting a force above me and drifted away. It was almost like I was in a bubble.

  You are gaining your powers quickly. The power has always been inside of you. Something dark is coming and you need to brace yourself.

  “What do you mean?”

  Not tonight, for now, open your heart and mind to all sorts of possibilities.

  “Who are you?”

  All in due time.

  My arms fell and the rain came down on me. The presence seemed to have left as I stood there on my back deck. The sound of rain coming down filled my ears. I straightened my shoulders. My hair stuck to me. I could do this. Opening the door once again I stood on my mom’s mat. Running my hands over my body the water collected and with a flick of my hands the water was shoved outside. I could get used to this.

  “Boy, that sun is strong today! I bet that sand will be dry despite the rain we had last night.” My mom commented loudly as she was packing up her backpack cooler.

  Winnie was sitting in her bathing suit on the kitchen floor banging her plastic bucket against the floor. A family outing to the beach because that screams fun and relaxing. Persephone came bursting into the room with streaks of white sunscreen across her face.

  “Roar!” she screamed.

  My mom jumped and shot a look over her shoulder.

  “Persephone, I thought you were getting old enough where you could start putting on your own sunscreen. I don’t need you going to school Monday with random red streaks across your face.”

  Persephone groaned and started to rub the sunscreen into her skin. She stomped off towards the bathroom.

  “I swear with you three girls it’s never a dull moment.”

  “I’m glad you’re not considering a fourth.” I snorted and placed my elbows on the kitchen counter as I leaned over.

  I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching her.

  “We have three children in a wide span, we are done.”

  “Done with what?” My dad asked walking into the room.

  “Having kids.”

  She dumped more ice on top of the drinks.

  “Oh yeah. We produced three strong-willed children; I don’t think the world can handle more than that.”

  My dad scooped up Winnie who squealed.

  “Is everyone ready?”

  “Sure.” I responded and slapped the top of the kitchen counter. I hopped off. “We’re riding in mom’s car, right?”

  My dad shook his head. “Nope, on such a beautiful day we decided to ride our bikes.”

  I narrowed my eyes and picked up my drawstring bag. “Did you forget that my bike kicked the bucket?”

  He opened the door and I followed him down the stairs. In the driveway were my parent’s bikes, my dad’s had Winnie’s seat on the back, and Persephone’s with the streamers was on the end. Then off on the other side was a bike the same height as my mom’s. Except it was black and teal.

  “Did you get me a new bike?” I asked as I tugged on the straps of my bag on my back.

  My dad smiled. “I know you’re old enough to be driving, and you probably would prefer a car, but I know how much you loved that bike.”

  I hugged both of my parents tightly.

  “Let’s hit the road and see what that thing is able to do.”

  I scrambled around the bikes and climbed on it. I took my helmet off the handlebars and buckled it on. Turning around I got out of the driveway and onto the street. My dad was soon behind me with my mom waiting for Persephone on her own bike.

  “You two can go ahead of us.”

  “Want to race?” Dad smirked.

  “Mom might kill you with Winnie on your bike.”

  He chuckled. “She’ll be fine. Winnie enjoys the ride anyway.”

  “Okay, you’re the one who will have to sleep on the couch not me. On, your mark. Get set.”

  “Go!” he yelled as he went ahead of me.

  “Cheater!” I called out and pedaled harder.

  My dad and I weaved between the streets heading towards the beach. The sun was warm, and I could feel the sweat beading. I could hear Winnie’s giggles over my panting. Zooming around a parked car. I raised my bottom up and spun the pedals. I drew closer to him. The stairs for the beach were insight.

  “I’m going to win.” My dad sang.

  Darn him for not letting his kids win.

  “Never!”

  I heard his laughter. He parked his bike seconds before I did. My dad had a wide grin on his face.

  “You barely won.” I quickly commented.

  Climbing off the bike he and I chained our bikes to the rack. Taking my helmet off I fixed my sunglasses on my face. My dad had Winnie out of her seat, and she squirmed to get out of his arms.

