Resonant Echoes

Chapter 7: The First Encounter

The air in DeRidder hung heavy and damp, the Louisiana heat refusing to let up even as the sun dipped below the horizon. Chandra felt the familiar weight of the day pressing against her skin as she walked down the now-shadowed trail toward the resonator. RJ was right beside her, his usual upbeat energy subdued by the events that had unfolded in the past few days. The clearing where they had found the resonator had taken on an ominous quality since Nyla's warnings.

Tonight, though, something felt different.

They had agreed to meet Nyla out by the resonator to start their first lesson—if it could even be called that. Chandra had her doubts about trusting her aunt completely, but she didn't know what other choice they had. The resonator's power wasn't something they could handle alone, and Nyla had more experience with ancient artifacts than anyone else they knew.

The clearing came into view, the object still half-buried in the ground, its metal surface glinting faintly in the moonlight. But as they approached, a figure stood beside it—a tall, dark silhouette outlined against the trees.

Chandra stopped in her tracks, her heart racing. That wasn't Nyla.

"Who's that?" RJ whispered, his voice tense.

"I don't know," Chandra whispered back, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make out the figure. But before she could call out, the man turned toward them, stepping into the dim light of the clearing.

He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of confidence that immediately put Chandra on edge. His face was sharp, his jaw strong, and his skin a deep, rich brown that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. His eyes were dark and piercing, and his smile—though charming—felt calculated.

"Hello there," he said smoothly, his voice low and velvety, sending a strange shiver down Chandra's spine.

"Who are you?" RJ asked, stepping forward protectively, his fists clenched at his sides.

The man's smile widened slightly, his gaze flicking between Chandra and RJ as if sizing them up. "My name is Torin," he said, his tone calm and almost friendly. "And I believe we have something in common."

Chandra's stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"

Torin gestured to the resonator. "I know what this is. And I know what you've been doing with it."

Chandra and RJ exchanged a quick glance, their unease growing. How could this man know about the resonator? They hadn't told anyone outside of Nyla, and even she hadn't given them much information yet.

"How do you know about the resonator?" Chandra asked, her voice steady despite the rapid beat of her heart.

Torin chuckled softly, stepping closer. "I've been watching. This artifact, the resonator—it's not the first of its kind. I've seen others. I've studied them. And I've seen what they can do."

There was something unsettling about the way Torin spoke—like he was offering them a gift, but hiding the price tag. Chandra's instincts screamed at her to be careful, to keep her guard up.

"What do you want?" RJ asked, his voice sharp.

Torin tilted his head slightly, his smile never faltering. "I want to help you."

Chandra frowned. "Help us with what?"

"With this power," Torin said, gesturing to the resonator. "I know you've felt it. I know you've used it. But you don't fully understand it yet, do you? The Echoes, the energy—it's far more powerful than you realize. And if you're not careful, it can consume you."

His words echoed what Nyla had warned them about, but coming from Torin, they felt more ominous, more dangerous. Chandra couldn't tell if he was trying to protect them or manipulate them.

"And what's in it for you?" Chandra asked, crossing her arms.

Torin's smile grew wider. "Ah, you're smart. I like that." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if choosing his words carefully. "I'll be honest with you, Chandra. I've been looking for this kind of power for a long time. I believe it can be used for great things—things that could change the world. But it has to be in the right hands. And right now, those hands are yours."

Chandra's chest tightened. There was something seductive about his words, something that tugged at her curiosity. But the alarm bells in her head were louder than ever.

"I don't know if we can trust you," she said.

Torin raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. "You don't have to trust me right away. But think about what I've said. The Echoes are powerful, and you need someone who understands that power to guide you."

RJ stepped forward, his expression hard. "We already have someone who's helping us. We don't need you."

Torin's gaze flicked to RJ, his smile returning, though this time it seemed sharper, more dangerous. "Nyla, right? Your aunt?"

Chandra's breath caught in her throat. How did he know about Nyla?

"I wouldn't put too much faith in her," Torin said smoothly, his eyes gleaming with something dark. "She's not telling you everything. There are things about the Echoes—things about your power—that she's keeping from you."

Chandra's stomach twisted. Was he telling the truth? Nyla had been cryptic, even secretive, since she arrived. But was that because she was hiding something, or because she was trying to protect them?

Torin's voice dropped to a whisper, as if sharing a secret. "You'll find out soon enough. When you do, come find me. I'll be waiting."

Without another word, Torin turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, leaving Chandra and RJ standing in stunned silence.