Imagine (18 page)

XXIV

imagine
a connection

Sam’s arrival led to a frantic search of the entire camp, only to find Kia passed out asleep in one of the tents, nobody knew why she decided to disappear. But after everything that had happened to Kia recently, nobody could blame her for finding a quiet corner, time to herself and some peace and quiet.

The night came to an end with the promise of tomorrow bringing basically the same as it had today. Practice makes perfect.

I wake up to feel my whole body hurting from the events of yesterday, sleeping on the thin air mattress that I had been issued didn’t help matters either. I try to stretch and work out some of the kinks to no avail, my body is just beat, it has taken too much of a beating.

I head out to
walk around camp, no running today as I need to save my energy. I can see a few people are around, doing morning chores. It must still be early as it is still somewhat dark outside and the air is crisp. I shiver and decide to return to the tent and grab a sweater. All that I can call my own right now lie next to my modest bed, a beat up pair of jeans, a white tank top, some underwear that looks brand new and the sweater that I have returned for. I was also provided a few basic toiletries that I got to try out yesterday when I got to take my hot shower, which was heavenly.

After being in Haven I have definitely realized just how much we rely on technology today. During my short stay there I quickly realized that without it cleaning, providing food and generally taking care of those people closest to you can take up most of your day. While at Dalton
Academy or growing up with my Mom, all I had to do was look after number one, me. I could grab some food out of the fridge or order it in. Cleaning was so much easier too, tossing dirty dishes into the dishwasher or dirty clothes into the washing machine. The ease that technology brings to us is quite astounding really. I don’t think I would change it for anything though. Somewhat selfishly, I enjoyed spending my spare time alone, reading or running, two things that were impractical in Haven, as you had other people who depended on your hard work.

Now I take time to think about it though, is our constant need for advancement in technology a good idea? I hate it when you see two people sitting next to each other in silence, both choosing to play on their cell phones ins
tead of actually talking to one and other.

Our constant thirst for new technology is ruining the world for future generations too, peoples’ concentration spans are constantly shrinking. Everyone wants the newest gadgets, even small children
.

Are we becoming like Atlantis?

I leave
my thoughts behind in the tent. To my surprise I find Tisiphone waiting outside.

“Good Morning T
rish, are you ready for today’s challenges?” 

“I will be up for anything
, just as soon as I get some food into my belly.” Tisiphone laughs at my reply, but leads me to an area where food has been laid out.

I dig in straight away, grabbing three fire-made pancakes, a pile of bacon and an entire bottle of syrup. Tisiphone follows me, grabbing each of us a cup of Orange Juice. We sit on two
adjacent tree stumps and I lay my plate on my lap to shovel the food into my mouth, letting out a satisfied burp when I am full. I stretch once more, crack my knuckles and get up.

“I presume that you are ready now Trish? I have to admit it was quiet fascinating watching you inhale your food! Did you know that belching the way you did after eating is considered a great kudos to the chef in India?” She shakes her head and laughs. I don’t really know what’
s so funny? I was hungry! I do know however that the chef who cooked my pancakes and bacon deserves the kudos my burp showed him, as it was delicious!

The conversation that Helen and I had yesterday
in the bath and all of my doubts come floating back into my head. Our greed, selfishness, desire to advance, just like Atlantis.

I wonder what made Tisip
hone decide that she wanted to fight against her Sister, to try saving humanity instead of joining Allecto and her own children in their battle.

“Before we go do you mind if I ask you about something
Aunt Tisi?”

“Trish
, you can ask me anything.”

“What is making you choos
e to go against your Sister? What changed your mind?”

Tisiphone smiles reaches acro
ss the table and pats my hand. “This may be hard to understand after all of the things I have done in my past, Trish, but I have nothing but love for humankind. Free-will is what truly differentiates humans from other species; the drive to make whatever you want of your life. Something I never had. Maybe not all humans are good but that is their choice and the will to choose should never be taken away. I used to not have free will; I did not get to choose who I wanted to be or what I wanted to do.  I now choose to have a family, be with a man and the children we share together, regardless of their beliefs now, I still love them all. Some of those children have chosen Allecto’s side but I am at peace with that, because it was their choice.”

“I
do understand and what you’re saying to me. I think. Helen said the same thing.”

“I’m glad it’s b
ecome clearer to you, dear. My Sister’s dastardly plan means that humans will not get to choose who or what they want to be. It’s that simple.” 

It is as
if a light has turned on for me, where a shadow of doubt was before everything is now clear. I believe in giving human kind the
choice
, and I am willing to fight for it.

“Let’s do this!” I tell her
eagerly.

“So I have something planned for today that we have not done so far, but is probably most important.” She begins as we start our walk to the meadow once more.

“What could be more important than learning to control my powers?” I inquire

“Protecting them. Protecting them from Allecto,
and any other Creator that may want to use them for their own purpose.”

“I didn’t realize that someone could
take
my powers?”

“Not under normal circumstances, no. Your birthday is not the reason that Allecto wants this all to happen on Saturday. There is set to be a Solar Eclipse that
afternoon, this is when the moon completely blocks out the sun for a short period of time. During this period of time Allecto’s window of opportunity to accomplish her goal, without the need for your cooperation will be open.”

