"Heyyy... hey... hey emo," that distinctive call had me turning my head, already knowing who it was before even looking. Rose, the one and only person who's ever tagged me with 'emo' like it was my shadow. A heavy sigh escaped me, "What?" I asked, trying to mask my irritation, only to be met with her finger flicking my forehead. Seriously, the nerve!
I shot her a glare, the annoyance clear in my eyes, but she just casually mentioned, "Nate's got something he wants to ask you." Great, as if the flick wasn't enough to deal with, now Nate had questions. I couldn't help but wonder what that had to do with her flicking me. "And that required a flick because...?" I rubbed at the slight sting, genuinely curious about her logic. It's like she has this belief that a little flick is the magical nudge to get my full, undivided attention. Well, mission accomplished, I suppose. So, what's this pressing question from Nate, and does it come with more flicks or have we moved past that now?
My train of thought was abruptly derailed by the sound of Nate's voice, cutting through the air like a knife. The laughter of Alex and Leah danced around us, adding to the sudden interruption. Nate had this smirk on his face, the kind that told you he was enjoying the moment a little too much. "All I was asking was what your ability is," he said, the chuckle in his voice making it clear he found the whole situation amusing.
I could feel my defenses rise, a growl escaping me almost instinctively, "Tch, I don't have to tell you anything," I shot back, my pride getting the better of me. But then, I caught Alex's eye, and there it was—the death glare. That look that said 'you better spill it or else.' And damn, Alex knew exactly what he was doing. He's my Achilles' heel, the one person who can make me bend, and he's well aware of it. I'd move mountains if Alex asked me to, and he knows that all too well. So there I was, caught between wanting to keep my secrets and wanting to cave for Alex. What's a little reveal of my abilities in the grand scheme of things, especially when Alex is the one silently demanding it?
With a heavy sigh, feeling like the weight of their stares was pressing down on me, I finally caved. "Fine," I started, my voice laced with a hint of defeat and annoyance, "I have the ability to enhance and take away abilities," I admitted, though it felt like pulling teeth. I could almost hear the unspoken questions hanging in the air, the curiosity practically palpable.
But that wasn't the end of it. I had this eerie sense that eyes were boring into me, silently probing for more. My gaze instinctively drifted to Rose, and sure enough, she was eyeing me with that all-too-familiar look of suspicion. It was as if she could see right through the facade, knowing there was a depth to my ability that I wasn't revealing. And she was right; there was more, much more, but that was my secret to keep.
Our eyes locked for a moment, and in that brief exchange, Rose seemed to understand the unspoken plea to leave it be. She gave a subtle nod, an acknowledgment of the silent boundary I had drawn. It was a silent pact between us; she wouldn't push for more, and I was grateful for it. It's not that I didn't trust them, but some things are better left unsaid, tucked away in the shadows of one's own mind.
"oh thats interesting", leah piped up as if she was thinking about something, but quickly continued.
"hmmm i cant think of which element its related to."
….. ok let me explain..Let's dive into the intricacies of genetic abilities and their elemental affiliations. Abilities related to gene expression are often intrinsically linked to one of the classic elements: earth, water, fire, and air. For instance, an individual with the capacity to manipulate metals would be associated with the earth element, as metals are a resource yielded by the earth itself.
Conversely, an individual with the ability to generate or control ice is clearly connected to the water element, as ice is simply a solid state of water. However, when we encounter abilities that defy these traditional categories, such as the command over plasma or other atypical forces, we step into a realm beyond the elemental chart.
In such cases where an ability lacks a clear elemental connection, it is often postulated that the individual may possess demonic lineage. Demonic abilities are characterized by their lack of adherence to the elemental constraints, often resulting in a volatile and unpredictable nature. This deviation from the norm is precisely why demonic beings are perceived as a formidable threat, as their powers operate outside the established boundaries of elemental affinity.
Mine's connected to water, but not entirely. For some reason, I have a mix of both elemental and non-elemental powers. You might be wondering how I'm connected to water. Well, think about energy and water—water is energy, right? It's all about flow, atoms, liquid, and change. That's the vibe my abilities share. Water embodies constant motion and transformation, much like the way my powers manifest. But here's the twist: blood bending is water too, just a different kind. It's quick, intense, and runs on its own unique current. It's not just about the fluidity of water but also about the life force it carries. This darker, more intense form of control taps into the very essence of living beings, allowing me to manipulate blood as if it were another form of water, with its own rhythm and pulse.
