The Beginning (book one)

Chapter Eighteen

Ann quickly got dressed, and scooped up her back-pack. Time to get back onto the road.

She slipped into the middle row of Seats, Jack situating himself next to her.

Ann didn't really know what she was so happy this morning. Maybe it was because she had gotten to cook, maybe it was all the junk food she had been eating lately. Ann didn't really know. She was slowly settling down, adopting her pessimistic attitude once again.

Ann was someone who had a negative outlook on life. She was petty, and she admitted it. Sarcasm was her favorite tone when talking. She was quite clever and quick on her feet. She was still very cautious about what she did. She had locked herself in, and only stuck with few people.

Ann looked out the window. She couldn't see any differences between The Other Side and The Across. Or maybe she just wasn't looking hard enough.

"So," Ann said, looking at the back of Sophia's seat. "What power do you have?"

"I actually have three. I can change my age and can fly. You all have already seen that. And, I can summon and weild fire." Sophia answered.

"Any ideas on what powers the rest of us have?" Kyle questioned from the back of the van.

"Well, I have an idea." Sophia said with a little shrug. "I don't know if I'm right, but I believe Kyle has the power of water, and he can fly. Astrid has the power of light, and she has wings. Jack has the powers of ice and snow, things of that nature, and can fly-"

"That's cool." Jack interjected with a triumphant grin. Ann groaned. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I need to chill."

"Yes," Sophia continued. "Ann has the power of electricity. And Emily has the power of plants."

"Why do we need to practice our powers?" Astrid asked.

"There's a... Prophecy sort of thing that says us six are, for lack of better words, Hero's. And there will be unknown evils that will begin to attack. And it's our duty to stop them. So, we have to sharpen our powers, prepare ourselves for what's to come." Sophia answered. Ann noticed Emily's strange, unreadable facial expression.

"Why does that need to happen in The Other Side? Why couldn't this happen in our home-world, The Across?" Jack questioned, being a bit more serious.

"Well, this world, for a reason that's unknown to me, is more open for accessing powers for the first time. So, I thought this would be the best place to summon your powers yourself for the first time." Sophia answered. She pulled over. "I hope you all have your bathing suits, cause our first stop is the beach!"