Discovering Summerland

Chapter 10

Truth
June 10, 2187

___________________

GEORGIA
Georgia Kaye Alas

"Georgia, have you mastered your ability?" The Head of the tribe asked. Napangiti naman ako, at mabilis na umiling bago sumagot, "No! Not if you teach me, Mama!"

I remember her shaking her head and sighing as if what I said was ridiculous. "I told you, Georgia. I am not your mother. Don't call me Mama," malamig niyang sagot, ngunit ngumiti pa rin ako. Ever since I was a child, I knew how to read minds and I knew she didn't mean to be cold. She just doesn't want me to be attached.

"Mayroon tayong magkaibang abilidad. I can't teach you something that I don't know. You must learn how to control it on your own, Georgia." 

And so, I did. I tried hard every day, just to prove myself to the tribe. The truth was, I didn't belong here, but they were kind enough to own me and give me a name. The head of the tribe, Anika, was a seer. Some even say that she was someone who can transcend time. Rumor is that she is a woman who has sought different worlds and stays for a mission. I always thought that it was true, though. She acts like she knows everything.

Every day, she asks me, "Have you mastered your ability?" and I'd usually answer no. Ngunit ngayon, pumili ako ng ibang sagot. "What would happen if I forever don't, Lady Anika? Would something happen to me? You can see the future, right?"

She hissed. "I am asking you to master your ability, so you can be beneficial for the tribe, Georgia. Don't think of anything else." Pinilit kong basahin ang nilalaman ng kaniyang utak, ngunit sinara na niya 'yon para sa'kin. She was definitely hiding something. 

And that day came.

A typhoon was approaching our tribe, so we needed to evacuate to the center— the highest place in our land. It was safer there... but not entirely. The wind was strong, and the roaring of the skies didn't stop at all. Even the ground started shaking, leaving us restless and anxious about where we stand. Lady Anika had to go near the sea to guide the tribe's land— I don't know how exactly.

"Georgia!" Napabalikwas ako nang may tumawag sa'kin. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo r'yan? Tumulong ka sa pagpapatila ng ambon!" They were using their powers to lessen the damage of today's weather... and knowing my power, I can't do anything.

Ngumiwi ako at umiling, "Mahigpit na ipinagbawal ni Lady Anika na gamitin ko ang kapangyarihan ko."

Ilan sa kanila'y hindi rin nakakatutulong dahil wala namang saysay ang kapangyarihan nila sa bagyo. Samantala, alam nila ang kapangyarihan ko at alam nilang makakatulong 'yon nang husto.

"We're not in the situation to think of rules! The seas have already pulled backward, and if we don't control this... a tsunami might wipe us out!" ani ng isa pa. Lumapit siya sa'kin at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kamay ko. Kuminang ang mga mata niya sa isang ekspresyong... umaasa siya. Umaasa siya sa kapangyarihan ko.

"You're young but we all know how powerful you are, little Georgia! Please... freeze the waters with ice!" Mas lalong humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko, at ramdam na ramdam ko rin ang kaniyang panginginig.

"No," I paused. "Lady Anika said I can't... until I master it—"

"Then master it now! There's no time, Georgia!" Another one replied. She was someone who can see far and near, but no in the past or future like lady Anika. Her vision just reaches unexplainable lengths. "You're the only one who can freeze the wave coming."

I remember that time, she sent a vision to me. It's as if my eyes reached the sights of the sea— its enormous wave flashing before my eyes as if it's about to devour me... no, the tribe. I unconsciously bit my lips in fear of what to do. I had the choice to use my power to freeze the wave and save them, but what would be the consequence of my choice? Will my power really bring peace over the land?