Our energy runs through our blood veins, and that's how I can cancel the power of other people. As long as I'm touching them, I can shut down or block their energy, cutting off the flow. The reason it's off the elements chart is because it's blood and not water—confusing, I know. It's like I'm straddling two worlds: one foot in the known elements and the other in a place that's off the grid. This unique blend allows me to tap into the life force itself, manipulating it in ways that defy conventional understanding. My abilities are rooted in the essence of life, making them both powerful and unpredictable. The duality of my powers means I can harness the fluidity and adaptability of water, while also commanding the intense, life-sustaining force of blood. This combination creates a dynamic and versatile skill set that keeps me connected to both the natural and supernatural realms, allowing me to navigate and control energies in a way that others can't.
Leah's gaze lingered on me with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Her eyes initially locked onto the jet-black strands of my hair before noticing the contrasting white streaks that ran through it. The change in her expression was subtle but noticeable. Then, with a hint of suspicion lacing her voice, she posed her question, one that seemed casual but was loaded with implications.
"Say, Ashton, who's your mom and dad?" she inquired, her tone suggesting she was fishing for a hint of my origins, trying to piece together whether I had any demonic ties. But she was unaware of the emotional landmine she had just stepped on. The topic of my parents was a tender one, a subject I guarded closely and seldom discussed.
Alex, who until now had been the epitome of ease, suddenly stiffened. The shift in his demeanor was palpable, a stark contrast to the laid-back persona that they had just became accustomed to. With a sense of urgency that was uncharacteristic of him, he announced our departure.
"It's time for us to leave. I think we've overstayed our welcome," he stated firmly, rising to his feet. His abrupt decision to exit the scene took everyone aback. In the short time they had known Alex, he had never displayed such seriousness or a desire to swiftly change the course of a conversation.
He strode over to me, a silent signal that it was time to go. The room filled with a tense silence, the atmosphere charged with unasked questions and unspoken concerns. It was clear that Alex's protective instincts had kicked in, and without another word, we both knew it was time to make our exit, leaving the mystery of my heritage hanging in the air like an unsolved riddle.
"Leah," Rose's voice came out as a sharp, angry hiss, her irritation slicing through the air like a knife. Leah, taken aback by the sudden hostility, stammered an apology, her words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone or anything. I don't care if you're a demon, I was just curious—"
But before Leah could finish her sentence, I cut her off. I didn't want to let the conversation spiral any further into dangerous territory. "First off, I don't care what you think, but just so we're clear—I'm not a demon, and I'm not offended," I declared, my tone leaving no room for further discussion. "And second, we're leaving. It's getting dark, and we have a long way to go before we're home."
I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the evening's events pressing down on me as I rose from my seat. The last traces of daylight were fading from the sky, and the road ahead promised to be long and taxing. It was time to leave the tension and the unanswered questions behind us, at least for tonight.
"Hey, look, I'm sorr—" Rose began, but I wasn't having any of it. I quickly interrupted her, firm in my resolve to put an end to the conversation.
"I said I don't care, and I mean it. We seriously need to get going," I insisted, emphasizing the urgency. "We've got a long walk ahead of us to get back home, and it's not getting any shorter the longer we stand here."
Leah glanced down, her eyes clouded with a sense of guilt, as she searched for a way to make amends. "How about, as an apology," she started, her voice tinged with hope, "you both spend the night with me and Rose at our place? It's not far from here."
Her suggestion hung in the air, a tentative offering of peace and a chance to salvage the evening. The thought of a place nearby to rest, without the daunting trek home, was certainly appealing.
Curiosity piqued, I mulled over the dynamics between Leah and Rose. They shared a home, yet they didn't seem to be sisters—their features were too dissimilar, and their abilities were as different as night and day.
"No, we really should get back home, but thanks for the offer," Alex replied, offering a small, appreciative smile that acknowledged the gesture. We all started toward the door, ready to exit the building and head home, when suddenly I felt a hand on mine. A subtle, unexpected touch that made my heart skip a beat, and I could feel my cheeks warming up again. Before I could react, I was pulled into a close, intimate space, and a soft whisper tickled my ear.
"That's our address, in case you need anything, come find us," Rose murmured, her breath a warm caress against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. Then, just as quickly as she had closed the distance between us, she let go of my hand, took Leah's, and the two of them, followed by Nate, The fleeting encounter left a lingering sense of intrigue, and the piece of paper in my hand felt heavier with possibilities.
As they made their way out, Leah paused at the threshold, casting a lingering glance back at us. With a deliberate and graceful bow, she offered a gesture of genuine remorse "You have my most sincere apologies about the question and everything, everyone has a like and boundary that other mustn't cross..Oh, and before I forget," she added, a hint of formality seeping into her tone, "I wanted to let you know that classes will be starting tomorrow." With those parting words, a mix of contrition and informative finality, Leah turned away, and the presence of the trio dissipated, leaving behind a silent echo of their departure.