The Awakening of Gardenia

Chapter Two

It was the second period, and slowly the gut feeling that left me with a stomach ache was calming down. I was sitting alone in the classroom reading about the growing of Baby's-breath when the speaker sounded. It wasn't unusual for the staff to call in students but as soon as the proximity effect cut through the PA system my stomach dropped and the stomach ache that was slowly drifting hit me full force.

It was quiet at first, with whispers here and there but what they said next was loud and clear. "Students please do not be alarmed," Mrs Killians voice was easy to recognize, "If you or anyone you know has seen something unusual please let a teacher know. This is probably very unlikely but it is important to stay safe during these times. Thank you and have a blossoming day."

By 'these times' she meant the war. Was the dark figure a person from Nightshade? I'd seen plenty of people from that Kingdom and they always had perfectly normal faces. Maybe it was an illusion or diversion?

But why would they have it on the quietest road in the city?

These questions continue to fog my brain and the words on the pages no longer interest me. I slam my book closed and take a breath.

Having no powers is not only embarrassing but lonely. I spend hours alone in a classroom reading about flowers and history. The two most comforting subjects.

Throwing my book into my backpack, I lift it over my shoulder and stand up. The sunshine outside is calling my name and being in a classroom by myself just emphasizes my lack of power. At least if I'm outside I have the flowers and animals to keep me company.

I follow the hallway all the way to the staircase and follow it down, but just as I'm about to open the door outside I hear someone whisper my name. It was an unusual voice and I thought I might have imagined it until it said it again, louder.

I turned around as fast as a lightning strike, but all that greeted me was an empty, closed door. My eyebrows furrowed and it wasn't until I noticed the shadows spilling out beneath the door that it hit me.

Maybe I was naive, or just stupid but I couldn't help the magnetic pull that drew me closer to the door. For a second it felt like I wasn't myself, like I was floating outside of my body and had no control.

The creak that the door made was excessive and plangent but it didn't frighten me, as I continued to pull it open. In the next second, after the door banged behind me, the darkness engulfed me. It was quiet and somber but something unique hung in the air.

It was chilling and exciting, both good and evil. A perfect contronym.

I stepped forward, seemingly wondering what I was even doing here in the first place until the voice sounded once more.

The whisper felt like an answer to all my questions, the missing puzzle piece I'd been looking for for years. It felt like my mom holding me when I was a baby, like nothing in the world could harm me.

"Clara," It whisper again.

I was hesitant at first. "Yes..?"

Nothing but the silence answered. Minutes went past and in those minutes so much change.

I no longer felt safe. I had so many questions and no answers, a puzzle missing multiple pieces and like I was getting beat unmercifully again and again. Whipped, stabbed, choked.

Again. Again. Again.

It was only when I fell to the ground did I see the shoes and legs of what looked to be a man. I tried to reach out to them but they took a step back.

"Not now. But soon."

I felt my body being picked up and with every single cell in my body, I tried to hold onto consciousness but it didn't work. I was weak and vulnerable, the two most consistent states I was in.

I didn't know who this person was and like a jolt of electricity the realization slammed into me, nobody will realize I'm gone until the end of the day. And by then it'll probably be too late.