The Power of Hope

Christen Mathews

April 7, 12:55
New York, NY

I woke up to a creaking sound coming from my window. "Oh crap, I forgot to close it," I thought. A bit nervous, I hid behind my karate dummy and waited. About a minute later, a bird with a pink stripe flew inside. I'm not exactly sure, but I don't think birds have pink stripes. The bird hopped around a bit and waited with its head cocked. Then, the bird started to shimmer. "What the-" BOOM. Suddenly my thoughts were cut off by a blinding light. The force and surprise of it all knocked me off my feet. It took me a minute to collect myself and the light to fade. I stood up and saw a woman of around 26, I think. She was average in height, and had chestnut brown hair with a hot pink highlight in her hair. I didn't say a word. "Oh my, am I stiff!" she exclaimed. "Now where is Christen?" Surprised (and a little bit scared) I did the only thing I knew to do. While she was checking her watch, I jumped out from my hiding spot and threw a punch at her stomach. It hit its target and she fell into my dresser. She tried to tackle me, but I dodged her. Unfortunately, I slipped on my hardwood floor. Why did I wear socks? The woman whipped around and pinned me to the floor, but not before I kicked her in the shoulder. She grimaced and muttered, "Ugh, we don't have time for this," just loud enough for me to hear. "I come in peace." She said. "Then why did you attack me?" I asked. "Remember, you attacked me first. All I was doing was defending myself." I wasn't convinced. It was something about her turning from a bird into a human that gave me bad feelings. "Who are you?" I asked, carefully. "I am called De." she answered. "That's it, just De?" "For now, yes, just De. Listen, this may come as a shock to you, but the world is ending... and we need you to stop it." Is she crazy? "Yea right, the world is ending and we're all going to die, and I'm the only one that can stop it." I said sarcastically. "You aren't the only one that can stop it, the fate of the world rests in yours and four others' hands. Look, I know you probably don't believe me and that this is a lot to take in, but I need you to trust me." Ok, this lady is definitely looney. "Do you really think I will trust you after you still have me pinned to the ground?" She loosened her grip and responded, "Alright then, but, if you make one move on me, you'll see why I'm a black belt." She slowly, carefully, let me up. "What can I do that will show you I'm sane and trustworthy?" Well she could've introduced herself properly. "You were once a bird, how did you do that?" I asked, curios. "That was called transformation, a common type of magic." "Magic, seriously? Magic isn't real," I said. An idea popped into my head. "Here's how you can prove your insane: show me some of your 'magic'," I taunted. "Alright then," She breathed deeply and held her hands out, fingers pointing forwards, palms facing each other. She murmured something I couldn't make out and curled her fingers inward, as if she were holding a ball. A spark cracked between her hands and a flame lit by some unknown source. It floated between her hands for a while before it went out. I suddenly realized how tired I was. "How did you do that?" I asked, amazed. "I performed a little bit of fire magic. Do you believe me now?" she asked. "Yes, only because there is no other explanation for what I just saw," I answered. "Good, then you must come with me," she said. "Tomorrow, I will introduce myself to your parents, telling them you were chosen to attend a school that teaches exclusive curriculum available only at that particular school." "But you'll be lying, right?" I asked unsure of her motives. At least going with her is better than staying here, where my parents pay absolutely no attention to me. I bet they they won't even notice I'm gone. "I won't necessarily be lying to them, you will be learning special stuff, I just won't be telling them what you will be learning," she answered. "And what will that be?" I asked. "Why, the art of fire magic, of course"