Fruit of the Elements

Chapter One

Clouds gathered above my house with a wave of my hand. I twisted my head and lifted my arm, sending ice crystals flowing from my fingertips. Thunder boomed and my hair whipped around my face in the 100 mile an hour winds I had created. Sparks flew from my clouds and arched across the sky in colorful streaks of lightning. The screams around me didn't even register the destruction surrounding me. My power was like electricity, charging through my body, into my veins. The fire that raged through the town glowed almost white-hot, yet I felt cool, the flames reflected in my eyes and only fueled my growing vigor.

I watched with little attention, a badly broken body flew past me, but as it came into view time slowed down, everything went in slow motion and I saw who was being flung into the building across the small town street.

"You did this," an angry, bodiless, voice said as I spun around looking for the being who had survived the storm conjured from my own hands, the feminine voice seemed to shout at me, "look, Avalon, look at what you have done! And look who you have betrayed, who loved you even though you are a FREAK!" I yelled out into the rushing wind swirling around me,

"I am not Avalon!" my words were punctuated with a rush of icicles sharp as knives streaming from the sky with rapid force. I spun around I saw the body's face glide past me with too smooth of a movement. As I recognized it, her, I could feel my heart leap to my throat, along with illness run through me.

It was my mother.

My power was sapped in an instant. The flames went out as if doused with water and the winds ceased with a quiet woosh. With an ear-splitting scream, I crumpled to the ground in a heap and closed my eyes, willing the nightmare away with everything I had.  

~~_~~_~~_~~_~~

I wake up screaming from my dream and look around my light blue painted room. My bed and about a foot around it is drenched with rain and half frozen with ice. I instantly jump out of the covers and stumble to my mirror, as I hesitantly look up I sigh with relief, but the nightmare isn't over, I collapse onto the ground sobbing and lying on my carpeted floor. The cries must be louder than I anticipated because I hear footsteps thundering through the house. Moments later I feel comforting arms around me. I know it's my mother, Ember. She rocks me in her arms and whispers comforting words into my hair. I sob into her shoulder and choke out the words that cloud my mind,

"I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry Mommy..."

"Shhh... It's okay baby, it's okay. Momma's here and she's not going anywhere. Don't worry honey bee. Just breath in, and out sweetheart." but I can't stop crying, I can hardly breath for the lump in my throat that seems to get bigger with every ragged breath. The only thing I picture is the body of my lifeless mother, "Come on, you come lay with me. You know, you need to stop having these nightmares Miss Lilli, it's never right when you go to sleep or right in the morning. It's always in the middle of the night, like tonight! It's 2:45 am! For gosh sake Lill..." mom says and I giggle, which sounds more like a hiccup from the crying. I look over at the clock and nod at the angel beside me. We get up and she leads me to her room where I'll finally be able to get some sleep.

~~_~~_~~_~~_~~

"I don't understand, why is this dream the only thing I see every time I shut my eyes? Mom, I-I killed you." I look up helplessly at my beautiful mother. Her face is one of reassurance and calm.

"Hey look at me, am I dead?" she looks into my eyes with ferocity only a mother could produce. I shake my head, too scared of her to speak, "Well then that dream isn't real and it is just some stupid nightmare the devil put into your brain to scare you! And you shouldn't be afraid sweetheart, I'm right here. I'll always be here for you, no matter what abilities you have. Got it?!" I smile and hug my awesome mom.