Over the next few days, Ava was allowed to move freely through Elowen, which both surprised and unsettled her. She made an effort to learn the names of a few people, including Jaxon and a boy named Lucas. Jaxon, who had explained the shift to her, was quiet and observant, often blending into the background but always seeming to know what was going on. Lucas, on the other hand, was the one with the ability to shift locations. He was younger, probably no more than eighteen, with a mischievous grin and a playful attitude that masked the seriousness of his power. He often joked about how easy it was to get lost in the world if you didn't know exactly where you wanted to go.
Ava also spent time with a girl round twelve years old named Lila who, like Ava, was relatively new to the camp. But unlike Ava, Lila had sought out the community deliberately and was open about her abilities. Lila had a gentle and creative power - she could make plants grow, guiding vines and flowers with just a touch, coaxing them into intricate patterns and shapes. Her talent was harmless, used more for creating beauty and nurturing life than for any practical purpose. Lila would often be found sitting quietly by the village gardens, her hands in the soil, coaxing flowers to bloom in vibrant, impossible colors. Despite her youth, there was a wisdom in her eyes, as if she understood the delicate balance of life in a way that most adults couldn't.
Each day, Ava also encountered Elara, who was remarkably open about her abilities and her role within the group. She had a calm, soothing presence, with dark, shoulder-length hair and eyes that seemed to see straight through to your soul. Elara tried to heal a cut Ava had sustained during her recent escape, but Ava pulled back, mistrust flickering in her eyes.
Elara smiled gently, as if she had anticipated this reaction. "That's why I didn't approach you for this right away," she explained. "The wound isn't dangerous. It won't get infected. But I can take away the pain, the burden of it."
Ava shook her head, declining the offer while gently moving her fingers over the wound. Elara respected her decision and didn't push further. Still, Ava couldn't help but wonder who this woman was. She seemed to be around the same age as Ava, perhaps a little older, but there was something about her - a quiet strength, a calm assurance - that made Ava wary.
As the days passed, Ava and Elara began to develop a tentative understanding. Elara spoke to Ava about her distrust, gently probing at the walls Ava had built around herself. "It's not your fault", she would say, "You've been through a lot, and it's only natural to be cautious. Anyone in your position would feel the same. A lot of the people here actually do."
Although Ava knew that Elara had the power to heal, she didn't realize that Elara was also trying to heal her from within, to sooth her inner turmoil that kept her isolated for so long. Elara was subtly working to earn Ava's trust, to draw her into the fold.
As the days passed, Ava began to relax—just a little—as if the heavy burden she'd been carrying for years was slowly easing. The constant tension that had defined her life seemed to soften in the calm atmosphere of Elowen. Yet, despite this newfound sense of relief, uncertainty still gnawed at her. She wasn't sure if she should stay. When she was alone, her only concern was survival; now, she found herself questioning whether she truly aligned with the values of the Equinox. The reason for her being brought here remained a mystery, brushed off with vague assurances that everyone in Elowen had been brought there because they were in danger. But why had Finn at the river told her she was important? Had it been a tactic to ensure she followed them to safety?
Determined to shake off her lingering paranoia, Ava decided to embrace the change, however cautiously. So far, no one had forced her into anything; the village offered a welcome reprieve from her solitary existence. But just as she began to settle into this fragile peace, it was shattered by a sudden commotion.
