At The Crest Of A Cloud

Chapter 1: A Change At The Crest Of A Cloud

I'm not sure why, but I feel like something different is going to happen today. As I walk to my swing, I walk on the crest of the cloud. I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. I turn and see a woman in the clouds underneath me. She had long, wavy, brown hair like mine, bright blue eyes, and pink, lips. She moves as I move. I'm wondering if one of the other Guardians is playing a trick on me. I pick up my right hand and wiggle my fingers. The woman did the same. I start to move both my arms quickly and randomly without stopping to see if it follows. It does. Confused, I run to Mother to tell her about this.

"Mother! Mother! I was walking on the crest and I saw a woman on the clouds beneath me! She followed my actions and had brown hair like me!" I said, out of breath, trying to fit in all the words.

"Arabell, my dear, slow down. Come sit and let me explain." I dragged my feet as I walked over, Mother made a cloud chair for me, I plopped down on it and sighed heavily. "Arabell, you are different than the others. Your mind is stronger than the other Guardians, your mind can create things their's can not."

"But Mother, I'm confused? What do you mean by 'different?'

"Arabell, you have seen what is called a reflection. The woman you saw was you. You saw yourself in the clouds."

I don't know what to think when Mother says this. "Arabell, tomorrow you will start advanced training."

"But Mother, what about Boston?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Now go back to being a Guardian of Boston and we'll discuss this all tomorrow."

I walk back to my swing and try to organize this mess. My mind is more developed than the other Guardian's. I think of things that they can't. Why am I different? Did Mother know this was going to happen? Did she make it happen?

Once I get to my seat I try to forget about what Mother just said and observe the wonders of Boston. I see a happy family playing in the park. You are different than the others. Stop it, stupid brain. A young woman enjoying the swan rides. Your mind is stronger than the other Guardians. "Ahhhh." I shriek. "I can't handle it anymore." Then hear thunder in Boston.

I get off my swing clamp my hands so hard over my ears they feel like they are bleeding and run. I don't stop running. I run farther than I even knew existed. I can't breathe. My vision is getting blurry. Mother's words still taking over my mind. Finally, I collapse onto the soft, white, innocent, clouds. Struggling to catch my breath, I burst into tears and anger. "Why? Why me? You could have picked anyone else. But you chose me. Why?" I didn't really know who I yelling at, but I had to let it out.

Once I catch my breath, I turn around to see if anything is in sight. Nothing. Only the plush white clouds. Then I hear Mother's voice again. You are different than the others. Your mind is stronger than the other Guardians. Your mind can create things their's can not.

I wail out a piercing scream then hear Mother's voice. This time, it's real. "Arabell dear, what's wrong?"

"Mother, I kept hearing your voice in my head. You kept repeating the same thing you did earlier about how I was different."

"Arabell, come with me. We are going to start your training."

"Now?" I ask

"Yes. We can't wait any longer."

I pick myself up and slowly trail behind Mother. That's when it hit me. I am going to be a stronger and smarter Guardian than I the one I am now. I am special. I was chosen.