Problems of the Gifted

A fire is born

(*Note: TW-fire. The twins speak Spanish during this whole chapter.* All I'm going to comment on this one is that it will get hot in here. Have fun!)

(Aiden Mason pov.)

[7 years ago, August:]

Today is a really hot day.
It's summer and many parents, as well as their children, are enjoying their time at the academy's grounds.

We're here as well today since Amaya has gotten her ability almost a month ago.
I didn't.

They showed us the academy, explained how things work around here and now everyone's enjoying themselves outside due to the nice weather.
That's why right now, I'm playing some football with other kids.
Suddenly I'm getting tired, I don't know why.
I want to go grab a bottle of water I've thrown into the grass somewhere, so I start looking for it, but can't find it.

Dang it, where is it?

Suddenly one of the boys screams:
"Aiden, watch out!"

I turn to the voice, I think it was Ben, but I understand the warning when it's already too late.
The football flies in my direction, too fast than I could've reacted, and hits me a little bit above my stomach.
It slams so hard that I fall backwards and start to feel sick, as if there are bricks on my chest.
While I try to catch my breath, out of nowhere, I start to... sense something?

What is going on?

That's when the pain comes in. An ache that I can't shake off somehow, it feels like needles piercing through my lungs.

Why is it so warm? My head is spinning-

I think I'm being turned inside out.
Then another sudden pain develops in my chest and bite down a scream.

"Are you alright?" Someone asks me.

"Who shot the ball?" I want to know, asking in a croaked voice.

"It was Sven, but I'm sure he didn't mean to..."

"Why can't he aim right?!"

Wait.
Why am I that loud?

I'm suddenly feeling anger. A lot of anger.
It is way too much at once, and it's coming from me.

"No need to- whoa!" I recognize Ben's voice.

Something changes. I release something. Not the anger but-
I look up and see why Ben got surprised.
It's not what I expected.
There was a line of fire before me.

What just happened-

There's another sudden jolt inside of me.
It won't pass. Then without knowing how, I release it.
Someone screams.
I look up again and realize I just set the football field on fire.
Now- I should be glad.
It doesn't take that long for me to realize I just got my ability.
Though I don't like what happens next.
The fire gets bigger, higher.
It's everywhere. It's all around me.

I'm- trapped!
There's too much of it and I can't stop it!
How do I turn off an ability?

I start to panic.
My heart races even faster than it did during the game.

Why can't I stop?
Stop it.
Stop it.
Stop it!

The orange flames dance, and they're not happy like in birthday candles; they're furious, eating up the grass of the field.

I need to shout for help!

But trembling all over, I cannot get a word out.
There's fire everywhere.
More people are screaming, then I hear sirens.
Someone shouts something about releasing the hose.
Water splashing.
But something is wrong. The fire doesn't go out.

Why isn't it going out?
Can someone help me?!

I scream for help and only afterwards do I realize that it has gotten even bigger, louder. It's full of rage.
And I'm sitting in the middle of it- still feeling the jolts through my body.

I can't make it stop!
What if someone got hurt?
Why can't I stop it and-

Someone is shrieking loudly.

"Stop her!"

"What is she doing?!"

"Who is that?"

I look up, though can't see anything but the fire.
Then someone is calling me.

"Aiden?! Aiden! Where are you?"

Amaya?
How?

"I'm...here...!" My voice gets drowned out by the cracking of the orange-red walls.

Finally I can see her. Now I understand how Amaya went through the fire.
She has made a water protection around herself. That doesn't distinguish the flames... but it doesn't seem to hurt her either.

"Aiden," she says in a calm tone, as if we are not surrounded by blazes "You have to calm down."

"I'm trying! I... I can't!"

I feel like the walls are about to reach the sky.

"It's alright. I know that this is scary, but look at me. Aiden, just look at me."

I look at her.
She is only a meter or so away from me.

"Don't worry, I'll help."

She steps closer, instructing on heat to do.

"Try to steady your breath. You have to relax."

I try. However, when I look at the fire again, I start to feel my control slip.
I would have lost it completely.
In an instant, she grabs my hands.

"I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere.
Not until you're alright."

Her hands are a wet because of the water around her.
We look at each other and I hug her as tightly as I can, as if I would loose her forever were I to let go.

It's going to be fine. This will be over soon...

I steady my breathing after a while and the jolts go away.
Amaya releases me slowly from the hug and I open my eyes.
Many people just stand there, clearly shocked.
Mama and papa are already running towards us. As well as the firemen.
And only my sister smiles.

"I guess we will be going to the same school now."

I smile back weakly:
"I guess so."