A World Of Secrets

Chapter 2

I was shocked. How did I create that flame? Why did it feel like part of me? I sank to the floor along the wall and stared at the wall ahead of me. Noah walked towards me and I tried to push myself into the wall more.

"Sera, you're not going to hurt us. It was an accident. Besides, we are all kind of freaked out by this. We need to stay together and help each other figure this out, as a team." Noah offered me his hand to help me up. I pushed his hand away and got up on my own.

"If we are going to figure this out, why don't we all go back to square one? What common factor do we all have right now?" I asked. I knew the answer, as did Noah, however I wasn't sure if the others knew.

"Relax Sera, we already know," Tessa said. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "and sadly, it's not going to go away. The scar is like a symbol of our bond. The scars pattern is the same on everyone. As for the powers, have you noticed that we each control, or at least try and control a different element?" Tessa sat down on the leather couch next to Kai. Noah had sat down on the loveseat, and I was still standing. Kai decided to speak next.

"Guys do you realize what this means? If we tell people about this, about us, we could become rich and famous."

"Or, we could all be collected and used as guinea pigs for research. No, this isn't something we tell anyone about. We can't trust anyone else. These scars mark a bond between us all correct?" I waited for everyone to nod their head. "As long as we are bonded, we stay together and keep this quiet. Understood?" I asked. Everyone nodded their head and so I sat down. I was getting rather warm from being inside the house and I think the others noticed. Tessa went to go with Kai and get some sleep. I stood up and walked outside to cool off. Noah must have followed me because as I sat down, he sat next to me on the steps.

"Sera, why are you so freaked out about this? It feels like second nature to me. This is amazing. Once we have control-"

"If we have control." I retorted. "We don't know how to control this. We don't know anything about this, for all we know, there could be a hurricane blowing in from the edges of Florida that you created, Noah. Or a flood happening in California that Kai created. You saw how uncoordinated she was. She couldn't control it. What if we can't control it, Noah? What if we kill innocent people because we aren't careful. I could have hit Tessa when I swung my hand. She would be dead right now had she not moved." I was getting overwhelmed.

"Shh Sera, don't beat yourself up, we will figure this out. In the meantime, get some rest and relax. I'm going to get ready for bed. Tessa is letting me use their guest room. Sleep well." He said before getting off the porch and walking back inside. I stayed put for a while before heading back in.

I woke up later that morning, an early bird as usual. I checked my phone and saw that it was five in the morning. I walked out to the kitchen and opened one of Tessa's cupboards to find an unopened box of pancake mix. I pulled it off the shelf and laid it on the counter. I then got milk and eggs to finish it off. I closed the cupboard and found that there was already a pan on the stove. It had appeared Tessa was going to cook dinner last night but must not have, seeing as the pan was still clean. I went to start the the front burner for the pan but my hand started the flame for me. It scared me to know something could have happened had it been one of my friends. I had to learn to control this around them, or they could get hurt. I put that out of my mind and allowed myself to trust that feeling of second nature that came with using flames. It only lasted a split second but for that second, I had control of what I was doing. I realized I was still to cook the pancakes. I whipped up the mix and within ten minutes, I had made enough pancakes for the others and myself. I proceeded to let everyone sleep as I changed into some clothes that Tessa had put on the coffee table the night before for me. I changed quickly and walked out to my car to get my makeup. When I got back inside, I walked into the bathroom and put it on.

Once I finished, I knocked on the bedroom doors to announce that breakfast was ready. No sooner had I set out the glasses and orange juice that I found in the fridge, had everyone scurried into the dinning room for food.

I didn't feel like eating so I went for a walk. I didn't go too far away from the house in case something were to happen, but having some peace and quiet for a few moments helped me relax.

Noah was right, relaxing was a good call. I was almost back at the house when I heard a scream. I ran inside to find Noah and Tessa tickling Kai. I glared at them and they all seemed to stop, freezing in place. I walked onto the back porch and tried to focus my energy on fire. A spark formed in the palm of my hand, and I felt bliss, as if the flame itself was calling me. I got lost in it's flicker for the few moments I could hold it before it faded. How could something so awful, be so amazing?