The sky was still dark when Ethan left for work. Mia lay wrapped tightly in her swaddling clothes, snug as a little dumpling, watching the world around her with fresh eyes. Now that she had access to the mysterious spring within her, everything seemed a little clearer. Her vision, once hazy, was sharper, allowing her to see every detail of the simple home.
Lila was outside chopping wood, her movements strong and steady. Despite the early hour, she was already hard at work. Mia couldn't help but admire her mother's strength. In this household, everyone seemed to have their role and purpose, and even her mother, who had just given birth, was always busy.
Over the next few days, Mia found small ways to use her power. She would sneak a few drops of the spring water to Lila whenever she could, hoping it would help improve her mother's health. She could already see a difference—Lila seemed to be moving with more vigor, her steps lighter than before.
Mia had come to accept that her family was no ordinary one. There were layers to their actions, secrets they kept from each other. Her father, who could steal herbs without blinking, her brother, who seemed so honest yet could be devious, and her sister, who wasn't afraid to spread a little gossip—all of them had more depth than they showed on the surface.
Mia was determined to learn as much as she could about them. She kept her eyes and ears open, always alert for any clue that might reveal more about their lives. Her family had accepted her presence without question, and she was grateful for that. But she was still new to this world, and she knew there was much she didn't understand.
On this particular morning, Mia was lying in her makeshift crib, listening to the sounds around her. Felix and Yara were nowhere to be seen, likely off to tend to their own tasks. The house was quiet, save for the steady rhythm of her mother's chopping.
As Mia lay there, she felt a strange sense of calm. She might be in an unfamiliar world with a family full of schemers and scoundrels, but they were her family now. And with her newfound power, she felt a little less vulnerable.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching the house. The door creaked open, and she felt the air shift. Mia couldn't see who it was from where she lay, but she knew someone had entered. Her mother's chopping stopped, and there was a brief silence.
Mia tensed, listening closely. She knew this could be an opportunity to gather more information. As she strained to hear, she caught snippets of conversation, but it was hard to make out the details. Whoever was there wasn't someone Lila seemed particularly pleased to see.
The visitor left after a few minutes, leaving behind an air of tension. Mia could sense that her mother was uneasy, though she tried to hide it. Lila returned to her chores, but her movements were a bit more hurried, as if she were trying to shake off whatever had just happened.
Mia lay back in her crib, pondering. She still had much to learn about this world, but one thing was clear: her family was hiding things, and she was determined to uncover their secrets. Armed with her spring water, Mia knew she could help protect them, even if they were reluctant to reveal everything to her.
As she drifted off to sleep, Mia silently vowed to herself that she would learn more. After all, this was her family now, and she had a role to play in it—even if that role was to quietly gather information and keep them safe from the shadows.