Secret Powers

Chapter 7

Once home, Cindy approached her aunt with a heavy heart and a worried expression. She wanted to know the truth but wasn't sure that she could cope with what she might learn.
"What is it, Cindy?" Clara asked as she washed the dishes. "You look like you just saw someone die. Did something happen at school?"
"No..." She breathed in and held it a moment before exhaling trying to calm herself. With the way she was acting her aunt found herself turning off the water and drying her hands on a towel. "You asked me why I was acting weird this morning and I would like to answer now."
"Very well." Clara grabbed Cindy's arm and smiled sweetly at her. "Whatever it is, I'll listen intently and respond accordingly."
"There were two people at work yesterday." Cindy gazed right into Clara's eyes. "They claimed to be my parents." Shocked at the news Clara's mouth opened slightly, but Cindy continued. "I didn't believe them at first, but then I heard you talking to someone on the phone that night. They said that an agency snatched me from them. Are you working for that organization?"
Clara sighed, then pulled Cindy to the living room to sit on the couch. "Listen Cindy. I don't ever want you to think that I don't love. I love you like you were my child." Cindy felt herself not being able to breath as the meaning of the words hit her. "I'm not your aunt, nor did I know your parents. The part of the government that I work for gave me you and told me that I was going to take care of you as my last mission. I must confess that raising a little baby girl wasn't a mission I ever expected to get. However, a order was an order so I was given this house and you to watch till you were old enough to live on your own and make your own money. Maybe even till you got married. I was supposed to be your replacement mom. You were never to know the truth of your parents. So, what did they tell you?"
"Nothing more than that the agency snatched me from them to have me use my powers for the good of everyone instead of for myself." Cindy thought back to last night when she had met her parents for the first time.
"That figures." Clara scowled at the floor as if it had just personally insulted her. "They don't think of anyone else." She patted Cindy on the head. "Let me give you the whole story.
"It was about twelve years ago when I had just come back from a mission where I had to capture an evil power-using criminal. He had the power to walk through walls, making it very hard to chase after him. However, after a long chase, I caught him and had just got back to the headquarters when my work phone rang. I picked it up and the chief told me to go to his office ASAP. When I had arrived he told me about you and distinctly what I was to do.
"After that I was brought here and left with you. We were all alone together and I couldn't believe what had happened. I was forced to become a mother and retire my job despite my wishes." Clara smiled gently "but it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the bundle of joy, though and I don't regret it at all. You are a very important piece of my life, and I wouldn't trade this life for my old one.
"The story of your parents though..." She grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. "They weren't bad when they had you. They were just like anyone else. Our neighbors or the man who works at the grocery store. Everyday, average joes who didn't think that their world could change drastically like it did.
"They had been missing for a while, reported so by your father's boss who said he hadn't come in the day after his scheduled day off. When one of his close co-workers went to see what happened, they found the house in chaos. It was assumed that they were kidnapped after putting up a fight, that's what we still believe even today. Well, it wasn't long till they returned and told us that a man in black had appeared, taken them to a warehouse and left them there. It was strange, but we didn't have a lead to find the man.
"Then a few days later when one of the officers drove to a break in at a bank, they found them. Whatever had happened between kidnapping and resurfacing had changed them. Once we were told that they had become like this, my department immediately investigated, and found out that you had powers. We couldn't leave you in the hands of evil, so we stole you away. Leading to where we are now."
Cindy sat silently as her aunt stared at her. Clara smiled and stood up as she finally spoke. "I know what I'll do." She withdrew to her room for but a moment, then returned with a box wrapped with a pink ribbon. "You parents gave this to you the last birthday they spent with you. You were so small and adorable back then. What happened?" She chuckled a bit before sighing and putting out the hand with the little box. "It was deemed unnecessary for your survival and I was order to throw it away." Clara's eyes began to water as she spoke. "I couldn't... The only order I had ever ignored."
Cindy stared at the box for a time, then grabbed it with shaking hands. "Thank you." Cindy's world started to blur with the salty water drops that clouded her sight. She rubbed her eyes and proceeded to open the package. After removing the lid and tissue paper, she covered her mouth. In the colorful gift box sat an open gold locket with two pictures. She wasn't sure, but somewhere in her heart she knew, "These are my parents?"
Clara glanced over to the little photos and smiled. "Yes, they are. I guess they weren't all that bad." She patted Cindy's head as Cindy clasped the locket in both hands and let her tears fall. "I'm sorry for not telling you your true backstory. Will you ever forgive me?" With a little nod from her niece, Clara decided it was time for bed. "Good night." She retreated back to her room leaving Cindy alone on the couch with her new necklace.
"Mom..." She stroked the picture on the left side, then inspected the right one. "Dad..." She laughed at the thought. She had hated them up until a few moments ago, why the sudden change? Closing the locket, she stared at the red heart shaped ruby that sat in the middle. It was surrounded by silver swirls that made it even prettier.