Chapter 5: The Beginning of Shadowsnow

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"Dad, what is going on?" I asked as I chased him down the stairs.

"What's happening is that I'm being called into work. Right now. Don't use those abilities of yours. It's too dangerous. You don't have any control over them and you could hurt someone or yourself. Stay here. I'll be back as soon as I can." Before I could protest any further, my dad walked out the door with all of his gear. I watched him get into his cruiser and drive away.  A few minutes after he left, his home police radio went off again.

"All arriving units, be aware!  This unidentified person is blinking in and out of sight!  We can't see them long enough to incapacitate them! We need help ASAP!"

I might be the only one who can stop this person. I need to get there fast. I walked outside and ran to BankFive on Metacom Avenue.  I ducked into the bushes nearby so I could see what was happening.  I saw a young woman surrounded by police officers, including my dad.  Every time one of them tried to shoot at her, she ran off, seemingly disappearing, and reappearing in another spot.  My mouth dropped open as I realized what was happening.  She's not actually teleporting!  She's moving so fast that they can't see her!  So...why can I?

"Whoever you are, stop your assault and stand down!  Things will be much easier for you!"

I turned my head and saw my dad talking on his car police radio.  I looked back at the woman and saw her stop in front of the doors of the bank.  She laughed as she disappeared and reappeared, tossing a police cruiser at my dad.  Dad!

"Easier for me?  You don't know who I am!  Or who I work for!  Trust me, you don't wanna meet them!"

I threw my hand out toward my dad, creating an umbrella of ice that caught the cruiser sailing toward him.  From my position, I heard the officers around my dad gasping.  They looked around for the source of the ice, but they didn't see me.  The young woman glared at me as I ducked back into the bushes.  Through the branches, I saw her take her chance to escape.  She zipped away as I sighed with relief.  I scooted back, trying to hide when I bumped into someone. I tipped my head back and looked up to see the woman who'd been attacking the police officers.

"You think you're clever, don't you, little girl? Know this. You've made an enemy. I know what you look like, so you'd better watch your back."

Before I could move, the woman zipped off, disappearing instantly.  Damn it!  So much for coming here to help out!  I got up and zipped back to my house before my dad got home.  I was up in my room, watching the news, when he returned.

"Allie?  Can you come down here?  We need to talk!" My dad called.  I climbed off my bed and walked downstairs, heading for the living room.  My dad was sitting on the couch.

"Yeah, Dad?" I said, casually.  He gave me a look and I knew that he knew.  He knew I was the one who saved him.  Even if no one else does.

"You used your abilities."  I sighed and crossed my arms.  I nodded at him as I sat beside him.

"Yeah, I did.  Something just felt...weird about the call.  I...didn't want you to be alone in case something went wrong."

"I'm glad you were there to keep me from getting squished by a cruiser, Allie, but it's dangerous for you to use your powers.  You don't know how to use them yet and there might be people out there who'd want to take advantage of your unique abilities." I crossed my arms a little more tightly and flashed my dad a look.

"Dad?" My dad looked at me, innocently.

"Yes?"

"Are you sure there's nothing you know about my...these...abilities?" My dad shook his head.

"I wish I did, Al. But maybe you're safer not knowing anything about them. It gives people without powers less of a chance to manipulate you into using them." I raised an eyebrow at my dad, but before I could ask anything else, he turned on the television.  "Let's see if anyone noticed you while you used your powers." I rolled my eyes as he flipped to the news channel.

"Today, the temperature is a warm 75 degrees, with a 95% chance of rain later in the day. The weather tomorrow..." As the news went on, I zoned out. Until I saw a news story that caught my eye. "Next up, we have a witness to the BankFive robbery who says they saw a bush move near the bank, right at the moment that a police cruiser was about crush one of the officers." The news anchor shifted her papers and glanced down for a moment. "Let's move to George Oswald at the scene." The camera shifted to a man standing right outside BankFive.

"Thanks, Laura. I'm here in the BankFive parking lot, where the robbery took place. I have a witness with me, Franklin Ford, who says he caught a glimpse of someone nearby from his car in the parking lot that faces toward the road.  Mr. Ford, can you tell us what exactly you saw?" The camera turned to a young, black man who stood outside his car in the BankFive parking lot.

"Sure. I was here in my car, trying to hide from that bank robber, when I saw those bushes over there..."

Mr. Ford pointed away from his car as the camera turned to look at the bushes where I'd been hiding. My eyes widened slightly as I made that connection. Then the camera turned back to Mr. Ford.

"It was hard to see because the robber kept blinking in and out of sight, but suddenly, there was a police cruiser sailing toward one of the officers. I caught a glimpse of the bushes moving as a HUGE...I don't know...shield of ice protected him from getting crushed." The camera turned back to George Oswald as he answered.

"A shield of ice? That held up against the weight of the cruiser?" The camera flashed back to Mr. Ford.

"Yes, sir. It was ice. I don't know how it held up against the cruiser, but it did. Whoever was controlling it was hidden in those bushes. I never saw their face, because I was too far away, but I know someone was there." The camera turned back to George Oswald as the news story came to a close.

"Well, there you have it, folks. There are at least two known people with powers in Bristol, Rhode Island. Is this second person working with the anonymous bank robber? Or are they trying to help? We'll keep you updated as we know more. Back to you, Laura."

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