The six elements

Chapter 10 -Revelations-

Im waiting for Kelly to come pick me up with her car to go to the library. Since Thomas did his little scene yesterday, he doesnt lift me anymore so to go to school this morning I had to bother Kelly. Sometimes I wonder what I would do without her. I prepared a bag with some personal effects that I would like to bring in my new home. Headphones, underwear, books and other things like that. David and Britney werent at school today, but it doesnt surprise me. So, Im sitting on the steps of the porch, playing with my fingers to distract myself. A car parks in the entry but Im disappointed not to see Kellys little white car. In contrary, my mother gets out of car and frowns her eyebrows when she sees me. I start to stress, knowing that shes going to stop to ask me what Im doing here.

Tessa? What are you doing outside in the cold?

Waiting for Kelly. My mom sits beside me and sighs, but I ignore her.

Youre going to Calzuma?

Hearing her talk with this vocabulary makes me shiver. I still have difficulty to understand that everybody knew except me. But at this moment something lights up in my head. Your business trips were all in Calzuma, am I right?

Yes, most of the time. But not all of them. Your father is part of the counsel. Hes not as important as Miss Seasy or Mr. Faceless but he has to go frequently. She gets up, swiping the snow off her fancy pants. Have a good weekend with your circle sweetheart.

She kisses the top of my head and enters inside. I always considered this woman like my mother, but now I have the impression that shes only a stranger. Car lights illuminate the darkness and I immediately recognize Kellys car. I put my bag on my shoulder and run to her. I enter and slide on the front seat, realising that Carl isnt there. Wheres Carl? I ask, worried.

Normally, no matter where Kelly goes, Carl is there. I dont remember seeing them separated for that long. Hes already gone with the boys Kevins not feeling so well so Carl, Thomas and Sam left for Calzuma late last night.

She starts the car and the memory of Thomas telling me he had to go join Kevin yesterday comes back in my mind. I didnt even notice that he wasnt there today. I spent the day with Chris, so I didnt see anything happen.

Do you know what Kevin has?

She shakes her head lightly and turn to the right. Carl told me that he was feeling strange things that he was hearing voices in his head.

Voices? I repeat.

Yeah, I know its kind of special. So Mr. Faceless is going to examine him, hoping he will resolve this as soon as possible.

We plunge in a silence but there is not tension. Everything is so much simpler with Kelly. Suddenly, I realise that I needed to ask her some things about her powers. Why didnt you tell me you had a sister?

Her hands clench so hard on the wheel that her knuckles become as white at her hair. She accelerates, probably without noticing it and bites her lips.

What would you have wanted me to say, Tess? That I had an older sister, but she died in a car accident and now I inherited her powers? I clench my jaw not to say something stupid that would hurt her even more. I was four years old, so it doesnt matter. I mourned her. But every time I use her power, its like the world stops and I can still feel her presence

She swipes away a tear on her cheek with the back of her hand and I put mine on her shoulder in a comforting sign. Im sorry Im sorry I didnt know before and that I wasnt there to share your grief.

Its not your fault, she moans, you didnt know anything. You had to live your life naively my only duty was to protect you and hide you from who you really were. I failed.