  “Come on, we better get her on the beach so she can move around.”

  He and I climbed the wooden stairs. The sounds of the rolling waves reached my ears. My lungs seemed to embrace the salty air.

  “I’m happy that we’re near water again.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Again?”

  My dad nodded his head. His feet sunk into the sand. My own feet got buried by grains of warmth.

  “Yeah, we were stationed by the beach when you were born.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  “So many moves. Your mom would go to the beach almost every day when she was pregnant with you. You were so calm when you were born, your grandma thought it was unnatural. When we moved boy, we swore you developed colic or got possessed by some demon.”

  My heart raced. I needed to be near water. He handed me Winnie and put his bag on the ground. He pulled a couple of towels out then laid out the large one. I placed Winnie on it. She pushed herself up and started to waddle towards the water.

  “I’ll get her.”

  “Thanks.”

  I put my bag down on the towel my dad laid down. Picking up my speed I caught up with Winnie. She giggled and ran towards the water. Reaching out I took her hand. I swung our hands back and forth as we headed towards the water. The gentle waves pulled us closer. We reached the muddy sand. Soon water rolled onto the shore, and over the tops of our feet. Winnie stomped her feet and let loose a high pitch giggle.

  “See, water is good.”

  Winnie looked up at me with her big round eyes. I smiled. I was getting to share the water with her.

  The water pulled away then came back and Winnie bent down to pat the water.

  “Ater.” She grinned up at me.

  I beamed down at her.

  “Yes, Winnie, water.”

  Winnie laughed and stomped her feet around. Water splashed up my legs. I could feel the energy from the water, and I wondered if Winnie felt the same thing as I did. Winnie looked up at me again and snickered.

  9

  Blair

  The water pouring out of the faucet thundered, echoing throughout my parent’s bathroom. Their large tub was slowly filling up. Winnie stood next to me, stripped of her bathing suit. She was babbling next to me. I sat on the edge watching Winnie bend down towards her basket.

  “Now, what do you think you’re doing?”

  Winnie glanced up at me without a smile gracing her face. With a blank face, I watched as she lifted one of her rubber duckies. She held the toy over the tub.

  “No toys until after you’re clean.”

  Winnie stared at me.

  “Don’t you think about it.” My tone got a little sterner.

  The next thing I knew Winnie’s hand was empty and there was a plop noise. I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

  I scooped her up and placed her in the tub as the water continued to rise.

  “This is for your own good.”

  She stomped around the water as she had at the beach. I let her splash around until the water was up a little past her knees.

  “Okay, sit down so we can wash the salt and sunscreen off of you.”

  Winnie sat down with water splashing my face.

  “I swear, sometimes we might as well have gotten a dog.”

  Twisting around I grabbed some of Winnie’s body wash. Squirting light purple liquid into my palm. Rubbing them together small bubbles squeezed through my hands. Leaning over I started to scrub Winnie. She wiggled and kept slipping from my fingers. Rinsing my hands off I grabbed the pitcher and poured water on her. She threw her arms up in the air. Cupping my hands on her forehead I poured the water over her head. Squirting a little shampoo, I worked the shampoo through her thin hair. Once I washed those bubbles away, I handed her ducky.

  Glancing at the bathroom door, the white door was still closed. Taking in a deep breath I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I stood up and crouched down on my knees in front of the tub.

  “Do you want to see something Winnie?”

  She steered her duck around on the top of the water. That meant yes, right?

  Taking a deep breath, I drew my hands over the bathtub. I felt the electricity start from my core and shoot out towards my fingertips. Soon a ball the size of a softball rose from the water’s surface. The water reflected off waves within the orb. Cubby fingers reached out. A finger touched and the ball wavered but stayed in form. Winnie squealed. I smiled. Moving my fingers, the ball was soon divided into three. Pointing out my index finger the spheres circled. She clapped her hands together giggling.