The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen: Santia

My classmates and I line up outside our final class, and everyone is excited. This is going to be our explanation on how to survive Initiation. After this class, we will have our ceremony, and then we will be classified as full adults, and we will have our full power. I file into our normal classroom with my head down, as I've been taught. Though I could easily become the most popular person here, I know that I have to keep to myself if I'm to pass my Initiation classes. In this class, they tell us some last minute information, and then we go through a rehearsal of the Initiation. Because my surname is Armetia, I'm first. They call out my name and then I go to the front of the room and kneel before a space that will be filled. I then stand and walk to the side of the room where I'm given a certificate, and then I keep walking and stop beside the door. I watch while everyone else does the same thing, and then we all listen while one of the mentors tells us what will be different.

"You will kneel for longer, and Jordan will place his hand on your forehead. You will receive your full powers, therefore it may take a while before you are able to stand. Each person's Initiation will take ten to fifteen minutes, so you have to be patient." Someone puts up their hand to ask a question, and I recognise it as Joel, a boy of fifteen.

"What if I faint? I'm terrified, and I know I'm going to mess everything up." He takes a deep breath, and someone laughs at him, making me grimace. I can't say anything.

"Hey, Joel, why don't you try being a guy for once? Oh wait, I forgot. Girls can't be guys." I turn and glare at Nathan, the most stupid and disrespectful excuse for a man I have ever met. He's nineteen, and the girls love him, even though he's not that hot. Well, not as hot as Ethan. I sigh. I really miss him, and I wonder what he'll say when I get back. Five people laugh, and I'm brought back to the initial problem.

"Yeah, you wish," I say, not thinking. "You're just jealous, because although you may get one night stands, he might actually find a girl who loves him for who he is. And I can assure you, when you get older, looks will get you nowhere. Especially with your personality." Joel goes bright red, and a few people stare at me in awe. Nathan glares at me, though I can see some surprise in his face. No one expects this kind of thing from me, but they don't know me. Joel gives me a weak smile, and I nod to him. Everyone makes fun of him because he's tall and thin, and his gift is talking to animals. I think it's fascinating. His face lights up, and I groan. Crap. I've forgotten that he can hear some loud thoughts, though not all.

"Santia, obviously I was waiting for Ian to come and stop me from ageing," he says matter-of-factly.

"Like he'd choose you," I reply, too soft for him to hear. Joel sniggers, and then some of the mentors come over.

"Santia, are you going to be alright?" asks Kloe, my mentor. I nod, and she shakes her head.

"I remember my own Initiation. The most terrying experience of my life it was." Kloe always speaks oddly, either backwards or with terrible pronounciation. I nod again, and she turns away. I know that I'm in for one hell of a day tomorrow. I wonder if I'll know anyone in the next class. They always time the beginning of classes so that one class begins on the day of the last Initiation, so that watching it can be their introduction. I'm nervous about seeing more people that I don't know, but I'm used to it, so I can cope. I really want Ethan here right now. He's the only one who can help me right now, and I miss him so much. Joel gives me a quizzical look, and then he nods. He knows how much I miss Ethan, and he's keeping it quiet to return the favour. I silently thank him for that, and he looks down at his feet and shrugs.

That night, as I lay in my bed with my silent guardian in the adjoined room, I cannot sleep. I try everything, but my nerves for the next morning keep me awake. So, I close my eyes and go into my dream state. My second gift which I'm still developing is dream walking. My mind can wander while my body stays where it is, and it gives me as much energy as sleeping. I walk around the halls, and I decide to enter someone's dream. I find Nathan, and then I touch his forehead. I feel myself falling, and then-

Everything is dark. Even the moon is hiding behind black clouds, and so the time is perfect. Nathan stands up from his crouch and goes into the centre of the clearing, reaching out to the sky. Lightning comes towards him, though instead of hitting him, he absorbs it. He closes his eyes and feels the tremendous power at his hands. He turns to look at me, and grins evilly.

"Hello, Santia. Nice to see you here." My shock makes the ground around me freeze, killing several plants.

"If you touch me, I will turn you to ice and snap you in half," I say to him, even though it must be impossible for him to hear me. He laughs darkly, and then he walks towards me.

"Darling, this is my dream. So, I control it. Besides, you can't harm me in a dream."

"But it isn't just a dream, is it?" I ask, sighing.

"No, Tia. This is your worst nightmare."

"Tia? How did you...?" Suddenly, the scene around us begins to change, and I start panicking. We move, and suddenly I'm watching Ethan doing homework in his bedroom.

"Ethan!" I cry out, but he can't hear. Nathan takes one step towards him, and then my hands are around his neck, slowly turning him to freezing cold ice. I growl, and he stops.

"Next time," he says simply, and then he disappears. I'm falling again, and suddenly-

I'm in my bed again, and it's morning. The blanket around me has tiny icicles on it, and I'm feeling cold. I calm down, slowly bringing up my body temperature. Then I realise. Crap, crap, crap. Today is my Initiation. I'm going to die.