By the time Chandra got home later that afternoon, the weight of the resonator's power still lingered in her chest. Her head spun with the possibilities—what they could do with it, what it meant. But more than anything, she felt uneasy. This wasn't just some tool. It was something far more dangerous.
She stepped into the house, the cool air of the living room a welcome relief from the stifling heat outside. The scent of dinner cooking in the kitchen drift
ed through the air, a familiar comfort after the chaos of the day.
"Hey, Mom?" Chandra called, dropping her bag by the door.
"In here, sweetie," her mom's voice called from the kitchen.
Chandra headed toward the kitchen, but stopped short when she saw someone else sitting at the dining room table. A woman, her back straight and her dark hair pulled into a neat bun, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup.
Her mom was bustling around the stove, stirring something in a pot. She glanced over her shoulder when Chandra entered.
"Oh, Chandra, I didn't hear you come in. Look who's here! Your Aunt Nyla came for a visit."
Chandra's eyes widened. Aunt Nyla? She hadn't seen her aunt in years. Nyla had always been a bit of a mystery—always traveling, always off somewhere distant and unreachable. The last time she'd visited, Chandra had been twelve, and even then, Nyla had seemed like more of a stranger than family.
"Aunt Nyla?" Chandra said, stepping into the room.
Nyla turned, a small smile playing on her lips as she set down her cup. "Hello, Chandra. It's been a long time."
Chandra forced a smile, though the sight of Nyla only heightened the strange feeling in her chest. "Yeah, it has. I didn't know you were coming."
"I didn't either," Nyla said, her voice smooth and calm. "But I had a feeling I needed to be here."
Chandra's heart skipped a beat. A feeling? Something about Nyla's words—and the way she said them—made Chandra's skin prickle.
Nyla's gaze lingered on Chandra for a moment, as if she were studying her. Then she stood, smoothing down her skirt. "I think you and I have a lot to catch up on."
YOU ARE READING
Resonant Echoes
Science FictionSixteen-year-old Chandra Ford thought her biggest challenge was balancing school, dance, and figuring out her feelings for her best friend, RJ. But when she discovers an ancient resonator hidden in the forests of DeRidder, Louisiana, everything chan...
