THE GIFTED

CHAPTER 2

DREAMS

Candice

It never stops. The dreams won't go away. Sister Francis took me to a physician; he told us that nothing was wrong with me. He was wrong because for the second time tonight I wake up because of the same dream. It started two days back. It feels like dreams are slowly draining my energy. To be honest, it is nothing, just emerald green eyes looking at me and after which there is a battle, a horrifying battle. But it is the feeling that it stirs in me that is driving me mad. I feel caged. And I don't like being caged. 

"Candice will you hurry up for star sakes. How long does it take to tie a shoelace?" my best friend, says before taking off again. Everyone has to do laps today, even me. 

"I'll be telling you that in a few minutes Chase", I yell after him as I start running. It has just been three hours after sunrise. The weather is pleasant. The orphanage is making these exercises mandatory for everyone. They aren't telling why but everyone knows already. Attacks on orphanages and schools have become even more frequent. Ours is no different. In case of an attack, we need to be ready to fight or flee. All of my siblings are doing the same.

Chase suggested that I write everything down to make it easier for me to accept it. To accept that I am actually here, that I really don't have parents anymore. Both of them died a couple of months ago in an 'accidental' fire while in a meeting with the royal family, Lords, Dukes and other important people. They gave us money as compensation. Just like them to think money can solve everything. I was the daughter of two army generals. I don't need money. I have enough of that, and of education, food, clothes and more.

I was happy. I was content. I was their daughter. I was... never I am.

It hurts so bad, and the only one I can tell is Chase. I have one older sister, one older brother and two younger sisters. They are probably having a hard time digesting the reality too. Especially, Bree, she is the oldest. She was their favourite.

"Chase to Candy..." Chase says while waving a hand in front of my face.

"What?" I ask him

"Candy you just outran the whole batch!"

"I did?"

"Yea and you were crying, though only I noticed that last bit"

"I was? Oh, my stars!"

"Are you okay? I am worried about you; you are becoming more...um... distant"

"I am okay Chase and if there is anything at all I will always tell you"

"Cool, well could you stop running? It's not my most favourite thing to do." He says in

between breaths.

"Okay." I say as I slow down into a jog.

I can't believe I cried, I never cry. I am not an emotional person. Everyone knows how I am, I just don't cry, it's not me. I have to be strong. I have to be the brave girl my papa taught me to be. I have mourned them enough. Now I am going to fight and fight hard to make whoever took my parents away pay.

"You know what Chase, let's go inside. I am done"

Stephan

Sweat beads my forehead as my opponent charges again and I block his attack. I try to use his momentary falter to my advantage. But he catches me off guard when he spins around and slams his staff on my right arm. The pain is beyond description, I think my bone might have shattered. Now he has the upper hand and uses his staff again and a second later I am on the ground.