Sustainable

Chapter Five

"Do you want me to get you a drink, Amelia?" Elliot sat opposite my stunned form, edging forward slightly. I stared at him blankly, not fully registering what he was saying.

"What?" I replied eventually, and Elliot smiled softly. "A drink. Do you want one?"

I shook my head, and stared at the carpet. I could hear Elliot shifting uncomfortably, and he stood up, walking towards the door.

"Don't go." My small voice rang out, the desperation in it catching his attention. "Please. I don't want to be alone."

Elliot turned back to me, squeezing my shoulder gently. "I'm just getting something to eat. I won't be a minute, I promise." I stared up at him with tired eyes before I nodded weakly, turning my gaze back to the floor.

As he closed the door, I looked around the nearly empty room, studying it. After the meeting, Elliot had led me back to this room, telling me that it was mine. It hadn't sunk in then, but my mind was beginning to clear now. High walls were painted a cool cream to accommodate anyone, and large square wall lights hung on each wall, as if to compensate for the lack of windows. A soft queen sized bed lay lined up to the far wall of the room sporting matching white linen, and opposite it was a fairly ornate writing desk with a matching chair - on which I was currently perched. I ran my fingers across the detailed wood, outlining each delicate inlay and embellishment. I opened a drawer, and a pile of empty pads - both writing and drawing - lay untouched waiting for a creative hand. In the next drawer were an assortment of pens, inks, stamps and seals, and in another were a variety of pencils, charcoal, chalks and paints. I smiled, and stared at them until a knock in the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Erm, come in." I coughed, and a crimson head appeared around the corner. I relaxed slightly; it was only Rowan.

"Hey, thought you'd want this." In her arms was a large tv, and several bags lined up her bare arms, which she unceremoniously dumped onto the bed. "Thanks..." I stared at the gift, stunned. "Whose is it?"

I blurted, and she giggled.

"It's yours. A gift, from us all. Levi went out to get it; he just got back." Rowan fiddled with wiring as she talked, and pulled out a small black box to connect with the tv. "This is a little present from me." she grinned, switching on the tv.

A white screen appeared, and the Nintendo logo flashed up. "Just a silly thing, but they're pretty fun." she laughed, tossing me the small matching remote. I smiled at her, and switched the tv off, hoping to speak to her.

"How did you cope?" My voice came out barely a whisper, as the memories of the day whizzed through my mind. She shifted on the spot, and smiled weakly.

"I don't remember." She said, shrugging her small shoulders. "I was only a kid. About six, or seven. I've had these abilities my whole life, but I was an orphan. Sean found me, and took me in. That was about ten years ago." She smiled at her distant memory, and I nodded. "He was the best thing to ever happen to me."

"What did he tell you?" Her hazel eyes stared into mine, her impish face momentarily turning serious. I took a deep breath, and thought back.

"He told me that I was special. That I was the same as you guys, only my abilities are unique." I blinked fiercely, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. "He said I was around people like me, who could help me. He said I was home." My voice cracked, and Rowan put her arm around me, hugging me. I sobbed, the realisation that I was stuck here getting clearer.

"I'm scared, Rowan. I'm scared I'll never see my family again, that my life is over. I'm practically dead; Elliot said I can't go back. How am I going to do this when there's so much I don't understand?" Tears were pouring down my pale cheeks now, and Rowan just held me and listened.

"I know you're scared. But I promise you," she pulled me away, looking into my eyes. "I promise you that you will be okay. You'll be safe, and happy and we will be your family." She smiled, and I tried to smile too. "You're strong. You'll survive, and what's more, you'll thrive. You just need your edge."

I nodded, sniffling. "I don't even know what it is I can apparently do. How can I focus on a power I don't even know exists?"

"It'll be easier than you think. Chances are that you've used it and not realized."

I marveled at her logic, and sighed. "Rowan?"

"Hmm?"

My face cracked into a smile, and I picked up the Wii remote. "Shall we have a bit of fun?"

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When Elliot returned to Amelia's bedroom with an assortment of food in his arms, he caught the sound of laughter and smiled. Peeking through the crack of the door, he saw Amelia and Ro playing on the tv, constantly bursting into fits of giggles. He knocked, and the giggles quieted down to a whisper. Amelia opened the door with a grin on her face, and looked at him holding the piles of snacks. "You're late." she smiled. "You said a minute."