“But why now? Why my birthday?” I ask

“Well, an eclipse only happens once every 18 years. The last one was the day you and your Sister were born. This is the very reason why we, in ancient times, referred to an Eclipse as ‘The Downfall’ It is the time when darkness is at its strongest.” She explains.

Wow!

We have arrived at the meadow again, Tisiphone immediately creates a seating area for us. It’s much simpler than the day before, just two lawn chairs and a simple fold-up table.

“Go ahead and put a bowl with some fruit on the table” Tisiphone requests.

I comply, and within a second a bowl full of red shiny apples, big juicy oranges and perfectly ripened bananas is sitting on the table.

“This is becoming as easy for you as it is for me now, Trish. I noticed that you didn’t need to close your eyes that time.”
              

“What now?” I ask.

She motions me over to the lawn chairs and we have a seat.

“Every Young Creator has the ability to create
a … how do I describe? Something like a force field, but it is much more than that. It disables others’ ability to tap into your powers.”

“Aunt Tisi, I think that I know what you are talking about.” A look of surprise crosses her face.

“Please, do explain…” She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees, placing her face in her hands. Focusing all of her attention on me.

“I was incorrect when I told you that I had only three occurrences where I used my power. I did not think about the fourth time. It was on the night that I first met
Allecto; she approached me as we were fleeing from Haven. She told me that she was my birth mother, I was in shock I didn’t believe her at all, although she looked just like she could be related to me in some way. Keagan arrived as we were talking, she threw what appeared to be a fire ball or something in his direction as he was attempting to make me leave her. I screamed and the fire ball was reflected by something similar to what you described, a force field. It saved Keagan’s life that night.

“Young lady, you continue to astound me. That is not supposed to be possible, but apparently you have no limits.

Were you afraid for Keagan’s life? You must really care for him!” She asks me this last part with a knowing smirk on her face, to which I reply with a roll of my eyes.

“I want you to think back to that night and feel afraid, let’s see what happens.” She gives me a moment and then picks one of the apples up. Really she’s thinking of food right now?

Whack…

I cry out “Ooooouch!” as the apple hits me square in the face.

“Oops, sorry Trish, are you ok?”

I rub my forehead and already feel the bruise that is starting to
form under my skin. That’s going to make me real pretty. But I am determined.

“Let’s go again.” Once again she throws an apple my way and this time it hits me in the shoulder. I motion for her to do it again and again with the same result.

We are sitting surrounded by apples, me rubbing my newly formed bruises, when Keagan shows up. I notice Tisiphone reaching for an apple as he saunters towards us, rubbing his eyes as if he’d just woken up, and then with all her might she launches it in Keagan’s direction. This time instead of him getting whacked, it bounces off the invisible force field and back into Tisi’s hands. She catches it like a baseball player at short stop.

“Hmm
… Interesting, Keagan we might need your assistance for a little while.”

“Alright
?” Even though Keagan agrees he does not seem to be too sure of what he is getting himself into.

“Come on Trish” She motions me over towards where Keagan is standing and grabs the once again full bowl of apples.

I stand next to Keagan waiting to see what is going to happen next. Tisiphone takes one of the apples and lightly throws it at me. It hits me. She does the same but this time has it going in Keagan’s direction, once again it bounces of the invisible shield back towards her.

“Trish, what’s the difference between when I throw an apple at you versus throwing one at Keagan?”

I blush because I know that this is just going to open a whole barrel of trouble. “I don’t want him to get hurt.” I make sure not to look at him; I just cannot bear to see his expression. To my surprise he takes my hand and squeezes it. At the same moment Tisiphone releases another apple in my direction and it bounces off.

“Trish, what were your feelings this time?” Tisiphone wants to know.

“Honestly…I was not thinking about any of this, so I really don’t know how it didn’t hit me the same as the last few times.” I tell her.

“I didn’t want anything to hurt you.” Mumbles Keagan, as if a little embarrassed. No distractions. I remind myself that I have to concentrate on figuring all of this out, to make sure that I can protect myself.

Eager to change the subject, I ask Tisi “So… Any ideas why this is happening?”

“Nope, none at all. It is actually very strange, but let’s try this again. Keagan I am going to throw apples at Trish and I want you to concentrate on nothing harming her.” She starts throwing apples and they all just bounce off.

“Turn around Keagan, let’s see how this works.” As soon as Keagan’s back is turned she throws another apple and it also hits the invisible barrier around me.

“Apparently
, as long as Keagan wants you safe Trish, you’re good. One last thing though, Keagan dear, I’d like to see how far away you two can be from each other for this to work. So go ahead and walk back to the camp but continue thinking about Trish.”

“That will not be a problem, no problem
at all
!” he says this with a wink in my direction. He leans over and kisses my cheek before heading back in the camp’s direction.

Over the next half an hour Tisiphone throws an apple at me every few minutes, they all just bounce right off. She eventually seems satisfied and comes to some sort of conclusion.
 

“I really don’t know why your safety seems to depend on Keagan. Just make sure you stay on his good side.” She tells me.

Great, just as I try to distance myself from him, it seems that my very existence depends on my relationship with Keagan.
Seriously
?